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Jacqueline C. Thomas - Romance Novelist

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Archives for September 2019

When the Words Aren’t There

September 26, 2019 by jackiecthomas 2 Comments

(Cheers to the words!)

 

The first book I ever wrote, I dreamt. I mulled over the idea of writing it into a book for a day or two, then sat down and did it. I wrote the first book in a week, or at least the first full draft that week. The whole experience was lifechanging for me, as cliche as that sounds, it is true. I knew writing was something that I would do for the rest of my life. I am very blessed not to have a shortage of creative people in my life, and I remember them talking from time to time how creativity wasn’t flowing, and their process was stilted. I remember thinking to myself how ridiculous this sounded… Then karma laughed.

From the first book on, I have never stopped writing. The words have always flowed out of me pretty easily; the inspiration was there. Sure, I’ve had difficulties with sections of every piece I have ever written, but these were manageable hurdles. I am the sort of person that when I set my mind to something and commit, that’s it, I’m not done until I have accomplished what I set out to. “Arse in chair,” is what we say in our house when it comes to writing, meaning sit your butt in the chair and just write, no excuses. Sounds simple enough.. again karma laughed.

Last May, I ran into some health issues, and the scare of a lifetime thus far, yet I kept writing, it saw me through. I poured all of my nervous energy into McKinley Park, letting myself fall into Rachel and Ben’s world. Writing was a haven and comfort as I nervously waited for test results. I was also raising my two children, one who has special needs, working a full-time and sometimes demanding job, and completing my Master’s degree in public relations, but no matter what, I kept writing. My test results came back, and although I was in the clear, I still needed significant surgery, life-altering surgery.

I don’t know anyone who likes surgery, but I hate it. The anaesthesia makes me violently ill for days, but there was no way around it. So the surgery was scheduled; meanwhile my most challenging course of my graduate career kicked off at the same time, a statistics course disguised as a research course. I am not a numbers person; I am a letters woman. I knew with surgery and this course, which I was not going to defer, that I was going to have to put writing on hold for a while. I finished up McKinley Park and stopped writing. It was the weirdest sensation not to be building a world for two people to fall in love in. There was this nagging feeling like I was forgetting something. I suppress the urge to write, knowing that school, work, and healing were going to take all of the bandwidth that I had.

I made it through the surgery with relative ease, and I am grateful for it. I am usually a complications magnet, but things went smoothly. I was told that it was going to be painful, but I had, had two kids by C-section, one of which was 10lbs! I knew pain; I wasn’t scared. This was a whole other ball game, folks. I couldn’t write even if I wanted to. As the days at home dragged on, I wanted to write, but I knew I couldn’t, between being too tired, or hopped up on pain pill, and not in the good slightly unstable author way. (That’s a joke.) Then while I was home healing, the statistics course went from a difficulty setting of 6 out of 10 to a 10 out of 10. Have you ever tried to compute statistics while on heavy pain medication? Let me tell you; it is an experience, one that I never want to repeat.

Slowly my body got stronger, and I returned to work. The statistics course from hell ended and the next course in my graduate program started. I thought to myself that I was finally in a place where I could start writing again. McKinley Park was just about done being published; it felt like the right time to start something new. I was ready…. but where had the words gone? Where was the inspiration that had once come so easily? Reassuring myself that this would take time, I didn’t push, something in me knew not to push. I know I have mentioned it before, but I am not a patient woman. I try to be, but I know I am not. Inspiration was not happening fast enough for me.

Finally, I had a thread of an idea, and I sat down and started writing, only to pitter out two chapters in. It was forced; the words weren’t flowing as they had before. I let myself stop, something I never do. I knew this wasn’t the right idea for right now; I could always come back to it. I found myself missing writing, but not able to write creatively. One of my biggest pet peeves are those who are creative and drone on about process, I am the “arse in chair,” girl, yet here I was. Now what? If you miss it, then put your arse in the chair and start writing.

While I was preparing for and recovering from surgery, I also put my querying efforts for The Lake Michigan Affair on hold. I knew I did not have the bandwidth to give the querying process the time it required. I told myself to take the time not writing to focus my efforts here instead. That did not go well either. Deep down, I secretly wondered if I had broken this magical gift that had allowed me to write so effortlessly before. Had I suppressed the desire to write into complete dormancy?

The inspiration was not there, to accompany the words, even though I engaged in things that I knew would spark my creativity. Everything felt flat. I continued to push, to no avail. I was not one of the writers I had previously rolled my eyes at, as karma’s laughter was now a full side-aching, knee-slapping, tears down the face roar of laughter. I was not pleased.

Then the other night as I was laying in bed, I had the most surreal experience. It was almost like the characters I had written were all suddenly there, fresh, at the top of my mind. It felt like a hug from friends. There was something about it that was comforting and reassuring. I started to think about each of them and their stories. All of the other feelings about writing fell away, and it felt freeing. I fell asleep that night feeling like I had sat in my grandmother’s kitchen, that warm feeling of being loved. The next morning, still thinking about the experience from the night before I sat back and thought about the stories I had created.

