Chapter 49

Alice and Roman were back from the forest. Alice is sitting on the couch worrying when Roman comes out of his bedroom. He tells her to at least eat something, he even ordered pizza. She tells him that she doesn't have an appetite. He reminds her that he promised Jacqueline would be ok, she tells him she trusts him but she's worried it's because of her that Jacqueline is in danger. She is worried that she may be cursed, and Roman tells her that it's not because of her, and she wonders if it's because of him, and he admits it could be a possibility. Alice tells Roman that she will call Richard to tell him he needs to finish the decryption tomorrow.

Hilton is at Jacqueline's house waiting for the phone call. He tries to get Jacqueline's mother to go to bed since the abductor will only call the last day.

While Phillip is driving he looks down at his arm at a scar. He complains that even while drinking Roman's blood, it can't take away his scar. He is determined to kill him and can't wait for his next chance.

Richard is working on the laptop at Alice house , when Roman asks how much longer it will take him. Richard tells him to relax because the 1st document is almost complete. He admits that it's harder than he initially thought it would be. The 1st document is finished and they are looking at the fake photo. Alice mentions that the original photo must be on the computer and Roman tells him to continue working on it.

Phillip is sitting at home when Detective Portman comes in, he offers him a beer and tells him to sit. Phillip tells him he must be suffering. Portman tells him that he has come for his money and then he's leaving. Phillip gets up and tells him that he still needs his money to save Jacqueline, and he turns around holding a gun. He tells him that he messed up the job and he expects payment. Portman tells him that he should have seen Phillip betraying him. He tells him that if he dies he has some files that will be sent to the cops and Roman. Portman reminds him that killing someone and framing another are both death sentences.

Portman have found out that Elon hired the assisine, then hiring the same one to kill Alice. We see the assassin setting the storage room on fire, Portman switching the car freshner, and finally the car chase where the car explodes. seeing Portman tampering with the assassin's files with the fake photo.

Phillip tells him that his confession will mean nothing since the cops need evidence to solve cases. Portman asks him if he remembers how he found the assassin in the first place.

Richard decrypts the 2nd file and it's the dash cam from the Phillip's car from the day of the accident. Alice doesn't understand why he didn't give the video to the police, and is really confused about everything. Roman tells Richard to get the last file decrypted.

Phillip realizes that he kept the video. Portman tells him that the police will be curious as to why he didn't hand it over after the accident. Phillip tells him that it's simple, he stole his event tracker and planted evidence to frame Elon, it still has nothing to do with him. Phillip tells him that he shouldn't have come back, Portman tells him it was only for his reward. Phillip offers either his bullet or police cuffs. Portman tells him that if he believes the video won't do anything, then how about the picture. Phillip tells him that the picture was destroyed there, and Portman asks him if he's sure.

At the villa murders, Portman was looking for the photo.When he finds it he messes up the house. Before he goes to see Phillip he takes a photo of the original photograph as a record. Phillip isn't happy about the news.

Alice complains that it's taking Richard too much time, he tells her that if she doesn't like it she could do it herself. She wines to Roman that Richard is bullying her and he should say something. He tells her that Richard is her assistant so why would he say anything. She winds up to hit him when he announces that he's finished. He pulls up the original picture and they all stare in confusion when they see Phillip in the photo.

Phillip reminds Portman that he hates when people threaten him and presses the gun into his jaw. Portman tells him that he hates death even more and what does he think would happen to him if Roman finds out.

Roman calls Phillip under the pretense of seeing if there has been any leads in the case to find Jacqueline. Richard then calls another number which allows Roman to hear the vibration while on the phone with Phillip. Richard and Roman hang up at the same time. Alice asked him who did he asks Richard to call and he admits that he asked him to call his enemy.

Phillip checks his phone once he is off the phone and recognized Richard's phone number. Portman promises to keep his secret, and Phillip tells him that Roman already knows and pulls the trigger.

Hilton is at his desk when Louis tells him that at the time that Jacqueline stepped off the elevator, someone on the 5th floor was receiving a courier package. Hilton is confused that she got off because she saw a courier. Louis assures him that he will be talking with the courier service that afternoon. He also tells him that they received a tax from the international police with the account number that paid the doctor. Hilton looks at the paper and then pulls out the paper that has the account number of the person who paid the research lab, and it's the same number. Hilton asks if he still can't get through to Bill, and Louis confirms that.

Bill finishes showering at the lab, and turns on the TV for some background noise. He hears about Jacqueline's abduction and calls Hilton right away. Hilton chastises him for not answering his phone earlier. Bill asks if there are any leads, and Hilton tells him no, since the abductor didn't call. Hilton confirms that he found out something unrelated. He tells him that Phillip is an imposter, and the same account that paid the doctor who faked the paternity test also funded the lab. Hilton tells him that the only logical conclusion is that Phillip is behind the abduction. Bill tells Hilton that 2 days ago he received blood from the dormant body and he had turned off his phone to continue his research. Hilton tells Bill that Jacqueline had sent him the sample and Phillip probably found out that she took a vial and abducted her. Bill tells Hilton that he has to call Alice, he asks why and Bill promises to tell him later, but for now he just needs to find evidence. Bill goes to his car, and realizes he forgot his keys and hails a cab.

