Chapter 18 - The Note On The Counter
Jax stepped closer to the counter, picking up the silver Zippo lighter with extreme care.
Tucked beneath the lighter was a small, high-density memory card wrapped in a piece of heavy cream cardstock.
Written on the cardstock in elegant black calligraphy were six simple words:
The West Coast sends its regards.
Jax inserted the memory card into his portable phone reader, watching a ten-second video clip load onto his screen.
The video showed Maya sitting in the back of a moving van, her hands bound with heavy zip-ties, her face bruised but her eyes burning with fierce defiance.
Standing beside her in the video was Victoria Sterling, holding a silenced pistol lowered at her side.
"Hello, Jax," Victoria spoke on the video recording, a small, chilling smile on her lips.
"Your little friend proved very difficult to capture, but she is currently on her way to our private airfield in Long Island."
"If you want to see her alive again, come to Hangar 4 at Republic Airport by 2:00 AM."
May you like
"Come alone, Jax... or she dies before you reach the gate."
The video ended, cutting to a pitch-black screen that reflected Jax's unblinking, lethal gaze in the dim light of the ruined apartment.
