by Thorn, Ava
“Why don’t you sit over there and eat cookies while we play the video back,” Jasmine interjected.
Farrah's eyes widened. “What she means is that we don’t want to burden you with such a simple task.”
Gil hesitated before going to the computer. “How far you want to go back?”
“Two weeks,” Jasmine spoke up.
Gil sat them up at the computer before he sat behind them munching on cookies.
Jasmine paced the small office. For the past couple of weeks, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She knew if she told Shane, he would tell her that she was paranoid. Even on the ranch she felt like someone was watching her from afar.
She was constantly in a panicked frenzy. She was racking her brain trying to put two and two together, but nothing was adding up. She was missing something but what was she missing? There had to be something? Something only the surveillance cameras could tell her.
Farrah came up with this elaborate scheme to look through surveillance cameras that were set all around the ranch.
“Hold up.” Jasmine looked closer at the monitor. She pointed to a white truck with tinted windows. It would park near the entrance where Shane’s house was. “The timeline shows the same truck would come to the ranch for two months now.”
Gil stood up and crowded the woman’s space. “I’ll make a memo to see why the truck is parked there.”
She couldn’t identify the occupant in the vehicle, but Jasmine was pretty sure it was the man from the side of the road and at the café.
“What are you guys doing?”
Farrah and Jasmine both jumped to see Austin staring at them mischievously. “You scared the hell out of us.” Farrah threw a cookie at him.
Shay squirmed in the sling. “I should be getting home,” Jasmine stuttered.
“We should walk you back to the house,” Farrah offered.
Jasmine took one last look at the white truck on the screen. Somewhere out there was a man who wanted to harm her for God knows what reason. “Sure.”
As they walked past Austin, she heard him asking Gil what they were doing. She didn’t hear the man’s reply because Farrah was talking.
“You need to tell Shane or your brother,” Farrah said with a worried look on her face. “When I was experiencing some issues, Shane was right there for me…he protected me when I had no one else.”
“What if I’m wrong?” she asked in a low voice.
“What if you’re right?” Farrah said. “You have to think about Shay.”
“I always do,” she said, and continued to walk down the street.
“Tell Shane or I will,” Farrah said, and left it like that as they journeyed down the street.
***
“Have you noticed the girls been acting funny?” Austin said.
Shane looked behind to see Jasmine talking in a hush tone in the corner with Farrah. The worry lines in Farrah brows were evident. “They probably talking about the next sale at Macy’s.” He shrugged and went back to watching the Dallas Cowboys pre-season football game.
“I don’t care what you say,” Austin mumbled as he continued to watch Farrah and Jasmine. “Thelma and Louise is definitely up to something.”
“What makes you say that?” Shane laughed.
“Well for one, the other day I caught them at the security hut, going over surveillance cameras.”
Shane turned his attention from the football game to his cousin. “What?”
“I heard Farrah telling her to talk to you that you could help her,” Austin told him.
Shane looked back at Jasmine, he had every right to stalk over there and demand her to tell him what was going on. “I’ll be right back.” He stood up and disappeared outside. Unclipping his phone from his leather belt.
The phone rang three times before someone on the other end picked up.
“We need to meet ASAP.”
“It better be important,” Benjamin St. Clair said.
“It’s about Jasmine.”
“I’ll be there first thing in the morning.”
His phone lit up, notifying him that the caller hung up.
The next morning, Shane eased out of bed without waking Jasmine. When he peeped into the crib Shay was wide awake sucking on her pacifier. He picked her up to allowed Jasmine a few hours of sleep.
“So what did you call me here for?” Benjamin grumbled, sitting at the dining room table sipping on a cup of coffee.
“I know you’d rather be anywhere but here, but I have this feeling that Jasmine might be in trouble.”
Benjamin sat up and folded his arm across his chest. “And how did you come to this conclusion?”
Shane pushed a brown folder across the table for Benjamin to read. He friend hesitated before picking it up to read the contents inside.
“Wasn’t there fingerprints on the handle of the car?”
“Untraceable fingerprints,” Shane said. “I’m worried about her; she hasn’t talked about that night.”
Benjamin got up from his seat and walked down the hallway. Shane could hear the argument in the bedroom, along with some unpleasant words. Jasmine was definitely not a morning person.
“Get your ass dressed and come to the table,” Benjamin barked.
Shane whistled and shook his head. “I wouldn’t have done that if I were you.”
“She’ll get over it,” he growled, and picked up his cup of coffee. His eyes trained on the infant in Shane’s arm. “How is parenthood?”
“Perfect.” Shane looked at his daughter in his arms sucking fiercely on her pacifier. “I told her the other night that I apologize for messing her up, but I intend on raising her right.”
This was the first time in a month that he’d spoke with ex-best friend and former partner. Pretty soon they were talking about the Cowboys, changing diapers and cases they’d been working on.
“Benjamin Lamont St. Clair.” Jasmine stood in the kitchen, wearing a white bathrobe her black hair was sticking straight on top of hair like she was struck by lightning overnight. “Have you lost your damn mind?”
