An Unfinished Life

by Wasowski, Mary

  “I’m going in, Max.”

  “Jack, the guys are on their way. You can’t go in there on your own. You don’t know what is going through his mind right now.”

  “I have to get to Sara. Did you see what he did to that poor girl back at that apartment? I can’t wait, Max. I’ve had enough of this shit. If he’s hurt one hair on her head, he’s not coming out alive.”

  I entered our home as quietly as I could. The entire first floor was an open floor plan. There would be nowhere you could hide here, which means they had to be upstairs. I crept up the stairs in slow motion until I reached the top, where our bedroom was located. Gun in hand, I opened the door to find the room empty.

  “What the hell?”

  I searched the entire room, including the closets, and no one was here.

  “Sara!” I called out for her. I continued to scream her name until I made it back downstairs, and that’s when Max ran in.

  “Jack, you hear the chopper out there? He’s on the roof, and he’s got Sara with him. Your boy, Jacob, must have called it in. The place is surrounded.”

  “Fuck! Marino has nowhere to go now but down. He’s just that crazy to take Sara with him. I have to get up there.”

  “Jack, those cops out there are not going to let you on that roof.”

  “Max, how do you think he got up there in the first place? Use your head. The top floor leads to the roof where Sara has her garden up there.”

  “Shit! I forgot. I feel like freaking Spiderman today with climbing fire escapes and shit.”

  “I have to call Jacob, and then I’m heading up to the roof.”

  I called his cell twice before he finally picked up. His girl was whisked away by doctors, and he was still waiting to hear news. He had called the Chicago FBI Field Office after we left the apartment. He had Marino on tape, and his threat was heard by not only Chicago, but by Wade himself. He was the one that authorized the takedown of Agent Dante Marino by any means of force. What no one anticipated was Marino grabbing my wife to use as his fucking shield.

  He was cornered with nowhere to go. I reached the entrance to the roof with bright helicopter lights shining down on me. Jacob was put through to the field commander on the ground and ordered them to hold their fire and not take me out as one of the potential threats. I didn’t care what happened to me, though, as long as Sara wasn’t caught in the crossfire.

  The helicopter pulled back and scanned its lights on another area of the roof. I called out for Marino and then realized where he was holding Sara. We had a small greenhouse to one side and then a rooftop patio that covered the rest. Up here was where Sara came up with the Rooftop Burger. It was the best thing we had on our menu.

  “Oh please, God, let her be alright.”

  There was a strong smell of gasoline. The odor was stronger as I got closer to the greenhouse, and that’s when I saw Sara inside, bound to a chair, and surrounded by unlit candles. Standing by the door was Marino, who was holding a flare.

  “Jack be nimble. Jack be quick. Is Jack quick enough to get my candlestick? I used to love that nursery rhyme. I read it to my brother when he was little. When I was taken away from him, I left the book with him…you know, to remember me by until I could come for him. He was a good kid, Jack. Just fell into the wrong crowd. I tried to help him, but I was young and could only do so much. By the time I was able to, it was too late for my kid brother. He wouldn’t get off the streets, Jack. He said he was part of a family that didn’t abandon him like I did.”

  “That destroyed me, Jack. He wouldn’t listen to me, and I had no choice but to leave. But I promised to come back for him when I could take care of us both. I didn’t get a second chance with Mikey, because of you…Jack. You hurt my brother and made sure he would suffer for the rest of his life. But he didn’t have a long life, because of you...Jack. He had nothing left, so he sliced his fucking wrists to bleed out in a dirty, lonely jail cell. They didn’t find him until the next morning. He had no blood left in his body, because he bled out and died alone in his bed…because of you…Jack.”

  “I was already a cop by then, Jack, and I was powerless against you and your precious family. You mobbed up guys think you own the streets, and you have complete control over everything and everyone, but you’re wrong, because I’m the one that has all the power now, and will be the one to decide your fate.”

