Chapter 3
First Cut
Jack then heard sirens near by and looked out his window. There he saw out on the street four police cars and two ambulances. He then saw a body bag being carried out of the house next door. His eyes widened to the horror. He had known the Oakleys for several years now, what has happened to them? Jack then heard the doorbell. He wonder who could that be? He looked at the claw and wondered what if that's the police?
"Mr. Harper?" a faint male voice called from the behind the front door. "This is Detective Bell, are you home?"
Detective? Police! Jack thought. He quickly looked at the claw and he knew that he has to get rid of it. If they knew that he had something like that dripped with blood they'd lock him away for sure, maybe execute him or something worse.
"One moment!" Jack cried as he quickly jumped out of be, grabbed the weapon and stashed it on the top self of his closet as he closed the door. He then put on his robe and went to the front door. He breathed in deep then open the door. There were two men standing in front of Jack, one in a police uniform and the other in a trench coat.
"Jack Harper?" the man in the coat wondered as Jack nodded, "I'm Detective Bell I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?"
"Was it something I did wrong?" Jack wondered.
"I don't know. May I come in?" Detective Bell asked.
"Sure," Jack replied as he let them in.
"Mr. Harper where were you last night?" Bell inquired.
"In bed sleeping. Why what happened?"
"Last night some one broke in at the Oakleys and murdered them. And I was wondering if you heard or seen anything strange last night."
"Murdered?" Jack repeated, "Oh-My god." Then it is true, but he couldn't of done it, could he?
"Mr. Harper how long have you known the Oakleys?" Bell asked.
"Uh, for over seven years," Jack answered, "How did they die?"
"Well, some sick bastard sliced them to death with some knives," Bell replied.
Knives? Jack thought. No, it couldn't be or could it, but how? Jack was a sleep in his bed like he said.
"Mr. Harper? Are you ok?" Bell wondered as jack looked at him, " I'm sorry if this came to a shock to you. Look," he dug in to his coat and produced a business card and handed it to him, "If you have any information, give me a call."
Jack took the card and looked at it. He then showed the two gentlemen out. He sat down on his recliner, still shocked. What if that man in his dream was telling the truth? Did he kill the Oakleys including their five-year-old daughter? He got up and went to his kitchen. He needed a drink. He took out some Jack Daniels, poured a glass and downed it. He poured another one; his mind was going everywhere as he drank the second shot. He took the bottle and sat back down on his recliner. He still didn't understand or believe that it was him that killed those people. That did it, He got back up went to the bedroom, opened his closet. He had to dispose of it. Maybe if he brought it back and lock it up it won't happen again. He searched franticly, but it was gone. Impossible, I threw it in here, He thought, where is it? He then looked at the clock on his bedside table and saw it was 9:20 AM. He was going to late for work. He'll have to worry about the glove later.
Maggie knew that one day she couldn't hold the shelter together. She thought of every idea she could, but the only thing Maggie got were bags under her eyes. She came in the next day with large cup of latte and sat down to sip it, when Pat knocked on her door and came in. His expression on his face was grim and Maggie knew it wasn't good news.
"I just had an unpleasing phone call from the state department," Pat started as he sat down, "They said with the huge budget cuts we endured, they are afraid to keep this shelter open if we don't get the first payment by the end of next month."
Maggie sighed, "I don't believe it. What happened to his place Pat? No more than 10 years ago this shelter was in its prime. Now its in hell."
"Maggie I know how you feel," He said, "Look we gotta cut down on expenses, primary, we got to let some one go."
Maggie frowned. She didn't like idea of firing someone, but if it has to be done, it has to be done. She looked at Pat with and unsure look.
"Alright, lets find the unfortunate candidate," she replied.
"Well, I do have one candidate lined up," Pat said as Maggie tilted her head in wonderment, "Jack."
"Jack?" Maggie thought, "No, we can't fire him."
"Why not?" Pat inquired.
"Because I promised him when he took the job that he'd stay until the shelter was closed," Maggie replied, "The person I see fit is Marvin. For a few reasons, one is that his salary is higher than Jack's, another is we don't need his services anymore since no one around to steal anything, and thirdly, I don't trust him any more."
Pat gave her an unsure look and said, "I don't know Mags, I don't think that's a good idea, but you are right about the salary." He sighed, "Alright, we'll play it your way."
