27. Chapter 27

[TheDude] Not funny man.

[Punisher] has logged off.

[ratatattat] has logged off.

[niggahh69] Let’s take a vote on it. I want a show.

[batman] Is it Him?

[abc123] BORED!

[Ooohlala] How the fuk did he get an invite???

Chloe didn’t care how, she was just so, so glad he had.

[abc123] Don’t feed the trolls, idiot.

[Dungeon!Mast3r] We picked names at the beginning – it’s just a shitty sense of humour and shitty timing. Calm your tits man.

[abc123] Troll lol. Trollllll Trol Trol Troll!

[Ooohlala] I dunno m8. It’s been a really weird day. There were like, a hundred thousand bats flying a freaking grid pattern over L.A earlier. In daylight. The forums fucking exploded. You can’t tell me that’s unrelated to L.

The agents exchanged some complicated looks, but stayed silent. Chloe was beyond the point of caring. Even though she distinctly remembered a certain conversation between Lucifer and Mazikeen and well I’ve been busy, my dear.

She took a deep, steadying breath, and focused on Trixie’s face. Did she know what was happening? Was she old enough to understand the nuances of her fate? Fuck she didn’t even know which way to hope.

[batman] It wasn’t just L.A. Whole country got the bat brigade. They’re saying it’s the government of course.

“Gentlemen, I’m not going to indulge your petty paranoia,” the Collector said, tight and irritated even over the speakers. “My invitees are selected with considerable care. I’m here for business. I have four million – do I hear four and a half?”

[niggahh69] So glad I left L.A after meeting L.

[Ooohlala] I don’t think L cares about distance. Hell’s everywhere, ya know?

“Gentlemen!”

[83246952] 10 million conditional upon immediate closure of the auction. Apologies, Mr Morningstar, if indeed that is you, but I’m sure you understand.

Chloe held her breath, and out of the corner of her eye she watched as Michaels seemed to choke at the offer. She couldn’t blame him. Ten million bucks? To get one over on Lucifer – for she had no illusions that anyone hated her enough to pay out such a sum – it was an absurd amount. What had he done to these people? She had no regrets about going to him for help, in fact going by the reaction his involvement was getting it had been a point of strategic genius, but this was becoming ridiculous. There was so much she didn’t know.

[niggahh69] no chance dude. He’s like, the definition of holding a grudge.

“Ten million? My, someone is eager for my sweet little pet. I can’t say I’m not tempted… but you are taking the fun out of this, and I went to such effort to entertain my guests too.”

She hated that voice. So smug. So vindictive.

[Ooohlala] He won’t do anything if you have a hostage. Bit surprised he let himself get attached actually. Oh, and 11 million for me.

[batman] 12 mil and it’s more alarming than surprising. Not exactly eager to see how far L will go considering he like, had the accomplice torn limb from limb in a motherfucking interrogation room without anyone hearing jackshit.

Johnson gave Chloe a pointed look, which she ignored. Yes, it had been a brutal death. Yes, she knew Lucifer had ordered it. Yes, she was fairly certain Lilith had done it. No, she didn’t care.

[83246952] 13 million dollars, and you should be more enterprising. There’s far more at stake here than a little girl.

“Keep this up and I’ll keep her for myself,” the Collector hissed.

No, no, no.

[BigDaddy] This is such a fucking crap shoot. Who the fuck has 13 mil just lying around for one fucking whore.

[batman] How about 14 million?

[83246952] 15.

[BigDaddy] Fuck you all you fucking cunts. Hope L strings you up.

[BigDaddy] has logged off.

Why wasn’t Lucifer bidding? It was Lucifer. It must be.

…Wait a sec – how much money did Lucifer have? Did he even have fifteen million to spend? The number made her mind blur a little and, absurdly, she wondered how on earth she was ever going to pay him back.

She glanced over to the agents. No change there. Price was steadily monitoring her screens; Michael was back to haranguing Amenadiel and Johnson was sitting with her. Whatever bug they’d used obviously hadn’t turned up anything yet. Fuck.