  He twirled the flare around his fingers, taunting me with it. All he had to do to release it would be to pull it, and my roof would go up into flames, with all of us on it. I slowly took a step closer, and he screamed for me to stay back.

  I looked over to Sara. She was so brave, not even one tear fell. He saw me and circled around her.

  “She’s so pretty, Jack, and her skin is so soft.”

  “Don’t you touch her!”

  I took a few more steps closer, and he pulled his gun on me.

  “And why not, Jack? You took my brother away from me, I see it’s only fair for you to lose someone too. I wonder if she would be appealing to you if I burn her face off. Let’s see.”

  He dragged the unlit flare across her cheeks and then her forehead. He tapped on the cap with his thumb, pretending to flick it open and activate it. Sara didn’t make a move and kept her eyes on me.

  “Please don’t hurt her. She’s done nothing to you. It’s me that you want, and I’m here Dante. You knew I would come for her, and now I’m here. So let’s do this. There is no way out for you. The only way you are leaving is in a body bag.”

  “Then I’m taking your precious wife with me! And the last memory you will have of her is burning with her flesh melting away and the piercing sounds of her cries.”

  “I don’t think so!”

  I charged at him with every bit of strength that I had to seize the flare away from him. The flare was knocked out of his hand, and we both struggled for the gun. I gained the upper hand on him and landed punches to his face repeatedly with my both of my hands until my now healed knuckles began to bleed again.

  There was movement on the roof, startling us both. He took advantage of the chaos and landed a kick to my head. By that time, Max had freed Sara and got her away from the greenhouse. I was disoriented from the blow, and that’s when he delivered another one with his steel tipped boot.

  “You’re going to die, Jack! My brother, Mikey, will finally be avenged! See you in hell!”

  The lights from the helicopter above flashed brightly down on us, and I made my move.

  “Not if I see you there first, Marino!”

  I grabbed him by his ankles to knock him down and regain my control. I was a street fighter since I could walk. There was no way I was going to be taken out by a spineless fuck who used the threat of fire to fight his battles for him. He would die by my hands tonight for ever thinking he could touch my wife and come at me. With one last punch to his gut, he fell backwards into the greenhouse, shattering the glass all around him. He was covered in glass, blood everywhere, and still taunted me.

  “Is that the best you got, Jack?” he said as he spat blood from his mouth.

  “No, Marino. I always have an Ace up my sleeve. I win.”

  The roof was filled with Chicago PD and FBI agents with guns raised and pointed directly at us.

  “I guess you lose, Jack.”

  His laugh was maniacal, but he quickly stopped when he saw what I bent down to pick up. I lit the flare.

  “No, Marino. I never lose. Tell your brother hello from me…in hell.”

  His eyes widened as I dropped the flare in the greenhouse, causing an inferno all around him. I flung my body to the nearest cover, when the entire structure burned with Marino trapped around a billowing wall of flames.

  She felt weightless in my arms when I carried her out of that hell hole Marino was keeping her in. Her one side was bruised, along with her wrists and ankles. What did he do to her? Thanks to Jack, Marino is now truly burning in hell, taking his knowledge of what happened to Minela with him.

  Th
ank God they reached Sara in time before Marino could hurt another innocent woman. Jack was confident when he set the greenhouse up in flames. He knew the design of it and how it was built. The fire only affected the structure and took out whatever was near it. The rest of the building had been secured. He took a huge chance by throwing down the flare, not igniting the gasoline cans that were nearby.

  I guess he thought he would never be free of Marino, had he not done what he did. He acted in self-defense, and other than the destruction of his own property, I doubt Jack will be held accountable for his death, not after all the evidence we had against Marino.

  I hadn’t spoken to my father since I left California, and on every channel in the waiting room was the scene from Jack’s restaurant. It hit the airwaves the minute the FBI was called in.

  “Thank you, Duffy, for always having my back.”

