“I want you to promise me that you will find love after me.”
“Did I hear you right?”
“I asked you to promise me that you will find love after me.”
“Mel, I’m not going to discuss this with you.”
“Nick, please.”
“What happened to your destiny is to be with me, as my wife? Are you going to just give up?”
“No, Nick, I’m not going to give up. I’m going to fight with everything in me.”
“Then why are you asking me to find love after you?”
“Because honey, there is a chance that Adam could hurt me. If that happens I don’t want you alone for the rest of your life. I want to you be happy again, find love again with someone else.”
“I don’t want anyone else, I want my Angel.”
“Angel!” Nick woke up abruptly and looked for Melissa. When he realized he was dreaming, he felt his heart breaking all over again. Once his breathing came back to normal, he got up and got dressed. Before he left, he grabbed her necklace off the nightstand and placed in his pocket. He was determined that he was going to bring Melissa home and put this necklace back on her.
“Any news on Mel, Officer Garner?” Mike asked once he let the officer in.
“Tips are coming rapidly, but nothing is panning out. Officers are checking the airports and rental cars.”
“Why there? Do you think Adam will try and leave with Mel?” Cathy asked as fear consumed her.
“He might now after the media caught wind of the kidnapping. But I think he’s still in town, he would be stupid to try and leave.”
Nick came down the stairs and saw that Officer Garner was there. He prayed that he had some news on Melissa.
“Officer Garner, any news?”
“No Nick, I’m sorry.”
“I can’t just stand here and do nothing!”
“I understand your frustration, but we are getting some great tips. Something will turn up.”
Jonathon with Julie came down the stairs and joined everyone else.
“Any news on Mel?” Julie asked anyone.
“No, sorry Jules.” Mr. Barnes stated wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
Ring…ring.
“Excuse me, I need to take this.” Officer Garner exited the room to take the call.
“I need to do something; I just can’t sit and wait for news.” Nick stated, pacing the room.
“I agree with Nick. We need to do something.” Mr. Barnes replied.
“What are you going to do, Mike?” Mrs. Barnes asked. “You don’t know where to look.”
“We need to do something honey, anything!”
Knock…knock. Nick walked over and answered the door.
“Darrell, how are you feeling?” Nick asked once he let him enter.
“Better, the doctors kept me overnight just to make sure there were no complications.”
“Any word on Mel?” He asked Nick.
“No, we have Adam’s picture out on the news. We are hoping someone might recognize him.”
“I’m so sorry boss. I thought I had the whole situation under control. I wish I could have done more.”
“I don’t blame you Darrell, you did your job.”
“You were guarding my daughter?” Mr. Barnes asked him.
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you remember anything? Anything that could help us find our daughter?”
“No, I’m sorry. I was hit from behind. I didn’t see anyone, I wish I did.” Mr. Barnes walked away frustrated, not at Darrell, but at the whole situation.
“I’m so sorry boss. I should have done something more.”
Hearing Darrell talk triggered something in Jonathon. The word “boss” kept echoing in his head. His voice sounded so familiar, suddenly more of the night he was attacked came back to him.
“It’s done boss. No, no one saw me. I’m sure. Okay, boss, I’m on my way.
Jonathon closed his eyes and tried to remember, knowing it could help them find Melissa.
“Too bad Johnny boy, I would had fun finishing you off. However you aren’t the target, just a diversion. Mel is who he wants.”
“Honey, are you okay?” Julie asked as she noticed his eyes closed.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and caught a glimpse of the man that attacked him…it was Darrell!
“Oh my god!” He stated opening his eyes. Darrell was the one that attacked him, he saw it so clearly now. He had to know where Melissa was. “Mel.”
“Jonathon, what’s going on? What about Mel?” She asked rushing over to him.
“I remember, I remember everything!”
“What are you talking about?”
“Follow me!” Jonathon walked over to Darrell and pushed him up against the wall. “WHERE IS SHE YOU BASTARD?!”
“What are you talking about?” Darrell asked looking at Jonathon.
“Jonathon, what are you doing?” Nick asked trying to pull him off of Darrell.
“This asshole knows where Mel is!”
“No, I don’t. How would I know where she is?”
“BECAUSE YOU WERE THE PERSON WHO ATTACKED ME THAT NIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT.” He tightened his grip on Darrell’s arms.
“Jonathon, how do you know?” Nick asked backing away from him.
“Parts of that night were coming back to me, but Mel was in the hospital so I made her my main focus. But hearing Darrell’s voice, it triggered my memory. I remember him talking to someone on his cell. Telling them that the job was done and that no one saw him.”
