I'll Help You Hide From Them

Narrowing Things Down

When we get back, I go back to trying to dig through Ralph's files. After hearing about how secretive my mother was, I'm pretty sure that it'll be difficult to crack the puzzle by diving into it head on. The thought also crosses my mind that I should keep any of the information I gain about her location from Kier as well as the two security guards.

I don't look up at Kier when he enters the room I'm in, politely greeting the guard who's watching over me, Wilson at this point in time. I try to apply what I found out the other night from the gang I visited, knowing that I probably have to keep that from anyone since I could be incriminated for having ties to that illegal gang. Things could get a lot worse for me if anyone finds out that I'm aware of my blood connection to the leader of the gang, seeing as it's plausible that people have pieced together my relation to the whistleblower of the Hill Fort case. Now it comes to my attention, there's no way Laurence couldn't have known, seeing as he's the only one who had direct contact with my father.

Kier sitting down next to me snaps me out of my deep thoughts.

"Did you sleep well?" I ask him softly.

He nods. "I'm very sorry that I wasn't here when you returned."

I can hear the solemn hint to his tone but don't say anything about it. "It's fine, I really should've known that you'd be taken from me to be used to my colleagues advantage. I try to avoid thinking about how mad I am at them right now, actually blaming my bloodline for wanting them dead.

I'm the son of criminals after all. My father could've taken over the mob if he didn't turn them over the way he did.

Why did he give it all up? There must be a reason of some kind.

"Did you find any unique leads?" Kier asks after a while.

"Not exactly, it was a bust." I lie, avoiding eye contact just in case he has figured out how to tell when I'm telling the truth or lying.

"You don't seem annoyed." Kier observes, partly onto me.

"I don't have the patience to be annoyed right now." I admit. "I'll probably let loose later and yell at you again if that's what you want." I mutter.

He sighs. "You know that I'm getting treated like crap by those other detectives, don't you start now."

"How much are you paying for the two security guards?" I ask him after a while to confirm my anxieties.

"The required amount. Why do you ask?" He responds.

"I just wanted to know how much my life is worth. The thought that the shooter seems able to pay more to have me threatened or killed probably doesn't help. It just occurs to me that my only line of defence can be brought off." I murmur.

"That won't happen, Drew. Don't think that! I know that you're stressed and scared but I've spoken to both of them and they both want to protect you." He tells me.

"They would, particularly if they're spies for the shooter." I sigh. "Can you imagine? What better way is there to make me fall onto all of the shooter's traps than if the people protecting me are actually feeding the shooter information." I continue.

"If they are reporting everything to the shooter then how comes there's been no attempt on your life while you've been here?" Kier counters.

"The shooter no longer wants me dead, he wants to toy with me. It's all a sick twisted game to him." I retort. "Which is why having someone in my own security would be perfect for him. I have no choice but to either question you or them since, I think the shooter could even be in the three of you or the shooter could be in contact with one of you. It's simply put the most efficient way for the shooter to get all the information he needs from me." I point out.

"Do you really think that I could be the shooter or even in leagues with him? He murdered Ralph in cold blood." He reminds me, seeming actually hurt at my accusation.

"You were mad at him and you've been nonstop showing me signs of guilt. Hell, even when we were ambushed in my home, I was knocked out first so how can I trust what you tell me about what happened? How could you not have seen the shooter's face? Don't you find that at least a little suspicious?" I recall.

"I couldn't see anything other than their weapon." He admits. "I'd find it a lot easier to tell you with my good memory but the second after you were hit I was too. According to the doctors the force of my blow to the head could've killed me while it is clear that the shooter was only trying to knock you out." He replies.

"Don't try to guilt me into trusting you." I growl.

"That's not what I'm doing." He counters.

"Sure it is." I mutter.

"I'm sure you must know this too but you're just being paranoid. Drew I'm always going to be here for you as someone you can trust because I've almost gone through everything you have. I wouldn't be paying for your security if I wanted you dead. I know things have been unnerving for you but please try to remember the good things I've done. I'm not your enemy. I want the shooter dead twice as much as you do." He reminds me.

I still flinch when the primary security guard I suspect of double crossing me enters the room. "Detective Woolnough, you're needed at the prison. I'll escort you there." O'Malley tells me.

"Is it serious, I'm busy." I groan.

"Yes it is." He bluntly replies, passing me my coat. I reluctantly put it on.

"Kier, you're needed back undercover. Wilson will drop you off at the precinct." He adds.

"Alright, take care Drew." Kier sighs, hugging me briefly before going into the other room to change into the clothes his undercover persona would wear.