Ian and Kevin looked at each other in confusion.
Stan saw the expression on their faces and since they were very close to the gate, he was able to hit them both on their foreheads.
"Ow!" They both touched their foreheads.
"I know what is going on in your heads and no, I'm not crazy." Stan said, but the puzzled look on their faces didn't leave so he explained. "Staying in this cell for a week equals no nagging from my mom for a week."
"Oh, so you planned this?" Kevin asked.
"No. I'm not some kind of genius to be able to plan something this big. It just happened and gladly it was to my favor." Replied Stan, looking pleased.
"I don't think it's gonna work, boss. Your mom is here and I don't think she would leave until you get released." Said Ian.
"Pfffft... It's the Wilson's that locked me up, not some random person. Do you think it would be that easy to get me released?" Stan said with a smirk.
Back to the inspector's office.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but what you are asking of me is not possible... Your son was seen with the Wilson's daughter who has a mental challenge and not just that, her hands were also tied and she was in tears. He also didn't try defending himself, proving to us that he was the one who took her away." He calmly explained to her.
"But you can't keep my son locked up in there, it's an embarrassment, especially if it gets to the media." She tried pleading.
"I'm sorry, but it's not in my power to do anything about it. He would have to stay locked up for a week to make it sound as a warning and don't worry, the Wilson's didn't request that the case be taken to court neither did they request for this to reach the media." He explained, but she wasn't satisfied.
"We'll see about that." She grumbled while she dialed the number of the same man that had helped her find the exact station her son was held at.
"Hello... I've found my son, but they refused to set him free." She said in a gentle and sorrowful voice that anyone hearing it would take pity on her.
After listening to the person on the other side she took the phone away from her ear and stretched it towards the inspector. "He wants to speak to you."
The inspector glanced at the phone and rolled his eyes in frustration. He took the phone from her and answered it unruly. "Yeah, who is this."
When the person on the other side spoke, the inspector stood up in shock and saluted even when he couldn't see the person over the phone.
A smile formed on Felicia's face, seeing that the person she called might actually get her son out in no time.
The inspector explained everything that had happened to the the person over the phone. How they found Karen, how she looked like when they had found her and Stan's behavior towards his arrest.
After a while of exchanging words the inspector gave Felicia her phone back.
"Mrs Rodriguez, I'm afraid there's nothing much I can do. Your son didn't just mess with just anyone, it was the Wilsons... The least I can do is to reduce the time he is to spend in the cell to three days and that's only because the officers that were present testified to the fact that Stan was on his way to the Wilson's house to return Karen." The man explained over the phone.
"I see." She angrily hang up on him "So useless!" She yelled.
"Hey! Watch it, woman!" The inspector glared at her.
"What's going to happen if I don't? You are going to lock me up together with my son?" She shot back, looking at him daringly and he could only sigh.
"Please leave now.. You can come back in the next three days to get your son." He calmly said to her
She glared at him and she hated to admit it to herself, but there was nothing she could do. Compared to the Wilsons, the Rodriguez were nothing. She really hated to be this powerless.
"I'll leave after I see my son." She finally surrendered.
....
Dr Lucius came out of Karen's room to see four expectant faces. "She's alright, she just needs some rest." He said to them and they all calmed down.
"That's a huge relief." Lauren smiled as she placed her hand on her chest.
Dr Lucius gave her a bottle and said "Those are stimulant drugs. Give two pills to her daily, it would do her some good and would make her brain function better."
"Thank you so much, Lucius." She hugged him and went into Karen's room.
"Thank you doc." Hendrick said and took his bag from him. "I'll escort you to your car."
Dr Lucius patted Hendrick's back. "Such a good kid." He said and smiled at him.
"Yes, he is, unlike his half brother." Mrs Wilson chimed in.
Jane only rolled her eyes and went to join her mother in Karen's room.
"Mom... I'm really sorry... I didn't mean for this to happen." She pleaded from behind but didn't get a response.
"Please forgive me. Such would never repeat itself again, I promise." Jane added and this time she heard her mother heave a sigh.
"I'll forgive you when Karen opens her eyes." Said Lauren.
"Oh thank you, mom." Jane said in relief.
