The Zodiac of P.R.A.

Chapter 31

Guest Star:
Julian Cheung - Douglas Chung aka Virgo
Andy Lau – Joe (The Head of Security and P.R.A.)
Daniel Wu – Michael Wu
Ada Choi – Jessie Leung aka Cancer
Sonjia Kwok – Christina Chan

The team escaped as they raced down the streets towards headquarters. Suddenly Mia stopped “Oh crap! I dropped my earpiece!” she touched her ear with a frantic look in her eyes.

Brad shook his head “I’m sure Joe will understand. Come on. We have to get back.”

When they entered the place, Joe sat there in his chair looking very distraught, his arms were crossed and he did not bother to look up at them “You failed.” He said flatly.

The team lowered their heads in shame “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to do it on my own. If I would have stuck with the team, this wouldn’t have happened.” Brad apologized.

“Its not your fault Brad, we all agreed on the plan.” Mia explained, she turned to Joe “Don’t punish him, please.”

Joe let out a sigh of frustration “Do you know how hard it will be to get a second chance? If he realizes what we’re after, he’s going to destroy it and we will have no chance in getting those files!"

“But how do we know that it’s not destroyed yet?” Mia crossed her arms as she picked his brain. “For all we know, he’s probably burned them all.”

Joe stood up as he turned to Mia “Would you burn all the evidence if you did something bad?” she nodded while he shook his head “Wrong, if you burn it, there will be a trail to follow where you burned it and why. By keeping the files, he is in a safe zone until someone finds the proofs.”

“Isn’t that doing a little too much to secure his secrets?” Darren was curious as he found more questions “I mean, if I was him, I would leave it somewhere that no one can ever find but myself. That way it would secure every lead even if I died.”

“Well, I guess there’s no use in asking if you already know the answer?” Joe was getting more frustrated by the minute. They should already pin this guy, he wondered if Erin knew anything but didn’t tell them. She hasn’t contacted him since the other night she called him from the restroom “Was Erin with him?”

Everyone exchanged glances but didn’t want to reply, they all were thinking of the same thing, for Brad to answer. He eventually did “Yes. She saved him too.”

“She did?” Joe didn’t sound too surprise “We’ll worry about her later. As for now, put down your earpieces and weapons. I’ll see you all tomorrow night.”

Mia was hesitant as she stepped up to him “I…I lost it during the fight at the house.”

“How could you lose it?” Joe asked, while his brows were knit together “What if they got a hold of it? They’d know exactly what we are doing!” he scolded.

Darren saw Mia’s head lowered “Sir, I’m sure even if they found it they wouldn’t know what to do with it…except for Erin…” he faded as he realized what he was saying.

“Well, let’s just pray to God that they don’t find it.” Joe shook his head sternly at Mia “But maybe this will be useful to us, we’ll hear what they are saying.” He turned to them “Go home and rest, no use in staying here tonight.”

“Yes, sir.” The team replied.

*****************

Erin snuck out of the mansion early that morning. She was meeting a person she knew would be able to help her with some answers. She walked to the station carefully while her head whipped back and forth cautioned with her surroundings. She entered the police station and asked for Ted.

He was waiting for her in the private investigation room “Did you find it?” she asked.

Ted smiled with a nod “Clear as broad daylight. Her name was Julie Fan, born in Kowloon Hong Kong. Raised from a family with 5 kids, poor as can be that’s why the family gave away two to adoption. The oldest one was sold to an upper class family. After her accident, it says here that the file was opened by Michael Wu when she got in the car accident but within 3 months, it was closed never to be opened since her family decided not to investigate.”

Erin crossed her arms, her brows furrowed in suspicion “So he wasn’t lying.” She muttered to herself “Where are her family now?”

“The parents divorced and remarried into lower class families. The two that were sent off for adoption were not followed on. The one that was sold had changed his surname and Julie had another brother that died when he was young. Leaving her the only child.” Ted read on.

“That’s bizarre, if they were poor, why would the parents marry into another lower class family?" Erin eyes suddenly brightened “Were there any newspaper reports on her accident?”

Ted nodded “There were about 10 different stories that were thrown out in the market. Probably the Wu family trying to suppress the rumors that she was murdered. So you think she was?”

