Chapter 2
Laura was sitting on the porch swing. She laughed as her chubby little son toddled across the porch to Luke. Lucky had just turned a year old two weeks ago. She smiled as Luke picked him up and spun him around. Lucky giggled.
Laura stood up and walked towards them. "Luke, we have to go. Maria is expecting us for dinner in half an hour."
"Do we have to go?" Luke complained.
"Yes, I promised her."
Luke rolled his eyes. Maria always expected them to dress for dinner. He hated dressing up to eat, but he saw the look in Laura's eyes and knew that he wasn't going to get out of it this time.
"Ok," he said handing Lucky to her. "I'll go get dressed."
Fifteen minutes later, they were in Luke's old pick-up truck heading for the "Inn of the Secrets."
"Hello, glad you could make it," Maria said. She rushed over and took Lucky in her arms. Laura smiled, Maria always spoiled Lucky when they came over.
Dinner lasted over an hour. Luke was getting more and more uncomfortable as the time went on. He hated these normal life situations. He craved adventure.
Laura noticed him fiddling with his tie. She knew he missed all the traveling they did in the year before Lucky was born. Luke caught her eye and signaled to her that he wanted to leave. She nodded.
Laura thought for a moment about how to get them out of the rest of the evening without insulting Maria. She smiled to herself as she came up with an idea. She put her and to her forehead and rubbed her temples.
Maria noticed. "Laura dear, is anything wrong?"
"I have a splitting headache," she said turning to Luke. "Will you take me home Luke?"
"Of course," he said getting up. "I'll get Lucky." He smiled to himself as soon as his back was to the table.
"Maria, I'm sorry to spoil your dinner party," Laura said.
"Nonsense. I hope you feel better."
Luke came back carrying Lucky. "Are you ready?"
She nodded. "I am sorry," she said to Maria
"No need to be sorry," said Maria.
Luke put Lucky in his car seat and helped Laura into the truck. "Thank you," he said as they drove away.
"Anytime."
They pulled up in front of their house. Laura took Lucky and went inside. Luke sat on the porch swing and took off his jacket and tie.
He saw headlights coming up the driveway. There were three cars coming. Luke stood up to greet their guests.
Two of the cars stopped in front of the house. The passenger side windows opened and gunshots rang out. Luke jumped behind the truck for protection as bullets hit the wall of the house behind him.
The third car followed the circular driveway around the house and screeched the a halt behind the house. Luke raised up and a bullet nearly missed his head. From inside the house, Laura's scream rang out.
Suddenly all three cars sped off. Luke ran inside to check on Laura and Lucky.
He heard Lucky crying upstairs and ran up to the nursery. Lucky was in his crib screaming at the top of his lungs, but Laura was not there.
Luke picked the baby up and searched the house. "Laura! Laura!" he yelled, but got no answer.
He walked into the kitchen and saw the back door standing open. Pinned to the open door with a knife was a lock of Laura's blonde hair and a note. It said "Frank Smith never forgets."
Luke sank to the floor, tightening his grip on his young son.
