“What do you want?”
It was Kacey and it seemed very far away.
“I want you two to come with me. Get your keys and let’s go.”
Mike strained to hear.
“No way we are going anywhere with you.” Jack sounded outraged.
“Shut up!”
Mike pulled off of the side of the road and sent gravel flying. It didn’t even register that it was chipping the paint off of his beloved car. He just knew that Jack and Kacey needed him.
He grabbed the radio and made a call for back up at Kacey’s house and alerted the force that officers were being held hostage. Captain Wells, upon hearing it, called the SWAT team in and, after callling Calvin, put his siren on and raced towards Kacey’s house.
Mike still had the phone to his ear.
“I only have two cards left, and lookie here, I have two lovely ladies right in front of me. How fortuitous. I'll get my Royal Flush and still be able to start on a new hand.
"You know, at first, the cards were just kind of something that happened. I was actually thinking about skipping town, but then ...”
The look in his eyes sickened Kacey.
"I saw you two and knew that you were mine."
“You’re crazy! As if we would ever allow that. What did they do to deserve this, Bill? Oh, I bet I know, Jack. This smacks of rejection to me. Weren’t you worthy, Bill?”
Jack looked at her in horror, silently shaking her head ‘no’.
“Shut up! Get your keys.”
“Fine.” Kacey said, glaring at him.
By this time, the house was surrounded. Mike had crept up to the front window and could see Kacey taking her sweet time getting up from the easy chair. Every movement exaggerated. He knew that she was stalling. She glanced over at the picture window and he made himself slightly visible until he knew that she had seen him.
She finally got up and positioned herself so that Mike could get a clean shot. Jack noticed and made the mistake of giving herself away. She looked a little too long and Bill saw and pulled Kacey in front of him, blocking any possible shot.
He began to drag her towards the garage. They got in the car as the police burst through the front door. Jack leapt to her feet and ran to the garage and flung the door open, gun in hand. The car was just pulling out and she shot at the passenger side of the windshield, shattering it.
Bill Front shot at her, barely missing her as she pulled back inside the house.
“Go, Kacey, or I will shoot you in the stomach.”
Rage coursed through Kacey’s entire body. If she could’ve, she would reach over and rip his throat out.
She backed out and pulled into the street. She looked at Mike and he recoiled from the hatred in her eyes. He knew Bill Front would be lucky to make it one block.
Kacey looked down at the gun pointed at her precious child. Her blood began to boil. All of the grief and anger from the murder of Dan began snowballing into the fury she felt for the monster who dared to threaten her child. The child that she and Dan had made from pure love and hope of a future that would never come.
She took her fist and with all of the anger, rage, hurt, and fury smashed her arm backwards into his face. She could feel the bones breaking in his nose and eye socket. The amethyst ring that Dan had given her the Christmas before he died punctured his left eyeball. He screamed in agony and dropped the gun to bring his hands to his ruined face.
Kacey picked up the gun and smashed him behind the ear, as he leaned forward, cradling his eye. Blood gushed out as he slumped forward. She gave him a couple more whacks for good measure and pulled the car over.
She turned off the ignition, grabbed the keys and got out with her hands out. She then bent over and vomited.
Mike ran up to her and gathered her in his arms as she began to shake.
“I hope I killed him.”
As she heard that she heard a moan from the passenger seat.
“Darn.” She said as she smiled.
Bill Front was dragged, none to gently, out of the car and shoved into the back seat of a cruiser as an officer called for an ambulance.
“I think I would like to go home now.” Kacey said wearily as she handed Mike the gun.
Chapter 103
Sandy and her mother jumped up from the where they were seated around the kitchen table as they heard the front door lock click open.
Tom opened the door and walked in carrying an ice cream cake.
“Hey, babe. Are the kids still up? I had a serious craving for ice cream and thought it would be a fun surprise.”
He past Sandy, giving her a kiss on the cheek as he put the cake on the counter and went to find the boys.
Chapter 104
The first thing Jack did when she saw Mike walking towards her to run out and give Kacey a huge hug. Well, as much of a hug as she could give with the hugely pregnant belly between them.
“You girls ok?”
“We are now.” Jack said. “I have to laugh at the boring footage he must’ve gotten from us. Kacey teaching me to knit and both of us napping.”
Kacey laughed and rubbed her belly.
“I could’ve killed him myself when he threatened this little one. What a fool he was to even try that tactic. I hope he needs stitches.”
“Kace, stitches are the least of his problems. You messed him up pretty good.”
There was a knock on the door and Mike went to answer it. It was Captain Wells.
