Chapter 7

Brad Roberts waves to his wife as he pulls out of the driveway and heads for his office. Still no word on the whereabouts of Katherine. His one comfort is that she doesn’t know of Meghan and Mark’s wedding or where they are right now. He realizes that Katherine would know the easiest way to get into the main house and could use it for shelter during the day to keep hidden.

He picks up his phone and calls the police station he hears the Sargent answer, “Police, Sargent Morgan speaking.”

“Yes, Sargent this is Brad Roberts I’d like to speak to Captain Moore.”

“I’ll patch you through Mr. Roberts.”

“Hello Brad, what can I do for you?”

“Well Jim, I know you have some of your people around the Mitchem home and I was wondering if they ever venture inside just to make sure Katherine hasn’t somehow get in and hide out there.”

“Way ahead of you Brad the officers go in the house every shift change just to make sure all the windows are locked and back door secured.”

“Thanks Jim, just wanted to cover all bases.”

“ I understand Brad. By the way how are the newlyweds?”

“Don’t ask me, I promised Marsha I would leave them alone. After all, would you want someone calling you on your honeymoon?”

He could hear Jim chuckling, “I see your point Brad, I’ll make sure the boys keep an eye out for her.”

“Thanks Jim, see you soon.”

Brad hung up the phone and pulled into the parking lot at his office. He had a feeling Katherine was close by just didn’t know where.

Across the street was a lone figure trying to look inconspicuous as she watched Brad go into his office. Katherine knew that he would know where Meghan was and he could tell her. Suddenly her attention was focused on the bench beside her where she saw her grandmother,” Katherine you have not complete your task. Meghan alive, you have to finish your task.”

“I know grandmother, but I don’t know where she is.”

“Stop you’re whining you’re so much like your mother. Brad knows where she is.”

“But grandmother.” Suddenly Lucille vanished.

A passerby noticed the girl talking to the bench and called the police. She fit the description of the Mitchem granddaughter they were looking for. She saw Katherine make her way toward the intersection to cross the street when two police cars seem to cut off the road. She slips in the back of the store and disappears, once again hidden from sight.

Captain Moore phones Brad, telling him Katherine was spotted near his office.

“Jim, I’m not worried about me but please check and see Marsha is alright.” He hangs up the phone and calls Mark, he knew he said he wouldn’t but Mark would understand.

He hears Mark’s voice, “Hi Brad, how’s everything going?”

“Mark, don’t alarm Meghan but Katherine got out of the hospital and is looking for her.”

Mark smiles at Meghan as she sits close to him on the porch swing. Their weeklong honeymoon is almost over it was days of adventure and discovering each other and nights of passion that would rival any romance novel. Meghan smiles at Mark as he continues to talk to Brad.

“Alright, well you tell Marsha we’ll stop over as so as we hit town.”

“I see she’s there.”

“That’s right.”

“O.K.”

He hangs up the phone and smiles at Meghan. ” Marsha insists we have supper with them when they get back home.”

Meghan looks at her husband there was something in his eyes that told her something was wrong “you don’t have to make up a story Mark. What did Brad want?” he knew she knew something was up and he really had to tell her what was up.

He put his arm on her shoulder, “Katherine got out of the hospital and is looking for you. Now I don’t want you to worry about anything.”

She looked at him and puts her arms around him” let’s go back home Mark. I won’t have Brad or Marsha’s lives in jeopardy.”

He smiles at her,” This is why love you so much.”

“And I love you, but we have to get back, she’s already killed three people.”

Mark shakes his head and smiles,” looks like the honeymoon is over.”

She looks at him and smiles,” oh not necessarily, there’s always tonight, and I always do my best work in the dark.”

He smiles down at her, “I know.” He tries to grab her but she’s up and off into the cabin, to which he follows. Evening had fallen back home and slowly Katherine makes her way to the Mitchem home. This time, it wouldn’t be so easy to get in. The police were at both the front and back doors and the window in the study was too close to the back door. She needed a plan and the window on the second floor was slightly opened. I was the window to Meghan’s room.

If she could just get up that tree that was just outside the window she’d be in. Just getting up that tree. Suddenly she heard the sound of footsteps, and she moved behind the bush. It was a policeman doing his rounds around the house.

