CHAPTER ELEVEN: Another Piece of a Puzzle
Henry pulled the handbrake of the pick up truck and alighted from the vehicle.
"Hey, Ralph!" He called out as he approached Carter's car. He saw him slumped over the driver's seat. "Hey Ralph. Mr. Davenport doesn't like his men to sleep on the job." He announced. When he reached his driver's window, he shook Carter but found the man was knocked out cold. Alarmed, he whirled around but before his mind could put two and two together, he heard a female voice and soon darkness came.
Katsumi recognized the new comer and immediately went into action. As noiselessly as a cat she ran back to Carter's car and somersaulted into the air and sat on the car's roof.
"Good night, Henry." She said as she kicked him on the face. The thug fell to the ground unconscious.
Agents Robert Montgomery and Liza Payton turned to look at each other. They were bewildered at what just took place and continued watching the woman ahead of them.
Katsumi jumped down from the car roof and glanced at the two men. This is going to be difficult. It seems that there were going to be more visitors tonight and she'd better hide these two so that the element of surprise won't be destroyed if only prolonged. So she grabbed both of the second man's wrists and dragged him towards the back of the car. She left him there and went back to the driver's seat to open the trunk and to also remove Carter from his seat, who was still out cold.
The federal agents watched in curiosity as the lone figure began depositing Davenport's unconscious men inside the trunk. A second later, Sam's radio crackled as one of his agents buzzed in.
"540, do you copy this." groping for a word. " .scene." Rodriguez remarked whom along with his partner, was stationed in the same area as Montgomery and Payton.
"We copy that, 543. All units we have a lone player here. Until we can ascertain which sides she's with, she is to be under close watch." Instructed Sam. He soon got affirmative answers from all agents stationed in the area of the warehouse.
Katsumi lowered the lid of the trunk compartment and heard a click. That would keep them out of sight. She thought looked around the area and the feeling of being watched was still present. She sighed. If it were one of Davenport's henchmen, they would have dealt with her by this time. That would mean, its someone else. She continued to muse. Whoever they were, they seem to be on her side. She hoped. Until she figures out what is going on, everyone is the bad guy. She dusted her hands and went to the direction of the warehouse. Now, she was prepared to investigate what's inside.
At their Grandpa's cottage, Colt came into the quaint living room with a comic book on his hand and found Tumtum busy looking at their Grandpa's photo albums. There were albums that most of the pictures inside where taken from a Japanese town where their grandpa grew up. Mori was seated on the couch beside was Tumtum looking so earnest at the photos. What's up with Tumtum and pictures. Colt thought as he sat beside his grandpa and listened to the stories that each picture had. He never thought Tumtum would be fascinated with the activity since it was their Grandpa's way of making them go to sleep when he and Rocky were Tumtum's age. Mori smiled at patted his youngest grandson on the head. " This is the picture of your mother when she was Rocky's age." He said as he pointed at the almost faded and yellowed photograph.
Tumtum gasped as he intently studied the photo. "Wow," Tumtum slowly said as if he was afraid that any louder, the picture's hold on him would disappear. He continued to stare at it and remarked, " Grandma's beautiful." And snuggled closely to his Grandpa.
"Yes, she was." Mori fondly remembered.
Colt, who had been silent, blinked. He was still looking at the picture as something about it nagged him. "May I see it. Tumtum?" he asked. Tumtum handed it to Colt after he was finished looking at it. He squinted at the picture as hard as he could but it was too worn looking to make out the distinct features of their mother.
Outside, Rocky was taking a walk through the woods. Momentarily stopping at every strange sound he heard. He customarily makes his walks after dinner and noticed how cool tonight has been and peaceful. It was so unlike the bustling sounds of town, which he always associates with. He continued walking.
On the highway, the car Julie has been following sped off and soon the distance widened. She knew that the lane she was on would turn off to the right, which will lead her to the boys' grandfather's cottage. She was still indecisive and couldn't explain why she turned to the path leading to the cottage. All she knew she needed a place to calm herself and shout her pent up emotions. After turning into the turnpike, she continued on until she stopped before reaching the fork and veered to another path, which lead her to the woods. Shutting off the engine, she stepped away from her motor bike and moved away. She went to her favorite spot. It was there, on the two huge rocks sitting on the bank of a dried riverbed. She expertly climbed on the rocks with practice ease and sat on the rock surface. She began to cry and soon decided against in going to the cottage for help. After a while, she stopped crying and was silent. She was feeling depressed more than ever and so alone. The night had grown a little darker but her keen eyes picked a few rustles in the bushes that didn't alarm her. Julie looked up towards the sky and saw stars have started to saw themselves out. She drew her knees up to her chin and sighed.
