Gary Hobson

When Terror Strikes Part 9

By: Stacy L.

PART 9

Gary ran out of McGinty’s quickly surveying the area. He glanced to his left then to his right. He could see Amanda’s rapidly retreating form half way down the sidewalk so he took off running to catch up with her. Finally, when he caught up to her, he grabbed her gently. She screamed prompting Gary to yell, “Amanda? Amanda? It’s me! It’s Gary. Amanda, look at me! Look.”

Just then she did but as her haunted frightened eyes looked into his he had an incredible sense that she wasn’t seeing him. Gary calmed his voice fearing if he didn’t that he’d panic her further. He hushed his voice and gentled it then tried to get her attention again, “Amanda? Amanda, it’s Gary. Gary Hobson. Please look at me. Amanda, it’s Gary. Please look at me.”

She choked out, “Gary?”

“Yes it’s me.”

“Oh Gary.”

She then threw herself into his arms holding him, hugging him desperately. Gary was completely caught off guard by her actions. When he could feel her body shaking and hear the gasping in her voice he knew that she was very scared, so he wrapped his arms comfortingly around her. She started to cry so Gary held her tighter feeling her desperation and fear seeping out of her and into him.

He had no idea how long they stood there with him holding her in his arms, but he did so. He offered her the strength and comfort she needed and held her as she pulled her scattered thoughts and feelings together. She needed comfort and he offered it to her freely without reservation.

Gary felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness for the beautiful, strong spirited woman. She had suffered, he was sure of that, and though he knew little of her past he knew, sensed, that she needed a little support along the way. He offered that support to her willingly without expecting anything in return.

Gary felt her shuddering start to subside and she was gasping as if she were attempting to stop her tears. He refused to leave her go. He would release her when she told him that she was ready.

Amanda forced her erratic heart to slow down and she made herself catch her breath. She needed to regain her composure. She realized she was being held by Mister Hobson and knew she shouldn’t be hugging him, but it just felt so good to actually be held gently. Her husband never offered her hugs or a shoulder to cry on when she desperately needed it. He would instead storm out of the house and go to the nearest bar. He believed that such shows of affection, whether in the home or in public, were unnecessary. He would often say that his parents never offered him any comfort when he cried so why should he. He was told to suck it in and deal with it on his own. He very rarely offered any comfort to her. When he did it was to get her to accept his apology and make her believe that this time he would back up all of his empty promises to her. She had learned the hard way that he would never change and nothing she could say or do would ever change the man. It was a very hard and difficult lesson to learn because she had wanted so much to be the one to heal all of his pain. Now she saw that he would never change, and she couldn’t make him change. She had been deluding herself. No one would change unless they wanted to and her husband refused to even admit that he had a problem to begin with.

She calmed herself beginning to feel more in control. She could feel the rawness in her throat as she tried to resist crying more. She hated that sound of gasping that often accompanied tears so she focused on Gary. He felt so good, so right, holding her. She sensed deep down inside herself that here was a man she could trust with her life, with her secrets. Here was a man that she could actually trust. She felt afraid as she sensed her heart opening a crack, just a teeny little crack, to admit trust to begin to make a spark of an appearance inside herself once again. She knew, sensed, she could trust this man but she was very afraid to do so. Trusting in him was a huge step for her…one that was very necessary for her to take to begin healing completely from the brutal, vicious past she had left behind her when she walked out on her husband for good.

She was rather slow in pulling from him. She hated abandoning his arms. It felt so good to be held again…to be held by someone who actually seemed to care for her and about her. She was glad that someone could still care for her even knowing, or in Gary’s case, sensing that she was damaged goods. He didn’t seem to care at all about her traumatic past. He never accused her of being at fault for the abusive marriage or anything. She up into Gary’s eyes and nearly cried again as she saw pure sincere concern in his eyes. He wasn’t angry or mad that she had just thrown herself into his arms, instead he seemed glad and relieved… Gary Hobson was such a mystery to her. She tried to understand him but with such bad experiences in her past dealing with men she found that very difficult to do. To her Gary Hobson was an enigma. She nearly did burst into tears again as Gary raised his hand and gently wiped away her tears. She flinched on instinct fearing a strike would be presented to her but she didn’t jerk free of his arms because she…she trusted that he would not hurt her. He slowed the movement of his hand once he noticed her sudden anxiousness and she felt a tear roll down across her cheek as that simple motion of his made her feel special. Gary then spoke up in a warm gentle tone of voice, “Are you all right, Amanda?”