Erin smiled “I know she was.” She turned to Ted and hugged him out of the blue “Thank you so much!” she quickly rushed out leaving him looking very confused. Now she had to get to Michael before the P.R.A. got to him.

She returned to the mansion and found it completely deserted. It was usually so lively and full of maids and butlers. Not to mention his handful of guards that always stared at her like she was going to steal something. She walked around to the backyard and found Michael sitting in front of a drawing board as he sketched something. When she was close enough to see, she noticed it was a picture of a girl that was very similar to her.

“You miss a lot don’t you?” Erin asked softly.

He wasn’t startled as he nodded slowly “She was my life. Have you ever lost someone you loved so much that it’s a burden to continue on without them?”

Erin walked up next to him as she sighed “I wouldn’t know.”

He looked up at her “I’m sorry…I forgot you were an orphan.”

She shook her head with a smile “It’s okay. I’m use to it. It use to bother me but now, I’m okay. If I didn’t become an orphan, I wouldn’t have ever become so strong and relentless.”

“Not to mention amazingly determined. I’ve never met anyone like you.” He smiled up at her “Julie wasn’t half as strong as you.”

Erin turned her body to face him “Tell me, why did her family stop investigating?”

He frowned “Because they didn’t want to investigate further, it was hopeless, she had died and the guy that hit her was in a coma since the accident.”

“Have you ever visited the guy?” Erin asked.

Michael shook his head “I don’t want to. I’m afraid if I saw his face, I would pull the plug so he could pay for killing Julie.”

“What happened to her family?” she wanted to hear it from him.

He shrugged while returning to his drawing “Moved away apparently. I heard both of her parents remarried into a rich family.”

“Who told you this?” she questioned.

“My parents.” He said a matter of factly. Suddenly he dropped his pencil “Do you think…” he couldn’t even say it.

Erin crossed her arms and smiled “Why not? They already killed the poor girl, why not pay off the family so they stop investigating? I wouldn’t be surprised at all.”

Suddenly he stood up and pushed at the board as it crashed to the grass “I can’t believe them!!” his rage was building as he tightened his fist.

Erin took a hold of his arm as she tried to calm him “Michael, listen to me. They will get what’s coming for them. But you need to stay alive. I didn’t turn that package that you gave to me into the police. You have to stay calm…we need to put on a show tonight.”

His breathing calmed as he listened to her “A show?”

She nodded “I’m not sure if it will work. But it’s worth a shot.” She smiled as she could smell justice in the air.

Michael shook his head sadly “What if it does work? I will still have to go to jail.” He placed a hand on her shoulder “I appreciate that you believe me, but you have no idea who you’re dealing with. A much more powerful authority than you’ll ever know. Don’t waste your mind on this…I deserve to go to jail. Even if you don’t turn in the proof, I’ll do it myself.”

Erin grinned slyly “How do you know where I left it?”

“It’s not in the house?” he asked.

She laughed “I’m not that stupid. It’s in a safe place, don’t worry…not even I can get to it.”

“What’s that suppose to mean?” he found her to be a peculiar girl that he couldn’t really understand. “You’re too smart for a girl…that could only lead to problems.” He warned teasingly.

Erin shrugged “Bring it on. I love problems!” she turned towards the house “Why is everyone gone?”

Michael sighed as he picked up the drawing board and canvas “I fired them, I’d figure why pull everyone down with me? They are all innocent.”

“How about Reina and Andrew?” Erin asked curiously “Aren’t they loyal to you?”

He laid the board down on the ground. He was kneeling on one knee while his head turned up to her “There’s a thin line between loyalty and betrayal.”

She nodded “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

He eventually gave up on trying to set up the canvas and stood up “You want to take a walk with me?”

Erin smiled “It would be my pleasure.” She gave a little curtsy and laughed when his smile grew bigger by the second “But don’t try anything funny.” She wagged her finger at him.

Michael laughed “I wouldn’t dream of it, I think my arm is still sprained from that first time.” He recalled. Like a gentleman, he brought out a hand to show her the way. She smiled as the two walked towards the road taking them to the endless acres.

