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Robin opened his eyes and felt like he was swimming underwater. At the edge of his vision, he saw red and white lines. The pain was harder to deal with and nausea associated with it, had him laying still.
When he'd taken the boys to eat, David had offered to take them to school. It was convenient for him to go back to the house and check on Regina. Only when he arrived, something was wrong.
He'd seen her in the window waving her hands as if to warn him off. Her eyes were wide with terror, he could see a shadow in the room. There was only one smart thing he did before entering the house. He'd called Maggie.
As he lay badly hurt, he thought back to the conversation and hoped to hell it wasn't too late.
"Hello?"
"Maggie, I need you to listen to me. Do I have your attention?"
Her voice turned serious, "I'm listening."
"I don't have a lot of time. I need you to get Henry and Roland and take them to someplace safe. Please, take the boys to your father's. Call the police and tell them that Simon Thompson is at my house. Did you get all that?"
"Yes, but Robin what is going on? Are you alright?"
"No, he's got, Regina. Tell me you heard what I said."
"Yes, I heard you. Robin, why is Simon Thompson in your house? Why does he want Regina?"
"I can't get into it right now. You're going to have to trust me. You have to take the boys to your father's and call the police. Do it," he shouted.
Her voice hitched and shook, "Okay. I promise. Be careful, please."
"I will," he said and clicked off.
He managed to get up on his knees, but the room turned on its side. His hair was sticking to his scalp from the blood and he winced as he touched a deep laceration. He'd been hit with something sharp.
When he'd gathered his strength, he tried to get to his feet. Dizziness took over and he fell over again. Desperate, he reached in his pocket, but his phone was gone. Damn.
It was hard to say how long it had been since he'd been knocked out. The house was eerily quiet, he could only guess they'd gotten Regina.
The house was trashed, everything was broken or laying down. It was really a hell hole, that much he could tell. He couldn't get up, but he could crawl. He crawled down the hallway and into his room.
Her clothes were gone but the room still smelled like her. Glancing around, he noticed the blinds were bent to hell but had been lowered. The curtains had been pulled off the rods. She fought, he thought.
Closing his eyes, he could only think of what he could do to her. It sickened him to know what he'd already done before. Now? There was no way of knowing what he'd resort to. Crawling to Henry's room, he looked under the bed, but her duffle bag was gone too.
Nausea from the worry took over and he rushed into his bathroom in time to empty his stomach. Fear grabbed hold of him and he knew he had to do something. As he was wiping his mouth and flushing the toilet, he heard banging.
Feeling a little better, he leaned against the door and prayed for strength. He tried to get to his feet again, but it was useless. There was ringing in his ears. He couldn't get the clogged feeling to subside. His stomach felt a little better but still ached. His head was pounding, his vision was blurred. His hearing wasn't much better.
It was so bad, he'd failed to hear the shouts and the officer who stood in his doorway with a gun pointed his way. When he figured it out, he tried to raise his hands, but they were too weak.
"Robin? Are you okay?" He couldn't recognize the voice, but he tried. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
Robin tried to open his eyes, but they were starting to close, he started to feel his consciousness slowly slipping away. "What?" It was nothing more than a mumble.
"Get a medic," he heard the officer shout.
There were voices and hands-on him. He closed his eyes, but he didn't fall asleep. He felt hands press to his head and he groaned. Concern and instructions. It all was a whirl, he couldn't do much. He could barely move his hands.
"Regina," he mumbled.
"Don't talk," someone said. "We're gonna get you to a hospital. Just keep calm."
As he tried to lift out of the fog, he felt a prick in his arm and a slow sudden quiet before he succumbed to darkness.
Henry held Roland's hand tight in his as they were huddled on the floor of Mrs. Blanchard's car. Over them was a black blanket and they had to keep quiet. The car jumped here and there, and he'd knock his head on the seat.
Roland was whimpering next to him, "It's gonna be okay. Just be quiet," he whispered.
The car came to a slow stop and he heard the window whirl. "Hi, Barry. I'm here to see my dad."
"Yes, ma'am, go on through," a deep male voice said.