  He made the call before I could and got our boys down there. I reassured my father that I was safe, and when I could, I would call him back to explain all that happened. Simon and Nicolette were okay. They were laying low at their home, taking care of each other. My father said media reports surrounding Michael had only been aired a couple of times on the networks. Wade and his office were remaining tightlipped about the investigation and simply stated that it was ongoing.

  Thinking about work was the last thing on my mind. I knew where I needed to be, and that was here with Zoey. The waiting was killing me. I needed to know that she would be alright. I had so much to say to her. I needed to tell her that I loved her and wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. It was right. Every nerve ending in my body was telling me so. She just had to wake up, so I could let her in on my plans to make her my wife.

  As I ended my call with my father, two doctors were walking up to me. They looked conflicted, and my heart just sank. Please…not again.

  “Hello, Agent Paulson, I’m Doctor Evermore, and this is my colleague, Dr. Witt, who specializes in poisonous cases. Please, let’s take a seat.”

  “Is she alive? Just tell me.”

  “She is but is in critical condition at this time. We ran blood and took a toxicology panel. She had a high dose of Rohypnol in her system with a combination of Ketamine. Ketamine by itself can prove to be lethal. If she wakes up, she may experience complete memory loss or have difficulty communicating with you. The next twelve hours will be crucial. If she makes it through, then we have some hope. I’m very sorry.”

  “If she wakes up? You’re wrong, she will wake up. That girl in there fought for her life to survive. She’s strong and will come back to me.”

  I grabbed the doctor by his collar and said, “You don’t give up on her, you got that? You save her and bring her back to me.”

  I let him go with a slight shove and demanded to see her. He composed himself and showed me to her room.

  “Oh shit!” I shouted loudly.

  She was hooked up to a machine helping her breathe, tubes everywhere, and bags of medicine hanging above her. Her head had been bandaged, along with her wrists and ankles. Purplish coloring marred her beautiful porcelain skin. Her plump, ruby lips were not touched by that animal. They were still perfect. I leaned down, kissed her gently, and begged her to fight.

  “Please come back to me, Zoey. I love you.”

  Hours turned into three days, and my beautiful girl was still sleeping. Memories of the nights that we shared were a constant presence in my memory. I had no choice but to call Tenley and tell her about her friend. She then called her parents who flew out from New York to be by their daughter’s bedside. You can imagine how awkward it was for me meeting them under these circumstances. They knew nothing about me, and when I introduced myself as her boyfriend, they were clearly taken aback.

  Her father, Raymond, remembered me from working the Bornarelli case with Tenley. He was cordial with me but still guarded to why his daughter was with me in the first place. I’d seen worse and stricter fathers, so I could handle this teddy bear with no problem. I had a feeling she had him wrapped around her finger, and what Zoey wanted, Zoey got. I only prayed she would still want me when she woke up from her sleep.

  As expected, my entire family flew out to join me, all except Simon. Nicolette wasn’t cleared to fly, and he would not leave her side for anything in the world. I understood that more than he knew. Tenley and Jagger also flew out to lend their support for Zoey and me. I was so thankful to have family and friends with me. I had hurt them so much in the past with my distance, and I promised my father that I would never push them away again. They were my people who loved me as much as I loved them back. They would welcome Zoey into the fold the minute she awakened. It would probably be overwhelming for her, but once you were loved by a Paulson, you were loved for life.

  “Jacob, you look so tired. Why don’t you take a walk just to clear your head. I promise I will not leave her,” Tenley said, trying her best to get me to move, but I refused.

  “Would you leave him if the roles were reversed?” I gestured over to Jagger, who heard what I said and smiled at his wife when she looked over her shoulder.

  “No, I wouldn’t. Wild horses couldn’t drive me away. I’m sorry for pushing you. I’m just so worried for you, and for my best friend. She should be awake by now, right?”

  “Every case is different. Don’t lose faith, okay?”

  “Never.”

