When Terror Strikes Part 10

By: Stacy L.

PART 10

Back in Armstrong’s office…

Armstrong watched Gary closely. He sensed Gary was hiding something. He said, “I’ll speak with her but Hobson…”

“Yes?”

“Tell me what it is you’re not saying.”

“Noth…nothing.”

“Nothing? Okay. Could you at least give me a hint as to what has occurred to bring her to me?”

“Another attack was attempted…”

“On her?”

“No, no…on her son. He was outside playing. Somebody tried to abduct him from the yard…”

“WHAT?”

“She said that her ex-husband…stalks her. He was abusive. He pursued her here and now he wants her back.”

“Are they still married?”

“No, no divorced. She has a restraining order out against him. She saw him earlier…at McGinty’s.”

“What was she doing there?” Armstrong asked in a suspicious tone of voice.

Gary simply shrugged his shoulders saying, “She wanted to talk. Look, she’s really upset and afraid not only for herself but for her son. Is there anyway that you can help her?”

Armstrong dropped his head as he digested this new unexpected information. He sighed heavily then said, “Bring her in. I’ll see what I can do for her.”

“Good. Thank you.”

“Hobson, when abuse is involved things can get very…sticky…”

“I know.”

“I’m warning you. Watch your back. You got yourself involved and now you have to face the consequences of caring. Domestic violence situations are extremely intense and complex.”

“I’ll be fine Armstrong.”

“Will you?”

“Yes.”

“Gary, be very careful…tread lightly. Even the police hate responding to a domestic violence situation.”

“And just why is that?”

“Because the situation is very, very unpredictable. The abuser could decide to turn on the police for just getting involved in his personal affairs. Sometimes an abuser has a gun or a knife. Abusers are completely unpredictable, you can never tell what they will do or say. Often the victim calls the police then gets angry when they respond. The victim will often defend their abuser and protect him no matter if they’re covered in bruises or not, whether they are scared to death or not. More often than not the victim refuses to press any charges against the one who hurt them. Without the victim’s cooperation we can’t do anything. I’m just warning you. Be extremely careful.”

“I am. I will.”

“All right. Bring her in.”

Gary exited the office and approached Amanda. She looked up at him very uncertain. Gary gently questioned, “Do you think you can do this, Amanda?”

“Yes.”

“You’re sure now? You make the call…this is your decision.”

“I’m ready.”

“Just speak up if you change your mind.”

She nodded then gripped Gary’s hand. Gary held hers and escorted her inside. He said, “Armstrong this is Amanda…”

Amanda extended her hand in greeting saying, “I believe we’ve already met, Detective Armstrong.”

“Yes we have. Would you prefer to sit down?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Gary has told me that you believe you know who’s attempting to harm you.”

“Um yes…I have a fair idea.”

“Could you tell me please?”

A long silence proceeded the question. Amanda focused on her lap, clenching her hands nervously together. Gary placed his over hers gently. She felt more at ease with Gary’s tender, comforting gesture.

Paul watched her. She was afraid and nervous as hell. He had to take things nice and slow or she’d clam up. He gently prodded again, “Who do you believe is after you?”

She sighed heavily, hesitating. Paul continued, “Take your time.”

“Um my…my ex-husband…Jack.”

“What makes you think he’s after you?”

“I um… We were married for quite some time. He…he was a kind man when we met, but after we wed he…he changed.”

“Changed? How?”

