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by Gianna Boiani

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

  "Julie, this lunch is delicious!" Jacqueline said as Julie gave her an appreciative smile.

  "I'm glad you like it," Julie said. The two friends were sharing lunch at Julie's house. John and Todd were working and the children were back at school. "Just twelve days until the wedding! Are you excited?"

  “I am. It should be a wonderful day. Extended forecast says sunny, 66 degrees."

  "Oh, that's perfect. Cool, crisp. But not too chilly. I can't wait!" Julie said. "How's the baby?"

  "Excellent. He likes to dance whenever I play music loudly. He dances around like a little jumping bean."

  "He?" Julie asked.

  "Um...yeah. I'm kinda siding with John on this one. I'd like a son. I do think Todd would be great with a boy."

  "Ha ha...okay, just don't let John know. He will tell you it was his idea first and gloat."

  "Really? Is John a gloater? He doesn't seem it," Jacqueline said.

  "Well, he is, in a very playful, innocent way. He likes to tease. He teases everyone and he is very competitive."

  "Yes. He and Todd go at it pretty well. It amazes me. That's how men bond. We, women, are so different," Jacqueline said.

  "Yeah, most women tend to do that kind of stuff behind each other’s backs instead of to their faces, that's the difference."

  "Yeah, you know, you are right. We are much more passive aggressive. You just made me uncover a new respect for men," Jacqueline said.

  "Yeah well don't give them too much credit. They still screw up the important stuff like leaving the seat up, leaving their socks all over the house and they make a mess of the kitchen when they cook," Julie said.

  "As I have been exposed to these issues recently, that's the truth, Julie, that's the truth," Jacqueline said.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO

  On his first night off in a long while, John walked into the Alibi. He waved to Red at the other end of the bar and sat in his usual seat. Red grabbed a Brooklyn Ale, popped off the cap, and placed it in front of John. "Hey Red, how’s my favorite Irish bartender?”

  "John, how goes the struggle?"

  "It's a struggle," John said. “How about you?”

  "I'm still here. We never know when that will no longer be true so we need to cherish every day that we are,” Red answered

  "You know, you are pretty wise for a broken down bartender," John said.

  "Why thank you...I think." They both had a chuckle at that.

  “Red, did you play any football? High School? College?"

  "No, I can't say that I have. I got involved with a bad crowd at an early age. Drugs. Alcohol. Bending the laws. That's how I ended up with this gig as my career."

  John looked at Red like he was digesting that information and could see Red's life course play out in his mind. "I understand," John finally said.

  "Why do you ask?" Red said.

  "It was my first love. It’s an incredible sport. I've learned more life lessons from the game of football than anything else. It taught me how to be a man. How to accept responsibility. How to have discipline. Responsibility and discipline for your teammates and for yourself. There is no other sport that requires the teamwork of football. Not one. No one, not one player, can be successful at their craft, at fulfilling their responsibilities without the full dedication and competence of his teammates."

  "Sounds like you have played your share of games my friend," Red said.

  "I did. One occasion comes to mind. High school. I was a junior at Mansfield High. We were playing our rivals on a Saturday night. It was the last game of the season. Everything was on the line. I was a wide receiver. We were down six with 1:43 left in the game. We started the drive on the two-yard line. One timeout left. We drove all the way down to their ten-yard line with two seconds remaining. Coach called, "one back, power left, pro right, Z slant”. I was the "Z" receiver. Their defense had been in a cover two dime zone defense the whole drive, which leaves a small gap between the corner, linebacker, and safety if you run your route correctly. Then, of course, the throw has to be perfectly placed and timed. I found the seam turned, and the ball was on me, a great throw. I caught it, bounced off the linebacker on the one-yard line, and fell into the end zone while getting sandwiched between the safety and cornerback. Touchdown. Our kicker, nailed the extra point to win the game. That play took forever in my mind. Time slowed to a crawl. I remember every moment. Making my cut, seeing the ball in the air, looking it into my hands, taking the huge hit and holding on, not just for me but for my teammates, coaches, and fellow students. I know it was only a game, but there was a much deeper meaning at work. It was a lesson that you can use for anything that arises in your life. Making that catch that night so long ago was pure, clean and primal. There was and still is nothing complicated about it. See the challenge. Meet the challenge. We, as a team, worked together to do just that. The greatest feeling in the world is accomplishing something that you previously thought impossible. We did it that night. Together. It's euphoric. I still have dreams about it. Football taught me that if you do not give up, that feeling can be yours. I never forgot that."

  "That's a great story, John. Those lessons are still used to guide you through life?" Red said.

  "Absolutely. Hey if I didn't have these memories, I would still be here, doing what I am doing today, but I'd be different. I would be a different John Corbin. Those experiences built my foundation as to who I became as a man," John said.

