Chapter 8

• Elijah parked the car amid the jumble of vehicles at the auto repair shop and begin walking the few blocks toward Raham's house. He'd received the address a few hours before heading out and the environment looked well hidden. A place, not just anybody could find.
• Here on the side streets, it was as silent as a tomb. A quarter moon and the occasional glow from a porch light illuminated his path.
• The crunch of his footsteps on the unlaced shoulder of the road sounded too loud in the profound stillness.
• For a man who'd spent all his life in the city, the silence felt vaguely threatened. He studied the shadows, the trees, and the building cast, anticipating an ambush but nothing moved.
• He approached the house, though he doubted anyone was watching. It was his first time there. He rang the doorbell and a young boy with a bandage around his left hand opened the door. Elijah didn't imagine his brother would make people as young as this work for him.
• The young boy seemed as if he had run away from home but Elijah ignored him and stepped inside the house. Boxes of cigarettes on the table and some pieced in the ashtray. Cards for betting are scattered. Elijah inspected the house with his eyes as his brother who was holding a cup of cold wine approached him.
• "My superstar," Raham said as he hugged him. "Long time no see. Come with me, brother." He said as they both walked into a room.
• It was well furnished. His brother does have good taste inexpensive things. "And what would make my busy brother come over to my company to talk?" Elijah asked adjusting himself on the chair. A lady walked in with a tray in her hands. She walked in very high heels and placed the tray on the table.
• Elijah picked up the bottle "Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1992." He said as he read around the bottle.
• "It is a great drink. Around 500,000 dollars." His brother said as he poured it into a glass and handed it to Elijah.
• "What is it you want to talk about?" Elijah asked collecting the glass from Raham.
• "Now you are talking," Raham said as he dropped the cup he was holding and crossed his legs. He signal one of his workers and after a few, he entered with a black bag. When Raham opened the bag, he removed a paper and opened it in front of his brother. "I need your help."
• "With?" Elijah took the paper and unfolded it completely. It was a map.
• "I was lucky enough to come to your company yesterday. I saw the late Mr. Hutton's daughter."
• How does he know that? Elijah looked at his brother with shock on his face.
• "Hear me out. I know you have a lot of questions about how I come to know who she was. I have been tracking her down for months and without the Hutton's land, we can't process this."
• "So how does that involve me?" Elijah asked.
• "We are talking about money here. Not just little but plenty and once we secure that land, more money will come In." He paused for a while. "Claire Hutton." He called and Elijah glanced at him. "She is pretty but always lost in thought. She was lost when I met her in the elevator. My style."
• Elijah clutched his fingers. He isn't going to hear his brother talk about Claire like that. She was going to be his anyways. "She is trying to pull it together and do you think taking the land from her will make her happy?" He asked and his brother began to laugh.
• "I don't use my business to joke and you of all people were aware of that. I need that land and you have to help me get it."
• "And what if I don't?" Elijah asked.
• "You are already in love with her but you are in denial and I am also attracted to her and if you don't help me, I will get it myself even though it means hurting the one you love."
• Elijah frowned and stood up. "If she doesn't want to put down the land, you shouldn't force her." He yelled at his brother.
• "Relax bro, relax." He stood up too and place a hand on his shoulder to make him sit down. "This is business and that land is worth more money."
• Elijah thought for a second. What exactly was his brother doing? He doesn't know much about Claire but from all she'd told him over the phone, she wanted to save more money to bring back the business and he was going to make that happen. He has to. "I'm sorry but I can't help you. If you want that land so bad, maybe you should approach her yourself. I am a very busy person. I will take my leave now." He said as he stood up and walked out of the room.
• He glanced at that young boy and Raham noticed him. "That's Charlie. He told me everything I need to know about Claire and she seemed interesting. Tell me why I wouldn't be interested in her. He has been working for me for a year now after his father's death and yes what you are thinking about is right. He is Claire's brother." He placed both his hand on his hips. "Complicated family tree. I guess he did it cause he hated his sister. She had all the attention."
• Anger arose within Elijah. He wasn't going to listen to his brother talk rubbish but It wasn't his business to intrude. Why would someone do that to his own family?
• "Claire will need more of your help from today," Raham whispered.
• "What do you mean?"
• "She was attacked earlier and she will be again. And all I know is that you wouldn't report me to the police because our father will keep getting me out." Before he could say another word, a punch landed on his face to the point that his nose began to bleed. "Take care of her." He mocked with laughter and walked back to the room.
• Elijah found his way back to his car. Raham was saying the truth. He wouldn't report his brother because his father will hate him for that but they were going out of the line. He is hurting an innocent person and how could her brother do that to her? Does he hate her that much? It wasn't his business but she is crying for help silently and he doesn't have a choice but to help her even though she didn't ask.