Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 351

Sylvia Lloyd felt her legs give out beneath her. As her eyes fluttered shut, the last thing she saw was a pitch-black motorcycle helmet.

The man glanced down at Sylvia's crumpled form, pocketing the empty syringe. He let out a low chuckle. "Trust me, I'm not the only one who wants you dead. So long, Sylvia."

...

Rupert Garcia strode through the automatic doors, balancing a bag of takeout— cheeseburgers and fries-on one arm. He paused at the doorway to Sylvia's hospital room, only to find it empty, the bedsheets undisturbed, the air stale and lifeless.

He spun around and landed a punch squarely on his bodyguard's jaw.

"This is what you call protection?" Rupert's voice was icy.

"S-sorry, Mr. Garcia, I just stepped out for the restroom," the guard stammered, clutching his face.

"Who's been here?"

"That woman you helped-Mrs. Carter-and her son. I checked with the nurses; they said Ms. Lloyd went downstairs to find them just a few minutes ago..."

Before the guard could finish, Rupert was already storming off.

Downstairs, Mrs. Carter and her young son were shuffling wearily through the lobby, hand-in-hand. When they saw Rupert charging toward them, they nearly jumped out of their skins.

Rupert barked, not bothering with

resting?" Mrs. Carter

wrenched free from her grasp, dropping to his knees

Blackie get here? I gave him to

the trail of the insect's tiny footprints. Grim-faced, he ducked into the stairwell. At

was for Sylvia!" Jayson protested, pointing

glancing at Orson, his

to sweep the area. Minutes

syringe tossed in

a sedative," Orson reported. "Surveillance caught this

handed Rupert an iPad, showing a burly man in janitor scrubs, moving with the confidence of a linebacker. Clearly not a real

glared at the syringe in his hand.

crisply.

SPLASH!

gasped,

two middle-aged men standing over her-the same ones she'd

family elders?" she managed, her fists clenched, trying to keep her

laugh. "Look at that, she's got brains. Too bad knowing us won't do you any

her up, dragging her deeper into the night. As Sylvia's eyes adjusted, dread tightened her

off with yellow police tape. The

didn't act now, she'd disappear here