She was mere minutes away from losing the chance to save her daughter. Once the auction ended, it would be too late. Even if she got Trixie back, it might be years, and there wouldn’t be much left of her.

Please, Lucifer. Please.

“The Collector is getting impatient,” Michaels whispered to Johnson.

“Yes, he’s not getting the attention he craves; His fantasy is breaking down. He’s not in control of the auction anymore – his customers are focused on this ‘L’ instead of him. He’s more likely to make a mistake, or to do something drastic.”

“Price, anything?”

She didn’t even look up from the computer. “I’m working as fast as I can. The bug worked, at least partially, but the proxies are still bouncing the signal all over the country. I need more time.”

[batman] 16 million. I can keep going all day, numbers.

[83246952] 17 million. So can I.

[batman] 18. Look, I will survive L’s retaliation. Can you say the same?

[83246952] 19. You are not going to discourage me, ‘batman’. The girl is the key to unlimited power. My organisation is willing to bankrupt ourselves to possess her.

Chloe took another deep breath and ignored the implications of that. The longer they kept bidding the better. It didn’t matter what they said. At least the topic of undressing Trixie on camera had been lost amongst the bidding war.

[batman] 20. Be reasonable man. You can’t fight all of Hell.

[83246952] 21. We don’t need to.

[batman] 30 million then.

[niggahh69] 31 million.

[abc123] U freaks no he’s not actuli the Devil, right? Ur buying a tite cunt not god.

[83246952] 32 million.

[Dungeon!Mast3r] 33 million. Seems like the girl’s a good business opportunity given all this fuss. I think I want in.

[batman] 50 million.

[83246952] 60 million.

“Well that’s going to narrow things down a bit more,” Johnson muttered. “Millionaires are one thing, this is stupid money.”

“There are more than a few businesses though – and that guy was talking about an organisation. We could be looking at rival crime families here rather than individuals,” Michaels replied softly. “I’ll start a list.”

“Only look at those in L.A.”

“Motives are also all over the place. These bidders may not even be paedophiles. She’s become a political hostage.”

“The Collector didn’t set this up. He isn’t exploiting her worth as a hostage, he emphasised the parents, made the girl out to be a sex object, same as his others. Somehow, word got around about her connections to Morningstar. His invitations must have changed hands to a different audience.”

“Which means they’re traceable!”

“Exactly. Price?”

“Still working! I’ll tell you when I have something.”

[batman] 65 million.

[Dungeon!Mast3r] 66 million.

[83246952] 70 million. Gentlemen, you are not going to outbid my organisation. Let it go, and I’ll contact you privately regarding any favours you wish to buy from L through me. I assure you they’ll be cheaper than this.

[batman] running low on funds eh? 75 million.

[83246952] Not in the slightest. 80 million. Just trying to save us all a bit of time. You do realise we’re against the clock for both the police and L?

[batman] I’ll risk it. 85 million.

[Dungeon!Mast3r] 86 million.

[83246952] 90 million. You’re very fearless, ‘batman’. You work for L, don’t you?

Ooooh. Chloe knew instantly who it was. Lucifer was good at this. Batman had been deliberately driving the price up, and had been very liberal with his warnings.

[batman] 95 million and let’s just say he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. You should give up; your pockets aren’t as deep as mine. Apparently, that ‘you can’t take it with you’ line is like, total bullshit.

[83246952] 100 million, and Mr Collector – sell to me and I am prepared to guarantee you a safe exit from Los Angeles to the country of your choice no matter the pursuit.

“I do not need your guarantees,” The Collector snapped, breaking his long silence. “I am in no danger here! Especially not from L. L this, L that, what, will none of you say his name?”

[TheDude] Not a chance in Hell.

[Beelzebub] Feel free to say it yourself, sinner. Say it three times in fact. Go on. You know you want to.

[niggahh69] IT’S A TRAP!

“Stopped lurking, have you? I note you haven’t placed a bid. Hell not paying like it used to?”

Chloe’s breath froze in her chest.

[Beelzebub] I have only two words to say to you, sinner.

“Oh yeah? What are they then, come on, spit them out, don’t be shy now.”

[Beelzebub] Behind you.