74

GABRIEL
The foreperson stood up, holding the final verdict in the court. “State of New York versus Mr. Aaron Henderson. We, the jury, duly impaneled, charged, and sworn in the above-entitled action, do, on our oath, find the defendant, Aaron Henderson, guilty of rape in the first degree, as charged in the first count of the information.”
Aaron fucking Henderson sent me a smirk while the officers were taking him. I wanted to fucking smack him to death, but I had a reputation. The people fled after the court was adjourned, and Carla’s arms flew around me.
“Let’s get you out of here,” I said. “Have you eaten anything?”
She shook her head. “No. I couldn’t.” She wiped her tears.
“Come on.” I took her out of the court and brought her to the nearest restaurant. I got her a chocolate mousse cake because I knew it was her favorite and an African tea and got a coffee for myself.
She picked up the fork but didn’t touch the cake. “Thank you, Gabriel, and I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“No, I should apologize. I didn’t believe you.”
She laughed humorlessly. “It didn’t have to come to this.”
“That’s why I’m sorry.”
“It can’t take back anything. But this is what I’ve only ever wished for. For you to see the truth. Can we not go back to how it used to be, Gabe?” She reached for my hand, and I moved away.
“Carla… even if none of this happened, you know what we had isn’t love. We wouldn’t have made it far, and it’d only cause us more damage.”
She nodded. “And you had to be frank all the time.”
“You know how I am.”
“I heard the engagement. Congratulations,” she whispers.
“Well, I guess this is it.” She sliced the cake with her fork and was forced to eat a portion. “It’s delicious. You remembered.”
“Of course.”
“This is what I like about you. Even if it wasn’t love, you’re attentive, you’re sweet, and you’re a gentleman. She’s a lucky girl. I hope she knows that, but I wished you’d learned your lesson in our relationship.”
“No. I’m the lucky guy,” I corrected. I sipped on my coffee.
She nodded and ate another forkful of cake. “I’m returning to Italy tomorrow, Gabe. I promised that to myself, at least. After cleaning the slate, I should move on.”
“You should.”
She finally smiled. “But it’s a waste, you know. I thought we were in the endgame.”
I sighed. “Look, Carla…” I held her hand. “I fucked up when I hurt you in so many ways. We both lost something. We are both mourning, but you deserve someone who will trust you more than I ever did, hmm?”
“Yes, you fucked up.” She chuckled between tears. “I guess this is goodbye.”
“Yeah.” I wiped her tears.
“Can I hug you? One last time?”
“Of course.”
I moved my chair to her and embraced her. I at least owe her the closure she deserved. I felt her arms tighten around me before she finally let me go.
“Now, why don’t you leave me alone and let me finish this cake? But don’t you ever think you’ve got rid of me entirely? Our families are friends.” She grinned.
I touched her head and smiled back. “Goodbye, Carla.” I glanced at her once more before I exited the restaurant, convincing myself she’d be fine.
Speaking of her family, her brother called me when I got into the car. “Dylan.”
“Gabriel, what took you so long?” he sounded tense.
“Why? What’s going on?” I revved up the car engine and pulled out of the road. Dave Line told me there was a small Indonesian food stall at the corner of the sixth avenue, and they were selling noodles. According to him, there’s also a restaurant in Brooklyn, but it’d take me time to get there.
“The doctor finally spoke,” Dylan went on. “It’s good news, actually.”
“What happened? Where are you now?”
“Still in Phoenix. I can’t leave, but well for a reason. I was in the police station, talking to my source. Ben said it turned out we were right after all. It was Hopkins who drove the doctor to murder Georgina Rossi. He is charged with murder, and Hopkins will face charges as the mastermind if proven.”
“Hold on a second.” I stepped down from the car and approached the Asian-looking crew at the food stall. “Excuse me, sir?”
People around the stall glanced up at the crew guy and me. He was cooking the fried noodles in front of his customers.
“Is this Indonesian noodles?” I asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Could you give me two orders, please?”
“For takeout?”
I looked around the place, and the people were actually eating it on the streets. I should find a restaurant next time where we could dine. But I was astonished at how the customers seemed to enjoy it.
“Yes, please. Thank you.” I shifted my phone to my other ear. “What’s up, Dylan?”
