Chapter 38: Time to Hit Back
The next morning came with fear, hope, and quiet determination. Sarah had made it clear, Alex couldn’t just sit and wait anymore. Elliot was out there, possibly in danger, and someone had to do something. She was right. As much as it scared him, Alex knew he had to face Raymond. He couldn’t keep running.
Without calling or sending any message, Alex headed straight to Raymond’s office. He couldn’t bring himself to talk over the phone. He got to the hallway leading to Raymond’s office, and just as he reached the door, he met the secretary. She looked a bit surprised to see him.
"Oh... Mr. Alex," she said, rising from her seat.
"Hi," Alex replied with a soft voice.
"If you’re here to see Mr. Raymond... I’m sorry, but he’s not in," she said, standing in front of the door. "Actually... he hasn’t been in the office for three days now."
Alex’s brows furrowed. Three days? That’s exactly how long they haven’t met. He nodded slowly, muttering a quiet "Thank you" before walking away, deep in thought.
Where could Raymond be? Alex knew he was hardly ever at his main residence. He thought for a moment, and then it hit him: the Gatehouse. That old, quiet place Raymond used to retreat to when he needed silence or to do anything off the radar. It wasn’t really far.
It didn’t take long for him to get there. When he arrived, the gate was slightly ajar. That alone told him someone was inside. He pushed the gate gently and stepped inside.
"Hello?" he called, but no one answered.
He walked inside, slowly and quietly. He didn’t find anybody or hear any voice. So he thought of the safe room, a hidden part of the gatehouse Raymond had once shown him... He decided to check there.
He approached the fridge-like door, stepped inside, descended the stairs, and there they were.