Lantana spent the day inside; watching television, playing video games, and sleeping. She spoke on the phone to Nikki that morning and then spoke to Ned by phone that afternoon. She refused to leave the house for anything. Justin was sure that she would not even leave if the house caught fire.
As the sun was setting, Jesse and Sam arrived in a different car and parked in a shady area of a house that was for sale across the street.
Lantana and Justin watched some television and then went to bed.
"Looks like they're going to sleep," Jesse said as he watched through binoculars. "Bedroom light just went off."
"Then we wait for psycho woman," Sam said. "Now that she's lost the teenager, she may have to come herself this time."
"Let's hope you're right, Sam," Jesse said. He sighed, somewhat bored.
"Stay awake, Jesse," Sam said. "She could show at any time."
"With my luck lately, she'll show up at four in the morning," Jesse said.
"I had Lantana and Justin tell everyone that we're giving up on this thing," Sam said. "I told them to be sure their circle of friends think we're off on some big drug case or something like that." He paused and watched the house for a moment. The bedroom light came on for several seconds and went back off. "Lantana is terrified of all this," Sam said, worried. "I don't think she's sleeping well at all. Justin told me she has been living with her shoes on and her hearing aides in at all times, which is not normal for her to do."
"Let's hope the stalker doesn't have more teenaged friends to do her bidding," Jesse said.
Sam and Jesse continued to watch the area. Jesse glanced at his watch. "Almost one," he said. "Maybe she couldn't find anyone tonight?"
"No," Sam replied. "Something is telling me to stay right here."
"Fine," Jesse said. "I'll give it until two-thirty, no later."
"Then, you're walking home," Sam said. "Lantana is being terrorized and that's not something I am going to put aside. She's had a rough enough life already and it needs to get better. She deserves to have a normal life."
Sam stared at the house, hoping that this stalker would show up so he could put a stop to Lantana's fear. As they waited, Michael arrived in his Charger. Michael parked in a dark area and hurried to the Cadillac. He jumped into the backseat.
"Hey, Mikey," Sam greeted.
"I came to see if you need any help," Michael said.
"Join the party, brother," Sam smiled.
Michael and the others waited quietly and watched the house.
"Jesse, look," Sam said after a moments.
A silhouette was approaching the house. Dressed all in black and wearing a hat, the person stopped in the front yard and looked around for a moment.
"That could be her," Jesse said. "This may finally be over."
"Watch her," Sam said. "What's that in her hand?"
"Looks like a head," Jesse said. "Like from an animal?"
"You must be seeing things," Sam said.
The two men watched as the person they were sure was their woman look around a little more. The person then tossed an item onto the porch, which had "unwelcomed" other items that had scared Lantana over the past several weeks.
"There it goes," Jesse said. "She just threw something at the house."
"You go get her," Sam said. "I'll see what it is and make sure Lantana and Justin are safe."
Jesse, Michael, and Sam jumped from the car.
"Hey! Stop!," Jesse called.
The person started running. Jesse and Michael chased her. Sam trotted to the porch to see what he would find this time.
Jesse and Michael split up and continued to chase the fleeing suspect through yards, alleys, and streets. Almost nobody was awake, except a few pets. A few dogs were barking as the commotion awoke them.
The suspect took a turn through an alley they had been through previously. Jesse realized what direction that was leading them.
"Back to Lantana and Justin's home!," Michael told Jesse.
Indeed, the suspect ran into the front yard of the house. Sam, who was still in the yard, caught the suspect. The scream the team heard confirmed that their suspect was indeed a woman. She threw herself to the ground, lying on her back while kicking and flailing. "No!," she kept screaming. "Don't touch me!"
Jesse and Michael caught up. Justin and Lantana came hurrying from the house.
The woman stood up. Jesse clung to her arm, keeping her from trying to run away.
"Mom?," Justin asked, completely shocked.
"Mom?," Sam asked, taken by shock and confusion. "You called her 'mom'?"
"You're telling me that this is your mother?," Michael asked.
"Yeah, that's my mom," Justin replied. "Her name is Betty McKenna."
Betty grabbed her son, hugging him. He pushed her away as Jesse took ahold of her again.
"Well, Justin, it looks like your mother has been stalking Lantana," Sam said. "And your previous girlfriend, Jessica."
"Is that true?," Justin asked.
Sam held up what he had found. It was a head from a toy baby doll with ketchup in the hair. "She just now threw this on the porch," he said. "We all saw it."
"Mom, what are you doing?," Justin asked.
Betty looked at Sam, who had dropped the doll head. Lantana was right next to him. "He doesn't know what predators these girls are," Betty said.
"Predators?," Sam asked. "Are you kidding?"
"He's my son," Betty insisted. "He needs to be protected by me."
"Mom, you're ruining my life," Justin said.
"No, sweetie," Betty said. "I am saving your life. One day, you will understand that."
"You are psycho," Lantana said. She looked at Justin. "How could you not know?" She started to walk back towards the house. Sam rushed to stop her.
"Lantana, wait," Sam called as he gently grabbed her wrist. "I don't think he knew any of this." He turned her to see Justin, who was arguing with his mother. "See that?," Sam asked. "He's irritated and angry with her about all this. I think Betty needs help more than anything."
Lantana waited with Sam. Justin approached. "I'm sorry, Lantana," he said. "If I had know, I would have stopped her."
"She needs some help, Justin," Sam said. "I know it's not my place, but she's obsessed. Most parents are eager for their grown kids to meet somebody, marry, have some kids. Most don't try to chase away potential in-laws; people who may give them a grandchild or two."
Justin sighed. He knew that Sam was right. "Yeah," Justin said, reluctant to believe his mother was sick. "I'm an adult. I can commit her. But that's not something that I ever thought I would have to do."
"I understand, Justin," Sam replied. "I hate that you even have to consider it. But, you need to think about what could happen if Betty gets desperate. It could lead to more serious things happening. I don't want either Lantana or your mother harmed."
Justin sighed and nodded.
"I'm sorry, Justin," Lantana said. "But I think Sam is right. She could have a psychotic break if she doesn't get help."
By then, two police cars were arriving. Michael began talking to the police sergeant and telling him what had just happened and what had been going on the past few weeks.
"She doesn't need to be arrested," Michael said. "She's sick. She needs help. Not jail."
"We'll take care of that," the sergeant said.
The police officers gently and kindly escorted Betty, who was calming herself down some, to a car.
"I'm OK," Betty said. "I just got upset."
"Let us help you, Miss McKenna," the female officer said. "Nobody is going to hurt you."
"He's my son," Betty said. "I could never live without him."
"You don't have to," the second officer said. "Just because he has other people in his life does not mean he loves you any less. He has enough love to spread around, just like my kids."
Betty nodded. She got into the car and allowed an officer to put a seat belt on her. The officer shut the car door.
Michael walked to Justin, Lantana, and Sam. "They're not arresting her," he reported. "They're getting her some help. That's what she needs more than anything. She does not need to go to jail. We know that. We all understand that she's sick."
"Thank you, Michael," Lantana said. "Sam." She hugged Sam. "I really appreciate you all."
"It's all over, Lantana," Sam said. "Go in and get a good long sleep and we'll all talk later."
"That sounds like the best idea I have heard in a long time," Lantana smiled.
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