Chapter Nineteen
David stared out the window watching the rain come down in sheets. It disturbed him that Adam Stevens was in town. They were running out of time and their window of opportunity to move was dwindling. David's original plan was to take his goddaughter and her husband to the island he had given them. No one knew of the place besides them and Carson Drew though he had feeling that at least one other Hardy knew of it. Once the files were found, that knowledge was something he was counting on.
"David?"
He turned around to see Bethany standing nearby. His bodyguards, who never left his side, were watching intently ready to hear their next order. Bethany looked worried as she wrung her hands in front of her.
"You…you've been summoned," she said nervously. "We received a phone call from Adrienne Parkins, the secretary for the members. She said they're waiting for you to respond."
"Did she say where they were at?"
"Y…yes," Bethany nodded, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "They're at the Peninsula in Chicago but they'll be here in town in a matter of hours if you don't respond."
David sighed. It had finally happened. It was not only Nancy who was in danger but everyone around him as well. The Board was convening in Chicago for a reason and that reason was him and his actions over the past few days. They knew he was behind the kidnapping and were ready to deal with him and anyone else he was associated with. The Board had finally gotten tired of his actions and were ready to eliminate his position…and him.
"What will you have us do?" she asked cautiously.
"What can we do?" he threw his hands up. "We can't leave now even if we could. The only reason why we haven't been found is because we've kept a low profile here. We have food and water but it will only last another few days. I think it's time to go to drastic measures, Bethany. It's the only way I see that I can ensure their survival even if it means sacrificing my own. The Board will find us eventually especially with Adam roaming around."
"What about bringing in the FBI completely?" Bethany suggested. "You know they're here because you had me call in the tip. It's something that I'm still trying to comprehend. You could have gone to them a while back, David, and you should have. No one would have gotten hurt and we wouldn't be stuck here like sitting ducks."
"I know that, Bethany!" David snapped. "I had you call them because of Carson's files. They needed to be found and brought to the attention of the FBI but the problem is we can't trust anyone at the moment! The Board's tentacles stretch far and wide so I don't even know who the bad guys are anymore. And I know that giving the information to the FBI could potentially get back to the Board but I had no choice!"
"Then talk to Agent Dearing, David!" cried Frank who walked up behind Bethany. He was listening in on the entire conversation and was now furious at the man for keeping everything from him and Nancy. David could see Nancy slowly coming in, confusion written across her face as she listened in on the conversation as well. "We know that he's the one in charge of investigating these people and if he's here then you need to contact him. I trust the man openly. He saved my life and the lives of my family a few years ago. Dearing doesn't seem like the type to betray those around him or those he's out to protect. He's too professional and by the book. You need to call him!"
"I'm sorry, Frank," the man shook his head. "I can't trust anyone right now, not even someone you trust. There's no telling how far up the ladder the Board went."
"But you trust them with my mother and brother?" the young man growled, his fists clenching at his sides. "If the Board is as bad as you say it is then the rest of my family is in danger too, aren't they? Hannah as well? What about the rest of the town? From what you're saying, it sounds as if the Board will tear this town apart in order to find us. I put my trust in you for saving my dad, David, but you won't extend that same lifeline to all of them? Why?"
"Because I'm afraid, Frank!" cried David whirling around on him. Frank and Bethany both took a step back in shock. "After what happened to Rebecca and Julia, I…I haven't been the same. I was afraid to do anything without the Board's permission. They knew of Janice Blake's deception and I asked them to send me to get her. iI was to bring her in front of the Board so they could decide her fate, not a jury. What they didn't know was that Nancy was the reason why I came back. It infuriated me when I found out that Janice tried to kill her. It was only a matter of time before the Board figured out my real interest in River Heights so I had Davis kill Janice to keep her quiet. The Board doesn't even know that I was born and raised here! No one does besides the people you see in this room! My fault was that I was too cocky to realize that the Board would go after another person whom I cared about in order to silence me again. I brought this on you and Nancy. I brought this upon the whole town! I did! And I regret it every single day!"
"But this isn't how to deal with it, David!" Frank bellowed. "You can't just keep us here until the danger goes away! Someone will figure it out! And did I hear Bethany right that we're still in River Heights? We shouldn't be here! Nancy needs to be at home in her bed and dad needs a hospital, for Christ's sake! You're going to jeopardize their lives and the life of my child because you don't want to ask for help?"
