Chapter 21: Undeniable Presence

Summary: Xander receives a phone call from his 'boss'.

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"You haven't found him yet?"


The deep, full voice, filled even Xander Collins with slight apprehension.

Paul Rundér had a presence that made you suddenly feel very weak at the knees, a presence that could not be hidden by a telephone.

"No, not yet, but I will," Xander said, trying to hide his fear. "And I have another idea about where to look for him, I'll-"


"If this lead turns up wrong, I'll give the entire mission over to Karma, I know she'd love the opportunity." Came the evil reply


"I'm not wrong this time," Xander growled.


Paul sighed. "What's your new lead?"


"Katy, Texas. Alex Crammer to be exact. He left right around the time Dakota disappeared, it's too close to be a coincidence."


"Never lose your eye for the obvious," Karma mumbled by his side.


"Shut-up."


"If it was so obvious then why didn't you two check it out the first time?"


Xander leaned back in his chair. "Because my first source was supposedly a good one, however, she proved false, so I did away with her," he answered. He raised his eyebrows cockily and smiled.


"Don't mess up this time. Oh, and Xander, if you do kill anyone else, make sure there are no fingerprints left around. We have to keep this under control. "


The line of the speaker phone went dead.

Xander held his chin and reflected for a moment. He knew that he could not wait long to make a move. Just a few more days and...he didn't even want to think about it, and Paul did not pose as his greatest concern.


Karma broke into his thoughts. "Stop looking so worried darling, I know Alex Crammer. Where he is Stevens will be."


"That's not the problem and you know it. The problem is finding his exact location. He's no moron, it's not going to be easy to find him."


"Don't be so nervous Xander. Now let's stop wasting the little time we have and go find him," Karma sat on the big office desk and tapped her long, red nails.


Xander focused on his reflection in the glass on the desk for a moment. His final test. Stevens has to be caught. He stood and pushed the rolling chair backwards.

Karma followed him to the door and to the elevator. They watched the numbers light up as they descended.


Outside, the cold night greeted them. Up above clouds covered the stars and the moon, and this pleased Xander. The moon watched him, judged him. It tried to reveal his thoughts and open him to the world, and the sun did the same. If he could avoid it he would stay away, hide in the dark places.

Xander slid into his Jaguar.


"I'll meet you at the first hotel," Karma said stepping into her Firebird. "Oh, and don't fall asleep darling."


Xander rolled his eyes and drove off in the opposite direction just as the rain began.