A War Against Volto - Sequel to While You Sleep (Complete)

Tip of the Spiral

By the time I pulled up outside of the Becker residence, my temper had cooled to the point that I knew my handling of their reaction to the photographs should have been different. If the roles had been reversed and I had found a folder full of pictures of them half-naked with beautiful women, I would have been hurt and furious – it didn't make what they had insinuated right but I did understand.

Pulling off my helmet and jumping off the bike, I nodded at the various Academy members swarming around subduedly before checking my phone, a sigh on my lips as I saw the long list of text messages.

I didn't have the time to fix the situation so I simply started a group chat and encouraged them to keep to their schedule of visiting Erica and Jessica instead of waiting for me to return. They all had probably planned to accompany me to the crime scene but knowing North and Mr Blackbourne, we wouldn't be able to get anything done until all of the personal shit had been hashed out – which I didn't want when I knew what was waiting for me in the house. Mrs Becker's body had been removed but still...there were memories of the woman who had turned my life around right when I had need it the most.

I would find out what I could about the clues that Volto had left behind, do my duties by the Academy board and then head home to where I knew an emotional conversation would take place. Hopefully we could get over this easily because if I was being honest with myself, now that the boys were all back in my life, I knew that I would never let them go again and I could only pray that they still thought the same.

"Sang," I heard from the near the main entrance of the two-storey house. Looking up, I spotted one of the Charleston Police Detectives which knew about the Academy and actively assisted in our operations. I knew that once I cleared out, the investigation would be formally handed over to Detective Callen Sager and we would no longer have any access to the apparent note that Volto had left behind for me to find.

Slipping my phone away even as I felt it vibrating almost constantly, I smoothed down my hair and walked towards him with a measured stride, my emotions slowly sinking to a place where I knew that they wouldn't interfere with my ability to complete this assignment.

"Detective," I greeted with respect as he rubbed the five o'clock shadow which was slowly taking over his jawline, no matter that it was only just past breakfast. "Thank you for allowing my visit. I know that it could get you into trouble."

He shrugged, "The Academy is formidable when you begin to look into it and I know that you've been chasing this bastard for a while so I wanted to help in whatever way that I could to eliminate him since I know that the Board won't allow for the investigation to be handed over to the police."

Knowing that it was a source of irritation for him, I kept my mouth closed and my gaze demure. There was one thing that we couldn't afford and that was to offend or alienate the people who had actual jurisdictional authority.

"Come on. We need to have this wrapped up within the hour," He held open the door and waved me in once I had donned the appropriate protection gear - insurance that nothing would lead the formal investigators to my doorsteps with questions. Not a good thing when I was still trying to protect my ghost status.

"The body was found in the upstairs office and nothing has been disturbed except to have Mrs Becker transported to the city morgue," He announced, leading me to a wooden staircase, his voice vague. I guess that he was used to talking about the horrors of the world on a daily basis.

Stopping outside a taped off door, I took in a deep breath, staring at Sager when he tapped my shoulder. "Heard that those boys finally woke up. I'm happy for you, darl."

I tried to smile, "Yeah. They're still resting up."

He nodded sharply before grabbing the doorknob and forcing the door open so that I could precede him into the room. It looked like a normal office with a large wooden desk, beautiful bookcases and a feel of professionalism.

That is until you spotted the mess on top of the desk and the small dribbles of blood which peppered the thick carpet.

"No surveillance?" I asked distractedly, looking around as clues might be hidden in the deep, shadowed corners.

"None. All of the cameras that she had in the house were switched off and so far there have been no witnesses in the neighbourhood. We'll canvas everyone individually just to make sure but without evidence..." I could almost hear him shrug. Unless I did my job, Mrs Becker's killer would go free.

"The phone call said that there was something here for me," I murmured, almost jumping when my phone continued to vibrate intermittently. I was suddenly wishing that one of them would magically turn up just so I didn't have to be the one to go after Volto.

Honestly, what could have happened to make him go completely feral like this? Once he had tried to protect me but now...

I shook my head when the detective slipped past and walked over to the desk where a piece of paper sat straight in front of the chair.

"This," He pointed. "The bastard's not playing anymore. He's gunning for you, Sang."

Eyes widening, I walked over in a near daze before my attention was captured by the typed note.

Ah, Darling Ghost Bird.

How time has seen you spread your wings, but in the wrong direction of course. I once allowed you to convince me that the Academy only had good intentions, that these people want to save others but apples never fall far from the tree and what mistakes their fathers make, sons will repeat.

I tried to save you. To make you run but you dug deeper and came out wearing their stripes. You betrayed me and now the future will fall just like the black and white keys.

Do you remember having to save them? Their helplessness as they lay dimmed to the world around them? He called out your name, didn't he? And you untied the bonds, faced the poor soul who just wanted that soft, sweet love he thinks is only yours to have.

What will he think when his eyes are opened? Finally, will he see? Mother and Father - lost to greed, lost to everything now. Name, deed, reputation - all gone.

The clues have been laid. It's time we meet, dear heart.

Reading the words once more, I felt bile skim up from my stomach until I felt as though I was choking on panic. If my interpretation of his little tease was correct then I was already too late, wasting time.

I ignored Callen's calls, running back down the stairs as I pulled my phone out of my back pocket. They were meant to be at the Lee's but my boys never did anything expected. I waited with bated breath as the phone rang.

"Miss Sorenson," Mr Blackbourne answered, obviously surprised by my call. "I wanted to..."

"Stop talking," I ordered, relief making me feel slightly faint. "Where are you? Are you all together?"

"Yes. We've just arrived at Mr Lee's home. Is everything alright? We would have preferred to join you but...oh, Sang..."

Irritated by the way my eyes welled up, I coughed and jumped onto my bike. "We'll sort it out later. Stay together and do not leave Sunnyvale Court until I call again."

There was a short moment of silence before I heard that familiar hard note, "Miss Sorenson. What is going on?"

"Volto is baiting me. I have to check something out but expect a call soon. There may be more bad news."

"Understood. We will do as you ask."

And wasn't that probably chafing at him but what he wanted didn't really matter. They had to stay safe. Thanking him quietly, I pocketed the phone, clipped my helmet on and roared out of Mrs Becker's street. If I had expected anything of Volto it was that he would essentially leave anyone non-Academy alone but all clues within his letter indicated that Victor's parents would be his next target. What did he mean by his accusations of guilt and greed?

What exactly did they have to do with the man who was now nothing more than a cold-blooded killer?