“Could be,” Riley replied. “Or it may besofucking old, the agency stopped using it when newer encryption software came along.”
Posing a different possibility, Ghost asked, “What’s so special about the folder you found it in?”
“Nothing…in fact it’s basically empty…just a few black and white photos of an old house.”
“Any identifying info about the house? Where it’s located? Who owns it?”
“Nada…just the pictures.”
“Can you look at the metadata? Does it say when the encrypted file was inserted?”
“No…that’s what’s so strange about it,” Riley explained. “The encryption software used hides every fucking thing about the file. For all I know, an alien was responsible for it.”
Ghost snorted. “I hardly think that’s the case. More likely, it’s some long forgotten agency report.”
“Ummm…” Riley muttered, continuing his attempts to open the file.
The loud groan of one of the humans jarred Ghost, prompting him to make a decision. “Other than that file, you’ve got nothing else on Farren?”
“As of now, that’s correct,” Riley said.
Muttering a curse, Ghost thought about his two options, both of them involved trust or the lack thereof. He didn’t know Elliot and the scarcity of even the most basic information about him certainly didn’t engender trust on his part. But, on the other hand, he had to admit there was nothing Elliot had to gain by announcing he’d removed the explosives. Except…nope, that was impossible, and Ghost refused to even consider it. Turning his attention back to Riley, he asked, “Is there any way you can find out if the humans are no longer a threat?”
“Wha…wait, you don’t mean to put them back in your SUV? Are you fucking crazy?” Riley asked, his voice rising with each word.
“No, I’m not…but thanks for the vote of confidence,” Ghost replied sardonically. “FYI, Farren told me he removed the explosives from the humans’ bodies but before I could ask him about it, he left.”
“Ohhhh…so you don’t know whether to trust him?”
“Would you, especially when the man doesn’t seem to exist.”
“Way to bury the lead,” Riley suddenly muttered, before typing furiously on his keyboard again. “There are beings from other realms that are not on earth who have the power to do what Elliot did. What else did he say?”
“Nothing much…just that he was leaving the humans for me to take care of.”
“Did you tell him they were humans, or did…”
“He knew,” growled Ghost.
“Ahhh…herehe is,” Riley murmured. “I’m sending you his information now and based on who he is, I’m certain it’s safe to put those suckers back into your vehicle.”
Looking at the email Riley sent him, Ghost’s eyes widened before he grinned. It certainly was his lucky day. Turning to Ivan, he said, “Load ‘em up…it’s time to get going.”
~/~/~/~/~
Sitting in Zohar’s chair on the dais, Remy read the documents Brady had prepared for him and, finding them perfectly executed, signed each one before handing them over to Carson. Once he was finished, he glanced over at the four opaque light spheres before turning his attention to Brady. “I want every magic user to see what can happen if they think of opposing my rule of the Mystic Realm. Other than ordering all of them to appear here, is there another way it can be done?”
“Zohar used a spell that created a viewing portal,” Brady answered. “Of course, attendance wasn’t mandatory, but an order could be issued making it so.”
“Would they also be able to hear me if we do this?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” smiled Remy. “So please draft that order for my signature…and while you’re at it, also another requiring all members of the Witches’ Governing Council to return here immediately. Let’s see if any of them are willing to come to Zohar’s rescue.”
Brady grinned. “Give me ten minutes.”
~/~/~/~/~
