They chose to do the trade in an alley. Shelby and Ethan had come along with Clinton while Dan went to Anna’s house to tell her the news. Distance away from where they’d parked, they saw an oncoming sedan. Ethan recognized it from earlier and said to Shelby, “It’s them.”
“Okay. We proceed as planned.”
She hit Clinton with the gun and he was yanked awake. He blinked, then darted his eyes around, trying to make sense of what was happening. “Where am I?”
Shelby snapped, “Shut up!”
The driver parked the sedan remotely at a designated spot she had chosen. Then she cut the engine. The front lights shone brightly, emitting a large frequency of electromagnetic radiation that made Ethan squint from where he stood. Shelby was holding her gun to Clinton’s head.
The woman stepped out with the hostages. Ethan’s heart sank when he saw that Ronnie wasn’t moving. He lay still on Dorine’s shoulder.
“What did you do to him?”
“Nothing.”
“Why is he not moving?”
“He’s sleeping.”
“You’re lying.”
“Ask the nanny.”
Ethan had known Dorine, but not intimately. He knew she loved the kid and wouldn’t lie for any reason so when she confirmed what the woman had said, he believed her.
“Clinton first,” the woman said.
Shelby lowered the gun and pushed him forward. Hands bound, he paced to the sedan. Dorine started walking towards them. They watched, guns aimed at their targets while both factions received their hostage. Dorine gave Ronnie to Ethan. “Are you all right?”
Dorine nodded frantically. The events she had witnessed so far had terrorized her so much that she didn’t want to talk. Ethan doubted she was all right psychologically.
“We should go,” Shelby said to Ethan. He led Dorine to the car while Shelby made sure the other faction didn’t pull a stunt by aiming her gun at them. Without lowering her firearm, she opened the door with the other, stepped inside, and slammed it shut. Ethan did a reverse and steered the wheels to where they’d come from.
After the successful trade, Ronnie was taken to the hospital and examined for any health issues. The drug Clinton’s asset gave him hadn’t done any harm because she didn’t overdose on him.
Ethan assigned Dorine to a psychologist to help her recover from the trauma of the event. After he had seen Ronnie and Anna safely home and placed them under protective custody by Shelby’s order, she called Jane and told her to meet him at Dan’s place.
Her childhood friend was there by the time he arrived. Jane hugged him tightly and brushed his back.
“I’m glad Ronnie’s safe. Dan told me everything.”
“Thanks, Jane.”
They withdrew and Jane walked back to the table she and Dan were studying the evidence.
YOU ARE READING
PAYBACK
Misterio / SuspensoHOW FAR WILL YOU GO TO PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE? Ethan Willows is a good man. Not everyone knows that. Not the media. Not the judge on his trial. And certainly not the jury on his case. Due to foul play, he's sentenced to death by lethal injection. ...
