Chapter 23

AN: Part 2 - added 02/24/2022

Part 1

Each second that passed by, it felt like that time in New York when Amy didn't pick up. The heart was pumping hard and fast. Thinking of the worst couldn't be controlled. Cursing didn't help. Warnings were given to Adalyn even if she has no control of Aria. Threats might not be appropriate but it would at least let her know what could happen if she doesn't do something about Aria.

False alarm. Thank goodness. This time, Amy didn't deliberately ignored the call but couldn't call back because she was on the phone with a guy who said he knows who killed Washington and Lenny Lattimore. Who? Whoever they are and whoever she was planning to meet with didn't go as planned since something happened inside the hotel. Whatever happened, police were called which caused that guy to change his mind about meeting up. Whoever that guy is, Amy seems to think that he knows who killed Max too. That's good news if it's true. Maybe he just wants money, you know, like the scammer in the white house. It was just a comment to make sure she knows that but somehow she didn't like it and ended the call without even asking about the new number but did say never to use the D word again or else. Or else? What's she going to do? Divorce me? "hmm, she's not sick of me, is she?" Lucy gently massages her face while looking at herself in the mirror.

"You done in there?"

Is there a time limit in taking a bathroom break now? Lucy kept the thought to herself then opened the bathroom door, surprised to see a look of surprise in front of her. Oh right, she hasn't never seen me without the beard. "What?"

"time to try again." Adalyn said.

"Are you serious?" Lucy asked even though the answer is obvious.

It didn't work before because it was impossible to relax without knowing Amy's whereabouts. Now there are no excuses. That's probably what she's thinking. She has to be nuts to think that I would let this Dr. Harrington, whoever she is, wherever she is, put me under hypnosis.

"Look at the light. Listen to my voice."

"You have a very nice voice."

"Don't talk."

"I'll try but I'm telling you, this isn't going to work. You know why? Because I don't know you. I can't see you. So how do you expect me to trust you? Would you let a stranger do this to you?" Lucy said in a polite tone while lying comfortably on the bed. This time, she's not tied to the bed so there's no need to be mean.

"You don't know who I am but I know who you are. I know what you're capable of. You are in no danger. We're not here to hurt you."

"HA!" Lucy couldn't resist. "Do you know what Aria did to me?" Maybe she doesn't since she's not talking. Maybe she's asking Adalyn now? Maybe

"I apologize. She's not here now. We took her phone away. She's not allowed to go anywhere. Okay? Whatever happened between you two, I have no interest in knowing. If you want to know, I can find out. You just have to let me in."

Nice try. "no"

"I understand your concern but all we want to know is if you know where the key is. We don't want to know anything else. I'm not going to ask about your relationships or anything that's personal. After this, you are free to go."

"Really?" She must think I'm an idiot.

"You said you wanted to help us find the key. Didn't you?"

"not like this"

"I understand. We wouldn't be doing this if there is another way. You must know by now, there is very little time left."

"Why? What's the key for? Who do you work for?" Lucy asked even though she knows she's not going to get answers but this woman seems more open than Adalyn.

"I wish I knew"

Lucy sighed loudly since saying anything else would be a waste of energy. Maybe I should just pretend.

"I know it's hard to believe. So I'm going to tell you what we know."

Really? This time, Lucy kept this thought to herself, then listened without interrupting. What this woman had to say isn't much but it is hard to believe that everyone is looking for it, everyone including the Polish, Ukranians, Germans, Australians, French, not just the Russians and Americans. North Koreans too? It must be very valuable then. It doesn't make sense though. "If everyone is looking for it, then how come no one knows what it looks like?" At least they don't but Niki did say it could be a ring but that doesn't mean it is.

"Good question. We…have a theory…"

Lucy again paid full attention to the pleasant voice behind the audio monitor, this time while sitting up on the bed with her back leaning against the pillow. Theory is not fact. Theories are supposedly based on observations but nowadays, theories are created by people who would say anything to make their explanation fit, to make others believe them. At least hers isn't as crazy as those conspiracy theories. She didn't say aliens are involved or mentioned God but she sure does have a quite an imagination. It's not hard to believe that Russians are involved but to think that the key will somehow help them take control of the world, starting with the smaller countries, is a little crazy. Of course the Russians want to do that. Every country with dictatorship and authoritarian form of government wants to but it would take more than just a key and an incompetent leader to take over the states.

"I know you don't live here but have you noticed what's happening? We have a leader who publicly sucked up to dictators. He hid the news about the virus and did nothing about it. Over 380,000 thousand Americans have already died from covid. Now, can you imagine what will happen if he gets a second term?"

Is she expecting me to answer this stupid question?

"I know you don't care but I'm sure you wouldn't want to see that happen."

