CHAPTER THIRTY
Nick stormed into the captain's office and slammed the door shut behind him. Renard, who was standing by his desk, turned around upon hearing the loud sound.
"Nick, what are you doing back here?" he asked. "I thought you'd already left for the day."
"I'm here for the same reason you are" Nick replied as calmly as he could. "And I know you've been expecting me."
"Excuse me?"
"Where is she?"
"Where's who?"
"You can cut the act; you know exactly who I'm talking about. Where did you take her?" Nick shouted.
"Nick, I'm afraid you'll need to enlighten me…"
"If you so much as touch one single hair on her head, I swear I will kill you."
"Are you threatening me, detective?" Renard asked, a fake look of shock on his face.
"Tell me where she is" Nick demanded.
Renard stared at him for a moment, and then he finally admitted what Nick already knew.
"Give me the key and I'll let her go" he responded.
"You think I'm that ignorant? How do I know you won't hurt her? Or that you haven't already?"
"You don't."
"You son of a bitch…" Nick breathed, advancing quickly towards his adversary.
"Easy, Nick" Renard said, stretching his arms forward as he backed away. "You don't know who you're dealing with."
"Oh I know exactly who you are; you're a Zauberbiest."
Renard's eyes widened as he heard Nick's words. He clenched his jaw, and for a moment, Nick thought he was getting ready to woge. But instead, he just stood still, intensely looking at him.
"Yeah, that's right. I know all about you" Nick continued.
"I see Adalind's been educating you. Tell me something, Nick; has she told you about herself, her true self? She may be beautiful on the outside, but deep down… she's nothing but a manipulative witch."
This time, Nick couldn't hold back his anger. He launched himself at the captain and grabbed hold of his shirt before he punched him hard in the face. Renard stumbled backwards, immediately lifting his hand to his face to wipe the blood that had already begun to trickle from his mouth.
"You don't know her at all" Nick murmured, fury in his eyes.
Renard burst out laughing; but it quickly turned into a sneer.
"Did you actually fall in love with her, Nick?"
Before Nick could respond, the captain walked to his desk and sat down. He took a tissue and patted his mouth with it.
"I ran into Juliette the other day" he continued. "I can't believe you let someone as good and pure as her get away. Actually no, that's not entirely accurate; you didn't let her go, you abandoned her. You broke her heart and destroyed her faith in love. And for what?"
"You don't know what you're talking about" Nick said in an angry tone.
"I know more than you think" Renard told him. "Juliette said you found your true love… is that really the case, Nick? Is Adalind the love of your life?" he asked, a fierce look in his eyes.
Nick remained silent. He took a few steps forward until he reached Renard's desk. He pulled the chair in front of him and slowly sat down, facing his captain. He took a deep breath before he spoke.
"How I feel is none of your concern."
"That's where you're wrong, Nick. You see, I have the one person you desire most; but I'm willing to give her back to you… in exchange for the key."
"Why is this key so important to you? What secret does it hold?"
"Your aunt didn't tell you?" Renard asked, seemingly surprised.
"No she didn't" Nick responded.
"So then it shouldn't make a difference whether you keep it or not. Just hand it over, Nick… and then you'll get your precious Adalind back."
Nick thought about the offer for a moment, debating whether or not to take it. He knew Adalind was strong and fierce, but she was now vulnerable; there was a child growing inside of her… their child.
"I want to see her" Nick said. "I need to know she's ok."
"She's not in any danger."
"And I'm just supposed to take your word for it?"
"I'm not sure you have any other choice" Renard replied, a sly look on his face.
"So this is it then; the key for Adalind's safety?"
"That's the deal. If she means that much to you, then the decision should be an easy one to make."
"Why did you have to involve her in your quest? Why didn't you just come to me? Adalind has nothing to do with this."
Renard smiled, angering Nick even further. He wanted to punch him again but refrained from it.
"Now where would be the fun in that?" he smirked.
"Tell me what this key unlocks."
The captain remained silent, just staring at him. At first, Nick thought he was defying him. But he soon realized he was actually keeping quiet because he had no idea why this key was so crucial.
"You don't know, do you? You're just obeying orders. Let me guess… the Royals?"
Renard's stare grew icy cold. He was definitely angry now. 'Good' Nick thought. 'Maybe he'll slip and reveal where he took Adalind.'
"You have no idea who you're up against, Nick" Renard seethed through his teeth. "This is bigger than you and me."
"I don't really care. The only thing that matters to me is getting Adalind back."
"Then you know what you need to do."
"What makes you so sure I have this key?"
"Don't even try to fool me, Nick. Your aunt came here for a reason. Well, maybe two reasons… you probably thought she was insane when she revealed your true identity."
"She's not the one who told me who I am."
"So you already knew?"
"Adalind… showed me."
"Of course she did. Was she your first?"
Nick felt a lump rise in his throat. Yes, Adalind had been his first... but she had become his everything. And now, she had a part of him growing inside of her. Tears were stinging his eyes, and his heart was aching at the thought of Adalind being held somewhere against her will. Maybe she was hurt… maybe worse.
"I'm going to ask you again… where did you take her?" Nick asked, ignoring Renard's question.
"I already told you, Nick; all you have to do is hand over the key and she'll be back in your arms in no time. I'm not sure why we're still discussing this. I thought for sure you would have come to your senses by now… or do you need another incentive?"
'He knows about the baby' Nick thought. 'That son of a bitch knows Adalind's pregnant.'
"What kind of incentive?" Nick asked, trying his best not to reveal just how emotional he was.
"You tell me. Besides Adalind, is there something you can't possibly live without? Or someone?"
Renard definitely knew; somehow he'd found out Adalind was carrying his baby. Of course… Adalind hadn't been the one to crumple up the letter with the pregnancy results; it had been Renard. And he was now holding them both hostages. Nick had no options left; he couldn't possibly let this go on. Adalind and their unborn child depended on him. He had promised his aunt he would do everything in his power to keep the key safe, but he was now powerless. He had no choice but to surrender… unless…
"I'm not going to give you a damn thing" Nick uttered.
"Excuse me?" Renard asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You heard me. I know you had Adalind's colleagues killed… and that you got rid of the evidence, also known as Melissa Wincroft."
Renard sank further back into his chair. He stroked his bruised jaw with the palm of his hand. He definitely seemed nervous.
"You see, captain, you may think you have the upper hand here, but the truth is I do. If you want to keep running this precinct I suggest you let Adalind go. Immediately."
"You have no proof."
"Is that a risk you're willing to take?"
Renard flared his nostrils and his lips twitched from the rage boiling inside of him. Nick had undoubtedly succeeded in breaking him.
"I didn't think so" he said when Renard failed to reply. "I know how much you crave power; and I can annihilate yours right now. I don't care what lies you have to tell your Royal friends, but you make it clear to them that I don't have the key they're looking for. And don't you dare mention one word to them about Adalind and me."
Nick slowly got up, not taking his eyes off his captain. He backed away from the desk, making his way towards the door.
"You let her go tonight. Or I'll put an end to your reign."
He then turned around, opened the door, and left without looking back.
