Hidden Motives

Tell Me

"What was that about?" Max asked.

"My goodbye to James. Nothing else. You don't need to have that sour look on your face." I replied rolling my eyes.

"Whatever. Let's go to Maddox's room." Max said while walking to the elevator. We then headed into his room. Upon entering Maddox smiled. "Max long time no see."

Max smiled and said "Glad you can still breath after that one"

I nudged him in the stomach and he laughed.

"No worries Zara. That's Max's version of a compliment." Maddox responded.

We all laughed and Max asked "So how much longer till your fully recovered?"

"Fully" Maddox laughed. "I'm not sure if 'fully' is possible especially with all the psychological trauma, but the psychical bruises and stuff should be healed in 3 months."

I cringed. Maddox looked like he had just gotten beaten up again. He was really going to stay like this for three months?

Max noticed this and said "Zara come on now. Three months isn't too bad. He's already looking better than he did the day of the rescue!"

"Oh I forgot to thank you guys for that" Maddox said. "If it wasn't for you guys I would be dead right now. Thanks for saving me."

Max nodded and I said "Max but I still feel like I played some part." Then I turned to Maddox."My father did this to you Maddox, and I don't know why. We need to find him. First my mother and now this. I don't even understand how he got into the U.K! It's absurd."

Maddox looked at Max then at me. "He knows?"

I nodded.

Maddox sighed "So much for secrets. Anyways, Zara, this isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself."

As I was about to respond a nurse walked into the room. "Visiting hours are over" she said while holding a clipboard.

I nodded and Max and I both said goodbye to Maddox. We walked to Max's car and once we were seated he said. "You sure you want to go see Dave? I heard that he was in pretty bad shape this morning. I don't want what you see to hurt you the way Maddox's condition did. I also am still processing the fact that Dave and Mary aren't your real parents."

I nodded. "We have to go see him. And you'll process it soon enough" I laughed.

"Ok then" Max said before starting the car and pulling into the street.

After about twenty minutes we were at the building. The training building. It was dark now and you could barely see. We carefully navigated to the doors. Inside the building, it was full of life as always. Max led me to the highest floor. It was a private hospital for injured agents.

"He's in this room." Max whispered while standing in front of a door.

"How do you know?" I asked.I...I may have come to visit him yesterday evening." he said while looking down.

"Of course you did" I said annoyed. I opened the door and expected to see Dave there. Surprisingly the room was empty. I turned around to face Max. "Where is he?"

Max's face went pale. "Oh no" he whispered. Max then ran to the room next door. I followed. It looked like a waiting room. That's when I saw Mary and Adyline. Both were in tears. They looked miserable. "Max what...what's happening?" I asked starting to worry.

Max looked at me and put his hands around my waist pulling me into a hug. "I'm sorry. We...we are too late. I should've brought you yesterday. But you wouldn't have wanted to see him like that."

"Max, what are you talking about. Like what?" I asked. But I knew at that moment.

"He's...dead" Max muttered.

I stood there in shock. He couldn't be. Dave couldn't be dead.