False Finder (4 page)

“So why you staring then?” Jaz pressed and Cora held her breath as she waited for his response.

“Wouldn’t you like to know what’s going on inside her head? She’s taking all of this too well and I don’t like it.” He lowered his voice to barely a whisper but Cora caught the gist of what he had said.

The words rang true in her mind and Cora’s smile grew even wider at Sam’s confusion and nervous energy. Turning around to face them both, they jumped apart instantly. Their ‘not guilty’ looks were laughable at best, but Cora ignored them.

“Do you have a spare pen I can borrow? Mine stopped working,” she enquired innocently, holding up the biro and shrugging.

“No, we don’t,” Jaz spat when it became obvious Sam wasn’t going to respond.

Cora shrugged again, not displaying any emotions on her face. Inside she was laughing uncontrollably and as she turned back to face the front of the class, she caught Sam mouthing ‘What the hell was that?” to Jaz as she shrugged.

“I don’t know, but I think you may be right,” she mumbled in response, causing a satisfied feeling to spread through Cora.

Good, they’re on edge
, she thought as looked around the room, studying everything. Watching the professor, his eyes seemed to linger on her a little longer than they usually would have as he marked down their attendance. When she saw them widen in response to her presence, Cora knew her time had run out. Of course he would have been given orders to inform Rogan of her presence.

Instantly, Cora’s eyes found the fire alarm in the wall next to her seat. It was the reason she had chosen to sit there. Spinning, Cora snatched Sam’s pen, stabbing at the glass to break it and sound the alarm; ignoring his protests.

The sound of the siren immediately began to wail throughout the building causing people to panic. Since the riots, alarms sent people into frenzied mob—something Cora was banking on to get her out of the room unseen as she stood with them all. Hurrying towards the door with the flow of people, she grabbed a hold of Sam and Jaz, hauling them in her direction as the corridors filled with screaming people and the thuds of footsteps.

They couldn’t fight her in among everyone so letting her drag them along, it wasn’t until fresh air filled their lungs did they try to struggle. However, arms full of folders and books, Cora was too strong for them. Continuing to follow the crowd, the alarm started to become quieter as they walked further away from it.

Out in the open, people started to calm down as they realised there was no fire. Instead they remained standing in big groups on the grass, waiting to be let back into the building.

It was the only chance Cora could see she was going to get. “So why did you do it?” Cora demanded, cutting straight to the point as she angled her body so she could see both Sam and Jaz, as well as the three men she assumed to be Rogan’s. They were keeping their distance and trying to look like they belonged but they just didn’t.

“Do what?” Sam asked, choosing to plead ignorance.

“You know what I’m talking about and it’s probably in your best interest not to lie to me again.” Cora threatened, aware of the little time she had. Giving them the most sinister look she could muster, her eyes flicked between them before checking the position of the men. They were still keeping watch but not advancing which was good.

“We have no idea what you are talking about, Cora,” Sam spoke, his words ringing with the lie.

“Liar.”

“Yeah right. I’m your friend, I would tell you if I knew something.”

“Lying again.” Sam’s eyes darted to Jaz anxiously and Cora was pleased that her demeanour had at least one of them worried.

“Okay, forget what you did. You and I both know the truth so I don’t need a confession. What did Rogan give you in exchange?”

She was met only by silence.

Sam looked across at Jaz, eyeing her as if in question to what they should do. Seeing this, it was clear to Cora that Jaz was the one making the decisions.

“Go and annoy someone who cares, Jaz.” Cora took a threatening step forward to emphasise her point. Thankfully, she got the message and casting a sidelong glance as a way of apologising to Sam, Jaz left.

Once Jaz was out of sight, Cora took a step closer towards Sam, reaching out her arms so they wound around the back of his neck. To anyone passing by it may have looked like they were in a relationship but from the rigid posture of Sam’s body, Cora could tell he didn’t like how this was playing out.

“Put your hands around my waist,” Cora ordered. If she couldn’t get the information from him, she was going to at least give Rogan’s men something to question.

Complying, Sam placed his hands on her hips lightly. It was better than any alternative Cora would offer.