She looked into those beautiful mud-puddle green eyes of his and replied, “Yes, I am now. Gary…thank you for…for being here for me.”

“Sure. Any time. Would you like to sit down?”

“No, no. I’d rather walk if that’s okay with you.”

“Walking is good. I enjoy walking. Let’s go.”

They walked side by side down the sidewalk. When Gary saw that they were near the Riverfront he headed that way. He went to the lake path then looked at Amanda and said, “I love it down here on the waterfront…looking out on the water it’s just so…relaxing.”

“I love the water.”

“You do? Well now that’s something I didn’t know about you.”

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me Gary…”

“You’ll tell me when you’re ready…or maybe you won’t…that choice is yours to make, Amanda.”

“I think it’s only fair I tell you a little bit more about myself. You’ve been so great to me and have helped me and my child without pushing too hard to discover why all these things keep happening to us.”

“I’d like to be your friend Amanda. I don’t need to know why those things happened to you, although I won’t lie to you I am very scared for you and Gregory…”

“And you should be… Gary, I have to tell you a few things.”

“Only if you want to not because you feel an obligation to tell me.”

“I want to tell you. I need to tell someone and I’d rather…tell someone I actually…trust…”

Gary smiled at her, a beautiful brilliant smile when said that. He felt extremely happy. This woman before him was actually daring to trust in someone…a big step for her and Gary sensed that in taking that step Amanda would be able to heal completely. Gary spoke up, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Just…thank you.”

“Gary, I haven’t been myself in a very long time. I…I have a secret… One that I should’ve shared with you already only…I was too afraid to…Gary, I’m afraid someone is really after my son and I. I’m afraid he’s found us again.”

“He?”

“Gary, a long time ago I was married. I thought I loved this man and I thought that he loved me too only…instead of being the doting, loving husband I expected him to be…he was violent…short-tempered…always angry and moody… Gary, he would…he, um…my husband…”

Gary gently spoke up saying, “Your husband beat you, didn’t he Amanda?”

She could only nod her head in response. Gary continued, “I’m sorry you had to live like that. I’m sorry that you have suffered so much for someone so young, so full of life and spirit…”

Amanda laughed sarcastically then said, “I don’t have any spirit…”

Gary stopped and faced her as he said, “That’s where you’re wrong, Amanda. You are one of the most spirited people I know. You’re beautiful, caring, friendly…from what I could see you’re a terrific mother… You’re very smart and gentle. You remind me a lot of Marissa actually.”

“No, no. I’m nothing like her. She’s so…she’s so independent and strong. She has strength and courage…me? I just have this fear and anger. I just feel so… I don’t know.”

“Amanda, you are a very strong and independent woman too. You have strength and courage…”

“No I don’t.”

“Yes you do. It takes a lot of courage to walk away from a man you feared. It takes a lot of courage to raise a child. It takes a hell of a lot of courage to continue living in this city knowing someone’s after you. You are one of the bravest women I know. You should be proud of that, proud of yourself and all of your accomplishments. Look at all you have survived and you still can find it in your heart to face your fears and to dare to trust again. You are a magnificent woman Amanda Riley. I think that it’s way past time for you to accept that.”

Amanda couldn’t speak. She felt her throat get tight and was sure she was going to cry again, but she didn’t. She looked up at this man who was her friend, who was more a stranger to her than friends should be. He was more a stranger because she has deliberately been keeping him at a distance, keeping herself from daring to befriend him. She felt bad that she kept him at such a distance and angry that her husband caused her to be so leery of another’s intentions. Gary had willingly accepted that about her. He willingly accepted that she felt a need to distance herself from him. He questioned her on several occasions but he always, always stopped when she became upset. She was discovering that Gary Hobson was truly a magnificent man. She cleared her throat then spoke again, “My husband…has been following me for years.”

“Are you still married?”

