Shadows May Fall (20 page)

“Be a dear and fetch Thomas for me, would you?” Niko asked in his most non-threatening and gentle tone possible. The woman nodded and ran.

It took the young girl approximately three minutes to retrieve Thomas who promptly ordered her to leave. Exactly forty-two seconds after that, several armed security personnel appeared and established a perimeter around the front desk.

“Master Niko!” Thomas crouched down and wrapped him in a towel. “What in Woden’s beard is going on?!”

“That is an excellent question, my friend.” Niko responded as he toweled off. “Would you be a sport and check the suite for me?”

“Right away!” Thomas stood up and made several hand signals, and one of the armed gentlemen took his spot next to Niko while three others followed Thomas to the elevator.

It was only a few minutes before Niko’s sentry was fed something into his earpiece and he assisted Niko up off the floor. The other four guards surrounded them as they made their way to the elevator and headed to the penthouse. Thomas and his men stood waiting as the elevator doors opened.

“It’s clear.” He informed them and they ushered Niko inside immediately. “Now please, tell me what has happened?”

Niko recounted recent events for Thomas while he sent a broadcast text to his Aegis Council. It was about eight in the evening back in Los Angeles so he knew he wouldn’t be waking anyone. Niko had never anticipated his trip to be one that required extra security, especially since he had only notified a handful of people that he was coming. Thomas remedied the situation by calling in a few more guards and arranging for an armored vehicle to take him to the ICC. He also insisted that he send an advance team to secure the way and insisted that Niko not be left alone at any time until his plane left the tarmac. Reluctantly, Niko agreed then headed in to take a much-needed shower. Eva, the masseuse, also happened to be a nurse so Thomas summoned her to check on Niko’s condition before he could even dress for his meeting. After checking himself in the mirror, he understood why Thomas had been concerned. Though the sizable gash on his forehead had stopped bleeding and was mending itself at a rate far accelerated from a regular person, it must have been horrifying to see just after it happened. Niko assumed a large chunk of his skull had been visible at that time. By the blood on his running clothes, he was sure it must have been startling, so he submitted to Thomas’ wishes.

Niko sat still so Eva could look him over and check all of his vital signs. There were only two discolored patches where the barbs from the taser had entered his torso and mild discomfort in his muscles from the brief skirmish. After some coffee and a lovely breakfast Thomas had brought up for him, Niko was feeling almost back to normal. He still felt a little buzzing in his limbs from the shock, but that would be gone soon too. The next order of business was to find out who had attacked him and why. Thomas already had people working on locating any video surveillance within a mile radius and was making it his personal mission to pin down the assailants. He assured Niko that he would have them ready to serve on a silver platter by the time he got back to the hotel. Niko had no doubt that would be the case given Thomas’ wife was a member of the Northern European Aegis Council. Heads were about to roll.

Lou could barely
get out of the SUV when they finally arrived at the McAllister home. She begged Dillon to carry her inside, but he just gave her a shove with a laugh. She managed to make it to the bottom of her steps, but she had to sit down and wait because her legs felt like they were going to give out from underneath her. Dillon waited in the driveway despite her waving him off with a particular finger. When he shut the car off and ran past her into the yard without a word, she got up to see where he was going.

“You’re supposed to be carrying me upstairs, jackass!” She yelled but saw that he was chasing after Abby and Frank, who were both racing to the guest house. Miraculously her legs regained their strength, and she ran after them too.

“How long ago? She heard Dillon ask when she finally reached the guest house.

“Maybe ten minutes.” Frank responded as he sat at one of the computer terminals while Abby worked on the two at the other end of the coffee table.

“What’s going on?” Lou asked them.

“Niko was ambushed.” Abby informed her without looking up. “What? Is he alright?” Lou took a seat across from Frank “What can I do?”

“He’s okay.” Frank assured her. “The local Aegis have been informed, and they are on it. This is a bit out of your jurisdiction.”

“Where is he?” Lou felt helpless, and she hated it.

“The Hague” Dillon answered.

“The Hague, as in the Netherlands?” Lou should have remembered this. It was one of the last things Niko told her along with her starting her training with the Sensei.

