Without a Trace

Chapter Six

"But I thought the fire was caused by a chemical spill?" Haden asks, confused.

"That's what the police thought." I answer.  "But what if they were wrong?  What if it wasn't an accident?"  He sighs.

"I'm kinda getting sick of all of these conspiracies." I laugh.

"You think I'm enjoying finding out everything I thought I've known for the past ten years is a lie?" I answer. "Why would somebody cause the for intentionally though? What were they trying to hide?"

"Let's go find out." Haden says, starting to pack up his stuff.  I give him a confused look. 

"How exactly do you plan on doing that?"

"We're not getting much accomplished here except for creating more conspiracy theories so we're going to visit your dad's old boss."

"He's not gonna help at all." I say, reluctant to see the guy who may have caused my fathers death.  "What is he gonna do, just admit to causing the fire on purpose because we ask him one question? If he did have something to do with the fire he's been keeping it a secret for ten years.  He's not just just gonna tell us what happened just because we ask him too."

"I know I'm not stupid Willow." Haden says, rolling his eyes.  "But while you talk to him I'm gonna look around his office for some sort of clue or evidence."  I sigh.

"Ok." I say reluctantly.

I stand in front of the building that replaced my dad's old workplace, feeling uncomfortable. My dad had died where this building stands.  It had been built after the research lab lab had burned down. 

"What exactly do I say to him?" I ask Haden quietly, not enjoying his plan very much.

"Whatever keeps him out of his office." is all Haden answers. 

"Thank you." I say sarcastically. "That's so helpful." I take a deep breath to prepare myself and he squeezes my shoulder reassuringly.

"You got this."

I walk into the building, and a secretary is sitting behind a desk, typing on her computer.

"Hi,can I help you?" she asks when she notices me walking in, a fake smile plastered on her face.  

"Yeah, I was wondering if I can speak to Mr. Dehey?" I ask.   Mr. Dehey is my dad's old boss, one of the lead scientists that worked in the lab, and one of the only ones to survive the fire.

"Do you have an appointment?" she answers, frowning.

"No..." I say, trying to come up with a way to convince her to let me see him.  She sighs.  

"I'll see if he has time to speak with you."  Ten minutes later, I sitting in an office in a chair in front of a desk.  I can't help but feel like I was in high school again, and I was sent to the principle's office, even though I came here by choice.  The door opens behind me, and I jump.  I turn around and Mr. Dehey walks in.

"Willow!" he says, smiling kindly at me.  "It's nice to see you."  He sits down behind his desk.

"Hi Mr. Dehey." I greet him.  "How are you?"

"I'm great, how about yourself?" he asks.  "How's your family doing?"

"We're doing fine, thanks." I'm trying to keep my voice from shaking from nervousness.

"So what is it I could do for you today?" he asks. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." I say, smiling but trying to come up with something that would get him out of the office.  "I was just wondering if I could talk to you about my dad." He nodded his head, not looking surprised, and gestured for me to continue with my request.  But before I could, his phone rings.  He speaks to somebody on the other line for a minute, then looks at me apologetically. 

"I'm sorry Willow, there's just an emergency in the lab that I have to attend to right now.  Would you mind waiting?"  I smile, realizing that Haden probably caused this, knowing that I wouldn't be able to come up with anything to say.

"Actually, I have to go meet a friend." I answer.  "Can we do this another time?"

"Of course." he says smiling, opening the door to his office and showing me out.  "It was nice to see you, and tell your family I said hello!"  

"I will." I answer as I walk out of the building. 

I start to walk towards where Haden and I agreed to meet, when suddenly I feel a strong arm wrap around my waist, pulling me back. I'm about to scream, but then a knife is pointed at my neck.

"Come with me or I'll slit your throat." a familiar voice says.  I gasp when I realize that it's Zane.