by Annie Bruce
“Well, lie down and keep your eyes open and look up at the stars.” Maggie pointed towards the ceiling above his head and the glowing stars left over from their interest in astronomy.
“That star?” Joey pointed to a different one.
“Yes, Joey, that one,” she agreed, eager to get them to sleep and call the good detective.
“What about me?” Even though he protested about joining in from the very beginning, it was worse for Jacob to be left out.
After Maggie showed him a star to look at she quietly left the room to retrieve Detective Morris’ business card. Both his desk and cell phone were listed. Placing the card on the kitchen counter she tidied up a bit then went upstairs to check on her boys. She needed them asleep before she called -- the less interference the better.
Both were sound asleep and looking like angels. It was the only time they did. Maggie missed the peaceful moments when they were babies and she could hold them in her arms and stare at them while they slept. Sighing she pulled herself away. Reluctant to leave their sides she crept from their room and turned towards the stairs holding her breath.
Back in the kitchen she grabbed the card from the counter and picked up the portable phone. As she took another deep breath and started to dial she looked out the full-length window and found a face staring back at her. The stranger’s eyes bore into her as if he could reach through the panes of glass and touch her. Her hand went limp with fear, the phone dropping to the floor making a deafening sound. Time lost all meaning as Maggie stood frozen in fear.
Morris returned to the station with more questions than answers after his visit with the one and only Maggie Faraday. He really didn’t have a case. Not yet. He just knew he wanted to explore the possibilities some more. Or was it Maggie Faraday he wanted to explore!
He couldn’t just walk into the Captain’s office and say, “Look I want to impress this woman who insists that her friend didn’t really commit suicide but was murdered instead. There’s no real proof yet, just her gut feeling and her insistence that she knows he would never have killed himself. But she is very pretty and I’d really like to do this for her and get to know her better.”
No, Morris couldn’t very well do that.
“Morris, if you want something, speak up. Nobody can understand your mumbling.”
Geridano’s voice boomed behind him. An uneasy feeling crept over him, suspecting that Geridano was following him. The timing of Geridano’s departure and arrival back at the station was just too coincidental for him to ignore and his gut told him not to.
Bingo! Maybe Maggie was telling the truth. Cops weren’t the only ones with good instincts. Still he needed solid evidence to convince the Captain to go forward with the case. Picking up the phone he dialed the county coroner.
“Coroner’s Office, Jeff speaking.”
“Jeff, this is Detective Morris with CPD, District Eighteen.
“Yes, detective, what can I do for you?”
“You have a deceased by the name of Owen Cassidy. I was wondering when he was brought in.
“You mean the old rich guy on the news?”
“That’s right,”
“Mr. Cassidy didn’t come here, Detective. Nope he definitely didn’t come here. I would of remembered.”
“Do you know who handled the body?”
“Don’t know, Detective. Never heard of Owen Cassidy before today. But we certainly don’t have him here.”
“Okay, where else would a body go in your area?”
“Well, that’s just it. All suspicious deaths and suicides for Cook County must be autopsied here.” Morris could hear the clicking of fingers on the keyboard on the other end. “Let me look it up in the database.” He was beginning to really like helpful Jeff.
“Sorry, detective. That case is marked RESTRICTED.” Jeff’s voice sounded surprised. Morris learned long ago that clues came in many forms - a change in one’s voice often said more than words.
“Restricted, what does that mean?”
“You’ll have to talk to the Coroner, Mr. Barnes.”
Ready to ask to be put through to Mr. Barnes, Jeff cut him off, “and he’s not available right now.”
Something wasn’t right but he knew pushing too hard up front would only make it harder to get information later on. Another thing he learned along the way.
“Okay, well, you’ve been very helpful. Thanks.” Letting the receiver drop in place he leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head with a renewed sense of purpose.
“Hum. Very interesting. Very interesting, indeed.” This time he didn’t care who heard him. He had a case!
Chapter 5
Maggie hadn’t realized she had screamed until she heard a very frightened voice behind her.
“Mommy, Mommy, what’s wrong?”
Through her sea of fear, Maggie heard Jacob call her mommy. She turned to see him standing in the kitchen doorway, tears streaking down his cheeks.
That did it. Nobody harmed her boys. The protective mother in her took over.
“Where’s your brother?”
“He’s still asleep.” Jacob’s own voice was still groggy from his nap as he tried to rub away his tears.
“Who’s that?” Jacob pointed to the retreating figure now walking casually towards the street.
“I don’t know honey.” She held him tight. “Come on. Let’s go check on your brother.”
“What’s wrong Mommy?”
“It’s going to be okay, honey. I promise.” It was a promise which she hoped she could keep.
Joey was still asleep and she was reluctant to wake him as comforting one traumatized child was enough right now. The house was locked up tight, something she was always careful about. Growing up in the city taught her that.
“Stay here Jacob with your brother.”
“Where are you going?” Jacob clung to her.
