Forensics teams and police detectives swarmed Robert Stewart’s estate. Press cameras and several media outlets had been shown up and started to set up camp in the streets. Neighbors peered out of windows and leaned over fences to get a glimpse of the body as it was removed from the house. Mayhem and chaos were alive and well.
Robert’s death was staged to look like a suicide. Cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head. Blood pooled from the wound and stained the dark, mahogany table. It dripped to the floor and settled into the plush white carpet. Photos of the study were taken. It captured the gruesome scene. There was more blood on the walls, consistent with the gunshot wound. Captain Whitlock took charge of the scene and did his best to make sure that no evidence was compromised. “So, what do you think?” He asked one of the detectives.“I can see why it would be a suicide. Essentially the whole damn world wasSabrina had peeked on her friends and witnessed an intimate moment and a budding romance.“Oooo,” she said to herself. “My girls are snatching up their boys!” She jumped up and down in conspiratorial glee. She felt like she was back in high school helping her friends hook up with their crushes. Knowing they would probably murder her in her sleep if she interrupted them, she decided it would be a good time to call her own man.“Hey baby,” she greeted him. “Things seem to be heating up around here. Jess and Spencer are talking. Like talking, talking. And Will and Emma, I totally saw them making out! Can you believe it? Love is in the air around here! Maybe we’ll be able to go on a triple date soon! Isn’t it great?” she gushed.“Yeah, that awesome.” Alex’s response was short and dry.“What’s wrong?” she asked.
The station was a chaotic symphony. To the untrained eye, it appeared to be a directionless discord of people running in panicked circles. But it was coordinated madness. Everyone had their specific instructions. And the common goal was to find out what happened to Robert Stewart and put an end to the nightmare.Captain Whitlock and the forensics team rushed into the station where the IT analyst was waiting for them. The rest of them split of to continue their various tasks.“Where is Mario?” Captain Whitlock shouted over the din.“In here, Captain,” he called out.“Good to see you, Mario,” Captain Whitlock greeted him with a quick handshake. Mario Arnaz was a young, brilliant IT analyst. If there was anything of worth on that drive, he would find it.“Good to see you too, sir. On the phone you mentioned something about a USB drive?”“Yes, here it is.”
The longest day of their lives had finally ended and everyone was finally able to get some much needed sleep. Their bodies, heavy with the weight of exhaustion, found rest wherever they could. Sabrina had gone home; Alex having sent a car for her as promised. She let them all know that she would be back in the morning. Spencer had knocked out in Jess’s room. Their conversation had carried them late into the night. She had asked the nurse for some kind of sleep aid. After her ordeal, she feared fitful slumber would be hard to come by for a while.“To keep the nightmares I’m sure will come away,” Jess explained with a sad smile after the nurse left the room.“I…,” Spencer didn’t know what to say. He could see the haunted look in Jess’s eyes. It was something he would never forget. “I’m sorry.”“I’m expecting some kind of social worker or something to come a
Dreamless, blissful sleep was disrupted by a gentle shaking. Emma was disoriented and groggy but rested. It was a sensation her body had forgotten, and she internally cursed whoever robbed her of it. She expected to see Will and was prepared to give him an earful. But was Jess who was at her bedside. She was perched in a wheelchair.“Hey,” Emma greeted, her earlier anger forgotten. She rubbed the heave sleep from her eyes and pushed herself up.“Hey. Did they give you something to help you sleep?”“Yes. Will insisted. I’m kind of glad for it, though. I don’t think I would have slept otherwise.”“Of course, you thought you’d be able to power through,” Jess rolled her eyes, but smiled. “You can’t be strong all the time. It’s okay to admit when you need help, you know.”“I…” Emma didn’t know wh
The trip from the hospital started was thick with silence. Will wanted to pretend he was okay with her going back there, but inside he was fuming. As far as he saw it, there was no reason for her to go back. She belonged back in the city with him. If she didn’t want to live him, fine. He could get an apartment for her and Lizzie to live in. But to be honest, he didn’t like that either. And there wasn’t any reason for her to continue to work for Spencer. Or anywhere. He could provide and take care of her. All of their needs would be met, and Lizzie would never want for anything. He made more than enough money to assure that Emma’s every desire was catered to. When Lizzie grew up, she would have the finest of everything. But she refused him. Emma wanted to continue to live her life away from him and then in the same breath tell him she wanted to be with him. It didn’t make any sense at all. Why couldn’t she understand what he
