Chapter 26
Adam and Max sit in the dining room with the old syndicate document copies spread out across the table in front of them. Adam places Senator Peters on speaker phone whilst Max connects up a device to record the entire conversation between them. Adam understands his career at Wood Oak City Police Force will no longer exist after tonight, but he has nothing left to lose.
He sighs, going deeper into their telephone conversation. "I have documents exposing a number of major organisations and individuals that run this city, including members of your own department".
"So you're planning to blackmail me then? How much are you asking for?" The Senator replies.
"No, not exactly. I believe unlike the last Senator this city had, that you can do a much better job. But first don't even think about calling the FBI. This call of ours is already being recorded and I am not the only individual in this city who possesses this information. And I warn you, if any attempt is made to harm or kill me or my associates, ALL of the information I have will be released publicly and the city will turn into chaos."
"How do I know this is not some sort of bullshit?!" The Senator confidently replies, feeling irritated. Adam nods at Max who emails through to him a copy of one of the pages.
"I thought you'd ask that" Adam grins. "Open your personal email, not the work one. There you will find an attachment - page 6 of 108 from the old syndicate organisation deeds. I will give you a minute to take a look."
The Senator pulls up the file on his monitor. It contains the subheading 'Lexxon Petroleum Conglomerate, Wood Oak US'. Below it is the name of one director, Francis Wicks as well as the company contact details including address. The document also contains a copy of a bank statement and transfer made 25 years ago by businessman Steffan Visser, the original syndicate founder. It shows a deposit of $60 million dollars made to the company plus $7 million to Wick's own personal account.
"Shit!" The Senator mutters under his breath.
"Why don't you open the next email?" Adam insists.
This time there is a document containing the details of one of the highest former Judges in Wood Oak State. It shows a $5 million cheque accepted and deposited into the Judges' account.
"The second document you see is proof of when the syndicate started to buy off the attorneys who have since been under their control. There are at least 50 more transactions like this that happened just in the first 5 years of the syndicate coming to power. Could you imagine how embedded in the system this organisation is today? It's clear your colleagues here accepted their dirty money. Once this all gets out and goes public, they could be facing life behind bars. Not to mention the fall of some of Wood Oak's most profitable organisations".
"OK! I get your point!" The Senator growls. "If you don't want our dirty money, what do you want then Hunter?"
"I'm willing to keep the identities of these criminals a secret, just for something so simple in return. I have another part of this file in front of me documenting Visser's will. It clearly states that among his death, the syndicate organisation and all of its assets be passed down to his only family member left, an estranged son who is named in this document. Your former colleague Senator Williams aka Mr X actually misled and stole leadership of the syndicate. Fortunately now he is dead so this organization doesn't have to exist anymore! These businesses, the police force, the attorneys can all go about their business again without feeling threatened or bribed. I'm sure we can both agree that this City is capable of standing on it's own feet without the burden of a criminal organisation. The man named on this document is willing to liquidate all of the syndicate accounts and criminal assets. He will make sure everything is given back to the people whose lives the syndicate destroyed".
"So why hasn't this been done yet?"
"He's currently in prison for murder awaiting trial."
"I'm guessing you're referring to Stone then?"
"Bingo!" Adam grins, perking up his mood. "It's simple, his freedom for our silence! And the City will be better off in the long run with the syndicate giving up it's influence".
"You're forgetting the syndicate has a new leader who is one fucking bitch!" the Senator replies crudely.
"Firstly these documents prove her and Mr X have never been the legitimate heirs to the organisation. Secondly, let us handle Electra and her associates. Just guarantee Axel's freedom and no one ever needs to know about this conversation".
The Senator sighs, reaching for his whiskey glass before taking a gulp.
"Even if I wanted the charges dropped against Stone, I couldn't do it. Firstly he's already pleaded guilty and secondly I have no influence over the Martial court system. It's completely separate from our own state attorneys!"
