Chapter 18: Distraction
"Ugh, we made it! Finally!" Forest whined.
Chris only groaned as he, Jill, and Forest trudged through the side entrance of the RPD, heading straight for the nearest coffee pot.
"What even was that?" Jill groused, taking off her beret long enough to fluff her short hair.
"A pain in the ass, is what! I've never had to arrest Santa and elves breaking into a mall before! Why does so much weird shit happen in RC?"
Chris didn't answer, but Forest was right. It seemed like there were a lot of firsts for him as a STARS officer as well, despite his military background.
Forest groaned, rolling his shoulder. "I'm pooped!"
"Hey, we don't wanna hear it, dude," Chris grumbled to his good friend. "Jill and I just pulled a double."
"Ya ain't the only ones! Who do ya think is covering your ass today? You're welcome!"
Chris snorted as they reached the coffee station in the hallway just outside the West Office. Nearby an RPD officer purchased a snack from a vending machine.
"Wow. You and Joseph working on the same shift? Either Wesker's going senile or he just wants to punish himself today."
Jill stifled a giggle.
Forest snickered. "Nah. Probably a trap so he can murder us."
They each made a cup of coffee. Forest added a bunch of creamer and sugar to his while Chris drank his black. Jill only added a little sugar to hers. It wasn't long before two familiar faces showed up to get coffee as well. RPD officers Rita Phillips and Elliot Edward were looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to begin their shift this morning.
"Good mornin', y'all," Rita greeted in her southern drawl.
"You three look like crap," Elliot joked. "Rough night?"
Forest ran his fingers through his long hair. "Arrested a fat man in a Santa suit with his elves breaking into the mall on east Bond."
Rita stirred her fresh coffee and blew on it. "Ha! RC knows how to keep things interesting, that's for sure."
Elliot nudged her. "Speaking of interesting, look who's back."
They followed Elliot's gaze, just in time to see Lieutenant Marvin Branagh heading for the West Office with a stalker hot on his heels. Chris recognized the reporter right away with his dark hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, the glasses and nicely trimmed mustache and goatee. Ben Bertolucci.
"Come on, Marv, work with me here!" Ben nagged, keeping up with the wearied lieutenant. "Don't you think it's just a little strange that a party where the mayor, city officials, police chief and even the STARS captain attended ended up having something happen where bodies were gurneyed out and, yet, nothing but silence?!"
Marvin stopped with his hand on the doorknob, sighing, and turned to the persistent reporter. "Ben, how many times do I gotta say it? You're barking up the wrong tree, man! Make an appointment at the front desk if you want to talk to them, but I'm telling you, there was an investigation and you'll get your answers soon enough!"
"You know they refuse to talk to me anymore!"
"Can't imagine why," Marvin groaned and stepped through the door, slamming it in Ben's face.
Ben hovered by the door, flustered. Rita shook her head. "On the trail again, eh Ben? You're a persistent one, I'll give you that."
"Someone's gotta be!" Ben stomped over to them. "So much corruption in this city, in this very police department! Ugh, Irons is just a rat, I'm telling you!"
Well, no one was about to deny that, but they also knew Ben Bertolucci was paranoid and a little out there with some of his conspiracy theories.
Forest rolled his eyes. "So what's it this time, Bertolucci? Aliens? Ninjas?"
"Always a smartass, eh Speyer? At least I want to get to the bottom of what really happened to those people. And not whatever BS they say it is!"
Chris sighed. Oh boy, here we go.
"Not every death in Raccoon City is tied to some crazy conspiracy! Get your head outta your ass!" Forest argued. "We know there's corruption here. There's corruption everywhere!"
Chris grabbed Forest's shoulder. "Let it go."
"Ben, either make an appointment or leave. We already have enough on our plates as it is," Jill said.
"Ugh, fine. I need a smoke, anyway." The reporter patted his breast pocket for his pack of cigarettes. "You guys shouldn't have your heads in the clouds so much."
Chris held Forest back as Ben sauntered off. Jill shook her head at his back while Rita and Elliot took sips of their coffee.
"See ya later, Ben," Rita called.
"Can't stand that guy," Forest grumbled. "Yeah, we know RC ain't perfect, but we work our asses off to change it every day! I mean, I hate Irons as much as the next guy. He's a sleazeball, but that doesn't mean he had anything to do with what happened last night."
"Gas leak is what David heard," Elliot piped up. "Happened in one of the hotel rooms after the party."
It was sad and unfortunate, they knew, but definitely not something out of the ordinary or suspicious. They would have to wait for the full details later.
Chris, Jill, and Forest left to return to the STARS office, taking their much needed cups of coffee with them. As tired and hungry as Chris was, the coffee might as well have been a drink straight from heaven.
They met Enrico just as he stepped out of the STARS office. The Bravo Captain waved at them with a tired smile, looking just as worn out as them.
"Get that bad Santa?" he greeted.
"Yeah. Everything went fine. Weird...but fine," Jill answered.
"Knew I could count on you three. I'll see you around. Have some errands to run."
"Hey," Forest called before Enrico could get far. "Did you get that repair budget approved for the STARS van so I can work on it?"
