Chapter 20 #3
The shadow on the screen shifted, and I had the distinct impression Wraith was leaning forward, focusing directly on me rather than Havoc.
“I’ll only communicate with Annie,” he said. “All information, all updates, all communications, they go through her alone.”
I blinked in surprise, my mouth falling slightly open. Me? Why would he want to deal exclusively with me? Unless he was just toying with us. Trying to see how much he could rattle us.
“That’s not how we operate,” Havoc said, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. “Annie is my Keeper, not a field agent.”
“Those are my terms,” Wraith replied, seemingly unmoved by Havoc’s tone. “She becomes my point of contact, or I walk away. Your choice.”
“I can handle it,” I said quietly to Havoc.
Havoc was clearly unhappy with Wraith’s demand, but we both knew we needed this information.
“I don’t like this arrangement,” Havoc said finally. “But given the circumstances, I’ll agree to your condition.”
The shadow on the screen shifted slightly. “A wise decision. Send the files directly to the secure channel I’ll provide. I’ll be in touch.”
With that, the screen went dark, the stylized “W” flashing briefly before disappearing. The abrupt end to the transmission left the room feeling oddly empty.
I leaned against Havoc’s desk, trying to process what had just happened.
“What’s his deal?” I asked. “Why me specifically?”
Havoc ran a hand through his hair, his expression troubled. “I wish I knew. Wraith has always been particular.”
I frowned at him, my curiosity piqued. “What exactly did you promise him last time? What’s the payment he’s asking for?”
He turned away, busying himself with shutting down the secure communication system.
“For your own safety, I’m not going to tell you.”
Well, that wasn’t ominous at all. Nothing says “everything’s fine” quite like your almost immortal, chaos-wielding dad refusing to tell you something for your “safety.”
“That’s not fair,” I protested. “I’m the one who has to work with him now. Shouldn’t I know what I’m getting into?”
Havoc faced me, his blue eyes unnervingly intense. “Annie, there are some things in this world even I don’t mess with. Wraith is one of them.”
“But—”
“No.” His tone left no room for argument. “Just be careful with him. Don’t volunteer information. Don’t make promises. And for god’s sake, don’t try to outsmart him.”
I straightened up, trying to shake off the unsettled feeling. “Well, at least he agreed to help. That’s something, right?”
Before Havoc could answer, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, frowning at the notification of a text from an unknown number.
Hello, Annie Bishop.
I shivered and showed the screen to Havoc. “He’s already found my number.”
Havoc’s expression darkened, but I forced a reassuring smile.
“Look at it this way—if he can find my private number this quickly, maybe he really can help us solve these deaths before anyone else gets hurt.”
Havoc didn’t look convinced, and honestly, neither was I. But we were out of options, and time was running out.
I stared at my phone, watching as another message from Wraith appeared on the screen.
I need to examine the faulty tech. Physical access to at least two of the failed devices.
I relayed Wraith’s message to Havoc.
“We can arrange that,” he said. “The shield generator from the Keeper at the Nexus match is in evidence storage, and I believe we still have a belt from a junior Hero that malfunctioned.”
I nodded, typing a response to Wraith.
We can provide that. How do you want to arrange the transfer?
The reply came almost instantly, as if he’d been waiting for my question.
Warehouse 37, Pier District. Midnight. Come alone or the deal is off and you’re on your own.
I showed Havoc the screen and he narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like this, Annie. Something doesn’t feel right.”
I understood his concern. The Pier District was notorious for being a neutral zone where both Heroes and Villains conducted their shadier business. It wasn’t officially lawless, but it might as well have been after dark.
“I’ll be careful,” I promised. “And I’ll keep my emergency beacon on me the entire time.”
Havoc didn’t look convinced, but he knew as well as I did that we were running out of options. More people would die if we didn’t figure out who was behind these deaths.
“Fine,” he finally conceded. “But we’ll have a team on standby nearby. First sign of trouble, you activate that beacon.”
I nodded, relieved he wasn’t going to fight me on this.
Havoc cleared his throat, the sound somehow managing to fill the entire office. “Is there anything you’d like to share with me, Annie?”
My stomach dropped. Right. Cipher had dropped me off at the Tower.
I’m an adult, I reminded myself. A grown woman who could absolutely have this conversation without dying of mortification. It will be easy. So, so easy. Incredibly easy.
I felt like I was going to throw up.
“I’m seeing Cipher,” I blurted out, the words tumbling over each other in their rush to escape. “I mean, I haven’t forgiven him for what he did. Not completely. But he’s been... he’s been looking out for me. For months.”
I took a deep breath and forced myself to meet Havoc’s eyes.