Julianna and I stood outside the car. Ahead, towards the left, Arthur's fading footsteps could be heard as he approached the building. He said he was going to inspect it further to verify if there were signs of forced entry. He was to wave us on over if there was. And apparently there was, because Julianna whispered, "Let's go."
I counted my foot paces. It was about 100 feet from where we parked the car to the building's back entrance.
Julianna positioned us up against the wall. Ever so lightly, Arthur whispered, "I was right. There was definitely forced entry. Julianna, I want you to go in and act as a decoy. Get Ruber to talk to you. Garrett, we'll figure out how to get you to where you'll be able to untie Kayley. As for me, I am going to find a vantage point from somewhere in there to make Ruber incapacitated. I do not want to kill him, but if I have to to protect you all, I will." Arthur instructed.
"We must remember, this mission is in God's hands. Let's proceed." I replied.
"Very well. Let's go." Julianna conceded.
Once inside the building, I made sure to keep my hand on Julianna's shoulder. She'd told me that if she had to separate from me for any reason, that she would pick my hand up off her shoulder to signal her departure.
Just as I thought of that, her hand lifted mine off. Fear's fingertips crawled up my spine. I shook it off. Kayley needs me, and I need Kayley.
Her hand touched my face in silent farewell. I nodded the affirmative.
Her footsteps gently padded away. They were followed by another pair, presumably Arthur's. His plan to use her as a decoy to distract Ruber just might work. What would Julianna have to do to slow Ruber down long enough?
What will happen to me down here? Fitzgerald was so paranoid. He actually thinks they will find a way to ambush him! How could they find me here? There were no give aways of our location when he sent that video. Oh! Dear God, help them to find me, please! It was already near impossible for them to find me earlier...and now THIS.
Kayley took a deep breath, trying to focus her energy on how good it would feel when she could get these ropes off her hands, waist, and ankles and the gag off her mouth. The ropes were badly chaffing her skin. Once Ruber left her alone, she'd struggled with all her might to make the ropes loosen. It was all to no avail.
With that realization, her shoulders slumped as she looked up. She'd noticed a dim, eerily lit orange light when Ruber dragged her down there. The light was coming from a single bulb that looked as though it'd blow soon. It was suspended in the air from a long rusted chain that hung slightly off-centered to the right of the room. Walton's Wardrobe on its main level looked as though it hadn't been used in five or ten years. However, its basement looked as though it'd been left to dilapidate while the owners still occupied the above level. Cobwebs decorated every corner and crevice.
She took her eyes off the cobwebs. She knew she would feel much more relaxed (or as much as she could be) without looking at cobwebs. Thoughts of large, creepy spiders dropping on her while being bound -unable to get them off- terrified her.
A change of thought was needed. She forced her mind to replay the last few hours. Ruber had untied her upstairs. He'd forced her to do a combination of being shoved and quickly shuffling forward. They'd gone down a long passageway that led to a dead end. There weren't any doors that were visible. There, at the end of that long, dark, dreary hallway, she was sure that Ruber would finish her off. As she stood, pondering the last few moments of her life, she was amazed to see Fitzgerald bend down and open a trap door. She was in such a shock, she wasn't able to see exactly where it had been. One thing that she was sure of is it was close to both the wall and the floor.
Unsure if Arthur, Garrett, and her mother would be able to get £3.000.000, she deeply inhaled. She had to stay positive. If she didn't, she knew she would have a mental breakdown. That was the last thing she needed.
I investigated the area where Julianna had left me. I needed to have some point of reference to return to. I put away my white cane. Using my staff in its place, I felt along the wall with one hand. Eventually, I came into contact with an old mannequin. It would be my point of reference.
I prayed that God would help me find Kayley. I placed my left hand back on the wall. About ten steps further it led me to a hallway. Upon opening the door, I noticed it felt emptier than the previous room. The sounds bouncing back at me from taps of the staff, especially in quiet, hinted to the size of an object or place. I prodded the area in front of me. The floor stopped about two feet in front. It stepped down to the first step of a very steep staircase. Although my cane was my preference, and it would be easier to maneuver this staircase with, I kept it put away. I didn't know who or what would be at the end of that staircase, and- if need arose- The quarterstaff could be used as a cane and a weapon if need arose. I prodded the staff ahead slightly to measure the distance of the step down. It was roughly half a foot. The second step proved to be the same distance. Placing my feet securely on the second step, I stretched my arms out to see if there was an arm rail on either side. To my relief, there was one on my left side. Keeping my left hand on the rail, and using my right to maneuver the staff, I made my way down the staircase.
