Chapter Twenty-Five: The Warning

Paul Pov

The hours tick by as I travel along the dark highway. I still can't believe Katrina turned against me. I would have never known had I not received a call warning me to leave the area. I was actually on my way back to the cabin when my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Paul, you might want to leave Tennessee just as quickly as you can. The police are coming for you."

"Who is this and how did you get my number?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. I'm just giving you fair warning. You'll be arrested for kidnapping if you go back to the cabin."

"Katrina..."

"Yup, your girl squealed on you. She'll be on her way here to Chicago with the babies soon. You don't have much time."

"I guess it's time to make Lucy Carter pay like I did her poor husband."

"What you do is your business. My job was to get ahold if you and relay the message. I've completed my task. Now the rest is up to you. Goodbye, Paul."

I shake my head clearing the memory. I still had no idea who that guy was, or why he wanted to help me. I've found over the years there's not that many people in the world willing to stick out their neck for you. If you want to get ahead or get anywhere you have to do it yourself. I know Katrina will get back to Chicago a few hours ahead of me depending on traffic to Knoxville and then how long she has to wait for her plane. That's all right because I have all the time in the world to kill Lucy Carter. The brats can go to foster homes for all I care.

Blinking and yawning, I soon realize I won't make it back tonight. I had to stop somewhere for the night. I pull off the interstate and into a motel parking lot. After checking in, I lay down and fall fast asleep.

The next morning I wake to the sound of birds singing outside my window. I grumble as I throw off the covers and sit up. Why do they have to be so happy so early in the morning? I take a shower and head back onto the interstate after getting a bite to eat from the continental breakfast. The several hour drive goes by quickly and in no time I'm pulling back into the Chicago city limits.

I stop at a pay phone and find Lucy Carter's address. I rip out the page then climb back into my vehicle. It was an easy address to find, but it would be difficult to kill my target being broad daylight. I would need to wait until darkness fell to succeed in my task. But I needed to know the lay of the land, so I start my vehicle and head in the direction of Mrs. Carter's residence.

I stop and park across the street from the house. I'm surprised to see it's so quiet. I expected to see some kind of action going on. Unless the woman finally wised up and left the moment she got her hands on those babies. I'm about to climb out of my vehicle and check it out when the front door opens. A Chicago police officer steps outside then pulls out a pack of cigarettes.

So she did wise up and called the cops. I glance around and see no sign of a squad car anywhere. Either the guy didn't care if he was seen or he wasn't a very good cop. The fact that he was there complicated matters. If I wanted to get my revenge on Carter's widow I would have to get rid of the cop.

I wait for nightfall and sneak into the apartment building. I find the apartment and make my way to the next floor. This particular apartment complex had a fire escape on the outside which gave me perfect access to Lucy's apartment. I exit out onto the roof then take the stairs down to the correct floor.

The window to one of the bedrooms is open and I sneak inside. I can hear Lucy yelling at someone and I smile at her boldness. I never took her for one to verbally attack an officer of the law. But what she's saying is peaking my interest.

"I don't care what your partner wants! I want him back! My family has been split apart long enough!"

"When Alex is finished with John Carter he'll bring him back. Don't have a hissy fit."

"Don't tell me what to do!"

"I can tell you..."

"I was getting tired of that patronizing voice weren't you?"

"Paul..."

"Hellllooo, Katrina...Did you miss me?"

"I'm sorry, Paul. I had to do the right thing."

"I'm sure you did. Just like I'm going to end this once and for all," I say then gasp feeling a sharp pain in my back.

"I'm sorry Mr. Sobriki, but I can't let you do that. Alex gave me specific instructions. You see he figured you'd come here to finish off Lucy Carter after we warned you to leave Tennessee. So, he left me and Stephen here to wait for you."

"So you warned me so you could kill me?"

"No, we were to give you another warning, but you knocked my partner out before I could do that. That left me with only one alternative. And the way I see it you're in the way. Goodbye, Mr. Sobriki."

I feel the cop grab my neck, and before I can react he yanks it...