A/n: Once again, thanks for your reviews. Nice to see you back, maria656.

Chapter 27: Blackmail

Jonas had had a stressful night. He'd hardly slept from nerves about what his nephew was going to do to him for refusing to pay the ransom for his return. When the intruder slipped soundlessly inside he was pacing around his study, chugging back his third scotch of the morning.

"I'd go easy on that stuff if I were you," said Max. "You're going to need a clear head for this meeting." He turned to see her leaning against the doorframe. "Get your coat. You don't want to be late."

Max virtually dragged Jonas into the safe house and slammed the door behind her. "Logan! One dirtbag here for you, as requested."

"Through here, Max." She walked into the dining room and saw Logan working at the table on his laptop. He closed it down to devote his full attention to the meeting. She recognised the icy glint in his crystal blue eyes and grinned. Not many people deserve a grilling from Logan in this mood, but I think Jonas' earned it. I mean he did try to kill Logan, and me. Let alone the fact he's been collaborating with Manticore.

"Ah, Uncle Jonas, so glad you could come. Please, sit. As you can probably tell, we're a little busy at the moment, what with being on the run and all, so let's get straight to the point, hmm?"

Jonas sat down opposite his nephew, almost trembling with fear. Max looked from one to the other, and marvelled at the difference. Logan's so in control, just like when he's making his broadcasts. Jonas looks like he's about to wet himself. They so can't be related.

"You have been developing tools of assassination to sell to the highest bidder. You were not prepared to sacrifice what I'm sure was a healthy profit margin to save my life. You tried to kill Max to keep anyone from finding out. You know that she's a Manticore escapee. Am I correct so far?"

"It's all true, I admit it. Just please don't let her kill me, Logan, please, I'll do whatever you want…"

"I don't 'let' Max do anything. She makes up her own mind. And under the circumstances, I'm sure you'll find the offer I'm making very generous."

"Firstly, you will destroy all records, plans and prototypes of the stealth drone. It will never go into production, understood?"

"Yes, yes, of course, whatever you say."

"Secondly, you will terminate all government projects including the standard hoverdrone chips immediately. Thirdly, all current and future projects being developed by CI must be personally approved by me. If I say you so you will discontinue them at once. And don't try to deceive me; I'll be going over the accounts with a fine toothcomb."

"Failure to abide by any of these conditions will result in a detailed account of the last few days landing on the desk of my employer. He can make life very difficult for you."

"H-how? Who is he?"

"No one knows. Even my superiors in his inner circle only call him Eyes Only."

"Eyes Only?" Jonas' jaw was flapping like a landed carp. "But… but…"

"Oh, don't look so shocked, uncle. Don't tell me you actually believed I was shot by accident? Fortunately for me he's an equal opportunities employer." Logan leaned forwards and rested his chin on his steepled hands.

"You left me to die, Jonas, when you could have saved my life with a phone call. All in the name of greed. Think how that'll look on the front pages. Businessman refuses to pay ransom for crippled nephew. But of course I'm not just your nephew, am I? You do remember signing the adoption papers after Dad died, yes? To make sure you had control over my shares?"

It was Max's turn to let her jaw drop. What? Jonas adopted Logan? He never told me that! Then again, I doubt he's exactly proud of the fact. How young must he have been when his parents died? He never told me anything about them… Oh, he has some serious explaining to do…

"Yes, I remember, but I wanted to take care of you, it wasn't all about the company…"

"It would be nice if I could believe that. But I've known you too long." Logan leaned back in his chair.

"Finally, there's the fact that you now know that Max is an X5 and I'm part of the Informant Net. If you divulge that information to anyone in any way…"

"She kills me?" Whimpered Jonas.

"Oh, no. If you betray us I'll kill you myself." The determination on Logan's face was unmistakable; his eyes were like chips of iridescent sea ice.

Max had no doubt he meant every word. It's just like at Cape Haven; he was determined to protect me at any cost then as well.

"You'd kill me? In cold blood? I don't believe it."

"Trust me on this, Jonas, if you tell on us my blood will definitely not be cold. But yours will, after a couple of hours. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes… Yes, I'll do anything you want, just please don't kill me."

"Good. That's settled then. You may go. Escort him out, please, Max."

Jonas followed her to the door; she didn't speak until he was outside in case Logan heard. "If you know what's good for you, Jonas, you'll stay the hell away from Logan in future. I can do a lot of damage without killing you, much as you deserve it. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Miss Guavera, perfectly clear. Tell Junior… Tell him I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Is that all you got?"

"What else is there I can say?"

Max had to concede he had a point. "Just go away and don't come back. Logan has more important things to worry about." She closed the door dismissively and headed back towards the dining room. Her sharp ears picked up the sound of his cellphone ringing from the hall.

"Hello?" He sounds distracted, thought Max. Jonas must have got to him more than I thought. She reached the doorway just as Logan spoke again.

"What do you want, Lydecker?"

Tell me what you thought. Sorry about the cliffhanger, everyone. I should be posting again in a couple of days.