Rocky came to the dried riverbed and never expected that there would be anyone else who knows of his secret spot. Yet someone does and she was sitting on the rock by the riverbed. He went closer until he was a couple of feet away and stood quietly beside the huge bolder. He didn't want to bother the person though he was curious as to why she was doing here by herself. With her face turned away from him, he doesn't know who the stranger could be.
"Hello!" He tentatively called from below.
Julie's head snapped and looked down to who called her.
Rocky's brow drew up in surprise. He never expected Julie here. Through the dim light, Julie's eyes squinted as she regarded him.
"Rocky?" she called in surprise. She quickly wiped her tears as the boy climbed up and sat beside her.
"Julie, what's wrong?" He asked in concern. The girl didn't immediately answer him.
"Julie." Rocky said and touched her shoulder. " Would you like to talk about what's bothering you?" He quietly offered.
Julie sighed again. She had plenty of sighing tonight. She sat cross- legged this time. Rocky waited for her to start. Thoughts of this still mysterious girl filled his mind as he recalled the days of their unlikely encounters. It was like, if there was a need, they would bound to bump into each other, to help one another from a crisis.
"I was ten years old when he, my foster father told me I was adopted," she began. Rocky didn't say a word but listened to Julie, a truth that seemed to break her. For her part, Julie has never opened up to anyone about her being adopted. Not even her friends in school know it. Somehow with Rocky, she felt secured which she couldn't understand at all. She could tell him all her worries and not be concerned of rambling on and on. He displayed an internal strength of calm from which she could draw upon.
"At that age, I didn't quite understand what he was trying to tell me. So, I asked my grandparents about it. I asked them a lot of things, like, why mother - my foster mom wasn't staying any longer with us. Why my holidays were always with only one parent and never with them together as it was before. And that why I had to be somewhere else all the time and never be at home like most kids were on holidays. It felt strange when I listen to my friends' tales over the holidays or school breaks with their families while mine were always spent either in California, Maine or Hawaii with one parent. I spent most of my time doing things on my own too since I couldn't get along with my foster mom's new husband so the option of permanently staying with her was out of the consideration. My foster sisters were never home and if they were, they wouldn't let me go with them anyway. My grandparents - my foster mom's parents and few of the house staff were the only ones kind to me, which is why I stayed here and something else." She trailed off as she sat quietly as if she was remembering an old memory.
"Something else?" Rocky slowly asked as he touched her elbow.
Julie turned to face him with sad eyes. "Ever since the divorce, I was messed up, deep inside, Rocky. I rarely go out of the estate and hardly talk to my friends very much when I'm home. Katsumi must have seen that I was slowly going nowhere and she tried very hard to help me which I'm glad she did or I wouldn't have made it this far and it was that time when I keenly began to feel about the place I was in." Shaking her head. "I know it sounds strange but this town calls me to stay here. It was weird." She finally ends.
"Calls you?" Rocky repeated.
"I can't explain." Julie said, a little exasperation in her voice. " It's the same thing that drew me to your grandfather's cottage before."
"You were spying?" Rocky incredulously remarked. "NO" Julie emphasized. "I did not. I ONLY saw you and your brothers out with your grandfather on the day he gave you, your Ninja names and after witnessing the little ceremony, I strangely felt happy and at peace. That day changed me somehow. I was getting more involved at the house, calling my friends over even if my foster dad wasn't around. When I started to get out of my 'fortress of solitude' to mingle with staff, it made things bearable for me until the day I can finally leave the estate and find my own biological parents."
Rocky was unsure of himself of what to say next so he remained quiet but he was sympathetic of Julie's plight. He put an arm around the girl and Julie leaned to him for support. She felt protected.
" My dad's an FBI agent." Rocky began. " Maybe he can help you, find your real parents."
Julie sprang as if life finally came back to her. She looked at Rocky, her eyes sparked with renewed hope. "Really?" said the girl.
"Yeah, why not. I'm sure dad would only be happy to help you." Rocky replied, surprised the sudden change of emotion of Julie. He can only imagine what she was going through and he hoped that his dad could find Julie's parents.
