Crystal Mac: A prologue novella to Captive Series Book 3 HELL'S HILLTOP by J. A. Dennam

savor her taste until his building need forced him to break away. When his eyes opened, it was to find hers still closed. “That should earn me the right to say I think you’re making a big mistake.”
    Her lashes fluttered open and Mac stared into the ice-blue orbs as they cleared.
    “You just had to ruin it, didn’t you?” she murmured.
    They smiled together.
    “If it makes you feel better,” she said, “I doubt I’ll run into much opposition when I get there.”
    When he released the bunched cotton in his fist, he smoothed it out as a prolonged excuse to touch. “What makes you so sure?”
    “I sort of poisoned the well before I left last night. Anyone at Lesico who is hooked on Nexifen should take their last dose this morning.”
    The windshield wipers squeaked over dry glass. He straightened in his seat. “How many?” he asked.
    She also sat back, keeping her visage carefully blank. “I’m not sure. Around twenty.”
    So, her death toll was rising. No wonder she was so screwed up last night. Mac stared at her for a long time, searching for a hint of the emotion she’d displayed then. “When you go in, I want you to stay in contact with me at all times.”
    She held up one of the many pre-paid cell phones they’d acquired. “Got it.”
    “I’ll be close in case you need me.”
    “But not too close. You aren’t exactly inconspicuous, as we all learned last night.”
    If she ran into trouble, he’d drive straight through the front windows if need be. “Is that all you’re doing?” he asked, turning back onto the road. “Looking for Rafferty?”
    Amusement lit her face when she noticed him shifting in his seat. That kiss had made his jeans damned uncomfortable.
    “If it’s clear enough,” she answered, “I plan to search the database for a delivery history on our drugs. I may be able to find information on our basement chemist, something I failed to do last night.”
    Mac didn’t know much about computers, but sensed it was a more difficult task than she was letting on. “How do you expect to do that?”
    “I have Sophie’s ID and password. That is, if it hasn’t changed since Rena killed her. I’ve targeted one of Lesico’s server administrators just in case, but I’ll need to make sure he’s not logged on before I can use him.”
    As they merged onto the highway, Mac peered at her out of the corner of his eye. “So, Derek was right. You are a geek.”
    Her smile sparkled with confidence. “Oh, baby, you have no idea.”
     
    By the time they reached their first destination, Mac was fully briefed on the conversation she’d had with Derek, and about the effects of Tetrodotoxin poisoning. Such a torturous way to die… Though Mac felt her internal conflict over forcing twenty-plus men down that road, he also sensed her acceptance. Rafferty’s band of dark enforcers simply needed to go.
    It was going to be a big morning.
    “Park right here,” Crystal ordered, indicating an empty space near the manicured entrance of a two-story medical building. The intensity of her look meant she was preparing herself for something big. “I’ll be right back.”
    Before she could exit, he said, “No disappearing act, right?”
    “Just keep the engine running,” she threw over her shoulder as she hopped down and slammed the door.
    That didn’t sound good. They were in a surgical outpatient parking lot. What was she going to do, raid the gift shop?
    Nerves pr ompted him to turn on the radio. In the span of two classic rock songs and a commercial break, she was back with a plastic bag marked “Personal Belongings”.
    Mac stared in utter disbelief. “Nothing like doing a little shopping in outpatient surgery.” He put the van in reverse.
    “I did this one chick a favor.” Plastic crinkled as she reached in and pulled out a pair of black flats. “Just look at these hideous things.”
    “I can’t believe you stole a patient’s shoes.”
    A mile down the road, she pointed to his left.