Tony
I barrel down the hall and don’t even bother to knock before entering Jasper’s apartment. Excitement oozes from my every pore. As the door flies open, Jasper’s head whips around from the computer screen he’s been staring at for God knows how long. The room is smoky. The ashtray next to him is filled with cigarettes. As I get closer, the redness in his eyes indicates it’s been a rough night. He hasn’t slept in ages. He feels guilty for Kate’s kidnapping and has been searching tirelessly trying to find any small clue that would lead us to her location.
“I thought you were going to quit those death sticks.” I immediately make my way over to the windows and open them in hopes of airing the place out a little. I can’t stand the smell of smoke and the way it lingers on my clothes when I’ve been around it.
“They’re called fags, and this isn’t the time to focus on my bad habits. You rushed in here for something, so tell me what it is so I can get back to work.”
The lack of sleep has made my friend a very cranky man. I hate it when he gets this way. “I’ve got some news.” The smile I lost at the sight of Jasper slowly returns.
“Are you going to spill it, or are you just going to sit there grinning like a little bitch?”
I ignore Jasper’s sarcasm and get to the point. “They found Manchetti.”
Jasper stands and stretches his back. “Who found him, and how did you learn about it?”
I’m smiling from ear to ear. Agent Manchetti may not have any information on where Kate is, but he’s been working for my cousin for a long time and disappeared with him after she escaped. “Charles learned it from Agent Thompson.”
“I doubt he’s singing like a canary. Any word on where Matteo is?”
I shake my head. I know I shouldn’t be this happy. We don’t even have any information that can help us. Deep down, I have this feeling that he’s a key to this puzzle. He can help get my Kate back.
“Mate, I don’t mean to be a downer, but it could be a coincidence that he’s here. There may be nothing more.”
I nod. “You’re right, but I’m not going to lose hope. They’ll get something out of him that will lead us to Matteo. They have to. I know Charles. He’ll apply pressure to ensure that guy spills whatever he knows.”
“I guess all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and keep looking.” Jasper walks into the kitchen and grabs some orange juice out of the fridge. “So where did they find him?”
I laugh. “The airport of all places. He was getting on a plane to Barbados. It appears he was looking for a little vacation.”
Jasper gulps down the juice straight from the jug. He belches once and continues to drink. I shake my head knowing this man has been single for way too long. He needs to find a woman to tame that inner beast. He puts the container back in the fridge and heads back to the computer desk.
“I guess I’ve got to start looking for information in Barbados. Maybe your cousin has been holing up there.” Jasper starts typing away.
“Hey, man, why don’t you go take a shower? You smell seriously rank. It might do you some good to step away for a bit and clear your thoughts.”
Jasper turns and looks at me. His expression is a combination of disbelief, fatigue, and fear. “You want me to do what? Are you crazy? I lost your girl. I can’t stop searching for her until she’s found. I’m responsible for her kidnapping. Now, I need to get back to work.” Jasper spins around in his chair and resumes typing away.
I place my hand on his keyboard. “The ten minutes you need to take a shower and the couple hours of sleep you could probably use aren’t going to bring Kate back to us any faster. There are a ton of people working to find her. They can continue working while you take care of yourself. You look like hell. Now get in there and go take a fucking shower.”
I’m surprised by my own statements. I almost sound like my father. Jasper looks me in the eyes. Normally we’d have a battle of eye contact to see who will be the loser who looks away first. Jasper quietly resigns and proceeds to his room. I take a look around his apartment and notice all the empty take-out cartons.
I silently thank whoever will listen for my friend. He’s been working his balls off for four days trying to find Kate. He hasn’t slept, showered, or eaten anything of nutritional value. He’s been smoking like a chimney, and I’m thankful he hasn’t keeled over from some coronary. I couldn’t ask for a more loyal guy. I’m going to have to find some way to make it up to him.
I begin to pick up the trash that’s been littered around the apartment. I pick the ashtray off the desk and empty it. When I return, I note on the computer screen a message with a license plate and a car matching the description of Demetrio’s rental pops up. It’s been found on the Upper East Side. This is too good to be true. First, we found Manchetti, now Demetrio. We’re so close to finding Kate. I can taste it.
Jasper comes out of his bedroom still dripping wet and in nothing but a towel. He sees me and gets a sly grin on his face. “What’re you still doing here, mate?”
“I was cleaning this shit up for you. Do you always prance around in a towel in front of your guests or are you showboating? You’re wasting your time. I’m already taken, and I happen to like women.”
“You’re an asshole. I was just coming back to check on something and then I was going to take your advice and get some sleep for a couple of hours. You were right, I look like shit. I can’t have that babe of yours seeing me like this when we find her. I want to make sure her hero is looking good when I rescue her.” Jasper chuckles and leans over the desk.
