"Alright. What was so damn important we rushed all the way here for?" Xaviers friends came in and sat around the living room where they got a good loo at him and were now a little taken back. "Damn! Whoa boss you good. You don't look.. ugh well human." Dylan asked him jumping back a step when he saw his face. "How can someone as dark as you look this white man. You need a hospital? Eh someone call Preston." Ryder called out quickly. "I'm fine. You lot of assholes. But thanks for the kind words man really." Xavier said waving them off.
"Seriously man what happened?" Nix asked as he came up taking a better look at him. "I saw Brently. I passed out last night in the living room and woke up like an hour ago in my bed. I need to know what the hell happened. Like I literally lost a whole day of my life here. What happened today?" Xavier asked looking around the room. "Well that explains why no one got ahold of you today." Ryder said rubbing his chin thinking for a minute. "Did you sleep the whole day?" Nix asked him. "Did you check your cameras if you went anywhere or if anyone came in?" Dylan added.
"Nothing on the cameras." "Did you check your phone?" Ace asked randomly. For Xavier to stare at him. "No. I don't even know where it is. It was on this tabled last night and now it's gone." Xavier added being confused. "Here I'll call it." Ryder told him as they waited for it to ring. "Do you hear that?" Dylan asked. "Barely." Nix said as they all got up to follow the noise. Walking closer to it they noticed it was all the way down into the basement. The basement was well organized and had boxes it an organized manner. Until they got to one of the dustiest boxes that looked like it has been sealed for years. "How did you get your phone in this box WITHOUT REMOVING any of the dust. I mean look man no finger marks or anything on it." Nix asked him.
Taring off the packing tape and opening it up he dug to the bottom and found his phone. Putting the box down on a table next to them he started searching through it. "Missed calls. Some texts. Emails for work." Xavier said getting a lost. "What about your gallery?" Ace asked out of nowhere. Opening it up he was shocked. "Wait. What the hell is this?" Xavier asked getting scared. Nix took the phone for the rest of them to see. "Dude the time stamp is from last night why is this looking like evening?" Ryder asked shocked at what they were looking at. "Where even is that?" Ace asked him. "It's the woods where Brently family cabin is this was where I started in my dream and the 3rd picture is his family cabin. Question is how the hell am I in that picture?" Xavier asked feeling the nausea flow through his stomach along with some fear.
"Dude aint no damn way you flew three hours and back to go frolic in the woods man. This shit is crazy." Ryder told him taking a step back. "No what's crazy is the fact his phone even go the damn GPS coordinates tagged in the thing. It says 3am. How can that picture looking like 4 o'clock." Ace asked him. "OK so let's get the questions in order first alright. Here is the list of problems first. One what made you pass out so hard you lost a whole damn day you can't even remember. Two) How did you get these pictures on your phone. Three how are you even in the pictures on your phone." Nix told him. "I don't know man I'm a little more curious on what else is in that damn box for his phone to be conveniently planted in it the way it was. Little to ominous no?" Dylan interrupted him for the rest of them to stare at the box.
Looking inside it was some of the files is company is working on. It is even some of the projects he rejected from Tilman group years past. "Why are these even here. They were kept in the archives from the office basement." Ace told them. "Welp better start reading there's got to be a reason that Brently is going this far to fuck with you man." Nix told him. Going through piece by piece of everything in it. They were all enraged and mad. "This little shit stain I SWEAR TO GOD!" Ryder hollered first. "How the hell didn't anyone notice this before?" Dylan asked them looking around the room. "After a handful of proposals I just stopped reading them and had them sent down to the pile of projects to be searched on I guess no one ever looked through them." Xavier told him running his hands down his face.
"First thing tomorrow we are having five people go through the rest of the damn boxes and see what else we are missing on the daily. "How the hell did he copy our work we already had rejected and turn it into something so almost sinister. All of the major project fails and problems are clearly listed here and yet his is so much worse. The way he words things could start a cult. I mean you can only see the problems if you are actively looking for it. No one will ever pick up on it right away. Even our patents are done and he still plagiarized these go no where projects. How did we not sue him before now?" Ace was asked him just lost as his mind felt completely blown.
