Chapter 30
The killer looked at it with terror, disgust, panic, and excitement. The minuscule square on the plastic stick began to change. Two pink vertical lines. It was positive.
“Fuck. I am so screwed. How can I be pregnant?” Jenny griped as she paced the cool tile floor.
She scrambled to open another package and try another test stick. Ten minutes later she emerged from the restroom in a panic. Figment reared and hissed when she stepped on his tail. The furry loafer disappeared under the bed while Jenny bellowed an apology to the feline.
“I have to rid myself of all thoughts of killing.”
She paused in her powerwalking through the abode and slunk down onto the couch.
“I can’t handle raising a kid and being married AND go out hunting people. Maybe occasionally as a vacation type thing but…”
The murderess looked at the picture of her and Eric together at someone’s party. He had his arms around her waist and they both had such large smiles they appeared almost painful. Her eyes welled with tears and Jenny broke down sobbing.
“I guess my fate is sealed. No more doing what I love. No more control over my own life. It’s settled. At least I love Eric. And we probably would’ve had kids at some point. I’ll have to stick to the deal I made in the hospital.”
Jenny’s continued bawling brought Figment out of hiding. He rubbed his cheeks against her leg and meowed. She absentmindedly stroked his back. After fifteen minutes the killer reigned in her emotions and clicked on the television to drown out her thoughts.
“Tonight, a cop-killer goes free. Mr. Andre Floyd is being released after a judge ruled that there was a mishandling of evidence and chain of custody could not be properly verified.”
Jenny stopped wiping at her tears and runny nose; her eyes locked to the screen. She turned the volume up and watched as a lawyer walked beside the unshackled drug dealer who had nearly killed her fiancé.
“My client was a victim of a hasty investigation by the local police department. The judge saw the merit of our petition and I am happy to say Mr. Floyd is a free man. The justice system worked today. Thank you.” The lawyer declared from behind a fake smile that was altogether too full of teeth.
The TV clicked off. The murderess looked at her reflection on the dark screen. Every pore in her body cried out. She knew what had to happen. She could do just one more hunt. One for Jenkins. For the good of the community. For the father of her unborn child. Mr. Floyd just made Jenny Grand’s list.
***
Lee broke his desk lamp and dented a wastebasket when he heard the news. Eric hopped up from his desk to calm his friend down. He clamped him in a bear hug from behind and spoke softly.
“Lee, calm down. Just breathe. This scumbag will screw up and we will bust him. The judge knows he was guilty; he’s only out on some technical bullcrap. Just relax.”
The fight went out of Officer Lee and McGill released him. The other cops gave tiny nods of condolence and pretended not to have seen the display. Someone swept up the broken pieces of lightbulb and cheap metal.
“I can’t relax, McGill. She was my partner. Hell, Jenkins was only a rookie, but she was a damned good cop. And that prick shot you, too.” Lee said as he lowered his body to the stiff office chair.
“I’d think you’d be pissed off. You almost died! That little meth head almost killed both of my partners on the same day. He shouldn’t be out on the streets living it up. Not when you’re stuck behind a desk and she’s in the ground.”
Eric placed his right hand on his pal’s shoulder and squeezed.
“I know, Lee. Trust me I am furious that son of a bitch is loose. But all we can do is make sure he gets busted for everything he does. Let him rack up a dozen small sentences and try to move on.”
Ring, ring. Beedoo, beedoo. Ring, ring.
Eric held up a finger and answered his cell phone.
“Hi Jenny. Look it is kind of a bad time. Can I call you back in a few?”
Lee pointed to the TV across the room and gestured at Eric’s phone. The meaning hit him just as Jenny told him she’d seen the news.
“Yeah, sweetie I know. I heard it too. I’m fine, but I think I should take Lee out for a drink after work. Yeah, I’ll tell him.”
McGill covered the phone and faced Officer Lee.
“Jenny says she’s sorry about the news and you’re welcome to come to the house tonight. She’ll even cook dinner.”
“Sure. Thanks. I’m going to head out for a bit of air. I can finish my paperwork later. I think I’ve got time to patrol a little before quitting time.”
Eric waved and uncovered the phone.
“He’s coming. I’ll pick up a case of beer on my way home. Anything I can get you?” He said.
Eric listened to Jenny asking him to come home early so they could talk. He worried she’d realized he’d been in her craft room. Or that she was freaking out about Jenkin’s murderer being loose. Or maybe she wanted to confess being a serial killer.
McGill shrugged off his wandering thoughts.
“I can’t leave early, Jenny. It’s only my first day back. I’ll be home in two hours; we can talk then. Lee’s shift ends half an hour after mine. Are you okay until then?”
He thought he heard a tinge of concern in her voice, but they agreed, and she said she loved him. He returned the sentiment and went back to work. The tower of forms and files on his desk were beginning to lean precariously.
***
The steaks were perfectly seared, the potatoes were baking, the table was set for three, and Jenny’s shirt was splattered with the gravy she’d spilled. The lock turned in the front door and Eric entered, inhaling deeply.
