Author note: Surprise! I know it's not a Monday but I'm updating anyway due to things happening in my personal life.
Henry woke early the next morning and went about his routine as usual. He checked Allison was sleeping soundly, showered and made himself a bowl of cereal. The younger officer was still asleep on the sofa so Henry made his way outside onto the bench with a cup of coffee in deep thought. He so desperately wanted to discuss his thoughts behind the mysterious email. His glanced inside to where Buzz was sleeping soundly, he had opened up to the man enough already. He was sure he was trustworthy but he knew what his reaction would be. He would tell Henry that he was in denial, that his son was dead and they saw his body as proof. That Henry was deluding himself in grief. Henry knew it was best to keep quiet. Henry reached into his pocket and stared at his contacts, his finger hovering over Gus's contact information. It was still early but Henry had no doubt that Gus would be awake despite it being the start of the weekend. His body clock would get him up for his morning rounds.
Henry took the plunge and made the call.
"Hello, Burton Guster speaking"
"Uh Hi Gus, it's Henry"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone.
"Oh, hey...you ok?"
"Something has happened that you should know about...Can you come round?"
"I'm on my way"
Henry glanced at his phone and saw that Gus had already hung up, no doubt hearing the serious tone of his voice and knowing instinctively that it was important. Henry clenched the phone with his fist, Gus deserved to know what was happening. If this really was Yin...he needed to know.
Henry wondered back inside and rinsed his mug in the sink, the sound of the running water seemed to rouse the younger officer who yawned loudly. Henry took that as a sign to boil the kettle once more and began to make him a cup of coffee.
"Morning, kettles boiling"
Buzz nodded and cricked his neck slightly in discomfort.
"Sleep ok?" Henry asked.
"Yes...I went through the rest of the albums here but...nothing"
Henry wasn't entirely sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing so simply inclined his head as a way of thanks.
Henry left Buzz to it and headed upstairs to check on Allison. He heard sounds of movement coming from the room and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in" the female voice called.
Henry entered slowly, Allison was stood in front of the small mirror on the wall with a brush in her hand, when she saw it was only Henry she resumed brushing her hair, her hand shook slightly as she did so, an action that Henry did not miss.
"You ok?" He asked stupidly, of course she was not ok.
Allison gave a small smile, "I just... keep seeing his face...tormenting me"
Henry blinked a little startled, so he made no effort to conceal his face?
She laughed a little out of nervousness and apologised.
"Don't apologise...Come down for breakfast when your ready, if you feel like you can eat"
She frowned and then nodded. She wasn't feeling particularly hungry if she was honest but she knew the importance of a good breakfast and after having been starved...she would eat anything and be thankful for it.
She made her way downstairs only moments later and was followed by Henry. She greeted the younger officer who was eating a bowl of cereal in the kitchen and she tentatively gestured towards the box.
Buzz smiled and passed the cereal box over to her and grabbed her a bowl and spoon from the cupboard behind him.
"Thanks" she muttered shyly.
"Milk's behind you" he told her.
She spotted the milk instantly and tilted her head in thanks and began eating. Her hand shaking once more as she brought the spoon to her mouth.
Henry joined them at the table after having made himself another cup of coffee.
"Thank you for letting me stay here Mr Spencer" she thanked him.
Henry just smiled, "It's not a problem"
Henry could tell she had other questions but a knock at the door interrupted her train of thought and she completely froze.
"Probably just Gus" Henry said to himself but Buzz straightened in his seat on full alert just in case.
Henry approached the door with caution but as soon as he got close he could tell he had guessed right.
"Hi" Gus greeted him, "I came as quick as I could"
Henry smiled at him and Gus followed as he assured Buzz that it was just Gus.
"I'll be outside...yell if you need me"
Gus wisely remained silent, not recognising the young girl at the table with Buzz or knowing why Buzz was there to begin with. Henry led Gus outside and opened the garage where he knew their conversation would remain private.
"What's going on?" Gus questioned, "who was that girl?"
Henry held up his hand, effectively stopping his questions.
"Yesterday...that girl Allison Cowley claims to have escaped from Yin" Henry started.
Gus froze, "More attention seekers? Or?"
"We don't know. Her trauma seems real and she grabbed a photograph when she escaped that instantly caught the police's attention. It was a picture of Yang with Shawn...when he was 11"
Gus spluttered shocked, "Yang? Wait... 11?"
Henry could see that Gus had realised, "Yeah, it's a picture of Shawn before he got sick"
Henry watched as a variety of emotions flashed across the man's face.
Gus took a breath to calm himself. "It must be a fake"
Henry nodded, " I hope so. Karen called the crime lab to have it analysed so hopefully we'll have an answer soon"
There was a few seconds of silence, "Do we know where she was held?"
Henry nodded, "The owners of the house arrived yesterday after Allison escaped and there was no evidence she has been held at all"
"Thanks for telling me... even if it turns out"
Henry cleared his throat, "I have a horrible feeling Gus... that girl is truly traumatised"
Gus slowly nodded and noted Henry's expression.
"There's something else..." Gus said slowly.
Henry looked obviously conflicted.
"I don't know if I should say something...honestly I might just be going mad" he let out a short hysterical laugh.
Gus' eyes narrowed in concern, Henry was the most rational man he knew.
"I think Shawn's alive"
Gus was not prepared for that, "Henry..."
"Ok hear me out" Henry interrupted.
Gus waited patiently.
"He told me that night that someone was going to die and now I'm thinking that was his way of warning me"
Gus bit his lip but remained silent.
"Maddie's on her way over" Henry stated simply.
Gus blinked at the sudden change of subject and opened his mouth to say something.
"She rang me last night as she received an email from me featuring a digitised copy of the photograph Allison took"
Gus was confused, "what?"
"I never sent that email Gus"
Gus was quiet for a moment, "someone hacked your email?" He guessed.
"I think it was Shawn...it has to be. That email account hasn't been used since I retired Gus"
Since he retired from the CIA.
"The system is well protected and would require direct access and several hours to hack. No one has been in my house which leaves remote access which requires several layers of passwords and knowledge of how to find the account to begin with" Henry started getting a little irate.
"The only one who knew.."
"Was Shawn" Gus finished his sentence, Henry could see that Gus desperately wanted to believe it.
"We saw his body" Gus stated quietly.
Henry just nodded. "I know"
Gus ran his hand over his smooth head in frustration and sadness. His heart said yes but his head said no.
"I don't know what to think" Gus muttered, "but I can hope"
"We both can" Henry affirmed.
There was silence once again.
"Thanks for believing me" Henry stated, "I didn't want you to pity me... can't stand it"
Gus gave a weak smile, "no problems, though let's keep those details to ourselves"
Henry grumbled his agreement and closed up the garage and they both started walking back towards the house.
Author note: thoughts? Bit of a filler I know but this story progresses ridiculously quickly and I wanted to get you guys a chapter. The more reviews I get, the faster I update so please let me know what you think. constructive criticism is welcome but please no flamers. Hope everyone is having a great weekend :)