"I'm sure you will find a way. Because if you don't I will release these documents publicly one by one every day until this matter is resolved. And don't even try to get security or the FBI involved. There are clear instructions for everything to be released in the event of something happening to me or my colleagues. I'll give you until the end of tomorrow to start fixing this mess we're in. After that, one document will be publicly released per day".
"I see," he sighs undoing his tie nervously after feeling the sweat under his collar.
"I also want Axel moved from that prison to somewhere else secure that Jake Turner can't access. If anything happens to him, I won't hesitate to expose everyone in this document. Do we have an understanding, Senator?"
"Yes." He answers directly.
"Good. Hopefully you won't be hearing from me again. Goodnight"
He hangs up.
"I've done everything I can now" Adam says with regret to Max. "Remind Luca and Zan to be on standby 24/7".
"Where are you going?" Max questions him.
"I have to leave for Lima. Blaze is in trouble and I'm bringing her back".
"What about Jake?" Max quizzes with concern.
"Once Axel is released from prison, Jake wont have a fucking chance in hell by the time we're done with him!"
He takes out his phone to call Estel. "Hey it's me. Can you still arrange that chopper along with the backup for when we dock at Lima?... Good. I'll see you in 3 hours".
"You're going with Estel?!" Max barks, feeling surprised "do you really trust her?"
"She has a past, but she's one of the good cops".
"I thought I could come with you and help" Max insists.
"No, you need to stay here with Sammy and Lauren then I want you to meet Axel once he gets out."
"This was never part of the original plan though that Axel made!" Max replies feeling irritated and disappointed in Adam.
"Like it or not, I'm changing the plan and leading this time. Axel is in no state to fix this mess we're in". He starts to walk away.
"Something's changed in you Adam. Since your family left". Max dishes out some home truths.
Adam slowly turns around, emotionless in his face whilst tilting his head to one side. "Like I said, with them out of my life I have nothing left to lose anymore. They were only holding me back…"
"You still have a brother here that needs you!"
"Sammy is a man now, he needs to learn to take care of himself like I did at his age. By the time he wakes up I'll be gone. Just make sure everything here runs smoothly in the meantime, I'm counting on you Max".
Adam picks up a large gym bag off the floor before shutting the front door behind him.
The buzzer to Axel's cell sounds as the door starts to open.
"What the fuck is it now? Can't a man here get any sleep?" He stands up from his bed holding out his wrists in front of 3 guards.
"We have orders from the Government to move you elsewhere into protective custody."
"That's a shame" Axel complains "I was waiting for that asshole Jake to pay us another visit. What difference is one more kill gonna make to my sentence?" He sarcastically smirks holding a pen knife in the air.
"Quit fooling around and come with us. Adam has insisted we move you".
"Adam?" Axel raises his eyebrows surprised. "The last time you boys dragged me out of this cell, it led me to hospital. Wait there".
He casually walks towards the basin of the cell before pulling out from underneath the small cell phone Adam gave him.
The guards can't help but do nothing and stare as Axel makes a phone call.
"What the fuck is going on? I told you my decision!"
Adam replies on the other end of the line. "Just cos you're moving out of here doesn't mean you're free. You'll understand why I'm doing this".
"Force me to move out of here if you want, but I haven't changed my mind".
He hangs up then throws the phone on the bed before Axel extends his arms out once more in front of him.
"I hope there's a TV and games console in protective custody" he jokes with a sarcastic grin, knowing that Adam and Blaze have already retrieved the documents they set out for.
"She's waking up!" Shiva calls Maria over as Blaze starts to open her eyes. She lies motionless with her vision blurred at first, still exhausted.
"How are you feeling Blaze?" Maria smiles down at her.
"I'm so tired…." she quietly replies.
"Well it's not every day someone kills a Yamato warrior and then has a blood transfusion. You've done well getting this far and you appear to be on the mend."
"Thank you and your husband for everything" Blaze gives her a shallow smile, taking her hand.
