“You look a little pissed, Mrs. Talon,” he said. She half snarled and held up her hand with her forefinger and thumb a centimeter apart.
“Want to go for some ice cream?” he asked out of nowhere. She stopped facing his truck as he stopped. She put her hands on her hips looking at him in his truck.
“Are you kidding?” she asked startled. Her anger had slowed with this new strangeness.
“Ice cream. It makes everybody feel better. Didn’t you know?” he asked with a devastatingly charming smile.
“Good idea Mrs. Talon. You should go for ice cream,” said a woman’s voice behind them. Blossom turned. A black-haired lady was standing there.
“Huh?” said Blossom.
“Really, you need to calm down and ice cream will work. I have a car that will follow you and your neighbor. I also like your other idea,” she said.
“Which one?” Blossom asked. Lisa was just looking back and forth between them in confusion.
“I am Detective Granger,” said the black-haired woman. “I have been assigned to your case. If everything I hear is right, then you putting yourself out there as bait is bound to work. I was right behind you both when you left the other house. I heard your whole plan. I tried to get your attention but you were busy arguing.”
Now Lisa and Blossom looked at each other, then back at the detective. Blossom could see the badge on her belt.
“You think my idea is good?” she asked, surprised.
“Yep. While you are at the ice cream place I would like to go through your house and get acquainted with the exits and layout. That sort of thing. Do you mind?” Blossom shook her head and tuned back to Bret.
“I guess we are going for ice cream, Mr. Nichols. See you in a little bit Lisa. Hang tight, I will be back.”
Lisa grumbled as Blossom got in Bret’s truck. As they pulled out she heard Lisa.
“Get me a shake!” she shouted. That was the final straw and Blossom began laughing, then Bret did. Right after he leaned over and kissed her. She leaned back and sighed. Life was weird, she thought.
***
Blossom Strikes
Everything was set as the sun went down. Detective Granger had come up with a great plan. At least Blossom thought so. Well, Blossom, Bret and Mack did. Granger’s bosses were not wild about it and neither were the other MPs, but since no one had been able to catch Markus, it was allowed to proceed. Lisa had been particularly upset about it until she got to play a part. Then she was all in. So Blossom was waiting in her own house with Detective Granger drinking coffee.
“I have to say you are a brave woman Mrs. Talon,” the detective told her.
“No not really. I am just too angry to care anymore,” said Blossom.
Granger smiled. “Same thing,” she said. “So your neighbor, Bret, is it? He seems fond of you.”
Blossom was startled. Then again they could be waiting all night and they had to find something to talk about.
“Maybe,” was her reply.
“And you, are you fond of him?” she asked.
“Maybe,” Blossom smiled.
“I thought so. I am pretty good at reading people. He is a good-looking guy. He has an exemplary record. Something of a war hero. He could be a good catch,” she said. Blossom started laughing. After a second so did Granger.
“Sorry, this one-on-one thing is not my field of expertise. I am better with bad guys,” she admitted.
“Ok then, what do you think about this Markus punk?” Blossom asked her.
“My personal opinion is that he is what you have been told except something worse,” she said simply.
“Meaning?”
Meaning that yes he is probably a sociopath, but he has gone down a dark road for his age. Did you hear about his school incidents?” Blossom shook her head.
“Only that there were some. I think the officer was trying to spare me,” she told her.
“Okay. I think you are tough enough to know, and you deserve to know. Dead animals turned up in places he liked to frequent. Class gerbils. Neighbors cats and other assorted pets. None of it could be laid directly on him, it seems likely that those dead animals were dead because of him. He likes to kill, Blossom. He fits the profile, and I fear he is on the edge of becoming a serial killer.
“It is rare to catch them this young. It is the only reason I would put you in danger. This is not some angry kid out for revenge. This kid needs to be stopped now because if he is not, years down the road, he could start killing people and like now, he won’t stop.”
