by Lesley Davis
“Do you really think this is going to be the Phoenix’s lair?” Pagan asked, watching as Baylor punched in some numbers to the huge gates that dwarfed the main entrance to the playing field and stadium.
“I don’t think he’s going in there to play a quick game of football,” Rogue said as she gave Pagan a wry look. “I think he’s waited long enough after his incarceration to get back into his boss’s good graces. He’s returning to rejoin the fold.”
“I have the code, people, thank you,” Melina said. “God bless the mask cameras and zoom-in mode.”
The gates swung open with barely a sound and Baylor walked inside. Before the doors fully closed automatically, Pagan and Rogue had slipped inside too. They kept a safe distance behind, sticking firmly to the shadows, watching as Baylor jogged across the huge grassy expanse and disappeared through the players’ tunnel.
“As much as I’m sorely tempted to follow him, we have no idea what lies in wait under this stadium.” Rogue grudgingly nudged Pagan backward. “Sighted, have you seen all you need to see here?”
“Enough for now, but we need to get inside the underground facilities themselves. Phoenix could be anywhere hidden in the miles of sewer tunnels inside that place. Not to mention the fact that there are rooms and offices in the football stadium itself that he could be using as a base. We could spend forever searching. I need to try to work around that so we can pinpoint a location that could be used as a hideout. The only way we might be able to see what’s going on down there is to send someone in with a tracer. With it they can provide us with important information and I’d have a better line of vision down there to plot our routes. As it stands now, I’m basically blind, which is not a good position for a Sighted. I’ll keep on it. I’ll get the other Sighteds to lend a hand, and we’ll see if we can’t dig up more information on what lies beneath that turf.”
“We’ll try to get back out of the stadium without setting off any alarms,” Rogue said.
“That would be appreciated,” Melina replied. “Come on home. Your tour is done for tonight, and we’ve yielded one hell of a result. Baylor has to be there for a reason, and I can think of no bigger one than to visit the Phoenix himself.”
“Score one for the home team,” Pagan said quietly.
*
The lighthouse’s interior was a welcoming sight when Pagan and Rogue stepped off the elevator.
“I can’t believe you’ve found the hideout of the Phoenix!” Erith said, rushing into Pagan’s arms. She made a very wry face. “Thanks, in large part, to my father. Who, obviously, wouldn’t know discretion if it hit him up the side of his head.”
Rogue, removing her mask, shot Erith a considering look.
“I’m okay,” Erith answered her silent query. “I knew he was involved. It’s not like that was any major surprise. I should have let go years ago on the whole hoping that maybe one day he’d change.” She shrugged slightly. “I can’t excuse him or apologize for him anymore. I’ve done that for too many years while he’s beaten my mom and me.” Erith let out a long breath. “I can’t fight for the side he’s chosen to be on.” She touched Pagan’s face, then reached around to remove her mask. “I’ve already chosen my corner to fight with,” she told Pagan directly. “And it’s by your side.”
Pagan grasped Erith’s hand and kissed her palm tenderly.
“But I can’t say I’m not frightened by what my dad’s gotten himself into,” Erith said finally.
“I won’t sugarcoat it for you, Erith,” Rogue said. “He’s in trouble. Phoenix is not someone you get involved with, and he’s not someone you can walk away from alive either. His father was dangerous when he ran these streets so many years ago. His son kills on an even grander scale to prove his point. This isn’t just a petty gang leader; this is a force to be reckoned with. This is the first concrete lead we’ve had on him since he started taking Chastilian apart. We need to have all eyes trained on that stadium, and search warrant or not, we need to get in there.”
Pagan nodded. “I agree. The stadium is huge, though. It’s going to take more than just you and me in there searching. As Mel pointed out, there’s not just offices and locker rooms beneath the field. There are bound to be sewer systems that stretch for miles. We know Phoenix is not averse to getting a little dirty in his escape routes. We need to trap him in there, and that requires more power than the Sentinels possess.”
