Chapter 45

The family was thrilled that John and I were having another little boy. Torrie and Amy were both disappointed that it wasn't a girl. But, hey third time could be the charm. John's and my third child could be a girl, except she would not be a thought or priority until I was pregnant with baby number three. Baby number two and Little Johnny were the important ones right now, especially with Joseph on the loose.

(John's POV)

The next day, while at work, I did some research on Joseph Richardson. I found out which advertisement agency he was working for and that he is in town on business every few weeks. He goes back and forth from one branch in Canada to the other in Boston. I also found out what hotel he was staying at. The hotel was close by Cenas' and the agency was close by too.

Trish and I were frequently at Cenas' because it was my dad's restaurant and place of business. Joseph knew Cenas' was my dad's, because I had told it to him flat out the first encounter I had with him there. He had come back for a second encounter. But why?

The first encounter had been a coincidence over a year ago. Jay (my father-in-law) had said that he remembered there being an advertising firm in the New England area that did business in Canada. As it turned out Joseph was working for the one.

The second encounter had not been a coincidence. You know Joseph showed up to Cenas' the day before Thanksgiving the second time, because he was hoping to see Trish again. He did have a sick obsession over her. It started when she was a little girl. He had sex with her when she was nine years old, a grown man!

Yes, he served his time and had his probation period, but he was still a convicted child molester. I wonder if his agency knew about his past…

Once had tracked down Joseph Richardson via the computer, I contacted his employer. His employer told me everything I needed to know. He said Joseph would be in town until Monday. It was Thursday now.

I should have been doing paperwork as I sat at my desk, but I wasn't. I had been dealing with Joseph Richardson. I wasn't dealing with him personally, but I had been looking him up and was trying to track down his ass. His employer had actually given me his cell phone number. I told him I was a police officer and that I needed to speak with him. I said Joseph wasn't in trouble or anything; I just needed to speak with them. As luck would have it, I actually got the bastard on his phone. He actually answered.

"Joseph Richardson," He answered.

I was surprised he answered, because normally people did not answer their cell phone for anybody these days. I did because I was a police officer, but also I have important numbers programmed into my phone like everyone else did.

"Hello Joseph," I said. "This is Officer John Cena."

"John Cena as is Patricia's husband?"

"Yes!"

"Well, hello, what do I owe the pleasure of your call, Officer?"

"The call is about my wife! I know about your encounter with her yesterday and I know you threatened her!"

"I didn't threaten her. All I said was she and I have unfinished business, which we do."

"Oh, no, no," I said. "You said you were going to make her life miserable."

Joseph laughed. "I make her life miserable by existing and showing up in her life. She made my life miserable when she testified against me and I got me sent to jail for what I did."

"Oh, so you admit what you did to her?!"

"Oh, I know exactly what I did, Johnny Boy. I made her a woman."

"She was only nine years old!" I snapped. "She was just a little girl!"

"Whoa, Cena," Michael, my partner said.

I looked over at him. I ignored him.

"Meet me at your dad's restaurant this evening at eight o'clock and bring Trish," Joseph said. "The three of us need to have a little chat." He then hung up the phone.

I slammed the phone down on my desk. Everyone looked at me. I ignored them.

(Trish's POV)

I could not believe John and I were on the way to meet Joseph. I could not believe this whole situation.

John and I were both at the entrance of the restaurant when John was suddenly knocked down to the ground. I looked around to see who had done it. It was Joseph. He stood there with a gun in his hand. He had pistol-whipped John.

"Come with me now," He said as he grabbed hold of me.

"Let go of me," I said.

"I said come with me now," He said, pointing the gun at me.

It was eight o'clock on a Thursday evening. The restaurant was plenty busy with people. Plus there were people out and bound who were Christmas shopping.

"Hey man, what the hell are you doing?" A by-stander asked.

"Mind your own business, buddy," Joseph said, pointing the gun at him. "All of you back off." He pointed the gun at everyone. Everyone stood back.

Joseph grabbed hold of me and pulled me away.

"Help me," I said. "Help me!"

John was on the ground, hurt from the blow to the head. "Trish," He said.

Joseph was pulling me away and I wasn't fighting. I was too worried my baby would get hurt. People finally were starting to help. As luck would have it, Dan was in the restaurant. He was on duty and he and his partner had stopped by Cenas' to get some food. Someone had gone into the restaurant and gotten the two of them.

Dan and his partner came bursting out of the restaurant.

"Dan," I shouted crying.

Dan saw me being dragged away. He came to my rescue. He saw the gun in Joseph's hand. He pulled his own gun.

"Let the girl go now," Dan said.

"No," Joseph said, stopping. He pointed the gun at Dan.

"Well, how about you put the gun down instead?" Dan's partner asked. He had both his hands up.

"Back off," Joseph said, pointing the gun at the partner.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just want you to put the gun down. My partner just wants you to put the gun down as well."

"No, he said he wanted me to let the girl go and I cannot do that," Joseph said.

"Who is she to you?"

"Oh, Patricia and I go way back. I knew her as a child. She was a beautiful and vibrant child. I served jail time for her. We both know that was a misunderstanding, wasn't it, Patricia?" Joseph said.

"No, it wasn't," I said. "You sexually assaulted me as a child." I began to cry.

"No, I didn't! I loved you! I love you still!"

"Well, I don't love you!" I snapped. He pointed the gun at me. The tears continued. "Oh, God, please!" I begged.

"Put the gun down now!" The partner said. He had his own gun in hand.

"I will not," Joseph said. He pointed the gun at the partner again.

"You're threatening a pregnant woman with a gun. If you shoot her, you will kill her and her baby."

"Good. If I can't have her, then no one can! Her husband should live in miserable without her and their second child. He can tell their first born son how he failed to protect her and his unborn baby brother."

"How the hell do you know the baby is a boy?" I said.

"I told you, Patricia, I know everything! You are my one true love."

He went to kiss me. I turned my face away.

"You little bitch," He said. He pointed the gun at me again and went to shoot. There was a banging sound right next to me and a scream. It was Joseph. He had been shot in the leg. He grip was loose on me. I got out of his hold. Dan grabbed hold of me. His partner had been the one who shot Joseph in the leg.

Everyone happened so quickly after that. Two ambulances came rushing out. One took Joseph to the hospital; the other took care of me and John. John had needed some stitches to the back of his head, because Joseph had hit him so hard with the gun. I was fine, both me and the baby. I was just shaken up.

Joseph's leg was taken care. He was under arrest. He was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and on an off-duty police off no less (John). He was also charged with attempted murder and kidnapping. Those charges had something to do with me.

John and I were both happy to have Joseph in jail and out of our lives until his trial. However, he would not make it to his trial, because he ended up committing suicide in jail. He left behind two notes: one to his family and the other to me. I refused to accept the letter and read it.