The Mask Slips(16)

Ariel's POV

I woke up thinking the weight of the world rested on my shoulders. The revelations last night were disturbing, and the idea of confronting Stella's whole-scale organization seemed frightening. Usually quite calm, Alan had been especially quiet during our debriefing. Mirroring my own, I could feel his worry.

He was in the kitchen looking at his coffee as though it held the solutions we required. To try to understand his attitude, I sat down across from him.

Hey, I whispered gently, "You okay?"

Alan raised his tired but determined eyes. "I simply want to sort through everything. We seem to be continually two steps behind.

I nodded, sympathetic to his irritation. "We have to keep ahead in development. We can get ahead of Stella if we know more about her intentions.

Alan nodded after drawing a long breath. "I have been thinking. Should Carter Dawson be implicated, his relationship with Stella could have additional significance. I have to probe his background more closely.

I agreed and resolved to hunt any possible allies Stella could have. My gut told me her intentions went beyond what we had discovered.

I visited the city archives once again later that day. I concentrated on any past ties Stella had to powerful people this time. After hours of combing through information, I came upon Derek Lawson, a name that set my heart pounding. Renowned for his dark activities, Lawson was allegedly a key participant in the city's .

Alan texted me on my phone, "Found something big." We should meet at the café.

I hurriedly compiled my results and went to the café, where Alan was already waiting. Looking up as I came, he seemed sober.

Sliding a folder across the table, he continued, "I think I have the missing piece." "Carter has corresponded with Derek Lawson. They seem to have been preparing something together.

Opening the folder, I found comprehensive notes and financial records connecting Carter and Lawson to several illicit operations.

"This changes everything," I murmured, my head whirling. "If Lawson is involved, Stella's scheme could be more dangerous than we first believed."

Alan nodded. "We have to learn what they intend and stop before it's too late."

We then set out to compromise Lawson's systems. Though we knew it wouldn't be simple, it was our best chance to find hard data and throw off their plans. Hoping to learn more and get closer to the source of their activities, we decided to go to a well-publicized charitable event organized by Lawson.

Alan and I found some quiet as we got ready for the occasion. Though there was something else in the air—an unsaid knowledge that our relationship was becoming more solid—we both realized the hazards.

Alan broke the quiet and added, "You know, I couldn't have done this without you. Your will and gut feeling have been really amazing.

I grinned, grateful for his comments. "I too feel the same. We have a strong crew here.

Arriving at the charitable event, we blended in with the throng of powerful people and gregarious socialites. The environment was opulent yet underlined with tension; I sensed underlying currents of power and dishonesty.

To cover more ground, we divided up. I headed for the main hall, where Derek Lawson was delivering his remarks. Though there was something disturbing about him—an edge of cruelty that was difficult to overlook—he was charming.

I heard brief exchanges on forthcoming sales and strategies. Hearing mention of a "shipment" set for tonight, my ears tuned in.

On my earpiece, Alan's voice cracked. I have discovered something. Meeting in a secluded room are Lawson and Carter. I'm going to try to get a better view.

I hurried toward the spot Alan was positioned at. I tried to listen in from a secret point close to the conference room.

I watched Carter and Lawson talking about the specifics of their plan through a little crack in the door. Carter spoke with a tight voice. "The shipment has to leave without incident. We have running time running short.

Lawson responded with cold, deliberate accuracy. "We have backups set in place. Should something fall short, we will adjust.

The presence of a third person—a woman I did not know—cut off the discussion. She held herself with authority and was perfectly attired.

Carter introduced her saying, "This is Emily." She has been handling the logistics.

Emily's eyes looked around the room, and I couldn't get rid of the impression she was someone significant. Knowing she could be a crucial component in foiling Stella's scheme, I noted her look and manner.

Alan came right after and we spoke quietly about our results. Alan said, "We have to learn more about Emily." She could be the link we require.

After the event, we agreed to track Emily in hopes she might guide us toward more data. Our search brought us to an isolated warehouse on the outskirts of town—a location that appeared to be their headquarters.

I could see guards policing the area when we got to the facility. We had to have a strategy to enter without attracting notice.

Alan and I resolved to use our abilities to go over the security. We slid via a side entrance and into the warehouse under great cooperation. Though the inside was crammed with machinery and containers, our main concentration was locating Emily.

From a room at the rear of the warehouse, we could hear voices. Trying to remain out of sight, Alan and I crept in.

Emily had a clearly distinct voice. "Tonight is our operation's scheduled start. All the elements are in place. Should all go according to plan, Stella's will be carried out perfectly.

Like a shock, the awareness hit me. Tonight was the scheduled procedure, and we had little time to halt it.

Alan replied, urgency in his voice, "We have to act fast." "We might be able to stop Stella's scheme from materializing if we can interfere with the running of things."

We moved fast to the control room, where we discovered the tools required to change the running conditions. Alan began working on the controls while I was keeping observation.

We could feel the strain as we listened for footsteps. I looked at Alan, furiously trying to implement the required adjustments. We had to finish our work before we came under discovery.

The control room door opened as Alan was finishing and Emily entered. Her eyes went wide upon us.

She asked, "What are you doing here?"

Alan walked forward, his voice calm before I could reply. Here we are to stop you.

Emily's face became stiff. "You come too late. The procedure is underway right now.

We looked at one other determinedly. This presented our chance to change things. The result of the evening would decide the fate of the city, hence we were prepared to meet whatever followed.

The last encounter was just about to happen; the clock was running out. The fight against Stella and her friends was nearing its culmination; the stakes had never been higher.

The evening presented Alan and me with a number of difficulties. Our cooperation was tried, but our will was unbroken. The evening's turns unfolded with suspenseful clarity, and the high-stakes encounter loomed just ahead.