“And are you forgetting that he’s insanely rich, powerful and has connections in high places? He’s not an easy target. For anybody. Not even you. And he proved so less than a month ago when he kidnapped your mother. You barely got out of there alive.”
“Are you doubting my skills?”
Beatrice turned to him, with a soft smile on her face. “Never, Lazarus. I know where you come from, and what you can do. All I’m saying is it won’t be easy, and it’s not a one-man mission.”
Lazarus nodded and came to stand beside Beatrice. Before answering, he grounded himself in the colors exploding on the canvas, before saying the words that hurt like hell.
“That’s why I need your help. And now that things have settled, on your side and mine, we can talk.”
Beatrice sighed. “Purgatory is good, but to go against Finch, we won’t be enough. He will expect us now, and I can’t put everyone in my care…”
“I’m not asking you to compromise Purgatory officially. But I would be grateful if you could lend me your resources. Unofficially. Discreetly. A month ago, back in that safehouse, Gabrielle, seemed to have suggested something. A possible option. I want to know about.”
It was clear Beatrice wasn’t happy to be reminded of that event, and Lazarus knew that Gabrielle, her second in command, had opened a door she may not have had the authorization to do. Reluctant to show her aces, she asked a question instead. “What’s your plan?”
“I’m not Finch’s only bastard. You are right. To bring him down, I’ll need help. The only way is to protect my brothers. Stay close to them as Finch is closing in. One by one I found information about them, about where they possibly are, and discovered that, like me, they have made a name for themselves. I don’t want to alert Finch, by sending a squad or bringing them in a secluded place. That’s why I would need your agents to find them, protect them, find out if Finch has a link with them. Only by uncovering what Finch is up to and attacking his weakest point will it allow us to bring him down for good.”
Beatrice seemed to ponder on it for a while. “You are asking for strangers to find almost invisible shadows, play the middle men in gaining their trust, protecting them not only from one of the most powerful men in the world but also from their father?”
It was difficult not to wince at her summary, but Lazarus did the best he could. “It’s the only way, Bea. I’m tired of being prey. That’s not my natural state, and you know it. I never thought I’d have to ask for Purgatory’s help, except that Gabrielle told me about another possibility. She referred to sparrows, and I saw your face change. Is this a possibility? A game changer?”
Beatrice hesitated before giving up with a sigh. “I don’t like Finch either, and if what you need is a miracle, I may have a solution for you. If you agree to my terms.”
Lazarus almost let out a breath of relief. Finally, he saw a sliver of light in his nightmare.
“But I can’t, and won’t, use my current, official agents. Even if they work in the shadows, the members of Purgatory are not invisible, even as skilled as they are. I won’t underestimate Finch; he isn’t stupid.”
“Who do you have in mind?”
Beatrice smiled. “Some people who owe me favors. Big favors. I saved their lives at some point, but they decided to remain hidden until I’m ever in need of them. Nobody would suspect them, not even Finch.”
The possibility bolstered his spirit. At last, he could see hope. “Can they be trusted?”
Beatrice’s eyes turned into hard gems, glittering. “Lazarus, I would never send little rabbits into the wolf’s den. And these people are loyal to me... to a fault. I will send Gabrielle with them, as a contact and they will trust her as their handler. Send me the information on the first brother you want to find and protect, and I’ll send one of my Dark Sparrows.”
