Don’t worry. You’re still getting two chapters at a time. However, in order to simplify it for myself, I’ll still do them as two separate posts. They’ll both be posted today for your two chapters. This is also how I can make sure that the chapters are both decent sizes. So, here is Chapter 18 titled Elijah.
Elijah
Daniel stared at the vending machine, not really looking at his options. His mind was on Adam. Where was he? Who had been chasing them? Sighing, he crossed the hall and sank into a chair, burying his head in his hands. How did everything go so wrong? Things were fine, until they came to this town.
“Mr. Ness?” Daniel looked up to see a man and woman standing in front of him. He had never seen them before. Moving his coat to the side, the man showed Daniel his badge. “I’m Detective Richards. This is my partner, Detective Mathers. May we ask you a few questions?” Daniel mentally kicked himself. He should have expected the police to come question them.
“Of course, detectives. First, I have a question. Is there any news on my son?” Detective Mathers shook her head.
“I’m afraid not. We are hoping you can shed some light on that and give us some clues. Your son reported you and your wife missing. Where were you?” Daniel sighed. This was going to take some of his best lies.
*
Nancy looked up as a man entered the room, her eyes widening in fear. With such a strong police presence she did not expect him to show up.
“Elijah? What are you doing here?” Elijah was a tall man, around six foot five, with a toned, but muscular build. His black hair was short and styled, and his green eyes seemed to pierce into Nancy. There was no compassion in his expression.
“I heard you and Daniel were in an accident and that Adam was missing. What happened?” His voice was calm, but held a dangerous undertone. Nancy had seen him speak to others who failed him in such a way. Usually right before he killed them. Where was Daniel? She managed to find her voice, though fear gripped her tight, the heart monitor giving her away.
“Someone was watching Adam when we picked him up. We tried to get away, but rolled the vehicle. Whoever was chasing us must have taken Adam. I’m sorry Elijah.” He slowly closed the distance between them.
“Not as sorry as you’re going to be.” Before she could react, he pulled a pillow from under her head and shoved it over her face.
*
“So you see, Detectives, Adam just overreacted. We just had some work out of town. He is old enough to be on his own. We have done this before.” Detective Richards exchanged looks with his partner. Neither of them were buying his story.
“Mr. Ness, enough of the lies. We spoke to the garage that you worked at and they said you just disappeared. They didn’t send you out of town for any pickups. Your son couldn’t get a hold of either of you, his friend received a threatening phone call, and a woman who looks eerily like your wife was found murdered on the same road you crashed on. We know someone was chasing you because we have a witness that saw a car following you after you picked up Adam. Now, why don’t you start telling us the truth so we can find Adam!” Daniel looked like he was about to say something when an alarm went off in a room and doctors and nurses rushed past them. Looking over, he saw them rush into his wife’s room.
“Nancy!” Jumping up he ran to the room, the detectives hard on his heels, holding him back before he could enter the room. Helplessly, he watched as the staff worked to save his wife. What could have happened? His eyes landed on the pillow on the floor and immediately he started looking around, his eyes landing on a man by the elevators. The man turned and looked at him, no expression on his face. “Elijah?”
*
Daniel sat in a chair, completely numb. The doctors had done everything they could, but they could not revive Nancy. The two detectives were off to the side, speaking with the doctor, trying to find out what happened. Daniel knew. Elijah had killed his wife because they lost Adam. He knew he had a choice to make now. Go into hiding for the rest of his life, or tell the police everything and hope they could protect him. Neither option sounded appealing.
“Mr. Ness?” He looked up and saw the doctor and detectives standing in front of him. “Detective Richards is ordering an autopsy on your wife. I won’t be able to release her body for a funeral just yet.” He could only nod and the doctor left with Detective Mathers to fill out the paper work. Detective Richards sat beside him.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Daniel just stared at the floor, so he continued. “Now I need you to tell me everything. Who is Elijah?” Daniel’s eyes widened and he looked over at Detective Richards. “I heard you say his name while the doctors were fighting to save your wife’s life. Who is he?”
“He is Adam’s father!”
Who is Elijah?
Well, that was intense. I’ll keep this ending short because I know you’re going to want to jump to the next chapter as soon as possible. So, I’ll see you there.
