Page 47 of No Fear

She frowned at him, but did as he asked. He quickly entered his number.

“If you need anything, call me. I mean it. Doesn’t matter what time.” He handed her phone back. “I’m in room 1520. Anything. Anytime.”

“It’s OK. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will, but I left you ten years ago at a time when you needed me. I’m not about to make that same mistake twice. I’m here. As your friend. Whatever you need. If you want to talk, we can talk. If you want company, we can sit in silence. If you want to get drunk, I'll watch over you. Anything.”

Charlie gave him a watery smile. “OK.”

“I’ll check on you later.”

She nodded. “I’ll text you, so you have my number.”

He already had it, but he smiled. “Great. Talk to you in a bit.”

Reluctantly, he turned to go.

Back in his room he made a call. He might be making a huge mistake interfering, but Simon was bad news. Drugs were bad enough, but Simon had been into partying big time back in high school. After his performance tonight, Donnie’s gut was saying he hadn't changed.

“Hey, Donnie, how’s Toronto?” Mackie answered on the first ring.

“I kinda like it. Saw the Blue Jays beat the Yankees today. That wasn't so good.”

Mackie chuckled on the other end. “You need to convert to a Padres fan.”

“Never. Listen, can I ask a favor?”

“Shoot.”

Donnie smiled. He loved his fucking team. There was never an ask too big.

“Can you run the name Simon Radwell? Radwell Real Estate out of New York.”

“Sure. Who is he and what am I looking for?”

“He’s someone I know from school. Bad news. Now he’s engaged to a friend of mine and looks like he’s still bad news. He’s using for sure. He used to party big time, and he has money and means. Got a bad feeling he’s up to no good, and I don’t want Charlie in the middle of it.”

“Charlie?”

“Charlotte. She’s the sister of my best friend in high school.”

“What does he think?” Mackie asked and Donnie could already hear him tapping on a keyboard.

“He died in a car accident years ago. That’s why I’m looking out for her.”

“Shit. Sorry.” The tapping stopped. “Leave it with me, and I’ll see what I can find. You’re heading back tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah.” He wished he wasn’t.

“OK. If I get something before, I’ll call you. If not, I’ll see you when you get back.”

They chatted for a couple more minutes, then ended the call. Donnie lay back on his bed. After what he’d witnessed tonight, if he had to get hard proof to make Charlie see just who Simon was, he was going to get it. Was it overstepping? Probably. Did he care? No. That asshole did not deserve to breathe the same air as Charlie. If Nate was here, he would agree with him.

***

OMAR AND HAKIM AZIZ sipped tea at the small table, in the simple concrete house they now called home. After their last plan to release sarin at an Admiral’s memorial service in San Diego had been foiled, many of their supporters had lost faith in them. It was time to go back to where it all began and rebuild. Remind the people of Daram what Reborn were fighting for and bolster their army. The US military might be hunting them, but they could not put US soldiers on the ground here. That didn’t mean a team of special operators, like Navy SEALs, wouldn't come. But they had been careful in coming back. Had made sure they were not seen, taking routes through the mountains and staying with locals along the way. Now a respected elder had given them his home to share.

“Asma is well?” Hakim asked.