Immortal Stonekeeper

Chapter 8: Back To The Case

Jonathan's phone rang. He flicked it open eagerly, almost snapping off the top half in the process.

"Nick!" he practically shouted into the phone. "Please tell me you have good news."

"Relax, Brit Boy." The man on the other end had a distinct Southern drawl in his voice. "I wouldn't waste my money on an overseas call if I've got no updates."

"Get to the point, guy." Jonathan grinned.

"Point is, I managed to get a hold of what you asked for. But these people sure as hell are strict about their policies. It's damn near impossible to retrieve what you wanted. Hell, they almost slapped me in handcuffs for questioning about it in the first place."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong, is that you're asking for something confiscated during a very sensitive time period. You know my skin colour, dawg. I gave everyone the jitters when I asked about it."

Jonathan smacked his head in frustration. "Oh, for the love of-"

"Calm down, I said it was 'damn near impossible', not straight up impossible. This guy's still got some tricks left in his bag. I managed to secure a pathway to your treasure."

"My man. I never doubted you."

"Do me a favour, and never pronounce those two words like that ever again." The man chuckled heartily. "But don't be too happy yet, I still need credits. Three grand at least, just to shut their mouths about your request. I hope this is legal, Jonathan. I better not get in trouble for-"

"It's nothing that will disturb your early retirement." Jonathan fiddled with the hologram on his wrist. "Transferred. Even gave you a tip of another two grand."

"Why, the guv'nor's being remarkably generous today, innit? Struck the lottery or something?" Nick laughed in a mocking tone. "Well, far be it for a man to dictate what another does with his booty. Pleasure doing business with you, my friend. Your goods will be shipped over soon."

Jonathan cut the call and lay on his bed with a satisfied look on his face. The apartment was quiet. It had been two weeks since he heard anything from the Immortal Paranormal Association, but he was not complaining.

He was living his best life now that he had a whole room to himself and his adorable roommate. Oscar seemed to share his feelings about their new spacious accommodation, taking it upon himself to guard the door when Anya's apartment was empty.

Jonathan took the time to test out his new body, and it seemed Maximus was right. Nothing was able to even scratch him; chainsaws, knives, jumping off skyscrapers. He had even tried setting himself on fire, and it felt like nothing more than a slightly warmer breeze.

Anya on the other hand, had been spending every night after work on her computer poring over endless lists of case files from the police database. Jonathan had offered to help her, but she always just brushed him off. He had not worked up the courage to ask her about the night at the auction; it seemed like the opportunity never rose.

Until that evening.

~ ~ ~

"Hey Jon, you're not gonna believe what I just found out! I've got the location of the Lily Noir!"

"Well, someone's back early." Jonathan rolled off the couch with a sceptical look on his face. "Are you sure?"

"I dismissed myself early today." Anya practically bounded towards him in glee. She waved a page in his face. "The address of Michael O'Cornell. He's the one who took the Lily Noir."