Raise by A Thief

Chapter 8

Alexa POV

I don't know what time when I finally go to sleep, but I hear max voice told me to wake up.

" Julie, wake up!" Max whisper as he rocked my shoulder.

" Max?" I said as I woke up from my sleep. My room still dark, and Max bend down beside my bed. His face looked worried.

" What hap--" I asked him but he covered my mouth.

" take your backpack and go to the hiding place" he said. My eyes widen when hear him saying this. This means no good at all!

I wake up quietly and took my backpack I already prepare and my phone. I put my phone in silent mode. Max told me to followed him.

I followed him quitely to the kitchen and he told me to go inside the hiding place. He made this hiding place when we first move to this house. It was a secret place in between the kitchen wall and the living room. Other people will not notice if there was a hiding place there. It looked like a regular wall with mirror.

" Maximillian, come out! I know you are here!" a man voice calling max.

" What ever happen, don't come out. You hear me?"

" Max.."

And then he gave me a key, with numbers.

" Keep this and just stayed here, you'll be save. I mean it." he said. He wait until I nodded. Means he want me to obey this.

He closed the secret place from outside. The mirror was 2 sided. I can see what happen at the outside. But from the outside it was only a regular mirror. I can see max sneaking to the next room with a gun in his hand.

I realize it was serious. What should I do? The man know his real name, Should I called the police? I was so scare and don't know what to do. And then I remember Harry.

I unlock my phone and realize it was only 3 am. I dialed Harry's number. Took a moment before he picked up the phone

" Hello" he answer the phone. His voice sound sleepy.

" Harry..." I called him

" Alexa... What's up? Why calling at this hour?" he asked me

" Someone in the house Harry." I told him. I was so scare as my voice trembling.

" What? Where are you?" he said at a sudden. Realizing my scarry tone voice.

" I'm in the secret room Harry, but max.. "

" Is max okay? " he asked me worried. But his breath was panting like he did something in rushed.

" He is outside, I can't see him anymore."

And then I hear loud sound from other room, like someone fighting.

" Where is she? Tell me now or I'll killed you! " a man voice yelled.

" I don't know what are you talking about" max said.

And then I hear a gun shot and hear Max screaming in pain. I gasp, covering my mouth. Oh no! Max! Are they shoot him? I want to get out and check what happen but I remember max told me not to go outside what ever happen.

" is that A gun shot?" Harry asked me. I hear an engine car started.

" I don't know Harry. I'm so scare." I told him almost crying.

" Stayed there and don't go out. I'm on my way. Don't hang up the phone Alexa" he said

" okay" I answered him.

And then the living room lamp turned on. I saw they drag Max on the floor. He was bleeding in his chest. They shoot him! Please hang on Max!

" hurry up Harry, they... Shoot Max" I told Harry whispering.

" Now tell me where is she? And where the disk? Or I swear you wish you died when I did this to you!" said a man who walked in the Living room.

I looked at him and I scare to death as I recognize the man. It was him! The man with scar, the man who kidnap me! He wear a fancy shirt and pants. There were 2 more men with him. And I remember everything he did to me. And the trauma came back. The intimidation, the pain that he gave me.

" It's the man" I said in low tone to harry

" what? Are you sure?" he asked me.

" Yes" I whispered.

" s**t!" he cursed.

" No matter what happen, don't get out Alexa! Do you hear me? I'll be right there." Harry said the same as what Max told me.

" Please hurry Harry" I whispered

The 2 man I assumed as his body guard punching and kicking Max and Max groan in pain.

No, no, no, please don't hurt him! I cried silently in the hiding place holding the mirror in front of me. I can't watch Max in suffer. I closed both of my eyes.

And then I heard a gun shoot from the kitchen, and hit one man who kicked max in his shoulder. The other man and the scar man hiding in the couch and holding their gun. They shoot each other. The other body guard got hit and fall to the ground. The scar man cursing, and then he retreat to the front door. And go with his injured guard.

I burst out when I saw them left.

"Max!" I called him and holding him in my arm. He still alive and open his eyes.

Harry come out from the kitchen.

" I'm calling ambulans" he said.

" Harry." max called harry

Harry talking to 911 asking for ambulans.

" Harry" he called again. Harry looked at him and then he hang up the phone and walked to max.

" You know what to do. Take her to safe place." he said to Harry.

" No max, ambulans is coming. I'm staying with you." I said.

"Julie, you should go. The cabin in aspen. You'll be safe." he said. And then he cough and blood spilled out of his mouth.

" Max, no! Stayed with me! You'll be alright"

I heard the sirene from far and it getting closer.

" Take her Harry" max said. He spilled more blood. Max hold my face and smile.

" be safe" and his hand felt

" Max! Max!" I called him, but he stay silent. Not moving at all.

"No! Don't leave me!" I cried realizing he wasn't here anymore. And this was because of me.

The sirene sound hear louder as it getting closer.

" We have to go Alexa, we have to go!" Harry told me as he grab my arms.

