James felt his phone vibrate and saw Rose call, which felt strange, but he quickly answered, looking at his apartment. "You alright?" James asked with sincere concern, wondering if Cain and his people had already struck out.
"James." Rose's tone was quiet, unable even to muster her annoyance for the man, "Were you involved in putting Cain into the system?" James thinly smiled and took a deep breath.
"I needed the force to know who he was, who this new player is. With Jeremiah doing it, they would understand he wasn't an easy threat." James' mind raced, wondering if maybe she was happy that he was following regular routes, "I told you, Rose, I'm not lost."
"James." Rose felt no happiness from his words: "The ISD called me." James tensed up, "They aren't happy with him being booked. They opened an investigation and told me not to get involved." James took a sharp breath. He didn't blame Rose for calling them; she had said that she would. What surprised him was that they actually opened an investigation.
"They seriously opened one?" The grip around his phone tightened. Before it was all theory, but this was enough proof to know that Cain and Otto had connections.
"Please stop." Rose quietly asked, "I'm not asking you to stop because of the ISD, but as a friend. I could get into serious trouble if anything more happens. The ISD already has its sights on this; let them have it. Go after anyone else, but please leave this one alone. For me." Hearing her tone, James looked down in shame. He could deal with her happy, mad or scared, but desperate. He felt awful, knowing he was the main cause.
Taking a deep breath, he was about to talk, but stopped. He couldn't make the promise. Even if he stayed clear of Cain, the man was coming for him. Before, it may have been because he was looking too deeply, but James knew he made it personal. Putting him in the system was one thing, but to threaten him for information was another.
"Rose," James stiffly said, "I don't think I have that luxury."
"Are you serious? I'm begging you-" James could hear her shaking voice, and felt even worse.
"It's not that." James cut her off, unable to hear it any longer, "He's coming for me, Rose. After what I did today, I know he's coming." Rose was silent. James stared ahead and sighed, rubbing his head, "I provoked him. Even if I wanted to stay clear, I can't."
"Then leave Newport for a while. Wait until the ISD has what they want and comes back." It was a solid argument, one James couldn't counter with logic. But he knew he wouldn't. Even Rose's voice sounded more desperate than convincing, knowing James.
"We both know that won't happen. Stay safe, Rose." James pulled the phone away from his ear, not listening to what she said next and hung up. Getting out of his car, he made his way up to his apartment. Putting his hand on the door, he frowned and pushed it open. Reaching for his gun, he activated his eyes, knowing he had locked it when he left.
'No one else is here.' His eyes couldn't see anything. Focusing on his ears, he listened carefully. Every sound in the apartment block became clear. The arguing of a couple two floors above, the sound of a person showering, a TV playing, a child softly breathing as they slept. James heard it all and closed his eyes, focusing on anything in his home.
With a sigh of relief, he deactivated it. Even a weak heartbeat would have been enough. Putting his gun away, he slowly made his way around, checking everything to see if something was out of place. Going to his study and seeing his wall, it was exactly as he left it. Even still, he couldn't get rid of the feeling that something was seriously wrong.
Nothing had been taken, moved, or messed with. Opening his computer, he checked when the files on it were last opened, and, seeing nothing had been opened today, he narrowed his eyes. 'Did they miss me and leave?' James shook his head and walked outside. Looking around, he saw that the nearby camera that watched his apartment had been destroyed.
"Oi." James walked over to the homeless man and pulled out his wallet. The man looked up with an annoyed expression, but upon seeing the money, his attitude quickly changed. "Did you see anyone who doesn't live here come in?"
The man took the twenty and pocketed it. "I saw a lot of things. I just can't put my tongue on it." James took another twenty out, knowing the game. The man took it and, seeing there was still more money in the wallet, smiled, "It's on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite remember."
James rolled his eyes and pulled his gun out, pointing it at his chest. It was something he would have never done before, but knowing his home had been invaded, he couldn't be bothered to play games. The man raised his hands and nervously chuckled.
"I was joking. Electricians came around not long ago. Played with the camera before going in. I tried to get some money, but they ignored me." Saying stingy bastards under his breath, he looked to James before turning to the gun, "Can you please turn that away?"
"Cheers." James put the gun away and took the last twenty-dollar note out of his wallet, flicking it at the man. Walking back into the apartment, he collapsed on his chair and frowned. 'No one needs work done. If they did, they would have made sure to tell everyone.'
James fiddled with his fingers, "Why would they come here if not to kill me?" James looked at the wall and was unsure what was going on. The urge to call Xavier came, but he quickly suppressed it, knowing he wouldn't say anything.
Getting up, he walked over to his desk and grabbed his RF detector. Turning it on, he walked around his study, and when he didn't get anything, turned to the living room. Making his way through, he paused in front of where he kept his pictures and stared at them
His eyes scanned across, from when he first joined the force, to a day when he and Peter went out in fancy dress. He looked at him, Rose, and George all standing before a large pile of money they had once seized, before focusing on his wedding photo with Vanessa.
"They couldn't. Surely not." James felt the detector slip out of his fingers. Everyone else who had any relationship with them could be considered in the force. Although his enemies were targeting him, he was sure they wouldn't take an officer hostage to make him move. One officer dead could be covered up, but two or three. That was something that would be investigated heavily.
James pulled out his phone and scrolled down to Vanessa's number. With shaking hands, he slowly clicked call and brought it to his ear. The line rang, and with each second it did, he felt the pit in his stomach grow.
"Please. Come on." James said under his breath, pacing around the room. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity. Just when he assumed the worst, it connected.
"James?" A soft voice spoke on the other side, finally letting James breathe properly.
"Vanessa," James said with slight longing.
"Why have you called me? We made a deal." James frowned, hearing that. Unless necessary, he would keep his distance. It was all she asked. In return, the divorce would be smooth. James took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. Collapsing into the sofa, he smiled to himself.
"I just need to ask. Are you safe right now?" James said seriously. Vanessa could tell there weren't any ulterior motives and sighed in relief.
"I'm fine. Why? Should I be worried?" James couldn't answer straight away. Feeling his foot bounce, he rested his hand on his leg to stop it.
"I don't know. You still have your gun, right?"
"What the hell is going on, James?" Vanessa nearly shouted down the phone.
"Just tell me. Do you still have it?" James ignored her and asked again. On the other side, he heard her get up and walk to another room, opening a drawer.
"I have it."
"Keep on you for a while. In the event you have to use it, I will handle it." Hearing she was about to speak again, he quickly spoke, "Promise me this, Vanessa. I need to know."
She sighed and slammed the drawer shut. "I thought this would all end after we split. What have you got yourself into?" James could hear the concern in her voice and couldn't help but smile.
"It will be over soon, but right now it's dangerous. If you must, go to a New Horizon church and take refuge. Tell a priest you're friends with Xavier."
"New Horizon," Vanessa said under her breath. She wanted to ask more, but knew she shouldn't. "Alright. Is that all?"
"Yeah." Vanessa hung up, leaving Jame in silence. His foot bounced once more, his exhaustion gone. In the rare case, they went after Peter; he called him and gave the same warning, easily convincing his friend.