Chapter Nine: On to Delago Warehouse
Ralph Carter massaged his neck again as the annoying pain struck for the third time. He had already cleared the town limits when he reached down for the car phone and dialed a number. After a while, a male voice on the other end answered.
"Davenport, here." The voice acknowledged.
"Boss, I got the other files he left behind and also," glancing at the rearview mirror showing the limp form of Katsumi on the back seat.
"I have Katsumi. She found me thrashing Gus' room." The henchman reported.
There was silence before Davenport spoke up. " Where are you?"
"I'm heading to our warehouse." Carter answered.
"No. Don't go there. Instead head for Delago's warehouse. Wait for us at the south side of the establishment." Instructed Davenport.
"Yes, sir." Carter obeyed.
"What about my daughter?" asked Davenport.
"Bruce told me that she hasn't been anywhere in the property, sir." Answered Carter.
"Good. Keep it that way. I don't want anymore loose ends. Is Bruce still at the main house?"
"I think so. When I left, his car was still there." Carter told the other man on the line.
"Okay, then. Keep Katsumi tied up, so we can properly prepare our merchandize." With that Davenport ended the conversation and began dialing the number to one of his cohorts.
Bruce Sawyer's mobile phone beeped. He took it out from his pocket and tabbed the button to answer the call.
"Bruce, I want you to go the second floor and get all the adoption papers out of the safe then meet me at Delago's. I just know some people would like to know more about that operation." Davenport commented and began feeding him the numbers to all three safes, which Bruce noted in his small notebook. He also told Bruce to get the folders found on his desk.
"Okay, sir. I'll get right on it." He answered as he closes his notebook. He stood up and placed his phone back in his shirt pocket. He returned the magazine he was reading to its rack and walked out of the kitchen.
Julie had left the living room to go upstairs to her room when she heard the closing of a door across the foyer followed by footsteps. She immediately ducks behind a pillar and peers out who just came out of the kitchen.
Bruce looks around the huge foyer. Satisfied that he was the only one in the big house, he continued heading for the stairs. The man walked as if he was taking his time Julie observed and saw him entering her father's study. This puzzled Julie.
"Something's weird going on." She muttered under breath and stealthily went upstairs to investigate. She paused by the doorway and looked in. She pushed the door more and she could see the man knelt on the floor and pressing series of numbers on a safe. She heard a click as the man pocketed his notebook and began stuffing the box beside him with files. After several minutes, he moved towards the Davenport's desk and began shifting through the folders found there.
Outside the main house, the lawn lights illuminated the Davenport property as Yuri took the limo inside the big garage. The car phone rang as he shut the engine off. He answered it.
"This is Yuri," the man answered in a crisp foreign accent.
"Yuri, wait for Bruce and head for Delago's. Meet us at the south side. " Davenport instructed.
"Yes, Mr. Davenport. Will you still be needing the limo, tonight?" He asked.
"No." Came the curt reply and the conversation ended.
Yuri shot a look of mild surprise at the phone and replaces it back to its base. He got out and closed the car door. He strode to the key rack and replaced the keys of the limo with another set of keys for another car. This time he chose the keys of the sedan and primed the engine. He drove to the entrance of the main house and alighted from the vehicle. Yuri went inside the house to look for Bruce.
Julie turned her head towards the new sound, downstairs. She heard the faint jangle of the doorknob and knew someone was coming. She quickly went inside her bedroom as she heard the man calling some other man's name.
Yuri walked into the middle of the foyer and stopped. He called out once again. "Bruce?"
"Upstairs. In Davenport's study." Came the reply. With his athletic built he was inside the room in no time.
After waiting several minutes, Julie opened her door and listened. The other man has already gone inside the room so she resumed her position by the doorway and listened to what was going on inside the study room.
"Could you get that box," Bruce pointed at a box sitting on the desk. "And placed it over here."
"Mr. Davenport called," Yuri began as he went to get the box. "We are to head for Delago's." He set the box down beside Bruce.
Julie took a chance and looked inside. She couldn't see them since the door was blocking the part of the room where they are now in. So instead she contented herself in listening to the telltale conversation from these men.
"What are these files for?" asked Yuri.