  "I totally understand and you are correct. I mean, look at me. Having a drinking problem at such a young age set the foundation for me to be a bartender." With that, the two friends had a hearty laugh together.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

  July 22, 1988. Seattle, Washington

  John Corbin was a rookie cop on the Seattle Police force. He had responded to a call about a disturbance on his beat. Unbeknownst to John, someone had taken a young woman hostage in an apartment complex on the top floor. John walked up to room 412 and knocked on the door. "Help!" he heard followed by a muffled smack and, "Shut up bitch!" John pulled his gun and kicked in the door. He saw, straight through the living room on the balcony, a silhouette of a man holding a woman at gunpoint. John quickly moved behind a wall. "Sir, drop the gun!" John yelled.

  "I am going to kill this bitch and then jump. Leave pig!" This was the first situation that John had encountered which was more serious than the usual traffic violation or minor domestic disturbance. He had been on the beat for only a month and now he was being thrown straight into the fire. John called it in. Dispatch informed him that backup including Detective Johnson was on his way, but John didn’t think that he could wait. This man was dangerous and on edge. "Sir, please let the girl go. You and I can handle this."

  "Why would I do that? I want to send a message to all of the people that disrespected me, laughed at me and treated me like shit. Taking her with me will do just that."

  "Sir. Let her go and take me instead. What better way to make a statement than to take out a cop? I'm putting my gun down. Let her go and I will come forward to you."

  John was surprised to find the perp accept his offer. He let the girl go and John took her place. He pulled John to the edge of the balcony, to the increasing gasps of the growing crowd below. "I have to give you credit copper, you got guts," the man said as he put the gun to John's head. "But why?" he asked. "Why would you give your life for another?"

  "Reasons I'm sure you would never understand. It is my duty and who I am," John said. The perp gave a little sly smirk like he thought John an idiot and pushed the gun against John's temple. A shot rang out into the warm, humid, summer, Seattle air. John opened his eyes and was shocked to discover he was still alive. The perp had fallen down on the balcony with a lone gunshot wound to his head. John turned and saw Detective Johnson lowering his weapon. "Damn, rookie, you have on you a pair of brass balls. You saved her life, son. Good work."

  "Yeah and you saved min
e," John said.

  "Maybe, but what you just did is the kind of thing that gets remembered on this force. I won't forget it." Detective Johnson would become captain within three years.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

  Javier awoke to a crisp, cool, overcast night. He was nude, with his hands tied behind his back and his legs tied firmly together above his ankles. Javier was groggy and had no recollection of the sequence of events that brought him here, to this place and in this situation. As his senses slowly returned, so did the pain from the multiple cuts on his body that were bleeding profusely. As his brain became more coherent, panic started to overtake him. He heard a noise and looked

  around to take in the landscape and locate the source of the sound. He was laying in the tree line of a wooded area. In front of him was a large field escalating up a hill. Now, coming over the hill was a sounder of wild boars. Slowly, Javier realized what was about to happen. The pack came charging over the hill as one, smelling the fresh blood which had puddled under his body. As the beasts moved in closer they slowed and became a bit cautious. Javier, though weakened by his loss of blood, was in full panic mode now, frantically struggling to free himself from his binds. The first few boars that reached him started sniffing and snorting around him. Once they realized there was no imminent danger, they started licking up the blood that had drained from his body. Then they began to chew on him, starting at the wounds, opening them wider with every bite. The full pack was on him now, devouring his flesh. Javier screamed a loud and frantic scream that pierced the night, and called out for help. Ironically, he even begged God to save him, but there was no God to save Javier Mendez on this night. There was a loud crack as one of the largest boars took Javier's skull in its powerful jaws and crushed it like a walnut shell, ending Javier's life. As the pack cleaned his body to the bones, fifteen innocent spirits looked down on the feast with joy in their hearts. Fifteen pure, youthful spirits, taken before their time, now felt the revenge that they deserved, finally setting their souls free. Free to rest in peace forever...

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE

  It was a Thursday afternoon, both partners had taken the two days leading up to the wedding off. John had treated Todd to lunch and now they were at the shooting range. "How's Jacqueline?" John asked.

  "She's doing well considering the amount of stuff on her plate." "Is she more excited about the wedding or the baby?" "Definitely the baby. At first, she seemed nervous but I think your

  lovely wife had a talk with her about motherhood and calmed her nerves. Now her motherly instincts seem to have taken over," Todd replied.

  “Julie is an amazing mother. I watched and admired her as she nurtured our children from birth," John said.

  "I am really grateful that she is in our lives and can help Jacqueline through this," Todd said.

  John's phone buzzed. "It's a text from Captain Johnson," John said as he read...

  I hope you two are enjoying your time off. I want to inform you that human bones were uncovered at a wild boar farm between Everett and Arlington yesterday. We took DNA samples. They matched our cannibal, Harvey Mendes. It's over. Someone got to him. We do not know who, how or why yet. There is no data or any clues that connect this to our vigilante, but we will continue to investigate. I will see you two on Saturday.

  "Todd read the text on your phone," John said.

  When Todd finished reading he looked up at John and said, “But who?"

  "God knows he has affected many lives with his evil, could be anyone, a relative of a victim, maybe."

  "I would have liked to cuff him myself when I had the chance but at least he is gone, no longer able to harm anyone," Todd said.

  "We played a part in that," John said.

