Chapter 33

Derek received a message on his phone. He took it out and saw a message from Owen.

'Per your request, Young Quinton, everyone has been captured and are now at that abandoned construction site. I've sent Hector to pick you up at the Quinton Tower.'

Derek texted back 'Understood Owen. I'll see you there.' Derek then sent his own to Desmond, informing Desmond the meeting location.

By the time Desmond saw the message on his phone, he had already admitted Wayne to the hospital and settled the necessary paperwork.

Upon seeing Derek's message, Desmond then went back into Derek's Mercedes and drove off.

Amanda, having seen Jocelyn's message, went to Jocelyn's apartment, three levels below her penthouse, to keep Jocelyn and Kimberly company.

Derek arrived at the abandoned construction site, where Owen was waiting.

"Hi Owen. Thanks for your help." greeted Derek.

"Is there anyone else we are waiting for, Young Quinton?" asked Owen.

"Yes. Desmond is on his way." replied Derek.

Five minutes later, Desmond arrived at the construction site.

"Shall we?" said Owen.

"Let's do this." said Desmond, and all three entered the construction site.

Inside one of the cold empty rooms of the abandoned site, they saw all the gang members on their knees, in a single line. blindfolded and gagged.

"Remove their blindfolds." ordered Derek.

Owen's team of security did as instructed. A momentary searing light blinded the gang members; but they slowly regained their sight and saw three men standing in front of them.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHY ARE WE HERE?" shouted one of the gang members.

"Hey douchebags, do you remember me?" said Desmond as he stepped in front of Owen and Derek.

"Who the hell are you?" asked the same gang member.

"Wait. I recognize you." said gang member number 2. "You are the loser who tried to demand compensation from our boss. You have a death wish don't you?!? You better release us!"

Desmond went to the second gang member and gave him a cold hard punch to the face.

"Owww! You b******! You dare to punch me!"

"Would you like another?" said Desmond, still seething.

"Easy brother. We want them alive." Derek was trying to calm Desmond down.

"Oh ho ho, just wait till our boss hears about this! He will pay us big money to kill all three of you!" said a third gang member.

"Are you sure about that? From what I heard, your boss has not been paying you since he hired you." said Owen.

"What are you talking about? Our boss paid us really well!" said gang member 3.

"Oh really? Have you checked your accounts lately?" said Owen, before opening his laptop and showing the gang member his screen.

All the gang members took a look and their eyes widened in an instant.

"As you can see, your boss has been deceiving you. Our tech team was able to access your boss's account. You say he has paid you well but it's clear he has not even made a single payment to any of you." explained Owen.

"I wonder, how is it that you are unaware that your boss has not been paying you. Are you all tech cavemen or are you idiots?" said Derek.

"Well? Are you not going to answer my boss?" demanded Desmond.

"We are idiots." said the first gang member.

"I can't believe it. We've been lied to all this time." said the second gang member.

"Sir, we are a small gang trying to survive in a cutthroat city like Townsville. When our boss approached us and promised us higher and more stable wages than what we were previously paid, we took the offer." explained the third gang member.

"You know, I almost wanted to call you a bunch of losers....but I understand. That fat b****** can be very slick and convincing." said Desmond.

"Have you heard of the Quinton Consortium?" asked Derek.

"Yes we have. It's the biggest company in Townsville." said the first gang member.

"We all work for the Quinton Consortium. In fact, we hold high positions there. If you really want to survive out here in Townsville, in fact, if you want to really get paid and thrive, we can help you." said Owen.

"You boys are still young. You have your whole lives ahead of you. To throw all of you in jail will be a waste of youth." said Derek.

"All you have to do is pledge your allegience to us and the Quinton Consortium." said Desmond.

"So...what do you say?" Owen glared at the gang.

The gang members all looked at one another initially. Within thirty seconds, their minds were made up.

"On behalf of all of us, we accept your offer. We now serve the Quinton Consortium." said the first gang member.

"Wise choice, boys." said Derek.

"We do have a small problem. How do we tell our now ex-boss that we no longer serve him?" the second member asked.

"I have an idea." replied Derek. He then whispered to Owen, "We'll need to get my dad involved on this one."

"How so?" asked Owen.

"Listen carefully." said Derek.