It's Never Too Late

Chapter 5

            Meanwhile, David was nervous, “I have to walk, or I’ll go crazy!” Helen was talking with Jimmy, waiting for a call since they took her. They had gone to open the office that morning.

            Jimmy left that afternoon to close the company for the day and let everyone out early. David went back to the hospital, trying to see, if there were any signs of her. He walked around the park that was towards the house. On the ground of the parking lot was her cell phone, broken.

            He called Jacob although he hated the guy her only hope was to work with him, so what? They needed to find her. Jacob answered, and he told him about it. Jacob and some police officers arrived in a minute and took the phone. “Jacob I think we might have something here, I found these tire marks and there is blood—”

            “For Pete’s sake! This is her brother, have some sense in you, I’m sorry David he’s new and doesn’t know how to shut up sometimes.” Jacob glared at the guy, can’t he see he’s hurting!

            “Wait what do you mean there’s blood? Did he hurt her? Is she dead?” David’s face went pale.

            “I can tell you we’ll catch this guy and put him behind bars. You should go to work tomorrow. He doesn’t want you to write about him and you should, then he won’t try something against her.

            Write about what he’s doing and this is his most recent picture. He has a grudge against her because she stopped him before, he will try to get money, so most likely he won’t hurt her.” Jacob handed him Sam’s most recent picture.

            David held the picture he’d changed a lot from the last time, he’d go to work the next day and publish his picture, I have to. “Thank you, for sounding confident.”

            “You found the phone, we know that there was another car, because we have these tire marks here and those over there. They took her, but won’t kill her.” Jacob explained.

            “I know she’s a fighter, she won’t give up. So bring her back safely,” David said

            “I promise.” I wish I could be sure I want to believe it.

            “Mr. Thomas, we received a 911. A lady’s been kept in a basement, they have guns. It might be her we got her location.” The officer said hurriedly.

            “That’s it! All of you will have to learn to be sensitive with people’s feelings. Let’s go. David thanks, I’ll call if I find anything.” Jacob said.

            “Jacob I promised my father I’d take care of her. She’s been kidnapped, because of me she left the hospital, because I told her I didn’t want to see her. The least I can do is, go and see that she’s ok.” David said.

*********

            Helen and Jimmy were spending time together, “do you think she’ll be ok?” Of course they hadn’t known about the last updates. David didn’t call to tell her about the cell phone and the blood.

            Mr. Emerson was there, glaring at Jimmy making him nervous and checking that they didn’t get too close. Humph! Those kids. The police left telling them, “if you receive a call from him give us a call, try not to talk too much.”

            David called, Helen answered and put it on speaker, “Helen, we found her, the police got two guys who were working with Sam. They’re taking her to the hospital. She needs to rest.” David explained.

            “Why can’t she come home? Is something wrong?” Helen asked.

            “Emily is fine she’s just getting stitches, she’s fine.” David sounded relieved.

            Helen was surprised, he isn’t worried, she must be fine, “is she in the hospital?”

            “Yes, you guys should come. She really needs you.”

            Emily was talking to an officer, David was by her side when they arrived. Helen couldn’t help, but cry of happiness. Mr. Emerson couldn’t stop smiling. David felt guilty, I argued with her the last time.

            Emily was not mad but overwhelmed, she didn’t want to put them in danger. They still hadn’t found Sam. What am I going to do? “Doctor when am I going to be able to go home? I need to work tomorrow and I have a lot to-”

            “You’re not going!” They all sounded like a high pitched choir when they said it.

            “I have a lot to do, you can’t stop me, I got the video camera with great footage, I have everything I need to write the story! Almost everything,” Emily thought aloud.

            David couldn’t help it, this mask, she’s always parading to seem stronger, it’s not fair. It’s like a wall that keeps people away. “I’m sorry Emily, you’ll rest and about the undercover business forget it! That’s enough! I don’t- I can’t lose you again, got it?” he turned red when he noticed everyone staring in amazement.

            “David I had no idea,” Emily looked surprised.

            “What do you mean you had no idea? You say I'm an ‘over protective brother.’ We grew up together, I mean yeah, I am not your brother, but I feel that I am.”

            Just as I thought, obviously, he is never going to see me as anything else, but a sister. Why did I ever fall in love with him? It would be easier if I just… “I recorded everything when I was there. I-‘interviewed’ him. He told me something, I have to take care of this. Please?”

