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CHAPTER THIRTY: THE BURDEN OF KNOWING.
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2024-12-11 20:24:41Related chapters
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: ROADS TO JUSTICE.
Jerry's entire body was tense, vibrating with an undercurrent of furious energy, a shadow of emotions that threatened to explode forth. His jaw was tightly held while looking at Fred. Every molecule in Jerry's body cried to be liberated, for his fist to smash down on Fred's smug face, but he held back and breathed through the blazing, molten anger that surged hot and rough within him.Jerry stepped closer to Fred, his voice low but sharp, each word slicing through the tense air like a blade. "Stick to our deal, and we won't have a problem," he said, his tone carrying an edge that left no room for argument. His piercing gaze bore into Fred's, making it clear he wasn't bluffing.As he turned to leave, Jerry's shoulder deliberately collided with Fred's in a move that was part warning, part challenge. The contact was firm and intentional, a physical punctuation to his words.Without a glance back, Jerry strode towards the door, purposeful and heavy with anger. He stormed out of the room
Last Updated : 2024-12-11BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: THE HOUR OF RECKONING.
As they curved into Hoover Street, the car began to slow, tires crunching softly over loose gravel. The neighborhood around was heavy with silence, an unsettling feel in contrast to the throbbing tension inside the vehicle.Jerry leaned forward, his sharp eyes scanning the identical facades of the apartments that lined the street like silent patrols.“There,” he said, his voice low and firm, as his finger pointed to a weathered brick building, ivy creeping stubbornly up its walls. “Here it is," Jerry added once again, quieter now, as if he was trying to keep it from waking the shadows behind the curtains of the apartment.The driver drove to a slow stop, the humming of the motor fading into the street's stillness. No one moved for a second. The air was heavy with silence inside the car, wrapped with a blanket of apprehension, as if every soul present was braced for what lay ahead."Everybody out! Now!" barked the sheriff, his voice sharp and commanding, slicing through the taut silenc
Last Updated : 2024-12-12BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: THE COMPELLED CONFESSION.
Mary’s hand moved slowly, a quick flick of her fingers behind her back, a silent command for the two women lingering in the doorway to run back. Her movements were smooth but deliberate, an act born out of instinct rather than conscious thought. Her mind raced as she locked eyes with the young officer standing before her, his stance firm, his gaze locked on her. She knew she was caught. The sinking feeling in her stomach confirmed it, a lead weight dragging her down. This wasn’t the first time Mary had flirted with trouble, but this… this felt different. She could sense the walls closing in. Her two friends, Rose and Sarah, hovered behind her, their faces a mix of confusion and concern. They didn’t yet understand the gravity of the situation. Mary could see it in their casual postures, in the way Sarah absently chewed her gum, and how Rose's arms were crossed as if this were some minor inconvenience. They don’t get it, Mary thought bitterly. But I do. “Go,” Mary mouthed silentl
Last Updated : 2024-12-12BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: TIES THAT BIND.
The air was thick with an unspoken tension, the faint hum of passing traffic punctuating the moment. Laura froze, her heart skipping a beat as her eyes met the gaze of Jack standing a few steps behind them. His presence was both startling and surreal, like a ghost from a dream she hadn’t expected to revisit.Her eyes remained glued to him.Jack stood a few paces behind them, his figure small yet impossibly striking against the muted backdrop of the city. His wide eyes held a strange intensity, their depths filled with recognition and something else, something unnameable. The faint smile on his lips was disarming, but it carried an undercurrent of vulnerability, as if he, too, was unsure of his place in this reunion.His presence was startling, almost surreal, like a phantom stepping out of her past. The memory of that chaotic day at the cafe resurfaced with vivid clarity: the angry mob, the boy’s terrified cries, and her own instinctive leap to shield him. Seeing Jack now, standing w
Last Updated : 2024-12-13BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: THE CALM BEFORE THE FURY.
