So, here's Chapter 13.
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As soon as Ian left the office for the parking garage, Irons phoned down to one of his drivers, and then called Dr. Immo. He couldn't help but worry; Ian was never ill. His immune system was genetically enhanced to ensure resistance to disease. Having glanced over the appointments scheduled for the rest of the day, Irons decided that he could well afford to leave after his next meeting.
A decidedly bored Jake McCarty rubbed his eyes and sighed audible before continuing to read through the entries in the record book he held. "We're gonna at this all night," he complained to his partner when she reentered the office and handed him the Pepsi he had requested.
"Yeah, I know. Hey, we're off in a half hour. What about picking up some pizza and finishing this at my place? Adrienne's gotta be wiped after her first day at work, and I don't think there's much in the apartment as far as food goes. I haven't gone shopping this week." Jake nodded his agreement, his eyes trained on the log entries.
Sara's phone rang just as she sat down. She made a face, hoping it wasn't Dante calling to chew her out about some new shortcoming of hers he had discovered, or imagined. She steeled herself. "Homicide, Detective Pezzini speaking."
"Hey chief." Sara smiled in relief to hear Gabriel's pleasant tone coming across the line.
"Hey Gabe. What's up?
"Yeah, uh, sorry about calling you at work. It's just... Well, I had something kinda weird happen today. A colleague stopped by, new in the area, anyway, they stopped by to pick up some books. And when she left, she left a phone number in case I needed to reach her at home. Thing is Pez, she left your number. So, ah, freaky coincidental mistake, or are you totally holding out on me?" For a few seconds Sara's face was blank, but she quickly made sense of things.
"Oh God, Adrienne."
"That was what she said her name was. But she said she was staying with her sister for...Pez?" Gabe stopped when he realized Sara wasn't interrupting him. "Pezzini! How could you not tell me about something like that? I thought we were friends. Thought you trusted me, even." Gabriel was obviously hurt.
"Gabriel! Gabe! We are! Friends, I mean. And I do trust you. You more than anyone. I swear to you I had no clue about Adrienne until she found me a few days ago. It's just been crazy since then, what with work, and then trying to figure things out..."
"Right." He didn't sound convinced.
"Oh come on Gabe. It was a total surprise. Cut me some slack, man."
"Yeah."
"Listen, I'm picking up pizzas on my way home. Why don't you come by? We can have a Q and A session after we eat."
"Ok." There was a pause on Gabriel's end of the line. "Does any of this relate to the, ah, you-know-what?"
"Of course it does. Remember, "Everything is connected." She gave the mantra in a sing-song recital style that got a laugh out of Gabriel.
"How could I forget? I'll see you soon then."
"Yup. Bye." Sara hung up the phone and ran a hand through her hair. Then she began to organize the things she would need to continue working on the case that evening.
Ian barely made it home before being violently and repeatedly sick. He was running a fever, too. The doctor seemed a trifle worried at first, but once he had looked at the blood test results, and had settled Ian in bed, he was relieved to be able to give Irons a relatively good report. "Allergic reaction. Considering Ian's unusually resilient immune system, I expect he should be fine by tomorrow. He should have rest and be kept hydrated."
"Ian isn't allergic to anything."
"These things can develop over time. Often, they have nothing to do with genetics. Ian Nottingham has a unique biological chemistry. It is likely he came in contact with a substance that had an adverse reaction to that unique chemistry. It's nothing serious, I assure you."
"Very well. Thank you doctor."
"At your service, Mr. Irons."
Doctor Immo left. Irons remained where he was, sitting in his customary place in front of the roaring fire; frowning as he thought. Irons disliked unusual occurrences not of his own design. He hated surprises. And he had had several, of late. he got up and went to check on Ian. The younger man seemed to be asleep. Satisfied for the moment, Irons headed for the dining room, where his meal was waiting.
Ian Nottingham had not really been asleep. He had, however, been very glad that Irons had thought so. Now Ian felt he had room to think. So, after making himself as comfortable as possible and taking a few cautious sips of water, think he did. On a mental checklist, Nottingham revisited all of his day's activities, trying to pin down something that could have reduced him to his current state.
At the end of his list, Nottingham recalled Adrienne's chilling stare. Now that he was alone, he could recall their encounter down to the last detail. Ian gasped involuntarily and opened his eyes. Was that it? Had Adrienne done something to him, prevented him from reporting her actions to Irons? Ian was disturbed, if this was indeed the case. Irons running his life was bad enough; but now a witch who could control him to an unknown extent as well? Ian had no intention of being a pawn in their family squabble. He would have to put a stop to it; confront Adrienne. Ian began to fit his actions to his thoughts, but no sooner was he standing than he was assailed by waves of nausea and dizziness. Nottingham slumped back down onto his bed, clutching his head in his hands. Tomorrow, then, he promised himself. Tomorrow I'll take care of the girl. He sank into a fitful sleep.