Lizzie was safely strapped into her car seat and ready for the drive back to Lyncrest. She babbled and cooed in the backseat while Will drove. For a few moments, they were a family going for a car ride.Will reveled in the simplicity of it. There was no drama, no fighting.Walking into the apartment was surreal. It was frozen in time, untouched by the events of the last 48 hours. It was its own sanctuary waiting for them. Will thought of his apartment across the hall and wondered if it too was frozen.“You can stay here tonight, if you’d like,” Emma offered after putting Lizzie to bed. She suddenly felt very shy. This was new territory for both of them and neither knew what to do.“Um,” Will rubbed the back of his neck. What the hell was this? Why did he feel so awkward? Any other time he would have snatched her up and thrown everything off of the kitchen table and had his way with her. But n
Emma was feeding Lizzie when Will walked back out her room, freshly showered. None of his clothes were at her apartment, so he wore only a towel, wrapped low on his hips.“Oh my,” Emma said at the sight of him. “You, um… want to put something on?”“No,” he smirked at her reaction. “Not if you’re going to look at me like that.” He walked over to her and kissed her neck.“You need to stop,” she warned. “I’m feeding our daughter.”“I just kissed you,” he feigned innocence. “Fine. I’ll go across the hall and change.”“Like that? What if someone sees you?”“Then they can enjoy the view,” he winked and walked out.“Oh my God,” Emma whispered as a furious blush spread across her face. Lizzie finished her bottle. Emma placed her in her little bouncy chair, and
As much as he hated it, Will had to go back to the city. After everything that happened, Stewart Industries was in chaos. He needed to go and begin to put his company back together again. But before then, he had to go check what was in that safety deposit box.“I can go with you,” Emma offered. Her arms were wrapped around him, and her face was pressed into his chest.“I’d love that,” he said as held her. “But I have to do this alone. And I’ll be going to the office right after. I won’t be around at all. I’ll come back and spend the weekend with you, though.”“Promise?” she looked up at him. Will lowered his head toward placing a long kiss on her lips. Ever since they’d admitted their love for each other, he’d been so affectionate. It was as though he’d been trapped, and the admission of his feelings set him free. He caressed and kissed her at e
Six months later “Stewart Industries Landmark building construction was completed today. The twenty-story building boasts retail, commercial, and event space. The impressive building has already become a hallmark of the city with a silver tower as its crown. Glass windows glisten in the sun. And anyone in the city can enjoy the gorgeous public park that surrounds it. It is a gorgeous and shining collaboration of the best and freshest minds in the city. William Stewart has named the structure, ‘The Conrad Tower,’ in honor of his beloved late grandfather. The city awaits now for the building to open and for all the new opportunities it will create. This has been Susanne Winters for Channel 16 news.” They all cheered and toasted the completion of the building, gathered around Will and Emma’s living room. “Here’s to The Conrad Tower!” Will raised his glass. “And to all the people that helped make it possible! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you all. Thank you.” They raised
The high from the success of the show had worn off, and Will felt himself spiraling. His pulse quickened; a sheen of cold sweat sprouted on his forehead. He held it together the best he could while around others. But alone, with nothing but his memories to accompany him… it was always the worst.As he arrived home and prepared himself for another lonely night, he was greeted by something unexpected. A large truck was parked in front of his home. Men moved in and out of it, bringing things inside.“…The fuck?” he muttered as he parked his car. “Excuse me,” he called out to them. “This is my home. What are you doing here?”“I hired them,” a voice said from the doorway of the house. He looked over towards the familiar voice, not daring to believe it. But there she was, bathed in the light from inside the house. “Hi, Will. I’m sorry if I startled you, but I w
Their days were filled with appointments. Every time they turned around, there was somewhere to be. Will had been discharged and had the company to take care of. With the building finally underway, Stewart Industries was thriving again. It was a rare moment that he got time to himself. And even when he did, everyone else was busy with their own hectic lives. Will floated around his giant, empty home. He went to work, came home, did his physical therapy exercises, and went to sleep. Alone. He found, in recent days, that alone was not a good place for him to be. Nightmares plagued his sleep, and he jumped at the slightest noises. Monsters had moved from under the bed and in the shadows to inside his mind.He hated it.Emma hadn’t been able to make good on her promise to move back. Things were hectic, and no one had time for anyone anymore. It had been almost two weeks before he saw anyone. They all called and messaged each other, but it wasn&rs