Blossom stared at Granger, thinking about what she had said.
“You don’t seem very scared,” said Granger.
Blossom shrugged.
“Not much scares me anymore. I mean I am not stupid. I know how dangerous Markus could be and I guess there is some fear, I just don’t let it rule me.”
They sat in silence for a while. Sipping coffee and listening to the jazz music Blossom had on low.
“So, are you sure the others are safe?” she asked the detective. That was one fear she did have. Fear for others.
“Yes of course. All of the possible targets, except you, are by now in another state. I don’t care how good he is, he cannot find them in less than a week. Nope, you are the dangling bait. By now he knows you are here and that Lisa is there. Like I said, you are the primary. You were the only one who has stopped him and you did it twice. Once on the playground and once at Kelly and her daughter’s house. You are what needs to go. In his twisted mind, once you are gone he can get the others. Why wouldn’t he think that way? The authorities have had no luck his whole life. Only you have stopped him.
“That is why the press release said it is believed that he is dead or lost in the woods somewhere. We want him to think the hunt is going on out by Canyon Road. Actually one is going on out there right now, for appearances. He got away though. Between tonight or tomorrow he will show, I am sure of it.”
Just then, Granger’s radio beeped. That meant Markus had been seen nearby. Blossom and Detective Granger looked at each other. They braced themselves and went to their positions.
Blossom went out into her back yard. It was hot in the house. As she stepped out she heard a voice.
“You are a dumb bitch, you know that right?” said the fifteen-year-old voice of Markus.
“Markus McCoy,” she said to the thin youth. She reached over and turned on the patio light. His shadowy figure was now definable. Tall for his age, a hard uncaring face, and torn clothes. He had a bruise over one eye; an injury from the car crash most likely. But other than that he looked ready for action. Blossom had hoped he would be tired, not ready for their plan. Instead he looked eager and vicious. She sighed. She knew how much danger she was in, but had reached a point of sadness. Yes this kid was a nut job, but he was only fifteen. His chance of a decent life was gone for good. It had been for years and nobody had noticed.
“So what will killing me prove Markus? Nothing to anyone but yourself.” Blossom had said exactly what Detective Granger had scripted. Get it out in the open, get him talking about what they were all sure he wanted to do.
“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Proving stuff is a waste of energy. I do what I want and give people what they deserve. This is a messed-up world, I am merely playing my part. It is fun,” he said with a child-like manner. Like another child might talk about the park, saying “it’s fun.” Blossom moved over to the right and he shifted positions to match. Markus was in the wrong position.
“What is fun about killing, kid?” she asked. She moved a little further to the side; so did he.
“It is the greatest mystery, death. I am fifteen years old and I have figured that out,” he scoffed.
“You’re wrong, boy. I know a little something about death. I have seen and felt my share. It is not a mystery. You are here and then you are gone. There is a hole that is left where you used to be. Even you will leave a hole when you die. Not for many, but I am sure there are a few who
might miss you. That is death. It is not a mystery,” Blossom actually meant what she said. Markus just snorted in obvious disbelief.
“Why are you coming after me Markus? There are plenty of other targets,” she said. Changing the subject. Keep him off balance if you can, Granger had told her. She shifted further to her right, along the bushes that lined that side of her patio. She had to get into position for when he got tired of talking.
“They aren’t around. Probably in protective custody, hah! Everyone is so scared of a kid they moved my targets out of state. I may get your friend Lisa too. Just for laughs. You stayed though and so I get to kill you first, then the others, one by one,” he said softly. He had tensed as he spoke and suddenly more lights flooded the backyard. Detective Granger was standing about fifteen feet behind the boy and Mack was about ten feet to her right. Both had weapons out and pointing at Markus.
“Give it up Markus. You are completely surrounded,” Granger told him. He turned his head to look over his shoulder and laughed. It was a high pitched laugh, as though he was genuinely amused.
