Trickster [Aidan Hunter series book 1]

Chapter 14

AIDAN
~~~~~~

After the call ended, Henry turned around, interlocking his hands behind his head. Louis' green irises were still fixed on the phone in my hand, frozen in disbelief. I didn't want any of this to happen. I had a reason for letting Jacob go, but I never expected Robert's kidnapping to be the consequence.

Along with him, Toby's wife was in danger too. Two lives were on the line because of me.

"Damn it!" Henry snapped.

I received a text from the Trickster which read:

'700, Suncrest apartments, 1330

Gatecliff avenue, 1340'

"He's given the locations," I said.

I showed them the message. It only agitated them more.

"How do we know where Robert is?" Louis asked.

"We don't," I replied. "We'll have to split up. Go to the locations and find out."

Toby's eyes welled. "Detective, save my wife. You can put me behind bars, I don't care. I'll give you any information you need. Please save her. I'm begging you."

That put me in an even bigger predicament. Henry didn't trust me already. No matter what my plans were, I'd caused this. I didn't want to make any promises I couldn't keep, but the look in Toby's eyes made it impossible for me to refuse.

"I will," I said.

"Will you? Because this is on you." Henry took his phone out. "I'm calling the chief. He needs to know."

Toby's dejected gaze dropped. Louis helped him to his feet. If we set him free, the Trickster would kill him for real this time. Moreover, his friend, Dustin's whereabouts were unknown, which concerned me.

"Where's Dustin?" I asked.

"I don't know," he replied. "The Trickster has him somewhere. I don't know where he is."

"Get him back to the HQ," I said to Louis.

"I'm not going back until we find Robert," he said sternly.

"We'll have to wait here for Martin."

Henry narrated the entire incident to Martin briefly, then apologized before cutting the call. "The chief's gonna be here in fifteen minutes. He's bringing some cops along too, to take care of Toby."

"I thought so," I said.

"I think it's a great idea that he's coming. We can make sure there are no further consequences."

"By 'no further consequences', you mean if I don't screw things up again."

"Someone's gotta keep a watch on you."

"You mean put me on a leash. Why don't you say it as it is, Henry?"

"I don't have to, since you understand it well."

The only way I knew how to fix this was by saving Robert, and the woman. I hadn't expected Henry's hostility. I would admit I messed up, but he always took my side and I always believed he would. People had come and go, turned against me, and I was used to that. Not this. Not him.

I'd known the consequences before I started the mission—or so I thought. I still had conviction in what I was doing, except I never wanted Robert to pay the price.

"Can I see the message again?" Louis asked.

I held out my phone.

"These numbers." He pointed at the screen. "Maybe they are street numbers."