68. Jack
SIXTY-EIGHT
JACK
The two parties exchanged notes over lunch. Jack listened, wide-eyed, as Aareth and Abigail retold the events of their morning. At times, he forgot to chew the food in his mouth; he paused as if frozen as he caught and clung to every word.
While the information was being exchanged, Jack noticed Sloan and Aareth acting awkward around each other. Neither one of them made eye contact, their words brief.
Sloan’s eyes drifted to inspect the ceiling. Aareth concentrated on the plate in front of him. Abigail, for her part, sat quietly in her chair, picking at her peas.
“The Order,” Sloan finally said. “We should dig in there, find whatever is to be found about this mysterious group. Aaron Jebson was a dead end. We can be sure Doctor Livingston’s report on Aaron Jebson will be fruitless.”
Aareth finally looked up. “You think he’s lying? All I need is a few undisturbed minutes with the good doctor. I’ll get the truth out of him.”
“I wish.” Sloan chuckled. “I do think he’s hiding something.
It’s hard for me to believe he’s the mastermind behind all of this, but who else is there?
All signs point to Livingston and Edison working on the Vampire Project.
Where this was sanctioned by the Crown, it seems Livingston is taking things a step further on his own. ”
“The ball tonight will be a great opportunity to find out who the city’s elite are.” Abigail poked at the food on her plate. “In Burrow Den, gossip was always a large part of any city event. I imagine it’s going to be the same here.”
“Good point.” Sloan pushed her chair away from the table. “We should all keep our eyes and ears open.”
“I’ve never been great at parties.” Aareth stood. “I’m going to hit the streets. If anyone has information about this Order, I’ll find it.”
Aareth was already heading for the door, when Jack stopped him. “You’ll need someone to go with you. I’ll just grab my stuff and?—”
“No,” Aareth said so loudly, he’d almost shouted the word. “I work better on my own.”
“Remember who you represent,” Sloan reminded him as he reached the door. “You’re an upstanding inspector in the Queen’s city.”
“I’ve been the upstanding inspector already.” Aareth didn’t turn around. “It didn’t work out too well for me the first time.”
Before anyone could say anything else, Aareth was gone.
Jack exchanged looks with Sloan and Abigail, the latter avoiding his questioning stare. Just by the way she ducked his gaze, Jack knew there was more to Abigail and Aareth’s day than what had been shared.
Jack made a mental note to ask Abigail later, but he wouldn’t have to wait. Sloan had seen the same look on Abigail’s face. She was less willing to let go of whatever it was that bothered Aareth.
“So what’s got Aareth all riled up?” Sloan eyed Abigail with a disapproving stare. “Spill it.”
“What?” Abigail shrugged. “What makes you think I would know anything?”
“Oh, let’s see…” Sloan raised a gloved hand and lifted fingers as she listed off the reasons. “You haven’t made eye contact with anyone, you’ve only played with your food, you let Aareth tell the story of what happened to you two today… Should I go on?”
“I do know more. I promised Aareth I wouldn’t say.” Abigail licked her lips. As if deciding for herself what she was going to say, she eyed Jack, then moved to Sloan. “You should hear it from him. It’s not my story to tell.”
The room was quiet. The two women stared into one another’s eyes as if the first one to look away was the loser. The tension built to the point where Jack was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
“Why don’t we just ask Aareth today when he gets back?” Jack raised both hands in the sign of peace. Why? He didn’t know. It just seemed someone should be surrendering at this point. “There’s no reason for things to get ugly.”
“All right.” Sloan finally broke her gaze. “I have to prepare for the ball tonight. The Queen’s security has to be better than airtight.”
“Thank you,” Abigail said.
“You’re welcome, Abigail.” Sloan stood from the table. She walked out the door. As if in afterthought, she looked back. “If you are going to be keeping secrets, you should have some kind of training. We’ll set aside some time to familiarize you with a sword.”
“Really?” Abigail’s green eyes brightened with excitement. “Thank you, Sloan.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Sloan said, leaving the room.
Jack and Abigail sat at the table alone.
Jack could see the joy in Abigail’s face at the thought of training with Sloan.
He wanted to be happy for her, but something in the back of his mind just wouldn’t allow the emotion.
He knew that with training, Abigail would be put in danger.
She’d be by Sloan’s side now, out in New Hope, tracking down clues.
“Don’t give me that look,” Abigail told Jack with a raised eyebrow. “I know that look.”
“What?” Jack twisted the muscles in his face to relax. “What look?”
“Like you’re the only one who’s allowed to fight and put his life in danger. I’m as much a part of this as you are now.”
“I get that. I do. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“I can live with that. But I made your father a promise about looking after you, and I’m going to keep that promise,” Abigail said, glancing out the window. Something like foreboding crossed her face, a look that said she had put off the inevitable long enough.
“What’s wrong?” Jack asked.
“It’s time. Elizabeth has her meeting with the psychologist the Queen had called for.” Abigail rubbed her eyes. “It’s silly, really. I don’t know if any news at this point would be good news. Whatever they find, it’s going to change everything for her, for us.”
Jack stood up, walked over to Abigail, and embraced her. It wasn’t a romantic hug. It was what she needed now, just someone to be there and hold her. She allowed him to pull her into his chest. They stood quiet for a moment, both breathing as one.
“I’ll go with you.” Jack rested his chin on top of her head, trying to think of something to say to make her laugh. “We’re a team, and I’d rather be on your good side now that you’re going to learn how to fight.”