Broken Wings - XIX -
Logan looked at the notes he had taken from his conversation with Lydecker. He still couldn't believe it. He had gone through a whole range of emotions: shock, suspicion, frustration, outrage, but none of them seemed sufficient for his current situation.
It was a fact. Donald Lydecker had contacted him. One of the people Max loathed the most was coming forward with information, claiming he wanted to help. Trying to look at thing objectively, Logan stared at the notes once again.
Lydecker claimed that there was more to Miranda's situation than Max knew. Logan was a bit doubtful of that but put his thoughts aside and continued.
Manticore wanted the child back. This wasn't a surprise. They would want to see if their experiment really worked.
The last piece was not a surprise but it still jolted him. If Max had any contact with the girl, she could be putting herself in danger. Renfro would not hesitate to use the girl as bait if she thought she could get an X-5. Logan didn't doubt it. What he didn't understand was where Lydecker came into play in all of this and why he was trying to help. Logan had said as much during their conversation.
.........
"Haven't you been trying to get Max back to Manticore?"
There was a pause on the other end.
"Yes."
So, they are working for you.
"No." The answer was fast, firm, and laced with fury.
"They aren't interested in my kids."
Logan winced at the reference as Lydecker continued.
"Renfro in only interested in the bottom line and how she can gain from it."
"As long as you get the X-5's, why should Renfro's reasons matter?"
"Let's just say that she no longer felt that my services were essential."
"So, she got rid of you and now you want to use Max to exact revenge against her?"
"No." H e sounded like he would lose his patience but his voice continued cool and clear. "I want to warn you that Max may not realize the danger she has put herself in by befriending Miss Cosgrove. This goes beyond Manticore. Renfro has backers from various countries and more waiting in line. They have people all over the globe who are keeping their eyes open for signs of this girl...and Max."
"So that's it? Stay away from the girl and Max will be safe? I'll be sure to pass the message along to Max if I see her." He said it as a dismissal but Lydecker wasn't finished.
"No. If Max does know where the girl is, she won't stay away because of danger. She wasn't trained that way. That's why I am talking to you."
Logan raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
"If nothing else, you can keep an eye on them and be prepared."
.........
Lydecker had continued on to tell him about certain informants that were connected to the backers and therefore, to Renfro. He also gave him a list of scheduled contact dates and locations.
Logan fingered the list. The next one was only two days away...in Los Angeles. He couldn't risk telling Max yet. She would want to rush over there and check it out. What if it was a trap? Max wouldn't care but he did. Making his decision, he began to type his message to LA.
Logan looked at the notes he had taken from his conversation with Lydecker. He still couldn't believe it. He had gone through a whole range of emotions: shock, suspicion, frustration, outrage, but none of them seemed sufficient for his current situation.
It was a fact. Donald Lydecker had contacted him. One of the people Max loathed the most was coming forward with information, claiming he wanted to help. Trying to look at thing objectively, Logan stared at the notes once again.
Lydecker claimed that there was more to Miranda's situation than Max knew. Logan was a bit doubtful of that but put his thoughts aside and continued.
Manticore wanted the child back. This wasn't a surprise. They would want to see if their experiment really worked.
The last piece was not a surprise but it still jolted him. If Max had any contact with the girl, she could be putting herself in danger. Renfro would not hesitate to use the girl as bait if she thought she could get an X-5. Logan didn't doubt it. What he didn't understand was where Lydecker came into play in all of this and why he was trying to help. Logan had said as much during their conversation.
.........
"Haven't you been trying to get Max back to Manticore?"
There was a pause on the other end.
"Yes."
So, they are working for you.
"No." The answer was fast, firm, and laced with fury.
"They aren't interested in my kids."
Logan winced at the reference as Lydecker continued.
"Renfro in only interested in the bottom line and how she can gain from it."
"As long as you get the X-5's, why should Renfro's reasons matter?"
"Let's just say that she no longer felt that my services were essential."
"So, she got rid of you and now you want to use Max to exact revenge against her?"
"No." H e sounded like he would lose his patience but his voice continued cool and clear. "I want to warn you that Max may not realize the danger she has put herself in by befriending Miss Cosgrove. This goes beyond Manticore. Renfro has backers from various countries and more waiting in line. They have people all over the globe who are keeping their eyes open for signs of this girl...and Max."
"So that's it? Stay away from the girl and Max will be safe? I'll be sure to pass the message along to Max if I see her." He said it as a dismissal but Lydecker wasn't finished.
"No. If Max does know where the girl is, she won't stay away because of danger. She wasn't trained that way. That's why I am talking to you."
Logan raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
"If nothing else, you can keep an eye on them and be prepared."
.........
Lydecker had continued on to tell him about certain informants that were connected to the backers and therefore, to Renfro. He also gave him a list of scheduled contact dates and locations.
Logan fingered the list. The next one was only two days away...in Los Angeles. He couldn't risk telling Max yet. She would want to rush over there and check it out. What if it was a trap? Max wouldn't care but he did. Making his decision, he began to type his message to LA.
