What Happened That Summer

Chapter Eleven

Suki was waiting at the door for the Hounds. The four young adults were the best hackers, and they'd made a name for themselves in the Riverview.

"You can come in, Iblis." One of the Hounds called from behind the door.

"You kept me waiting," Suki growled, but they knew she wouldn't do anything about it. Some of them had been with her since the beginning.

"I think the wait will be worth it," Brimstone remarked, running a large hand through his short, dyed hair.

"What do you have? Any names for me?" Suki asked.

"A few. Mostly from a name list from the camp that Astarose was sent to. Saw some familiar names. " Hunter mused, making an amused noise. He swept a lock of mahogany hair behind an ear, chuckling to himself. Suki frowned at him.

"Who's the primary suspect? I want a name now." Suki demanded.

"There are several. I was wondering if you ever got sent anything from Astarose while she was at camp. Maybe a letter or a postcard, something with names?" Brawler inquired, the former college wrestler hulking over his colleagues in size and incredible intelligence.

"No, I don't think so," Suki replied.

"That would have helped," Ember grumbled, in his usual black temper.

"I was hoping you could just give me the names." Suki snapped, unamused by the men.

"So, best suspect they have is a young woman by the name of Darcy Quinn, in New York City," Hunter said quickly, shooting her a blindingly sweet smile.

"Background info?" Suki inquired.

"Aggravated assault, used to live in Texas, lost her mother and younger brother when she was at camp, and now owns a diner in the Manhattan. Dad was a detective, shot on duty. Oh, and she's pretty hot. A redhead." Brimstone listed off.

Suki rolled her eyes at his comment. "Addresses?" Suki questioned.

"Here." Hunter handed her a piece of computer paper with a street and apartment number hastily scrawled in his messy handwriting.

"All right. Thank you, boys." Suki commented, dipping her head slightly. "Looks like I need to pay a visit to Darcy Quinn."

"Be careful, Iblis. She could be dangerous." Ember warned her, glaring daggers from his shadowy eyes. Hunter kicked him before Suki could put a gun to his head.

"I'm always careful." Suki smiled, her fingers twitching with the need to punch Ember. "I'll be needing a picture of this Darcy Quinn."

***

Darcy shoved a rack of pastries into the oven, using all six convection ovens.

"It's almost time!" Selena boomed from the front.

"I know! I'm baking as fast as I can!" Darcy called up to her. She pulled on an oven mitt and grabbed a sheet of pastries from the rack. She picked each one up individually and put them on a different plate.

"Kai! I have more!" Darcy hollered up to the man. She rolled out more dough, pinching the corners into perfect triangles. As she dropped a chocolate square into the center and put it on the now-empty cookie sheet.

After about twenty more pastries, she put the sheet in the empty oven. Breathing heavily, she checked the time.

"We have a half-hour until the regulars start picking songs!" Darcy informed her staff.

"Oh, it's not like we're hauling ass up here for any reason!" Selena said to her.

"It's good that you're working hard!" Darcy replied.