Lost - Two Timer series - 19. Chapter 19

Troy drove to the diner close to Adam’s building to have dinner. After seated, they ordered and searched on their phones for fair priced hotels in the city.

“The Duet is nice,” Anton said, scrolling through the photos of stylish rooms with grand views.

“The cheapest room is over two hundred a night,” Troy answered.

“Okay, how about the Palace?”

“That’s even worse.”

“It’s only for one-night Troy. Everything in our price range is out of the city.”

“I should’ve taken you home,” he said, placing his cell down defeated.

“No, I’m not leaving until I know Patrick’s safe.”

“We can do that at home.”

Anton placed his phone down and felt drained. He was tired, hungry, and scared. He didn’t want to argue. When Anton didn’t raise his eyes from his hands Troy became worried. He moved to Anton’s side and wrapped his strong arm around his shoulders.

“Anton, don’t worry, Adam will find Patrick and bring him back to us.”

“It’s my fault,” Anton whispered.

“What, how? You had no clue.”

“Troy, I came to look for someone,” Anton blurted out.

“Who?”

Anton raised his head and his green eyes connected with Troy’s blue ones.

“Our son.”

“Our son.” Troy feared Anton’s condition became worse and it was affecting his memory. “Anton, none of them are lost. Kyle is with Paul back home, Damien live chat with us this past weekend and Adam….”

“No Troy. Our fifth son.”

“Anton, we don’t have…”

“Adam has a twin brother.”

Troy froze as Anton blinked away tears.

“Tina, kept him a secret from us and hid him in an orphanage.”

“No, that’s impossible.”

“I have her diaries that proves it. I can explain everything.”

Troy swallowed his pain as he arranged for someone to make their food to go. They boarded his truck and he drove them to Adam’s building. He had the spare key and the password for the alarm. He grabbed Anton’s bag and took his mate on the elevator and they road in silence. Anton held the bag with their food and drink. Troy led them through the office and up to Adam’s apartment, locking the door behind them.

The bed was still there and most of the furniture. He turned on the lights and heat as Anton placed the bag on the kitchen counter, not feeling hungry. They met at the bed and Troy sat Anton on the edge and joined him.

“It’ll warm up soon,” Troy said, rubbing Anton’s back.

“Troy, Tina’s diary is in my bag. You need to read it first.”

Anton retrieved the diary and handed it to Troy. He read the cover.

“Devin?” he said.

“That’s his name. Devin Murphy.” Troy only nodded. “I’ll see if Adam left any tea or coffee behind. If not, I’ll go downstairs to his office.”

“Okay.” Was all Troy could say.

Anton went about searching for things as Troy opened the book.

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

Adam showed them to the living room as he turned on some lights. Devin scanned the cozy room getting a glimpse of his twin’s life. He noticed various pictures on tables of Patrick and Adam in each other’s arms. Images of a family huddled together in front of a large house. Anton and Adam were the only two he recognized. And Patrick in a photo standing in-between a woman and man all smiling.

“I’m going to make coffee,” Adam said.

“I can do it?” Justin chimed.

“No, I’ll do it.” Adam left before Justin could protest again leaving him and Devin alone. Once he was sure he was out of ear shot he turned to Devin.

“What are you pulling?” he snapped.

Devin turned to him overwhelmed.

“I’m not pulling anything and you need to keep your voice down.”

Justin glanced back and move closer to Devin.

“I want your word you’ll keep your mouth shut about what happen between us.”

“Why, your fantasy won’t like it?”

“That’s not it,” Justin lied.

“Yes, it is.” Devin moved away from him. “Don’t worry your secret is safe with me. Do you still have, Patrick’s jacket?”

Confused by his statement Justin remembered he took Patrick’s garment. He checked his bag, finding the crumpled article.

“You better get that out of there before Adam finds it.”

Justin contemplated where to put it when a loud crash came from the kitchen.

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

Adam found the coffee maker still full, from that morning. He always made sure he set it to go off close to the time Patrick arose from bed.

Adam dumped the brew into the sink just as he received an alert on his cell. The motion detectors went off in his office. He pulled up his feed and saw his parent’s entering his building heading up to his apartment. Relieved they were close by and wished he suggested they stay there.

Adam started the coffee and looked for mugs. He found three than saw Patrick’s cup still in the cabinet. He pulled it out touching the tiled body with a motif design in the middle. When they had mornings together, he would watch Patrick drink his beverage and lick his lips after hugging the mug with his palms. Patrick would catch him and feel embarrassed, but always gave him a smile.

He wanted that smile now. The shame of kissing AJ during the time of Patrick abduction tore into him like knives. He placed Patrick’s mug down and grabbed his cup and flung it to the floor, breaking it into several pieces.

Justin and Devin raced in and saw Adam still staring at the broken fragments.

