"Ah, hell!" Fenton groaned, looking over at the officer. "Move in!" he ordered.

Everyone took off at a run with the officer in charge using his talkie attached to his shoulder to radio in to headquarters.

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Joe stepped out of the bathroom in a solid red velvet kilt, he hadn't put his shirt on yet, and stopped in surprise. "I wasn't expecting you back so soon," he said, smiling at her with a curious expression.

"I brought you some flowers," Angelic said, holding out her left hand. Joe stepped forward and took the vase from her hand. He took a sniff.

"Thank you," he said. He kept his smile on but he felt a nervous jolt race through him. Something was amiss. She seemed anxious.

"Joe, I love you," Angelic said. "I'll always love you."

"I know," Joe said sadly. "Honestly, I wish I did love you. You've been nicer to me in some ways than anyone ever has."

"Really?" she breathed, looking up into his eyes as he set the vase down and stepped nearer to her.

"Really," Joe said softly, looking down into her emerald eyes.

Angelic leaned forward and up, putting her lips to his. She started tentatively but Joe deepened the kiss, locking his arm around her and holding her close. All too soon, according to Angelic, he pulled back.

"I'm...I'm sorry," Joe apologized, his breathing ragged. "I didn't mean to do that. It was a mistake."

"Shh," she whispered, touching his cheek with her left hand. "It's okay."

"No, it's not," Joe insisted. "I don't love you. I should never..."

Whatever Joe had been about to say was lost as the basement door crashed open. Instinctively, Joe protectively pushed Angelic behind him.

"Dad!" Joe shouted in surprise, his eyes opening wide. "How...oof.." he broke off as a knife entered his back and the tip exited just above his stomach.

"NO!" bellowed Frank, rushing past his father and Officer Marsdale and into the cage as Angelic pulled the knife from Joe and readied it again for another plunge.

"You will never take him away from me!" Angelic shouted at Frank and the others as she put the knife to Joe's back.

Frank grabbed her arm before it could enter Joe's flesh a second time. Clutching the bleeding wound above his stomach, Joe fell to his knees gasping in pain. He looked at Angelic and Frank who had made a fist and was getting ready to strike Angelic. "No!" Joe gasped, his voice growing hoarse. "Don't...don't hurt her," he begged before he fell forward and darkness consumed him.