037

 

37.  In Death We Tryst

 

Months passed, and Frank Arazia had yet to uncover a single kernel of data connected to Grayson Lee. He tried looking his name up in the yellow pages, in local directories, and even online, but found nothing. It was as if the man didn't exist.

 

He had no way to bring it to the police, and was afraid that asking too many questions would draw unwanted attention. But he continued to go out every day, taking care to keep a low profile. No matter where he went, he constantly glanced around, making sure that he didn't see a pair of silver glasses peering back at him, or F. Douglas McCarthy's pudgy mug leering through a window.

 

Because Frank was so busy searching, Cecilia had had absolutely no trouble following him around. She always went by foot, even when Frank drove in his car. Although it was harder to track Earthlings due to their lack of psynergy, the Sheep still found it rather simple to stay on his trail. To everyone else, she was simply a middle-aged woman out for a walk in the fresh air with a sci-fi novel at her side. It was plain to see why Grayson had chosen her for the task.

 

She watched Frank enter his garage, ending another fruitless quest. The day was almost finished, and Cecilia knew that Frank always came home for good at this time every day. And so Cecilia shot into the sky, taking a flying leap over the entire neighborhood and soaring over the burnt orange sky as the sun continued to set. It took her ten minutes to make it back to the Zexaron building, where Grayson was waiting to hear her report for the day. Grayson really got a kick out of hearing about Frank's floundering, and it put him in a cheerful mood. This was quite well and good, as far as Cecilia was concerned – Grayson had such a nasty temper.

 

*

 

Bruce's arm softly cradled Rose as she sat at the edge of a fountain in Enmetropolis’ Central Park. Lately, the Dark Zodiacs were rarely together, and everyone's sentiments toward one another were less than cordial. Cecilia had joined Grayson and Madeleine on their project, and Van Kaen was undergoing repairs and upgrades, but no one really missed him. Mephistoclessia had also been quite distant for the past few days, and although Rose wasn't exactly fond of the Rat, it wasn't good for the team's morale.

 

But the group's biggest problem was definitely Averyl. Rose didn't even know why he had gone and killed the previous twelfth a year ago. The details of the incident were never made clear, but somehow, Averyl had made quick work of the previous Monkey, and happily assumed his new position among the force. He was creepy, misleading, pretentious, and seemed to enjoy creating turmoil within the group.

 

More than anything, she hated how Averyl pushed Bruce’s buttons. With constant fuel, Bruce’s fiery temper would consume and control him, and she loved him too much to stand by and watch it happen.

 

Suddenly, Bruce removed his hand from Rose's shoulder and stood up, fumbling around in the pockets of his leather cut-offs. Soon, she heard the buzzing of his cell phone as he removed it from his jeans.

 

Winslow and Saffron heard it too, and moved over from the bench they had been sitting on. Bruce placed the phone over his ear and raised an eyebrow curiously.

 

A voice sliced in through the static. "Hello, Bruce."

 

"Grayson. You're in the city?"

 

"Just stopped by to pick up some materials," Grayson replied. "I have to get back soon, but I figured I'd check in. I also have a surprise for you all."

 

"Oh yeah?" Bruce asked, trying to sound chummy with his senior. "Don't tell me – accidentally wiped out all the Earthlings, huh?"

 

"No, nothing that exciting," Grayson said with an audible smirk. "Just a clock."

 

"You're kidding," Bruce said. "It was on Earth?"

 

"A colleague brought it to me," Grayson explained matter-of-factly. "You shouldn't underestimate these Earthlings, Bruce – they can be quite inventive when pushed in the proper ways."

 

Bruce snorted. "Who was it?"

 

"The person who brought it to me had no direct relation to the clock, I'm sure of that. But the location in which she found it is another story altogether."

 

"Let me guess." Bruce rubbed his forehead. "Caskett?"

 

"You're on the ball today, Mr. Wernhart!" Grayson exclaimed like a proud teacher. "She had it with her when she came from Pittsburgh – a city near the cabin I found him hiding in."

 

"So the one he handed over to us earlier is a fake?"

 

"Most likely. I'll keep this in my possession for now. It seems we'll need to chase down Mr. Caskett once again and clear things up. But that can wait for later."

 

"Fine by me." Bruce shrugged. "Although, when are you coming back?"

 

"I still have some work to do here," Grayson said. "Cecilia is doing a fine job, by the way. Thank you for letting me borrow her."

 

"Well, you said you needed help."

 

"That I did," Grayson crooned, "that I did. I understand you'll be taking part in the tournament soon?"

 

"Yeah. We're going to split into two groups: participants and infiltrators."