"Oh...right. No, I didn't. Sorry, Forest. I had a million things going on tonight." Enrico rubbed his mustache and glanced at his watch. "Take it up with Wesker. He should be in shortly."
"Oh, so you want me to die today. Ok, cool."
The STARS Vice-Captain chortled as he walked away. "Don't be a baby, Speyer. You can always go talk to Irons yourself."
"Fuck that noise!"
Enrico's hearty, deep laugh echoed down the hallway as the three STARS members entered the office. As tired as he was, Chris still went to his desk to at least start his report before going home. Jill sat down beside him with the same intentions while Forest unlocked the armory, grumbling something about Joseph and Richard that Chris didn't pay attention to.
He wondered if Claire ended up spending the night at the Birkin house babysitting or if she was able to go home. She had told him she didn't know when they would return home but that they would give her a ride home when they did. Considering he never got a call from her, Chris could only hope that his little sister had an uneventful, safe night.
It was only while expanding his thoughts to the William Birkin fellow and how he was friends with the Captain that Chris realized something tiny still ate at him about it. For some reason he recalled Kendo's remarks of spotting Wesker and Claire together across town again.
He quickly buried and dismissed it. It was just him. Everything was fixed now. Everything was fine.
In just three days it would be Christmas. Claire's babysitting gig would be up, and they would enjoy a nice holiday with each other and their friends. Chris couldn't wait to give Claire her gift. It was a special order for something she'd wanted for a while. Chris had only pretended to ask her what she wanted for Christmas to throw her off.
Kenneth Sullivan arrived shortly after that last thought, carrying a case and a travel mug that was no doubt full of coffee. The Bravo member went straight to his desk while stifling a yawn and waved at them with a dad-like smile. "Mornin' kiddoes. Any of you freeze your asses off yet? Cold out there!"
"Morning, Ken," Chris and Jill greeted.
"Hey Sully, you got your video recorder today?!" Forest yelled from the armory.
Kenneth sighed with a small shake of his head. "Nah, man. It's still getting upgraded. Why?"
"Oh, for posterity! In case I get fucking murdered today."
Kenneth snorted, eyes on his computer, fingers clacking on the keyboard as he signed in. "Hey, that'll be on you, bro. Leave my old ass outta it."
"Frost and Speyer on the same shift today," Jill stated, not looking up from her report.
"Oh!" Kenneth grimaced. "Well, hell. Boss done lost his damn mind!"
Forest barely made it out of the armory with two ammo cases, carrying them to his desk, when the office door opened once more. Forest, quiet until he realized it was just Joseph, hollered out to his good friend.
"Hey Frost, on time for once!"
"We're gonna die," Joseph panted, pressed against the door, a little panicked. He hurried to his desk, just on the other side of Forest. "It was nice knowing y'all. Forest, we ain't gonna make it ten minutes, you and I."
"Great."
Jill sighed as she scribbled through a note stuck on her case file. "Are you being overdramatic again, Joe?"
"Probably," Kenneth mumbled.
"No! Someone or something got his panties in a twist this morning."
"Joe, calm down. He smells fear," Forest said while opening one of the ammo crates.
"I know! Where's Chickenheart when you need him?!"
"Oh, quit your whining. You two make it worse half the time," Chris grumbled. He understood. Wesker had days when he was a complete dick. There were days Chris challenged him every chance he got, days where he and Wesker absolutely did not like each other. But it was rare anymore. He surely hadn't quite grown out of his rebellious, stubborn streak. He just knew how to apply it to other aspects of his job that made him a better officer.
"Easy for you to say, Redfield. You get to go home soon," Joseph grumbled.
"Ehh, he probably didn't get laid after that fancy party last night. Can't blame the guy, I suppose," Forest quipped.
Jill barely had time to roll her eyes before the door opened again and everyone but her and Kenneth froze. Why would they? It wasn't as though Jill or Kenneth ever got on the Captain's bad side and so barely reacted to his mood. Chris looked, just to see if Joseph was being dramatic, because, well, he was a little dramatic at times. Not as much as Brad, but still.
Chris knew Wesker well enough to know that he was not happy. The man had great control over his emotions, but something or someone had him fuming beneath his skin. The only outward sign was his clenched jaw and narrowed eyes, since his sunglasses were currently hanging from his breast pocket.
Oddly enough though, his sharp, aggravated glare did not immediately go to the two that often got under his skin, but straight to Chris himself. His brain panicked, trying to think of something he may have forgotten to do or something he could've done to have drawn his Captain's ire over Frost and Speyer of all people.
If looks could kill, Chris would've been dead.
Thankfully, it only lasted a few moments, despite feeling like a millennium. Chris could breathe again, pulse pounding in his temple. Wesker's glare went straight to Forest, and he knew he was fucked.
"Speyer, my office. Now." And he slipped into the small office to the side of the STARS entrance door.
"Ugh." Forest whined, getting up. "Tell my momma I loved her."
Chris's good friend entered the office and shut the door behind him. They all waited, listened. But no harsh voices came. Chris was relieved and tried to get back to work, still confused over what happened.
"You piss him off somehow?" Jill whispered.
"No idea."
He took it as a sign though. He saved his report and gathered up his stuff to leave, peering down at his partner when he realized she was still hard at work, flipping through a case file.