My first book has a great story, but the writing was poor. It was the first thing I had ever written creatively at that point. I had planned to rewrite it last spring in California, on the coast where it takes place, but life had other plans. I told myself I would not revise it until I was on the coast. I wanted to be where the story took place. I opened the book in Scrivner and started picking at the first chapter, making corrections and reworking parts of it. Before I knew it, I was well into chapter 3. Those first characters I had ever created were there, welcoming me back. In the back of my head, I kept telling myself to stop; this was not when and where this project was supposed to get rewritten.

Finally, last night as I sat and rewrote/ edited further into the book, I told that inner voice to shut the hell up. Now is the time to rewrite this book, I knew  I needed the familiar, needed to see that even in my first attempt to write, I was capable. As I write this now, I am itching to dig back in and continue working on the book, the desire is there, and it feels great. Maybe this book is like writing with training-wheels until I am ready and steady enough to create from scratch again. Whatever it is, I am incredibly grateful and going with it.

Filed Under: Querying, Romance, Self Care, Self Doubt, The Lake Michigan Affair, Writing Tagged With: First Book, Goals, Inspiration, McKinley Park, Querying, The Lake Michigan Affair, Writing

McKinley Park: Chapter 26 (The Final Chapter)

September 17, 2019 by jackiecthomas 4 Comments

“Ben go home. Go see the boys. You haven’t been home in days.” Marty said, looking at Ben who had not left the station since he had got back into the city.

“I am not going home until she comes home too. I already told you.”

“Ben, you’ve been here for two days when was the last time you showered, ate, or slept. You aren’t any good to her like this.”

Ben knew this speech; he had given it many times himself to anxious family members of victims. To make matters worse his chief had heard about the interrogation in Michigan with Rhett and Ben had been placed on leave. He couldn’t work in an official capacity. Ben looked up at Marty, staring right through the bullshit.

“A nap at least? You can crash in the break room. I am not going anywhere; I will wake you if we hear anything. You have to get some sleep before you collapse.”

Ben nodded, he was so tired his vision was blurry, and his hand hurt like hell. He had it cast back at the hospital when he went to check in with the boys before heading back into the city. Becky had taken the boys back to Rachel’s and was staying with them. He could not go home and face the boys without the news that their mother had been found. Ben wanted to be where he had resources actually to help Rachel. He laid down on the old tweed couch in the break room. The sofa smelled, but Ben didn’t care, he was too tired to care. He closed his eyes and saying a silent prayer that Rachel was still alive and fighting. He fought off sleep but it overcame him and he slept deeply.

“Ben, wake up,” Marty said, shaking him awake.

Ben’s eyes shot open; it was completely dark outside. He had been out since evening.

“Did we find her?”

“We have the car. A traffic stop, they have the driver over at the 10th. He gave them an address.”

Ben shot upoff of the sofa.

“Where?”

“The FBI is the lead on this; we need to hang back, their orders.”

“What the fuck is the address, Marty?”

“413 Polk. Ben, we can’t go.” Marty shouted as Ben ran out of the office.

“Stephen Duke’s address.” Ben shouted back “Son of a bitch!”

Marty ran to follow Ben and caught up to him as Ben slid into the driver’s seat of their unmarked car.

“Maybe you should let me drive, man,” Marty said, as he got in on the passenger’s side.

Ben stepped on the gas and flipped the sirens before Marty had even finished closing the door.

“Slow down. You aren’t going to be any help to her if you’re wrapped around a pole. Ben, we don’t know if she’s even there.”

“She’s there.”

“How do you know?”

“She has to be.”

They rode in silence through the loop.

“Ben, I know you want to be there and you need to be there, but you are going to have to let the FBI run this. You go running in there like a crazed teenager; you are going to get people killed, lose your badge or get Rachel killed. You have got to calm down, man. I know..”

“You don’t have a fucking clue what this has been like. I promised her I would protect her.” Ben said as he cut Marty off.

“Ben, I would be a terrible friend and a worse partner if I didn’t bring this up. You know there is a chance that..” Marty paused.

“Stop. She is alive. I know she is. She’s a fighter. She’s strong.”

Ben switched off the siren when he got a few blocks away. The street looked erily quiet, the FBI had to be staking out the house. Ben drove two blocks past Polk street and parked the car on the street. Marty grabbed Ben’s arm.

“I can’t leave her in there, while the FBI sits around with their thumbs up their asses.”

“Ben.” Marty didn’t know what to say; he knew he’d be in the same position if it were his wife in that house. “Shit this is going to cost me my badge too, damn it.” Marty rubbed his forehead. “How do you want to play this?”

Ben patted his partner on the shoulder.