“Wow smells great babe. I didn’t know you could cook like this.” He remarked.
“Yeah, well, YouTube helps.” Jenny answered.
She wiped her hands on a towel and poured a large glass of bourbon.
“Here sweetie.” She handed the brunette beverage to him. “Let’s sit down for a minute. I really need to talk to you.”
Wordlessly he complied.
“Okay, so Eric there have been some major changes in our life lately.”
He sipped and nodded.
“Yeah. Near death experience, engagement, guy who shot me and killed my friend went free. I agree. Big changes.”
She stammered a little and sipped from a glass of milk. She drummed her fingers against the glass as she held it in front of her.
“Eric, I love you. And I know that today was tough. I lost it for a good hour after I saw the news. But I have some other news for you, and I wanted to tell you in person.”
Eric took a large swig of his drink. He hoped the buzz followed the burn quickly because it sounded like he would need it. McGill couldn’t remember ever seeing Jenny so nervous.
“Okay. I’m ready. What is going on?” He asked.
She braced herself and set the glass of milk on the table. Jenny held Eric’s hand and looked into his eyes, afraid of how he would take the news.
“We’re going to have a baby.” She announced.
Silence.
Eric opened and closed his mouth a few times. His eyes blinked rapidly. Eric McGill’s brain seemed to have gone as quiet as the room. Jenny’s mind echoed loudly with the hurricane of feared responses and self-doubts. She held her breath. The minute stretched on for eons.
Finally, Eric downed the rest of his drink in one large gulp. He jumped to his feet, grabbed his fiancé around the waist and spun her.
“I’m going to be a father!” He shouted. “I can’t believe it we’re going to have a baby!”
She let out her restrained breath and laughed with him. After a couple of spins, she patted his forearms.
“I’m happy too, Eric, but nausea plus spinning equals bad.”
Eric halted and gently lowered her into a chair.
“Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” He kissed her lips and hugged her. “Is there anything you need?”
Eric scrambled to his feet ready to sprint to get her anything she wanted. Jenny couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of the muscular cop bouncing on the balls of his feet to fetch her stuff. She pulled him down to his chair and stroked his cheek.
“No honey. I don’t need anything but you. It’s still early but I made an appointment for the doctor for Saturday. I’d like it if you would go with me. I’m a little nervous.”
“Of course, I’ll be there.” Eric beamed and practically vibrated with excitement. “Do you think it’s too soon for them to show us on an ultrasound? Is it a boy or a girl? Wait, I know you can’t know that from a test. Do you think the doctor could tell us?”
Jenny smiled while Eric rambled on for another five minutes. When she stood, he bounded up and looked panicked.
“Where are you going? Are you okay?”
“Eric, I’m fine. I just need to check on dinner.” She replied with a chuckle.
Eric patted her hand and strode past her. He’d even puffed up his chest a little.
“No, you relax. I’ll finish dinner.” He declared.
The creaking open of the oven door told her he’d gone to check the potatoes. The crashing and parade of curse words told Jenny her fiancé had forgotten the oven mitts. She rolled her eyes and went to find the burn cream and bandages.
***
“McGill, why do your hands look like they belong to a mummy?” Lee asked as the door opened.
“Long story, the stove hates me, come on in.” Eric replied with a wide grin.
Jenny carried the pot of corn over to the table.
“Jenny don’t carry that!” Eric hurried to take the pot from her and place it on the square potholder. “You’ve got to be careful in your condition; that thing is hot.”
Jenny sighed and kissed him on the cheek.
“Eric, I’m fine. And I know the pot is hot, that’s why I remembered to use potholders and carry it by the handle.” She taunted. “Something you may want to take note of in the future.
Officer Lee sat the bottle of wine on the counter and smiled like Scrooge McDuck in Fort Knox.
“You knocked her up didn’t you, McGill?”
Eric blushed and straightened.
“Yes, I did.” He threw an arm around Jenny and laid one hand carefully on her belly. “We’re having a baby.”
Lee’s forced joviality fell away in light of his elation. He shook Eric’s hand and gave Jenny a chaste kiss on the cheek.
“Well I guess the bottle of wine is just for us boys for the next nine months. Can I get you something, Jenny? Sit down and let us take care of things tonight.”
The killer held her forehead and laughed.
“Guys, I’m okay to set a table or cook a meal. Seriously, let’s just have a nice dinner.” She said trying to rise.
Both men held out their hands.
“Wait, what is it and we can get it? Let us at least pamper you for one night.” Eric offered.
Half of Jenny’s mouth rose at the corner.
“Well, right now I really need to pee. Going to take care of that for me, sweetie?” She joked.
The lawmen parted to let her pass. In her wake, she heard the two men hurriedly getting the food on the plates and rattling the silverware as they finished all the tasks. She even heard the water turning on as one of them started soaking the pans.
This will be an interesting nine months. She thought as she washed her hands.