Chapter 35 Jay
JAY
In the back seat of our hired SUV, out of Ryker’s sight, I curled my fingers around Nova’s.
“Are you sure about this?” I said in a low voice.
Ryker had made the decision to inform her of our plans, and she’d insisted on coming with us.
I hated that she could be putting herself in danger, but she’d talked Ry into it, and he’d agreed the risk was low.
I just hoped they were right. If not…I was prepared to do whatever it took to keep her safe.
Nova squeezed my hand. “I’m sure. It’s like I said to Ry, if you have to leave the car, three people are better than two.
What if you have to spread out? We don’t know what kind of situation we’re getting ourselves into, and it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared.
Having someone to stay in the car in case we need to make a quick exit makes sense. ”
“I know. I just don’t want to risk you.”
She exhaled, her grip briefly tightening.
“I’ll be locked in the car, well away from the action.
I’ll be perfectly safe. Ryker’s given me a burner phone to use, so I can contact any of you if necessary.
Which it won’t be.” After giving my hand another quick squeeze, she released it, turning her gaze to the window.
In the rear-view mirror, Ryker’s gaze flicked to mine before returning to the road.
I shifted away from Nova, tipping my head back and letting my eyes close as I exhaled, trying to ground myself.
It was torture being so near to Nova but so far apart at the same time.
We hadn’t been alone together since the night in the barrow.
That night. It had been the best and worst night of my life. Our first and last time together. Nova was everything I’d ever wanted, but we both knew it was the end for us.
My thoughts crowded in over one another, a non-stop barrage there was no escape from.
My concerns for Nova—because regardless of whether or not we were together, she deserved to be happy and not a pawn in her family’s games.
My worries about my family’s business, both with the accounts and the ongoing Operation Foxglove investigation.
What was happening with the Thorpe Syndicate, and if it was connected with any of this.
Anton Volkov. I was struggling to sleep at night, my mind refusing to switch off, replaying worst-case scenarios.
I’d been relying on pushing myself to the limits playing hockey and putting in extra hours in the gym to exhaust my body enough that I would collapse into sleep, but even that wasn’t a given.
The SUV came to a stop, and I did my best to push everything else from my mind. Now, I needed to focus and hopefully get some fucking answers.
I was all too aware of Nova’s presence in the silent car as my gaze met Ryker’s again in the rear-view mirror.
I cleared my throat, hoping Nova would understand that I wasn’t underestimating her when I spoke.
Every single one of my instincts wanted to protect her, to keep her away from harm, to make sure that anyone who didn’t have her best interests in mind would keep their distance.
I knew she was strong, and I knew she was more than capable of handling herself, but we were heading into a situation none of us could prepare for.
“Are you sure she’ll be safe?” My voice came out way too hoarse, and I just had to hope it didn’t betray my feelings to her brother.
Ryker scanned the quiet countryside around us, his sharp gaze taking everything in.
It was quiet and still. We’d parked in an unobtrusive corner next to a farmhouse close to the canal.
The SUV was tucked away behind a hedge, facing the bridge that led us out of the area, ready for a quick getaway.
“As sure as I can be,” he said. “There are no guarantees, but—”
“But I’ll be fine,” Nova cut in. “You’ve given me the phone, the car will be locked, and no one knows we’re here. I’ll be the one worrying about you. Please be safe, all of you.”
“We will. Let’s go. Nova, if you see anyone arrive, text us on the burner.”
She nodded, and with that, Ryker pulled on his mask and gloves and tugged up his hood.
Dan and I followed suit, and then we left Nova in the back seat with her own hood on and a bandana covering the lower half of her face as an extra precaution.
As we left, I took one last look back at the car.
I couldn’t see her through the darkened glass, but I could picture her waving her hand at me impatiently, telling me to get a fucking move on.
Behind my mask, my mouth curved upwards.
We skulked down the canal towpath to the small footpath that led down to the River Severn and the ship graveyard. Once we were off the main towpath, Ryker flicked on his torch, keeping the light shielded with his hand and pointing towards the muddy ground.
“This way,” he said, indicating the path with the beam of his torch before switching it off.
“No recent footprints,” I said. “We should keep to the grass on the edges so we don’t leave our own. We don’t want to give them any hints that we’re here.”
“Good thinking.” Dan moved to stand behind me. “Single file. King, lead the way.”
We picked our way down the path, keeping to the verge. It was still light enough to see our surroundings, which would hopefully give us an advantage when it came to positioning.
“Here,” Ryker murmured as we reached an open grassy area with a small tree and a wooden bench in the centre.
The river was directly in front of me, and to my left and right, rusting hulls listed on the banks of the river.
Some of them were so overgrown that they looked like organic parts of the riverbank, almost blending in with the long grass.
It was eerie down here, beyond the canal and its towpath, in this overgrown area with the mists rolling in from the river. The freezing drizzle bit at my skin, penetrating the layers of my clothes, and I shivered involuntarily.
“This is creepy in a fun way.” Dan made his way over to one of the vessels, poking the rusty hull with his toe. “It looks like they’re growing out of the ground. Look, King. There’s a sign that tells you—”
Ryker cut him off with a slash of his hand.