“No, I divorced him years ago, but he still follows me. I didn’t want to admit that anyone was after me because I didn’t want to accept that he had found us again. I thought for sure I lost him in Michigan but then I saw him today. He’s here Gary. He’s in Chicago and he wants me.”

“Is your husband the man who was sitting at the bar earlier?”

“When we went downstairs? Yes. I…I felt all that fear come back when I saw him. I didn’t know what to do so I…I ran…as fast as my legs would carry me. He won’t leave until he gets what he’s here for.”

“Well that will never happen! I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that monster get his hands on you again!”

“Gary, there’s nothing you can do. He’ll use any means to get to me.”

“Such as?”

“If necessary he’ll go after someone I care for…”

“Gregory. He’s after your son so he can lure you to him.”

“I believe that’s his plan.”

“Then we’ll talk to Armstrong and he’ll put you under police protection…”

“Gary…”

“I know you don’t trust policemen but Armstrong can help…”

“Gary…”

“Amanda consider it…”

“I did Gary. I want to talk to your friend.”

“Then what…?”

“I’m afraid…for you.”

“What? Why?”

“Gary my ex-husband will use anyone I care for against me to trap me.”

“Armstrong can protect you both…”

“No, Gary. Listen to me. He’ll use anyone I care for and…”

“And what?”

“That means you too…”

Gary fell silent as he realized what she was telling him. As he thought of what she just said he suddenly remembered that sense of being observed he’s been experiencing lately. Could her ex-husband have been watching him? Gary spoke up, “Oh my God…”

“What?”

“He’s been watching you. He’s been watching me too.”

“Gary, how can you be sure?”

“Ever since I met you I’ve sensed I was being observed…”

“Gary, you may be in more danger than I thought.”

“What?”

“Jack is the jealous type. He used to get angry if a man even looked my way. If he’s been watching us both…”

“He may think that we’re more than just friends.”

“Gary, he’ll kill you!”

“No he won’t…”

“Gary, I want you to leave me alone.”

“What?”

“He won’t harm you if you stay away…”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“But you have to…”

“No. I’m staying with you.”

“Why? You’ll only get hurt if you stay with me.”

“Then that’s a risk I will just have to take.”

“No Gary. You can’t! You have to leave me be.”

“No Amanda, I refuse to walk away as if we’ve never met.”

“But you’ll be safer that way…”

“I’m not leaving you alone to face him.”

“Why?”

“Because Amanda, friends don’t bail out on friends at the first sign of trouble. A true friend would never leave their friend when he or she needs them the most. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay with you. You can’t do everything alone. You need someone to be there for you and here I am. I told you before that I will help you no matter what the risks and I mean what I say. I won’t let you to face this challenge all on your own. I won’t leave you. I said I wanted to help you. When I offered my aid I offered knowing that some day I might have to put myself in danger to protect and help you. Amanda, I’m willing to take the risks. I’m willing to do anything if it means that you will be able to live completely free of him. I’m not leaving.”

Amanda felt fresh tears spring to her eyes. Tears of joy and fear intermingled. She was so happy that he was willing to risk so much to help her but she also greatly feared for his safety. She found herself praying to God above, begging him to watch over Gary and to keep him safe. She prayed that God would keep Gary, her and her child safe and she truly believed that God would fulfill that promise. Feeling such certainty that God would protect all of them she felt a lot better. She looked at Gary saying, “Thank you so much. You have been such a great and patient friend to me.”

“You’re welcome. I promise I’ll help you get through this.”

“Thank you.”

“Now what about Armstrong? Do you still want to talk to him?”

She hesitated then spoke up, “Yes…if you really think he can help.”

Gary smiled nodding his head then said, “Are you ready to go?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“All right.”

* * * *

As Amanda saw the sign for the Chicago Police Department up ahead her steps slowed. Gary looked at her in concern questioning, “Having second thoughts?”

“No, no. Just bad memories concerning police departments.”

Before Gary thought of what he was saying he spoke up, “I know what you mean.”