“I got Ana” Frank exclaimed, and Abby scooted next to him.

“Frank, Abby, I am so sorry about this!” The beautiful blond woman’s face on the monitor was clearly pained. “Thomas should have given me more notice and we could have been more prepared!”

“It was a last minute trip, Ana.” Frank explained. “We had no reason to anticipate any threat.”

“My husband has already delivered every piece of video footage in existence from the area for the past few days, even before Niko’s arrival.” Ana informed them. “From what I was told, Niko did a fair bit of damage to his attackers, so we are combing the city and then some for anyone who is even walking funny. Niko also believes they were common, not initiated.”

“What makes him think that?” Frank asked.

“I’m afraid Connor is trying to connect.” Ana looked over to her left. “I wish you all were in the same room. Forgive me, I will get back to you!” Ana’s feed went black.

“Dammit!” Abby cursed and began pacing. “Why the hell can’t he conference us in?! I will be so happy when we get headquarters built! Has anyone informed Max?!”

“I am sure he was Niko’s first call, Abby.” Frank assured her then looked at Lou and Dillon. “I know you two have things you need to be doing.” His tone was chilled and matter of fact. “You have a day and a half to handle your local business and to be prepared for the meeting. I suggest you get on it.” Lou and Dillon both turned tail and headed out of the guest house. They felt as though they had just been dismissed by the principal, regardless of the fact that he was right.

“That was a little harsh, don’t you think?” Abby whispered after they were gone.

“Was it?” Frank gave her a disapproving look. “Isn’t there that old saying abut familiarity breeding contempt?”

“Okay, now that was seriously harsh.” Abby growled at him. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“If you and Niko hadn’t gotten all up in Max’s personal business he wouldn’t have gone to Juneau and Niko would have never gone to the Netherlands alone.” He was sorry as soon as he said it.

Abby blinked a few times. “So, this is Niko and my fault?” She wanted to make sure she had things straight.

“That’s not what I am saying!” Frank tried to walk it back.

“Isn’t it, though?” Abby growled again. “With that logic, if you never called the code pink, none of this would have happened. Or, wait...” She resumed pacing. “If Max were a machine and had no feelings, none of this would be happening.

“Abby that isn’t...” Frank tried to correct himself, but she cut him off.

“Maybe if all of us had been doing our jobs correctly there wouldn’t have been any need for us to come out here in the first place!” Now she was yelling. “And Max would have never laid eyes on her, and this whole thing wouldn’t exist in this dimension!”

“Now you’re being ridiculous.” Frank felt horrible that he had ever gone there.

“Am I?” Abby froze and gave him a look that made him swallow hard. “Jackass.” She stormed out of the guest house and headed for the rental. She didn’t even want to look at Frank for a long while.

Niko’s meeting at
the International Criminal Courts yielded nothing that screamed ties to illegal blood smuggling. His associate gave him a list of high-risk individuals under the purview of the European Union, but there was nothing that pointed at any of them being involved. That didn’t mean that they were automatically excluded either. When he returned to the car and turned his phone back on, he had over two dozen text messages and voicemails. He started in the order received, the final message being from Max. Niko dialed.

“Are you alright?” Max asked instead of answering with a proper hello.

“I am fine, my Dom.” Niko assured him.

“I’ve personally briefed Karl on the situation.” Max was referring to the Dominor for Northern Europe.

“With all due respect, my Dom, do you think it was wise to bring him in on this without being sure he and his people are not involved?” Niko didn’t think that any of them were in fact involved, but it never hurt to err on the side of caution.

“I don’t believe they are involved.” Max told him. “But I did warn Karl that if I learned that he or any of his Aegis were part of this in any way, that I would hold him personally responsible and personally remove his head with my bare hands.”

“Well, that’s always a good tactic.” Niko smirked.

“Skip the port inspection and the meetings. Ana is arranging a very visible and very thorough inspection as we speak.” Max paused a moment and Niko could hear the sound of propellers firing up in the background. “I’m heading back now.”

