Page 84 of Thorns of Malice
I grind my molars, pondering her question. I hate that I can't claim I didn't fuck her over. So I answer honestly.
Me: Not many.
Unknown: Just stay away from me. I don't want anything from you except my father's patent.
Me: Everything will come to light soon.
Unknown: You're the same Dax, I see.
Me: I assure you, I'm not.
Unknown: Sure, you aren't. Give me my father's patent, then leave me alone.
I sigh, staring at the messages, and decide maybe I need to follow part of her orders—at least for a little while. I know I won't last long, but maybe a little time will soften her a bit.
I stare out the window with my arms crossed, focusing on the waves crashing against the shore.
My phone buzzes.
Shadow: It's done.
My heart beats faster. I sit down and go to the Clifton University web page.
A pop-up appears with the long video I created, and giddiness erupts within me. Then I check my email. Sure enough, the same thing is in my inbox. I log in to several of my other accounts, and the same email from Clifton University sits in each box.
I text Shadow.
Me: Students and staff?
Shadow: Of course.
Me: Donors too?
Shadow: Do you think I'm slipping or something?
I grin and then I log in to my untraceable offshore account. I transfer twenty million dollars to Shadow.
My phone vibrates on the desk.
Shadow: It's always good doing business with you. I wiped the metadata as well.
Me: Good man. Stay tuned. I'll have another project for you soon.
Shadow: Looking forward to it.
I sit back in my chair, watching the video again, feeling dizzy with excitement. I've waited years for the day I would unleash my wrath upon them.
My phone rings, and my day only gets better. "William," I boom into the phone.
"You fucking bastard. Take it down, now."
"Take what down?" I innocently ask.
"You know damn well what I'm talking about," Dyer seethes.
"I don't. Do you want to fill me in? If something's wrong, I might be able to help you."
"You fucking bastard. You're ruining my life," he declares.
