Aiden

Sydney had been missing for hours. I went to her old apartment, checked at Mike's place and both flats were unoccupied. Though her car was parked near the building. Did she run away with him? NO! My heart refused to believe that.
My phone ran again and this time it was Michael –

"We caught him, Mr Reiner," he said, "the suspect on that tape we caught."

"Mike?" I inquired.

"You won't believe what he was trying to do. He was attempting to blow up our weapons storage facility! We discovered him trying to enter with forged credentials. He is adamant on speaking with you. What are your recommendations? Should we contact the authorities?"

"No! I'll be there in an hour, so don't call the police ".I thanked my lucky stars over the phone for the breakthrough.

After that, I contacted Clifton.

"I'd like you to do something for me, Clifton."

"Yes?" He answered.

"Check on Eric Randall, the owner of the Emerald theatre, to find out his whereabouts. Follow him when you find him. Also, find out where William is, and also trail Fiona."

"All right, Sir," he said, and I hung up.

*******

I entered the warehouse's security office, where Mike was being held.

"You wanted to talk to me? I am here now, just spilling out everything, before I hand you over to the cops." I said, staring at Mike.

He looked pitiful. Seated on a chair, his hands were tied behind his back. Most of his make-up had fallen off during the scuffles with the security guards.

"I wanted to avoid doing this, please, believe me, I was forced to do this...."

He looked at me desperately.

"Where is Sydney? Her car was parked below your apartment when I went there earlier," I asked, glaring at Mike.

"I don't know where she is!" he said flatly.

"I don't have time to play games with you. Who asked you to do all these things? What have you done to Sydney?" I was struggling to control my anger. I spoke in a low voice to keep myself in check.
"You don't understand, they will kill my sister! You have to help me !" he said angrily.

"You are not in a position to bargain, Mike. Just spill out everything, and I won't lay a finger on you. Otherwise, I will make sure you never see the daylight again," I threatened.

"It doesn't matter, either way, I am as good as dead. Look, I am in this shit because of you. I have no enmity with you. But.....they have my sister... I had no choice."

Mike was simply another pawn, and I pitied him, but I needed him to cooperate.

"To whom are you referring when you say "they"? I won't be able to help you unless you speak up. So keep talking."
He breathed deeply.

"It's Eric Randall, the new theatre owner, Marilyn and your stepbrother William. They are the real perpetrators. They have my sister and Eric killed.....he killed Rob. To prove if I didn't carry out his orders. He would do the same with Leah. I am in this fix because of you. They are after you! Don't ask me why… I sincerely don't know," Mike said truthfully.

I wasn't surprised; my suspicions were correct. Although Eric was the mastermind, the fact that William and Marilyn were also involved surprised me.

"How long has all of this been going on?" I inquired firmly.

"I'm not sure, but I believe it was shortly after Eric purchased the theatre. Approximately 6-7 months ago. Marilyn used to be obsessed with you, but she has turned into a bitch since you started chasing Sydney! Not that she hadn't been a bitch before. I'm not sure why Eric despises him, but Marilyn and he devised a plan to get Sydney out of the way by accusing her of cocaine possession. They requested that I obtain her fingerprints."

I folded my arms and muttered, "So it was you." Will, I assumed, was the one who tried to frame Sydney in order to get even with her. Grandpa wanted to protect William, so I didn't pursue it much.

"Keep talking...why did you borrow half a million from Sydney..." I asked, my hand raking over my hair.

"Sydney did show up this morning, but I have no idea where she is. She found out what I was planning......we fought, and she left my house; I assumed she'd return to her. In terms of money, I was trying to run from this mess, but Eric had discovered my plan. He murdered Rob and abducted my sister. Sydney is not a part of this. She is innocent if that's what you want to hear." Mike said impatiently.

Despite the fact that I knew she was innocent, his remarks provided me with great relief.

"You weren't planning to run away with Sydney?" I mumbled, almost to myself.

"Whatever gave you the idea I was going to run off with Sydney ?" Mike asked, perplexed, then he stared at me as realization dawned on him. He burst into laughter.

I looked annoyed at the laughing maniac.
"What are you laughing about?"

"Aiden Reiner, the legendary playboy, felt insecure. Did you expect Sydney to flee with me? Serves you right! You arrogant bastard!" Mike was fuming.

"Keep quiet! Otherwise, I'll smash your face."I threatened, hands clenched.

"Why? The fact that Sydney dumped you is not my fault. So far, her best decision." He grinned.

I ignored his arrogance. "You lied to her and manipulated her to get her involved in something she had no knowledge about."

I ignored his cockiness. "You lied and used her, got her involved in something she knew nothing about."

"Look who is talking? I used and lied to her? What about you? You treated her like an object! You signed her for a contract of marriage! A business transaction, my ass! Just because you are rich, you think you can buy anyone you want?"

"I married her. I gave her my name," I said calmly, even though I was boiling inside.

"Oh! Come on Reiner, you don't love her. You have just been toying with her! You just wanted to fuck her. Which you successfully did!" Mike said through gritted teeth.

I lost my patience at that point. I left my seat, walked to the opposite side and smashed my fist into his jaw. The chair toppled and Mike fell over along with it. A trickle of blood fell from the corner of his lips.

"Do not talk about my wife in that tone! She is not a plaything! She is MY WIFE! I LOVE HER!" I shouted.

Mike shook his head and burst out laughing again. "Wow! Did the haughty playboy fall in love? That's exciting!"

I sat up straight and disregarded his taunts. I'd already squandered far too much time. I also require additional details.

"Now tell me how did you get involved with Eric ?" I asked, trying to keep my cool, before settling back in my chair.

Mike gave a sorrowful smile after staring at me with disdain.

"Marilyn caught me making out with Rob, in the make-up room. She recorded it and used it to blackmail us." He said without emotion.

I was stunned! I could barely speak for the next several moments.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Haven't you heard of gays? Yeah, that's me!" Mike spat the words out.

"So…So, you and Sydney, you never...?" I asked slowly, fearful of his responses.

"Are you hard at the hearing? I am gay, not bisexual. I don't go both ways. I like men, only men." Mike hissed.

My heart was soaring with relief. Even though I knew Sydney had been lying to provoke me. Mike's words were like a cold breeze on a hot summer's day. At that moment, I wanted to jump and shout with joy.

"Being homosexual isn't a crime," I added gently. "What if they had your video, you? You could have refused to cooperate?"

"It was because of Rob. He was married, he had a wife, kids and a thriving career. His folks were not supportive, and this secret would have destroyed him....but..... I couldn't save him." Mike choked.
I felt sorry for that idiot. Despite the fact that he had manipulated Sydney and attempted to harm me.

"If you help me, I'll help you," I murmured gently. Mike raised his eyes to me.

"Tell me how to contact Eric, where he is, and anything else. I can't guarantee anything, but I'll do everything I can to save your sister." I proposed.

"I'm only familiar with one of his hideouts," Mike answered.

"Mike, I simply need your phone. I'll take care of the rest."

He appeared perplexed.

"Eric will most likely call you because you failed to accomplish your task. He is completely unaware that you have been caught."

He nodded and handed me his phone as he realised what had happened.
A knock came at that same moment. Michael called to notify me that the police had come.
A large man with sleepy eyes and receding hairline came in with two police officers. Mike looked around wildly.

"I'm afraid I'll have to send you to the police, Mike. I hope this makes sense."

Mike stiffened, then dejectedly nodded.

I nodded at the detective. "That's the suspect and his stuff."

The detective unzipped the bag and peered inside.
"Take him away, boys," said the detective to his officers.

The police officers put a pair of handcuffs on Mike's wrist and led him out.