"You staying?"
"Yeah. I have two case reports due today and one of them is the Boeler case." She gave him her trademark "I got this" smirk. "I won't be much longer. You're not gonna stick around and make sure your good buddy comes out of there alive?"
"After the look I got, Forest is on his own. He'll understand."
Jill chuckled and went back to work. Chris messed up her hat as he walked by, and she retaliated with an elbow to his gut. Chris waved goodbye to them, intending to sneak out to his freedom, but just as he reached the door, Forest stepped out of Wesker's office.
The Bravo marksman didn't look mad or scared, mostly confused.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Flying with Brad to Fairview today."
"Was that why he was mad?" Surely not. It wasn't as though flying the choppers to Fairview for maintenance was anything out of the ordinary. Brad could only do so much with the equipment and setup here.
"No." Forest scratched his head. "Kinda weird, man. Never seen him like that before. He was mad, but he wasn't. Fucking distracted. Whoever put him in that mood really got their A-game going on. And now I have to contemplate what the fuck I'm doing with my life."
Wesker distracted? Was that even possible?
Chris shook his head with a sigh. "Stay out of trouble, ya idiot."
He bumped fists with Forest and left. He could feel the exhaustion in his body taking over. He was ready to hit the sack and sleep all day after the night he had. Once he made sure Claire was home safe and sound first, of course.
Tracking Stephan Bennett's movements through Raccoon City after he'd absconded from Bard's Christmas party had proved to be a surprising challenge for Ada, even with the tracking bug Claire had attached to him. It was night. It was freezing. There was snow everywhere. It really was no fun at all. Zero out of five stars, wouldn't recommend.
Stephan's driving was reckless and urgent, making it hard to tail him in an inconspicuous way. But seeing as he bailed out of the old hotel with a snapped forearm, she wasn't surprised. He was in dire need of medical care.
It was obvious that Albert had gotten a hold of him and killed all of his men. Ada was still reeling from the fact that Albert chose to protect Claire over getting his easy ticket to Roth. The ticket that would've given him the preemptive strike. As shocking and fascinating as it was to see Albert Wesker show such behavior to anyone other than William Birkin, it was a double-edged sword. Claire may have been saved from a terrible fate at the hands of Roth, a known human trafficker for Umbrella and other companies, but all it proved was that Albert wasn't going to let her go.
She followed Bennett to the Apple Inn first. It didn't take long for Roth to come out of the side entrance into the parking lot. Hiding in plain sight this whole time? The sneaks!
Using her listening device while parked on the street further down, Ada was able to tune in to an argument between the two over what happened. Ada didn't need her binoculars to see Roth's face when Wesker's name was dealt. There was a heavy silence, the kind that tended to settle when your worst fears came to realization. Next thing Ada knew, Aaron Roth was hopping in the driver seat and they were off again.
"Too late to skip town now, hmm Roth?" Ada asked. "After this long, you finally have to face him."
The spy followed them to a medical clinic in Cider District, just south of west Ennerdale Street. She parked the beat up, inconspicuous van across the street at a STAGLA gas station. Watching. Waiting. This wasn't an "after hours" clinic, but, apparently, they had an ally here waiting for them, to set Bennett's arm no doubt. Ada would be here for a while…
She got the short end of the deal tonight, but then again, she was curious how this was going to end.
Luckily, she brought a blanket and a thermos full of coffee.
Mostly, this allowed Ada's mind to wander as she watched with patience akin to a feline. She thought over the night so far. The mission at Bard's Christmas party went smoothly until the hotel room, but once again Claire proved she was more than capable of handling herself through wit and tenacity. Ada admired her and actually hoped the girl would get her happy ending.
Ada frowned, popping the lid on her thermos and taking a sip of coffee. Unfortunately, Albert held the same admiration for Claire but with a darker twist that bordered obsession. A possessive kind of smitten she'd never seen from him before. She had no doubt where Albert and Claire ended up after the party, or the nature of their evening.
Claire didn't strike Ada as the kind of woman who was into "bad guys". She was also too smart and grounded to know that there was nothing she could mend or tame in Albert Wesker, despite any attraction or feelings she may have for him. The truth of the matter was that Albert had entranced her, as he often did. Charm was second nature to him, just like manipulation, just like his desire for control. Claire had no idea who she was sleeping with. She thought she did, but it was a droplet in the ocean. But if Wesker's obsession kept her in his bed, she would be drowning in that ocean soon enough.
Something else perturbed Ada in the quiet of the night. The settling of the cold encroached inside the van, through her coat, through her blanket. Beams of headlights passed by along the street between her and the clinic. The gas station was open all night, the only bright light near her, but she had parked away from direct traffic coming in and out.
She lost count of the time waiting and watching. No movement came from the clinic. Ada didn't like the feeling in her gut, and figured it was time to bug Roth's car and send Albert a coded message, although she doubted he would even read it tonight. Not while he had Claire in his bed.
Just as the spy sat her thermos in the center console, a couple of sharp taps scraped her window. Ada sighed. There it was. She turned to look through the tinted driver window of the van, expecting Roth or some of his men, but instead she was quite surprised. And she hated surprises.
