Chapter 25
Gwen struggled to release her hands from the tight
restraint of the rope. She fought back the tears that threatened to spill, and chanted to herself, ‘Hank will
come, Hank will come.’. She fought again with the rope and finally gave up.
‘It’s not use, I’ll never get outta this. God, how could I be so stupid? I should have ran away from the car!’
She thought, leaning back against the chair’s back and closing her eyes. Almost instantaneously, Hank’s face
appeared in her mind. His deep brown eyes, scattered brown hair, and cocky smile all appeared to her.
A loud noise brought her back to reality, and she peered into the darkness of the room, hoping to see someone.
Finally he appeared out of the shadows. He wore a black leather jacket and black jeans. His black hair was
slicked back, and he looked to be about thirty or forty.
"Ah, I see you’re awake Ms. Hotchkiss." He stated, his rough, New York accent, penetrating his sentence.
Gwen coward at his glare, and he smiled lightly. "I’m sorry about the ropes, but they are necessary."
"Why am I here?" Gwen nervously asked.
"Please, you’re smart, you should’ve figured that out." Gwen gave him a blank stare. "The tape
and transcript."
"But why would I matter, the clerk has a copy as well." Gwen stated quietly.
"Had. She had a copy." He said, holding up another transcript. Gwen shook her head.
"What’s gonna happen to me?" She asked quietly, hoping he’d have a heart.
"That’s for me to know, and you to find out." He answered cryptically. "I’ve gotta go. I’ll see
you later, sweetie-pie." He exited much in the same way he had entered, without a trace.
Gwen let a single tear slip down her cheek. Hank would come for her, but would anyone else even notice she was
missing? Definitely not her mother or father. They had disowned her, so why would they care? Sheridan and Luis
might, but they were so wrapped up in themselves. Ethan wouldn’t care, unless it had something to do with his
precious Theresa. Maybe Adriana, but she’d have her hands full now with the case. So that left Hank, and only
Hank. ‘God let him come.’
Hank marched into the police station, past every desk, and straight into his brother’s office. Sam sat up when
Hank entered and set down his crossword.
"What’s up Hank?" Sam cautiously asked, noting his brothers angered face.
"I need every spare police man you’ve got." Hank demanded, leaning on his hands which were placed on
the front of Sam’s desk.
"Why?" Sam asked.
"Don’t ask why, just do it!" Hank barked.
"Brother, calm down. What’s got your drawers in a twist?" Sam inquired.
"Dammit Sam! I don’t have time to dick around! Gwen’s gone missing!" Hank yelled.
"You’re upset because your girlfriend left you? Did you try her parents house?" Sam skeptically remarked.
Hank, enraged by his brother’s behavior, grabbed Sam by his collar and pulled him to Hank’s face.
"People have been threatening Gwen because of this case she’s on. Now dammit, they’ve kidnapped her, and
you’ve got the balls to make light of it. You are despicable excuse for a man Sam, you really are. Now get me
the damn men!" Hank barked, narrowing his eyebrows.
"Alright." Sam said, running out of breath. Hank pushed him away, and Sam’s hands immediately went
to his neck. "I’m sorry man, I didn’t know."
"Well now you do." Hank replied.
"You’ve got any man you need." Sam said, coming around from his desk and stepping out of his office.
Hank stayed back and listened as Sam explained that they were under orders from Hank. Sam reappeared and said,
"All yours. You need my help?"
"It would be appreciated." Hank stated, walking past Sam and shouting out orders. Sam felt a pride
come over himself as he watched his former screwed up brother take charge. What he wouldn’t give for their father
to be there at that moment.
"Okay guys, let’s review where we stand." Adriana said to the other attorneys in the meeting room.
Jackets and ties were shed, and papers covered the long oak table in the center of the room.
"Gwen’s missing, along with all copies of the deposition. The judge won’t grant a mistrial or continuance
because the witness is still alive. And Lonovich won’t bargain. So we go to trial." Adriana announced.
"Keith, I want you to talk to Wagner tomorrow. Make sure he’s still saying the same thing. Okay? Alright
everybody, go home and get some sleep. I want updates tomorrow on everything you’ve been working on. Good night
everybody."
Salutations were mumbled as the lawyers, all accept Keith and Adriana, left the meeting room. Sighing, Adriana
sunk into the large chair that was behind her.
"She’ll be okay. It’ll all work out." Keith reassured. He walked around and started giving her a
shoulder massage.
"God I hope so. This is the first time an attorney has been kidnapped, Keith." Adriana sighed aloud.
"I know. But I trust this Hank fellow. He seemed competent." Keith stated.
"I’m worried about Wagner. Once he finds out the transcripts have gone missing, he may change his tune.
We can’t have that happen. If he starts saying something different, are case is gone." Adriana admitted.
"Then the best we can do is to threaten him if he doesn’t comply, and hope Gwen returns soon." Keith
remarked.
"When you see Wagner tomorrow, explain to him that he’s dead if he talks, and dead if he doesn’t. Either
the state or Lonovich will kill him." Adriana stood up and began to gather her things. "I’m gonna
go home and soak in my bath. Maybe Justin’ll give me a back rub. Thanks Keith. I’ll see you tomorrow."
Adriana called as she left the meeting room, praying that nothing else happened. |
