by William Cain
Juvieux is in agreement. “Yes. Haines, can you reach out to the stationhouse and brief them? Then set up a call with me on it and let’s formally bring them in.”
“Right after this, David,” Haines replies.
“Great. Then, Tyler. Is the DNA back yet?” He’s referring to the bloody knife the victim there used to defend himself. This is the DNA of the killer, it’s widely believed.
Tyler reports, “No second round DNA returned, but it’s imminent.”
Haines reports next, “Jimmy is on the move. He’s heading to SLO via air. He was followed to the airport. When he lands, he’ll be tailed. I’ll set it up today when we speak with them.”
“One last thing people,” David begins. “During this operation, no one is to draw their service weapon unless having received a direct order from myself or Captain Henson. No one.”
“Ok, that’s it. After the call with SLO, Sergeant Haines will be reaching out to each of you with your travel arrangements.”
“We leave tomorrow morning.”
15
No one has ever become poor by giving. Anne Frank
“I think we should leave this place, late at night. Maybe then no one will find us. I’m so worried,” Reggi tells Madison, wringing her hands, pacing back and forth in the kitchen. She’s not staring at anything, except the space before her.
Madison is concerned for her grandmother, and it shows. The old lady’s state of mind is fragile. She’s showing signs of drifting into her degraded mental state again. They haven’t had time to start her therapy sessions. Although this was the plan, to help her continue the recovery she was doing well in, it hasn’t begun yet.
“Madison. Did you hear me? What are you thinking about? Don’t be sad.” Reggi pauses to embrace her as she’s seated at the breakfast bar. Madison returns the embrace. They need something … something to help them. They need security and help. She thinks the Network will be unsettled about this latest development with the neighbors. She hasn’t told her grandmother yet, but the Underground may drop them as ‘wards’ and leave them be, abandon them. She’s very worried, too.
“Grandmother, I’m putting ideas together in my head, that’s all. And, we are not running away in the middle of the night. So, forget about that. Listen to me, I’ve discovered something.”
“I hope it’s good news,” Reggi replies.
“Think about it. The killer didn’t get what it wanted. The killer didn’t complete the mission it’s on. We fought back, discovering the killer can be beaten. We won the battle. Whoever that is, they are not invincible. Keven and Nancy are alive. There will be another encounter. When that happens, we’ll win for good and the killer will never return.”
A smile crosses Madison’s face for the first time in a while, “When Nancy told me about how she jumped on the attacker’s back and started screaming and scratching, I was pretty impressed. That’s a tiger lady move. Nancy loves her husband, taking action in the face of fear, bringing out the bravest in her. The attacker was shocked, I’ll bet.”
Reggi gets it, “Yes. You’re right. Maybe they’ll go away now, and the attacks will stop.”
“I don’t think so, Grandmother. Sorry. This killer, this attacker, this person won’t go away until we’re dead or arrested. I’ve decided to tell our neighbors who we are. We need to form a structured group to keep a vigil, if they’ll have us. It’s our best way to stay safe. They may want us to leave the neighborhood, but I have to risk it. We’re going to catch the killer off guard or die trying.”
“That’s not funny, Madison.”
Madison looks to her grandmother and takes her hands, “No. It’s not funny.”
After pausing to gather her thoughts, Madison continues, “The next thing I’ve decided is, Greg needs to help us. With his help, we can use the power of the Underground to catch this person or push the killer away forever. That is, if they don’t abandon us. I’m not reaching out to Aunt Addie. We need to do this without her. I’m done with running. It’s either the killer, or us.”
“One more thing, Grandmother. Jimmy and I have been talking a lot. Talking about him coming here for a visit. I want to see him. We talked about an extended visit. I don’t know if I’m in love with him or it’s just a hell of a crush. But – and it’s a big ‘but’ – we talked about using this visit to see if we should make things permanent. Now, with this killer on the loose again, I’m going to tell him to go back home until it’s over. Like I said, It’s either the killer, or us.”
