Into the Forest
"Jim, call in a code four. I'm going to get a description of the robbery suspect."
"Sure, Pete." Jim walks back to the unit sitting along the curb in front of the liquor store on a muggy California afternoon. About ten minutes ago it had been robbed. The uniform of the day is short-sleeved with no tie. The perspiration is beading on Jim's forehead. He wipes his brow before reaching into the unit to grab the mic and requesting code four.
"Excuse me, Mr. Jackson. Can you give me a description of the suspect?"
"Yes, it was actually two men. They were in their late twenties maybe and average sized. One had brown hair and the other blond. They were both wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. The one had on a green shirt and the other blue. They both had on tennis shoes."
Pete is jotting down everything on his pad as the PR is giving him the rundown. "Can you remember any distinguishing marks or any other details that might help us?"
"Uh, yeah, the guy in the green shirt had some kind of tattoo on the inside of his right forearm. I remember seeing it when he pointed the gun at my chest."
"So, one of them was armed with a gun?"
"Both guys had handguns. But I can't tell you what kind."
"Did you notice what they were driving or which direction they left in?" Pete continues to question.
"All I really saw was a dirty green sedan with a black top. They ran out the back of the shop. I think they were heading north. "
"Mr. Jackson thanks for the information. We'll get this description on the radio so all the officers patrolling can be watching for the suspects. We'll try to keep you informed on the situation."
Pete joins Jim in the black and white. He hands his damp note pad over to Jim. "Can you put out a broadcast on the suspects and car? I'm going get us rolling in the direction they took per Mr. Jackson."
"Can we try the AC again? This humidity is killing me." Jim asks. Pete then fiddles with the buttons and the AC finally kicks on after a long shift without it.
After cruising for another hour and no sign of the suspect's car, Jim and Pete finally head back to the station with the end of the shift approaching.
"Pete, what are you up to this evening?"
"I'm heading over to Jenny's place for dinner."
"No other big plans?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I don't know. You have been dating this girl for a couple months now and that's so out of character for you. So, are you willing to admit that you're finally serious about someone?"
"Jim, don't get ahead of yourself. Yes, I really like Jenny. We're very comfortable with each other. And neither of us is in a hurry to make a commitment. I still have a lot to learn about her."
"Well, from what I know of this woman, she would be a great catch. Hey, how about you two join us for dinner tomorrow? Jean and Jimmy would love to see her again. She should even bring along her dog, Sadie too. I've never seen such a colorful dog before. What kind is she again?"
"Sadie is an Australian Shepherd cross. She is as smart as they come. As far as tomorrow, Jim thanks for the offer, but Jenny is working. She is patrolling the park on horseback and said I should join her. It's been a while since I rode, and it sounded fun. Is the offer open for Sunday instead?"
"Yeah, sure. I can wait another day. Tell Jenny, not to worry about bringing anything. I'll just grill up some steaks."
As the patrol car pulls into the police lot, Pete says, "Let me at least bring something to drink. Beer or wine?"
"Sure, a bottle of wine sounds great. Sunday around five then."
Jim and Pete collect all their gear from the unit and start walking into the station when Mac meets them just inside. "Hey, just thought I'd let you know that your possible 211 suspect's were in a traffic accident up in Pasadena."
Jim responds, "Are they in custody?"
Mac shares, "No, three of them fled the scene of the accident."
"Great, there's a third, huh?" Pete comments.
"That's the fourth heist in less than a week with the same ammunition except this time no one was injured fortunately." Jim ponders.
"Their luck is bound to run out soon." Pete states.
"Hey, have a good weekend. I'll see you both on Monday." Mac turns and heads for his office.
"Good Night, Mac." Both officers steer down the hallway to the locker room to change out of their uniforms.
At shift change the locker room is a bit crowded and noisy and maybe even rank with the smell of aftershave and sweat from a hot day. The locker doors clatter, and the guys are sharing events of the day. Pete quickly changes and walks to the door then says to Jim before he leaves, "Expect us around five on Sunday unless I call you."
"Sounds good. Enjoy your ride tomorrow, partner. I hope your not walking like John Wayne on Sunday."
"Very funny." Pete heads to his Mustang then to home to shower before going to Jenny's.
Pete finds the scenic drive to Jenny's relaxing. The last twenty minutes of the winding road through the thick forest is such a contrast to the busy city streets of Los Angeles. It's early evening with the sun starting to set, and it is getting darker with all the huge trees surrounding him as he continues toward Jenny's place. I'm glad I'll be at her place before dark. The park's roads are not well marked around here. The temperature is falling as the sun goes down. It's already ten degrees cooler at the higher elevation. The forest area has peaks greater than five thousand feet above the valley. Pete finally sees the marker to turn down the gravel road to her cabin. He parks his car beside her Jeep. He hears Sadie barking as he walks to the front door.