"What's the name of your parents? We need a name so dad can start his investigation." Rocky told her.
"I don't know." Wagging her head then looking depressed again. "They didn't tell me."
"Well, I'm sure we can still find out. I'll call my dad and ask him about it." Rocky said. Hoping to change the subject he asked, " What brings you here in the time of night?"
Julie's face furrowed. "You may not believe me." She said.
"Try me." Rocky remarked, as he was game to what Julie was going tell him that night.
"Gus and Katsumi told me something's fishy has been going on at the main house before I arrived from school. They told me there were men going into the house with guns and such. Then today, Katsumi and Gus haven't been seen since morning. It's making me worry. I think they have been captured and sent to the Delago warehouse. Also, several hours ago, I was following a car heading for the warehouse too. Do you know where it is?" Julie asked.
"I think Grandpa has map back at the cottage where we can look for that warehouse." Supplied Rocky. Julie nodded in agreement.
"Why were you following these men? Rocky asked clearly intrigued.
"These men have adoption files with them that they took out from my father's study. He may have my file." she trailed off again.
"There was something else you found out which you didn't expect." Rocky said.
"You're perceptive." Julie commented and continued. "Yes, I found out that my foster father has a baby marketing operation."
Rocky frowned. " Doesn't that mean, his selling babies."
".To anyone who can afford to pay the price and can no longer wait for an adoption center to inform them of child ready for adoption. Yes, you're right. " Julie finished for him.
"So now, you're hoping to get those files and get the bottom of this mystery." Rocky said.
"And find out what happened to Gus and Katsumi too." Julie remarked.
"Well, what are we waiting for." Rocky took hold of her hand and the two leaped from the bolder and ran towards the cottage.
"Rocky," Julie called in mid-run. "What will your grandfather say? My foster dad's men could be ruthless and it's too dangerous."
"All the more reasons for you to have back up. Don't worry about Grandpa, I'll talk to him. We'll be careful and besides it's a least we can do to repay you in protecting our mom." Rocky replied and soon the two kids ran in silence. They were taking a short cut through the woods that Julie didn't know it existed and in a few moments they reached the wooden bridge.
Henry pulled the handbrake of the pick up truck and alighted from the vehicle.
"Hey, Ralph!" He called out as he approached Carter's car. He saw him slumped over the driver's seat. "Hey Ralph. Mr. Davenport doesn't like his men to sleep on the job." He announced. When he reached his driver's window, he shook Carter but found the man was knocked out cold. Alarmed, he whirled around but before his mind could put two and two together, he heard a female voice and soon darkness came.
Katsumi recognized the new comer and immediately went into action. As noiselessly as a cat she ran back to Carter's car and somersaulted into the air and sat on the car's roof.
"Good night, Henry." She said as she kicked him on the face. The thug fell to the ground unconscious.
Agents Robert Montgomery and Liza Payton turned to look at each other. They were bewildered at what just took place and continued watching the woman ahead of them.
Katsumi jumped down from the car roof and glanced at the two men. This is going to be difficult. It seems that there were going to be more visitors tonight and she'd better hide these two so that the element of surprise won't be destroyed if only prolonged. So she grabbed both of the second man's wrists and dragged him towards the back of the car. She left him there and went back to the driver's seat to open the trunk and to also remove Carter from his seat, who was still out cold.
The federal agents watched in curiosity as the lone figure began depositing Davenport's unconscious men inside the trunk. A second later, Sam's radio crackled as one of his agents buzzed in.
"540, do you copy this." groping for a word. " .scene." Rodriguez remarked whom along with his partner, was stationed in the same area as Montgomery and Payton.
"We copy that, 543. All units we have a lone player here. Until we can ascertain which sides she's with, she is to be under close watch." Instructed Sam. He soon got affirmative answers from all agents stationed in the area of the warehouse.
Katsumi lowered the lid of the trunk compartment and heard a click. That would keep them out of sight. She thought looked around the area and the feeling of being watched was still present. She sighed. If it were one of Davenport's henchmen, they would have dealt with her by this time. That would mean, its someone else. She continued to muse. Whoever they were, they seem to be on her side. She hoped. Until she figures out what is going on, everyone is the bad guy. She dusted her hands and went to the direction of the warehouse. Now, she was prepared to investigate what's inside.
