Chapter 12: Janis Family

Alex and Christy celebrated their one-year anniversary and decided they wanted to bring their families together for dinner. So, Christy's parents invited the Hawkes family over. The Hawkes family arrived and rang the doorbell. Christy opened the door.

"Mr. & Mrs. Hawkes, it is so good to see you again. Come on in." Christy invited them in. Christy's mom met them in the foyer.

"Mom, this is Cody and Jennifer Hawkes, Alex's parents and Hailey, Alex's sister. Mr. & Mrs. Hawkes, this is my mom, Helen Janis. My step dad is around here somewhere." Christy said.

"It's my pleasure to meet you," Helen said. "Christy why don't you show Mr. Hawkes to the BBQ and introduce him to your step father," Cody, Christy, and Alex walk outside to the BBQ. Hailey and Jennifer stayed with Helen and went to the kitchen.

"It's our pleasure to meet you as well. You have a very lovely home," Jennifer said.

"Christy, said the two of you just got married over the summer," Helen said.

"Yes, we did," Jennifer said.

"Did the two of you date long?" Helen asked.

"We had bit of an unorthodox dating life," Jennifer explained. "I have known Cody since I was twelve. We lost touch for many, many years and got re-acquainted a little over a year ago. And things just happened."

"So, what does your husband do for a living?" Helen asked.

"He is one of the High Mountain Rangers," Jennifer said.

"I thought you lived up in the Mountains?" Helen asked.

"We did, but when we got married, we decided to move to town. I wanted Hailey to go to school with kids her age and Alex wanted to go to high school," Jennifer explained. "Cody had been a High Mountain Ranger years ago and worked for them here and there since."

"Which law enforcement agency are they out of?" Helen asked.

"They are considered Federal Officers, but more on the level of search and rescue," Jennifer explained. "So, what does your husband do for a living?"

"He is the head security officer of the High Saloon Casino." Helen said. "Do you work as well?"

"Yes, I do office administrative work for the High Mountain Rangers. Your husband's job sounds impressive. Do you work?" Jennifer asked.

"No, I take care of the family. Kevin's job keeps him busy enough." Helen said. "Ranger's must run in the family."

"It does, Cody's father started the rangers, his brother is a former commander, his sister-in-law also worked there, and both their kids are rangers now."

"Wow, it sure is in the family gene pool." Helen said and Jennifer agreed. "My husband's family are mostly police officers, but in Florida."

"Momma, you used to live in Florida." Hailey piped in.

"Oh, that was a long time ago sweetie."

"Which part of Florida are you from?"

"Hmmm… Miami area." Jennifer said softly.

"Oh, that is where my husband's family is from.

Jennifer just thought about the name Kevin Janis, and she realized she knew that name. That man was part of Roy's precinct and sometimes he worked closely with Roy. Jennifer was in a panic.

"Is something wrong Jennifer?" Helen asked.

Jennifer tried to compose herself and took a deep breath. "No, I am fine."

Just then Cody and Kevin walked into the kitchen with dinner.

"Dinner is ready," Kevin said. Then he saw Jennifer standing there. He recognized her right away and Jennifer recognized him as well. Neither said a word to the other.

"Kevin this is my wife, Jennifer and my daughter Hailey," Cody said.

"Nice to meet you Kevin," Jennifer said with a smile.

Cody could tell something was up with Jennifer and Kevin's reactions to seeing each other. Since Jennifer pretended not to know him, Cody figured he would wait to talk to Jennifer when they were alone. Both Jennifer and Kevin pretended to have an enjoyable time at dinner, despite the tension between them.

"Helen, where is your bathroom?" Jennifer asked.

"If you go back to the foyer and take the hallway down to the second door on the left," Helen said.

"Thank you," Jennifer excused herself and she headed to the bathroom. Jennifer walked through the hall way carefully looking into each room and making sure no one was following her. She came across Kevin's office. She quietly, quickly, and carefully started going through files in his cabinet and desk. She was not sure what she was looking for, but there had to be something she could find.

"Find what you are looking for Jenny?" Jennifer looked up to find Kevin standing at the door. "We need to talk, but not here. Come alone to my office at the casino, tomorrow at eight a.m.. Do not say a word to your husband or your husband will find out what type of person you really are," Jennifer tried to leave the room, but he grabbed her arm and squeezed hard, "eight a.m. or you will be sorry."

"You're hurting me," Jennifer pleaded.

"I will more than hurt you, if you do not show."

Jennifer broke free and walked to the dining room, she took a deep breath to compose herself before she entered the room. "Helen, it has been a wonderful evening, so nice to finally meet you and your husband. We think the world of Christy."

"We think the same of Alex," Helen said. Kevin came back into the room.