He heard the window again and the car drove a little longer before coming to a stop. "We're here. I need you to stay here until I come back. Okay?"
Henry was scared but he was used to feeling this way. Of not knowing what was going to happen and his mom had put him through plenty of situations like this and he trusted her. "Okay."
When the door shut behind her, the car was quiet. Roland asked, "Why are we hiding?"
"Because there's a bad man who wants to hurt us."
"What bad man? What about my dad?"
"I don't know. We have to stay here until my mom comes to get us."
"I thought your mom went away."
Henry didn't want to tell him that she was back. Even if they were hiding, he made a promise to Robin. He didn't want to break it. "She did, but I hope she comes back soon."
"Henry?"
"Yea?"
"I'm glad you're here with me. I'm scared."
"I won't let anything happen to you. We'll be okay."
Roland huddled closer and squeezed the hand that held his. "I wish you were my brother. Then, you could stay with us forever."
Henry didn't respond to that because the door opened, and the blanket was being pulled off them. With his eyes adjusting to the sun, he saw Mrs. Blanchard standing outside the door. "Come on, it's safe."
He took her hand and was led to the front door of a very large house. It was even bigger than the big white house he lived in. A man with kind eyes and a gentle smile stood in the doorway.
"Hi, I'm Leo."
"I'm Henry and this is Roland." He'd yet to let go of his hand.
"Are you hungry?" Roland nodded his head, but Henry couldn't eat. "Let's get some snacks." Leo led Roland down the hall.
Henry looked back at Mrs. Blanchard, "Where's Robin? Is he okay?"
"I'm so sorry, Henry. He was taken to the hospital, but they said he's gonna be okay."
"My mom?"
"I…"
"Where's my mom?"
"I don't know. When the police got there, her things were gone, and she was too. Robin couldn't speak to let us know where she was."
Tears gathered in his eyes, "My dad…he took her. Didn't he?"
She reached out to take his shoulders and hug him to her, "I think so. The police are doing all they can to find her."
"He'll hurt her or kill her like he did those other moms." He started to weep against her chest.
"Oh, honey. My father works for the FBI and he catches people like that. He'll do all he can to find her. Let's sit down."
He was led to a room filled with couches and trappings. The room was too fancy to sit on a couch and cry, but he didn't care. He felt his gut turn over to think that his mom could be hurt.
"I want my mom," he whimpered. Mrs. Blanchard hugged him to her side and stayed with him while he cried and thought of every possible scenario. It was frightening to think that he would never see his mom again.
When Robin opened his eyes, the first thing he saw were two long fluorescent lights that blinded him. The pain in his head was stronger than ever. He grunted as he tried to turn his head to the side.
Suddenly, someone was over him, "Robin, can you hear me?" He recognized the voice right away, it was David.
Robin opened his mouth to say something, but it was dry, and he felt like he hadn't drunk anything in days. "I'll get the nurse," David said and was gone.
The arm he tried to lift was full of wires and his legs were tucked under a blanket as he tried to kick off the furnace that was engulfing his body. It was too hot under them. With his free hand, he tugged unsuccessfully to free him from his prison.
David leaned over, "Hey, the nurse is coming. Do you remember what happened?" He blinked his heavy eyes and tried to gather his thoughts and memories of what he'd been doing that morning.
At first, there were only flickers of Regina and him in bed together, taking the boys to school, finding out he was going to be a father again. Then, with abrupt clarity, he remembered her in the window. Scared and inside alone.
"Regina," he mumbled. His voice was thick and not very clear. "Henry," he tried again. The sounds were distorted to his own ears. There wasn't enough clarity to know if David understood him.
"Robin try not to talk; your larynx was damaged. Listen to me okay?" Robin nodded and blinked his eyes until David's face was as clear as it was going to get. The edge of his vision was still red. "Geoff and Jerry found you in your house. You were in the bathroom puking your guts out."
"I…"
"No, don't talk. The house is trashed, man. Whoever went in, trashed it. It's taped off and they're trying to figure out what to salvage. Maggie took the kids to her dad's. She got your message. They're safe."
"Roland," he tried to get out, but it was hoarse and weak. "Henry," he said.
