29 City of Ravens 15 (1/2)
”How are you doing?” the voice sounded out the moment I accepted the call. As expected it was Evelin with her cold voice, combined with words that should be caring and worm made it weird.
”I'm fine, how did it go on your end?”
”It was a success, for the time the MCA will hire a negotiation firm to settle differences between the Artists. If it works well, they will consider making their own team of mediators, but before that, they appointed a team to think of a way to replace the current challenge system. I was appointed as the head of that team.”
”Congratulations. That sounds like a big promotion, but who will be my handler now?”
”Don't worry, I will assign you a good handler. But I called with a different purpose. This phone call is officially my last phone call as a handler, so I need to inform you about the situation with Alexander Novakovic. Since he was looking to settle a dispute with you, he is now legally not allowed to confront you, if he breaks the rule you need to inform the MCA.”
”That's fine, we didn't have any conflict from the start, and if he wants revenge after the fight… I will be fine.”
”I don't think he will seek revenge. He asked for a conversation with you.”
”Really? Why does he want to talk with me?”
”He didn't say why. But he insisted on talking. What should I do?”
”… Tell me where and when.”
I arrived at the hospital less than twenty minutes later. After asking for the room number I arrived in the room, Alexander Novakovic was in. He was standing in front of the window and looking into the distance. I closed the door behind me and approached him while saying. ”What do you want?”
He turned around and looked me in the eyes. ”I'm sorry for calling you here, but I wanted to ask you for help.”
”Help? Why would you need my help? And why would I help you?”
”The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Nate McDade is after you, and I don't want to be a dog of his anymore.”
”What do you mean? I remember you saying that you are doing it for a 'briefcase full of money.' Where the 'being his dog' came from?”
”He had someone watching the fight, but this place is safe. Like I said, I want to ask you for help. If just hear me out.”
”Go on.”
”Five years ago, after my parents died, I found out that I have a sister, a half-sister. Her mother died during labour, and since then my father was paying a nanny to raise her. After his death, there was no one to pay for that, but I was soon to graduate, and with the full training I could easily work in the hunting grounds or as a bodyguard. But I still needed money, that's when I met Nate McDade. He offered me a job, not the most legal but well-paid one. And for a while, it was all well, until he learned about my sister.”
”He blackmailed you?”
”No. He kidnaped her.”
”What?! You didn't go to the police? Or the MCA?”
”I can't. There is no evidence connecting him to the kidnapping, he never wrote a text or a phone call where he mentioned it, and the only way to talk to him is after a search. Even if I do inform the authorities, they won't be able to do anything.”
”You don't know where she is now, do you?”