Chapter 16

Jessica sat next to Seth in his hospital bed, after he had been shot in the leg. She had just informed him of her misgivings about the Reynolds' boys.

"Did you inform Mort as to what the boys may be planning for this Saturday?" Seth asked.

"Oh yes," Jessica nodded, "but I couldn't tell him any more than that since it's just based on a hunch I have."

"If I recall correctly, Jess, your hunches are usually based on facts."

She didn't deny it, "Actually, I had noticed some suspicious things in the boys room, which led me to think the boys were up to something nefarious."

Seth raised a brow, "Oh? Such as?"

"Such as," Jessica continued, "while Mort was questioning the Reynolds' boys in their basement room, one of the first things I noticed was that they had a calendar up above their bed. It was posted on the right month, which was actually rather strange, considering they had just recently been released from jail. And even stranger was the fact that in the space for this coming Saturday, the boys had circled it, with skull and crossbones drawn in that date as well."

"Skull and crossbones?"

"Yes. It struck me as rather foreboding."

"Maybe they were celebratin' bein' pirates!" Seth lightly suggested, "Anythin' else suspicious that caught your eye'?"

"Yes. Their dresser top. It had been crowded with all types of paperwork, but there was one item in particular that caught my eye. I happened to spot the corner of a cardboard mailer, which was peeking out from the mess and the return address was the U.S. Passports and International Bureau."

Seth turned that information over in his mind, "You think they're plannin' on skippin' the country?"

"They're certainly capable of it," Jessica stated, "after all, what's keeping them here?"

"You're right about that," Seth agreed, "but it doesn't make sense that they would try to exact some type of murder revenge before they left the country! They may be spoiled and entitled, but why would they risk their freedom again?"

"I haven't figured that part out yet, but they're definitely guilty of something," she contemplatively answered, "it's hard to determine what two very angry, vengeful young men might do, especially since I also suspect that they are in possession of their parents' scoped rifle!"

"They're certainly not planning to play chess in the near future!" Seth commented, "So what happens next?"

"We find out what they plan to do," Jessica said, "and then we make sure they are stopped from doing it!"

"We? Now Jess," Seth seemed to be lecturing her, "you need to stay out of this!"

"But I'm already involved, Seth! I can't stop now, especially since it's connected to you!"

"You CAN stop now, Jess, because it's gettin' really dangerous! Dang it all, this isn't fiction from one of your novels we're discussin' here!" Seth huffed, "It's time you take yourself outta this and let Logan, Mort and the other law officials handle it!"

Their conversation was interrupted when the hospital door opened and nurse Ruth entered.

"And how's my little ray of sunshine this night?" the nurse asked Seth in a sardonic tone.

He folded his arms.

"Your little ray of sunshine is pretty stormy, I'd say!" he told her, "I just hope you're here to check me out of this miserable medical edifice!"

"Sethhh," Jessica berated him, "I'm sure Nurse Ruth is giving you the best care possible!" when Seth balked, she added, "...of course, you could always be put under the care of your assistant Beverly again!"

Seth actually looked distressed.

"Wellllll...I suppose I can stand to stay here another day in this get-well prison! But two days would really be pushin' it!"

Nurse Ruth lifted a brow as she looked over at a snickering Jessica.

"Maybe it's good you're here, Mrs. Fletcher," she dryly stated, "in your presence, he's actually funny!"

After the nurse took Seth's vitals, she left, leaving Seth and Jessica alone.

"They say you don't know what you have until it's gone," Seth grumbled, "well, I know what I've had with that nurse, and I'm glad she's gone!" He then glanced over at her chiding look, "Sorry, Jess. Just so frustrated that our first date has been interrupted AGAIN!"

Jessica smiled, "Don't worry, Seth, our first date WILL happen! Besides, why do we even need a first date? We already know each other so well that we don't need to spend any more time getting to know one another!"

Seth chuckled, "You're right about that! We do know each other well, and yet you STILL keep comin' back!"

He reached up to touch her cheek and it caused a responsive pulse in her body. She didn't move as she drowned in the caress of his touch. Her heart was once more caught in a whirlwind as she reached down to give him a light kiss.

A wave of love captured both of them when they embraced. Jessica could feel his heart pounding as well as her own. And when she straightened, she could read the love in his eyes.

"Jess," he pleaded, his voice hoarse, "stay safe so that I can always be with you."

She gently smiled, "I promise."

#

Saturday had arrived and they were no closer to figuring out what Greg and Garrett had been planning. Jessica had arrived early at Mort's office to see if he's heard any news.

"Logan and Andy are staked out at the Reynolds' place," Mort informed her, "they'll call me if anyone at that house makes a move to leave."

"They're sure the brothers haven't left?" Jessica wouldn't be at all surprised if the boys had managed to slip out.

"Positive," Mort assured her, "all morning the boys were seen fixing their pick up truck. Then they both disappeared through their basement door again. And we already know that's the only door they can use as an exit. There's no back door."

Jessica nodded, "I just hope I'm wrong and nothing bad this Saturday."

"I'm hoping that, too," Mort concurred, "By the way, how's the Doc?"

"Restless, but fine," Jessica informed him, "he's being released sometime today."

"You need me to help you pick him up?" Mort asked.

Just then the sheriff's office door opened and Seth walked in. His leg was lightly wrapped and he was slightly limping. Jessica immediately went to his side.

"Seth!" Jessica stated in a frustrated tone, "why didn't you tell me you had already been released from the hospital?"

"I was injured, not useless!" Seth claimed.

"Here, let me help you to the chair," she volunteered, as she helped him take a seat. She then sat next to him.

"You're looking good, Doc," Mort noted.

"I'm just glad to be out of that dang hospital!" Seth stated. Then he had a solemn expression, "Any news yet regarding those Reynolds' boys?"

"Nothing yet," Mort responded, "and the silence is killing me. Pun not intended."

"At least we can remove Logan from the list of suspects," Seth noted, "after all, he was with us when the shooter used us as target practice the other day and Logan was actually one of the people injured."

"I'm rather relieved to know that, too," Jessica said, "I'm beginning to warm up to him. At times, he can be almost pleasant."

"-when he doesn't hide behind that ego of his!" Mort interjected.

R-i-i-n-g!

Mort answered the phone.

"Metzger here."

A murmur of words could be heard coming from the other line.

"Got it," Mort acknowledged, "be right there."

He hung up.

"What is it, Mort?" Jessica watched as Mort got his hat from the stand and placed it on his head.

"That was Andy," Mort explained with a worried look, "and something's happening at the Reynolds' place."

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