Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."
Thanks to my dear Heartie BFF LisaNY for your editing skills!
Chapter 9- Cutting Ties and Letting Go
Jack had only been gone for a short while when the ding on Rosie's phone signified an incoming text.
"Thank you…"
"For what…?" She asked.
"For today; I had a wonderful time."
"Me too; what was your favorite part?"
"Is this a trick question?" He asked.
"LOL, I'm just teasing. Thank you for our talk, Jack."
"I'm home, and I'll talk with you in the morning…"
"Sleep well…"
"You too, Sweetheart…" Wait, is it too soon for terms of endearment. Wait to see her reaction, Jack…
"That's sweet, TTYL…" She put the phone down and settled herself to sleep.
It seemed that Elizabeth had just fallen asleep when her alarm clock began to belt out her favorite tune in an attempt to waken her.
"Ugh, Monday already; why can't the weekend last longer?" She asked herself. Thinking back to her day spent with Jack, she smiled, and suddenly the room felt brighter. She dressed and gathered her things for school…
She heard the phone she borrowed from Rosie buzz signifying a text…
"Good morning. I miss you!"
"I miss you too. Who is this? LOL…"
"Funny…"
"I'd like to see you tonight. Do you have plans?"
"Yes…"
"Break them…"
"I don't want to…"
"What are your plans?"
"I hope they're with you…"
"Again, funny! C U around 7:30, OK?"
"Sounds great. Be careful today…"
"You too…"
Elizabeth stuck the phone in her purse and headed for the front door, "I'll see you this evening, Rosie," Elizabeth called out as she left the apartment.
"Bye," Rosie responded but the door was already closed. "How is she getting to school?"
A few minutes later, Elizabeth stepped back into the apartment, "Do you have time to give me a ride to school? I don't have any idea what I was thinking."
"Sure, let me get dressed. I'll be out in a few minutes," Rosie jumped out of bed and grabbed clothes out of her closet.
Elizabeth walked back into the den and sat down. While waiting, she pulled up a local car dealership on Rosie's phone…
"You ready?" Rosie asked.
"Yes, thanks so much. Hey, what do you think of this?" Elizabeth showed Rosie an emerald green Jeep Wrangler that she was thinking of buying.
"Ooh, I like that…" Rosie commented.
Ten minutes later, Rosie was dropping Elizabeth off at school, "Give me a call if you need a ride home."
"Thanks…" and Elizabeth disappeared inside the school.
Following lunch, Elizabeth took her class outside for recess. The children broke up into groups; some playing catch; some playing tag, and others working their way across the monkey bars.
"Miss Thatcher?" Mrs. Copeland called out from the gym door.
"Yes ma'am," Elizabeth replied as she watched Mrs. Copeland approach.
She took the PE whistle from Elizabeth's hand, "You're needed in the office for something. I'll stay with the kids until you get back."
"Do you know what's going on? Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing's wrong that I know of," she replied.
Elizabeth made her way down the hall and into the main office at the front of the school. Walking in the door she observed the office staff standing around one of the windows.
"WOW, I wish that was mine… She sure is lucky… Must be nice…" were only a few of the comments she heard upon entering the office.
"What's going on here?" Elizabeth asked as she walked behind the counter.
"Look what arrived for you?" Principal Kate Martin remarked.
"What?" She asked.
Kate stepped away from the window, "Look in the parking lot. Do you see anything that stands out?"
"Oh my word; what is that?" Elizabeth asked before gasping and placing her hand over her mouth.
Secretary Marci Freeman spoke up, "I'm not positive, but it looks like a Mercedes Benz SLC300."
Elizabeth looked surprisingly in Marci's direction…
"I have caviar tastes, but I'm on a beer budget," Marci acknowledged.
"Why was I called in here?" Elizabeth asked.
"It was delivered to you," Kate stated.
"By whom?"
"Your parents…"
"Certainly can't hide money," a voice was heard in the background, to which Elizabeth cast a disapproving glance in that direction.
