CHAPTER 8
Wraith
Sippingmy coffee at the dining table, I watch Specter and Colson. They have their heads together while Colson sits on Specter’s lap, and Specter is telling him about what we found last night.
“Thank fuck you guys showed up when you did,” Colson says. “You saved that woman.”
Specter nods. “Unfortunately, we come across scenes like that several times a year. A few years ago, we found some kids locked in a backyard shed. They’d all been reported missing and they’d been kidnapped. If we’d got there a day later, they would’ve been shipped off and probably lost for good.”
“Kids?” Colson asks.
Specter nods somberly, his jaw tic visible. “Little kids. Eight years old to fifteen.”
“Jesus.” Colson scrunches his face up in disgust. “What the fuck is wrong with people?”
“If we could answer that we could save the world,” I mutter.
“Truth,” Specter says.
I drag my hand through my hair as the memory of last night returns. I believe that Bouche didn’t mean to call me, judging by the panicked expression he had, but I’m glad he stayed with me.The sex was fire even if we were separated by phone lines and states. Hopefully I’ll have the chance to see him again tonight, but more importantly, I hope the target shows up.
“Hockey tonight?” I ask.
Specter scrunches his nose. “Sorry, man. I’m going to Segreto. My baby has a new set he’s performing. Can’t miss it.”
“I get it.”
“You need backup?” Carnage asks.
“Can you sit through a hockey game?”
“Fuck yeah, I love hockey. Well, I used to when I was a kid. My older brother played.”
“Sweet. Wanna go to the Magnets game with me?”
“Yeah, but why?”
“My target goes to home games, apparently. He’s a tricky one.”
“I’m down.”
“Thanks, man. Easier to blend in with a friend.”
Carnage bats his eyelashes. “We’re friends? Aww.”
“Shut it.”
Carnage cackles and spreads more cream cheese on a bagel. We all fall into our morning conversations until Shadow enters the room, his face tight with tension. He sits down and Phantom pushes a fresh mug of hot coffee in front of him. Shadow nods in thanks, staring down at the mug.
“Stealth is being released at two this afternoon.”
“What do you need from us?” Whisper asks.
“Nothing. I want you to live your lives as you normally do. Stealth won’t want a big deal made about his return. Do make a point to see him and welcome him back though.”
“Of course,” I mumble. “Are you going alone to pick him up?”
Shadow nods. “I think it’s best.”