Maria quickly changes the subject, avoiding her gaze. "First we need to give you a scan".
"Why?" Blaze asks, feeling concerned.
"Having a major transfusion like this is always risky, especially after everything you've gone through and all the fighting you've done in the last few days. Your body is exhausted and there's a chance you could have lost the baby".
Blaze shakes her head "I told you, that's impossible! There's no way I'm pregnant. The people here hope for something that just doesn't exist. It's all fake mystical shit".
"What like that chi that came out of your hand? Or the way you fought with that sword the other night?" Shiva interrupts.
"Fine! Give me one of those sticks and I'll show you this is a false alarm."
"You know you are so stubborn!" Shiva argues with her.
"No. I think she's really hiding the fact that she's scared. It's ok to be worried you know" Maria replies as Blaze avoids her gaze.
"Have you had any symptoms?" The doctor asks.
"Like what?"
"Like changes in your appetite, lightheadedness, feeling sick…"
"No" she shakes her head.
"You were sick on the boat the other day!" Shiva answers.
"Just stop ok?!" Blaze snaps. "Fine, I'll do this but I'm telling you I'm right about this!"
"I'll be outside if anyone needs me" he exits the room.
"Is this your first scan?" Maria asks as she sets up the ultrasound monitor. Blaze gives her an anxious nod, staying quiet lying on her back.
"This won't hurt, it's just cold that's all" the doctor carefully places the gel over her stomach.
"What is it?" Blaze nervously asks.
"Just give it a minute, the machine is almost ready. These scans are never easy when you're by yourself. Just try to relax ok?" She reassures Blaze whilst looking at the monitor.
"Your friend outside explained you hate being proven wrong but I'm afraid you'll have to accept it this time. You see that little circle at the centre of the screen? It's the size of a pea right now. It means you're around 7 weeks pregnant".
She pauses and tries to process it all, trying to accept the reality of whats in front of her.
"Woah, that's incredible" she smiles, staring at the screen, surprised and taken back in awe whilst suddenly feeling slightly more relaxed than earlier.
"You're saying that little circle right there is…."
"Hold on, wait a sec!" Maria halts her excitement.
"What's wrong?" Blaze's face turns to worry.
"I'm just trying to find a heartbeat…. Wait…. There it is" the doctor smiles after an anxious pause.
A huge sigh of relief and a smile appears on Blaze's face as her eyes start to water.
"I'll keep the monitor on and will give you a minute here alone. Is there any way we can contact the father to tell him the news?"
She shakes her head looking down as the smile on her face turns into sadness. "No. He's in prison right now. I wish he was here" she replies wiping her eyes.
"I'm so sorry," Maria says.
Suddenly they hear motorbikes pulling up outside the clinic.
"What's going on?" Blaze questions as she reaches for her knife on the bedside table. She sits up on high alert whilst Maria frantically puts away the machine then removes her drip.
"They're here with Rob!" Shiva bursts into the room.
As Blaze gets up to her feet for a second she feels light headed. It only takes a moment to compose herself as she clenches her fists and readies her stance to fight. To her surprise, Shiva shakes his head at her signalling 'don't'.
"Well well well, looks like sleeping beauty finally woke up then!" Electra bursts onto the scene smirking with amusement.
"What do you want?" Blaze glares at her with hate as Rob is pushed forward by one thug wearing motorcycle gear. He stands with a gun pointed towards the back of his head with his face bloodied and bruised as he looks at Maria with fear in his eyes.
"You and Leon here are coming on a trip with me. Remember we had a deal" Electra smiles. She gives them no choice to surrender.
"Ok, just let these people go" Blaze drops the knife with her hands in the air. Shiva immediately replicates her.
"Good girl!" Electra replies with a grin as Rob is pushed forward towards Maria. Two thugs each tie Blaze and Shiva's hands with a tight wire, preventing them from using their chi as they are escorted outside. Each of them is forced into the backs of separate cars with a dark sack over their heads before they are driven off.