“You’re a dick, dude. Don’t talk about my woman that way.” I’m half joking, but I don’t want anyone thinking they have a shot with Kate. She’s all mine, and I’m never letting her go.
“Fucking A. That little weasel is up by Kendall’s apartment.” Clearly, Jasper just saw the same information I did only moments before.
“I saw that pop up. I didn’t know that’s where she lived.” I was thinking he was going to lead us to Kate, but now I’m worried he might be after Kendall.
Jasper throws me his cell phone. “Give her a call and tell her not to leave the apartment or answer the door for anyone. Let her know I’m on my way.” Jasper takes off into his room.
I locate Kendall’s number in Jasper’s contact list. When she answers, I’m barraged with an overly cheerful and sugary voice. “Hey, baby, I was just thinking about you. Did you miss me?”
“Ah no. This is Tony.” I silently laugh as she clears her throat and gets a more serious tone to her voice.
“Hey, what’s up? Why do you have Jasper’s phone?” Her cheery voice is gone and is now dripping with hate.
I pause before answering. I need to find the best way to tell her to hang tight so she doesn’t freak out and go drama queen on me. “Jasper is getting dressed and then we’re going to come over. We have some concerns we want to talk about. Can you just stay there until we arrive?”
“Sure, I guess. I was getting ready to do a little shopping therapy, but I can wait. Does this have anything to do with Kathrine? Have you found her?”
“No, we haven’t, but I think we’re close. I need you to keep your doors locked and don’t answer it for anything. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, but you’re kind of scaring me. Is everything okay?” Her voice quivers and I feel bad for her. I’m upset with myself for putting another person in danger. If I hadn’t come back here, none of this would be taking place right now and these women would be no worse for the wear. My own selfish needs put Kate in danger once again.
“It will be, just hang tight. We’ll be there shortly.” As I hang up the phone, Jasper comes out with jeans and his steel-toed boots on. He only wears those when he’s getting ready to beat the shit out of someone. His chest is still uncovered, showing off his assortment of inked art. Most of his tattoos have to do with his time in the British military. Some of them are just for sentimental reasons. He once tried to get me to get one with him. He thought it would be cool to have matching bro tattoos. At the time, I thought it was lame. Now, I’m thinking we might have to get one in celebration of getting out of this mess and finding Kate.
“Did she answer?” Jasper throws a t-shirt on over his head.
“Yeah, I tried not to worry her too much, but it didn’t work. I’m sure by the time we get over there, she will have bitten off all of her manicured nails.”
Jasper grabs his keys and heads to the door. “Why do you hate her so much?”
I follow Jasper and ponder his question. “I don’t hate her. She’s just a little superficial for my tastes. She kind of reminds me of a girl I was dating when my family was killed. This girl wanted the world, including me and my family name. She was into all the designer clothes and expected that I was the one who should supply those. It didn’t bother me at the time, but after my family died, I started taking things more seriously and realized what was important. Kendall’s not so bad. She’s just not the woman for me.”
“Gotcha, mate. I can tell you this: she’s a fine piece of ass and she can fuck like a rabbit. She’s frickin’ crazy in the bedroom.” Jaspers lips curl into a sly grin.
“When did that happen?” I had no idea their relationship or whatever they’re calling it had gone to that level.
“I took her home the other night after the bar. Man, I’ve never seen a girl so flexible in my life.” Jasper laughs as we get on the elevator. “She’s like a fucking gymnast.”
“So, do you like her?” I never would’ve picked Kendall out for Jasper, but if he’s into her, that’s all that matters.
“Yeah, she’s nice and all. I don’t see it being anything more than a good time.” Jasper nonchalantly walks off the elevator into the lobby.
“You know if you hurt her that means she’s going to be spending a lot more time with me and Kate. I’d appreciate it if you could prevent that from happening.” I look at Jasper in all seriousness. I don’t want to have to help clean up the aftermath from that fallout.
“You’re a dick, dude. If there’s anyone you need to worry about, it’s not me. That woman’s like a black widow. She’ll use me until she’s done and then I’ll never see her again. She’s a fucking man-eater. I’m going to enjoy this ride as long as I can.”
I’m shocked that Jasper has read Kendall so well. Kate’s often told me how Kendall likes to date guys to annoy her dad. Once daddy stops complaining about the latest boy toy, she dumps them. I’m not sure what she’s trying to accomplish there, but I would think as a trust fund baby, you might not want to bite the hand that feeds you.
Outside the building, Jasper hails a cab. We jump in and head to the Upper East Side in hopes of keeping Kendall safe and finding my cousin’s illegitimate son.