Before They Were Fabulous

Aside from offering personal protection to the Way brothers, Edward also ran his own security company. He had many staff working for him, including trusted department managers who were as hands on with the business as he was. He much preferred it that way. The moment distance from the everyday workings was allowed to creep in to a security company, was the moment corruption began. This method, whilst not foolproof, kept a close watch on the dealings of all employees. The bulk of the day to day running of each department fell to each manager, but a monthly meeting kept Edward up to date, along with occasional ad hoc meetings when requested. Edward checked his watch; this meeting was in danger of overrunning. It was good in one respect and bad in another. The company had been especially busy of late, handling protection details for wealthy citizens. In addition to guarding the Ways, BLI also used Edward’s company for guarding consignments of medication, money transferred from reserves to banks or vice versa and even prisoner transfers.

Reports and potential problems being discussed around the table seemed to be taking an interminably long time and as he glanced at his watch, Edward noticed that it was already approaching two o’clock and there were still two managers left to provide their reports.

Edward wanted to check in with Frankie and Mikey to see how they were holding up. They were both intelligent and brave, he had already seen that in both of them. Equally, the pair were old for their years, but he still had to bear in mind that as mature as they were, they were still aged ten and eight and as such, this was a frightening situation for them.

As he looked towards his Protection Manager, Edward turned his head sharply at a loud rap on the door.

“Come in,” he shouted, holding up a hand to ask his manager to wait before giving his report.

One of the admin staff opened the door and hurried in. Edward noted the pale expression and the shake in his hand as he carried the note towards him.

“Lee?” Edward frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Mr Hamlin, sir,” he began in a fractured tone. “Exterminator Korse offers his apologies for the interruption but requests that you join him.”

Edward frowned and taking the note, read the contents quickly. Looking up again, he addressed his administrator.

“He wants me to join him in his office?” Edward asked, still confused as to Lee’s demeanour.
“No,” Korse’s voice boomed from the doorway, “I want you to come with me.”

Edward looked up, surprised to see that the exterminator had made a personal visit; it was highly unusual and Edward grew concerned. Had he found out about his involvement with Gerard’s disappearance? Perhaps that he knew Edward suspected that he had been the one to abduct Gerard? Whatever it was, he had to maintain his composure.

“What is it?” Edward closed his laptop and rose to his feet. “Have you found Gerard? Jakob?”
“No, but I believe you can help me get closer to some answers.”
“Me?” Edward frowned deeply. “In what way?” He asked trying to sound eager to help.
“Come with me, I’ll explain on the way.”

Korse signalled that Edward should follow him as he turned and left the office.

“Reg, Eva, we’ll pick this up tomorrow. Is that okay? Any major issues before then, talk to James.

Both managers nodded and Reg closed his file; it wasn’t urgent, just a wealthy museum owner looking for a bodyguard. It could wait a day.

*

He wasn’t sure they would grant him his request in case he were to either use the pencil as a weapon or the paper to leave a coded message on who had him, but Gerard was surprised when on waking the next morning, his hands were again untied and a small pencil and five sheets of paper lay by his mattress, alongside a cup of water and an open can of what could best be described as ‘something’. Sticking out through the still attached lid was a teaspoon.

Gerard sighed as he stared at the can. It was such a meagre offering by his standards, but here, in this camp, someone was going without a meal so that he could eat. He knew from what Jet had said that not only did they not eat three times a day, but they were lucky to eat three times a week. He felt a wash of guilt sweep over him; if they didn’t eat regularly then neither would he. Pushing himself to his feet, he picked up the can and headed to the door.

“Hey!” He cried, slapping his palm a few times on the solid wooden and metal door. “Jet!” He added, realising that his was the only name he knew.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Gerard left the can on a cabinet standing near the door and stepped back several feet until he was alongside the mattress again.

“What do you want?” A gruff voice asked through the door.

Gerard pulled his lips into a thin line. Of all the men he had met so far, this was the only one who had actually scared him.

“Please, open the door,” he began, not knowing quite what to say.
“What do you want?” Leech sighed impatiently.
“The food you left for me, I want to give it back to you,” Gerard replied.
“What?” The man snorted. “Not fancy enough for you? It’s all we’ve got, so it’s that or nothing.”
“I know,” Gerard replied quickly. “I’m not complaining! Jet told me that you were all giving up meals so that I can eat. I don’t want that. I don’t want to eat regularly if you can’t.”

There was a slight pause before Gerard heard the bolt being pushed back and the door opening slowly. Expecting to be rushed by the boy in another escape attempt, Leech was surprised to find him sitting on the mattress and staring up.

“I’m not trying to trick you. You’ve helped me get clean and all I’ve been is threatening and defiant. I want to make amends,” Gerard replied, looking down at the last few words, visibly shamed.
“I guess it wasn’t your fault,” Leech offered a half smile. “Kanslokal is a nasty drug, especially at your age.”
“You didn’t believe it was all down to that did you?” Gerard asked without judgement in his tone.

Leech chuckled and shook his head.

“Observant for a BLI stooge, aren’t you?”
“I guess I deserved that,” Gerard shrugged. “It’s true, I’m the face of BLI and it’s never occurred to me to wonder what my face was endorsing. I... I’m ashamed of myself.”

Leech frowned; if he was acting, it was convincing.

