Chapter 6 #2
“That is none of your concern,” the robotic voice answered.
“Well, when you’re holding me hostage for the second time, it kind of is my concern. Also, you’re asking me to trust you, so again, my concern.”
“You are not a hostage, you are a guest.”
“You’re the kid who couldn’t get a date in high school, aren’t you?”
Raven stood abruptly. “Eat.”
“I’m not hungry.” She shoved the bowl away.
He stomped two steps closer, poking a finger at the bowl. “Eat and you can talk to Alex.”
“Wow, real psycho vibes here, Raven. Can you at least tell me your real name?”
“Eat,” he repeated.
“Did you poison it?”
“No.”
“Did you drug it?”
A sigh escaped through the voice changer before he shook his head.
“Are you annoyed enough to let me go?” she tried.
He shook his head before he strode from the room. She stared down at the bowl of soup before she leaned closer and sniffed it. What were the odds it contained a colorless, odorless, tasteless chemical that would either knock her out or worse?
With a heavy sigh, she decided to take her chances, knowing she’d need her strength if she was going to escape. She lifted her chin as she chewed the noodles, glancing into the darkness through the window. How far were they from civilization? Could she make it anywhere if she ran?
Before she finished the bowl of soup, Raven strode back into the room with her phone. He collapsed into the chair and slid it toward her. “You have messages that need to be answered.”
“You really have no boundaries, do you?”
“You are important to the cause. I monitor you to keep you safe.”
“That’s what all psychopaths say,” she answered as she dropped her spoon in the bowl and reached for her phone.
He pulled it back, and she flicked her gaze up to him. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
She raised her handcuffed hands in the air, signaling her acquiescence. “I assume you told Alex I’m with you.”
“He is aware of the situation.”
Ava toggled on her phone, staring at the list of messages. A few panicked ones from Kyle, and one from Sebastian Bancroft.
She toggled into the second one, studying it. You haven’t answered me about tomorrow.
She raised her eyes to Raven’s masked face. “I assume you want me to answer Sebastian. What exactly do you expect me to tell him?”
“I’m sure you can figure something out.”
“Is my pending arrest on the news?”
“It’s being kept out of the limelight for the moment.”
Something didn’t sit right with that explanation. “Why? Publicizing it would make me easier to catch.”
“They’re not worried about catching you, they’re worried about sidetracking you…and punishing Alex.”
Ava shifted in her seat as she stared down at the message awaiting a response. “Why? Why are they so interested in Alex?”
Raven didn’t answer.
“Why are you so tight-lipped? You’re asking me to trust you, but you won’t tell me anything. You obviously know way more than you’re saying.”
“My knowledge of The Board and their tactics isn’t necessary for you to know. Alex Stone can provide them with valuable resources that can change the world. Taking you away from him takes away his logic, makes him vulnerable. You must be removed.”
“So, they fabricate a murder charge.” She heaved a sigh as she grabbed her phone and typed a response to Sebastian.
“What did you say?”
“I’m a little tied up at the moment,” she said with a forced grin.
“Fine, but don’t put him off much longer. He’s a valuable insider.”
“Do you really think he’s going to give me information on The Board? I mean, yes, he’s obviously a high-ranking member, but I don’t think he’s going to paint and tell.”
“The access it affords you is worth the risk.”
“Fine, I’ll keep him on the hook. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to call my husband.”
He waved for her to proceed.
“Alone,” she added.
“There is no reason for that.”
She pressed her lips together, her nostrils flaring as she snatched the phone again and dialed Alex’s number. Raven grabbed the phone, toggling on the speakerphone before he set it between them.
“Raven, I presume?” he answered with a sigh, his voice sounding weary.
“No, it’s me, Ace.”
“Ava? Ava, thank goodness.” His voice turned rushed. “Tell me you’re safe and away from what maniac.”
Raven sighed, his fingers curling into fists.
“I’m safe, but I’m sitting across from the maniac.”
“Raven…”
“Babe, it’s fine. I’m safe, honest. He even made me dinner.”
Alex offered a nervous chuckle. “Remind me to thank him when I get the chance.”
“Where are you with destroying the planted evidence?” Raven asked.
“Oh, hey, Raven, what’s up? Didn’t hear you creepily listening in. Uh, so we’re in the planning stages of asset retrieval, and we hope to pull this off later tonight.”
Ava shook her head, burying her face in her hands. “Alex, you can’t do this alone.”
“Don’t worry, Ava, I’m working with him,” Kyle answered.
“I’m not sure that makes me feel much better, but good.”
“We’ve got this covered, Ava,” Kyle answered. “We’ll have you home soon.”
“You need to do better than steal the evidence,” Raven said. “You need to modify it to point elsewhere.”
“Oh, right, why didn’t I think of that?” Alex retorted. “I’ll just invent a new set of prints, stick them on the gun–”
“Modify the ballistics report to match a Russian-made weapon. Without the gun as evidence, this will get buried very quickly,” Raven ordered.
“Oh, that’s actually…pretty good. Okay, yeah, I can…we’ll work on that then.”
“And be prepared. Retaliation for this will be swift,” Raven added before he hung up.
“Hey!” Ava protested. “I wasn’t finished.”
“Yes, you were. Alex needs to focus.”
She sat back in her chair, her arms crossed. Raven’s knowledge of both the board and tactics to fight them was impressive. But would it work to free her?