Once at the bottom, the temperature dropped. There was moisture in the air. It so was damp and clammy that my clothing began to stick to my skin. Hmm...must be a very deep basement of some sort. I began to explore the lower level. As I did so, I found myself in another hallway. It went down to what appeared to be a dead end. I turned around, to make my way back to the steps. I glided the staff slowly from wall to wall. There might be something there that I'd missed. To my surprise, the staff hit something. It rang with a dull metallic THUD. Balancing myself with the quarterstaff, I squatted down to investigate the mysterious metal object. It took a few seconds to find it again, but once I did, I realized it was a handle. As I pulled on the handle, a squeaky, moaning sound emanated from it. The handle had been located at the bottom of wall where it met up with the floor. I stood up as I continued to lift up the handle. Suddenly, it stopped and wouldn't go any further. I snapped my fingers to examine the size of the opening. It was large. I lifted my arm above me. There were two metal supports that stretched from the side of the opening to the sides of the trap door. Raising the staff, I found that the door stood straight out at the top of the opening. It behaved like an awning. The door rested about two inches above my head.
Taking a deep breath, I entered what I thought to be some kind of hovel. Further in, I heard a slight buzzing sound. The same kind a light bulb makes. Had someone come down here? Could they be here now?
Julianna wouldn't have left me earlier unless she saw an opportunity to distract Fitzgerald. Logically, he'd be above. As would Arthur since he sought a way to disable Ruber. There were only two options of who could be down there: an accomplice of Fitzgerald's or Kayley.
As deranged, possessive, and obsessive and Fitzgerald seemed to be, I couldn't imagine him sharing his opportunity for revenge or £3,000,000 with an accomplice. So, that would mean the only other person that could be down there Kayley.
I kept myself steady- concentrating on every subtle sound, scent, and impression. Anything that could direct me in what to do next. That strange, eerie feeling one gets when they feel another person in the room grew stronger the longer I stood there. I decided to take a leap of faith and prayed that Kayley was the other presence I sensed.
"Kayley? Are you down here?" I whispered.
Just because I decided to take a leap of faith doesn't mean I wanted to do so foolishly. Should there be anyone of whose acquaintance I'd be healthier for not making, I wanted to be as quiet as possible.
I didn't hear anything. I tried again, slightly louder this time.
"Kayley? Are you-" I was cut off by the sound of the excited grunts of a woman.
She was probably gagged. Anger coursed through my veins. Why would he need gag her when she was down here and likely bound without contact to others?! The man, if you could even call him something so humane, was cruel, to say the least.
"Kayley, it's Garrett. I need you to keep on making noise so I can find you." I whispered.
She grunted and wriggled around in what sounded like a wooden chair. After a few seconds, I made my way there.
I laid my staff down on the ground. The ground was wet and damp. She kept moving around in the chair until I rested my hand on her shoulder. Tracing up her neck to her jaw, my fingers found and quickly pulled the gag off.
"You found me! I don't know how you did! But thank you so much! I thought I was a goner!" she cried.
"SHH, it's okay. Take a deep breath." I said. I wanted to cry with her. I was overwhelmed and grateful she was safe.
Certain that there were more bonds connecting her to the chair, I traced down from her shoulders to where her hands were tied behind her back. I started to work on gently pulling the rope off her hands.
My attention was taken away from her hands as Kayley gasped in discomfort,
"He tied my waist too, Garrett. Please untie it first. It's digging into me and hurts a lot." She continued, "It's right above where he tied my hands."
Again, I felt the anger rise. I would have to take care of it later. Right now, I just have to focus on getting her freed.
The combined emotions of overwhelming joy and anger caused my hands to shake. Typically, anything that's overwhelming does, but I need my hands to work.
A few more tries, and I had her back and hands free.
I heard her clothing rustle as she bent down to untie her ankles.
"Here, take my hand." I whispered.
"Thank you." she replied as she set her own shaky hand into mine.
"Here's your staff." she said as she placed it into my right hand. I'm glad she saw it, because in the chaos of emotions, I'd completely forgotten it.
"Thank you. I'm so glad your safe. We've got to get back upstairs. Your mother and Arthur are here. Arthur is using her as a decoy to sidetrack Ruber so that he can find some way to incapicitate him."
I explained.
"Do you know where they went?" Kayley asked.
"I've never been here before...and they didn't tell me where exactly they'd be." I answered.
"They're probably in the room that I was in when Ruber sent that video." She mused.
"Do you know how to get there?" I asked.
"I think so. Anyway, how did you find me down here?" she questioned.
"Divine intervention and skills I have learned," I answered, "Now, let's get going."
We'd made it back to where the mannequin was. I'd informed Kayley of it being near to where I'd last been with Julianna.
"This looks like an old storage room, Garrett. You said you guys entered from the back entrance, rignt?" she asked.
"Yes. Arthur said there appeared to be signs of forced entry. My guess would be that was how Ruber got in here in the first place. Do you not remember where you entered into the building with him?" I was slightly perplexed.
