Part 41
Part 41
Adrian Peters had gone into hiding for five months following the explosion at the den and Igor’s death. For several weeks afterwards he had the same nightmare, seeing the wolf that chased him down, and feeling its breath on the back of his neck.
He’d grown a beard, dyed his hair, and only went outside the safety of the motorhome where he lived when he absolutely needed to. The explosion in Seward was on the news but there had been nothing about Igor’s death.
His hate had slowly built up until he could no longer contain it and he grabbed the burner phone and dialed a number from memory. The man answered on the sixth ring and Adrian took a deep breath.
“JJ, it’s Adrian, and I’m cashing in those favors you owe me.”
“I’m listening.” Adrian gave JJ all the information he needed and told him what he wanted him to do.
“This list is very specific, and I’m assuming this is personal, because you’ve been missing for months.”
“Just get me what I want, JJ, and you’ll get what you want.”
Adrian gave JJ the number of his burner phone. Adrian put the phone down, and bought some provisions for the road after he filled up his truck. He was now heading to Fairbanks. He had no plans on ever stopping his extermination plans.
He found a hostel that rented rooms by the night, week, or month, and he paid cash for one week. He knew he would probably have to wait a few days before JJ would get back to him and he planned to keep a low profile. He had bought enough food, water, and beer at a grocery store before he entered Fairbanks.
In his room, he dyed his hair again, and looked at his wild beard. It would alter his appearance enough for James and Shoran not to recognize him instantly. He planned to watch them for a few days at first, follow them home, and then kill them.
He was slowly growing impatient. JJ hadn’t called yet. It had been five days so far, and he paid for another week as he went out to buy more food and supplies. Adrian had just returned and packed away his shopping when the burner phone buzzed.
“JJ! What the hell man?” Adrian snapped at him.
“Easy man, the information you wanted wasn’t so easy to come by.” JJ’s voice was relaxed, almost half asleep, and it irritated Adrian that much more. “The names on your list weren’t casualties of the explosion.”
“I thought so.” Adrian had said that more to himself than to JJ.
“James and Shoran Thomas are heading back to Fairbanks and Adara Jameson is on a flight manifest bound for Ireland.” That was interesting, why was Adara leaving and Kiran staying?
“Thanks, I’ll call you soon.” Adrian ended the call without waiting for JJ’s response.
Adrian would need to go shopping again. JJ had also supplied him with the number of a man he could call in Fairbanks; a man who would be able to help him hide indefinitely. He’d start watching the Thomas couple after he’d met with this mysterious man, whom JJ refused to name.
Adrian went to sleep and slept through the night dreaming of dead wolves. He woke up the next morning with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. He whistled as he showered and got dressed for his meeting with Mr. Unmentionable.
Mr. Unmentionable was a short man with a thin mustache and goatee. He gave Adrian the creeps as they shook hands. Adrian slid an envelope over to him, which he opened and perused, for all of five seconds.
“My assistant will deliver the goods to you by Friday.” His voice was rougher than Adrian had expected, given his small stature.
“Wait a minute …” Adrian stood up, but sat back down as the assistant aimed a pistol with an attached suppressor to his forehead.
“Friday.”
Mr. Unmentionable walked out of the empty warehouse and got into his car. Adrian watched as the assistant walked away and they drove off. He hoped he didn’t get screwed on this deal. He got the impression that Mr. Unmentionable wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet into his head.
He walked to his car and drove past the university. There were thousands of people, and he wondered how and where he would find James and Shoran Thomas. He decided to go inside and push his luck.
An older woman sat behind a glass partition in the foyer of the Administration Building. “Excuse me.”
The woman looked up at Adrian and didn’t even smile. “Can I help you?”
Adrian held his badge up to the glass. “I need some information on two students.”
“I’m sorry, that information is privileged. You’ll need a warrant.” She looked down again and started typing on her keyboard. Keeping his temper in check he walked back outside and bumped into the one person he was so desperately seeking.
“Excuse me.” Shoran Thomas breezed past him without a second glance, and he smiled to himself as he followed her to the parking lot and James Thomas, who stood next to his Jeep.
They hugged and kissed and laughingly got into the car and drove off. Adrian rushed to his car and followed them home. They lived in an apartment building about twenty minutes from campus. He didn’t know which floor they went to as the security door closed behind them just as he got out of his car.
He sat in his car and watched the building for three hours but they never came out again. He decided to go back to the motel and wait until morning. He would come back when they were in class. He stopped at a store and bought what he needed, he had a good plan.
Adrian slept fitfully and woke early, eager to start his day. He showered and dressed in jeans and a hoodie; he needed to look the part. He drove back to their apartment building and waited. They emerged at 8 a.m. and drove off in the direction of the school.