"I already text our lawyer to come grab this box. I think it would be a good idea to finally have a little talk with Vincent." Xavier said as all their heads snapped to him. "You want to talk to Vincent. You want to personally talk to the lawyer friend slash rival?" Ace asked in a bit of a chuckle. "Ok first off he aint no damn rival. Second off I know how close he is to the group and I honestly don't even want him to walk into this mess alone. I feel bad for the guy. He already hates Tilman now he gotta go digging around this shit. Don't get me wrong as soon as the judge submits this into the case going on right now. I will give him these personally. I just think we are up to our ears in all these damn surprises don't you?" Xavier asked looking around.
"Alright man. That does seem fair. You a good man bro." Ryder said patting him in the back. "I don't man all this shit right now just freaked me the hell out and I'm ready to get up and leave this damn basement." Ace told him looking around and dusting himself off. "Do you think we missed anything else?" Dylan asked as they all looked around the room. "For now this is enough." Nix said as they all walked up the stairs. The second the door shut the boxes on the top shelf rattled enough to make a couple of pictures fall down to the ground. The same ones Xavier was in on his phone covered in dust fallen to the floor in the corner.
"It's so good to have dinner with you Ari. It's been awhile." Her mom said as her dad flagged down the waitress. "Yeah sorry I just got off work. It's good to see you guys though. When do you plan on heading out this time?" Arabella asked happily. "Well we going to leave in about a week this time though well be gone for a few months. Special clients." Her mom told her in a sad voice and put her hand on top of hers. "Well look at you guys al popular getting called cities over. I'm so proud." She said tossing her hair back with wiping a fake tear.
"Sure. Doesn't mean we be coming back every few weekends to come check up on you. Still got small projects and cases here too." Her dad warned her. "Well I look forward to it. "So how has everything been between you and that Holden kid?" Her dad asked. "It's fine. Things are going ok. Just taking small steps. No need to rush anything." She said after they gave the waitress the order and she brought back the drinks. "Smart girl." Her dad winked to her. "I don't know I think you should just call it." Her mom said as they both looked up to her mom. "You think she should just call what?" Another female voice came from behind making them turn and look shocked
"Ellie! Dante. Aren't you a sight to behold. Come. Come sit with us are you just getting here?" Gabby asked her happily getting up to hug them both. "Sure we'd love to join you." Dante said hugging both Ari and Callen. "You'll have to forgive my wondering ears I wasn't trying to eavesdrop its just I heard mention of my son and curiosity got the better of me." Ellie defended herself. "Well we were talking to Arabella about how things are going with your son and she has informed us that they are taking things small steps at a time. I really think from my perspective that they should honestly just call it." Gabby said with a smile as plates were now being served.
"I'm sorry what should they be calling?" Dante asked defenses starting to go up a little. "I think given their situation. The time they have installed together by now. All the steps in between bringing them to this point they should just call it. I honestly like them together. I think you should what's a good term just go steady already." Gabb said smiling taking a good healthy bite. Dante and Ellie heart felt at ease and swelled hearing Gabby out. Honestly who were they to argue with that kind of logic from a very famous psychologist and even the mother of the girl in question.
"I don't know I would rather you take the pace your own. There is no real rush like you said. You two will get there when you get there. You both been through so much in the past year alone. If you both are truly on the same page it will all happen when it should. Besides the boy kind of grows on you." Callen said as he took a drink. Dante smirked to himself he knew Callen was not an easy man to please and that phrase alone might as well been a high praise. "I agree with that statement but I agree with Gabby more." Dante said instantly making Ari choke on her drink.
