She sighs as if we’re a nuisance. “Let me see what I can do.”
Red plugs the satellite phone into her computer, and the video plays across her screen. Damon and I hover over her shoulder, desperate for answers. Red glares at us as we encroach on her space, and we reluctantly take a step back, our eyes never leaving the flickering images on her monitor.
Red focuses on the screen, her fingers dancing across the keyboard. Minutes stretch into a damn eternity, and I find myself holding my breath.
Suddenly, Red's eyes widen and she hums. "Oh, well, this is interesting."
I step closer, anticipation coursing through my veins. "What? Did you find it? Did you get a location?"
Red shakes her head, staring at strange code on the screen. "No, but this electronic signature. I've seen it before."
I exchange a bewildered glance with Damon. "What do you mean?"
Red looks up at both of us, brow perked. "I think your friend here was taken by Shadow."
"Who is Shadow?" I ask, my unease deepening.
Damon's tone grows threatening. "Tell us what you know!"
Red's guards shift but she raises a hand, deescalating her troops. "Control your emotions, Damon Cavanaugh. The last thing you want to do is piss me off."
Damon scowls, but Red isn't intimidated. "How do you know my name?"
Red gives him a smug smile. "I know everything about everything." She glances toward me, seemingly more comfortable with my tame demeanor. Shocking. "Shadow's a hacker. Not super well known, nowhere on the same caliber as, say, Ghostface, or me. But they're efficient, and they're smart. Plus, they've never been caught before."
Damon clenches his fists, jaw set with frustration. "Can you find them? Can you trace this hacker?"
Red leans back in her chair, pursing her lips. "It won't be easy. Shadow leaves no traces, but I have my ways."
Damon nods with a hint of desperation. "Do it. Whatever it takes."
Red smirks. "Well, this will cost you extra. It might take a few days.”
Damon grinds his teeth. “We don’t have a few days.”
“What is your timeline?” Red asks lightly. “I’ll try to work around it.”
“Two days,” my voice comes out as a shaky whisper. “We have two days.”
“Two days it is,” Red says, casually cracking her knuckles before she unplugs my satellite phone and hands it back to me. “I don’t need this anymore.” She blinks up at us when we don’t move. “I’ll call you when I find something.”
“My number,” I mutter, looking around for a piece of paper. “It’s?—”
“I know your number, Quinton Marquis,” she says, grinning. “Remember? I know everything.” She nods toward the exit. “I’ll be in touch.”
Without another word, Vivienne ushers Damon and me out of Red's room. As we exit the building, Damon leans toward Vivienne, his voice hushed. "We need to go to the airport."
"Airport, why?" Vivienne asks, frowning as we make our way toward the awaiting car.
Damon sighs. "We're going to Macau. We have some business to take care of."
The drive to the airport is quiet. What is there to say? We’re running on the fumes of faith. It's only when we're settled on the private jet that Damon breaks the silence.
"When we get to Macau, I expect you to do exactly as I say."
I frown, my skepticism growing. "Who are we meeting?"
"The Li Brothers. I had the displeasure of getting to know them last year."
