AN: Happy New Year from the Land Down Under!
Have appreciated all the ongoing support I've had from my fellow writers and readers here over this past year (as I have every other year since I started writing fan fiction). I can't thank all of you enough - words are failing me right now but I hope you all know I would not be here without you as my audience, my friends and mentors. To the writers: As a reader myself, your stories are what brought me to this site in the first place so thank you everyone!
Tanith
Chapter 43
"Leave him and go check on your girlfriend!" George snapped at his son.
Whitney reluctantly moved away from Steve and stumbled toward the staircase, shooting a backward glance filled with barely suppressed rage before he climbed the stairs.
Steve tried to rise to his feet but a warning look from one of the burly men coupled with the pain flaring through his torso made him reconsider his actions. Mike's voice of reason returned once again and reminded him that he mustn't give in to his emotions. Forcing himself to take deep calming breaths and ignoring the pain it was causing his cracked ribs, he leaned his back against the wall though every muscle in his body remained coiled. He twisted his wrists testing Whitney's work and ground his teeth together as the coarse fibres of the rope scraped his skin until it was raw. The knots were tight and the rope too thick to break. Glancing around the room, the realization that he was in serious trouble sunk in. He was not going to be able to physically fight his way out of this one and there sure as hell wasn't going to be any cavalry coming to his rescue. He was going to have to use his head rather than his anger to plot his next move. Despite the additional bruises he now sported since his arrival at the cabin, his primary concern was still for Jeannie and Christina. He knew he was no use to either of them if he was completely incapacitated or worse. He allowed his green eyes to do a quick scan of the cabin's interior, trying to determine weak spots he could take advantage of in an escape plan or something he could later use as a weapon. Of course, it wasn't long before he was once again the centre of attention.
George Holden stepped closer to his latest hostage and paced in front of him. "The last cop who got too close to my operation regrettably suffered from a psychotic break. Of course, his family was well looked after during his stay at the sanitarium until he committed suicide. Such a tragedy. A waste. You don't have family, do you, Inspector?"
Steve remained silent, waiting to see where George was heading with his threats. The last thing he wanted to do was give Holden the satisfaction of seeing him rattled.
"I'm a reasonable man, trying to make a living just like yourself and dead cops attract too much unwanted attention so I'm going to make you a deal to make things easier for the both of us to co-exist," Holden Senior continued.
"Save it! I'm not interested," Steve spat when he caught on to what Holden was trying to do. He was not going to be bribed or blackmailed into giving him what he wanted no matter what they were going to do to him.
"Oh, I wouldn't be too hasty if I were you. After all, no one knows where you are." George drawled. Seeing the nervous look on the young cop's face that he was trying very hard to hide, he knew he was right. "You came here, unarmed and unprepared. It's pretty obvious that you were on your own personal mission which had everything to do with my son and a girl you both share a mutual attraction to. Quite frankly, I'm not in the least bit interested in my son's lovers spat. What I am interested in is how your partner, Lieutenant Michael Stone, is going to explain to your captain what all that heroin is doing in your home, your locker, his home...in fact it looks like your partner has been cashing in on the drug busts in preparation for his retirement...tsk, tsk. All those cold homicide cases and missing dope. I wonder if his daughter knows? Of course, I can protect her from all the scandal if she were to marry my son, but I don't much fancy the thought of your partner's chances of surviving a day in a prison cell, do you? I imagine his heart won't be able to take it especially after your body is fished out of the bay with all the tell-tale signs of a drug overdose."
Steve's face blanched but he shook his head defiantly. "You're bluffing. Thirty years on the force – there's no way anyone is going to buy that Mike Stone is a crooked cop. No way! You'll have to do better than that!"
George was unfazed and unconcerned by Steve's refusal to believe that he had the power to carry out his threat but he did note the selfless way in which the young man had defended his partner. He laughed drily and said, "You'd be surprised at the kind of pull I have. You underestimate me, Inspector Keller, but you have no idea who you're dealing with. I have friends in very high places. I play golf with the District Attorney and I go to church every Sunday with Judge Wallace. Who sponsored the Senator's campaign? I did! You're young and vain. You think you understand how the world works but you don't even have an inkling! Now, I'm going to give you a chance to change your mind and I strongly suggest you take it. The conditions are rather simple. Forget what you saw tonight and stay away from my son and Miss Stone. You do that, you get to live and I'll leave your partner alone."
"And what will happen to Christina? I know you have her!" Steve insisted. He had no desire of agreeing with George's terms but making the man believe he was considering it might be the only way to buy some time. He was severely outnumbered, outmatched and nobody would know where to start looking for him. What else could he do?
"A mother knows best for her child. I'm sure she is – and will remain so – in good hands, soon to be reunited with her Mommy. Whatever monster you think me to be, I am still a father and maybe I'll even be a grandfather one day. Do we have an agreement, Inspector Keller?" George pressed, checking his watch.
"And you'll let me go, just like that?" Steve asked dubiously, fearing that stalling was also not going to be an option anymore. It was obvious, Holden Senior had someplace to be and he was expecting an answer before he left.
"Just like that!" George clicked his fingers to emphasize his point. He grinned like a wolf, savouring the moment as he waited impatiently for a response.
Steve shifted where he sat and winced. He was in bad shape and there was no getting out without help. A lot of help. The kind that wasn't going to present itself anytime soon. He swallowed hard, contemplating his options once again. If he disagreed with the terms then would he be sealing all of their fates there and then? Should he agree with Holden's offer, even if it were to ensure his freedom so he could go get help, he would be entrusting Jeannie and Christina's lives at the hands of dangerous criminals. Holden could easily be lying and playing him for a fool. Christina had already seen him there. She was a witness. And Jeannie? Would Mike ever forgive him for giving in to the demands of a criminal and abandoning his daughter in the process? There had to be another way! But how? He needed more time.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Beads of sweat formed rivulets, rolling down Steve's face and neck. He became hyper aware of the old grandfather clock ticking away the seconds in the corner of the room as he made his decision. He hoped and prayed what he was about to commit himself to was the right choice. Mike's voice had suddenly grown silent and he never felt so alone and afraid. Afraid of making the biggest mistake of his life.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Then, taking a deep breath, he locked eyes with the devil and he gave his answer.
