Grounded
CHAPTER 18

Monte threw everything he brought home with him from work on the bed as he stepped into the bedroom. He was depressed and almost going crazy. He had just about five days before his demotion and subsequent removal from his position as Police Chief. He wondered how invisible the suspect must be and why it was so difficult to catch him. They had all the scientific facts and details, still it was difficult to bring him to book. He knew within himself that Ken had something to hide from him. He missed Sharon and Michael and wished they were with him; they were more than enough consolation for him if he was going to end up losing his job, but he had lost them already and was going to lose his job soon. He heaved a sigh and took his clothes off; dragging his tired body to the bathroom, he had a very quick bath, trying to free his mind of every worry and hummed to a melodious song that played from the radio on his reading desk. He threw on a pair of shorts and laid down on his bed. At that instant, his doorbell rang. He pretended not to hear it and closed his eyes still, the doorbell rang again, this time for a longer period. Monte felt vex; he walked to the sitting room almost limping and peeped through the pin hole, he smiled when he saw it was Gina. She had told him that she would come visiting and there she was. He opened the door to let her in. She grinned broadly the moment she sighted him and walked into his embrace.

"You look stunning." He told her sincerely admiring her shoes.

"Thank you." She said, smiling like a little girl.

"I was about to have a short nap before you arrived. Anyways, what may I offer you?" He asked.

"Any Martini, Heineken, or beer?" she asked "I don't have any alcohol in store." He told her with a shrug.

"Why not?" she asked him, looking quite shocked.

"Well, you see; he began; "I don't drink alcohol," he said.

"No way. Why? Is it some sort of religious belief?"

"No, it's not; he replied laughing at her as she spoke; "I am very particular about my health and I don't think alcohol is very good for the health. My wife used to drink alcohol, but I stopped restocking since she left as there was no one left to drink it." He explained.

"I understand." Gina replied getting a bad taste in her mouth from the direction the conversation was going.

"What have you been doing lately?" Monte asked.

"I don't know of a truth; I have been up to no good but lately I've been happy with myself and how far I've come, and I think those are the most important things in any human's life." Gina replied.

"I think that's beautiful; I am genuinely happy for you." He told her, forcing a smile.

"What about you?" Gina asked noticing the fall in his countenance.

"Nothing really prolific has been happening; I think I'm at life's edge." Monte said forcing a smile.

"I know it's been hard because you lost your wife and son but what about your immediate or extended family?" she asked dying of curiosity. "The only family I have left is my son and brother. I don't know where they are; besides, I and my brother don't get along." He told her truthfully. "Why?"

"I wouldn't know. The last time I saw him, he tried to kill me." He replied.

Gina opened her eyes in bewilderment and then looked away for a few seconds processing what she had just heard in her head.

"How close were you with Lydia Evans?" Monte broke the silence, grabbing the opportunity to get all possible clues to replaceing his son. "Quite close; it's a shame she's missi_"

"Dead!" Monte interrupted her.

She broke down, placing her hands over her ears to prevent herself from hearing anymore. She kept muttering some words to herself and shaking her head.

"Lydia Evans was my wife; she had absconded with my son. Her real name was Sharon Williams, I had no clue why she left me but she did and even changed her name afterwards. I searched for her everywhere, but I could not replace her, yet she remained in this city; he paused for a moment to study Gina's reaction and then continued when she just sat there listening; "fate brought her back to my doorstep when she was attacked by the homicidal killer and brought into the Station's infirmary alive. When I saw her, I could not believe my eyes. I asked her why she left me all alone, I asked for my son, Michael, she wouldn't say anything to me, and she kept saying Michael wasn't my son." He exhaled and then took a deep breath.

"Then how did she wind up dead?" Gina asked, horrified by the whole information.

"The infirmary was attacked at midnight and she was killed. I suspect that the killer was trying so hard to cover his tracks." He replied.

"This is too much for me to take in; how are you doing?" she asked with sympathy.

"I've seen better days; he began with a smile; "I would very much like to see my son, it seems like the only battle I can win at the moment. I have barely five days before I'm thrown out of my position at the office for incompetence. I've spent nearly three years trying to hunt down the killer; what can I do in five days if I couldn't accomplish anything in three years?" he asked feeling completely downcast.

Gina moved over to his seat and sat beside him. She took his hand in hers and looked at him with so much strength in her eyes.

"There is something special about you Monte and for that, I believe in you. It's not so late to begin to work things out and trust me, miracles do happen. You could just close your eyes and say a prayer if you ever feel lost." She was taken aback by how motivational she sounded, if only she believed her own words. She smiled at him and watched his lips curve into a smile. "Thank you, Gina."

"The atmosphere is tensed; can I at least get a glass of cold water?" she asked in a sarcastic manner.

"I'll get it because you deserve it." He replied and they both began laughing.