They circled each other for a long time, each waiting for the other to initiate an attack. Gold Blade’s frustration level was about to reach a boiling point. What was Andrew waiting for? Why did he persist in this bizarre dance of theirs? Suddenly, Andrew bolted and headed for the edge of the roof. Gold Blade fought the urge to purse at first, but then took off.
Andrew jumped up on the ledge and turned to face Gold Blade.
“Wo ist das Buch?” Gold Blade demanded to know where the book was. He turned for a moment and saw the backpack lying on top of the stairwell structure. Gold Blade left Andrew and ran as fast as he could to where the backpack was located. He paused to look back and saw that Andrew was still standing on the ledge of the roof. Why did he not try and stop him?
Gold Blade retrieved the backpack and quickly opened it. The backpack was empty! Gold Blade screamed and tossed the backpack down. His rage comsumed him and Gold Blade charged at Andrew full force. Gold Blade raised his sword to strike Andrew down he as was only inches away. Andrew sprung from the ledge and somersaulted over Gold Blade, who realized too late he had been tricked. Gold Blade tried to stop, but his momentum carried him still forward. Gold Blade slammed into the ledge and flipped over it. His screams pierced the air as he plummeted to his death. Andrew walked to the ledge and peered over it. He saw Gold Blade’s body lying twisted in blood. Andrew knew Gold Blade would be obsessed with retrieving the book. Andrew had counted on the fact that once Gold Blade discovered the book missing from the backpack that he would simply think of nothing else but to attack. Andrew stepped away from the ledge and he walked over to one of the air-conditioning units. There tucked safely away, was the book. Andrew returned to the stairwell structure and also retrieved his backpack. He put the book back in it and left the roof. It bothered him of what he was capable of and of what he had become. All of the bloodshed had poisoned his soul; turning it dark and vengeful. Andrew was not sure if he would ever come back. Through it all, he had forgotten the reason for it all. An innocent family had been murdered in their home. Andrew would finish what he had started. But for now he was tired and just wanted to go home.
Chapter 17
The early morning, winter gray skies, were lacking clouds. A brisk wind swirled its icy breath and drove the white powdery snow into frenzy. Browns and grays were the colors of choice of the landscape for miles around.
Peter watched as the plane circled for a landing. He had received a call from Andrew a few days ago. All Andrew told Peter was to meet their flight at the Bayport County Airport on this particular day. He said nothing else. Peter did not like all the mystery.
The plane started its descent and landed on the long black ribbon of asphalt in the material of white. A few minutes later, it came to a stop in front of the terminal building.
Peter walked up to the plane just as the door opened and a flight of stairs were moved into place. Peter watched with anticipation for the passengers to depart. He saw no one for several minutes, and then the first passenger came out. She was a woman with black and red streaked hair, dressed in black. She looked round at her new surroundings first, and then at Peter. She smiled even though he was not familiar to her. Just as she descended the stairs, the next person came out. He was a man with dark curly hair dressed in regular street clothes and a brown leather winter coat. He surveyed the surrounding before going down the steps. The next two persons to disembark were Andrew and Wyatt. Peter recognized Wyatt from his photo on file. Wyatt was in handcuffs. Peter’s mouth dropped in shock at how pale and worn out Andrew looked. Andrew looked down at Peter and gave him a forced smile. Andrew was wearing fatigues and carried a matching backpack. Andrew had Wyatt head down the stairs first. Peter knew Talia had gone with them on the mission, but where was she? Peter was about to greet them, but stopped when he saw a wooden casket being removed from the cargo compartment from the plane. Peter had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. For some reason he could not move. He watched Andrew leave Wyatt when they got to the bottom of the stairs and go over to the casket. Andrew bent down and whispered something to the casket. He stood up and returned to Wyatt. Peter finally walked over to all of them.
Andrew greeted Peter with an embrace. Peter was surprised by how long Andrew held onto him. It was like Andrew needed it badly. Peter didn’t say a word and neither did Andrew. Finally, after a few minutes, Andrew let go.
“Peter, this is Nick and Kara,” Andrew introduced.
“Peter,” he greeted them each in return.
“Take him into custody,” Andrew shoved Wyatt. Peter handed him to one of the officers with him.
“Where is Talia,” Peter asked, even though he already knew the answer.
“In the casket,” Andrew was somber. “She died during the mission.”
“But how?” Peter pressed Andrew. Instead, Andrew walked a short distance away. To Peter it looked like Andrew was crying. He’d never seen Andrew cry before. Peter turned to the others, “How did she die?”
“Saving Andrew’s life,” Kara blurted out. She broke down and sought Nick’s arms. Nick held onto Kara and comforted her.
“What happened in Germany?” Peter demanded.
“I will explain everything.” Andrew finally rejoined them. He grabbed hold of Peter’s shoulder. “I need a few days, okay? Then I will explain everything.”
“But,” Peter started to protest, but Andrew and the others walked away. Peter took Wyatt and walked him over to the car. He opened the back door and placed Wyatt inside. Peter closed the door. He looked back and saw them load the casket into the hearse. Peter felt really sick inside. Andrew better have a really good explanation for all of this; a really good one to say the least. Peter opened the front door and slid into the driver’s seat. He started the car and closed the door. Peter took off for the police station.
There was a city of empty, take out food containers, built in one corner of the coffee table. In another corner was a mountain range of empty soda bottles. In the middle of it all was a stack of file folders and papers scattered about.
Chloe and Roxanne were sound asleep, each respectively on the two sofas of the family room. They had spent all of last evening going over the Higgins case notes.
Chloe finally awoke from her slumber. She stretched and yawned. Chloe got up and went to use the upstairs bathroom. She had to go really bad.
Roxanne opened her eyes. At first, she was disoriented, but then remembered that she and Chloe fell asleep after hours of going over all the information in the case files. Roxanne got up. She took off in search for a bathroom.
Chloe was just coming out of the bathroom, when she bumped into Roxanne. They both laughed and went on their respective ways.
Chloe had just reached the bottom of the staircase when the front door opened. It was her dad! Chloe rushed into his open arms and practically knocked him over. She closed her eyes and squeezed him tight. Andrew whispered in Chloe’s ear that he was okay, but she kept holding on for fear he would vanish once she let go. Chloe finally opened her eyes to see two strangers; a man and a woman with her dad. She gave her dad a kiss on the cheek and let go.
“Chloe,” Andrew said, as he gestured to the others. “This is Kara and Nick.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Chloe greeted them.
“We’re going to get some rest,” Andrew told his daughter. Andrew kissed her and led Kara and Nick upstairs. Chloe must have looked perplexed and Andrew said, “I will explain later. Please trust me, okay?”
“Okay,” Chloe smiled back. She went to clean up the family room.
Roxanne had just exited the bathroom when she saw Andrew come up the stairs with a man and woman right behind him. She immediately ran to him as he reached the top step. Andrew dropped the backpack he was carrying. Roxanne threw her arms around Andrew and squeezed him tight. Andrew hugged and kissed his friend back.
“I’m alright,” Andrew assured Roxanne.
“We all missed you.” Roxanne gave Andrew a squeeze and let go.
“I missed all of you too,” Andrew said. He picked up his backpack.