Kate handed Elizabeth the keys, "Okay, my responsibility is through. It's your car now."
Elizabeth took a deep breath, but many of those in the office couldn't understand her lack of enthusiasm. She walked back to her class, and brought them back inside to finish out their day. Although she was going through their afternoon lessons, her mind was actually on how she was going to get her father to take back this gift.
Jack and Marco were finishing up their shift when Marco observed that Jack seemed preoccupied. "Jack, you keep looking at your watch. Do you have some place you need to be?"
Jack looked up, "The elementary school where Elizabeth teaches is on the way back to the precinct. Would you mind stopping by there for just a minute?"
"Anything for you, partner. I'm so glad that things are working out with you two," Marco remarked.
"No happier than I am. She's like no one I've ever met before. I feel lucky," Jack added as they pulled into the parking lot.
"Hey wasn't that her?"
"Where?"
"Right there; in that fancy car. Man, you are lucky… she must have more money that we'll ever see in our lifetime," Marco slapped him on the shoulder. "Do you want me to stop her?"
"No, she apparently has plans," Jack stated as he sat back wondering when she'd had the time to vehicle shop. Apparently her tastes are more expensive than I thought…
Jack and Marco continued on to the precinct. He knew that Elizabeth was not a spoiled little rich girl; they had already discussed and argued over his misconception. He wasn't interested in revisiting that topic. However, once Marco let it slip that Jack's lady was more than just rich, the ribbing he received was merciless. Several of the younger guys begged to be introduced to Elizabeth's sister.
"Do you think she'll let you drive that new car of hers, Jack?" Matt Pierce asked.
Jack looked over at Marco, "Really, you had to tell everyone? I thought you had my back, man…"
The volume of Jack's voice increased as his Brothers in Blue gathered around. He told them that Elizabeth was a kind, considerate, loving person, who happened to be born into a very wealthy family.
"Jack, we're just kidding," a voice was heard in the pack.
Jack closed his locker door, and turned to the group, "Let me tell you about her… I don't know about her family, but I've learned a lot about her. She's worked for everything she has…"
"She's working hard all right. What corner is she working?" Eric Carter, a new recruit joked. Before he realized that his joke was highly inappropriate, Jack grabbed his shirt collar and slammed him up against the wall of lockers.
Jack drew his fist back, but was pulled away by Marco before he made contact.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it was a stupid joke and I didn't mean it Jack," Eric blurted out.
Jack was angrier than he'd remembered being in quite some time. "Don't you ever refer to her as some common street walker; she's a better person than you could ever hope to be."
"Jack, I…" Eric started but was pulled away by Marco.
"Get out of here, before you make matters worse," Marco strongly suggested.
Jack stood still; his respiration increased and he felt his blood boiling. Was he simply angry because of the crude comments that were made, or could it be that her social status still bothered him?
Elizabeth drove directly to the Marriott, located on Atlantic Avenue at the beach. Although her father had not otherwise made his presence known, he always stayed there when in town. She drove up to the front, gave the valet her keys and headed inside.
"Hello, Miss Thatcher," Timothy Sanders, the manager, welcomed her.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Sanders. Has my father checked in yet?" She asked.
Timothy checked his log book, "He certainly has. He has his usual room."
"Thank you very much," she remarked as she headed for the staircase. Ordinarily she'd take the elevator to the 4th floor, but she figured that if she climbed four flights of stairs, she may not be as angry by the time be reached his room.
She reached Room #439; it was on the corner of the building at the end of the hall. As the door opened, she had no time to say anything before her father had her wrapped in a bear hug. He kept saying, "I love you so much… Your mother and I were so scared," as the emotion he felt was quite audible in his voice.
Before she knew it they were both in tears…
He walked her over to the lounge area of his suite, "Would you like something to drink?"
