Chapter 7: Saving Jerry

Joe sat in the back of the police car, his hands cuffed tightly behind his back.

As the car made its way to the police station, he kept replaying the moment Jack had slapped him and called him a thief.

“This is a misunderstanding!” Joe shouted. “You have to listen to me! My friend’s in danger!”

The officers in the front didn’t even glance back at him.

One of them, the driver, just let out a small chuckle. “Yeah, sure, buddy. That’s what they all say.”

“I’m serious! There’s someone out there who’s going to kill my friend if I don’t help him! You have to believe me!” Joe’s voice cracked.

The officer in the passenger seat finally turned to look at him. “Save it for the judge.”

Joe slumped back in his seat, feeling utterly helpless.

When they arrived, the officers dragged Joe out of the car, and he stumbled as his legs gave out beneath him.

They didn’t care. They shoved him through the doors and down the cold hallways of the station.

“You can’t just lock me up! I didn’t do anything wrong!” Joe said.

They ignored him, then shoved him into the cell.

Joe collapsed onto the bench, his head in his hands. He knew that something terrible had probably happened to Jerry by now.

“Hey, man!” He heard a voice say and looked up to see a man on the other side of the cell.

“There’s no point in shouting. They ain’t going to believe you.” The man continued giving him a faint smile. “It’s time to accept your fate.”

Joe shrugged. “I didn’t do anything bad.”

“Drop the sober act!” Another man popped up beside the man. “Your explanations are just a total waste of time.”

Joe turned his face away from the men and heard them let out a loud, long laugh.

“Cheer up pretty boy!” They chorused. “Jail isn’t as bad as it seems. You might end up enjoying it here. Just look at us. We are happier than people leaving freely.”

Joe ignored them, tuning out their words, but their laughter could still be heard.

Joe was happy when he could no longer hear their laughs or words.

Then, out of the silence, he heard footsteps approaching. He didn’t bother looking up at first, assuming it was just another officer coming to tell him that his fate was sealed.

But then the words he heard shocked him.

“Get up. You’re coming with me.”

Joe’s head snapped up. His eyes landed on the officer who stood in front of the cell, unlocking the door.

“What?” Joe stammered, standing slowly. “What’s going on?”

“You’re out. Someone bailed you,” the officer said flatly, stepping aside to let him through.

“Bailed me?” Joe’s mind was spinning. He had no idea who would bail him out—he had no one left. “Who… who bailed me?”

The officer didn’t answer, just nodded toward the exit. “He’s waiting for you outside.”

Still in disbelief, Joe followed the officer down the hall, through the station, and out the front door.

He blinked, looked around, and saw a man he didn’t recognize standing by a small car.

The man was tall and dressed in a sharp black suit. He watched Joe closely, not saying a word.

“Who are you?” Joe asked.

The man stepped forward, extending a hand.

“Mr. Adam,” he said smoothly. “I believe we’ve spoken before. I called you concerning some money. We were supposed to meet up.”

Joe stared at him. Then it hit him.

“Wait… you’re the one who called me about the inheritance?”

Mr. Adam nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Yes, I’m the one.”

“How did you find me? How did you know I was here?” Joe asked in a shocked tone.

Mr. Adam’s smile widened slightly. “I have my ways, Joe. Let’s just say I’ve been keeping an eye on you for a while.”

Joe felt a shiver run down his spine. This man—this stranger—knew more about him than he was comfortable with. But right now, that was the least of his worries.

“Look, I appreciate you getting me out of there, but my friend—he’s still in danger. I need to get to him before it’s too late.”

Mr. Adam raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have much time, Joe. We need to discuss your inheritance right away. You need to come with me.”

“No! I can’t just leave him! Please, you have to help me save him.” Joe said, talking about the only thing on his mind.

Mr. Adam studied Joe for a long moment. Then he sighed. “You care a great deal for your friend, don’t you?”

“He’s all I’ve got,” Joe said. “Please… I’ll do anything. Just help me save him.”

Mr. Adam glanced at his watch, then looked back at Joe. “Alright. I can help you, but you need to trust me. This isn’t going to be easy.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” Joe said desperately. “Just please, help me save him.”

Mr. Adam nodded. “Get in the car. We’ll need to move fast.”

Without hesitation, Joe climbed into the passenger seat of the black car.