Chapter 9:

Mrs Tobbs peered through the peephole in the door and abruptly turned around.

"I believe it's Mr. Caledon Hockley!" Mrs. Tobbs stuttered out the words.

I didn't reply. Instead I ran to the back of the store and his behind the curtain of the creatively put together, improve of a dressing room. I sat quietly as I heard to door click open and the deep raspy voice of Cal mutter something to, I'm guessing, one of his personal butlers. Mrs. Tobbs welcomed him inside in her usual happy tone, as he stomped in and started yelling.

"Where is she? I know she is here, probably with that poor excuse of a man!" Cal exclaimed ferociously.

"I am sorry sir, I don't know what you are talking about. But I am sure I can help you with these poorly made clothes." Mrs. Tobbs said.

I snickered to myself. Why was it that in even in the most serious situations Mrs. Tobbs could easily crack a joke? I think Cal heard me. He's coming this way! I must stand up for myself, he doesn't own me. I found myself taking a deep breath and flattening out the skirt of my dress. I stood up and opened the curtain and there I faced the evil Caledon Hockley.

"What are you doing running off like that we have been looking for you for weeks. Never run away from me like that again! Do you understand?" Cal screamed as he grabbed my wrist, pulling it towards him.

"No!" I shouted "No! Let go of me."

The next thing I felt was the sting of Cal's hand rip across the soft flesh of my skin. It hurt so bad. I couldn't get words out. I couldn't do anything. I was frozen. Next thing I remembered was Jack busting the door open and running to me. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. He then told Mrs. Tobbs to take me away and go and get help. I was rushed out of the shop while jack was fighting off Cal and his butler. We were gone no more than ten minutes, and came back with police to the scene. As we opened the door the room was vacant, except for Jack's helpless body with a pool of blood spilling out of his abdomen. I ran to him, tears pouring out of my eyes, he was barely conscious. I saw a bullet lodged in his bloody abdomen and next to his body I found a note.

Even with the tears obstructing my view I could still make out the dark words etched in the paper. "I always win Rose, one way or another!" There was no signature obviously so Cal couldn't be convicted of the crime. I threw the note on the floor and cried into Jack's chest." Jack you can't leave me! You jump I jump remember?"