A/n: Once again, many thanks to those of you who reviewed 27. Hope you like this one too.

Chapter 28: Uh Oh

As Max shepherded Jonas out of the room, Logan slumped in his chair. That was a confrontation I could have done without, he thought, rubbing his eyes. Telling Jonas I work for Eyes Only probably wasn't the safest thing to do either. Still, it was almost worth it to see the expression on his face. And I think we scared him enough to keep him quiet.

I'm going to have to explain the whole thing with my family to Max now, aren't I. I really wish I hadn't offered; but if it helps her, then what's bringing up a whole lot of unpleasant memories? I should go back to sleep; I don't think I'm making a whole lot of sense.

Logan's musings were interrupted by the chirp of his cell phone. He was half tempted to ignore it. But it's probably important, he thought, sighing. Matt or someone checking to see if I'm back yet.

"Hello?"

"I don't recall agreeing to help you abduct Brin, Cale."

"What do you want, Lydecker? How did you get this number?"

"You don't bribe your cell phone company enough. I want Brin back. Where is she?"

"How should I know? She dumped me at the edge of Seattle and took off with the car. Probably halfway to Mexico by now."

"Come on, Cale, I know that's not true. I know you know who she is, who I am."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb, Cale, it doesn't suit you. I searched your apartment, remember?"

"So?"

"So, I found the big space where you office used to be. And I wondered why it was so important for you to remove all the equipment."

"Even while I'm on the run from Renfro I have deadlines to meet."

"And then I found the real clincher. The bottle of tryptophan in your medicine cabinet."

"How is that significant? It's not a controlled substance."

"But it is used by X5 to treat their seizures."

"What the hell is X5? I don't know what you're accusing me of; my physio recommended the drug to me. Tryptophan helps to prevent muscle spasms caused by my injury."

"Congratulations, that's a very credible story."

"It's the truth."

"I doubt that very much. Remember our first meeting?"

"I'm hardly likely to forget almost getting killed."

"You exchanged yourself for the women. There was one young lady there who was not as she appeared. She showed up pretending to be a journalist named Rachel Glasser, but that was just a cover. Her real name is Max."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"I think you know her. The trick you pulled on the computer system – congratulations on that by the way, it really pissed Renfro off - would require a hacker of very high ability. I know Max is in contact with a top-level hacker. She escaped me several months ago with his help. Your help."

"Look, Lydecker, I don't know where you're getting these wild theories from, but…"

"Not wild theories. There are too many coincidences. Brin didn't want to leave, but you were able to persuade her. You exchanged your life for Max's. You keep tryptophan in your apartment. You're an excellent computer hacker. I wouldn't be surprised if you were connected to Eyes Only somehow."

"Have you always had a thing about conspiracy theories? Sounds like you could use some professional help."

"Not as much as you will when I catch up with you. The only way you can stop us looking for you is to tell me where Brin is."

"I told you, I don't know. We co-operated to get away from Renfro and then we went our separate ways."

"Then what about Max? Where is she?"

"For the last time, I don't know a girl called Max."

"Strange. Your building security guard recognised a picture of her right away. He said she dropped by your apartment frequently, often late at night."

"Since when was everything I do your business?"

"Since you started helping my kids avoid me. If you don't tell me where they are I'm going to make you the most wanted man in the city."

"Do what you want, Lydecker; you're just wasting your time. I can't tell you anything you want to know."

"On the contrary, I think you can give me a lot of useful information."

"Shame you'll never get the chance to test the theory. Good luck, Lydecker, you'll need it." Logan hung up and buried his face in his hands. Oh, shit, was his only conscious thought.

"Logan?" He looked up to see Max, clearly more frightened than he'd ever seen her. "Oh, god, Logan, I'm so sorry…" She knelt on the floor beside him and embraced him with the fervour of desperation. All he could do was hug her back and murmur words of comfort into her ear.

"Shh, Max, it's ok. They won't find us, it's all right…" He just prayed he was right, for all their sakes.

So, what did you think? Max and Logan's talk is definitely coming next time, honest! Unless I'm feeling really evil.