DON'T BREAK THE RULES

Chapter 32 - Search & Found

It had been four days since Fred had seen Joe and it was during their argument at the bar. Ever since then, Joe had not visited the bar and neither had he been at his grandmother's home. He was starting to worry since the number Joe had given him was going straight to voicemail whenever he called, and none of his friends even had a clue that Joe was missing. It was then that Fred realized the only one who was worried about Joe was himself and even when he asked Craig at the bar one night if he had had any encounter with Joe after their scuffle, Craig sneered and said, "He's not even allowed in this bar anymore, so no."

He checked the police station and when he asked the police to place a missing person's report for Joe, he was laughed in his face.

"He's a drunk, check the downtown streets."

"He'll come up in a few days, probably lost in a dumpster bin."

"Joey McAvela? Look at the reports on him." The officer had turned his screen and Fred's eyes widened, not realizing it had been this troublesome for them. "Public intoxication, public disturbance, theft for failure to pay after drinking at a bar, it goes on and on." He met Fred's gaze and snorted. "He's not missing. Even if he is then bring me to hell because I'm not looking for a drunkard and I promise you, none of these officers or detectives will."

"We have human trafficking and children disappearance; an adult drunk isn't on our list of priorities."

Fred left the police station completely helpless. He had been searching for four whole days, looking through new bars every night with no luck. Even worse, he was staying out late in hopes to find Joe and returning home at these late hours was not favoured by Maria.

"Stop looking for him! He did this to himself, Fred. You've given him enough sympathy; what has he really done for you?" She threw the covers away from her and stood from the bed. "You're acting as if you don't have a wife at home, like your whole world revolves around Joe. It doesn't, so stop being a moron."

Fred was at his wits ends.

Although he tried over and over again, the thought of Joe being dead somewhere did not settle right in his stomach. He told himself he would try one more time, and that if it came to nothing, he would try his best to stop thinking about his missing friend.

He walked inside the familiar bar and exhaled a sigh of relief when he saw Craig behind the counter. It had been Craig much more often recently and since they had spoken before, Craig nodded his head at the familiar face.

"I hope you're not here to ask me about Joe again," he said bluntly, wiping the counter down and tilting his head.

The worry behind Fred's gaze almost brought him sympathy, but remembering his encounter with Joe was enough to completely destroy the slight care he felt.

Fred shook his head, "Not exactly." He was unsure what response he would get, but he needed to say it. "I'm here to ask about Jamie."

It was apparent that Jamie's topic was not any better, but the fright that crossed Craig's gaze very swiftly was enough to straighten the hairs on Fred's neck.

Craig's demeanour had instantly changed, staying quiet for a little while. "Can't help you." He attempted to step away from him by wiping the rest of the counter but Fred wasn't going to let him leave that easily.

"I know you guys were friends," he whispered quietly, leaning forward. It was not a conversation he wanted others to hear and he glanced around, making sure there was nobody listening in on their conversations.

Unfortunately, he had not seen the silhouette in the corner of the bar that could hear every single word they said.

"I just need to know where he lives so I can talk to him."

"And why should I give you that information, Fred?" Craig's teeth tightened as he leaned closer as well, also eyeing around the bar to make sure no one was listening. "Jamie's not who you think he is," he ushered, his eyes still not staying on Fred for long than a second. "I wouldn't be looking for him if I was you—he probably already knows that you're asking me about him."

"How would he—"

"He's not someone I would mess with like that." Fred's frown instantly vanished when he saw the bold fear on Craig's eyes. There was no doubt in his mind that there was something fishy about Jamie, which made it even worse that Joe had gone missing right after being in his entourage.

Fred paused for a moment. "Didn't you get into a fight with him?"

"Before I knew who he truly was," he admitted, feeling shudders across his flesh. "Stop looking for the both of them—this conversation is over."

Before Fred could say anymore, Craig stormed towards the employee back room as it was the only way Fred would leave him alone.

Unfortunately, Fred exited the bar without any information of where Jamie nor Joe was. He felt as if he had lost and that he needed to listen to everyone around him telling him to give up. However, as he walked towards his car deep in thought, he had never thought that either of him would come to him.

It was only when he realized how dark it was, how cold it was and how empty the streets were, that he remembered what Craig had said.

He probably already knows you're asking me about him.

He heard footsteps behind him and when he turned, he felt complete terror overthrow his body into paraplegia.

"Why are you looking for me?"

The venom within his tone caused Fred's heart to skip a beat, and he was too frightened to stare into his eyes.

Jamie took a step forward. "Huh, Fred Lancers?"