Chapter 39

The next night, Nell stepped into the elevator at Rattis' new home to take him up to his party so he could kick his ass, when he heard a voice startlingly similar to his shout out behind him.

"Can you hold that elevator, Nell?" As she approached him, Chloe Borge inquired.

Nell ran a brief memory check on his counterpart to see if he remembered Chloe Borge, and he was astonished by what he discovered.

According to this passage, Chloe was adopted by Jacob when she was little, and Jacob once had a female companion named Bagder. Things were gradually falling into place.

"Borge, Chloe What has brought you back to Maryland?" Nell inquired, making a mental note to contact Jayden and inform him that his ex was in Maryland. But Nell is unconcerned. He doesn't even know Jayden, though Chloe looked to be a far more stable person than the person he'd read about from the Central Verse.

"Oh, you know, Europe got dull, and I started missing home." Chloe stated.

"And you went to Rattis Elliot's party on your first night back?" Nell inquired.

"What better way to see what passes for enjoyment in the state of Maryland?" Chloe stated.

"Fair enough," Nell responded.

"So, what makes you return? Last I heard, you were on a practice retreat around the world." Chloe stated.

"How did you find out about that?" Nell inquired.

"I communicated with my father while I was away." Chloe said, and Nell realized she was referring to Jacob.

"Anyway, Caleb was kidnapped, to answer your question." Chloe smiled as Nell spoke.

"When are you going to get together? I'm shipping you like crazy." Chloe stated.

"Will you grow up, that will never happen?" Nell joked as he smacked Chloe's arm.

"I'll do it if you'll let me." Nell mirrored Chloe's delight as the elevator doors opened to discover the celebration in full swing.

"Good, what a jerk." Nell stated.

"I'd forgotten how much I dislike him. I'd never understood why somebody would be so close to him." As Rattis approached, Chloe said.

"Borg, Chloe What a pleasant surprise." Rattis remarked this as Chloe hugged him with a phony smile.

"Hello, Rattis. I hope you don't mind my interrupting your party." Chloe stated.

"My ally's daughter is, of course, welcome here. You don't have any idea where King Owl is, do you?" Rattis inquired.

"If I had known, I'd be there right now dragging his a$$ back to Maryland." Nell chuckled since it sounded like he and Chloe had a lot in common.

"In any case, Nell, have you found the handgun you mentioned to me?" Rattis inquired, capturing Chloe's attention.

"What kind of firearm?" Chloe inquired.

"Yesterday, a specialized railgun was stolen from M.R.C. Vault. The thief was smarter than we thought, since they managed to disable the GPS tracker on it, but fortunately, Robert is already working on exploiting a system flaw." " Nell stated.

"Could you just forgive us for a moment, Rattis?" Helena inquired.

"Sure thing. I'd better go check what the rest of my guests need." Rattis muttered as he walked away, and Chloe motioned for Nell to step aside.

"Nell, please tell me where you found that gun." Nell was beginning to understand why Chloe was so concerned.

"Sure, I do. But why are you so concerned?" Nell inquired. "I simply do." Helena stated. "Really, does it have anything to do with what's hidden beneath King Owl's location, which the M.R.C. gave him?" Nell smirked as she noticed Chloe's eyes expand.

"What are you on about?" Chloe inquired, and Nell rolled her eyes, since if she hadn't already known, Chloe would've fooled her, but because he did, he could see straight through Chloe's deception.

"I discovered it on my first day back, and I've been picking up where King Owl and Microsoft X left off. After all, if I work hard enough, I can do anything my master can do." Chloe had picked up on what Nell had said.

"You're Kid Owl," Chloe explained.

"Yep. I'm not sure who King Owl is; my lord didn't tell me to protect myself, but I'm betting you do." Nell inquired, and Chloe breathed a sigh of relief.

"I am, in fact, the Badger." Nell rolled his eyes as Chloe said.

"It stands to reason that King Owl's sidekick was his Jacob's adoptive daughter. We may catch up later, but because we both know each other, I'm guessing you're aware of the significance of the stolen weapon." Nell stated.

"Yep. My King Owl made it in case the Owl suit fell into the wrong hands and the person in possession of it could kill you." Chloe stated.

"I'm aware of that; Robert informed me. And we've already determined who owns the gun." Nell stated.

"Who?" Chloe inquired.

"Let me give you a hint. We just spoke with him." Nell stated.

"Rattis, what's the matter? He's a jerk, and I can't believe he'd want to do that after King Owl saved his mother." Chloe stated.

"The entire reason I came to the party was to get the gun before I kicked Rattis ass," Nell explained.

"Do you need assistance? For years, I've wanted to kick Rattis' ass." Nell grinned as Chloe said.

"I'm not sure if a wealthy jerk like Rattis Elliot deserves backup." Nell stated.

"He might not, but I have a feeling his security will." Since this place was swarmed by Vultures, Chloe explained.

"That's an excellent point. Let's get started." As they returned to the party, Nell stated and Chloe nodded.

Jacob Borge was shocked to see not only his daughter, but also Nell, one of the young X fighters, enter the celebration.

"Daughter. It feels like an eternity." Jacob stated as he strolled over to them with a smile.

"Dad. Sorry for not showing here sooner, but I was told about Microsoft X, Ruby, and their child. I'm very sorry." Chloe stated.

"Have you told her yet?" Jacob inquired of Nell.

"I had no idea she was back in town until she got in the elevator with me," Nell explained.

"Can you tell me what?" Chloe inquired.

"The crash did not kill Ruby or her son. It turns out that the police and the Medical Examiner's Office were paid to pretend that the bones found belonged to them, but they actually belonged to a dog." Jacob stated.

"What happened? Do you have any idea who paid them to do it?" Chloe inquired.

"Of course, Catherine Young." Chloe looked surprised as Nell spoke.

"Wow. That's a lot to process." Chloe stated.

"Please tell me about it." Nell spoke up just as Jacob's phone rang.

"I must take this." Jacob stated as he left the girls alone to answer the phone.

"Talk to me," Jacob suggested.

"Good day, Commander Jacob." On the other end of the line, Nichole said.

"How on earth did you acquire this number?" Jacob enquired.

"You should put stronger encryption on your lackeys' phones. I must admit that I was startled you'd moved out of the penthouse so quickly. I assumed I'd have to be the one to end your marriage and your life. But I suppose Nell did it for me." Nichole explained.

"What are you on about?" Jacob enquired.

"Of course, Nell. Commander, you're a brilliant man; you should be able to put the puzzle together once it's laid out in front of you. But, given how quickly you forget your wife and children in the past, I shouldn't be surprised." Jacob grumbled in response to Nichole's words.

"Where have you taken my daughter and Microsoft's family, you traitor?" Jacob inquired.

"Which ones are they? Are you referring to me, or the ladies you and the others have replaced us with?" Nichole explained.

"You aren't Anthony. Tell me everything you know about her and Ruby." Jacob enquired.

"Commander, I am your daughter. Ruby X, on the other hand, you'll find out soon enough, since I need to make sure you don't forget about us. Not ever again." Nichole hung up before Jacob could react, leaving him stunned by the phone call he'd just received.