Chapter 37 - The Unexpected Truth

Robert woke up early the next morning with the bedroom dimly lit by the rising sun.  While he laid there listening to the sound of birds stirring, he felt a heaviness pressing on him.  It was the same heaviness he’d been feeling since the night before when he and Georgie walked home from the party.

It was becoming clear to him now.  The longer he was in Chicago, the harder it was for him and Georgie to be around each other.  The strong bond they’d formed when they were trapped in the flat was still there even though their relationship was over, complicating what was already a difficult situation.  He’d been grateful when he realized they could be mates again, but time after time, their interactions were straying into areas friends didn’t normally go, and it wasn’t healthy.  They were never going to be a couple, and if they continued to cross that line, one – or both of them – were going to get hurt.

He pulled the pink floral quilt off him as he sat up with a sigh.  He was still exhausted after a restless night, but he was tired of lying in bed unable to sleep.  When he opened the bedroom door he was surprised Georgie wasn’t on the couch since it was so early, but all her bedding was still there.  He walked into the kitchen and found May alone, sitting at the table in front of her laptop.

“Good morning,” she said smiling up at him.

“Morning,” he said, heading to the tea kettle.

After he had his mug ready to be filled with boiling water, he went to get a bowl out of the cupboard for cereal.

“Oh, Robert,” May said, looking up from her laptop when she noticed what he was doing.  “Marianne is picking up bagels for breakfast on the way home from the farmer’s market, in case you’d like to wait to eat.”

“Oh, alright,” he said, putting the bowl back.

As he passed the kitchen table on the way back to the kettle, he happened to glance down at the newspaper that was lying near Marianne’s chair and did a double take when he saw one of the pictures.  He went back and picked it up to examine it more closely.

The picture showed an older, balding man who was wearing a suit and looking over his shoulder as he walked away.  He was smiling at the camera but his eyes were hard, and the smile seemed more of an angry grimace, as if he was upset his picture was being taken.  Robert could swear he knew the man, but from where?

The title under the picture read ‘Samuel LeBlanc, also known as Sammy the White’.  He was thinking he didn’t know anyone by that name while he studied the man’s face.

And then it hit him.

---Then---

Robert and the rest of his band mates had just returned to their flat and he was exhausted.  It was already after two a.m. on a Friday night and he’d been up since six that morning.  He’d worked all day with Joey at their house painting job, rushed back to their flat where they ate a quick meal, then packed the van with all their equipment and instruments so they could make it to the club in time for their show.

He wanted nothing more than to climb in bed but they had to unload the van first.  It was too risky to leave everything in it overnight when it could be stolen.  Everyone was tired and grumpy as they carried things into the flat, trying to be quiet so they didn’t wake the neighbors.  When they were finished, Robert realized something was missing.

“Where are the wires?” he asked loudly to no one in particular.

“What?” replied Lexie.

“Did the wires get left in the van?” he asked, turning to face the rest of them.

“No, I made sure it was empty before I locked up,” Joey said.

Robert felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.  All the wires they used to connect their instruments and microphones to the amps and equalizers were missing, and he knew who was to blame.

“Where are the fucking wires?” he said through his teeth as he glared at Josh, trying to keep from raising his voice.

“Dunno,” Josh said mildly with a shrug of his shoulders, seemingly unconcerned.

“That’s supposed to be your responsibility.”

“I told you I dunno!” Josh said angrily, as if Robert was the one at fault.  “I thought everything was loaded in the van!”

“Well, obviously you were wrong!  You need to go back to the club and get them!”

“Fuck that, Robbie!  I’m tired!” he whined in a belligerent way.  “They’re not fucking walking away, are they?  They’ll still be there in the morning!  I’ll get them when I get up!  But now I’m going to bed!”  And with that, he turned and went to the room he shared with Chris, slamming the door behind him.  It took every ounce of strength Robert had not to follow him and start punching him.

The rest of the band mates looked at Robert, waiting to see what he was going to do while he stood there seething.  What the hell could he do?  Josh slept till noon every day of the fucking week, only rolling out of bed just in time to make it to his part time job as a barista at a coffee shop.  Tomorrow would be no exception.

He couldn’t take the risk they’d lose those wires.  He couldn’t afford to replace the ones that were his and neither could any of the others, that is none of them except Josh.  The fucking wanker wasn’t just lazy and irresponsible, his parents gave him everything he ever wanted or needed, including the van they used to get to the shows.  If it weren’t for that fucking van, he would’ve been kicked out of the band ages ago.

