Thanks Lyl for your reviews as always, Lisa if you're still reading this hope you're enjoying, and to Sammie, your very own fic is coming along nicely lol I think you'll like it.

Before I let you go on and Read just want to let you know that I shall be launching my brand new fic on here some time this week perhaps Friday, it's called Forgive and Forget.   A group fic and is told from each different view point, just eh don't read if you're a Ben fan lol

Twenty Seven

 

 

      Adams had worked through the night once again, files lay scattered across the dining room table, coffee sat untouched beside them, Rosetta Cortez looked worriedly down to where her employer sat, head resting against his arm as he took a quick nap.  “Mr Adams” she said as she gently shook him.  No reply, she shook him again, this time a little more forceful.  He sprang to life, rubbing his eyes as he looked around.  “You should go to bed, I dare say all this will still be there when you have slept!” the older woman chided him, but the young man merely yawned and took the mug of stone cold coffee “You can’t drink that, here I’ll make you some fresh?” said Rosetta as she snatched away the mug.

 

      The young man stretched then stood up, he had just enough time to take a shower before he was due in work.  Rosetta set about preparing breakfast for them all “Will you give Jessica a call Mr Adams, I called her already but she has gone back to sleep.” Adams nodded as he made his way upstairs.

 

      Jessica was up already, but not in her room and she wasn’t in the bathroom either.  Adams looked a little puzzled, where could she be?  There was movement above him in the attic, “Jessica…Jessie” he called as he climbed the stairs.  “Jessica are you up here honey?” She was, and was frantically searching through crates “Jessica what are you doing?” She was sobbing, sobbing uncontrollably as she searched, her father went to her immediately, “Jessica tell me what’s wrong?” he asked, crouching down and taking her in his arms, she moved him away and tossed her hair back from her face, “I gotta find it!” she almost yelled, he placed both hands on her arms restraining her long enough to look at him.  “Find what hon?” She stared at him.

 “Elphy!” 

“What?”

“I gotta find Elphy!”

“What or who is Elphy?”

“My elephant…it’s pink…I need to find it!”

“Why?”

“I just do!”

“Oh God…this is about the nightmare ain’t it hon?”

“I just wanna find Elphy”

“Okay, I’ll help you look”

She smiled then wiped away her tears.

 

      They both searched in every box and crate there was and were just about to give up when a little pink toy caught her eye, she dashed over and pulled it from the box, along with a whole lot of papers.  Papers that Adams had neither seen nor signed; Jessica sank onto the floor and just stared at it, “I got this from the zoo” she said suddenly, Adams wasn’t really listening.  He was too engrossed in the official looking papers.  “Daddy got it for me, they took him away.”

Adams continued reading the documents.

“They hurt him, he was crying, and I was crying, why did they take him?”

This time the young man eyed his daughter, “Who?”

“Police, they came and took him, my daddy, my real daddy”

“I’m your daddy now Jessica”

“Yeah but you ain’t my real daddy.”

“No he’s in jail Jessie”

“No he ain’t I saw him yesterday, he was at my school, I even talked with him!”

Ben Adams felt his insides churn.

“There was a man at your school, what did he look like?”

“He looked like my daddy looked only a bit older.”

Jessica recoiled backwards on being seized.

“Jessica listen to me, under no circumstances have you to leave this house okay?”

“Why?”

“Just please, do this for me?”

“Sure, does that mean I ain’t going to school today?”

“Yeah sweetie, you ain’t going to school.”

“Cool!”

“I’ll tell Rosetta what’s happening then I gotta go to the precinct, I’ve got something to take care of.”

“Okay.”

“Good girl.”

He kissed the top of her head, then stood up and rushed downstairs.

 

      Rosetta listened very carefully to each instruction.  “Miss Jessica ain’t to leave the house?” she repeated, Adams nodded then reached for his car keys.  “Mr Adams you haven’t even.” He’d gone, “Changed into your uniform” she added as she turned back to the cooker.

 

 

            Hollie was so proud.  She had survived the night with Mark and he had been a perfect gentleman.  She thought that maybe by some miracle he had turned over a new leaf, but wasn’t about to hold her breath.  She smiled as she past the bathroom; he was in the shower singing at the top of his voice.