Reggi allows this to sink in, before she calmly says, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Madison begins to reply when a sharp rap is heard at the front door. Wide-eyed, both women stare down the hall to where the door is. A creepy silence fills the air about them. When the rap is heard again, it’s followed by the rattle of the doorknob. Someone is trying to get in. Madison and Reggi put their hands to their mouth at the same time. Fear is taking hold. It’s almost too much to bear. Suddenly, a shadow flashes before the window in the living room, next to the door, and it’s quickly replaced with the figure that owns it, trying to peer inside.
Madison has had it, fear or no fear, and she decides on her course of action. She grabs the meat cleaver from the rack and marches determinedly to the front door, throwing it open. The figure peering into the window is startled, and then shocked as the meat cleaver is held over Madison’s head, ready to be brought down with deadly force.
“Madison! It’s me, Greg! What are you doing? Put that down!”
Madison is staring at him with crazed eyes. When she realizes who he is and what she’s doing, she drops the knife to her side. Helplessness fills her. Nerves have been stretched to the max. She lets out a rush of pent up breath. Then, breathing deeply, her resolve returns.
She speaks first, “You are the single most person I want to see right now, Greg. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
She throws her arms around his neck and he holds her tight. He hopes she needs his help, and maybe more. To Madison, though, Greg’s reappearance is simply the right man in the right place at the right time. Still, this display of emotion has Greg reeling. She needs and wants him, he knows it. He is her hero. When they break their embrace, his hands remain on her waist. She’s smiling. She’s happy to see him. He can’t help but feel emotionally charged as he basks in this moment.
When Reggi crosses the threshold of the front door, though, the spell is broken. Her judgmental eyes fall on where Greg’s hands are placed, and he quickly removes them. “Hello Reggi – I mean Donna. I hope you both have been well, especially after the latest incident?” he asks, ingratiatingly.
He means well, but Reggi doesn’t trust him. Madison can feel the friction between the two of them, but she needs Greg. She and her grandmother need the Underground. Still, Reggi knows that Madison and Greg have entirely different reasons for being happy to see each other. Greg is falling in love with Madison. Hell, anyone would. Reggi decides to stay out of it.
“We’re doing ok, Greg. Come on in you two. We have a lot to discuss and maybe Madison can put you to work around the house. Would you like that?” She asks, insincere flattery coloring her reply.
He disregards her attitude, waving it away as that of some old woman that he has little respect for. Greg follows the two women inside, unaware of the Camry on the street, with John inside following this exchange.
John pulls down a little further from the house the women are in, stops, then exits the car. His cap and sunglasses should be enough to hide his identity. He pats himself on the back with the address of the two revealed to him at last. He considers telling Frank and Addie where the women are, but decides against it, for now.
John searches the area, looking for the best, most private spot to watch the girls from. There is a school across the street from their house. Nonchalantly, he circles the wide block, finding a service ladder, or stringer. It’s hidden from street view and his new perch has been selected. He’ll return after school
is out to do his job. Holidays and weekends, too.
In the meantime, he thinks about trying to find a short-term rental nearby, or, better yet, within viewing distance of the house. But this perch, on the third floor, is perfect for observing. He’s also close enough should he need to help the women, should they have trouble. He hopes that doesn’t come to pass considering his age. He’s not sure he would be of much use without a weapon of some sort. He’s never been much of a fighter, that skillset eluding him as he grew older.
Back inside the home, Greg is talking with Reggi and Madison about the recent attack. He’s careful not to scare them any further. That would run contrary to the purpose of him being there. He doesn’t want to jeopardize his relationship with Madison. And he’ll put up with Reggi for as long as he has to. Madison has detailed her plans to Greg. Expectantly, she waits for his advice.
“I don’t think you should tell your neighbors who you are. It can only be unpredictable and problematic, Madison,” Greg begins. For once, Reggi is in agreement with what Greg has said.
