Bitter
Chapter 12
Christine was beginning to wonder if Jed was having some sort of break from reality. He tossed both their cellphones, only used cash, and wore disguises if he had to go in a store or gas station. They camped and slept in ratty motels. It was rough on Christine and even rougher on Katie, but Christine understood what Jed was trying to do.
The news was not good and at one point; they heard that the James had been sunk off the California coast. It was heartbreaking and both Jed and Christine were struggling but they continued on. Finally; they got back to Tom's old house. They were just getting to bed when Christine heard noises outside. She signaled Jed, who handed her a pistol and headed into the garage. They had talked about what to do if they were found and as soon as the first man came through the door; Christine shot him three times; just like Mike had taught her. Once in the head and twice in the chest. She heard Jed holler so she advanced to the garage. There were three more men laying on the floor; all dead.
"How many inside?" Jed asked.
"Just one. He's dead." Christine answered.
"Good, I only counted four but be ready for more." Jed answered.
"What do we do with the bodies?" Christine asked.
"Just leave them for the time being. It sounds like things are unraveling. I just heard a radio message from the new President. I would suspect we will be hearing from Mike or Tom soon. They'll deal with the bodies." Jed told her.
"Can we at least drag the one from inside out here so the kids don't see?" Christine asked. They walked into the house and Jed looked at the dead man on the floor.
"You are a dead shot." Jed remarked.
"Mike…when he was a cop he and I would spend quality time at the range. And even once he joined up, I went with him. I guess I just kind of picked it up." Christine remarked. She knew she should be more affected by killing a human being, but she was protecting her kids and the Chandler kids. That was what she was focused on.
"I'd say. Go check on the kids and I will deal with his body. Take a breath." Jed ordered.
"Yes, sir." Christine answered. She handed him her handgun and headed up the stairs. The kids were all in the master bathroom; scared but safe. She was comforting them when she heard the doorbell, then someone bounding up the steps. She shoved the kids back into the bathroom, grabbed a fire poker, opened the door and came face-to-face with Mike.
"Christine; its me…let's put that down?" Mike said as he grabbed the fire poker. She had been ready to swing it at his head.
"How did you find us?" Christine asked. She was shocked when Mike pulled her into a tight hug once the fire poker was put behind the door. It felt good to feel his body heat and to smell his shampoo and body wash. The way the sea air and scent of cigars stayed on his skin.
"It was a lucky guess. We split up. Tom went to our old house, Green to the cabin and me here. Seems I won the bet. The kids?" Mike asked, still missing or ignoring her swollen belly.
"They're okay. Scared. Kids?" Christine hollered. All four kids came streaming out of the bathroom and Mike gave both their daughters and Ashley a hug. Sam got a high-five and Mike turned back to Christine.
"Kids; why don't you go downstairs? I need to talk to your mom…Aunt Christine for a moment. You're safe." Mike suggested and the kids all nodded. Once they were at the bottom of the stairs, Mike turned back to her. "Jed told me about the baby. He didn't want me to have a negative reaction around the kids." Mike said simply.
"Its yours." Christine told him, knowing he probably was doubting that.
"I figured. Unfortunately, I don't have time to have a proper reaction. We don't know how many people Shaw had working for her so we need to get you, Jed and the kids out of here. Any clothing?" Mike asked.
"Just what we have on. Jed left everything in the car in case we had to leave quick." Christine answered.
"Good. Let's go." Mike said. Christine shut the lights off and walked down the stairs with Mike. For him having no reaction to her pregnancy; his hand was on the small of her back, supporting her as she manuevered down the steep stairs.
"Katie is not feeling well at all. Of course; if you ask she will say she's fine." Christine said.
"We'll get her warmed up and able to rest properly." Mike answered. He seemed irritated and exhausted.
"Mike…" Christine started but Mike held his hand up.
"Not the right time. I need to get you, Jed and the kids out of here so if there are more people; we are gone. They can find their buddy's bodies." Mike said as they got to the front hall where everyone else had gathered.
"Okay." Christine said, knowing better than to argue. Whatever Mike had to say would just have to wait until there was a better moment. The kids were shuffled out to the vehicles and quickly they were on the road. Wolf was with Jed and the Chandler kids in his vehicle; while Christine was with Mike and their kids in a vehicle. For the first hour; Mike was quiet and was weaving in and out of traffic; like he was trying to elude someone. "Is someone following us?" Christine asked quietly.
"No. Just utilizing some evasive manuevers in case someone is." Mike answered.
"Where are we going?" Christine asked.
"Eventually Saint Louis, but tonight I will find us a hotel once we are a safe distance away." Mike said.
"Good. The kids are exhausted." Christine said.
"Jed said you all had been on the run for the past two weeks." Mike remarked.
"Yeah. He said if we stayed we would have been used against you." Christine told him.
"You would have. Somehow she was able to get a recording of Ashley's voice and Tom thought that Jed was killed and the kids were kidnapped. He lost it for a bit." Mike admitted.
"How did you know to look here?" Christine asked.
"Just…weird inclination. Didn't figure you or Jed would have gone done without a fight. And I was right. How are you? Jed said you killed the one that was in the house." Mike asked.
"Yeah. I was protecting the kids. End of story." Christine downplayed.
"Except its not. I was trained and was well aware that I would probably have to take a life at some point. You weren't. Sure, I taught you how to do that, but neither of us ever thought you'd actually have to. My point is; it is okay to not be okay. It is okay to feel badly. Yes, you were protecting the kids but it doesn't make it any easier." Mike said.
"I honestly haven't had time to think about it or digest it." Christine admitted.
"Okay. Just let me know if you need to talk about it. Its going to be a bit before I deploy again. A lot to straighten out and reorganize." Mike said.
"So, you'll be here when the baby is born?" Christine asked.
"I should be. You're…what…five months along?" Mike asked.
"Yeah." Christine said.
"Should be then." Mike answered. Christine leaned back and checked; both girls were sound asleep.
"It's a boy. I had just found out." Christine said. Mike gave her a bit of a smile, but it was even exhausted.
"As long as he is healthy. I'm still wrapping my head around it, but I am not unhappy about it. Just give me a bit." Mike said and Christine nodded. It was the most she could hope for at the moment. She leaned her head against the truck window and quickly fell asleep.