Shadow took a while to respond, but when he did, he warned, “You’re making a very big mistake, Razor.”
“I know what I’m doing,” I said confidently. “I just need you to do your part. Can I still count on you to help me?”
There was silence, then he finally spoke up. “You can,” he said finally.
I breathed an inward sigh of relief.
“I’ll help when it comes to Maddy,” he continued, “But as for Anonymous . . .” his voice trailed off ominously.
His meaning was clear — I was on my own when it came to my formidable hacker brethren.
I hung up the phone and glanced back at Carly. She was seated at the kitchen table, scribbling furiously on a piece of paper.
Whatever happened now, one thing was for sure — I had to make sure nothing happened to her.
Pausing mid pen-stroke, she looked up at me, and caught me staring. She flashed me a pretty smile, unaware of the deep pile of shit that I just dragged her into.
I gave her my most charming grin that belied the sticky predicament we were now in.
“Sorry, Carly,” I whispered as she went back to writing even faster than before, “but shit’s about to get real.”
Chapter 8
Mason
“What’s going on?” Carly asked, glancing over at me with concern as I drove her Ford Focus down the highway toward James University.
I kept my eyes on the road. “What do you mean?”
“That call you made — you found out something, didn’t you? Something bad.” She was staring at me intently, accusation in her eyes.
“Nothing that I didn’t already know,” I lied.
Carly scowled at me with suspicion. “Don’t insult me, Mason. I’m not stupid. I know you. You’re trying to act all cool and collected, but something’s wrong.”
I swallowed. “Just that some detectives interviewed dad.”
Even over the hum of the motor, I heard the sharp intake of her breath. “And?”
“And nothing. My source didn’t know what came of it. He definitely doesn’t know anything about me, and you said he didn’t know where you’re living. But I have a feeling if he knew where I was, he’d give me up in a heartbeat.”
“Brian wouldn’t do that.”
I snorted. “You have no idea what he’s capable of.”
“I know he has a temper, but I don’t think he’d ever give up his own son.” Carly stared at me. “Who is your source?” she asked, changing the subject. She obviously was uncomfortable with the way I was talking about my dad. “And how does he know?”
“Someone who walks in the shadows.”
Carly scowled. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“His code name is Shadow.”
“And does Shadow have a real name?”
“We don’t use real names in that world, Carly.” A large truck whizzed by in the next lane over, rattling the car. “Besides, if I told you his real name, would it change anything? You don’t know him.”
“Ugh, no it wouldn’t . . . but you don’t have to be such an ass about it.” Carly averted her eyes and looked out of her window. We were coming up on an intersection change. “I just don’t want to be kept in the dark about anything, given the situation we are in.”
I switched lanes. An impatient driver was tailgating us and I didn’t feel like speeding anymore than I already was. “I’m sorry,” I said, softening my tone. “I’m just really on edge about all of this. I really think . . .” I couldn’t get the words out.
Carly turned her gaze back on me, studying me intently. “You think what?”
Fuck it. Might as well admit it. Carly deserved that much at least.
I set my jaw. “I think I made a huge mistake involving you in this.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because of everything — you could be charged for helping me. And then there’s whoever that is behind the coverup . . . whether it’s the mayor himself or someone else. To top it off, there’s Anonymous . . .”
And Maddy.
I saw no reason to tell Carly about the crazy bitch and further confuse her, though. I could only hope that Shadow did his part.
Carly’s forehead creased into a frown. “Anonymous? Is that who you were talking about who has eyes everywhere and are watching you?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that from the get-go?”
“Because I didn’t want to scare you.”
“And let me guess, you’re still a part of this group?”
“Not anymore.”
After glaring at me for several moments, Carly shook her head angrily and let out a frustrated sigh.
“I just don’t want to see you hurt,” I told her, quick to deflect her anger. “I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to you.”
Carly’s features softened, surprising me. “Don’t worry about me. To tell the truth, I feel safe with you around, always have.” She lowered her head a little, as if embarrassed to have admitted it.