Chapter 18 

Help From Friends?

"I cannot believe this" John did not realize that the huge bellied cop could read his mind as he muttered the exact words he thought in his head "are you some kind of super hero?" he asked.

John was handcuffed with his hands behind his back and like fate could betray he was in the same police station that he'd been earlier

But this time he had committed a crime and that would affect his records for sure.

"I.. I " John stammered "I can explain.'

"Please do' the pot bellied cop who laughed for no reason squatted twisting his ass right and left trying to fit in his cushioned chair and sat gesticulating John to sit in front of his desk.

John tried to bend but he was uncomfortable with is hands behind his back.

"Who brought you here?" the fat cop whose name tag John could read Brad Colman asked

John simply shrugged.

He was so scared and panicked when he was simply pulled out of his driving seat, his hands were shivering and the adrenaline of the chase was pumping him hard he did not read the name of the officer or you may say he was more focused on the black vehicles that had disappeared like pffftttt. Smoke in the air.

With the vast empty roads behind him and the silence around made John wonder if there was even a chase but the racing heartbeats inside his chest and the feared faces peeping from the windows of the tourist bus which was now scratched from all the sides made him think otherwise.

Earlier....
"Look inspector I can explain" John tried to communicate. "Look at the people inside the bus" he made him look at their direction "they are so scared.'

But the police was adamant "had I been in that bus with you driving, I am sure" the cop now turning his hands and double locked the cuff "I'd be scared to shit in my pants too."

"Come with me" he commanded.

"And the bus?" John asked panicked.

It will stay here" the cop answeeds and proudly addressed the passengers of the bus "you guys are safe now. Relax. I will make sure that he never gets his license back."

"You are making a mistake officer" John almost begged, "don't leave the bus. I'll drive it to the station if you want." He begged.

"And Barack Obama will be our prime minister once again" the cop joked " not possible when I am here." He denied flatly.

John knew he'd be in serious trouble if he did what he was planning to do but he did not have any choice. If he left the bus and people here they'll be abducted again and he couldn't waste the efforts he and they had done for their freedom, many were hurt too.

John lifted his knee and kneaded the officer where the sun didn't shine.

He then used his cuffed hand and hit on his head while he was bent to hold his injured buddies.

The co officers came to his rescue but John fought hook and nail with his elbows, legs, knees and tied hands to try and escape.

The officers were losing when finally one of them realized that they had a gun.

He raised the pistol in the air and shot a bullet.

"Now if you do not stop" the other officer was tattered with the fight, his face bruised and his tag almost fallen shouted "next bullet will see your body." John stopped immediately; he was of no help dead he thought.

Recalling the incident John wonders what he could have done differently that could save him and the rescuers from their fate.

Not only was the safety of all the people he tried to rescue jeopardized but also the fact that he finally had negative records in the law would act against him.

"By any chance did you happen to call that friend of yours?" officer Brad asked pushing his hands behind his neck in the relaxed way making John think if he was interrogating him or having tea time chat with him.

"My friend?" John scrunched his eyebrows, the coffee mug that was placed on the table in front of him stated in confusion. He knew no one as his friend at the time he left the station the other day. The only friend he made was after joining Danny's shop so he didn't knew which friend the officer was referring to.

"uh huh" the officer hiccupped and straightened all of a sudden "t.. that" he gave a thinking pose "Richie rich Tom guy whose son you saved. " he laughed louder this time. Strange John found the laugh awkward "I thought you'd be friends by now. This rich people never forget or repay enough to people they owe."

"I don't owe him anything" John was a bit curt.

"Of course You did' Brad was persistent "you saved his only son the inheriting of billions"

"No" John denied. He did not have much to say except that his only focus was on the forty people who were waiting outside expecting John to save them. "I did what any layman should have done, asking for favors or friendship in return is not fair." John said. He was smothering a little. The officer seemed a little easy and friendly. He might help John thought.

"listen sir" John called "these people outside the station in the bus are in grave danger. They were kidnapped and were about to be sold. Few who were not worth were used for organ trafficking."

"Holy freaking shit!" the fat officer stood from his chair as fast as it could so as not to pick the chair with his fixed butts "you now rescued people from human traffickers. Where did you find them?" he asked too excited "who was the gang leader? Do you know him? Were you able to catch him? We were so looking for the whole gang since months. You are awesome."

Brad blabbered too excited ringing the bell on his desk twice or thrice.

"Hailey" he greeted back the officer who had reported after his first bell ring "there are people outside in the bus. Get them inside quickly. Get their names, age and other details. I will join you soon and take their witnesses."

"Witness for what?" Hailey asked confused.

"You remember the case on human trafficking we were working on?" Brad asked the female officer.

"Yes" she nodded "but instead of so much research and raids we got nothing." She said disappointed "it's a shame."

"No problems officer" Brad dismissed smiling broadly "this tall guy here has all the clues and he has even rescued few of the people."

"Really?" Hailey was surprised but her shock didn't go amiss "who is he?" she asked and without waiting for an answer she continued "one of our secret agents?"

