Turning Tables

Chapter 5

Rose

When Dimitri and Mikhail were gone and Mia was in the living room reading, I decided I had some time to work on the other mission I was sent on. And I had a pretty good idea of where to start.

It had taken me a bit of back and forth, but Abe had finally given me Sydney's number here in America. The number I had memorized in Russia obviously wouldn't work here anymore. I had asked Sydney to video chat me on the company laptop I had gotten.

Alright, maybe I was bragging a bit.

I still had Abe's satellite connector and had the presence of mind to take it with me, even before I knew of this mission. Having an untraceable connection seemed very handy.

The second time setting it up seemed easier and I was done in less than five minutes. I started on my report for that day, waiting for Sydney to contact me, when I saw the green and red buttons appear on the screen. I pressed the green button and a picture of Sydney came on the screen.

I was about to greet her, but she wouldn't give me the chance. "What have you done now?" She asked exasperated.

"Me? Why would I have done anything." Okay, maybe that is usually how our interactions started, although I didn't steal her stupid files either.

"So you don't need me to bail you out of somewhere."

"No."

"You don't need me to stop an interracial dispute between you and some alchemists you insulted."

"No."

"You don't need me to hide you away somewhere, because you were convicted of treason?"

so close. "No. I just need your expertise."

"Oh okay." She straightened out, I guess she was worried what I would ask her. She can always say no. I wasn't forcing her into doing anything. But I knew secretly Sydney was pleased I asked for her expertise. She prided herself on the knowledge and skills she had.

"What do you need?"

"Those files that were stolen about some bank account linked to Lissa's Dad?"

She narrowed her eyes a bit. "Yes? What about them?"

"I don't know who took them, but I might have an inkling as to why. I wanted to see if you can find someone connected to the bank account. Someone on the receiving end of the bank account?"

She rubbed her eyes. "That isn't really easy and things have been in a bit of chaos here since the Queen was murdered."

I hadn't considered how this impacted the Alchemists too. I mean the day to day would still continue, but ultimately unrest in the Moroi world would be bad news for the Alchemists too.

"I appreciate any help you can give."

"Why do you need this anyway? Why were those records stolen?"

Tatiana had specifically asked to keep this in a select group of people. And I doubt her idea of 'select' had included an Alchemist. But their records had been stolen and I didn't know if Sydney was crossing boundaries looking into this.

"We believe Lissa might have a sibling out there. Her father may or may not have had an affair. That bank account is believed to link to his mistress and the child. We need to find out who the child is. So Lissa can get her seat on the Council. That is more important now than ever before."

Sydney probably knew more about the monarch election than I did. I didn't have to tell her Lissa's vote could sway the council to a different candidate.