"These are adoption papers. Mr. Davenport wants them out of the house. I guess his closing the illegal baby marketing or passing it to someone. From what I understand in our last conversation, he mentioned that there's someone tonight who might be interested with the operation." Bruce nonchalantly said as he emptied the safe behind the painting.
Julie's eyes went wide as she heard the information. She couldn't believe that her father was part of this baby scam. She began moving away from her father's door and went to her own room. She sank on the bed as her legs gave way from support. She wanted to know more but how could she get the files away from the men. Knowing from what Katsumi, Gus and the other house staff told her about her father's 'security people'; no one should get entangled with them. I just have to be careful then. She thought and immediately sat up when she heard footsteps outside that were quickly fading away.
She went towards the door and slightly opens it to a crack. She saw the two men carrying a box and was moving downstairs. She closes her door again and changes into her biking gear. She dons a jacket and goes out her room. By now, the thugs were outside of the house. Julie dashed down the corridor connecting to a service stairway that led to the kitchen. She paused by the phone book situated on the counter and was having second thoughts of calling someone. The first name that popped in her mind was the Douglas'. She frowned when she found out there were more or less a dozen Douglas in the phone book. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the time to call all night. Something told her to get moving and follow the men. She resolved in thinking of a plan along the way. She was about to leave when two of their maids came into the kitchen.
"You're leaving, Julie?" a quizzical look came on McGovern's little white face.
"Yup," the hasty reply came as she waved good bye to them and she was out of the kitchen.
Quickly, Julie got into her motor bike and scooted off the driveway. She pressed hard on the gas and she was in time to see the car passing the estates' gates. Julie sped out of the automated gates and started following the car on its journey to somewhere.
On the road to Ridgemont, Gus made a right, just in time to spot ahead of him, a car coming from the opposite lane. Inside of the blue sedan was Bruce Sawyer. Beside him, driving the vehicle was a foreign looking guy whom he doesn't recognize. He didn't spare any more thought of it and just hope Bruce hasn't seen him or he'll be in trouble. He continued driving towards the estate and failed to see a girl in a motor bike, three cars a way from the blue sedan.
Elsewhere, Ralph Carter turned into a dirt road when Katsumi began regaining consciousness.
"Ooh," Katsumi groaned as the car lurched forward from the ruts on the road.
Carter glanced at the rearview mirror and remarked. "I see you're getting your senses back, huh."
She groaned again when a deep rut made her hit the back of her aching head.
"Headache?" He smirked. "That's what you get when you stick your nose on businesses that doesn't concern you." He gruffly said.
Katsumi closed her eyes as the throbbing went up a notch. She eased herself on the seat to prevent unnecessary bumps that would aggravate her head. She was able to listen what Ralph was saying though she doesn't understand the 'businesses' he was referring to. She squirmed in her seat as she tested her binds that tied her wrists and ankles. She found them not tightly made. All she had to do was wait for the right time.
"What's going on and where are you taking me?" She demanded.
Carter huffed. "What's going on, honey, is that you've stumbled into one big operation that will go without a hitch and it will remain that way. As to where…" he glanced again at the rearview mirror. "I'm going to take you to Delago's warehouse. It's out of the way and now one will miss you." He said, darkly.
"Mr. Davenport will hear what you're doing, Carter and he will be displeased." Katsumi said.
Carter laughed that sent chills to Katsumi's spine. Her bluff didn't work. She already had a sinking feeling about Davenport's integrity.
"I think you shouldn't let your hopes up for Mr. Davenport. Let's just say, he arranged this." He told her and finally the car stopped. He cut the engine and reached out to the dashboard to get the map. "Here we are." He announced.
Katsumi sighed inwardly. This was what she was afraid of. It was time to devise the plan.
Gus stopped in front of the Davenport's main entrance of the house and noted the silence prevailing inside the mansion. There were few lights left on as he continued walking through the interiors of the house. He went upstairs for Julie's room. He knocked on the door. When there was no answer he called her name and tried the doorknob. It was unlocked. He scanned the room for signs of struggle; there was nothing amiss. He went out. The door to Davenport's study was also unlocked and to his dismay, the three safes were cleaned out of its contents. Stunned at the developments. He frantically took a chance and searched Davenport's computer hard drive for files about the baby marketing operation and other black handed operations the man was managing. After a tense half an hour of searching his database, Gus found some files that were pertinent with the FEDS investigation. Unfortunately, he could not study the files any longer as he knew anyone could walk into the room and question him. He was aware that the time is ticking fast. He grabs a bag found at the end of the room and stuffs the disks containing copied files from Davenport's computer. After finishing his work, Gus came downstairs and strode into the kitchen hoping to find Julie's whereabouts.