Wesker didn't say a single word when Claire got out of his car and slammed the door shut. He clenched his jaw as he reversed out of her driveway and drove for the police department.
"So who's really complicating shit here?"
The nerve of that woman. She never ceased to both infuriate and enthrall him. If he hadn't been running late already, he'd be tempted to follow her into the house and settle the tension in a different manner.
He squeezed the steering wheel, drowning the urge. That thought irritated him further as it evinced what he had been denying for days - that Claire had pull over his self-control.
He simmered in frustrated silence until he arrived at the RPD. It stayed with him as he marched his usual route from his parking space towards the STARS office.
And just was his luck as he was halfway across the main hall, babbling voices of a busy morning like static in his ears, one voice boomed above them all carrying his name.
"Wesker!" Irons called, standing near the Goddess statue. "C'mon, we're going to my office. We need to have a little chat."
In other words, Irons had questions about what happened at Bard's Christmas party. But Wesker was far from in the mood to deal with him currently.
"Sounds like the perfect place for you to waste oxygen. Without me."
The STARS Captain stepped right past the Police Chief without missing a beat, not bothering to watch Irons' predictable reaction: flushing, floundering words. The chattering officers nearby instantly hushed, becoming shocked onlookers. One of them was Joseph Frost and Wesker was about to order him to get to work when a sharp whistle caught his attention.
"Hey, Wesker!"
It was Enrico. He was at the top of the stairs in the main hall talking to a veteran police officer. After a cheerful farewell and "Merry Christmas" to his colleague, the Vice Captain of STARS met Wesker at the bottom of the stairs, greeting him with a tired smile.
"Got the all clear for the Bravo helicopter to be delivered in Fairview, but Vickers will need help troubleshooting some of the squawk sheet."
Frost slinked by them as quickly and quietly as possible. Enrico watched him go with furrowed brows.
"Hey Joe, what's the hurry?!" And then sighed. "Kids these days."
"Is there anything else?" Wesker asked as amiable as he could, despite his agitation.
"Not anything out of the ordinary. What about you? I heard about that gas leak at the hotel. Weren't you at that party?"
"That was after I left."
"I don't know how you can rub shoulders with all those politicians and rich folk, Wesker."
"Child's play," Wesker boasted, heading up the stairs. "Politicians are easy to entertain."
Easy to extort. Easy to control.
Everyone was.
He continued treading for the STARS office, too distracted and annoyed to get coffee.
Through all of his frustration and anger, however, Wesker realized it wasn't directed at Claire, but what she claimed. And she was right.
He was angry with himself. He was the one complicating matters, all because he wanted her. Things would've gone oh so differently had it been anyone else but Claire. Perhaps Aaron Roth would be bowing at his feet right now.
As vexatious as Claire was, he had always admired her, but now she had his full adulation. Her goal was to piss him off and she did, but what she didn't know was that it also had the opposite effect of what she was striving for.
And Wesker acknowledging all of this only frustrated him further. No one else could've done that to him, and it reinforced his desire to have her to himself. Unfortunately, too many factors prevented that from happening. Entering the STARS office, still seething beneath his skin, Wesker glared at one of the main obstacles in his way.
Chris.
He actually liked and respected Chris compared to most, but wanted him dead in that moment. But Wesker knew better. If he really wanted Claire to himself, he would have to be patient and play his cards right. Both of which he was adept in.
All in due time...
"Speyer, my office. Now."
Wesker slipped into his room and went to his desk, sitting down just as Forest entered and closed the door behind him. The STARS Captain already had messages on his answering machine, but ignored them for now.
"Mornin' Captain. What can I do ya for?" Forest greeted.
Though a great officer with exceptional training and experience, Wesker could hardly stand him at times. His typical carefree greeting would've annoyed him like most other mornings, but Wesker was still distracted by a certain redhead and how she had called him out.
"You're accompanying Vickers to Fairview today. The Bravo helicopter needs servicing. He has the discrepancy sheet. I want them all cleared."
Forest was quiet for a moment, bouncing his foot on his knee, confused yet curious. "Yeah, sure. Not a problem, Cap. We'll get it done."
Typical Forest Speyer. Trying to appease and annoy him at the same time…
Claire would often bounce her leg when she was deep in thought. It did wonderous things to the muscles in her calf that in turn did something to his muscles.
Had he really gotten off on that tangent because of Speyer? He had to focus before this simple assignment meeting wasted any more of his time.
"Good," he said as he regained his mental composure. "You are excused."
The Bravo marksman slowly stood up, baffled, scratching his neck as he exited the Captain's office.
After Forest left, he still wasn't quite himself. Calmer, but still distracted. After pressing the playback on his answering machine, he listened to the voicemails while thinking back to his and Claire's night at his house. The amazing sex, sure. But that "heart-to-heart" later had a curious effect on him that he couldn't quite place.
Wesker checked his pager and found no messages from William or Ada. He recalled William mentioning he had to go to the Spencer estate this morning. He probably wouldn't hear from him until this evening. Ada was most likely still doing surveillance on Roth and Bennett.
Until he heard from her, they couldn't move forward. Sighing, Wesker turned on his desktop and got to work.