David stared at him, thoughts running through his mind. He already knew what he wanted to do and now Frank confirmed it. There was no way the Board would not rip the town apart unless he did something to sidetrack them. But he also needed to keep those he cared about most safe from danger while he dealt with it. David looked at Bethany with pleading eyes.
"Is it ready?" he asked. The woman closed her eyes and reluctantly nodded her head. David looked at his bodyguards and nodded before turning back to Frank. "I'm sorry for all of this, Frank, Nancy. This isn't how I imagined this to be. There's only one thing for me to do but I must ensure that you are all safe."
"What are you talking about?" Frank asked. He didn't see two of the bodyguards come up behind him until they grabbed a hold of him. He struggled with the much larger men as he glared at David. "You can't do this, David! We trusted you!"
"David, no!" cried Nancy rushing up though Bethany and Davis stopped her. She watched helplessly as the two bodyguards struggled with Frank as they left the room, his cries echoing off the walls. Nancy shrugged off Bethany though Davis kept a hold of her. She glared at David who chose to stare at the ground instead of looking at her. "What is going on, David? Where are they taking Frank?"
"It's the only way that you'll be safe, Nancy," he muttered, his eyes still averted. "Put her in the closet until we deal with Frank."
Davis nodded and gently pulled on Nancy to leave with him.
"David?" she whispered, her eyes pleading. "Please."
He ignored her and turned away. As Davis guided her away, tears flowed down Nancy's face. She didn't struggle as they walked away though her heart was breaking from the betrayal.
"Are you sure you want to do this, David?" Bethany asked once the area was clear. "They might be safer…"
"They're not leaving, Bethany," he interrupted. "I…I can't let them get hurt. Not like Rebecca. This is my decision."
"But not theirs," she stated. "I just want you to understand what you're taking away."
"I know, Bethany," David said sadly. "I know but Carson would have done the same thing. Hell, Fenton probably would too to keep them safe. I want Dr. Morris in there with them as well. He doesn't need to be out here and he can make sure that both Nancy and Fenton are as comfortable as can be until we can get them out again. Did you do as I asked for the other situation?"
"Yes," she nodded grimly. "Everything is in place just the way you requested. We'll know in a few days for sure and I had the paperwork drawn up already for the transfer."
"Good." David walked over to the window again, watching the rain. It was early evening but the sky was already dark because of the clouds. He could see the tower flashing like a beacon in the distance and wondered if anyone would come to their rescue if he asked. He sighed then turned back to Bethany. "Make the call but let them know the terms are not negotiable. They can have me but everyone else is off limits."
She didn't say anything. Only looked at the ground and sniffled. David went over to her and tilted her chin up to face him. It was then that he realized she was crying, her eyes pleading with intensity. "It'll be okay, Bethany. It will all be over before you know it and they will be safe."
"I…I just don't want to lose you," she whispered. David's mouth dropped open slightly in surprise. She noticed his reaction and bowed her head in shame. "I'm…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"Bethany," he said softly looking into her eyes. David wiped her tears with his thumbs, caressing her cheeks tenderly. "You have not gone unnoticed."
He leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the lips. When he pulled back, Bethany snuggled in, not wanting to let go.
"Please, don't make a deal with them again," she whispered. "You'll put us all in danger. We can figure something out until we know it's safe."
David looked down at her and smiled sadly. There was only one other option he could think of and it was more dangerous than going into the lion's den. It was bringing the lions to them.
The door slammed behind Nancy just after Davis pushed her into the room. She looked around taking in her surroundings and sighed. It was a storage closet with no place to sit. Shelving lined the walls packed with cleaning supplies. Nancy tried the door only to find it locked. She had no idea where Frank was taken but she knew her current situation was only temporary. Sure enough, the door clicked opened ten minutes later and Davis stepped in. Nancy didn't protest as the man escorted her out and into the warehouse. The building was quiet with only the sounds of rain pelting the roof. Not a soul was around except for the two of them.
As they walked through the building, Nancy noticed an open door she never saw before. Dr. Morris stood next to it, waiting patiently with a stone expression on his face. Nancy still didn't see Frank but she felt that he was nearby.
"How are you feeling, Nancy?" Dr. Morris asked as pleasantly as he could.
