We're a little more then halfway done with this epic tale. Hope everyone likes this chapter. Some big shocks. Please review. I'd appreciate it.
Chapter 9
They pulled up the house of Mr. John Gregor. The van was I the driveway with a tarp over it.
"Son of a bitch we got him," muttered Jim as he got out of the car. David slowly followed. Something didn't feel right.
"This feels too easy," exclaimed David as Jim made his four deputies circle the house. Jim spit.
"The guy screwed up, Dave," exclaimed Jim.
"I don't know," replied David as he followed Jim up to the front door.
"Mr. Gregor, Evanston PD. Open the door please," ordered Jim. No answer.
"Mr. Gregor, we have a warrant to search the premises. Please open the door," repeated Jim. David looked through the living room window. He could barely see through the frost on the window. He groaned when he saw someone's legs peeking out from behind a couch.
"Jim, I think we have a dead body," explained David. He pointed into the window. Jim looked and then kicked the door in.
"Let's go," ordered Jim, holding his gun out. He looked behind the couch. A woman was lying dead on the floor, her throat cut.
"Mrs. Gregor?" asked David as he looked at her. The deputies were coming in through the back.
"Nothing back here, boss," explained Otis Freemont.
"We got a dead body," said Jim. "Let's search the house. Be cautious." David was circling the body.
"What do you think, David?" asked Jim. David sighed.
"This is messed up," whispered David.
"Is Sarah still alive?" asked Jim, walking up. David sighed.
"I don't know. I honestly don't know."
……………
"Thank you, David. Thanks for calling." Kate sighed and hung up the phone. Tom came into the room.
"What's going on?" asked Tom. Kate sighed.
"They found the body of a woman at the house. No sign of this John Gregor person but they have an APB out on him," answered Kate. She sighed and looked out into the cold early evening.
"I can't take this, Tom. I feel so helpless," whispered Kate. Tom put his hands on her shoulders.
"We need to be strong, Kate. They haven't found Sarah's body yet. We can't give up home," urged Tom. Kate nodded as Tom put her arms around him. The snow fell even harder now. And somewhere out in that cold, there daughter was all alone.
……….
The woman was identified as Cheryl Gregor, wife of John Gregor. That had a son in college down in Florida. Jim had one of his deputies call down there. He sat at the station, a cup of coffee in hand. David walked in.
"Nothing at the house. No sign of Sarah at all," explained David sadly.
"You have any theories?" asked Jim.
"Yeah. That the Gregors were killed for their van so the kidnapper could frame them," replied David. Jim sighed and took a sip of coffee.
"Sadistic son of a bitch," snapped Jim.
"Yeah. That seems to be the logical answer," said David, sitting down on the corner of a desk.
"So we have another dead end?" asked Jim.
"Sadly yes," sighed David. He checked his watch.
"Do you mind if I get out of here? I promised my son dinner and a movie," explained David. Jim nodded.
"Go on. I'll hold the fort here," assured Jim. David and Jim shook hands and David took off. Jim sighed and headed off to give orders.
…………..
Jake, Henry, and Mike took Gunnar for a walk as the sun started to go down. Jake zipped up his jacket as the snow came down.
"I hope Sarah is warm," exclaimed Mike with a sniff.
"I'm sure she is. They want to keep her alive," replied Jake.
"Them? How do you know there's more then one, Jake?" asked Henry.
"I don't know. Just a guess," replied Jake with a shrug.
"Seems plausible I guess. Especially if this guy Gregor is involved. If I ever get my hands on him," growled Henry.
"Chill, Henry. We can't lose our cool," explained Jake.
"Sorry. I'm just so mad," apologized Henry.
"Don't apologize. You have very right to be," replied Jake. He sighed as they rounded a corner. The Dougan twins were building a snowman in the front lawn. Their father was watching them closely.
"Everyone is so protective of their kids now," noticed Mike.
"Paranoia is taking over," explained Henry. Mike nodded. They made thei way down Birch Lane before cutting across the vacant lot to Willow Avenue. The house was on the next street. Gunnar stopped to take a poop.
"Damn, Gunnar, that stinks," groaned Jake with a laugh. It felt good to laugh. It felt like forever since he had laughed. Suddenly they were blinded by a bright light. A car came screeching towards them. Henry didn't hear the gunshot but he did hear Jake scream in pain. Henry grabbed Mike and pulled him down as he ehard the next three shots. The car drove away. Henry couldn't see the license plate. Jake was holding his arm and screaming his head off. He'd been shot. Mike raced to the house as Henry tried to stop the bleeding. The blood felt warm on his hand. Jake's screams died down to cries as Henry waited for help to arrive. The temperature dropped.
…………….
David and Miles walked through downtown as they came back from the movie. It had felt good to see a dumb action movie to take their mind off things.
"How'd you like the movie?" asked David.
"It was fun. Kind of stupid," replied Miles with a laugh.
"I think that was the point," laughed David. They laughed together as they walked towards the car. David groaned as his cell phone rang. It was Jim.
"Yeah, Jim."
"Jake Baker's been shot."
"What?"
"It was a drive by. Jake was out with his brothers Henry and Mark. Four shots were fired. He took one in the arm."
"Jesus. Where are you now?"
"Headed towards the hospital."
"I'll meet you there." David hung up.
"What's wrong, dad?" asked Miles, as they hurried to the car.
"Jake's been shot," replied David. He couldn't believe this. What the hell was going on?
………
The Bakers were talking with Jim when David arrived at the hospital.
"What's going on?" asked David. Miles went over to Henry and Mark.
"Jake's in surgery right now. The bullet was in his bone. He must have been in agony," whispered Jim.
"Holy shit. How the hell did this happen?" asked David.
"I was hoping you could tell me," replied Jim. He and David walked away from the Bakers.
"This is a bold move. He wants to show he's in charge," began David.
"Henry says the shots came from the passenger window. So we have a shooter and a driver," explained Jim. David nodded.
"John Gregor and an accomplice?" asked David out loud.
"Maybe. I don't know. This is bizarre and I'm ready to initiate a curfew," explained Jim.
"Do it. Absolutely do it," urged David. Because he was totally shocked by this brazen attack on Jake. This showed unsympathetic evil. And now David feared this wouldn't have a happy ending.