Jerry carefully pushed the door open, the soft creak of the hinges betraying their arrival. He and Laura stepped into the room, but Mr. Tim remained utterly still. His fingers tapped a rhythm across the keys of his laptop, immersed in whatever absorbed his concentration. Not a glance acknowledged his visitors with his full concentration on the screen. The room hushed thickly, as if he could not notice them at all, with an unusual tension hanging above as Jerry and Laura stared at each other, waiting for what would come next.“Good… Good morning, Mr. Tim,” Jerry greeted in a low, measured tone, taking a step closer to the desk. His voice carried an edge of uncertainty, a subtle sign of the tension hanging in the air.“Good morning, sir,” Laura added, her words quieter but no less polite, as she followed Jerry closely behind. Her eyes briefly flickered over Mr. Tim, noting the cold detachment in his posture, and the palpable silence that filled the room. The weight of the moment pres
Last Updated : 2024-12-13BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: HEATED GROUNDS.
Laura's voice pitched high and furious, while she glared at the woman before her. "What are you doing here?" Her demand came, her body shaking with fury as she tightened her fists, signaling that she wouldn't hold back from fighting, controlling her emotions by some margin. Laura's patience had reached its limit; the boiling tension on her conscience pushed her to the edge. She no longer bothered about what would happen next, the decision to rise and retaliate was set in concrete. Her patience with all their fuss had expired, and now she was ready to fight back and put all the instigators back in their place.The woman standing before Laura was no stranger; she was one of Mary’s friends, someone they had encountered at the station earlier that day. Her presence now felt like an unwelcome intrusion.“What am I doing here? The real question is, what are you doing here, Laura?” She shot back, her tone dripping with arrogance. A smirk played on her lips as she raised her shoulders in a s
Last Updated : 2024-12-14BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: THREADS OF SCANDAL.
"Sarah knows Fred?" Jerry whispered to Laura, both shaking their heads in disbelief and disgust. The realization hung in the air, heavy and uncomfortable.Fred, noticing Sarah approaching him with eager steps, instinctively tried to create some distance, but it was futile.Sarah was already all over him, her hands touching him casually as if nothing were wrong. Fred's discomfort was evident, but his attempts to pull away were weak against her relentless advances. The scene was awkward, filled with tension, as Jerry and Laura watched, unable to look away from the unfolding mess. The drama seemed endless.“Baby! It’s me… Sarah! From the other night,” Sarah purred, twirling her hair with her fingers and biting her lips slowly in a provocative gesture. She then reached forward, pulling Fred’s tie slowly, causing him to stagger slightly. Nothing but tension could be seen as she leaned forward. "Sarah... what do you want?" Fred whispered, his voice tight with discomfort. He ran a hand thr
Last Updated : 2024-12-14BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: UNMASKING THE MONSTER.
Fred’s piercing glare locked onto Helen, sharp enough to cut through the tension hanging in the air. Each step he took toward her was deliberate, his presence imposing.“You see,” he began, his tone dripping with disdain, “the thing about you… poor, homeless people, is that you’re never grateful.”His voice was low, measured, yet brimming with contempt, each word aimed like a dagger. His eyes bore into her, unblinking, as if daring her to respond. The room seemed to shrink around them, suffocating from the weight of his scornful words. Helen held her ground, her fists clenched.“Step back, Fred!” Jerry’s voice was firm, cutting through the tension. He shifted slightly, positioning himself as a shield, signaling Helen to retreat behind him.Fred halted, a bitter smirk curling his lips. “Jerry… you,” he drawled, his tone mocking, “you’re always in my business.” He took a deliberate pause, letting the words hang in the air. “When do you plan on minding your own business in my home?”.Fre
Last Updated : 2024-12-15
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT: SCARS FROM THE PAST.