“You are good, detective. I did not expect this. Then again that is the fun part!” he said and leaped at Blossom as a knife fell out of his sleeve into his hand. She cried out and stepped back. At the same time out, from out of nearby bushes, a towering man stepped out in front of her. He caught the boy’s wrist that had the knife before it could strike Blossom. He gave a quick jerk and Markus dropped the knife with a short cry and then Bret lifted him up with one arm and slammed him down on the patio table. He gripped his throat and bent over him. Everyone shouted for him to stop, but he stayed bent over the kid. Blossom could see Markus’s eyes. He was amused. Not an ounce of fear. She shuddered and she thought she saw Bret shudder too as he stood up and gestured for the Detective to take the Markus away.
He backed up to stood next to Blossom. Everything worked and they were still alive!
Two weeks later everything was back to normal. Almost, Blossom amended in her thoughts. She was now officially dating Bret, and everyone knew, so they did not have to hide it like they thought they might. They still liked going over the fence in the middle of the night for fun though.
One night, she was relaxing naked in his arms, looking up at the stars.
“You rock my world Bret, you know that?” she said.
“Yep, you rock mine too, so I guess we are even then,” he replied. Blossom snuggled closer. He had saved her life so she was not sure they were even. She had no intention of arguing it though. She was far too happy.
THE END
Bonus Story 34 of 40
Protecting Nicole
Nicole
The last thing any woman wants to do while in her boyfriend’s house is find his secret room full of things practically idolizing her mother. At first I didn’t know what to think as I stood inside the pretty large closet of posters, paintings, t-shirts, and fan collections of things relating to my mom. My eyes scanned the room several times to make sure it was all real, because goodness knows that I didn’t want it to be. I really, really didn’t want my boyfriend to have a life size cardboard cutout of my mom holding a Grammy and smiling happily at me.
“Nicole…Nicole? Where’d you disappear to?” I froze when I heard Remy’s voice and quickly backed out of the room and shut the door. He rounded the corner into the hallway and stopped when he saw me, a curious smile on his face. I used to think Remy was a great guy, handsome, great job, had his life together… But you never seem to know a person until you find a closet that is full of things making them a celebrity’s super fan. Remy pointed to the closet and that’s when I saw his smile start to disappear as nervousness crept into his eyes.
“Was that closet…unlocked?” he asked me slowly and I simply nodded and then swung open the door.
“I really need you to start explaining Remy,” I said hoarsely and he actually had the nerve to look contrite as he slowly walked towards me.
“So…I look up to your mom a little bit, but she’s an incredible woman. To be a successful singer, producer, and actress…I mean you know more than anyone that she has a pretty wide variety of fans,” he said, his light blue eyes were no longer contrite, but only slightly embarrassed that I found his shrine to my mother.
“Can you tell me right now if you only came into this relationship to try and get close to my mom?” I asked him and his expression sobered, I didn’t see outrage or incredulity in his gaze at my insinuation. I saw a flash of guilt and that was all I needed to see. “You fucking jackass. You didn’t think I would eventually find out about this? This is sick!” I yelled at him, my shock having completely dissolved at that point and anger quickly boiling into fury in my chest. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t found out about it sooner! I was equally upset with myself for falling for Remy and his obvious ploy to try and get close to his idol apparently.
“Nicole, just wait a second. Let’s calm down a little and talk about this. I really do love you,” he said pleadingly, but I saw through his crap, his ticket to the famous Ronnie James was slipping away from him and he’d probably say anything to get me to stay.
“Don’t even bother Remy, it’s over,” I said harshly and then stormed off to his room to pack whatever stuff I left at his place. I was beyond furious and more at my own stupidity, which made me feel even worse. Was I really that naïve to believe that not everyone wanted to be close to me just to get to mom? Remy had done a standup job in fooling me. I thought he was real, I thought he saw the real me and loved me…not the fact that I was Ronnie James’s daughter.
