Page 51 of A Light in the Darkness

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end isn’t familiar. I expected his father, or maybe Holland, or some mystery figure with a thick accent. But it’s just a man, without any discernible accent, and a deep voice that sounds something between confused and annoyed.

“Evers.” Wes says curtly. “Long time, huh? It’s Wes.”

There’s a sound of movement from the line, and Wes rushes out, “Don’t hang up. I need a favor.”

A moment of heavy silence passes before Evers laughs. It’s not a sound of amusement; he seems more shocked than anything. “A fuckingfavor? Is this a joke?”

“No joke. I need to find someone. It’s pivotal.”

I vaguely consider telling Wes I’m impressed by his vocabulary, but I’m too intent pinning my hopes on this mystery man. Wes hasn’t told me anything about who he is or how he can help us, but I’m desperate enough to make a deal with the devil himself right now.

“Can’t help. I’m busy.”

“You’re not busy.” Wes shakes his head. “I saw the headlines. You bought a fucking newspaper? What are you going to do, start outing us in the Sunday Morning Herald?” Wes snorts, as if he’s amused with himself.

“It’s got nothing to do with you. I told you when I walked away, it’s fucking over. Don’t call again.”

“Bad breakup?” I guess, because it’s easier to focus on whatever the fuck is going on right now than the fact that my whole world feels like it could collapse at any moment.

“Who’s that?” Evers asks, his voice flat despite the obvious interest of his words.

“A friend.” Wes explains away. I don’t know if I hate him calling me brother or friend more. They’re both equally horrendous. “A friend who needs your help.”

“I can’t help. I sold the kingdom and gave away my key. Call your father, I’m sure daddy can help you.”

“Nope. He’s useless. We need you.”

There’s a heavy sigh, and then an equally heavy hit as I imagine he slams his fist against something. A moment later, a car horn blares, a long, continuous sound that has both Wes and I cringing.

It stops as suddenly as it began, and I hear Evers clear his throat. “You know I designed it with lock and key security. I don’t have the software anymore.”

“You didn’t rebuild it?” Wes asks, doubtful.

“Nope. Don’t need that juju, thanks.”

“I don’t believe you. You were too smart to not have any kind of backup system.”

Evers chuckles, and I can’t tell if they’re flirting or not. Wes just has a way of talking that makes it sound like he’s constantly on the verge of jumping someone’s bones, and I find it supremely fucking annoying. “Fine. I did try to recreate it, but I haven’t cracked the algorithm. It’s useless, and without the original system, so am I. Sorry, I can’t help.”

He sounds like he’s moving to hang up when Wes speaks again. “I know where the original is.”

Evers contemplates the words in silence, and Wes lets him. I still don’t know what the fuck we’re actually talking about, but they’re offering me hope, and I’m not too proud to take it.

“I’ll give you anything.” I tell him honestly. “Any figure. Name your price and it’s yours.”

“You clearly have no clue who I am.” Evers sneers. “I don’t want your fucking money.”

“Then what do you want?” I ask. “Anything.”

“You’ll have my debt.” Wes says, before Evers can offer an answer. “I’ll owe you a favor. No expiration, no limit. Just do this for me now.”

“I’ll do it,” he says, slowly, “but after this you leave me the fuck alone, the way you’re supposed to. Got it?”

“Of course.” Wes agrees. “Get your stuff in order. I’ll have a jet waiting.”

They don’t say anything else to one another before Wes ends the call and stuffs it back in his pocket. “Well?” I demand, not sure what even just happened. “How is he going to help me find her?”