Page 50 of The Lost Zone (Dark Water #3)

It was a damp grey day, which suited Josiah’s mood perfectly. A fine mist was rising up from the water as the divers went back in. Their morale had plummeted as the search continued with no results. Everyone was downcast.

Everyone except Tyler. He looked rejuvenated on the other side of the water, waving enthusiastically when he saw Josiah.

“I’ll be over soon, Raine,” he yelled, “to take back what’s mine.”

Esther said her lawyers were haggling over one small technicality but knew they’d have to give in at some point during the day. They’d strung it out for as long as they could, but it was essentially over. She came herself in person just after lunch.

“It’s time, Joe,” she said wearily. “Our lawyers have conceded. Lytton's microchip registration has been transferred back to Tyler Tech in the IS agency database, and Inquisitus’s temporary houder status has been rescinded. Tyler must be allowed to take custody of his indie now.”

Josiah gave a curt nod. Sofie wrapped her arms around Alex and whispered her goodbyes tearfully. Reed patted his back glumly – Josiah knew he still wasn’t sure about Alex but he was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Esther shook Alex’s hand. “Sorry, Lytton. We did our best,” she said tightly.

Josiah put his hand on Alex’s shoulder and walked him silently out of the command tent to the water’s edge. They’d said their goodbyes in the night – there was nothing left to say, and Josiah wouldn’t give Tyler the satisfaction of seeing his pain.

Tyler drove across the lost zone in a bright red duck that shimmered on top of the water’s surface. Alex gave a tight smile when he saw it.

“The Destiny range?” Josiah asked, noticing. “The one you designed?”

“Yeah.” Alex managed a wry laugh. “That’s George – he does love to rub it in whenever he can.”

Tyler had a security detail with him: four big men in black Tyler livery. He clearly wasn’t taking any chances. He bounced out of the duck and over to where Josiah and Alex were standing, with Esther, Sofie, and Reed lined up behind them.

“I’m here to take back my indentured servant,” Tyler said, beaming. “As has been formally agreed between our lawyers, yours having acknowledged my rightful claim to his contract.”

“It’s not over yet, Tyler,” Josiah growled.

“Oh, I think it is.” Tyler cast a contemptuous glance at the diving operation. “You can keep going with this ridiculous charade, but you won’t find anything. This was always a wild goose chase, dreamed up by this wicked, deceitful young man.”

Josiah balled his hands into fists to stop himself taking a swing at Tyler. Alex touched his arm, and he relaxed a fraction.

“Now, it’s time we restored your Tyler ID, don’t you think?

” Tyler said to Alex. He reached into his pocket and drew out an elegant gold necklace with a shiny ID tag attached.

“I’ve missed you – the real you, that is,” he said, fastening it around Alex’s neck.

“These past few years haven’t been the same without you.

That other person, the one you pretended to be – he wasn’t nearly as much fun as the real you. ”

Alex said nothing, his eyes blank.

“You lost, Alexander,” Tyler told him forcefully, clearly wanting more of a reaction.

“No, I don’t think I did.” Alex glanced at Josiah affectionately. “I really don’t think I did.”

“Get him in the duck,” Tyler snapped angrily to his men.

Was that jealousy, Josiah wondered? Was Tyler actually jealous of Alex’s warmth for him? If so, why? He didn’t buy that Tyler had ever been in love with Alex, as he’d claimed, but it was hard to think of another reason.

Across the lost zone, a helicopter landed on the pad outside Tyler’s house.

“That’s here to take him away,” Tyler told him. “Far, far away. This is the last time you’ll ever see him, Raine.”

“Maybe.” Josiah shrugged. “But if anything happens to him, this won’t be the last time you see me . Be warned, Tyler. If you harm him in any way, I’ll take you down so hard, you won’t know what hit you.”

“He’ll be well cared for,” Tyler said smoothly. “I always take good care of my servants. Now fuck off, Raine. You’ve lost.”

“The investigation will continue,” Josiah told him staunchly, trying to hold on to a dignity he didn’t feel.

“For how long?” Tyler raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Esther over Josiah’s shoulder. “Inquisitus must have deep pockets to keep going with such an expensive operation when it’s had so little success.”

Josiah stared him out. “We don’t put a cost on justice at Inquisitus,” he said, rather more confidently than he felt.

Tyler laughed. “Everything has a price, Raine. Now, Alexander, it’s time we got to know each other again, without all the lies and deception this time.” He put what looked almost like a friendly arm around Alex’s shoulders and drew him away, but Josiah noticed the infinitesimal flinch Alex made.

He couldn’t bear it. Knowing what Tyler had done to Alex already, and what he was likely to do to him again.

How could he stand by and let that happen?

He moved suddenly, running forward, uncertain what he was going to do, just knowing that he had to do something . Behind him, a loud shout rang out.

“Sir! We’ve found something.”

Everyone stopped and turned. The water was still covered in a fine film of mist that was making visibility difficult. The divers were shrouded in cloudy wisps as they surfaced, carrying… what?

Tyler craned his head to look, and Alex whirled around, barely breathing.

Sofie and Reed dashed over, then stooped to examine what the divers had brought up. Josiah looked at Alex, then at Tyler, Esther, Sofie, and Reed… all of them frozen to the spot. It was as if time had slowed down while they all held their collective breaths, waiting.

Sofie glanced at him over her shoulder. “It’s a skull!” she yelled.

Josiah had no idea how everyone else was reacting, because he was transfixed by Alex. His eyes were shining, his face contorted in a mix of utter relief combined with profound sadness – and there was something else. Vindication, maybe? Redemption?

Alex didn’t have long to savour his moment, because Tyler sprang into action.

Grabbing Alex’s arm, he dragged him towards the waiting duck.

His goons surrounded them, trying to hustle Alex away before Inquisitus could respond.

Tyler’s helicopter was just across the water.

Once Alex was in that duck, he’d be lost to them.

Ironic, really, if he should find Solange and lose Alex at the exact same moment.

Josiah sprinted across the grass towards the lost zone, his long legs making short work of the distance. Tyler had shoved Alex into the duck and was climbing in himself when Josiah threw himself forward and grabbed his arm.

“He’s legally mine,” Tyler shouted, trying to push him away.

Josiah held his ground. “Maybe, but that’s irrelevant right now, because you’re under arrest. I’m arresting you, George Tyler, on suspicion of the murder of Solange Alajika.”