"But I don't think I have heard of him." She said

"No he is none." Brad answered, "this kind man once helped us rescue a kidnapped child and now he is here like a messiah."

"But according to the people who were trafficked " John intervened "the cops are also involved with the gang."

"What are you saying sir?" Hailey was beyond irritated "it is not possible.

"I don't know" John shrugged "they told me."

"It might be possible Hailey" Brad said "the only reason we were not able to trace was because we had a black sheep." Brad was disappointed now.

"Can you arrange some shelter for them, somewhere safe?' John was hopeful for the first time.

"Of course we can" Officer Brad was back with his old belly laugh "instead your friend"
he immediately corrected himself "not your friend but Tom sir whose child you rescued.."

John was listening expectantly as officer stated "he runs an NGO and has few orphanages and rescue shelter. I am sure he'll be glad to help someone who saved his son."

John did not object on that.

He was more than happy about it.

He only left once he transported everybody to the rescue homes. He even made sure that the police arranged to return the bus.

"I wish I could pay for the damage but I am broke" John said dejected.

"No problems. We'll make sure that the insurance claim is granted" Hailey smiled, she was obviously attracted toward tall, blue eyed handsome and the muscles rippling beneath his tattered shirt was an add on.

And taking that she was on his favourable side "those cops I di not intend to hurt them" john said guiltily.

"Who?" Hailey asked shocked.

"silly Billy" Brad laughed again patting on john shoulders "don't worry I'll take care of I"he assured.

Hailey made a duh face at the mention of Billy "Where can we contact you?" she'd asked.

"Sorry miss I don't have a phone." John replied.

As if seen an alien from the space Hailey looked at him as if he'd a completely different creature. "Who in this era does not keep a phone?" she almost shouted.

"Told yaa" John shrugged "I am broke."

"That's a shame" Hailey said before she was called to fill in some details.

John knew Danny would be furious as he'd extended his lunch time to half day at work.

He couldn't help that the people had to first report at the station then at the shelter home.

It was a tedious and time consuming task and John couldn't help make sure that each and every formality was complied with and they were comfortably nestled in their allotted room. Though they had to share the room but it was better than what they were staying in. more than that they were safe with no fear hanging above their heads.

John promised to visit them regularly.

Eve Brad had made sure that they were available every time he visited them for some information purposes and "I might need them to identify the suspects." He'd said John and John wanted nothing more than to see the offenders behind the bars.

John was frantically stirring the vegetable stew and occasionally checking the chicken in the oven. His thoughts drifting between how much annoyed Danny would be to the gray eyed girl who did not let go off John's hand when he shook them with her and the teen boy for farewell.

"I am scared" he girl who had been keeping a brave front all the while said.

"You'll be fine." John stated looking into her eye "they'll be nice to you all."

"I trust nobody" she said and John could actually read fear in her eyes when he was dragged by officer Brad who needed him for some paper work.

John knew all those people were scarred for life and need time for healing.

The commotion outside the hall room informed the arrival of Danny

"Told you he'll be fine" a girl's voice that John could recognize easily said

"Something very appetizing is been cooking" she smiled at John who smiled back raising brows at her partner.

She closed her eyes giving him an under control gesture.

"Sorry Dan I couldn't make it after lunch." John apologized which was easily ignored by Danny.

"Dinner is ready and I'll serve it soon" John tried to communicate

Danny was now lying on the makeshift bed that John would sleep everynight , his hands folded behind his neck serving at pillow "no problems" he said casually, his demeanor denying anything casual about him "anyways I have marked half day in your attendance and your pay is cut accordingly"

John smiled not affected by threatening of pay cut by Danny.

He brought two cups of coffee and offered each of them returning to get his own cup.

By the time he was back he saw Danny smiling at the divine coffee that he'd got after a long and lonely day.

"Do you like the coffee?" John asked.

"its amazing" Kathie replied enjoying every sip of it and if the compliment wasn't enough she added "its actually divine. I love it. I could actually marry you if you promise to make me such coffee everyday."

John almost spluttered the hot liquid out of his mouth.

Kathie too realizing the clumsiness at which she used her words coughed loudly.

"You two" Danny was laughing loudy "you flirt like you are back in sixties." John smiled since Danny was good so Danny continued speaking "why don't you guys already do $ex and get over with the tension."

"uh huh" Kathie dropped the mug on the floor, thankfully the chinaware did not break but she splattered coffee all over her dress "I need to go... I ha.. have to be somewhere soon" she ran away.

"You know you can propose her." Danny suggested "she'll totally say yes.'
"I cant" John murmured but Danny heard it still.

"Why you cant. You like her. I have noticed the twinkling of your eyes whenever you see her." He joked again "you even like when she is clumsy."

"I do?" John was clueless.

"lols" Danny joked "haven't you fallen in love before?" He asked.

John shrugged so he asked "dated?" he looked at John waiting for his answer and John felt he could read him so he simply answered "its complicated"