Chapter Thirty-Six

Ana

My confession is out before I can stop it, a reckless move with Kurt’s motives still at least a little in question. Luke and I share a look that says that and more, but Kurt isn’t about to let that ride.

“I don’t give two shits where it’s at,” he declares. “Tell them later. What I care about, is how we use that to our advantage. We can’t hold the coin captive forever. He’ll keep coming for us all until we come up with a way to make this work for us. This is one part of a bigger picture.”

“I have additional information,” Blake interjects, “but I agree with Kurt. One piece of a bigger puzzle. Based on the cloud download, I can confirm he’s not looking for the coin to keep for himself. He has a buyer, and that buyer is someone who we don’t want to piss off. He’s widely believed to be a future world leader, who might come off as a nice guy, but the dude has a trail of bodies behind him.”

“In other words,” Luke replies, “Phillips is scared.”

“Yeah,” Blake confirms. “And I’m pretty sure from what I read tonight, he didn’t kill his son, who is not his stepson, by the way. He’s blood. I’m betting his buyer killed Newman.”

“Okay, you have my attention, Blake,” I say. “Who in the world is this buyer?” I ask, shaken by just how dangerous this situation has become.

“Louis Dubois,” Blake replies. “And as I said, he’s widely believed to be the future—”

“French Prime Minister,” Kurt supplies, with a laugh. “Yes. Yes, he is. I know him.”

“What does that mean?” I ask. “And is that good or bad? Does he like you or hate you?”

“I am part of the reason he’s where he is today.”

“You killed for him,” Luke assumes tightly.

“Hell no, son, but I trained all of his private security and ‘fixers’ as he calls them. What they do with the skills I give them is not on me. Just like money, skills can be used for good or evil. No one asks when they pay the grocery store if they’re going to use the profits for a good thing. Bottom line, if we’re willing to give Louis the coin, he’ll handle Phillips.”

“Blake?” Luke asks. “How willing are we to give up a coin that belongs in a museum?”

“Based on the level of trouble Louis represents,” he says, “give him the damn coin, but we need to know that equals safety for everyone involved.”

“It will,” Kurt assures us all, and he eyes Savage. “Some of us can do more than use brute force.”

“Hey, man,” Savage replies, “I can blow you up and put you back together, so you might want to keep me on your side.”

“What comes next?” I ask. “Because Louis believes you’re dead.”

“I got this,” he says, pulling a phone from his pocket, and punching in a number.

“What are you doing?” Luke asks. “Who are you getting involved?”

“Yeah, man,” Dexter adds, pointing at him, “we talk before we act.”

“Relax,” Kurt replies. “I’m calling Louis to end this shit. And yes, I have his number. I kept all my contacts.” He punches the speaker button and the line rings.

A man answers. “Bonjour.”

“Louis, my man,” Kurt greets. “Miss me?”

“Who is this?” is the thickly accented reply.

“Oh, come on, man, you know who this is. And you know I’m not going to say it and neither are you. It’s me.”

“That’s impossible. You are dead.”

“Come on, brother, don’t make me say that nickname that chick from London had for you. I mean, I can. She also said you had really big—”

“Stop. Stop now. This still proves nothing.”