Chapter 32

The team met up at headquarters with Joe already there anxiously waiting. When everyone arrived together dressed in their uniforms, he nodded at Brad “Make sure we don’t fail this time.”

“Yes Sir…uh….” He hesitated to ask him something.

“What is it?” Joe read his mind to perfection.

He turned to Mia who then nodded for him to ask “What about Erin?”

Joe’s eyes hardened as he looked away “If she gets in the way again, kill her.” He said coldly.

Mia exchanged glances with Darren quietly while everyone else raised their brows in shock. Brad lowered his head “Yes Sir.”

Suddenly Joe’s attitude changed as he let out a tired sigh “I know that you have very strong feelings for her, Brad.” He touched his shoulder “But she’s not the same girl you once knew. She’s a traitor, like Mia said.” He pointed out but Mia didn’t look him in the eye “You have to remember what we’re here for.”

Brad nodded “Yes…I understand.” He turned his head up and straightened his back “Ready team?” he turned to the others as tapped on his ear “Mia, don’t lose it again.”

She smiled “I don’t think it’s possible to make the same mistake twice.”

Doug laughed at the irony in her words “I think you did.” He nodded to Darren making Brad and Mia laugh while Darren scowled at Doug.

“Alright, enough with the teasing. Keep in touch guys.” Joe instructed as he waved them away.

****************

That night at the mansion, Michael insisted that he cooked dinner that night since there were no one else in the cooking department to help them. Erin stood at the kitchen door with her arms crossed as she watched Michael in an apron “I’d never thought I’d live to see a rich guy that never had to do anything for himself but now is cooking his own dinner.” She shook her head sadly when he jumped back from the popping oil that was frying the chicken.

He let out a laugh “Be nice, it’s the second time I’ve ever cooked.”

She wrinkled her brows “When was the first?”

“When I proposed to Julie.” Suddenly he seemed to be in a daze again.

Erin smiled softly “Did you burn the chicken when you were cooking for her?”

That brought him back to reality as he quickly flipped a chicken leg “Worse, I almost burned down the whole apartment.” He joked.

It took another half an hour until their dinner was done. The two sat down at the dinner table ready to indulge in their simple dinner. He raised a glass of water since he had no idea where his cook left the wine. Erin raised her own “What are we celebrating?”

“A new….friendship.” he smiled.

She nodded “I’ll drink to that.” They took a sip and began to dig into their salad which Michael also prepared “Can I ask you something Michael?”

He looked up with a surprised look “Sure.”

“Why did you get into…you know…the illegal stuff?” she was curious.

Michael paused his chewing as he thought about it. He pushed the food aside as he answered “When I realized she was dead.”

“You mean you wanted your family’s reputation to go down the toilet?” Erin found it hard to believe.

He nodded “It was their fault she lost her life to begin with, it was only fair that he lost everything he cared about…his money....” he said darkly.

“Surely there were more ways to do that than importing drugs.” She looked up to him with knit brows “Who is the man behind all this?”

Michael smiled “You would like to know huh?”

She smiled “Unless you can’t tell me. But I already know.”

He raised his brows in shock “Really? Who?” Erin smiled slyly as she got up and walked over to him and covered her mouth over his ear as she whispered the person’s name. Michael’s face turned pale as he looked at her “How did you know?”

She gave him a wink “I know a lot more than you think.” Their dinner was quickly interrupted when she heard the front gates being opened “They’re back.” She whispered as she nodded to him.

“What are we going to do?” Michael asked hastily looking around for the attackers.

“Come on.” She pointed upstairs “We’ll stay in the library.” The two stood in their for ten minutes but it felt like hours. She placed her fingers over her lips when she heard the footsteps getting closer. The two moved to hide behind the desk when suddenly, the doors flew open.

She could hear Mia’s voice “Come out, come out wherever you are.” She sang. After a moment of silence she asked Brad “I thought Joe said they were in the library.”

Michael turned to Erin with a shocked look, how did he know they were in the library? She seemed to read his mind as she tapped on her ear causing the device to disconnect. Brad walked around the room and suddenly his eyes caught on the chair at the desk which was pushed behind. He walked around the corner and smiled at the two “Nice hiding space.”

Erin and Michael exchanged glances as they crawled out and stood in front of the other five “What do you want?” Erin asked.