I keep hugging max, don't want to let go.

" Alexa, if you stay here, everything he done to you will be wasted. We have to go now!" Harry said as he grab my arms tighter and pulled me back. I struggle in the first place, but then I know there was nothing I can do to help him anymore. So I follower Harry to his car and looking at the house where max and I had live for the last 7 years. Harry drive in normal speed when he passed police car and then accelerate after the police car out sight.

Harry brought me to his place, We can't go back to the workshop or stayed in my house.

" Alexa, don't blame your self. It's not your fault." Harry told me, but I kept blaming my self for Max dead.

" It's my fault Harry, if he didn't save me that night, he will be still alive right now." I told him.

" He choose to save you because its the right things to do. And he didn't want you to blame your self like this." Harry told me, and I didnt answered him.

" Go get some rest, I'll get us something to eat. " he said. It was 7 in the morning, and he decide to bought some food for us.

Then he walked out of the flat. Took him half hour to come back with foods and some drinks.

" Alexa, let's eat. Come on" he said.

" I promise him I will take care of you." he added

" you don't have to Harry. You can leave." I said

" I will. If you feeling better. Now let's eat." he replied me.

He hold my shoulder and gave me a pack of burger. I accept the burger and eat it slowly.

" Alexa, I know its hard for you. And believe me, It's hard for me too." he said.

" I know Max for 15 years, he is like a family to me. And one thing that I know, he never regret to saved you. Don't waste everything he done for you." he said.

I nodded. I guess Harry was right. Max did everything for me, even sacrifice his live. I shouldn't waste it.

I told Harry I want to go after max funeral. I had to see him, for the last time. And he agree.

" Alexa, Anny told me she will held max funeral tomorrow." Harry said after few days staying at his house.

" I want to come Harry." I said.

" I know you would. I have planned something with Anny." he said.

We know I can't go there as Alexa, there will be police and could be the scar man's people spying on the funeral. So Harry prepare a disguise for me. He told me to acted like old woman, noone would suspicious if I am Alexa.

I met Anny at the funeral house before all the guess come. She hugged me when she saw me. I know she love Max, and she was as sad as I am.

I looked at Max's face for the last time. He was smiling. A thief who had a loving heart and raise me, a person who save me from a monster. Thank you Max for everything you did for me. You are my hero. I caress his face for the last time as my tears going down.

And then I saw max funeral from far with Harry, as we pretend to visit other people's grave. I saw all his employee, neighbours and Max friend came. Even Kate and her family was there. I'm glad that alot of people love him and came to see him for the last time.

And then I saw Agent Hampton and his partner waiting in his car near Max funeral. Did they found out about me and wait for me in his funeral?

The local news paper write about max's murder. It said that Max was murder by a mobstar and his daughter gone missing. The neighbour testimony said there were gun shoots and loud voice from my house around 3-4 am. But the cupit was not arrested once again. The scar man still walked free.

Harry and I planed to go out of town today. I was staring at the key that Max gave me that night on the hiding place. It was a locker rent key at the station.

I planned to go there and take what ever Max kept for me, when suddenly 2 man with gun came in Harry's flat door.

" Come with us" one of the man said.

I don't know who they were, but we followed what they said. They took us on a car, and we stop in front of a big house.

" It's Frank" Harry said, he recognize Frank house.

So it was Frank. What did he want from us? I mean Max is death. What else he want?

The men told us to step down the car and come into the house. We enter a big room, and they told us to sit down. Not long Frank came.

" Hello Harry, Alexa." he said.

" I'm sorry for what happen to max. He such a good person." he said smiling. I can't tell if he sincere or not.

" What do you want Frank?" Harry asked him, ignoring his condolences.

" Easy Harry, I was just saying my condolence to Max's daughter here." Frank said smiling viciously.

" and... I want to offer her a job."

" she is not taking any." Harry said.

" It's not you who decide Harry" Frank said to Harry and then frank turned his eyes on me.

" Well.. Alexa isn't it?" he said to me and walked closer.

" I saw how impressive you are when you stole that necklace the other night. You are pretty much like your dad." he said. I know what he mean. The day after I stole the necklace, there were video of me doing robbery in the net. I don't know how it got there. Harry said it was probably another camera surveillance which didn't connect to his device. It showed when I strangle my legs upside down and took the necklace. The duration was only 15 second, but it got a lot of attention view. It didn't catch my face, because its dark, so I was still safe and No one know it was me except Harry and Frank.

" Max is one of my favorite, he always did his job well." he said as if he remember max.

" But he is gone now. And I need someone to do the Job for me."

" Sorry Frank, I'm not interesting." I said. I don't think I want to work with him. Max didn't want me to deal with him.

" I know you would say that. " Frank said and then he laugh. I was suspicious that he laugh like that, he must hide something.

" She said she is not interesting" Harry said backing me up. But he got 2 punch from Frank's man in the face and in his stomach instead.

" Stop it!" I said. I dont want to lose Harry because of me.

