Chapter 16 – The Calm Before the Storm
Sunday, May 30, 2004

Samantha awoke early Sunday morning, her heart was racing and she felt like screaming. As soon as she opened her eyes she realized that she was safe and in her own apartment and that Martin was nearby if she needed him. She hated feeling like she needed someone close, hated that, after years of living alone, she couldn't make it through the night without someone. She knew that she'd never get to sleep again so she got up to get something to eat. She perused the refrigerator and found nothing, but she heard Martin's voice, "Sam, is everything OK? Do you need something? Did you have a nightmare?"

She heard him call her 'Sam' and although that's what Jack called her she never liked the nickname. But coming out of Martin's mouth, mixed with the concern he had for her, she realized that it was the most comforting sound she'd ever heard. She felt that he had used the nickname because he couldn't waste the time pronouncing all of the syllables of her name, instead he had urgently wanted to know if something was wrong. She turned from the refrigerator and went to Martin on the couch. Without saying a word she lay down beside him, pulling his arms around her, and closed her eyes. Being in Martin's arms had a soothing effect and she was quickly asleep.

By midmorning, Samantha had cabin fever. She was not used to staying in her apartment this much and she was tired of sitting and resting and being babied. Martin understood her restlessness and he also needed to stop by his place. They hopped in a car and made a quick stop so he could change clothes and check his messages. Then Martin took Samantha out to a fabulous (and restful) lunch. Then he let Samantha pick a movie for them to see and, of course, she picked a romantic girl flick. She decided that she wanted to see how easy it was for the women in the movies to fall in love for the rest of their lives. Martin didn't mind, he was glad to be out having fun with Samantha and he was happy that she was not thinking about everything that had happened.

Martin stayed at Samantha's through the holiday weekend. Samantha had made it through both nights without incident and while Martin was glad that she was healing he was a bit disappointed to wake up alone on the couch.

Martin was determined to go to work on Tuesday, but he was able to convince Samantha to take leave due to her work-related injuries. She wasn't ready to see everyone and submit to their barrage of inquiries into her well-being. So bright and early Tuesday morning Martin shooed Samantha back to bed as he left and made her promise to get some more sleep. "Call me if you need anything or if anything seems out of the ordinary," he offered. She agreed and after locking the door when he departed she padded back to bed.

Immediately upon arriving at work, Martin called the county courthouse. He had to find out when the arraignment would be for the Samantha's three attackers. He was informed that the hearing, in which bail would be arranged, was scheduled for 3:00 pm. Martin had trouble concentrating on work and felt that Jack was avoiding him. "Well, that's OK," thought Martin, "because I'm kind of avoiding Jack too." Martin knew that if he were alone with Jack for too long he'd let Jack know that he had had his chance with Samantha and he'd let her go, he needed to let Samantha move on.

That afternoon, Martin left the office to attend the bail hearing. He slipped in the back of the courtroom, he didn't want the defendants to see him because they might recognize him from that day. It appeared that he went unnoticed. All pleaded not guilty, a testament to their stupidity, the FBI and locals had them dead to rights on tape not only attempting to rape an FBI officer, but confessing to several murders. Martin was rewarded though as bail was set at an astoundingly high level. He returned to the office, safe in the knowledge that these three would never raise that much money for bail or bond.

As a precaution, before he left work for the night, Martin called up the jail. He inquired into the well-being of the three defendants and was told that only two were still there. "What do you mean only two?" he questioned the guard.

"I'll double-check, but I'm pretty sure that one of them posted bail and left, just a little while ago." The guard put him on hold as she went to check her log book. Martin's mind was reeling. How could one of them have gotten out, back on the streets? The guard's voice returned, "Yes, someone posted bail for John Mariouchi as soon as he returned to his cell."

Martin could hear himself saying thank you and hanging up. John Mariouchi was the leader of the little gang and must have pretty good connections to raise that kind on money in such a short time. Martin bolted from his desk, he had to get to Samantha's place before Mariouchi did. Samantha didn't know it, but Martin did, that Mariouchi knew exactly who she was and probably where to find her.

TBC