Rhiannon’s Law #68: If you’re going to fly by the seat of your pants, rock out with your cock out. The landing is going to hurt either way, and you might as well make an impression when you nail it.
My skydive without a parachute was in the making, created by a decision that was unshakable. From the moment I met Bells, the escort she introduced as Mardock, and Jennifer, I was ready to face whatever came my way. I was about to betray not only Paine, but even worse, the bitch who controlled the city.
Did I care about the last part?
No. Not really.
The drive to my apartment was bittersweet, the minutes ticking by faster than I would have liked. Each mile that brought me closer to my home amped my adrenaline, and damn if it wasn’t a bitch to remain cool in the face of what I was about to do. Not with Bells and her easy smile, knowing she would cease to exist. She wouldn’t be part of the future, which didn’t feel right. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about that.
When we pulled to the curb in front of my building, I motioned for Bells to remain seated. “Give me a few minutes.”
Her slight frown told me she didn’t trust me, and I didn’t blame her. Thankfully, she didn’t argue as I stepped out and started my trek. Jennifer remained glued to my ass as I climbed from the back seat, and I didn’t deter her. Part one of my plans meant that she would have to accompany me into the apartment.
I called Paine on my way up—as I’d promised—and told him things were fine.
Then, I entered my former home.
To my surprise, not much had changed.
There was still the glass door, which I had to open to enter the building. As we climbed the stairs, my heart started racing, the rapid drum of my pulse pounding in my ears. I slid the key into the shiny brass knob on the grungy door and entered my pad. A simple glance informed me things were exactly as I’d left them. The cherry table next to the door still had my answering machine, although there was no blinking light indicating I had any messages.
Jennifer closed the door behind us, and I started the trek to my bedroom. Sonja said everything I needed was in my closet, but a part of me remained skeptical. Sure, she’d allowed me to send her to whatever place her spirit was doomed to inhabit, but that didn’t mean shit. I’d learned a long time ago that things weren’t always as they seemed.
Entering the bedroom, I had to force myself to walk—not scamper—to the double glass doors. As I slid them open, I saw my clothing was as I left it. Now it was time to see if there truly was a prize behind door number one. There was nothing in the back of the closet, but I immediately noticed the box on the top shelf—a box that definitely did not belong.
I pulled it down and learned it wasn’t a box, but a suitcase.
Glancing sideways at Jennifer, I carried it to my bed.
It took a hell of a lot of courage to open the damned thing, but with two snaps of my fingers on either side of the front, I was able to access the items inside. There was a journal, a folder and a sheathed knife of some kind. I pulled the journal out first, my fingers trembling, and sagged in relief when I saw the pages contained the information promised. I put the journal aside and reached for the folder. There were more pages inside, pages I didn’t have time to read over.
“Listen to me closely,” I told Jennifer as I slid the folder into the suitcase. “See that window? It’s got a fire escape attached to it. It’ll take you to the side of the building. No one will be able to see you leave. Make sure you stay out of sight. Find the pack. Be sure to tell them everything you know.”
She glanced at the window. “You want me to run?”
“I want you to live out the life you deserve. You shouldn’t exist in a cage or be used whenever Victoria goes crazy.” As I closed the case, I asked, “You said you have a strong sense of smell, right?”