“Look, you’re thirteen, probably about the same age as Jet. You can’t be held responsible for what you’ve been dragged into by BLI.”
“No, I can be...”
“Kid, give yourself a break,” Leech interrupted.
“Okay, but if I go back and do nothing to help, then I am responsible. That’s why I wanted the paper,” he nodded to the small stack on the floor. “I’m going to write a list of what I need to get changed. Do you think you could help me? I only know about food, water and basic needs but I’m sure there’s so much more.”
“Are you serious?” Leech narrowed his eyes.
“You said you were sending me back to Battery City when I got clean. I have no reason to lie to you. I could just go back and never think of you again, but I’m in a position to make a difference and I want to use that.”

Leech nodded.

“He said you could make things happen,” he raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t believe him, but if you’re for real...”
“I am.” This time it was Gerard’s turn to interrupt.
“Well then,” Leech smiled. “I guess he was right then, wasn’t he?”
“It was Edward, wasn’t it?” Gerard asked. “The friend who brought me here.”
“You know I’m not going to answer that, right?” Leech tipped his head.
“Well, whoever it was,” Gerard answered knowingly, “he has honourable friends and I do really want to help.”
“Eat your breakfast,” Leech smiled.
“No, I...” Gerard stopped as his stomach growled.
“You need it more than I do,” Leech added, patting his belly. “Get your strength up, you’re going to need it if you want to change things.”

Gerard merely smiled and nodded in return and watched as Leech closed the door and barely even noticed as he bolted it. Picking up the pencil and paper, Gerard got to work.

*

Frankie couldn’t help it, he was crying. The cabinet had now reduced in size so much that he was unable to stand and he was huddled at the base, hugging his knees as the walls closed in and the floor space reduced in size once more. Looking at the space around him with alarm, he knew that he probably only had a couple more hours before the cabinet had shrunk so much that he would be unable to move at all. Thereafter, all it would do was crush him.

He had called out so much in the last hour that his voice was hoarse and the staleness of the air was causing him to feel lightheaded and dizzy. He had by now realised that the cabinet wasn’t airtight as Korse had threatened, but it seemed that air only managed to enter in any reasonable amount when the hydraulics moved the panels. As a result, the hot and cramped space was low in oxygen and unbearably high in carbon dioxide. He desperately tried to work out if he would pass out before he was crushed but his terrified and confused mind refused to work. Allowing his head to rest against the cabinet wall, he allowed his tears to flow freely down his cheeks, there was little else he could do.

*

“You really think Frankie knows something about Gerard’s disappearance?” Edward asked, trying hard to sound sceptical as Korse pulled into his space at BLI Headquarters.
“I do,” he replied simply. “And I want you to get it out of him.”

Edward nodded. He knew that either he had to invent something plausible to tell Korse or he would very likely kill the boy. Additionally, Edward couldn’t help but be aware that if Korse insisted on remaining for the interrogation, there was a very real danger of him realising that he too was involved.

“Where is he?” He asked.
“In my office.”
“Guarded, I assume?”

Korse laughed unpleasantly.

“No, he’s locked in a hydraulic cabinet that‘s programmed to decrease in size at regular intervals.”
Edward gasped with surprise. “He’s claustrophobic!”

Korse checked his watch and smiled slyly.

“I know,” he raised an eyebrow as he stared at Edward across the car. “Why else do you think I had it built? I’m certain you’ll find him quite ready to talk when we let him out.”

Edward swallowed, unable to find a reply. He knew Korse was ruthless but to deliberately terrify an eight-year-old boy? That was beyond anything he thought him capable of.

“Right,” he finally choked out. “I’ll interrogate him.”
“I’ll release him, but I have other things to do. I hope you will have something for me quite quickly. After all, he’s only eight. What sort of defence can he manage against an experienced interrogator such as yourself?”
“I’m sure he’ll tell me what I need to know.” Edward replied, trying hard to hide his disgust.
“Good,” Korse replied, once again opening the car door. “There is a draculoid outside my office, he’s expecting you and will release him for you.”
“Thank you.”

Edward headed briskly into the tall glass and concrete building and took the elevator to the S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W Unit. He had visited this floor many times. It always appeared clinical and efficient, but never before had it seemed barbarous. He doubted that he would ever see it the same way again.
Turning sharply into the corridor leading to Korse’s office, Edward all but ran the last few yards.

“Release the boy,” he demanded as he reached the draculoid standing outside.

Without a word and just with a short nod, the draculoid entered the office and walking slowly up to the cabinet, unlocked the door.

“Thank you,” Edward stared meaningfully at the draculoid. “I’ll take it from here.”
“Sir,” the man nodded, leaving immediately and closing the door behind him.

Opening the door, Edward was shocked to his core. Reaching inside to pull Frankie from his tiny prison, Edward pulled the shaking and almost hysterical boy close to him. At first, unable to see properly, Frankie fought him, terrified beyond reason.

“Frankie, Frankie, it’s me, Edward,” he spoke urgently but softly, trying to reach the boy to no avail.

Placing his arms around him and holding him firmly, but gently, it was a few minutes before Frankie stopped struggling. Not because he realised he was safe, but from sheer exhaustion. Only now as he hung limply in Edward’s arms as he knelt beside him, did he start to calm down. His tears slowed and were replaced by sniffles. Slowly realising who was with him, Frankie clung to Edward as firmly as Edward was holding him.

“E-Ed... Edward,” he stammered. “P-please help me.”

Notes

Hello lovely readers. Sorry for the long delay, but uni has gone into it’s mega-mega-busy stage and it’s running me ragged.

I hope you like the update! Thanks for reading :-D I really appreciate it!!

Sas xx