Burning Passion

CHAPTER 144: SAVING NIKKI (Seventeen) and the Past

"SPECIAL CHAPTER EDITION: ENCOUNTERS" 

* * * 

Theo squeezes her hand before they get out of the car. Nikki heaves sigh before she takes a first step toward the bureau. She was nervous. But Theo's hand clasping hers, it calms down her shivering body.

She looked up at him, he who quickly smiled warmly. His eyes tell her that everything will be alright. She should have courage because she was not alone.

Inside the bureau, it was Jeremy and Theo who talked to the assigned officers for Sexual Abuse cases.

Nikki shares why she visits the cemetery, but she's having a hard time detailing the part when Jonathan's brother arrives and accuses her, then starts attacking her in which Theo who listens wants to run outside and search for this man to beat up.

"Can you give me the name of this man?" the officer asked Nikki. 

However, Nikki is troubled in remembering his name. All she can give to the officer is the older brother of her deceased friend named Jonathan Hale. 

"But we can't go on our investigation if we don't have the name of the person who attacked you." the officer asserted. 

Theo is losing patience. He could tell how these officers wanted to play with Nikki's emotions. But he has an idea why. He asked, "Isn't that your job, officer? To investigate? It's part of the procedure." 

His tone is threatening because he was struggling to control himself not to curse in front of these stupid police officers. Theo has been paying attention to these officers who interviewed Nikki. Occasionally the two men glance at each other with a meaningful gape. No doubt. They were connected to Hale. 

'Shit!' Theo is losing his cool. He doesn't want to go home without a good result.

He glanced at Nikki. A while ago, she grabbed his hand and placed it on her lap then clasped tightly on it. It must scare her to face these people, that instead of giving her emotional consideration, they even try to complicate things. 

Jeremy, keenly observing as well; he kicked Theo's foot. Even he noticed that something is not right. He gives Theo a hint.

Back to the police officer, he senses that the girl's company won't let this off. He sat straight on his swivel chair, clearing his throat, he contended with a frown face, "Listen up, young men. We cannot accuse someone without a name or just like that..."

"That is why we need the name you want to complain about. Are we clear?"

Added by the other officer. He who is peering at Nikki with intent which Theo doesn't like at all. And he won't buy their excuse, but they cannot force theirs to complain if these police officers would not side with them. Instead, they make it hard for them to get justice as they rather protect the Hale family. He is certain about it. He said, "All right! Then, if we have the name of this person, would you start the investigation with the case we want to file?" 

"Yes. Feel free to come back if you are certain of whom you accuse. You must be careful, though." 

That was a menace. Theo clenches his fist. 'Dammit!' It frustrates him. But he must not act that it will compromise their aim coming here for Nikki's complaint. But what he pissed about is the man's face grins while saying it. Theo read the officer's name and remembered it. 

"Let's go, Nik." Theo helped Nikki to rise from the seat. Her body is shuddering a little. She must be under pressure when the two police officers are asking her questions roughly. 

'What a fucking bureau is this?' Theo presses his lips while taking the stairs. 

Jeremy keenly observes as well. He also noticed these officers making it hard for them. He's grateful that Theo was in control of his anger. His training in Italy teaches him to be patient. "Theo, what should we do now?" he asked him.

Theo heaves a sigh before he replies, "We better go to a hospital and get a medical record." 

Jeremy agreed it was a brilliant idea. "That's the best we must do next. I could perceive that they're covering something." 

"I won't be surprised," Theo said as he shifted his gaze toward Nikki, who was quietly listening to their conversation. He told her with comforting words, "Don't worry. We won't allow this day to be just a waste. Let's go to the hospital." 

Nikki nodded. Completely, trusts him. 

Meanwhile, inside the bureau. One of the two officers that interviewed Nikki went to the back of the building and phoned someone. Once it connects him to another line, he promptly reports.

"Hello, boss? Yes, as you guessed. The girl had just come by. No, she isn't alone." 

* * *

HALE MANSION

"What do you mean, she's not alone? Who is she with?" Kevin Hale queried his men working inside the bureau.

Could it be her parents? But how fast would they come? He thought. The other line speaks up, and so he listens. 

"Two guys? Can you send a pic of them? Or any details?" 

Kevin put down the phone on the cocktail table after the call ended. 

"Fuck!" he cursed, pacing at his living room.

Meantime, Brandon stepping down the stairs, striding toward him with a wide smile. He said, "We're ready. Any news to the Shang brothers? Is that your man phoned you?" 

"Yes." Kevin peered at his nephew.

Brandon noticed that his uncle is in a bad mood. He asked, "What is it? What's the matter? Are your men not finding them?" 

Kevin Hale glared at his nephew. With a grim face, he told Brandon. "Look what you did! You pick a wrong girl! Nikki goes to the bureau, and she has a company!" 

Instead of being surprised and troubled, Brandon grins maniacally. "Oh. So she's still in the city." 

"Where are you going?" Kevin asked his nephew, when Brandon turned around, walked out to the door. 

Brandon halted, turned around to face his uncle. With a grin, he stated, "I'm picking her up."

"What? We have other things to do!" 

Brandon resumes striding toward the door, shouting, "I will do that too. After I get that girl. I won't sleep until I won't find her." 

"Brandon!" His nephew doesn't listen. Kevin hurls a furious sigh and cuss. "Fucking shit!" 

"Just contact me when your men locate those brothers!" 

Kevin Hale heaved a long sigh. His nephew lost his head. But something he must take care of first. 

Not long after, Kevin Hale receives a picture of Nikki and his company along with the details of the car. It surprised him. He rushed to the door and called his nephew. "Brandon! Come here!" 

Brandon is about to climb in his truck. He turned around and strode toward the patio of the mansion where his uncle, waving his phone.

"What? I have to hurry. Tell your men, don't let Nikki get out in the bureau." 

Kevin handed his phone to Brandon. "Look at this…"

Instantly, a wicked smirk tears Brandon's mouth. "Hah! Three birds, with one stone!" he phrased gloriously, he then asked his uncle. "Where are they?"

"Someone follows them already. They headed to the hospital. I will call someone who works there to do something for us." 

"Great!" Brandon made bigger steps to head to his truck when he got an exciting idea. Before he climbs to his truck, he tells Kevin, "Tell your men to prepare the Secret house!"

Kevin sighed. It was not surprising anymore as they did countless times, but it troubles him this time. "What are you planning, Brandon?" 

"There is no fun to kill them right away," Brandon beams. 

Kevin heaved a sigh; he reminded his nephew, "Just make sure you won't compromise the mission!" 

Brandon saluted, and he ordered his company to drive.. It excites him to play in his head about the plans he came up with.