by Doug Welch
Chapter 20
Busted
I groaned, “Help me up. I need to see this.”
“No, Beth said to wait until she gets back.”
I struggled to rise. It was an effort just to lift my head. I knew I couldn't get up without help.
I looked up at Caesar, and saw Alex's medallion on his chest. “Where's Alex?”
“She went out to try and negotiate with the police. They put her in handcuffs.” He glanced down at the medallion. “Before she left, she told me to wear this, it might protect me.”
My respect for my sister's intelligence increased. “Good idea. Maybe it will help.”
My mind started working again. Was there anything in the house that could make this problem worse? Anything they could use against us?
“What about the room? Where are the journals?”
“Don't worry. I put all the stuff in the file cabinets and locked it. We've all been busy while you were unconscious.”
“Do you have the key?”
“Yes. Alex put it in the locket, behind the medallion.”
“Damn, my sister's smart. I wouldn't have thought of that.–When's Beth coming back?”
“Probably when she cools down. She was terrified, Paris. She thought she was going to lose you. It's hard to be a doctor under that kind of pressure. Add a SWAT team on top of that – Well, I think you get the idea.”
He was right, I felt horribly guilty. I could try my whole life, and never make this right, although I would damn sure try.
“Caesar, go up to the study, and look in the desk drawer. There's a safe deposit key in there. I can't remember the number, but it's the only key with a number on it. Get it and bring it back.”
“Beth said to stay with you until she returned.”
“Please, Caesar, it's important.”
“Okay, if you promise not to try and get up.”
“No danger of that, trust me.”
In a little while, Beth returned. I could see that she’d been crying. She removed a syringe from her supplies and filled it. “What's that,” I asked.
“Mild stimulant. You probably won't be able to pass a drug test, but at least it will get your ass moving.”
“I'm sorry, Beth. I promise. I'll never do anything like that to you again, never.”
She looked at me as though she didn't believe me. The drug was starting to take effect. I could feel my strength returning.
“Okay, now get up – slowly,” she said.
I rose up to a sitting position. I felt light headed. I waited until the dizziness passed, and Beth helped me to my feet. She studied me anxiously.
“Can you walk?”
“I think so, why?”
“The police want us all out of the house or they’ll storm it. I felt someone could be hurt if they did, so I gave you the drug.”
We started for the stairs. “Wait. I forgot my medallion.”
She looked annoyed, but returned for the locket and handed it to me. “Beth I want you to wear this. It may be the only protection I can offer you. – Please?” She looked skeptical, but put it around her neck. “How does it feel?”
“I don't – wait.” Her eyes grew round. “It's weird. It feels like I'm wearing you.”
“Don't take it off. No matter what happens.”
We went upstairs to join Caesar and Edward.
I approached Caesar. “Did you get it?” He didn't say anything, just handed me the key. I gave the key to Elizabeth. “Put this in the locket, behind the medallion.”
“What's the safe deposit key for, Paris?” Edward said.
“A bunch of illegal shit Silas gave us. If the police find it, they can lock us up and throw away the key. Keep it in the locket.”
I could see that everyone was ready to leave, but I had one last thing to say.
“Okay, listen to me. The Shadows have done this. I don't know how, but I'm sure of it. They've managed to separate us in a way that we can't fight. If they take you, keep your mind focused on one thing. Whatever it takes, Alexandra and I will never abandon you. We'll find you and bring you home. Nothing can stop us. Edward, they may leave you free. If they do, try to help us. Remember, we love you all.”
I stared at them, memorizing their faces. My thoughts were consumed with the dread that I would never see them again. I felt an overwhelming sense of failure that I had been unable to protect them, coupled with a grinding rage over what they might suffer. I felt defeated, hopeless. There was nothing more to say.
“Let's go.”
We exited the house. As soon as we were clear, the police rushed us, threw me to the ground, and handcuffed me.
Elizabeth protested, but they ignored her. They dragged me to a SWAT van and threw me on one of the seats.
Alex, in handcuffs, sat on another bench. “You look like shit, Paris.”
“I've felt better,” I said.
“I never expected this,” she said.
“Neither did I. It seems like we're up against some smart bastards. Who could have imagined they would be able to pull off something like this?”
At that moment, a SWAT officer entered the van. “Shut up,” he said, “No talking.”
The van took off and we were taken to the county jail. After booking us, drug testing us, and taking all our possessions, I used my obligatory phone call to call the law firm. They assured me that they would arrange bail. I wound up in a cell separated from Alex.
It was the most miserable day of my life.