When Terror Strikes Part 12
By: Stacy L.
PART 12
As Armstrong
continued to follow Gary, keeping an eye on him, he started getting a sense
that Gary was hiding something big from him. He watched Gary approaching a
store. What the hell was Hobson doing here? He was awfully far from the
bar…why? And the way he rushed over here you’d think there was a fire or
something. Why would Hobson rush over here like he was racing against the clock
only to stop at some convenience store and take another look at that paper he
toted around with him? Armstrong noticed Gary suddenly tense up. Now what was
going on? The first thing Paul noticed was how slowly Gary scanned the
surrounding area. What was he looking for?
Armstrong continued
to observe Gary from his location. He noticed Hobson stop and tense. He looked
in the direction Gary was focusing and all he saw was people. Then he noticed
how one particular man was now looking directly at Hobson. He looked as if he
were ready to fight Hobson. Armstrong looked from the stranger to Gary and just
as he went to glance at the stranger again Gary jumped as if he were surprised.
Armstrong could only stare in shock as Gary spun quickly around and caught a
young woman just before she fell. If she would have fallen down those steps she
would’ve been seriously hurt. If Hobson wouldn’t have reacted so quickly…
He watched as the
two exchanged a few words then Hobson looked towards the street corner
again…the stranger! Armstrong had temporarily forgotten about him when Gary
caught the woman. He cursed when he noticed the man was no longer there. He
watched Gary make another sweep of the surrounding area then start walking
still heading away from McGinty’s. What the hell was Hobson up to? The man
seemed awfully busy and night was fast approaching. He continued following Gary
watching as he again stopped to read his newspaper. Armstrong knew there was
something unusual about Gary and his newspaper. He wanted to get a look at this
paper. Why was Gary so interested in a simple daily issue of the Chicago
Sun-Times? It made no sense…
Gary suddenly took
off running; Armstrong cursed but managed to follow him. He stopped later when
he saw Gary grab a fire extinguisher. He then ran into a fast food place.
Armstrong could only gawk at Gary when he saw the man race in and put out a
grease fire with the fire extinguisher he had just grabbed. What was going on
here? How could Gary have known about that fire? Armstrong decided not to dwell
on that question too long. He was glad when he saw the man finally turn and
head back to McGinty’s. He followed Gary home then went home himself after
assigning a detective to watch Gary’s home. Armstrong showered then laid down
drifting asleep rapidly.
* * * * * *
Toni Brigatti
finally managed to successfully get all thoughts of Gary Hobson out of her
mind. She was glad to be home. The day proved to be very long and hectic. She
quickly laid down and fell asleep but her dreams refused to forget that Gary
Hobson in fact existed. He was very real and very present in her dreams
tonight…
In her dream Gary
was wearing a black tuxedo. He and Toni were dancing to a song entitled “You’re
the Inspiration” by Chicago. Toni hadn’t felt this happy in months. Gary made
her feel loved and cherished. It felt great to be held by the man. As the song
came to an end she whispered, “Oh Gary I’ve waited for this moment for so long.
I’ve missed you so.”
“And I’ve missed
you.”
“We’re together
now…”
“And we’ll never be
apart again. I promise you, Toni.”
As another song came
on the two danced yet again. Toni could hear the music playing but her mind
couldn’t identify the song. She hadn’t heard the song in years. Gary suddenly
stopped and looked at her in urgency befor saying, “Let’s go.”
“Where?”
Gary spoke again the
urgency now very noticeable in his voice, “We have to go.”
“Where? Why?” asked
Toni in confusion.
“Toni, trust me on
this will you?”
“Sure but Gary…” suddenly
flames erupted all around them. She feared they wouldn’t survive but Gary
proved her wrong as he pulled her out of the fire just in time.
Her dream abruptly
changed again… She was surrounded by pitch blackness feeling empty and so very
alone inside. She yelled for help but no one could hear her. In her dream he
appeared before her again looking as handsome as ever. She and Gary were both
fully clothed. She wore a low-cut, off the shoulder, red gown and Gary wore a
black tuxedo. He stared deep into her eyes and she felt a yearning begin deep
inside herself again. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to feel his lips
pressed so tenderly against her own. Gary almost sensed her need as he gently
pressed his left hand to her face. He cupped her cheek in his hand. She could
feel the warmth and vitality in that touch. She yearned for him to touch her
more. She uttered his name and a smile spread across his face, a beautiful
sexy, somewhat devilish smile. Gary spoke to her, “I need you, Toni Brigatti. I
need you to make me feel alive. I need your strength and courage to pull me
through…”
Brigatti felt
suddenly alarmed by those words. She rapidly questioned, “Pull you through what
Gary? Gary, is something going to happen?”
