The Answer

Chapter 11

Gerard was speeding down the freeway, trying not to think about what just went down at the cabin. He'd made quite the exit from the woods, but truth be told he had no idea what to do with all that information. He noticed a great weight had been lifted off of him knowing Travis was alive, but it was now replaced with a void and a cataclysm of unidentifiable feelings.

He noticed the highway patrol car up ahead and slowed down to the speed limit, miserable that the slower he went the more time he had with his own thoughts. Where was he headed anyway? He couldn't go home, he didn't find David's house an option anymore and he certainly didn't want to go see who else in the precinct was in on this the whole time.

The only clear thought he had was that he needed to find some more answers. Sure, that need had been nagging him from the start but all he'd found is more questions instead of concrete leads. Travis may not be whom he thought he was, but fundamentally he didn't seem responsible for his misery. However, he was willing to lead him to his son and possibly, the real culprit.

He looked around for his phone and then remembered the crazy incident from two nights ago. He barred his teeth, turning into the nearest exit and zooming into a parking spot at a Walmart. He stormed into the building, heading straight for the electronics section and barked impatiently, "I need a new phone and sim, stat."

The kid behind the counter jumped a little, jolted out of her scrolling loop on her phone. She adjusted her uniform and cleared her throat, "Sure, sir. Any preferences?"

Gerard rolled his eyes, he knew that if he didn't make a choice this would just take longer. "T mobile sim with the best talk time plan you have and the most mediocre smart phone around, like a ratty Samsung will do."

She nodded, understanding he was in a hurry and not in the mood for her sales pitch. She began explaining the plan and the phone while setting it up for him. He wasn't really listening, because they were all the same and he couldn't care less. As soon as she was done zipping through all the information in the shortest amount of time, the phone was ready to go and in his hands.

"Thanks, kid, what's your name?"

"Samantha, sir." She blinked, confused.

He handed her his card, "I think I'll be coming to you if I ever need anything from here again, please let me know if you shift branches or quit to work somewhere else."

By she picked up the card and her eyes widened as she read his designation, by the time she looked up he was gone. She sat at her work station, stunned by what had just happened.

Gerard was out of the store in a record breaking fifteen minutes- something no other American has been able to achieve so far. It almost never happens that you go into a Walmart and walk out with ONLY what you intended to buy.

He was sure he was getting some weird glances, he vowed to pick up a few more things next time to devour suspicion. On the drive back, still unsure of where he was headed, it clicked. He fished in his jacket pocket and found a crumpled visiting card-
Dr. George Wallis, General Physician

It was going to be a casual visit, he'd say his arm was sore. The reason seemed solid because, well, it is. He must've slept funny on it but it made for a good alibi. Once he got there he'd inspect the place, the staff and maybe even Doctor Wallis' office. A jitter went down his spine thinking of what he might find.

He stopped at a red light and groaned. What was he thinking? He didn't know who he was or what this guy was capable of. Gerard couldn't afford to make a rash decision, his son's life could be at risk. This needed to be handled with strategy, he knew the intel from Travis would give him the upper hand and the element of surprise. Unless, of course, this was also part of the elaborate plan to ruin his life. Was there anyone he could trust anymore?

He pulled over at the nearest shopping complex and parked. He sat in the car, huffing and sweating. He noticed it wasn't as bad as before, perhaps withdrawals weren't forever.

He pulled out a little diary full of contacts, sifting through it until he found the one he was looking for. He quickly punched in the digits and patiently listened to the ringing. In less than a buzz, David answered.

"Where are you, Gerard?" He sounded nervous.

"Somewhere in town, not planning to sell you two out I assure you." He replied disinterestedly.

David sighed in relief, "That's good to hear. Are you okay?"

"I'm a little less angry and a long way from trusting you or him again." He said bluntly.

"I understand."

"The guy in the red cap," Gerard continued, "was that his brother?" He couldn't find the nerve to say his name.

There was silence on the other end for a while, then Travis replied, "Yes."

"Did he know?"

"Not at first," Travis replied, "When he found out the plot he told me right away."

"I see." More silence.

"Why did he try to blow me up in front of my own home then?" Gerard sounded like he was quelling a storm within him.

"He wasn't going to, what he did was on direct orders from the Doctor." Travis replied cautiously.

"Doctor George Wallis?"

"Yeah, that Doctor."

"What's his damage with me?" Gerard's scowl could be heard in his voice.

"His damage is with us," Travis replied, "that's why I wasn't included in the plan. Instead he chose to implicate my brother and make it worse."

"Nothing is worse than losing someone you love." Gerard replied coldly.

"It's not a competition." Travis replied bluntly, "whether you trust me or not, we have a common goal. Do you want my help or not?"

Gerard ground his teeth angrily, he knew better than to let his pride cloud his judgment. He was suspicious and there was no telling where this would go but what choice did he have? He failed Max once before, it was time to break the habit. He'd take his chances if it meant he could save his son.

"Yes." He sighed, "Please help me get my son back, he's all I have."

"And my brother is all I have, let's save them both."

"Alright, tell me everything about this Doctor and what he wants."

"I'm not entirely familiar with his plan, but I'm emailing you everything I've collected on the guy in the last two years." Travis replied.

"Two years?"

"He's been on the ropes for a while now, it's why I took the fall. He wanted you dead."

"This just keeps getting better," Gerard groaned, hearing his email chime in his ear.

"I'll call you back once I've seen the files." Gerard cut the call, checking his mail. The kid at Walmart had a gift, he thanked her silently and delved into the files.