Chapter 6

Phoebe looked with fuzzy eyes, and saw Cole leaning over the body. Cole's face was terrified, and he fell to his knees and crawled to her. Tears started to stream down her face, as she laid flat on her back. Her heart was still racing.

Cole carefully scooped her in his arms, and she made a grunting sound as he picked her up. Phoebe buried her face in his thick strong neck. She never felt more relieved.

"Come on honey, I have to get you to the house." Cole said carrying her through the trees.

"Where were you?" Phoebe whispered on his neck.

"I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner baby" Cole said nestling her head in the bend of his neck.

Phoebe wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life.

Cole kicked the front door open, and laid Phoebe on the couch. He went to the kitchen for the phone and called the police. Then he came back into the living room and covered Phoebe with a blanket.

Phoebe was shaking and Cole rubbed her legs to sooth her.

"I'm ok, I am just so cold" Phoebe said wiping her eyes.

"The police are on their way…Phoebe I was…I don't know what I would do if…." Cole turned and looked away.

"I'll get you some hot tea" Cole said trying to hide the tears that burned his eyes.

He was so scared and he never felt his insides turn so cold, as when he saw that man hurting Phoebe.

"No, please don't leave me" Phoebe said reaching for him.

Cole held Phoebe in his arms and she held his neck tight. They were both trembling, and didn't want to let go.

"All I could think about was you helping me, when he was…on top of me" Phoebe said closing her eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner" Cole said holding her tight

Cole pulled away a little and started kissing Phoebe's fore head and eyes and then cheeks. Phoebe parted her lips and they pressed their mouths together passionately.

All the tension and emotions and longing went into this kiss. The kiss became more alive, and they started to breath heavily.

The warmth from the insides of Cole's mouth was comforting, and Phoebe wanted this long awaiting kiss to never end. Cole felt his heart start to pound and beg for more. He felt so close to Phoebe, and it was like they were never apart.

"Phoebe…I'm sorry…I want you so bad" Cole said hoarsely as he trailed his kisses to her jaw and down her neck.

"I haven't stopped thinking about you since the restaurant." Phoebe said breathlessly.

Just then the sirens came into range and they could hear them coming up the road. Cole and Phoebe pulled away and stared into each other's eyes.

The cops came to the opened front door and walked in.

Soon Phoebe's house was swarmed with cops and men flashing badges in Cole and Phoebe's faces.

"Mam, I'm detective Holden, are you alright?" The detective asked Phoebe.

"Are you the one that called?" another one asked Cole.

"Yeah, we left the man in the trees down by the pond in back" Cole said.

Some paramedics came in the house and the officer pointed to Phoebe. They came to her aid, pushing Cole aside.

"I'm ok" Phoebe said as they checked her over.

The detective took Cole to the side for questioning. Phoebe saw flashlights and she could hear dogs all around her house.

An officer walked up to the detective with Cole and whispered something in his ear.

"Shit!" The detective said and ran his fingers through his hair.

A man in a long trench coat came in and stood by the detective.

"What is it?" Cole asked.

"He's gone!" Holden said and walked over to Phoebe

"Mam, did you get a look at his face?" The detective asked Phoebe.

"No…not very good…I was all so fast" Phoebe said looking all around the house.

"Mam, this is very important" The detective said.

While the paramedic bandaged the cut on her face. Cole looked at Phoebe. She was terrified and he walked over to her.

"I think she has had enough for one night, she can talk to you tomorrow" Cole said to the two men interrogating Phoebe.

"I don't think you understand" the detective started to say

"No you don't understand, I said no more tonight" Cole said in a firm tone.

"I'm sorry, are you the husband?" The detective asked hastily.

Cole started to get in the detectives face.

"Cole, it's ok" Phoebe said walking up between them.

"Detective, my husband is gone, and this is my friend." Phoebe said

Cole felt a little disappointment when she referred to him as a friend. He knew it was true, but he had more than friendly feelings for her.

Just then the phone rang and Phoebe went for it, but the detective stopped her and answered it himself.

"Detective Holden" he said

The detective sat on the phone a minute and then handed the phone to Phoebe.

"He says he is your husband" Holden said.

Cole and Phoebe looked at each other.

"Hello?" Phoebe said still looking at Cole.

"Phoebe! What is going on?" Michael asked on the other end.

"Michael, you need to come home" Phoebe said and started to cry.

Cole looked at the floor. He walked over to the couch and sat down. He put his head in his hands and rubbed his forehead.

Phoebe came and sat by him.

"That was Michael, he is on his way home…Cole I…" Phoebe trailed

"I know Phoebe" Cole said looking at her.

Phoebe looked away and sighed. The detective walked up to them.

"We are putting a round the clock watch on the house…we are pretty sure the suspect is Robert Stein. The cereal killer, who escaped from the Arlington Prison. If you will come down to the station in the morning, there might be something you can remember by then." The detective said and started to clear out the house.