Gary silenced her
with a kiss. As his lips pressed so tenderly against hers Toni felt the floor
fall out from under her. Gary’s arms wrapped protectively around her and the
kiss deepened. Toni groaned in response. God how she needed him, wanted him...
He made her feel so…so special and beautiful and sexy. He turned her on in ways
he didn’t even realize. Just the scent of him nearly drove her crazy with
wanting him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against
him. Their bodies fused together almost as if they were meant to be together.
Toni felt very safe and protected in Gary’s arms. As they continued to kiss
Gary began slowly running his hands up and down her back, a gesture that made
her feel comforted and cherished. Before she realized what she was doing she
pulled away from him. Her breath was coming in gasps. The kiss was so intense.
She had never felt so…so excited and scared at the same time. She whispered,
“Oh God Gary, make love to me please? Please make me feel whole…”
Gary chuckled a
sexy, seductive chuckle. He looked into her eyes and saw her need, her desire
for him and she saw those same things reflecting in his eyes. Gary whispered,
“With pleasure…”
She reached for his
shirt and hastily undid the necktie wondering now why men had to dress in
several layers of clothing at times. Once the tie came undone she carelessly
discarded it and seized his shirt beginning to work furviously on the buttons.
Gary slowly moved his hands up to where the zipper was on the back of her
dress. He ever so slowly worked that zipper down baring her back to the air.
His touch sent her skin aflame. Wherever he touched her he seared her and made
her want him all the more. Gary again swooped down catching her lips in a deep
passionate kiss. She nearly swooned in response and fumbled with a button on
his shirt. She reached inside the shirt and nearly screamed in frustration when
her hand came in contact with his t-shirt. She pulled away from his kiss
asking, “Why do men have to wear so much clothing?”
“Why do women have
to wear so much?” came Gary’s heated response. He pulled her to him and kissed
her again. She was ready for him and he for her then suddenly the soul-searing
kiss ended and Gary’s arms dropped from around her. He suddenly backed away
from her. Toni immediately felt the emptiness that lay between them. She spoke
out, “Gary, what are you doing? Come back here…”
Gary looked at her
and reached for her as their hands almost connected Gary suddenly flew
backwards. Toni became very afraid. She called to him, “Gary! Gary, don’t go!
Please!” but Gary vanished before her eyes and all she could hear was his voice
yelling, “Toni, help me please!”
Toni jumped awake
screaming Gary’s name. She felt so afraid. She couldn’t remember where she was
but as her eyes adjusted and the beating of her heart as well as her heavy
breathing began to recede some she realized that she was home in her own bed.
She felt a strong urgency: Gary was in danger or he would be soon. Toni had to
make sure that Gary was all right. He had to be all right. He just had to! She
quickly punched in his number on her telephone praying that Gary was there and
perfectly safe. The phone rang two times, then three… The longer the phone rang
the more fearful and anxious she became. Gary had to be all right! He just had
to be! She nearly screamed out in relief when a groggy hello came to her over
the phone lines. It was Gary’s voice, she knew it was him. He must’ve been
asleep and she woke him. He questioned, “Hello…is anyone there?”
He was more alert
now. Toni felt suddenly foolish so without thinking she dropped the phone back
in its cradle. She had been worried for no reason. Gary was just fine. She was
acting silly all because some nightmare spooked her, but the dream was so real,
so vivid… Was it really just a dream? Sure it was…but as Toni lay down again
and closed her eyes she felt a deep sense of foreboding and knew on instinct
that Gary was in danger. Gary’s life was in danger, and she had to find out a
way to protect him. She wouldn’t leave Gary die!
* * * * * *
Two Days Later…
The more Armstrong
followed Gary the stronger he felt as if Gary was concealing something from him.
He continued to follow Gary noticing how he clung to that newspaper and how he
had such good timing to prevent some tragedy. Was Gary Hobson psychic? No, that
was absolutely ridiculous! Psychics were fakes not real. There was no way Gary
was psychic. The idea of ESP, second sight or a sixth sense was preposterous.
Paul never understood why so many people believed that such nonsense was real
and only handful of people possessed those special gifts. No, Gary wasn’t
psychic…so how could Paul logically explain the way Gary miraculously appears
just in time to help someone from a tragedy? Armstrong had no answer for that.
As he always said: Hobson was strange. He was different than other people.
