Flip the Colleague [Flip Zimmerman]

Ch 22: RUN

Author's note: This is a pivotal chapter with a traumatic cliff hanger of an ending. Please only read if you feel emotionally ready to do so. While this is not the last chapter, the next one will be. SEATBELTS FASTENED AND TRAY TABLES UP. Let's land this bitch. -xo

You finished the presentation, and Hopper seemed genuinely pleased. You exchanged a brief, warm smile with Jack, a mutual sense of accomplishment passing between you. Collecting your belongings, you made your way back to your desk.

Flip's towering figure loomed nearby, back to you as he brought the phone down from his ear. When he turned, his face was drained of color, and there was a glint of pure terror in his eyes. Your heart stopped midbeat.

"What is it?" you asked, your voice tight with worry.

Flip's gaze flicked past you to Hopper, who was approaching from behind, their eyes meeting with some silent understanding that left you completely baffled.

He grabbed your arms, his hands firm. "Don't leave this building," he said, voice low and grim. "Do you understand?"

You pinched your brows together. "O-kay... but what's going on?" you demanded. He ignored you, striding past, eyes locked on Hopper, who now looked uneasy as well. They both disappeared into Hopper's office, shutting the door behind them.

You huffed, setting your belongings down and glancing at the closed door. Enough was enough. You were done being left out. Done with the secrets.

Marching to Hopper's office, you flung the door open. Flip and Hopper practically reached for their weapons, frozen in shock. You gave them both a warning glare. "What in the actual fuck?!" You closed the door behind you. "Flip, tell me what's going on. Now." Your gaze pinned him in place, unyielding.

Flip let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. Sit." He motioned to a chair across from Hopper's desk. Hopper sat at the same time, leaving Flip standing and pacing, the tension in the room almost palpable.

"A few days ago, I organized an interrogation with Mandy and Nick," Flip said, talking with his hands as you listened intently. Hopper pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

"I got Nick to confess to trying to kill you, and he was taken into custody," Flip continued. "Sounds like he kept talking once he realized how pissed his father was that he'd spoken to the cops at all. He probably figures jail is safer than home right now."

Flip reached into his back pocket and pulled out a cigarette of his own. "The organization is coming for me. And anyone else involved with the sting and the interrogation." He exhaled slowly. "Mandy didn't say a damn thing. All she confessed to was breaking into my fucking house." He lit the cigarette and took a long drag. "So she's not in custody."

You narrowed your eyes at him. "How did you get either of them to confess anything at all?"

Flip glanced at Hopper. Hopper casually rocked back in his chair, puffing on his cigarette, eyebrows raised. Flip toyed with his Zippo, flicking it open and shut. "We did what we had to do," he said, eyes still on Hopper.

"We?" You looked sharply at Hopper. "You helped?"

Hopper leaned forward, elbows on his desk. "Kid, this goes a lot deeper than you realize. Flip needed help, and not just from me. These people are dangerous, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'm not sure how safe any of us are."

Your throat tightened. "Who else is involved?"

Flip inhaled deeply. "Sara. Ron. Rick."

You nearly choked. "Sara?" You shot to your feet. "You're telling me Sara isn't safe right now?"