“Nope, but you have,” Benjamin said, pulling out a chair for her. “What the hell is going on?”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Nothing,” she spat. “Why are you here? Does that mean everything is forgiven?” She hugged him before sitting down at the chair.
“Benjamin is here because I called him…Gil said that you were questioning about a white truck that been seen outside the ranch,” Shane said.
“Don’t act like you’re my father, Benjamin and Shane, I already have one,” she joked.
Shane could see that Jasmine was trying to brush it off. But he wasn’t fooled, he stared at her with concerned eyes until she looked away at him before jumping up from the table.
“Sit your black ass back down.” Benjamin’s voiced rumbled throughout the kitchen.
“I’m going to put Shay in the swing in the living room.” Shane stood up leaving the two alone in the kitchen.
“It’s not like you care?” Jasmine continued to stand. “For the past few weeks I’ve been handling this on my own.” She banged her fist against the table. “I don’t need your damn help.”
Benjamin's eyes began to soften as he looked at his only sister. “Yes, I have been distant—”
“Straight up asshole, douchebag,” she interrupted. Benjamin stared at her so hard, she thought if looks could kill she would be dead. “Fine,” she said, as she sat back down quietly in her chair.
“I care what happens to you,” his voice softened. “When you were a baby just like Shay, I promised you that I would always be there and to protect you…I’m sorry I’ve been an asshole.”
“And douche bag.”
It was Benjamin time to roll his eyes. “Fine,” he said reluctantly. “That too.”
“I’m sorry I was secretive.”
Benjamin stood up and pulled his sister into his arms. “I will never let anything happen to you,” he said
, as he looked dead ahead at Shane watching them.
“This is so sweet,” Shane grinned, before receiving glares from both Jasmine and her brother.
“Shut up,” they muttered, stepping back from each other.
“So, Angela Lansbury are you going to tell us what’s going on?” Shane asked.
“Angela who?” Jasmine frowned.
“Oh God, we’re officially old.” Benjamin slapped his hand to his forehead.
“Never mind.” Shane shook his head. “Just tell us what’s going on so we can help.”
***
Sitting back down in the chair she vacated a few second ago, she picked up Shane’s cup of coffee and took a sip to calm her jittery nerves.
“Moving to Denver was my greatest accomplishment I did after I graduated college and before having Shay.” Her eyes traveled to her baby girl and smiled. “I got my first shot as a traffic reporter and filling in doing assignments. Two months after being on the air, I started receiving these crazy fan mails.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Benjamin asked.
“I didn’t put much stake into those perverted guys,” she replied. “Then there was this mysterious white truck that was always parked at the new station and following me back home. It’s hard to prove that someone is stalking you especially when you don’t know how they look.”
Both Shane and Benjamin nodded their head in agreement.
“So I was six months pregnant when I really started to fear for my life. I thought by me being on the camera was the problem so I resigned from my job and took a position at the newspaper. But it didn’t stop; the person would call my phone number and leave messages about the reports I did.” Her brother placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I just thought that chapter of my life was over…but I guess one can’t be too cautious.”
“Do you know anything that can help us catch him?” Shane asked. Being the law man he was taking notes down on a piece of paper.
“I didn’t know how he looked until a few days ago.”
“What?” Benjamin and Shane said together.
“I’m pretty sure the same guy who accosted me on the side of the road is the same guy from the restaurant. He has a heavy Spanish accent, tall, dark eyes.” Jasmine wanted to forget how the man looked but she couldn’t, he was another nightmare that kept her up at night.
“No more investigating, leave it up to me and Benjamin,” Shane said sternly. “You will not leave this ranch by yourself, not even with Farrah.”
“I can’t just stop living my life,” she said
“He is escalating,” Benjamin said. He pushed the file that he read to her. “Look at those marks in your tire. Tell her what you’re thinking.”
“He had been lying in wait. Since you’ve been here we been together from shopping to going out to eat. But the day you went to visit your grandparents was his day to strike, he knew the route we take.” He paused. “You took that country road by yourself. I think while you were at your grandparents he punctured your tire, giving you enough air to get onto that secluded road.”
“So you’re saying it was intentional?” Her hands started to shake badly. Jasmine stood up from the table and ran to the bathroom where she vomited liquid which eventually became dry heaves.
“Jasmine?” Shane walked into the bathroom, kneeling down he held hair. “We will catch him.” He wet a washcloth and placed it to her forehead.
Flushing the toilet, she scrambled back to the wall. “I don’t know what to do,” she cried.
He sat next to her, enveloping her into a protective embrace. “It’s okay,” he assured.
After a few moments, she caught her breath. “It’s awful to feel this way,” she confessed to him. “Not knowing when the boogeyman is going to jump out any moment.”
He stroked her hair. “You know I will never let anything happen to you, right?”
She nodded. “Where is Shay?”
“With Benjamin, she is his first niece,” Shane soothed his scared girlfriend. “I don’t want you to shed another tear.”
“Thank you,” Jasmine said, pulling away from him. “You’re always here when I need you.”
“And always will be,” he assured with a grin. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, yes, I’m okay,” Jasmine replied. “Don’t you have to go to work today?”
“I’m going to stick around the house with you and Shay,” he said.
