Chapter 2: The Beginning

2 hours earlier:

"Howard!"

"Howard, we're going to be late for mass! Look, I know you don't like it much, but could you at least go for me? Please?"

Judith Miller approached her husband's outdoor shed frustrated, her heels digging into the gravel. They were going to miss it. And for what? So Howard could pout and sit there not doing anything? Things weren't like they used to be…

She pushed on the wooden door, and peered inside. "Howard?"

"Shut it, woman! I don't even want to go! Stop badgering me!" Howard Miller growled at her from under the old 1969 AMC AMX car he was currently restoring to perfection.

"If you could just listen to me. I-"Judith said tearfully.

"I'm done listenin' to you, you hear me! All you do is nag and nag and nag at me! All day everyday day! Look, you're dealing with it your own way; let me deal with it mine!" Howard slid out from under the car and pointed his greasy fingers at his wife of eighteen years.

"But your way is not helping you, Howard! You're digging yourself into an early grave. Please!"

"Says who? Hmm? Those rich psychiatrists downtown! What do those people know about anything!" he yelled, a vein pulling at his temple in anger.

"They are professionals. They are very good at what they do" Judith responded sniffing.

"Yeah, good at taking away any peace and quiet we still have left!" he threw the wrench into the toolbox across the room with a loud thunk, scrubbing at his hands as he went.

Judith flinched, and sighed as though steeling herself against what was to come. NO. She needed to take this off her chest. Right now.

"Howard, what happened was not your fau-"

"You shut up about things you don't understand! You hear me, you stupid woman!" he screamed in her face, turning back around to face the power tool across the bench.

"But I really want to help you! Please, as your wife, I want to help! You NEED to listen to me!"

THUNK.

SRU Headquarters:

"Police Strategic Response Unit" Winnie said into the intercom, "Yes, alright. We'll have police there shortly. Thank you"

"TEAM ONE! HOT CALL! 1312 Prescott St. Caucasian male was seen fleeing the scene in a blue sedan, injured and armed. There is a victim, female from the description, possibly dying; EMS is still working on her. Check your PDA's for more information headed your way."

Sam Braddock sighed as he strapped his gear into the back of their black Suburban's. He slid his phone into his chest pocket.

"You alright, Sam?" Ed Lane asked him, brow furrowed in concern.

"It's nothing. It's just Jules isn't answering her phone. She's out eating with her brothers tonight. But she usually answers after the first call." He decided not to tell Ed about the baby. He and Jules had decided to wait to tell the team and their respective families.

"I'm sure she's fine. If she's with her brothers they're probably talking and she can't hear the phone. You know how the five of them are when the get together."

"Yeah", Sam said, "You're right. I should probably leave it alone."

Three black Suburban's seared out of the parked garage of the SRU, lights flashing, toward Prescott St.

"The subject's name is Howard Miller; the car is registered under his name. His wife Judith Miller is the woman found nearly stabbed to death in their old shed by the neighbor. He has no previous issues with the police." Winnie's voice sounded through the headsets.

"Marital spat, do you think?" Spike wondered.

"It's too early to know. Anything else, you just patch through to us Winnie", Ed said into his headset. "Alpha team: Sam, Greg and me. Bravo team: Spike, and Leah. Spike stay in the truck and secure any outside interference. Leah, you talk to the neighbors, friends, family, find out anything to help us understand the situation."

Winnie's voice was heard again, "A blue sedan was last seen crossing over into Clinton St. It fits the description of both the car and the driver. It looks like he's headed to one of the restaurants there; those are the only type of business down there. According to witnesses he just went into the parking garage for one of them about ten minutes ago…Acadia Restaurant on Clinton St. There are currently holding a five year high school reunion in one of the back rooms, and there are about fifty other guests apart from them."

"We're on our way there. Thank you, Winnie" Ed responded.

Sam froze, turning a pasty white, while clutching the seat until his fingers bled. "What? What restaurant?"

"It is Acadia Restaurant on Clinton St. It's very popular right now among with tourists and group events. Why?" Winnie replied.

Ed saw Sam's terrified face. "What? Sam, what's in Acadia? You know of it?"

"Jules…Jules and her brothers went to have dinner there tonight."