Page 65 of Fight for Me

“So, what? It was probably a lawyer discussing his parole hearing or some other shit,” I say, getting irked with the subject.

“Not a lawyer. A person looking very similar to David Wallace,” Robert states, and I almost swerve to the side.

“You’re fucking joking.”

“I didn’t confirm it yet. The guy used a fake name, and a fake ID for the visits, and he was calling the prison from a number that is already disconnected. I got my answer when I saw the footage of the meetings, and he looks different, but I would recognize that man even in the deepest depths of hell,” Robert says with conviction and I pull off the road, unable to concentrate on where I’m going.

Self-consciously, I rub at the burned half of my chest, and breathe through my nose. “What the fuck is he playing at?” I mutter, almost to myself.

“If he’s got to that Ricky fella, it can’t be anything good. That’s why I’m telling you this. So, you can keep an eye out. It would be best if you and Jenny lay low for a while until I’m able to learn more about his possible whereabouts.”

“We were leaving town anyway for a while. When did you find out all this?” I ask, and feel the panic arising in me.

“I called you right away after seeing the footage,” Robert responds. “Where’s Jenny? She shouldn’t be on her own, especially since Ricky got out last week.”

“Shit. I didn’t know he’s out,” I say angrily. “Hey, did you try calling me before about this?”

“Um, no. This is the first time I’m calling? What’s with you?” Robert asks, just as a notification pops up about an incoming call from Jen.

“I’ll call you back, I have another call,” I grunt, and disconnect before he can say a word.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I answer, trying to sound calm.

Every muscle in my body locks, however, when I don’t hear Jenny’s sweet voice but a broken raspy whisper in between sobs.

“I’m sorry, so sorry. I didn’t... I didn’t know...”

“Who is this?” I can barely get the words out.

“It’s R-Rita,” the woman sniffles. “They took them,” she whispers and starts crying.

“Who took whom?” I almost yell into the phone, but all I get is the sound of a wail. “Damn it, woman. Why do you have Jenny’s phone?”

“The man, and my Ricky. They took them, and I-I let them. Oh, God!... I’ll never forgive myself,” she says, and I hear rustling paper. “The man... he t-told me to give you a message. It says ‘come to the old farm, if you c-call the police, I will bl-blow her f-fucking brains out’.” The old woman then starts to sob uncontrollably, so I slowly lower the phone from my ear and disconnect.

I swallow painfully, and stare at my shaking hands. I thought I already faced my greatest fear in life, and that I lived through hell. I was a Marine, and I saw people dying on a mission. When I was in the FBI, I saw some despicable crimes. The last time I faced David Wallace, I almost lost my own life.

But I never felt this terror fueled rage inside of me. I never felt the need to burn the entire world to the ground just to get to the people I love.

In a matter of seconds, my breathing slows down, and my senses sharpen when I realize where he’s keeping Jen and Henry.

I reach into the glove box, where I keep my gun, and check if it’s loaded. Then, I call Robert back.

“Hey, can I trust you?” I ask as soon as I hear his voice on the other side.

––––––––

“I THOUGHT I MADE MYSELF clear,” I growl, as soon as Robert gets out of his car with a young-looking police officer trailing right behind him. “What about you coming here alone did you not get?”

We are on the outskirts of Bell Ridge, right at the fork of the road, with one way leading into town and the other going straight to the Mill.

“Calm down, Damon. We don’t know what awaits us there. But what we do know is that it’s a trap. Officer Rusoe will stay behind unless we need a backup,” Robert says patiently, then glances at the road. “How far from here is the house?”

I eye the detective with a grimace, then focus on the task. “We have about half a mile to go. I reckon to get the slightest element of surprise, we move along the tree line so that we see the place from afar while staying hidden in the shadows. However, if the place is like I remember, there won’t be a way to get inside without him noticing if he’s on a lookout. So, as soon as we’re out of the woods, we move fast. I go in the front, and you, Rob, will go around the property to get inside from the back. You.” I point at the pale policeman. “Stay back and don’t engage unless I say so or unless everything turns to shit. Then you run and call for the reinforcements. Got it?” The man nods, visibly shaken.

“I think I missed the part where we made you the boss, Brody,” Robert sneers and steps toward me.

Without thinking, I grab him by the collar of his shirt and slam him to the side of his car.

---