Risky Extraction

Chapter 23

Crash sat in the conference room of the office building inside the compound. Keith was taking no chances with the safety of anyone close to or related to Axel and Crash.

Titus sat at the other end of the long table, his hands folded on the table in front of him. Keith probably wanted to keep the man as far away from Crash and Axel as possible, especially since he now wore a bandage across his nose and two very black eyes.

Axel almost seemed pleased as he walked into the room earlier and saw the older man. To his credit, he didn’t say a word out of the way. The last thing Crash wanted to do was take sides, but he wouldn’t let Axel beat the older man, no matter what Titus did.

“What we know so far is this guy doesn’t use a pseudonym twice,” James O’Connor stated as he stood at one end of the table next to Keith and Aaron.

James was one of the oldest brothers and was Deputy Chief of the Newfoundland Police Department. His twin brother John was the Chief. They usually didn’t get involved in investigations, but because of Crash, James asked if he could help. As far as Crash was concerned, they needed all the help they could get.

NES had over thirty employees, but only about twenty did actual security detail. Crash was also not the only one who was a former military member. Besides he and Elijah, there was Damon Bullet Blackwood, who was married to one of Keith’s cousins, Justin Bish Bishop, who was also a nurse; Adrian Rock Hudson, who served with Damon and Elijah, and Caden Rex Dixon, who served in the United States military. Keith and Bull trained the rest of the men.

When Crash glanced around the room, more than half the men were there, and a couple joined the meeting virtually. All these men worked jobs but took time to be there for Crash. He was honored, but the man they wanted was a ghost.

“Also, we know that both the other brothers are dead. We’re assuming Emir killed Nasir, and Akram died when he was a teenager,” James continued.

“We don’t know what he looks like, what name he’s using, or who works for him, but all his siblings are dead. We’re batting a thousand,” Damon said from the corner of the room.

“Chill your undies there. I’m working with our friend Lyon Tu to see if he can age progress that photo we have. It’s not a clear picture, so he said it could take some magic on his part.” Smash looked up from behind his computer. “Colt is also looking for names connected to Nasir.”

Colt Burke was the company’s newest analyst, and his sister was engaged to Crunch. Keith hired him because, like Sandy, the guy knew what he was doing, and from what Crash knew, NES now had three of the top Analysts in the country.

“Nobody came up with a nickname for him yet?” Bish chuckled.

“I don’t have one either,” Elijah smirked.

“You haven’t been in the province long enough for us to come up with one,” Adrian responded. “But there’s a few stories I could tell to make it easier to come up with one.”

“Shut it.” Elijah glared at his friend.

“Although I would love to hear all the stories of Mr. Fancy Pants over there, we have to focus,” Keith interrupted the banter.

Axel’s phone interrupted the meeting, and he glanced at the screen. His eyes narrowed, and he ignored the call, sending it to voicemail. A few seconds later, it started to ring again, but Axel ignored it. When it rang a third time, he jabbed the answer button.

“What do you want?” Axel was pissed.

Crash wasn’t sure who was on the other line, but from the way his friend’s face paled, he was sure it wasn’t anything good that he was being told.

“Why are you here?” Axel glanced around the room.

Everyone quietly waited to see if the phone call had anything to do with the situation or if it was something else. Axel’s only family was his dad, and Clint Wright was with Crash’s parents until it was safe.

“I can’t meet you right now. I’m busy,” Axel said with disdain in his voice.

As the call went on, Axel seemed to get irritated. Crash knew his friend hadn’t had a drink in a couple of days, so whoever was on the line easily ruffled Axel’s feathers.

“If this is so damn important, why can’t you tell me over the phone, Felicity,” Axel practically seemed to choke on the name.

“Ex-girlfriend,” Crash whispered as everyone listened to Axel’s call.

“Jesus, give me a minute, and I’ll call you back.” Axel didn’t even wait for a response.

“Everything, okay?” Keith asked.

“She says she needs to talk to me pronto, and it has to be in person. She says it’s not something she wants to say over the phone.” Axel stood up.

