Zachary
He’s got some texts from an unknown number. It’s all nonsense though. Random numbers. Maybe a code of some kind.
Alex
He’s right. We can start trying out different things, see if anything makes sense.
Wait, you’re together and also texting each other?
Alex
It’s just Talon, Zach, Angie and me at the Rink right now. We’re filling in the rest of you. We’ll keep the phone here and let you take a look the next time you’re here.
Good deal. Sloan’s meeting with the council about Weston. No idea how long that’ll take.
Luke
They don’t make decisions fast.
No they don’t. I’ll probably be here into the night. Or longer. They’ve been known to adjourn when it gets too late and reassemble in the morning. This could take days.
Talon
Then why don’t you get started?
Nathan blinked at the phone. He could practically hear the demon’s voice in his head, feel that dark, penetrating gaze on his face.
Get started how?
Talon
Are they preventing you from speaking to the captive?
He glanced back at the door over his shoulder.
No
Talon
Then go get some answers.
There was a heavy pause while Nathan considered those words. It would be against the rules, certainly, but he’d done plenty of rule-breaking lately, hadn’t he? What if he could get answers while the council deliberated? Weston had been compliant enough in getting there. Maybe he’d be willing to talk. As long as Nathan didn’t get too close to his cell or, God forbid, open it, no one would probably care if he went inside. And the sooner they solved this case, the sooner he could take off his ring for good.
His phone chimed again.
Talon
Alex tells me that’s against protocol. But you want answers too, don’t you?
Storm
Don’t let him tempt you into doing anything that would turn them against you, Nate. Can’t believe you’re making me into the damn voice of reason here, Talon.
Talon
I just want to find out what’s going on. If they’d brought that guy here I’d take matters into my own hands. They’ve got him behind that goddamn wall now, and I can’t ask those questions myself.
It’s fine. Talon’s right. I’ll go see if he’s feeling chatty. I can’t open his cell or force him to talk without council approval. But I’ll do what I can.
