This is the last chapter for my Travis and Adam series. This was my first series on this site and I have enjoyed writing every second of it. I have more than 5 other chapter stories I am working on- as time permits- and will be posting them soon. Thank you for the comments online and the emails sent to me.
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Adam paced outside the conference room, oblivious to the whispers and looks from his co-workers. Everyone was buzzing about the fact that Travis was being interviewed by two police officers and nobody was getting any work done. Normally that would irritate Mr. Martins, but he was so worried about his son that he wasn't even paying attention.
Mr. Martins had called the lawyer and he had arrived quickly and joined Travis. When Adam tried to follow him in, Mr. Matthews held up his hands, effectively shutting him down. He frowned, but didn't try to force himself into the conference room.
But he didn't like the fact that the police were interviewing Travis. Albert must have filed charges, that asshole! How the hell had he slipped back into his life? He let his guard down at the hotel. He should have understood the danger he was putting Travis in by even being with him. Oh god, this was his fault! If he hadn't fallen for Travis, he would be safe. How could he have let this happen?
The more he paced, that angrier Adam grew towards himself. "Fuck!" he muttered under his breath. "I am not going to let that psycho hurt Travis."
Before he thought anything through, he found himself striding through the office, out the door into the elevator. He huffed as the door closed, punched the button for the lobby and leaned against the wall, his arms folded in front of him. He wasn't even sure what the hell he was doing, he just knew he had to do something to make Albert go away. He had to show Travis how important he was to him. Surely Travis realized this was all Adam's fault; knew that if he wasn't with Adam anymore, his life wouldn't be in danger. He couldn't lose Travis!
As he entered the lobby, he was irritated to see so many people milling about, but it dawned on him that it was probably close to lunch time. He didn't feel hunger, though; no, he only felt rage. He made his way through the crowds and headed out to the parking lot. It wasn't until he was outside that he remembered that they had come to work in Travis's truck and he didn't have the keys.
"FUCK!" he yelled out, frustrated. He didn't know what to do. He threw his arms up in despair and growled out loud. His heart was racing and he just wanted to hit something. Anything. Maybe the pain would take away some of this rage. Knowing he was very close to losing it, he felt a little touch of sanity make its way through his brain telling him to calm down, to breathe. He heard the mantra in his mind, but struggled with it. He didn't want to calm down. He wanted to beat the crap out of Albert. But, deep down he knew his rage would only cause more issues. No, he admitted, anger wasn't going to help: he needed to calm down and think rationally. A walk around the building might help, he thought, and he took off at a brisk pace, rounding the first corner in seconds.
The last thing he saw was a hand holding a rag of some kind coming at his face.
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In the conference room, Travis sat next to his lawyer, gritting his teeth and trying not to wonder how Adam was doing. Both policemen sat directly across from him at the large oval table.
"So, you are saying, sir, that you did not try to strangle Albert?"
Travis's tried not to roll his eyes. Seriously? That psycho said that? "No, I only protected Adam and pulled him away. I may not have been gentle about it, but he was putting his hands on Adam and threatening him."
Both officers looked at each other as an understanding seemed to pass between them.
"I see. So, you and Adam are... friends? Lovers? Partners?" This was from the younger cop with the blonde hair.
"We are dating, yes, but I would have done the same thing even if we were just co-workers. Albert was acting crazy." Travis wasn't going to let them make this into some gay lover's quarrel.
"Officers, my client has explained his side several times. Have you looked into this Albert's past? You do know he was hospitalized for stalking and trying to attack Adam, correct? He also attacked a security guard at the college Adam attended." The lawyer's voice was calm, almost as if he were bored with the whole meeting.
"Yes, sir. We have. But, unfortunately we have not been able to talk with him."
"What do you mean?" the lawyer asked, leaning forward. "Why not?"
The officers looked at each other again before the blonde spoke. "Well, he went to the station to file charges in OKC, and then when we got the call from Oklahoma about it we tried to reach him. So far, we have only been able to leave messages on his voice mail."
"Are you saying you don't know where he is?" Travis shot out, jumping up from the table. His heart nearly stopped as the possibilities bombarded his brain. Adam! He turned to the door before waiting for an answer and pulled it open. Fuck! He wasn't there. "Where's Adam?" he yelled out to the office.
No one seemed to know. The last anyone had seen him was about twenty minutes earlier when he had torn through the office and out the doors. Most people had assumed he just needed some air.
No! Adam! Travis's breath froze in his lungs and his heart pounded in his ears as he punched the button to the elevator. It was taking too long and he gave up waiting. Instead he ran down the hall and flung open the door to the stairs, bounding down them two and three at a time until he pushed out the exit and found himself on the side of the building. His heart nearly crumbled when he spied Adam's wallet on the ground. He picked it up and held it tight for a moment as he looked around.
"Adam? Adam! Where are you?" he screamed, as he sprinted around the building, his eyes scanning everywhere. But Adam was gone. He was nowhere to be seen. Travis's heart beat faster and he felt his breathing become shallow as he crumpled onto the cement. His Adam was gone and he had no doubt who had him. "Adam!" He screamed again.
The police, his lawyer, Mr. Martins, and most of the office had followed behind in the elevator and arrived just as they saw Travis fall.
The younger, blonde officer hurried to his side and knelt down. "What's happened?" he asked.
"It's Adam. He's gone. And I know..." his voice cracked for a second. "I know that Albert has him. I know it in my heart." Travis sobbed as he spoke. He didn't care who was watching, or what anyone was saying. The man he loved with all his heart was gone.
The officer helped Travis up and walked with him to a bench at the edge of a small flower garden along the parking lot. Once he had him sitting down, he gestured for the other officer to join him.
"Have you tried to call him?"