We made it. The final chapter of our first story on the blog. To be honest, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing next. Not sure if I will come out with another story right away, or take a break. I guess we will see what happens next week. For now, here is the conclusion to our story. Chapter 29 – Final Answers
Final Answers
Drew stared up at the gun, trying to play it cool and hoping Adam was still safe. Forcing his eyes past the gun to look at Valerie, he managed a smile.
“Hey Valerie. Glad you found us and got away from Vanderboon. I think he’s against us.” She tilted her head, something in her eyes making Drew nervous. There was a coldness to her that he had never seen before.
“Why would you say that Drew? I think you’re the one that betrayed me.”
“What? I would never. You know I have always been there to help you protect Adam. Why would you think I would betray you? Because I ran? I was protecting Adam.” She smiled, and Drew was filled with dread. It was not a comforting smile, but one he had seen on many crazed suspects.
“That’s why you betrayed me Drew. I never wanted to protect Adam.”
*
Adam looked up as the door opened and two men he didn’t recognise walked in. Before he could say anything they grabbed him, dragging the injured teen out of bed and out of the room. Adam tried not to cry out in pain. As he was dragged into the main room he saw Drew, with Valerie standing over him, a gun aimed at the cop’s head.
“Valerie? What’s going on?” She turned her gaze to him as he was tossed to the ground.
“It’s about time you got your final answers, before I kill you. You see, dear nephew, I never wanted you around. I was in love with Elijah. We were supposed to get married and then he saw my sister, your mother. She was more beautiful in his eyes but she never cared for him. So, he raped her and got her pregnant. I tried to convince her to abort you. She refused. I couldn’t let Elijah know he had a son, so I used my cover in Vanderboon’s agency to order a hit. You were supposed to die that night, but the two assassins wanted to keep you. They ran, but Elijah still found out about you.” Drew glanced towards his gun before looking back at Valerie.
“You killed Sarah? Your own sister?” She glared at him.
“No one could possibly understand. It was easy to use my frustration at their failure as a cover for feeling guilty. You were all bound to find out that I was one of Elijah’s people, but you couldn’t yet. First I had to finish my mission. You and Mick searched for years for the brat, taking me away from my objective because Vanderboon wanted to claim Elijah’s heir as his property.”
*
Adam finally found his voice.
“Did you kill Mick?” Valerie shook her head.
“No, I assumed Elijah’s men would take care of him. I recognised his ace hit man, Frank. Mick, that fool, made it easy for me to get away and get you all out of there. It would have been easy to take you both out, but I had to make sure Mick was gone too. Then Vanderboon showed up and ruined everything.” She turned to Drew. “Why did you really run?” Drew shrugged.
“I figured Vanderboon was up to no good and that Adam was in danger, so I took him and ran.” He looked her in the eye. “I never imagined that you would want to kill your own nephew or your sister. The two of you were close, or was that a lie as well.” Smiling, Valerie looked back at Adam.
“Another lie I’m afraid. I always hated her. But enough. You got your final answers. Time to die.” She turned the gun towards Adam.
“No!” Drew tackled her and the gun went off. The two men standing over Adam rushed over, moving Drew off of Valerie. She kicked angrily at him. Drew didn’t move and fear gripped Adam. He couldn’t run, not on his ankle. Valerie stepped over Drew and walked towards Adam. “Now that he’s out of the way, it’s your turn.”
Final Answers
Valerie raised the gun, pointing it at Adam as the teen tried to drag himself away from her. He couldn’t remember a time when he had been so scared.
“You don’t have to kill me. I can disappear.” She shook her head.
“Don’t beg. It’s pathetic.” She looked back at the two men. “Remember, Drew killed him and I tried to save Elijah’s son.” They nodded and she turned back to Adam. “Goodbye dear nephew. Say hello to your mother when you see her.”
“How about you stand down Valerie.” Shock registered on her face as she spun around to face the speaker. Adam felt hope surge through him.
“Mick!” Smiling, the man stepped closer to Valerie, FBI agents flooding the house and surrounding the two men who had come with Valerie.
“Surprise. Your guy got me in the shoulder, but didn’t finish me off. I’m not that easy to kill. Now, drop the gun Valerie. You’re under arrest.” Valerie looked back at Adam. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I always liked you, Mick.” Two gunshots rang out.
*
Adam leaned back on the stretcher, the back raised up so he could sit. His ankle was tightly secured and he was wrapped in blankets as the cool breeze tugged away at them. Summer was coming to an end and the nights got colder. He watched as the coroner workers stretched out two body bags, tears filling his eyes. Officer Drew Conners had taken a bullet to the heart. Valerie was in the other bag, having been shot when she turned to shoot Adam. A car pulled up and Avery jumped out of the back seat, running over to Adam and flinging her arms around him.
“Thank goodness you’re alive. I was so worried. Are you hurt?” Adam hugged her back, the two teens crying, the stress of the past few days finally coming out. Avery’s parents walked over, relief on their faces. After a few moments, Adam released his friend.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I called them.” Mick joined the group with a smile on his face. “They wanted to be involved in the investigation and I figured you would need some friends and people you could trust after this was all over.” Adam frowned.
“Is it all over?” Mick nodded.
“We wrapped up the other two groups as we finally had enough to take them down. This is going to involve a lot of paper work, but it’s finally over. I’m only sorry that Officer Conners didn’t make it.” Adam looked back at the body bag being loaded into the back of the van.
“Me too.”
*
The next few days went by in a blurr for Adam. Special Agent, Mick Collins, was at his side for most of it. So were Avery and her parents. Wanting to stay in the same town instead of moving, Adam was set up with a foster family. Much to his surprise it was Detective Odette Mathers and her husband who took him in. Elijah’s organisation, as well as Vanderboon’s, were all locked up. Plea deals were made by some, and others testified against their former bosses in exchange for lighter sentences. Adam received all the final answers he was searching for.
“Adam, ready to go?” Avery was constantly at Adam’s side. He wasn’t going to complain as he could not have asked for a better friend to go through this with. It was his first day back at school and Avery had agreed to pick him up, having finally gotten her drivers. It had been confirmed that his ankle was broken, and after surgery, Adam was finally ready to go back to school. Tossing her his backpack he grabbed his crutches.
“I never was ready for school, but let’s go. I am ready for a normal, boring life.” Avery laughed, holding the door open for him.
“Who said it will be boring?”
We got our final answers
That’s it my friends. I hope you enjoyed it. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. It’s my first crime styled novel that I’ve ever attempted. Fantasy has always been my strong suit. Let me know what you think of the book and if you want another one. If so, what genre would you like me to attempt. I like the idea of playing with new genres on my blog. Maybe I could possibly publish in another genre one day. I guess anything is possible, if I try.