“No time for sightseeing. I came down here yesterday to check out the place in the daylight so I could find us the best places to hide. There’s a boat farther up that’s more intact, and it’s on a solid part of the bank.
It’s farther from the path, but it’ll provide some coverage. ”
“We should triangulate. I think I can climb down here, close to the water, get below the sight line of the riverbank,” Dan suggested. “Jay can hide in the hedge.”
“No. Stay the fuck away from the river. If you fall in, you’ll drown. The current’s too strong.”
“But—”
“I’m not fucking joking, Dan. It’s a tidal river. We haven’t even been able to bring the smaller boats into the port this week because of the rain. We have to wait for the water levels to drop.”
“Oh. Okay. Sorry.” Dan’s voice was contrite. “Uh…what if one of us hides behind those shrub things?” He pointed to a tangled pile of undergrowth to the right.
“That works. I’ll go to the boat. You go there. Jay, you’re behind the hedge. Keep your phones on you.” Ry spun on his heel, wasting no time in jogging away. Dan disappeared into the undergrowth, and I made my way back towards the hedge that bordered the open area, close to the path.
Then, we settled down to wait.
My phone buzzed softly in my hand, and I unlocked the screen to find a new group chat.
Unknown:
Grey Nissan Juke just parked on other side of bridge
Arson:
Could be our man
King:
Can you get a visual?
Unknown:
I’ll try
A few seconds later, a picture came through. A balding man in a suit with an undone raincoat over the top, clasping what looked like a leather folder to his chest. He was hunched over, ducking his head against the drizzle, but I could clearly see his face. Fuck. We’d been right.
Me:
That’s our accountant. Andrew Fairbank
Unknown:
No sign of anyone else yet
He’s walking my way. Update again when I can
I saved the number, then started up a separate conversation, just the two of us.
Me:
Stay safe
N:
I will. You too. Please. Make sure my brother doesn’t do anything stupid. He likes to think he’s invincible, but he’s not
That was true. Although he was good at calculating risks and took precautions, he was the type of person to throw himself into dangerous situations rather than ask for help or let anyone else risk themselves.
Through the light patter of rain, the sound of footsteps on muddy ground reached my ears, and I crouched lower, holding my breath. From my vantage point, I could see the clearing through a gap in the hedge, and as the figure came into view, I carefully angled my phone and began filming.
The accountant took a seat on the bench, muttering to himself. I couldn’t make out what he was saying—I was too far away, but hopefully, Dan would be able to pick up the audio.
My phone buzzed again with another group chat notification.
N:
3 bikes
I hadn’t even finished reading the message when a loud whine reached my ears, and then three dirt bikes came screaming into view.
They tore down the footpath, wheels spinning in the mud, sending it cascading everywhere. The riders circled the bench, revving the bikes before coming to a screeching stop. The accountant visibly flinched, hunching over even further, clutching the folder to himself like a shield.
When the riders dismounted and came to stand in front of the accountant, I swore under my breath.
They hadn’t removed their nondescript black helmets, so we had no way of identifying who they were.
Indistinct words filtered through to me, caught on the breeze, but the rain was falling harder, rattling on the hulls and lashing against the churning waters, muffling the sounds of talking.
My phone was slippery in my grip, water dripping onto it from the hedge I was pressed up against, but I managed to type out a text.
Me:
Can anyone else hear anything?
Arson:
Nothing. Rain’s too fucking loud
King:
I’m too far away. This was a bad idea
Me:
Should we confront them?
King:
Not unless we have to. We don’t know who or what we’re dealing with yet. Keep filming and taking photos
One of the three riders seemed to be having a discussion with the accountant, gesturing with their hands.
The other two stood completely still, arms folded across their chests, facing the entry and exit points.
Lookouts, then. I watched as the accountant unzipped the folder, shielding it from the rain.
The figure he was talking to peered inside for a moment before jerking their head in a nod.
They zipped it back up and then tucked it inside their leather jacket before taking a small backpack from their shoulders and handing it to the accountant.
As soon as the items exchanged hands, the accountant backed away, stumbling on the uneven ground. He turned towards the path, hurrying out of the clearing.
We couldn’t go after him without giving our presence away to the riders, and we were only supposed to be here to observe, anyway. But Nova needed to know.
As I began tapping out a message, a notification appeared on my phone.
King:
Nova. Accountant heading your way. Don’t be seen. Everyone hold your positions
N:
Got it
I continued filming as the three figures huddled together, their bikes temporarily forgotten. It was impossible to get a read on them, in their nondescript black clothes with helmets obscuring their faces. Shifting in my crouch, I wiped at my phone screen so I could send another text.
Me:
We need to find out who these people are. Can’t hear anything or see anything identifiable
Arson:
Yeah. I can’t pick up anything
King:
As much as I hate to say it, you’re right. Be careful. They have bikes and they may be armed. Block the exit if you can but stay safe. I’ll cover you from the back. Nova, stay in the car no matter what. Everyone got it?
Me:
Yes
Arson:
Yes
N:
Yes
King:
30 second countdown then go
Thirty… Twenty… Ten… Five…four, three, two, one.
Go.