Page 30 of Falcon

“Because you’re an angel. Angels aren’t mean.”

“Huh?” How had Jayes figured that out?

“You chased off Jed and the nasty boys and then told Daddy off. Angels do that, Mommy says,” Jayes explained. I certainly didn’t expect that. Myka had taught Jayes stranger-danger.

“If I say Penny is safe, will you go?” I asked Jayes.

He nodded, huge eyes filled with trust.

“Penny’s a mom, and she makes cookies and cakes. Huh, I bet she’ll feed you and let you paint!” I exclaimed, and Jayes’s eyes went wide.

“Mommy bakes! She made me snickerdoodles on my birthday.”

“Wow. I bet mine won’t be as good as your mom’s,” Penny teased.

“No, but that’s okay. If you did your best, then that’s all that matters.”

I smirked at the look on Penny’s face, but she nodded graciously. “Thank you for being kind. Can I pick you up?”

“Yes. As long as he says yes.”

“His name is Falcon. And as a kid, he was a demon.” Penny stifled a giggle. I snorted with amusement. Penny grinned as I agreed, and they headed to the kitchen.

As soon as they left the clubhouse, I made a beeline for the backpack. Inside it, I found two large A4 envelopes. When I looked at the first one, I saw it had birth certificates, Myka’s driver’s licence, and other legal papers.

I opened the second and discovered cash—a thousand bucks—and some instructions, and a phone number. Lips pursed, I dialled and waited; the line rang for a good minute before it was picked up.

“Falcon,” a man said, and I frowned. Who the hell was this?

Chapter Seven.

Falcon

“That shocked you.” The guy chuckled. Then he stopped. “What are you doing with this number? Where is Myka, Falcon?”

“Who the hell is this?”

“We’ve got a mutual friend. Where are Myka and Jayes?”

“Ain’t saying until you identity yourself.”

“Not happening. Don’t phone again. This line will be disconnected. Goodbye.”

“Wait! Myka’s in a coma. Dawson flipped.”

Silence met my words, and I wondered if I’d been cut off. I pulled the cell away and checked.

“Where is Jayes?”

“With me. Who are you? How do you know who I am?” I demanded.

“Call back in an hour. If you’re late, I’ll break the SIM card.”

The line went dead, and I stared at my phone in disbelief. Frustrated, I turned on my heel and headed towards Calamity’s office. The Prez needed to be told about this.

Calamity nodded for me to call, and I hit the redial button. It rang for three beats before it was picked up.

“Falcon. We’re heading to Ortonville to collect Jayes,” a woman said.