"No thank you. Daddy, we need to talk…" Elizabeth wanted him to accept that she could take care of herself. She did appreciate the car, but she'd been trying for years to show her parents that she could make it on her own. She didn't need such extravagance, and didn't really see that vehicle as fitting her simple lifestyle.
"So, did you like it?" He fixed himself a scotch and water and took a seat beside Elizabeth.
"Daddy, it's beautiful, but not necessary," she stated.
"It most certainly is necessary. You need transportation, Elizabeth, and it might as well be in grand style."
Elizabeth took his hand, "Daddy, I had insurance on the Bug, and I'm getting a check for that. I don't really want something so fancy. I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying all of my barn stuff around in it. Besides, it won't haul much. It won't hurt my feelings if you want to give it to Viola."
"Are you sure you don't want it?" He asked.
"It's beautiful, but I think I'm going to go look at a Jeep instead. I do appreciate the sentiment, Daddy, I really do, but this type of flash is more Viola's style," she explained as she hugged his neck.
"How long are you in town?" She asked.
"I really just came in town to set my eyes on you to see for myself that you're okay, and to bring you the car," he stated.
"It's always great to see you daddy, but you don't have to take care of me anymore," she reminded him.
"That's a hard one to get used to, dear…"
"Well, the valet has the other set of keys, but here is the spare. Would you mind if I had your driver take me to Greenbrier Jeep? I do need to get another vehicle," she asked.
Mr. Thatcher took the keys and placed them on the counter as he picked up the phone to call his driver, "Harris, I want you to take Elizabeth wherever she needs to go, and then you can have the rest of the night off." He stood still as he listened to Harris' reply.
He continued, "No, you don't need to pick her up. She's here now, and I'll walk her down shortly."
"Thank you again for the most generous gift daddy. I hope you understand why I can't accept it," she stated.
They talked about the accident, and her feelings of guilt. He too felt guilty, realizing that two lives were lost, but ecstatic that neither one of them was her.
"Do you know what happened?" He asked.
"I'm assuming it was an accident, but there is talk that there was a second car involved that left the scene…"
"Hit and run…?"
"That's what I've heard, but I don't know any more than that," she advised. "I just can't believe that someone would do that…just leave them there; it's so heartless. It's sad, but I guess they just didn't want to get caught."
"Speaking of reasons, what happened between you and Charles?" He asked.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes…
"What does that mean? You and Charles were always so close; everyone assumed that at some point you two would get married," he responded.
Elizabeth smiled, "Daddy, I know what everyone thought. But you and I had talked before, and I remember telling you that I only saw him as a friend, or at the most, the brother I never had."
"I respect that, Elizabeth. I guess I just never realized that your feelings wouldn't develop further," he took her hand and returned her smile.
"Wait…how did you know something had happened between me and Charles?" She asked.
The sound of a car backfiring drew Elizabeth's attention to the outside. She got up and started walking toward the window…
"Charles came to see me…"
Elizabeth looked out the window… "What did you just say?"
"Charles came to see me. He wanted me to talk…"
"He came to see you?" She gasped. "When did he get out of jail?"
"Jail? He didn't mention being in jail. When I asked what happened between you two, I meant that he was upset because you didn't want to see him anymore. What happened?"
"He assaulted me, daddy," she informed him.
Mr. Thatcher always liked Charles, but he loved his daughter. The thought of a man putting his hands on Elizabeth in an attempt to harm her, had him seeing red. Assuming the worst, her father rushed to the window to hold her.
Elizabeth's thoughts were well past the initial assault. She was thinking of his release from jail, and why she wasn't notified.
Not certain that he wanted to know everything in particular, Mr. Thatcher asked Elizabeth what he had done to her. Hearing the story, he released a breath that he had not realized he was holding. Between what he thought had happened, and what actually happened, he had to admit that he was somewhat relieved. However, it didn't make him less angry. You hurt my daughter in any way, and I'll take you down…
He took her hand and led her back to the sofa, "I'm so sorry Elizabeth. I should have stayed out of your love life. Are you all right? Do you need medical care?"He asked.
