DISCLAIMMER: THE BOYS BELONG TO OTHERS.
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NOTES:
* Early update, and currently slightly ahead with my writing for this story.
* Also finished my detailed notes for the rest of the story - So, nearly there folks - Not sure on the exact number of chapters. Depends how I split them when I've finished writing them up.
* Anyways, hope you enjoy this update. Reviews are welcome. :)
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Chapter 42: Visits.
Back at the hospital: 9am.
Shortly after Virgil had woken, the rest of the family had arrived and had spent some quality time with him. Each one delighted that, although he was still very ill, he was breathing, and fighting to stay with them. As Virgil was currently dosing, Ruth had remained at his side, while Jeff gathered everyone else in the canteen to go over any more information they had found on Sanderson and Andrews.
"So, what have you uncovered?" Jeff questioned.
"We started by looking at Maria Andrews," John began, "as we know she's got three younger brothers. The two youngest, who were just 12 and 14 at the time of the incident, being the ones who were badly injured. Her other brother was 16 and luckily, he wasn't with them, he was at an educational tech camp, specifically aimed at computers."
"Does he still have anything to do with computers?" Jeff enquired.
"Yes," John responded, "he's 18 now, and currently studying at the Auckland University of Technology, and his current grades are fantastic. I would say that he certainly knows enough to help his sister and stop the computers that we found from working?"
Jeff smiled. "Do you think it was Maria Andrews then?"
"I do," John confirmed, "and I know Alan and Gordon agree."
Jeff glanced towards his oldest son. "But you don't Scott?"
"No," Scott admitted, "and when we went deeper with our search on Emily's aunt and brother, it just convinced me even more!"
"What did you find?" Jeff asked.
"We've done checks into her aunt Zara Sanderson's past, there are no criminal charges against her, and apart from being quizzed about her sister's allegations she's never been taken in for questioning by the police. She seems squeaky clean!" Scott replied.
"Seems?" Jeff returned.
"Zara had been receiving a lump sum paid into an account, once a year since Emily was 10, and it looks like they came from Emily's real father. He stopped paying them to her when Emily was 22," Scott answered.
"If he started paying them when she was 10, that means he knew about his daughter's whereabouts before Emily first found him," Jeff observed.
"Exactly!" Scott stated. "We also found an account in Emily's name, since she turned 22, she's been receiving occasional deposits instead."
"And do we know why they left America?" Jeff asked.
"We still have no idea," John responded, "but just before they moved to New Zealand. Emily's brothers Warren was arrested alongside his boss, for receiving stolen cars and trying to sell them on. He was released without charge, but his boss was eventually sent to prison. From what we've found it looks like Warren may have been guilty, but Emily's father paid him out of trouble."
"All this points to Emily still being in touch with her father, and could mean that she is seeking revenge for him." Jeff paused, thought through all the facts before continuing. "I agree with Scott, Maria may have the motive, and as we've recently discovered the means. However, along with the possible motive, there's just something about Emily that doesn't sit right! Penny, Parker, what do you think?"
"For me the evidence points to Maria," Parker remarked, "but without meeting either woman, I wouldn't want to say for sure."
Penelope nodded. "I'm in the same mindset, I'm afraid Jeff."
"And you've exhausted all avenues in the background checks?" Jeff asked John.
"Not necessarily, but I don't know if anymore checks will reveal anything helpful," John replied honestly.
Jeff sighed. "So, we need to figure out our next step then."
"Personally, I think there are three possible ways we can find out for definite which one it is," Penny stated. "The first being that when the effects from the Rynax have worn off Virgil remembers, and the second being that whomever as done this, does something to give themselves away."
"And the third?" Scott questioned
"The third being less likely. Myself and Jeff are going to visit the Hood this afternoon, so we can test the equipment Brains invented. There's always the small chance he will reveal something if provoked!"
They all sat in silence until Jeff's attention was captured by his mother stepping into the canteen. "Mother, is Virgil alright?" Jeff asked worryingly, as she made her way towards them.
"The poor boy as just been sick," Ruth answered, "and unfortunately, the nurse wasn't quick enough with the bowl. They're just cleaning him up now."
"Any other side-effects?" Scott exhaled.
Ruth nodded. "He's also started having headaches."
"Have the nurses been able to give him anything to help?" Gordon questioned.
"The nurse said they would give him some anti-sickness medication." Ruth confirmed. "The headaches started just before he vomited and unfortunately, because of what he's already had, they can't really give him much else. However, they have dimmed the lights, pulled the blinds closed, and put the monitors on a quieter mode. Hopefully, that should help a little bit." Ruth glanced around the table at all their concerned faces. "Now, try not to worry too much," she added, "we knew that these side-effects would most likely happen because of the amount of Rynax Virgil was given, and the nurse explained that any effects would disappear once the drug is completely out of his system."
… …
It was now 11am, and Scott was currently sitting beside Virgil with Jeff, who was having second thoughts about going with Penny to visit the Hood in prison. "Dad, you need to go!" Scott finally stated, after watching his father glance doubtfully towards the door for the millionth time.