Wesker checked his watch as he made his way through NEST. 6:42 P.M. He'd only just left his shift at the RPD and went home to change before coming here, bringing with him the same headache that had plagued him all day. The underground facility's bright lights only made it worse despite him wearing his sunglasses.
He had yet to hear from Ada. On top of that, he just couldn't get his mind off of Claire. Both of which irritated him. Perhaps Ada got tied up somehow. Or something happened to her. Either way, they didn't have much time left.
As he rounded one corner, closing in on William's laboratory, other researchers staying out of his way, his thoughts switched back to Claire. By now Roth would know that it was Wesker who was after him. He knew little about Stephan Bennett, but Wesker knew his type. He would seek payback for what happened last night. Roth would know better though. Claire should be safe for now. However, he made a mental note to keep more eyes on her. He had already done so for William outside of NEST...without him knowing of course.
"Good evening, Dr. Wesker!"
"Hello, Dr. Wesker."
Two young, attractive female researchers pulled him out of his thoughts. An unwanted distraction.
"Ladies."
Instantly charmed, they crooned as they went on their way. Wesker rolled his eyes and took the next left to William's laboratory. He didn't acknowledge the guard, regrouping his thoughts as the electronic doors slid open after reading his ID wristband.
He looked around the main area, but William wasn't around. Neither was Annette.
"Will?"
He proceeded to the back rooms, one of which was a rest area.
Just try it, Will. I will break your nose again.
But no attempted jump scares sprang on him. Surprisingly, he was spared such antics this time. He didn't find his partner in the resting area, but in one of the smaller back labs analyzing blood and tissue samples. William chewed on his lip, deep in thought, fingers hovering over the keyboard of a nearby computer.
Wesker could instantly tell William was more restless than usual, and something had him quite conflicted. He whistled sharply. Will jumped, whipping around in surprise. He sighed in relief and relaxed.
"Hey Al, my pal!" Such a remark was typical of him, but Wesker knew this one was forced. An attempted front to distract Wesker from his real mood. Ambivalence was the main thing he felt from his partner.
William slapped him on the arm and pointed to the case of glass vials with glee. "Look who I got to see today!"
Wesker picked one up, turning it in his fingertips as he read. "Lisa? You haven't needed samples from her in a long time."
"Yeah, and it was a bitch as usual. She still remembers me. Still wants to rip my face off. Probably so she can wear it." He shivered at the thought.
He went back to typing on the computer, more focused than before, but still preoccupied...still anxious. Wesker waited for a moment, expecting William to demand details on his night with Claire. But it never came. All he rambled about was getting poker winnings from Scott and Steve at the Spencer estate.
Suddenly indignant, Wesker glared at Will, and it was enough to make him trail off. "What?"
"I figured you would've been begging for details on my night with Claire over whining about winnings from a poker game two months ago."
Will huffed. "First of all, Steve's a scumbag and he cheated! Second, anyone with eyes knows what happened between you two last night, and it does me no good to beg for details because you won't share them! Thirdly, I find it so adorable when you get upset when I don't give you attention."
Another typical response that was delivered too forcefully. Wesker restrained himself from slugging his partner, only because he now had no doubt something was wrong with him. William might've been a good poker player with anyone else, but he wasn't with him.
Wesker was about to confront him, but then dropped it. There was a more important issue right now. "Ada has yet to contact me."
William forgot about the samples, peering at him with a surprised yet concerned frown. "What? Really? That's not like her. You think something happened?"
Wesker thought about it. "There's a good possibility she's been compromised at this point. If so, our next move is crucial."
William slowly nodded, unsure. There weren't too many who could get the upper hand on Ada Wong, but Roth could've been one of them. He always had many tricks up his sleeve. Wesker had been after him for a few years now. This wasn't just about stopping Roth from selling their research. A mere stick in the fire. Wesker was after something much bigger from the information broker.
"What do we do? Without Ada, we don't know where they are."
"After what happened at the party, it's probable that Roth will contact me. For a truce, no doubt." Roth wasn't the gloating type. Always level-headed, he'd play his capture of Ada in a more resourceful manner.
"Then what? We're running out of time to kill the bastard. Keeping Bard and Mueller around is one thing, but Roth has to go!"
William still didn't know. Wesker wanted it to remain that way. He couldn't know his true motives in this stratagem. Bard and Mueller were easy to control. Pawns on a chessboard. Roth wasn't so easy. But if Wesker could get him right where he wanted him, then he would be pocketing a rook.
"His partner, Stephan Bennett, is quite predictable. He'll want revenge for what happened last night. Not just on me, but on Claire. He's attracted to her."
"He's definitely got a hard-on for her, yeah."
Wesker scowled, resisting the urge to grind his teeth. "I may be able to use Claire to lure him out. If we can get to him, we can get to Roth."
Had Wesker let Claire be taken in the first place, they wouldn't be in this situation. Then again, Ada going MIA wasn't something he had expected.
Will's brows rose high on his forehead. "You...want to put Claire at risk?"
"You're surprised?"
He half-shrugged. "Well, you just seem...well, protective of her, I guess. Considering what happened at the party."
Wesker sighed. "Don't be absurd. I'll use Claire any way I wish."
His partner pursed his lips, attention slipping back to his computer monitor like he didn't believe him one bit. "Yeah, okay."