“Go, make sure the feds don’t shoot me but give me a head start okay?”

Marty let out a deep breath.

“Be careful; you can’t help her if you aren’t here anymore.”

Ben nodded. He got out of the car and shut the door quietly. It was around 11:30 pm and Ben was grateful for the darkness. He slipped through the abandoned lot and the yards behind the house as he crossed into to the back yard behind the Duke’s house. The house was dark. Ben walked up and pulled his gun as he walked to the back door. He expected it to be locked. He spun the knob, and to his surprise, it opened. People in this neighborhood did not leave their back door’s open. Ben stepped inside and left the lights off. He was still and listened for any signs of life in the house.

Meanwhile, Marty pulled around and spotted two undercover agents. He got out of this car and walked up to the driver’s window and introduced himself. He explained that Ben was in the house, which set off a flurry of phone calls.

“Just don’t shoot him, okay?”

Agent Yee came around the block on foot, “Are you guys fucking kidding me?”

“It’s his fiancé.”

“I don’t care if it was the Pope himself,” Yee said.

Ben continued to make his way through the house as quietly as he could. He checked the rooms on the ground floor and then went to the back of the house to take the stairs up to the second floor. He stopped when he thought he heard a whimper. He froze and listened for it again. In his gut, he knew it was Rachel. It sounded like it was coming from below the kitchen. Ben opened the basement door. There was a dim light coming from somewhere in the basement. Ben crept down the stairs, careful to not make a sound. He stepped onto the poured cement floor and saw a door to a room in the back corner. The basement looked like your typical old, unfinished basement, complete with a washer and dryer and a workbench. Ben followed the noise. He walked up to the door, seeing a dim light coming from underneath. He bent down and got on all fours to see if he could see anyone standing in the room. There was only a mattress.

“Rachel?” Ben whispered. “Rachel, are you in there?”

Ben didn’t wait for her to answer. He stood up and opened the door slowly.

Rachel laid naked on a dirty mattress with her hands tied behind her back. She had bruises and cuts all over her. The sight of her took the air out of Ben’s lungs. He ran over to her and bent down. She recoiled, not realizing it was Ben.

“Rachel, it’s me, it’s Ben. You’re safe now. Look at me, honey.”

Ben reached out for her and she pulled further back, pressing her body tightly against the wall. He took off his flannel shirt and covered her with it.

“Rachel, honey, we have to out of here. Come on. Please give me your hand.”

As soon as Ben said, it a hail of gunfire broke out in the floors above. Rachel screamed, and Ben laid over her to protect her. Ben could hear footsteps above. They were going to have to get out of the basement if they stood a chance.

“Rachel, look at me. We have to get out of here now.”

“Ben?” Rachel asked, finally recognizing him.

“Yes, it’s me. Rachel, I am so sorry, I am so, so sorry!” Ben kissed her forehead repeated as he said it. “We have to go now. Do you think you can walk?”

“Untie me, please.” Ben could hear her trying to hold onto her sanity. He reached into his pocket and cut the zip-ties on her wrists. He pulled her hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss into the center. She reached out and clung to him, as she began to sob. He held her tightly against him, she felt so small and frail in his arms. He never wanted to let go of her again but he knew that they had to get out of the basement, they were trapped down there.

“You’re safe. Come on, we have to go now. You’ve been so strong; I need you to be strong for a little while longer. Come on; I know you can do this.” Ben said softly, as he looked into her deep brown eyes.

Ben stood and helped Rachel to her feet. She was so weak her legs gave out from underneath her. Ben caught her before she fell. He lifted her up into his arms and carried her out of the room, keeping his back close to the wall. He stayed close to the wall, as gunfire was still roaring up above. He walked up the stairs with his back along the wall. Rachel clung to him tightly.

“Honey, I have to put you down to check if the kitchen is clear. I will keep ahold of you, but you have to stay behind me. I won’t let you fall.”

Rachel nodded as Ben set her down, her feet landing on the top step of the basement stairs. The kitchen miraculously seemed to be clear. Ben took a deep breath as he scooped Rachel back up into his arms and walked quickly across the kitchen. He opened the back door, which was tricky with Rachel in his arms and his casted hand. He stepped out onto the back porch, Rachel hands dug into his shoulders as she clung to him. He pressed a kiss onto the top of her head as he started down the stairs. He heard a loud noise he couldn’t place and Rachel scream. Ben felt Rachel fall from his arms. The world went black.

 

After

 

The morning Rachel was to be discharged, Ben slept on a couch in her room.  It was still early when she slipped out of bed and shuffled across the linoleum floor. She bent down and wiped the hair from Ben’s forehead.  His eyes shot open.

“Why are you out of bed?”

“Because you are over here. Come climb in with me.”

“I’m okay. Come on I’ll tuck you back in.” Ben said as he sat up.

She stood back up, a little shaky on her feet. She held his hand as he helped her back into her bed and pulled his hand gently.