Strange and secretive…what was the big mystery surrounding Hobson? Armstrong
didn’t know the answer to that question. He might never know. Armstrong hated
when he couldn’t figure things out and he hated secrets. He had a strong urge
that Gary had some big secret and it pissed him off that Gary chose to remain
silent about it. Armstrong found himself getting angrier as he observed Gary.
He hated when people kept things from him and he knows that Gary has been doing
that to him. He knew that his anger was displaced and that he was just angry
about everything at the moment, but he couldn’t get passed it yet.
* * * *
Thompson arrived at
Jack’s. Jack asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be watching Hobson?”
“Larry’s doing
that.”
“You’re supposed to
be with Hobson, not Larry.”
“I know boss, but…”
“What now,
Thompson?”
“Armstrong’s
following him.”
“WHAT?”
“He’s been following
Hobson every where.”
“Damn I was afraid
of that. Did you locate my wife yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“Did you check the
computers?”
“Yes, they must have
her under an alias. I’ll keep digging. We’ll find her, boss.”
“We may have to grab
Hobson…”
“Armstrong’s
watching him closely. We’ll never get near him.”
“Yes we will.”
“How boss?”
“I have a plan. I think
I’ll be able to draw Hobson out into the open…without Armstrong interfering.”
“But how?”
“Well, we’ve
determined that he may be psychic right?”
“Yeah but we’re not
sure.”
“You’ve been
following him a while now. What does he do?”
“Mainly runs around
saving people.”
“Does he know these
people?”
“No.”
“If he is psychic
maybe he’s using it to help strangers. We need to figure out if he’s psychic
for sure.”
“By doing what?”
“Thompson, do you
like the smell of fire?”
“Fire’s not really my
thing, boss. No, fire is more Jake’s thing.”
“Go get Jake. Tell
him I’d like to see him. Now.”
He obeyed and
shortly afterwards he entered with Jake following in behind him. Jake asked,
“Yeah Jack, what can I do for you?”
“Start a fire.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I want it in a
busy place…lots of people.”
“Sure Jack but why?”
“Because we’re going
to try to smoke out a pest.”
“How about the grand
old Civic Opera House over on North Whacker?”
“I kind of like that
place…”
“So do a lot of
other people Jack. Perfect place for an unexpected fire.”
“Give me some other
ideas.”
Thompson
interrupted, “No wait boss…the Opera House might just work. If he’s psychic he
could stop the fire before it consumes the theater.”
“Yes but he could
also get there and the blaze would be uncontrolled…”
“Wait, wait, wait!”
interrupted Jake. He continued, “Fires are my babies. You can’t put them out.
If I torch something it better damn well burn!”
“Not this time Jake.
If Hobson shows up there he damned well better not become a victim of that
blaze. I need him alive. I just want to flush him out to see if he has a sixth
sense.”
“DAMN! All right
I’ll set the fire and if Hobson gets caught in it I’ll…I’ll help him out.”
“What was that last
statement there, Jake? Your voice kind of trailed out. I didn’t quite hear what
you said. You were mumbling.”
“I’ll help him out,”
replied Jake totally annoyed.
“Thank you, Jake.”
“When would you like
me to work my magic?”
“Tomorrow at 8pm,
can you do that?”
“Sure. No problem.”
“All right.
Thompson, you need to keep an eye on Hobson to see what he does. Understand?”
“Yes boss.”
“Good. Once we find
out if he’s psychic or not then we can proceed with my plans to lure him to me.
He’ll tell me where she is…one way or the other.”
* * * *
Gary finished making
his “rounds” and headed inside. He saw Marissa at the bar and approached her.
She smiled questioning, “Gary, how are you?”
“Good Marissa. I’m
good.”
“You sound tired.
Busy night?”
“Yeah.”
“How are things with
Miss Riley?”
“Fine. Armstrong’s
going to help us. He put her in a safe house.”
“I’m glad. Gary…?”
Marissa felt uneasy as
Gary fell silent so she spoke his name again. Gary looked up at her asking,
“What?”
“Are you sure you’re
all right?”
Gary laughed in
reply hastily running his hand through his hair and looking down instead of
directly at her. Then he said, “Yeah. I’m fine. Why?”
“You just
seem…edgy.”
“No, no. I’m fine.
Really I am, Marissa. Don’t worry.”
“Is there something
you aren’t telling me? Something about Amanda?”
“No, no…of course
not. Wh…why would you think that?”
“Because you’re
stuttering.”