Amanda eyed Gary up. She swore that she saw him shudder and get more anxious as they approached the police department, but why? She suddenly remembered the first time her and Gary were here together. Gary’s friend had started saying something about Gary. She remembered him saying that Gary hadn’t been there since…but Gary had quickly cut him off as if what his friend was going to say greatly upset him. She found her curiosity was now peaked. She could tell that Gary was almost as uncomfortable as she was visiting the police department. She didn’t ask those burning questions hovering at the tip of her tongue…yet. Instead, she continued on towards the station with Gary. They entered the police station with Gary in the lead. He stopped to let her catch up then said, “Armstrong’s office is that way. I’ll go speak to him first if you’d like.”

“Um, yes I would.”

As they approached Armstrong’s office Gary noticed Amanda slow down and sensed her sudden apprehension. He looked at her then questioned, “Are you going to be all right out here?”

She only nodded. Gary continued, “If you would feel more comfortable with me then…”

“I’ll wait here. I…I don’t know him. He seems kind of…intimidating.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“All right. If you feel uncomfortable at all just come in. I’m going to explain the situation to him. I’ll come get you.”

“Thanks Gary.”

“If it’s any help you can see me right through this window.”

She nodded then Gary entered, knocking first. Armstrong sat at his desk doing paperwork. He didn’t even bother to look up to see who his visitor was as he asked, “Yeah?”

“Detective Armstrong, can I…speak with you?”

Armstrong looked up as he recognized the voice of his visitor. He said, “Gary, sure come on in. So have you had any more run ins with our mystery woman?”

“Um…that’s why I’m here.”

Armstrong stopped what he was doing completely and gave Gary his undivided attention. He spoke up, “I’m listening.”

“Well she…she’s here.”

“What?”

“Right outside. She’s kind of scared to come in…”

“Why?”

“Armstrong she’s running.”

“How do you know?”

“She told me. She came here to speak with you. She wants protection if you can provide it.”

“Well Hobson, there are certain procedures…”

“Look, I know there are procedures, ways of doing things but… She needs help. She is willing to ask for it. Look, at least hear her story then afterwards you can decide what you want to do.”

“You know this is very unusual Hobson, but I like you and I kind of owe you. I’ll listen to her story.”

“Thank you. Oh Armstrong…she’s a little bit shaken up, and she doesn’t trust police officers…ANY police officers. The only reason that she agreed to speak with you is because you’re a friend. Go easy on her.”

* * * *

Meanwhile…

Winslow spotted Hobson as soon as the man entered the station. He wondered who the very attractive blond was accompanying him. Winslow only shook his head when he watched Hobson make a beeline for Armstrong’s office. He often felt weird about the man. Hobson always got mixed up in trouble. Winslow often wondered if Hobson suffered from Muchousin by proxy…setting up accidents only so he could come in, save the day and be declared the hero. He wasn’t sure if Hobson was trouble or not. He had even confronted Armstrong several times with his suspicions. Paul would only shake his head and rattle off some incident in which there was no possible way Hobson could’ve set something up. Gary Hobson was certainly a strange individual and Winslow really didn’t know what to think of the man.

Winslow smirked as he saw Toni Brigatti marching his way. She had been a Federal Marshall and then had transferred to Chicago PD. She was a tough-as-nails cop who always got her man, or woman, in the end. She had a tendency to be somewhat rude at times and downright harsh when talking with some of the other officers. Some of the guys called her the ice queen behind her back. She took her job very seriously and always did spectacular with solving her cases. She might be a little abrupt at times but she knew what the hell she was doing. Winslow hated to admit it but he admired her. She was one very good cop…her only problem was her apparent taste in men. Brigatti had a thing for Gary Hobson, though she’d never admit it to anyone. She was attracted to him. Of all the men she could take an interest in she had to pick a very unusual, very bizarre man. Winslow would never understand what that woman could possibly see in Gary Hobson. Hobson was the only one who could successfully crack that hard exterior shell Brigatti always presented to the world. He was the only one that could make Brigatti lose her focus and her balance. He was one of the few men that had managed to get beyond the mask Brigatti seemed to project to everyone. Winslow couldn’t resist teasing her as she stopped by him. He spoke up, “Hey Brigatti, your boyfriend’s here.”

“Shut up, Winslow.”

“No seriously. He’s talking to Armstrong right now.”

