The Lockwood House
Gabe walked the doorstep and knocked. He’d been to the police station, but they had refused to release his daughter. A few minutes later the door went open and a middle age woman appeared. She was wearing an apron. “Can I help you, sir?” “My name’s Gabe Lindy, Mr. Lockwood knows me. I have to speak to him” Gabe said. “I will see if he can make some time” the Maid answered. “Tell him it’s important” Gabe added. The Maid nodded and turned around.
A few minutes later the Maid returned with Mayor Lockwood. As soon as they arrived at the front door the Mayor turned to the Maid. “Thank you, Leah, you can go back to your work now. I think my son’s room is a mess”
“Yes, sir” Leah replied and she walked away.
“Gabe, why don’t we go to my office so we can talk more private?” the Mayor suggested. He pulled Gabe inside and brought him to his office. “So, what is this about?” he asked while he offered Gabe a cigar which Gabe declined. “Okay, suit yourself”
“I’m here because of my daughter Kelsey. She’s been arrested for a hit and run” Gabe started.
“Yeah, I heard about it. Tragic accident” Mayor Lockwood nodded. “But, tell me Gabe, what do you want me to do about that?”
“You are the Mayor” Gabe said. “If you say they have to let her go, they will”
“What makes you think I would do such thing? More importantly, why should I?” the Mayor asked.
“Come on, Richard, we’ve known each other since high school. I’m asking you this one favor” Gabe reasoned. “I will take her out of Mystic Falls and I will make her stay away”
“I can’t make any exceptions, Gabe” Richard said. “And our friendship died the moment I confided in you about what I am. So now’s not the time to come ask me for favors”
“Richard, please” Gabe said desperate. “She has your son’s condition. Your condition”
That made the Mayor reconsider Gabe’s request. “You will take her away?” “Yes, like I said” “She can’t come back” “I know”
The Mayor picked up the phone. “Let me make this phone call and everything will be arranged”
An hour later Kelsey was back on the street.
“How are you going to explain what happened?” she asked her father. “You’re not going to let someone else take the blame, are you?”
“No, no one’s getting the blame for your fatal actions” Gabe explained. “There’s going to be a statement which says the driver was drunk. He lost control over the wheel and he collapsed. There were no witnesses”
“That’s disgusting” Kelsey said upset. “You want this man to be remembered as a drunk? Have you thought about his family?”
“Have you?” Gabe shot back. Kelsey blinked and her eyes became watery. “Get in the car. I got your bags in the trunk”
“I want to go home” Kelsey sobbed.
“You have no home” Gabe said heartless. “You lost it the moment you killed that man”
“It was an accident!” Kelsey exclaimed crying. She got in the car angry and hurt. She looked at her father. “Please, can we go home? I want to say goodbye to mom and Amber” she begged softly.
Gabe put the keys in the connection. “You said goodbye to your mother yesterday” he said, avoiding Kelsey’s look. “And Amber’s gone”
“What do you mean she’s gone?” Kelsey asked upset.
“She’s left for summer camp” Gabe replied. He turned the key and started the engines.