CHAPTER 23

I dropped by my apartment first, grabbing a change of clothes and checking the locks. Sometimes the neighbors got nosy if I was gone a few days. The first time something had gone missing from my space we'd had a nice little talk and they hadn't been back, but I still didn't trust them.

The next thing I did was go about replacing the items from my backpack. Most of which were easy to get. The gun was a little bit harder. It wasn't like I could just wander into a store and purchase one, too many questions and a paper trail. The supplier for the organization was out too, seeing as I'd basically just given Anthony a big fat fuck you.

I growled a little. Thought he could ground me. Like some sort of naughty child.

Fortunately, I had gained many contacts in my time in Boston and I knew a guy that could probably set me up with a new piece. Only he wouldn't be hanging around in broad daylight so that would have to wait.

My wolf wanted to head to the suburbs and see if we could pick up any lingering scent of the murderer from the day before. My hip twinged at the thought of it, but I thought she might be right, so long as we were careful. I didn't have anything else to go on. It, too, would have to wait until after dark, so that left us with an entire afternoon to kill.

It was a hot day in the city, the humidity pressing down on Boston like a giant fist. I decided on a movie. The theatres would be air conditioned and this time of day they should be relatively empty. Besides there was that new suspense flick out that I'd been wanting to see.

I'd just gotten settled with a coke and giant tub of popcorn, triple butter, when my phone buzzed. I looked down at it.

Anthony.

I tucked it back in my pocket and let it go to voicemail. A few minutes later it rang again. And then a few minutes after that. Finally I took to answering and then hanging up.

He switched to text.

*Where are you. I thought I said to stay here.*

That got on my nerves so I replied.

*You know, just out, living my best life.*

*Raven.*

*I sent a shrugging emoji.*

*Do I have to treat you like a child to get you to listen?*

*If you weren't already treating me like a child we wouldn't be in this situation.*

The previews were over and the movie started. I silenced Anthony and settled in.

It was a let down. The entire movie I knew who the killer was, and only found myself frustrated that none of the characters had enough intelligence to figure it out. By the end of the film I was openly scoffing at their surprise, to the annoyance of the only other guy in my row.

I finished off my popcorn and wiped my buttery fingers, tossing the empty container and napkin into the garbage at the top of the stairs. My hip was bugging me more. We'd given it some pretty good exercise and then sat in the theatre chair for a few hours causing it to stiffen up.

"Hurry up, would ya?" The guy behind me urged as I limped toward the door. I gave him the finger and exited, immediately slammed by the heat.

Growing up in the valley, on days like this, I'd spend them down by the river. Reading, swimming, just immersed in nature's wonders. I missed that.

I missed the simpleness that had been my life then, when my biggest worry was slipping away before mother assigned me a day of chores. I'd been so very, very different then.

I tried to tell myself that the little girl that I was would be proud of who I'd become. It was a bitter pill though, and I wasn't sure she would be. I didn't think she would understand who we were now at all. We'd been scarred and dragged through the darker side of life and there just wasn't any going back from that.

A horn blared down the street, the crowded sidewalk highlighting the very different atmosphere of big city life.

I remembered to check my phone.

Fifteen messages from Anthony. I smirked a little knowing he was growing more and more agitated. Served him right.

'There's no negotiating this.'

What bullshit.

There was also a message from a number I didn't recognize.

*The medical supplies came from a manufacturer in Beijing. They were flown over as part of standard mail delivery before disappearing from the records. Their last receiving was Defence Medical.
*

It had to be Darius. I frowned at the words. Defence Medical was military.

*How did you get this number?* I'd only had it for two days.

*I bribed the wolf who bought it for you...I think his name was Chase.*

Oooh, Anthony was not going to be happy about that. Chase was usually much more discerning. He must have felt that Darius deserved a boon for pulling me out of that facility.

*How do you know where the equipment was manufactured?*

There was a moment with nothing. I watched the phone impatiently, waiting for the crossing signal.

*It was very specific equipment. I looked it up.*

*What was it, exactly?* I wanted to know. The light changed and the little white walking sign chirped at me. I crossed the road and then paused by a cafe that was just closing up.

*Everlong robotic surgical system.*

Surgery? What the hell?

*What now?* And why was he sharing this information with me for free? We hadn't exactly been cooperating up to this point.

*Now we need to get into Defence Medical. What exactly can your wolf do?*

Ah. It all made sense now. He wasn't contacting me for old time's sake, he needed something from me.

*She can do plenty, but I don't think she can break into military grade security.* I told him honestly.

*You had no problem breaking into the shipping facility.*

*I had the benefit of a key.*

*Shit. I'll work on getting you in. Once inside can you access the records?*

*I could find the records room, probably. But I'm not particularly tech savvy.* I thought about it for a long moment. *But I do know someone who is.*