"Besides. She won't be at risk. Once Bennett takes the bait, I am free to finish what I started at the hotel."
"You sure do have it out for this guy, huh? A small fry like Bennett? Why? Because he has a thing for Claire?"
Wesker folded his arms. "Okay, Will. What is troubling you?"
Will exhaled sharply through his nose. "There you go again, changing the subject to avoid something you don't want to admit. Always deflecting. Gettin' old, Al. And I'm peachy, by the way. Just a bad day. Just stressed that my research is about to be sold to any two-bit moron to make Roth rich."
Wesker remained silent. Twenty-six years. Twenty-six years he's known William. The majority of his life. The two of them knew each other too well at this point. There was no doubt that William was telling the truth just now. But it still wasn't what was bothering him. He wondered if Spencer had complained about the progress of the G-Virus again, but William would've mentioned that.
Perhaps it had something to do with him. William's gaze on him was strange today, as though he had suddenly sprouted another appendage and William wasn't sure how to compliment him on it.
Instead of pushing William, Wesker sighed, dropping his arms with a shake of his head. "I won't allow it to happen. We are in the endgame now, Will. Keep it together. The final pieces are about to make their play. That includes Claire. That includes us. I need you focused."
William glumly nodded. "Yeah...anything for you, Al."
Wesker hesitated, and he hated that. It was as if he knew he was supposed to say something more to his partner, but he just couldn't articulate it. He turned and left William's side. It was better if he left for now.
"Hey, Al...about Anezka…"
Wesker stopped, tensing. He glared over his shoulder at William, unknowingly clenching a fist. William hesitated now, as if the words he had formed suddenly dissipated and he awkwardly tried to think of something else. "I...I like Claire better. I-I know the situation is a bit more...complicated, but I think you do, too. You should own up to it already."
"And what purpose would that serve?" Wesker asked.
"I don't know. Maybe you'll find out soon. Besides, what's the purpose of holding onto whatever feelings or resentment you have for Anna?"
Never had William challenged him like that before. It took much of his self-control to contain himself and not beat his partner to a pulp. At the same time, he commended William for such a move. The Golgotha researcher remained frozen by his station, only concerned curiosity on his features.
Wesker ground his teeth and walked out.
Her mind was on auto-pilot. After entering the house, Claire hardly recalled storming into her room and stripping down to nothing. Next thing she knew hot water was spraying down her bare back in the shower.
As hot as she could stand it.
Steam fogged up the bathroom while her thoughts sieved through the events and emotions of last night. The Christmas party. Bennett. The way his arm snapped like a dry twig, the crack echoing in her ear. Bennett's men, eyes cold, sprawled at her feet. The intense feeling in Wesker's car. The even more intense sex at his house. Sleeping in his bed. Sitting in his lap. The way he looked at her. How he recalled a dead mother he never mourned or cared about just to propitiate her.
How he had laid claim to her and had "spared" her brother for those intentions.
She scrubbed every inch she could scrub. Revolted, but pissed more than anything. Pissed at herself. Pissed at him. Maybe a little scared, if she had to be honest with herself. She was in a bad situation. Real bad.
Why me?
Why did she have to go on that hiking trail?
Why was Wesker obsessed with her? Was it her looks? Her red hair? Her charming, ladylike personality? Did she remind him of his past lover who had run off? Surely not. He was the type of man who could have any woman he wanted. Maybe she just wanted to know how she was different from them all. How was she special?
She clawed her scalp, the shower drowning out her aggravated moan. Her thoughts confirmed what she had been trying to swallow all along...She had developed her own unhealthy feelings for him, too.
Claire toweled herself off and returned to her bedroom. She looked her nude body over in the full-length mirror. The bump on her head from her scuffle with Bennett had gone down, and now only a little cut remained, hardly noticeable. But she noticed other marks on her body and she knew what they were from. None of them bothered her except for one she noticed - just as Chris came through the front door calling her name.
"Claire? You home?!"
That fucking asshole!
The small hickey was fresh on the side of her neck and there was no denying what it was. She shouldn't have been surprised, honestly, with how fervent last night had been.
"I'm here, hold on!" Claire hollered back. She let her hair down from the towel and fixed it to where it covered the mark up.
She did her best to bury her stressed thoughts, eager to see Chris after all that had happened. She practically flew out of the bedroom and nearly barreled him over with a hug.
"Hey, there ya are!" Chris said, relieved. "Everything alright?" He squeezed her tight.
As much as she really missed him and was worried about him, Claire dialed it down so her brother wouldn't get suspicious.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just missed you. Did you have a good night?"
"Well, it was a night, anyway. What about you? Are you just now getting back?"
Chris looked exhausted, like he would pass out any moment. His eyes watered after a big yawn and so he rubbed them.
"Oh...yeah, I am. It went well. I had an...uneventful night." She forced a smile, ignoring the pang in her heart.
That was the biggest lie she had ever told him…and she had told him quite a few these past couple of weeks.
Chris nodded, relieved, scratching his face where stubble had formed. He would be off to bed now, blissfully unaware that Claire was nearly killed tonight. Blissfully unaware that his boss had killed her assailants like they were nothing. Blissfully unaware that his sister and boss were now some kind of twisted lovers. Blissfully unaware that Claire was doing everything she could to keep him safe.
