Chapter 17 #3
His introduction brought a tiny smile to her face. “Somehow, I doubt that. More like a bunch of lions.”
Her answer made many chuckle.
“Maybe, but for you, we’re kitty cats. I understand that you went through something traumatic today. I don’t want to upset you more, but I think you can help us find Astrid,” the Marauders president told her.
Aubrielle’s eyes widened. She leaned toward him. “I told them everything I know. God, I wish I knew more. I want to help Astrid. She’s my friend.” Stress was clear in her tone.
“I know you do. And sometimes, we’re unaware of things that our subconscious mind has stored away. I would like to try something, if you’ll allow me.”
Jinx was so gentle with her. It was a side to him I hadn’t seen. Sure, he was nice and all that with the old ladies, but this was different. He treated her with kid gloves.
“I’ll do anything if it brings Astrid back to Mayhem.” She cast me an apologetic look. She was still blaming herself.
“It’s not your fault,” I reminded her.
Aubrielle disagreed. She turned back to Jinx. “Do whatever it is you think will help.”
Nodding, Jinx reached into the inside pocket of his cut. His hand came out holding a pocket watch on a chain. The last thing I expected him to carry. He held one end of the ornate, clearly old watch, allowing the watch to dangle and sway.
“I need everyone to stay quiet. Aubrielle, I want you to stare at the watch. Follow it with your eyes and focus on the design on the front. As you do, listen to my voice. Let yourself relax. You’re safe.
Everything around you is warm and soft, and you’re sinking into it. You’re floating back to earlier today.”
I watched as Jinx murmured more things along that line until he had her with her eyes closed. When he did, he changed things a little.
“Now, we’ve gone back to your apartment, but this time you’re safe. No one can hurt you, not even Cherisse. You’ve been tied and gagged. You’re on the sofa. There’s someone at the door. It’s a man. Do you see the man?”
“I do.”
“Describe him to me,” Jinx asked.
Aubrielle’s description was spot on for Baker. Once he had that, Jinx moved on.
“Good, girl. That’s who we want. You’re scared, but they can’t hurt you. Relax, take a deep breath,” he instructed. Aubrielle did it. I saw her body relax.
“Good. Okay, tell me what the man and woman said to each other?”
“He was tense and told her she better not be wasting his time. Cherisse swore she wasn’t.
If Astrid didn’t come alone, then Cherisse was to warn him, and they’d take care of all of us together.
He told her that if Astrid did come alone, Cherisse was to string her along and try to get the money.
They were going to split it if she did. Once Cherisse was ready, she was to signal him by saying ‘I’m done’.
The man said he would be in the bedroom, listening.
His last words before he walked toward her bedroom were for her not to fuck it up, or she’d be sorry. ”
“You’re doing so well, Aubrielle. Great. Now, focus on the man. He’s headed to the bedroom. Did he say anything else before he disappeared inside?” Jinx asked.
So far, nothing she said was different from what she had already told us. This endeavor was a waste of time. Jinx needed to give it up. It was almost time to get on our bikes and ride. Aubrielle’s face was scrunched up in deep concentration. Suddenly, her expression showed excitement.
“Yes, yes, he did! At the door, he looked back at her. I saw it because I was watching him over my shoulder. I didn’t trust him behind me.
He smirked as he muttered darkly that Astrid would pay for getting his brother killed.
He bragged that he had a quiet place nearby where no one would find her.
He muttered about having a close Navy friend with the best hidey-hole. ”
This statement electrified us. I watched Maniac take off down the hallway.
No doubt he was going to inform Spawn and Beast. I didn’t question that Spawn knew every property owned or rented by Baker and his family, but a Navy friend wouldn’t be on the list. Of course, it would take time to weed through his Navy friends. Time we didn’t have. My despair grew.
I barely remained in my seat as Jinx took her through the rest of the memory, including the abduction of Astrid. When he was finished and brought her out of it, I stood.
“I’ve got to be out there. I can’t sit here a moment longer,” I snapped.
“I didn’t remember anything, did I?” Aubrielle asked, tears filling her eyes.
“Actually, you did. I’ve got Spawn and Beast working that angle. They’ve been able to piece together CCTV coverage of Baker and his vehicle. It got them to the edge of town, headed north on the 81,” Maniac filled us in. He’d been back a minute or two.
My heart jumped at this. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
“How long until they have something concrete? I can head out of town in that direction, but there’s a lot of country. I need more than that,” I snapped.
“We know, and they’re working as fast as they can. They even have the wizards in the other clubs helping, too,” my VP replied.
Before I could leave or say more, Reaper jumped in. He’d been unusually quiet.
“You’re not going off alone, half-cocked.
What we’re going to do is that a portion of us will go with Mayhem and head north on the 81 out of town.
Being there will give us a jump when the guys figure out where Baker took Astrid.
It’ll save time. Maniac, let those two know we need the CCTV monitored to ensure he hasn’t or doesn’t return.
To be sure, station a small group in town.
That way, if he does come back, they’re ready to follow and snatch his ass.
The rest stay here and be on standby. I don’t believe we’re dealing with a large group that we’ll need you, but just in case I’m wrong. ”
Then Reaper smiled at Aubrielle. “Thank you, honey. You gave us a clue, and I feel that it’ll be what gets Astrid back. Now, why don’t you go back to the ladies and relax? We’ll be running around getting ourselves divided up. As soon as we have her, someone will come tell everyone.”
Shadow pulled out her chair and offered his hand.
She took it as she came to her feet. Aubrielle gave us all a small smile.
“I’m glad I could help. I’ll keep praying for Astrid.
Hurry and find her.” She broke down in tears.
Shadow had his arm around her and was leading her away, talking in her ear again.
I was sorta in a haze as Reaper and Jinx divided us up and assigned who would go where.
Thankfully, they placed me in the group on the northern side.
We were sent to arm ourselves and return in ten minutes.
It was eight minutes later when those who were going were straddling our bikes and bringing them to life.
I was totally in the mindset of Mayhem. We would find her, and not even God or the Devil would save Baker.