“Climb in with me.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t, look there’s enough room.” She patted the space in the bed next to her.

Ben climbed in and Rachel rolled onto her side to face him.

“Hold me.”

He pulled her body in close to him and nestled her head under his chin. He kissed the top of her head.

“Ben, I want to do something a crazy little today when we leave.”

“We can do whatever you want.”

“I want to marry you today.”

“What? Why today? Wouldn’t you rather wait until you are more healed?”

“No, today is the first day I will be strong enough to marry you. Just the boys, and me, and you, and a preacher. I just held onto that while I was captive and promised myself that I would marry you as soon as I was able. That is what I was fighting for, to be with you.”

“Rachel, will you marry me today, at the farmhouse, with our boys there?”

Rachel began to cry, this time, happy tears.

“Yes, Ben Carter I will marry you at your farmhouse today.”

Suddenly, it was afternoon as Rachel walked out onto the back porch with Tommy at her side to give her away. The air was crisp, and the leaves just began to change, on a beautiful autumn day as the sun started to set  She walked the ten feet where Ben stood next to the local reverend, as a small group of family and friends had gathered to see Ben and Rachel marry. They exchanged vows as the boys looked on happily.

 

Rachel shot up in bed, in a pool of sweat, her nightdress soaked through. It was cruel to dream things like that, and she hated herself for it. To be so happy and then to wake up to reality, alone. Everything in her body craved Ben’s touch, his presence, but he had died that night, the night he came to rescued her. A bullet had hit him in the head and had killed him instantly. Six months had passed since that awful night. Rachel put her hand over her mouth; she didn’t want the boys to hear her sobbing. Felix, Ben’s cat, jumped up onto the bed and nudged her. She grabbed ahold of the cat and held onto him. This was going to be another sleepless night for Rachel, just one of many she cried through since Ben had died.

Life had changed drastically for Rachel, with Rhett and Andrew behind bars. The FBI had busted the poker game. There were 104 arrests; two prostitution rings broken up, an illegal trafficking operation stopped and the largest drug bust in Chicago history, all as a result of the poker game in Jim Danwood’s garage. Everyone was shocked by the ways the poker game weaved a web of crime through the city. The city had awarded Ben the Police Medal, the Chicago Police Department’s highest honor. While Rachel began to work through all of the trauma she had endured.

Rachel sold her house on Lilac Lane; she couldn’t live across the street from Ben’s house. His brothers had sold his house as well.  It was too painful to stay there for her. She had rented a townhouse out near Becky in Oswego, and had set to making a new life for her and the boys. They took Ben’s death hard too. Rachel had found a good family therapist, and they were all working through Ben’s death, and her kidnapping. Ben’s death was a broken promise of happiness for them as well.

Rachel got up out of bed and walked over to the record player it, and the one record she kept were the only things of Ben’s that she had asked for. The boys insiseted the they take Felix and Ben’s older brother Joel was happy to let the boys have the cat. The one record she had asked for was the one they had danced to in Ben’s office. She turned the knob as the turntable began to spin and she gently picked up the needle setting it in the right spot. The music begain, but she kept the volume low, not to wake the boys. The warm voice radiated from the player as sat on the bed listening to the song waft through the room, instantly transported back to Ben’s office. If she focused really hard she could almost smell him.

Startled she heard a knock at the door, she perked up and wiped the tears off of her cheeks.

“Come in.” She cleared her throat.

Evan walked in.

“Why are you up, buddy?” She asked as she reached out for him.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Me either.”

“Are you missing Ben again, Mom?”

“I am sweetie. How about you?”

“Yeah, I was thinking about how he took care of us in the hospital when you were gone. He was really nice to us.”

“He loved you, boys, very much.”

“Mom are we going to be okay?”

“What do you mean sweetie?”

“Will the bad guys ever come back?”

“No, they won’t ever come back. Ben may have left, but he did what he promised you boys, he made sure those bad men would never come back to hurt any of us.”

Evan reached out and hugged Rachel.

“You need to get back to bed sweetie, it’s late, and you have school in the morning. Come on; I’ll tuck you back in.”

Rachel stood to walk Evan back to bed. She took two steps but didn’t hear him behind her, so she turned around to look at him.

“Mom want to dance?” Evan held out his hand. “We have this good music.”

Rachel let out a little chuckle as she took Evan’s hand.  She gave him his first slow dance in her bedroom, to the Etta James song that had meant so much to her.

Filed Under: McKinley Park, Romance Tagged With: McKinley Park

McKinley Park: Chapter 25

September 10, 2019 by jackiecthomas 2 Comments

Ben walked out of the hospital as the sun was setting. The weather had turned colder, and it had rained.  Ben’s gut churned, thinking of Rachel. Daylight was their friend when looking for someone. He got into the chief’s marked SUV.