“His head.” Brad said cruelly.

Erin shook her head “I can’t let you do that.”

“Erin…” he began when he got an order from Joe to kill her “I’m sorry.” He raised his gun and fire was let out, then another and then the third shot was heard.

“NO!!!” Michael cried “You damn cold hearted bastard!! I can’t believe you killed her!!”

“NO one stands in our way.” Brad pointed his gun to Michael.

“Wait, don’t kill him!!” Joe ordered “Bring him back here.”

Brad frowned “But Sir…”

“Just do it!” Joe said a little more impatiently.

Brad nodded to the group “Take him and go.” Darren and Doug walked over and tied Michael’s hand together in a wire chain “Mia and Jessie, you two look around for the proofs then meet us downstairs, Joe said it should be in his room or the library.”

“Yes.” Mia nodded.

The guys stayed downstairs while the girls looked around, after ten minutes Mia rushed out from the stairwell “Brad, I found it!!” she held up a manila envelope.

“Good job team. Now let’s bring Mr. Wu back here.” Joe spoke up loud and clear.

They all returned to the headquarters with Joe looking extra pleased “Mr. Wu…long time no see.”

Michael’s eyes hardened “You!! Why are you doing this?” he turned to Brad and the rest “He’s not who you think he is…he’s really the culprit behind all this drug import…he’s not the head!! You have to believe me!” he cried desperately.

Joe laughed with his head thrown back “You think they’ll believe you over me? Do you know I’m the head of the P.R.A.? I control them!!” he cried like a power hungry man. Suddenly his eyes darkened at Brad “Where is she?”

”Who?” Brad asked.

“Erin.” Joe’s voice lowered “I want to see her body.”

“You’re a sick bastard…” Michael grumbled “I regret ever working with you. Had I’d known you turn on me, I’d kill you when I got the chance.” He said through gritted teeth.

Joe’s head spun to the guy with a look so evil that it even made Michael back up a few steps “Kill me?? Like how your family killed Julie??! My baby sister…she didn’t deserve to die so tragically.”

“How…how did you know about Julie?” Michael asked.

Mia turned to Joe with a curious expression “Julie? Sir, you never told us you had siblings? I thought you were the only child.”

But Joe was in his own little world as he block out everyone but Michael “I may have been sold to a rich family, but I still followed my roots. Eventhough my surname changed, I will never forget that I’m a Fan. And I’ll never let your family live peacefully.”

Michael laughed “I don’t care what you do to my family’s name…I hated my father for killing Julie just because she was poor. I had nothing to do with that.”

“Nothing?? You met her didn’t you? You became her boyfriend eventhough your father warned you not to…” the crazy man continued as he reached for Michael’s throat and strangled him “Why must you toy with people’s emotions? You knew what your father was capable of…why…why can’t you just let her go?”

“Sir…” Brad began as he tried to stop Joe but the man whipped his shoulder back causing Brad to stumble back a few steps “You…You’re not Joe….are you?”

The man laughed haughtily “Even if you find out, it’s a little too late.”

Mia and the rest pulled out their guns and pointed it at the fake Joe “It’s never to late to pump your head full of metal.” She pushed the gun at his head.

He only laughed louder “Didn't she tell you that your guns are empty?” he smiled widely when they checked the blank guns. The five dropped it to the floor and he turned to the door of the conference room “Looks like you guys lose…” in walked Reina and Andrew with one gun on each hand, all pointing at the team. He turned to Brad who’s eyes were colder than ice “Don’t look at me like that…just because you killed your pretty little girlfriend…" he laughed when Brad lunged at him only to be punched in the gut by Andrew.

Brad fell to the floor on his knees as he held onto his stomach in pain “Why did you have to kill her?!!”

The man smiled crookedly “Ask him.” He nodded to Michael “If you listened more to your head than your balls…maybe you would have been able to save the girl? I didn’t want her dead…she just grew too suspicious of me. She knew too much because you told her too much.” He pointed at Michael’s chest “If you want revenge, you can kill him.” He smiled while turning to Brad.

When he had the madman’s attention, he laughed “You may be sneaky but we’re smart too.”

