Honeypot (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 12 - Revelation

Robin was becoming concerned. Bobo hadn't been in contact for days. He had been waiting for him to advise the next mission. He called his phone. No answer. Left several messages. No reply. Bobo, Svane, had been good to him at a time when Robin had questioned his life, his sexuality. He had been the only person Robin could talk to. Robin knew his involvement with Svane had been growing darker. He recognised that. He had gone along, in part through loyalty to his favourite teacher. In part, the generous discount he received on the happy pills purchased from him. What was he to do? He knew where Svane lived. Drug transactions carried out in the comfort of Svane's messy flat. He would check on him after work.

Robin stood outside the block where Svane lived. He pressed the buzzer for his flat. No answer. He pressed again. Nothing. He tried Flat 12, Svane's neighbour. A woman answered.

"Sorry. Have you seen the guy from Flat 14?"

"Who Robert? Police have him. And his computers."

Robin felt a cold sweat form over his body. Why did the police have him? If they took his computers, he was fucked. He called Champ.

"Bobo's been arrested. I think I'm in trouble."

"Fuck. OK. Think. We should still meet. Discuss what to do. Bobo wouldn't grass on you, would he? Waverly is not going to like this. Fuck."

Champ called Waverly. "I've just spoken with Robin. His contact is in trouble with the police. I'm sorry babes. Can you still make it tonight? The gang need to work out what to do next."

Waverly agreed to come along. Champ was surprised how calm she was at the news. He expected her to shout at him. She was taking this better than he expected. He reasoned she was tired. Possibly hadn't had time to fully process what she had been told. He readied himself for a frosty reception when he picked her up.

Waverly was quiet in the car. Champ talked rapidly. A sign he was nervous. She knew the part she played in Bobo's arrest. She could see the worried look on Robin's face as they entered the basement. The others were standing around his computer. Chrissy was late. Champ broke the silence in the room.

"Any news?"

"Nothing. I've been monitoring the online forums. A couple of messages about unfulfilled drug deals. Nothing about his hacking activities. All completely dead."

Waverly pressed Robin. "Were the hacking missions all Bobo's idea?"

"I guess. What, you mean, was Bobo doing it for someone else? I don't think so. I don't know. He could have been."

Pete raised his hand. The gang looked at him wondering what on earth he was doing. "I think Bobo was working for the Serpent."

Robin stared in disbelief at Pete. "What the fuck? Never. He would never do that. Shit, if he was doing this for the Serpent I'm well and truly fucked. Why didn't you say something?"

Pete looked at the faces glaring at him. "Sorry guys, no one asked me. I thought you knew? I mean, didn't you think it odd hacking power stations?"

Chrissy arrived. She needed to be the centre of attention. Waverly sensed beneath the surface animosity Chrissy was interested in her. She wasn't interested in Chrissy. Too much of a game player. Chrissy gave the impression she preferred the chase to the capture. Summed up perfectly by calling herself Panther online. In giving Waverly the online name Mouse, she was sending her a message. This was how she played.

Waverly preferred someone who didn't play games. Laughable, given she was playing games herself. With Champ, with the gang. Her double life was draining. She was tired of all the deception. Her own most of all. Pretending she still wanted to be with Champ. Pretending she still wanted to be part of the gang. Using everyone to score points with her new lover.