THE MYSTERIOUS PROTÉGE

NINE

We, Neil and I, entered the old run-down building, it seemed clean but I could still picture a big fat rat running across my feet. “Are you sure your friend gave you the right address?” Neil asked as I saw the scowl on his face, he didn’t seem to want to be here either.

“Says the guy who had no idea where to begin to find her.” I said chuckling but I stopped and jumped back when I heard a door bang shut.

“I guess we both don’t want to be here.” Neil said when I turned to answer only to find myself inches away from his chest. I raised my head and our lips were also inches apart, he moved as though he was about to kiss me and I took a step back.

“Let’s just get this over and done with so I could get out of here.” I said as I headed to the stairs. I knew my fear was irrational but the creaking floor made me feel as though the floor would give in under my feet. “Where the hell is 209?” I said annoyed as I couldn’t seem to find my bearing on the floor.

“Here it is.” Neil, who was ahead of me, said. But before he could even knock on the door, someone opened it. It wasn’t the girl who came to the law firm though.

“Who the hell are you?” The young lady asked. “I think you are on the wrong door.” She said with a smirk as she crossed her hands and leaned on the door frame.

“We’re looking for a girl named Penelope?” Neil asked.

“Actually, she’s called Adelyn Baker, is she here?” I asked as I corrected Neil.

“Lyn!” The girl yelled, “some people are here to see you!” She added as she walked between Neil and I leaving us waiting by the door.

“I wasn’t really…” Adelyn started to say but stopped when her eyes landed on Neil, “how did you find me?” She asked shocked, “if you found me that means it’s a matter of time before he finds me.” She said and I could see the fear in her eyes.

“Adelyn, we know the truth there is no need to lie anymore.” I said as trying to sound stern but still caring.

“You don’t know anything.” She said as she ran back into the house. I looked at Neil, I didn’t know whether or not I should enter the house but Neil just shrugged. I sighed and entered the house, “Adelyn?” I called out as I entered the house and started to look around, compared to the building the apartment was actually neat and cozy.

“What do you want from me, huh?” Adelyn asked as she was crying, “if you want me to retract my story then I will. Just leave me alone!” She yelled.

I sat beside her on the couch, “Adelyn we both know what you said about Brighton wasn’t something that happened to you. It is what happened to your best friend Heather Rogers.” I said as I tried to touch her but she flinched. “I can’t say I know what happened to her and how she felt but you making false allegations won’t make it easier to cope or even put the one behind it in jail.”

Her head rose from her hands that were covering it, “the one behind it?” She said vehemently, “we both know who is behind it but it doesn’t matter because rich people don’t really get to go to jail now, do they?” She added with spite which was directed to Neil. She then looked at me, “is that why he brought you here? To play good cop?” She asked.

“I just wanted to see if there was anything we could do to help your friends and the other girls wo never got the justice they deserved.” I said calmly.

She wiped her tears, “I’m not going to help you at the risk of putting myself in trouble. Now please leave.” She said pointing to the door.

“Adelyn if…” I started to say but she cut me short.

“I said leave!” She yelled and then went back to crying.

I wrote my number on a piece of paper and left it on top of the table. If she needed help or wanted to talk to someone I hoped she would call me. Neil and I left but I couldn’t get the image of that girl out of my head. I kept thinking what if that was my sister, she would have been that same age and deaf. People would have bullied her for it and some would have probably have taken advantage of her, I could feel why Adelyn had to lie to se if she could get justice for her friend but she can’t.

“Don’t beat yourself about it.” Neil said taking me out of my daze, “you did what you could and you even left your number for her. She’ll call you when she’s ready to help.” He added in an attempt to help me but my mind was wandering and I could barely listen to what he was saying. “How about we get some deep-fried food? It would help brighten your mood, at least it works for me.” He said chuckling.

I smiled, “that seems tempting but I think I’ll go home.” I said.

“Are you okay?” Neil asked.

“I’m great, I just think it would be best if I went home, get some rest. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” I said as we walked to my car. “Is there somewhere I could drop you?” I asked.

“No, you go home, I’ll get a cab.” Neil said.

“Are you sure?” I asked looking at him confused.

“I’m great.” Neil said and I waved him off as I went home. I got there and warmed up some leftovers that were in the refrigerator, as I took the file from my sister’s case. Today’s ordeal had given me a different perspective on her case, what if they weren’t able to prove the old man guilty because he was actually innocent? If the son was the one driving and the father wanted to protect him that would make sense. I went got my leftovers, turned on my laptop I needed to get some research done on Neil Gunner and the son, Rick Gunner.

After hours of reading all the news article, the gossip columns and a few other sites, I got to know that around the time my sister died Rick travelled abroad, probably to a country with no extradition and couldn’t be arrested. But now he was back in the city and was working along side his father getting to know the ropes of running the company, I scoffed. My sister didn’t even get to enjoy her teen years but here is this self-obsessed, arrogant, rich, daddy’s boy who was having the time of his life. It made me angry so much but all the information and ‘evidence’ I have right now are circumstantial and the kid won’t even see the inside of a prison and I desperately wanted him to.

I guess during my research I must have fallen asleep as I was woken up with the ringing of my phone, I jolted up, confused and still sleepy. I was frantically looking for my phone but all I heard was the ringing but couldn’t locate it, by the time I found it the call ended but it was an unknown number so I didn’t give it much attention. I removed the papers and laptop from the couch so I could give myself more room to sleep comfortably, as I laid myself down the phone rang again but it was in my hand this time. “Hello?” I answered groggily.

“Blossom?” The frail voice from the other end of the line asked.

“Speaking.” I asked as I was trying not to lose the sleep in my eyes.

“It’s Adelyn, could you please help me? I think someone is following me.” She said as quiet as possible.

I sat up now attentive to what was being said, “where are you Adelyn?” I asked as I changed out of my suit and put on something more comfortable with running. I was out the door by the time she told me where she was, “don’t hang up. Stay on the lie.” I said as I started running to where she told me she was. It wasn’t far from where I lived.

“I can hear them running.” Adelyn said softly.

I reached the place she told me he was and when I approached where she was, she freaked out. “Relax Adelyn it’s me. It’s me Blossom.” I said identifying myself and she jumped to hug me.

“You need to protect me. I did a mistake make that lie up and now they want to kill me.” She said but I couldn’t tell whether it was the truth or the paranoia talking.

“Come with me.” I said as I helped her up. But if she was telling the truth, the only way they would have known about her is if Neil or Basil told them. I can’t believe I helped them find her only for them to put her life in danger. I was angry at them but for now I had to take care of Adelyn who was broken down and crying her eyes out. I helped her to my house and made her some soup but she was having a heard time to sleep by herself so I stayed with her until she fell asleep with me beside her.

I woke up the next morning, I tiptoed out of the room, went got a shower and got ready for work. But before I went to work I had a few people to confront, I stopped by Kane Law Firm. I walked past the secretary who followed me, “I’m sorry miss but you can’t go in there.” She said as she ran after me but I was already barging into the office and they were all there, they turned to look at me. “Planning to throw me under the bus too?” I asked as I looked at Basil’s calm expression that annoyed the hell out of me.