Fear Her Wrath III: It Runs on Blood

Chapter 28

Well, it had finally happened. It wasn't like I was unprepared. I knew there was a non-zero chance that Psychosis would show up at the boxing match, and that whatever he had planned would probably make my life hell for weeks afterwards. What I didn't expect was a mass prison break, or for Psychosis to declare himself Don Montagnese's successor as "Emperor of Crime." Clearly he'd decided that merely being my arch-nemesis wasn't enough—he needed to be the single biggest threat to the safety of Marbrose City if he wanted my attention.

The Miraculous Mandarin had vanished into the crowd immediately after the lights came up, but Corrigan still had a red mark on her neck and a cold fury in her eyes that would have worried me if I was one of Psychosis's goons for hire. Or maybe not. John Liu had gotten his alias from his seeming inability to die, no matter how many times he fell from tall buildings, got caught in deadly explosions, or was tossed into the Marbrose River in a sack.

("The Miraculous Mandarin" is the name of a ballet by Bela Bartok. Surprisingly highbrow for a hired killer.)

Dad and I were able to skip the orderly evacuation using Corrigan's badge, but the mafia lowlifes beat us to the exits by shoving their way past the ushers and police without waiting for instructions. They'd already been through one mob war this year, and they wanted to head off another before it got started. Corrigan stopped near the entrance to have a chat with Tyrone Robbins, the arena's head of security, which gave me a chance to glance at my phone.

There was only one message, from an unknown number.

'Did you like it? - P'

"Oh my god," I said under my breath. "Of course he has my phone number."

I immediately blocked him—though knowing Psychosis, it wouldn't do much good. Corrigan's conference with Robbins was brief, and I could tell she wasn't impressed with his lame attempts to explain how a wanted criminal—not to mention an 8-foot gorilla—managed to sneak into the arena without being seen. She was practically fuming when we finally made it out to the sidewalk.

"You know, I'm used to having people lie to me because I'm a cop," said Corrigan. "But I wish they would try a little harder. Robbins was paid off. He's better off just admitting it, because nobody on the Montagnese payroll is gonna fall for his bull—."

She glanced at me and checked herself.

"I need to get to Chilltern Banks. Mallory and the others are my problem. I'm sorry, Colman. I—."

"Maggie and I understand," said my dad. "I should also get to the hospital. They'll need all hands on deck in the emergency room with all those convicts on the loose."

"I'll take Maggie home," said Corrigan. "It's on my way. Be careful, Colman."

"You too."

I looked away so I didn't have to see them kiss—ick—then left with Corrigan, while Dad ran off toward the hospital where he worked. Corrigan kept a firm hold on me for the entire walk back to the parking lot, pulling me closer every time we passed an even remotely suspicious-looking character. The drive back to Joplin Heights was short, and Corrigan was preoccupied with the bulletins coming in on the police band. I took the opportunity to text Ellie for updates. As expected, there was nothing but bad news. Josie's bombs—assuming they were Josie's—had blown several gaping holes in the perimeter walls and all the main cell blocks. A few prisoners had been killed in the blasts, but hundreds of others had taken their chance and ran for it. Apparently every cop in Marbrose City was heading to the Fen, along with all the Montagnese family's pet freaks.

'Hazel wants to know if you need any help.'

'Tell her to STAY HOME,' I replied. The McFarrens lived just ten minutes from Merceron Prison, and the last thing I needed was Hazel roaming the streets looking for trouble. Besides, I had a rule of not asking Hazel to take risks I wasn't willing to defend to Mrs. McFarren. I was not going to be the person who got her daughter killed.