He jerks into consciousness rather abruptly. He sits up on the couch. He looks around the room, and realizes that the girls are with Amanda. His breathing slows, but his heart continues to beat at a tachycardic rate. He gets the distinct feeling that he is being watched. He stands up, vacating his seat on the couch. He turns around, and heads towards the sliding glass door. He sees something move out of the corner of his eye. He reacts quickly. He pushes the picture on his wall aside, and keys in the combination to his wall safe from memory. He removes his firearm, and closes the safe. He pushes the door open, and takes a step forward. The air is moist, and the rain falls from the sky in a slow drizzle. He looks past the swing set. He flips the outdoor motion light on. He takes another step, and notices a shadowy figure crouched down next to the slide.
"This is private property," he calls out, "protected by Glock."
The figure rises, and moves towards the fence. He races towards the fence. The unidentified person summits the fence before he can make it across the back yard. He doesn't catch a glimpse of the person's face. He can only see their back side. He turns around, choosing not to pursue the figure. His mind quickly flashes to his daughter's fate if he is gunned down by a mysterious trespasser. He heads back inside, telling himself that it is probably some kid up to no good. He locks the door behind him, and returns his gun to its resting place in the safe.
He returns to his spot on the couch. Within ten minutes he has returned to a state of drowsiness. He has just dozed off when he hears a knock at the door. He sits up, and heads to the front door. He sees flashing lights through the window. He peeks out the window, and finds a police cruiser parked at his curb. He crosses the room, and reaches the door. He looks out the peephole, and finds a uniformed officer at his door. He unlocks the bolt, and pulls the door.
"Can I help you, officer Davis?" He questions recognizing the officer as a neighbor from down the block.
"Hey, Fin, sorry to bother you so late."
"What's up?" He questions, staring at the young officer.
"I just got off shift. I was on my way home," he explains.
"And you thought you would stop and offer your assistance with decorating for the girl's birthday party? Or, maybe you're here to arrest a pair of twin terrorists, and take you with them for the night."
"Are your girls home tonight?"
"No, they're with their godmother."
"Good."
"Joe, what's going on?"
"Like I said, I was on my way home. I was driving down the street, and I saw someone hurdle your fence. After hurdling your fence they ran across the street, and nearly got hit by my cruiser. Do you know who it was?"
"I couldn't see who it was."
"Is anything missing?"
"No. I assumed it was just some neighborhood kid up to no good."
"I apprehended the suspect."
"Was it a neighborhood kid? I kind of figured it was the Thompson's kid, Charlie."
"No. It was not."
"Where is he now?"
"The back of my cruiser, but…"
"Joe, you can let them go. I am not going to press charges, for trespassing."
"Fin, I think that you should come with me to my cruiser."
"Why?"
"Because the suspect claims to know you."
"Then why didn't they knock on the front door?"
"I'm not sure, but the suspect did admit to trespassing."
"So you're going to drive all the way back into the station to make them sit in jail for the night on a charge that is going to be dismissed in the morning?"
"Fin, it's after six o'clock in the morning."
"Oh, I guess I didn't realize."
"I wasn't planning on driving into the station."
"Why are you here?"
"The suspect had no identification, and refused to give a name."
"Joe, maybe it was just a homeless person looking for some shelter from the rain. The girls have a warm, dry playhouse in the backyard. I wouldn't be surprised."
"I don't think she's homeless."
"She?" He furrows his brow.
"Yes. Like I said, she claimed to know you."
"But she wouldn't tell you her name?"
"No. She resisted arrest, and said that it was a misunderstanding."
"Is that so?"
"She also begged me not to tell you."
"Why did you bring her here?"
Joe shrugs, "Honestly, sir, I'm not sure. My gut said something wasn't quite right. Also, I feel like I know her from somewhere, like I've seen her before, I'm just not sure where."
"Can I talk to her?"
"Be my guest," he nods in agreement.
Fin follows officer Davis to his car. Davis pecks on the rear, passenger's side window. He pulls the door open. Fin can't see much in the backseat of the dark car. The suspect leans forward against the back of the seat. Her hair covers her face. Fin squats next to the car.
"What are you doing trespassing on my property?"
He elicits no response. He reaches up, and attempts to push her hair out of her face. A hand wraps around his wrist.
"Let go," he insists.
After a few seconds, and careful consideration she lets go of his wrist.
"Let me see your face!" He barks.
She leans back in her seat, and his heart skips a beat.