"I don't know," Jeff frowned, "he's still on Oxygen, he's been vomiting a lot! Plus, the anti-sickness meds don't seem to be helping, and then he's got these headaches.
"Dad, I'll be here to keep an eye on Virgil, and Gordon will be here in a minute, so he can look after me!"
Jeff laughed at Scott's response, but then shook his head. "No. I've thought about it, and with everything I've already mentioned, plus finding out Andrews and Sanderson have been released. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything were to happen."
"That's even more reason to go!" Scott interjected. "As Penny said earlier, your visit to the Hood might provoke him into revealing something that we've missed. We need to find out which one it is, and we don't have anything else to go on!" After a couple of minutes of silence, Jeff once more looked doubtfully towards the door. "Dad, go!" Scott ordered.
"Fine. I'll go," Jeff sighed, finally giving in. Leaning over, Jeff stroked his hand softly over Virgil's head. "Virg," he whispered, "I just wanted to let you know I'm going with Penny now… Okay?" Virgil offered a thumb up signalling his agreement. "Keep in touch and let me know how he's doing," Jeff added, finally standing up.
"Of course," Scott smiled, "now go!"
Jeff tucked Virgil's blankets around him, and then placed a kiss on his head. He then turned to face Scott, ruffled his hair, and made his way out of the room.
Scott grinned when he had finally left. "That father of ours is such a smother!"
"Pot, kettle!" Virgil retorted, with his eyes still shut.
Scott grinned at his brother's retaliation. "If you weren't feeling so sick right now, I would tickle you for being so cheeky!"
Virgil tried to release a laugh, but instead found himself squinting from the piercing migraine, which now hit him with its full force.
"Are you okay?" Scott asked, with obvious concern.
"Head… Sick," Virgil stammered.
Scott placed his hand soothingly on Virgil's back while the nurse who was currently on duty in his room passed the sick bowl to him.
"Are you okay?" She asked, after Virgil had stopped vomiting.
"Think so," he replied.
The nurse took the tray from him, and then poured some water into a small cup. "Try and drink some water. It's just there for you when you're ready."
Virgil shook his head. "Makes me sick."
"I know," the nurse replied, "but you're going to be sick again anyway. It's just easier if you have something in your stomach rather than dry retching all the time."
Virgil sighed, and reached a shaky hand towards the cup.
"Here, let me get that for you," Scott offered.
Virgil batted Scott's hand out the way. "Not a baby!"
"Okay, Mr Independent!" Scott smiled.
Virgil grasped the cup, and shakily brought it towards himself, managed to take a sip and placed it back. "See!"
Scott grinned. "Well done, now try and get some rest!"
"Yes, Smother!" Vigil responded, before lying back down.
… …
A few hours later: Auckland Prison.
"Balah Gaat, your visitors have arrived." The officer announced to the Hood who was currently sitting in a small interview room, chained to the bolted down chair.
The Hood glared towards the door, wondering who had the audacity to come and see him. "Jeff Tracy," he beamed, with genuine surprise, when Jeff made his way into the room, "and Penelope Creighton Ward!" The Hood exclaimed, when Penny followed behind Jeff. "Oh, don't look so surprised," he laughed, "I know all there is to know about Jeff, his family, and those who are closely connected to him." The Hood waited for them to sit down on the chairs opposite. "So, what do I owe this pleasure?" He snorted. Jeff and Penny looked at each other and smiled, but didn't utter a word. The Hood scowled at them. "Oh, come on, don't be shy… Why are you here?" When he still received no reply, he continued. "Okay then, if you're not going to be forthcoming, let me see if I can guess... It's to do with that woman, isn't it? You don't know who it is, so you are trying to psyche me out, and make me angry enough to reveal which one it is, is that your plan?" Much to the Hood's annoyance, Penny and Jeff continued to quietly stare at him. "Even if your plan does work, and I was to reveal to you both which woman it was, you would never know if I was telling you the truth! Sanderson or Andrews, is that what you've come here to ask me?"
"No, that's not why we are here," Jeff finally answered.
"Why are you here then?" The Hood demanded.
Jeff leaned forwards and looked the Hood straight in the eye. "I came here to tell you that your plan's failed!"
The Hood smirked. "How's it failed? The last time I saw your precious boy he was practically lifeless. Yes, they had put him on that breathing machine, but we both know he'll never wake up. Not after what I gave him!"
Penelope and Jeff glanced at each other and both released a hearty laugh. "That's where you are very much wrong," Penny retorted, "you see, Virgil's a Tracy… Which means he's strong and brave!"
"Oh really?" He scoffed.
"Yes," Jeff smiled, "not only as my boy survived, he's also awake!"
The Hood slammed his chained hands on the table. "Well not for long," he growled, "I will escape, and I will finish my revenge!"
"And exactly how do you plan to do that?" Penelope teased.
"With my powers, of course!" The Hood sneered at them both, his eyes turning to a piercing yellow.