“How is everyone doing? Kacey?” His eyes traveled to where she was caressing her baby. “Junior ok?”
“Yes, sir. Everything is fine. How is our good friend, Bill, doing?”
“You’ll be happy to know that he has a broken tooth, broken nose, and shattered eye socket. His eye was punctured really good and needed a stitch. He’s in a good amount of pain. Especially since he didn’t get any pain killers. Didn’t want him groggy for his questioning.” The Captain smirked.
“He also had appeared to hit his head on the door while he was resisting arrest.”
“Aw, that makes my heart cry.” Jack said.
“Do you think you can come in tomorrow, Detective Yates, to give a statement and clear things out. I’m putting you on mandatory maternity leave as of tomorrow end of day.”
Kacey laughed.
“Yes, sir! I can definitely arrange that.”
“Officer Bishop?”
“I’ll come with her.”
“Good. See you three tomorrow.”
Captain Wells walked over to Kacey and Jack and kissed them both on the forehead.
“I’m glad you both are ok.”
He turned and walked out the door, escorted by Thor.
Chapter 105
Jacqueline and Kacey were up and ready to go at 9:00 sharp waiting for Mike to pick them up.
“Kacey, I’m not sure how much more baby you can grow in there. No offence, but you are HUGE!”
Kacey laughed.
“I know. I think I’m all stretched out. I hope everything goes back in place eventually. I’ll be kicking my own stomach as I walk if it doesn’t.”
“That would be very gross, Kace. You would have to wear dresses all of the time.”
The two women who had grown so close over the past few months laughed so hard that Kacey had to run/waddle back to the bathroom. She came back to the living room just as Mike was pulling into the driveway.
“Ladies, your chariot.” He said as he opened the doors for them with a bow.
“Any updates?” Kacey asked.
“Just that they’ve put Mr. Front into holding cell until he can be fully questioned. He spent the night in the hospital last night. He hasn’t said a word yet … waiting for a lawyer.”
“Great.”
Mike parked in front of the station so they wouldn’t have far to walk and he escorted them in. He opened the precinct door for them and as Kacey stepped in first, she almost jumped a foot.
“Surprise!!”
She broke into l
aughter as she looked around. Every detective and officer who wasn’t out on a call was there. Each man had on a sash that said things like ‘Uncle Baseball Coach’, Uncle Father/Daughter Dance’. ‘Uncle Driving Instructor’ and on and on. Kacey put her hand to her mouth and turned around in time to see Mike slip his on. ‘Godfather to End all Godfathers … I will gut you’ on his sash.
Her laughter turned to grateful tears.
Captain Wells came out of his office and his sash said, ‘Uncle Captain’. He walked over to Kacey and gave her a hug. He led her to her desk, which was piled high with gifts from the manliest baby shower anyone had ever seen.
Jack sat with her and after Kacey had opened all of her gifts and eaten enough cake for both baby and her, she stood with a glass of punch.
“Here’s to the best co-workers a girl could ask for. The support and love you have given to me and to all of our men and women in blue is indescribable. Baby Yates and I are so blessed to have you in our lives. When Dan was killed, I truly thought life as I knew it was over, and it was. But, I have also discovered strength, compassion, and love like I had never known before. And it all comes from you. I love you back.”
By the time Kacey had finished speaking, even the most hardened and jaded cop at the very least, had tears in their eyes.
“Enough of that … let’s get this creep incarcerated for life.” She lifted her glass higher. “Here’s to putting the creeps away!”
“HERE, HERE!”
Chapter 106
At the end of the day, Mike had loaded the car with gifts, and after hugs and kisses all around, Kacey officially started her maternity leave.
Mike ushered his exhausted girls into the house and fired up the grill. Jack put on some soft jazz and started a lettuce salad and a potato salad. Kacey had been craving both all day.
Kacey sat at the dining room table and just enjoyed watching them through the sliver of curtain leading into the back yard working on what was going to be a fabulous dinner together.
The doorbell rang and Kacey got to her feet and went to answer it.
“Tom! What are you doing here? Are Sandy and the kids ok?”
“It’s all your fault, Kacey.” He shook his head sadly.
“What are you talking about, Tom?” The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she broke out in goose pimples.
“Dan wasn’t good enough for you. You just couldn’t see it, so I had to take matters into my own hands. You were supposed to turn to me for comfort, but you didn’t.”
Kacey took a step back. Mike and Jack were in the back yard talking and had no idea anything was wrong.
“What did you do?” Kacey whispered.
