Another Deception (18 page)

“Yes, as a matter of fact, he did mention that you two were college roommates. Where can I reach you, if he agrees?”

     Jacks, putting forth the most confused look he could manage, said dejectedly,

“I don’t seem to have my apartment anymore. I went by there and almost
got
thrown out of the building. That, along with my practice has disappeared. Sang-mi is gone also.”

“Sang-mi?”

“She is…was the best friend I ever had. She died recently. It was in front of her home where the accident happened. I suppose I could go back there, but I don’t feel I could bear it.”

“Why not use the hotel just a block down the street here? It is close and…uh, it will be convenient for us both.”

“I suppose. How long do you think it will take to make this happen? Man, I need some answers now!”

     The man turned his head so Jacks could not see the sheer pleasure in his eyes. At the same time, he was not able to see the muscle in Jacks face twitch with anger. He was sure the man would have no problem contacting Garrett.
Or
, whoever Asa was claiming to be now. Both men stood and after parting remarks, Jacks breathed a sigh of relief the second he was out of the building. Oppression surrounded and filled the whole thing and he was happy to get out of there.

     Making his way the short distance to the hotel and parking, he went in and registered. He wondered if he could possibly carry through with his plans. Then he thought of Honey and felt strengthened. Also knowing that he may soon discover his own mother was fuel to keep him going.

     Now, to wait and let Asa make the next move, for he was certain it was Asa who would be talking to him if the call happened. He was even surer that it would happen because it was what Asa wanted.

     He made himself comfortable and waited. While he waited, he found his cell phone in his bag and put it on charge. He felt a sudden urge to call Honey. Just to tell her that he loved her and wished to be right there with her, holding her tight. He also knew that to do that would risk everything, so he closed his eyes and willed her to know how much she meant to him.

     It was not long before the phone rang.

“Jacks!”

“Garrett?”

“Of course, I hear you are in a predicament and need my help.”

“That is right Garrett. There was this accident last week and something happened to my memory, man. My practice has all these people there and none of them knew who I was. Hell, I am wondering who I am myself! The last thing I remember is you sitting like an idiot in my office trying to make me run for senator!  Garrett, if this happened to you, I would be there for you, and you know it. I need your help!”

“Of course you would. What do you want to know? You left after that day and we have not seen much of each other since then. I am not sure I can even help you out. You say you remember nothing since you saw me in your office?”

“Nothing and nothing Sheila told me about the last year makes sense what so ever. She says I took a job in Jackson, Mississippi and moved there, and then I found this woman and married her. Can you believe that?”

     The man responded.

“You married? No, I cannot say that I find that to be very believable. However, it must be so, if Sheila says so. What else did she tell you?”

“I think she was afraid to tell me too much because the being married almost caused me to collapse, but there was something about you going to the devil.”

     With this said, Jacks gave a hearty laugh while the other man remained almost too quiet. Then he finished,

“I told her you went to the devil years ago, that we both were lost causes. Anyway…”

     He laughed again. This time the man gave a dry cackle, feeling no humor. Before Jacks could continue, he asked,

“What can I do for you?”

“I want my life back. The one I had here in New York. I will not go back to some dead end job in a place I know nothing about… wife, or no wife!”

     He hoped he was not over doing it.

“I see. Well, my boy, I may have just the thing for you.”

     When he said this, Jacks knew without a doubt that it was Asa talking. He always used, ‘my boy’ when referring to him.

     
Now to deceive a master deceiver.

“I would be grateful if you could help me get my practice back.”

“That could be arranged, but there is another option.”

“Which is?”

“Come to me and we can talk it over in person.”

“Okay. Where are you?”

“Greece.”

“You mean the country, Greece? I just told you I do not want to leave New York!”

“It would only be for a few days and while you are here your practice will be restored to you even better than before!”

“I liked it just fine the way it was.”

“The fellow in there has made changes so maybe you want to rethink going back and come forward with me, Jacks.”

“No offense Garrett, but you and I see practicing law a lot differently. I will take my old practice back, however it comes, thank you. I am sure just a phone call from you would set it into motion. You did climb the ladder to success, Garrett, just as you always said you would. Sometimes I do envy you.”

     Not wanting to carry it too far, as it would not be the old Jacks to grovel, he quickly added,

“Then again, there is nothing like helping the innocent, even if it does not pay well.”

“Ah yes, the innocent.
I actually wanted to talk seriously with you about that. Before we can do anything, I need you to be here.”

“I told you already, I do not want to meet you in Greece. Why can’t you come back here?”

“There are reasons. The truth is Jacks, I need your help with a problem I am having here and if you would only come, we could help each other. There is a company jet that will have you here in just a few hours.”

     Jacks thought about it and it looked like to see this man, he had no choice but to do his bidding. Trying not to give in too soon, he argued a bit more before finally agreeing.

“Ok, I will come, but I can’t stay for long. I want my life back, you hear me?
The sooner the better!”

“I hear you, Jacks.”

     When they got off the phone, one man wore a worried frown on his face, while the other smiled wickedly at the thought of what he was about to accomplish…finally!

21

   
S
itting around a table with what should have been a dozen of his protégé’s, Garrett was pouring out his wrath on the seven who were there.

“What do you
mean,
you cannot stop whoever is responsible?
You, with superpower abilities, against mere mortals?”

     His laugh was not a funny one, but filled with fury and no one dared laugh with him. Instead, they held their tongues while he expanded his energy. When at last it subsided, one of the more daring
of
the group volunteered,

“Master, we have many people working on this. Believe me, if it were possible to catch the one or ones responsible, we would have already done so. It is our collective intelligence, which allows that it is someone with inside knowledge, who is the perpetrator in these killings. Do you really suppose any one of the rest of us wish to be next? Master, this matter calls for extreme investigation and we beg you to consider bringing out the reserve for this.”

     Eyes nearly bulging out from the sheer anger he was feeling, Garrett slapped the man upside the head in response.

“I think not. I think I will just hope the next victim will perhaps be…you!”

     Then he turned his attention to the rest.

“If one more of you disappear, I will replace every one of you! Do you understand? There will be no more
host
for you!”

“Yes, master.”

     They all answered in unison.

“Leave me, now!”

     They scattered as fast as they could, each going back to the district in New York they were head of, determined to find whoever was responsible for the deaths of their colleges.

      As Garrett seethed over his loss, he made plans for Jacks visit. This had better not go wrong! He wished he did not need Jacks any longer, but he did and until he had the part of Jacks that would help to insure his victory, he would not be happy. He may have missed his chance with Jacks, but he was determined to have his firstborn.