  Jagger held his wife in his arms, as I continued to pray that I would be able to have that kind of affection again with Zoey.

  Eight excruciating days had gone by, and still no change. Her parents remained in Chicago, taking a suite at a hotel nearby. My brothers needed to return to their teams, and I didn’t stop them. My parents also had to return home but called me every day in hopes I would have some good news soon.

  Duffy arrived late last night to lend support and to also update me on the Marino/Vanelle/St. Clair investigation.

  “I won’t leave her side!” I practically shouted at my friend.

  “Look, Jake, take a walk with me. That’s an order. You need to get out of this room, because what I have to say has to be said in private.”

  Duffy wasn’t backing down, I had no choice but to go with him. Her nurse promised me that she would not leave Zoey until I returned.

  “Make it quick, Duff. I need to get back to her.”

  “Jake, please take a breath. I love you like a son, you know that, and it’s breaking my heart to see you like this.”

  “I’m fine, Duff, and if that’s what you needed to say, then you said it. I heard all the cautionary tales from my father already. I don’t need another lecture. I have to go back.”

  “Stop! Sit down, and I mean right fucking now. If you don’t take a breath, then you are going to collapse. We should all be so wise like your father. If you would take a beat and just count to ten, you may still have a shot at living a long life. Damn, Jake, I’ve never seen you this way before, and we’ve been friends for a long time now. You need to start talking, and right now.”

  “Ugh! I’m sorry, Duff. I’m just out of my mind. I can’t believe I’m here again. She has to pull through. She just has to. I don’t think I can go through that amount of pain again. Yes, we have been friends for a long time now, and you have seen me at my worst, but this is different, man. I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling.”

  “Try.”

  “Duff, not everyone has what my brother has with Nicolette, that fairytale love story that you allow yourself into believing is possible. You hand over your heart to the one person you’ve chosen to spend your life with. And without even blinking, she’s gunned down and dies in your arms. I have carried the weight of that death for far too long now, and I just want to be free of the nightmares that replay in my mind night after night. I was completely dead inside, and when I met Zoey, her zest for life was like a defibrillator to my heart. She’s the one, Duff, and I need her to survive what that crazy fuck Marino, did to her.”

  “Jake, I hate to ask, but was she, you know
, sexually assaulted?”

  “No, and thank God. She suffered enough just being injected with those drugs and tied down like an animal. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how he was able to get his hands on her in the first place? The last time I saw Zoey was in my hotel room. She was going to shower and then leave for the condo she was staying at. After that, all communication was cut-off between us.”

  “Come sit with me. I have some things here you need to know.”

  He looked too serious, which put my overactive imagination into a deeper spiral. I sat down, and Duffy opened up a file on Marino. Pictures of Zoey, coming and going from my hotel room. An address to the condo, and picture of her getting into her rental car. Fuck! He was totally sick and out of his mind.

  I said, “He admitted to me when we talked in Wade’s office that he knew about Zoey, and I flipped out and told him to cut the surveillance on me. I had no idea that he was going after Zoey. Now it all makes sense, because the day I left her at my hotel room was the same day I had my confrontation with him down at the pier. I refused him, Duff, and then he retaliated by taking Zoey. This is my fault, all of it. I pushed him over the edge by not going along with his plan.”

  “That’s bullshit, and you know it. This guy was drowning in his own madness and doing a superb job at hiding it. Your instincts about him were dead-on from the very beginning. I’m just sorry that we didn’t see it until it was too late. There’s more Jake, much more. You know when he was taunting you about Minela? Well, that wasn’t him just messing with you. It was the real deal. He really knew who was responsible for her murder.”

  “What are you saying? Did he leave the evidence behind? Is it in this file?”

  “I’m sorry, Jake, it’s not. His home has been flipped by our team in New York. His office has been searched, as well as his hotel room back in LA. We found nothing but this letter to you.” He handed me the unopened envelope, where my name was scrawled on the front.