It was the first time the man lost his cool as he bent down in front of Brad and grabbed his shirt “What the hell are you talking about?!!” it made Brad laugh to see the man looking so frightened.

“Reina!!” Andrew cried when Erin pointed a gun to her head from behind. It was totally unexpected “You’re supose to be dead.”

The man stood up slowly as he turned to Erin who’s hand gun was pointed to the back of Reina’s head “I can guarantee you this gun is not empty.” Erin smiled "Let me give you a hint." she said to the man "Maybe you didn't realize but the gun shots you heard at the Wu Mansion came from Michael's gun." his eyes widened with anger "Just part of the play." she narrowed her eyes "I thought you'd realize it since you knew their guns were empty?"

He was upset that he didn't catch that very clue “You think you won? It’s barely started.” The mad man shook his head wildly.

Erin smiled “Really? Why don’t you ask Andrew if he will put down his gun?” she pushed the gun barrel into Reina’s head.

“No!!” Andrew cried painfully “I’ll drop it.”

”Don’t!!” Reina warned “She won’t kill me.”

Erin knew she could not scare Reina but Andrew was a different story as she turned to him “Do you want to test me?” she pull back the back trigger.

“NO!!” Andrew instantly dropped his gun.

“Wimp!!” the man roared angrily. Suddenly he narrowed his eyes and began to smile “If you kill us, you’ll never find the real Joe Cheung.” The team gasped in shock.

Chapter 33 

Dave turned to Reina “You told me she tried to save Brad when you fired….you killed our sister?” he asked in shock.

Reina whipped her head away “She was stupid and naïve…she was always on their team, always defending Brad. She deserved to die!” she cried coldly.

“Haven’t your family suffered enough?” Michael stepped closer to Dave with his wrists still tied together “You’re losing a sibling with each day…why do you want to destroy the entire family?”

Dave widened his eyes “Because you damn rich people took over everything!! We have normal lives to lead…but with one say and our low lives were no longer useless. You think my father wanted to lose that job at the harbor? That was the only way we were able to keep our family together.”

Mia snickered “Well if your parents weren’t humping like rabbits they wouldn’t have to have so many mouths to feed!”

“Shut up!!” Dave pointed to Mia with a stiff finger, she turned away with her nose in the air “You guys won’t get away with this.” He threatened.

Mia laughed “I think that’s our line.”

His evil eyes turned to her again but she wouldn’t falter as she threw her chin up at him. Dave’s smile appeared slowly at Erin “Go ahead…kill her…I don’t care…” he laughed.

“Dave! She’s your sister!!” Andrew was desperate to keep her alive.

Dave took a few steps closer towards Erin “So? If it’s not her than it’s me…if you don’t kill me, I promise to tell you where Joe is.” He said slowly.

Erin shook her head “I don’t trust you.”

“You’re right…you shouldn’t trust me…” suddenly he lunged at Michael with his arm around his neck “Let her go…if not I’ll kill him.” The team took a few steps towards Dave but he quickly moved into a corner wall “Don’t come closer or I’ll kill him!!”

Brad raised an arm as he motioned for everyone to back up “You know even if you kill him, you won’t get away.”

Erin’s attention was diverged as Andrew took advantage of it and he quickly knocked the gun out of her hand as it came flying to the floor. The two quickly found themselves in a fight while Mia chased after Reina who tried to escape. She blocked the door and gave the girl a kick, she was quick to dodge it as Mia closed the door “The fun’s just starting…” she smiled and once again the two were entwined in a fight.

Michael took his chances as he pulled his head forward and thrust it back hitting Dave in the forehead at full force. He fell to his knees in pain while Dave covered his head with his hands. Brad took the chance as the attacked Dave, who quickly recovered from his head bang. Doug rushed over to pull Michael up and untied him. He turned to Jessie “Call for help.”

She nodded as she rushed to the door but was quickly blocked by Reina “If I can’t leave, no one can.” She threatened as it was two girls against one.

Mia stood in her stance as the girls circled each other “Doesn’t this look a little too familiar?”

Reina snarled at her with a vengeance “But this time I’ll win.” She threw a punch at Mia who dodged it to perfection as Jessie jumped in to help. With two girls, Reina was not a match for them as she was quickly defeated to the floor.

