Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
My mind kept wandering back to when I was in the hospital after my failed suicide attempt. I was admitted against my will and I was so angry, so scared. I detested everyone around me for taking my freedom away, for forcing me to essentially live with people I wouldn’t usually go near. It was worse for Ryder though. Despite how I felt at the time, the people in that hospital were trying to help me, and even with my initial resistance, they did. Ryder wasn’t in prison to be helped, however, he was there to be punished.
Jake had called me a few minutes ago to ask me to head up to his suite. On my way, I received a text from Gio asking where the hell me and Ryder were and to tell me that Ivan was being vague. I felt guilty for ignoring him and Taylor, they weren’t just colleagues but friends too, so I sent back the first thing that came into my head.
Me: Ryder’s sick. Not left the hotel all week. Catch U soon though
Gio: Why wouldn’t Ivan just tell us that? FFS. He’s an asshole sometimes
Me: Dunno. Gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow
At that point I didn’t actually have any intention of calling him, but I couldn’t think of what else to say without sounding like a douchebag. Tucking my cell into my jeans pocket, I rang the doorbell to Sawyer and Jake’s suite.
“I have something very interesting to show you,” Jake said as he opened the door, bypassing any form of hello.
Curious, I followed him over to the large glass dining table and watched him produce a brown envelope. Raising an eyebrow, he pulled out a series of photos, spreading them out across the table. He proffered his hand, giving me permission to look, and when I saw the first photo my jaw dropped open. “Ryder’s father,” Jake clarified.
“Holy shit!” I exclaimed, fanning out the photos to get a better look. There were several photos, each one of Ryder’s dad in a close clinch with another man. It could’ve been argued that although it appeared to be an intimate embrace it was an innocent hug between friends…until Jake brought out the jackpot.
He placed another set of photos on the table. This time Ryder’s father and the mysterious man were half naked and in an extremely comprising position on a bed.
“That looks like a hotel room. How the hell did you get these?”
“I’ve told you, I can get anything for the right price.”
“But…why? Why would he make Ry’s life a living hell if…well if he was just the same?”
“Who knows what’s going on inside his head. Maybe he hates himself so much he projects it onto Ryder. Or maybe he’s just a twisted fuck.”
“Okay, so I’m shocked and all, but how is this going to help Ryder’s situation? It doesn’t tell us who planted the drugs on him.”
“No it doesn’t, but Ryder’s mum said he has connections. I’m hoping the threat of exposing these photos will make him use those connections to get Ryder out.”
“That sounds risky.”
“It is, which is why it’s my last resort if my next plan falls through.”
“Which is?”
“Ryder mentioned a guy coming onto him, right? Pressing up closely against him?”
“Yeah. He’s mentioned it a few times.”
“Well I’m trying to track him down.”
“How? We don’t know who he is or what he looks like.”
“Ryder told Benjamin…” Benjamin was Ryder’s lawyer. “The name of the pub he went to that night – The Duck in the Sand. They only have one CCTV camera installed but they’re pulling up their footage for me this afternoon. Hopefully it caught that moment between Ryder and this guy.”
“How did you…” I trailed off, the answer coming into my head. “The right price, huh?”
“You’re catching on.” He winked. “But it’s a long shot, so these photos might end up coming in very useful.”
“Does Ryder know any of this?”
“No,” he said firmly, shaking his head. “No point getting his hopes up just yet.”
“Right,” I agreed, nodding.
“And if I get to meet this guy, I’m going alone.”
“But…”
“But nothing. There’s no way of knowing how it will go down and I’m not putting you in danger.”
“But what about you? Doesn’t that mean you could be in danger?”
“I’m trained to defend myself. Plus, my guess is he’s just some random guy who’s been paid a few quid to pass on the gear no questions asked. Probably has no idea, and doesn’t particularly care about the consequences.”
“So you think he’ll tell you who gave him the drugs?”
“I don’t think he will even know where they came from. If someone wants to set Ryder up they’re not going to be stupid enough to be so actively involved. We’re looking at a chain here.”
“Then…how can he help?”
“I work through the chain.” Jake shrugged, as if it was all just so simple. “Either way, we would find out for sure that Ryder didn’t purchase those drugs himself.”