“Well, dear Kacey, you started what’s called a ‘snowball effect’. First Dan, then Marsha, and on and on. I found out that I liked killing very much.”
“Why are you here, Tom?”
“Well, isn’t Jack here? I want to finish what I’ve started.”
Kacey stared at him, comprehension gradually flooding her mind. He was unhinged and possibly mentally ill.
“Jack and Mike went to the store to get barbeque sauce. They aren’t here.”
“Oh … well I’ll just wait here with you. We were always friends, right?” He asked, looking to her for confirmation.
“Most definitely. Always. Now tell me all about it. Start at the beginning.”
And he did. Detail by detail. Breaking Kacey’s heart into a million pieces.
Kacey’s phone rang.
“Do you mind if I get this, Tom? It might be important.”
“Sure, go ahead. If it’s Jack, tell her she has company.”
She answered her phone. It was Sandy.
“Kacey, do you know where Mike is? He’s not answering his phone and I need him. Tom left and I have no idea where he is.”
“Oh, I do.” Kacey said in a cheerful voice. “How are things? Really, same here.” Not pausing for an answer. “Sure, tomorrow is fine. I think I can get away for that. Oh, I’m home right now. Ok … I’ll see you tomorrow. Bring reinforcements, it will be awesome.”
She hung up, hoping Sandy would do what she hoped she would do.
Just then, Mike and Jack walked in to announce that dinner was ready.
“Oh, there you are.” Kacey said. “I didn’t know you were back from the store.”
Jack dropped the tray of pork steaks and screamed! Face to face with the man who stabbed her.
“Oh good. You’re back.” Tom said, with a huge grin.
Chapter 107
Captain Wells and Detective Boaz were beyond frustrated at their progress on the spouse killer. Nothing added up and none of it pointed in any direction.
The Captain turned as he heard his name called. It was Angie and she was trembling.
“Sir, it’s Detective Parker’s sister. She says it’s urgent."
He went into his office and picked up the extension.
“Captain! You need to get to Kacey’s right away. My husband is there and I think they are in trouble. Tom walked out the door muttering about how it was all Kacey's fault. Please hurry!”
“Oh my way.” He hung up, grabbed his coat, and shouted for Detective Boaz to come with him.
“Get back up to Detective Yates’ house, Angie.”
“On it!”
They ran to Captain Wells’ car and sped off towards Kacey’s house, sirens blaring.
Chapter 108
“Everyone have a seat.”
By this time, Tom had his handgun out and was pointing it at Jack. Mike sat down by her and held her hand, partially shielding her body with his.
“That’s better. Kacey, you can sit by me. You did start all of this.”
Kacey had only felt this helpless at one other time in her life. When she was cradling Dan’s head in her lap, knowing his life was over. Once in a lifetime is enough and she was desperately thinking of a way out of this situation that would save Jack and put an end to all of this.
Unfortunately, the person she depended on most of all was in the same situation as she was. Where was the cavalry? Would Sandy protect her own husband or her brother?
At that moment she heard the sweetest sound. Sirens … and lots of them.
“Tom, you don’t have to kill anymore. We can run away together. I know how to hide. No one will ever find us.”
He looked steadily at her. Trying to gauge her sincerity.
“Really, Kacey? You’ve let me down before.”
“Really, Tom. Let’s just go.”
“Well, ok then. That was easy.”
He stood up and reached a hand down to her to help her up. Just then her water broke. It ran down her legs and pooled on the hardwood floor. She grabbed her stomach as a contraction hit.
Tom was oblivious. He was so focused on Kacey that he didn't even seem to hear the sirens.
“Let’s just go.” Kacey begged, panting.
They walked out the front door and Tom was immediately thrown to the ground by Detective Boaz and cuffed by the Captain.
Kacey doubled over again and cried out.
Captain Wells picked her up and carried her back inside and laid her on the couch.
“It’s over, he’s in cuffs.”
“Captain, we need to call an ambulance, her water just broke.” Jack said, still frozen to her seat.
“No time! I think it’s coming now!” Kacey said, panting.
Jack leapt to action and grabbed an afghan off of the back of the couch and draped it over the lower half of Kacey’s body. She helped Kacey out of her pants and underwear. She looked and the baby was crowning.
“Push, Kacey!”
Kacey pushed as the two men looked on helplessly.
“Don’t just stand there, dummies. Call an ambulance!”
Captain Wells jerked to attention and made the call.
“Push again, Kacey. The shoulders are almost out.”
Kacey moaned and pushed. The baby slid into Jack’s hands right as the ambulance squealed
to a stop in front of the house.
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