The Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

Another Warehouse (TWENTY-SIX)

A faint whistling woke Hannah from her drug induced slumber, and she groaned. Her head was throbbing, and she tried to move her hands up to stop the pounding. When they wouldn't budge, she tried again until the realisation sunk in; they were tied behind her back.
Her eyes shot open, waiting for her vision to adjust to new the light. Hannah was tied to a pole in a dirty, deserted warehouse with shattered windows to her left and to her right. The wind rippled through what used to be curtains that were hanging from the windows by a thread and she shivered.
Another person, tied to a pole on the opposite side of the room, caught her eye. He seemed to be unconscious, and Hannah resisted tightening her own restraints by moving too much. The man's head lay on his chest, and Hannah watched it rise and fall; he was alive at least.
How did she get here? The last thing she remembered was crashing waves and sea air.
"Zeke?" Hannah hissed at her husband, her memories returned. No guards were inside the warehouse, so whoever had taken them, must have one stationed outside the door."Zeke?" Hannah spoke louder and he stirred, lifting his head and opening his eyes.
Zeke frowned at her through foggy eyes.
"Zeke, snap out of it. I need you," Hannah said, her voice sharp. He shook his head then squinted as he blinked at the new light and had his own moment of realisation. Zeke fidgeted with his restraints, then sighed and dropped his shoulders.
"Over there," Hannah said, motioning with her head towards the open window which sat an equal distance between herself and Zeke. He followed her gaze then turned back and nodded, "Not quite the reunion I was hoping for back at the beach." He said, attempting a smile. Hannah rolled her eyes then smiled back.
The door behind her creaked open, and she craned her neck, watching Zeke's reaction.
"Hannah Dear, how nice of you to drop in," The sound of Evelyn Carmichael's voice sent a chill down Hannah's spine and she sighed."Mother," She said flatly.
Evelyn circled around to face Hannah with a smile, dark circles rimmed her eyes, despite her attempts to hide them with makeup, "Hannah, I'm growing tired of our games." She said, turning and walking towards Zeke.
A man wheeled in a small table which was covered by a sheet, and Zeke smiled, "Mother Dear, how have you been?" He asked. Evelyn stopped walking, her hands twitching at her side and Hannah smiled. She hated it when Zeke called her Mother.
As the man parked the table next to Zeke, Evelyn turned back to Hannah, her eyes dark, "You know what I want, and I'm only going to ask nicely once more."
"I don't have it anymore Evelyn," Hannah replied.
Her mother turned to the table, shaking her head as she whipped off the sheet, revealing instruments that Hannah was all too familiar with. Evelyn picked up a small knife and spun it in her hand.
"I gave it to Stephanie," Hannah said, her voice wavering as she tried to remain calm. Evelyn smiled and turned, running the flat end of the blade against Zeke's chest. "Ordinarily, I'd believe you Dear, but you see," Evelyn shifted the knife to it's the point at Zeke's neck. "Stephanie and Ian already here. They've already been searched and," Evelyn paused displayed a dark smile, "Questioned."
"Go ahead," Hannah's words inspired Zeke, Evelyn and her men to raise eyebrows.
"Go ahead and what?" Evelyn spat out.
Hannah kept her voice even as she nodded towards Zeke, "Go ahead and kill him."
Evelyn shook her head and started to click her tongue, "Am I detecting some marital issues?" She asked, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous gleam.
"He lied to me. You were right," Hannah said, trying not to meet Zeke's eye. Evelyn took a step forward, studying her daughter, before finally smiling with a laugh,"You can try dear, but you can't fool your own Mother." She moved back to Zeke and sliced a shallow cut in Zeke's left arm. He winced, but remained silent and Hannah exhaled, struggling against her restraints.
Her bluff had failed; she couldn't hide her concern for Zeke. "Fine!" Hannah yelled out.
"No Hannah, don't tell her anything." Zeke's words caused Evelyn's face to scrunch and she slapped him. Hannah tried to reach forward, taking in a sharp breath.
"I still have the drive," she said quickly.
Evelyn turned with a smile, "I knew you did, Dear." Her calm, smooth charm had returned and Hannah shrugged,"It's not here." She said simply.
"Well, where is it then?" Evelyn slammed the knife back onto the table and Hannah stared at her Mother.
"I have to take you to it."