“Right now we are just holding him for questioning. We are most likely charging him with child endangerment after we get phone records we can charge him as an accessory for kidnapping and the whole lot.  I will suggest the DA throw everything they can at this guy and see what sticks. If he is responsible in any way, you have my word Carter, he will not walk out of Sagnqwa county a free man.”

“Thank you. He has a list of priors; his crime of choice was beating the shit out of my finance and their son.”

“He hasn’t strayed far then.”

They rode the ten minutes to the station in silence. They pulled up to the suburban police station, it still had lamps on either side of the staircase, like out of an old detective movie. Ben followed Chief Sanders in, and no one questioned him.

“Hey Anderson, where is Lawson?” The chief asked as they crossed the station room.

“Room 2.”

The chief turned back towards Ben.

“Ready?”

Ben nodded.

They walked to Room 2, and the Chief knocked. The door opened, and a detective who wore the same questioning face Ben had worn so many times looked out.

“Snyder step out for a minute.” The chief said as he waved him out. “This is Detective Carter from CPD and Mrs. Lawson’s finance.  He is going to speak with Mr. Lawson for a minute. I want you to please step out. Have you gotten anything out of him?”

“No. He’s a slippery fucker. You know I have been at this for a long time, and this guy doesn’t give two shits about what’s going on. He doesn’t even really seem to care that his sons were involved. I can spot a shitty acting job when I see one. He knows a whole hell of a lot more than he is saying. Good luck, Carter.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“Now Detective Carter, up here in the country, the cameras don’t always work so well in our interrogation rooms..” The chief tapped his nose. “You have forty-five minutes, before this asshole’s attorney gets anywhere near here. You read me?”

Ben nodded, “yes, sir.”

Ben reached for the doorknob.

“And Carter, don’t kill him.”

Ben nodded again.

Ben stepped into the small white room that resembled a box more than a room. There was a small table in the corner with two chairs. Rhett looked up and Ben saw the faintest glimmer of panic. Had he not been trained how to read people, Ben may have missed it. Ben walked up to the chair and sat down without saying a word.

“You aren’t supposed to be in here. I am not talking to anyone until my attorney gets here. You don’t have jurisdiction to question me here.”

“I am not here in an official capacity.”

“I know. Get the hell out of here; I am not talking to you.”

“You are so fucked. It doesn’t matter who you talk to or don’t talk to.”

“I had nothing to do with anything.”

“Really, that is why you are in a police station in Southern Michigan, your ex-wife is missing and your sons are in the hospital? You expect anyone to believe this is all a coincidence?”

Rhett stayed quiet.

“In case you were wondering. Your boys are going to be okay. I know you aren’t going to tell me where Rachel is, but I have to wonder something?” Ben stopped talking.

He let the silence grow uncomfortable. Rhett took the bait.

“What?”

“A big powerful man like you, lets some guy rough up his ten-year-old son. I mean a man’s son is his pride and joy.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You don’t know or was it part of the plan?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“I am talking about the thugs who took your ex-wife beat the shit out of Tommy. He’s in bad shape.”

“Bullshit.”

“No, I am telling you the truth, kid’s eye is swollen shut, lip split open, his whole face is bruised. I mean, I know that’s normally your job, guess someone beat you to it.”

“Fuck you.”

“No fuck you, you are going to prison for this. So is your dad. You two will fucking rot away. I will cut right to the chase, tell me where Rachel is, and maybe you will get out while your cock still works.”

“You don’t have shit.”

“ We have phone records Rhett, lots of phone records. We can prove that your dad called you to tell you where the boys were. You had to have known that they had Rachel.”

There was that flash of panic again.

“Bullshit, if you had phone records you’d know where they were.”

“It’s only a matter of time. I thought you didn’t know who “they” were?”

Ben knew Rhett couldn’t handle the pressure, he was soft inside, used to having his dad clean up his messes.

“You know you are on your own now; your dad won’t be able to help you, he’s going away for this too. You will probably never see him again. Neither of you will ever be free men ever again. Tell us where she is before it is too late. I believe they still have the death penalty here in Michigan. You will die with a fucking needle in your arm. The clock is ticking; it’s your funeral.”

Ben stood up to walk out; it was all theater. He wasn’t leaving that room without Rachel’s whereabouts. Rhett stayed quiet.

“She’s not worth all of this, she’s really not,” Rhett said coldly. “I die one way or another. This is out of my control.”

Ben wanted to ask so many questions, over time he had learned when to shut up and listen.

“Is Tommy going to be okay?”

“He looks pretty rough.”

“The boys were not part of the deal. I cannot believe my dad would let someone rough up Tommy; he’s his grandson.”

“Tommy told me your dad was there and didn’t stop it.”

Rhett’s resolve crumbled a little more. Ben pounced.

“If he would let that happen to his grandson, imagine how you are going to fare in this, over a woman who you don’t think is worth it. Are you going to spend the rest of your life in prison for someone who isn’t worth it?”