“Looks like you lose…again.” Mia smiled victoriously.

Reina slid on her back until she hit the wall, she turned her head and found the gun that was knocked out of Erin’s hand. She took it and aimed it at Brad “This is for my sister.” She whispered.

Erin’s quick eye did it as she made a summersault to the side and picked up one of Andrew’s dropped gun as she aimed it at Reina and let go of the trigger, at the same time she never saw Andrew diving between the gun and Reina.

Reina looked up and saw the shot and then Andrew flying between as she cried out “NOO!!!!” The bullet hit him straight in the heart as he flew back a few inches sliding into the wall next to Reina “Andrew!!” she grabbed onto him before dropping the gun from her hand. Nothing else mattered at the moment “Andrew…” her tears were real as she clutched onto him for dear life.

The whole room seemed to pause as the watched Andrew slowly dying. His shirt was quickly covered in blood while he struggled to catch his last breath “Reina…” he managed to whisper as slow smile crossed his face “As long…as….you…you’re okay….”

Her tears dripped onto his cheek as she shook her head “No…please…don’t leave me…” she whispered in pain. When his eyes slowly closed and his head fell limply in her arms, she let out a blood shrieking cry “NOOO!!!” she sobbed while she rocked his body in her arms.

The group was silent as can be until Reina’s crazy eyes looked up in a daze. She picked up her gun and aimed it at Brad. She wanted Erin to lose her only love too “Duck!!” Erin cried, but Brad was way ahead of her as he fell to the floor and the bullet hit Dave who stood behind him.

“Gor….” Reina’s face was covered in her own tears as she watched her brother fall to the floor limply.

“Damn, she’s lost it.” Mia whispered. Suddenly she realized Darren had disappeared “Darren?” she asked while her head spun around “Darren!!” she grew more frantic by the moment.

Erin’s eyes were on Reina who slowly dropped the gun, she lost two people closest to her in one day, it didn’t matter what happened to her now. She turned to Erin “You win…” she turned her head down at Andrew’s peaceful face. She leaned her face on his cheek, tears dripping from her eyes eventhough she made no sobbing sound. She began muttering incoherent words to herself.

Brad got up as he ran over to where Erin was, the two hugged with happy smiles “God, you scared me…” Erin whispered as they tightened their grips.

Jessie walked over to Doug as he placed an arm around her shoulder as they watched the two unite “Why don’t you do anything that romantic?” she nudged him teasingly.

“Sure!” he laughed as he leaned in and kissed her unexpectedly on the lips. She quickly pushed him away with a laugh “That’s romantic to me…” he explained with a knowing smile.

Mia furrowed her brows as she brought out her hands “HELLOO!! Is anyone listening to me?” she called for attention “I said…where is Darren!”

Erin and Brad eventually broke apart as they turned to Mia with a smile “Honey, if you can’t even keep an eye on your man…how do you expect us to?” she smiled at her friend.

Mia scratched her head strangely “The thing is I don’t even remember when he disappeared….” She turned to Reina and pointed with her thumb “What are we going to do about koo-koo here?”

Erin sighed “I don’t know.” She walked over to Mia as the girls hugged “Thank you.”

“Why?” Mia asked when she pulled away.

“For believing in me.” Erin smiled “It was a tough shot when I tried to hint to you that one night you guys broke into the Wu’s Mansion. I didn’t think you would understand my message.”

Mia laughed “Oh that!” she tilted her head “Girls think with their brains…guys?” she nodded at Brad “They think with their-”

Brad quickly interrupted her “Hey…” he warned.

She smiled secretly “I was going to say jealous heart…what were you thinking of?” she teased Brad.

“Nevermind….” He shook his head “I’ll lose no matter what.”

Mia nodded “You better recognize!” Erin laughed while Brad gave Mia a bowing motion.

“There’s Darren!!” Jessie pointed to the door.

When they turned, they found Darren standing at the door with Joe looking disheveled and unshaven. His hair was growing longer and his eyes looked tired. Darren was supporting Joe by the arm “Look what I found gagged and tied?”

“Joe!!” Mia cried as she rushed over to him “What happened?”

Darren smiled “I think he was kidnapped, honey.” He teased.