Stopping for a moment he looks up at the window in Meghan’s room then continues on his way. With a clear path to the tree Kathrine starts to climb the tree and soon makes it to the window and inside the house. Still on the highway Mark and Meghan are enjoying the lull in the traffic as evening turns to night.

Somehow the stars seem pale compared to those that were shinning down at the cabin at night, but Mark was still by her side and nothing else mattered. “Mark?”

He turns to her, “yes.”

She just shakes her head, “nothing, just like saying your name.”

He takes her hand in his, “and I like hearing you saying it.”

Mark turns off the street and into Brad’s driveway. Slowly they make their way to the porch where Mark rings the doorbell.

The porchlight goes on and Brad answers the door with a smile. “Mark, Meghan come on in, Marsha was just talking about you.”

Marsha comes behind him,” Meghan, I told this husband of mine to …”

Meghan smiles, “It’s okay both of you I know Katherine is out.”

Brad looks at Mark who shakes his head,” you should know can’t keep nothing from a wife.”

Meghan looks at Brad, “I knew right after he got off the phone with you. And the lame excuse that Marsha wanted us over for supper really guys ..”

Marsha moves her husband aside and greets Meghan with a hug,” come here sweetheart, you look great. I think married life suits you.”

They walk into the house leaving both husbands standing on the porch. Upon entering the house Mark and Brad hear the girls in the kitchen.

“Mark my boy let me warn you those two will be able to whip up six course meal by the time we get into the kitchen.”

Mark just smiled. They entered the kitchen, and true to his words, Marsha and Meghan had set the table… Mark was at a loss for words.

“How did??” Meghan walked up to him and kissed his cheek, “it’s called microwave dear.” She placed the last plate on the table and Mark held the chair for her as she sat down. Brad looked at his wife and did the same.

Marsha looks at Meghan, “I think I’ll invite you two over more often, it’s been while since Bradly held the chair for me.”

In the house across the other side of town Katherine is sitting in the dark, no food no water and the police patrolling around the house. She had to find food and water soon. Suddenly she remembered the fruit cake her mother had got for grandmother but was never touched. She silently made her way to her mother’s room and in the bottom drawer of her dresser sat the fruitcake still in the tin untouched. Though she was never fond of fruitcake she was hungry enough to even cat food. Once she opened the tin lid she realized she had nothing to cut the cake with. She grabbed the cake and began eating it. After the third bite he realized she needed something to wash it down.

At the Roberts home the topic at the table was of course Katherine and where could she possibly be. Since Brad spoke to Mark early this afternoon he did get confirmation that Katherine was suffering from schizophrenia and she needs to be on medication.

Meghan looks at Brad, “how long has she had this problem?”

“I’m afraid she’s been suffering with it for a long time.”

Mark looks at them, “there is a theory that the environment and generic factors do contribute…. “ He looked at Meghan, “ Megs don’t go there, you’re not like Katherine.”

“She’s from the same background as me we both have Mitchem blood in us!”

“And she has he father’ blood and you have your mother’s. Don’t do this to yourself Megs. You are not like her.!”

“How can you be so sure, Mark? Tell me, how can you honestly say I’m not?”

He looked in her eyes, “because you have never killed anyone, with all you have been through you never tried to hurt anyone. I know you Megs, you’re kind and sweet and the girl I fell in love with fifteen years ago and married. Besides, I’m a doctor I would know the signs if you were.”

Brad looked at Marsha then at them, “look it’s been a long ride down here why don’t you both turn in we have a spare room at the end of the hall just go in and take a rest. We’ll sort things out in the morning.”

Marsha looks at Meghan and nods, "go on, Brad and I will clean up.” Brad nods and smiles at the two of them, "go on get some rest.”

Later on when they were settled in bed with Marks arms around her Meghan felt safe.

“Mark, do you think they will find Katherine before she get to me?”

Mark hold her tighter to him, “Megs, I won’t let her or anyone hurt you. You have my promise on that.”

He leans down and kisses her and suddenly all the worries of the outside world didn’t matter. All that mattered was being in Mark’s arms and feeling safe.

The morning sun came through the bedroom window as it danced across Meghan’s face. Mark watched as it danced around the room and then back to Meghan. Slowly she opened her eyes.

