Pay Up and Die (15 page)

Rachel left the office with some conviction in her step. But the fear was still present. She breathed deeply and closed the office door behind her.

Chapter 34

Murph had waited in a crouched position for several minutes. The loud scream almost made him shit himself. He assumed the woman in the window was Graves’ wife. Although, he thought to himself, she could be some kind of piece on the side. Murph didn’t think highly of Graves with what Mikey had told him. So he wouldn’t put it past the dirty bastard to be a womanizer too. Murph knew better. Graves’ wife had seen him outside the kitchen window and had sounded the alarm. He kept cursing himself for being so amateurish. It had been years since he had been on a mission but missteps like that got people killed overseas. His commander would toss him in the brig and throw away the key for sure.

After waiting it out for a bit, Murph determined that nobody was going to actually follow up on the scream and step outside. If they were, it would have happened already. He re-checked his luminous watch and confirmed the five-minute mark. He felt fairly certain the coast was clear for the time being and he must continue forward with the plan. He began skulking along the siding of the house, through the landscaping, making his way to the rear entry of the garage port.

Murph was still thinking about Andrew and how the kid must be holding up. Being taken hostage could shatter a grown man with fighting skills, let alone a young, innocent teenager. He hoped the boy was safe and being taken care of. Only a sick, worthless puke would harm a child and if Murph found out that Andrew had been harmed then he would personally dole out some serious retribution. His mind then shifted gears to Mikey. He wondered if Mikey had made it inside. Then he worried himself thinking that maybe the reason nobody came out back to check on the wife’s scream was because they had Mikey worked over. They knew the plot and were foiling it right now. These thoughts made Murph move a little faster. He reached the door to the back of the garage. He ducked down below the window. His hand gently traced the wooden door and the frame. Murph was relieved that it wasn’t a reinforced steel door. It made his entrance easier.

Murph glanced up at the window and the garage lights were still off. He slowly raised himself to peer into the glass and check the garage. It was too dark to make anything out and the flimsy curtain obscured what little could be seen. As he reached for the knob to quietly twist it he saw a faint piece of fabric sticking out of the door frame. Murph reached for it and realized by touch that it was the flimsy curtain on the door. When someone had closed the door, the curtain must have drifted to the side and gotten caught between the door and the frame. Murph smiled to himself because he knew that meant the door probably wasn’t very secure. That would save him the risk of making noise trying to cut out or break a piece of the glass so that he could get into the garage. He blew on his fingertips for luck and slowly turned the knob while leaning his weight against the door. He pressed his shoulder against the fabric that stuck through the jamb. The door jimmied open without much fuss. Relieved, Murph dabbed the sweat on his bald forehead with the sleeve of his shirt.

The door squeaked when he opened it beyond about thirty degrees. He winced at the sound. It was very soft but audible nonetheless. Rather than cause more ruckus by continuing to swing the door open, Murph decided to squeeze himself through the slightly ajar door. He figured he could suck in his mild beer gut for a few seconds if it meant he could gain access without making noise enough to be discovered. Slinking through the narrow space, his shoulder caught something and he froze instantaneously. Using his sixth sense he guessed that it was a stack of boxes that sat in the corner between the door and the wall. So he leaned his shoulder to the left, into the stack of boxes just enough to keep them from toppling over. He started to let out a silent breath of relief when he heard the sound of something wobbling over his head. Murph tensed up and he could feel something falling down without seeing it or hearing it. Until it crashed on the cement floor of the garage.

“Shit. Fuck!” He cursed under his breath. Murph didn’t move an inch. He waited for the sound of approaching steps and the light to be switched on as Graves or his bodyguard found Murph pissing himself in the dark garage. He wondered what the hell had fallen over. It sounded like a plastic bowl or something. He must have shifted it precariously when he leaned into the stack of boxes with his shoulder. The boxes remained steady but the motion must have been enough to dislodge the random item from the top of the stack. Once again, relief washed over Murph as nobody appeared to have heard his sloppy entrance. He was really angry with himself for being so clumsy. He used to be one of the elite soldiers in his platoon, capable of taking buildings down one at a time almost by himself. But riding a desk in an office for the last few decades had really diminished his stealthy skills.

The garage was extremely dark. The only window in the garage was the one on the door to the backyard which he just entered through. Murph paused so that his eyes could adjust further to the darkened space. He knew from the exterior layout that the door from the garage into the house would be along the left wall. So he reached out to his left, first feeling his way along the stack of boxes that he brushed up against. He began to inch his way along the wall. After the boxes and then a shelf with what felt like Tupperware bins on it, Murph reached an empty space. He shuffled his feet forward, arms stretched further out. His hand brushed along a wooden door. He ran his hands along the sides, confirming a door frame. Then he slid his hand over to the knob.

Before turning the knob, Murph paused again to listen carefully to any sounds coming from the other side of the door. He didn’t hear anything so he took a deep breath and willed himself to move forward. He knew that each door he would encounter would bring him closer to surprising Graves. And that also meant each step would be more difficult, requiring more stealth and effort.

Murph twisted the knob slowly. The door was now free to open quietly. He swung the door wide in a gentle motion. Immediately, he knew something was wrong. The hair on the back of his neck stood at attention. Murph sensed that he was being watched. It was as if he wasn’t the only person in the room. The small room was dark but some moonlight shined through a small window to the backyard. In the dim light he could make out the shape of a person standing inches from his face. Before he could react he heard the person greet him.

“Hello there.”

Murph heard the swish of something swinging through the air on his right. But he never felt the pain of it hitting him. The second the object connected with his skull, everything went black.

Chapter 35

Michael felt uncomfortable sitting across from Derrick. He began to doubt his plan of confronting Derrick but his son’s life depended on it. Michael shifted on the sofa and gathered his words carefully. He was walking a fine line between calm conversation and an all-out brawl with Derrick.

