“You really think she’s that important, boss?” Jason asks.
I inhale, allowing the burn to trickle down my throat and into my lungs. I lower my cigarette and flick the end a little so the ash falls. The brick wall I lean against chills me down as the small flame from my cigarette warms my face when I draw it near.
“If the Lions were that desperate to grab her, she has to be important for some reason” I reply, letting the cold air take the heat from my cheeks.
“She’s lived a pretty ordinary life. Went to school. Went to University for a bit. Works and lives in a shared apartment. Nothing exceptional. She did get caught once for shoplifting but she was only sixteen so I doubt that’s it.”
“What did she take?”
“Huh?”
“What did she steal?”
I hear Jason move from the couch to the entrance of the double glass doors, where one is shut and one open, me leaning next to the former. “She tried to steal expensive lingerie,” Jason chuckles.
I smile, taking another deep breath in tobacco.
“Why does that not surprise me? Her hair’s shorter than the photo you showed me.”
“Easiest photo to get ahold of. Her socials were private but school photos were easy. It was the same year she lost her mum.”
“Makes sense. The girl in the photo looked like she’d never experienced pain in her life.”
“Jealous?” Jason asks, leaning against the frame, creaking against his weight.
“If I wasn’t I'd be stupid. You’re jealous too.”
“Course I am. She’s a girl with friends and few worries other than bills. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?”
“Now she’s here” I sigh, dropping my cigarette to the concrete.I put it out with my foot and turn to face Jason. “I need you to keep digging. Find out about her mother.”
“You think it could be something to do with her mother’s past?”
“Maybe. We’ll just need to find out” I reply, stepping into my makeshift office. A couch lies against the wall directly in front of me, next to the entrance doors. A desk sits to my right, a dishevelled bookcase to my left. “Use the computer as much as you like. Get Benny to help you, he’s good with technology. I’m going to bed. Wake me when they arrive with any information about Valerie’s friend.”
“Sure, boss.”

I leave Jason in the office, making my way towards the stairs to the second floor, towards my room. I figured that she would at least know why Brandon and his goons would be after her? Even just an idea or suggestion, but this girl is useless.
I find myself passing her room and pause, checking for any noises of any sort. Just cause we nailed the windows shut doesn’t mean she’s given up.
I tentatively grab the key from my pocket and turn it in the lock, waiting for any noise of movement.
Nothing.
I open it slowly and peek inside. Valerie’s body is in the foetal position, the pillow scrunched underneath her head. Her eyes are puffy and red but closed, her breathing deep and slow. Must have cried herself to sleep. Jesus, she’s in a stranger’s place but still sleeps this deep? what an idiot.
I shut the door and lock it again. I start to walk again towards the stairs for the third floor but the rapid footsteps running up the stairs holt me in my tracks.
“Boss!” Tim rushes with Croc and Fiona behind him.
“What happened?” I demand. Their concerned faces rub against my nerves. “You guys ok?”
“Yes, but…” Fiona pants out, her long and loose blonde hair sticking to her forehead with sweat.
“Her friends dead” Croc grunts out, his dead pale eye almost glowing in the early morning light from the windows in the corridor.
“How? What happened?”

“We got to the apartment, even knocked on the door when there wasn’t any movement. The door was unlocked and the girl was already dead” Tim explains.
“Fuck” i breathe, running my hand over my face.
“It was terrible,” Fiona says, silently crying. “Looks like they tried to get information from her but when she couldn't give them anything they killed her.”