Chapter Four
Baxter
“Baxter?” The surprised tone tells me I’m probably the last person he expected to hear from. I have no idea what time it is in the UK. It could be the middle of the night, but I don’t give a shit.
“I need…” I hesitate. I almost said a favour, but is my curiosity worth a life? I think probably not. “Information.”
There’s a pause on the end of the line while I wait for Frost to reply. I can almost feel his reluctance and disapproval coming down the line in waves.
“I see. Can we talk about that in a minute?”
“I don’t really—”
“Because we really need to talk about your little disappearing act.”
I sigh. Of course he wants to talk about that. I don’t give a damn if he traces my location; he’s the only person I trust not to reveal it.
“Fine. Off record.”
“Of course. I won’t be speaking to anyone within The Order. There’s something going on with the board and I’m not sure I trust any of them.”
“Trust Amelie. You can trust the Knox boys too – if you have to. Not their grandfather though.”
“I wouldn’t. He’s as bent as a nine bob note. What about the father, Monty?”
“Who says that anymore? I’m undecided about him.”
“Okay...so are you having a nice time in the...British Virgin Islands?”
I can’t help bite back a smile. You can take the intelligence operative out of the line of duty, but old habits die hard.
“Peachy.”
“You’re alive then.”
“Evidently.”
“Why the vanishing act?”
“Long story,” I evade. I trust the guy with Amelie’s life, but do I trust him with mine? Whoever injected me had an agenda here, but I’m yet to figure out what it is. “So about that information I need…”
“Shoot.”
“There’s a girl joining me here. I need to know everything about her.”
“Okay. Do you have a name?”
“I have two. Raven and Charlotte.”
“Two girls?”
“One girl. Two names.”
“Odd.”
“Right? She’s connected to Cordelia cuntface somehow. Allegedly a granddaughter but I’m not convinced.”
“Okay. And...erm…is Cuntface her legal surname or…?”
“I forget you don’t move in my circles, Frost. You lucky son of a bitch. Try Deighton. Cordelia Cuntface Deighton.”
He coughs down a laugh. “Okay, sir. And will this...make us even?”
“We’ve always been even, Frost. But if you can help me with this and keep watching Amelie for me, I’ll owe you one.”
“Yes, sir. As soon as she’s back, I’ll watch over her again.”
“Back? What do you mean back? Where the hell is she?” Panic laces my words, making me snap.
“She went away…for a funeral I believe.”
“Whose?” There’s no way it was one of the Knox brothers; I would have been told. Somehow. Only...I blocked my phone to all Order numbers, didn’t I?
“Someone back in her homeland, I believe.”
“She went alone?!”
“No. I believe...Kalen accompanied her.”
Jesus, it’s worse than I thought. What kind of protection is that muppet going to offer?
“I see.” My voice is tight with stress. “I’ll call you tomorrow, for the information. Don’t speak of this conversation to anyone.”
I cut the call.
Shit. This isn’t good. I’m going to have to speak to Camilla. I bet after everything that happened at the Kessler mansion, she’s going to be mighty pissed about this turn of events. And I get to be the lucky guy that gets to fill her in.
Fuck.