"Gus!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown when she saw the man walking into the kitchen.
Tina McGovern looked up from sipping her tea.
"Where have you been? Asked Mrs. Brown as she prepared another cup for Gus.
"Mrs. Brown, No," wagging his head. "Please don't bother. I'm not going to stay that long." Gus remarked when he saw her fetching a mug from the cupboard.
"Are you sure? You looked like you need it." And handed the mug filled with soothing tea drink to Gus. The man finally conceded and gratefully took the mug. The two maids waited for Gus to finish his drink.
"Do you know where Julie is? Is she staying with one of her friends? Asked Gus as he sat down and took a short breather.
"She only told me, she's going out and left just 45 minutes ago." Tina answered while glancing at the wall clock. Just then, the kitchen phone rang.
"I'll get it." Tina offered and listened to the person on the other line. After a while she got off the phone with a small frown on her face.
" James called," she started as she turned to Gus. " He came by your room to return the album you lent him and found it to be thrashed. He also said he hasn't seen Katsumi since this morning. Should we call the police?" she asked concerned.
"No, not yet." Gus told them after thinking for a while. " What will we say to them? Someone broke into my room?" He shook his head although it wasn't far from the truth, Gus thought. "We'll just wait for Katsumi. I'm sure there's perfectly good explanation why she's be out all day long." He reasoned and rose to take his leave. "As for my room, I'm quite a slob." He confessed in a embarrassing tone.
"Gus what happened with you and Mr. Davenport?" Mrs. Brown suddenly asked.
The man stopped mid-step but continued making his way out. "It was only a misunderstanding, Mrs. Brown. No cause for alarm." He assured her and hastens his steps. He knew he was lying through his teeth but it was the only excuse he could think of to protect his purpose there at the estate. Knowing that there was a connection between Katsumi and Julie's disappearance, he headed for the pickup truck and left the estate.
Ralph Carter massaged his neck again as the annoying pain struck for the third time. He had already cleared the town limits when he reached down for the car phone and dialed a number. After a while, a male voice on the other end answered.
"Davenport, here." The voice acknowledged.
"Boss, I got the other files he left behind and also," glancing at the rearview mirror showing the limp form of Katsumi on the back seat.
"I have Katsumi. She found me thrashing Gus' room." The henchman reported.
There was silence before Davenport spoke up. " Where are you?"
"I'm heading to our warehouse." Carter answered.
"No. Don't go there. Instead head for Delago's warehouse. Wait for us at the south side of the establishment." Instructed Davenport.
"Yes, sir." Carter obeyed.
"What about my daughter?" asked Davenport.
"Bruce told me that she hasn't been anywhere in the property, sir." Answered Carter.
"Good. Keep it that way. I don't want anymore loose ends. Is Bruce still at the main house?"
"I think so. When I left, his car was still there." Carter told the other man on the line.
"Okay, then. Keep Katsumi tied up, so we can properly prepare our merchandize." With that Davenport ended the conversation and began dialing the number to one of his cohorts.
Bruce Sawyer's mobile phone beeped. He took it out from his pocket and tabbed the button to answer the call.
"Bruce, I want you to go the second floor and get all the adoption papers out of the safe then meet me at Delago's. I just know some people would like to know more about that operation." Davenport commented and began feeding him the numbers to all three safes, which Bruce noted in his small notebook. He also told Bruce to get the folders found on his desk.
"Okay, sir. I'll get right on it." He answered as he closes his notebook. He stood up and placed his phone back in his shirt pocket. He returned the magazine he was reading to its rack and walked out of the kitchen.
Julie had left the living room to go upstairs to her room when she heard the closing of a door across the foyer followed by footsteps. She immediately ducks behind a pillar and peers out who just came out of the kitchen.
Bruce looks around the huge foyer. Satisfied that he was the only one in the big house, he continued heading for the stairs. The man walked as if he was taking his time Julie observed and saw him entering her father's study. This puzzled Julie.
