Kings Gambit

Chapter 29 - Stakeout

I stood pretty pissed off at the entranceway of my bedroom. Annie stood in close proximity. She had her arms behind her back.

"Did I do something wrong?" Annie bit her lip. I put my hand on my face and sighed.

"No, you couldn't have known."

"I'm sorry, were you in the middle of recovering old memories?" Annie tapped her temple with her pen.

"How'd you know?" I squinted.

"I also had a few memories come back to me," Annie tapped her feet together.

"Is that why you're so fidgety?" I raised an eyebrow.

"That obvious, huh?" She glanced away from my gaze. I put my hand behind my head.

"So? What did you want to tell me?" I questioned, letting go of the anger that I had moments prior.

"Right, well, In the memory, I was in Colorado. I think I was searching for Jasper." She stared down at the floor.

"Oh?" I piqued.

"I don't understand why though. I remember going to a circus tent and asking for Daniel Cooper. But at the end, I noticed someone in a fancy suit with the same yellow and green eyes as Jasper when he's happy. Then I woke up..." Annie sighed.

"Then why did you come straight to me?" I questioned.

"Ahaha... After the Alex situation, I lost most of my trust in the alliance. Leo has been acting weird as well... I thought you would have more answers anyways," Annie flipped through her notepad anxiously.

"Huh. Well, it's your lucky day." I chuckled.

"Do you know something about it?" Annie perked up.

"Yeah, the reason why you were looking for Daniel Cooper is because of me. I actually hired you to do it." I decided to leave out the blackmail part.

"Huh!? Wait, you hired me?" Annie's eyes widened with curiosity.

"Does The Machina ring any bells for you?" I asked. She took a moment to recollect.

"No, not at all." She sighed.

"Damn, I thought it would've been you if anyone knew more about it." I leaned on the doorframe.

"What is The Machina?" Annie asked with her notepad and pen in hand.

"A terrorist organization, one with heavy ties with me and this killing game, it seems. I had just remembered about it the other day. Apparently, I hired you to get the organization's name out to the public. Using your reporter credibility to my advantage." I explained.

"Gosh, that's a whole lot of new knowledge for me. I'm glad I went to you," Annie smiled softly.

"Ever since Alex attacked, many revelations have appeared for me. Speaking of which, I would like to talk to him soon." I crossed my arms.

"You want to talk to the bastard who almost killed you!?" Annie recoiled.

"Yeah," I replied calmly.

"Are you crazy? Why?" Annie questioned.

"I've got questions for him. Besides, he's not a threat now," I responded.

"Nerves of steel, huh?" Annie nervously chuckled before continuing.

"Well, I was going to ask you to do something. You could talk to Alex on the way."

"What's that?" I put my hands on my hips.