CHAPTER 2: PREPPING FOR THE BIG MOVE & SUDDENLY A SHOT RANG OUT!
Violet was at the halfway house, but she was looking frustrated. She went to five different apartment complexes, but they all turned her down due to her criminal record. She was up front and honest about what she was changed with, and the managers/property owners didn't want a convicted felon living at their places, especially one who was charged with attempted murder and stalking. She sat in the kitchen when Millicent came in and saw her.
"Violet, what's wrong, dear?" she asked, genuinely concerned.
"No one wants to rent to me," Violet said, sadly. "It's like you make a mistake and you end up paying for it for the rest of your life."
"No luck in getting your own place, eh?"
"And I can't go back to the family home, mainly because my mother lives there, and we don't particularly care for each other. She was less than motherly, and, only if my father were still living, would I even consider living there, even if she wasn't there."
"I see. Maybe I can help you out. I know some people who can help with finding you a place. Don't worry, it won't be any flophouse or in a dangerous neighborhood or anything like that. These are quality places, and they don't care about anyone's past, no matter how bad it is."
"You'd do that for me?!"
"Of course, dear. Everyone deserves a second chance. If I didn't feel that way, I'd never would have operated a halfway house to begin with."
"Oh, thank you so much, Millie!" And Violet hugged the kind elderly lady. "This means the world to me!"
"Think nothing of it, Violet." Millicent said, smiling. "Now, if you excuse me, I better get started getting you a place to live once you're done here." And Millicent got up and got started calling around to her contacts about setting Violet up with a place to live. Violet was beyond elated. She could finally get a good start on getting her life back on track.
Later that evening, Linus had just finished his shift at the library and was about to go home. Mary Jo was there and wanted to update him on what was going on with Monica and her cancer battle. As he was pulling out his keys to get into his car, a shot rang out. Linus, before he knew what had happened, collapsed to the ground. He was still conscious and knew what had happened. He got shot, but thankfully the bullet wasn't lethal, as it only hit his side. He looked and saw a familiar beat up car with someone laughing running back to it and getting in. The party drove off. One of the library employees came out and saw Linus laying on the ground.
"Call 9-1-1!" Linus groaned. "I've been shot!"
Later, Mary Jo was back at the hospital, but not to work. Someone had called her about Linus being shot and she rushed back to the hospital. Mary, who had stayed there with Monica after the surgery, saw that Mary Jo was back, as she was getting something to drink at the time, and Monica had fallen asleep for the night.
"Mary Jo, what are doing back here?!" asked a concerned Mary.
"Linus!" Mary Jo sobbed. "He was shot tonight!"
"WHAT?!"
"Some bastard shot my boyfriend and took off!"
"Who the hell would have done this?!"
"I don't know, I just… DUKE!"
NEXT CHAPTER: APB