“Good, now do as I say and I won’t make your situation any more difficult by making Rogan think you’re involved with me. He doesn’t like people touching his property and if you get your way and I get caught this could end very badly for you if he thinks you’re helping me.”

“You bitch!” he hissed and went to break free.

Tightening her grip so he couldn’t pull back, Cora laughed cruelly. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Now place your hands back into position and tell me what Rogan offered you in return for your information?” Her lips grazed his ear as she spoke, her tone low and menacing which caused Sam to shiver with fear.

Plastering a fake smile on her face, she pulled back slightly to watch Sam’s reaction. He looked torn, she could see half of him wanted to tell her and the other was both worried about what might happen if he told and if he didn’t.

“Come on, or do you want to give the man behind us a real show? It’s your choice.” Cora’s face was deadly serious as she spoke but there was a hint of a smile that signalled she was enjoying tormenting Sam a little too much.

“He didn’t offer us anything,” Sam whispered.

Instantly Cora shuffled a little closer, trailing her arms down his spine as she pressed her body right against his. Her head lowered so her mouth was level with his ear.

“You’re lying,” she whispered, her breath caressing his neck and causing him to shiver as she called his bluff.

Sam remained silent and when Cora got no response she pulled her arms back making sure one finger trailed along his jaw as she spoke.

“You’ll break by the end of the day and things just got a hundred-times worse for you. When Rogan hears about how his snitch is playing with his new toy before he can, I won’t be the one denying it.”

Cora had no intention of getting caught, and she knew Rogan wouldn’t care about Sam unless he was helping her. Regardless, Sam didn’t know that and it seemed the mention of his name could be a very powerful threat. Something Cora locked in her mind for future reference.

Chapter 4

He had been watching her since she arrived on campus and it had come as a shock when he found out their False Finder had in fact been Cora. Once that had been revealed, he had made sure to keep his distance and tail her from afar unlike the others. After receiving first-hand experience of how good Cora was and how sharp her instincts were, he figured she had probably noticed most of the men placed around campus already—it’s not like they were blending in successfully.

She would receive a shock when he met up with her, though. There was no way she would be expecting to see him after what happened last time and he would love every second of it. Rogan may have not wanted anyone to hurt her physically but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have his fun before handing her over.

With a sinister grin he resumed watching her. She hadn’t changed much. Her hair had grown so it stopped in the middle of her shoulder blades but that was it. She still had a petite frame, with only small curves that were highlighted by the tight, navy tank top, jeans, and cropped black jacket but nothing else looked different. He had to admit the new development with the guy who snitched on her was a shock. He just couldn’t figure out why Cora was getting so close to him.

Maybe she doesn’t know it was him
, he thought, and his day was getting better at the prospect of being able to ruin a young love as well as earning a big cash bonus. He deserved it after having to follow her around all day.

He pulled out his mobile to check how long they had been on the stake out and noticed he had a message:
Leverage acquired.

Pocketing the phone with a sinister smile, he knew it was time to move in and that Cora wouldn’t escape him. When he looked up again, though, she was gone.

His eyes flew around the campus, rapidly falling on individuals in the hope one of them was her, but none were.

A fleck of blonde hair disappearing around the corner of the building caught his attention. When one of his men started off after it, he knew that’s where she had gone and began following quickly.

* * *

After leaving Sam, Cora had taken one last look at Rogan’s men and disappeared into the crowd. She blended seamlessly into the mass of bodies that were heading back into the building and following Jaz, she let her lead her towards the canteen. Cora thought she may be able to get her to crack if she was on her own. But with the amount of people filing through the rooms Cora lost sight of her for a second. Scanning the crowd frantically, Cora searched for the strand of purple hair that would stand out.

There
, Cora thought, her eyes landing on Jaz as she exited the room through a door on the opposite side of the room. Aware that her time was running out, Cora began to try and push her way through to get to Jaz, but the protests from people caused her to become the centre of attention. As people parted to scowl at her, the gap they left gave Cora a clear view of Rogan’s men who had followed her.