" You see Alexa... I always got what I want. " he said as he strangle my hair to the back. I grimace feeling pain in my hair follicles.

" Whether you do the job or you can say good bye to your friend." he said as he removed his hand from my hair and sign one of his man to bring something inside.

My friend? Who is he taking about? Harry? Is he going to killed Harry?

His man walked out of the room and came back with Kate. I was shocked when I saw Kate walked in with her hand tied and her face in shocked and messed up.

" Kate!" I called her as I walked fast to her.

"Alexa!" She said as I hugged her. She looked scare and I don't know what they had done to her.

Frank man took Kate from me rudely. And the other guard drag me to my seat. I swear I will make him pay for this.

" Well?" Frank asked me. I was so worried that they will hurt Kate like what the monster did to me long time ago.

" Of course your friend will be safe with me if you did the job. " he said.

" It's only a small job Alexa. Do that, and your friend can walked safely." I know I should safe Kate and Harry, and said no to his offer was not a good idea.

" I'll do it! But don't touch her or Harry!" I said to him.

" Alexa!" Harry yelled my name. He didn't want me to took the job.

" It's okay Harry." I said to him

" Very good Alexa!" Frank said and laugh victoriously.

" Bring the girl back to her room" he said to his man who guard Kate.

" No!" Kate struggled didn't want to go back.

"It's okay Kate" I told her to followed the man

" You promise me she will not be harm!" I demand Frank.

" Yes, I promise you." he said.

" You make sure no one touch her" he talked to his man. His man nodded and brought Kate with him.

" Now about our business" frank said to me after Kate left the room.

He signed me and Harry to walked with him to his table.

Both of us looked each other and stood up. We followed Frank to his table.

He showed us a ring picture with blue diamond shape heart.

" It's The Eternity Blue diamond ring" Frank said. " my wife want the ring, and I want you to get it for me."

His wife? Why he gave his wife a stolen ring?

" Where is it? "I asked him

" The owner live in DC, but luckily, she will be in Chicago in 3 days. They will showed the ring in the City Hall. "

" 3 days? I don't have enough time to prepare for this. "I said.

" Well, you two better worked now. " he said." I'll see you in 3 days" he said grinning.

Seriously, I was going to punch this plump man if he didn't have guard around him.

" Let's go Alexa" Harry hold my arms, and asked me to leave with him.

I looked around Frank office room, paying attention to what ever he got there. I know there should be something I could use against him. Where he keep his save box anyway?

I walked out of the room and paying attention to the house. I don't know where they kept Kate, there were a lot of room in the house. I spot the guard, there were 5 of them stand by at the house.

Frank's man took us back to Harry's place.

" I will search information about the city hall." Harry said.

" Harry, can you find information about Frank house too?" I asked him

" Sure, but what for?" he asked me

" I need to have a backup plan" I told him

" Okay" he said" I'll see what I can do. "

I browsed about the Jewelery, who owned it, and how big it was. And I found out that it values $25 million. Owned by Mrs. Gareth, one of a successful businessman wife.

The diamond is going to be showed for 3 days,3 days from now.

I wait for Harry to came. We have to come up with some plan.

Harry came back after 3 hours. He brought the blue print of City Hall. He put the blue print and unrolled it on the table.

" This is where the ring will be displayed, but they kept the ring in the safe at night."

" I don't thing the fed will surveillance this one, because it didn't connect with the last 3 you and Max been doing." he added.

" But still, I need to check on the city hall on the first day." I told him

" Sure, we will do it like the last one, but don't talked to any of police or fed agent" Harry warned me. Of course he mean Agent Hampton.

" I won't" I said rolled my eyes.

" good," he said. " I think you better come as usual cityzen right now, no need to be a reporter"

"Okay" I said as I already think what am going to wear to the city hall.

" Anyway, I already asked for a van for us. It will be delivered in the afternoon before we go to the city hall."

" That's great"

" How about Frank house? Do you have anything?" I asked him

" Yes, but not much. What do you want to know?" he asked me.

" Do you know where he keep his valuable things?" I asked him

" well, as far as I know, he has safe where he put his things. It was in his bedroom."

His bedroom?

" And where is it?"

He unscroll another paper, smaller one from the city hall has.

" This is the entrance... And this is where he talked to us the last time, his office. And his room is right here, 2rd floor at the end. " harry explained to me.

" what's your plan? " he asked me.

" I'm not sure, but I need to find something that I can use against him. To make sure he won't come or threated us again. "

" I heard he has this ledger book. This book showed about his money, to whom he paid bribes and his ilegal money circulation. Everythings. I don't know where it was, but It could be in his safe box. "

" Okay, that could be something. But if he had it in his bedroom, then I should took it in midday. "

" but he had guard all over the place. It's danger! "Harry told me

" Not, if you can make a distraction."

" I knew you would said that" he said sighed.

" And when are you going to do that?" he asked me.

" Tomorrow, after I go to the city hall." I said.

" Okay then, just let me know the plan."