  "You are right. Either way, the world is a safer place today." “Exactly. Now you can hand your sack over to Jacqueline

  Saturday with a clear head," John said.

  "At least my sack still works, old man," Todd said.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX

  "Do you, Jacqueline, take Todd to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

  "I do."

  "Do you Todd, take Jacqueline to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

  "I do."

  “Todd, you may now kiss your bride." Todd bowed his head and kissed Jacqueline to the cheers and applause of their families and friends. As the happy couple went to take pictures, the guests preceded to the reception for cocktails. The wedding was held at Canterwood Country Club in Gig Harbor. John grabbed drinks for him and Julie and sat down at his table. "Oh John, it was so beautiful. I'm so happy for them."

  "It was perfect," John said. A couple that looked to be in their fifties walked over to their table.

  "Hi, John, Julie. I am Jim Nash, Jackie's father. This is my wife Claire, Jackie's mother."

  John stood up and shook Jim's hand. "Hello sir, you have a wonderful daughter. Congratulations."

  "Thank you. We are so proud of her. She talks about how marvelous you two are all the time," Jim said. Claire now spoke while looking at Julie. "I want to personally thank you, dear. You have made such an impression on my baby girl. She tells me how you have helped her through the pregnancy."

  "Oh, it is my pleasure, Mrs. Nash. She is a wonderful girl and a dear, close friend to me." At that moment the coordinator asked for everyone to be seated so that the emcee could announce the arrival of the newly married couple. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I now have your attention as we welcome the new Mr. and Mrs. Todd and Jacqueline McGrath. Please join me in congratulating the happy couple."

  Todd and Jacqueline walked into a loud applause as tears streamed down Julie's face both in happiness for Todd and Jacqueline and in remembrance of that moment at her own wedding and how she felt that day over a decade ago.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN

  Blessings were stated, the first dance concluded and now dinner had begun. In his mind, John was going over the toast he would soon give as the best man. He wanted it to be perfect. John wasn't much of a speaker in front of a crowd, being an introvert, but he relished the opportunity today to say some things about his friend and his new wife. A few minutes later the coordinator of ceremonies stood up and announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. The best man would like to now say a few words."

  John stood and after a short applause started. "Firstly, I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Nash and everyone else who has helped in the service and this lovely reception. I have known Todd for only a short while in the grand scheme of life, but he has quickly become a dear friend and a respected, trusted partner. He has grown before my eyes and Jacqueline has helped in that growth. Since he has met his lovely wife, he has been happier, more energetic, easier to talk to and more responsible and mature in the way he acts and lives. I know now that it was a direct result of having Jacqueline in his life. You meeting each other is a gift to be forever cherished and remembered. Marriage isn't about finding a person that you can live with, it's about finding the person that you cannot live without. Here's to Todd finding that person. I wish you both the best of luck and a life together filled with health, happiness, and joy. Congratulations to Todd and Jacqueline."

  This brought a standing ovation from all of the friends and family of the bride and groom. When John sat down Julie put her hand over his and said, "Honey, that was beautiful. Thank you."

  "What are you thanking me for?" John asked.

  "For letting me see that sensitive side of the man that I fell in love with still exists. I love you."

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT

  Dinner had concluded and the dancing and partying had begun. Todd and Jacqueline were back on the dance floor as the band kicked the tempo up a notch. John and J
ulie soon joined in as did Captain Johnson and his wife. John cut in and danced with Jacqueline. "Your toast was beautiful John. Thank you."

  "You’re welcome, Jacqueline. I meant every word. You mean the world to him. Always remember that, even when you incur rough times."

  Jacqueline turned her head up to John and smiled. "I'll do my best," she said. Everyone continued dancing, drinking and talking. A wonderful time was had by all. Todd cut the cake and served it to all of his guests. After more dancing and drinking the time had come for the last two songs. The band played a heart-wrenching version of ‘Stand By Me’ followed by an explosive version of ‘Don't Stop Believing’ for the final song. The coordinator then invited everyone outside to see the newly married couple off. People were blowing bubbles, throwing rose petals, lighting sparklers and blowing noisemakers. Todd and Jacqueline waved to all of their friends and family, kissed one last time in front of the crowd, then climbed into their limo to start their lives together.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE

  Silas sat at his desk at work with a copy of the Seattle Times opened in front of him. He had skimmed over the news, read the obituaries with a bit more attention, then he came to the wedding announcements. He recognized the face as soon as he saw it. Todd McGrath and his new wife. His new pregnant wife. Jacqueline. Silas stopped reading, reached down, opened up his desk drawer and grabbed his scissors. He proceeded to cut out the wedding posting. "Now, Todd. I did not realize that you had such a beautiful girlfriend. Oh, excuse me...wife. Good for you my friend," Silas said out loud to himself. He would take the posting home and tack it up onto Todd's board. The board that now contained a picture of Todd and any and all information that Silas had learned about him. Silas stood the wedding picture up against his monitor and kept his eyes on the lovely couple as he leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. A small, sly smile had appeared on his lips. A smile that would be present for the remainder of the day.