She doesn't talk as slow as Mr. P but she sure does sound like him. "Do you work for the government?" Why is she laughing?

"no"

"You sound very patriotic." Why is she laughing again? It's not that funny.

"Patriotic? No. I'm just like you. I don't want my life, my future taken away by an idiot who's too dumb to realize the outcome of the game he's playing. We all do what benefits ourselves but he's gone too far. I don't know if you noticed but there a lot of crazies out there right now. Pretty soon, we'll all have to carry guns just to take a walk in the park…"

Oh. Now she sounds like Aunt Erin. Aunt Erin mentioned the Nazis and the KKKs too but Aunt Erin didn't use the word moron. Yes, there are a lot of morons. The morons of the morons are the ones who are too ignorant to realize they're supporting a racist who is encouraging people to hate their own kind. She's right. There are way too many uneducated people here because why would anyone especially females trust a predator who has over 40 sexual allegations against him? That just makes no sense.

"I know you think I'm exaggerating but did you know the world would be like this 4 years ago?"

Nice try but does she really think this would work? "If…what you're saying is true, you should know you don't mess with the Russians. They're stronger. They're smarter. So how do you think you can stop them even if you can find this key?" She said it herself. They already have their own working as high ranking government officials. They're using what Hitler once did to gain control. Intimidation will force their opponents with government positions to resign. Money will lure the greedy ones to betray their own country. And now with the internet, it's even easier to spread misinformation about anyone they deemed as an obstacle to their plan. The gullible and uneducated ones have already been brainwashed into believing their lies. They've succeeded in creating chaos and division within. This has been happening since 2016 so what does she think she can do when even those with billions of dollars, fame and authority don't care?

"I don't know."

Wow. That's her answer? At least, she's being honest.

"But I know this. If we do nothing now, it will get worse. Even if you don't want to help us, do you think they will leave you alone if you do nothing? Don't forget. They know who you are."

Damn it. She's right again. Even if she's lying about everything else, this could be true. "If you want me to let you in my mind, then tell me who you are. How do I know you're not them?"

"If I am, would I be telling you this? Would I be speaking this politely?"

"Then who are you?"

"We are not your enemy. I will tell you everything afterwards. I promise."

Promise? She's got to be kidding. "I'm not a doctor but I do know what hypnosis is. It's one way to recover memory but it's also used to erase memory. I still can't remember everything and I definitely do not want to wake up with no memory." Is that a sigh? Sounds like it. "If you want me to trust you, give me the phone." Scud will be so shocked. Would he believe that no one knows what the key looks like because it's tiny and the only one who knows is Brooke since she's the last person seen with the one who had it? "Look, just let me call my friend. He'll be able to find Brooke's lawyer faster than you…" Lucy immediately got off the bed since Adalyn just came in with Niki and Holly. "What's wrong?" Something must be wrong since Holly is quickly putting all the clothing and things back into the suitcase. Niki is putting on her coat. Even Adalyn is helping.

"Put your shoes on. Hurry. They're coming." Adalyn said.

"Who?" Lucy asked while putting the shoes on.

"Russians"

"What!" There is a need to hurry but this doesn't make sense because there's no reason for Niki to be moving this fast if she is. No gun is pointed to her head. She should be using this opportunity to escape or stall. "Aren't you" Lucy whispered after Adalyn left the room since there's no need for Adalyn to know if she doesn't already.

"Remember what I did to that guy in Reyjavik, if you don't want to know what that feels like, I suggest you stop talking! Hurry up!"

Part 2

Russians? How do they know? Just because multiple suspicious cars have been spotted nearby doesn't mean they are. Whoever they were, Adalyn didn't feel it was safe to stay in that house anymore which makes sense. Sooner or later, someone will find out. The question is who told? It could be a nosy neighbor even if that house is surrounded by trees and tall bushes and entrance gate. It could be one of her own. It could be Niki or Ace who hasn't been like himself lately. He has always been quiet and obedient but not this time. What's up with the change in attitude? Stopping this argument is now necessary before Adalyn decides to get rid of him. She's not here but it doesn't mean she's not listening. If she is listening, she's probably getting annoyed with him because I am so just "calm down!" Did they forget they're not in charge? "What's wrong?" Do they think they can hide it from Adalyn by speaking in a different language?

"He thinks the guy from Reyjavik contacted Interpol. Now he's blaming me." Niki said.

Oh. That's possible but unlikely unless that jerk wants everyone to see how he humped his naked buddy and unless he placed a tracker in our suitcases. Whether it is or not, he needs to calm down. His face looks like it's going to explode.