He continues, “Tell them you should build a neighborhood watch. Use the buddy system and take turns patrolling the area. Call each other nightly to check in.”
“That makes sense. What do you think Grandmother?”
“I agree. Let’s not make our neighbors afraid of us. What about the other thing?” Reggi asks.
“You mean finding the killer?” After seeing her Grandmother nod, she turns to Greg, asking him, “Will the Underground help us to stop the killer … to find the attacker?”
This is where Greg sees an opening. He has two choices. He can either make the women totally dependent on him by lying. He could tell them the Underground has abandoned them, which isn’t true, yet. Or he can tell them the truth. They may be left on their own. It hasn’t been decided. He can ask the Network to help.
He has given this a lot of thought already. He’s decided they’re already very dependent on him. Also, he himself is afraid the killer will return. He can ask for operatives to help protect the women and find the stalker. It’s been done before. The big difference is that in those cases, people weren’t being murdered. He may be turned down.
In the end, Greg wants to help them himself, and keep them safe. He tells them so.
Madison is happy.
Greg sees it. He’s beaming.
16
Life is a flower of which love is the honey. Victor Hugo
Greg takes his leave, promising to return later with news from higher-ups regarding their safety. Madison is confident the Underground won’t leave them to flounder since Greg has arrived. She may mistakenly take his return as a sign the Network she depends on so much is still with her and her grandmother. But she doesn’t think so. Her work with the shelter and the many, many abused women carries a lot of weight. Madison expects there will be limits imposed, understanding the precept of the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. She hopes it doesn’t come to that.
Madison is wracking her brain to find a way to bring an end to the killer’s torturous ways. She and her grandmother have been beset since leaving New York City, with the killings causing them to move prematurely from one place to the next, and now this. Their neighbors have been beaten during the killer’s attempt to murder them. Yes, she’s proud to have fought off the attacker. She knows she’ll have to do it again. Madison doesn’t look forward to it, but she knows it’s inevitable. In one breath she says, Bring it, but in the next it’s, Help us. Just who is this person, this thing that follows and terrorizes them by killing their new friends? The message is obvious.
Having resisted the pull of one’s native desire to defend oneself, perhaps the time has come to take up arms. Madison’s given the thought of buying a gun a lot of time recently. Maybe she should. It would have solved their problem the other night. She would have shot the intruder, then emptied her clip into their head, happily, triumphantly. Watching the body jerk each time the slug made impact would have given her deep satisfaction. But she’s too smart for that, or maybe just too human when reality creeps in, and she shames herself. Shame to take another’s life, doing it gleefully, wanting to do it. Shame.
No, she has to think about this carefully. How to find or lure, and then capture, the killer. She wishes Aunt Addie would help her to do it, but knows she can’t depend on that. If Addie knew their location, her only mission to follow would be to jail Madison and her grandmother both, sending Reggi back to the insane asylum. She doesn’t understand why her aunt doesn’t see things her way. She could certainly use her Aunt Addie’s help. Then, she knows, the killer would be caught or shot dead and the madness come to an end. Madison is fiercely angry with her aunt over this. She can’t depend on the good captain to help, and she should be able to depend on her. Madison believes it’s unfair to not help a family member, or even just someone in distress, when you can.
Despondent, Madison lifts her chin. Oddly, she finds she’s no longer crying about their predicament anymore. This little pity party she’s been having serves to toughen her resolve. She knows what she has to do when the time comes. She knows who’ll help her, and who won’t. She’ll use that help the best way she knows to bring this person to justice. Stop the following, stop the killings, stop this person. Her resolve and determination are steeled. When the time comes, she’ll be ready, she knows it. Mentally, physically, prepared.
