Chap 32 Countdown
Sarah was sick to her stomach, disgusted with herself for having just sat there as Dovidi committed murder. Around her the various men and women discussed possibilities and prices. As the time passed she was oblivious to it all, for her a blink of the eye caused two hours to pass, and the time went from nine to eleven am. Sure that there was a meaning to it, she smiled at Kenneth and excused herself claiming a headache. When he raised an eyebrow at her, she flashed the Witchblade at him and hoped that he wouldn't ask for anymore explanation.
As she neared the door Ian came towards it as well and for a moment she feared he would come with her, however all he did was open the door for her and as she left she 'heard' him in her mind. Find Callie, she needs you. It phased her for less then a second, but when she snapped back to her self she knew that it was within her power to do the same.
***
When the knock came on Onica's door, fear for Erik surged through her; in her sparsely furnished office there was little space to hide him. Glancing about franticly, he found a filing cabinet in the corner that let some space between itself and one wall. Quickly he hid there as Onica moved to answer the door, silently berating Karen for not being where she was needed. Secretaries were supposed to be for finding clever ways to get out of unpleasant meetings. So where on earth was hers?
When she opened the door she was startled to see that Sarah was the one who stood waiting. "What on earth are you - ?" Before she could finish Sarah had pushed her indoors and followed discreetly behind as well. For a second she was puzzled, but then the scene from earlier came back to her.
"Listen Callie, there isn't time for me to explain things fully but there are things you need to know. The first is that I do NOT work for your father. When we met I was a police officer working undercover." Conveniently she left out the fact that she had been attempting to take Luka down. "I needed your father influence and suffice to say he provided it. I'm in New Zealand because my partner is dead and your father used the excuse to con me here, he's only recently healed from the injury's you dealt him four months ago and needed me to be his front man until he was able to appear in public again." She paused for a breath and to make sure that Callie was getting all of this.
"Since I'm here anyway I've decided to help Luka take down a rather powerful arms dealer named Dovidi D'angitino. He has something that belongs to Luka, something that needs to be destroyed." For a second Callie seemed unsure of what to say. But in a second she decided, Sarah and Luka both needed her help, and if Erik wanted her to work in his plans he'd have to agree to some new provisions.
"I can help."
"How"
Callie searched Sarah' eyes for a second, and then decided. "You'll know when the time comes, just remember, when it does, do what you came to do." The answer was vague, and Sarah wanted more information, but both the Witchblade and her heart told her to trust Callie.
"Done." She turned to leave, but a hand on her arm stopped her. She raised an eyebrow and Callie smiled a bittersweet smile.
"I'm sorry I doubted you Sarah. There hasn't been a lot in my life for to have faith in." A moment passed the meanings in their eyes too intense for Erik to name. The moment passed, and oddly they hugged quickly before Sarah left. When again he reemerged Onica turned to him, with new determination in her eyes.
"New Plan, if do this, Luka Giamano is out of the picture. If his name is so much as mentioned, your witness and your evidence is gone." He could tell she was serious, the threat was there in her eyes, and not seeing any other option he agreed. "Good." Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was almost time. "Half an hour until my entrance. Two until it's time."
Returning to her desk she began working again, a futile effort since in a few hours this company would no longer be functioning. He felt himself slipping away from her, and even disappear from her awareness. The time was coming, and already the calm before the storm was fading.
~~~
Hi all! This is a message to warn you that the final few chapters might be a while in coming because they will all be posted together. Thank you for baring with me through this entire story, we're in the home stretch and it won't be long now till this is done. It may be awhile until I finish the trilogy however, there are other obligations which I have to face. The next story might come in time to fill that lull before may sweeps if all goes well in reality.
