Chapter 9

• BLAIR'S POV
• “There, you have the truth!” he said.
• “I had to leave town and come here as a different person,” he further explained, “until the police trace the attempts on my life to someone, I can neither return nor use any of those I.D you saw,”
• I took a deep breath, marveled at his story.
• ‘Who would have thought?’
• I had always thought Brian had a weird dress sense. He always dressed to work like some spy.
• Everyday, he would arrive at Father's mansion in black leather clothings, dark shades and hats he'd change everyday.
• “But it's been three years,” I said, “there's no there's still a threat on your life back at Winchester,” I added.
• “Steven thinks so too,” he replied, “but if there still is, I can't find out in person,” he replied.
• “I took some measures to check if the town is safe for me to return to.” He said.
• “How's that?” I asked.
• I had barely dropped my statement, when his phone rang. It was a call from Steven.
• We stared at each other briefly, before he proceeded to answer the call.
• “Steve?” He called inquisitively, placing the call on speaker phone.
• “Turn on National T.V, now,” Steven instructed, and Brian immediately hung up.
• Surely, Steven knew nothing about our living conditions here, cause if he did, he'd know we didn't have any appliances out here.
• Brian connected to the news via his smartphone and I could understand the urgency in Steven’s tone.
• “We regret to announce the gruesome murder of Mr. Brian Craig, who was killed in his hotel room, last night, upon his arrival into the country.
• Mr. Brian Craig, who is a renowned business mogul, and the CEO of the BC’s Group of Companies, has been away for two years now.
• Upon his return, Mr. Craig was reportedly poisoned and butchered in the late hours of yesterday in his hotel room, where he was lodged, before the launch of his company’s new branch.
• The police are still investigating, and the state promises to get to the roots of this murder, as it is a huge loss for the beloved city of Winchester.” The news reporter read through.
• I stared at him and back at the device, which immediately began buzzing from Steven’s call.
• I was awestruck, and everything played before me like some movie, or fictional novel.
• “I was wrong, you can't possibly return to Winchester,” Steve said, immediately Brian answered his call.
• “That's what I've been trying to tell you,” Brian responded.
• “So, what now?” Steven asked.
• “I have a plan to bring this to a final close, but we have to meet to discuss this,” Brian responded.
• “We'll meet at the apartment, 4pm tomorrow,” Brian added.
• “Alright,” Steven replied, as they hung up.
• I was shaken to my bones, and could not, for the life of me, wrap my head around what was happening.
• Brian stared at me in silence for a while.
• He took a deep breath, breaking the thick silence.
• “I know it's a lot to take in right now, Blair,” he said, holding my hands in his and pulling closer to me, “which is why I never wanted you involved in the first place,” he paused momentarily.
• “No one must know anything, I have a plan to fix all of this,” he sounded so sure, “it has lingered for so long,” he added.
• “Another plan that involves killing someone else?” I questioned, my hands shivering.
• “Oh, no,” he replied so confidently, “well…” he said, all of a sudden sounding skeptical.
• “Brian!” I exclaimed.
• “There's no guaranteeing who lives or dies, Blair,” he replied.
• “My goodness,” I expressed my exasperation, placing my head in my palm.
• “Who was that man?” I asked, pointing at his phone.
• “The one who got killed in your stead, who is he, Brian?” I queried.
• “A look alike I hired to make a grand entrance into town,” he replied.
• I placed my hands over my mouth, I was at the verge of letting out a loud scream.
• ‘Why was Brian unbothered by the man's death?’
• An innocent man had just died. Sure, I was glad it wasn't Brian, but why didn't it at all pinch him?
• “He knew exactly what he was getting into,” Brian immediately responded, in his defense, as though he could read my thoughts.
• “He wasn't coarsed, and his family would be handsomely sorted,” Brian added.
• “Why aren't you scared, Brian?” I queried, “Doesn't it bother you that you are being sought for so desperately? What did you do? Whose toes did you step on?” I threw a line of endless questions.
• Brian let out a faint smile, off the side of his cheeks.
• “This is not funny, Brian,” I said.
• “I hate being in hiding, but that doesn't compare to the adorable look on your face,” he replied, with a chuckle.
• “I would never have thought you'd care so much for a stranger,” he said in a teasing tone.
• I was immediately filled with diffidence and hid my face in my palms.
• Brian laughed at me and I couldn't bear to look at him at that moment.
• “You care what happens to a stranger?” He asked, still in a light, hearty tone.
• “I don't,” I said, finally lifting my head, but my tone was weak and gave me away.
• “Look, I'm not somebody to be interested in people,” Brian said, “especially growing in a world where your friends are the same as your foes, but there's just something…”
• He was still on his speech, when there came heavy banging on the door.
• We stared at each other in surprise and at the door, as the banging persisted.
• Brian gestured to me to hide in the room and remain there, until he said it was safe enough to do so.
• As I got out of the couch, we heard a voice accompany the banging on the door.
• “We have a warrant of arrest for Mr. Brycee,” the thick masculine voice surfaced.
• Brian got out of the couch and room a few steps to the door.
• I stood at the door to the bedroom, not sure if I should obey Brian's instructions anymore.
• “Officer,” Brian said, as he opened the door.
• “We'd like you to answer a few questions in respect to the thousand dollars, missing from Mrs. Williams' possession a few days ago,” the officer said.
• “What?” Brian and I chorused.