Mia rolled her eyes “I KNOW that! But where were you the whole time?”

Joe smiled up at the curious girl “You guys ever heard the saying; the most dangerous place is actually the safest place?” The team nodded as he continued “Dave figured he would hide me right here in the P.R.A. headquarters so even if someone found out the truth, they’d never find me.”

Mia hit Darren on the arm roughly as he flinched in pain “What was that for?” he cried while rubbing his arm.

“You knew and you didn’t tell me???!!! You know how much I wanted to be the hero.” She cried with a pouty lip.

Darren laughed “Actually, it was by accident. Before we left earlier, I walked to the bathroom and found one of the walls was making sounds. Like a person trying to cry for help. I snuck out earlier when no one was paying attention since everyone was busy fighting with someone else. I went to the wall to try to find the secret room. It took a while, but I found it.” He said proudly.

Joe looked at the guy with a smile “Thank you.” His head turned slowly to Reina as his smile faded “She…”

Mia made a circular motion with her finger at her temple “She’s lost it.”

Joe shook his head sadly “Such a sad life…has anyone called the police yet?”

Everyone shook their heads and he let out a sigh “Good…the last thing we need is the P.R.A. destroyed by the only hands that created it.” He looked up at Michael who was quiet in his own world “Mr. Wu…” Michael looked up and Joe motioned for him to come over “I know you were not involved in any of the smuggling, Dave told me everything.”

“He did?” Michael asked in shock.

Joe nodded “He thought I was going to die so it was no use in lying. I think he just needed to let it out.”

“How did this all started?” Erin asked.

"It was planned for years apparently, Dave lived under the Wong family’s rules. If you guys don’t know the family, they are from a prestigious upbringing of political heads. I, being the General of Security have to meet them every so often." his eyes dazed as he recalled some past experience "They use to tell me about an adopted son that looked almost identical to me but I never believed it until I met him one day. I’ve never believed the saying that people look like people…but now I’m a believer. He soon grew interested in talking to me and I to him. But the minute I realized there was more to Dave than meets the eye, it was too late because he already had his plan of attack. He didn’t kidnap me, he stood outside the headquarter until it was the perfect moment, when I was alone. He attacked me and put me in the secret room for weeks. Although he fed me, he made sure that I was too weak to get away even if I could get away.”

“Sounds like the perfect plan.” Brad muttered.

Joe nodded “Maybe a little too perfect. But everyone has a soft spot in their hearts, his was the hatred and pain that his family had to bear. When I realized that Michael was just a pawn in his game of chess, I was more determined to stay alive. I didn’t want another innocent life to be taken away.”

Michael smiled as he looked over at Erin “Thanks to her.”

She smiled shyly “I didn’t do anything….just a little trust that’s all.”

“When did you start to believe me?” Michael asked with curiosity.

She titled her head thoughtfully “When you told me about the story of Julie, something in your eyes told me it was no lie. And it was strange the way you kept asking me to take a walk…I’d figure there was something in the house that you didn’t want to be around. Then I realized it must have been some kind of homing device. What I don’t understand is why you told Reina that Julie’s death was a bullshit story?”

He laughed “Because I didn't know she was Dave’s sister. If I knew, I wouldn't have said it at all...I just wanted her off my back.” He would have thought she guessed that a while ago. His smile faded as he continued “He was my partner for years in the drug smuggling business. I didn’t want to do it initially but he threatened to kill my entire family…I didn’t want that…so I promised and he took it further and further until I couldn’t turn back anymore.”

Mia frowned “So where are all the proof?”

Michael turned to Erin with a smile “Ask her.”

She shrugged “They don’t exist anymore.”

“You burned them??!” Mia asked in shock.

Joe nodded “You did the right thing.” He turned to Michael “Although I don’t agree that you should be able to walk free, but I know you are innocent. I will not report this to any officials.”

“Thank you!” Michael said gratefully.

Joe smiled while Mia looked around the room “What are we going to do about this place?”

“All the people that know about the P.R.A. are dead or ex agents…” Brad began “except…” his eyes trailed over to Michael.

“I won’t tell a soul!” he promised as he made a cross sign on his heart. Joe nodded with understanding and he believed that Michael wouldn't tell.

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