by Joannie Kay
"I feel like I created this problem just by opening the door to my apartment that day," Kari admitted.
"You drew Darles' attention because you are young and beautiful, but he was already being investigated, Kari. You didn't cause this problem." The dogs suddenly started barking again. "Go and hide, Kari, while I see what is going on."
"Kelly, I just can't do that! If it is Darles and his men, you'll need my help."
"If it is Darles, I want you to stay hidden. Now go!" she ordered in a sharp tone, and then purposely softened her tone to add, "Seriously, Kari, it's probably Nevin, or Jake... If you aren't where you are supposed to be, we are both going to get our tails busted."
Kari decided that Kelly was right. Her backside was much too sore to contemplate another spanking so soon. She said a prayer that it was either Nevin or Jake, and hurried to do what Kelly said. It wasn't long before Kelly came to get her. "It's Nevin," she whispered, and then put her finger over her lips to remind Kari to keep her silence about the baby.
"I'm glad to see you are doing what you're supposed to be doing, Kari," Nevin said solemnly. "Jake will be pleased."
"I promised I would," she said, more than a little relieved she'd trusted Kelly's instincts. She didn't want to be responsible for getting Kelly in trouble, not only with Nevin, but with Jake, too!
"Yes, I know you promised," he looked at her and then at his wife. They were up to something and he just knew it. It showed off of both of them. His experienced eyes went over the room, taking in every detail. He couldn't spot anything that would tell him that they were plotting mischief. The only thing it appeared he'd interrupted was their knitting, something Kelly had wanted to learn to do for a couple of years now.
"Kari's cell phone rang," Kelly reported. "We didn't recognize the number."
"You didn't answer it, did you?" he demanded, positive that he'd finally discovered what they hadn't told him earlier when he called.
"No, of course not!" Kelly replied indignantly. "I know better than that!"
"Okay. Good. Let me write the number down and run a check on it," he said. Kelly handed him Kari's cell phone, and he quickly looked up the number and was surprised that the call just happened a few minutes before he arrived. Kelly hadn't hid it from him. He looked back over other calls and there weren't any that he needed to be concerned over. Kelly was a good police officer, and it wasn't like her to withhold information, and he was relieved that she wasn't doing so now. Still, something wasn't 'right', and Nevin knew it. Once he was finished with checking out Kari's cell phone, he handed it back to Kelly and then asked, "Is there anything you two ladies need?"
"No, we're just fine, babe," Kelly answered with a smile. "Are you staying the night?" she asked hopefully.
"I wish I could, but things are hectic on the Darles' case. Nevin filled them in, and Kari gasped in dismay when she learned that Jenna was also being targeted by the criminal. "Kari, Jake is about as stressed as a man can get right now. It would be a very good idea for you to do exactly as he told you and not give the man any guff." His voice was firm as he delivered his warning.
"Nevin, why are you scolding Kari? She hasn't done one single thing to deserve it," Kelly defended her friend. "She has done exactly as I instructed, and I don't understand why you sound so accusatory right now." Kelly's eyes were full of surprise, and there was a hint of temper in her eyes.
"I'm just concerned, Kel. I want to keep both of you safe," he admitted sheepishly. "I am sorry, Kari. I didn't mean to sound like I was scolding you."
"We aren't going to get into any mischief out here, Nevin," Kari promised. "Kelly and I have discussed all sorts of plans for 'just in case'. We don't want to upset Jake... or you. We'll be fine."
"I wish I could believe that," he stated, looking from one to the other. "Please, both of you, be cautious."
Nevin headed back to town, his instincts screaming at him and telling him the two women were definitely up to something that he and Jake wouldn't approve of. Surely his wife wouldn't agree to lure Darles out to the farm, thinking she could take him into custody without back-up? No, Kel wouldn't defy orders. It would cost her her job... and he'd spank her until she couldn't sit down for a month of Sundays for risking her life like that! But, they were up to something! He just didn't know what... yet!
* * *
"It's the Lieutenant," Officer Aiken called from the foyer.
