A hand waving in my face breaches my center. "Whoa, ground control to Major Tom. Jesus, did you sleep at all last night?"
"An hour or two. I was out on the boat. Alone."
"Yeah, I tried to call you back last night. Your cell was off. Are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Oh, I don't know. You were hospitalized? A guy blew up in your driveway? And I've heard you've been running all over town taking chunks out of your new best friend Jonathan Ambrose. You're not drinking again, are you?"
"Not…as much." Her face, like mine, falls. "I take a drink here or there. I have it under control this time."
"Fuck, Jo. You were doing so well."
"I can stop whenever I want. Really. I just have to eradicate a problem, and I'll stop completely. Don't tell your parents, okay?"
"'Eradicate a problem?' Is that why you summoned?"
"You're my greatest weapon, V. I just wish that asshole had seen reason so it didn't have to come to using you."
"What asshole? What problem? Will you please stop with the riddles?" She sighs. "You're drunk now, aren't you? It's barely noon, Jo!"
"I am not drunk," I assure her. I wish I was. "I'm sorry, I'm just…this is harder than I thought it'd be," I chuckle. "I mean, I did warn him. It has to be done. It's good for us all if he goes, both of them, I know that. You'll see it too."
V suddenly grabs both my hands, squeezing. "What the hell are you talking about?" she asks, drawing out every word.
I need a few precious seconds to encase my heart in a steel box and weld it shut. I can do this. I can. I'm sorry, Jem. "Get out your tape recorder." As she obeys, I fall back in the couch with a sigh. She clicks it on. "I've been working with the Triumvirate since they arrived in town. Not out in the field or anything, just using the Justice computer to help with investigations. Including the one into Emperor Cain. I know why he's so fixated on them. Why he blew up our bridge. Why he came to this house and attacked me."
"He attacked you? That's why you were rushed to the hospital?"
"Yes. He discovered my involvement, so he came to my house, injected me with a sedative, and demolished my computer."
"Jesus. Was the Darby bombing related?"
"I have no direct knowledge, but I assume so. It might have been done to punish me, by killing one of my friends, I don't know."
"So Brendan Darby wasn't King Tempest?"
"No comment."
"Come on, Jo. Everyone knows he was. Tempest hasn't been seen since the bombing. Liberty became active in Independence right after Alexia moved back there. It's damn suspicious."
"No comment. All I will say is I have nothing but the utmost respect for King Tempest and Lady Liberty. We owe them a debt of gratitude for all they've done, all they've sacrificed. And I know for a fact, despite what some of their dejectors say, they are in no way responsible for unleashing Emperor Cain on Galilee. It falls solely on one man's shoulders. Cain's brother." I pause. "Lord Nightingale."
V's eyes narrow. "Wait, what? Cain and Nightingale are brothers?"
"Twin brothers, actually. Cain has a sick, incestuous relationship with his brother, and I believe vice versa."
"Incest?"
"That's what Cain told me, and it was later confirmed by Nightingale. He also informed me the last time the brothers fought, Nightingale allowed Cain to escape then lied to everyone about his demise, including his team mates. Those two are playing out some twisted love saga and the citizens of Galilee are caught in the middle. So I couldn't, in good conscious, keep silent a moment longer. He has betrayed the trust we all placed in him. He does not have our best interests at heart as I once assumed. I have begged him to leave the city, but he won't. And as long as he is here, as long as he continues to play this game with his brother, we are not safe. Cain followed him from Independence, he'll follow him out of Galilee Falls."
"You know how he is," V says with an astonished smile.
"Both of them. Cain is also known by INTERPOL and our government as The Mockingbird. General mercenary work and assassinations. According to a source, five years ago he carried out one such assassination for James Ryder's syndicate, victim unknown. Since returning to the city, he has used several former employees of Ryder's, including Danny Watkins and Gary Acevedo."
"Do the police have this information?"
"Yes. You should contact Harry O'Hara for verification, though he might not be able to comment on an ongoing investigation."
"Why have you waited to share this?"
