Chapter 8

No other noises except sounds of machines can be heard. If that's New York City, everyone would be out to see regardless of the danger, regardless of the curfew. There aren't a lot of people there. That's good. That means the information has not been leaked, not yet. That means the media aren't doing their job. If they are, that place would be surrounded, conspiracy theories would've been all over the news, everyone would try to get a piece of it, whatever it is inside. Would they believe it's a spaceship left by the aliens? Would they believe it's a sign of apocalypse from the Lord? Probably.

"It's moving."

The screen is unclear but it's good to know that it is. If that place isn't surrounded by water, it wouldn't have taken months to clean up the debris. If that island isn't so isolated, it would've made the front page of every major newspaper. If people aren't so naïve, believing everything they read, that place would have as much attention as the virus. For now, the news of a minor earthquake is enough to keep the residents away.

"What happened?" Other than people waving their hands, nothing is happening. That's not a good sign.

"mm…looks like there's another problem"

(sigh) "Alright, call me back when it's up."

Failure is to be expected but this isn't the second or the third attempt. Each time it failed, the next attempt to try again took longer than the previous. Getting the right equipment took a long time as well as preparation to ensure everyone's safety. Without knowing what's inside, it would be too dangerous for divers to try to open it. If this doesn't work, then the only other option would be drilling or using lasers underwater. Let's hope it doesn't come to that because like Scud said, who knows what will happen if it's opened by force. Would it blow up?

"aaAHHH!"

Standing outside, Amy heard and is surprised by it. Sometimes screaming helps. Lucy does that when she's stressed and bored and when she did, Cocoa would bark along with her or at her. So why is Anthony screaming? Who's he screaming at?

"You can go in."

"I don't think I want to." With a face shield and mask on, Amy smiled at Anthony's bodyguard who can't see her smile but probably understood why. Here goes. Oh boy, he doesn't look good, worse than the last time. No one got hurt so what's he upset about? There was an unexpected outcome but that was nowhere as dangerous as the last time. Just let him get it all out.

"Do you think…this virus…is a hoax?"

Why does everyone ask me that? I'm blonde, not dumb. Only those who are uneducated, only those who can't think for themselves would believe the words of a conman, one who's very bad at it too. Is he sick? If he is infected, he probably wouldn't call me in here.

"How long do you plan to stay here?"

That's an odd question. He should know investigation takes time.

"6 months? A year?"

"I know I'm right. Max was murdered."

"How…long?"

It's now obvious why he asked. Lucy must have told him to since there's no reason for him to ask. Blake never complained other than my ideas. ZJ has been very supportive but it's sad to hear that she is here only because she doesn't have a family and she doesn't care about her own life.

"When I find out who did it." He didn't yell this time but that doesn't mean he's not upset. His frustration shows. He should know nothing can stop me from staying here.

"I'm going to Hawaii."

Oh. So this meeting isn't just to yell at me. "Why?"

"Why do you think!"

Okaay, there's no need to yell. Hawaii is a beautiful place. He might have businesses there but most likely, he's going there because it's safer. Less people, lower number of covid cases, less chance of getting infected. Those who can already left NY. Can't blame him. Is there anything else? If not, then…

"Promise me, don't do anything foolish."

This time, he didn't yell. It's spoken with concern but what does he mean? My idea wasn't foolish. It might not have worked out as expected but a woman was saved. If Blake wasn't eavesdropping, no one would have heard the woman calling for help. She wasn't drunk. She was drugged. Waiting for the hotel staff to come up would've been too late. Pulling the fire alarm would work but there was no time to think of what to do other than to stop it from happening by banging on the door. Yes, it was a decision made without thinking it thru. Yes, he could have infected us if he has covid. Yes, he could have shot us if he had a gun. But the fact is Blake's fast thinking saved the woman from getting raped without exposing the real reason we were there. All that was needed to convince the man was a story of a jealous wife who's trying to find her husband's mistress. Letting him know that she got herpes, hives and syphilis from her husband who got it from that woman was enough for him to step back and start packing. But he probably left the hotel in a hurry because he knew he could get in trouble once the hotel staff arrives. So what's foolish about that? Regardless, giving Anthony the promise is necessary otherwise he might start yelling again. Anything else? No? Okay.

"Wait"

Amy turned around, wondering what else he forgot to say. Whatever it is, she's prepared to keep her thoughts to herself.

"She was using you."

She? Can't be that woman. She's so drugged, she had to be sent to the hospital. "Who?"

"His girlfriend."

Whose girlfriend?

"He raped her sister."

Whose sister?

"That's why she said it was him. She lied to ZJ."

Now it makes sense. All he had to say was ZJ's source. She lied? No wonder she didn't tell the cops. No wonder she settled for ten grand. How did he find out? Asking this question would be foolish. He had people look into her background. That's how.

"I know you're going to talk to her and I know I can't stop you but please, please don't go by yourself."

He's right but I wouldn't go by myself. This is NY. Don't have to tell me that.