“Right!  I’m going back to the club!” he growled through his teeth.

“I’ll go with you, Robbie,” Chris said quietly.

Robert considered refusing his offer.  He knew Chris had worked all day at his parents’ DIY shop and was just as tired as Robert, but it was going to take him nearly an hour to get to the club.  At least Chris could make sure he stayed awake so he didn’t crash the van and kill himself.  And he’d be perfect company, completely silent during the entire trip.

“Cheers, Chris.  Let’s go.”

“Uh, Robbie,” Lexie spoke up hesitantly, looking worried.  “D’you mind giving me a ride home on the way?  My parents, y’know?”  Lexie was only seventeen and his parents were nervous about him being in a band with older mates.  He usually stayed at the flat after shows but they always gave him grief about it, suspicious of what he’d been up to.

Robert suppressed the urge to sigh when he said, “Yeah, c’mon.”  It wasn’t exactly on the way, adding additional time to what was already shaping up to be a very long night.

When he finally parked the van in the club’s dark car park, Robert’s stomach sank.  It was nearly empty of cars and he knew the club was closed.  It looked like the lights might still be on and he hoped the owner was inside closing up.  Chris waited in the van and Robert walked up to the front door.  When he pulled the handle, the door opened, much to his relief.  He walked into the quiet club and suddenly stopped.

The owner was seated at a table with his back to Robert and an older man was seated opposite him.  The man looked distinctly out of place in the slightly seedy club, wearing an expensive suit.  Even though he was nearly bald, the hair he had was cut short and neatly groomed.  Standing behind him were three rather large men.  Robert got the distinct impression they were security of some type.  All four pair of eyes were immediately focused on him, and by the charged atmosphere, it was clear that Robert had just walked into a private meeting.

Fuck.  Could the night get any worse, he thought.  The last thing he needed was to anger the club owner.  They didn’t get enough bookings as it was.  The owner, realizing someone had walked in, quickly turned around.  He looked horrified when he saw Robert and jumped up, nearly knocking over his chair.

“Oh!  Robbie!  What are you doing here?” he gasped.

“I’m sorry, Richard.  I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Robert said quickly.  “Josh accidentally left our wires behind.  If you don’t mind, I’ll just get them and be off.”

Richard turned to the man who was seated at the table.  There was a moment of silence while the man looked at Robert, then he gave a slight nod and Richard turned back to Robert.

“Uh, yeah.  Sure, Robbie.  Sure,” he said nervously, and began herding Robert over to the stage area.

Robert quickly located the wires and immediately felt the anger at Josh boil over again.  They were coiled and ready to go, lying where Josh should have easily seen them.  That fucking wanker couldn’t be more irresponsible if he tried, Robert seethed as he picked up the large bundle while Richard hovered nervously.

While he walked towards the door, he looked at the wires, thinking of all the choice things he was going to say to Josh the next time he saw him.  He didn’t realize the man had gotten up from the table until he nearly walked into him.  He was blocking Robert’s path, with his three large security men standing behind him.  Robert was surprised by the hard expressions in each of the four men’s eyes.  Something about the way they were looking at him made him feel uneasy.

“I don’t believe I’ve had the honor,” the man said with a slight accent while he held his hand out to shake.  He was smiling, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.  Robert wasn’t certain but he thought the man was French.

“I’m, uh, Robbie,” he said as he shuffled the wires to one arm so he could shake the man’s hand.  The man’s grip was so firm it was almost painful.

“Robbie –?” he said, raising one eyebrow.

“Robbie Bennett,” he said, pulling his hand a little, trying to give the hint he wanted it back.

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Robbie Bennett,” the man said in an almost a monotone voice.

The way he said it sounded menacing, and Robert felt a prickling of fear.  He couldn’t help noticing the three men standing behind him seemed tensed, almost as if they were waiting for a signal.

He knew he should ask for the man’s name to be polite but he suddenly wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there.  He pulled harder to get the man to release his hand and to his relief, he let go.  There was another long moment of silence while he looked at Robert with a hard, calculating stare.  Then he raised his hand without taking his eyes off Robert and the three large men quickly stepped back.  After a hesitation, he stepped aside while continuing to hold Robert’s eyes, allowing him to pass.

Robert waited until he was out of the club before he let out a sigh of relief.  As he walked to the van, he couldn’t help looking over his shoulder to make sure no one had followed him out.  Once he put the wires in the back of the van, he got in the driver’s seat.  When he reached for the key, he realized his hand was shaking.

