Chapter 23

The door had been broken down once before, so it wasn't very sturdy. It only took a few hits for the men to break it down. "Damn, this is a nice meal. Is it for us?" Ben walked into the house. When he saw the food on the table, his eyes lit up. "Ben, this door is locked. They're probably hiding in this room," one of the thugs said, standing in front of one of the room doors. "Carl, go. Get her to open the door. If not, I'll break in," Ben said, pushing Carl toward the door roughly. Carl went to the door and said loudly, "Irene, I know you're in there. There's no use hiding. Ben is here with his men. They just want money. They won't do anything to you as long as you give them money." He pounded on the door. No one answered from the inside. "If you don't open the door, Ben and his men will break it down. When that happens…" Carl added. "Carl Upton, what are you doing here? We've disowned you. Why did you come back? Your debts have nothing to do with us! I have no money. I have n