"Me too. No time like the present. Time is such a rare thing in most cases and it's something we will never get back and so much of it gets wasted. Such a shame really. It should really be up to the younger generation to seize every bit of life they can." Ellie spoke up passionately. "Well. That's all well said and good sound… advice. So Ellie Dante how you guys been?" Ari asked sweetly desperately trying to steer the conversation anywhere else. "Oh sweet girl we've been well. Work is the same busy. Other then that it's been fine. Oh you should come by and have dinner when you two you are free. Sometimes the house does get too quiet for my taste every now and then it feels nice to feel some life back in it." Dante said in a tone that made her want to agree immediately for feeling bad.
The other three parents nodded knowing the feeling. "Yeah where did the time go. I mean I swear I was just busting you out of the principles office for fighting and now you're all grown healing peoples bones you once broke." Callen said in a voice that made everyone laugh. "Hey that damn Thomas deserved it he snapped by bra strap so hard the damn clasps broke off. In GYM CLASS!" Ari argued back. "Yup both got suspended for a week. A week of sexual harassment charge. A week for her for kicking him in the nuts so hard the doctor actually had to go in to get one to come back down." Gabby said laughing so hard it was contagious making the whole table laugh hard.
The dinner lasted about two hours in a blink of an eye with laughter so loud and contagious they were actually asked to leave in the nicest way possible. "Well that was so much fun. It was much needed after the week we had." Dante said wiping his eyes that all of them were still watering from laughing so hard. "You guys should come over one night for a barbeque when get back in for a weekend. Can't get thrown out of our house." Callen said making them all smile. "That sounds great. Just let us know." Ellie jumped right on the invitation. She really did love the Alderman's and couldn't wait to move all this forward she was already thinking about all the little baby feet running over her house. "Ellis wait please answer faster." Gabby teased hugging her tightly. "Drive safe all." Callen and Gabby waved off and walked to the car.
"It seems we parked close to you. Walk with us dear." Ellie said putting her arm in with Ari's. "It was such a nice night. Shame Xavier had to miss out. Something we get to tease him for later." She patted the her arm giggling. "You know we just adore you." "Well thank you Ellie. I really like you guys to. Xavier is lucky having you two raise him." "Well that means a lot Ari thank you. We just want you to know we fully approve if you guys wanted to just be together. It's safe to say on the parent front you two are golden." Dante told her. Making them laugh. "Well at least there's that. It is an important factor got to say." Ari said honestly making them smirk to her.
"We know it's a lot to take in. We understand how much pressure or stress you may feel about well about all the extra that comes in our field of work shall we say. How media bull crap will not always be easy but I promise you sweet child we will always be right behind you. Supporting you the whole way. I promise you later down the road you will be so glad you took the chance on my boy. I also want you to know we understand ow hard this year has been and the changes you have already made in your life moving forward and the loss you took when you even met our son. It has been a bit of a rocky road.
"But no straight road is worth adventuring if there aren't some turns about in it. Take your time to make the choices best for you. Just don't let yourself hold back either. Life is nothing but a gamble and we take risks everyday but even when some risk don't pan completely out the greatest thing about it is the is no regret for having trying." Dante said as they both hugged her and got her in the car. Waving and smiling away from her. Her heart swelled. Knowing they were all right about everything tonight. Was she really for a step this big after so long. Waiting a little longer won't do no harm. 'It's better to wait and see.'
Xavier was just collecting all his stuff when Nix pushed the gate bell. Walking out and coming up to him. "Where are we off to this morning? Café? Office?" Nix asked him holding the door open. "Preston's office." He said shutting the door. Getting in and slowly buckling. "Are you feeling ok?" Nix asked concerned. "I'm alright just think it's time to get check up. I promised Ari if some migraines came then I would go see him after the last few days I think it's be best to get over there." Xavier said as they drove off in a quiet car ride. After checking in the hospital room when they heard the door open. "Hey guys how you been?" Preston asked coming in putting down the chart.
"Well ugh. I got a big migraine the other night and it pretty much took me down and out the all day long. It was sharp and painful in fact when the huge headache came on I closed my eyes and when I opened them I was in a dream. At Brently's family cabin." "Ok. Well I want to get a CT done first thing. We'll go on from there. IS there anything else I should now before we continue on?" Preston asked. "Well I didn't leave the house but my phone has pictures with me there." Showing the picture to him. "It's crazy how something can look so old and new at the same time. Are you sure you just never been there before? You seem a little I don't familiar with everything around you." Preston asked looking closely at it.