Their eyes locked on to her like homing missiles as they began to make their way towards her. At the sight, Cora forgot all about Jaz, her heart speeding up as she moved on instinct. Jumping through the nearest exit, Cora picked up a run as soon as she was free from the crowd, taking off down the hallway. She wound her way through the corridor, taking as many turns as possible to try and make sure the men wouldn’t trace her steps.

Just as she was rounding the last corner that would take her to her lesson the voices she heard stopped her.

“Is this really worth it, Jaz? You know what she’s capable of…hell she could make things much worse for us, me in particular, if Rogan gets hold of her.”

Peering around the wall, Cora saw Sam stood in front of Jaz. Her back was pressed against the wall as Sam cornered her. Cora’s shoes dragged against the floor, squeaking loudly on the tiles.

Instantly Sam shut up, turning his head in the direction of the sound but Cora was quicker. Retreating behind the wall and out of sight, she held her breath and counted to twenty. When she had reached sixteen, she heard the voices resume. However, not wanting to be caught and interrupt any information Sam might divulge, Cora remained hidden and just listened.

“How is it not worth it? We have a life time of support and will never have to worry about money again. Also, how will Cora be more dangerous after Rogan has her? She will be under his thumb and hardly allowed out.”

“I know that—I can’t explain—I just—”

Cora had heard enough. “So that’s what you sold me out for was it? Money? I could have guessed as much. Did you not realise I would have helped you any way I could, had you asked? You didn’t need to stab me in the back,” she sneered as she rounded the corner, stepping into sight.

“Money was an added benefit, we just didn’t want to be around you and we definitely don’t want to be in your debt,” Jaz spat while turning her head to face Cora. Sam on the other hand was avoiding all eye contact and was more interested in the people walking by.

“So you thought you’d ruin my life? You’re a bigger bitch than I first thought and if you have learnt anything about me in the last year, make sure it’s this: I don’t lose, I will never be owned and those who stab me in the back always get what they deserve.”

Before waiting for a reply Cora turned on her heels, moving to leave when another orange slip of paper taped to the wall caught her eye. On it, in the familiar blue scribble, was her name and at the sight Cora sighed in exasperation. The game was getting old quickly.

Not wasting any time, Cora flipped open the paper, her eyes scanning the words. Mentally groaning at the message, it was what she had come to expect—that didn’t mean she liked it though.

If you want to avoid Rogan’s clutches you had better get a move on. The men who have been following you all day are beginning to make their move. Don’t corner yourself in a classroom.

The advice it stated was blatantly obvious to Cora, she had already discarded the thought of attending her lesson by the time she had read the second word. Turning back in the direction of Sam and Jaz, she decided that would be the safest route. She hoped the men had all followed her out of the canteen and were therefore coming from behind her. However, her worst fear was confirmed when she turned in the opposite direction. Stepping out from around the corner, a man dressed in a black hoodie, jeans, and sneakers blocked her path. His body easily filled the corridor and even though she had done it once before, Cora didn’t want to go through a fight again if she didn’t have to.

Surprisingly, the man hadn’t charged her yet, instead he stood with his arms folded creating an intimidating presence as he locked eyes with her.

The reason for his lack of movement became clear when Cora went to turn and flee in the opposite direction. Two more men were walking towards her, closing the gap and surrounding her.

Shit
, Cora thought, her head turning frantically from either side as she weighed her options. It wasn’t a hard decision really; it was either take on two men twice her size, or one. She knew which one she would stand more chance of escaping with, so turning away from the guys who were approaching her she ran towards the lone man.

Sam and Jaz had slipped conveniently into the nearest classroom, so giving her a free run she charged at the man, throwing a punch in his direction as soon as she was close enough.

He caught her hand easily, deflecting the blow and causing Cora to try again. She may have had seven years of martial arts training but up against someone as big as him it was proving to be useless.

As her next blow fell, he caught her wrist again, shortly followed by the other. Transferring them both into one hand he spun her around, locking his grip tightly around her and pressing her back into his chest as he secured her effortlessly.

Cora pulled, tugging hard to try and free her wrists. Every move she thought to use failed to hit its mark as the guy countered every attack. She didn’t land one hit. It was futile. There was no way she could beat the man in a fair fight, not with his backup approaching quickly.

Thinking about fighting fair gave her an idea.

