Chapter Fourteen
Craig
I was only vaguely aware of them leaving as the door shut behind them when I took my place at the desk. Leighton and I had been leaning against the door while Victoria listened to her messages, and when Benson's played, it hit us both square in the chest. When we got the opportunity, we'd probably have to draw straws to see which of us would have the privilege of strangling the life out of him if Leighton didn't sneak off to handle the bastard first.
I pulled the number of origin for his voicemail to start my work. The caller ID traced it back to Gold City Associates, a reasonably large hedge fund in Sacona. I opened a tracer program and pulled the ANI information just to confirm that it was the actual origin. Once I'd done that, I saved the audio file and ran it through a filter just to check for anything that might stand out.
The voicemail itself didn't provide any additional information other than Benson was not only an abuser but an idiot. Even if the person he was dealing with didn't have our resources, he made a threatening call to a woman from his workplace and didn't do anything to hide it. I pulled information on the company that the call came from. It took about thirty seconds to figure out that the owner of Gold City Associates was his father, and most of the partners and higher-ups all shared the name 'Prescott.'
"Well, here's why he wasn't worried about it. The whole staff are nepo hires." I snorted as I pulled the information on the company to fill out intel about Benson. I'd be pulling it all at some point, anyway, so I might as well get it now. I filtered through the information and started a digital dossier on Benson, knowing it would be requested, and began plugging in the information about his company that had been easy to find. I started a web scraper, tapped into an algorithm I'd built, and set it to work with a few inputs about what I wanted it to look for and compile in the dossier. I manually added what I'd already found since I had the information at hand.
While I was looking at the 'employees' page on the Gold City website, taking down the names of the nepotism staff, I found myself staring at the picture of a man in a suit that caused a record scratch moment in my brain. He bore a slight resemblance to Benson and had the same last name, but peeking out from the collar of his overly expensive suit was a bright red tattoo of a spider lily. I quickly added the name 'Trey Prescott' To the scraper and algorithm when alarm bells started going off in my head.
Once I'd set my programs to do their jobs and filed what I needed to, I double-checked that my security programs were open and set for what I needed to do next. Benson's threat had caused an itch in my brain, and I had a twisting feeling in my gut that it was more than just bravado. Opening Tor, I navigated to a forum that I knew would have the answers if there were any to find. I filtered through irrelevant threads until I landed on one that couldn't have been more obvious if it had tried.
Missing Asset, Assistance needed, Honey Reward.
I'm reaching out on a matter that's become more than a mere inconvenience. We have a situation with a missing asset, its name is Victoria Bristol, for those who will be doing the background research. Now, I won't bore you with the details and assume most of you will have heard one version of the story or another, but she's managed to run off with the Boss and Underbosses of the Horsemen.
As you can imagine, this isn't your run-of-the-mill disappearance. This Honey has become more trouble than she's worth, and we need to rectify the situation before it gets further out of hand.
So, here's the deal: we need boots on the ground. This isn't just for made men or affiliates; this job is for anyone who can get it done. If you can track down our Honey, extract her from the Horsemen, and remove them from the board, you will be generously rewarded.
And when I say generously, I mean you're free to keep her and do as you please, no additional charge. I don't have to spell out the perks here. This isn't just about the money; it's about sending a message. If you have the skills and desire, we want you on this.
I've attached an image of the asset below and additional contact information for whoever finds her to claim their reward once we've verified the work is done.
The stakes of the game are high, and time is of the essence. And remember, gentlemen, discretion is key. Ghost in, ghost out.
4r4chn0Wr417h
The twisting feeling in my gut from earlier turned into a boiling rage the more I read. There were thread replies, and it looked like every bit of street-walking criminal scum had decided they were in on the game that ArachnoWraith had put out. Everyone from made men to local drug dealers, with a few disgustingly enthusiastic responses about the proposed reward.
I didn't realize I was white-knuckling my coffee cup until I heard the ceramic crack and felt the dripping of the hot liquid onto my leg, though I couldn't really be bothered to care at the moment.
I knew this user, or at least knew of him. His work was a little rough around the edges, but we had professional respect in these spaces despite being on opposite sides more often than not. I wonder if he knew that he'd signed his own death certificate when he made this post.
