Page 24 of The King

“Still…”

"Still nothing," Max adamantly corrected. "There's no time for regret or debate. We need to findeverythingeven remotely associated with Selgair, Inc., and we need to do it now."

With no further discussion, for the next two hours, the room was filled with the tapping of keys, the whir of the printers, and a constant stream of collaborative discussions between Max, Sophia, Juan Carlos, and two very talented allies they'd mentally conferenced into the search. Needing to get up and walk to get the blood flowing back to his extremities, specifically his butt, the King had just taken his first step when a familiar voice spoke directly into his mind.

“I’ve found the information you seek,”Declan, the Dragon Guardsman everyone called Joe Friday because of his ‘just the details’ demeanor, declared. Without waiting for a response or even giving the King a pleasant hello, he continued.“I know that I may not be as proficient as Brannoc, but as I am older, I do not depend completely on digital technology when researching a problem."

"And for that, I am eternally grateful,"Max assured. "And Declan, I never doubted you or your abilities."

"Thank you. Now, I will also open our connection to Sophia, Juan Carlos, and Julian to make things easier if that is satisfactory to you, King Max."

“Of course, Declan,”Max was quick to acquiesce, very eager to know what information the Guardsman had found.“And please, it’s Max.”

“As you wish,”the Guardsman responded.There was the briefest of whirs, and then the Dragon returned."Now, we are all here."Without further discussion, he got right to the point.“Exactly two weeks after the death of Tariq, Eve, and Adam O’Baoill, fifty square miles of the Chihuahuan Desert was purchased by an undisclosed buyer. The records were sealed the same day the sale was recorded, and a large sum of money was deposited into the private bank account of the President of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. While this is not as unusual as we would hope, the importance is that the sale looks to have strategically included almost all of the colonia known as Puerto de Anapra. It’s a colonia in the city of…”

“…Ciudad Juárez in the Mexican State of Chihuahua,”Sophia finished his sentence, using the flowing, beautiful Latin accent she usually reserved for family dinners and holidays with their grandparents. Was his sister showing off, or was there something more going on? Who knew? Sophia did what Sophia wanted, when she wanted, without reservation or apology, and Max didn’t have time to unscramble the riddle that was his sister. He was one step closer to finding Bridgette, and that put him one step closer to the happily ever after they were promised by The Powers That Be.

“Yes, that is correct,”Declan kept going without missing a beat or even acknowledging Sophia’s attention. "But not the most important part in our search. What you need to know is that Puerto de Anapra is one of the poorest communities in the city and by far the most neglected. The crime rate is absurdly high, the police don't respond to any calls and every day people go missing and are never seen again. This is important to the plan of our enemy and vital to our bid to rescue Bridgette Featherstone. However, as you can imagine, the same government that does not care for their people does not maintain their records with any degree of accuracy."

The following pause seemed to go on forever, even though Max knew it was less than a second. Tapping the tip of his middle finger on his thumb to keep from interrupting the Guardsman's train of thought, the King made it to the count of four when Declan once again spoke."As I said, being older, I have learned that technology is not perfect, and although paper can be destroyed, it is an invaluable backup. When I found nothing in the digitized records, I retrieved the documents we recovered on one of the missions in that area, and that led me to the database where all the secrets are hidden.”

Sophia’s laptop beeped.“I have sent the information to Princess Sophia. While it is downloading, let me explain.The purchase of that land was made by Airson Mac An Duine Industries. As you know, King Max, airson mac an duine means ‘for humankind’ in the Language of the Ancients.”

“Yes, I know,”Max promptly answered. “I also found that name.”

“I was sure you did. So, you see what Pandora O’Baoill has used as cover.”

“I do.”

“What is not immediately obvious and quite difficult to find is that Airson Mac An Duine Industries had greater significance than its taunting use as the name of a heinous company. It is a shell company hidden behind seven other shell companies funded and established in countries known for their, shall we say, lenient banking and legal policies that also have no extradition treaty with the United States, Mexico, or any of the European Union countries. As such, they are a safe haven for criminals in every form. These companies also possess equally derogatory names bastardizing OUR language, which – if you dig deep enough - all lead to one, Selgair, Incorporated, whose sole proprietor, only shareholder, CEO, Chairman of the Board, Head Doctor of Research and Development, and a whole list of other titles that are basically redundant is…”

“Pandora O’Baoill,”Max ground out through gritted teeth.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Damn, Dragon Man, you’re good,”Sophia appreciated as she went back to typing and looking at her screens.

“No, NOT just good, Dec,”Juan Carlos added."You are outstanding."

“The best outside of the biz,”Julian Mattias, the Bengal Shifter who was co-founder and owner of Dragon Tech Industries and a member of the inner circle of the La Pantera Pride, readily cheered.

“That’s not all,”Declan added,“Over seven years ago, all eight of these companies immediately became involved in designing, planning, and eventually building a sixty square acre facility one hundred feet under the Chihuahuan Desert that was earmarked as medical research and development."

"Yep, I see the plans they filed with what are essentially the Mexican equivalent of a planning commission, building commission, and county commissioners offices, except they are corrupt, greedy, and useless,"Sophia spoke as her eyes scanned the screen.

“Oh, hang on to your hats, my friends,"Julian jumped into the conversation.“Following the trail Declan uncovered, I’ve found a boatload of receipts, invoices, and delivery manifests for all the building materials needed to construct that sixty square acre bunker, with some special features.”

“Special features?”Juan Carlos asked.

“Oh, yeah, super special,”the Bengal Tiger sarcastically snorted.“Like Stygian Iron, Ichneumon Blood, Celestial Bronze, Imperial Gold, and silver in all its forms."

"Okay, I knew that Stygian Iron, along with Celestial Bronze and Imperial Gold, was a Magical metal capable of absorbing or sucking the very essence of all of us - even a Demi-God. Not to mention, silver can injure just about all of us. But, what in the hell is Ichneumon Blood?"

"It is the only thing that can kill a Dragon, except taking for off our head."

Declan’s answer was deadpan and without emotion. At least, that was what most people would've thought. However, Max knew the Guardsman like a son, and when the Dragon stopped speaking, he finished the explanation.

"An Ichneumon resembles a Mongoose with a sharp, pointed snout, a huge mane of quills, and a long, powerful tail with a pointed spade at the end. It is said to burrow under the dirt and lie in wait for a Dragon for as long as several weeks. When a Winged Warrior comes near, it jumps out and attacks with the deadly end of its tail. Cutting through the Dragon's scales, it then can inject its venom."

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