            David cleared his throat, he didn’t know she had so much on her shoulders, “what did he say to you?”

            “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you,” choosing her words carefully, “I have to do this or I won’t feel safe you know, but I need to talk to you,” she had a lot in her mind.

            Helen noticed Emily wanted to be alone with David, “Jimmy, why don’t you show me what you wanted to show me?”

            Jimmy was caught off guard, but knew right away, Mr. Emerson was giving him a look, “huh? What? Sure,” he said nervously. “Mr. Emerson, you should come too.”

            Mr. Emerson noticed that David and Emily wanted to be alone, “I’ll be in the lobby, I need to drink tea, can’t take any coffee, doctor’s orders, ha! I’ll leave now.”

            Emily laughed, David was just looking at her, it’s been so long since I saw her laugh like that. She was in a hospital bed, but she never looked more alive. He smiled, “finally, you smile.”

            Emily looked around to see if anyone was listening, “I couldn’t tell you before, did you notice something between Helen and—?”

            “Don’t change the conversation! What’s going on?” David said sternly, Emily was nervous he noticed because she immediately turned pale.

            Emily swallowed, “I might put everyone in danger because he wasn’t found, and that scares me.” David looked worried, she kept going, “he knows Helen, she has nothing to do with this. What if he hurts her? He knows about you guys, I can’t let anything happen and I don’t want your protection.”

            “What did that man tell you? What made you change like this? Emily, you’re scaring me.” David turned serious. Emily pointed at the camera.

            “Watch the video but promise you won’t tell Mr. Emerson or Helen not even Jimmy, I know he’s your friend but this is something I don’t want to talk about.”

            “I can’t promise I won’t protect you after I watch it, I won’t tell anybody you don’t want me to, I know how to keep secrets.” David said.

            “I bet.” Emily thought aloud.

            “What?” David turned surprised to her.

            “Never mind, just push play.” Emily said.

            He pushed play, it looked dark but he could see clearly that there were two men with guns, looking for her.

            “Oh, no she got away! What do we do? We can‘t go back to jail.”

            “Shut up! She didn‘t get away, unless she opened the latch, I have the key to it and she can‘t open it from the inside, stupid!”

            David’s expression was shocked, he’d never imagine something like this could’ve happened to her, but why? She came up dizzy and weak. He couldn’t help, but feel angry for what happened.

            “She’s hiding, I know it,” he was coming towards the boxes, where she was and she hit him on the head. He fell, and she grabbed his gun.

            He saw how strong she was, he was surprised, “you don’t need me to protect you,” he looked back at the video.

            “Get down or I’ll shoot.” The man ran and she followed. She went back down, to the other man and she tied him.

            He woke up, “son-of-a-b***h, lady,” she slapped him.

            “What does Sam want? Where am I?” The man laughed.

            David could not believe this he was shocked and he paused the video, “Emily, what happened here? What if he tried something?” Emily shushed him and persuaded him to keep watching.

            “Nothing’s changed, you are still gonna die, because he won’t let you live, he has the dumbest grudge against you and he and his family, are gonna destroy you.”

            “Him and his family?” Emily look surprised.

            “Yes, his parents. They hid him, helped him escape and gave him this house for him to live while he hides. Don’t look so surprised yet. He is probably going to do the same to your sister-”

            She started beating him, “you won’t get away with this, I’m a reporter and you are being recorded, say hello to the camera.”

            The man was furious, he looked at the camera, shocked, “now if you and your partner let me go, I promise to keep quiet. If you don’t I’m going to use your telephone, and call the police,” he seemed surprised. “Your choice, now and I’m not patient.”

            She walked away, but in the background he heard her voice, “help! They have a gun. They locked me up in the basement.”

            David couldn’t take it anymore and pressed the stop button, “enough! You can’t ask me to leave you alone with this man or his family. If you think you can show me this and tell me not to protect you, you’re wrong, got it? I won’t let that man near us.”

            Emily wasn’t surprised, “I can use your help, but don’t stop me, with or without your help- I will do this.”

            David couldn't believe it, is she crazy or brave? “Don’t, I don’t want to lose you.”

            “Perfect, you’ll help me, you have no idea how much I wanted that,” Emily knew he wanted to stop her, but not this time.