"Take the guys with you. Don't go anywhere by yourself. Everywhere you go, put on a disguise. Okay?"

His requests aren't out of line so she promised she would but disguise? Blake didn't object to the idea of putting on a disguise but boy, she's mad. No one likes to be used even if there is a good reason but she seems to be more upset with herself for missing the opportunity to put that rapist behind bars since she's punching the couch cushion while cursing. Do I need to get her a punching bag?

"That son of a bitch. That motherf…"

"Blake!" It's necessary to stop her because she's cursing like a guy. How is that going to help? Certainly using those two terms wouldn't since they're only disrespectful to the mother. Calling him a scumbag would've been better. "Now that we know, we can…"

"Where does she live?"

Good question. Anthony didn't say. He probably wouldn't tell me if I ask. He also knew I would be able to find out very easily. Have Danika find out. That's easy. Putting on a disguise is not. It took hours since only essential stores are opened.

"How do I look?"

Oh my God. Laughing may seem rude but she looks ridiculous. It seems that the word disguise meant something else to Blake and it's not a change of hair color, hair design or type of clothing.

"Believable?"

"Nnno" The hair looks so fake. Afro? Who has this these days? It's obvious why she chose to disguise as a black woman. ZJ is unavailable but really? "What is that? Can it easily be washed off?"

"makeup…too dark?"

"How are you going to hide your hands?"

"gloves…a lot of people wear gloves these days, covid, you know"

It seems that Blake has given this a deep thought since she has an answer for everything including what to say and how to get the truth out. Scare tactics will work but is it necessary? Hope it doesn't come to that.

The ride to the destination didn't take long. As promised, she brought Anthony's men along which she didn't think it's necessary because this is daytime and she has no intention of going into an apartment or the hospital.

"You sure she's coming?"

"no, but wouldn't you if your boyfriend is getting out of the hospital today?" That's what Danika said. "If not, we'll call her."

"and if she doesn't pick up?"

"Then we'll leave a message."

"Maybe she already left with the ten grand."

That's possible if she knows what we know. That's possible if she used up the ten grand but why would she? The ten grand was to show ZJ the guy whom she found suspicious at the apartment complex. She never said she saw him setting the fire. That was the deal. She may have used the opportunity to get revenge for her sister but there is still no reason for her to leave town since all she has to do now is continue to blame it on her sister's rapist so "Why would she?"

"She would if she's lying."

Anthony did say Blake is one who thinks outside the box. Did she find out something that Anthony didn't? Did she think that Anthony's resources aren't trustworthy? I knew I should have asked Danika to check into it. "So you think her sister didn't get raped?" How could that be? That bastard was trying to rape the other woman.

"Media can't be trusted."

What? Some media can't be trusted but what does the media have to do with this? This isn't the time to ask since ZJ just called.

"What the hell are you doing!"

Geez, that's rude. "What's wrong? You feeling alright?"

"Where's Blake?"

Amy puts the phone in front of Blake's face since there must be a reason why ZJ called via video chat instead of a phone call. As expected, ZJ wasn't happy with Blake's disguise but why is she yelling at me too? It was Blake's idea not to tell ZJ because ZJ needs rest and because ZJ would again want to do everything by herself if she knew.

"Do you have any idea what they would do to you if they found out? They're not just going to give you a black eye!"

Blake is doing the eyeroll which means she doesn't agree. ZJ is right though. Posing as black these days, many would think that Blake is making fun of them even though that's not her reason for doing so.

"Is that her?"

It's hard to tell when everyone has a mask on.

"Blake! Don't! Listen to me! Kristin, don't let her go!"

Blake hasn't left the car yet so in case she's thinking about it, it's necessary to hold onto her forearm since ZJ is yelling at the top of her lungs, sounding more concerned than ever.

"It's now or never." Blake said, keeping her eyes at the targets who are heading towards a car.

Well, that's not true unless she thinks they're leaving town with the ten grand. How far can they go with ten grand?

"You don't need to show yourself! Both of you!"

Guess she's feeling okay since she still has energy to talk loudly but still, just because she's not coughing doesn't mean she didn't get infected. Let's hope not. "You can't do this. You need to stay inside, get some rest."

"I'm not going anywhere!"

Okaay…geez. Don't have to yell. She's beginning to sound like Anthony; Her way of thinking too. Since when did she start trusting the law? ZJ's plan sounds good but would it work?

"She could be lying."

There goes Blake again providing no explanation whatsoever.

"I'm not saying she's not! Now go home then call me back!"

Who's in charge here? Again, it's not me. Is she related to Max? Max always likes to be in charge and hated when she's left out of the loop.

"Did you tell her?" Blake asked after ZJ hung up.

Why would she think that? "Of course not, she was yelling at me too…Maybe it's Darrell." Anthony's men were surprised with Blake's disguise too but it was Darrell who said he didn't like her idea. He didn't seem to be offended but he probably would be if he didn't know Blake's intention.

"Let's follow them."