Bad Goodbyes
Chapter 9
The sheriff's department was unable to catch Mark, and find Hannah. With each hour, Christine and Mike's anxiety grew. Kaitlyn was completely beside herself and it was everything Christine could do to keep her calm. Mike was relaying information to law enforcement, and had spoken with some friends who were working with law enforcement in Norfolk.
They quickly packed up and headed back towards Norfolk, because Mark's cellphone had pinged in western Virginia, and was east bound. Mike and Christine had to stop long enough to get stitches put in Kaitlyn's forehead, but then began the long drive back to Norfolk with a very upset Kaitlyn and a fussy Logan. It was a miserable trip, full of tension and frustration.
Finally, they arrived in Norfolk, and Mike immediately met with Tom and some other people, leaving Christine, Kaitlyn and Logan in a hotel. That itself bothered Christine, because she wanted to help, but he had pointedly said there wasn't a lot she could do, so she comforted her oldest daughter and held her grandson. Finally, about midnight, Mike walked in and collapsed into a chair.
"Any luck?" Christine asked.
"No, I don't have her with me so no." Mike answered sourly.
"Mike, I gave you all the addresses I know." Christine said and Mike slammed his hand down on the table.
"And we checked them all. She isn't there, but he is Norfolk. His credit card has been used here." Mike answered.
"Mike; I don't know." Christine told him.
"Keep thinking. I'm going to take a shower. We're meeting up again at six to come up with Plan B. Think about any places he hung out, rented or leased, friend's places. Anything." Mike said before disappearing into the bathroom. They were only able to get a single room, with two queen-sized beds, and Kaitlyn was in the far one, with Logan sleeping on her chest and was almost asleep herself. Christine gently lifted the baby off and laid him in his playpen.
"You don't want to start co-sleeping now. Go on back to sleep." Christine said as she covered Kaitlyn back up and smiled as she nestled into the blankets. Within a few minutes, Mike was back out of the shower, and they settled into the other bed.
It was a restless night for all of them, but shockingly, Logan slept through until Mike was getting ready to go back out. Christine watched him put his boots on, remembering when he was a cop and she would watch him get ready before every shift. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. She grabbed a notepad from the nightstand drawer and wrote an address down.
"I don't think he would take her here, but his sister owned it. They didn't get along, but he had a key. Just an old farmhouse, to the west of Norfolk. Kind of a family cabin." Christine explained.
"How did you know about it?" Mike asked.
"When Mark and I first got together, he took me there for a weekend. Here's the floorplan as I remember it, but its been years. It might have changed." Christine said as she drew out the floorplan on the paper.
"Any outbuildings?" Mike asked.
"Uhh…I remember a cellar. Entrance is to the back of the house, and a chicken coop. Nothing else." Christine said as she drew out the entrance for the cellar and the chicken coop. She handed the paper to Mike and he nodded.
"We'll check it out. Here's my card for you to order food. If you can get it delivered, that would be better; under an assumed name." Mike said as he handed her a debit card and some cash.
"You'll call?" Christine asked.
"Yeah, but don't worry." Mike said before giving her a kiss and leaving. Logan woke up right after, so Christine busied herself with changing his diaper and occupying him while Kaitlyn got ready.
It was a long and very boring day, filled with concern. Christine paced the floors, played cards with Kaitlyn, watched TV and prayed. It was almost eight pm, when she heard a card in the door and Mike opened it with Hannah in front of him. She ran to Christine and wrapped her arms around her.
"How?" Christine asked tearfully as she searched Hannah for injuries.
"That address. She was in the cellar. She's been checked out. All is fine. Some bumps, bruises, but nothing else." Mike said and Christine nodded.
"I am so hungry." Hannah said quietly.
"I can order something?" Christine asked.
"Chinese food?" Hannah asked and Mike nodded in agreement.
"Sounds good to me. Figured we would stay here tonight, and head back to Tennessee in the morning." Mike said and Christine nodded.
"Sounds like a good idea. And I'm guessing Mark is still out there?" Christine asked, knowing that Mike might have killed Mark.
"At the moment, he's alive but barely. I shot him. Law enforcement also put a few holes in him." Mike answered. Even Kaitlyn breathed a sigh of relief. Just then there was a knock on the door. "I had a friend go and pick up some clothes for Hannah so she could get cleaned up some." Mike said as he walked to the door. He let a young brunette in, and took a bag out of her hands. "This is Kara Greene. I served with her on the James." Mike explained.
"Hi! I took the liberty to get you all some dinner. Hannah mentioned wanting Chinese food. Hope that's okay?" Kara asked.
"Its perfect. Thanks. This is Christine, Kaitlyn and Logan of course." Mike introduced them with a proud smile. Christine still had her arms around Hannah but gave Kara a smile back.
"Thanks so much. We really appreciate it." Christine told her and Kara gave her a warm smile.
"Your welcome. Get some rest, especially you; Hannah. Have a good night." Kara said before leaving them.
"I think I'm going to take a shower before I eat." Hannah said quietly and Mike handed her the bag of clothes.
"Take your time. We'll have supper set up and then you can sleep." Mike told her gently before she went into the bathroom and shut the door.
"Is she okay? She's really quiet." Kaitlyn asked. Hannah had a bubbly personality.
"She's tired and sore. She also witnessed Mark get shot and ended up with his blood and fluids all over her. Its traumatizing. She wasn't raped, but I would say he tried. At some point, she'll need to talk. Right now, getting cleaned up, fresh clothes, food and rest will be sufficient." Mike answered quietly.
"I hope so." Christine answered as they began laying the food out on the little table.
"Dad, Logan slept through the night last night." Kaitlyn said, effectively lightening the mood.
"I noticed. It was welcomed." Mike said with a smile as he tickled his grandson.
"He's been happy all day. He's finding his little voice." Christine remarked. They were all waiting to eat until Hannah reappeared. Finally, the shower shut off and Hannah came out in fresh pajamas. She was quiet as she ate and yawned several times.
"I know I'm too old, but can I sleep in between you guys?" Hannah begged and Mike and Christine exchanged a look.
"Of course, but you'd have more room with Kaitlyn. We'll be close by." Mike said.
"I know, but…" Hannah started and then paused.
"Sure." Christine answered. Mike nodded in response and quickly enough, they were settled. It was a little cramped, but neither Mike or Christine cared as long as Hannah got some rest.