"Crisis averted. Just a drunk bachelor party," Kevin said.

"They always cause issues," Cody responded. Jennifer squeezed Cody's hand to give him the single, it was time to go. "We should get going. Get this little one to bed," Cody gave Hailey a side hug.

"We will have to do this again," Kevin said. "I would love to see how the Rangers work."

Cody nodded, "Any time." With that the Hawkes family got up and said their goodbyes.

"I was right, it was her, isn't it?" Helen asked.

"Yep, you are right, I will let Roy know, he will take care of her," Kevin said.

Hawkes family arrives back home. "Hailey, get your PJ's on and I will tuck you in soon." Jennifer said. Hailey ran upstairs. "Alex, did you have a nice time?"

"Yes, very nice. Mr. Janis always has a lot of interesting stories to tell. He was a police officer out east before he moved here."

"Do you know why he relocated?" Jennifer asked.

"I have not been able to totally figure it out. Christy told me bits and pieces. Sounded like there were some issues in his old precinct. Some shady business was going on there."

"Do you know how long ago he left?" Jennifer asked. Cody was quietly watching Jennifer and trying to figure out how she knew Kevin Janis.

"Well, Christy's parents have been married about 5 years. Her parents may have met in Las Vegas." Alex said. Jennifer started unloading the dishwasher. "Oh… I just remembered he was a police officer in Miami before he moved here." Jennifer dropped some of the dishes she was putting away. Cody noticed Jennifer's reaction. He knew from that Jennifer knew Kevin from the Miami Police Department.

"Shit" Jennifer said. She grabbed her hand as she cut it on one of the dishes she was picking up. Cody went over to her to look at the cut on her hand.

"That looks deep," Cody said. "I think you might need stitches."

"Cody, it is not that bad, really."

"Jennifer, you need to get it checked out. Just humor me. Call me over protective husband. Let me clean up the rest of the pieces and I will take you to urgent care." Cody quickly cleaned up all the broken dishes. "Alex, don't stay up too late."

Cody led Jennifer out of the cottage. Jennifer continued to protest. Cody helped Jennifer into the truck, they started to drive away. But instead of going to urgent care he pulled into the ranger station.

"Cody, why are we stopping?" Jennifer was confused.

"Jennifer, you are right, it is not that bad. Let's go in and get it cleaned up. Then we need to talk. You need tell me how you know Kevin." Jennifer looked at Cody. "I can read you like a book. You can hide it well, but you have been trembling since you saw him."

Cody opened her door and escorted Jennifer into the ranger station. Josh had the evening duty. "What are the two of you doing here on your night off?"

Cody grabbed the first aid kit and motioned for Jennifer to sit down at the second desk across from him. "Jennifer and I needed to talk away from the kids, and we are going to need your help looking into the background of a Kevin Janis." Josh looked at the two. Cody was very serious looking, and Jennifer was quiet. Cody was cleaning up Jennifer's cut. She was jumping with the pain, but not making a sound.

"Who is Kevin Janis?" Josh asked.

"He is head of security at High Saloon Casino, Christy's step father," Cody said. "And former Miami police officer." Josh looked at Jennifer. Jennifer kept looking at Cody. Cody finished bandaging Jennifer's hand. When he finished, she placed her hand in her lap and looked down. "Jennifer, you know Kevin from the Miami police department, don't you?"

"Yes," Jennifer answered and looked up at Cody.

"When you went to the bathroom at the Janis house? Where did you go?" Cody asked.

"I… I was trying to find his study." Jennifer said.

"Did you find it?" Cody asked, Jennifer nodded yes. "What were you looking for?"

"I am not sure, I guess anything about his old precinct. Anything that might show what they did."

"Jennifer what else aren't you telling us?"

Jennifer looked from Cody to Josh and back to Cody, "Kevin caught me in his office."

"Jennifer, what happened?" Cody looked worried.

"He wants me to meet him in his office at the casino at eight a.m. tomorrow," Jennifer said.

"And if you don't?" Cody asked concerning.

"He said… he said my husband would find out the type of person I am, and he would more than hurt me if I did not show, "Jennifer said with tears coming down her cheek.

"What does he know about you?" Cody asked.

"I don't know," Jennifer shook her head. "I told you everything. I have been trying to wrap my head around it. I can't think of anything."

"Well, you are not going," Cody said sternly. Josh just sat there listening.

Josh said. "Let me investigate his background and his police record. Can you watch the radio for a bit?" Cody nodded yes.

"Jen… what can you tell me about Kevin?"

"Cody, I really don't know. Kevin worked in the same precinct as Roy. He would work with Roy here and there."

"How long did you work at the Police Station?" Cody asked.