“No, no.” She looked at him and shook her head. “I’m fine, you don’t have to say here, this whole ranch is surrounded and security just doesn’t let anyone waltz in here.”
“Are you sure?” Shane seemed hesitant.
“Positive,” Jasmine promised. “Now go. I don’t want you to be late for work.”
He kissed her forehead before releasing her.
Getting up, Jasmine walked back to the living room and sat on the sofa watching her brother talk baby gibberish to her daughter. “She needs to know her uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins.”
Benjamin stood up and placed Shay in her arms. “Well my dear sister, you have to figure out a way to get everyone under the same roof.” He kissed her cheek before walking out the door.
“What you’re thinking about?” Shane asked, standing in the doorway buttoning up his crisp black shirt.
“How to get everyone under the same roof,” she mused.
“Simple,” he grinned. “I recalled how Reginald St. Clair prides himself on having those Sunday family dinners.”
“Last time I check McBride, I can’t cook.”
“We can have it catered. Invite the family.”
“Yeah, but that’s not how Sunday dinner is normally ran, food is cooked with care,” Jasmine whined.
“Well put it together and we’ll send the invites out.” He stepped back and looked at her. “I’m locking the door behind me, I’ll have a few cars patrolling the area to look out for the truck.”
“Baby, everything is going to fine.” Jasmine stood up and adjusted his tie and placed Shane’s cowboy hat on his head. “Now, go get to work and make our money.”
“I have a question.”
“I have the answer.”
“A little birdie told me you was planning on buying Farrah’s townhouse, is there any truth behind that?” he asked.
Jasmine couldn’t help but laugh. “Let me guess that birdy was Austin McBride.”
“Hey, no laughing,” Shane began. “I don’t’ want you to think that you have to leave because you don’t.'”
“You do know that Austin’s loves to tease you to death?” She kissed him on the lips.
“I’m going to kill that little birdie.” Shane grabbed his keys and closed the door.
***
Shane was nearly to the interstate when his cell phone rang.
“This is McBride,” he answered.
“Ranger this is officer Brooks, I’m calling to let you know that we spotted a suspicious vehicle within the McBride ranch. It’s not a white truck but a dark blue four-door sedan,” the officer reported.
“No one goes near the car, my ETA is ten minutes.” Shane hit the sirens on his truck and made a U-turn. He made a call to Hank to go check on Jasmine as he grew closer to the location the officer said the vehicle was located.
Nine minutes later, Shane pulled up behind the car. He asked the dispatcher to run the license plate. Stepping out his truck, he took his gun out his holster and slowly made his way to the driver’s side.
“Sir, there is blood running down the bumper,” an officer said, with his gun drawn.
Shane busted the window in the front car and pulled the lever for the door.
“We have a deceased male victim.”
Shane looked down at the body in the car, a Latino man in his late twenties to early thirties laid stiff in the truck with a gunshot wound to the head. “Call it in,” he said to the officers.
“Ranger McBride, this is dispatch, the vehicle is registered to a Gil Novik.”
***
Jasmine just finishing brewing a fresh pot of coffee and going over a mental list of things she had to do. She called Farrah twice and talked about the impending family dinner she wanted to plan. Farrah even offered her chef name Victoria from Southern Rose Eatery that she was planning on rebuilding after a devastating fire.
She was holding Shay as she walked down the hallway when the doorbell rang. Moving slowly to the front door, she peered out the peephole to see Gil Novik standing there with a friendly smile.
“One second,” she said. Knowing Shane, he had the security attendant coming to check on her. Placing Shay in the bassinet, Jasmine straightened her shirt and opened the door. “Good morning Gil, let me guess, Shane wanted you to check on me.”
“Mr. McBride called the security hut and asked for someone to do a security sweep of the house.” Gil Novik brushed past her.
“I have this annoying habit of making too many grits…so there are a leftovers, let me fix you a plate.” She picked up the bassinet and headed into the kitchen.
Jasmine was fixing a plate for Gil Novik when a string wrapped around her neck. The dish she was holding crashed to floor, shattering causing Shay to scream at the top of her lungs.
“When you want something done, you have to do it yourself,” he said against her ear.
She reached back and clawed at his face. Panic was rising in her chest. Was this how her life was going to end? Air coming in strangled gasps and there was nothing she could do. She tried to pry away the string from her neck, but it was too tight. The last thing she would hear was her daughter’s cries. Blackness crept around the edges of her vision.
***
Shane drove like a madman to his house. He mentally scolded himself for leaving her this morning. If something happened to Jasmine and his daughter, he didn’t know what he would do.
The whole entire time they thought it was a Latino man who was stalking Jasmine but truth be told, it wasn’t. A few months they hired a new security attendant Gil Novik. The inside of the blue sedan painted a chilling story about a man that was obsessed with Jasmine since the first day he saw her on Channel Four morning and afternoon traffic report. There was bank statement revealing that Gil paid an illegal immigrant named Juan Barrios. The description of the man Jasmine said accosted her on the side of the road and the man from the café fitted the same description of the man found deceased in the back of Gil Novik’s car. It appeared that Gil was tightening up loose ends and the only thing that was left was Jasmine.