“To get the phone. I need to call someone.” She tried to reassure him, Detective Morris’ card still clutched tightly in her hand.
“The police?”
“Yes, honey, I’m going to call the police. Now you stay here in case Joey wakes up. I’ll be right back.” Maggie’s heart ached at the fear in his eyes. She’d never seen that before. Not even after the divorce.
“I don’t want you to go.” He held on even tighter.
“I know sweetie, but I’ll be right back. I promise. I’m just going to my room to get the phone.”
Fear still emanated from his eyes.
“I’ll tell you what. Put your headset on and listen to your tape of mommy’s voice. That way you won’t wake Joey and you won’t miss me, okay?”
When Maggie was out of town or boys were with their father they could listen to pre-recorded messages and stories she had made just for them. She never dreamed they’d be used for calming a terrorized boy after someone nearly broke into their home.
With Jacob settled, she left the room with all the calm she could muster then bolted down the hallway to retrieve the phone. She quickly dialed Detective Morris’ phone number and got his voice mail.
“Damn!” She punched the end button on the phone and waited anxiously for a new dial tone. Her hands were shaking. She fumbled the first two attempts, cursing madly. Dialing his cell phone number she gripped the mobile phone in her hand.
One ring, two rings, three rings. “Answer, answer, damn it!”
Another ring then, “Detective Morris.”
Maggie never felt so relieved to hear someone’s voice.
“Detective Morris, this is Maggie Faraday.”
Traveling in his unmarked vehicle along the typically congested and noisy main artery of Chicago Morris almost didn’t hear the faint voice of his caller.
“Why are you whispering?” he lowered his own voice.
“There was this man,” she choked up, “and he was staring right through my window,” then a sob, “and he, he–,” her voice broke.
“Calm down Maggie,” Her first name slid
easily off his tongue. “I’m on my way. Now tell me exactly what happened.”
“My boys, I have to get back to my boys.”
“Okay, Maggie, here’s what I want you to do.” His voice was authoritative but in the most soothing way possible. “Take your phone and lock yourself in a room with your boys. I want you to stay on the line until I get there.”
Silence.
“Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now go on and let me know when you’re locked in the room with your boys.”
Morris turned on his light, but no siren, and maneuvered his vehicle easily through the streets. He wasn’t far away, already on his way to her house when she called.
“Okay, we’re locked in the bedroom.”
“Mommy, who are you talking to?” A sleepy voice sounded in the background.
“A nice policeman honey, now come over here,” her voice was calmer now.
“Why are we doing this?” The same sleepy voice asked and Morris had an image of a young boy rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“Mommy saw someone who didn’t belong near our house and called the police. Remember what I taught you about strangers doing things and being where they don’t belong?”
“Yes.” It was said through a large yawn.
“Can I talk to the policeman?”
“No, honey. This isn’t a game but he’ll be here soon and you can meet him. Okay?”
Morris listened wistfully to the exchange between a concerned mother and her children as he neared her neighborhood and then her house.
“Okay, Maggie,” bringing the conversation back in focus. “I’m in front now.”
Daylight still lingered as Morris turned off his vehicle’s flashing lights. Modern technology allowed him to keep Maggie on the line while he exited his vehicle – an ear piece equipped with a miniature microphone were barely noticeable, his hands were free to draw his weapon.
“I’m going to walk around towards the back and make sure everything’s okay. Stay where you are and keep the line open.” When she didn’t answer, “Maggie, is everyone okay?”
“Yes, we’re okay.”
“Maggie?”
“Yes?”
“I won’t say anything until I’m done with my search, but I can hear you, okay?”
“Yes.”
“Now just settle in and I’ll be with you soon.”
“Okay.”
“Mommy, what’s happening? Did he catch the bad man?”
“Not yet, honey. But we’re safe now.”
Hearing those words touched a part of him he had buried long ago. A temporary joy rushed through him knowing that he made them feel safe. Then it quickly passed knowing it was something he couldn’t always do with his own children.
Continuing his walk along the perimeter of the house he shook off the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, needing to stay focused. He swept a second time for any other evidence he may have missed.
Nobody was lurking in the bushes but he already knew he wasn’t going to find anyone. They normally didn’t stay around once alerted that the police were called.
At the front of the house, he noticed a familiar unmarked police car negotiating the bend in the road. Geridano!
“Maggie, I’m at your front door. Let me in.”
“Okay,” her voice almost childlike. Fear did that to grown-ups.
“Stay on the line and let me know when you’re ready to open the door.”
Prepared for anything, he stood to the side and drew his weapon.
The door handle moved slightly alerting him to her presence on the other side.
“I’m at the door and I’m going to open it now,” her voice still tentative.
The sound of a dead bolt sliding across its casing told him what he couldn’t see. As the door handle continued to turn he braced himself for any sudden moves. The door was now ajar, the safety chain still connecting it to its frame as a frightened pair of green eyes peered around its edge.
“It is you.” The door snapped shut and he heard metal slide against metal.
