Chapter Sixteen – Confessions and Escapes
When Steve had heard his father's name, he had jerked as if Wilbur had landed another punch. Dad, I'm sorry, was the thought that momentarily consumed his mind. It was quickly replaced by a determination to protect his father from the pain he knew his death would cause. He could not, would not, allow that to happen.
Alex had somewhat regained her composure. She took a deep breath in an attempt to settle her still protesting stomach. She had heard David address Mark and had observed Steve's reaction, it was then that she had noticed the slight movement of his hands and realized what he was doing. Suck it up, Alex, you need to buy him some time! Alex stood and walked back across the room. "David?"
"Through tossing your cookies?" he inquired.
Alex chose to ignore his comment. "David, I'm not saying I understand what you did to those men, but I really don't understand you involving Steve in this."
David stared at her intently for a moment. "You love him, don't you?"
Alex glanced down at her hands, when she looked back up she found herself the recipient of another gaze. Though clouded with pain, the clear blue eyes watched her intently. She smiled briefly before turning her attention back to David. "Yes, I love him…" she looked towards Steve again, "I always have."
David shook his head in amazement and in a tone that bordered on a scream he responded to her declaration of love. "I will never understand how a woman as intelligent as you could fall for someone as simple as him. He dumped you. I was, and have always been, right there, but you never saw that."
"David, I never thought of you that way, I'm sorry if I ever gave any other impression."
"He's just like the others you know, I chose them because they looked like him. You should have seen them with their perfect hair, the perfect smiles and well muscled bodies."
"David, this has to stop."
"Yes, you're right it does, and it will, as soon as our friend over there is dead." His demeanor changed suddenly. Gone was the raging madness in his eyes, they were now filled with sadness. He looked at Alex and she was surprised to see tears in his eyes. "All I ever wanted was for us to be together, that's all I ever wanted," he voiced in a pleading tone. "Can't you understand that?"
Alex chanced a covert glance at Steve in an effort to see how he was progressing with the rope on his wrists. He caught her eye and gave her a brief nod. She once again returned her attention to David.
"Yes, David, I can, I'm sorry I didn't see it," she replied with a slight smile. Again out of the corner of her eye she glanced at Steve and again his reaction was a positive nod. She moved closer to David and tentatively reached her hand towards him. He recoiled slightly, then allowed her hand to rest on it. She attempted what she hoped was a warm smile.
Steve had been dumbfounded by Alex response. She loves me? She never said anything. He found that it was too much to deal with right now and he continued to work at the rope that bound him. As he had increased his activity he had furthered damaged his already battered wrists. The result had been a steady stream of blood that although painful had made his task easier. He surveyed the room to take note of everyone's position. Alex had David's undivided attention, and Wilbur was dozing in the corner. Steve realized it was now or never. He could only hope that Alex was ready. With one last tug that dug into the grooves the rope had worn, Steve felt his hands slide free. He flexed his fingers to encourage the feeling to return completely. He knew in his weakened physical condition it was a one shot deal. He would not have the reserves to try again. With that final thought, he sprung from the chair and launched himself towards Wilbur.
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"Mark?" When he received no answer Jesse plowed on. "We have to keep looking."
Mark roused himself. "Yes, yes we do." Mark concentrated on his phone and called Steve's precinct. He now had enough information to get Captain Newman to send help. It had seemed like an eternity before he was taken off hold and put through to the Captain at home. He had explained the situation and was highly relieved when Newman immediately agreed to send officers to the scene, in fact, he himself would be there as soon as he could.
Jesse reached and laid a hand on his mentor's arm. "We will find him, and he will be ok."
Mark smiled his gratefulness for Jesse's assurances.
"I refuse to run Bob's by myself," Jesse added.
Mark chuckled. "Let's go find him, Jesse."
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Alex saw Steve move and she took action as well. She took advantage of her proximity to David and brought her knee up into his groin. He screamed and doubled over in pain. The sound was enough to rouse Wilbur from his stupor just as Steve reached him. He caught the man who came flying at him, and, using Steve's own momentum, threw him against the wall. The sound of the impact was sickening. Steve slid down the wall and landed in a heap on the floor. He heard Alex scream and groaned as a foot impacted with his side. GET UP, STEVE!, he heard his father's voice in his head. Steve would never know where he found the strength to continue, but as the foot headed towards his side again he grabbed it and twisted up to the right. It was enough to throw the giant off balance, and Steve moved as quickly as he could to press what little advantage he had.
Alex had been looking around the room for something else to hit David with when she saw Steve fly through the air and impact the wall. When the foot had connected with his side, she had thought she was going to need the garbage can again. David remained in a prone position on the floor with his hands covering his groin. For the moment, he was incapacitated.
Steve made his way to his feet and bull-charged the larger man who was still trying to regain his balance, he drove him backwards. His head hit the wall and snapped forward. The blow had knocked him unconscious. "Alex, let's go!" he shouted as he made two steps towards her.
With one last look at David, she ran towards Steve and followed him out the door. As quickly as Steve's injuries would allow, they raced down the hall of the warehouse and towards what they hoped was freedom. Steve pushed open the door and felt the crisp air that was common for the overnight hours in Southern California. As Steve crossed further across the parking lot, he saw the headlights of a car and headed directly for them with Alex trailing behind him. He heard his name being screamed, and, as he turned he heard the loud retort of a gun being fired.
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They had turned into the lot of the warehouse and as they moved further across the pavement, the headlights had displayed the silhouettes of two people running from the warehouse. Mark squinted in an effort to identify the figures, and as the car continued forward, the duo started heading directly towards the lights. As they got closer he recognized the form of his son. What transpired next caused his breath to catch in his throat, and he gasped out his son's name.