“Nicole, c’mon let’s talk about this. You’re not leaving, this isn’t over…” Remy said as he walked into the bedroom. I was emptying out my drawer and still had to get some of my toiletries from the bathroom.
“Remy I have nothing to say to you, nor will I ever. So please just let the fact that you’re an idiot and a jerk sink in. You messed up and I can’t forgive you for this, it’s over,” I said without looking at him and brushed by him with my overnight bag to get my stuff from the bathroom. Once I was all packed up I stormed out to the kitchen and grabbed my purse and car keys.
“Nicole…” Remy grabbed my arm almost forcefully as I was stepping out to the garage and I wrenched it away from him and met him face to face. “This is crazy, you’re not leaving,” he said, his eyes were wide, but strangely unbothered. He didn’t appear upset, which was…strange. “Look, I’ll give you some time and then we’ll talk about things, okay?” he said and I just shook my head at him, I wondered if he was delusional.
“No Remy, I don’t trust you, it’s over,” I said with finality and then walked away from him to get into my car and leave. As I got into my Audi and put my bags in the back seat, the garage door opened and I figured that he couldn’t be that crazy if he was letting me leave. I glanced at him one last time and found his suddenly cold and angry expression to be a bit chilling. I quickly put the car in gear and got the hell out of there.
I drove to my mom’s place in Montauk. The hour drive from Long Island gave me enough time to at least calm down. When I pulled up to the front gate of her house I remembered that I didn’t even call to make sure she was home. I used my pass card anyway and figured if she wasn’t home I’d just wait for her inside. Once I got past the gate I drove up the drive to the house and then let myself inside, I heard my mom’s loud laughter coming from the living room to the left of the foyer and I walked towards the sound of her voice.
*****
“Oh Nicole! Listen, my daughter just dropped in, I’ll call you back Em.” Mom was on the phone while standing in front of the huge floor to ceiling view of the beach behind her house. She looked the same, gorgeous as ever, even without makeup. Ronnie had light brown, café au lait, skin that was just like mine. Her hair was long and curly and hung to her mid back, whereas I wore mine straight and it was just as thick and long. She had really pretty feminine features, well formed cheekbones, not too high or too pronounced. Her nose was a graceful slope a
nd her lips plump and full. I think the only other difference between us were my eyebrows, I had slightly thicker ones than her naturally thin and arched brows. I was really glad that I inherited her grey eyes though, I always thought that those were one of the features that made my mom memorable.
“What brings you here baby girl?” she asked me as I walked over to her and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. She took one close look at me and knew something was wrong. “Uh-oh, talk to me. What happened baby girl?” she asked and I sighed deeply and just shook my head.
“Boy problems…Remy is obsessed with you, so I had to dump him,” I said and at first my mom laughed a little, mostly out of disbelief. Then she saw in my gaze that I wasn’t kidding at all.
“What do you mean…obsessed?” she asked carefully and I sighed again. I was getting upset with myself all over again.
“I mean he had a life size cutout of you, and a room completely dedicated to idolizing you,” I said and my mom’s eyes widened in angered dismay.
“I can’t believe him, and you really seemed to be liking this guy too. To think I wanted to meet him soon,” she scoffed and shook her head. “I’m sorry baby, I’m sorry you have to go through stuff like this. Having to filter through everyone who wants to get close to you with a fine toothed comb,” she said apologetically and I shrugged.
“I’m used to it by now…I should be anyway. I’m more upset at myself for not seeing through his façade, and little after thought questions about you,” I sighed and my mom hugged me again and rubbed my back soothingly.
“How about we make some lunch?” she asked me and I nodded.
“That sounds good, I could use some distraction,” I said and she wrapped her arm around my shoulders as we walked over to the kitchen.
“You know…if he’s a super fan like you described, with like a shrine and everything, I think you need to be careful with how you handle the break up…” my mom said slowly and I looked at her curiously.
Alien Mate Page 118