"That's the first time tonight someone said something that made me smile," I told him. Both of these men would look good with a few fingers missing. Then a few toes. Maybe their eyelids after that.
"Our next lot is for those who are musically inclined," the auctioneer said smoothly.
Unlike everyone else here, he wore a mask to hide his identity. Coward. If you were going to sell women, you should have the balls to show your face.
I cast a sidelong look at Forrest. His expression was unreadable. He might have been thinking the same thing I was, and he might have been thinking about the price of eggs. Why eggs? I didn't know. I rarely knew what was going on inside Forrest's head. He was as closed a book as anyone I ever met. Trying to decipher him would only give me a headache.
I turned my attention back to the auctioneer.
Whoever he was, we'd find him soon enough. They always left a trail. They were good, but we were better. I know, I know, it's a cliche, but I don't give a shit at this point. They shouldn't get away with this.
Another man in a mask, with a matching suit, the same height and physique as the auctioneer, led Savannah out a door to the side of the room. One that was obscured by a Japanese-style screen.
She looked exhausted and terrified, but unharmed. That is to say, there were no bruises on her face or hands, or what I could see of her legs. The rest of her was covered in a short black dress with long sleeves and a plunging back.
"Some of you may recognize her from the orchestra," the auctioneer said. He sounded familiar. Did I know him? Whatever, he was dead either way. "Who will start the bidding?"
The room was silent for a few moments.
"Come on, somebody start us off," the auctioneer urged. "She's cute, smart and talented. Think of the fun you could have."
Think of the fun I could have smashing your face in with a hammer, I thought.
Finally, the real estate developer said, "Two million."
Trembling, Savannah glanced over to him. She leaned forward a little, like she was going to throw up on the auctioneer's patent leather shoes.
"Any other bids?" the auctioneer asked. "Come on, this woman is worth more than that. She'll make beautiful music for you."
I couldn't see his smile, but I heard it in his voice. He wasn't talking about using a musical instrument.
Prick.
I was going to enjoy peeling the skin off his body.
"Three million," Forrest said, his tone suitably bored. He was doing his best impersonation of a complete asshole. Okay, it wasn't that much of a stretch, but he was a better man than the rest of them standing in this room. Myself included.
"Four million," the real estate developer said.
Forrest looked disinterested before saying, "Five million."
Savannah gaped at him, finally recognizing both of us. She blinked a bunch of times, not knowing if we were there to help her or harm her.
I hated that.
If I could tell her things would be okay, I would. For one thing, I couldn't guarantee that. For another, we had to maintain our cover for a while longer. If things went according to plan, we could explain everything. Hopefully, she'd understand.
"Six million," the real estate developer said as if that bid would automatically push Forrest right out of the running.
Forrest looked irritated, as if he was beaten and he knew it, but didn't like it. Of course not. Forrest didn't like to lose. No one in this room did.
"Ten million," I said loudly.
A murmur went through the gathering. People twisted around to stare. If anyone was going to be blown out of the water, it was everyone but us.
The real estate developer glared at me but turned and headed over to the bar.
"Any other bids?" the auctioneer turned his gaze toward Forrest, who scowled at me, then shook his head.