Ben sat there quietly. The air in the room grew thick with tension again.

“I need protection if I talk.”

“I’m out of jurisdiction here, I can’t make a deal, but I can help you if give them real information, like where Rachel is. Like you said, your dead either way, but it’s your choice. You have to give me something real to go on.”

“My dad runs this poker game. All sorts of shit is waged over this table, vice, women, drugs, sex, favors, you name it. My dad only has two rules, the first; all bets are final and the second; you must pay up. I got fucked up one night and Derek, who was like a brother to me, joked that I should wager Rachel. I didn’t think he was serious so I did and I lost. He won her. I really loved her. I know I was a shit husband, but never would have thought my dad would have made me go through with it, he did. I couldn’t stand her after that. Knowing she had slept with Derek, she should have fought harder, said no more, gone to you guys… I can’t stand the sight of her. She belongs to Derek; my dad has to do what he says, that’s the way the game works. If someone reneges on a bet, that’s it you die.”

“Derek is behind bars; what can he want with Rachel?”

“I don’t know; I don’t care.“

“Yet, you can’t seem to leave her alone. You’re pathetic. Need your daddy to keep your wife in line and clean up your messes for you. You will definitely be the bitch in prison. You can get fucked every night until the day they stick that fucking needle in your arm, you piece of shit.”

“Whatever. How do you even enjoy fucking her? She is a used up whore.”

“You must not have been doing it right then.”

Rhett stood up.

“You going to hit me? I’m not Rachel; I’ll hit you back. I will knock every fucking tooth out of that perfect smile you have. Where is Rachel?”

Rhett took another step towards Ben.

“Fuck you! Go get me someone who can make a deal. I want to get out of this shithole.”

“Not until you tell me where Rachel is.”

“Probably dying under some creep while she calls out for you, knowing you didn’t do shit to save her. I’ll make sure all of your favorite pieces of her are mailed to you one at a time. I remember the address.”

Ben lost it; he hit Rhett in the face as hard as he could. Ben felt the bones in his hand break as he smashed his hand into Rhett’s face but he didn’t care. Rhett stumbled backwards, blood instantly pouring from his nose.

“Now who’s fucked? You can hit me; you’re a cop. I am going to sue you so fucking hard; your grandkids will still be paying me.”

Ben took a step towards Rhett again, and hit him again, with the same hand, not feeling the pain from the broken bones, the anger raging through him masked the pain. Rhett stumbled against the wall and this time swung back. Ben dodged the punch an hit him again. Rhett tried to swing again, but Ben grabbed ahold of his throat and pulled his gun from his holster. He put it to Rhett’s head.

“I could give two shits whether you live or die. I am only going to ask you once, where is Rachel?”

Rhett spit blood in Ben’s face. Ben pulled the hammer back on the gun and stared Rhett down.

“They’re taking her back to the city. I don’t know where I swear to God I don’t know where.”

“What’s the plan?” Ben pushed the gun against Rhett’s skull a little harder

“I don’t know whatever Derek wanted to do with her. I swear, I don’t know. The boys weren’t supposed to be involved. It was only Rachel.”

There was a knock at the door. Both men stayed frozen as Detective Snyder and Chief Sanders walked in.

“This asshole is an animal, he attacked me. Arrest him!” Rhett called out, still in Ben’s grasp.

“Detective Carter, can I have a word please,” the chief asked.

Ben held his ground.

“Seriously get this crazy fucker off of me!” Rhett shouted.

“Detective Carter.” The Chief said more sternly.

Ben released his grip on Rhett and moved like he was stepping away, but turned and hit Rhett with the butt of his gun. Rhett stumbled again back into the wall and fell down. Ben turned and walked out of the room. Chief Snyder followed him.

“Was that necessary son?” The chief asked.

“I have to go back; I was close.”

“We spotted a blue car. It’s a blue Infinity with Illinois plates. We have a plate number.”

Ben swallowed hard as he felt bile rising in his stomach. Ben sunk down his knees, feeling like the breath had been sucked out of him. The chief knelt down to look Ben in the eye. They stopped for gas in Indiana; we have the car on camera.

“Rhett said they were headed back to the city. He didn’t know where. I have to go back in.”

“I can’t let you do that. His attorney will be here soon. Snyder is going to take over. He’s good; he’s been at it for a long time.”

“I have to do something. I can’t just sit here and wait. Did we pinpoint Andrew Lawson’s phone?”

“Yes, but the phone that he called Rhett on was a burner, he left in the car. Probably by mistake. Was there anything else in the car? Can I see the car?”

“No, I don’t want a contaminated crime scene.”

“Please, I have to do something.”

“Why don’t we go sit down in my office?”

“I want to see the car.”

“Go back to the hospital to the boys; they need you right now.”

“I need to be helping to find Rachel.”

