This story takes place a couple of weeks after the episode "Wrapped". Constructive criticism is welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Blood Ties". Those characters came from Tanya Huff's creative mind. Thanks to Kyle Schmid, Christina Cox, Dylan Neal and Gina Holden for bringing these characters to life.
Character's thoughts will be in italics.
Chapter 8
Coreen drove to Kent's Nursery while Vicki visited Sherman's Angling Shop.
Vicki exited the red and black cab, went into the shop and went to the first person with a name tag, Brett.
"Can I help you?"
"Hi, my name is Vicki Nelson, private investigator. I was wondering if you had sold any vermicompost recently and if so to whom?"
"I don't think I'm allowed to give out that kind of information. Let me get the owner."
Brett headed to the back. Bypassing Mr. Sherman's office, he ran to his pickup truck.
This was supposed to be easy money. I didn't signed up for this.
Brett pulled out his cell.
"Morgan, we have a problem."
"What do you mean we have a problem?"
"Vicki Nelson, the woman who was at Fitzroy's place, is here. I don't understand how she found me."
"Well, it's obvious you weren't as careful as you thought."
"What should I do?"
"Well, the first thing you shouldn't do is panic."
"It's too late for that."
"Well, you have to take care of it. No loose ends."
"Yeah, no loose ends." Brett flipped his cell closed.
Vicki waited for several minutes.
"Where did Brett go Timbuktu?"
Vicki headed to the back. Mr. Sherman came of his office.
"You must be the owner. Vicki Nelson, private investigator. I was waiting for your employee to come back."
"Which employee was that? No one has been back here for a while. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"It was Brett. How well do you know him?"
"Brett Miller is a good worker but mostly keeps to himself."
"I believe that he may have been involved in a kidnapping. Do you have his home address? It's a matter of life and death."
"It's 333 Northway Avenue."
"Thanks for the information." Vicki rushed out.
Brett was still sitting in his truck when Vicki Nelson came buckling out. She got into the waiting cab and took off. Brett followed.
Vicki pulled out her cell.
"Coreen, it looks like I hit the jackpot. I think I actually found the guy that took Henry. I'm headed to his place."
"Be careful, Vicki."
"Aren't I always. I'll talk to you later."
Brett had been careful not to follow too closely. The cab was headed to his house but he still had not figured out how he was going to deal with Vicki Nelson.
The cab parked in front of Brett's house. Vicki paid the cab driver and the hack took off.
Vicki checked the mailbox and above the door for a spare key. When none was found, she pulled out her lock pick and within minutes was inside.
The PI searched the first floor looking for anything that would lead to Henry. When she did not find anything, she climbed the stairs to the second floor. Nothing. The thirty-something woman continued to the attic. While rifling through the attic, she heard the door open downstairs. She took out her asp and hid behind a mahogany chest.
The attic was not the best place to stand her ground but it would do.
Minutes passed before she heard footsteps on the stairs leading to the attic. Then she saw the gun.
"Ms. Nelson, I know you're in here. You might as well come out and make this easier on yourself."
Brett Miller passed her and she pounced.
She hit his hand with her asp. The gun slid to the floor. Brett grabbed her by the shoulders. The PI kicked him in the groin and punched him in the face. Before he had time to recover she grabbed the gun.
Brett slowly rose from the floor.
"Don't shoot," Brett yelled while waving his hands in the air.
"Whether I shoot depends on how you answer my questions."
"Where is Henry Fitzroy?"
"I can't tell you that. She would kill me."
"Whose she?"
"I can't tell you that either."
Vicki fired at Brett's feet.
"All right, I took Fitzroy to an abandoned farmhouse on the outskirts of town. I think the sign said Morris Farms."
"Who paid you to take Henry Fitzroy? It was Morgan...he clutched his throat. Vicki watched in horror as Brett Miller struggled and then collapsed. Vicki checked for a pulse. Nothing.
The former homicide detective heard sirens. Someone must have called the police. Vicki placed the gun on the floor and made her way out of the house. I can't afford to be caught at a crime scene.
"Don't move. Put your hands behind your head and walk slowly to the car."
Vicki was patted down, handcuffed and placed in the squad car.
