Chapter 9


"What the hell was that?" snapped Scarlett, looking around the room at the two men still standing there.

"What happened between you two that she can hardly even look at you? I swear, if no one starts talking, there are going to be some heads rolling and it won't be mine!" she snapped at Flint.

Flint looked startled, which quickly changed to guilt and had him sinking into a chair. "Let's just say that last time, two weeks ago, did not end too well," he sighed.

"I got that," Scarlett said impatiently. "What happened?"

Flint sighed again. "Let's just say she caught me trying to plant bugs in her office and her penthouse after we had been getting along."

Scarlett's eyes narrowed. "If you mean by getting along….never mind, I don't want to know! So does she have good reason or not?"

Flint nodded. "Ok, time to fess up," Scarlett continued. "Just between you, me, and Snakes, is the CIA after Phoenix or Lady Jaye?"

Flint looked up at her, his eyes sad. "I'd like to say no, but I honestly don't know. I can ask around and see what I can find out. There are still a couple of contacts I have that know what's going on in some of the departments that I don't have clearance for. This job is not worth it," he grumbled.

"So quit!" Scarlett snapped. "I still can't believe you went and worked for them. I heard Ali offered you a position which you turned down cold. Now, don't get your back up! I know about it because we were discussing a position which you would've been highly qualified. Still haven't filled it," she grumbled. "I'd better go find out where Courtney got to."

"I can't believe you would've left me behind, of all people, when you had a bike like this!" yelled Courtney as they barreled down the road. She hung on tight since it seemed Lady Jaye had a death wish with the way she was driving. Courtney had to admit, however, she could handle the bike. Something she had not known about her friend. Courtney had thought Ali was all luxury sedans and 911s.

"Do we know where we're going?"

Lady Jaye had calmed down a little, the feel of the bike under her too good to stay angry for long. "Yeah, we're going to hang out with a few old friends," she yelled back at Courtney, who remained clueless.

Jaye roared into town and stopped in front of a pub. Getting off the bike, she turned to Courtney. "You don't have to come if you don't want to. I just couldn't stay there anymore and get accused of not trying to save my company! I needed to blow off some steam. If you want, I could call for a car or you could take the bike back," she said apologetically.

"Are you kidding?" Courtney gushed. "Not that I'm not tempted by the bike offer and will probably beg you to drive it home, but this is just getting interesting! Let's go."

Courtney led the way in the bar, squinting to see through the gloom.

"Over here," Jaye chuckled, leading Courtney over to where the Dreadknoks waited.

"Oy, luv, we wondered if we was goin' ta see ya here! Started the party witout ya," sputtered Ripper, holding up his beer bottle.

Jaye chuckled and turned to Courtney. "See, if you pick the seediest bar in town, you never know who you'll run into. Trust me, they're harmless," she said to Courtney's wide-eyed look.

"Sorry," she breathed. "I guess I'm still not past the whole Cobra/Joe thing and sometimes these things rattle me."

Jaye smiled. "Trust me, you're in for a good time."