William went back to his apartment. Leah wasn't there. No doubt she was with Robson Gibbs. Every time he thought of his name he would clench his jaw and ball up his fists.

How far was a man willing to go for a promotion? Does he even like Leah? Is he going to take care of Leah and the baby?

His thoughts suddenly shifted to the baby. If he moved to Lanchester, he might never find out if the baby was his. Suddenly he got angry again, this time it was directed to Leah. Maybe she deserved it. He suddenly felt no love for her, every time he pictured her in his mind, he thought she looked cruel and ugly. He also realized he felt noting for the baby, whosever it was.

He went to his room and started packing a suitcase, dumping all his clothes, shoes and awards for his services. He emptied the safe where he kept his gun, the ring and some extra cash and packed that too. Dragging the suitcases to the door he looked around his apartment.

Everything he looked at felt contaminated. Leah touched everything. The photo wall that looks like it was attacked by a nail gun, the three legged coffee table with a ball of paper under one leg to keep it steady, the couch with a number of scratch marks from when Leah decided to keep a cat, The broken Window in the kitchen, where Leah threw the burnt turkey out in panic on thanksgiving night.

Suddenly he felt grateful he did not need the furniture for where he was going. He would be sharing a room with someone else from the hotel. Pulling out a few cardboard boxed he started packing up things he did not want to leave behind. Few kitchen utensils, cups, glasses and plates, he emptied the linen closet, leaving behind anything that belonged to Leah. He took down his favorite painting from the wall and then finally he was done. He looked around the room again. Strangely it looked bare even though he dint pack much. He looked down to where he kept the boxes. 11 years of his life packed in 5 boxes and 2 suitcases for clothes. That was all his belongings.

Slowly he moved the stuff to his truck. Earlier that afternoon he traded in his car for a beaten up old truck. He felt exactly like the truck looked and passed no comment when the dealer handed him the keys.

Once he moved everything to the truck he went up to the owner's house and handed over the keys. The owner was a sweet old lady who lived with her daughter. When he called earlier and said he needed to move out, she did not ask any questions but promised to have her daughter transfer the money to his account.

"I will miss having a tenant like you, no trouble at all for the last 11 years." She said, handing him a box of cookies with her shaky hands. She always had a box of cookies in hand and have them to anyone who came to visit. William felt like a little boy when he took the box from her hands. "I do hope to see you soon."

"Me too, Mrs. Webber." He said, giving her a smile.

And then he was off, a long drive to Lanchester. He only stopped to pick up the transfer papers from the captain, who gave him a hearty handshake and then pulled him into a hug.

"Goodbye LA" he thought as he drove pass the exit sign.

********

The Moore-Hall house was in chaos. David and Eric were having a videogame showdown, Sophie and Dana were running around making sure everything was packed, Alice was hustling in the kitchen trying to pack food for everyone because they had a long drive ahead. Louie was sleeping under the dining table.

"Yes, take the first left – no the coffee shop is on the right!! Take the left." Derrick yelled over the noise the boys were making to direct the minivan they hired to the house. "Keep it down boys! I'm on the phone!"

"Yes, now drive down that road, I'll wait for you outside." He finished, putting the phone down. "Car is here!! Boys, turn that thing off. Sophie!! Dana!! Bring your bags down. Alice are you done?"

"I'm ready, let me go get my bag." Alice said, sealing the food bag. Sophie and Dana made their way downstairs with their heavy bags as the boys ran up, weaving around them.

"Did you pack your entire room?" Derrick asked Dana.

"Ha-ha dad!" Dana said sarcastically. "Want to help me with this?"

20 minutes later everyone was out of the house and on the road. "8 hour drive to Lanchester, we are making good time. We should reach before nightfall." said the driver, starting the engine. Louis purred on Dana's lap. Good. He thought. Nothing to disturb him for 8 hours.

********

*In Lanchester*

There was a heavy downpour of rain, so it got dark earlier than usual. The streets were empty and quiet. A bolt of lightning threw light on the dirty old houses by the road.

William Cooper made his way to the hotel, following the directions on the GPS map on his phone. The windshield wiper groaned under the strain of wiping off rainwater. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of rain hitting the old houses and windows banging against the wind. The dim streetlamps flickered as he passed them and the hotel finally came into view. It was a long drive and his back hurt. He did not stop for food, but drove all day. Now couldn't wait to reach the hotel and crash.

