Chapter 18
EARLIER
“You gotta be kidding me! Where did you get that?”
“Do you really want to know?”
Monty grinned.
“I guess not?”
Anya looked at him.
“But you are sure about this?”
“As sure as I can be. The ‘shipment’ leaves the harbor tonight.”
He flinched.
“’Shipment’. That’s what these bastards call those women. You have my permission to kick their asses when you find them.”
Anya smiled at him. She had been waiting for a break like this. For a solid lead. They had managed to collect a lot of evidence on the Azgeda Corporation, but Roan Queen’s extracurricular activities somehow were buried deep. She had persuaded Lexa to wait. She was afraid he might vanish and take the women with him if he was spooked.
She looked at her watch.
“Monty, how would you like some field work?”
“Why?”
“I send Lexa home. She needs to spend some time with Clarke. I want to make sure that this info is solid before I bring her into this. So how about you and I go on a stakeout?”
“Can I bring snacks?”
----
“Lexa, your mind is clearly not in this.”
Lexa sighed and looked at the chessboard. Clarke had just taken her queen and she would be finished in two to three moves.
“Sorry. I’m distracted.”
“You would rather be at the office, wouldn’t you?”
Clarke smiled.
“You can go, you know? As much as I love Anya for trying to force you to take a time out, it’s clearly not working.”
“I am sorry.”
Lexa looked guilty and Clarke laughed.
“Really, Lex. Go. Just be home in time for dinner, okay?”
Lexa smiled and kissed her.
“I promise.”
----
It was already getting late when Lexa switched off the lamp on her desk. If she wanted to get home in time for dinner she had to go now. She passed Anya’s office which was empty. Lexa frowned. She hadn’t seen her sister at all today and she didn’t answer her calls. Something about it felt off. She decided to ask Monty to locate her.
“Emori, have you seen Monty?”
The woman looked up from the small machine she had been working on.
“He left with your sister at about noon. Why?”
Lexa frowned.
“Did he say where they were going?”
“No. Sorry. Can I help you?”
Lexa nodded.
“Can you locate his phone? And my sister’s?”
“Sure. Give me a second.”
She moved the mouse of her computer and the monitor came to life. She opened a few programs, clicked a few things and suddenly two tiny dots were visible on the screen.
“They are at the docks. Do you need the coordinates?”
----
“Bell, I sent you the coordinates of Anya’s and Monty’s phones. I think something is wrong. I’m heading there now. Call me when you get this.”
Lexa moved her car through traffic, getting more agitated by the minute. What the hell was Anya up to? The coordinates led her to a small alley. She spotted the car instantly, but it was empty except for a bag of chips and a bottle of the weird soft-drink Monty liked. Lexa checked the coordinates again. They hadn’t changed. She called Anya’s number. Inside of the car she saw a display light up. Damn it!
She looked around. There were three large buildings that were possible targets of a surveillance. She made another phone call.
“Emori? It’s Lexa. I need you to call Lincoln and Bellamy and have them come to the coordinates you gave me. Anya and Monty are missing.”
“Missing?”
“The car is empty except for their phones. Did Monty tell you what he was up to lately?”
“No. But I’ll find out. … You want me to call the cavalry?”
Lexa hesitated. If she pulled up with full forces Roan might be spooked. And she was sure that it was Roan she was after. Then again, if Anya had been on a stakeout there must be a reason for that.
“Yes. But tell them to be subtle.”
“Got it, boss.”
Lexa ended the call and put it on mute, then she checked her weapon and made sure it was loaded and fully functional.