 

      The door buzzed and Hollie hesitated for a second, “Who is it?” she asked before allowing them access to the apartment, “It’s security, Mr Read asked for the security footage from yesterday” Hollie sighed, “Oh okay, just leave it behind the door, Mr Read shall get it in a minute.”  She waited until she was sure he’d gone then opened the door and stooped to retrieve the video tape.

 

      Mark stepped from his bedroom, dressed casual in jeans and black sweater, a smiled on his face.  Hollie was obviously in the kitchen, “Hey sweetheart…how did you sleep?” Hollie drew in a deep breath then moved away, “Fine thank you Mr Read!”  Mark noted the slight firmness in her tone but dismissed it, “What’s with the Mr Read?  It were Mark last night”, Hollie spun round and slapped his face as hard as she could.  “Wow, what was that for?”

“You kept me here under false pretences?”

“What?”

“Oh I’m so scared, what if he comes back?”

Mark’s eyes widened.

“Well it were pretty scary Hol”

“Really?  You!” She begun to poke at his chest, “Are a pathetic little worm and I wish I’d never agreed to stay!”

Mark raised his arms in defence but couldn’t stop the smile now spreading across his face.

“Why?  What have I done that was so terrible?”

Hollie pouted.  “Here!  Have a look, the security person dropped it off, boy no wonder you wanted it, you know Mr Read I always thought you were bananas, I never thought for a moment you’d be scared of them!”

 

      Mark looked down at the tape then back to where Hollie stood eyes wide.  “I’m sorry.” He said feebly, she took a few paces away from him, “You won’t like say anything will you?”

“Why?  Afraid it would dent you’re oh so perfect image!”

“No!” His reply was indignant.

“I’m going home now Mr Read and I just might give myself the day off”

“Fine whatever you want”

“I shall see you in work tomorrow Mr Read”

He nodded downheartedly as she watched her march from his home, looking down at the tape once again; he opened the trash can and promptly tossed it inside before fixing coffee for himself which he carried through to the lounge room.

 

      Jo Logan was on the phone when her partner marched by, his face contorted with rage.  “I’ll have to get back to you Hol.” She said hastily, she replaced the receiver and sat watching her partner.  He wasn’t in uniform, “What the hell’s going on with him?” she heard her chief ask, “I don’t know Sir” she said worriedly.  They both watched Adams enter King’s office and slam the door behind him.

 

      Jim King looked a little startled.  He’d never seen Adams so angry.  “Adams what do you think you are doing and why aren’t you in uniform?” 

Adams seized hold of his superior pulling him up from his chair.

“Adams what the hell are you doing?” the man said angrily.

The younger man drew back his fist then smashed it against King’s cheek, the force of which sent him crashing to the floor.  Then he came at him; fist clenched ready to hit him again, King raised his arm in defence, “Adams!  Don’t you dare!” cried the chief. 

Adams straightened. “I won’t lose my daughter!” he vowed, his tone low.

“You get to my office now!” the chief ordered Adams.

“Okay King, what the hell was all that about?”

“I’ve no idea, he just came in here and started punching me”

“I hope you ain’t fucking involved in anything shady.”

“No I ain’t.”

 

      Adams eyed the chief wearily when he entered his office, “You care to tell me what the hell’s going on?”

“I can’t Sir it’s personal”

“Really?  Well I can’t have officers attacking their superiors, I wont your badge and gun.”

“What?”

“As of now you’re suspended!”

“Fine!” said Adams as he tossed the items onto the man’s desk then marched out.

 

      Jo rushed outside after him, an anxious look on her pale complexioned face.  “Ben.” She cried, he continued walking “Ben, wait.” This time he stopped. Paused then slowly turned round to face her.  “What’s going on?”

He frowned, “I’m suspended Logan.”

She stared up into those blue eyes, “Why?  I don’t understand?”

 He sighed, “It’s a long story.”

“Well I’m here if you need to sound off at anyone?” she offered and he smiled gratefully “I just might take you up on that, you better go back before we’re both suspended.” She hovered for a few seconds, “Go on” he urged gently and watched as she turned and stepped back inside. 

 

      Adams drew in a deep breath then got into his car.  He had to get away; he had to clear his head before deciding on what action he would take.  He knew one thing for sure; he would not give up his daughter without a fight.