"No man. I've never been to those parts of the woods." "You know this picture just it's like something is off about it. Are you sure it's the cabin of Brently' family. I mean I've been up a handful of times. I know Arabella would know better then me. But this is off." Preston said handing his phone back. "Really what's so off about it?" Nix asked starring at it now. "It's just different from what I remember. Let's get you down to those test first." Preston said holding the door open for them. Xavier stopping him at the door. "Arabella isn't here today is she?" "No and don't worry no one here will tell her." Preston said they walked out.
After a good hour or so thanks to the rush Preston put on his orders. Xavier walked out of the hospital in perfect health. Clear labs and scans. "Well hopefully the new headache stuff will help down the road. What about what he said about the picture? It's kind of throwing me off now that I think about it. I mean we did go out to a place before for Ryders birthday one year remember but that's the only time I think any of us ever been out to the woods and that week trip turned into three nights and us hauling ass away. That was a trip from hell man." Nix said shaking his head as they walked into the office building going up to his main office room.
"Yeah. Fucking Ryder that damn twat. Come on guys it will be so much fun. Fun my ass. Between all the damn huge ass bugs, the falling losing all the fishing gear in the damn river. The three out four tents getting destroyed starting a fire. Oh the best part running from a bear climbing and jumping trees because them damn bears can climb. It was wonderful." Xavier said making both of them laugh. "Hey, don't forget the part where the car not only over heated on the way back but two tires basically exploded.
"Good morning sir. You have a guest waiting for you. Should I send him in? He says he has a last minute appointment with you. A Mr. Hernandez?" The assistant on the other end of the phone called in. "Yes, Kane send him in. In fact for future notice just always send him in." "Will do sir." Xavier took a deep sigh. The door opened as Vincent came in and looked around walking slowly to Xaviers desk standing in front of it. Xaiver stood and stretched out his hand. "Vincent it's good to see you. Thanks for coming in. How you been since you know the last time?" Xavier asked as Vincent took his hand back from the shake.
"I'm good man. You know bounced back pretty quick. Surprised at the invitation here this afternoon though. What is it I can do for you Mr. Holden?" Vincent asked playfully. "Well I just got notice that the judge will be accepting this evidence into the Tilman case with us and I thought I should give you this personally so it wouldn't throw you completely blind sided. I randomly came across these materials and it was honestly mind baffling for me. See there is so much connected in this mess that it shakes me to my core. The one that gets me the most is the doctor on some of these studies for an expert opinion with even the physicals for some of the workers under these projects that went south for Tilman where also non other the Dr. Dion Whithers." Xavier said with a sour face.
"Wait. Did you say Dion Whithers the one drunk one that Ari was pushing about awhile back?" Vincent asked. "Very same." "Is this. He didn't?" Vincent asked trying to hold in the vomit. "Yup that is also proof that the dangerous materials Eric said he wasn't using he was. The sickness that came to the people and workers under these projects that got sick were told it was never connected and Dr. Whithers wrote them all off after being paid off by Eric. It's crazy what lead and other harmful resources can do to the body of even kids let alone elderly over time period." Xavier said in disgust.
"I know how ugly this will get even now and what a mess it's going to make opening new cases and clinical trails suits in the future but I wanted to not be a dick and just drop this on you through lawyers. You need to get these anyway and thought it'd be better coming from me. You know same circles of sorts and all." Xavier said. Vincent understood and appreciated the sentiment but was now feeling suffocated. The feeling of sinking professionally and getting in over his head. "I swear to god this man is the damn devil." Vincent whispered loudly to himself. "We agree on this." Xavier told him.
