Family Business

Chapter 25

Cristy sped down the road on her motorcycle. William sat behind with Semi-conscious Adam wedged between them.

"Finally" Cristy thought. "Now I can call dad and tell him I got Adam. But what do I tell William?"

Williams's eyes were barely open because of how hard the cold win was hitting his face. He had a tight grip on Adam so that he wouldn't fall off the bike.

"Adam thinks I cut off his fingers." William said desperate for somebody to tell him he was innocent. "You were there! Tell me what actually happened."

"You need to talk to dad." Cristy said flatly.

"No way!" William said in outrage. "You know my relationship with John is toxic."

"Not to him it's not!" Cristy said calmly. "Perhaps if you joined us for one mission, sober, you would see."

William's heart dropped. Did Cristy indirectly just tell him he was part of the mission when he was drugged? Does that mean Adam was telling the truth and he really cut off Adam's fingers?

William felt sick. But there was nothing to do now but try and save Adam whose mouth was open and he was in and out of consciousness.

They passed by several old houses and shops and then even a hospital.

"Where are you taking us? We just passed the hospital." William said suddenly worried.

"Hospitals ask too many questions. I know a better place." Cristy replied.

William's stomach dropped. He had a feeling he knew where she was taking them and he had no way to stop it because he was sure he was not going to like that place.

******

Aaron was ecstatic.

After a bit of a chase he finally got Sophie. She was smarter than he expected and did everything she could to avoid getting caught but she was no match for the Maze which was upgraded every game so that nobody would escape. Except for David and Eric but nobody would know because Helen went to get them herself.

Nobody could possibly look at her and suspect she was up to something. It one of her special talents.

Aaron glanced at John. He had still not told John he knew what happened the night before but he already dropped a hint to Helen. If she was smart she would bring Adam to him without delay.

John cleared his throat and said. "I'll let you do the honour of taking our last victim to the cells."

"Where are you going?" Aaron asked suspiciously.

"To bed. It's too late to do anything more and I'm exhausted." He replied calmly. Cristy had just texted him saying she found Adam and he was eager to go home and deal with him.

"John." Aaron called as John walked away. John turned and looked at him enquiringly.

Aaron just stared at John for a moment. It's been years since he found someone to confide in like John.

Is he willing to ruin that now?

Is he willing to spoil the first father-son type relationship he has ever had?

"Good night then." Aaron said, deciding not to say anything at the moment.  John smiled, it was something he does very rarely.

"Good night, Aaron and don't worry, tomorrow we get the other girl too." He said and then left. Now Aaron was alone watching the blank screens.

******

Cristy finally stopped in front of a mansion. She had driven through a side gate which was not visible unless one had been looking for it.

"What is this place?" William asked ogling at the grandness of he building.

Cristy did not answer. She quietly helped William carry Adam into the house.

They entered the living room and Cristy suddenly let go of Adam.

"Cristy, wha-?" William began but she cut him off.

"Don't let the blood fall on the carpet." She said as she walked up to the bookshelf and in one graceful pull, it swung open to reveal an opening in the wall.

William started with his mouth open in surprise. Cristy moved in front of him and said.

"It's funny this is exactly how you reacted the last time you were here."

She then helped William to drag Adam into the room. William was having a sense of déjà vu, but he already knew he had been to the place before but was too drugged to remember.

The room was clean and empty but it still had a feeling of something foreboding. Perhaps it was the stone slab placed not too far from the incinerator.

Cristy went up to the cupboard near the stone slab and opened it.

William was half expecting it to be various torture tools on display. To his relief it was just a medicine cabinet.

Cristy picked up several bottles of medicine, a first aid kit and a needle and thread.

William felt a little calmer. At least she was going to help Adam and then they needed to get out before her family comes back home. William had no intention of staying and meeting them.

William watched as Cristy pulled out the bullet from Adam's wound and began cleaning it.

"Will he be ok." William asked looking at Adam's unconscious state.

"Relax." Cristy said, now using the needle and thread to sow up the wound. "I want him alive just as much as you do."

"What do you mean?" William asked, surprised. "What do you want with him?"

"Can you recall anything that happened here the other night?" Cristy asked. William shook his head.

"Then I'm sorry, you are going to have to ask dad." Cristy said going back to fixing Adam.

"I intend to go back tonight with Adam." William said firmly.

"I can't let that happen." Cristy said as she continued to work in Adam.

"Are you listening to me? I don't want to be part of this mess." William said angrily. "This man has a little brother to care for and I need him alive."

"You know about his brother?" Cristy asked

"Of course. Adam told me." William said.

"Do you know his brother moved to Lanchester a few weeks ago?" Cristy asked.

"Weeks?" William said surprised "I thought he was back home?"

"I know where his brother is and I know Adam does not want anything to happen to him. So if you care about Adam then just leave him here but you can go if you like."

William stood there staring at Cristy. She had become colder than ever. He desperately wanted to leave before the family arrived but he could not leave his friend behind especially after he blamed William for his injuries.

"You are making this so hard for me." He told her. She did not reply.

******

Another chapter, another question.

Will William leave Adam to save his own skin?

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