Rogue considered for a moment. “Then we’ll ride in under cover of the investigating police force. Two in black among the boys in blue should be able to slip in and search out the Phoenix’s lair.” She looked at Melina for support. “What say you, Sighted?”
“I think we need to check the stadium out as soon as possible. This might be the best lead we’ve had in a long time. I’ll contact Eddie and ask him to move that warrant along quicker. We have two men missing, men we know are definitely linked to the original Phoenix. Our main priority now is to keep them safe.”
Pagan settled on a chair and let herself relax a moment. A thought struck her. “What if there’s only one man missing?”
Melina looked at her. “What do you mean?”
“Well, we have the nastiest crime lord Chastilian has seen in years taking up residence in the biggest stadium that Chastilian has to offer. It’s a bold placement. If Phoenix has been there all along, then he’s been ruling from a seat of power. He had to have help in taking it. The stadium may be closed for business, but that doesn’t mean a villain and his henchmen can just move right on in and claim squatters’ rights.”
Rogue rubbed at her chin thoughtfully. “You think Vance Deaver gave him the keys and invited him in?”
“If his life hung in the balance, then yes, I’d say so. These men had Papa Phoenix killed for their own survival. I reckon they’d pretty much do anything to keep a hold on the lives they made for themselves after his demise.”
“We need to inform the Council of this development.” Rogue leaned forward and watched the screens. “We need the police on our side too.” She pressed her lips to the top of Melina’s head. “I’ll leave those tasks to you. Call on Chief Cauley if you need to. Better yet, get my father to call him. I’m not above using all the big guns we have in our arsenal.”
Pagan got up to see what was causing Rogue’s distraction. “What’s wrong?”
Rogue pointed to a monitor where the August Dawn Bank loomed center screen. “I want that building watched.” She looked at Pagan. “I wish we could get someone of our own in there to check it out.”
“I’m on the lookout for a new job,” Erith said.
Everyone turned to look at her. Rogue spoke first.
“I don’t want you anywhere near that building, Erith Baylor. You and trouble have yet to part company!”
Erith’s jaw dropped comically at Rogue’s admonition.
Pagan hid a chuckle behind her hand. “On that note, I think I’ll get out of my uniform and go to bed.” She was hanging up her jacket when Erith joined her.
“I get the distinct impression Rogue thinks I’m nothing but trouble.”
Pagan looked down at her and smiled. “That’s because she doesn’t know you like I do.”
Erith smiled and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to Pagan’s cheek. “That’s very sweet.”
Pagan shrugged. “She doesn’t know that trouble doesn’t even begin to cover it!” She laughed at Erith’s outraged squeal and dodged the well-aimed hand. She caught Erith up in her arms, held her to her chest, then silenced all protests with a kiss. Erith instantly melted in her arms.
“See? Not even a hint of trouble now, are you?” Pagan’s gaze lingered over the soft swell of Erith’s full lips. “How about I walk you to your room so we can both get some sleep?”
“Do you really think I’m going to be able to sleep after a kiss like that?” Erith grumbled as she was lowered to the floor.
“You’re going to need all the beauty sleep you can muster. Tomorrow’s going to be another busy day.”
*
Pagan was fast asleep, deaf to the world and her surroundings. That did not stop her from reacting swiftly when she felt the bed dip behind her. She grabbed at whoever was hovering over her. She blinked at a startled Erith. Pagan quickly released the hold she had around Erith’s throat. She shook herself more awake and hastened to sit up.
“I’m sorry,” she said to a stunned Erith.
“No, I’m sorry,” Erith said. “I should have known better. I should have walked around so you could see me and know I wasn’t a threat. It’s my own fault. I’m so sorry I woke you up from what seemed to be a very deep sleep.”
“When I sleep, I sleep full out.” Pagan rubbed at her eyes. She yawned and stretched. “What’s wrong?”
Erith settled herself on the bed and shrugged. “I really think I need to go see my dad.”