“Winslow for your information I don’t have a boyfriend and I intend to keep it that way for a very long time. Now if you’ll excuse me I have work to do.”

“You’re not even the slightest bit interested in why Hobson showed up here with a beautiful blond?”

He was smirking at her patiently waiting for her reaction. She jerked her head up at the mention of Hobson her cheeks flushed briefly then a spark of anger flared in the depths of her eyes. She spoke evenly trying to keep any possible emotions from slipping out in her voice. She asked, “Hobson’s here? Why?”

“Don’t know, but him and Armstrong seem to be having a very serious discussion.”

Brigatti tried to ignore the sense of butterflies in her stomach, the way her heart pounded and the way she felt tingly all over just at the simple mention of Hobson’s name. She swore she wouldn’t look for Hobson, but cursed as her self-control slipped. She saw him in Armstrong’s office and deliberately ignored the sudden excitement and anxiousness she felt at again seeing him. She realized she was staring so she jerked her eyes away focusing on the blond Winslow had mentioned. The blond was definitely attractive. What was she doing with Gary? Gary was her…Brigatti immediately slammed the door on those thoughts and ignored the stab of jealousy she suddenly felt regarding the woman. She turned from the scene and focused all of her energy on the job at hand. She quickly put space between her and Winslow entering her office. The last thing she needed was to see the man’s triumph over discovering that she still indeed had feelings for Gary Hobson that were more than professional.

Brigatti tried not to think of her, but her mind refused to leave her even a moment’s solace. All she could seem to focus on was Gary Hobson and those memories of how his kiss felt so good at that jewelry store. Gary’s kiss had been so intense that day that she had failed to catch a jewel thief making a quick switch trading a fake jewel for the Larmontofe Diamond. She had been angry about that particular kiss and not because she had been tricked, no, she was angry that day because Hobson was one hell of a kisser. She nearly drowned in his kiss. She never, ever, got that caught up in a simple kiss in her entire life. She also hated to admit just how much she had enjoyed her cover: being married to Mister Thurston, alias Gary Hobson. She had enjoyed that false marriage to the man just a little too much. Just when she had managed to get angry with the man he turned around and retrieved the damned diamond saving her career in the process. She could never stay angry with that man for more than a few minutes and knowing that really annoyed her. She didn’t let men get too close, and she never ever left a man get under her skin, but Gary Hobson had managed successfully to weasel his way into her heart…though she’d never willingly admit that she was extremely attracted to him.

She started pacing as thoughts of Gary Hobson kept entering her mind. Damn the man for getting to her! It was so frustrating! Why did Gary leave her feeling so unbalanced? Why did he distract her so much? Forget him Toni you have much more important things to attend to. Focus Toni focus! Of course all of her silent urgings to forget him and focus fell on deaf ears because as long as that man was in the same vicinity as she was and she could easily see him from her vantage point her mind would not give her any peace. He disturbed her even when he was way across a busy police station. Damn you Hobson! What is it about you that…? She got a sudden urge to throw open a window. Her mind was no longer thinking pure thoughts now she was wondering just how good a lover the man was… He had a great body and those eyes…

Focus, Toni, focus!

But she couldn’t as her fantasies seemed to be attempting to take charge of her mind. I bet he looks beautiful naked…Toni stop! Stop right there! She spoke out without realizing it saying in a firm tone of voice, “Damn you Hobson get the hell out of my head!”

Lucky for her none of her co-workers were nearby to hear that statement of hers. She nearly screamed as she remembered how tight his jeans fit on that sexy torso of his…damn it! Why was he monopolizing her mind like this? He was definitely not her type, not her type at all! So why couldn’t she seem to think of anything else but him? She clenched her hands into fists as she pictured how he’d look in the heat of passion…

“Oh God Gary…”

She swallowed hard and jerked away from that man. She walked purposely to her window inhaling deeply the fresh air. She had to stop thinking of him, especially in that way. He was just a man, an ordinary man. They had dated only briefly when her job got in the way making it nearly impossible to continue. Gary had said he understood perfectly. They agreed to just be friends. Friends didn’t have intense sexual fantasies about one another. Gary was her friend not her lover, so why did she continue to think of just what he might be like in the bedroom behind closed doors?

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