“It’s really you!” She threw herself into his arms and began to cry.
“Where are your sons?” With his hands on her arms he put some distance between them and steadied her.
She pulled back, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Here.” Armed with baseball bats and toy swords, they stood behind the door ready for action.
“Let’s go where we can all talk.” He looked her in the eye. “Somewhere comfortable.”
“In the living room.” She wiped the remaining tears from her face with both hands, sniffling in the process. Wanting to wipe her tears away himself he held back. He didn’t know her well enough to touch her in that way. Not yet.
“Hmm, yes, we can go into the living room.” She turned to her two ready soldiers. “Come on boys. This nice detective wants to talk to us.”
He felt a tug on his coat.
“Do you really carry a gun?” A curious expression now replaced the almost frightened one he had seen just moments ago.
“Jacob!” His mother admonished him.
Morris signaled that it was okay. “Yes, son I do.”
“Can I see it?”
Morris bent down until he was eye level with the boy who was still armed with his bat.
“Jacob?”
“Jacob Faraday!” He said it loudly, strongly as if he’d practiced for such a moment.
“Well Jacob, maybe your mom can bring you to the station one day and I can show you some police equipment in a safe way.”
He looked disappointed.
“But right now, we want to make your mom feel better. Don’t we?”
Standing up, Morris choked back his emotions and looked up to find Maggie studying him intently. Their gaze locked for a brief moment in time. Breaking free of its intensity he followed her into the living room. It was warm, cozy and inviting – charming and feminine just like its owner.
“Please, have a seat.” Maggie pointed to an oversized couch that looked comfortable enough to sleep on.
“Come on boys. Over here with me.” She patted the cushion of another couch that didn’t look nearly as comfortable.
Out of habit, he reached in his pocket for his notebook and pen. “Okay, tell me what happened.”
“Well, mommy screamed and I came down stairs to make her safe.” Jacob straightened his back as he responded.
“Tell me, Jacob, what did you see when you came into the kitchen?”
“Mommy dropped the phone and I saw a man run over there.” He pointed towards the window for emphasis.
“Anything else, Jacob?”
“Well, then we went upstairs and played protect the fort.”
He looked at Maggie, her eyes still glistening with tears.
“Thank you very much, Jacob,” offering his hand to Jacob. “This helps me a lot.”
Pride beamed from the young man’s face as he reached up to shake his hand.
He turned to Joey, who was glued to his mother’s other side.
“Can you tell me anything?” He tried to make eye contact with the boy whose only response was to bury his face in his mothers embrace even more. He was the spitting image of his brother, but clearly more of an introvert.
When the boy didn’t answer he tried a different approach. “Joey, isn’t it?” looking up at Maggie who nodded. He had to drag his eyes away from hers – she looked too vulnerable, so afraid.
He wanted to grab her in his arms, stroke her hair and tell her everything would be okay because he’d be there by her side. The sensation of where her body touched his as she opened the door and hurled herself against him still caused his skin to tingle. He knew her reaction was due to her fear but he had welcomed it just the same.
“Okay, Joey. Did you see or hear anything?”
Joey shook his head and pushed himself even further into his mother’s side, his face buried in her clothing. How Morris envied him.
“Okay, Joe
y, that tells me a lot too.” Morris turned to Jacob knowing that he was definitely the more dominant brother. “Jacob, I need you to do something very important for me.” Jacob straightened from his seated position, eager to be in charge.
“I need you to take your brother Joey upstairs while I talk with your mom.”
“Okay.” Jacob bolted off the couch and turned towards his brother. “Come on Joey. We have a mission.” Joey reluctantly left his mother’s side
Maggie stood and lovingly shooed them from the room, leaving him to watch as she gently guided them up the stairs.
At the top Jacob turned, “Can we leave the door open?”
“Of course,” her voice was soothing in the way only a mother’s voice could be. She waited until they disappeared into their room.
He took advantage of the time to study her features, her lovely shape and body. She had beauty, class and style. He only hoped she’d be willing to let him soak some of that up when this was all over.
“Let’s sit down.” The distance between them engulfed the room. Clasping her hands tightly together she looked down at her feet.
“I’m sorry I embarrassed you earlier,” she whispered.
He was taken aback. Is that what was bothering her? If only she knew how good she felt next to him, how happy he was that she did throw herself into his arms, wishing she’d do it again.
“I wasn’t embarrassed.”
She kept her head down.
“I’m just glad I could get here when I did.” His voice was deep and soothing, wanting more than anything to reassure her.
When she finally looked up, the light glistened off her eyes.
“Me too.”
He fought against all the strong sexual urges that this woman invoked. Her vulnerability was like a magnet for him as he struggled to remain objective and professional.
“Okay, Maggie, now it’s your turn.”
Sitting on her hands, she rocked back and forth. He watched as she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and settled her body. When her eyes opened she was back to being the composed woman he had met earlier that day. “I’m ready.”
“Take your time,” his voice calm, reassuring, “as much as you need.”