Chapter 53
Neil
Today is the day. The day everything will come to an end. The day I will come face to face with my father. The day I will set everything right. I glanced at my wristwatch for the nth time letting out a small hiss. We were supposed to meet with Nickel at exactly 6pm and now it’s almost fifteen minutes past six. I wonder what's taking him so long. He knows how important today is to me, yet he chose to play around.
“Is he not coming again?” Mr Richard asked beside me. We've already discussed with the reporters. As soon as his daughter is safe and sound, he'd give an announcement. I know he's all nervous but it's the only way for him to come clean for his crimes. And for my father, I don't feel any sense of hesitation. He has done enough damage, for me to feel remorseful. I will talk him into turning himself and if he still wouldn't do that, then I will have no choice than to do things my way.
“He should-”
“I’m here” the door was suddenly pulled open and Nickle walked in with a grin on his face. I passed him a knowing glare. “I will get back at you later but for now we have bigger things at hand”
“You know coming to this village isn't easy. I have to make sure my car is free from any scratches” I almost smack him on the head but the clearing of Mr Richard's voice made me pull back.
“Okay, let's start business” I commenced putting on a serious face.
Nickel pulled out his working material, connecting his laptop with the power supply. “What do I have to do?” He asked.
“You said you got an information about where he's hiding her right?”
“You said it right” He ushered back with a wink. Nickel is a funny man. I will only waste my time if I listen to his playful acts. “Adequate. I want you to track the location and find out how many men are surrounding the place and also the exact location he's hiding her”
“Okay, let's see....” He began pressing on the laptop. “The location is showing me Ithaca. That means it's closeby” I rushed up to him peeping at the screen.
“He has up to fifteen men guarding the place but it's not showing me the location the lady is in”
I stared at the computer screen in thinking. “The only way we’ll be able to find out is by using one of his men. Most trusted one to be precise. We would shake him up a bit. Will you be able to do that?” I asked my eyes still focused on the laptop screen.
“Me?” He pointed to himself. I passed him a deadly glare. “Who else am I referring to? I know you're capable. So it's settled then. I will go in and deal with Rapheal myself. I'm putting my trust in you” I patted him on the shoulder then made my way towards Mr. Richard who was consciously listening to our conversation. The poor man was completely off the zone.
“Mr Richard the only thing we need from you is cooperation. As long as you're willing to cooperate with us, then all will go smoothly” The man heaved out a deep breath.
“I will do whatever you want me to. I have my full trust in you” I nodded in answer. “Good. Now, Nickel, you and I will head to Ithaca. So, I've prepared the reporters, as soon as you receive an alert from me, you'll then start the revealation”
“Alright then. I got it” I nodded again.
“Shall we?” I asked
“Yeah. Let's go blow them down” Nickel ushered with a wink while Mr. Richard only kept a neutral face. With my revolver intact, and every other things, we set on our way to Ithaca.
**
The drive to Ithaca is a forty minutes drive but it took us up to one hour because of Nickel’s annoying self. He went on about getting his car scratched which is why he drove us in slow speed. The car came to a halt few miles away from the house. We've already dropped Mr. Richard to the nearby hotel for the conference. He'd only wait for our alert.
“I will go in first and check the surroundings. You should keep an eye for me”
“Leave that to me” he answered back with a wink. Getting out of the car, I quietly made my way to the house, going to the back of the house. As I expected, his guards are standing still with their guns by their side. I pulled out my cap and wore it before getting down slowly. I finished off the two guards using my revolver then made my way in. My foot came to a halt seeing three men Infront of the entrance. I sent Nickel a message to alert our men.
I won't be able to get in without getting noticed. I will lure them using my men. Then I will get the way to enter in. Within five minutes, I heard the sound of gunshot and two of the men that were standing ran off to maybe check on what's making the sound. That gives me the cue to embark on my way. I didn't waste time in finishing off the one guard and then made my way through the entrance door.
To my surprise, the inside was quite and the aura lurking around the room was somehow dark. I took my time to scan the room. They were barely furnitures around, my eyes stopped at a wall frame which I immediately recognize. It was the same painting we have back at our house. The painting that father cherish so well that I have no idea the reason why. My tour didn't last long when I heard footsteps emerging.
My eyes were quick in reaching towards where I heard the footsteps finding my father standing in all his glory. I won't say he's old but rather different from last time I saw him. That was after my mother's death two years ago. “Finally. You decided to pay your father a visit” Came his familiar voice. A voice I know so well.
He was barely keeping his composure but the old is still same. “I must say you're all grown up now. The last time we met, you look out of place and your mother-”
“I’m not here to listen to the past” I said after observing him for a while. A smile graced through his face. “Really? Let me guess. You're here to put your father behind bars. Am I right?” He ushered crouching down on the couch.
“You’re right. I'm not here to beat around the bush. So, while I'm still calm, you should turn yourself in”
His laughter revamped through the whole room. He stared at me like I said the most funny thing in the world. Yet, my face was void of any playfulness. “You should know that all your conniving acts are coming to an end today. Either you turn yourself in or you get disgrace in front of the whole world. Choose wisely”
“Let me remind you of one thing my dear son. Do you really want your father to be put behind bars? Will your mother be happy about her son doing that to his father. You-” I immediately cut him off by raising one of my hand.
“That is enough! You don't have the right to talk about my mother. And for your information, I don't regret or plan to regret what I'm about to do today. Because why? You deserve whatever punishment you're going to receive” I spat back. He trekked his way towards where I was standing ever since I came in. Resting his hands on my shoulder. “I’m not going down alone. You might think this isn't a big deal but I will make sure Richard suffers in this and that will not be good to you seeing your woman hurt”
“I don't care about that because I know Ashley is a strong woman. And not everyone is like you. So for the last time, I'm warning you to turn yourself in”
“That will never happen” he ushered back without an once of fear in his eyes.
“Then don't blame for what I'm about to do to you” He didn't bat even an eye at my words. Slipping my hands into my pocket, I press on a button that will alert Mr.Richard.
“Start saying goodbye to your old life. Because you're going to spend the rest of your life behind bars” I exclaimed.
A smile made it way to his lips once again as he pull out a gun aiming it at me. “Like I said, I won't go down alone. So, before I go to jail, I have to finish you off ” I wouldn't say I'm surprise because the father I know can do more than that. If he can kill his wife then there's no one he won't be able to kill.
“Go on. Shoot me” I challenged leaning closer. Even if I'm going to die, I know I will be able to expose all his crimes.
“You think I can't do it right?”
“I know you can. So go on. Pull the trigger”
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, the door burst open and came in the police men. “Put the gun down!” one of the police man said. Yet, the gun was still pointed to my head.
“Put it down or you'll suffer the consequences that will follow” the man said again. Raphael only kept staring at me with his lips curved up.
Two police men aimed a gun at him. “I’m warning you for the last time. Put it down” And slowly he set out to put it down when we heard the room take on with sound. I felt something strike through my stomach but I wasn't able to register it. I didn't even know the gun was shoot at me until the police man came to my aid. And at exactly that moment, I felt the piercing pain down my abdomen.
“You’re under arrest for attempted murder. Anything you say will be used against you in the court of law” The pain increase and I found myself going down on my knees clutching my stomach on the accord. I could see the smile of satisfaction on his face through my blurry vision. I bet even at the last minutes, he'd not feel any form of remorse. What matters is that Ashley is safe. Even if I won't be able to see her again, I will be relieved that she's safe and also freed from my father's vicious acts.
Ashley beautiful face and breathtaking smile was the only thing I could think of before I fell into a pit of blackeness.
