Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight
I woke to the usual bed jumping from my ball of energy. He was more reliable than any alarm clock and I prefer his smiling face over any blasting alarm. I think last night was a good reminder of what a sound blasting through the apartment was really like. 

I got up and got Lincoln dressed and poured him some cereal for breakfast. I would grab a breakfast sandwich later after I dropped him off at daycare. All I needed to start with was a good cup of coffee. Lincoln had lots of energy as usual and after breakfast I got him dressed and out to the car. He knew what had to be done and was already in his child seat waiting for me to come buckle him in.

I took him into the daycare and he ran to a group of kids he was very familiar with. I knew them as well and considered them his “posse”. He always gives me a hug before going most places but had started to not want to do that in front of his friends. I knew that would happen but didn’t realize it would be so soon. 

I left Lincoln with his friends and drove away determined to become proficient with a nine millimeter pistol. I knew anything worth doing was worth doing right and practice was the key to perfection, so that was what I was prepared to do. 

I had a head start over the last time I was here. I now knew how to handle the gun, to load the gun and to use the gun safely. I paid for my time there and picked out a lane to use. I had already taken the safety test when I came out the first time and there was a safety officer at the range at all times. I had signed up for a “conceal and carry” license but the classes hadn’t started yet.

I bought ammo before I came and I was careful using it because it is expensive to use, just for practice. I had already used credit to pay for the gun and the first box of ammo I purchased. I bought a box of five hundred rounds to use for practice and have on hand. I bought them from Dave because he had good pricing. He had a federal firearms license and was completely legit. 

I practiced for a half hour and did well. I think I am ready for practical use. I planned on practicing regularly but not every day. I figured once a month would keep my skill levels where they needed to be. I had to work tonight so I needed to finish up and head home.

When I got to the apartment Jill had already gone to work. I decided to get a shower and while I showered I thought Jill should get a gun too, but I knew she wouldn’t want to get one. I got dressed and wasted time by watching the monitor for our suspect. 

We never get to see what is inside the locked room. By my own investigation I know there is someone in that room but I don’t know who they are or what they look like. I was pretty sure they were a young girl. Why would he keep her this long unless he was trying to get ransom or maybe he was a human trafficker. 

Whatever he is, he isn’t working alone. He has partners and I met one already. It has to deal with money, anything else wouldn’t require a partner. I think I am in over my head but I don’t know what to tell the police. I am conducting illegal surveillance of his house. 

It would all have to wait for now because it was time to go to work. I was ready to go except for setting the alarm before leaving. Jill had the alarm code and knew how to disarm it when she got back. I mainly got it to protect us while we were home but having it set while we were gone would discourage anyone from breaking in and hiding in the apartment. 

I left the apartment feeling secure. I had my pistol in my purse and I laid it in the center console as usual. I had made it a habit to place the pistol where I could reach it and then to put it in my purse when I went into the store to work. 

My shift went the same as it always did except John came in again. He didn’t come to my register which was unusual but he kept looking in my direction. He seemed nervous and fidgety while he checked out. I made a note of what he was buying but there was nothing unusual in what he had on the counter. He was buying food items. It wasn’t food we normally see bought by middle aged men but who am I to judge. 

My suspect left and I tried not to look at him while he made his way out the door. I finished my shift and left when the store closed. I declared out of my cash drawer and we put all the drawers in the safe. My manager made out the deposit which would also be put in the safe and taken to the bank the next morning. I said goodnight to my colleagues before heading out to my car. I watched closely around the area where my car was parked to see if I noticed anyone there. 

I drove home with my pistol in the center console as had become my usual pattern. I watched closely for anyone following but saw no sign of anyone behind me. I got home ready to relax but there was no sign of Jill or Lincoln anywhere. I went through the apartment but there was no sign of them having ever been there today. Jill has always been very reliable when it came to Lincoln. 

I was in a panic running through the apartment yelling out “Jill” and “Lincoln”. I had all kinds of thoughts running through my head including them being kidnapped by my suspect. I was at a loss and didn’t know what to do. I went back and forth to each room again and again hoping I had just not seen them. Maybe they just went for ice cream or something. I really didn’t believe that because Jill doesn’t like to get out at night. 

Without Lincoln there, the room was deadly quiet. My phone ringing broke the silence in the room. My heart was pounding as I expected to hear from kidnappers on how I can gain the release of my son and friend. To my relief it was Jill on the phone. I was almost in tears when I realized it was Jill’s voice.

Jill said, “Susan, I got a call about my mother. She is in the hospital so I brought Lincoln with me since I couldn’t leave him at home by himself. I am waiting in a waiting room since he isn’t allowed in her room.”

I replied, “I will be right there. I was scared to death when I got home and you weren’t here. I will get Lincoln and bring him home, he doesn’t need to be waiting in the waiting room of a hospital. Are you at ‘county memorial hospital’?”

Jill replied, “Yes. I will bring Lincoln to the lobby so we will be easy to find.” 

I responded, “Thank you. I hope your mom is okay. If you need me to stay with you I can get mom to keep Lincoln for a few days.”

Jill said, “There is no need for that. I have my phone to keep me company and I will call if I hear anything new.”

We said goodbye and hung up the phone. I made it to the interstate and quickly drove to the other side of town. The late hour helped us navigate because traffic was a lot lighter than it would have been during the day. I navigated through the parking lot looking for a place to park as close to the building as possible.

I found a spot not far from the entrance and managed to park there. Jill told me the hospital locks the entrance doors at ten pm. She also said she can open the doors from the inside and to just call her when I arrive.

I picked up my phone and dialed her number. When she answered I simply said, “I’m here.” I walked to the entry doors and I could see Lincoln holding onto Jill, while he scoured the neighborhood looking for me. When he saw me he started jumping up and down and waving at me. 

Jill only had to press the long handle on the door to get it to open. They designed it so people already in the hospital could get out, while still keeping others from coming in. I gave Jill a hug and again told her how sorry I was.

I asked, “Do they know what is wrong with your mother?”

Jill replied, “She was attacked when she came home from shopping. She had no idea who they were or why they would attack her. She said they didn’t take money or anything.”

I said, “I know who it was.”

Jill said, “You don’t know, you are just guessing and it may not have anything to do with John.”

I didn’t want to argue with Jill but I knew deep in my heart it was related. I knew it was meant as a warning to me. I wanted to do something about it, but right now I had to get Lincoln home and safely tucked in bed. 

Lincoln and I walked quickly across the parking lot. It was well lit and I paid close attention to my surroundings. It could be a way to get Lincoln and me out in the open. Attacking Jill’s mother could have been a way to draw me out.

I paid very close attention while I was fastening Lincoln’s car seat. I knew both of my hands would be busy and it would be an ideal time for someone to strike. I kept looking all around and never found anyone closely. 

I drove home while watching closely behind me. I never saw anyone following although since they already knew where I lived it was a moot point anyway. I parked in my assigned spot at the apartment and began the task of waking Lincoln up. Riding in a car was always a surefire way to put him to sleep. 

I made him walk inside, brush his teeth and go to bed. I tucked him in and kissed his forehead. I was too tired to do much, so I plugged my phone in by my bed and set all of my security sensors up. Sleep came quickly and I wasn’t disturbed until Lincoln woke me the next morning.

The night was uneventful. I guess John and his associates figured they had sent a clear message and I would be too scared to mess with them. They, of course, figured wrong. What they did to Jill’s mother only made me more determined. They figured on me cowering down in fear, but instead, they just pissed me off.