"Well, no. He'd thrown a bag over my head right before he shoved me in the trunk of his car. I'd taken it off when I was in there. He didn't really appreciate that when he opened the trunk. He slapped me pretty hard. Then again when I didn't say what he wanted me to in the video. Anyway, he held me down and forced the bag over my head again before he took me out. So,
I am not sure what part of the building we entered." she explained.
"He SLAPPED you?!" I asked angrily.
"Yes, he did. But, Garrett, it could have been MUCH worse." Kayley responded.
With that thought, I remembered my concern for Julianna.
"You're right. Let's find the others."
A ways later, we'd climbed up a flight of stairs that led to the second story of the building. When this place was in business, it must've been bustling- it was huge!
Kayley's poor nerves were understandably shot. Quietly she babbled to me, "He first held me in the room that had the mannequin. There'd been nothing in there or in that creepy basement. Makes since for them to have come up here. I wonder exactly-"
"LISTEN." I interrupted.
She quieted as we listened for any telltale sounds.
Muffled yelling could be heard from a ways off. Of which followed with the sound of someone or something being shoved.
"Did you hear that too?" Kayley asked me.
"Yes. It's amazing what one can pick up on when they're quiet long enough, isn't it?" I chuckled.
Her response was a punch to my arm and a yank of my hand.
"Hey, now. I deserved the punch, but don't yank me around." I huffed.
"Sorry. I knew you were just kidding. I was also playing around when I hit your arm. I can actually throw a real punch. That was nothing." she answered as we got closer to the noise.
She just keeps getting more interesting.
"As for the yanking, I forgot about sighted guide. I was worried about my mum. I'll be more mindful." she assured.
I really will have to ask how they know so much about sighted guide techniques. Julianna and Kayley both know about it!
With a nod, I replied, " Thanks."
A few seconds later, the noises had grown into distinct voices.
"Garrett, they're on the second story's loft overlook to the main floor. Ruber almost has Mum cornered. She is heading towards the overlook's railing." Kayley's voice shook.
Then, Arthur's voice echoed out into the empty building, "Fitzgerald, back away from Julianna...NOW."
"What do you think you will do to me, Agent Pen? Threaten me with your little water gun? You cannot stop me! Neither can pretty Julianna! I will get my revenge on you all, same as I did on her pathetic excuse of a husband!" Ruber mocked.
The next thing that occurred made my gut fall to my feet, slowly crawl back up my legs, and reinstall itself into my abdominal cavity.
Kayley let go of me and took a step forward. Her voice trilled out with seething fury at Ruber:
"You think yourself so high and mighty! You kill those who seek to aid you! You abduct, intimidate, and beat around on women!"
"You little wench! In the way...just like your father!" He yelled as his thundering footsteps charged towards us.
I am not sure how we managed to not go stationary due to shock, but somehow we worked in sync with each other. Memories of the lessons I took with Lionel on how to use the quarterstaff flood my mind.
I stepped up beside Kayley in defense position. She was playing look out. When Ruber was within range, she said loud enough for just me to hear, "To your right."
I leaped from defense into offense. With all I had within me, I struck Ruber. His body thudded to the floor as he grunted in his painful disorientation.
Another set of running footsteps approached. They sounded like Arthur's. I was right. He spoke, "Ruber, you'd better stay down. Otherwise, it won't be the gun barrel you feel in your back. It'll be a bullet."
"Hey, I found these!" Julianna called.
"Where were they? I wonder why he didn't just use those to hold me to that old, rickety chair." Kayley mused.
Must be handcuffs.
"They were in that duffle bag over there." Julianna answered.
"I didn't use them on you because I prefer for things to have a sense of nostalgia. Rope's always been the more archaic choice of bonds. I thought it would help give your capture a more...primitive touch." Ruber grossly cooed to Kayley.
"You're seriously messed up in your head." I said.
"Thank you, I have been working on it for years." he said as Arthur slapped one cuff on his wrist and the other onto the railing that overlooked the edge of the balcony.
"Gwen called in some forces from the London Police Department. They should be here any minute." Arthur informed us.
"You know, Julianna, for a few minutes earlier, I really thought my plan had worked. I thought that by taking your daughter, your last remnant of Lionel, that I could cause you the same pain I felt when you left me. If I could have gotten that money, I would have been set. Would have served me right. I should have had Arthur's position all along...the pay and the power." Ruber stated.
"You were wrong. You always have been. You never went through pain when I left you. You were only angry because I no longer allowed you to control me." she responded.
Sounds of sirens blaring and officers parking their vehicles greeted our weary ears. A few seconds later, the police made their way upstairs and hauled Ruber off.
Waves of relief washed over me. He couldn't hurt Kayley or her family any longer.
Speaking of which, I wasn't sure where she'd wondered off.