“Where does she want to meet you?” Crash asked.

“I didn’t ask. I was hoping to get her to come here. Is that okay?” Axel asked Keith.

“I don’t know if that’s a smart idea, but tell her to meet you at Jack’s place. That way, you’re still in Hopedale, and I can send a couple of the guys with you.” Keith pointed to Rex and Adrian.

“I can go with him too.” Crash stood up.

“We don’t need both of you out in the open,” Keith said.

“He wants to go to make sure I don’t drink,” Axel rolled his eyes.

“Do you think you will?” Keith raised an eyebrow.

“I hope not, but this girl has a way of getting under my skin,” Axel admitted.

“I can go with them.” Damon offered.

“Fine. Make it a time when there aren’t a lot of customers at the diner,” Keith ordered.

“When exactly would that be? When it’s closed?” Sandy chuckled. “That place is always full.”

Keith sighed and ran his hand through his thick red hair. He scanned the room and then picked up his phone. He tapped the screen and then put the phone to his ear.

“Hey, Aunt Alice. What is the slowest time of the day at the diner?” Keith was going to make sure to control the situation.

“Never, I told you,” Sandy interjected.

“Just a time when there is a lull in customers.” Keith glared at Sandy.

“Am I wrong?” Sandy looked around the room.

“Nope,” several of the men answered.

She wasn’t wrong. Jack’s Place was the most popular restaurant in the town. Since there were only two, and the other was a fine dining place, the diner tended to get all the other business.

“Okay, can you ensure the booth in the back is free around three?” Keith listened for a minute. “Thanks, Aunt Alice.”

When he ended the call, he texted something and looked up again.

“Call her back and tell her to meet you at Jack’s Place at three,” Keith told Axel.

Crash glanced at his watch. It was a little after one, which meant Axel’s ex had two hours to figure out how to find Hopedale. Since she wasn’t from Newfoundland, Crash hoped she had GPS to find the town. It was only ten minutes from the city, but it was easy to take the wrong turn and get lost.

Axel made the call, and after a few minutes of arguing about whether it was then or not at all, she agreed to meet him. When he ended the call, he looked as if he had been given a death sentence.

“I take it wasn’t a friendly breakup?” James asked.

“Let’s say she enjoys fancy dinners, clothes, and cars but doesn’t have the money for any of it. When I stopped catering to her whims, she made my life hell.” Axel leaned back in the chair. “She’s a lot.”

For the next two hours, the people around him spent time going through documents on the deaths of Otto, Perry, Halima, and Nasir. The only thing found was whoever killed them was a sadistic bastard. They’d been tortured in ways no human being should ever have to suffer.

“I’m guessing this guy started with the beating before moving on to using the knife.” James shook his head. “Sick bastard.”

“According to Allyson, all the stab wounds wouldn’t have killed. They were in spots that wouldn’t be fatal.” Sandy pointed to something on the report James held. “This was fatal.”

“A bullet to the head would do that.” James sighed. “Maybe we shouldn’t set this meeting up at Jack’s Place. If this guy is watching for Crash and Axel, we could endanger other people.”

“We won’t let that happen,” Keith nodded toward the four men waiting to go with Crash and Axel to the diner.

“We’ll check to see who’s there and won’t let anyone inside until we leave,” Adrian promised.

“My sons are working today, and Aunt Alice is there. Nan and Tom are always there helping out,” James told them.

“Do you think I want anything to happen to my nephews, Aunt Alice, Nan, or Tom?” Keith sounded hurt.

“Not intentionally,” James replied.

Keith stared at his brother as if he’d slapped him. James’ two oldest sons worked part-time at the diner. Mason was also working with Keith’s construction company as a laborer because James told him if he took a year off before going to university, he wouldn’t be sitting home on his ass. Danny worked at the diner after school a couple of days a week.

“The boys will be fine,” Aaron stepped between his brothers. “They don’t work until four.”

Aaron held up his phone. Crash assumed he must have texted them or James’ wife, Marina, to find out.