            David was getting angry, “Emily listen to me, you will have to stop—”

            “Jacob agreed to help, I was going to do it alone, it’s better if you help, if you don’t want to leave me alone on this, I’m trusting you.” Emily begged.

            David couldn’t help he got angry, “fine!” How could that i***t Jacob be in this? How could he allow this? I am seriously talking to him, the next time I see him!

            “Good, now help me up, I need to talk to the doctors to see when I can go home, I can’t wait.” Emily was happier now that he agreed to help her.

            “Are you serious?! What do you want to do? Punish me? Don’t torment me I can’t take it anymore I won’t let you be foolish anymore.” David said angrily.

            “I can’t help it, I have a lot to do, I haven’t written anything,” Emily said.

            “I’ll have your laptop brought don’t worry, I think you might see, you have a lot to learn, I’ll teach you new techniques, you interview and write the story.” David said.

            “Yes, I’d do that if I want to be just another journalist, I like my job, don’t get me wrong, but I need to succeed with my dream,” Emily said.

            “Fine, I give up trying to tell you, if you don’t want to listen, I have no choice,” she gave him a pleading look, “alright, I’ll help you.” David sighed.

            Emily looked glad she thought he’d try to stop her, Helen opened the door, “David can you give me a minute with my sister?”

            David looked back at Helen then back at Emily, now what are they up to? He went to the lobby, I can’t tell dad what she showed me, I have to protect him.

            “Helen, what’s up?” Emily looked surprised.

            “I spoke to Jimmy, I know why you think he sees you as a sister,” Helen just couldn’t help herself, she insists on helping me in my love life, “I won’t help you with David, I know he only sees you as a sister, I still want to help, give me a chance.”

            “Helen, really? You don’t have to, why would you want to help me? Don’t you think I have a good love life?” Emily said.

            Helen pretended to look shock Emily laughed, “look sis, if you think you have a good love life, then you really need help, the guy you like did not like you, and—”

            “I’m sorry you guys, I came to let you know I got your camera I put it in that case for safe keeping, Emily, were you in love with someone? Who was it?” David asked.

            “I’m over him and he wouldn’t know because he’s-him.” Emily said nervous.

            “Who was him?” David tried hiding the fact that he was jealous.

            “It doesn’t matter anymore because he’ll never know,” Emily said nervous.

            “Anything else?” Helen was nervous, she hoped he wouldn’t notice.

            “Jeez! I thought you trusted me, I know when I’m not wanted, I’ll leave.” David sounded bothered and left.

            “I don’t think he heard, I want to set you up, he is nice, interested in the same things you are and I think he might be the one for you. You shouldn’t be alone, you need a guy who will look at the woman and not see what he sees.” Helen said.

            Emily sighed and shook her head, “I don’t think so, I can’t do it.”

            “Emily, meet him and if you are not interested it’s your choice, at least it’ll be easier for you. You can take him as a friend,” Helen said.

            Emily was astounded, where does she come up with these things? “You’d make a fine psychologist. You know how to talk to people, make them feel good about themselves, you know that?”

            Helen sighed, “of course, you know me I’m sweet and smart,” they laughed. “So, what do you say? Want to give it a try?”

            “Not really,” Emily said.

            David came in, “can I come in? I just have to get something, from here and—”

            “Alright, you don’t need stay outside trying to listen,” Helen said. David and Emily were nervous, was he really listening? “Just kidding! Don’t need to get nervous.”

            David and Emily looked at each other and looked away, “we’re not nervous” they said at the same time, Helen laughed. They started laughing, “what have you been talking about? Anything you’d like to share? I’d like to know too, don’t you think?” David said.

            “David don’t get the wrong impression, it’s a girls thing you know we like to talk, what we say is a secret, now how is your dad?” Helen said.

            “Fine, he’s in the lobby drinking tea and not liking it, what can I say? He’s more of a coffee person. I do want you to know, Emily if this guy didn’t see what he had, he doesn’t know what he’s missing, you deserve better. Don’t waste your time,” David said.

            Both Helen and Emily looked shocked, does he know what he is saying? “Don’t worry this guy wouldn’t notice me if I threw myself in his arms and kissed him.” Helen and David looked at her like she was insane, “not that I would.” Emily said quickly.

            “Good I’m relieved,” Helen sighed.

            “That’s right,” who is he? What does he have that I don’t? “Do I know this guy?” David insisted.