I knew it wasn't likely to work with the setup I had on hand, but I would be remiss if I didn't attempt what I could to actually find Wraith with what I had. I worked my tracers, and it didn't take long for it to become apparent that it wasn't going to go anywhere. Almost as quickly, a message showed up from my newly acquired prey.
V01DPH453
So, I'm getting pings that you're trying to find me. I'm going to guess you're trying to play the big hero here, considering you have something that doesn't belong to you.
You're supposed to be the best, right? Some master at extracting assets and slipping through the cracks to find vulnerabilities. But I have to say, I had a much-needed laugh at these derisory attempts. Tracers? Really? It's like watching a blindfolded mouse in a maze, thinking it's on a mission.
I'll make this easy for you. You're not going to find me unless I want you to. You should really just give up that honeypot you're carrying around and save yourself the trouble. Die with some dignity, at least, rather than chasing your own tail trying to find me.
But hey, if you're not going to do the smart thing, you can keep playing detective. We can bury you with the participation award when all is said and done.
Tick-tock, VoidPhase. Tick-tock.
It took everything in me not to hit something because my workstation was the only thing nearby, and I needed it. My jaw hurt from the way I was clenching it. It was obvious bait, but I knew that even without my complete system, I had enough here to keep us safe from any attempts they made to find us. I might not have found him, but he wasn't going to track me down either, so we were in a digital deadlock until I got home. After a quick breather, so I didn't break my keyboard, I started my response.
You must feel like one of the big kids right now, puffing out your chest and making threats and promises you can't deliver on. Cute.
You are correct that I don't have you yet; I find myself working at a slight disadvantage. You have some time, but I promise you that it is running out. I will find you.
So, keep playing your games and talking your talk, but I want you to remember something while you're sitting behind your security thinking you're untouchable. Your words are the death rattle of a man who's forgotten that no matter how good you are, there's someone better. I'm that someone. You won't be able to touch me or mine, and when the dust settles, you'll find out just how deep the waters are that you're in.
Be seeing you real soon, Wraith. Enjoy your last days.
I closed the window and started transferring my files to my tablet when I heard someone come into my room and shut the door. I turned to find a flustered and haggard-looking Rich leaning against the wall.
"You look like shit, Boss." I said flatly. He raised an eyebrow at my tone but didn't comment on it. "You need something?"
"Just needed… I don't know, a place to hide? Victoria will not quit mother henning me. She damned near followed me into the bathroom when I went to take a piss, for fuck's sake." He groaned, leaning his head back against the wall. As sour a mood as I was in, I couldn't help but start laughing at him.
"Well, you aren't known for being the most reasonable when it comes to taking time to heal, you almost died a few days ago, and during that process you all but confessed your undying love to her. How would you expect her to act?" I leveled an amused gaze at him.
"I did no such thing." Rich huffed. "And I expect her to let me be when I ask her to. Not whatever the hell she's been doing the last hour."
I snorted in response. "Okay, Boss. Whatever you gotta tell yourself to keep the colors pretty in your world." There were times that I wanted to hit Rich over the head with a mirror to make him take a real hard look at himself. But he didn't need a head injury, too. I held up my hands to indicate I was done needling him about Victoria. "... Actually, I do need a favor regarding Bunny. I have some news that I need to bring the guys up to speed on, and I know we promised that we'd be keeping her in the loop, but…"
"That bad… What's going on?" Rich asked, his brows knitting together in concern.
"Rich, it's a fucking free-for-all back home." I said, checking my transfers so I could show him the forum messages and fill him in on everything I'd found. The more I explained, the angrier he looked. By the time I was done explaining, he looked like he was ready to kill every single criminal in Sacona that was likely going to be in on it.
"Yeah, the Princess definitely doesn't need to know about this while we're out here. It's not something we can keep from her forever but… for now." He grated out. "We'll tell her when we have to turn the streets into mortuaries when we get back. What was the favor you needed?"
I smirked at the irony of the favor I was about to ask. "I know you ducked in here to hide from her for a bit, but I need you to go ask her for some help and get her out of the cabin. Tell her… I don't know, tell her you want to take a walk around the lake or something because you need to start moving around more, and you're going stir crazy. She'll buy that, and it'll mean I can fill the others in on what's going on back home. And…" I stopped myself from finishing the rest of the sentence that would have ended with 'maybe it will help you get your head out of your ass.'