"No sir, I was scared; he just held my arms and gave me a few bruises, that's all. The threat of physical abuse has been escalating for awhile. Someone at school called the police, and let's just say things have changed as a result." she smiled as she looked at her watch, realizing that Jack was finished with his shift and was most likely home. With the new information she'd received from her father regarding Charles, she was looking forward to seeing him tonight.
"Hmm, I wish I'd heard about what Charles was doing to you sooner, Elizabeth. I treated him like a son but you're my daughter, and I will always stand with you. He's lucky that he got his new vehicle a few months ago, because his job with the company is history," he expressed his anger.
"I'm sorry, Daddy. I know how much you love Charles…"
"Loved, the optimum word is loved…"
"I know how much you loved Charles, and how close you are with his family. I just didn't want to cause any problems," she tried to explain.
He hugged her tightly and whispered, "The only problem you would cause is assuming that I would ever put someone else's feelings before my family."
Elizabeth gathered her purse and headed for the door. "I did all the paperwork for a Jeep that I fell in love with during my lunch break. All I need to do is stop by the dealership and sign the papers."
"You don't have to leave right away, do you?" He asked.
"I have plans tonight, daddy. So, I need to get home," she smiled.
Observing her expression, he realized that this was the first time since she arrived that she did not have a forced smile on her face. "He must be someone special…"
"Who?" she asked, unable to conceal her smile.
"The young man who has put that smile on your face, I'd say he's special," he remarked.
"I think so, but we've only seen each other a few times. I think you'd like him though," she assured him.
"Do I get to meet him?"
"Maybe next visit, okay? I don't want you to scare him off too soon," she remarked with wide eyes and a smirk.
"That only happened once before, and he wasn't good enough for you anyway…"
"If we're telling the truth, you don't think anyone is good enough for me," she reminded him.
"It'll take someone special, Elizabeth. This new fella must be close, because you lit up when you mentioned him," he walked her out the door, and they headed toward the elevator.
"Everyone thought Charles was special," she stated on the ride down. "We now see how that is turning out."
"I'm so sorry Elizabeth. I do wish you had come to me sooner about Charles. I think we could have saved you some heartache," he said as he held the elevator door and she stepped out into the garage.
"Well, like you said, things happen for a reason. If I'd done something sooner, I may not have met Jack," she replied.
"Well, I'll thank this Jack fella when I get a chance to meet him," he watched her get settled in the car.
"Daddy, you know about everything now. Please don't do anything more than letting Charles go from the company," she became teary eyed.
"Elizabeth, I can't have him thinking that he got away with this…"
"Please don't; he scares me," she was obviously shaken.
"Okay Elizabeth, all I'll do is release him from the company," he closed her door.
Suddenly shaken by the whole situation, and his daughter's fear, he stepped to the front of the car, "When she's finished, come back here. I need you to take me to the police station," he advised.
"Yes sir; I'll be back as soon as I can." Harris responded.
Harris drove Elizabeth to Greenbrier Jeep, and waited for her to check out the inventory. Finding the Jeep she wanted, she went inside to finalize the paperwork. An hour later, Elizabeth had time to stop by the wireless store to replace her phone, before arriving home in her new emerald green 4 door Jeep Wrangler with a soft top.
As she gathered her possessions to carry inside, Rosie's phone buzzed…
"Something came up. Can't make it tonight," he texted while sitting on the bench in the gym at the precinct. He then slipped his phone into his locker.
She returned the text from her replacement phone, "Sorry 2 hear that. Was looking forward 2 c ing U. Maybe later? Oh, got phone replaced…TTYL, I hope!"
"Hmm, I wonder what came up." Her disappointment was palpable as she did not receive a response.
"Hey Jack, didn't you have plans with Elizabeth tonight?" Marco asked.
