The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

“I don’t understand,” she said, trying again in vain to pull her hands free.

“Well,” he began, “let’s start with the night he died.”

***

“What?” Parker said loudly. Madison turned back and faced the front of the car.

“OK,” she started, “you watch the road, and I’ll tell you.”

Parker glared at her but listened, feeling his heart rate pick up with each word.

“You guys gave me, let’s just say it, the impossible task of tracking down the mystery necklace,” she began. “Bit of a wild goose chase, I’m no dummy.”

Parker cleared his throat dramatically.

“And I guess I kind of deserved it,” she mumbled. “What you didn’t know is that I have, well had, a source heavily connected in the dark web.”

Parker indicated off the highway to head into North East. “The dark web,” he repeated.

“Yes. Know much about it?” she asked, looking at him sideways.

“Not going to lie,” he replied, “not a great deal. I have come across it a few times but never delved into it any deeper than needed.”

Madison sat back and tried to tell herself she was not enjoying being this close to him. “Basically, the dark web allows people to evade surveillance and move around online without a hint of traceability.”

Parker was silent for a few moments. “So, the necklaces he ordered on the dark web were untraceable?”

“No,” she replied. “My friend, let’s call him that, although he would hate it.” She snickered. “He is able to use the dark web to find things, impossible things.”

Parker nodded. “Useful friend to have.”

She sighed. “Yes, he was. This, however, was the deal-breaker.”

Parker looked over at her. “You used your last bargaining chip with a powerful source to help us on this case?”

Madison shifted in her seat, surprisingly uncomfortable with his attention. “Yes, but make no mistake, I will get something out of this.”

Parker laughed. “There it is,” he said with a smile. “Go on,” he said, gesturing that she should continue with her explanation.

“Well, if I bypass days of technical jargon, the Onion Router, known as TOR, was developed by the US Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-nineties to protect intelligence officers and their identities. When a person uses TOR, their IP address is hidden and movements are bounced from server to server, making it impossible to track.” Madison stopped talking as Parker slowed the vehicle. “What are we doing?” she asked as he pulled into a gas station.

“Madison,” he started, “I need to hear this and concentrate on what you’re telling me, not on the road.” She nodded. “Please go on.”

“My source was somehow able to use the dark web and hack in and out of places using the search parameters I gave him in relation to the necklace and pendant.”

Parker pulled out his notebook and waited.

“This is the good part,” she said with a sexy grin. “I’m glad you’re going to write it down.”

Parker shook his head.

“He pulled out three places where someone had ordered more than one but less than fifty pendants matching our description and only one of those started ringing my bells.”

Parker looked up. “North East,” he said.

Madison smiled, looking a bit puzzled. “I really thought you would be happier, you kind of look freaked out.” She paused to brush invisible lint off her skirt. “I mean, talk about connecting the dots and this being Surin’s hometown and all, she must be chomping at the bit!”

Parker turned his face away and stared at the neon lights flickering through the car window, then turned to face her once again.

“I can’t take you with me,” he sighed.

“Like fuck you can’t,” she replied, feeling her voice rise. “I brought you this, I mean this lead is mine!”

Parker nodded in agreement. “Madison, this isn’t a front-page story. This is someone’s life.”

Madison stared at him, dumbfounded. “I will be nothing but respectful to those girls. I’m not sure I’m understanding you. We had a bloody deal!”

Just as he was about to reply, a cell phone started ringing. Parker grabbed it out of his jacket pocket swiftly and answered.

“Erin?” he asked cautiously.

“Parker, she’s not home!” He heard sobbing erupt from the other end of the line. “She would never do this!” she continued.

“Erin, I agree, but please calm down.” He waited until he heard her blow her nose and take a few breaths. Glancing at Madison, he continued cautiously. “Where is Michael?” he asked.

“Oh Jesus, he is doing exactly what you think he is doing!” she said. “He’s walking the streets like an idiot, trying to find her.”

Parker swapped the phone to the other ear and leaned away from Madison. “I’m almost there, OK. Now stay put, get Michael home and wait for me.” He paused. “Erin?”

A loud sniffle crackled down the line. “OK, yes, you’re right, we’ll see you soon then.”

He said goodbye and hung up. They sat in silence for a few moments until Parker let out a deep sigh and ran his hands through his hair. “I can’t take you with me,” he repeated.

“It’s Surin, isn’t it?” she whispered as her hand came up and covered her mouth in shock. “What the fuck is going on, Rhodes?”

“I wish I knew,” he replied, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands and started up the car.

Madison continued. “Look, I know I’m not her favourite person, but I can sit with the family, I can help search, I can make calls…”

Parker nodded. “I’ll drop you at the local police station. See what you can find out.”

Madison nodded, happy that she wasn’t getting left at a roadside gas station.

“If a single word of this ever prints, Madison, I would go into hiding with your friend if I were you.”

Madison put her belt back on. “You think the killer would come after me?” she