"And?"
"... And it will make her feel like she's helping. You know she blames herself for the position we're in, so feeling useful would be good for her." It was the first thing that came to mind, and it wasn't a lie either. We all knew that she blamed herself, and it didn't matter that we'd all tried to tell her that it wasn't her fault and that she had no reason to feel any guilt.
Rich looked at me through narrowed eyes before heaving an audibly annoyed breath. "You owe me, Dougherty. You don't understand how maddening this is."
"Personally, I think I'd rather enjoy having Bunny follow me around for the day. It'd be–"
"I'd really rather not know, thanks." he said, opening the door to my room and slowly making his way back into the cabin proper.
I followed him out, tablet in hand, and stood back with a smirk as I watched Victoria bounce over to him and fuss about him over-exerting himself and remind him that it was time for his medication. He groaned and glared at me as he worked himself up to asking her to escort him outside so he could get some fresh air.
The smile that split her face was beaming, and it made my heart squeeze pleasantly to see her so happy. Then it immediately dropped into my stomach as I remembered that I was to be the bearer of some really shit news to add to the top of our dumpster fire of a situation that she was still in danger.
As soon as the front door shut behind Rich and Victoria, I rounded on the guys, who had been just hanging out in the den.
"Find anything on that slimeball?" Leighton glowered, noticing the tablet in my hand. "Please tell me you found an excuse for me to castrate him."
"There was definitely something to the threat he made on that voicemail." I replied. "Someone has decided to play a game of for keeps with, Bunny. Whoever takes us out, gets her as their prize."
Az and Joey let out twin snarls of rage at my statement.
"Oh, goody. I get to go on a spree." Leighton said with a vicious grin.
Az opened his mouth to speak just as a notification chimed on my tablet. Holding my hand up to signal for him to wait, I opened it. Horror and murderous rage to rival Leighton's sadistic whims tore through me.
"What is it?" Joey asked, muscling his way to my side to read over my shoulder. My hands were shaking when I handed him my tablet without a word. I didn't have the ability to form coherent sentences, so it was better to just hand it over. Between what I'd discovered in my room with this new information, my even-tempered mind was being washed out by anger that was reaching apoplectic levels.
Joey hissed angrily as his eyes scanned the screen, and the sneer that contorted his face was reminiscent of the way he looked when he entertained 'guests' in our basement. I took my tablet back when I noticed him gripping it hard enough that I was worried he might snap it. It was comforting knowing that I wasn't alone in the sentiment, but I still needed my limited equipment to work.
"You two gonna share with the class, or shall we just sit in here in suspense?" Az snapped, eyeing us impatiently.
"Benson is a dead man." Joey said flatly.
"Yes, we've established that fact. Care to tell us the reasons we're adding to the list of why?" Leighton prodded.
"How about the fact that he put her in the hospital a few months before she left him? He beat her up bad enough that a police report was filed, but apparently nothing was done about it because, as we all know, he's still walking around a free man." Joey answered, growling.
Leighton went eerily still, his jaw working for a moment before he spoke. "Tell me every injury I'll be replaying in technicolor on that piece of shit."
"You're going to have to share this one, I think." Az said, his tone low and simmering as he motioned for Joey to continue.
"He broke her arm, bruised her ribs, she had some pretty extensive bruising actually. Face, torso, larynx…" He paused while he let that sink in. "Fucker was trying to kill her." He hissed angrily.
"I thought you said she told you their split was amicable. That's not fucking amicable." Az snarled as he started to pace the floor like a caged animal preparing to strike.
"Clearly, perhaps we should have her look up the definition of the word." Joey responded.
"Hey, being angry at this shit-stain of a person is one thing, but we're not going to turn that on her." I snapped, not really at them but to catch their attention. "We don't know how the split went down, and whether she chose to downplay the trauma or sweep it under the rug entirely is not something I want to hear anyone blaming her for." I slid a harsh look between Az and Joey to make my point clear.