Amanda hesitated yet again. She didn’t trust any police so what the hell was she doing here? As she felt Gary’s gentle and encouraging squeeze on her hand she remembered why she was here: to stop her fear and end her nightmare forever. She at the moment found herself extremely glad that she was not here alone, that she had a supporter and friend. Gary’s simple touch encouraged Amanda to continue. She looked at Paul Armstrong then continued, “Um my husband…he became…irrational, easily angered, irritable… He started…hurting me. I was hospitalized several times as a result of his…treatment of me. I feared he’d kill my son and I so…so I ran. I took my son and ran to another state. We were safe for a little while but…it wasn’t long before my…husband found us. He started following me around. He’d call my home nearly every night and whisper into the telephone that I belonged only to him, that I was his. He eventually changed his methods. He moved on to…letters…mailing me these letters of how he had seen me go here or there. He reminded me that I’d never be free of him, that he could find me anywhere, at anytime and that he was always nearby watching my every move. He started showing up at the house. One night he broke in. I took Gregory and ran. After that as soon as I discovered that Jack had again found us I quickly picked up and left running again. He had found me every time I have moved. I ended up here about a month or so ago. Shortly after my arrival here the attacks on my son and I started to occur. I refused to believe he could’ve possibly found us again. He did…he showed up at Gary’s bar yesterday… He was sending me a message…that he had found me again and wouldn’t let me go.”

“Would you be willing to describe your husband for me?”

“Um will it help me to be rid of him?”

“Yes I believe it will.”

“He’s threatened to kill me if I speak of him to anyone.”

“If you want to be free of him you’ll have to speak up soon. It’s your choice. No one is saying that you must do this. The decision is completely yours to make.”

“Now you sound like Gary.”

“Really? You wouldn’t happen to have a picture of him somewhere, would you?” Armstrong hoped she did but had doubts. She probably destroyed them all to forget him completely. Amanda spoke up, “Yes…yes I do.”

Paul looked at her in surprise then asked, “You…you do?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” questioned Armstrong without thinking of what he was saying.

“I kept one to show Gregory. Jack has a lot of connections. He’s into some sort of business. I don’t know much about it but he always can find people willing to do his bidding. I kept a picture of him to show my son. I fear that Jack will try to abduct him to use him against me. I showed Gregory the picture so he would know the man if he saw him on the street and could get away quickly.”

“Do you have it with you or…?”

“Yes.”

She dug the picture of Jack out of her purse clenching it tightly in her hands. Should she show him? Jack had promised her that if she talked he’d kill her. What if…?

She looked up at Gary who said, “It’s your choice Amanda. Your decision…Armstrong can help you if you let him. He might be able to free you completely from your husband. Amanda, the choice is yours to make, yours and yours alone. Are you willing to take this chance, which may or may not work or would you rather not risk it? It’s your call. This is your life we’re talking about here. Not mine, not Armstrong’s but yours. You are in control. The call is yours to make.”

She stared into Gary’s eyes and felt so safe. She was so grateful for all of his help and so grateful that he understood her fears and her uncertainties. He was allowing her the freedom, the right, to make her own decision. She wasn’t used to a man stepping back to leave her decide on her own. All the men she has ever known throughout her life have prevented her from making any decisions. They dictated what she could do. They allowed her very limited freedom. Gary was the complete opposite. He was giving her every opportunity to be in charge. He was allowing her to do what she wanted to do, not what she was told to do, and she found that she loved him for that. She was so grateful that Gary was her friend and that she had met him.

Armstrong watched her seeing her emotions playing across her face. He spoke up, “Gary’s right you know. The choice is yours to make. If you fear your husband will harm you for revealing his identity then don’t give me that photo. If you have any doubts at all…”

She extended the photo to Armstrong just then. She stared down at the picture in her hand and at the death grip she held on it. Armstrong didn’t make a move to grab it or reach for it. Instead he looked at her then said, “Are you sure you want to do this? Once you show me this picture I will set up an APB on the man. The police will start a search. When the find him they will arrest him and they will lock him in a jail cell. He will serve some time in prison for his crimes. Are you positive you want to do this?”

She nodded her head yes still holding the photo. Paul asked, “Do you understand what could happen?”

“Yes.”

After he was sure she made up her mind he slowly reached for the photograph allowing her every possible opportunity he could to take the picture back before he saw it. She didn’t pull it back. Armstrong slowly turned the photo over them, as he looked at the picture, he paled muttering, “Oh my God.”

