Beyond The Dragon

Chapter Four

Ian opens the door for me to go into the FBI and I groan as I turn to him. "Are you sure I should be here?" I ask and he glares at me. "How many times are you going to ask me? Follow me and be quiet." He warns and I whine as I run after him. After all that stuff with Mason I just thought we'd do something else today. Not talk to an agent. I don't want to deal with the government. We walk into a conference room and he pulls a chair out for me. I sit and he leans on the chair next to me while we wait.

"Why are we here?" I ask and Ian lights another cigarette. "I have to let them know what Mason told me and they need to know you're with me now. Especially since I'm gonna need you to get to whatever Arthur's masterpiece is. So, in essence, it's a debriefing." He answers and I groan as I lean back in the chair. He flicks the ashes in the ashtray and the door swings open showing an almond-haired man in a suit.

"Owens, and Ms. Stevens, why is she here?" He asks and Ian glares at him. "You asked me to do a job, Hickerson. I'm doing it and she's essential. An informant gave me some vital information on the piece of art Aiden is trying to obtain. Apparently, Kat is the only person on this planet that can get to it. Arthur put in a fingerprint system and retina scan for security measures. Arthur and Kat are the only ones able to get in which means I need her to make sure I have the right place and so I came to let you know that's what's happening." He explains and exhales a bit of smoke on the agent. Wow, he has got some real balls to do that to an FBI agent.

"That's fine but remember the deal. Cross us and-" Ian cuts him off. "I know, Hickerson. Government is a bitch. Prison is worse. Kat, let's go. Bye shit for brains." Ian waves at him and Hickerson shakes his head as I rush to stand. "Mind your tone, Owens!" Hickerson yells and Ian flips him off. "Fuck you. My tone is great!" He replies and I scoff as I follow him out. Just... Wow.

"I take it you two don't get along," I whisper and Ian shrugs as we walk out of the building. "He hates me and I tolerate him to get to Aiden. He never wanted to ask for my help to begin with but his boss knows I have a better chance of finding Aiden than he has of not fucking it all up." Ian explains as we walk out to my car and he drives us away. Interesting. "Why does he hate you? Why wouldn't he ask for your help?" Ian examines me and exhales his cigarette. "You ask a lot of questions that require long story answers. Stop it." I scoff and shake my head. "So, you can know every detail about me but I can't find out a little bit about you?" I ask and he nods. "Yup. My past is better left where it is." He answers and turns to go towards my home. Just peachy then. That's so annoying! Actually... maybe I could find something out online when we get home. Now that is a good idea.

"I have to run down a couple of informants so I'm gonna leave you at the house." He warns me as he turns down my street and I frown. What?! "Shouldn't I-" He cuts me off. "No. These people don't like talking to anyone else but me. They won't tell me anything if you're there. So, you'll stay here and you'll be okay." He shuts me down and I silently nod my head. I guess I could search the house for clues of where his piece went off to. Check on Ian too. He parks the car and we both get out. I trudge up the porch steps to the front door while the snow crunches under my feet.

"Kat?" Ian calls and I look back at him as he straddles his bike. "For what it's worth... I think it's noble how protective you are of your father's legacy. Blood means a lot when it's good. That kind of loyalty is a good trait. Don't let what happened to your museum change you. It'd be a crying shame if this changed who you are." He comments and I frown. Seriously? He was just giving me shit about having daddy issues. "Why would it be a shame?" I ask and he smirks as he tosses his cigarette butt in the street. "Who else would argue with me until we were both blue in the face? Nobody else has the guts to stand up to me like that. I like it. The world needs more loyal, daring, passionate women if you ask me." He chuckles and drives off. I smile a little as I walk in and lock the door behind me. I turn the heater up and start to run a check around the house. Well, looks like we haven't had a break-in. Thankfully.