Texting the Reeve

[Robert Cross]

The text message is simple, direct. No greeting, no context. Alessandra will know what Cross is referring to:

"Where's Alice?"

[Alessandra]

There was a frown when she read the message and saw who it was from. This was going to get complicated,

"She's with me."

[Robert Cross]

A surge of anger when he reads the Reeve's vague response. Gritting his teeth, he taps out a reply, trying to stay calm enough to get some information:

"Where? I got her message. Know what's going on. Is the deed already done?"

[Alessandra]

Of course he knew what was going on. She wasn't going to tell him where Alice was until she spoke with Asa.

"The location is not going to be shared until I've spoken with our boss. He may wish to talk to you about that evening, I'm not sure yet. And yes, the deed has been done." it wasn't like she enjoyed what she did, and she didn't think Cross would view this objectively.

[Robert Cross]

The last line of the text hits Cross hard.

There's a tightening in his chest that he knows is a phantom pain: his heart doesn't beat, he doesn't breath. And yet, he feels it all the same.

Still, a certain amount of control returns to him with this knowledge. There's nothing he can do to stop it now. He's only got to make sure that Alice stays safe while she's down. That the 'punishment' is not carried any further.

So he texts back, simply: "Understood. I am available whenever you need me." And leaves it at that. For now.

[Alessandra]

She knows this cannot be easy for him.

"I want you know, she is safe, and as soon as I can, I will take you to her." it wasn't much, but she hoped it would bring him some peace.