Gary noticed immediately that Armstrong was acting weird. Armstrong quickly put the photo down and picked up his phone demanding that Amanda and her son be put under police protective custody immediately. Neither Gary nor Amanda moved. All they could do was stare at Armstrong as he made the call without even questioning any further. Neither of them understood why Armstrong reacted so quickly to a simple photo.

After Paul made arrangements for Amanda and her son he looked up at Gary then said, “I want you in protective custody also Hobson.”

“WHAT? No.”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Gary asked while eyeing up Armstrong. What was going on?

Armstrong interrupted Gary’s thoughts as he continued, “This man is very dangerous. He will kill anyone that gets in his way. He’s cruel and sadistic. He’s a murderer Hobson, and I want you protected.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No. I want you to tell me why you so quickly got her protection.”

“Because she needs it.”

“Who is he?”

“Who?”

“Jack, her husband.”

“A maniac.”

“You know him, don’t you?”

“Hobson…”

“You do. How?”

“Look…”

“Tell me.”

“I met him when I was a rookie cop…”

“And what did he do?”

“Hobson it’s a very long story. Listen, this guy is extremely dangerous. I’ve been tracking him for years…lost him several years ago…in Colorado.”

Amanda spoke up, “That’s where I met him.”

Gary again interrupted refusing to stop his inquiry, “What did he do?”

Paul responded, “Never mind, Gary. That’s something you don’t need to worry about. Just…take my word on this Gary. The man is dangerous and you are in danger as long as you associate with his ex-wife.”

“I’m not leaving her alone to face him. I know the risks.”

Armstrong saw determination in Gary and said, “In that case you’ll be safest if you have police protection.”

“NO! I’ve been through that protective custody stuff with Brigatti, no. I won’t go through it again.”

“Gary your life is in danger. You need protection…”

“NO!”

“Gary…”

“No, I don’t like being…guarded all the time. No. I don’t have any freedom if I’m in protective custody.”

“Gary…”

“No. Once with Brigatti was enough, no.”

“You’ll be in a safe house…”

“Oh no, no, no…no safe houses. NO! I need to be home in my own bed…”

“Correct me if I’m wrong here Gary, but didn’t someone shoot up your bar in an attempt to make a hit on you the last time you decided to stay at home?”

“How do you know about that?” Gary demanded.

“Brigatti told me.”

“Brigatti? What the hell didn’t she tell you about my life?”

“Gary, relax. I simply asked her how she had known you. She told me that you were her witness and she was hired to protect you.”

“Why?”

“Because I was…curious. I wanted to know when and where you would’ve ever met a Federal Marshall, so I asked her and she told me. You’re awfully defensive. Are things between you and Brigatti a little strained?”

“WHAT?”

“You two were dating for some time…”

“So what? I’m allowed to date whoever I damn well please without being the talk of the police department!”

“If you didn’t want to be gossiped about you should’ve never dated her. Rumors flew when you helped her retrieve the Lermontov Diamond. You stirred up a hornet’s nest when you started dating her.”

“Didn’t you or anybody in this division ever hear of such a thing as privacy?” Gary was quickly becoming angry and embarrassed at the same time.

Amanda interrupted, “Excuse me, gentlemen. I hate to interrupt this interesting banter but shouldn’t we all be focusing on the real issue here?”

Gary was the first to look at her and apologize profusely. Armstrong followed in suit. Then Paul said, “Oh one last thing Hobson…in my opinion you’re perfect for Brigatti. I think the two of you getting together is a good thing. You and her need someone else in your lives. You both spend too much time doing everything but living your own lives. Gary life is short…you need to find some time to live it.”

Gary felt a chill run through him in response to that comment. He asked, “What did you say?”

“You, of all people, should know just how fragile life is, so some where between the rush of every day life Hobson you need to find time to live it.”

