One Wrong Turn-Chapter 4
More Questions
Tucker Bryant and Dr. Hank Lawson sped through the light traffic as they rushed to Tucker's house. They needed to know what the other half of the letter said, and they needed to know as soon as possible. It had become evident that Evan and Divya were in some kind of trouble, and they needed to know who and what the threat was before it was too late.
Tucker kept glancing nervously toward Hank, who seemed to have turned to stone ever since he saw the car on the highway strip. After his short spout of emotion, he finally seemed in control again, and 'in control' seemed to mean 'ignored'. Tucker just sighed, knowing now was not the time to worry about how Hank was dealing with his emotional dilemma.
"We're here." Hank announced as he pulled up in Tucker's driveway. He had reached the house a few minutes ago, but Tucker seemed to be lost in his own thoughts and not notice that. He couldn't blame the kid, though; he felt just about the same way right now- lost. Utterly,inconclusively lost.
"The mailbox is in the front." Tucker said. "I don't think the letter would be in there, but it's worth a shot, right?"
"Yeah, putting it in the mailbox would be pretty risky; it would mean that he would have to risk being seen. But where do you think he put it, then?" Hank asked.
"Well, I think it's safe to say he's been watching us for a while and knows more about us than we think he does." Tucker replied.
"Or, at least, that's what he wants us to think." Hank pointed out. "For all we know, he only knows what the media puts out about us, like where we live, the places we visit, the people we hang out with, and stuff like that."
"The problem is that we don't know everything he knows about us, so in the meantime, I think we should act like he does know a lot, you know, just to be safe." Tucker suggested, receiving an agreeing nod from Hank.
"Alright, let's check the mailbox first, just to be safe, and then we'll search the house."
"You think he has access to our houses?" Tucker asked, fearing the answer he already knew was coming.
"We know that this man knew where Evan and Divya would be; how would he know if he wasn't watching us? I mean, their decision to go was rather quick, and it happened to today. No one knew about it until they saw them cruising by. Either way, he knew where they would be." Hank explained. Tucker nodded, trying not to show his fear. He hadn't thought about that, but now that it was offered as a choice, it was the only one that made sense: he was watching them. Sensing Tucker's uneasiness, Hank placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Hey, we're going to figure this out, okay?"
"Yeah Hank, I-I know." Tucker stuttered unconvincingly. Hank let it slide for the moment, knowing that they had other things to worry about before they both confronted their feelings.
"Should we split up or stay together?" Hank mused out loud, mostly talking to himself, though.
"Could we stay together?" Tucker asked timidly. There was no way in hell he was going to wander his house alone for the envelope, knowing now that they were being watched.
"Of course." he reassured. Hank couldn't recall ever seeing Tucker so scared before. Ignoring his thoughts, Hank escorted Tucker into his house...
Luckily, Tucker's father had left for a game of golf with one of his friends, so they had the house for themselves to search.
"Where should we start?" Tucker asked.
"I don't know...I guess we could start in the living room and work our way up to the bedrooms. It shouldn't be that hard to find, seeing that everything's in its place."
"Yeah, we have a maid now; my dad hates a dirty house." Tucker explained. Hank just nodded, understanding the situation.
Tucker and Hank searched the kitchen and living to no prevail. They skimmed over the basement and guest room, but the letter wasn't there. Finally, they headed upstairs to search the bed rooms.
Suddenly, Hank's phone started ringing, making both men jump. "Damn it, he's going to want to know where Evan is."
"Here, let me answer it." Tucker offered, knowing that Boris wouldn't be as mad at him as he would be with Hank.
"And how are you going to explain that you answered my phone?"
"You came over our house last night to help my father with something and left your phone over. I mean, it may not work, but it's worth a shot, right?" Tucker explained. Hank reluctantly passed this phone to Tucker, who immediately answered it.
"Hello." Tucker greeted plainly.
"Who is this? This is Dr. Hank Lawson's phone." Boris asked. "Tucker?"
"Yeah, it's Tucker." he confirmed. "Hank came over last night to help my dad settle in. He must've left it behind." he easily lied.
"What do you mean by help your dad settle in? Is he staying?"
"He's staying-for good this time. He told me he's doesn't want to keep leaving me and misses the Hamptons."
Boris was now alarmed. 'Tucker's dad was staying in the Hamptons? Oh god, not again...' Boris thought, suddenly realizing the actual reason he was staying.
"Tucker, where are you?" Boris asked.
"Uh, at my house. Why?" Tucker was now confused by the sudden worry and alarm in Boris' voice.
"Is your father home?"
"No; he's out golfing with some of his friends." Tucker replied, noticing that Boris seemed more calm- even over the phone- at that news. "What's going on, Boris?" he finally asked.
"Tucker, do you have any place to stay tonight?"
"Boris, please, just tell me what's going on!" Tucker begged.
At that moment, Hank- who had been searching Marshal's room- chose to walk back in the room. He gave Tucker a questioning look, but Tucker just mimicked it. He had no idea what was going on.
"Answer the question!" Boris barked back angerly, making Tucker jump a little. Sensing that he had made the wrong move, Boris sighed, regaining some composure. "I'm sorry Tucker, but please, would you answer the question?"
"I-I guess I could stay with Hank tonight." Tucker stuttered, still a little shaken by his sudden outburst. Hank could tell that Tucker seemed a little more nervous and scared than he had before the phone call. Something had happened, and he wanted to know why. He motioned for Tucker to give him the phone, and Tucker passed the phone to him, his hands shaking.
"Boris, what the hell is going on?" Hank asked.
"Are you actually in Tucker's home?" he asked, wanting to confirm his facts before asking new questions.
"Yes,everything that Tucker told you is true, except for the part where I left my phone over his house last night. Now tell me what's going on."
"Hank, I don't know why you were trying to avoid me, but I am glad that you did." Boris started, but Hank interrupted him.
"And why is that?"
"Because now I know that Marshal Bryant is staying in the Hamptons." he answered. "I think it would be best if Tucker stayed with you tonight, if you wouldn't mind."
"Why would that be best?" Hank asked, losing his patience with Boris very quickly.
"I can't tell you, but trust me on this Hank. I think it's the least that I've earned from you." Boris said. "In the meantime, stay where you are; I am coming over." Before Hank could protest, Boris hung up.
"Damn it!" Hank exclaimed.
"What is it?" a still shaking Tucker asked.
"I don't know, but Boris is coming over. Whatever we've gotten ourselves involved in, Boris just got sucked into it,too."
Tucker gulped. He had no idea what was going on, but he had a feeling he was deeply rooted to the whole situation...