Part 8 (1/2)
I stood, feeling in a fog but if the clock was ticking I couldn't sit around like a pampered princess.
As I turned to the door Ling Mai's voice stopped me. ”I've requested special a.s.sistance for your mission.”
”What kind of a.s.sistance?” I eyed her.
”Someone who knows Bran well and who might be willing to help.”
”A friend of Bran's?”
”A connection.”
That didn't help. The Bran I knew had few friends, except for his cousin and I'd helped kill her.
So I shrugged and walked to the door. But leave it to Ling Mai to throw a few daggers before I escaped. ”Mandy and Jaylene will be working with you at all times.”
I got the message. No more escaping on my own. No more off the reservation as Stone would say. Now I had guards.
Better than being sent back to prison.
”Oh and Miss Noziak.” At this rate I'd be down to twelve hours and counting.
She waited till I looked at her before continuing.
”Remember there is no ”I” in ”team”.”
My smile was tensile tight as I nodded, wondering if they had a t-s.h.i.+rt with that logo on it. Then she added, ”This is your last chance.”
Somehow, though she hadn't mentioned my freaky ability, I knew she knew. Which meant she was no longer threatening me with prison as an alternative to being an IR agent. She was threatening me with the Council.
CHAPTER 17.
As if a jet had slammed into him, Jeb scrambled to understand what Pdraig was saying. Alex never mentioned she was coming to Paris. Last he'd spoken to her she was in a work release program in Maryland.
He speared Philippe with a look. ”I don't understand.”
Philippe nodded at his protege who leaned so far forward Jeb was sure the young man was about to topple from chair to gra.s.s.
”I have stumbled across conflicting reports but it appears your daughter is wanted by certain people.”
”Why?”
Pdraig shrugged. ”I haven't been able to determine this. As soon as I uncovered what I had I brought the intel to Philippe.”
”Who wants her?”
A head shake as Pdraig added, ”I don't know that either.”
”Then tell me exactly what you do know,” Jeb demanded, aware his voice had risen.
Pdraig sat back as if slapped. But his voice was calm as he said, ”Your daughter is in Paris. She's a target with a sizable bounty on her head, but only if alive.”
”How much?”
”A million euros.”
Jeb glanced at Philippe. ”Roughly a million two hundred and eighty thousand US dollars.”
”For Alex?” This time the words escaped as air from a deflated balloon. ”This doesn't make sense.”
”I was concerned,” Philippe kept his tone even, ”that this attempt on her might be tied into your son's disappearance.”
Jeb shook his head. Not because his friend's words didn't hold a possible explanation, but because he was still grappling with the ramifications. He eyed Philippe. ”But why Van and Alex? What's to gain? I'm not a wealthy man.”
Philippe released a long slow breath. ”You are an influential man, Jebediah. That may be the key.”
”You mean the Council?”
Philippe nodded before glancing at Pdraig. ”It is the only thing that makes sense to us.”
Jeb stood, no longer able to sit. Not with a father's fear roaring through him. ”Do you know where Alex is? Right now? She should be under protection.”
Pdraig crooked his neck as if to relieve strain even though it was Jeb who was avalanched by the weight that had just come down on him.
”I'm sorry, Mr. Noziak.” Pdraig rose to his feet too as if in commiseration. ”I had a lead on her earlier today but then I lost her.”
”Where?”
”She was visiting a notable dress designer who has offices here in Paris. At the Tour FIRST building.”
”Alex?” His daughter wore jeans and t-s.h.i.+rts. What in the world was she doing with a dress designer?”
But before he could ask more questions Philippe gestured to the seat Jeb had just vacated. ”I'm afraid there's more, my old friend. It involves Council business.”
Jeb sank back upon the weathered surface of the chair, wondering how much more he could handle.
”Pdraig, would you check with Zeid about some refreshments? I know I am famished.”
The young man cast a quick look between Jeb and Philippe before offering a curt nod and leaving.
”Zeid?” Jeb asked, latching on to the mundane while he grappled with the explosion.
”Tunisian butler,” Philippe mentioned, leaning forward, more serious than Jeb had ever seen the druid. ”There's more going on here than I can tell you in a few moments, but I will share this. The Council is under attack.”
No words came to Jeb so he listened.