Laura's face lit up with a dazzling smile as she jumped toward the counter with her arms out. She embraced the man without hesitation, giving him the kind of warm embrace that only loyal pals receive. "Laura... With a tone full of sincere joy, the man said, "I'm so glad to see you again." After holding her for a little longer, he took a step back and glanced over her for a moment. "You now work here?".With a tiny tremble in her voice, she answered, "Yes… yes, I do." A shadow of uneasiness appeared on her face, and the radiance in her manner faded. "After the incident, you know”.Her voice trailed off, hardly more than a whisper. Unwanted memories returned, causing a pale flush to sweep over her face. It all came rushing back: the humiliation, the betrayal. Struggling to steady herself, she swallowed hard. The man knew the importance of what she had said because he had been a security guard at her previous job. He had attempted to alert her to the ruthless schemes of Mary and the ot
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN: THE SILENT WITNESS.
Maggie shifted uneasily as the shadowy figure drew closer, her heart rate increasing. Her eyes darted about the darkened walkway as her fingers fumbled with the hem of her coat. But she let out a loud breath as the person stepped out of the darkness. It was merely a kid. Fred narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, trying to see the approaching figure. He laughed as he realized who it was. "Oh!”. "You again," he said, with a hint of humor in his voice. Daniel, Laura's younger brother, was in front of them. The boy's little stature shifted from foot to foot, giving him a sheepish appearance. He obviously needed to go to the bathroom.Maggie exhaled a sigh of relief and relaxed her stiff shoulders. "This is the child Jack was referring to, right?”. “His new best friend?” Her tone was light but nevertheless tinged with frustration as she questioned. She folded her arms and stared at Daniel, who appeared to be wishing he were somewhere else.Fred studied Daniel with his arms folded and hi
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX: LOST IN THE WARDS.
Maggie felt like everything was falling apart around her. Under the thunderous boom of panic in her chest, the hospital's clean smell dissipated. Jack was not in bed. "Oh my God, Jack!”. She cried out, "Jack!" as her voice reverberated across the deserted ward. Her panicked eyes darted to every dark corner of the corridor as she ran out of the room. As she frantically looked for any indication of him, her heart sounded loudly in her ears. She hardly heard hurried footsteps until she ran into Fred, who was charging at her, his face white with haste."Fred - Fred!”. “He's not here!” Maggie sobbed as she gripped his arm shakily. Panic overcame her, and tears fell down her cheeks. Raw terror clawed at her throat, causing her voice to crack.Fred thought his chest had been cut by a knife. He felt a wave of panic as Maggie's words replayed in his mind. “What?”. “Where is Jack?” His voice trembled as he demanded. He didn't wait for an answer before running in the direction of the ward whe
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE: A HEART IN PIECES.
Maggie halted, her wide eyes taking in the scene before her, her shaking fists gripping the door frame. As she looked at Fred and Sarah in a state of unkempt anarchy, her heart felt like a stone. She had just gotten back from the hospital with a few necessities for herself and Jack, with plans to stop by the office to pick up her misplaced hoodie. She was broken by the scene she bumped into. She had just intended to speak with Fred privately to express her regret for her involvement in Jack's medical situation. She felt a great deal of guilt and wanted to make things right. Fred, however, had obviously hurried back to the office with a completely different goal in mind.Maggie's voice trembled as she asked, "Fred, how could you?" Her shock gave way to pure betrayal, and Fred fumbled, snatching on his shirt as he hurried toward her. "Maggie, wait, it's not what it looks like!" he stammered, desperation thick in his voice. Behind him, Sarah, panicked and flustered, tugged at her tigh
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR: DESIRE AND CHAOS.
There was a chill in the air as Linda walked closer and fixed Jack with her piercing, predatory eyes. Her presence was both dominating and unnerving, as if she had come specifically for him. Maggie automatically tightened her hold on Jack and positioned herself in front of him in a protective manner. She maintained a piercing, unblinking gaze on Linda. "What are you doing here?" Maggie gently shoved Jack behind her and requested in a forceful voice. Linda smiled mischievously and held out her hand. "Oh, do you remember me?" Her tone was full of sarcasm as she teased. The security guard in the vicinity watched the incident from a distance, his face displaying hesitation as he considered his next course of action."Yes, exactly”. “Tell me, what are you doing here?" Maggie retorted, her voice icy and full of controlled rage. The tension was broken by Linda's sarcastic tone as she leaned closer. "Give me a chance to introduce myself again”. “I am Linda Jones”. “One of the numerous wom
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE: AN OMEN OF CHAOS.
