The Devil's Due Pt. 02

"Indeed, it is. I can't go into the details right now. But know that the depths are almost unfathomable."

"So, why are we here?" Thaelor interjected.

"Because if ALL of you Morrison children are to survive, you have to get the law behind you, and NOW!"

Ryan's eyebrow went skyward. He was totally confused about the situation, considering the cryptic way Thomas was talking.

"Look...I don't understand. What is the issue? People have come back from strokes before. My Dad's just down for right now." Ryan stated.

"For lack of a better way of saying it Ryan, he's already gone. His brain is being kept alive with minor electro-shocks and he's on life support. It would be a miracle if he comes back from that. And even if he did, he won't be the same. Here's the deal, as of right now, I have power of attorney for your father, but that only lasts for 48 hours until the next of kin is alerted. We alerted Sharmel about the situation a few hours ago, but because she's in Europe, we need someone closer to your father to take control. That's where you come in."

"But if Sharmel is his wife, doesn't that responsibility go to her automatically?" Thaleor asked.

"Yes...but there's an issue there as well. Criminal as a matter of fact. But I still can't go into that. What I need you guys to do is become your father's permanent adjunct. That means that you take control of all his affairs, properties, and effects. Basically, you take over everything. Your father wanted this done before this all happened. He just didn't have time to do it."

"So, what do you need from us?" Ryan asked.

Reaching into his briefcase, Thomas pulled out a stack of papers. "I need you to sign these papers. It's a temporary restraining order and a temporary power of attorney order."

Ryan looked them over quickly, just when he was about to ask, Thomas finished his question for him.

"I have this put together in order to stop Sharmel from killing your father. Once she gets here, without this, she can have the plug pulled on him and that would be the end of it. You guys would be left at her leisure and I'm sure you know how she gets down. But, you need to make your authority permanent. The only way to do that is to get an authentic copy of his social security and birth certificate. That will be your way of authenticating your rights as his seed to take over."

"But can't you get all that stuff?" Ryan asked.

"Yes...but it would take too long. By the time I got everything beck, it would all be over."

"So, where do we have to go?"

"Georgia...Broke Buck to be exact."

"Broke Buck?!!" Thaelor exclaimed. "Never heard of it."

"I know. Me neither. But going through some of his paperwork, that was where your father claimed to be from. You need to get down there and get a replacement birth certificate from the town seat and bring it back to me, so we can forward your claim for power of attorney. But you have to move fast. That paperwork right there is about to expire in a few hours, and it only gives you the right to block anything Sharmel may want to do for 72 hours."

Ryan signed the paperwork, handing it back to Thomas, he further asked; "So, what do we have to do now?"

"Get down to Broke Buck, Georgia and get that information." Pulling a big manila envelope out of his briefcase, he handed it to Ryan. "Here is the information you'll need to present to the county seat. Don't open it before you get there; it invalidates everything if it's opened. Hurry guys, time's running out."

Ryan and Thaelor left the room, an ominous feeling coming from the individual in the corner. He never said a word. But he emanated an air of importance. If not...down right evil. But there were miles to go yet. Ryan placed the envelope in his luggage and took out his phone again. Pressing the button, it speed dialed the Comptrollers office for the second time.

"Hello, Comp, 775, may I have your access number please?" came the lilting voice from the other end.

It wasn't Meredith. A new female had taken over duties of making flight arrangements for those in the loop. Ryan gave his name and number again. This time he requested 2 tickets to Atlanta, GA. The trip was made, the fee paid, and the time to get to the airport was only 1 ½. This was cutting it close. So many more questions came from the answers that had been given. No matter, Ryan and his Sister had a duty to do. A mystery to unravel, and a family to save.

Arriving at the airport, the siblings had to run through security just to make it on time. As the plane began to taxi onto the strip Thaelor spoke to her brother for the first time in a few hours.

"What do you think we'll find in GA? Do you think we will get the stuff we need to get the information? And why YOU? I mean...if Travis were still out of prison, do you think Dad would've sent him instead? And what was up with that other guy? I don't know about you...but he gave me the creeps!! What do you think Ryan?"

But there was no answer. Even before the wheels left the tarmac, Ryan was fast asleep. A trait Thaelor was ever so jealous of. But she gave no protest. Instead, once the plane reached altitude, she asked for a blanket and rested on her brother's chest. He had earned the rest and after today, would need every bit of it for his strength. Something told Thaelor that this was just the eye of the storm.