Jenna visibly relaxed until she saw the expression on Jake's face. He didn't waste time saying 'hello', but started the interrogation, "Jenna, are you positive your window wasn't unlocked?"
"Positive, big brother. I live on campus, remember, right off a wooded area walking path. What is the one thing you stressed to me every day and night for at least a month? 'Make sure you keep that window closed and locked, Jenna. It's too easy for someone to climb inside your room without being seen.' I never leave the room or go to bed that I don't check that window, especially after Deborah was abducted. I do listen to what you tell me, Jake," she said so sincerely that he had to smile at her.
"That's good to know, honey," he admitted. "I really think the school should install bars on those ground windows," he grumped.
"It would feel like I was living in a prison if they did that, Jake. I just make sure to keep it locked, and the habit is so instilled that I'm sure to do it here at home, too."
Jake nodded, and then took out his cell phone and pressed a couple of buttons. "Officer Greene, would you go and check out my sister's room. I particularly want to know if her window is locked. Be careful entering, just in case Darles or his men are hiding inside. I don't think they would do that, but it's better to take precautions. Call me back," he ordered.
"Ma, are you sure the front door was locked before you found it unlocked?" he turned his questioning to his sweet little mother.
"I wasn't the last one to leave, dear; Jenna was. I thought she was the one who left it that way, but I took precautions, just in case. I looked through the house, and nothing was missing or out of place." She reached up and patted Jake's face, "Don't worry so, sweetheart. I'm not stupid, and I was cautious."
"Ma, any time you come home to an unlocked door when you know it should be locked, you should call me and have me come and check it out for you. It's my job as a Police Officer, and my duty, responsibility, and act of love as your son to do so."
"That is so sweet, Jacob. I'll remember that the next time," she patted his cheek once more. "Are you hungry, dear? I made plenty of this stir fry," she told him, hurrying to take out plates and serve the food while it was steaming hot.
"I could eat, Ma," Jake admitted with a smile before he looked at Jenna. "Honey, are you positive you locked the front door when you left?"
"Yes, same reason as before, Jake. I remember testing the door knob to make sure it was locked, and I used my key to lock the deadbolt. I also checked this back door," she told him, and Jake promptly went over to try the door. It wasn't locked!
"Damn it." His cell phone rang as he was making sure to lock the locks on that door as well. "Tobias," he growled.
Jenna felt sorry for the person on the other end of the call. Her brother was in a very testy mood, and she had yet to live through a 'discussion' with him on the subject of guns.
"Son of a bitch!" he muttered under his breath. "Lock it, Officer. I'll station someone in the room. I don't want any of the other kids who live in that dorm put at risk. I want you to move Deborah off campus and into a hotel suite, someone inside her room and with her at all times, someone just inside the door to the suite. I'll send some help."
"Darles was in my dorm room?" Jenna asked fearfully.
"Yes. The door was unlocked; your window unlocked, too." When her eyes filled with tears he said, "We'll catch him, honey. In the meantime, you have to promise me that you'll do as I tell you."
"I will, Jake. I am in over my head, and I don't blame you for being so upset with me. I was unbelievably foolish to think I could take on Darles."
"Yes, you were," he nodded, but then added, "Your heart is in the right place, though, and I respect that you want to put the bastards away for what they did to Deborah. But, you can't just shoot them, sweetheart, not even if you're licensed to carry a concealed weapon."
"Shooting is too good for those men, Jake," Jenna's dark eyes flashed angrily as she jumped to her feet to put her hands on her hips. "I want them to go to prison, and I hope they're raped over and over while they are there! They should suffer exactly what they put Deborah through," she burst into tears, and if Jake was surprised when Linc pulled Jenna into his arms to hug and comfort her, he didn't let on.
"Jenna, dear, sit down and eat something. Food always helps," Molly insisted, and was well aware that her children looked at each other and smiled the moment they thought she wasn't looking. She knew they thought her a bit silly at times, but that was okay. Food prepared with love always helped, no matter what the situation. "Sit down now," she said firmly, placing plates on the table. "You too, Linc. You saved my daughter's life and that makes you family."
