Innocence Taken

by Janet Durbin

  Enesco sighed. “I don't know. I guess I couldn't believe that quiet shy little boy could do those kinds of violent acts.” He sat back. “His mother moved a lot and I lost track of them. I occasionally heard about them from other people. But, when I found my current wife Gene, I quit looking. I had a new family and my political career to worry about. I didn't want something from my past to come back and bite me in the ass."

  "How do they feel?"

  "What?"

  "The bite marks covering your ass."

  Standing, the senator clasped his hands behind his back and paced around the chair to the area behind it. “I said I was sorry. If I could make it all go away, I would."

  "That doesn't help the ones he killed, or almost killed ... now does it.” Web was glad he was still dependent on the chair. If he'd been able to, he would have crossed the room and knocked the shit out of him, thus getting himself into deep trouble. He grabbed Nature's hand and held it tight. She squeezed it in understanding.

  "No ... it doesn't.” His eyes diverted toward the floor. “You know,” he paused.. “I learned his mother died at his hands. He did the very same thing to her; he killed her while having sex, making her suffer a long time before she died. Ironic isn't it?” A tense silence followed his statement.

  Nature broke the silence. She rose to her feet and extended a hand toward the older man. “Thank you for coming, Senator. I know how uncomfortable this must be."

  Enesco came around the chair and gripped her hand in his. “I'm sorry for your suffering. If I can ever do anything for you, you just let me know, okay?” He released her and walked to the glass doors. He halted next to them and added, “If you're ever in California, come by and see us. Gene would love to meet you.” He exited before she had a chance to reply.

  "Nature, Web. See you soon.” Sheriff Spangle put his hat on and followed the senator out.

  Web turned on her the moment they were alone. “What did you do that for?"

  Nature walked to the side of the wheelchair and squat down. “Web, he's suffered enough. The media's having a field day with this. They're accusing him of knowing about it all along and doing nothing. All because the killer was family at one time.."

  "Well ... he just admitted that."

  "No, Web ... he said he suspected. One can't be put away for suspicion alone."

  "But..."

  "But nothing!” She stood and placed her hands on her hips in irritation. “It's over ... move on. Don't bring yourself down by dwelling on something you can't do anything about!"

  Web stared at her in shock. He chuckled, “Man, you and Sandy are two peas in a pod. I don't know how I'm going to make it with the both of you giving me verbal whiplash."

  Mollified, Nature got up and moved to the back of the chair. She guided Web into the hall. They passed through the kitchen, heading outside to the patio. Sandy joined them.

  "Feel better?"

  "Now that you mention it ... Yeah,” Nature said with a smile.

  Web glanced up at her, “Speak for yourself, woman. I won't feel any better until this cavernous pit called a stomach is filled.

  Sandy grinned. She went inside and brought three plates out to the table. Sandwiches and chips covered each. After setting them down, she sat opposite Nature, Web parked between them. All three stared at the rays of the setting sun, admiring the beautiful scenery, eating the food in quiet contentment.. No one wanted to disturb the wondrous display with idle chatter. Sandy took the dishes inside to get drinks when everything was gone. The phone rang while she was there.. She picked it up, listened, then began to write information on a notepad next to the phone.

  Web looked over his shoulder and groaned. With the Sheriff's department, he knew what he was getting into. With this pair, he had no idea what would happen from one moment to the next. It was okay though, as long as he had Nature at his side, he could put up with anything. He turned his head toward her. “Love you, wife."

  "Love you back, husband.” The two had married while they were still in the hospital, with Sandy and, of all people, Franklin, as the persons giving them away. They had not wanted to wait until they returned to Montana.

  Sandy joined them with the drinks. She sat down to finish watching the sunset, a folded piece of paper clutched in her hand. Nature lifted an eyebrow in question. Her secretary ignored her.

  The coming darkness replaced the shades of pink and crickets sang their welcome before Sandy rose to her feet. She slipped her chair under the table and went inside. Nature jumped to her feet. In her haste to go after her secretary, she forgot about pushing him inside. He started to say something, but the door slammed shut, cutting him off. He gawked in disbelief.

  Within seconds, she returned, her face red with embarrassment. She propped the door open and nearly pitched him out of the chair trying to get him inside quickly. He grabbed the wheels and stopped her forward momentum, before she killed him. “It's okay. I'll make it. Go on ahead. I'll be there in a few."

  "Are you sure?"

  "I'm sure. Now get. Sandy's waiting for you."

  She pecked him on his cheek and darted down the hall to the study with the fireplace. He watched as she disappeared, waving. It was good to see her so alive, especially after looking dead for so long. It also felt good to have a family again, even if it involved being married to an unpredictable psychic and her strong willed secretary. He rolled down the hallway and arrived in time to hear Sandy talking about the next case, a case involving a missing man with Alzheimer's and the family that wanted him back. He shook his head and shut the door with a smile..

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Janet started writing at the young age of 42 while trying to help her son find his own words. Since then, the passion for writing has taken over. When not working as a registered nurse, she is at her computer, pounding on the keyboard, creating new worlds. On the other hand, she could be found sitting on the back porch enjoying the gentle breeze, wreaking havoc on her laptop. Her genres include sci-fi, suspense, and will soon include mysteries and a fictional work about a man having a stroke. Janet resides in the warm state of Florida with her son, furry friends known as cats, and a neurotic dog named Sunny.

  "I love to entertain the reader. I don't like to drag the story on with a bunch of pondering over lost things or things not done, or repeating an idea several times within a few pages. I like to keep the story flowing, to keep the reader wanting to see what's happening next. Yet, I had to make sure to balance the down times my characters had to have, as well. By doing this, I allow the reader time to recover before I sling them into another adventurous part of my book. When I hear people say, “You're going to go places.", “I loved it.", “When is the sequel coming? I can't wait for the next book.", and so many other nice statements, I feel like I've done my job. I've entertained them."

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