mgowriter's note: I wrote this story at a time when I needed something that gave me comfort. I hope it does the same for someone else out there.
Chapter 1
The heavy metal door opened to the sound of a loud buzzer. Nathan Drake and Leonard Hayes, J.D., stood from steel chairs bolted to the concrete floor. A large, uniformed guard with a less than friendly expression commanded the doorway as he entered, followed by the sound of shuffling feet behind him.
"You've got 15 minutes," said the guard, studying the pair before him. One man was dressed in a clean-pressed suit while the other looked as if he hadn't showered in days. "No physical contact allowed. I'll be watching through the window."
He stepped away to reveal the prisoner, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and confined by handcuffs.
"Sully," Nate said in shock. He blinked back his look of surprise. The man standing before him was about thirty pounds thinner compared to only a few months ago and had a crew cut that bordered military-grade.
"Nate?" Sully asked. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Morocco."
"I was. Until I got a call from Len two days ago. Sully, what the hell is going on?"
Sully turned to the lawyer. "You told him?"
"I didn't tell him anything," said Leonard with a pointed look. "You two should talk. I'm following this…gentleman outside." He looked at the guard, who ignored his comment and exited the room.
"What's he talking about?" Nate asked as he and Sully sat opposite each other across the metal table.
"Nothing," said Sully, adjusting his handcuffs. "You know how he gets. One little misunderstanding is suddenly the case of the year."
"Sully, you're charged with kidnapping a minor."
"The charges won't stick. The most they managed to do is to delay the hearing for a couple of days. Once it's over, I'll be out of here."
"But—"
"Look, this is just Leonard making a big deal out of nothing. He shouldn't have called you without asking me. It would've saved you a trip."
Nate leaned back in his chair, unconvinced.
"How are things going in Morocco?" Sully asked, filling the silence.
"Something isn't adding up here, Sully," said Nate, ignoring the question. "You've been here what, a couple of days? Why do you look like you've been starving yourself for the good part of a year? And your hair. I've never seen it so short."
Sully shrugged. "The food in here is terrible. You know that. Besides, I've been trying to lose a few inches on the waist. And if we're passing judgement on hair, what's going on with that bird's nest you're sporting on your face?"
Nate ran a hand through his overgrown beard. "It's part of the look, helps me fit in better with the locals." His deep tan and dark features had also helped him move around the country with ease.
"Look, Nate, I appreciate you dropping everything and coming here, but the charges won't stick and this whole thing will blow over in a couple of days."
Nate continued staring at the man before him. The change in Sully was so severe that he would've passed right by him walking down the street.
"Good," he said finally, "because I'm staying until it's done."
Sully opened his palms in a gesture of peace. "Drop your things off at the house and stay a couple of days. You look like you could use some down time. But do me a favor, will you?"
"What's that?" Nate asked.
"Check on the kid for me."
Nate leaned forward in the chair. "What kid? The kid that they're saying you kidnapped?"
"Nate, just do this for me, okay? His dad works until eight every night. He gets home from school at three and lives just across the street. If you leave now you'll have plenty of time."
Nate shook his head. "Len's going to have a field day with this."
"What Leonard doesn't know won't hurt him."
"What the hell happened between you and this kid? I'm gone for six months and I'm this out of the loop?"
The steel door swung open as the guard reentered with Leonard following behind.
"Time's up," said the guard. "Show me your hands, inmate."
Sully stood and waited his handcuffs to be checked. He looked back at Nate.
"Can I count on you?"
Nate frowned but nodded his agreement.
After making sure his prisoner was secure, the guard pushed Sully roughly into the hallway.
Leonard turned to Nate. "Did he tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Nate asked.
The lawyer shook his head. "Never mind. Stubborn son of a bitch." He checked his watch. "I'm missing my granddaughter's piano recital for this, by the way. I don't know why I keep defending you two. It's like some sort of sick self-torture. I should've quit after that first case about that ridiculous stolen amulet, or whatever the hell it was."
Nate placed his hand on the lawyer's shoulder. "Sully really appreciates what you're doing. And so do I."
"You see this?" said Leonard, pointing to his mostly grey hair. "This is from you and him alone."
Nate laughed at his words, breaking the tension. "Come on Len, that's not fair."
"The hearing's in two days," the lawyer continued. "They've got close to nothing, so the charges won't hold. I'll see you then." Without looking back, he hurried out of the room.