Pagan stared at her for a long, quiet moment. “I guessed as much.”
“I won’t betray you, you have to believe that,” Erith said earnestly.
“I know you won’t. I trust you, Erith, and I love you. But you need to realize your dad won’t change. He sees this Phoenix character as a hero and not as the murderous thug we know him to be.” Pagan tipped her head to look at Erith. “What do you want to say to him?”
“Good-bye. I need to close that door behind me. Otherwise I’m always going to wonder if maybe he could have changed. That if, by some wild freak of nature occurring, there might be a chance for him to stop beating on my mom.”
“You don’t believe that, though.”
Erith shook her head. “No, I think he enjoys it too much. So I want to confront him and say good-bye without the added strength of a Sentinel taking me away. I need to prove to myself I’m strong enough to walk away from him. And if he gets taken away with the rest of the gang, I’m never going to know if I can do it. I need to see him for my own sake.”
“You know I’m coming with you.” She stopped Erith’s argument with a raised hand. “I’ll stay out of sight on the fire escape. Mel will wire you up. I’m taking no chances having you back with him, father or not.”
Erith flung herself into Pagan’s unsuspecting arms. She said something into Pagan’s neck.
“What?” Pagan asked. “I didn’t catch that.”
Erith pulled back and signed her words. I love you.
Pagan grinned at her. “I know you do. Now let me go back to sleep. I need the rest.”
Erith began to pull away, but Pagan stopped her. She ran her hand up Erith’s slender arm, then up to tug at the nightshirt that she wore.
“You don’t have to leave,” she said shyly.
Erith immediately got under the blankets and snuggled in close to Pagan’s side. She let her hand drift, exploring Pagan’s muscles beneath the sleep shorts and T-shirt.
“Everything will be sorted later. One way or another, tomorrow will bring a result for us all.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Melina lifted Erith’s baggy T-shirt sleeve out of the way and reached for the tracking device Rogue held out for her. She peeled it off its sticky backing and stuck it to Erith’s arm.
Erith squinted at the virtually invisible patch on her arm. “You have got to share with me how you managed to come up with this device,” she said to Rogue. She ran her finger over it. “This is so cool.”
Rogue held up a small set of earrings. “I want you to wear a comlink too. That way, you’ll know we are nearby and we can hear you, too, if you need us.”
“How much trouble do you think I’m going to be in, seeing my dad?” Her face creased with anxiety. “He’s still just my dad.”
“We know, but he’s also a known abuser who has ties to Phoenix. We’re just making sure you’re safe. Humor us if we’re a tad overprotective.” Rogue held out the pair of stud earrings, their golden color cut through with a streak of crushed green gems.
Erith held them to the light. “You a jeweler on the side, Rogue?”
Rogue shrugged. “I can turn my hand to most anything. Someone else picked out the color specifically for you.” She cocked her head to a silent Pagan, who stood with her arms folded as she watched the proceedings.
“They’re beautiful,” Erith said.
“It’s the closest I could find in Rogue’s treasure trove of colors that would match your eyes,” Pagan said. “I thought you’d like the streak of green. Rogue fitted them up with all the technology hidden inside.” Pagan took the earrings Erith was removing from her pierced ears and watched intently as Erith fitted the new pair in and slid the rest of the comlink unobtrusively in her ear. She held back her hair to show them off.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“Beautiful.” Pagan wasn’t looking at the earrings. For a moment, the air smoldered between them until Rogue mercifully broke the heavy silence.
“Beautiful and practical. Those are my two favorite words to describe any kind of gadgets masquerading as jewelry.”
Pagan carefully rested Erith’s discarded earrings on a table and then turned to watch as Melina switched on a monitor.
“The earrings are your comlinks, now fully activated for us to hear you and for you to hear what is being said from the other comlinks attached to its frequency.”
