No News is Bad News #3
Eleni's voice filled the communications room below Club Aurae. Jessie held her hand up at Becky, who was sitting in Chen's chair. Jessie depressed the microphone button twice, then said, “VIP and trash en route to LAX. Security will update shortly.”
Jessie turned up the volume, filling the office with Simo's voice speaking to Xander. “Halo is on the way back with Johnny Stone.”
Xander's voice stumbled. “Uh… is she ok?”
“I don't know. Why don't you call her and ask?”
Jessie could tell Simo was irritated, and she met Becky's look. Then suddenly Simo's voice came back on, speaking to Xander. “Eleni will be checking in soon. She's Halo's security… stay alert.”
“What's up with Simo?” Becky asked.
Jessie took in a breath. “Simo is seeing some of himself in Xan.”
“Ok… how do you mean?”
“Xan won't speak to Halo. I don't think he likes being confronted with that.”
Becky nodded, reached over, and gave Jessie's hand a squeeze. “I'm sorry, Jessie… oh, here's Eleni.”
Jessie reached over and depressed the mic's button twice. “Security reporting in.”
Simo replied, “Indaxi.”
Eleni's voice filled the room. “VIP and package safe. Proceeding to home base.”
Simo followed up. “You will be making a detour.”
“Indaxi. Destination?” Eleni asked.
“Weed, California. Athena was duped into driving to LA. She is secured and safe at the police station, awaiting Evac.”
“Nea. VIP wishes to speak with you.”
“Fine,” Simo said.
Suddenly Halo's worried voice came over the line. “Simo! Did you find Xander?”
“Yes, I did.” There was a pause, and Jessie gathered that Simo was staring at Xander. “He was right where you said he would be.”
“OH MY GOD! Is he ok? Where is he?” Halo fired back rapidly.
“Halo, he is ok and recovering.”
Jessie heard Simo's voice soften and noticed Becky glancing her way. She ignored her.
“Thank God!” Jessie heard Halo's sigh of relief, then her voice caught, then she heard her sniff as if she was on the verge of crying. This time she met Becky's gaze and saw the concern on her face.
“Halo, you are making a detour to pick up Athena from Weed, California. Someone texted her claiming to be Xan, telling her to pick him up in LA. We caught it in time. Do you understand?”
“Oh my god! Is she ok?”
“She is good and safe for now.”
Jessie heard Halo's deep sigh of relief. “Thank goodness! Does Xander know?”
“Yes. Halo…”
She interrupted. “Can I… will he talk to me?”
Simo paused for a moment. Jessie pictured him glaring at Xan. “I don't think so. He met your parents yesterday.”
“OH?” Halo exclaimed. “Uh… was he ok with that? Did everything go ok? My mom didn't try to smother him with hugs, did she?”
“Yes, she did, and your father about picked him up off his feet.”
Halo's sigh caught in her throat. “Was he—he ok with them?”
Again, Simo paused. “Yes. He likes them. They like him.”
“Oh, good! Oh, good!” Halo exclaimed. “Simo, did you give him my message? Did you get the memory stick?”
“Halo, Xan gave the memory stick away to the ship's crew on his way to Portland. We are tracking the ship; we will have someone waiting for it when it docks in Singapore.”
“Damn it!” She paused, and they heard Halo's loud swallow. “Simo, was he mad at me?”
“He was.”
Jessie turned to Becky. “I know exactly what Simo is doing…” Becky nodded and they returned to listening in to Simo.
“Halo, I have something to tell you.”
“Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.” Another sniff from Halo.
“Ari, your parents, and some other investors put together a money package, and we tried to get Xan to take it and walk away from this business with Joel. He wouldn't do it… even for one million. He wants Joel…”
Halo’s gasp filled their ears. “No! No! Oh, hell! Simo, Simo!” Halo cried out.
“Yes, Halo?” Came Simo's eerily calm voice.
“Simo! Please don't let him go after Joel!” They heard Halo's voice catch, and she began to cry. With a desperate plea, she begged, “Please, Simo!” She sobbed. “P-l-e-a-s-e don't let him go!”
Jessie saw Becky wipe her eyes. Jessie mouthed Told you. Becky nodded back as Halo's grief-filled voice continued.
“SIMO! You can have anything of mine! You—you can have my—my house! Please! It's all yours!” she begged. “Just don't let him go… please, Simo!”
The room was filled with Halo's guttural, crying sobs. They heard Eleni trying to console her, trying to get her to get up off the floor of the jet.
Then Simo's mute button lit up, and they heard his angry voice aimed at Xander.
“See! That is real love. You can't buy that shit; you can't rent it or act it, no matter how good a fucking actor she is.
That girl is willing to give anything for you.
