Chapter 6: The Break-In

 

 

Sue: Everything okay?

 

Jack: Yeah. I’m fine. We found out that Candice was the girl on the videotape. It makes me so angry that scumbags would do this to young, innocent, and impressionable girls.

 

Sue: Would it help if I gave you a hug right about now? (smile)

 

Jack: That is the best offer I had all day. (megawatt smile)

 

Sue hugs Jack. He gives her a light kiss on her lips. Jack brushes his fingertips against her neck. Then he kisses her mouth once more. Sue closes her eyes for just a minute and wraps her arms around him. He pulls back slightly and looks at her.

 

Sue: Sometimes I feel like I have lived the most sheltered life. Where is Candice? (smile)

 

Jack: There are some things everyone should be sheltered from. She went home with Diane. I’m beat. I’m going to go home and get some much needed sleep. How about I drop you off at your apartment? We will plan “the sting” tomorrow. (smile)

 

Sue: I was hoping you would. I told Lucy to go home without me. (smile)

 

Jack: Oh, does that mean you want to stay at my place tonight? (megawatt smile and his signature wink)

 

Sue: Don’t press your luck, Sparky. (smile and laughs)

 

Jack: You can’t blame a guy for trying. It was worth a shot! (megawatt smile and laughs)

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After Jack drops Sue off, he gets home and heads straight to bed. It is now 2:30 AM. Jack is asleep when he hears his phone rings. He picks it up and hears Tara screaming.

 

Tara: Jack, I think someone is trying to break in. Whoever it is threw a rock at my window. How fast can you get here?

 

Jack: I’m on my way. I’ll be there in 10 minutes. Call Bobby and tell him to meet me. Stay inside the house and make sure all the doors are locked. Keep Emma and Jenny with you in your room.

 

Bobby: I canvas the neighborhood, Jack. It looks like a neighbor saw a dark figure running away from Tara’s townhouse.

 

Jack: I’m going to check on Tara and Emma. Find out where Santelli went, he was supposed to be guarding them.

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Tara’s apartment, Jack knocks on the door.

 

Jack: Tara, it’s me. Open up.  He got away on foot. Did Santelli tell you where he went?

 

Tara: No. When I check the doors and locks before going to bed at 10 PM, Santelli was making his rounds outside.

 

Jack: Then the perpetrator must have lured Santelli somewhere else.

 

Bobby: Jack, I found Santelli. He was knocked unconscious. Some thug must have blind-sided him in the back of the head. Ambulance is on the way. Hang in there, Santelli.

 

Jack: Thanks, Bobby. Tell Santelli I hope he feels better in the morning. And we can get his statement tomorrow.

 

Tara: I found this along with the rock through my window. It’s definitely a warning.  The note reads: If you know what is good for you, you will keep your mouth shut. Or else I will do it for you. And remember, I can get to you anytime I want.

Jack: I’ll take this note and have it analyze for prints. Maybe we can get lucky. In the meantime, you two can’t stay here. Whoever this guy is might come back here and finish what he started.

 

Bobby: I’m with Jack. Why don’t you and Emma go pack an overnight bag for a few days? You ladies can stay with me at my place. (smile)

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Emma: I don’t want to put you guys out like this. I can’t believe someone would try to hurt me. I was only trying to do the right thing.

 

Jack: It’s going to be okay, Emma. I was going to offer you my place to stay at least until this situation is resolved. (concern smile)

 

Tara: Hmmm…An offer of two bachelor pads for me and my cousin. Never in a million years would I expect to hear an offer like that coming from Sparky and Crash.  (smile)

 

Jack: You can decide where both of you want to stay. I’m going to call Myles and Dimitrius. We need to set up decoys in case they are watching your house. (smile)

 

Emma: I never like the cloak and dagger stuff. Now it seems I can’t get away from it.  It’s going to be okay, Jenny. Mommy is right here. Everything is fine. We are going to Jack’s house. (smile)

 

Bobby: I should have known. It’s because he has a game room. You want to practice shooting darts at Del Marco’s head. Am I right, Tara? (laughs)

 

Tara: Exactly. Besides, I have to practice until I can beat you at dartboard game. (laughs)

 

Jack: Alright. Myles and Dimitrius are on their way. Everything is set. Decoys will be in place in 15 minutes. Ladies where do you want to stay--Bobby’s or my place? (megawatt smile)

 

Bobby: It appears I’ve been out-voted. They want to stay at your house. I will follow your car to make sure we have smooth sailing. (laughs)

 

Jack: Okay. We move when Dimitrius gives us the signal. You might want to bring a crib, since I don’t have one at my place. (smile)

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At Jack’s House

 

Jack: Make yourself comfortable. Emma and Jenny can sleep in the guest bedroom. Tara you can sleep in the other guest bedroom next to Emma. My room is just down the hall. Holler if you need anything. (megawatt smile)

 

Bobby: Hey, I think I should crash here tonight. You know keep an eye on things. Do you feel like having a roommate, Sparky?  (smile and laughs)

 

Jack: Very funny, Crash. I think one male in the house is enough to frighten Emma, Jenny, and Tara in the morning. (megawatt smile and laughs)

 

Tara: You guys can spar with each other all you want. I’m going to bed. Goodnight Jack. Goodnight Bobby. Thanks for doing this guys. (smile)

 

Emma: I really do appreciate this so much. I don’t know what I would do if you guys didn’t come to Tara’s place. I’ve never been so scared in my life.

 

Bobby: Hey, with me and Jack here. Nobody is going to hurt you. We’ll make sure of that. (smile)

 

Jack: Bobby’s right. We always keep our word. Do you want me to hold Jenny for a little while? (megawatt smile)

 

Emma: She’s fussy. But I can’t seem to get her to sleep tonight. I’m afraid we’re all going to be sleep deprived. Sorry about that. (smile)