Phoenix's Lies

We're Past Three Strikes

Phoenix

The next week is a tense one. I hate that I'm keeping what I saw from Riv when her sister died but I need to know that what I saw could have an impact on this before I go and blow up her world whilst she's still healing. Still grieving and dealing. But I did need to know. So as soon as I had a chance I asked if I could speak to Ash, Hunt and Ari since they knew what I'd said at Lena's funeral. About what I saw.

Riv had been gone a few days when we chose to do it. She'd said she wanted to spend some time in Mountain View away from all the craziness and I don't blame her. She has the girls there and we knew to anticipate another move from either Ivar or the Spades so we looked out for each other. But this I need to do alone, at least for now.

"NIX?" Ari's shout carries through the house as I'd asked them to come to me to do this. Libby was gone for the day since she was spending time with one of our aunts in D.C whilst dad had a deal there he needed to tie up, she'd been devastated by Lena's death so time away from here was what between dad and I we suggested. She didn't complain, meaning that for the past two days, I've had the house to myself. Until Riv comes back.

"COMING!" I yell down as I put away what I'd been doing and come down to see the three of them waiting. "Thanks, I know I said to do this earlier but with Riv and Lib I didn't have time." Ari offers me a sympathetic smile and I return it for a second. "It's about what I saw. When Lena died."

"What did you see?" Ash asks, his eye on me. "Nix what happened?" I'm stumped at the nickname used but recover quickly when I notice that Ash is still watching, waiting.

"I saw someone. They went in with the other med staff but they had a-a tattoo." I remember seeing the flash of colour but the sleeves hid it too well. "I didn't see it properly since it was hidden underneath the white coat but what I did see were flashes of black. Black and silver." I pause and watch the other three. "I saw them - whoever it was - come in with a needle and syringe and give something to Lena. Moments before she went into the seizure, spasmed and died."

Ash gives me another look. "You think someone killed her? Why? What would they stand to gain from it? Assuming we can figure out who it is." He looks at Ari and Hunt but both shrug. I have no concrete proof either, just an idea. "You got an idea or just a theory?"

I shrug, "I'm not sure. I mean that would be Ivar's fourth strike against Riv if he's behind it." I see Ari give me a look and frown. "What?"

"What do you mean fourth strike Nix?"

I sigh, sitting down. They do the same. "Think about it. I was trying to tally it in my head after Lena died. The first strike was Jordan harassing me up until the text that we saw that I showed you guys. The threat to Riv." Ari nods. "That was the first one, but not the last."

"And the second?"

I sigh, hating what I've figured out but not wanting to hide it. "The second one was when he messed with the fight and put me against Riv knowing I'd lose and end up injured or dead." I switch my attention to Ash then, seeing him nod as he remembers it. "That and how her ex was involved thanks to him being there and threatening her with the gun was the second time he'd interfered with Riv."

"Third?" Ari sounds a little tense now like she knows what I'm getting at. "If this is his fourth strike, what was the third?"

"The phone call Riv took when I was in the hospital. The one where he made a direct threat against me, Lib and Lena and she reacted by threatening to gut his sister like a fish." I respond, seeing Hunt hide a snigger at my recall of Riv's creative but probably exceedingly ill-timed threat. "I can't prove what I saw last week but I can't shake the feeling that it's all linked. She was stable enough, despite having slight complications before they always saved her. That time she seemed to die in seconds."