"I did, but I need to get myself straight on some things before I see her…"
"Jack, don't let the guys rag on you. They're just jealous," Marco stated. "She must be something. I've known you quite a while and I've never seen you this messed up over a girl. Go see her, Jack. You know you're going to regret it if you don't."
Jack sat quietly, deep in thought…
"If you aren't going to see her, do you want to play some basketball with us?" Marco asked.
"No, I'm done," he said as he headed for the showers. "I'm going to see her."
"Jack," Sgt. Sanderson called out as he entered the locker room.
"Yes sir," he spun around.
"I need you to get cleaned up and stop by my office," Sgt. Sanderson ordered.
"Yes sir; I'll be right there," Jack replied.
*Knock, knock, knock…
"Come in Officer Thornton… This is William Thatcher," Sgt. Sanderson advised.
Jack walked into the office and across the room where he extended his arm to shake Mr. Thatcher's hand. Thatcher? Hmm, coincidence?
Sgt. Sanderson continued, "This is Officer Thornton. He and his partner were the officers who answered the domestic assault call involving your daughter."
No coincidence…
Mr. Thatcher, unaware that Jack had begun a relationship with his daughter, began to discuss his concerns. "I saw my daughter today…"
I'm sure you did. Had to get that fancy car to her… Jack thought.
"I'm just now hearing about her problems with Charles Kensington. Are you aware that Charles is no longer in jail?" He asked.
He suddenly had Jack's complete attention, "Mr. Thatcher, how do you know he's not in jail?"
"Officer… Thornton?"
"Yes sir," Jack replied.
"I know because he came to see me. He was upset with Elizabeth, and wanted me to talk some sense into her. I try not to get involved in the love lives of my daughters. I know Elizabeth and Charles had been friends forever, and I believe he had thoughts of marrying her one day," Mr. Thatcher disclosed.
Mr. Thatcher's phone rang, and he excused himself to answer it.
"Sarge, I need to tell you something… As it turns out Elizabeth, uh Miss Thatcher and I are dating," Jack awaited his reaction.
"When did that start?" He asked.
"Elizabeth and I have friends in common. We hadn't met before the domestic call, but have had contact since then. We've been out a few times… I just wanted you to know," Jack confessed.
"Thank you for giving me a heads up," Sgt. Sanderson replied as the office door opened and Mr. Thatcher stepped inside.
Mr. Thatcher walked back into the room, "I'm sorry gentlemen. That was my wife, and she wanted to make certain that I'd seen Elizabeth. I didn't tell her anything else. I don't want to upset her needlessly."
"So, what has you so concerned now?" Sgt. Sanderson asked.
"Well, Elizabeth doesn't know this, but Charles' company car was damaged. He said that he hit a deer," Mr. Thatcher replied.
He continued, "I'm concerned because he showed up at work after being gone for a few days, there's damage to his car, and it all happened around the time of Elizabeth's car being involved in the hit and run. Now I hear about him assaulting her; maybe a coincidence, but my gut says it isn't. I'm worried for my daughter's safety."
"Jack, pull the report on the hit and run," Sgt. Sanderson ordered.
"Yes sir…" and he walked out the door heading for Detective Campbell's office.
"His name is Jack?" Mr. Thatcher asked.
"Yes sir. Is something wrong?" Sgt. Sanderson asked.
Shaking his head back and forth, "No, just thinking of something my daughter told me."
Jack returned with the file and handed it to Sgt. Sanderson. He dragged it around his desk as he took a seat, and opened the file to the first page. Sgt. Sanderson flipped further into the file, "Mr. Thatcher, what type of car was Mr. Kensington driving?"
Mr. Thatcher pulled out his phone, and showed Sgt. Sanderson a picture of the black Lexus RC Turbo vehicle that Charles had been driving for a few months.
"Do you know the tag number by any chance?" Jack asked.
"Just a second and I can pull it up on my phone…"
Sgt. Sanderson found the interview with a witness who reported the following partial plate… TSC 91…
"Here it is… TSC 9171…" Mr. Thatcher read from the file in his phone.