"A little irritated at the moment," she grumbled. "I'm tired, hungry, and cranky. What more do you want to know?"
"That's a pretty good assessment. I understand considering the circumstances."
"Where's Frank? And David? I want to know what he's doing."
"Honestly, I have no idea what's on David's mind or what he's planning," the doctor replied. He suddenly got uncomfortable, rubbing the back of his neck. "As for Frank, I'm…I'm sorry, Nancy. I didn't have a choice."
"What do you mean?" Nancy stared at the man waiting for an explanation. Morris nodded toward the room behind him but didn't say anything. She shrugged out of Davis' grip though he kept close to her as she entered the room.
It was small but comfortable though it looked like it was hastened in its preparation. A kitchenette with cupboards lined the wall, a small dinette set in the corner next to a closed door. Another closed door was on the other side of the kitchenette. Nancy's eyes roamed until it landed on the couch and chair. Her heart dropped as she saw Frank passed out in the chair, his arms draped over the sides. As she rushed over to her husband, she noticed the couch was occupied as well. Fenton was spread out, a blanket covering his body and his arm in a sling. He was still unconscious though Nancy noticed the color had returned to his face. She looked back at Dr. Morris, her face filled with rage.
"What the hell is going on?" she cried. She looked back at Frank willing him to awaken.
"I'm sorry, Nancy," Dr. Morris repeated. "David asked me to sedate Frank for his own safety. He was getting violent and David was afraid that he would hurt someone or himself. He'll wake up in a few hours though and I'm really not looking forward to it."
"But why?" she demanded. "What is David going to do that we can't help him with?"
"As I already said, I don't know," he shook his head. "He ordered me to come in here with the three of you to make sure both you and Mr. Hardy were okay. David doesn't want anything to happen to you so he's putting us in here while he deals with the Board."
"Wait, are they coming here? Why?" Nancy looked helplessly at Frank. Of all the times for the shit to hit the fan and he can't do anything. "Frank could have helped with whatever David has planned."
"I know that, Nancy," replied David who had just entered the room. He looked at Frank then back at her. "I just don't think he would have been much help with the mindset he had. He wanted to ensure you safety no matter what even if it meant for him to be in the line of fire. I couldn't have that. I didn't want to see you lose him after all of this. And we're still in River Heights so he wanted the rest of his family to be safe. You know we can't do anything more to help those on the outside without telling them where we were. I wanted to leave but Dr. Morris insisted we stay because of Fenton and you. I sent the plane to the island to make it look like we left though it obviously didn't work."
"Where are we anyway?"
"We're in a warehouse I own that's on the outskirts of the airport," he explained. "I bought it years ago with the intention of easily distributing the technology I was designing into the town I grew up in. Unfortunately, my company was going under at the same time and I didn't realize it until it was too late. Good thing is that no one really knows I own it. It's under my real name: Willoughby. For years I remodeled this warehouse as a little bit of a hobby. The ones who do know about this place rarely come around because of the fence around it. They see people come and go but it was just some workers storing things at my request. This room was one of the last things that was added though it's not finished. It was designed alongside your father's safe room though it's much smaller. The video screens, computer, and access panel haven't been completed either and the only way in and out is with this."
David held up a small remote control for Nancy to see. Dr. Morris stood silently, listening to his boss.
"But is this really necessary?" she asked looking around. "What makes you so sure that it's the right decision?"
"I know it will be okay, Nancy," David said softly. He backed out of the room. "I have to go now but I assure you that once this is all over, you will be released."
"Please don't do this, David," Nancy pleaded."
"I don't have a choice, Nancy," he said solemnly. A single tear rolled down his cheek. "I'm doing this to protect you since I failed my own family. I'm going to make sure that the Board leaves you all alone."
"There's got to be another way!" she cried rushing toward him. "David, don't do this!"
"I'm sorry," was the last thing he said as he pressed a button on the remote and stepped out. Nancy wasn't fast enough, reaching the door seconds after it closed. A loud click resonated the room telling the occupants that they were officially locked in.
Author's Note:
I told you I would get another chapter in quickly! Good thing for days off and a quiet morning! Anyway, thanks to everyone who continues to read the story and a special thanks to those who left reviews. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and until next time, have a great day and God bless!