"I'm glad everything went fine for you, Sis. I'm gonna hit the sack. This double-shift really kicked my ass."
Claire pecked him on the cheek before he shambled away. Claire reluctantly watched him go. She wanted him to get his rest and was worried about him, but him leaving her alone meant she would be forced to confront her thoughts and feelings, currently in shambles.
She went to bed, too. The rest would do her some good as well, if she could sleep. Balling up under the covers, Claire squeezed her eyes shut, as if that would shut out all the emotions consuming her, the most she had ever felt at once, so intense she felt sick to her stomach. It bothered her more than the soreness in her muscles or in between her thighs.
She only hoped calling Wesker out flustered him beyond control. She hoped she drove him insane, just like he did with her.
She woke up before Chris. Claire was surprised she even managed to get any rest. Knowing her brother would sleep a while longer after such a long shift, she made herself a small breakfast even though it was after lunch time.
She kept her mind distracted with a book, not too keen on going out for a jog any time soon. When she couldn't focus on the mystery thriller, she resorted to television to keep her darker thoughts at bay, absently rubbing her neck as she changed channels.
Then the phone rang. Claire got up and answered it. "Hello?"
"Hey stuck-up, how're you?"
It was Barry. His hearty chuckle instantly made her smile. "Stuck-up? How?"
"I've only seen you once since you've been in town. When you came over for the game, remember? And now you're taking a babysitting job that ain't Moira and Polly. I see how it is."
Claire laughed. "Oh whatever, Barry! If I'm so stuck-up, maybe I'll just hang up."
"Now, I wouldn't put that past you if it was someone other than Uncle Barry."
Claire shook her head. "You wanting to speak with Chris? He's sleeping."
"Nah, just checking in. I know he was really beat according to Jill. Anything I can do for you two?"
That was just like Barry. Always looking out for them. "We're good. Thanks."
"You guys are still coming over for Christmas, right? Kathy and I are making all the fixin's and you know that woman cooks like a boss. It's a crime against humanity to miss out on her green bean casserole."
"Yep, we'll be there."
"You better! Well, I should get back to work. Take care. Let me know if you need anything."
"Will do, Barry. Bye."
After hanging up, Claire realized she still needed to pick up gifts for Moira and Polly. Some time ago, it had become tradition that Chris handled the gifts for Barry and Kathy while she handled the gifts for the girls. Claire didn't mind that in the slightest. She had babysat the girls for years and considered them like nieces to her. Though close in age, the Burton sisters were quite different. Moira was adventurous and curious, always ready to play. Polly was a bit more introverted, just as entertained with a book or a puzzle. Despite that, they were really close to each other.
Chris woke up not long after her chat with Barry. Thankfully, the Redfield siblings decided to hang out at home. Claire wasn't up for going out after the night she had, and apparently neither was Chris. They watched some movies and played games. Chris didn't ask Claire why she kept her hair down because, luckily, that was a common habit for her at home.
Later they practiced guitar with each other, playing a song their dad loved playing for their mom. In the siblings' heart of hearts, it was a gift to their lost parents.
It pained Claire to know that she would have to go another year without seeing that picture of her parents. Another year closer to forgetting their faces.
Just before bed, Chris turned on the news to check the weather. And although the local news channel displayed the winter weather report on the bottom banner, the current story was of a "gas leak" that had killed a few people in the Grand Hotel.
Claire squeezed her pajama bottoms tight in her fingers listening to all the lies being reported. It took place after the upper-class party being held at the Orient Restaurant inside the hotel and was of no relation. The victims didn't know about the leak and were discovered by a "friend" after expiring.
"What a tragic accident," Chris stated, clicking the remote to turn off the TV. "The only good I see is at least they didn't feel any pain."
Claire bit her lip, barely nodding. But they did feel pain...a lot of pain. Your boss killed them with no mercy. One of them is still running around with a broken fucking arm. And they all covered it up like it was nothing…
Those men meant her harm. Perhaps they got what they deserved, but that wasn't the point. She saw them dead. It was ingrained in her mind. There was no way to pass it up as a "gas leak". The man's neck that Wesker had snapped had him looking like something off of the Exorcist. There was no way a coroner could mess that up…
Which meant what she already knew deep down. Wesker wasn't bluffing. It was one thing passing off the death of Finley or Lowery going missing. This was bigger, and they had swept it under the rug like it was a little dust bunny. It wasn't just the Police Chief that was corrupted. There were other cops and officials on that side of the fence, probably mired in holes Wesker manipulated them to dig themselves, kind of like her.
He did control Raccoon City. And now Claire could only wonder why. Wesker was obviously a control freak and power-hungry. But if she knew anything about him now it was that every single thing he did had a purpose. He was too methodical and compartmentalized everything. She wanted to know what his endgame was. She wanted to know what he was truly after.
"Earth to Claire!" A hand waved in front of her face.
"Huh?"
"You sure have been spacey lately. I asked if you would take me to work in the morning."
"Oh, sure. No problem. I gotta do some last minute Christmas shopping anyway. For the girls."
"Remember, we're doing lunch tomorrow. Or did you forget?"