I couldn't blame their runaway emotions, but if it was going to spiral, they needed to make sure it was spiraling in the right way. I'd learned enough in my younger years about how victims came to look at their circumstances. Leighton hopped up and grabbed the tablet in the moment of quiet, scanning it over as if he were committing the details to memory.
"So, what else was it that you came to tell us?" Az asked after a bit. I raised a brow at him before realization dawned, and I snagged the tablet back from L.
"Hey!" He whined.
"We both know you've already got what you need, now you're just stoking the fire." I shooed him away and pulled up everything else I'd found. "So, there wasn't anything in his voicemail, all that said was that he was brave enough to make the threatening call from his work phone. Which isn't surprising, considering the entire company's upper levels are staffed by his family members…" I trailed off, handing Az the tablet so that he and the others could all see what I was detailing.
"What's unusual about that? If we had to make a dossier on all the nepo babies in Sacona's upper class, we would have to rent out a house just to hold the files." Leighton chuckled at his own joke.
"Trey Prescott." I said flatly. Az swiped a few times, and I didn't even have to do any further prodding for them to catch it. All of their gazes slid up to me. "Yeah."
"Welp, I've seen all I need to." Leighton said darkly, moving toward the door.
"Agreed." Az stood, straightening his shirt and following Leighton's direction.
Joey and I shared a quick glance before I dropped my tablet, and we both moved to get in front of them.
"Move, Little Brother." Leighton said in a low tone, biting out the nickname our men had given Joey.
"You wanna go, L, you'll have to go through me." He growled in response. When Leighton's muscles tensed as if he would hit him, Joey's hand fell to the gun he had in his holster.
"We'd be doing the world a favor and you both know it." Az snapped.
"And you're acting like idiots who let their brains slide out their ears and onto the floor." I retorted. They both looked at me like I had grown a second head, and they were debating which one to punch. I rolled my shoulders and grabbed them both by their shirts. "Come here."
I moved them several paces away from the door before they pulled out of my grip, complaining. I pushed them toward the open archway that led into the kitchen.
"Go look out that window and tell me what you see." I said, pointing at one of the windows in the kitchen that faced toward the back of the cabin, where Rich and Victoria would be somewhere around the lake. They looked at me stubbornly and didn't move, staring at me as if they were trying to stare me down.
Joey groaned loudly and stalked forward, grabbing Leighton by the ear and pulling him toward the kitchen. They made it another few paces before L got free.
"Ow! Damn it, Ma, alright! I'll go look. Ain't shit out there." He grumbled petulantly.
"What do you see?" I asked again.
"The lake, and the woods." Leighton snipped.
"And?" Joey asked, flicking him on the ear.
"Boy, I swear–"
"And?" I cut him off.
"Rich and Victoria coming up from the back of the lake. He's leaning on her a bit, but he seems to be doing okay moving around." Leighton said finally.
"Do you think that either of you running off to squash a bug back in the city is doing them any fucking favors? Removing half the able-bodied people here if something happens out here at the cabin, or having something happen to yourselves because you're running into a situation you have very little information on. Either of those things sound very bright to you boys?" I deadpanned, crossing my arms over my chest. "You both got bigger brains that that bouncing around in those thick skulls."
Leighton and Az looked like they wanted to argue with me, but they knew I was right. Az grabbed a glass off the counter and threw it at the wall.
"Feel better?" Joey asked with a sigh.
"No. That motherfucker is walking around breathing air he doesn't deserve." Az snarled.
"We agree." Joey nodded. Joey and I exchanged another look, and an almost animalistic grin split Joey's face. It was good we had such an understanding.
"When the time comes, we'll see he pays for every slight, every insult, every injury. He'll pay for every breath he took that he didn't deserve. We just have to bide our time until we can do that without taking risks to people we need to keep safe." I said, hoping the pair of hotheads wouldn't continue to raise problems about it.
Leighton leaned against the archway, his arms crossed. He looked like a kid who had been told he couldn't have a toy and was debating being understanding or throwing a fit about it.
"When we're done, you can serve that worm to her on a fucking silver platter." I offered. Leighton stared into space for a moment before finally nodding his agreement and moving away from the threshold to the kitchen.
"There won't be enough left when we're done."