Gary felt a creepy feeling as Lucius Snow’s voice echoed those same words in his mind. He couldn’t speak. All he could do was stare. Amanda asked, “Gary are you okay? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Maybe I have…” came Gary’s hushed, strained reply. Gary hadn’t heard those words since he had met Lindsey Romick and passed his special edition of the Chicago Sun on to her. Of course, Lindsey was still a little girl with no knowledge of what her future was going to hold. He felt totally unnerved by Armstrong’s comment. It was almost as if Lucius Snow was speaking through Armstrong, repeating those words Gary had read almost a year ago while standing in the cemetery after speaking to his successor. Why had Armstrong said that? What made him choose that particular wording?

Gary heard Armstrong speak his name and jolted in surprise. He had temporarily blocked out everything but that one small memory. What had they been discussing before Paul had said that?

Paul asked out of the blue, “Hobson have you been sleeping well?”

“Wh…what? What does that have to do with anything?”

Armstrong shrugged his shoulders in response deciding to drop that question entirely. He then continued, “Nothing. Never mind…look, I’m sorry that I brought Brigatti up. Let’s get back to the issue here. I want you in protective custody along with Miss Riley and her son…”

“No. I’ve already told you that I refuse to be placed in protective custody.”

“Gary, I understand how you feel, but you don’t know this man. I do. I know what he’s capable of. He kills without remorse, without feelings. Gary, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill you for just being in his way. I’m serious, Gary. Please?”

“NO!”

Armstrong hesitantly gave up. He was frustrated. Why did Hobson not see the danger he was exposing himself to? Armstrong only shook his head then focused on Amanda. She agreed to be placed under police protection. He asked her a few more questions then worked on setting up a safe house for her. Her and Gary left shortly after that.

* * * *

Armstrong wondered what he was going to do about Hobson. The man in the picture was a monster. He would shoot Gary just for getting too close to Amanda. He couldn’t leave Gary totally unprotected. He’d have to find a way to keep him under surveillance without Gary realizing it. How could he do that? He refused to leave Gary completely unprotected. He was a perfect target. Wallis was not above abducting someone to use as a bargaining chip to get what he wanted. If Amanda was who he wanted he wouldn’t even hesitate to snatch up Hobson to use as bait. Damn that man was so stubborn!

He glanced up as his door flew against the wall banging loudly as someone barged in. He was about to yell at them until he saw who his newest visitor was. He simply nodded his head in greeting saying, “Brigatti.”

“Paul.”

“How can I help you?”

“Hobson, what was he doing here?”

“Why?”

“Tell me,” she requested evenly.

“Helping someone.”

“Who? That blond he had with him?” came her tense response.

Armstrong watched Brigatti’s facial expressions. The woman looked furious and stubborn as hell. He doubted she’d leave until some of her questions were answered. Armstrong laughed briefly then noticed her sudden inhaling of breath as she glared at him coldly. He was making her angrier and he knew it. He just couldn’t resist saying, “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

“Uh? Jealous of what? Her? Some duded up bimbo he probably found on the street?” came Brigatti’s snippy response.

“You are jealous.” Armstrong was now smiling even more. Letting her know that he knew she was in fact very jealous. He knew that he was being smug, but he just couldn’t help it. Toni Brigatti intrigued him almost as much as Gary Hobson. The two were perfect for each other.

Toni saw the smug expression on Armstrong’s face and it only made her more furious, as a result she nearly screamed out, “Don’t be ridiculous! Why would I be jealous?”

Paul tried to cover up his smirk by commenting but when he went to speak up she quickly cut him off asking more sternly, “So who’s the blond?”

“What?”

“Spill it Paul. Who the hell is she?”

“Brigatti why do you care? Hobson and you are no longer dating.”

“Tell me.”

“All right. She’s a friend of Gary’s…”

“A friend, uh? What kind of a friend?”