“I’m going to be sick.” Mustering up every acting skill she could dream of Cora started to make retching noises, her body convulsing slightly as she tried to make it believable.

Just like she assumed, the guy released his hold slightly for a second and the approaching men faltered, not wanting her to throw up on them. In doing so he gave Cora the much needed room to move.

Without a moment’s hesitation she brought up her right leg, bringing it down along the man’s shin with every ounce of force she could summon. She felt the bone splinter under the force of her kick as the man collapsed, releasing Cora instantly as he hit the floor to clutch at his leg.

Cora didn’t have to be told twice, taking the opportunity she had created she turned and ran.

The men charged after her, jumping their fallen colleague and picking up speed as they flew down the corridor.

Cora took the next right, left, left, right, heading towards the nearest exit. Her hair was flowing behind her, the odd strand whipping her in the face as she misjudged the last corner and had to push off the wall in front of her.

She could hear the laboured breathing and heavy footfalls of the men as they chased after her. Cora’s heart felt like it was going to explode from her chest, not only with exertion but from fear too.

She couldn’t get caught.

She wouldn’t allow herself to get caught.

Slamming her hands down on the metal release bar to open the door, she stumbled outside, glancing behind her for a second as she kept moving.

Turning back to face the way she was going, Cora collided with something. Her head smashed into the hard structure and her body bounced back, the impact forcing her to the floor.

Shaking her head out, she pushed off her hands, readying to stand up and start running again but something—or rather someone—was blocking her way.

The figure stood silhouetted in front of the sun, making his face unrecognisable in the glaring light. A hand appeared in front of her face offering to help her up and, in her shaken state, Cora grabbed it without thinking.

Clasping hold of her, the man’s reasonably relaxed grip transformed instantly, turning to steel. He held her wrist tightly, creating an unbreakable cuff around her arm that she couldn’t fight off.

The man ignored her screaming, spinning her around and immobilising her against his body. Her arm was pulled up behind her back, threatening to snap if she made even the slightest move in the wrong direction. He had also cleverly trapped his legs around hers, making it impossible for her to pull the stunt she had on the guy in the corridor. In fact she couldn’t move a muscle.

Even the slightest resistance she put up added to the strain put on her arm, causing her to groan in pain. There was nothing she could do—the man had successfully caught her and he couldn’t be happier.

“Aren’t you pleased to see me, Cora? Or should I say Sarah?”

The voice sounded familiar but her mind couldn’t place who it was.

“Who are you?” she moaned, trying to find a position that lessened the pain.

“I’m hurt and offended you don’t remember me. I thought the memory would be ingrained into your mind.” He didn’t sound insulted, but rather like he was getting immense pleasure from her situation as his head lowered closer to her ear.

“How the hell am I meant to know who you are when I can’t see you?” Cora tried to turn her head to face the man but she only got halfway round. Catching a glimpse of dark brunette hair, he gave a tug on her arm, causing her to cry out and raise up on to her toes as she tried to lessen the pressure.

Changing his position, he locked both of Cora’s wrists inside one of his strong hands before flicking her around as if she were no more than a child. He kept the pressure strong, making sure he was out of reach of any kicks while giving her a good look at him.

“Hello Cora,” he smiled evilly, clearly enjoying her trauma.

“You asshole! Let me go!” Cora struggled against his grip, lashing out with kicks as she tried to free her arms. Nothing worked though, bent in two she felt like a ball dangling on a string. He had her and both of them knew it.

“Sorry, can’t do that and you know it. The boss wants your ability bad, Cora. Bad enough that he was willing to send me to retrieve you. I think he’s going to be pleasantly surprised when he finds out you’re Sarah.”

“I’m not a pet Rogan can call on to come running and I’m definitely not his property. I owe him nothing and I owe you nothing,” she spat, panting heavily as she calmed her movements.

“Not yet anyway,” he mumbled, smirking at the scowl she threw him.

God Cora hated that face and nothing she had done seemed to have made the slightest difference to his looks.

“Screw you, Nick. This isn’t your fight, let me go,” Cora slowed her words down into a low, threatening tone. It wasn’t like she could do anything though and he knew it. Hell, it was what was making him so confident.