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Chapter Nine
Jax
As if I was going to send Baxter and Ace off to take care of Charlie alone. I watched as Baxter called in some favours this afternoon but I still couldn’t leave anything to chance.
I’ve had surveillance on Charlie since the day he came out of hospital. His flat is rigged and bugged with every type of spyware I could get my hands on. I’ve not taken an eye off him since the day he laid his hands on Raven.
And I don’t intend to stop now.
Hence why I’m currently sitting in a shitty cafe on The Mile with my laptop, headphones, a paperback and some god-awful coffee. I have the flat’s audio running and a tiny window showing the bedroom. I don’t need to worry, I’m sitting with my back to the wall and the all-night cafe is dead anyway.
On a separate document I’m making a list of what needs to be done. Obviously bringing Phoenix back home – legally – is top priority, but that doesn’t mean it has to be dealt with first. We have a slew of lawyers wading through all sorts of bullshit accusations that the witch has filed against not only Raven, but the rest of us as well. The only person who seems to be made of Teflon right now is Baxter. Whatever shit she throws at him, just won’t stick. I feel like he’s key to getting Nix home, I’m just not sure how.
Hence why I don’t mind them taking care of Charlie right now. There’s nothing else to do right this second, and I could tell that Baxter was close to snapping. Better to give an inch than let him take a mile. The last thing I need is some unknown, unstable catalyst going off and making things worse.
Besides, I trust Ace with my life so I know he’ll rein him in.
I take a sip of my lukewarm coffee and wince. It really is vile. But this is the only place open with free public Wi-Fi, and I have other marks I need to check in on.
I know there’s a piece of the puzzle that just isn’t fitting. Michael and Tilly. Michael and Charlie. Charlie’s family and Cordelia. What am I missing?
I pull out my phone and scroll through my contacts until I find the guy I hired to hunt down Raven all those years ago. He’s the best in the business, and even though he couldn’t find Raven, I’m sure he’ll come through with this task. I hit dial, not caring that it’s the early hours of the morning.
“Lo?” A voice gruff with sleep answers on the final ring.
“It’s me.” I huff in annoyance.
“Sup mate?”
“I need you to find someone for me.”
“Sure thing, shoot.”
“I need information on a family tree. I’ll send you the details.”
“On it boss. I’ll get started right away.”
The line goes dead because I have nothing else to say. I email the details of what I need and the little information I already have. There’s a piece of the puzzle missing and I’m not going to rest until I find it.
Happier now that I’ve set things in motion, I signal to the server that I’ll take another mug of the shittiest coffee in the world. Once the steaming mug of shit is in my hand and the barista is back behind the counter, I maximise the video screen and sit back to enjoy the show.
Baxter: Update report.
Unknown number: Contact has been made.
Baxter: Is that all?
Unknown number: Are you sure I can’t kill her?
Baxter: Not yet. She may be useful.
Unknown number: Do you even realise what a nightmare she is?
Unknown number: My fee just doubled.