Darrell’s face went pale hearing Jonathon saying those words. “What’s wrong Darrell? You thought I was unconscious, but I wasn’t. I remember everything. I remember you saying that I was just a diversion and that Mel was the real target!” He tightens his grip even more. “WHERE IS SHE!?”
“Jonathon, maybe you’re confused. You were really hurt that night. Maybe it was someone who looked like Darrell.” AJ stated touching his shoulder.
“I’m not confused. Think about it guys! It makes so much sense! How did that video get from Nick’s beach house to AJ’s? How did someone get into the house without us knowing and drug Mel? It had to be someone we wouldn’t suspect, someone we wouldn’t think twice about.” Jonathon turned his focus back on Darrell. “Someone who was suppose to be protecting Mel, not endangering her.”
Everyone was letting what Jonathon said sinking in. Nick walked over to them and looked straight at Darrell.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know boss, honest!”
“I find that hard to believe Darrell!” Officer Garner said as he entered the room. “Do you want to explain why your number is the same number that Adam keeps calling repeatedly?”
Hearing that set Nick off, he grabbed Darrell throwing up against the wall once again.
“WHERE IS SHE DARRELL? WHERE IS MEL?”
“I don’t know, honestly!”
“Darrell, Darrell. You lied and I proved that you were, so why are you lying again?” Darrell remained silent. “You better start talking or I’m going to start pressing charges.”
“You can’t press charges, I didn’t do anything!”
“That’s not true! I had this gut instinct that whoever drugged Melissa had to be someone she knew, so I did background checks on everyone. On her family, her friends, and her bodyguard. I had a friend go over your financial records and you have been a busy boy. On the day the windows were smashed at the beach house, you withdrew 500 dollars.”
“That doesn’t prove anything!”
“What about the night you went to the hospital right after you had beaten up Mr. Bradley? It appears he put up more of a fight then you thought.” Officer Garner said as he walked over to Jonathon and Nick. “You had to get to the stitches in your arm.” Officer Garner lifted Darrell’s shirt, revealing his scar. “Hospital records prove it.”
Still no response.
“Okay how about the 200 dollars you gave to a police’s informant for GHB?” Nick looked over at Officer Garner. “The informant came to us remembering the guy that he sold to wanted enough to make sure Melissa didn’t wake up.”
“YOU BASTARD! YOU ALMOST KILLED MEL! HOW COULD YOU HELP THAT PYSCHO!?” Nick yelled pushing Darrell against the wall.
“BECAUSE THE PYSCHO IS PAYING ME!” Darrell finally replied.
“All of this for money, we are talking about someone’s life. MEL’S LIFE!” Jonathon stated.
“It’s not all for the money; I had fun kicking your ass!” He said with a grin.
“Alright, everyone calm down.” Officer Garner said breaking up Nick and Darrell. “Darrell is going to tell us where Mel is.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes you are Darrell. I can’t prove that you know where Melissa is. However, I have proof that you smashed the windows, I have proof that you brought the drugs that were used to overdose Melissa. That is enough to send you to jail for the rest of your life.” Darrell didn’t budge. “Don’t you see Darrell? Adam made it so it looked like you were the one who planned all of this. He wants you to take the wrap! The assault on Jonathon, the overdose on Melissa, it would be in your best interest to start talking. I can arrange a deal if you cooperate and tell us where Adam has Melissa.”
Darrell didn’t say anything and just stood there staring at Officer Garner.
“Fine Darrell, you are under arrest for the battery of Jonathon Bradley and the attempted murder of Melissa Barnes.” Officer placed the handcuffs on his wrists.
“Alright, I’ll tell you where she is.
“Send any available officers to that address, I’ll be arriving shortly.” Officer Garner hung up and walked over to everyone.
“I have officers heading over to the warehouse as we speak. I will call the minute I have any news on Melissa.”
“We are going with you.” Nick stated.
“I can’t allow that.”
“You can’t stop us officer. My daughter needs me and I’m going no matter what you say.” Mr. Barnes said firmly to him.
“Alright, but you all will listen to me.” He turned and looked at Nick. “No trying to be a hero.”
“We promise Officer Garner. We just want Mel home safe and sound.” Julie answered for Nick.
“Darrell, do you know if Adam has any weapons with him?”
“I think he has a gun, but I haven’t seen it at the warehouse.” Officer Garner reached for his radio. “Beware suspect; Adam O’Neil may be armed with a gun.”
“How was Mel when you left?” Nick asked as he approached him.
“Adam had her tied up, but she was fine.” Nick clutched his fists tightly, feeling his anger grow thinking about Adam hurting Melissa.
Officer Garner noticed Darrell acting strangely. “What is it Darrell?”
“I think he is going to kill her.”
