New Orleans

36. In The Shadows

***
"Recce is a big guy, Annie. Half a tablet wasn't enough, it'll give you two hours if you're lucky."

"I only needed enough to keep him from stopping me. Besides, it'll take him some time to get out of the room I left him in." Shaking his head, Ward watched me with concern. "Stop." I mumbled, keeping my eyes focused on the two burners Ward had purchased before meeting me at the crossroads—less than a kilometre from where Max and what remained of his family had been hiding. Something about the location felt eerily familiar; I didn't mention this to Ward as we were both already on edge enough as it was. Syncing the numbers, I double checked that they were operational.

"Stop what?"

Smiling softly, I looked up at him. "Giving me the look dad used to. You know I can do this." I reassured him, hoping to ease the creases of skepticism from his forehead. The corners of his eyes crinkled in reaction to the half smile he offered in return. "You still worried about Max's singular intentions?" Tensing, he slammed a fisted hand over the front of his SUV.

"You should have let me pull the trigger when we had him. He's a sick bastard, Annie. They all fucking are." Clenching his jaw tighter, he glared at his fisted hand, regaining the control he exercised flawlessly within a fraction of a second.

[SEVERAL DAYS EARLIER]

Stepping into the dark room, I cringed—disgusted in myself for crushed Ward's heart. The mechanical man sat hunched over at the base of his neatly made bed. The room was bare apart from the essentials, no personal touches; I guess in that way it was personal. The wall to my right was fitted with small screens, in front of which sat a small desk and chair—clinical and efficient. Sending the presence of someone else in the room, he stood cautiously. Flicking the lights on, I watched as he reluctantly turned to face me. "You have fifteen minutes. Once you step out of those gates, you never contact me again." Closing the door behind me with a firm click, I walked towards the small stainless steel desk. "Do you understand?" I prompted.

"Yes." Balling my hands into fists at my sides, I forced myself to look up into his defeated eyes. The eyes that had protected, cared for and loved me every single day of my life. I'd never seen Ward so broken...but this was necessary.

"At the celebration of the Arts in sixth grade...It was you in the back row, wasn't it." He nodded, yes; a sad smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Just enough in the light-"

"For me to see you." I finished for him. Turning back to his duffle bag, Ward continued to neatly pack his plain security clothing. I noticed quickly that his entire wardrobe consisted of several pairs of the exact same outfit. Double checking the room, I closed the distance between us. Sliding my arms around his built torso, I smiled against his tensing back.

"Annie?" Breaking my hold on him, I allowed for the large man to turn and face me. Studying my features with confusion he attempted to analyse what my hostility had disguised earlier. "What's going on?" The bodyguard in him took control; clasping my shoulders protectively he became alert.

"A few days ago, I had to sign several cheques. It was weird, because you know I learnt our security system back to front years ago." A hint of a smile curved his mouth at that. "My father had apparently ordered IP domes. I know every inch of this manor and our security system, so I knew that my father hadn't ordered these. First of all, you take care of that stuff?" Nodding, yes; confirming my assumption, he instinctively scanned the walls.

"Originally you had the IP bullets installed throughout the common areas in the manor, excluding bedrooms and my father's study?" Again he nodded. "I hacked the security footage and the only digital crumbs were mine. I'm sure they were installed the last time I hacked our system because there's no sign of any other tampering." Raking his fingers through his hair, he slowly scrubbed a hand down his face.