“ Good morning sunshine.”

She gave a smile and tried to get up but he grabbed her arm, “not so fast where’s my morning kiss?” She leans back and he pulls her down on top of him and smiles,” well this is what I call more than just a kiss.”

She pulls herself up on her elbows, “ love as I would to stay here in bed with you and believe me it is a tempting offer but, we are guests here and should make an appearance at the breakfast table.”

Mark nodded and had to agree with her. They got up and soon were heading down the hall to the kitchen. With a new day Katherine got up from the bed in her mother’s room and slowly made her way to the window top peer outside. The police car behind the house was not there this was her chance to get out. Slowly she got to Meghan’s old bedroom and made her way down the tree. She almost made it when two patrol officers came up from behind her. “Hands up Miss Andrews you’re under arrest.”

Katherine, “for what this is my grandmother’s house.”

“It may be so Ma’am but you are wanted for walking out at the hospital and attacking a nurse in the process. I suggest you come along peacefully.”

She looks at the patrolman as she turns and was handcuffed. “I have my right to one phone call.”

“When you get to the station ma’am.”

“I want my cousin Meghan to know where I am.” The police officer nods as he waits for his partner to bring the car to the back. “You’ll get to call your cousin when you get to the station.”

The station has been informed that Katherine was apprehended and on her way to the station and asking for her cousin. Brad was notified by Captain Moore when he got the car from the patrol car.

It was Brad who came back at the breakfast table who had to tell Mark and Meghan that Katherine was on her way to the police station and was asking for her.

“Well you can’t suggest Megs go down there Brad.’’

“She’ll be protected Mark.”

“I don’t like it Brad, it’s too dangerous. You know how dangerous she is”

Meghan looks at both of them,” alright you two it’s not up for discussion and I’m going.”

She gets up from the chair and heads for the hall she turns and looks at Mark,” Coming doctor?”

The ride to the police station was in silence and the tension in the front seat in the car could be cut with a knife.

Meghan knew Mark was angry but he had to understand he couldn’t fight her battles for her. Finally Meghan couldn’t take it anymore.

“Mark for the love of God, say something say anything!”

“Don’t do this Megs please.”

“Mark don’t let me do this.”

He looks at her, “and you know I’m going to be with you when you see her.”

She takes his hand in hers, “Together to hell and back.”

He smiles at her “to hell and back.”

Katherine sat quietly in a room waiting for Meghan to arrive and planning how she would kill her. She wasn’t sure but she did favor using a knife. Sees no one checked her when they cuffed her typical rookie mistake. The door opened and in walked Meghan and Mark. Katherine stared at her so she came with him well he could have the pleasure of watching her die.

“Well if it isn’t my cousin Megan. It took you long enough to get here.”

“We were out of town…we just got back last night.”

Katherine looked at her then Mark, “out of town?”

Mark moves up beside Meghan, “Yes Megs and I got married last week.”

“Married? Well, let me be the first to congratulate you! I’d like to say I’m happy, but you see, I have this promise I made to our grandmother. As she spoke, Mark watched her hand slip into her pocket. He pushed Meghan out of the way as Katherine pulled out the switchblade, pushed the button, and attacked Mark. Meghan screamed. Then the door flew open and three officers fired at Katherine as she fell to the ground.

Meghan ran to Mark, “Mark, Mark, are you alright?”

He looked up as Meghan held his head, cradled in her arms.

“There’s no place I’d rather be then right here.”

“You could have been killed. You could have…”

He pulled her head down to him, "You talk too much. I see that there is only one way to hush you up.” With that, he kissed her.

Five years seemed like a lifetime ago, but to Meghan Gentry, it was as if it were yesterday. She sold the family home, and she and Mark bought another one outside of town that had plenty of room for their four children to run around with their pets. It was even close enough for Mark to take an occasional lunch from the hospital. It was a place where she could look out the window and watch Tom and Mark climbing a tree while Anna and Roisin sprawled on the lawn, enjoying their pets. How she wished Anna could've been there to see her namesake, but somehow she felt see could see her, smiling down at all of them each day. And so, the little girl who had no family got herself a man who loved her no matter what, along with four children, whom she would spend a lifetime making feel loved and wanted.

THE END