“The boys are asking for you; you need to let us do our job, and go see you’re soon to be sons. They need you. You aren’t going back in the cage with Rhett.”

Filed Under: McKinley Park Tagged With: McKinley Park

McKinley Park: Chapter 24

September 4, 2019 by jackiecthomas 3 Comments

Ben sat with Luke out on the dock; he didn’t want the little boy to see what was happening any more than he already had. Luke swung his feet off the end of the dock.

“Detective Carter” one of the uniformed officers came off the porch.

Ben got up, “Luke, you stay right here, buddy. I am going to go talk to the other police officer. I will stay where you can see me, okay?”

Ben walked up the lawn, thirty feet away from Luke.

“Detective we have found the black SUV and the boys, but we don’t have Mrs Lawson or the men who took her. We think they got into another vehicle.”

“Where are the boys?” Are they okay?”

“They don’t appear to be hurt, they’re upset but not hurt. They are in Lakeridge.”

“I am going to go to the boys. Her sister is on her way here, but I don’t want the boys to be alone right now.” Ben turned back towards Luke. “Come on, buddy we are going to go see your brothers.”

Luke bounded up and reached up for Ben to carry him. Ben lifted him, forgetting Luke’s shoes on the dock.

“Detective would you like an escort?”

“Yes, please. Luke, you will like this.” Ben said as he buckled the little boy into his seat.

“Are we  going to go fast?”

“Yes, and the police are going to come with us to get your brothers.”

Ben took off down the road, and the local squad car got in front of him to escort him. Luke loved the squad car in front. They made it to Lakeridge on the Michigan – Indiana state line in forty-five minutes. The boys were at the hospital for check-ups. They had been left at a gas station. Ben grabbed Luke out of the SUV and ran into the hospital.

The local police chief was waiting for him outside Tommy and Evan’s room.

“Detective Carter?”

“Yes. How are the boys? Is there any news about Rachel?”

“No I’m sorry, we have video of the car though, she’s in a blue infinity sedan with Illinois plates. We will find her. We ‘ve called in the Indiana state police and FBI. We will find her. The boys are really shaken up. We haven’t been able to get too much out of them. The older boy has a black eye and split lip. Someone roughed him up pretty good, why don’t you leave this little guy with me and you go in to see his big brothers?”

“No. I want to stay with Ben!” Luke shouted.

“Buddy, you need to stay with this nice police officer while I talk to your brothers, okay? I will only be a minute.”

“We can stay right outside the door, alright?” The police chief said.

“No, no, I want to stay with Ben!” Luke screamed as he began to cry.

The door to the room cracked open, and Evan peeked outside. He was in a hospital gown.

“Evan!” Luke pushed out of Ben’s arms.

Evan turned back around, “Tommy, it’s Ben and Luke.”

Luke ran to his big brother and hugged him. Evan wrapped his arms around his little brother.

“Is Mommy in there?” Luke asked.

Evan looked up at Ben, not sure what to say.

“No, I’m sorry buddy, she isn’t.”

“Do you know where our mom is?” Evan asked.

“We’re looking for her son. We have every police officer in the state of Michigan and Indiana looking for her.” the chief said.

“I should go in and see Tommy,” Ben said.

“Me too.” Luke sad, very sternly.

“Um why don’t you hang out here with me buddy,” Evan said to his little brother.

Evan’s statement scared Ben, who nodded to the chief and stepped inside.

Tommy was laying in the hospital bed with his back turned towards the door. Ben could see an I.V. running. He walked around the bed to see Tommy; he didn’t want to scare the boy. Ben pulled a stool close to Tommy and sat. Tommy was awake but didn’t say anything. His left eye was almost swollen shut, and his bottom lip had split. Inside Ben seethed with rage, whoever had done this to Tommy would pay dearly for it. Ben reached out for Tommy’s hand and the boy took it.

“Did they find mom yet?” Tommy asked.

“Not yet, but we will I promise. Can I ask you a few questions about what happened?”

“No.”

“Why not? It will help us find your mom sooner,” Ben said softly. “Did they threaten to hurt you if you said anything?”

Tommy nodded.

“There is an armed police officer outside of your door, and I have my gun right here. NO one will hurt you, Tommy; you have my word. I need your help, you and Evan both. Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Who hit you?”

“A friend of Grandpa Andrew’s.”

“How do you know it was one of your grandpa’s friends?”

“Because Grandpa Andrew was there. He got really mad at the man who hit me.”

“Did your grandpa say he would hurt you?”

“No, the other guys did.”

“How many guys were there?”

“Three plus Grandpa.”

“Do you know where they were taking you and your mom?”

“No.”

“You are doing well bud. Do you know why they left you at a gas station?”

“Mom woke up, and she went crazy. They told her if she didn’t stop they’d hurt us.  Grandpa called dad and told him to come get us, that they were going to leave us. I think they’re going to kill my mom.” Tommy sobbed.

