Page 58 of Secret Redemption

He’d had no word from Dane and Daniel about the move yet though, and that worried him. It should have gone off without a hitch and been done by now. He couldn’t afford to make contact though, or he might lose Hamilton.

Roz and Kanan were at the bar, and he decided perhaps an update from them would work. Easing in next to Kanan he pretended not to know him and ordered a drink. He pulled out a cigar from his pocket, hating the things but knowing it was the sign K needed that they had to talk.

“Got a light buddy?” he asked the bartender.

“Sorry man, no smoking in here. I can sell you some matches, but you need to take it outside.” the young man said, handing Zack the matches.

“Sure, no problem.”

“You’ll be okay for a minute sweetie?” he asked Ava, who had struck up a conversation with the ‘stranger’ Roz about her dress.

“Yeah, of course, baby,” she smiled.

Zack took his drink and his smoke and walked to the patio that was lit by fairy lights. The spring night was mild and was a promise of the summer to come. Stepping into the shadows he waited, but not for long. But the man who stepped out wasn’t who he thought.

“Zack!”

“Walter, what can I do for you?”

The other man chuckled humourlessly. “Come now Zack, no need for hostility.”

“Really? So, I guess the rumours I’m hearing are not true then. The threats to the families of the SAS men that were taken?”

“Of course not. I merely advised them to exercise restraint. Running around telling outrageous stories will get people killed.”

Zack moved closer to the man that he blamed for fucking his career and causing the clusterfuck that got him captured.

“And what outrageous stories would those be? The ones about you being a lying asshole, or the ones where you sell out your country to those sick fucks the Divine Watchers.” Zack saw the man’s face go puce red as he struggled to contain his temper.

“I can see that a few months learning some manners in hell didn’t help. You need to step back Zack. You don’t know who you are dealing with. They will crush you like a bug and make you watch as that cute little son of yours is crushed first.”

It took every ounce of training and control Zack had ever had not to smash his fist into the man’s face and snap his neck like a twig. “You’re wrong Walter, I do know.” He leaned in his face close to his old CO and said softly, “but they don’t. They have no idea what they have unleashed. But they will, and soon because I’m coming for you and those sick bastards you’re working with.”

Zack turned his back on the man and walked to the edge of the patio before he did something he might regret. He watched from the corner of his eye as the man went back inside and took a big drink of the whiskey to calm his rage.

“He’s still a douche canoe then,” K said as he stepped out of the shadows. Zack had known he was there. It was the only reason he had turned his back on Walter.

“Yep,” he said taking another swig. “Any news from the Estate?”

“They had some issues but nothing huge. Everyone is in and settling.”

Zack nodded, “Good. I want you and Roz to follow Walter but keep it subtle. I don’t want him to see you. At the moment, he thinks our operation is small and has no clue about Eidolon or Zenobi. I’ll get Drew and Angel to pick up Henderson. It’s time we had a chat.”

“Fine, Roz will let Angel know.”

“Are you okay working together? I can’t afford any more drama, and you two look ready to kill each other.”

Kanan snorted, “Yeah fine, she’s a pussycat really. She just needs taming.”

“More like she needs her claws cut before she sinks them into your balls!”

“Don’t worry Zack, I can handle her,”

Zack shook his head and slapped his oldest friend on the shoulder, “I hope so mate, I’d hate to have my best man be a eunuch.”

“Best man?”

“Yeah, I asked her tonight.”

“And you want me?”

“You’re my oldest friend, and we did promise if either of us was ever stupid enough to get married that we would stand up for each other.”

“I know, but after everything, I thought—.”

“Well don’t think, just say yes!”

“Yes. Thank you, Zack. I’d be honoured.”

Zack shook his hand. “Good to have you back my friend,”

“Good to be back.”

“Now go let’s get this done.”

Kanan nodded and slipped back inside unseen.