"I was…protecting Lord Nightingale. When all the evidence came to light, and I realized just how culpable he was for this entire fiasco, and how he wouldn't do the one thing to keep us safe--leave--I couldn't remain silent a day longer. He doesn't get to sit in his lab and walk our streets with impunity while his brother murders our citizens. Not anymore."
"His lab?" V's face almost lights up as it dawns on her. "It's Jonathan Ambrose, isn't it?"
Here we are. Moment of truth. Just rip off the Band-Aid, Jo. "Y--"
RING RING!
Oh, thank the dear Lord. My cell phone rings in my pocket. Its melody is sweeter than a million symphonies combined. Thank you, thank you, thank you God. I'm donating hefty sums to a church of every denomination, I swear it. With a shaking hand, I pull it out. "Sorry, V. Give me a sec." Unknown caller. "Joanna Fallon."
"Is your cousin still there?" a familiar voice asks.
"I'm sorry, who is this?"
"You know damn well who this is. Get out of earshot of your cousin. We have to talk."
I smile at V. "I'm sorry, I have to take this. Just watch TV or something until I get back." I rise from the couch and return to the patio on shaky legs. Adrenaline surge. Getting damn sick of those. "How do you know my cousin's here?"
"I have my ways. Just as I have my ways of knowing the reason for said meeting. I'm resourceful." He pauses. "Quite a vindictive bitch, aren't you? A man turns you down for sex, and you're ready to serve him up to every reporter, two-bit villain, and citizen with a pitchfork. In other circumstances, I believe we could have been friends."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm doing this to rid my town of you. Your brother is just collateral damage. He leaves, you leave. I gave him several opportunities to do it the easy way. He declined."
"And what makes you believe I'd just up and abandon my new home just because he does?"
"Well, you're not blowing up Independence anymore, are you? You saying I'm wrong?"
The other end is silent for a few seconds. "What exactly do you want, Miss Fallon?"
"Simple. You gone. Galilee safe. That's it. And right now the only way I can see to accomplish that is for the pitchfork and torch brigade to run your brother out of town. They will, you know. I have the money and resources to make sure of it. Your brother will be given no quarter anywhere in this world. I am about to make him the most famous, reviled man on this planet, with you right alongside him. Both of your faces, all of your aliases, your entire sordid history is about to become front page news. Maybe you don't care, although many of your business associates probably don't want to hire an unhinged, incestuous homosexual I'm guessing. Even if you don't care, the brother you profess to love sure as hell will. So leave. And never return."
More silence. "You'd really do it, wouldn't you?"
"Hell, yes. So, come on. Be your big brother's hero. Save his life. Agree to leave."
"And you'd take my word for it?"
"Oh, hell no. My private plane, with me onboard, will take you to the destination of your choice far, far away. And should you hit town again, I release the information. Should I not return from our trip, I've taken steps to make sure the information is released."
"Not good enough. There's no guarantee for me that you won't disseminate it just because you've had a bad day or are on your period or something. Or perhaps this is all just a set-up? Police will be waiting on the plane."
"I'm open to suggestions," I say.
"Mutually assured destruction. I want ten million in untraceable diamonds. And I'm going to require photographs and audio of you paying me off and giving me the royal treatment on my way out of town. Aiding and abetting a known terrorist, a big no no."
"I can live with that. I am going to need a day or so to get the diamonds."
"You have twenty-four hours."
"Fine."
"Also, a few ground rules. This stays between us. No police, no supers, no weapons, no tracers or bugs. If I get even a whiff of subterfuge, not only will I kill you, your cousin, your butler, even your assistant, but I'll blow up Pendergast Industries with everyone inside."
"Got it."
"I shall call in twenty-four hours. It's a pleasure doing business with you." He hangs up.
The breath I was holding raggedly escapes, and I have to take a few more to calm myself. With him watching I can't appear happy. I go with shit scared instead. Not difficult. I clutch my churning stomach and stare into space. Tomorrow I have to meet face-to-face with a psychopath who loathes the very air I breathe. Alone. Defenseless. Me and my brilliant fucking ideas.
V is texting when I stumble back in. She finishes and glances up at me. "Everything okay?"
"Sort of. That was just, um, a source of mine. I can't get into much right now, but…I need you to hold off on the story for a day or two."
"What? Hell no!"
