Page 22 of Ever After
“You know this operation is going to get expensive, right? Without the force splitting the bill, it’s going to add up.”
“Yeah, I have a fair amount in savings I’m going to cash in.”
He’s silent for a beat, and I can hear him breathing. “Is she worth it?”
I smirk as I think of Finley. “Yeah, she is.”
“I can have a name and social for you within the hour. You’re going to have to change your appearance and get a new ID. I’ll text you the number for a guy that can get you one that will pass any test. Get that done as soon as you change. I’ll have everything couriered to you no later than eight tonight with your new identity.”
“Thanks, man, I really appreciate this.”
He takes a deep breath. “Grayson?”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful. These people won’t stop until they get what they want.”
“They won’t be around for long. I’ll make sure of that.”
* * *
No timelike the present to change my hair color, eye color, and some facial hair. I hopefully have a few days to grow a goatee, but for an ID picture, my stubble will be fine. My natural brown locks are now sandy blond, and my blue eyes are a deep brown. I put a pair of glasses on and look like a completely different person.
The courier arrives shortly after, and I rip open the sealed envelope.
Fucking Winston.
The name he gave me is Chase Biggs. I sound like such an asshole, which, the more I think of it, might be a good thing. My new job is as a freelance investor, and I live in New York. Looks like I need a burner phone with a New York number.
I call up Winston’s contact for a new ID, and he wastes no time giving me a time and place to meet him. Winston must have called him ahead of time and let him know how important this is. I keep giving him mental high fives as I drive to the other end of town and park my truck in the lot across the street. The building I arrive at is old, and some of the bricks are crumbling. Not the best part of town to be in, but then again, I am asking for something illegal.
Walking up to the door, I press the buzzer for his apartment, number three-zero-one, and he buzzes the door open, no questions. I take the stairs to his floor and knock five times as instructed. He opens the door, and I have to hold back a laugh. Thekidthat opens the door can’t be any taller than five-foot-five and not much older than eighteen.
“Ian?” I ask, looking at him from head to toe. He’s in a pair of loose jeans and a white t-shirt.
“You must beChase. Come in, I don’t have a lot of time.”
I step past him into his small apartment and look at the equipment littering the living room.He must do this a lot. It’s not my place to ask questions. Winston would have my neck if I start questioning this kid, so I keep my mouth shut.
“Winston tells me you’re from New York?”
“Yep. That’s right,” I respond.
He changes a few settings on his computer and has me stand in front of a blue background. He lines everything up and snaps the picture. I stand still, not wanting to move or disrupt him. He works silently on the computer, and I’m fascinated with how fast he’s able to put it all together. My New York ID and Passport are ready within minutes.
He hands the documents over to me. “Tell Winston this should cover his debt.”
I nod once, and he releases his hold on the items. I leave the apartment and situate myself in my truck. I pull out the burner phone I picked up on my way to get the stuff from Ian and dial the ten-digit number that has been seared in my brain since I uncovered it. My heart races as I wait with baited breath for someone to answer.
“Ever After.” Her voice is light, airy, and a touch familiar.
“I’m hoping you have what I’m looking for.”
“That depends. What’s your flavor?”
I hesitate in my response to her. Miles better have told me the fucking truth, or I’ll find him and kill him myself. It turns out, he was the set-up for Finley. He told me he was in some deep shit and was afraid for his family. By setting her up, he was promised it would save their lives.
“One that’s willing to do anything.”