“What’s that, man? You sound like you’re ordering in some food stall.”
“Because I am. Audrey is asking for Indonesian noodles.”
He laughed at the other line. “Wow. You’re really taking this seriously.”
I shook my head. “Whatever. What’s up?”
“So, as I was saying, it turns out we don’t need corner Hopkins anymore. Dr. Clark just turned him in, but we have a problem. He’s not in Phoenix right now. The records said he flew to New York five days ago.”
“He’s here, yes. I met him five days ago.”
“You did? How?”
“I met him once when he contacted Audrey. He’s with Charles Scott, but we have never heard of Hopkins since.”
“But Charles has already returned to Phoenix. I spoke to him as you requested. He’s willing to cooperate.”
I scowled. “And Hopkins didn’t return with him?”
“Nope.”
“He’s still fucking here,” I cursed. “He probably knows now.”
“Yes, and the doctor actually confessed to many things as well.”
“Like what?”
“He was a member of The Onyx Monkey, and he was offered millions of dollars by Hopkins and his late partner Benjamin Scott. The reason he’s talking now is that Hopkins kicked him from the monkey. He was accused of messing up with a Russian billionaire, but he claimed he was set up. His daughter was murdered days after, but he was afraid, so he didn’t speak of anything. They threatened to hurt his son as well if he did. He lived a low profile in the hospital, but Samuel came to him one day because he found out about his father’s secrets. Clark was beaten to death, but he wanted justice for his daughter. He believed Hopkins or his men killed Samuel that day because he went home. Dr. Clark is our key witness, after all. We’re right. It is all connected.”
“Shit.” I shoved my fingers into my scalp harshly. “And he fucking got away?”
“Excuse me, sir?” The stall crew called me. “Your order is ready.”
“Oh, wait a sec.” I picked up the paper bag and drew out one hundred bills from my wallet. “Keep the change.” I returned to the car and drove away. “Dylan, I’m calling you again later. I’m going to ask Duke to come to my office. Thank you.”
“Sure, but call me asap.” He hung up.
When I returned to my office, Duke was curiously already there. “I was going to call you,” I said, walking behind my desk.
“Yes, but I heard from Dylan and came here right away. What’s the plan now?” He slipped his hands into his pocket.
“I need to call Audrey first. She’s not at her desk.” I dialed her number, but she wasn’t answering. Where the heck was she now? I called her again, but it went to voicemail. I phoned Jones, but he wasn’t responding as well. I dropped my phone.
“Calm down, man.”
“How can I fucking calm down? A criminal is on the move, and I can’t find Audrey.” I picked up the goddamned phone again and called the front desk. “Hello?”
“Hello, Mr. Stark. Can I help you?” the receptionist answered.
“Did you see Audrey coming out of the building?”
“Audrey never left the building, sir, but a man came to see her earlier.”
I scowled. “A man? Which man?”
“He said he’s her father.”
I slammed my fist on the desk. “Thank you. And Miss Park, no one is leaving the building until I say so. Do you understand?”
“Sir, but why?” she queried. “What should I tell the personnel?”
“There’s a criminal inside the building. Please tell security and find Miss Audrey Hopkins. The man who came isn’t his father.”
There’s a sound of panic in her line. “Right away, sir.”
I cut the call. I seethed under my breath, and Duke was curiously staring at me. “Hopkins’ here?” he asked.
“Yes, he came here, Audrey. This is my fault, man. If I didn’t leave her here…” I clenched my fist and slammed my desk again.
“Gabriel, it’s not your fault,” Duke convinced. “She’s here. It means she’s safer here than anywhere else.”
“M-Mr. Stark?” Audrey’s best friend came rushing to my office, and she was panting and crying her eyes out. I approached her, and she couldn’t get hold of herself.
“Chelsea, where’s Audrey?”
“His father came, and he asked Audrey to talk.” She sobbed. “She texted me they were going to the rooftop, but it’s been three hours since they went up, so I asked Mr. Jones to come with me to check on them because I had no access to the upper floors and because I knew he’s a dangerous person. But he’s… he’s… holding a gun… and… shot Mr. Jones… I got away… he didn’t see me… Please… Audrey’s in danger…”
“Fuck! Come on, Duke!” I didn’t waste any time. I stormed into the elevator, wrecking the button until it closed and moved up.