"Listen, it's for my safety, okay? Besides, I came to you with this. It's an exclusive, only you have it and will have it, I swear on Pop's grave. I just have to do one thing, and I'll give you the whole shebang. The full story. From start to finish. You just have to wait a few days. Please? You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary."
She mulls this over, but I can tell from her eyes she's not happy about this. I don't know what Jem finds so cute about my narrowed eyes. On V they're fucking terrifying. "Everything?"
"Even the proof. I promise. Exclusive, all yours."
"Two days. That's it," V says.
"Thank you."
She begrudgingly nods. After wrapping up three scones, she collects her tape recorder, placing them all in her purse and standing. "Just answer one last question. Was I right? Is Lord Nightingale Jem Ambrose?"
I pause, then, "No. He's not."
"Oh," she says with a frown. "Then why do you have it out for him? Off the record."
"To save his life. I have a target on my back. Didn't want him in the crossfire like Brendan. That's why I've been staying away from everyone. You, Harry, Lexie. For your own good."
"And here I thought you were just a bitch," she says with a smirk.
"Well, there's that too." I smile back. "Two days, and I'll hand you the Pulitzer."
"Okay. Just…whatever you're doing, be careful. Really."
I hug my cousin. We're not really touchy-feely people, so she stiffens. "I promise."
I release her, and she looks almost disgusted. "Jesus, now I am worried."
"Don't be. I know what I'm doing."
My friend nods and after a second, concerned glance walks out.
With a deep sigh, I lower my exhausted body onto the couch. It worked. I can't believe it. I called his bluff. He took the bait. Too bad I'm bait. But it's done now. Onto Phase Two. He's mine now, Jordan. You can't have him anymore. I just hope I'm alive to reap my reward come tomorrow evening.
*
Getting ten million in diamonds proves harder than I imagined. I know from Justin's will I have five million in a safety deposit box, but for the rest I have to send various Pendergast minions to known diamond dealers, both licensed and not, to acquire the rest. Even I'm up all night hitting up every black market vendor in the database with suitcases full of cash. I'm more than sure Jordan has people following me, so I keep everything above board. No calls, nothing suspicious. A text to my fellow co-conspirators with the details while in Dobbs' room on the secret cell and nothing more. They know what to do.
By ten the next morning, when I stroll into First National Bank to access my box, I have five million in diamonds in my office safe and my three favorite men waiting in a high security, private room at the bank. Technically I just saw him yesterday, but when I set eyes on Jem it seems like a million years have passed. He looks ridiculous in disguise with a fake beard and black knit cap on. Doesn't stop the lust. Don't think anything could. Harry and Cam are dressed in their usual suits and serious expressions. My own supersquad.
"Gentlemen," I say with a grin. I shut and lock the door. "We don't have much time." I set the safety deposit box on the table and retrieve the bag of diamonds. "Jem, you bring the computer?"
"He already showed us how to use it," Harry says, putting the laptop on the table. "We'll be able to track you using CCTV. We also uploaded the GFPD duty roster for today. We'll know where the closest unit is to your position at all times. If you stay in the city limits, someone should be able to get to you within two minutes."
"We should check the tracker," Jem says, moving to the laptop.
"If she already has one, why'd we bring this?" Cam asks, holding up a plastic kit.
"Despite what Cain said, he'll expect me to be low-jacked. I'd have to be insane not to at least try. There'll be one in my watch, one in my shoe, and the one you brought."
"He'll most likely sweep her and find the sub-dermal we're injecting today. When the others are gone, and the sweep is done, she'll activate the fourth."
I hold up my left middle finger. "Just above the knuckle. Press it, activated. Press it again, deactivated in case they do a second sweep. Had it sent from R&D. Dobbs injected it the night after Brendan's funeral in case Cain kidnapped me at some point." I press the spot. "Got it?"
Jem taps a few keys, then checks the watch Shannon snuck into his desk the day of the dedication. "Affirmative."
I press it again to shut it off. Only has a ten hour battery. "If I switch it on and off five times in quick succession, then nothing, that's the S.O.S. Everything and everyone advances in. Three, just Nightingale. This guy's a bomber. Wherever we go, I expect booby traps. The fewer people in, the better for everyone involved."
