Race Against Time

Chapter 88:

James paced his study, his phone to his ear. He had cashed in every favor, leveraged every contact in the bag, and pulled up all the stops. The stakes were too high to let any stone be left unturned.

"No, I need it fast," he hissed into the receiver, his voice taut. "I don't care how much it bloody costs; just get it done."

As he put down the phone, the first light of morning shimmered through the curtains. The heap of empty coffee mugs on his desk was evidence that he had really been awake all night.

He involuntarily jumped when there was a soft knock on the door. There was concern etched on Lily's face. "James? Have you been up all night?"

He passed a hand through his rumpled hair. "Yeah, I. I had some things to take care of."

Lily stepped further into the room, her gaze traveling over the chaos of papers covering every available surface. "James, please. This has gone on long enough. Tell me what's going on. I know it's about Ava, but."

James so felt the weight of hi