She stands and heads for the kitchen where she finds her grandmother making lunch. Reggi hasn’t noticed her yet because she’s talking to herself. Madison hopes she doesn’t start to speak with someone who’s not there. That would be a bad sign. So, she remains where she is, watching her grandmother. She wonders how far this will go, dreading the answer. Madison needs to put her grandmother in therapy, as was the plan. That will solve the many issues her grandmother has and reverse her decline. She knows the stress of recent months since fleeing New York has accelerated the decline of Reggi’s mental state. In one minute, she’s ready to phone it in and just stop. In the next minute, she returns to follow her plan. The plan to make it possible for her grandmother to spend her remaining years as a free woman. As she continues to watch Reggi, she notices her grandmother’s lips stop moving. Reggi has become aware of Madison’s presence.
“Are you watching me, young lady?” Reggi asks, no hint of anger in her voice. It’s a simple question. Reggi knows she’s slipping. It’s OK if Madison wants her to be better. Who doesn’t?
“Yes, I’m spying,” Madison replies. “Is that OK?”
After a pause, Reggi resignedly says, “Yes, it’s OK. I’m fine with it. You take care of me, and I like that. Isn’t a special someone coming here today?”
“Yes, Jimmy is arriving. I have to tell him to turn around. He just won’t take no for an answer. I’ll stand firm today. He’ll have to go back.”
“Ha! You sure about that? I mean the way you talk about him and the way you two talk to each other and for how long. I mean, once you see that big, strong man in front of you. Well, I’ll tell you what I think,” Reggi leads.
“And just what is that, miss know-it-all?” Madison asks in mock skepticism.
“Once you see him and he sees you, it’s over. Your idea to make him turn around goes out the window. He’ll be all over you, if he has any chance to before you’ll be all over him.”
“So, we’re just two love-struck kids that can’t control themselves? We’re not adults who can’t make clear judgments? Who made you an all-seer, anyway?” Madison asks, her maturity front and center
“You may think you’re miss hoity-toity, miss abused women’s champion, miss ‘I’m gonna beat up a killer’. But you are exactly this – an adult with adult, life-size feelings. Deep down you already decided he’s going to win you over and stay. You look the other way, thinking you’re doing the right thing and make him turn around. But deep down, you know I’m right. Once you lay eyes on each other, it’s over.”
Madison looks indignant, “We’ll see, smarty pants.”<
br />
“Oh, yeah? I bet you one measly dollar he eats dinner here tonight. You don’t get it yet, do you? Your grandmother knows people, especially you,” Reggi declares, then adds, “One dollar says I’m right and you’re wrong. Put your money where your mouth is, sweetheart.”
Madison looks at the sly grin on her grandmother’s face and tells her adamantly, “He’ll be on the next flight out. You’re on. One dollar.”
“Deal!” She spits on the palm of her hand and extends it, “Shake on it.”
Madison looks at the hand, takes it, and says one word, “Yuck.”
When they shake, Madison looks at the clock behind Reggi, “He’s arriving soon. I’ll wash up and follow the plan we have.”
“You have plenty of time. Sit for lunch. It’s not much and a girl needs to eat. Sit. Let’s talk some more.” Reggi lays the plates and the girls share some stories about the recovery of Nancy and Kevin, making plans to visit them.
When the time arrives, Madison bids her adieu and leaves for the airport. The butterflies have returned, her gut is flipping and trembling with anticipation. She hopes once they meet, that familiar spark will be there. She knows she’s not supposed to fall in love with someone she hardly knows. She also knows what she knows, it’s too late for her to second guess herself. Their brief romance in Texas was a whirlwind, from the moment he confessed he was strongly attracted to her the moment he saw her, to the moment she left. He was confused. She herself was attracted to him also, and it wasn’t just his looks. He had a way. A way of putting her at ease with his confident and caring manner. She hopes more than anything he feels the same way about her.
When she reaches her destination, a lonely street corner, she shuts the engine, then exits the car, taking a seat on a nearby bench.
And she waits, resisting the urge to look up the block every few seconds.
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