"But you are still grounded." Lauren added, sounding a little harsh.
Jane nodded. "I know."
....
Stan!" Felicia raised her voice as she ran to the cell. Ian and Kevin left the way for her.
"Mom! You came for me." Stan made his tone sound so joyful.
"Yes i did, my darling.." she touched his face "but sadly, there isn't much I could do since it's those damned Wilson's that locked you up."
"So I'll stay here for a week!" Stan exclaimed and looked around the cell with disgust. "This place is disgusting and I'm not allowed to use my phone. I'd die of boredom if I stay here for a week. Please get me out." He pleaded with puppy dog eyes.
"I'm sorry for being so useless at this point, but I could only reduce your stay here to three days." She explained while looking at her son with pity.
"Three days!" Stan exclaimed with an expression that his mom didn't quite understand. 'I wasn't expecting that. I guess I underestimated the power my mom has.' He said inwardly.
"Three days is still a lot." He complained, but then he smiled and quickly added "but don't worry, your son is very strong. I'm sure I'll survive."
"That's the spirit, son. Don't worry, once it's three days, I won't let it exceed even a minute more than that and I'll be here to get you outta here." She assured him and kissed his hand.
"Bye mom." He waved at her with a sad face as she left.
Kevin and Ian came back to the picture with their mouths opened in surprise. "Wow… I still can't believe that just happened." Said Kevin, looking dumbfounded.
"Your acting is a real top notch. I loved it." Ian commented.
Stan only replied with a smile and then his face immediately went serious. "Your madame already left, now will you two get out? Let me enjoy my peace and quiet since four days has been deducted from the week of peace I was looking forward to." And without waiting for them to leave, he went back to the bed and laid down.
....
Not long after the doctor had left, Karen woke up. She saw Lauren sitting next to her bed with her head rested on the side of the bed. She seemed to have fallen asleep.
"Mommy." Said Karen. It almost sounded like a whisper, but it was enough to wake Lauren.
Lauren looked up in shock, hearing that name only one person would call her. Her eyes watered and she touched Karen's cheeks. "Baby... you just called me mommy!" She exclaimed with joy.
"Do you remember something already?" She asked with hope and excitement in her eyes, but it all died down when Karen shook her head.
"Oh" Lauren whispered in disappointment. "Never mind, I'm still happy you are awake. You must be thirsty, I'll go get you water." Lauren hurriedly left the room before she would burst into tears.
Hendrick was seated on the floor beside the door to Karen's room and he was surprised to see Lauren run out in tears.
He stood up with a worried expression and quickly entered Karen's room. He saw her seated on her bed, already awake.
"Hey Karen." He said.
She looked up at him and smiled. "Hendrick." She tapped the bed, telling him to come sit next to her.
Hendrick went and joined her on the bed. He touched her forehead and the temperature was back to normal. "Are you feeling okay? No pain anywhere?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm okay." She replied and held his arm.
"So Stan didn't do anything to you?" He asked curiously.
"Stan." She repeated Stan's name in confusion. "Grandma already asked me. I told her he did nothing to me."
"Grandma asked you? When was that? Because she hasn't entered your room since you woke up." He looked at her questioningly.
"Yesterday." She replied.
"Wait, you don't remember what happened today with Stan?" He asked.
She tried remembering, but she didn't recall seeing Stan at all. She shook her head. "Where is he?" She asked instead.
"Why are you asking? Your family do not like him, neither do you.. at least that was when you were still okay." He said, but he was still calm.
She let go of Hendrick's arm. "He is my friend." She argued and looked at Hendrick. "Don't you like him?" She asked.
Hendrick did not know how to reply to that so he quickly changed the subject. "I saw your mom leave your room. Did anything happen?"
Karen smiled. "I called her mommy."
"Mommy." Hendrick mumbled. After hearing what Karen said, it was no surprise to him that Lauren ran out in tears. He guessed she must have been filled with joy thinking Karen had remembered something as that was what Karen used to call her. Even when she grew up to be an adult, she still stuck to calling Lauren 'mommy' instead of 'mom'.
Hendrick's thoughts were disturbed when Karen tapped his shoulder. "I was saying something. I want you to tell me everything you know about me." She requested.