"About three years," Jennifer answered.

"Do you think they could have used your credentials for other things?"

"I don't know, maybe."

"I don't want you to be alone with that man," Cody said sternly.

Josh came back into the room. "Well, I did not find much about Kevin Janis. He left the Miami Police department about eight years ago. He was in Vegas for about two years as deputy assistant to the head of security at one of the Casinos. Then he became the head of security at the High Saloon Casino in Tahoe. His record from the Miami police department was clean, no blemishes. Jennifer did Kevin work with Roy?"

"Yes, from time to time," Jennifer said.

"Did they work on the case of your former employer?" Josh asked.

"I don't know. He did not work in the office like Roy did, but I don't know beyond that." Jennifer said.

"Jennifer you are not going and that is final." Cody responded.

"Cody," Jennifer pleaded.

"What?"

"I would like to hear what he has to say. I don't want to wait for the other shoe to drop." Jennifer said. Cody looked at Josh.

"She has a point. Maybe best to just get it out there. He does not know me; I could stay close to Jennifer at the casino." Josh said.

"No, I don't want Jennifer near him and that is final," Cody commanded. "Thanks, Josh, for the research, I think we should get going."

Cody and Jennifer left the ranger station and got into the truck. "Jennifer, I love you. I do not want you to get hurt again. Sorry if I sounded angry. I just want to protect you. You are everything to me."

"Cody, I won't go if that is what you want," Jennifer said.

"I will take the kids to school in the morning. I need to talk to Alex. I don't want him to go to the Janis's house or be near Kevin alone either." Cody said.

Cody took the kids to school the next day. He dropped Hailey off and before he dropped Alex off. "Alex, last night something happened."

"What dad?"

"Jennifer knew Mr. Janis from when she lived in Miami. Kevin was a police officer and worked with Roy. Last night he threatened Jennifer. Don't say anything to Christy, but I don't want you to go to their house again or be alone with Mr. Janis. I don't know what he has on Jennifer, but she is scared."

"Dad, I understand," Alex said. "Can we talk more about it tonight?"

"Yes, have a good day at school," Cody said. With that Cody left and headed to the Casino.

Jennifer was getting ready for work and heard a knock on the door. She opened the door. "What did you forget this time?" Jennifer said. Only to see it was Kevin and he pushed his way into the cottage.

"I knew you would tell your husband about our meeting. I watched this morning and saw he was taking the kids to school. Too bad he left you home all alone."

"What do you want with me?" Jennifer asked terrified, she slowly moved away from him.

"I made a call last night to my old precinct. What did I find… My old friend is dead. You're a clever thing, getting that ranger to kill your husband. Then you move on to the first guy you meet."

"What are you talking about. Roy was about to kill me; he nearly beat me to death." Jennifer tried to explain.

"That little girl, she is Roy's isn't she. Certainly not your husband's daughter. She looks a bit like him too." Jennifer just looked at Kevin and he continued, "Did he know? I am sure his parents would like to know they have a grandchild."

Jennifer did not say a word.

"Roy was obsessed with finding you. We both got close to getting you a few times. I got tired of his obsession and left. He told me that you took all the evidence he had from the evidence locker? Where is it?" Kevin demanded.

"I gave it to Roy; he burned it in a fire… Whatever is left is in the hands of the FBI I think." Jennifer stumbled.

"Stupid woman. I told Roy he should have killed you after the trial and made it look like a suicide. Then if anything came of it, it could all be blamed on you and your death would have been your confession. But he craved you and did what he pleased to you. He loved being rough on you and he bragged what he would do to you." Kevin kept moving closer and closer to Jennifer. She was back up against the wall. Jennifer was breathing hard in fear. "If anything happens to me, the evidence I have on you will come out. You will be sorry as you will spend many, many years in jail. Probably the rest of your life. You would not see that little girl grow up."

He hit Jennifer in the face knocking her down to the ground. "I can see what Roy liked about hurting you. Roy told me once if I got you, I could do whatever I wanted to you. When he would tell us what he did to you, I would fantasize on what I would do. So, let's have some fun." Roy pulled out a knife and knelt beside her.

"No, please no," Jennifer cried out. Kevin ran the blade across Jennifer's arm and cut her, Jennifer screamed in pain. Bosco came running into the room and attacked Kevin. He dropped the knife as Bosco got hold of his arm. Kevin fell backwards and Bosco got between Kevin and Jennifer. Bosco continued to bark and growl at Kevin.

"You got lucky this time, but I will find you again. And about your daughter, I think her grandparents would like to know about her. I am sure they will visit soon." Kevin ran out of the cottage.

