Disgusted, Sawyer threw down his game controller. “I think you’re cheating.”
“My mate doesn’t cheat,” David said, looking up from the computer he was using, when he heard the accusation.
“Sorry, I’m just frustrated,” Sawyer said. “I just can’t figure it out. No one has ever beaten me, but with you, Zane, I can’t win even one fucking game.”
“Maybe that’s because it’s his game,” David said, smiling.
“What does David mean…your game?” asked Sawyer, looking at Zane.
“Uh...because…uhm…I wrote the code for it,” Zane said.
“No fucking way!” Sawyer exclaimed. “You mean you’re the developer? Fuck, no wonder I can’t win. You know all the secrets. Don’t you think you shoulda told me…oh, I don’t know…like a couple of days ago?”
“You didn’t ask,” Zane said, shrugging his shoulders, trying not to laugh.
Groaning, Sawyer slapped his forehead. “Of course that makes sense. I didn’t ask. Like it’s something every gamer should ask his opponent.”
Hearing a knock on the door, Zane called out, “Come in.”
Opening the door, Jackson entered. “Zane, are you free?”
Standing, Sawyer said, “I’m just leaving to go lick my wounds.”
Moving aside, Jackson waited until his cousin had left before asking, “You didn’t tell him before you beat his ass, did you?”
“It’s not Zane’s fault,” David said. “Sawyer never asked.”
“Hush, babe.”
“Uh-huh…let me guess…there was a bet on how quick it would take you to beat him,” Jackson said, sitting down on the sofa.
“That was Cody’s idea,” Zane said.
“And who won?”
“I did,” grinned David.
Staring at Zane, his left eyebrow raised, Jackson asked, “So…now you’re involving David, the moral compass of the paranormal world, in gambling activities?”
“Oh no, Zane didn’t do that,” David quickly replied. “It was my idea because I wanted to make a bet since I’d never made one before. I had no idea I’d win because I really didn’t know what I was doing, but when Zane said ‘pick a time’ I did. There were lots of other bets made, but I only made that one.”
Looking at Jackson sheepishly, Zane asked, “What was it you wanted to talk about?”
“Just wondered if you’ve had any luck finding the name of Mom’s friend?”
“No. I have the name of the restaurant they ate at…that came from the charge mom made, but unfortunately, there’s no security video from that night…my guess is they just keep recording over the old video. Without a name, I can’t go further,” Zane said. “I do have some good news, though. It’s about Josiah.”
“You found something about the enforcers who were at the massacre?” asked Jackson.
“In a way,” Zane said, nodding. “As I expected, the employment records for that time have been erased, but whoever did it wasn’t an expert. I have to dig around a bit, but I should be able to recover at least some of the names.”
“Thatisgood news. The other thing I wanted to talk about concerns you and David,” Jackson said. “I’ve received a number of requests for permission to visit David, but I haven’t granted any because I wanted to speak to you guys first.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry you’re being bothered with this, Alpha,” said David.
“No,” Jackson replied, with a gentle smile. “I didn’t mean that it’s a problem, but I’d like to know how you want to handle it.”
“I don’t know exactly,” David said, looking helplessly at Zane. “What do you think?”