Claire playfully glared at him. "No, I have not! Get to bed, jerk."
Chris yawned and stretched. "Yep. Goodnight, Spacey."
Claire grabbed the throw pillow from the couch and smacked him across the face with it.
"Oof!" He retaliated by grabbing the other pillow and smacking her back.
A short pillow fight ensued before the siblings succumbed to laughter. Chris retreated to his room, claiming she had given him a concussion with a pillow. Claire shook her head and returned the pillows to their rightful place, settling back down onto the couch.
She took a moment, listening to the sounds inside the house. The central heat kicking on, the hollow tick of the living room clock, the echoing of Chris's water faucet in his bathroom as he brushed his teeth. Chris's bad singing.
After all she had been through, Claire was thankful this home remained a safe haven from it all. For both of them. A respite from the world outside, the world Claire now knew was not at all like it seemed.
Her main purpose still was to protect her brother, to save them both. Unfortunately, she feared she made it all the more complicated by laying with the Devil. Now only time would tell what would happen from remaining in his bed.
The following morning, Claire dropped Chris off at work and then went gift shopping for Moira and Polly. Later she found a nice sketchbook and thought of Sherry. She recalled the girl's old, weathered sketchbook that was falling apart and full of loose drawings. Without a second thought, Claire grabbed it and a basketful of art supplies.
Sherry's gonna love this!
Once she returned home, the younger Redfield had some time to kill wrapping the gifts before she would meet Chris at the RPD for lunch. She decided to take a shower since she didn't have time earlier. Although the night before was still heavy on her heart and mind, she made sure to cut this shower shorter than the last.
She got dressed a little more "girlier" than usual, and she wasn't sure why: dark, slim jeans, tall boots, a low-cut blouse and a jacket. She did put her hair up, but was able to hide the hickey with a soft scarf.
Thank god it's winter!
After a little makeup, Claire was ready to go. She checked her watch. If traffic was good, she would get there on time. She turned the light out of her room and went for the kitchen where the house and truck keys hung.
As she came to the end of the hallway a bad feeling came over her. A second later, she was hit from behind and shoved out into the open living room, where two other sets of hands grabbed her.
Shifting to self-defense mode like a reflex, Claire kicked one intruder hard in the gut and away from her. The other clasped one hand around her throat, squeezing tight. A sharp blow to her ribs nearly knocked the air out of her before she realized who it was. Bennett. It was Bennett!
Furious, Claire snatched his fingers around her throat and bent them backwards. One finger snapped and Bennett closed in with a yowl. Claire saw her opening. She bashed her head into his face - and felt his nose crack. She wasn't done, Bennett's cry like music to her ears, and aimed for his broken arm next.
She was restrained from behind by a man in tactical gear and he punched her in the back of the head in warning. Bennett cursed, pulling a handkerchief from his breast pocket to stop the red fountain gushing from his nostrils. A folded-up piece of paper, dislodged from the pocket in the process, fell to the floor unnoticed.
"I said easy!" snapped the intruder she had kicked away from her. Aaron Roth. She just now realized it. "Stephan, get your shit together! We can't leave any traces and we aren't supposed to hurt her!"
Bennett didn't answer him, too busy putting pressure on his nose while it bled like a river. He was certainly going to feel that for a while. His glare at her was murderous. The man would see her dead - or worse - if he was given the chance. Claire kept his gaze with her own glare.
"Want me to sign your cast, Bennett?" Claire sneered. "I'll put a big "fuck you" on it!"
"Miss Redfield, I am sorry. I am sorry it has come to this," Roth said, a pitying smile on his handsome, clean-shaven face. He looked just as he had when she bumped into him outside Raccoon University: a man in his early thirties, well dressed, lustrous brown locks and clever green eyes. He might have looked friendlier than Wesker, but Claire knew that to be subterfuge. She could feel it in her bones, he was just as astute.
Still fighting the steel hold of the man behind her, she glared at Roth. "What the hell do you want with me?"
Roth pressed his lips together before they slowly upturned into a sad, sly smile. "Well, honey, that depends on what you're willing to give us."
The back door opened. Heavy footsteps plodded through the kitchen, and the newcomer soon emerged into the living room.
Claire stopped fighting. Panic ripped through her chest, her stomach clenching in disgust and fear. This was bad. This was very, very bad.
"Dobroye utro, devushka," greeted the towering Colonel Sergei Vladmir, the very same one she barely escaped from while in NEST. The very same one they said would kill her if he found out about her. "I am Sergei Vladmir, pleased to make your acquaintance. I have a few questions I'd like to ask you...if you could spare me some time?"
The smile that spread across his scarred face was supposed to be friendly and non-threatening, but Claire could feel the wickedness behind it.
She was trapped. She was captured. And this time Wesker wasn't around to save her...
A/N: I know I say it every time, but...I'm sorry for the wait! ^_^'
I had some major plotting to figure out before moving forward, since we are in the final chapters of the story (don't worry, there will be a sequel!)
Oh Claire...you're always getting yourself into so much trouble!
Thank you everyone for reading, following, reviewing! :3
I did some minor edits to some previous chapters, and added a few things, mostly small "interactions". (There will probably be more in the future)