Page 114 of The Deceptions

I throw off the covers and sit on the edge of the bed. There are so many things going through my head. But if Franco is the one looking into me, then I'm absolutely fucked. If he knows I'm back or alive or whatever, he'll skin me alive. Again! I could be ground beef by the time the sun comes up, and there's nothing I can do to prepare. Well, there is. Feeling around my mattress, I run my fingers along the wood handle of the knife Jordy so helpfully packed for me. The only thing he packed for me, besides my new clothes, that will come in handy.

Oli

Do you by chance have the deed for that property? Can you see who currently owns it? Or who specifically looked into me?

Carter

See? Needy...

Oli

I am needy, asshole. That's the address of the dick who tried to kill me so...

Carter

Fucking hell... Fine.

I tap my fingers, drumming them several times on my legs.

Carter

Nathaniel Franco still owns the property. Looks like it's been the same person for at least thirty fucking years... Fuck. You going to survive this shit? Or should I call in reinforcements for your ass?

Even though my heart pounds out of my chest, threatening to beat across the room, I suck it all in.

Oli

Thanks for your concern, fucker. But I'll be fine...

I'll be fine. My famous last words, right? Ugh. Now, I have to make sure I'm not getting tracked by Franco.

Carter

Did you really fucking think I couldn't sabotage whoever was looking into you? If I can mirror bathroom fuck's phone with just a name, then I can track down the asshole looking into you… BTW, that guy's phone is as blank as blank can be. What's that asshole up to? Hmm?

Oli

Well? Have you?

Three dots appear in the chat, disappear, and reappear several times before he finally answers.

Carter

Fucker’s good… got good equipment, but he's no Carter Cunningham.

I can almost hear his evil chuckle from here. Also, how humble of him.

Oli

And?

The suspense is fucking killing me. I swear everyone around me talks in damn circles.

Carter

A Jasper Jeremiah Jones... Ring any bells?

My heart drops into my stomach, and I groan. Of course. That's why JJ was all in my business. He's tracking me around, trying to figure out who I am. I almost forgot he was sort of a computer whiz and always had been. Gaming, mostly. As kids, he meddled in hacking, trying to get into anything he could as a beginner. I bet Franco has trained him to do his dirty work, and that's why he's gotten so good now.