 

"Understood," Grayson cooed. "You can put me in the second group, then. Other than that, I have just one more favor to ask of you."

 

"Sure, what is it?"

 

"I assume that our dear friend Victoria hasn't vanished from your memory?"

 

"Victoria?" Bruce said the name shakily, earning glances from the other three. "What does she have to do with this?"

 

"It's not her," Grayson muttered, "but her son."

 

"Her son?" Bruce raised an eyebrow. "She had a son? What did he do?"

 

"I'm not sure," Grayson responded. "But I suspect that he somehow used this clock to tunnel from Earth several weeks ago."

 

"Shit. But if the clock was activated, then..."

 

"Yes. He somehow made contact with the Daughter."

 

Bruce shook his head. "Well, I’ll keep an eye out for him. I could spot an Albavitrean from a mile away."

 

"Good to hear," Grayson continued. "Incidentally, his name is Vance."

 

"Vance," Bruce repeated. "Got it."

 

Winslow rushed over to the phone. His mouth was agape as he grabbed Bruce’s arm with a vice-like grip. "What did you just say?"

 

"Get off me, jackass." Bruce wrenched his arm free. "It's just about someone Grayson's looking for. Don't worry about it."

 

"You said Vance, didn't you?!" Winslow shouted. "That guy with black hair, the one from the mine!"

 

Bruce paused. "You've seen him?"

 

"He's the one who held me up in Despair!" Winslow shouted into the phone. "Averyl came and let him get away! He was with the Dimensional Knights!"

 

"Wait a second." Bruce shoved Winslow away, and turned back to the phone. "That was Winslow."

 

"I heard," Grayson said calmly. "Do we have a lead?"

 

"Averyl did say that he met a group of three in the desert," Bruce said. "He didn't mention anything special about the third one. But if Winslow's telling the truth, that means Vance is with the Daughter...at the Guild."

 

"Interesting," Grayson responded. "So he's with the Dimensional Knights. This will be easier than I expected."

 

"You're going to go after them?" Bruce asked warily.

 

"Let me go after him!" Winslow screamed into Bruce's ear. "I still have to pay that guy back for what he did to me!"

 

"Shut the hell up!" Bruce roared. "Anyway, Averyl is supposed to be out monitoring them now. But he probably didn't recognize Victoria's kid.."

 

Grayson snickered. "Oh yes, I'm sure he didn't."

 

Bruce paused again. "What do you mean?"

 

"Nothing," Grayson's said with a chuckle. "I'll send Averyl some assistance, don’t worry."

 

"Whatever you say, Grayson. Will that be all?"

 

"Until next time, Mr. Wernhart."

 

Grayson hung up, and Bruce slid his cell phone back into his jeans. When he looked up, Winslow's beet red face was staring back at him.

 

"What do you want?!" Bruce shouted.

 

"Why didn't you send me after Vance?" Winslow asked. "I deserve my revenge!"

 

"You deserve a kick in the ass," Bruce growled. "You had your chance. Why should we give you another one?"

 

Winslow didn't budge. "I demand justice!"

 

"Take care of him, would you, Saffron?" Bruce grabbed Rose and turned to leave. "I've had enough of this."

 

Saffron silently placed a hand on Winslow's shoulder, once again reminding the Rooster of his inferiority. "Okay," he sighed. "Let's get out of here."

 

Saffron kept his glove firm on Winslow's shoulder and walked

 

*************

 

back into his office, sat down in his chair and gave it a good swivel. On the sofa across from his desk sat Cecilia, nose buried deep in her book.

 

"So, how'd it go today?" he asked.

 

"Fine." Cecilia moved up to his desk and adjusted her glasses. "He's running around like a little lemming."

 

"Good, good," Grayson murmured. "But I want to move our plans up. It'll be just another week until the tournament, you know. Did you hear the news? Apparently Averyl’s been monitoring both the Daughter and Victoria’s son."

 

"Oh, yeah," Cecilia said listlessly. "He reported in to Roufas a few days ago. Apparently they’re in Sagacia. Funny coincidence, isn’t it?"

 

"Very funny indeed," Grayson said with a smile. "Anyway, we’re going to be very busy over the next several days, so I want you to bring Frank to me tomorrow."

 

Cecilia looked up. "You sure? It seems like you’ve been having so much fun."

 

"I’m sure," Grayson said flatly. "I will leave no loose ends here prior to our departure."

 

"Okay, I'll bring him here tomorrow."

 

"Thank you." Grayson stood up from his chair and led her out. "Goodnight, Cecilia."

 

"Sleep well, Grayson."

 

"You too." Grayson smiled, then shut the door to his office with a soft snap.

Next: Fear the Voices