Carl paced the length of the tower that crowned The Lodge. Everyone went on and on about how amazing the view was from up here, but in Cloudcroft, you could say that about almost any view.

  He kicked at the scuffed floor. Fuck this shit. First he’d gotten the blueball treatment from that stupid crippled bitch, then Richard sent him up here to man the ham radio.

  He hated this cramped little room. Too many windows. Anyone could be spying on him. And that stupid radio, crackling all the time. What’s the good of having slaves if they can’t do shit jobs like this? he thought.

  His original plan for the night had involved the Clark girl. Like any slave, she would have jumped at the chance to lay around for a few days instead of working her ass off in the mines. But instead he’d gotten the call to come up and put on his little “act” for their newest arrival.

  It wasn’t all an act for Carl, though. He adjusted himself and muttered a curse. Teri had given him an itch, and he was ready to get back to the mines and scratch it. But he wasn’t crazy enough to risk crossing Adrian.

  He glanced around at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. It was Richard, wearing his usual scowl. “Carl,” Richard said.

  “Hope you’ve got a good reason for this,” Carl said. “It ain’t like I got nothing better to do.”

  “I don’t need a good reason,” Richard said. “But as luck would have it, I do. I have a job for you.”

  “Ain’t got time for a job,” Carl said. “Got to get back to the mines with the others. Slaves are still restless over there and I need to keep an eye on them. But that’s okay, I’m sure whatever you’ve got is more important.”

  “Yep, it is,” Richard said.

  “Need to stay on them all the time, you know? Hard to do when you’re being pulled all over the place ...”

  “Carl,” Richard said. “Shut the fuck up.”

  Carl’s face reddened. “You can’t talk to me like that.”

  “Can and will.” Richard stepped close to him, towering over him. “Do I need to remind you that you aren’t the big teke around here anymore? What do you think George would do to you if Adrian said you were no longer under his protection? You know how attached he was to that little slave girl you beat the shit out of. He’s been looking for an excuse, and I wouldn’t mind giving him one.”

  The blood drained from Carl’s face. “I … I … Jesus, Richard, I was just blowing off some steam. It ain’t like that, I ...”

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  Richard exhaled. “Yeah. It’s fine. My temper’s a little short. I haven’t had a dip of Skoal in six hours, and it’s starting to … well, you know how it is.”

  “Shit, yeah,” Carl said. He pulled a pack of Camels out of his pocket, trying to keep his hand from shaking. “Want a smoke?”

  “No,” Richard said. His eyes were fixed on the pack. “Trying to quit.”

  “Quit? Why the hell would you do that?”

  “Long story. Look, we need you to do this for us. It’s important, real important. If you can pull it off, Adrian says you can have pretty much anything you ask for.”

  “Anything?” Carl licked his lips. “I want the doc’s wife. I seen the way she looks at me. Like a scared animal. Thinks she’s too good for me. She and her Harvard husband. He acts like I’m trash, but I’m his better.” Spittle flew from Carl’s lips as he spoke. “I’ll do it in front of him. Teach him his place.”

  “Fine,” Richard said. “I did say ‘anything,’ didn’t I? But after the job is done.”

  “I’m your man,” Carl said.

  “Good.” Richard smiled. His eyes strayed back to the cigarette between Carl’s lips as he explained the plan.

  Carl scratched his head. “Don’t sound too hard,” he said. “Cindy Wilder’s kid will do. Her youngest. She’s the right age, got black hair. Taller than your girl, but that don’t matter; won’t be much left after the wolves get to her.”

  “You have to make sure of that,” Richard said. “The body can’t be recognizable. And even Tim can’t suspect anything.”

  Carl snorted. “That old drunken shitbird couldn’t find a snowflake in a blizzard. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Good.” Richard handed him a bag. “Make sure she’s wearing these clothes. Once it’s done, head back to the mines. I don’t want to see you within a mile of town until you hear from Adrian or me.”

  “Got it,” Carl said. “And the doc’s wife?”

  “Once I give you the all clear, you’ll have her,” Richard said. “Right now, focus on the job.”

  “No problem.” Carl grinned again, dropped the cigarette butt and ground it out on the floor with his boot. Then he hoisted the bag over his shoulder and headed out the door.

  Anything I want, he thought. Zimmer’s wife, for a start. Then maybe he’d take his daughter, too. See how smug and superior the bastard was after that.

  Carl was whistling as he climbed onto the snowmobile.

  Richard watched Carl ride away. He’d like to say it was a shame he’d have to kill him, but it wasn’t.

  He was coming to understand what Adrian meant. Richard was the only one who could keep secrets from the girl, so he’d have to tie up any loose ends. Adrian couldn’t know—no one could.

  Everyone involved had to die.

  Doc Zimmer, for a start. No loss there. He was just a normal and they could find another doctor.

  Carl was a tougher job. He might be trash, but he was still one of them. He was mostly loyal, as long as they allowed him his diversions, and he was far and away their best overseer.

  But Richard would do it. He’d taken out one of their own before. Danny had been a mentalist, ten times as valuable as Carl ever dreamed of being—and Richard’s best friend.

  It still hurt to think about. But Danny had tried to take over, and Richard couldn’t let that happen. Danny wasn’t ruthless enough to make it in this world and give Richard the protection he needed. Adrian was. It was as simple as that.

  But now, maybe things were different. Richard was thinking through all the angles. Just like Jack Ryan.

  Until now, Adrian had been his best bet. He’d never met anyone who could think like Adrian. Always two steps ahead of everyone in town.

  But this Teri was smart—maybe smart enough to think circles around Adrian, and so powerful she wouldn’t need to be ruthless.

  Maybe it was time to consider a change in leadership—before Adrian had time to realize where things were going.