Jack In The Box novel Chapter 41

Riley

“I need your help.” I heard Ken’s voice on the other end of line. The call was on speakers so Jack could hear every word of the conversation too.

My eyes met Jack’s who silently mouthed me to say yes to Ken’s request.

“What do you need help with? And where are you right now, Ken? Tell me everything starting from the beginning.”

Ken didn’t give me an answer for the longest minute and I started to wonder if he had hung up the call like last time. “Ken?”

“Look, I don’t know where I am and I can’t give you more details. All I know is that I may or may not have much time left. I need you to do something for me.”

“What?”

“You will get a text message on your phone right now that has an address. Jackson needs to be there, without the police or the FBI.”

“Why Jackson?”

“That’s the killer’s deal. He would let me go in-exchange for Jackson.” Ken said, and then in a soft voice he added, “I know what Jackson means to you, Riles. If you decide not to let Jackson know about the address then I won’t blame you. You deserve happiness, and if he can give you that then it would be worth it in the end.”

“What would be worth it?” I asked although I knew what his answer was going to be.

“My death.”

As informed by Ken, I received a text message ten minutes later with an address.

House number zero-seven-two on Boulder Street north of Garden Avenue.

Jack reached for his shirt and pulled it down over his chest. I watched as he buttoned up his jeans and ran a hand through his thick hair.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“Ken’s location.” He answered. Fatigue was so clear in his eyes. Jack looked like he was in need of a warm blanket, a hot cup of cocoa and a good night’s rest, neither of which he was going to get anytime soon with way things had transpired.

“I’m coming with you.” I had already pulled on a jeans and a t-shirt.

“No you’re not.” Jack said it in such a tone that there was no room for argument.

“This concerns my brother. He must be in danger.” I reasoned.

“This could be a trap and I can’t have you walking into them, besides Ken said I should come alone.” Jack picked up a gun from the bottom drawer of the dresser. I hadn’t seen it until this moment. He quickly stashed it in the waistband of his denim jeans. “Ezra told me something about your brother, but I refused to believe it.”

“What did Ezra say?”

He stared at me intently, probably weighing the outcome of me knowing this truth about my brother. “Ezra has the documents that your attorney James tried to retrieve from this apartment the same day that he was nearly assassinated.”

“What was in those documents?”

“Are you ready to listen to this?” Jack questioned. “It may change the way you see things.”

I licked my lips nervously, my mouth was going dry. “I’m stronger than you think. Please tell me.”

“Those documents had clear evidence that Ken was doing drugs.”

My mouth was slack open. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I had a lot of possibilities of what Jack was about to tell me but never in a million years had I imagined it would be something as bizarre as this.

Ken and drugs?

“But...but that’s not possible.” I said. “Ken would never do that.”

“Why? Because he’s your baby brother?” For the first time, I noticed Jack appeared a little pissed. “Have you entertained the thought that maybe Ken was doing drugs all this time and murdered those people under the influence of it?”

I put a hand on my ears and shook my head. “No! That’s not true.”

“The truth was right here, Riley but you were just acting blind because it’s hard to think a person you love would butcher people mercilessly.”

“Stop it.” I whispered.

“I will stop talking but that won’t change anything.” Jack pointed out.

The tears rolled down my eyes. “Why are you being so mean?”

He crossed the distance in two steps and grasped my chin in a firm grip. “I was always mean, you just failed to notice. We all have darkness inside us, Riley; it’s only a matter of choice when we decide to unleash it.”

“Take me with you.” I pleaded.

He let go off my chin. A sense of sadness crept into his eyes. “It’s a trade. Either he lives or I do. Take your pick.”

I sobbed, “I can’t choose. Both of you are important to me.”

Jack smiled; again it wasn’t a happy smile. “I won’t ever ask you to choose between your brother and me. I was only kidding.”

“I love you.” I said. “Please stay. You don’t have to go alone, we will figure it out.”

“You already know how much I love you. I would be glad if Ken is not the killer. And I promise that you will see him here within an hour.”

“What about you?”

“It’s a gamble, Cotton-Candy. One life for another. That’s what the killer wants. ”

“Jackson, please. Take me with you.”

He seemed reluctant to make a decision, but he’d made up his mind. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”

Before I had time to react, he’d already made his way to the door. “I’m sorry, Riley.” He shut the door after him.

“Jack!” I called out as I walked to the door. I heard the lock turn. “Please. Let me out.”

I tried turning the knob but he’d locked me in. What was I supposed to do now? I wouldn’t be able to leave the room unless the police or someone found me.