"Thank you, Mrs. Tobias," he said politely.
"Call me Molly," she insisted. "While we eat, you can tell us all about your family and where you come from."
Jake knew he should probably rescue the young man, but if he was right about things, Linc was already under Jenna's spell and would actually be family when the time was right. His Ma certainly thought so, and she knew these things. Jake decided that Linc was a good man, better than some of the flakes that Jenna had dated in the past. He'd personally scared off a couple of those, and Jase took care of another one that he knew was doing drugs. They weren't about to let Jenna marry someone who wasn't right for her. Linc would be 'right'. He had a good record with the department, and Jake had studied his personal file before assigning him to guard his little sister. He wasn't about to risk putting her with just anyone!
"We still need to discuss this gun situation, little sister," Jake said when they were nearly done eating.
"I have every right to carry a gun, Jake. I did it legally, and I took classes to make sure I know how to safely handle a gun." Kelly had been planning her defense for the last couple of hours.
"Honey, I don't like the fact you have a gun. It's not safe to have them... A criminal could take it from you and shoot you with it," he said. "Or, God forbid, someone you love could show up late at night, and you would get frightened and shoot them. I've seen a lot of cases that support this!"
"And those are the ones you hear about, Jacob. You don't come in contact with all the gun owners who are responsible citizens. And, I will remind you, Jacob, that the right to bear arms is given to all citizens in good standing." Molly was defending her daughter.
"Ma, you can't honestly want Jenna to carry a firearm?" Jake looked at his Mother in surprise.
"Lieutenant, you're walking into a trap," Linc whispered as quietly as possible, trying to warn the other man. Molly was a sneaky woman!
Jake looked at Linc, trying to decide what he meant, but the warning came too late.
"I think Jenna has every right to carry a firearm, and since she went about it responsibly, I have no problem with her wanting to protect herself."
"Ma, what if...?
"Jacob, you are jaded because of your work. Do you honestly think that every person who owns a gun is foolish and likely to shoot without a damn good reason?"
"No, but..."
"But nothing." She got up and took her gun out of a cabinet and brought it to the table. "This has been in my possession since your father died, Jacob. I learned to use it so I could protect all of you in case someone decided a widow with small children was an easy target. I've never fired it in anger, and have never once took it out without a good reason. I go to the shooting range at least once a month to stay in practice. I have a license to carry a concealed weapon, and I kept it put up so my children couldn't touch it. Not one of you knew it was in the house... and I dare you, Jacob, to tell me that I have been irresponsible!"
Jake looked at his sweet little Ma in shock! Once he recovered, he stood up and said firmly, "Okay. I want to see your paperwork, Ma. Yours too, Jenna. You'd both better hope to God that you aren't lying to me."
"You would arrest me, Jake?" Molly looked at him in disbelief.
"I might not go that far, but I swear Ma, I'm going to find a husband for you that will give you a sound spanking! You are out of control!" he stated.
"I'll find my own husband, thank you very much!" she retorted and went to her purse and returned with her permit.
She also handed him another card, and he was surprised to learn his sweet little mother was rated as high as he was in proficiency with a weapon. He looked at Jenna's next, and it was in order, too. She had proof of her classes, too. He shook his head. "I'll admit I'm not happy that you two have armed yourselves, but legally, I can't put a stop to it. As myself, though, I wish you'd reconsider."
"No," Molly said firmly. "I might remind you, Jacob, I am still the mother in this family and I am in my right mind and capable of deciding what is right for me. I have only used this gun once... well, twice now," she looked at a grinning Linc. "The first time to keep from being attacked. I held that bastard at bay until the police arrived and arrested him. Do you think I would have stood a chance at fighting off a two hundred pound man without a gun, Jake?"
"When did this happen, Ma?" Jake was furious at the thought of his Ma in danger.
"You were about ten years old, honey. It happened at the restaurant. I was in there alone, doing some prep work for the next morning, and he sneaked in the back door and I had my gun in my pocket. He cried like a baby when he thought I was going to shoot him."