"This is the part of the job that I hate," Maggie said as she picked up the phone and dialed 06. "Jenn? Can you fetch Marvin for me and bring him to my office? Thank you."
A few moments later Maggie's door rattled and Maggie invited Marvin in. Marvin looked a bit nervous as he looked at the two. Maggie looked at him wondering what to say to him.
"You like working here Marvin?" Maggie asked him.
"Yeah I guess so, why?" Marvin replied. "I'm fired right?" Pat and Maggie looked at him but said nothing, as he knew that he was right.
"I'm sorry Marvin," Maggie said as she saw a doubtful frown on his face.
"Shit, I knew it," Marvin said shaking his head, "Ten years and this how it ends. TEN YEARS!"
"Marvin calm down," Maggie said.
"TEN FUCKING YEARS!" Marvin yelled, "I don't fuckin' believe it!"
"Look Marv," Pat started, "You know for a fact that we no choice in the matter. I wanted you to stay but Maggie over ruled me."
"You will pay, all of you will pay!" Marvin exclaimed as he stomped out slamming the door behind him as he left the office.
"That went well," Pat said as Maggie shook her head.
It wasn't enough that Maggie had to feel this bad, but what to tell Jack that he hs to do both shifts now. After the meeting, as she escorted Pat out, she suddenly listened to the television reports that Jenn was watching.
"...3 family member was discovered dead today after authorities described their death similar to the Fred Krugger murders that happened 30 years ago.."
Maggie's eyes widened and her heart jumped to her throat to hear that horrid name again. 3 family members, dead, slashed to death. It can't be, a coincidence that it. Just then Jack entered the main doors. He looked like he had the plague or something. Maggie looked towards him and wondered what happened to him.
"Jack are you ok?" Maggie asked, "You look like hell."
Jack said nothing for a moment then spoke, "I-I'm fine. I think I'm coming down with something."
Jenn looked towards him and said, "Jack, I saw on the news. About your neighbors, I'm so sorry."
"Those people were you neighbors Jack?" Maggie wondered, "I'm sorry too, I didn't know."
Jack just nodded in silence and said, "I think I'll get started right away." He went off slowly to his broom closet.
"Jack!" Maggie called, "If you want to talk about it you know where I am."
She and Jenn frowned as he disappeared. He sat there for a few minuets collecting his thoughts before he punched in.
An hour later, Jack was back to his normal self. He climbed the stair to the bedroom area to start sweeping when he was greeted by Norman. Jack nodded to him and continued to sweep as Norman went down stairs. Jack looked on Alicia's bed and saw her lying there.
"How are you doin?" Jack said.
Alicia was startled by his voice, looked at him and replied, "I-I'm feeling better."
Jack smiled, "That's good to hear."
She smiled back as Jack continued to sweep. Jack looked towards a sleeping body cocooned in a sheet that was occupying Viper's bed. She moaned a bit and changed position. Jack didn't dare to wake her. The last time he did, Viper left a nasty gash on his face. He finished sweeping the floor and went back down stairs. Maggie passed him along the stairs and stopped him.
"Are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm feeling better," He replied, "thanks though."
"Well, I just want you to know that we did some cut backs and had to let Marvin go." Jack look turn to surprise as Maggie continued, "So I hope you don't mind if you keep an eye on the vault for now on." He gave the keys to him.
"S-Sure," Jack replied as he took the keys.
"Good," she smiled and continued up stairs.
This was good fortune for Jack, now he can return the glove with out anyone knowing it was gone. But then he couldn't figure it out why it was missing from the closet. Oh well, he'll find it.
Maggie smiled over to Alicia as she went towards her bed. For some reason, she knew that Alicia was better.
"How are you doing?" Maggie asked.
Alicia looked up to her and smiled back as Maggie sat down on the bed.
"I'm doing better," she replied softly.
"Good, maybe now you can tell me why your boss hit you?" Maggie inquired.
She frowned and felt embarrassed to tell her what she does. She didn't want her to know because she thought Maggie would turn her over to the police. Alicia opened her mouth to speak but she hesitated at first.
"I, did something wrong," Alicia replied.
"What?" Maggie asked.
"If I tell you, you won't get mad or anything?" She wondered.
"I promise," Maggie replied awaiting a straight answer.
"Well, I sort of kept some money I shouldn't have," Alicia replied. She looked at Maggie with an unsure look then wondered, "Do you mind if I stay here for a another day?"
Maggie smiled to her and replied, "Stay as long as you needed."