Jennifer pulled herself up and sat in the corner of the floor. She found a towel and wrapped her bleeding arm in it. Then Jennifer picked up Kevin's knife and held it ready to use it. She was visibly shaking. Bosco stayed close to Jennifer.

Cody arrived at the casino only to find that Kevin was not there and was not even expected to come in that day. Cody tried calling Jennifer on her cell, home phone and her office phone, but got no answer. He then called Josh. Josh picked up, "Cody, good morning."

"Josh has Jennifer come in yet. I can't get ahold of her. I am at the Casino and Kevin is not here."

"Cody, she is not here," Josh said.

"Josh, can you get to the cottage."

"Leaving now," Josh hung up. "Jasper come with me," Josh grabbed a couple of rifles and handed one to Jasper. The two men ran out of the ranger station and ran to the cottage. They carefully opened the door with guns ready in case Kevin was still there. They found Jennifer on the ground shaking. They could tell she had been slapped around a bit.

"Is Kevin still here?" Josh asked. Jennifer shook her head no. The two men came into the cottage and put their guns down. "Jennifer it is okay, you can put the knife down now." Jennifer, with her hands shaking, put the knife down on the floor next to her. "Did Bosco chase him away?"

Jennifer shook her head and said, "Yes."

"Good boy, you deserve some extra treats today." Josh rubbed Bosco's head. "Jasper, can you get some ice for Jennifer and maybe something to clean the cut on her arm."

"Sure thing boss," Jasper said.

Josh got his phone out and called Cody. "Jennifer is at the cottage, looks like Kevin slapped her around a bit, she has a cut on her arm, she is shaken up, but okay otherwise. Kevin is gone."

"I will be there in a couple of minutes. Can you stay with her?"

"Of course." Josh hung up. "Cody will be here soon. Before we move you, I want to get some pictures in case anything comes up later. Are you okay with that Jennifer." Jennifer shook her head yes. Jasper took a few pictures. "Why don't we get you up by the table so we can look at that cut." Jasper and Josh helped Jennifer to the table. Jasper handed her the ice and Josh started to clean her wound. "It does not look deep. I think we can just use tape to stitch it up. Have you had a tetanus shot recently?"

"Yes, I had one last year," Jennifer answered. Josh continued to close up the wound.

Then Cody went running into the cottage. "Jennifer are you okay." He knelt on the ground before her. Jennifer hugged Cody and cried. "I am so sorry, I never thought he would come here. What happened with Kevin?"

"He wanted the evidence I gave Roy. I don't know if some leads it back to him. He said that if anything happened to him the evidence, they have on me would come out and I would go to jail. He had called the old precinct and found out that Roy was dead," Jennifer said. "He figured out Hailey was Roy's daughter. He said he was going to tell Roy's parents they were grandparents. They don't like me much. They probably try to take Hailey away from us."

"Jennifer they can't take Hailey from us, you're her mom."

"Cody, you don't know them, they would."

"Cody, I will cover you today," Josh said.

"Thanks Josh," Cody said. Josh and Jasper left for the ranger station. Cody held her in his arms and Jennifer told Cody the rest of what Kevin said. Jennifer was hysterical and Cody just tried to calm her down and reassure her.

School was over and Cody picked up Alex and Hailey. He was able to pick Alex up first. "Dad what is wrong, shouldn't you be working?"

"Kevin showed up at the cottage today and beat Jennifer up a bit. She is a bit shaken up.

"Dad is she okay. What did he want?"

"He was looking for the stuff she gave to Roy."

"Dad, Christy was not in school today. I've tried texting her and did not get a response."

Then they picked Hailey up at school, "Hi Daddy, where is momma?"

"She not feeling so well. She is over at Aunt Robin and Uncle Matt's house."

"Why is she there if she is sick?"

As they pulled into Matt's house and before they went in. "Hailey your mom was attacked today. Someone beat her up a bit."

"Who would want to hurt my mom?"

"Very bad man. Her face is bruised up a bit, but she will be okay."

"Did they catch the guy that hurt her?" Hailey asked.

"No, but we know who he is, and it is matter of time before we find him," Cody said.

Cody, Alex, and Hailey walked into Matt and Robin's place. Haley ran to her mom and hugged her. She cuddled on the coach with her.

"Hailey, I am going to be okay."

"Matt, Alex said Christy was not in school today. Do you mind coming with me and seeing if they are still there," Cody said.

"Sure, I think we should go armed," Matt said.

Cody nodded and pulled his gun out.

"Robin, we will be back in a bit," Matt said.

Cody and Matt show up at the Janis's house. The front door was open, so they carefully walked in with their guns out. They walked around and there were no signs of the Janis family. They were gone. Matt and Cody went to the casino, and discovered Kevin had removed his stuff and was gone.