Questions for Answers

Chapter Twenty Two

I looked out the back window and saw the guy in the car behind him. He looked as if he was on the phone talking to someone. When I turned back around, the car in front of us began to reverse. Tristen immediately reacted and put the gear shift in reverse as well. Strangely enough, the car behind us didn't move, so Tristen smacked right into them. Seconds later, the car in front slammed into us.

Tristen pointed to me, "Stay here. I'll handle this."

I grabbed his arm, "No, wait, what if it's dangerous?"

"These guys are trying to run an insurance scam, I just noticed it too late. I'll be right back, don't worry", he said now removing my hand from his arm.

As soon as Tristen got out, the guy in front of us and the guy behind us simultaneously exited their cars and held their guns at him. My eyes widened, "Tristen!" I didn't even think, I just ran out. I knew it was stupid, but I wasn't going to let something happen to him without trying to do anything first.

They immediately drew their weapons on me and it filled Tristen with rage. He lunged at the guy in front and tackled him to the ground. The gun flew from his hand and landed next to my foot. I shakily picked it up and pointed it at the man Tristen was fighting with. I didn't have a clear shot at all, so I wasn't going to risk it.

Tristen had gained leverage and repeatedly punched the guy in the face. Still having the gun trained on the man, I didn't know what to do. The next thing I knew, the other guy had pulled Tristen off and started beating on him. This time, Tristen wasn't winning the fight. And the man he'd been beating on finally got up and joined in on it.

"Stop or I'll shoot!" I yelled out. They ignored me and continued to jump Tristen. Not wanting to witness this any longer, I steadily aimed my gun, and just as I was about to finally take the shot, I was grabbed from behind and put into a chokehold. It caused me to drop the gun and immediately reach for my neck. I didn't even think of the possibility of someone other than the two of them being in the car with them. We were outnumbered and outmatched.

I tried to fight against the man who grabbed me, but it was no use. All I could do was pray that both Tristen and I would make it out of this alive. The last thing I saw before passing out was Tristen lying on the ground with blood spilling out from his mouth. This was all my fault...

~*~

I was awakened by water being thrown in my face. When I came to, I looked down and realized that I was tied up to a chair in a dimly lit room. When I looked straight ahead of me, I saw a man slowly emerging from the darkness. I squinted my eyes to get a better look, but ultimately couldn't make out who it was.

Once he appeared closer, I was no longer confused. I was looking at Eylias Bec himself. My breathing gradually sped up and all I could do was sit there frozen in place. He slowly approached me and crouched down to my level, "Sorry we had to meet like this under these circumstances. Would you like some water? A snack maybe?"

My facial expression read confusion, "Why are you being nice?"

He shrugged, "Well you're a guest. The guest of honor! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Eylias Bec, but I'm sure you already know that. You have something that belongs to me, and I need it back."

I looked around and noticed that we were the only ones in the room. I faced him again, "Where's Tristen?"

He gave me a straight look, "You're not in any position to be asking questions. Where's my device? The one you stole from my wallet."

"I don't have it on me", I said truthfully.

"That's okay. We'll just search your vehicle", he said as he pulled a chair up in front of me. He continued, "You know...I am fascinated with you. I'll explain everything to you, but you're going to answer some questions for me in the process. Starting with this—how did you find me in Venice? That information wasn't public. I wanna know how you did it. And if you don't tell me the truth, or you refuse to tell me altogether, I will bring Tristen in here and kill him right in front of you."

"Please don't! I'll tell you. I...I found out when your birthday was and-"

"How?"

"In some...files. I spoke to a man named Oliver who told me about how you would usually be in Venice around this time, so I used that information and narrowed it down to you being on the most popular resort there. I told the receptionist that I was with you and she gave me a key to your room. That's when I searched it and found your device thing", I explained.

Of course, I left out some major details. For one, I didn't tell him about the book my parents left behind, I didn't mention that Natalia was with me and I made it seem as if Oliver was the sole reason I figured out where he was when I deciphered it from the book. He didn't need to know everything because I was sure he wouldn't tell me everything either.

He folded his arms and stared into both of my eyes, "You know...I didn't even know you were here. You probably would've gotten away with it if you didn't check my phone. It snapped a picture of you the moment you pressed the screen and sent it directly to my watch while I was still on the beach. I sent my guys up there, but somehow you managed to just slip right past them. But you know what's great about hotels? They always have cameras. It's not lost on me that you neglected to mention your friend that was with you. Natalia, was it?"

"What did you do to her?" I asked worriedly.

He chuckled, "I didn't do anything to her. The police have free will, so they act on their own. But since you're wondering...they did torture her. She didn't last two minutes before she started spilling everything she knew. They told her that if she was honest with them, they'd let her go. So she told...everything. I know about the book. I know how you guys broke into the Vatican. I know everything. I just wanted to see if you would tell me the truth or not. You failed."

He stood up and began walking away. Panicked, I called out, "Wait, wait, wait! I was going to tell you everything, I swear. But I thought you might kill me if I did. I promise I'll tell you everything you want to know. Just don't hurt Tristen and don't hurt Natalia. You can let them go and just have me."

He stopped in his tracks and turned back to me. He took another seat, "Natalia's already dead. Nothing personal, it's just business. Her parents really screwed her over. Just like yours."

"My parents...why? Why were they killed? Please, it's the only reason I've ever done any of this. I don't care about some big secret you're trying to hide. I just wanna know why they were killed. Please", I said with tears in my eyes.

He sighed, "Ah, Vivian and Richard. What a waste of talent. Your parents were killed because they couldn't stay out of business that wasn't theirs. That's simply it."

"But why? What did they know that got them killed like that? You took them away from me when I was only a kid! I didn't even get to mourn them. Their deaths have haunted me for years and years, so excuse my bluntness, but I need answers from you now. No more questions", I said boldly.

He tilted his head, "Man, that fight you got in you. You're just like your father."

"Don't you dare talk about my father", I said with rage.

He looked puzzled, "Why not? He's the reason all of this mess started in the first place."