"Ace, you're a guy. You will never understand how she feels. What if it happened to your girlfriend...or your wife or your daughter? He deserved it. Okay?" He should know this isn't the time to blame anyone. There are more important things to talk about. "Do you know where we are?" He was in another vehicle so maybe he saw something. No? Shit. He was probably blindfolded too. Wherever this place is is not as nice as the house. This doesn't even look like a house. It's a room with office furniture but it doesn't look like an office room inside a house. The smell is different. The feel is different. The time it took to get here didn't take long though so are we still in New York? Why are they not worried? Why are they so confident that Adalyn would let them go after this? "so...are you going to tell me who you work for?" They're definitely not from North Korea. They weren't speaking in French. They don't have the Australian accent. They don't have hackers. If they're not Russians, then maybe "Ukraine, Am I right?" Niki did call the conman a coward and a traitor like many Americans but why would she care if she's not American? She would if she's Ukrainian since their military aid was unlawfully withheld by him and Russia has always wanted to take control of Ukraine so they have a good reason to

"They're human just like you. They want the same things you do."

So Adalyn is listening. Lucy turned towards the entrance. Not only Adalyn. Who's she? Dr. Harrington? Could be but doctors don't look like that. Most don't. Most are old. Most are not in good shape but she is. With a medium length, slicked back hairstyle and eyeliners, she looks like someone who cares more about the way she looks more than anything else. There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good though. Wait a minute. That hairstyle looks familiar.

"You do have a memory problem."

She is the Doc. It's her voice.

"remember me now?"

Oh. She took off her mask. Oh God. Please don't tell me I slept with you too. "Sorry. I hit my head a few years ago. Who are you?"

"sit"

"I prefer to stand."

"I'm not here to hurt you so don't be frightened."

Lucy takes a step back from the two female guards before sitting down on the chair as requested since there's nothing she can do. "Then, is this necessary?" Lucy said while allowing her hands to be cuffed together.

"Remember, I'm not here to hurt you so just relax."

Not this again. "You know hypnosis doesn't work, right? The answer you're looking for is not going to be accurate. It might not be from my memory. It could be my desires. It could be from a movie I've seen. It's not going to work. You know that. Everyone knows that." Lucy said, hoping the last two sentences would work. It worked for the conman in the whitehouse but looks like this woman isn't that dumb to fall for it. "Give me the phone. Let me call my friend. He can find out where the lawyer is, who's on the will, what's written on it. It would be faster."

"I know who's on the will."

"You do?"

"But I don't know where they are."

"Who?" Lucy asked, wondering if Niki knows about this. It doesn't look like she does since she looks curious too.

"She knew she's going to die. She didn't have any family. She ran into you. She spent her last days with the only people she knew so who do you think she would give it to if she didn't give it to you?"

Why is she asking the same question again? "her lawyer, I think she gave it to her lawyer." Lucy said a little louder this time to show her frustration.

"I'm going to ask you a question so tell me the truth."

"I've been telling you the truth. Go find the lawyer. He" Lucy trailed off after being shown a picture of Brooke and her personal assistant with three others.

"You know them, don't you?"

It's too late to say no. She must have known. "Where did you get this?" Lucy asked but didn't get a response.

"Who do you think she would've given it to?"

"I don't know." Is she a real doctor? She's not too bright. "If she didn't give it to me, why would she give it to them?" Lucy asked but understood why her question is again ignored. It's because no one would know except for Brooke.

"Let's try this way. Who...do you think she wouldn't give it to? These two, maybe. They're just bodyguards. She didn't know them that well. And this guy, well, he said all he got was money ssso that leaves this one."

Looks like she's more competent than Niki. She found Brooke's personal assistant. Is she Russian? "You didn't kill him, did you?"

"Do you know where she is?"

"I swear I don't."

"Relax. We're not here to hurt anyone. I'm not going to hurt her. Just tell me where she is."

Guess she's not that competent after all. "I really, really don't know. I am willing to help you. Just give me the phone and give me her name." Why does she look confused?

"You don't know her name?"

"Would I ask if I knew?" oops. Bad habit. Hope she's not going to slap me...or taze me so before she loses patience... "My memory isn't as good as it used to be. It's like there's something blocking it up there." Can't even remember ZJ's number. "I'm not lying. I have no reason to remember their names. See the guy behind him." Lucy said, pausing a moment for her to look at the picture. "His name is Jake but it might not be his real name." She should know some people prefer to go by other names. She should also know I'm not lying since Brooke's personal assistant must have told her. If she still thinks I'm lying, then... "Do you remember their names?" Lucy asked, looking at the 2 female guards to make her point. "Do you know the names of everyone here, everyone who works for you?" That's necessary in case she does know the names of these 2 female guards. Looks like she understood but is there a need to look at Adalyn as if to see if she agrees? It's just a phone call.

"Mackenzie Anderson"

Mackenzie?