Chapter 11
With that one sentence, it snuffed out the last bit of sympathy from Amelia..
Amelia rang the doorbell of Room 701, and after a while, a faint voice came through the door: "...Who?"
Amelia said firmly, "Jessica, it's me. We've handled Jeff. Open the door."
After a series of squeaking sound of dragging the sofa, a crack was opened at the door, revealing the face of Jessica who seemed like as if she had survived an earthquake.
When she saw Amelia, Jessica was touched. After Jeff was at the door, she was hiding in the bathroom. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that it was inappropriate. Jessica felt bad for Amelia who left her husband and ran back to the apartment on her first night. Who knew what her mother-in-law might say to her.
With her swollen red eyes and tear marks on her face, Jessica said, "You shouldn't have come."
Amelia gave her best friend a warm smile. "I can never leave you behind."
Patrick took out a cigarette packet from his pocket, took one out and put it in his mouth. After lighting it and taking a deep breath, Patrick asked impatiently, "So, what about that rope?" Jessica nodded. "Yes. I'll get it right away!"
All of them worked together to tie Jeff up, Owen, who got Patrick's call, led the team up the stairs and shouted, "Freeze! Put your hand up!"
A shower of green dots swept through the crowd and finally landed on Patrick's forehead. Holding the gun, Owen was stunned and hurriedly raised his arm with his fist clenched. "Hold your fire!" "Hey brother," Patrick slowly raised his hand and said in no hurry and with no fear, "Help me."
Amelia was amused by Patrick's reaction. Looking at Jeff being tied up in the corner of the wall, it was all Patrick's doing and he still dared to "yell for help"?
Owen took off his explosive- proof mask and seemed agitated, "What's going on here?"
Before answering Patrick's call, Owen was having a good time with Nora. When he heard that his baby brother was in trouble, he jumped out of bed and geared up in his bedroom, leaving Nora there. To not alert their parents, Owen snuck out out of the house, summoned his team and called for ambulance. All those efforts were spent just to 'save' Patrick!
Patrick put his arm around Owen's shoulder with a smile, "What's wrong brother? Are you mad?"
"Are you kidding me? Do you want to scare me to death? If anything happens to you, I have to answer to mom and dad!"
Patrick chuckled, seemed to feel satisfied with the outcome.
Owen couldn't risk the possibility of his younger brother and sister-in-law getting hurt at all. He signalled his team and escorted Jeff, a suspected terrorist, to the police car downstairs.
"Let's move out!"
"Yes Sir!"
Owen's was ready to leave when Patrick caught up with him. "Hey, brother."
Owen's left foot was in an injury before, so it took him great efforts to turn around. He asked, "What now?"
"This man's a wife-hitter, keep an eye on him and educate him if you can." Patrick said.
Owen understood and said, "Got it."
Although he was technically abusing power, Owen had strong pulls in the force which could be very useful sometimes. For the Hoppers brothers, having power was to protect the weak.
The night was as dark. Patrick saw the police car leaving by looking through the small window by the stairs. After that, he asked the manager with his usual tone, "Does Jeff Adams live here for good or just a tenant?"
"A tenant. He is from the countryside. He has only started working here in the city for less than half a year. He likes to gamble and drinks when he has nothing to do. When he loses money, he goes home and find his wife."
Patrick had a quick thought and took out a pen and a cheque book from his jacket pocket. He neatly added a few zeros on it and said, "Do whatever it takes. Make him move."
It was not a problem when one could solve it with money. The manager gave him a smile so big as if
he found diamonds in a gold mine. He carefully put away the money. "You got it boss."
In Room 701.
Amelia warmed some milk for Jessica who was shocked from the experience. She turned around and walked out from the tiny kitchen, bringing the cup of milk to her best friend, who was curled up in a chair. Jessica reached out and took it. Her eyes were filled with gratitude. "Thanks for everything you guys did tonight. Amy, now that Jeff is gone, how about you just..."
Amelia knew exactly what Jessica was about to say. "Tonight, I'll stay with you."
Patrick had just wrapped up his plan with the property manager and stepped into the apartment. When he heard Amelia, his eyes darkened.
Jessica noticed the displeasure from Patrick and did not dare to take her offer. "No, you don't have to. Go back with your husband. It's not dangerous here anymore. And I'm a big girl now. You think I can't take care of myself?"
Patrick thought it was the greatest mercy to allow Amelia running around town on their wedding night. How could he let her to stay overnight somewhere else? Patrick commanded, "Amelia Ramsay, come home with me now."
Seeing Amelia did not react to Patrick's command, Jessica tried even harder to keep Amelia from staying, "I promise you. If there was anything, I'd definitely call you immediately. Is that okay?" Amelia nodded with reluctance. "...All right then."
The moon was calm as a lake, in the sky sparkling with stars. The neon lights on the streets spread to every corner of the Northville and finally covered the white sports car at the intersection of the red light. Inside the car, Patrick tapped the steering wheel with his slender fingers and suddenly said, "Amelia Ramsay, don't you think I deserve something from what I did today?"
Dozing off, Amelia was startled awake after hearing Patrick's words.
Look at Patrick sideways, his face was already right in front of him. This man was the embodiment of grace and elegance, and his eyes seemed to contain thousands of stars. When he looked at her, it seemed like he was staring at the love of his life.
"The love of his life?" Amelia thought she could only find that in Fantasyland.