“You found the wires.  Good,” Chris said quietly.

“Yeah,” Robert said shakily, as he turned the key.

---Now---

That had been nearly a year ago and Robert had hardly thought about it since that night.  The only thing that had come out of it was they’d never been able to book a show in that club again, for which Robert had entirely blamed Josh.  He turned the newspaper over to read the article above the picture.

Suspected Drug Smugglers Vacation Plans Angers Lawmakers

Officials in the state of Florida loudly decried the vacation plans of Samuel LeBlanc, also known as Sammy the White, a French citizen currently residing in London, England.

“I don’t understand how a person like that could be allowed on U.S. soil,” said State’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi on Friday after it was learned Mr. LeBlanc planned to rent a seven thousand square foot private estate in Miami during the months of July and August at a reported cost of $20,000 a week.

“I’m deeply suspicious why he’s chosen to spend the summer in our state.  I want to assure the citizens of Florida, I intend to do everything within my power to make sure he doesn’t carry out any criminal activities while he’s here.”

Mr. LeBlanc was recently acquitted of drug smuggling charges in London in a highly suspicious unanimous jury verdict on December 24th, now commonly referred to as ‘The Early Christmas Present’.  He was charged with allegedly running a drug smuggling ring that brought heroin from Afghanistan through France and then distributed it to nightclubs and bars throughout the U.K. disguised as French wine.

The trial for Mr. LeBlanc lasted seven weeks but the deliberations were concluded after only two hours, leading many to suspect the jury had been tampered with, although no evidence was found to corroborate such a claim.

“It’s clear the Queen’s case was entirely without merit for the jury to come to their conclusion so quickly,” Mr. LeBlanc’s attorney proclaimed after his client was released, not long after the verdict was read.

“My client is a highly successful and honorable businessman and the charges against him were based purely on rumors and smears spread by his competitors.”

The notoriously private Mr. LeBlanc has given no statements on the matter.

Robert’s legs nearly gave out as he sat in his seat, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe as his mind reeled.  Could this be he reason he’d been kidnapped?  The facts were almost too coincidental.  He’d met the man having a meeting in a club.  He was French, and apparently a criminal.  The trial would have started not long after Robert disappeared.  And he’d been returned home a week after it was over.

Was he taken out of the country so he couldn’t give evidence in that trial?  The bastard and LeBlanc would have to be associates for it to make sense, but how hard was that to believe?  The sick bastard was a fucking criminal himself, Robert thought bitterly.  And once LeBlanc had been acquitted, they could release Robert without fear.  Even if he went to the authorities with what he’d seen, the man couldn’t be tried for drug smuggling again now that he’d already been acquitted of those same charges.

“I poured the water for you, Robert,” May said setting his mug in front of him.  “You must not have heard the whistle.”

“Uh – yeah.  Cheers, May,” Robert said, folding the paper up in a way to hide the picture and setting it back at Marianne’s place.  May sat down in her seat and resumed reading from her laptop.  Robert picked up his mug and blew on his tea, feeling sick with rage.

The course of his life had been altered forever because of this criminal and the fucking bastard.  He’d lost his band.  His chance at a music career had all but been destroyed.  He was still dealing with the effects of what had been done to him.  And what about what his family went through?  His mum had nearly died.  His family thought he’d died.  All to get him out of the way so he couldn’t testify at a trial that appeared to have been rigged from the very beginning.

That was the worst part about it, he thought bitterly.  It didn’t have to happen.  He never paid attention to the fucking news.  He didn’t know the man had been charged, or even heard anything about the acquittal.  If they’d just left him alone, he would’ve carried on with his life, ignorant of the whole thing.  His life had been ruined, and for nothing.

“Morning, May.  Morning, Robert,” Georgie said quietly, and Robert looked up as she walked in the kitchen wearing her fluffy pink dressing gown.  She looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes, her dark brown hair still slightly curly from the night before and messy from being slept on.

May took off her reading glasses and smiled, saying, “Good morning, sweetie,” as Georgie went to her to give her a hug and kiss.

“Were you able to get a little more sleep?” May asked gently.  Robert watched them as she rubbed Georgie’s back, the anger draining out of him.

“Yes, a little more,” Georgie said.

“That’s good.  Marianne is bringing bagels home.”

“Really?” Georgie said, smiling down at her.

“We thought that you’d like that.  She shouldn’t be long.”

