Ice and Fire novel Chapter 438

Jackson went over to the side of the bed. Looking down, he saw a photo of his Grandpa that usually sat on the nightstand laying on the floor. He picked it up slowly, and carefully placed it back in its spot on the stand next to the bed.

Cherry also entered the room. Slowly walking up to Jackson, she asked, "Jackson, why would the butler do this?" Her voice was soft and low.

"You've already known why, " Jackson said emotionlessly.

"Does he know where the token is?" inquired Cherry.

Jackson shook his head, "No, he doesn't know, or he wouldn't have torn our home up looking for it. He doesn't know what the token looks like either."

It was because of how thoroughly the butler had searched, and the wreckage he left in his wake that cinched it. Jackson could tell he had no idea where the token was, so the butler had to look everywhere. It was logic that led Jackson to deduce the butler had no idea what he was even looking for. He would have it if he knew.

"What do we do now?" Cherry's voice trembled with fear.

"After the butler is brought in we can consider our next step, " Jackson shrugged answering Cherry. All Jackson's hopes were pinned on Derek and Bobby locating the butler quickly. After the butler was apprehended Jackson would be able to glean how much what the butler knew, and Jackson would also see what else he could discover.

Cherry silently stood next to Jackson.

At his villa, Mond sat on the sofa reading the newspaper. Jean walked by carrying a cup of tea.

"Riiing... riing..." the loud phone bellowing broke the peaceful silence, and Mond jumped to answer it before it rang again.

"Hello?" Mond's impatience could be heard on the other end.

"Mr. Mond, the butler resurfaced, Jackson's people are hunting him down, " the male voice reported.

Mond's expression went from sedate to vicious as he listened to the voice on the other end. His timbre was terse and words biting as he warned the man on the phone, "You remember not to let the butler fall into Jackson's hands, right? He knows too much!"

"Yes Sir, I know what needs to be done."

An equally formidable voice replied right before hanging the phone up. Mond stared blankly at the space in front of him as he assessed this new development. The butler's appearance could destroy his plans, which meant Mond couldn't risk Jackson taking the man into custody. He knew too much, and Mond had no doubt the man would crack under pressure and spill his guts to Jackson.

While Mond was lost in thought, Jean sat next to him. She casually handed Mond the teacup and asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Mond absently took the cup, and as he continued staring at ahead, he lifted it and swallowed some down before setting it on the table saying, "None of your business."

Recognizing Mond's tone of voice meant he was livid, Jean didn't dare push him further by asking him anything else. So, she sat quietly beside Mond.