Chapter 9 - Who Else Know?

Kent saw me running back to my car, and instantly he was prompted to ask me, "What's going on, Adam?"

"My wife has been kidnapped," I replied, my heart weighed down with sorrow on an epic scale. That was the last thing I said to Kent before my head became so light it felt as though it could fly off my shoulders.

I stepped on the gas as if I were on my way to meet my demise, my sole focus being getting home. I knew all too well that getting home was my topmost priority at that moment. It wasn't until Kent told me to ease up on the gas that I became aware he was in the car with me.

Confused, I asked, "What?"

"You are of no use to your wife if you're dead," he replied.

I was surprised to find him in my car. "Where are you going?" I asked.

"To your house with you," he replied.

"But why?" I asked through tears.

"I cannot leave you like this. If I cannot do anything against Hendricks, at least I should be able to help you with this," he replied, adding a glimmer of hope inside me.

Upon arrival at my house, Kent found himself unable to enter, prompting me to invite him inside. Upon seeing Becky, I couldn't help but cry as blood covered her face due to an injury. Kent, catching sight of the blood, felt his hunger for it suddenly ignite. In order to prevent further harm to Becky, he hurried out to the front porch to quell his bloodlust.

Once he left, I gently carried Becky, though too injured to speak, she managed to convey what happened. "Some people with covered faces came, we tried to stop them but they overwhelmed us. They took your wife, I'm sorry, sir," she said, her strength waning.

"It's okay, Becky," I reassured her, though my eagerness to find my wife was palpable. I tended to Becky's wounds and settled her in bed before stepping outside to find Kent cooling off.

"Any news about your wife?" he asked with concern.

"All she could tell me was that masked individuals kidnapped her," I replied, frustration evident.

"That doesn't give us much to go on," Kent remarked. "We need concrete leads."

"I'm convinced it was Hendricks," I declared angrily. "He's selfish and ruthless enough to do something like this."

"But what if it wasn't him?" Kent countered.

"No one else has a motive like his," I insisted confidently. "I'm heading to Hendricks' house."

"Are you sure about this?" Kent inquired.

"Absolutely," I replied, resolved in my decision.

"As for what I'll do when I get there, I'm not entirely sure yet," I admitted. 

"I know you well enough to know there's no talking you out of this," Kent remarked, concern etched in his voice. "Just be careful."

"I will," I reassured him.

Kent then left to scour the streets for any news while I set out once more, consumed by thoughts of rescuing my wife. I knew the stakes were high, facing off against a centuries-old vampire, but I pressed on regardless.

Upon locating Hendricks' abode, I confronted him. He greeted me with mocking applause, implying my failure. "Well done, Adam. I never thought you'd deliver your wife, but seeing you now tells me otherwise," he taunted.

His words cut deep, suggesting my wife wasn't in his possession. "Where is my wife, Hendricks?" I demanded, anger coursing through me.

Confused, Hendricks feigned innocence. "What wife? What's going on?" he asked, his tone betraying his ignorance.

"My wife was kidnapped today, and I'm certain you're responsible," I cried out, desperation evident in my voice. "Give her back to me!"

"What's this nonsense you're spouting, Adam? Trying to play smart with me?" Hendricks retorted angrily. "You're avoiding paying your debt, so you concocted this lie. You'll pay me what you owe."

"My wife has been kidnapped, and I know you're behind it," I accused once more, unwavering.

"Listen, Adam, I don't know what game you're playing, but if your wife was truly kidnapped, it wasn't me. Why would I kidnap something that's the reward for helping you?" Hendricks countered, genuine confusion in his voice.

Despite my dislike for Hendricks, I sensed sincerity in his words.

"If you're not responsible, then who is?" I pressed.

Hendricks remained indifferent to my wife's plight, his expression one of displeasure. "Who else knows about this?" he inquired.

"No one, except my house help and Kent," I replied. "And my house help was the one who called when it happened. She was severely injured. It couldn't have been Kent either, as he was with me the whole time. He even accompanied me to my house to see if he could help."

"I'm 1000 percent sure one of them kidnapped your wife," Hendricks insisted. "You may not want to believe it, but one of them has betrayed your trust."

"Do what you must to get your wife back, but remember, I will collect what you owe me. Whether you run or hide, I'll find you. Caroline is mine," he declared coldly.

Feeling lost and betrayed, I realized Hendricks wasn't responsible for my wife's abduction. Unsure of what to do next, I decided to seek out Kent for any updates on the situation.

Arriving at Kent's location, I found he hadn't arrived yet. Desperate for his assistan

ce, I attempted to lure him with the blood bag as usual, but he didn't show up.