I placed the phone call a week later after Quentin delivered a slip of paper containing the ten digits to my freedom. The only hiccup was it wasn’t the direct line to my target, so I pissed off a lot of people including the man himself.
“Whoever this is better have a damn good reason for calling this number.”
“Arthur, it’s been a while.”
I smiled into the receiver. It wasn’t joy that brought the smile to my face. Jesse had delivered. It was a wonder what a few well-placed threats could get you. The fact it only took him a week was impressive in itself.
“Who the fuck is this?”
The generally calm and authoritative man had become unhinged. It wasn’t every day someone was brave enough or stupid enough to call making threats until he could speak with the man in charge.
“Keiran Masters.” I gave my name even though I knew he wouldn’t know who I was.
“Who?’
“That’s right. You never cared about names, did you? Well, let me refresh your memory. Ten years ago, you had a trainer named Frank. He liked to play with little girls and boys, but he liked the little boys the most. He was your favorite puppet and bodyguard. Ten years ago, there was a little boy who lodged a hunting knife in his throat, and well… no more, Frank. Does that jog your memory?”
“Son of a bitch. Say it ain’t so. Is it really you?”
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Whether or not you can help me?”
“And why would I want to do that? I haven’t seen you in ten years. I assumed you died a long time ago.”
“Because I can hand-deliver your mole and the person who helped me escape.”
Chapter Five
Lake
“We should go catch the rerun of Breaking Dawn. It’s showing in the old theater tonight.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” Sheldon stopped in her tracks to snarl at Willow, who rolled her eyes. Sheldon hated any and everything to do with a chick flick. Give her the guns, explosions and raging muscles. She said she tolerated them because Keenan secretly liked them, but he would put on a front when around the guys.
“Because vampires are cool?”
“Not cool enough to make me watch that movie.”
“Oh, come on. I went to see the freaking Expendables with you last week!”
Wait… what?
“Um, excuse me?” I interrupted their bickering for what seemed like the hundredth time today. Willow and Sheldon often fought like a couple who had been married for fifty years. When they each turned wide eyes on me, I popped my hand on my hip, unleashing my attitude on them. “You guys went to see a movie without me?”
“Huh?”
“Uh…”
“Was there any particular reason why you guys went without me?”
“Well, you were kind of…”
“Kind of what?” My voice rose on the last word as I stared them down and watched them squirm.
“Pouting,” Willow finished and Sheldon nodded her agreement. Just as I was about to argue, I heard my name being called. I turned to find Detective Daniels and his partner, Detective Wilson, approaching with solemn looks on their faces.
“Good afternoon, Detectives,” I greeted while regarding them curiously. Sheldon and Willow wore deep frowns as they looked from the detectives to me. I guess not telling them I had turned Keiran in would make this encounter awkward.
“We need to talk,” Detective Daniels ordered without greeting. His grim expression immediately raised flags. Whatever it was couldn’t be good.
“Lake, what’s going on,” Sheldon asked absently while looking the detectives up and down.
“Could you give us a minute?” Sheldon turned sharp eyes on me when I ignored her question. I looked to Willow for help. She hesitated before tugging on Sheldon’s arm.
When they were out of earshot, I rounded on the detectives and started in on them. “What are you doing showing up at my school?” I stressed in an angry whisper.