Chapter 57

I was running down a narrow alley. The walls on each side of me was covered in blood and gunshots echoed around me. I could hear Hunter calling for me, he called for my help, for me to come back. But I didn’t know which way was back. I didn’t know if I was running to him or from him. There was a gunshot that sounded louder than the rest and then Hunter stopped calling for me. I was torn from my dream and found myself on the couch in Hunter’s office. My heart was beating in my chest and the panic from the dream lingered. I looked at my phone and saw I had been asleep for about an hour, it was close to midnight. I picked up the blanket that had fallen on the floor and tried to decide what to do. I didn’t want to go back to sleep, I felt the nightmare was waiting for me. I could find Jason and see what was happening, but I knew he would tell me if there was something I needed to know. I didn’t want to be in his way, I rather he had focus on helping Hunter. I picked up my phone and sent him a text.

Me: I’m heading for the kitchen if you need to find me.

J: Good call. there is always food in the fridge, just help yourself to what you think looks good.

I smiled at the message, he thought I was hungry. But the dinner from the restaurant was still keeping me full. I walked out of the office and saw Clair sitting at her desk.

“Hi, are you still here?” I asked.

“Hi. Yeah, I won’t be able to relax if I go home, so I can as well be useful while I wait for news,” she said. I nodded.

“I’m heading down to the kitchen, can I get you something?”

“That’s sweet of you, but I have my tea and I’m happy with that.” I nodded and continued. The kitchen was dark, no one was in there. Everyone was out doing things. But I knew the company made sure to serve breakfast every day to those who wanted it. With so many people out in the field, trying to help Hunter, the least I could do was make sure they had a good breakfast to come back to. I took stock of what was available to me and made a plan. I took out butter and let it soften while I got started on bread dough. My plan was to go for the more complicated and time-consuming recipes. Anything to keep my mind and hands occupied with something useful. Next I got started with puff pastry for danishes and then croissant dough. While they were resting, I got started with Choux dough and made an extra large batch to be able to make both sweet and savoury ones. When I had it piped into nice balls and placed into the oven I started making danishes. Once the first batch was done, the kitchen had started to fill with the scent of freshly baked goods. When I was working on the croissants, Chef walked into the kitchen. He stopped and looked at me.

“Hana?” he asked. I was happy I had cleaned as I went and the kitchen was in good order.

“Morning,” I said. “It is morning, right?”

“Barely,” he huffed. He put on his apron and took a look at everything I had made and the things that were half done. “Breakfast is on you today, I guess.”

“Yes, I hope you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. We usually have oatmeal, sandwiches and cereal. But this will be good. It will do everyone good,” he told me. “Do you need my help?”

“No, I’m doing fine,” I said. He nodded and started on his own things. I baked the bread and the croissants. Batches of cupcakes were done and I filled the Petit Choux, half with strawberry and vanilla filling and half with smoked meat, horseradish and cream cheese. As I was in the middle of making sandwiches from my homemade bread, Jason texted me.

J: You’re not in Hunter’s office

Me: No, I’m in the kitchen

J: Right, time for breakfast.

J: Wait. You haven’t been there this whole time, have you?

Me: Yes, I’m almost done.

He didn’t answer, I assumed he was happy with knowing where I was. Three minutes later, the door to the dining hall flew open and Jason stormed in.

“Are you crazy?! Staying up all night working?” Jason shouted at me and made a gesture to all the things that were piled onto trays or stood cooling. I flinched at the harsh tone.

“Fuck off,” Chef told him and walked over and placed himself in front of me. “She has been here preparing breakfast for everyone. Being useful. If you are going to be a fucking idiot and shout at her about it you can get the hell out of my kitchen and let us work in peace,” he told Jason.

“Sorry,” Jason said. Then he leaned to the left, looking around Chef to see me. “I’m sorry, Hana. I shouldn’t have shouted.”

“It’s okay,” I told him.

“Have you done all of this?” he then asked.

“I have, I’m hoping it will be of some use.”

“I’m sure it will. Can I have a talk with you?” When he asked me that, I looked up at him. Did he have new information about Hunter? Chef turned around and faced me.

“Go on. I’ll finish the sandwiches, it’s the only thing left to do on this feast. Make sure you take some food with you,” Chef said.

“Thank you,” I said. I only got a nod in reply as he took up my work. Jason was already busy loading a plate full of food. I took one as well and made sure to have some things to eat. Together we went back to Hunter’s office and sat down on the couch.

“This is amazing,” Jason said. He had crammed half a Danish into his mouth and after swallowing he looked happy.

“I’m happy you like it,” I told him as I picked at a cupcake.

“I have some news,” Jason started after he had finished his sweet treat. He was eyeing what next to devour from his plate.

“Have you found Hunter?” I asked.

“No, almost though.”

“Almost?”

“Yeah. We have narrowed it down to two locations. We haven’t found any evidence or signs to let us narrow it down further. We have men staking out both places. They will give me a report in about an hour. If we by then can’t tell which location he is held at, we will breach both places,” he told me. I nodded as if I knew anything about breaching a location.

“Will it be bad if you have to do it in both places?” I asked. He made a grimace that showed he didn’t like it.

“Not bad. It’s more complicated as we don’t want them to be able to warn each other. We need to strike them at the same time. And we will have to split our people in two teams. But I’m not that worried about it. We have good people. It’s just an irritating risk,” he said. Again I nodded. “We will get him back and we will have him before the end of the day,” Jason added in a serious tone.

“You promise?” I asked and felt the tears well up in my eyes.

“I never make promises like that. Too much could happen that I can’t control. But you have my word that there is no team more dedicated to this than the ones in this building.” I nodded and this time I did understand. Most people in this building had known Hunter for longer than I had, he had their loyalty and I was happy they all were on Hunter’s side.

“Okay, I get that. What can I do to help?” I wanted to know.

“There isn’t much you can do. I’m going to say this and I want you to know I mean it in the nicest possible way. You look a little rough around the edges. The best thing for you to do is try to get some sleep. When we get Hunter out, you want to be awake and not on the verge of collapsing,” he told me. He was right of course. But still, the memory of my nightmare kept me from accepting it.

“I had a nightmare,” I confessed. He looked at me with compassion and nodded.

“I’m not surprised. You went through something traumatic, and you are still going through it. Maybe you would feel better at Hunter’s apartment?” he asked. I shook my head.

“No. I think I would just get paranoid. I fear I would end up shutting myself in the panic room and just stay there,” I said. He laughed.

“Hunter showed you that detail, did he? Well, there would be worse places to seek shelter in,” he chuckled.

“I think I would rather stay here. My dress looks terrible after sleeping and baking in it, but it’s not a beauty contest.”

“That I can help you with. If you don’t mind looking like a walking advertisement, we do have some clothes. I can get some in your size and down in the gym there are showers you can use if you like,” he offered.

“That sounds amazing, thank you.”

“No problem. Give me twenty minutes.” He held his word and fifteen minutes later he returned with sweatpants, a t-shirt, a tank top and a hoodie. I headed down to the gym and took a long, hot shower. When I got back to Hunter’s office I had on the sweatpants and tank top. I laid down on the couch and put on some music on my phone. Thankfully Hunter had a phone charger in his office so I could make sure my phone didn’t die on me. I curled up under the blanket and tried to stop the thoughts that were swirling around in my head. I don’t know when I fell asleep, but I did.