A hand touched his shoulder and he turned to see Justin, who saw the anguish on his face.

“How did I let this happen, again?” Adam said.

“It’s not your fault,” Justin said.

Adam pulled himself together and wiped his face with his hands as he focused on Devin who stepped into view.

“No, it’s not. It’s your fault.” Justin had to step between them, which proved to be difficult as Adam was stronger than he.

Devin stepped back and saw the hate return to Adam’s eyes.

“No, Adam it’s not, he’s here to help us get Patrick back.”

“He’s right,” Devin said. “So, let’s stop wasting time. Piper Monroe is the man you’re looking for. His victims call him Tsar. He runs brothels, game houses, drugs, you name it.”

“I want to know where he’s hiding.”

“When he comes to town he likes to stay under the radar. No hotels or renting apartments he likes to get in and get out.”

“This note,” Adam pulled out of his pocket. “Said to bring you to the party. What does that mean?”

“I don’t know,” Devin said.

“I think I do,” Justin said. He took out his cell and showed the invite to Adam and Devin. “I got this invite before. Sometimes twice a year, but I never go because I heard it’s thrown by some shady characters. I hear people got drugged and sometimes disappear from these parties. Could this be what the note meant?”

“Maybe,” Devin said. “Piper’s birthday is coming up. He had always celebrated it by throwing a party.”

“Where’s the party at?” Adam asked.

“Always different locations. I have to accept to get the directions,” Justin said.

“Then accept and I’ll take it from there.”

“No, you can’t,” Devin said. “They sent invites to people of interest, meaning, someone saw Justin and wanted him at that party. Most likely they got his number from asking around. When you show up, they already know what you look like.”

“Justin, accept the invite. I want that location.” Justin didn’t hesitate Adam’s order. “Now I want you to start from the beginning and tell me how you know Piper. Justin, get the coffee and meet us in the living room.”

“Ok, boss.”

Adam led Devin out of the kitchen. He said nothing as they sat down focusing on his look-a-like.

Devin cleared his throat before speaking.

“I was young and needed money. While growing up in an orphanage, I never received an allowance. One worker told me about a photographer who wanted models for some photos and was paying good money. I went there, and the guy took a lot of pictures then told me he’d pay more if I’d had less clothes on. It started with my shirt than when he showed me more money my jeans came next. He said it was private and no one would see them. I did it for a year, then saved enough money to leave it all together. But then I got threats if I didn’t come back, they would publish the photos. So, I went back, and it continued for two more years.”

“Why didn’t you go to the cops?”

“Because I was told not to trust the cops.”

“Who told you that?”

Devin almost said his mom, referring to Tina but just shook his head.

“They held me prisoner and sold me to other men. That’s how I met Piper. He was the only one who listened and understood what I was going through. He rescued me from them. I saw him kill them. I thought it was over. But he took control over the pictures and me. He paraded the photos in my face and told me I was a liability and had to stay with him. I was his boyfriend/prostitute and witness to his crimes. One day I found out there was a mole and Piper wanted him found. He was one of my johns. He told me he could get me out if I testify against Piper. I agreed. I was sick of being told what to do. But when the cop got me out and into witness protection, he turned on me and used me. But Piper caught up to us and he killed the cop, but I got away. I moved as far as a bus could take me and ended up here. I was starving and scared. That’s when I met Molly. She took pity on me and gave me a job and never turned on me. She talked me into still testifying against Piper and I agreed but now…”

“When did you meet Sergio Blackheart?” Adam asked.

“He was a customer to the Pleasure Hole. Looking for outfits for his beauties. He talked about his club and himself but expect nothing from me. He was the first guy who I ever felt safe around. We dated and he showed me his club, but never once asked me to work there. I could come and go as I please and he expected me to say no to him if he was being unreasonable.

Adam let all Devin said sink in as he thought over his next move. He didn’t notice Justin had served the coffee. He grabbed his mug and swallowed half the mug.

“They said they’ll contact me in two days,” Adam said.

“Two days what do we do until then?” Justin asked.

“Nothing,” Devin said. “Piper is dangerous. If he thinks we’re trying to trick him, he will not hesitate in killing Patrick or Molly. Do as he says.”

“I’m not handing you over to him,” Adam said.

“But it’s the only way.”

“That’s not how I work.”

A chime came as Justin received a text.

“I have the location,” Justin said. Adam looked at the address or lack of there was only a map.

“Send it to my cell.”

“What are you going to do?” Devin asked.

“My job,” Adam said, standing, grabbing his coat and leaving.

Devin looked confused.

“What does he expect us to do?”

“What we’re doing now staying put.” Justin stood. “I’m starving, I’m going to order a pizza, you want some?”

“I can cook something instead.”

“Ok, follow me to the kitchen.”