"Leo's got them playing video games and reading comic books. They're fine. Robin did Regina come back yesterday?"
He nodded, "Last night."
"Alright, they found a pair of socks bundled on the ground outside the garage. They were pink."
His eyes were starting to clear, his head was still throbbing, he reached out weakly to take David's hand, "Where is she?" His throat burned.
"I don't know, there wasn't any sign of her in the house. Just the socks outside and Henry told us she was here. I know it's not really my business, but were you involved?"
"Yea, we…" He broke off and remembered she was pregnant. It would be hard to explain that away, but it was a concern. "She's pregnant."
Their eyes met, and David's widened, "What? How the hell did that happen? How long has this been going on?" Robin opened his mouth to speak, but David squeezed his arm. "Nevermind, don't talk. We'll discuss this later. They called Marian, Robin."
"Why?" It angered him.
"She's your emergency contact and you've been out a couple of days. The last I heard, she was on a flight out. Listen, Geoff and Jerry want to take your statement as soon as they can. They've talked to Henry briefly and Leo is doing all he can to track this asshole."
"Regina isn't…" He wanted to keep her secret, but it wasn't possible if she'd been taken. His eyes met David's and he fought to say the words. "Regina's real name is Sabrina Thompson."
David blinked and stared at his friend. That information was more than anything he knew how to handle. "You harbored a fugitive and fell into bed with her?" Robin saw the confusion and disgust in his friend's eyes.
"It's not like that…" His damn voice didn't let him defend her. "She didn't do anything." He coughed and tried to swallow, "Fuck, this hurts."
"Let's table this. Right now, the nurse is coming in and you need your rest. I won't say anything until you talk to the police. But, Robin?"
"Yea," he turned.
"If she is who you say she is, they'll take her in. I hope you realize that."
"I know." He felt like scum.
A woman walked in and started fussing with the wires on his arm. "We'll talk. Get some rest," he said on his way out the door.
The nurse had dark hair that curled around her face and a sweet smile. "Hi, I'm Amelia. I know you're in some pain. I'm gonna give you something to help you rest. Okay?"
"Water," he demanded.
"You've got an IV for that. Don't you worry. It'll be okay. Have a nice rest," she said and stuck a needle into his IV port before he could argue. It was a matter of seconds before his eyes closed and he drifted off.
Geoff and Jeffrey stood over a conference room table where a phone lay on speaker. The California police department, FBI, and a Tactical team were all on the line. They'd been searching for two days for traces of Simon or Sabrina Thompson.
"Give me a timeline of the events," Detective Hanson said.
Geoff spoke up, "On Wednesday evening, according to the boy, Sabrina Thompson arrived at the Locksley residence and stayed until morning. At approximately 0700, Robin Locksley drove to Lucas Bed and Breakfast. He arrived back at the residence no later than 0745 and called Margaret Blanchard in distress.
"The instructions he gave were to take the boys to her father's, FBI Agent Blanchard's residence and to call the police. Officer Jerry O'Donnell and I arrived at the scene at 0832 and found the front door ajar. The house was in disarray, we entered and found Mr. Locksley in the master suite bathroom on the floor nearly unconscious.
"Paramedics took seven minutes to transport him out. The scene was secured and taped off."
Hanson took a few seconds of silence before saying, "Have you been able to talk to Locksley?"
"No, sir. He's still sedated."
"What's his prognosis?"
"The medical report states he suffered from a concussion, a damaged larynx, four broken ribs, his left lung was punctured, his left ankle was fractured, and his right eye socket broken."
"Son of a bitch, they left him for dead."
"I believe so, sir. They didn't expect us to arrive so quickly. The hospital staff is keeping him sedated to keep him from talking or moving. He's in quite a bit of pain. His concussion is an issue, but they are keeping a close eye. What are the next steps, sir?"
Hanson said, "I have a team on the way to you. Keep searching in the surrounding areas, any sign of either of them. Talk to the boy and find out where the hell they've been the last few years."
Jerry put in, "One Sydney Glass has been instrumental in hiding her out. He was questioned and released not long ago for a minor infraction. There were identities used by Sabrina Thompson found in his residence. Those might get you started."