Gary fell silent now
glaring at Marissa. She knew him extremely well and sometimes it downright
angered him. Marissa interrupted his thoughts, “Gary, why is Armstrong placing
Amanda in a safe house? Who’s after her? Gary, I can tell by your silence that
you’re keeping something from me. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Noth…nothing’s
going on.”
“Gary, I’d like to
know what’s going on. Now I’d rather hear it from you, but if I must I’ll go
talk to Detective Armstrong.”
Gary sighed heavily.
Again Marissa succeeded in squishing any of his thoughts of defeating her in an
argument. Gary spoke up, “All right. All right, you win. I’ll talk.”
“Good. Go ahead.”
“Jeez Marissa, you
don’t’ hesitate at all do you?”
“Gary, tell me and
stop stalling.”
“I’m not stalling,”
replied Gary rather sternly.
“You can’t fool me.”
“Okay. Amanda is…
She’s running from her ex-husband. He used to beat her. She ran and he’s been
following her… He wants her back and will stop at nothing to get exactly what
he wants.”
“There’s more, isn’t
there Gary?”
“Um…yes.”
“Go on.”
“Her husband, as it
turns out, has quite a history with the police. He’s wanted for murder.
Armstrong wouldn’t tell me much just that the man was dangerous and would stop
at nothing to get her back. Armstrong placed her in police protective custody
after seeing a picture of him. He seems to think this guy is very dangerous to
her…and to me.”
“WHAT?”
“Amanda has told me
before that her husband is the jealous type, someone who would beat a person up
just for looking at her. Amanda and I have been together a lot lately. He saw
us together.”
“When?”
“He was here…at
McGinty’s. He scared her to death. He saw us coming down from my place. He will
use anyone to get to her including friends and he will kill anybody in his
way.”
“Gary, you should go
into protective custody…”
“No.”
“No? Why?”
“I won’t do that
again…for any reason.”
“But Gary…”
“No. I refuse to be
baby sat.”
“Gary, you’re being
silly. Look you should at least consider the option.”
“You know what
Marissa? I have and I’m not changing my mind. No protective custody.”
“But…”
“You can’t talk me
out of it. My mind’s already made up.”
“Gary…”
“I’m going to bed.”
“Gary please consider…”
“Good night
Marissa.”
“Gary…”
Gary walked away
from her and headed directly upstairs. He wasn’t about to agree to protective
custody. No way. He experienced that once before and decided never to go through
it again. He entered his place and got ready for bed. Right when Gary was
getting ready to lay down the phone rang. He answered it, “Hello?”
“Gary?”
“Who is this?”
“Toni.”
As soon as Toni
spoke her name Gary felt his heart skip a beat and suddenly got all flustered.
He questioned, “Wh…what do you want?”
Toni smiled into the
receiver when she heard that classic stuttering of his. He always seemed to get
tongue tied when he spoke with her and even though she would never admit it she
felt herself get all giddy inside. She then answered, “I wanted to see if
you’re all right.”
“Is that all?”
questioned Gary. Toni could hear just the slightest hint of excited ness in the
man’s voice.
Gary felt euphoric
all of a sudden. Toni Brigatti was calling just to ask if he was all right?
What was with her all of a sudden? Gary just shrugged his shoulders and noticed
how a sudden silence fell between them. He could’ve sworn that Toni was
breathing heavier than usual. He couldn’t help but smirk and waited patiently
for her to continue. She broke the silence saying, “Gary I…I…”
“What?”
“Never mind. Look, I
just wanted to check on you.”
“Why?” he asked in
curiously.
“Because I’m worried
about you.”
Gary couldn’t deny
that her answer greatly pleased him. He spoke up a little rapidly questioning,
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Well worry no more.
I’m perfectly fine.”
“Gary, Paul told me
what you’re involved in…”
Silence followed
that comment then Gary said, “Well I can handle it. Is there anything else,
Toni?”
“N…no, no just…be
safe.”
“I will.”
“Good night,
Hobson.”
“Good night, Toni.”
Then the line went
dead. Gary stood stock still holding the phone to his ear wishing that she
would speak again but knowing she was no longer there. He missed her and he
couldn’t deny that he was very interested in her. He wanted more than just a
friendship with the woman. He wanted a relationship with Toni, but he knew that
probably would never happen so he didn’t keep his hopes up too high. He liked
having her around. He hated to admit that he had a very strong attraction to
her and a huge desire to again pick up their relationship where they had left
off. They had agreed to stop dating when Brigatti’s job got in the way. Gary
hoped that some day they could pursue a future relationship together…some day.
He laid down and rapidly fell asleep dreaming of Toni Brigatti…
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