“My son has gone missing and I need your help.”

“Oh, I see, we bypassed the apology for the misunderstanding at work straight to what I can do for you. I’m sorry to hear about your son but I’m not sure what you think I can do about it. Have you contacted the authorities?”

Michael’s hands were shaking so he folded them in his lap. He strained against his overwhelming desire to lash out.

“Yes, Stephanie and I had the police over earlier and they are searching for Andrew as we speak.”

“Good. Now let’s get back to that apology.”

“Derrick, it is more important to find my son.” He heard the anger building in his voice and sensed Derrick’s recognition of it in his expression. But he got himself back under control. “I need your help and I know you have access to better resources than I do.” He paused waiting for Derrick to respond.

“By resources, you mean money. So once again you are hitting me up for money. Is there no limit to your financial irresponsibility?”

Michael stood up immediately and took a step towards Derrick. His fists were balled up and he couldn’t sedate his anger any longer.

“Listen, you fucking bastard. I know you are behind Andrew’s disappearance and I want you to give him back.”

“Careful, Michael. You realize you came to MY house, asking ME for help and then you accuse me of stealing your son? Are you insane?”

Michael took another step toward Derrick. Derrick picked up on the aggression and stood up from leaning against the book shelf.

“YOU are the crazy one, Derrick. You’ll do anything to get that CEO job even if it means threatening people and harming their families. Well, I’m not going to let you get away with it. I want my son. NOW!”

Derrick’s expression changed. It went from confident arrogance to feigned surprise. “I am shocked that you feel this way about me, Michael. I thought we had a good history together. I’ve helped you along the way with promotions and raises. I’ve gotten you approved for money. I mean, I know we haven’t seen eye to eye lately but that is no reason to storm into my house late at night and accuse me of taking your child. Of course I will help you find your son.”

Michael was confused. He actually felt sorry. Maybe he was wrong about Derrick. It seemed to make sense that Derrick was behind Andrew’s disappearance after he his veiled threat earlier today. But maybe Michael got it all wrong. His emotions continued to roller coaster and he wasn’t sure if he was going to cry or start screaming. The pressure of all the thoughts were beginning to give Michael a headache.

“I...I appreciate that. I’m sorry, Derrick. I just don’t know what to think anymore.” The air deflated from his sails. “I just want to get my son back and I’ll do anything to bring him home safely.”

Graves stepped closer to Michael and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure it must be difficult for you. Any parent would do what you are in similar circumstances. There is no limit to what we would do to protect our loved ones.”

Michael felt the tears welling up in his eyes. He nodded at Derrick and then looked down at his shoes. He wanted to avoid breaking down in front of Derrick.

“Now, I have someone I can reach out to. He is a very resourceful guy and if anyone has a chance of finding your boy then it is this man.” Graves turned and walked to an end table with a cordless phone on it. “I’ll just give him a ring and see what he can do. I just want you to realize that I am still willing to help even though your behavior of late has been extremely erratic.”

“What?”

“Michael, you have been accusing me of horrible things at work and here in my own home but I am still willing to help you. I want you to recognize this goodwill when you feel the need to lash out at me. There will most likely be more inquiries at the bank and I want to be able to count on you to be in my corner. I have done a lot for you and I am continuing to do more.”

Michael stared at Derrick with fire in his eyes. He had been right about Derrick all along. There was no empathy for Michael. There was no concern. This was just another ploy of quid pro quo. His blood coursed through his veins. Adrenaline was pumping throughout his body.

“I’m just doing what anyone would do for a friend. I am helping you even though you have hurt me and my family. I am forgiving you for what you have said about me. I am doing what’s right even if it is against my moral judgments. You should think about applying these behaviors in your own life.”

Michael couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Did Derrick really think that Michael would look the other way when his business practices were illegal? Was he so focused on getting that damned CEO position that he would risk his reputation? Or worse, risk going to prison for abducting children and threatening family’s lives? It became clearer that Derrick would stop at nothing to get this position. That was all he cared about and it showed right through his words like liquid through a cheesecloth. Michael was enraged and vowed to himself that there would be no turning back.

“Now that you see the correct path, I’m sure my guy will find your son very quickly. Andrew is probably close by. Closer than we think. Many kids run away and hide, only to be found a few hours later.”

Derrick turned to pick up the phone. As he began dialing a number, Michael let loose a blood-curdling yell and rushed at Derrick. It happened so fast that Derrick had no time to react. Michael slammed into the back of Derrick and tackled him to the floor. The cordless phone went flying in the air and smashed against the wall. The end table was knocked over taking a crystal lamp and several silver picture frames with it. Both men thudded to the hardwood floor. Michael was on top of Derrick as he covered his head with his hands. Michael was poised to rain down blows upon Derrick’s head.

Chapter 36

Rachel could hear the men still talking in the living room. She felt more confident checking things out on her own now that she had the heavy handgun stuffed in her bathrobe pocket. She snickered to herself that she would be much more headstrong with the ladies at the country club if she carried the gun around with her.

The sliding glass door in the kitchen was locked and the security bar was wedged in place. She took a peek out the vertical blind but didn’t see anything that looked out of place. It was very dark in the backyard but the moon provided just enough light to cast a shadow on anything that moved. Rachel took a few steps past the island and checked the window over the sink. It, too, was locked and again she didn’t see movement of shadows in the yard.

The pantry door was closed. It was a light wooden door with horizontal slats on it. She always found that wooden shutter style to be very charming. Derrick hadn’t liked it but she won him over using all her tricks. When Rachel pouted what he called her “boo boo” lip, Derrick would knuckle under and give her what she desired. She smiled to herself recalling the victory.