“Namely me as the Sighted, and Pagan and Rogue’s comlinks,” Melina added, fiddling with a switch and then tapping away at a keyboard to get the screen exactly how she wanted it. Melina continued once her screen was set. “The skin patch is a marvelous creation. Under the guise of supposedly stopping you craving cigarettes, it instead transmits your whereabouts to us here at the lighthouse. Wherever you go, we’ll have you on our screens.” Melina pointed to a screen showing a map of the city with a small pulsing triangle shape. “This, my dear Erith, is you signaling to us that you are here and stationary for the moment.”
Erith stared at the screen. “I love living here. It’s a techno wizard’s heaven! Let’s see just how sensitive this equipment is,” she said and pulled Pagan down for a long, sensuous kiss.
Pagan was left panting for breath when Erith finally released her. She slowly blinked as she was released from the spell Erith had so easily put her under.
Erith looked at the screen. “Melina? The results, if you please!”
Melina chuckled. “You never moved an inch on our screen, but if we’d had Pagan monitored I’m sure she’d have shot off the map!”
“No kidding,” Pagan muttered, running a fingertip over her slightly bruised lips. She looked down at Erith. “What time do you want to leave?”
“Now is as good a time as any, I guess. Let’s get this over with. I say my piece, make my peace, and get out in one piece.” She gave Melina a hug. “You are the best family I could ever be a part of. Thank you for all you keep doing for me.”
“We love you, Erith. And you’re going to be okay. I understand why you feel you have to do this. I wish you wouldn’t, but I do understand. Just remember we’re with you every step of the way.”
Erith pulled back slowly and eyed Rogue. Rogue held out her arms. Erith rushed into them and received a warm hug.
“You’ll be fine. Pagan will be right with you, and we’ll be watching over you. You know that Pagan won’t let anything or anyone hurt you again.”
“I know.” Erith patted Rogue on the back gently. “Promise me you’ll teach me how to make gadgets and gizmos like you do. I want to bring something to this family, to have a part of me travel with the ones I love to keep them safe.”
“We’ll start you fixing comlinks as soon as we have Phoenix and his men sorted,” Rogue said. “Then you and I will put our heads together to see what else we need out there. We’ll perhaps start with your handy-dandy lock pick.”
Erith nodded then looked over at Pagan. “I got me a job with the family.”
“The pay might not be what you expect, but the fringe benefits are excellent.” Pagan held out her hand for Erith to take. “Let’s get this over with so my stomach can stop rioting.”
“Se
e you two later.” Erith waved to Rogue and Melina.
“We’ll be right here but with you all the way,” Rogue said.
*
Pagan could not help but wonder at the prickle of apprehension as she walked hand in hand with Erith. She felt out of place dressed in casual clothing and not in her Sentinel uniform. Her free hand was clasped about a wire gun hidden in her pocket. She had the comlink and a means of escape, but without her Sentinel garb she felt exposed. She shifted uncomfortably.
“What’s wrong?” Erith asked. “You’re not worried because of my dad, are you?”
“There’s a part of me that doesn’t want you near that man, I admit. But this feeling I have…” She shook herself as if it would shake free the feeling dogging her. “This is something else.”
“What are you sensing, Pagan?” Melina asked from her comlink.
“It’s nothing tangible. It’s just a strange sense of disquiet that I can’t seem to shake. This feels too much like a Sentinel mission carried out in daylight. It doesn’t feel right.” Pagan looked down at Erith. “I need you to promise me, if your dad starts anything, you come out immediately. Whether you reach closure with him or not.”
“I promise. I don’t want to put myself in the same old position again. I just need to do this for myself.”
“I’ll wait on the fire escape. If you need me I can come in through the window. You only have to say the word.”
“So much for the fire escapes being secure.” Erith nudged Pagan teasingly.
“If you need me, bricks and mortar won’t keep me out.”
Erith pulled Pagan to a halt. “I have never been loved like this in my entire life. You make me feel protected, and yet still give me the courage to deal with anything that I have to face. That’s something I’ve never had before, someone who believes in me.”
“You mean everything to me, Erith. Nothing and no one is going to hurt you again.”