Sgt. Sanderson picked up the phone, "This is Sgt. Sanderson… I need to speak with someone in the jail records room. Okay, thank you, I'll wait…"
Rachel Madison, the records administrator, picked up the call…
"Good evening, Rachel. This is Sgt Sanderson. I need the release date for Charles Kensington…" Sgt. Sanderson requested. "Oh, I see. Thank you," he hung up the phone, obviously concerned by something that caught his eye in the file. "Jack where is Detective Campbell?"
"I don't know, sir. He wasn't in his office when I pulled the file. Is something wrong?" Jack asked.
"I need you to put out an APB for Charles Kensington," Sgt. Sanderson was firm in his tone. "We need to bring him in for questioning.
"What about my daughter? I'm afraid that she's in danger," Mr. Thatcher was demanding. "I need to have someone assigned to protect her."
"I'll watch over her…"
"Jack, we'll discuss that after you get that APB sent out," Sgt. Sanderson remarked as he sent Jack out to the operations room.
"Is there something wrong with him watching over my daughter?" Mr. Thatcher asked, but thinking that he already knew the answer.
"Well, Mr. Thatcher, it just so happens that Officer Thornton and your daughter are dating…"
Mr. Thatcher said nothing.
"Sir, did you hear me? I said that Officer Thornton and your daughter are dating…"
"I suspected that. I didn't get this far in business by not listening. Some things my daughter said made me think her new young man was this officer, but I wasn't positive until just now," Mr. Thatcher explained. "But that being said is he talented? I mean, I don't really care if he's my daughter's boyfriend or not. I want the best officer to watch over her. If that's him…I want him!"
Jack returned to the office, "Detective Campbell is at the magistrate's office securing a warrant. I've left word for him to come here immediately."
The three men discussed the surveillance that each one agreed was necessary to secure Elizabeth's safety.
"May I call you Jack?" Mr. Thatcher asked.
"Yes sir, certainly," Jack replied, suddenly concerned that Mr. Thatcher was privy to more information than just his name.
"I understand that you are involved with my daughter. Is that correct?" He asked; Jack felt his eyes searing though him.
Jack's heart was pounding, not only for this possible confrontation with her father, but also the concern he now had for her safety. "Yes sir. Elizabeth and I were dating…"
"Were…? Did I miss something? Elizabeth mentioned you, and I assumed that you were currently dating," Mr. Thatcher remarked.
"I'm sorry, sir; it was an unfortunate choice of words. We haven't been seeing each other very long," Jack clarified.
"How do you feel about her?" He stared him down. His concern at this time was not so much involving himself in their possible love life, but more whether or not he had an emotional attachment enough to keep her safe.
Jack's heart continued beating out of his chest; he swallowed hard before answering, "Mr. Thatcher, I haven't known Elizabeth for a long time, but I have to say that I'm very glad we met. There are very few times during the day that I don't think about her."
"Can you protect her?" Mr. Thatcher asked.
"Yes sir…" Jack responded.
Mr. Thatcher turned to Sgt. Sanderson, "If he's the best, I want him…"
"Mr. Thatcher, would you mind stepping outside for a moment. I'd like a word with Officer Thornton," Sgt. Sanderson requested.
"Certainly, but please hurry," He walked outside, closing the door behind him.
"Jack, do you realize what you're getting yourself into here? It's like how a doctor shouldn't operate on a family member; are you sure you're capable of keeping the emotions out of this?" He asked.
"Sarge, I care about her. I don't know where it will go, but she is important to me. Whether you have me protecting her or not, I'm still going to be there; I will be watching over her," Jack assured him.
"Get your stuff and head over there, and Jack… make sure it stays professional…"
"Yes sir." And Jack was out the door.