Ben stood up and kissed Tommy’s head.

“I promise you I am going to do everything in my power to see that that doesn’t happen.”

“Did they talk about anything in the car?”

“They kept talking about this game, and about dad, and how this guy won mom in the poker game. Like she belonged to him. I didn’t understand it. Grandpa kept saying, that is how the game worked.”

“Did they say where they were going?”

“No. They just kept hitting mom.”

“I told them to stop, and that’s when the guy in the back seat hit me. Grandpa got really mad and said they were dropping us off,  leaving us for dad to pick us up. The guy in the back seat said he’d kill us all if I said anything.”

“Tommy, they won’t. They’d have to come through me to get to you and your brothers; I would never let that happen. You are doing so well. One last question, did you see them get into another car?”

“No, they just drove off and left us. They told mom it was her choice, we could go with them, and they’d kill us, or they could leave us for my dad.”

“Did you know any of the other men besides your grandpa, or hear any names?”

“No. Ben, I think they are going to kill mom. They were so mad at her.” Tommy cried.

“Why were they so mad? Do you know?”

“Something about that card game and some guy named Derek. He wasn’t in the car. It was confusing.”

“Tommy, you did so well. I am so, so proud of you. You and Evan are safe.  I have to step outside to check on your brother’s I will be right back.”

“No, don’t leave!”

“I am just going to go to the door then; I won’t leave the room, okay?”

Tommy nodded.

Ben signalled to the chief to come closer to the door. He relayed all of the information Tommy had given so far, making sure to tell him that Rhett would be at the gas station where the boys had been left. Evan and Luke walked back into the room with cups of jello. Luke brought a cup of jello to Tommy and was scared when Tommy rolled over.

“It’s okay, Luke. I just got an owie like you get on your knees.” Tommy said, trying to calm his little brother. “Here come see.” Tommy sat up and patted the bed.

Luke tried to climb up but couldn’t quite make it. Evan walked over and helped him up. Luke inspected Tommy’s face, completely forgetting about the jello. Ben nodded to the chief and stepped outside, leaving the door open so the boys could see him.

“I need to call their aunt and let her know they’re here, and the boys are safe. Can you please step inside with them. The eldest is afraid the guys who took them are going to hurt him.”

The chief nodded while Ben stepped further away from the door to call Becky. Her husband answered, and Ben relayed all of the information he had. He gave them the address to the hospital. They suggested calling Rhett, but when Ben shared that Rhett was most likely involved, it wasn’t mentioned again.  It was painful not to have good news about Rachel yet. Ben hung up the phone and went back and waited with the boys. It made his skin crawl that he was not out looking for Rachel, but he knew he was needed to be with the boys. It is what Rachel would have wanted.

Forty minutes later, Becky and her husband, Jack, arrived. Ben stepped out of the room to prepare them to see Tommy. The boy’s face had bruised substantially, and it looked worse than it actually was. Becky took a deep breath and entered to see the boys. Ben waited outside to give them some time together. A minute later, Becky’s husband stepped back out.

“So I hear you are to be family. The boys said you asked Rachel to marry you last night?”

“I did.”

“ The boys are crazy about you. Do you have any new information on Rachel?”

“Not yet. I will go check back in with the chief; I haven’t wanted to stray far from the boys. They’re terrified.”

“Hey, I know you can’t go on a hunch, but I wasn’t exactly surprised when Rhett’s name came up in this. He’s a real piece of shit.”

“I know. Believe me, he’ll get what is coming to him. I’ll be right back.”

“I hope so,” Jack called out, “because if you don’t, I will. That son of a bitch is involved in this somehow. He could never deal with Rachel moving on.”

“I understand what you are saying, but as a detective, I am going to pretend I never heard you say that.” Ben looked at him.

The chief came walking down the hallway, like a man who had something to say. Ben braced himself for the worst.

“Detective”

“Chief Sanders, this is Jack Cline, the boy’s uncle. Do you have news?”

“I do. We have Rhett Lawson in custody. I am sorry we do not have Rachel yet.”

“He isn’t talking.”

“I want to talk to him,” Ben said.

“I don’t know if that is such a good idea.”

“The man is a loose cannon, with the right enticement, he’s explosive. I am the right enticement. Please let me try.” Ben said.

“Chief, Ben’s right. Rhett is a maniac. Nothing would get under his skin like Rachel’s finance and a cop questioning him.”

The chief scratched the top of his head.

“You are way out of jurisdiction here. But it can’t hurt. Come on.”

“Give me a second to say goodbye to the boys. Can I ask another favor? I know I am racking them up?”

The chief’s face, signalling for Ben to ask.

“Can you please leave an armed officer here with the boys. We all know they are safe, but it will make them feel safer.”

“Of course. I will send in Bill Tearny; he has sons too. He’s good with kids.”

“Thank you.”

Filed Under: McKinley Park Tagged With: McKinley Park

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