Adrian heard Leland's sharp intake of breath.
"Leland, is something wrong?" he asked
Leland paused.
"I got a text message. It said welcome to my nightmare; how does it feel?. That has to be Paul Zackary who sent the text."
The phone beeped again.
Jennifer isn't dead but she'll never be the same. What happened to her will haunt her till the day she dies.
Leland read Monk the text.
"Don't engage," Monk said, "He's trying to fight with you. He wants you to get upset."
"I am upset," Leland said.
"Block his number," Monk advised.
Leland sighed.
"Anonymous," he said
A few hours later Adrian ran into Paul Zackary.
"I know you," Paul said, "You're that cop who's friends with Leland Sh*thead."
Trudy raised an eyebrow.
"You're talking about my friend too," she said, "I suggest you don't say that again."
"Oh really? That sh*thead arrested my son, testified at his trial and now my son is dead. He was put to death. Do you have any idea what it's like to lose someone you love *itch?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"I know what it's like to lose someone I love," he said, "and do not call my wife a *itch. Let me remind you that I'm a cop and I could arrest you."
Paul gave a short laugh.
"Last time I checked it wasn't illegal to call people names," he said.
"Harassment is illegal. So is kidnapping."
"You have no proof that I did either of those things," Paul said smugly.
"You have confessed to hating Leland," Adrian argued.
"Hating someone isn't a crime either," Paul said, "See, I may or may not have committed this so-called crime but you cannot prove that I did or did not do it either way. I'm smarter than that."
He walked to his car then turned back.
"Oh," he added, "and good luck proving anything."
"Don't harass my friend anymore," Adrian said.
"I don't like this guy," Trudy said, "He seems… I just don't like him."
"I know," Adrian said, "I don't like him either."
Paul drove home smug because he knew he couldn't get caught.
The next day Trudy and Adrian started to pick out wedding songs.
"How about, 'Forever and Ever Amen' to open with," Trudy suggested.
"Perfect," Adrian said, "Can I pick the second song?"
"Of course," Trudy grinned, "What do you have in mind?"
"A Moment Like This, by Kelly Clarkson," Adrian told her, "It's perfect for us"
"I also like "All of Me," Trudy said.
"Okay my turn. How about, "I can't help falling in love with you," Adrian suggested.
"That's one of my favorite songs," Trudy replied.
"How about Everything I Do I Do It for You?"
"Great," Trudy smiled, "What about Time After Time"
"We could dance to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," Adrian suggested.
"You know what song we should start out with for the reception? GOD Bless The Broken Road," Trudy suggested.
"Okay everyone," Leland said smiling as they pulled up to the house.
He got baby Caroline out of her car seat and brought her into the house.
"Welcome home Caroline," Leland told the baby kissing her strawberry blonde curls, "This is where you'll grow up."
"Dad," Jennifer said, "Can Julie come over here? We'll be quiet I promise."
Leland ruffled Jennifer's hair.
"Sure," he said, "We'll go pick her up as soon as everyone is settled."
Karen was feeling energetic. She knew she couldn't overdo it. She had 4 children and all of them needed plenty of attention all for different reasons.
Leland's phone beeped. It was another anonymous message.
How is the little one doing?
How do you know I had a baby, Leland typed back.
You had a baby? Aw… was it a boy or a girl?
Leland felt his heart pounding in his chest.
WHO IS THIS!
It's Grace. Are you okay?
Leland sighed in relief. Grace was his older sister.
Your number came up as anonymous. It's a girl. Caroline Lisa
Wait. You and Karen actually had a baby?
Yes. Karen and I didn't even know she was pregnant until she gave birth.
How is Jennifer?
It's rough Grace. She's had plenty of panic attacks and nightmares. Also the person who took her sent me an anonymous text. He said welcome to my nightmare. How does it feel?
What a sick f***! Do you have any idea who it is?
About a year ago I arrested a young man for murdering a young girl of about 4 by dismembering her. I testified at his trial. He ended up getting the death penalty. His father was the one that kidnapped Jennifer. I'm sure of it.
So why isn't he in jail?
He's rubber. He has Rickover as his best friend.
That guy gives me the creeps.
I hate him.
Who? The guy that took Jennifer or Rickover?
Both
"Dad?"
Leland looked up.
"Hey buddy," he said to Max.
"Can I feed Caroline," Max asked, "She's crying?"
Leland looked at Karen who nodded. He settled Max down in the rocking chair and taught him how to feed the baby after Karen made the bottle.
Meanwhile Jennifer was on the phone talking to Julie.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you," she said.
"So am I. My dad said he'd pick me up after his shift."
"Cool! My dad is going to pick you up in a little while after Caroline is asleep and the boys are busy. I missed you a lot."
"Jenn," Leland called, "Come on. Let's go pick up Julie."
"Great dad," Jennifer said, "Jules I have to go. We'll be there in a few minutes."
Leland pulled up at the Decker household around 20 minutes later.
"Thank you for letting Julie come over," Mitch said to Leland, "I'll pick you up after my shift honey."
"It's always great to have Julie over," Leland replied smiling.
"Love you dad," Julie said, hugging her father goodbye.
Twenty minutes plus a quick stop for pizza later they pulled up at the Stottlemeyer home. Jennifer and Julie went inside.
"Leland," Karen said smiling, "You got pizza?"
The boys cheered.
"I know you usually don't like it when-"
"It's great," Karen smiled, "I was too tired to cook anyway."
"Come on kids," Leland called, "Dinner"
They raced into the kitchen where to Leland and Karen's surprise and delight the table was already "set".
"I setted the table," Max said.
"Great job pal," Jennifer told him.
"Yeah Max that was really helpful," Karen added.
"I'm proud of you," Leland said.
Max beamed widely.