Elizabeth sat alone in the apartment watching television and grading papers. She reached for the last sheet; there was one question… What do you want to be when you grow up? Thinking back to the class as a whole, most of the boys wanted to be police officers, and a majority of the girls wanted to be teachers. Hmm, a topic for discussion tomorrow… you can be anything you want to be… Girls can be police officers, and boys can be teachers.
Elizabeth reached for her stack of papers on the table. Finding her journal on the bottom, she sat back with it in her lap thinking. She opened her precious book of private thoughts and flipped to the next blank page. There she began to document her feelings…
"Options, possibilities, challenges and dreams fill our lives, forcing us to make decisions which ultimately steer our course. We are dealt hardships, often with such vengeance that we cannot fathom remaining on terra firma, much less strong enough to make decisions for our future. Are we too weak to stand for what we want? Are we too strong in our beliefs to be willing to compromise? Are we too opinionated to listen to the thoughts of others? Are we too frightened to try something new? Moving forward often means letting go of past dreams, realizing that what you wished for as a child does not always compare to your adult desires. Cast aside the fears of the past, and move toward the dreams of your future. Open your heart to new experiences, new possibilities, and new passions as you realize that life is too short and special, and simply wishing for what could have been may not be enough."
She closed her journal and sat back on the sofa. Her head was full of new possibilities and passions, as she decided that Charles could no longer occupy any area of her thoughts. Given his behavior toward her, he had made his choices, and she was now going to do the same. She was resolved to do whatever was necessary to rid him from her life. She not only wanted to, but needed to move on, and she prayed that Jack would accompany her on this journey.
Her cell phone rang, startling her…
"Hello…"
There was silence on the other end…"
"Hello…"
"Elizabeth… we need to talk…"
"Charles?" Her body went cold.
"It was all your fault. If you had just come back to me, none of this would have happened…"
"None of what?"
"Everything, Elizabeth…"
"Charles, you shouldn't be calling me. Didn't your lawyer tell you not to call me?" She asked.
"Elizabeth, no one can keep me away from you. I need to see you; to make sure you're okay…"
"What do you mean by that?" She asked, as she held her phone with both hands, hoping to ease the shaking.
"That was an unfortunate accident. I'm sorry; I was mad, but now I'm glad that you weren't hurt…"
"Charles, did you have anything to do with the accident?" Suddenly feeling even more alone than she did before, she began walking around the apartment, making certain all windows and doors were secured. She pulled out Rosie's extra phone and dialed Jack's number… 482-2677. Several rings later it went to voicemail… "Jack," she whispered. "I need you… Charles called me; he's out of jail."
"Who are you talking to…?" His voice was loud and as sharp as a vicious dog.
"No one. Please Charles, leave me alone. We aren't meant to be together in that way," She tried to be kind, hoping not to escalate the situation. However, as her fear grew, so did the anger in her voice. "Leave me alone, Charles," she yelled before disconnecting the call.
Jack ran to his locker, and gathered his belongings. He picked up his phone; seeing that he had numerous messages he flipped through callers for ones of importance. He found the two messages from Elizabeth, but before he listened to them, he dialed her number…
"Oh Jack, I'm so glad you called…"
"Elizabeth, I don't have a lot of time. Charles is out of jail; we think he ran your car off the road, and I'm on my way to your place right now," he yelled several times as their phone connection was poor.
"Okay Jack. I'll see you soon, please hurry," she was anxious and it was evident in her voice.
"Do not open your door until I get there," his voice was demanding. "Elizabeth, did you hear me? Don't open the door until I get there," he screamed as he received no response.
Jack drove his squad car; he activated the lights but no siren. He wanted to get to her apartment quickly without giving Charles advance warning, if in fact he was coming for her. Carefully he drove through intersections; he slowed through the residential areas, and he could only assume that since he was anxious, her apartment seemed to be much farther away than before. He cursed himself for not seeing her this evening as planned, for he would have already been there to protect her if needed.
The bell rang, and Elizabeth ran to the sound. "Jack," she yelled as she threw open the door…
"Who's Jack?"
To be continued…