"Hey, Girl, it's me." He sees Sadie through the screen door wagging her docked-tail with exuberance.
"Come on in, Pete." Jenny calls from the kitchen.
Pete opens the wooden screen door and is greeted by Sadie. He pets her while holding a bouquet of flowers behind his back. The rustic little cabin has a charming aura. The living room is to Pete's left as he enters the cabin with the kitchen to the right. A small black wood-burning stove sits in the front left corner of the living room possibly offering the main heat for the place. The two rooms make up the front half of the cabin with Jenny's bedroom behind the living room and the bathroom just across the way. Most of the furniture's décor has green and brown tones and has an earthy feel to it. He takes in a whiff and the smell of garlic permeates through the room.
"I hope you like Italian. I made spaghetti for dinner."
"It smells great! I love Italian."
"Good, because I made lots. So what are you hiding behind your back?" Jenny comes up close and tries to peek around Pete's back.
"Just some pretty flowers for a pretty lady. I hope you like them."
Pete pulls out the bouquet of purple and white lilacs.
"Oh, they're beautiful," as she gathers them in her hands and takes in a deep breathe. "I'll put them in a vase. Thank you so much. What a thoughtful guy." She arranges them in a large cream-colored vase and puts them on the table. "Would you like a glass of wine?
"Sounds good to me." Pete leans against the counter watching her pour a glass for each of them. "So how long have you lived here?"
"I moved here just over a year ago. I love how peaceful it is. I can almost forget that a huge city is just a few minutes away."
"How did you find this place? It's so remote." Pete looks around the room and out the window over the kitchen sink and the window in the living room noting how isolated the cabin is and that he can't see anything through all the dense trees surrounding the place.
"When I got the job with the forest service, a friend connected me with the owner who has a few rental properties along the park borders."
"So, Pete how was work today?"
"Hey, it's my turn to be asking the questions here. Tell me something I don't know about you?"
"Trust me, there's nothing exciting to tell." Jenny does a good job of trying to change the subject. "Are you hungry?"
"You don't have to ask me twice."
"Oh, can you throw another log on the fire before you sit?"
"No problem." Pete grabs another couple logs and puts them in the antique stove. He stirs up the burnt ashes with the poker to stimulate the flames.
As Pete sits down at the table that divides the living room from the kitchen then Jenny serves up a large helping of spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread. She quickly settles down to enjoy the meal in the dim candlelight.
"This tastes great. Is this a special recipe?"
"It's my mother's recipe. She always said the magic is in the marinating."
"Your mom must be a great cook?"
Jenny glances down at the mention of her mother. "She was."
In that moment, Pete senses some buried hurt from Jenny. He stops eating and reaches across the table to grab a hold of her hand. "I'm sorry. Is your mother gone?"
"Yes, she died four years ago in an accident. And before you ask my father isn't in my life either. He's alive, but not the kind of man I want around." Jenny looks away, feeling uncomfortable with where the discussion is heading.
Pete presses on, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Let's just say, he has a drinking problem, and I don't want to be dragged down with him. I have been on my own since I was eighteen. He has tried to screw with my life, but I avoid him as best as I can. Do you mind if we change the topic?"
"No, not at all. Can I get another helping of this fantastic spaghetti?"
"Just what I want to hear." Jenny brightens up as she serves up more steaming noodles and sauce to Pete.
"Are you maybe up for dinner with the Reeds on Sunday? His family would love to see you again. He said to bring along Sadie too."
"That would be nice. I haven't seen them since we went to the beach together."
"Don't let me forget to pick up a bottle of wine to take. He said not to worry about bringing anything else."
After finishing dinner, Jenny clears the table. She tosses a small piece of leftover bread to Sadie to eat. She then begins to wash up the dishes. Pete comes up and gives a gentle hug from behind. "Can I help with drying the dishes?"
"Sounds like an invitation I can't refuse." In no time they finish the task at hand. Jenny steps out on the front porch with Sadie so she can have a bathroom break. Pete comes out beside her.
As they look up in the clear night sky waiting for Sadie, Pete says, "You can really see the stars out here."
"It's probably a little change for you, huh." Jenny crosses her arms. "It's chilly, lets go inside, Sadie."
Pete puts his arm around her then opens the screen door to let them all back inside. Sadie lies down in front of the stove. Pete and Jenny get cozy beside each other on the couch. "I can hardly believe that just over a couple months ago I stumbled across you injured on the trail near here. Your misfortune became my good fortune."
Pete reaches up with one hand and takes her chin then turns her to look directly in his eyes. "I am the lucky one!" He leans over and places a tender kiss on her lips.