Running his hands on his face. "Well I appreciate this Holden I do. Would have appreciated it more with a strong drink. Looks like I got some home work to do." He said grabbing the box and walking towards the door. "Hernandez." Xavier said as he took a bottle of whiskey out of one of the cabinets. Placing it inside the box and closing the lid. "You may need this." "Yeah I have a feeling I will too. Thanks. See you around." "Take care." Xavier sent him out the door having Kane see him off. 'If we wasn't in court. Hell if we wasn't going or the same girl, we could have been cool friends.' Lost in his thoughts Xavier continued with his work.
She finally got out of the shower was wondering what to order for food when she heard a knock on the door. Opening it up she was happily surprised. "Well now that I see you are alive. I can ask on if your phone is broken?" "Xavier." She quickly wen tup and hugged him tightly. "Did I offend you in some type of way Ms. Alderman? I mean you aint picking up my calls or answering my texts." He asked looking at her with his arms crossed. "Why you ghosting me?" "I'm not I swear. I just been a little busy." "Not to busy to be a fifth wheel on a dinner date with our parents though. AND I KNOW FOR A FACT you been answering my parents text messages. So why you only ignoring me?" He asked her in a tone that made her try so hard not to crack out in a smile and fit of laughter.
"I'm sorry. I promise that no matter how buy I get again I will make some time to call you or message you back. Can you forgive this lowly peasant CEO social climbing thot this one time?" She asked him with fake begging hands using some of the comments left on some of the social media articles. "Hey now, I had those taken down." He said pointing hiss finger at her starting to feel bad. "I know come on in. Let me say sorry by buying dinner and having a movie like old times sake." He teased. "Deal. Been craving a date with you anyway what are we having?" He said pushing his way in kicking off his shoes and getting comfortable on the couch grabbing the remote and taking her jug of fresh sweet tea and her cup.
"No, no please make yourself at home." Holding up her hands to him walking over to pull up her laptop to order through door dash. After finally eating and laughing at the movie until another show came on. Looking at her wall he saw some of the pictures better in the woods. It caught his attention and Preston's words starting making sense. "Hey, Ari, can I ask you a question?" "Always." She said calming down from her laughter. Those places right there. Are they from the same place. He asked her about Brently and her in front of the cabin in the woods to the side with a boulder. The other picture was a small group of friends in the open part of the woods and another boulder.
"No there actually different places. See there is a fun story to this. The boulders you see were supposedly like a little legend they are like a spiritual portal boulder which means they like are the same exact boulder in different woods that are supposed to like channel help to those who the realm deems worthy or are like really one with the forest or their spiritual energy is like really awoken. Like if a good person is connected to nature they can like use these boulders to channel and connect from section to section. Or if a person was really naughty and still connected to nature they would be punished by serving the boulders to help out their fellow man. Either way it's like if you were one with a certain part of the woods then you would like be a guardian angel."
"We were curious about the myth since that boulder has always been in Brently's family land like literally right there. We wanted to see if there was another one. We went out with a group of friends one time and we did find it. It was so funny because the day after we found it Brently and another friend wanted to go check something on it and he ran in to like these four guys who were trying to jump trees running from a big ass bear. One guy was actually just sitting on top of the…" "Boulder." Xavier said cutting her off. "Yeah how'd you know?" "Ugh. Well Funny story. Remember when we first met and I told you the only time we went camping was for Ryder?" "Yeah." "Well we were the four idiots that got chased by the bear and turns out I was the idiot on top of the boulder both me and Brently got cut and stabbed on the boulder as we both fell off it." Xavier told her in one breath.
"So you're saying you meet Brently on the camping trip that even I was on with him. You were the guys who got chased by the bear. Who started the fire?" "That was an accident. AND WE PUT IT OUT RIGHT AWAY" He said in his defense. Laughing hard she finally sat straight and looked at him. "To think how small this world must actually be for both of us to be in the same place and still not meet until this year. Well can never get tired of life's crazy little fate surprises right?" She asked as she cleaned up the area taking the trash to the trash can in the kitchen. "Nope it's a very curious mystery." He whispered lowly starring at the boulders.