by D. B. Goodin
“I suggest we take a small break before continuing. Private break rooms are available for members of each group,” Malcolm said.
Hunter glared at Alexei before getting up and motioning Jony to follow.
Alexei motioned for Julius to join him in the other break room.
“What do you know about Hunter?” Alexei asked.
“I know he is deadly. Rumor has it he received extensive ninja-like training since he was a child. He also has a temper.”
“And his rank in Black Iris?”
“Word on the street is he’s related to the founder.”
“Dahlia? The Black Heart herself!”Alexei shivered at the memory of Black Heart.
“Have you ever had any run-ins with Black Heart?” Julius asked.
“I met her about twenty years ago. I had just ended my mandatory two-year service with the military. We worked for the same person, a ruthless man named Sarrin. We were an item. I ended it because her appetite for blood was more important to her than I was.”
Julius followed Alexei back to the meeting room.
“I trust that the meetings were productive?” Malcolm asked. “Are we ready to resume the dialogue?”
Both Alexei and Hunter nodded in agreement.
“Black Iris will have the opportunity to respond.”
“We demand that The Collective pay what is owed. No exceptions! The damage to Julius is covered under collateral damage rules. We feel that The Collective needs to pay in full for what they did to us or we’ll—”
Jony kicked Hunter under the table, and he abruptly stopped talking. He shot a murderous glance at Alexei.
No one spoke for at least a minute. Malcolm broke the silence. “Black Iris, do you have anything else to add?”
“No!” Hunter snapped.
“The Collective will now be given the opportunity to respond.”
“Our counteroffer is fair and reasonable. I offered full monetary restitution for the stolen Digibit, but I need proof. Otherwise, what will stop any other organization from demanding payment for future unsubstantiated behavior? The demand for 300,000 pounds is preposterous. The Dark Web runs on Digibit, not British pounds!”
Hunter rose suddenly, his chair thrown to the floor. He slapped the table hard enough to make it shake. Alexei was close enough to notice the faint outline of a scar that ran across his left cheek, ending at his mouth.
“It’s not your turn to respond. I will not tolerate another outburst!” Malcolm said.
Jony grabbed Hunter by the wrist and motioned for him to be seated.
“It is late. I suggest we conclude for the evening. I trust that cooler heads will prevail in the morrow,” Malcolm said.
Alexei returned to his suite. Why did Black Iris send this cretin to represent their interests? He was missing something, and he didn’t like the feel of the situation.
Alexei’s thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. When Alexei opened the door, he was jostled by Jony, Hunter’s second.
“What are you doing here?” Alexei demanded.
Jony sauntered around the room. Alexei watched the man for several seconds before Jony spoke. “Hunter is not himself tonight. He’s usually a level-headed bloke. I wanted to apologize for his behavior. It is rude and unbecoming of Black Iris.”
“The kid—Hunter—seems to have some bias toward me, toward The Collective,” Alexei said.
“Hunter was punished for taking action on the bounty that injured your man. Coming here to parley is part of his punishment. I think he is being tested by his mum,” Jony said.
“Dahlia?”
“Umm, never mind me. I said too much,” Jony said as he left.
Alexei remained in deep thought for a long time. He was uneasy with the situation. The discussions had not resolved anything, only heightened tensions.
Alexei woke to a knocking sound. Malcolm was waiting for him when he answered the door to his suite.
“Sorry to bother you at such an ungodly hour, but you are needed in the meeting room.”
Alexei put on a robe and trudged down to the main meeting room. Julius was waiting for him.
“Why have I been summoned at 2 a.m.?” Alexei demanded.
“I'm afraid Black Iris will not be participating in any additional dialogue,” Malcolm said. “About an hour ago, we received an urgent communiqué. There has been a simultaneous cyber and physical attack against Black Iris. There is evidence of The Collective’s involvement.”
Alexei couldn't believe it.
“In light of this news, I suggest that you return,” Malcolm said.
“It wasn't us!”
“The Shadow Dealers are not here to pass judgment. We are a neutral party. We have taken the liberty of collecting your belongings. We will now transport you and your associate back to the mainland.”
Nigel pressed the button to summon the nurse. He was out of ice chips. His throat felt so raw, he could barely swallow, and he couldn’t talk. Sleep was coming in spurts. When it did, he saw this face—intense green eyes and a scar that ran across this face. The worst part was the intense hatred that this guy’s expression revealed. One of the most disturbing things was that the guy was young, older than Nigel but not by much. Three years maximum! Nigel shuttered at the thought.
Nurse Sandy appeared with a new IV, a bag of ice chips, and a fresh spoon. The room looked different, too. The previous room had an empty bed next to his; this was a private room. Have they switched rooms on me?
“Merry Christmas, Nigel.”
Was it Christmas already?
“Oh, I almost forgot. You have a visitor.”
Nigel started writing. He presented the nurse with a note that read, “Who?”
“A couple of girls.”
The nurse exited the room and escorted two teenagers in. Nigel’s heart seemed to miss a beat when he saw Jet. He recognized the second girl as Cassidy, who had been instrumental in facilitating a video chat that seemed to raise more questions than it answered. He gave Jet as large of a smile as his stitches allowed. Jet smiled but could not hold it as tears started to flow. She was at a loss for words. She held Nigel’s hand for a long time.
