Chapter 162

Sabrina, Emma, and Alex ran back into the house as though running from a fire. They were in full panic mode as they tried to understand what had happened at Alex’s press conference. Sabrina managed to provide a satisfactory enough answer. And Alex managed to maintain his cool and calm demeanor, but inside they were spiraling.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Alex swore. “How did we not know about this?”
“This is bad,” Sabrina agreed. “This is very bad.”
“What happens now?” Emma asked. “What does this mean?”
“We have to talk to Will. He’ll know what to do,” Alex grabbed Emma by the wrist and pulled her along. “Come on. We’re going now.”
“Good idea,” Sabrina said. “I’ll do what I can to do some damage control.”
“Wait!” Emma said, pulling away from Alex. She pulled out her phone and gave Sabrina Minnie’s number. “Call her. She can help with the babies while we sort all of this out.”
“Oh good. Okay.”
“Come on,” Alex snatched Emma’s wrist again. “We have to go now!”
They ran to his car and before Emma could properly get her seatbelt on, Alex was racing towards the station.
“I don’t understand,” Emma said, grabbing on the handle above the door. “Why is that bad?”
“Okay,” Alex said, his eyes firmly on the road, his fingers digging into the steering wheel. “So, that land that Will was trying to buy, was for a landmark building. It was going to be for a big project, and a lot of the company’s money was tied into it. If it’s true that it’s gone back up for open bidding because Stewart Industries hasn’t paid for it in full… it means Stewart Industries has no money, somehow.”
“What?” Emma shouted.
“Exactly! Will’s uncle must have done something to drain the funds. Or maybe Denis did, I don’t know. We’ll know more when we talk to Will. We also need to check to see if Sam and Captain Whitlock got all the evidence we sent forward.”
“Haven’t they sent Will to the prison?”
“Not yet. The captain was able to delay transfer on grounds of insufficient concrete evidence. The officers have finally calmed down. Apparently, a witness stepped forward with some testimony. So, he’s still there.”
“Okay,” Emma said, continuing to brace herself against Alex’s extreme driving. In too short of a time, they arrived at the station.
“You were speeding the whole time,” Emma let out a breath. “How is it no one stopped you?”
“They wouldn’t dare,” he winked. “Come on. We can’t waste a second.”
They dashed into the station, and much like the first time, Emma noticed how the officers treated Alex with deference and a touch of fear.
“Mr. Rossi,” a senior officer said. “It’s a pleasure. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?”
Emma raised an eyebrow at that. He acted as though he was a concierge at the hotel. This whole ordeal seemed to be revealing many truths that had been hidden right in front of her. Alex was more important than she realized. But something told her she really didn’t want to know.
“We’re here to see William Stewart. Please see to it that we aren’t disturbed.”
“Of course, sir.”
Alex looked towards Captain Whitlock’s office. The older man stood in his doorway. The two acknowledged each other with a small nod. Captain Whitlock smirked. Good job, the expression said. Alex smirked back. Thank you.
Will sat in his cell, head back, leaning against the wall, counting lines in the ceiling. He looked towards the bars as he heard footsteps approaching. He stood up and gripped the bars.
“Saw you on TV,” he said to Alex. “Hate to admit it. You looked good.”
“Better than you look right now,” Alex teased.
“I know why you’re here.”
“Is it true?” Emma asked. “About the company?”
“I… I didn’t know it myself. I’ve been so wrapped up in all of this. But Margie called Sam and confirmed. The company is about to go under.”
“Can’t you use your own money to buy the land?”
“No. I have to pay my employees. Until this is resolved, all of my personal money is being used to make sure none of my employees lose their livelihoods. They have to come first.”
“So, what do we do?”
I’d have to get a loan of some kind, but even that is risky. It has to go through the company.”
“I could loan Stewart Industries the money,” Alex offered.
“That would look shady,” Emma countered. “Especially after saying on TV that you knew nothing about it and that your partnership had nothing to do with it.”