"I can't believe I agreed to this," Harry says. "This is insanity. You are going to get yourself killed. He could just shoot you walking out of this bank."
"If he wanted me dead, it would have happened by now. Remember, he thinks he's smarter than us. He'll want to prove it. And I'm not the real objective, Jem is. This will work. It has so far. It's simple. I lead Nightingale to Cain, he arrests him, the city's safe. We're heroes. And if I die, you can say, 'I told you so' in the eulogy."
"That's not funny," Harry says.
"Look, I'm well aware of the risks, but they're mine to take." I glance over at Jem. "And I'm all in. So no more discussion. We're doing this."
"Okay," Cam says.
"Fine," Harry says.
"Thank you."
Jem clears his throat. "Um, gentlemen, I need a minute alone to inject her with the dummy tracer. Could we please have the room?"
"Um, sure," Cam says. "We'll meet you in the men's room."
"Thank you."
Harry and Cam take one last weary look at me before walking out. And then there were two. Jem and I gaze at one another for a second. "They really care about you."
I move around the table to his side. "And I really care about them. I just pray this doesn't backfire on them. On all of us." I plop down in the chair beside him, roll up my sleeve, and hold out my forearm. "Tag me, your lordship. I have an appointment to keep."
He picks up the box and opens it. "I won't put it in too deep in case they--"
"Cut it out of me," I finish. "Yeah, I'm really looking forward to that." He doesn't give the smile I wanted. Instead he extracts the thickest needle I've ever seen, easily a millimeter across. Another toy from R&D department I had sent to the station months ago. Thought they could use it. Never considered it'd be on me though. "Can you promise me one thing?"
"What?" Jem asks as he adds the bug to the saline soluti
on.
"Never grow a beard. You look ridiculous."
"That's a promise I can keep. I only put it on to imitate Dr. Barnes."
"That how you sneaked out of the hospital?"
"I hacked the hospital signal days ago then filmed myself working in the office for two hours. Good thing I'm incredibly boring and only wear a few different outfits, huh? This will be cold." He wipes my arm with an alcohol swab.
"Jem, you are many things, but boring is not one of them. Sexy, brave, bonkers in bed, ow!" He injects me with the tracker, and it hurts like a mother. "Fuck!"
"Sorry. Here." We wipes the blood away and seals the hole with superglue so it's not completely obvious. "It needs a minute to dry. Don't move." He tosses everything back into the box. "Are you alright?"
"Well, my arm hurts."
"You know what I mean. It's not too late to back out."
"He threatened my family. He even threatened to blow up Pendergast. All in, remember? You didn't flinch with the possibility of your life ending, neither will I. This ends today. One way or another."
Jem nods. "I just…I can't believe he actually stopped you."
"Well, he loves you." I slide my hand into his. "Miracles happen. I mean hell, you even unfrosted my cold, dead heart."
"Did I now? I wasn't sure."
"Yeah, sorry about that," I say with a grimace. "Mind if we erase it from our memories and try again? I promise no nervous breakdown this time."
"Suppose we can give it a shot," he says with a smile. He pauses and that brilliant grin grows. "I love you, Joanna Fallon."
"I love you too, Jem Ambrose. With all my heart. I love you."
He grins, then leans across to kiss me again. The moment we touch, the tears rise. This could be the last time we do this. He knows it too because his desperation and ardor matches my own. Oh, I do love this man. I love him so much I'm afraid I might burst from it. Thank you God for this man. He breaks away first, resting his forehead on mine. "I don't want you to do this, I don't want you to do this, I don't want you to do this," he whispers as desperately as his kiss.
"I have to. You know I have to," I whisper back. I kiss him again. "Just like you know what you have to do. You have the much harder job here. Can you do it? Look at me." I move his chin to meet my gaze. "We will give him every opportunity to come in alive, I promise you that, but if he doesn't…can you live with what might have to happen? Because it may come to that. He will keep coming after us. You just need to be prepared for that eventuality." I pause. "And the chance something may happen to me too."
The Galilee Falls Trilogy (Book 2): Galilee Rising Page 27