Susan dropped Jim off on the L train line and gave him some extra cash to make sure he got home all right. Jim was appreciative of her motherly concern and they waved goodbye at the station.
He reached the apartment building, and much to his surprise, Adrianna, Jay, and Trey were all waiting for him outside at the front door. "Oh, daddy!" Adrianna exclaimed as she threw her arms around him. Jay and Trey hugged Jim in relief and not without tears.
"We weren't going to let you get away this time!" said Trey. "I take it that you were, uh, intercepted a few times."
"Yeah, just like a football, and you might say, kicked around the field too," said Jim.
"Let's get inside," said Trey. "We don't want to attract any attention."
They went up to Trey's place. Jim checked around the corners on the way up. When they opened the door, he went from room to room making sure there were no surprise guests.
"Looks like you're a little skittish," observed Trey.
"Hey, dad, you've gotten detective skills since we saw you last. That's what happens I guess, when you are being hunted down," said Jay.
Adrianna had gone to get Jim some food in the kitchen. The three guys were alone in the living room. Jim said in a subdued voice, "Yeah, and I'm not out of the woods yet. I'm alive but I'll have to get these criminals convicted before I can be truly free."
"What are you going to do, dad?" asked Jay.
"I'll have to press charges. Right now, McCann and Slipp think that I'm dead, but they will find out the truth eventually."
"Dead?" asked Jay.
"Yeah, it's a long story which I will tell you soon. But as you said before Jay, I wasn't alone."
Adrianna came back in and the four of them spent the next hour shooting the breeze and laughing. Jim thought that family must be one of the greatest gifts ever given. He felt that things were beginning to feel normal once again.
About ten that night, everyone was ready to call it a day. Jim took his spot on the couch. And the others went off to the bedrooms. "Now, you're not going to disappear during the night, are you?" Trey asked Jim.
"No, I promise. I'll be here when you wake up."
The next morning, Jim used Trey's cell which he had left out for Jim to use to call the police.
He told the police only the necessary, most alarming details to get them interested in interviewing him.
"We'll be right over," said the officer on the phone. "You had better stay put for your own safety."
Two men in blue arrived sometime later. They had their patrol notebook out to take down Jim's information. Jim's story seemed to raise their eyebrows, but they couldn't comment other than to say they would refer the information to the detective bureau. In a couple of days, at the most, he would be contacted. True enough, the next day, Jim found himself down at headquarters giving all the details to two very intense police detectives. He left the station with one very clear idea. He had been assured that the matter would be investigated fully. Not only had Jim come forward, but they had just talked with a David Wright, a member of the Quant organization. Mr. Wright had confessed to a series of crimes, including his part in causing Anne's car to go off the bridge. In his statement to the police, he had incriminated not only Mr. Slipp and Mr. McCann but others involved in the organization. His corroboration would solidify Jim's claim said the sergeant. Jim could return to Sterling as he was not needed until a trial would be held. This is a wrap up, Jim thought. There had been so many times he had thought it was over only to find himself in another tight spot.
Back at the apartment, he met his children waiting at the door. "We just want to make sure you're really back, dad," said Adrianna. Trey had gone back to his job.
"Yes, I am back. I won't need to be involved unless I have to testify but I'm not sure they will need me. They have a witness who was part of the gang."
"Who is it?" asked Jay.
"The leader of the bikers. He had a change of heart."
"I could see how he could do that," said Adrianna.
"What do you mean, honey?" asked Jim.
"There was something about him that was nice, something he didn't show really," said Adrianna.
"So, dad, when are you going to tell us all that happened to you?" asked Jay.
"I don't know, son. Maybe when we get home," said Jim.
They spent the rest of the morning packing up and cleaning Trey's apartment. The family had decided to take the more scenic route home. On their way out of town, they ate sandwiches that Maggie had brought over for them. Jay was in the front seat with his ear buds on, smiling. Adrianna had a new book from Maggie that she was reading in the back seat. Jim had his eyes on the road. He took in the landscape. The midsummer fullness of the trees and fields was spectacular. White cumulus clouds gave a lush depth to the blue sky. There was a promise of something greater ahead. Jim knew it was there. He could feel it.
THE END
I hope you enjoyed this series as much I as loved creating it. For my other Box Set Series, please follow the links below to find more:
Reading Relics Box Set
Worldwide Reset Box Set
Worldwide Reset Box Set Copyright © 2020 by Christina Kirsch is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law. First edition Harrisburg, PA Christina Kirsch
Christina Kirsch
Christina is a stay at home mom of three, married to the love of her life and devout Christian. Christina grew up in South Central PA loving the adventure and excitement of Fantasy/Fiction books and loves to spread the message of Christ thru Fiction, Fantasy and Spiritual Warfare education.
When Christina is not writing, she can be found attending her children’s sporting events, reading or looking at art from some of her favorite artists.
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