“Good, I’m hungry,” Georgie said, and May let go of her so she could get her coffee.  Once she had her mug, she sat at the table and helped herself to cream and sugar while May asked her about the party.

Robert watched Georgie cheerily chatting about the friends she’d seen for the first time in years, a sense of peace settling over him as he realized he no longer cared why he’d been kidnapped.  Fate had put him in that prison with Georgie no matter what the criminals who’d taken him had intended.  He’d fought for her freedom and managed to rescue her from that hellish life.  Now she was safe at home, being cared for by people who loved her, no longer living in fear of being abused.  His kidnapping, and everything he’d gone through because of it, had been worth it for one very important reason – Georgie.

The back door opened and Marianne came in, carrying several plastic bags.  Robert and Georgie both got up to take them from her.  It wasn’t long before they were settled at the table, eating their breakfast while Marianne peppered Georgie and Robert with questions about the party, wanting to hear all the details.

When there was a lull in conversation, Robert asked, “Georgie, d’you want to go to a museum today?”  She looked at him with surprise.

“Oh, uh.  Yes.  That would be nice,” she said hesitantly.

“Which one d’you think we should go to?”  She looked even more surprised for a second before she managed to hide it.

“Uh, well – maybe we could go to the Field Museum – you know, the one with the dinosaurs.”

“That sounds good to me,” he said with a smile.

“Georgie.  Robert.  Marianne and I have a surprise for you,” May said, looking like she was trying to hold back a smile.  Robert glanced at Marianne.  She was grinning like mad.

“What is it?” Georgie asked bemusedly as she looked back and forth between the two women.

“If you two agree, there’s someplace special we’d like to take you – on a trip,” Marianne said.

“On Monday, we thought we could go to Niagara Falls,” May said excitedly.

“Really?” Georgie almost shouted, then she turned to beam at Robert.

“Is that – near here?” Robert asked with shock.  He’d heard of it, but he had no idea where it was.

“It's an eight hour drive, but we can easily do that in a day,” May said.

“Oh, Robert!  It’s so beautiful!” Georgie exclaimed.

“Have you been before, Georgie?” Marianne asked with surprise.

“Yes!  With my family!” she said, almost tearing up, and May reached over to take her hand.  “We thought we’d drive there on Monday, spend Tuesday there, and drive home Wednesday.  That will get us back in time for you to make your flight on Thursday, Robert.”

Hearing those words, immediately changed the atmosphere in the room.  Georgie slumped a little and dropped her eyes to her coffee mug.  Robert looked at his own mug the excitement he’d been feeling immediately replaced by the heaviness again.  He fought against it, aware of what it was.

After a moment of silence, May asked hesitantly, “So – do you two – want to go?”

Georgie looked up at Robert, her sad blue eyes, letting him know she wanted him to make the decision.

“Yeah!  Definitely!  That sounds fantastic!” he said to the two older women with a smile, trying to sound excited.  They looked relieved.

“What about you, Georgie?” May asked.  “Do you want to go too?”

“Yes!  Thank you!” she exclaimed with a convincing smile, quickly wiping her eyes as she stood up to give each of the women a hug and kiss.  Then she said without looking at any of them, “I’ll go get ready, Robert,” and quickly left with her head bowed.

After she was gone the older women looked at each other.

“I didn’t realize she’d been with her family,” Marianne said sadly.

“Me either,” May said, quietly.  “But I’m glad we’re going.  I think it’ll be good for her.”

Robert looked at his mug to avoid seeing the sadness in their eyes, fighting against the desolation that threatened to overwhelm him.

****

So maybe one of the biggest mysteries from Stolen Hearts has been solved.  And I think it's fitting that I reveal it in this chapter, uploaded on my one year Wattpad anniversery!

So were you surprised at the reason?  Has it left you feeling satisfied or are you disappointed?  It's my sincere hope it's the former.  Were you surprised by Robert's reaction?  And everyone is going to Niagara Falls right at the time when Robert and Georgie's feelings for each other are getting difficult to ignore.  What will happen on the trip?  Will they finally resolve things, or will Robert be able to resist?  Please let me know what you think.  And if you liked this chapter, please consider giving it a vote!

This chapter is dedicated to my dear friend @Cfunk3.  I can not say enough about how good her story, The Return is.  It's about a girl who is reborn every 18 years to live the exact same life surrounded by the exact same souls, until the day she's murdered.  Will she be able to alter the course of events and get to spend the rest of her life with her soulmate?  Add it to your library, you will not be disappointed!