Someone to Blame

"Rodriguez?" Clara whispered.

Noah released her arms and got up, "Daniel?"

"His son. The man that took Norah and Gabriella works for him."

"Then what the hell are we waiting for? The police know about this information too?" Clara asked with desperate voice.

These two men just standing here when they knew the culprit?

"There's no valid proof that this man worked for Daniel Rodriguez. From this information, he worked at a coal mining industry, age 29 and died last day from car accident."

Xander handed him the white paper. There were some photos of him at the workplace, ID photo, when he wore that suit with black panther pin and photos of the accident. The limousin he used to deliver Norah and Gabby fell from a cliff.

Surname: John

First Name: Anthony

Nationality: American

Age: 29

Educational Background: Lawndale High School, Ridgemont University

Job: Production Operator

Cause of Death: Car Accident

"Wait, isn't he wearing your guard's shirt?" Clara stood beside Noah and examined it too.

"Yes it makes the police suspect us and slows down the investigation. They wasted hours just to check for my company's human resources data and CCTV. They found no man with that name works for me and my limousin was in the garage the whole time."

"Then how do you know it is Daniel Rodriguez's man?" Clara asked confused.

"I have satellites everywhere, babe. It is Daniel but there is no evidence pointing to him."

Xander stared straight at Noah and he seemed to understand what his boss meant while Clara was in the dark about the source of his information.

Xander had this information from the underworld guys. Daniel Rodriguez operated his own organized crime networks, including trafficking, drugs and weapons. He was a hard man to touch. Some of the guys in police department also worked for him.

Noah understand there was a little chance he will met Norah again, alive or dead.

"Fuck! He even killed his own man."

"Anthony John was desperate for money to pay his gambling debts. He was a fool if he thought Daniel will let him live."

"What do we do now?" Clara whimpered.

Noah crumpled the paper, "We must do something. We couldn't just rely to the police. You know how they work, Xander."

He brushed past Xander but his boss held his shoulder.

"Don't act recklessly, Noah. He owned so many estates scattered around the world, it even possible that Norah was not in this city anymore."

"God damn it!" Noah shouted.

"He want something by kidnapping your sister. I bet it is his revenge, to hurt you." Xander said in flat voice.

"For killing his father, Mr. Rodriguez." Noah added.

Clara gasped aloud, she held her hand on her mouth. She finally realized what it was about.

Revenge.

"It is because of me. It is because you saved me, Noah." Clara said with hollowed voice.

She was torn inside! An innocent girl, almost graduated from school, was being kidnapped because his brother killed the man that abducted her.

Noah just watched her, no expression there, he left without saying a word.

"Noah! Wait.."

Clara started after him but Xander held her hand.

"Let me go, Xander!"

Xander embraced Clara with her head on his chest, "Give him some time alone, babe."

"It is my fault.." Clara murmured, then something clicked on her brain. She started to punch his chest.

"What are you doing?" Xander held her arms.

"No, it's not my fault. It all happened because you took me out, Xander! Because of that bitch ex of yours! An innocent girl have to face the nightmare because you kidnapped me in the first place!"

Clara needed to blame someone because deep down she believed it was her fault that Noah shot Mr. Rodriguez. The deceased bald man desired her body, this sinful body and beautiful face that caused trouble in the first place.

"I hate you! I hate you!"

Xander slapped her once, not hard, just to bring round the panicked woman.

Clara held the cheek he'd slapped, with so much hatred in her hazel eyes.

"Calm down, I'll do anything to bring back Norah. Go back to your room."

When the door banged shut, Xander rubbed his throbbing temples. He needed someone's help and influence.

***

Xander entered a spacious room dominated in black and gold color that screamed money.

A thin middle-aged man seated on the gold settee got up when he saw the visitor's face.

"Xander! My son."

He leaned on a gold plated cane with the eagle head on top. His other arm outstretched to welcome Xander.

They shook hand and asked about each other's health briefly, then he snapped his finger for drink to be served.

"So, what makes you came here, Xander?"

Xander swirled the glass in his hand, "Let me get straight to the point, Valachi. I need your information."

Then Xander told him about the kidnapping.

"No problem, Xander. You know I haven't said sorry because my daughter's jealous act in the past. Just count it as my apologize on Jessica's behalf, will you?"

Valachi was one of the most strongest and oldest mafia dynasty in the continent, but he loved Xander like his own son. He had many children from his two wives and mistresses, one of them was Jessica.

Her father was so angry when he found out Xander was harmed in that accident, he banished Jessica to another country for some time.

"So he didn't make a ransom call or something?" Valachi asked.

Xander shook his head, "No and we haven't tried to make any contact with him. I want to surprise that motherfucker when he lowered his defense."

His male assistant that had worked for him for a long time whispered in his ear, gave him something and disappeared back to the doorwall.

"Look, Xander. I could only help you with this. Daniel will have a foreigner visitor in a week to talk and make an agreement about his new business overseas."

Valachi handed him a small flash drive, "It contains the information about this foreigner's data and arrival. You know what to do next."

Xander received it, "I know I could count on you, Valachi."

Valachi smiled, his gold front tooth shining, "This is all I got to offer, son. Wish I could help more but I couldn't risk my men in a battle that's not mine."

Xander understand him. If the situation was reversed, he would not possibly risk his men's lives.

He only had one week to set everything in motion, neatly.

He had to meet someone afterwards so he left Valachi's castle.

*** End of Chapter 30 ***