            “If you must know, yes you known him your entire life he is around your age, I can’t even explain but what I can tell you is, I don’t exist in his life, not like that, but he’s a great guy.” Emily sighed.

            “Does he work at the newspaper? I can talk to him, if he knew—”

            “No! I can’t tell him, I get nervous around him, plus I’m over him.” Emily lied.

            Helen couldn’t take it, “she accepted to go on a blind date. Isn’t that great?” Emily gave her a look, I never did that! Why is she doing this? “I wasn’t supposed to say. I can’t help myself, I won’t tell David who you meant, I mean, it’s as clear as water.”

            “I don’t know, did I tell him too much?” Emily teased.

            David was lost in his thoughts, who could it be? Was he stupid because he didn’t know who it was? He is around my age, works for the newspaper, “Jimmy?”

            “No and I can’t tell you because he doesn’t see me the same way.” Emily said.

            “Emily don’t you trust me?” David looked sad, “I forgot, I came to tell you you’re going home, I signed the papers,” David left before they could say anything.

            A week passed and her story got the cover page, everyone congratulated her, one day she’d be a famous reporter she was ready to go under cover, the next day.

            Mr. Emerson was proud that everyone was working hard, he decided to surprise the workers in his office, by congratulating them. He threw a party to celebrate the newspaper’s twentieth anniversary.

            Jimmy was taking pictures and found David alone in his office, acting strange, he’d been silent since Emily came out of the hospital. “David, pose for the camera.” David smiled, but something was bothering him. “What’s wrong?”

            “I know I’ve been silent all this time maybe I should go out there, nothing’s wrong. I learned Emily was in love, did you know? I don’t know who it is, it doesn’t matter, she got over him, she’s going out with someone else,” David said disappointed.

            “What? When did this happen? I never noticed.” Jimmy looked shocked.

            “Emily was in love, it wasn’t me,” David laughed, forcefully, when he saw people near then sobered, “she’s in love, I finally found out she had to be in love with Jacob.”

            “Jacob, the detective? The high school jock?” Jimmy couldn’t help to be shocked.

            David laughed, but his sadness was unmistakable, “the one and only.”

            Jimmy sat across from him, “I know what I’ll do for you, I’ll set you up on a date, she is beautiful and interested in the same things you are you might know her. Anything’s better than seeing her with someone else, at least you can lean on her, you won’t be using her, she already knows.”

            “Who would want to go out with a discouraged guy like me? I’ll make her suffer.” David explained.

            “Look, if it doesn’t work out, than it doesn’t work, at least you tried there’s no hard feelings, I already told her I found her a date.” Jimmy insisted.

            “What? Why would you do such a thing?” David said furiously.

            “It’s the only way to take you out of this situation, you need to go out there and celebrate.” Jimmy said to lift his spirits.

            “I’ll go.” David sighed.

            “Good, you need the fun, stop distressing yourself, but maybe if you tell her you’d be surprised.” Jimmy nodded.

            David turned away, “I can’t, I need to get out for a little bit, since you told her you’d find her a date, I’ll go.”

            Jimmy looked disappointed, “it’s probably too soon, I can call her and tell her, I couldn’t find someone, she’ll understand.”

            David turned to Jimmy, “I’ll go. I think it will do me good, maybe it will get her out of my mind.”

            “You really like her don’t you?” Jimmy looked surprised.

            “I don’t know. When I didn’t know she was in love I only saw the girl who looks up to me and needs me. But, she’s a woman I knew I felt something when I saw her after her vacation. I felt bitter, when she went to see Jacob, ‘for an interview’ she said. But I don’t know.”

            Jimmy sighed, “David, I can talk to her for you, it hurts to see you like this. I have to tell her, how else would she know you love her?”

            David stopped him before he left the room, “don’t worry, as I said, she is already in love it’s not me—”

            Jimmy looked astonished, “I don’t know, if not telling her will do you good, I’ll respect your decision. Why don’t you come? Everybody is asking for you.” 

            Helen and Emily were waiting, “where have you guys been? Jimmy, put the timer on the camera, and come take some pictures with us you guys.”

            David smiled remembering the first year Emily started working there. “I’m not standing behind anyone this time.” Emily and Helen would stand behind him and make bunny ears.

            Helen and Emily looked at each other, and pretended to be bashful, everyone laughed and the camera went off, “this picture should be placed on the wall somewhere.”