At their Grandpa's cottage, Colt came into the quaint living room with a comic book on his hand and found Tumtum busy looking at their Grandpa's photo albums. There were albums that most of the pictures inside where taken from a Japanese town where their grandpa grew up. Mori was seated on the couch beside was Tumtum looking so earnest at the photos. What's up with Tumtum and pictures. Colt thought as he sat beside his grandpa and listened to the stories that each picture had. He never thought Tumtum would be fascinated with the activity since it was their Grandpa's way of making them go to sleep when he and Rocky were Tumtum's age. Mori smiled at patted his youngest grandson on the head. " This is the picture of your mother when she was Rocky's age." He said as he pointed at the almost faded and yellowed photograph.
Tumtum gasped as he intently studied the photo. "Wow," Tumtum slowly said as if he was afraid that any louder, the picture's hold on him would disappear. He continued to stare at it and remarked, " Grandma's beautiful." And snuggled closely to his Grandpa.
"Yes, she was." Mori fondly remembered.
Colt, who had been silent, blinked. He was still looking at the picture as something about it nagged him. "May I see it. Tumtum?" he asked. Tumtum handed it to Colt after he was finished looking at it. He squinted at the picture as hard as he could but it was too worn looking to make out the distinct features of their mother.
Outside, Rocky was taking a walk through the woods. Momentarily stopping at every strange sound he heard. He customarily makes his walks after dinner and noticed how cool tonight has been and peaceful. It was so unlike the bustling sounds of town, which he always associates with. He continued walking.
On the highway, the car Julie has been following sped off and soon the distance widened. She knew that the lane she was on would turn off to the right, which will lead her to the boys' grandfather's cottage. She was still indecisive and couldn't explain why she turned to the path leading to the cottage. All she knew she needed a place to calm herself and shout her pent up emotions. After turning into the turnpike, she continued on until she stopped before reaching the fork and veered to another path, which lead her to the woods. Shutting off the engine, she stepped away from her motor bike and moved away. She went to her favorite spot. It was there, on the two huge rocks sitting on the bank of a dried riverbed. She expertly climbed on the rocks with practice ease and sat on the rock surface. She began to cry and soon decided against in going to the cottage for help. After a while, she stopped crying and was silent. She was feeling depressed more than ever and so alone. The night had grown a little darker but her keen eyes picked a few rustles in the bushes that didn't alarm her. Julie looked up towards the sky and saw stars have started to saw themselves out. She drew her knees up to her chin and sighed.
Rocky came to the dried riverbed and never expected that there would be anyone else who knows of his secret spot. Yet someone does and she was sitting on the rock by the riverbed. He went closer until he was a couple of feet away and stood quietly beside the huge bolder. He didn't want to bother the person though he was curious as to why she was doing here by herself. With her face turned away from him, he doesn't know who the stranger could be.
"Hello!" He tentatively called from below.
Julie's head snapped and looked down to who called her.
Rocky's brow drew up in surprise. He never expected Julie here. Through the dim light, Julie's eyes squinted as she regarded him.
"Rocky?" she called in surprise. She quickly wiped her tears as the boy climbed up and sat beside her.
"Julie, what's wrong?" He asked in concern. The girl didn't immediately answer him.
"Julie." Rocky said and touched her shoulder. " Would you like to talk about what's bothering you?" He quietly offered.
Julie sighed again. She had plenty of sighing tonight. She sat cross- legged this time. Rocky waited for her to start. Thoughts of this still mysterious girl filled his mind as he recalled the days of their unlikely encounters. It was like, if there was a need, they would bound to bump into each other, to help one another from a crisis.
"I was ten years old when he, my foster father told me I was adopted," she began. Rocky didn't say a word but listened to Julie, a truth that seemed to break her. For her part, Julie has never opened up to anyone about her being adopted. Not even her friends in school know it. Somehow with Rocky, she felt secured which she couldn't understand at all. She could tell him all her worries and not be concerned of rambling on and on. He displayed an internal strength of calm from which she could draw upon.
