My Father's House

Chapter 50

The Seacrest Inn was a small, family owned establishment. I guessed that was why Ava had chosen it for the rendezvous point. The thatched roofed building had rooms that opened to the parking lot allowing us to park directly in front of our room.

"Room 24," I said, gesturing with one hand toward the room and fishing the key out of my pocket with the other.

We sat for a moment, letting the adrenaline calm, and surveyed the area. I studied each window for any inquisitive eyes that might see us.

Once we were all satisfied that it was safe to leave the car, we quickly moved to the room. The quarters were small, but adequate. A change of clothes was stacked on one of the two double beds. Kael pulled the teal and gold curtains closed the moment we entered. Higgins stood in the center of the room quietly while I went to the bed to separate the stack into two piles.

"I hope these fit," I said as I threw each stack toward the corresponding man.

Higgins didn't move from his position in the center of the room. He stared at me and when I ignored him he called out, "Harper."

I looked up, trying to mask my distaste for the man. Our encounter on the ship had sealed my opinion of him. I hated him.

"Yes?"

I could sense Kael's apprehension as he came over to where I stood.

Higgins voice was cool. "Do you really expect me to believe that you orchestrated that whole thing by yourself?"

Higgins moved toward me, but Kael stepped between us, keeping him at bay and growled, "She just helped break you out of prison, idiot!"

"Yeah, and she's also a book publisher or something from New York City! I'm just asking her how she did it," Higgins shouted.

"You're right. I did have help," I said with defiance. Mentally, I thanked Ava for her foresight in this matter. So far, she had thought of everything. "Madeline helped me."

I had everyone's attention now. I prayed my story made sense, that I didn't miss something important. Kael would be able to read between my lies, I knew, but I hoped Higgins would prove less insightful. "She didn't do it out of any love for either of you. There are strings attached, trust me." I sat down on the bed and tried to look defeated.

Higgins took the bait I offered and asked, "What sort of strings?"

"Gideon has been getting too close to finding her. She has the diamond." I looked at Kael, then continued, "She wants to keep it. When we meet up with Gideon, we have to kill him. That's the deal."

"What's her ultimatum?" Higgins asked, still looking doubtful.

"She'll take care of him herself. And us," I sighed, "I'm sorry, but I didn't have a choice. I couldn't risk losing you," here I paused to look at Kael, "her proposition couldn't have come at a better time honestly."

Higgins turned to look out the small peephole in the door. Kael gave me a small nod of approval when he turned. I released the breath I had been holding, pleased that I hadn't ruined Ava's plan yet.

"Is she meeting us here?" Higgins asked, turning back to us.

"She doesn't want to meet us unless she has to." I winced, "Unless we fail. You guys can do this, right?"

"We can do it," Higgins hesitated, "but will we? That's the question." He looked to Kael.

Kael walked over to the wall opposite me, resting his hand against it. "Honestly, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think we should, Higg. He's been completely erratic these last few months. Look how he's managed to divide all of us. He is risking losing everything."