"Address?"
"Sydney Glass, 1625 Hillrise Ave. Unit 22A. Bethesda California."
"I'll get a unit on it. Talk to the boy again and keep me apprised. We'll reconvene at 0600."
"Yes, sir."
When Hanson clicked off, Geoff said, "We've got ourselves a hefty case. Fuck, Jerry." His eyes were tired, and his back was tight. "Robin's our friend. What was he doing getting mixed up with this woman?"
"Let's go find out."
Regina lay on her side on what felt like a concrete floor. It was hard, cold, and she was shivering. Her eyes fluttered open and looked around. The room was dark, but a sliver of light bounced off a lamp in the corner from what she could tell. Her vision was blurry, and her head was pounding.
Lifting her heavy head, she turned to the side to see she was laying on a metal table like you'd see in a morgue. She tried to sit up only to discover her feet were bound to the legs of the table. Her hands were bound together in front of her.
Her gaze drifted to a shelf that held plastic containers, but there was no telling what was inside. The containers were dark, but she couldn't make out the color.
A tall red toolbox stood against the wall with some drawers open and some half-closed. Atop it, lay tools in disarray but she couldn't focus on them. A wooden table set next to it held a mess of what looked like gauze.
The wet red liquid looked like blood. The white corners were contrasted to the dark. Her head was pounding and wondered if it was her blood. A door opened to her right and she turned her head too quickly and winced.
Her head felt heavy and a piercing pain caused her to lay back down and close her eyes.
"Look who's awake." Simon. Oh, God. He sounded thrilled.
She was suddenly blinded by a bright white light. Above her hung a triangular light swinging from a chain. She tried to open her mouth, but realized her lips hurt and her mouth was full.
Biting down, she felt something soft between her teeth and felt tightness clinging to her skin.
Tears started to leak out as the fear took over. She was coming around, whatever he gave her had made her hazy. Simon smiled wickedly at her when her vision cleared. "I've been looking forward to this for quite some time," he purred.
Trying to fight, she lifted her hands only to have his hand shove them back down into her chest. "Don't fight. You'll only make it that much more enjoyable for me."
His fingers peeled a corner of the tape from her cheek and ripped it off her face.
Regina cried out at the pain that radiated on her face. He took the cloth out of her mouth and tossed it aside adding to the pile on the wooden table.
He picked up a glass of water and helped her take a sip. Regina swallowed gratefully. "Simon..." she croaked.
"No, it's my turn to talk. You're going to tell me where Sammy is. If you don't, I have some colorful and imaginative things I can do to you."
He lifted his hand that was covered with a blue latex glove. He held a scalpel that looked deadly sharp.
Her eyes went wild with terror and she whimpered. Knowing what he did to the other women only made the bone-deep fear more intense. The look in his eye was unlike anything she'd ever seen. "Simon, please."
"Where is he, Sabrina? I know that bastard of a man took him." His fingers dug into her skin and she paled. "Where?"
She could only think of Sammy and what Simon might turn him into or do to him. Her baby that she was just coming to terms with carrying never had time to thrive. Was this all there was?
Did she come to this it is her fate? If she told him where Sammy was, he'd kill her anyway. Wouldn't he?
Closing her eyes, she said, "I won't tell you where he is. You'll kill me anyway. It's what you've wanted all along."
He leaned forward until she could smell the alcohol on his breath, feel his hot breath on her cheek, and see the empty look in his eyes.
"Don't test me, Sabrina. I want my son. I have no trouble going through you to get him."
As much as Regina had imagined what he'd be when he was in this mode, she'd been wrong. She imagined he'd be cold, empty. But he wasn't just those things.
He was dead and filled with rage oddly combined. No matter what she said, he'd kill her, and she had to protect her son. It was all she had left.
She closed her eyes and let a few tears fall for Sammy, for the unborn baby in her belly, and for Robin, the man she'd given her heart to. Then, she accepted her fate.
"Do what you have to, Simon." She mustered her courage and met his eyes.
"With pleasure," he said darkly and took a step towards her.
