“Excuse me ma’am, I’m Tex. And yes, I know I have a baby face, but I believe we’re all around a similar age.”
“Age has nothing to do with skill,” Baxter assures me. “You wouldn’t believe what this sick motherfucker can dream up in that twisted head of his.” He sounds mildly impressed, so this guy must be good.
“You’re the brains behind what you all do?” I ask.
“I guess you could say that. I’m the ideas guy. I like to mix history with science and modern technology.”
I nod, turning my attention back to Baxter. “And what are they doing here?”
“I brought them in to help with Harold.”
“I thought you said he wasn’t going to sing.”
“Oh he won’t. We’re just here to have some fun with him, ma’am. Knowing it was him behind our girl’s kidnapping…well, it’s the least we could do. I’ve been working on something special.”
“Good. Do your worst.”
With that, I stride off down the corridor, leaving them to it. I know Baxter will let me know when it’s all done, and I don’t need to see how it plays out. Though I will admit Iamcurious to see the three musketeers in action.
It’ll have to wait though. I have more pressing matters to attend to, like catching up with my friends and family, and beginning to read through the mountain of reports already landing in my inbox. I let myself into my office and forgo my desktop in favour of my tablet, Susan.
I knew that with graduating I couldn’t leave her behind, so I brought her into HQ with me a few weeks back and had one of the IT guys switch her over to The Order systems instead ofthe school ones. It seemed only right, considering we started our journey together. It was a rocky relationship to start off with, but it blossomed into something beautiful, and I know now I couldn’t live without her anymore than I could live without Elsie, Baxter or the guys. Even if the others tease me for it.
I take a seat at my desk and promise myself that I’ll just run through a couple of emails. I begin with emailing all members of the board to say that we can meet in the morning. We all need a rest.
Several hours later it’s crazy late and I’m so tired. I don’t know where the time went. I think I’ve been running on adrenaline all day –has it really only beenoneday?– and I don’t remember the last time I ate.
I pocket Susan, knowing that I’ll still have a huge chunk of work to do this weekend, and then I head out to find my friends. Maybe once I check on them all and reassure them that I really am okay, we can all leave, grab some food and get to sleep.
I also need to figure out what we’re going to tell Chelsea. I'm not too worried about Smalls; he’s clearly involved in enough shady shit with my grandmother back home to figure some things out, but Chelsea would freak out if she was even allowed to know the truth.
My phone beeps with a message and I pull it out, noting the late hour. Where is everyone? I feel bad for getting lost in work and not checking in sooner.
The message is from Baxter, which immediately distracts me.
Baxter
It’s done.
Amelie
Thank you. Did you get any information?
Baxter
No. He was never going to spill. I just had some fun with him.
Amelie
Okay.
Baxter
You okay? Kalen told me what happened.
Amelie
Struggling, tbh.