"Something's weird going on." She muttered under breath and stealthily went upstairs to investigate. She paused by the doorway and looked in. She pushed the door more and she could see the man knelt on the floor and pressing series of numbers on a safe. She heard a click as the man pocketed his notebook and began stuffing the box beside him with files. After several minutes, he moved towards the Davenport's desk and began shifting through the folders found there.
Outside the main house, the lawn lights illuminated the Davenport property as Yuri took the limo inside the big garage. The car phone rang as he shut the engine off. He answered it.
"This is Yuri," the man answered in a crisp foreign accent.
"Yuri, wait for Bruce and head for Delago's. Meet us at the south side. " Davenport instructed.
"Yes, Mr. Davenport. Will you still be needing the limo, tonight?" He asked.
"No." Came the curt reply and the conversation ended.
Yuri shot a look of mild surprise at the phone and replaces it back to its base. He got out and closed the car door. He strode to the key rack and replaced the keys of the limo with another set of keys for another car. This time he chose the keys of the sedan and primed the engine. He drove to the entrance of the main house and alighted from the vehicle. Yuri went inside the house to look for Bruce.
Julie turned her head towards the new sound, downstairs. She heard the faint jangle of the doorknob and knew someone was coming. She quickly went inside her bedroom as she heard the man calling some other man's name.
Yuri walked into the middle of the foyer and stopped. He called out once again. "Bruce?"
"Upstairs. In Davenport's study." Came the reply. With his athletic built he was inside the room in no time.
After waiting several minutes, Julie opened her door and listened. The other man has already gone inside the room so she resumed her position by the doorway and listened to what was going on inside the study room.
"Could you get that box," Bruce pointed at a box sitting on the desk. "And placed it over here."
"Mr. Davenport called," Yuri began as he went to get the box. "We are to head for Delago's." He set the box down beside Bruce.
Julie took a chance and looked inside. She couldn't see them since the door was blocking the part of the room where they are now in. So instead she contented herself in listening to the telltale conversation from these men.
"What are these files for?" asked Yuri.
"These are adoption papers. Mr. Davenport wants them out of the house. I guess his closing the illegal baby marketing or passing it to someone. From what I understand in our last conversation, he mentioned that there's someone tonight who might be interested with the operation." Bruce nonchalantly said as he emptied the safe behind the painting.
Julie's eyes went wide as she heard the information. She couldn't believe that her father was part of this baby scam. She began moving away from her father's door and went to her own room. She sank on the bed as her legs gave way from support. She wanted to know more but how could she get the files away from the men. Knowing from what Katsumi, Gus and the other house staff told her about her father's 'security people'; no one should get entangled with them. I just have to be careful then. She thought and immediately sat up when she heard footsteps outside that were quickly fading away.
She went towards the door and slightly opens it to a crack. She saw the two men carrying a box and was moving downstairs. She closes her door again and changes into her biking gear. She dons a jacket and goes out her room. By now, the thugs were outside of the house. Julie dashed down the corridor connecting to a service stairway that led to the kitchen. She paused by the phone book situated on the counter and was having second thoughts of calling someone. The first name that popped in her mind was the Douglas'. She frowned when she found out there were more or less a dozen Douglas in the phone book. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the time to call all night. Something told her to get moving and follow the men. She resolved in thinking of a plan along the way. She was about to leave when two of their maids came into the kitchen.
"You're leaving, Julie?" a quizzical look came on McGovern's little white face.
"Yup," the hasty reply came as she waved good bye to them and she was out of the kitchen.
Quickly, Julie got into her motor bike and scooted off the driveway. She pressed hard on the gas and she was in time to see the car passing the estates' gates. Julie sped out of the automated gates and started following the car on its journey to somewhere.
On the road to Ridgemont, Gus made a right, just in time to spot ahead of him, a car coming from the opposite lane. Inside of the blue sedan was Bruce Sawyer. Beside him, driving the vehicle was a foreign looking guy whom he doesn't recognize. He didn't spare any more thought of it and just hope Bruce hasn't seen him or he'll be in trouble. He continued driving towards the estate and failed to see a girl in a motor bike, three cars a way from the blue sedan.
Elsewhere, Ralph Carter turned into a dirt road when Katsumi began regaining consciousness.
"Ooh," Katsumi groaned as the car lurched forward from the ruts on the road.
