Chapter 137: Best Laid Plans
Felix has a blank look on his face after his brother’s announcement. He walks over to his brother and punches him right in the jaw, then walks out. His brother falls to his knees with a sob and I can’t help but feel a wave of sympathy, even if he is responsible for the death of Felix’s entire family. There has to be more to the story.
“Why did you light the fire?” I ask him. He looks up at me with tears in his eyes while rubbing his jaw.
“It was an accident. I was playing around in the garage with a homemade bomb. It was only supposed to be a small one. My brothers and I were going to use it as a distraction to rob the local liquor store. We were no good back then, always getting into trouble. Felix was the best of us and I’m so grateful he survived,” Oscar explains.
“You should tell him it was an accident,” I reply.
“I will. But it doesn’t make up for the fact that it was my fault. I was doing something I shouldn’t have been doing and I killed my family. I’m a murderer, plain and simple. One day I’m going to have to answer for my sins. In the meantime, my brother deserves to know the truth,” he says.
“If you were the one making the bomb, how did you survive?” Derek asks him.
“I made a mistake in the wiring and it started the countdown. I couldn’t shut it off and I knew it was going to cause an explosion in the garage. I started to run into the house to warn everyone and I didn’t make it in time. The blast threw me pretty far and I hit my head. By the time I woke up, the whole thing was on fire and about to collapse. I knew I was going to be in trouble, and maybe even go to jail for murder. I got scared and I ran,” Oscar says.
Felix steps out of the shadows behind us. He has a livid expression on his face and I’m not sure what he’s going to say.
“Accident or not, in my mind you are a murderer. The same as if you shot them all in cold blood. You aren’t my brother. As far as I’m concerned, you’re dead to me, just like the rest of the family,” Felix says coldly.
“I understand. There’s nothing I can do or say that will take it back. But know that I’m so sorry, Felix. I really am,” Oscar replies, getting choked up. Felix looks like he couldn’t care less about his apology and I feel hopeless to fix the situation. I hope that maybe after some time, Felix will somehow learn to forgive Oscar.
“I’m sorry but we really need to go. It’s only a matter of time before Ivanov comes for us. We need to get back to the safe house and get back on track,” Logan interrupts, then turns to Oscar, “One of my men can get you somewhere safe, far away from here if you’d like.”
Oscar nods his head in agreement and Felix turns away from him, walking towards the exit again. But this time I think it’s for good. We all head to the car and it’s a quiet drive back to the house. There is no sign of Ivanov or his men and my uneasiness has waned a little. Once we are inside, I try to find out how Felix is feeling about his recent discoveries. Logan walks off to take a call and I pray it’s good news.
“Felix, are you okay? Can I do anything to help-” I start to say but he interrupts me.
“Lily, I appreciate it, I do. But I just need to be alone right now,” he says curtly and walks into another room by himself. I feel frustrated that he’s having such a hard time, but we have to get back to finding Anna.
“Let him get his head together, sweetheart. He just needs some time,” Derek says and I nod. Logan walks back in looking hopeful and my pulse kicks up a notch.
“We got a hit. He was spotted outside of Nashville. I have some men trying to find his trail but we should leave now, the sooner the better,” Logan says.
“Did they get any eyes on Anna? I need to know if she is okay,” I ask him with a desperate tone.
“Yes, she seemed fine,” he replies and Derek and I audibly sigh.
We quickly pack up the car with more supplies for our journey and head out again. Felix is still being very quiet and I wish there was something I could do to help him. Logan doesn’t receive any more updates on our drive and I catch myself biting my nails to deal with my anxiety. Once we reach the point where Brian was spotted, Logan gets out of the car to investigate. He takes another call and comes back to the car.
“He was seen again, 50 miles north of here,” he says succinctly and gets back in the car. My heart is beating faster in anticipation of what’s to come. The thought of seeing my daughter again brings tears to my eyes but I worry about how my brother is going to react when he sees me again.
When we get to the motel where Brian was seen, we pull into a spot slowly. Derek squeezes my hand and kisses my temple. His presence is reassuring but I can’t help but feel anxious. Logan says a few brief words to one of his men who comes up to the car window and then turns to us.
“We are going to surround the room and take him by surprise. I want you guys to hang back at first, then I will signal you in,” he says.
“The hell we will,” I reply.
“Lily, please trust me. I’ve done this many times before. It’s best you stay in the background at first,” he tells me firmly. I do trust him, so I nod reluctantly.
We all get out of the car slowly and Logan, Felix and some other men move silently towards one of the motel rooms. Derek and I do as we were instructed and stay back but it’s taking everything in me not to rush inside.
Somehow they got a copy of the key card and the door opens. I can’t see anything inside because Derek is blocking my view and my heart starts racing. Logan finally peaks his head out and gestures for us to come in.
We walk through the door and my stomach drops. They aren’t here.
I walk over to the bed and see the little pink baby blanket that Annalise knitted for her. I pick it up and clutch it to my chest as tears run down my face.