“Shouldn’t you wait until daylight?” Niko had calculated the time, and it was just after midnight in Juneau.

“There is a storm coming in. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be stuck here for days.” Max shouted over the sound of the seaplane. “Deal with your attackers then come back. We have work to do.”

“As you wish, my Dom.” Niko had wanted to apologize, but there was plenty of time for that. Before he could put his phone back in his pocket, a text came in from Thomas that read:

‘
Please join me by the pool at your earliest convenience.
’

Niko had a few minutes before they arrived back at the hotel, so he took the opportunity to check on Lou. If she was aware of what had happened, he knew Lou was worrying. She didn’t need the added stress.

“Are you alright?” Lou answered her phone, and Niko couldn’t help but chuckle at her and Max parroting each other.

“I am fine.” He assured her. “Why are you awake? Sensei go easy on you because you’re a girl?”

“Shut the hell up.” Lou snorted. “Get home safe and I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Put some redheads on ice for me, would you?” He asked as they rounded the last turn to the hotel. “I gotta go. Get some sleep.” He hung up before she could respond.

There were two agents waiting when the car came to a stop. They opened the door and flanked him on both sides until he was through the revolving door.

“How incredibly rude of you not to have drinks with me at the very least while you’re here.” The stunning woman named Ana was leaning against one of the pillars, waiting for him.

Niko smiled instantly upon seeing her. “I was just trying not to be a bother.” He leaned in and kissed Ana on the cheek. “I meant no slight.”

“I know, but I hate that my husband gets to have all the fun with you when you’re here!” She grinned and threaded her arm through his. “Shall we have a bit of fun? The three of us?” She asked as she led him towards the health club facilities. “What do they call it? A ménage à trois?” She leaned into him as they walked, causing him to chuckle.

When they reached the entrance to the pool room, there were four agents standing guard and a sign that read ‘
closed for maintenance
’ hanging on the door. Two of the guards opened the door for them. They stepped in to find the swimming pool drained and two men strapped to chairs sitting at the bottom. Thomas sat perched on the edge of the pool, dangling his feet as if there was water. “Darling!” Thomas beamed a smile at his wife. “I see you’ve recovered our esteemed guest, safe and sound.”

“Did you have doubts?” She winked at Niko then went to give her husband a proper kiss.

“Not a one.” He too winked at Niko. “Master Niko, may I introduce Arseny and Vasily Matveev. Our very unfortunate Russian guests.”

“They have no clue just how unfortunate.” Ana giggled.

Niko climbed down into the pool and inspected their guests. Though it appeared that both the men had undergone a severe beating, one had a heavily bandaged nose and two brutal black eyes which led Niko to believe he made excellent contact with his kick earlier that morning. He pointed at him and looked to Thomas. “This one is Vasily?”

“That would be correct.” Thomas confirmed. “They are from St. Petersburg! It would appear these two brothers have been recently employed by a very shady businessman from their hometown.”

“Is that so?” Niko began circling the men. “And what line of work are these fine gentlemen in?”

“Ah!” Thomas clapped his hands and jumped down into the pool. “That is the confusing part.”

“Oh?” Niko watched the two mens eyes dart from Thomas to him and back again.

“Yes.” Ana giggled again as she laid on her side at the edge of the pool. “Apparently they are messengers but for the life of them they can’t remember the message they were supposed to deliver!”

“Messengers?” Niko tilted his head sideways and noted the tears in one of the brother’s eyes. “You were to give this message to me?” The weepy one nodded rapidly. Niko ripped the duct tape from his mouth, eliciting a gasp. “Who sent you?” Niko demanded.

“We don’t know!” Arseny pleaded. “One of his men approached us, gave us lots of money and said there was much more if we do a delivery for his boss.”

“Now it’s a delivery?” Ana snorted. “Make up your mind!”

“I swear! That what the man say so Vasily and I talk it over and we call the number man give us. He pick us up next night and bring us to his boss in Summer Garden. He gives us picture of you, two tickets for plane, a big envelope of cash and tells us to be secret and drive back when you finished. He have more money for us when job done.”

“What’s this boss’ name?” Thomas demanded.