“Okay, fine. I’ll stay here and work with the rest of you to see if we can get anywhere.” James pulled out a chair and sat next to Titus. “Now, let’s go over everything you know again.”

Crash glanced at his watch for the third time. It was ten minutes after three, and Felicity had still not arrived. Axel had called her several times, but she didn’t answer, and he got agitated.

“Do you want another cup of coffee?” Alice asked as she stepped up to the table.

“I want a shot of whiskey,” Axel mumbled under his breath.

“I don’t serve that here, young man, but I do have coffee and some blueberry pie,” Alice said with a smile.

“He’ll have both, and I’ll just have coffee. Thanks, Alice.” Crash answered before Axel said something stupid.

“I’ll be right back.” Alice turned and scurried away.

“You know we should’ve told her to be here at two. She might be here by now.” Axel clasped his hands in front of him.

“We’ll give her another ten minutes, then we’re leaving,” Adrian sat at the table behind Crash.

They only had to wait four minutes for Felicity to come rushing into the diner. She glanced around until she spotted Axel and headed toward the table. Crash met her a couple of times, but he couldn’t say he knew her.

“On time as usual, Felicity,” Axel griped.

“I’m sorry, but this place is like a maze. I don’t know how you live in this province.” She dropped down on the seat across from Crash and Axel.

“Get on with it,” Axel waved his hand in the air.

“Jesus, let me catch my breath, for heaven’s sake.” Felicity pulled off her gloves and slipped out of her jacket.

“This will not be a long conversation, so no need to get comfortable.” Axel’s body tensed beside Crash.

Before Crash could say anything, Alice dropped off their coffee and pie. She glanced at Felicity and smiled.

“Can I get you something?” Alice asked.

“I’d love a latte, but I doubt you have that here,” Felicity said.

“In fact, we do. Can I get you one?” Alice’s tone didn’t change, but Crash knew the woman well enough to see the aggravation in her face.

“Thank you. Extra hot, please.” Felicity turned back to Axel without as much as a thank you to Alice.

“What’s this all-important thing you needed to talk to me about in person?” Axel sipped his coffee.

“It’s kind of private,” Felicity whispered as she gave Crash a once over.

“Pretend he’s stupid and doesn’t understand English,” Axel responded.

Crash lifted his cup to his lips to hide the smirk when he heard Adrian chuckle behind him. Axel wasn’t giving this woman an inch.

“God, you’re such a jerk,” Felicity sighed.

“Always will be,” Axel retorted.

She was about to speak but stopped when Alice dropped off the latte. Felicity took a small sip, and her eyes widened in surprise. She seemed shocked that it tasted good.

“Do you like it?” Alice asked.

“It’s delicious, thanks.”

Alice left with a little skip in her step. Crash enjoyed it when people underestimated the diner because seeing them eat their words was a pleasure.

“Axel, I came here to tell you…” Felicity sighed. “I’m pregnant.”

Axel didn’t move for a moment, but then he laughed as he slapped the table. He continued to chuckle for several minutes before Felicity got annoyed.

“It’s not funny,” she whined.

“Sure, it is. Who’s the father because I know it isn’t me?” Axel crossed his arms over his chest.

“Who else would it be?” Felicity whispered.

“Do you think I’m that stupid? We haven’t slept together in four months, so unless you’re over four months pregnant, there’s no way it’s mine.” Axel leaned forward. “Why don’t you try to con the other three guys you were screwing while you were living in my place?”

“Fine. It’s not yours, but I was supposed to...” She dropped her head. “I don’t feel well.”

“Me either,” Axel shook his head.

When Felicity started to fan herself, Crash turned to see the man at the next table having trouble getting to his feet. Crash tried to jump up to help, but everything around him started to spin, and he fell back on the chair.

Crash lifted his head and tried to focus on where Rex and Damon seemed to struggle to stand. The last thing he saw was Damon drop to the floor and Rex fall next to him. Crash went to his knees, and everything faded to black.