He drove through the gate and parked in the garage at the back (The guard at the gate instructed him to do so.) He finally stepped out of the rain and went into the lobby. This hotel was clearly old. The decor hadn't been changed since it was built years ago. But the staff was just as meticulous as the ones in LA, this was one of the many things that made Maxwell so good.

"Can I help you?" asked a man with grey hair, adjusting the buttons of his jacket which were tight around his belly. He wore a good suit but was a bit of a nervous kind of guy.

"I am William Cooper, I'm looking for the security captain of this place." said William, looking around as though he expected to find him standing there.

"Of course, I was told he was expecting you." He said gently, holding out his hand. "I am Barry Franklin, manager of the hotel, I hope you will stay with us longer than the last few. Though we are a small town we still need protection."

"I understand."

"If you would follow me, I will take you to the captain." He said, leading the way down a passage. The captain was just leaving his office when they arrived. "Sir, William Cooper just arrived." He announced. William shook his hand subconsciously smiling, trying to make a good impression since he had to stay there for a while.

The new Captain,  James Norman, did not seem like a stern guy in fact he was the opposite of Captain Rodger Fields. He was a lot older, his hair was completely grey and he was not as fit as Captain Fields. "You must be exhausted from the travel! Why don't you go down to the dining hall and grab some food before bed. I'll see you in the morning and we can deal with all the formalities." He said, wiping his forehead anxiously in a hurry to leave.

William was a little surprised but did not say anything. He just watched his new boss hurry away, holding on to something in his jacket pocket. Maybe this captain had something to do with all the new security guards leaving. Mind on his new mission, William left his thoughts about Leah behind.

The manager whistled at one of the bell boys and tossed him a set of keys, "Take this man to the men's quarters room 213. Help him with his bags too." William followed the bell boy quietly and helped him with his boxes. Then they went to the back of the hotel where there was another little building only for the hotel staff that required accommodation.

His room was on the second floor, it was a single small but cozy room. There were two single beds at the end, a small open kitchen on one side with a small dining set and a sofa with Tv unit on the other side. William scanned the room, it dint take him long to realize there was already someone staying there.He could also hear the shower running so he just took off his wet jacket and kept it to dry. The bell boy handed over the set of keys to William and left. Just when he began to wonder which bed would be his, he heard the shower stop and the door opened. There standing in shock, wrapped in a towel was a man in his early 40's. He looked around and saw all the boxes and then shook his head in realization.

"New guy! I was told you would be joining us this week." He smiles, holding out his hand to shake. "You came earlier than expected." The man had a hit of a Spanish accent.

"Change of plans. Decided to come here and start training. Heard about the carnival, and thought I could help." William said "I am William cooper by the way" He noticed that the man's hands were full deep of scratches.

"Frank Gomez." He said, noticing William's eyes on his arms, he quickly pulled his hand away and went to his wardrobe opposite the bed and pulled out a shirt. "That is your bed and wardrobe" He added, pointing to the bed away from the window.

"I had dibbs on the bed near the window when I first moved in." He said, quickly getting dressed behind the open wardrobe doors.

"Who lived here before?" William asked, throwing himself on his new bed, which turned out to be much harder than he had expected.

"Luke Morgan." He replied with a sigh. "Good man, was a friend of mine too."

"Why did he leave?" William asked.

"I don't know, but I hope to find out." He replied, walking off to the kitchen. "Do you want some food? Or did you eat already?"

"I'm starving, but don't you have to eat in the dining hall?" asked William, watching Frank pull out some pans from the cupboards.

"It's for those who don't cook." Frank replied. "It helps that I am actually a cook." He added, winking.

They had a good time talking, William helped Frank cook even though he dint need it and then they finally sat down for dinner. Half way through their meal, the strangest thing happened.

Frank stopped talking. He stared blankly at the table, hands grasping his fork tight. Suddenly he let out a growl and then stabbed the fork on his other hand. Blood oozed out immediately, falling on the white table top.

                                                                                        ********

Something is going on with Captain Norman which may be the key to figuring out their staff problems. Can William put aside his problems and figure it out?

Meanwhile what is wrong with Frank? Normal one minute and crazy the next.....Will he be okay?

If you enjoyed this chapter please let me know in the comment section and vote <3<3