Well, here we are. Chapter 25 – Betrayed. If you think you know what’s about to happen, don’t be too sure. I do hope to surprise you, but you’re a smart group. It wouldn’t surprise me if you were putting pieces together. Now, let’s see what the last chapter of the year is all about.
Betrayed
A car drove up and Valerie went to the door to greet their visitor. Drew came downstairs and joined her. He had heard the car pulling up and wanted to back Valerie if needed. Blinking in surprise, he looked over at Valerie. She looked equally surprised.
“Mr. Vanderboon? What are you doing here sir?” An older man, with grey hair, but sharp blue eyes, walked over. Even though it was clear that this man was well into his sixties, he still looked strong.
“We need to talk,Valerie.” He glanced at Drew. “Privately.” The two friends exchanged confused looks but Drew headed back into the house while Valerie walked with her boss to a bench near the lake.
“Drew is a trustworthy friend.” He sat down and stared out at the lake.
“Perhaps. However, I don’t know him. Mick brought him in and now Mick is missing. What I’m about to tell you stays between us.” She nodded, still looking confused. “We’ve been betrayed by one of our own. Elijah has a mole in our operations!”
*
Adam glanced back towards the door as Drew walked in, before looking out the window again.
“Who is he?” Drew joined him at the window, a frown on his face. The look that Wallace Vanderboon had given him didn’t sit well with him. It lacked trust.
“That’s our boss, Mr. Vanderboon. He wanted to speak to Valerie alone.” Glancing at Drew, Adam noticed the tension in his jaw. Not what he was expecting. One would think that he would be relieved to have his boss here.
“If that’s your boss, why don’t you look happier to see him?” Drew shook his head.
“Something’s off, I just can’t put my finger on it.”
*
“Betrayed? One of us is a traitor? I find that hard to believe. Who do you suspect?” Wallace glanced back at the house before looking Valerie dead in the eye.
“You say that Drew is a trusted friend, but how well do you actually know him?” Valerie could only stare at him. Surely he didn’t think that Drew was a traitor, did he? “Valerie?”
“I know him well enough to know that there is no way he’s the traitor. Drew is loyal, there is no doubt in my mind.” Wallace sighed.
“Valerie, how do you think Elijah’s men kept finding you? First at the Burma’s, then the last location where we lost Mick? I know you well enough to know that you don’t believe in coincidences.” She bit her lower lip and looked out at the lake. He was right, and that same question had crossed her mind many times. But certainly it couldn’t be Drew, could it?
*
Valerie and Wallace headed into the house and up the stairs. She was still lost in her own thoughts. Could Drew have actually betrayed them all? Had he sold them out? Was Mick possibly dead because of him? Reaching Adam’s room, she knocked on the door and it swung open. The room was empty!
“Adam? Drew?” She ran downstairs to where Drew had left his bag. It was missing.
“So, it seems that Drew truly has betrayed us, and now he has Adam. He must have gone out the back because there is no way he made it past my driver with Adam. Any idea where he could have gone?” Valerie shook her head, slumping in a chair in complete shock. How could this have happened?
Has Drew Betrayed Them?
Okay, let’s all be honest here. Who actually saw that coming? There’s no way Drew could be a traitor, could he? Have they been betrayed by a close friend? And what about Mick? I guess we will have to hope for some answers next week. And remember, we go back down to one chapter a week next Saturday. Until then, I hope you all have a great weekend and I’ll see you all in 2024. Happy New Year.