Will’s recovery was slow. The doctors had informed him that taking that bullet as such close range did a lot of damage, but it was the reason he wasn’t dead as nothing major was hit. He wasn’t out of the woods yet and would need a good round of physical therapy. The medical staff agreed that he needed to stay in the hospital for at least a week so they could monitor him. Emma and Alex fussed over him, making sure he listened and did everything according to the doctor’s orders.On the fourth day, he was restless and just wanted to leave. Alex was in the room with him, telling him off for not listening.“You’re being a brat,” Alex scolded him.“I just want to get out of this bed,” Will whined.“Try getting out again, and I’ll break both your legs.”“How very Mafia of you,” Will smirked.“Shut up,” Alex swatted at
Chaos exploded around them. Shouts and screams filled the air as Captain Whitlock ordered that Ghost be apprehended and an ambulance be called. Ghost dropped his gun and raised his hand in surrender as his fantasy came to life right before his eyes.“Beautiful!” he said over the din. “It’s more beautiful than I could ever imagine.”“Shut up,” Captain Whitlock spat as he wrenched Ghost’s hands behind his back. “You’re going to go away for a very long time. They may even make a case for the death penalty against you.”“I hope they do,” he said with a contented sigh. “I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do.”“Take this vile piece of shit. And read him his rights. This arrest needs to be perfect. I swear if this fucker gets out on a technicality, I’ll fire the lot of you!”An officer took Ghost a
Will turned around and the world moved in slow motion around him. About ten feet away from them, there he stood. Ghost. Denis. The man responsible for all the pitfalls in his life stood ten feet away from them, the sunlight glinting off the barrel of an ornate silver gun. How could he have been so careless?“Surprise,” Ghost sang.“How…” Will began to ask.“How did I get so close?” Ghost finished. “Without anyone noticing. Hmm…” he used the gun to scratch his temple for a moment and then pointed it back at them. “I’m the monster in the dark. The one under your bed. The one your parents warn you about. Oh wait… your parents wouldn’t warn you about anything. They’ve been trying to sacrifice you to the darkness for years,” he said with feigned contrition.“What do you want?” Will asked. His eyes darted around, looking for
They really thought they were smart, huh? They thought he would fall for their little traps. However, he couldn’t deny that they had presented him with the perfect opportunity. Will was serving himself on a silver platter. It would be so easy to just take care of him then. His ultimate fantasy could play out the way he’d always dreamt of. The very public murder of William Stewart was just something he couldn’t pass up.What reason was there even to hide anymore? They had revealed his identity. Everyone knew who he was. So, what purpose did the shadows serve him anymore? Perhaps it was time to come out into the light and end this charade. His last card against Will had been used up. He’d run out of games.“Let’s play,” he chuckled, loading his gun. “No plans. No backups. This is it.” His heart raced with elation as he envisioned a bullet ripping through Will. Hearing his loved ones cry as his body crump
The interview was a smash. The city was on high alert, and Ghost’s name was on everyone lips. The few times Sabrina went out, it’s all she could hear anyone talk about. She couldn’t help but feel a little proud. Captain Whitlock received dozens of calls and tips. Many people said how they knew Denis, and how there was no way he could be Ghost.Others said that they’re surprised they never saw the signs. Some offered clues and places that Denis used to frequent. He traipsed the city, following these clues. Most led to nothing. Just traces of an old that Ghost himself probably wouldn’t recognize. But there was one call…“Um… hi. Is this Captain Whitlock?” It was hesitant man’s voice.“Yes, how can I help you?”“I’m calling about Denis Ratcliffe.”Captain Whitlock received so many of these calls he was numb to them.
Will let the water wash over him as he tried to steady his frenzied heartbeat. The truth was that they were terrified. For Ghost to be so brazen as to just waltz into the police station and open fire did not bode well for any one of them. It was clear that Ghost was just as ready to end this as they were. He leaned his forehead against the cold tile, letting the rhythmic beating of the water of against his back soothe him.Soon enough, a shower wouldn’t be such an event. At least not the ones he took alone, anyway. Steam rolled off of skin as he emerged from the shower. Emma had laid out some clothes for him. Just a white t-shirt a pair of gray sweatpants. He laughed. Now that he was free and clean, he wanted to hold his baby.He went downstairs, back to the dining room where everyone was gathered.“Where is Lizzie?” he asked.“Right here,” Emma said. She stood behind him, holding a