Alice is pacing while looking at the picture while Roman stares at his juice. She said that his enemy was someone so close and stipulates that it must hurt. Roman tells her that because he was Jacqueline's fiancé he never suspected him. He also thought that the person who used his blood should be healthy, and since Phillip was so sick it never crossed his mind. He wonders what he was researching if not for his illness. he feels ashamed that he was so easily manipulated, he thinks back to one of the many misleading conversations he had with Phillip. Alice tells him that Elon did fit better to the profile rather than a philanthropist like Phillip. Roman thanks her for trying to make him feel better. Alice did wonder why he hired someone to kill her in a burning building. Roman tells her the purpose wasn't to kill her, but rather to distract him and think that she was the target for the car chase, and to lead him to the fake photo. Roman jokes and tells her that looking back the banquet was held in her honour. She reminds him that had he come 1 minute later should would have been able to smell her own burning flesh. She suddenly asks Roman how he knew the person in the photo was Elon, and he tells her it was because of the press conference that she shared. Alice realizes that she was one of Phillip's chess pieces because he asked her to post it. Phillip goes to tell Roman to pluck off his head when he catches him but he finishes her sentence because Richard already told him the same thing.

Bill calls Alice and tells her that he's coming over and about 15 minutes away. Alice tries to get Roman to leave and he refuses because he didn't do anything wrong. She tells him that it's because she's afraid of a fight and Roman assures her that he can take him. She tells him that she is more afraid that he'll kill him. Roman asks why Bill is coming over and she tells him she's not sure but he said something about knowing who kidnapped Jacqueline and wants to talk. Roman wonders if Phillip actually abducted Jacqueline, and he realizes that it's a very bad thing. He realizes that if Bill knows his identity than maybe he's figured out Phillip as well.

The driver of the cab asks Bill if he's done anything, and he tells him no and then asks him why. the cab driver tells him that a silver van has been following him. Bill tells him that he's just scaring himself. Finally the cab pulls over and asks him to leave because he's worried about the van. He agrees and gets out. Sure enough the silver van stops and 2 men get out. Bill runs and uses his surroundings to get away for a bit, however he finally gets cornered. He's preparing for his death when Roman comes in and saves him, and looks good while doing it. Bill thanks him for saving him.

Bill arrives to Alice house with Hilton, which surprises her. She tells him that she sent Roman to pick him up, and asked if he passed him. Bill tells her he did meet with Roman but then met up with Hilton after that. Hilton asks Alice if what Bill is telling her is accurate, but she doesn't speak up. Bill tells him that had he come earlier he would have seen a monster in person, he quickly back tracks and uses Roman's name after Alice glares at him. Hilton asks her to say something, but she tells him she has nothing to say. Bill explains that he knows who drained his blood 100 years ago and who also kidnapped Jacqueline. Alice tells them that they just found out about that.

Roman goes to Phillip's apartment and knocks, there is no answer. He gets into his apartment via the balcony. He looks around and finds the secret door and switch. He opens it and walks inside finding a fridge that once held his blood and an empty vial. He takes a little blood and his memories return to him.

He's at home reading when he hear people running from the military huddled up against his door. The mother is telling the son to go on without her. Before the pair gets to a decision Roman opens the doors and brings them in before the soldier see them. He show them to his backyard when 10 families are already staying and a room is being cleared for them. He advises them that their rent will be taken out of their salary. They went to thank him but he tells him not to because Roman was the one to bring them and he has an excellent judge of character. Since the mother is excellent at cooking and her son Lucas can help out at the shop as an errand boy. Lucas looks to where Roman had just been standing and he was already gone.

flashback
Roman, Lucas, and Lucas mother had a very good relationship for many years. When Lucas mother asks where Roman's family is, he admits that they past away long ago. Lucas mother complains that family is very important, but thanks to him they are still alive. Lucas tells Roman that he will meet his servant forever, and when he asks what will happen when he has a wife, he tells him he'll ask her to also be his servant. Lucas mother tells Roman if there is ever anything that he needs in the future he should just tell them.

For 10 years Roman watched Lucas grow up, and his mother grow older. They were all together when he bought his first camera. Lucas said that he had heard that cameras capture the soul, his mother tells him that Roman told them it only captures a picture, and he wouldn't hurt them. Lucas asks how long a picture would last, and Roman tells him that if properly cared for it could lasts for more than a hundred years.

Suddenly Lucas mother contracts tuberculosis and the doctor tells him there isn't anything they can do. Lucas tries to beg him to get help from his American friends and he tells him that TB is very hard to cure. He tells him that it's best just to make his mother comfortable.

Back to present
Roman arrived back at Alice house while Hilton and Bill are still there