Carter glanced at the rearview mirror and remarked. "I see you're getting your senses back, huh."
She groaned again when a deep rut made her hit the back of her aching head.
"Headache?" He smirked. "That's what you get when you stick your nose on businesses that doesn't concern you." He gruffly said.
Katsumi closed her eyes as the throbbing went up a notch. She eased herself on the seat to prevent unnecessary bumps that would aggravate her head. She was able to listen what Ralph was saying though she doesn't understand the 'businesses' he was referring to. She squirmed in her seat as she tested her binds that tied her wrists and ankles. She found them not tightly made. All she had to do was wait for the right time.
"What's going on and where are you taking me?" She demanded.
Carter huffed. "What's going on, honey, is that you've stumbled into one big operation that will go without a hitch and it will remain that way. As to where…" he glanced again at the rearview mirror. "I'm going to take you to Delago's warehouse. It's out of the way and now one will miss you." He said, darkly.
"Mr. Davenport will hear what you're doing, Carter and he will be displeased." Katsumi said.
Carter laughed that sent chills to Katsumi's spine. Her bluff didn't work. She already had a sinking feeling about Davenport's integrity.
"I think you shouldn't let your hopes up for Mr. Davenport. Let's just say, he arranged this." He told her and finally the car stopped. He cut the engine and reached out to the dashboard to get the map. "Here we are." He announced.
Katsumi sighed inwardly. This was what she was afraid of. It was time to devise the plan.
Gus stopped in front of the Davenport's main entrance of the house and noted the silence prevailing inside the mansion. There were few lights left on as he continued walking through the interiors of the house. He went upstairs for Julie's room. He knocked on the door. When there was no answer he called her name and tried the doorknob. It was unlocked. He scanned the room for signs of struggle; there was nothing amiss. He went out. The door to Davenport's study was also unlocked and to his dismay, the three safes were cleaned out of its contents. Stunned at the developments. He frantically took a chance and searched Davenport's computer hard drive for files about the baby marketing operation and other black handed operations the man was managing. After a tense half an hour of searching his database, Gus found some files that were pertinent with the FEDS investigation. Unfortunately, he could not study the files any longer as he knew anyone could walk into the room and question him. He was aware that the time is ticking fast. He grabs a bag found at the end of the room and stuffs the disks containing copied files from Davenport's computer. After finishing his work, Gus came downstairs and strode into the kitchen hoping to find Julie's whereabouts.
"Gus!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown when she saw the man walking into the kitchen.
Tina McGovern looked up from sipping her tea.
"Where have you been? Asked Mrs. Brown as she prepared another cup for Gus.
"Mrs. Brown, No," wagging his head. "Please don't bother. I'm not going to stay that long." Gus remarked when he saw her fetching a mug from the cupboard.
"Are you sure? You looked like you need it." And handed the mug filled with soothing tea drink to Gus. The man finally conceded and gratefully took the mug. The two maids waited for Gus to finish his drink.
"Do you know where Julie is? Is she staying with one of her friends? Asked Gus as he sat down and took a short breather.
"She only told me, she's going out and left just 45 minutes ago." Tina answered while glancing at the wall clock. Just then, the kitchen phone rang.
"I'll get it." Tina offered and listened to the person on the other line. After a while she got off the phone with a small frown on her face.
" James called," she started as she turned to Gus. " He came by your room to return the album you lent him and found it to be thrashed. He also said he hasn't seen Katsumi since this morning. Should we call the police?" she asked concerned.
"No, not yet." Gus told them after thinking for a while. " What will we say to them? Someone broke into my room?" He shook his head although it wasn't far from the truth, Gus thought. "We'll just wait for Katsumi. I'm sure there's perfectly good explanation why she's be out all day long." He reasoned and rose to take his leave. "As for my room, I'm quite a slob." He confessed in a embarrassing tone.
"Gus what happened with you and Mr. Davenport?" Mrs. Brown suddenly asked.
The man stopped mid-step but continued making his way out. "It was only a misunderstanding, Mrs. Brown. No cause for alarm." He assured her and hastens his steps. He knew he was lying through his teeth but it was the only excuse he could think of to protect his purpose there at the estate. Knowing that there was a connection between Katsumi and Julie's disappearance, he headed for the pickup truck and left the estate.