Jake simply hugged her tightly, his emotions in turmoil. "Okay, Ma. I'll keep my peace. You did just fine. I love you," he whispered.
"The second time I pointed my gun was at Linc earlier tonight. He came in the house ahead of your sister, to make sure it was safe. I didn't recognize Jenna at first because of all the makeup and the fact she was dressed like a hooker, and I called him out."
"You were being cautious ma'am, and when I identified myself, you didn't shoot me," Linc grinned at her. "I would have done the same in your circumstances," he added.
"Ma!" Jacob looked at her in exasperation. "A husband is what you need, and once I catch Darles, I'm going to find a man for you... and make sure he believes in spanking!
Chapter Eleven
Quincy Darles was furious. His whole operation was at stake because of that bitch Deborah, and the fact that her best friend just happened to be the sister of a cop. He was going to take her back, and Jake Tobias' sister, too. That little bitch needed a lesson and he was going to see to it she got it. And, Tobias' pretty wife was going to be his, too, as was the lady cop he had protecting her. He would take all four women and hustle them out of the country before Tobias knew what hit him. Mock him, would he? He'd see the bastard pay.
Darles gathered his men into one room and gave concise orders. He wanted all four women alive, and he would personally skin alive the man who harmed any one of them. Two brunettes, one redhead, and a blond who would need very little training to have her on her knees begging to be used over and over again! Once Darles pulled this mission off to his satisfaction, he and his operation would move elsewhere. Killing Jake Tobias would be too merciful for the man. Letting him grieve over his wife and sister and fellow police officer would be a punishment to live with for the rest of his life.
* * *
"This hasn't happened before," Kelly told Kari with a weak smile.
"I've heard that nibbling on crackers before you get out of bed in the morning will help," Kari told her friend. Kelly was sitting on the floor in the bathroom and she looked positively ill.
The dogs started barking furiously, and Kelly tried to get to her feet, and that set off her nausea again, and she grabbed the toilet and was ill. "You go and hide," she gasped.
"No," Kari said firmly. "I'll see what is going on. I'm
armed."
"Kari, no!" Kelly tried to argue, but was retching again and felt helpless.
Kari went and looked outside. She didn't recognize the car, but she did recognize the young woman getting out of the passenger side door. It was Jake's sister, Jenna! She opened the door and stepped outside to call off the dogs.
"Get inside the house now, Mrs. Tobias!" the young man said firmly, rushing Jenna up the steps and pushing them both inside the kitchen. "Where is Officer Wintrow?" he asked with a frown.
"Lighten up, Linc," Jenna bossed. "Kari is your boss' wife, you know," she reminded him, and then said, "Kari, this is Officer Linc Aiken. He's my body guard," she added glumly. "Are you doing all right?" she asked politely.
"I'm all right, Jenna. I heard about your close call. I'm so sorry if I put you in danger," Kari said guiltily.
"Jenna put herself in danger, Mrs. Tobias," Linc said firmly. "Where is Officer Wintrow and what were you doing answering the door?" he demanded once again, and it was easy to see that he was not a bit happy with her.
"Kelly is ill," Kari said. "Please come in and have a seat, and I'll fix us all some breakfast after I check on Kelly."
"If she is ill, she should have called in for a replacement," Linc stated forcefully, taking out his telephone.
Kari took the phone from his hand. "You just mind your own business, Officer Aiken." Her green eyes flashed fire at him. "I mean it. This is none of your business, and if you call Jake to tattle, I'll... I'll... I'll do something awful to you! I promise I will!" she threatened him, then carried his phone off with her to check on Kelly.
"Oh that was great, Linc," Jenna laughed. "I've never seen Kari go off like that at anyone. Of course, I barely know her, but she doesn't like you at all!"
"I'm not here to be liked, but to protect you and Kari and Kelly," Linc said. "I wonder why she doesn't want me to call in for a replacement for Kelly?"
"I don't know," Jenna shook her head and then got to her feet. "I'm going to put on a pot of coffee. I need a cup, and so do you. You're grumpy in the morning," she accused.