Fred froze, his thoughts whirling. How could Linda have predicted that he would be at Presbyterian Hospital at that precise moment? The microphone in the sheriff's car suddenly struck him. His eyes were fixed on Linda, and he felt a surge of rage, like she was taunting him. "What are you doing here?" As she drew closer, Fred made a crisp, authoritative demand. Linda's mouth curled into a cunning smile. "You're so rude all the time, Fred”. Her eyes never left his as she spoke in a low, derisive tone, "You really should change that attitude." Her confidence radiated threat as she leaned nonchalantly against his car."What are your plans, Linda?”. “Which game are you playing now?” Fred snarled and stood up, telling her to get away. Linda nodded slowly and deliberately as she chuckled softly. "My plans? She repeated, her voice brimming with sarcastic innocence, "My game?" She moved closer, putting a hand on his shoulder with measured audacity. Her unrelenting gaze ripped through him.
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO: TIDES OF CONFESSION.
The weight of Helen's confession created a tense mood in Laura's room. Helen stared at Laura's disbelieving expression as her voice faltered, just before she revealed the secret. The moment was cut short when a loud, authoritative voice roared from the doorway. "Helen!" Unmistakably forceful and booming, the voice echoed like a sudden thunderclap throughout the room. The astonished gaze of both women snapped to the door as they froze. Jerry was standing there, his massive body silhouetted against the hallway light. His tone left no space for debate as his piercing eyes flitted to Helen."Helen!” His voice brought no opposition, he commanded, "Come with me immediately." Under the pressure of Jerry's dominant presence, Helen faltered, her determination faltering. She glanced inquisitively at Laura, who had a confused and suspicious look on her face. Jerry's timing was perfect, or maybe premeditated. He had realized the seriousness of the situation and acted quickly, seeing Helen's re
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE: A STORM OF REVELATIONS.
Jerry stood motionless, unable to endure the oppressive quiet. He stared at Laura, her thin body quivering with tears streaming down her face. Her face was smeared with tears as she leaned heavily against the wall and stared at the phone that was resting menacingly on the table. Helen quickly rushed to Laura's side after realizing how serious the situation was. She softly clutched her hand, her voice quiet and comforting. "What's wrong, Laura?”. “ Are you acquainted with her?” As she drew Laura in closer, protecting her from the mounting tension in the room, Helen's worry was evident.As Laura's shaky fingers brushed her wet cheeks, her sobbing grew more intense. Her eyes slowly turned to Fred, and it was clear that she was hateful. She was unable to conceal the wave of disdain that washed over her. All the grief and betrayal memories from her previous employment returned, all of them related to women Fred had somehow crossed paths with.Laura's long-simmering anger towards Fred was
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY: SILENT CONFESSIONS.
Fred and Jerry looked at each other uneasily, the words that had been spoken hanging in the air. In an unsaid effort to cover up any tension that had crept into the room, both men quickly cleared their throats. As he scrambled for a way out, Fred muttered, "Yeah, um… Jerry," breaking the stillness. "You know, I forgot to call the doctor even though I said I would." With a vague motion of his hand, he hoped the topic shift would stick. Helen, however, didn't believe it. With her hands clasped together and her keen eyes darting between them, she leaned forward . Her piercing eyes glowed with suspicion, and they both writhed even more in silence.Helen had come to inquire simply if Fred and Jerry were ready to eat. However, their low voices and disjointed sentences stopped her cold as she got closer to the living room. She hovered behind the door, listening intently to every muttered detail, intrigued. That's how she learned about it. Fred and Jerry felt their spines tingle as Helen's