"At that age, I didn't quite understand what he was trying to tell me. So, I asked my grandparents about it. I asked them a lot of things, like, why mother - my foster mom wasn't staying any longer with us. Why my holidays were always with only one parent and never with them together as it was before. And that why I had to be somewhere else all the time and never be at home like most kids were on holidays. It felt strange when I listen to my friends' tales over the holidays or school breaks with their families while mine were always spent either in California, Maine or Hawaii with one parent. I spent most of my time doing things on my own too since I couldn't get along with my foster mom's new husband so the option of permanently staying with her was out of the consideration. My foster sisters were never home and if they were, they wouldn't let me go with them anyway. My grandparents - my foster mom's parents and few of the house staff were the only ones kind to me, which is why I stayed here and something else." She trailed off as she sat quietly as if she was remembering an old memory.
"Something else?" Rocky slowly asked as he touched her elbow.
Julie turned to face him with sad eyes. "Ever since the divorce, I was messed up, deep inside, Rocky. I rarely go out of the estate and hardly talk to my friends very much when I'm home. Katsumi must have seen that I was slowly going nowhere and she tried very hard to help me which I'm glad she did or I wouldn't have made it this far and it was that time when I keenly began to feel about the place I was in." Shaking her head. "I know it sounds strange but this town calls me to stay here. It was weird." She finally ends.
"Calls you?" Rocky repeated.
"I can't explain." Julie said, a little exasperation in her voice. " It's the same thing that drew me to your grandfather's cottage before."
"You were spying?" Rocky incredulously remarked. "NO" Julie emphasized. "I did not. I ONLY saw you and your brothers out with your grandfather on the day he gave you, your Ninja names and after witnessing the little ceremony, I strangely felt happy and at peace. That day changed me somehow. I was getting more involved at the house, calling my friends over even if my foster dad wasn't around. When I started to get out of my 'fortress of solitude' to mingle with staff, it made things bearable for me until the day I can finally leave the estate and find my own biological parents."
Rocky was unsure of himself of what to say next so he remained quiet but he was sympathetic of Julie's plight. He put an arm around the girl and Julie leaned to him for support. She felt protected.
" My dad's an FBI agent." Rocky began. " Maybe he can help you, find your real parents."
Julie sprang as if life finally came back to her. She looked at Rocky, her eyes sparked with renewed hope. "Really?" said the girl.
"Yeah, why not. I'm sure dad would only be happy to help you." Rocky replied, surprised the sudden change of emotion of Julie. He can only imagine what she was going through and he hoped that his dad could find Julie's parents.
"What's the name of your parents? We need a name so dad can start his investigation." Rocky told her.
"I don't know." Wagging her head then looking depressed again. "They didn't tell me."
"Well, I'm sure we can still find out. I'll call my dad and ask him about it." Rocky said. Hoping to change the subject he asked, " What brings you here in the time of night?"
Julie's face furrowed. "You may not believe me." She said.
"Try me." Rocky remarked, as he was game to what Julie was going tell him that night.
"Gus and Katsumi told me something's fishy has been going on at the main house before I arrived from school. They told me there were men going into the house with guns and such. Then today, Katsumi and Gus haven't been seen since morning. It's making me worry. I think they have been captured and sent to the Delago warehouse. Also, several hours ago, I was following a car heading for the warehouse too. Do you know where it is?" Julie asked.
"I think Grandpa has map back at the cottage where we can look for that warehouse." Supplied Rocky. Julie nodded in agreement.
"Why were you following these men? Rocky asked clearly intrigued.
"These men have adoption files with them that they took out from my father's study. He may have my file." she trailed off again.
"There was something else you found out which you didn't expect." Rocky said.
"You're perceptive." Julie commented and continued. "Yes, I found out that my foster father has a baby marketing operation."
Rocky frowned. " Doesn't that mean, his selling babies."
".To anyone who can afford to pay the price and can no longer wait for an adoption center to inform them of child ready for adoption. Yes, you're right. " Julie finished for him.
"So now, you're hoping to get those files and get the bottom of this mystery." Rocky said.
"And find out what happened to Gus and Katsumi too." Julie remarked.
"Well, what are we waiting for." Rocky took hold of her hand and the two leaped from the bolder and ran towards the cottage.
"Rocky," Julie called in mid-run. "What will your grandfather say? My foster dad's men could be ruthless and it's too dangerous."
"All the more reasons for you to have back up. Don't worry about Grandpa, I'll talk to him. We'll be careful and besides it's a least we can do to repay you in protecting our mom." Rocky replied and soon the two kids ran in silence. They were taking a short cut through the woods that Julie didn't know it existed and in a few moments they reached the wooden bridge.