Don't be a stupid malaka! Explain yourself to her.”
Jessie froze as Simo's words crashed through her mind. She stared ahead at the screen, her mouth coming open. She felt Becky squeezing her hand and couldn't move, hearing Simo give advice to Xander he'd never follow himself with her.
Halo came back over their earpieces. “Simo?” Halo choked out. “Does—does he h—ha…”
Simo interrupted. “No, Halo. He doesn't hate you. Xander is on the line now, listening. Go ahead.”
“Oh! XANDER! Oh my god! I am so sorry for what I DID! I never wanted you to go!” she cried out, then burst into wracking sobs. They heard Eleni in the background trying to get Halo to calm down and breathe.
When Halo came back on, she was a little more composed. “Xander, I love you so much.” Another sob caught in her throat. “I am so sorry… I—I…” she sighed. “When you can, please! I want to talk with you face-to-face and explain. J—just don't go after Joel, please!”
They heard two beeps, and Simo spoke up. “Let them speak privately.” A number of beeps went off.
Jessie's hand shot out and grabbed Becky's wrist, stopping her from muting the call. Becky turned to Jessie and saw tears filling her eyes. She pulled her hand back and they both listened in.
“Xander? You there, baby?” Halo whispered through choked sobs.
“Yes,” Xan said quietly.
“It's so good to hear your voice. Are—are you ok?” she asked.
“I'm better, thank you.”
“Xander, I know I hurt you. I can hear it in your voice…”
“You should have trusted me,” Xander retorted.
Halo sniffed. “Yes. You are so right, baby. Please give me a chance to explain it to you. It's not right to do it like this. Please, baby, think about it?”
“I—I just need some time, ok? I have to finish this…”
“Please, Xander! Don't go after Joel. You don't know what I do about him; he's sick and evil. He will get what's coming to him!”
“H—Halo…” They heard his voice catch as if saying her name hurt. They heard him bouncing his head against something. “I have to do this. Listen… I joined Simo's team; we have a deal. I will be there when whoever gets him: either the cops or Simo. I agreed to stay as backup and observe.”
There was a long pause, then Halo's forlorn sigh.
“Ok, baby. I think I understand. Please don't do anything stupid… can—can I see…” She choked up again.
“Xander, I'll be home tomorrow if you want to talk, or whenever.
I'm sorry I'm being pushy. I just want you to know I never stopped loving you. I love you with all my heart. I—I wish we were back on the island together.”
A choked sob burst out from the speaker. It was Xan's. “I—I can't do this…” Xander croaked.
“Halo, it's Simo. Xan needs some time; he disconnected.”
“Oh. Is he ok? Can you see him?”
“Yes, he's bouncing his hard head against the wall.”
“Oh, no! Simo? You've been around him… I'm sorry to ask, but do you think he still loves me? I'm sorry; I feel like such a baby…”
Simo let out a grumble, then sighed. “Halo, when Sagar…
you don't know him; let's leave it at he works for Ari, did something stupid.
He talked about threatening you to keep Xan from going after Joel.
Xan knocked me over, jumped over a desk, and held a knife to Sagar's throat. What does that tell you?”
She gasped. “Oh… ok! I guess it says something, alright.”
Simo's voice turned gruff. “Halo, I am being paid a lot here, but I am getting tired of playing nursemaid. Just remember, Xan is still recovering from being shot. It's taking a long time to heal, as his dumbass keeps screwing himself up. Give him his time, and you need to stay calm. Understand?”
“I do. Thank you, Simo.”
“Oh, and Halo? You sure you want to give me your house?”
There was no hesitation. “Keep him safe, and it's all yours.”
Eleni's voice angrily shot back. “Simo! What is this about her house?”
“She offered.”
“Stamata! Eisai malakas tora?” They heard Eleni hissing over the connection.
“I wanted to know how far she would go,” Simo said casually.
“You don't think she's gone through enough today?”
“Ok! I understand! Tell her I said sorry.”
“I will.” The connection went dead.
Jessie's hand was over her mouth, and tears were rolling down her face. Becky jumped up and hugged Jessie, holding her tight. She pulled back to see Jessie wiping her tears as fast as they came. “Talk to me?”
Jessie shook her head hard, sending tears flying. Then her voice was guttural, broken. “He c—can help them, he can't even bother talking t—to me. I—I gotta go get ready…”
Becky let go and watched Jessie run out of the control room. She was suddenly worried Jessie wouldn't turn off the security system and let herself get torn to shreds. She took off after her and raced to the controls ahead of her.
Jessie barked, “I was turning them off.”
Becky smiled. “I know, I got it. Need help getting set before I need to head out?”
“NO… sorry, no thank you.”