Dead of the night

Jerome ruffled Barry's hair lovingly, kissed his forehead, and told him that he was going to be back to see him really soon.

The boy was still alive, but only barely and the only person with him was his nanny since Denise could not be bothered to stay in the hospital for anything more than an hour or two and apparently, neither could Amanda or her mother.

Over the years, Jerome had become more than just a bodyguard to Derek's family. He was now as close as family and he loved Barry as dearly as though he were his own son.

He felt really sorry for the child who never ceased to stop asking for his father ... His father who could even then be dead.

Jerome cut off this train of thought immediately. Derek couldn't be dead. He refused to accept this. Derek would be found alive and never would Jerome make the mistake of letting him go anywhere without adequate protection again.

Already, the police had found Derek's car abandoned somewhere in town, and now were giving their all to finding him