“Brigatti she’s involved in a case that I’m investigating.”

“And what case is that?”

“None of your business.”

“Who is she?”

“Amanda Riley.”

“Who?”

“She’s on the run…”

“What a surprise.”

“From her abusive ex-husband.”

“Oh…”

Suddenly the anger and intense jealousy…jealousy? No way. She wasn’t jealous just…concerned, yeah concerned… The anger went out of her as she felt the impact of those words. She was running from an abusive husband? She questioned in a softer tone, “So what’s Hobson have to do with this?”

“Funny you should ask. He has averted several attacks on her and her son over the last few weeks.”

“Of course where there’s trouble…”

“There’s Gary Hobson.”

“Yeah. Tell me a little bit about this case, Paul.” She responded now more curious then angry.

“Plain and simple. She’s on the run. Her husband threatened to kill her and has made several attempts to kidnap her son and harm her.”

“What’s going to happen to her?”

“I’m putting her in protective custody.”

“Why?”

“Because I know who her husband is. He’s on the wanted list.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope. Jack Wallis.”

“The murderer?”

“Murderer, drug runner, thief, terrorist…you name it he’s probably done it.”

“And this woman married him?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“She was young. She didn’t realize what she was getting herself into until it was too late. She left him, divorced him and moved out of her home state several years ago. He followed her, found her and stalked her. She has a restraining order against him, but he’s still stalking her. It’s a bad situation.”

“And Hobson’s managed to get himself right in the middle of it.”

“Yep you could say that.”

“You placing Hobson under protective custody?”

“No. No I’m not.”

“Why?”

“He refused.”

“Paul if this man is as nasty as you say he is and Hobson’s with his wife he’s right in the firing range.”

“Yes I know.”

“So?”

“I’m going to keep an eye on Gary myself. He refused police protection but I refuse to let him make himself a target. I’ll follow him for a while until this guy is caught or things calm down.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“No. But it’s the only solution I can come up with right now. You have a better idea, Brigatti?”

“Gary will be made when he finds out what you’re up to.”

“Oh calling him Gary now? I see…very interesting.”

“Shut up Paul.”

“Defensive too.”

“Paul…”

“All right. I’ll stop.”

“Thank you.”

“Look Gary may be angry but he’ll just have to deal with it. I’m not letting him walk around Chicago by himself knowing that Wallis is probably making plans as we speak on how Hobson will be of the best use to him. I have a bad feeling about this whole situation.”

* * * *

Gary escorted Amanda home. What he didn’t realize was that Wallis was watching. He had been wondering when the hell his wife would get home. He knew he scared her today. She was very anxious. He grinned as he saw her scan the area…making sure he wasn’t around probably.

Hobson was still with her. Damn him! He needed to be eliminated and soon. Jack’s first instinct was to kill the man but now he wasn’t so sure. He wanted to meet this Gary Hobson face to face. He wanted to speak with his competitor to find out what kind of a man Hobson was. He would be of so much use to him alive now. Jack was sure of it. He was sure he had found another bargaining chip to play against his wife. If he were to grab Hobson then Samantha would come running to him. He started to think of how he could get closer to Hobson without that ESP or second sight or whatever the hell he had interfering in his plans.

Wallis was about to leave when he saw the two enter Samantha’s home. He started up his car then stopped as his wife reappeared with a suitcase in hand and that boy with her. Hobson soon exited the house as well. Where the hell was she planning on going? Was she planning on running again? He cursed when he saw the two leave together. He followed them and became extremely outraged when he saw the two entering McGinty’s. She was not going to stay at his place! Never! He sat outside waiting for them to exit again. It was hours before he saw Gary Hobson exit his bar heading left. Where was his wife? He wasn’t about to let her stay there!

When he was sure that Hobson was gone he got out of his vehicle and walked to the back of the place. There had to be an exit back here somewhere. He scanned the building and smirked as he soon found his way inside…

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