“She’s right,” Will agreed. “Announcing your partnership is helpful though. It will draw some attention while we figure something out on the back end.”
“Sabrina is working on that,” Alex said with a smile.
“She’s amazing. I’m going to hire her as my PR consultant after this.”
“I have an idea!” Emma jumped up. “A way to get you out of this mess.”
“Don’t tell me,” Will held his hand up. “The less I know in a case like this the better. Also…” his eyes were soft as he looked down at Emma. “Sam told me what you did for me. They’re going to let me out, pending a formal investigation.”
“It worked?” she gushed.
“Yes, it did,” a voice behind them said. Captain Whitlock smiled at them. “The footage from Big Sal’s showed someone messing with Will’s car about five minutes after he entered the station. He was there for about thirty seconds. We could see him place a device underneath before he took off again. His face wasn’t visible. But we got a clear shot of that tattoo. It was Ghost. And thanks to the tip about the tickets, we have undercover agents posted all over the five closest airports to the city. We even cooperation from Costa Rican authorities should he slip through our fingers on this side. Thanks to you, we’re going to get him. Ghost’s reign of terror will come to an end.”
Will felt a swell of pride as he looked at Emma. A light blush swept across her face at the compliment. Such high praise felt too lofty for her.
“I was just trying to help,” she looked down.
“Don’t be so modest,” the captain said. “You did what an entire police force was unwilling to do. You had valuable resources and used them. You’re a lucky man, William Stewart.” Captain Whitlock smiled. It was unusual to see such a warm expression on his face. He usually looked stern, and sarcastic. It meant that his words were sincere.
“I am,” Will said, looking down at Emma. For a moment, he saw a flash of Emma staring up at him. Her face done in soft makeup, her hair brushed and pinned. A glorious white dress draped on her perfect body. He knew, when their lives made sense again, what he had to do. It was time for their lives to start. There would never be anyone like her again. He had to ensure that he never lost her again.
“You’ll be out of here soon,” Emma said. “I wish we didn’t have to go...”
“But you have work to do,” Will finished. “I know. Just wait. Just wait until there aren’t bars between us and I get to have you to myself.”
“Yeah?” she whispered, pressing herself against the bars. “What would you do if you had me to yourself.”
“Hey guys,” Alex snapped his fingers, bringing them back to reality. “We’re still in a police station. You’ll have plenty of time to fuck each other into oblivion soon enough.”
Emma blushed, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
“Killjoy,” Will teased his friend.
“Couldn’t we have a few minutes?” Emma pouted. She looked up at Alex with big, sad, puppy dog eyes.
“Don’t… don’t make that face at me,” he protested. Emma was like a younger sister to him. Everything he’d seen her go through endeared her to him. And just like a little sister, she was taking advantage of his softer side.
“Please?”
“Ugh… you’re horrible, you know that?” he threw his hands up in defeat. “Fine. You get five minutes. I’ll be over there.” Alex walked away, leaving them alone.
“I need you out of here,” Emma said, looking back at Will. “I understand you’re supposedly safer in here, but… I want you out of here.”
“You’re not a damsel anymore. You don’t need anyone.”
“Damn right, I’m no damsel. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t need people. I need you most of all. Will, to be honest… I was scared. So scared that you would hurt me again. That’s why the main reason I wouldn’t come back. It’s why I stayed away.”
“What about your amazing life in Lyncrest? Your job? Your father?”
“That life is incomplete. My dad is thriving and loves where he lives. I can see him whenever I want. And I can still work for Spencer no matter where I live. But Lizzie and I, we belong with you. And when all this is over, I’m coming back. I’m coming home.”
Will watched as they left the station. His best friend, and his girlfriend. Two generals in his army, fighting side by side to save him. It was more than he could hope for, more than he deserved. After the life he had lived, he never believed that people would ever be so good to him. But there must have been something he did to earn their loyalty. He needed to ensure he never stopped trying to earn it.