Chapter 15
Angus was tired of waiting, tired of being locked up in a warehouse and tied to a chair. He was tired of cheap food and comments he received from males that were still babies when he lost his first tooth.
He was tired of waiting for Daniella and Andrew. What if they never made it? Giving it a thought, he decided to make it go his own way. He knew the consequences were tough but he had to try.
* * *
The inspector drove into the lain, through bush tracks and over developing moulds, though violently.
With the receiver on the line striking every nerve in his body, his life could wait, "What do you mean you're working on it? A murderer is in the streets free as a bird and you're telling me you're working on it! I want Andrew nothing less than dead but you are in New York getting acquainted. A gun is in my hand and I'm heading to the warehouse. Seems you've forgotten your brother's in my custody and his life, in my hands."
Daniella hit the wall severally and replied helplessly, "Please wait, just give me some time. I can't just jump into asking him whether he has ever killed someone or not."
He hissed back, "Maybe you just have to because I am running out of patience."
She blinked her tears back and sniffed, "Don't kill Angus please. He is all I have."
The cop bit his lip, "Okay. How about this. You get your asses back here and take him on an outing. Maybe in the name of an alone time with him. I'd come with your brother too. The exchange can be done there."
After a while of silence, he heard her say, "Thank you. I will." Then she ended it.
All feelings aside, she knew she could not do it without Andrew. She had to tell him, remind him Angus was still in danger and every other thing could wait. They had proof of the killer already. Making a U-turn, she headed home.
* * *
Davis parked the jeep and rested his head on the wheel for some time. Walking out, he passed some bodyguards and dashed into the warehouse.
Angus was awoken from his world of thoughts as he looked up and found the person he had been waiting for.
Frowning at him, the cop said, "Did I wake you up?"
Angus chuckled, "Well ya. But I'm happy about it cos... I want to speak with you."
"I hope it's something that would help me at a time like this, " he replied.
Angus straightened in his seat, "That is if you are ready to accept the bitter truth."
A frown settled on the police man's face, "And what's that?"
Angus however, seemed to be finding it amusing, "The killer's not Andrew. It's your son, Alex."
Davis put his head down, "I swear to God. I knew what you were going to tell me would be a bunch of nonsense."
"And there he goes, not accepting the bitter truth just as I said, " Angus smiled at him, "It's bitter, isn't it?"
Now, Davis was angry, "Shut up you moron! And I never want to hear my son's name from your mouth again."
Angus spat back, "When did you start to care so much about him. Oh yes, ever since he planned to abduct me and ruin my sister's life. You disgust me."
Kicking a box angrily, the cop blurted, "I said shut up. I know what you are trying to do. You want to create some kind of misunderstanding so you could make ridicule of me and get away. But I'm not as vulnerable as you think."
Angus maintained his determination, "Think whatever you like sir. But also think about this. Why did Alex all of a sudden choose to help you put the damn blame on Andrew. You are very aware of the bad relationship your kids had before Eleanor died. Why would Alex forget all and start caring? It's because he is eager to save himself when Andrew becomes the sufferer of everything."
"Shut up!" The cop ordered and pulled the trigger. However, Angus flinched and consequently received the bullet in his arm.
Davis lowered his gun when he remembered his promise to Daniella. Turning, he stumped out apologetically.
Angus shouted at him, "If you are so sure about your son, check him out, investigate. You are a cop afterall." Stopping at the pain that stung his arm, he groaned and shook, then continued aimlessly, "Do not make a mistake you would live to regret. Andrew's innocent."
Bowing his head finally in frustration, he panted hard. All this because he came to Texas to avoid a small palaver.
* * *
The inspector leaned on his jeep angrily and yanked the door open. Putting the key into the ignition, he looked into the rear mirror, remembering Angus's words, "Don't make a mistake you would live to remember. Investigate, you are a cop afterall. It's your son, Alex." Then he started the car and drove away.
* * *
"Yes Alex, I see her, " Cruise Marrosi spoke over the phone as he sighted Daniella collect her change from the icecream vendor.
Alex snapped, "Don't tell me that. Get her into the car!"
"You mean now, " Cruise frowned, "when everyone's around. Dude c'mon, I can't just kidnap someone in broad day light, and in public."
Alex chuckled, "Okay fine. Why not abduct her when she's not in public, maybe at home, with Andrew. That'd be preferable, right."
Cruise tried to make sense out of what Alex was insinuating, "Makes sense."
"Good, " Alex stated, "now follow the girl and get Andrew's bait?"
Cruise lowered the phone and searched for Daniella amidst the melee, sending signals to the others with him.
Shelton Mario came from south of Dani, following her meticulously. Blaze Konami came from east and two more from the west.
Daniella turned away from the road into a street that led directly home. Cruise smiled at it and hastened his steps.
She felt presence behind her but did not turn. Paranoia set in and she turned to the adjacent lain, away from home, just to make sure she was not the target.
And yes, she was. They turned with her, quickening their steps by twice the last. When she was almost out to the main road, they broke into a run.
Now, Dani turned, sighting the male at her tails. She began running as well, turning frequently to compare their distance from her. But suddenly, she hit something... Or someone due to her careless focus.
Turning to see who had blocked her path, she began contemplating whether she should be happy for being safe or sorry for the males who chased her. No other demon but the one and only Andrew Stephen. She wondered if he had been following her.
Blaze recognized him first and stopped, "Andrew, what... How...?"
Andrew pulled out his favourite revolver and held Dani's arm, examining if they had done anything to her.
Then, he sighted a cut on her arm she must have had while running through the narrow lanes. Glancing at them with his cold gaze, he aimed at them.
Cruise chuckled, "Do you really want us to be your first kills Andrew?"
Andrew nuzzled the gun and now aimed at him.
Daniella panted wearily, "Andrew don't. They just want you to end up regretting it. Put it down."
He glanced at her and hated the way he could not get himself to refuse her someday. Lowering the gun, he put an arm around her protectively and sent hateful stares to the five. After he felt they had pried enough, he shot into the air.
Dani turned in fright and watched them walk away, returning his glower. With the look he had, Daniella did not think he was going to let them go that easily.
Holding her hand, he walked her home and somehow, she felt a new type of strength.