“How you feeling, Nigel?” Cassidy said.
Nigel responded by writing on his notepad.
“Can’t speak. Hurts like hell. Can swallow drops of water from the ice chips.”
Cassidy read the note, then showed Jet. Nigel wrote for a long time before giving the pad of paper back to Cassidy. He briefly recounted the events of the past several days.
“When can you go home?”
“Soon, I hope,” Nigel wrote.
Cassidy felt the buzzing of her phone. “I need to take this.” She stepped outside.
“Please don’t talk, my love,” Jet said.
Nigel felt his face flush.
“My father doesn’t understand the bond that we both share. We have been through a lot in a short time. Our connection runs deep. When I was in the hospital, he found a new place for us to live. I had to move just after coming home. He doesn’t know that I’m here.”
“Where do you live now?”
“Newport, almost a two-hour drive. My dad thinks I’m visiting Cassidy.”
Jet paused to collect her thoughts. Nigel resumed his scribbling, ripped out a page, then handed Jet the note, which read, “How long are you here for?”
“I need to start driving back after my visit.”
Nigel's mouth trembled. He was filled with emotion that he never felt before.
“I can stay for a while.”
Nigel held Jet’s hand for a long time.
“Nigel?”
Nigel and Jet turned to see Ellen and Ralphie sanding in the doorway. Nigel didn’t know how long they had been there. He lost track of time. Nigel waved. Ralphie waved back. Milo poked his head out from behind Ellen.
“Who is this?” Ellen asked.
“Her name is Jet,” Milo said.
Jet extended a hand, and Ellen shoo
k it. She gave Nigel a nod.
“The doctor said you can come home later today. He will be in soon to check your stitches and to go over your at-home healing plan.”
Nigel grinned. This was the best news he had all week.
“I need to drive back to Newport before dark. I will text you or see you online, Nige.”
Nigel blew her a kiss, and Jet’s cheeks turned red as crimson as she returned the gesture. The exchange was not lost on Ellen. She was happy that Nigel had supportive friends.
“Cassidy, do you need a ride home?” Jet asked.
“Mrs. Watson can take me.”
“I no longer have a car. I had to sell it to pay Nigel’s attorney.” Ellen looked down as she said the words.
“That’s okay, Mrs. Watson. Milo and I will grab a ride share home.”
Jet sneaked another glance at Nigel before beginning the long ride home.
Nigel, Ellen, and Ralphie sat around a borrowed Christmas tree. Although they had few gifts, they were thankful that everyone was free. Nigel’s throat was still bandaged, but in time, it should make a full recovery.
“How about a game?” Ralphie asked.
“What do you have in mind?” Nigel replied.
“Slides and Ladders?”
“Set it up,” Nigel said.
Ellen was pleased that her boys enjoyed playing together, especially after the recent events. For the first time in a long while, she felt at peace. The community had been supportive as well. Mr. Henry gave them the tree; other neighbors provided meals.
The doorbell rang.
“Merry Christmas, Agent Appleton,” Ellen said.
“Is this a good time? I don’t want to intrude.”
“It’s cold out. Please, come inside.”
Ellen took John’s coat and hung it in the closet.
“What brings you to Milford?”
“I feel that I owe you and your family an apology. I made several terrible mistakes.”
“Why the change of heart?” Ellen asked.
“Nigel opened my eyes in the hospital. I was so focused on a bust, I failed to see all the facts. I was blinded by my bias. Nigel was instrumental in helping me piece together what really happened. After revisiting the evidence, I saw the real truth: Nigel was being set up. The worst part about it was that I inadvertently spoiled some of the evidence. The hacker we caught was let go. Friends at the FBI helped me track down other evidence as well. As it turns out, the hacker group that Gregor led was responsible for your hack as well.”
Ellen felt a rush of emotions. She wanted to claw Agent Appleton’s eyes out, but she controlled her breathing and calmed down. She didn’t want to ruin the day by losing her temper. It was Christmas, and her family was together.
“You don’t know how hard it is to say this, but I forgive you, Agent Appleton.”
John looked astonished. He hadn’t expected that at all. It made what he was about to do next that much more gratifying. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box.
Ellen gasped. “What is this?”
John opened the ring box. A small key against blue velvet was visible. He also handed her a piece of paper which he had signed.
“This is the key to your new car,” John said as he handed her the rest of the car keys. “I know you had to sell your car to pay your legal fees, so this is the least I can do. The car is nothing fancy, but please use it in good health.”
Ellen was stunned. She couldn’t think of anything else to say. She could feel the tears roll down her face.
“Thank you, John, and God bless you.”
John was startled as Ellen gave him a bear hug. “Will you stay for dinner? I was just about to take it out of the oven.”
John nodded, then followed Ellen to the dining room.
“Boys, we have a dinner guest!”
About the Author
D. B. Goodin has a passion for writing since grade school. After publishing several non-fiction books, Mr. Goodin ventured into the craft of fiction to teach Cybersecurity concepts in a less intimidating fashion. Mr. Goodin works as a Principal Cybersecurity Analyst for a major software company based in Silicon Valley and holds a Masters in Digital Forensic Science from Champlain College.