The Intruder (16 page)

"Ma, you can't honestly want Jenna to carry a firearm?" Jake looked at his Mother in surprise.

"Lieutenant, you're walking into a trap," Linc whispered as quietly as possible, trying to warn the other man. Molly was a sneaky woman!

Jake looked at Linc, trying to decide what he meant, but the warning came too late.

"I think Jenna has every right to carry a firearm, and since she went about it responsibly, I have no problem with her wanting to protect herself."

"Ma, what if...?

"Jacob, you are jaded because of your work. Do you honestly think that every person who owns a gun is foolish and likely to shoot without a damn good reason?"

"No, but..."

"But nothing." She got up and took her gun out of a cabinet and brought it to the table. "This has been in my possession since your father died, Jacob. I learned to use it so I could protect all of you in case someone decided a widow with small children was an easy target. I've never fired it in anger, and have never once took it out without a good reason. I go to the shooting range at least once a month to stay in practice. I have a license to carry a concealed weapon, and I kept it put up so my children couldn't touch it. Not one of you knew it was in the house... and I dare you, Jacob, to tell me that I have been irresponsible!"

Jake looked at his sweet little Ma in shock! Once he recovered, he stood up and said firmly, "Okay. I want to see your paperwork, Ma. Yours too, Jenna. You'd both better hope to God that you aren't lying to me."

"You would arrest me, Jake?" Molly looked at him in disbelief.

"I might not go that far, but I swear Ma, I'm going to find a husband for you that will give you a sound spanking! You are out of control!" he stated.

"I'll find my own husband, thank you very much!" she retorted and went to her purse and returned with her permit.

She also handed him another card, and he was surprised to learn his sweet little mother was rated as high as he was in proficiency with a weapon. He looked at Jenna's next, and it was in order, too. She had proof of her classes, too. He shook his head. "I'll admit I'm not happy that you two have armed yourselves, but legally, I can't put a stop to it. As myself, though, I wish you'd reconsider."

"No," Molly said firmly. "I might remind you, Jacob, I am still the mother in this family and I am in my right mind and capable of deciding what is right for me. I have only used this gun once... well, twice now," she looked at a grinning Linc. "The first time to keep from being attacked. I held that bastard at bay until the police arrived and arrested him. Do you think I would have stood a chance at fighting off a two hundred pound man without a gun, Jake?"

"When did this happen, Ma?" Jake was furious at the thought of his Ma in danger.

"You were about ten years old, honey. It happened at the restaurant. I was in there alone, doing some prep work for the next morning, and he sneaked in the back door and I had my gun in my pocket. He cried like a baby when he thought I was going to shoot him."

Jake simply hugged her tightly, his emotions in turmoil. "Okay, Ma. I'll keep my peace. You did just fine. I love you," he whispered.

"The second time I pointed my gun was at Linc earlier tonight. He came in the house ahead of your sister, to make sure it was safe. I didn't recognize Jenna at first because of all the makeup and the fact she was dressed like a hooker, and I called him out."

"You were being cautious ma'am, and when I identified myself, you didn't shoot me," Linc grinned at her. "I would have done the same in your circumstances," he added.

"Ma!" Jacob looked at her in exasperation. "A husband is what you need, and once I catch Darles, I'm going to find a man for you... and make sure he believes in spanking!

Chapter Eleven

Quincy Darles was furious. His whole operation was at stake because of that bitch Deborah, and the fact that her best friend just happened to be the sister of a cop. He was going to take her back, and Jake Tobias' sister, too. That little bitch needed a lesson and he was going to see to it she got it. And, Tobias' pretty wife was going to be his, too, as was the lady cop he had protecting her. He would take all four women and hustle them out of the country before Tobias knew what hit him. Mock him, would he? He'd see the bastard pay.

Darles gathered his men into one room and gave concise orders. He wanted all four women alive, and he would personally skin alive the man who harmed any one of them. Two brunettes, one redhead, and a blond who would need very little training to have her on her knees begging to be used over and over again! Once Darles pulled this mission off to his satisfaction, he and his operation would move elsewhere. Killing Jake Tobias would be too merciful for the man. Letting him grieve over his wife and sister and fellow police officer would be a punishment to live with for the rest of his life.

* * *

"This hasn't happened before," Kelly told Kari with a weak smile.

"I've heard that nibbling on crackers before you get out of bed in the morning will help," Kari told her friend. Kelly was sitting on the floor in the bathroom and she looked positively ill.

The dogs started barking furiously, and Kelly tried to get to her feet, and that set off her nausea again, and she grabbed the toilet and was ill. "You go and hide," she gasped.

"No," Kari said firmly. "I'll see what is going on. I'm armed."

"Kari, no!" Kelly tried to argue, but was retching again and felt helpless.

Kari went and looked outside. She didn't recognize the car, but she did recognize the young woman getting out of the passenger side door. It was Jake's sister, Jenna! She opened the door and stepped outside to call off the dogs.

"Get inside the house now, Mrs. Tobias!" the young man said firmly, rushing Jenna up the steps and pushing them both inside the kitchen. "Where is Officer Wintrow?" he asked with a frown.

"Lighten up, Linc," Jenna bossed. "Kari is your boss' wife, you know," she reminded him, and then said, "Kari, this is Officer Linc Aiken. He's my body guard," she added glumly. "Are you doing all right?" she asked politely.

"I'm all right, Jenna. I heard about your close call. I'm so sorry if I put you in danger," Kari said guiltily.

"Jenna put herself in danger, Mrs. Tobias," Linc said firmly. "Where is Officer Wintrow and what were you doing answering the door?" he demanded once again, and it was easy to see that he was not a bit happy with her.

"Kelly is ill," Kari said. "Please come in and have a seat, and I'll fix us all some breakfast after I check on Kelly."

"If she is ill, she should have called in for a replacement," Linc stated forcefully, taking out his telephone.

Kari took the phone from his hand. "You just mind your own business, Officer Aiken." Her green eyes flashed fire at him. "I mean it. This is none of your business, and if you call Jake to tattle, I'll... I'll... I'll do something awful to you! I promise I will!" she threatened him, then carried his phone off with her to check on Kelly.

"Oh that was great, Linc," Jenna laughed. "I've never seen Kari go off like that at anyone. Of course, I barely know her, but she doesn't like you at all!"

"I'm not here to be liked, but to protect you and Kari and Kelly," Linc said. "I wonder
why
she doesn't want me to call in for a replacement for Kelly?"

"I don't know," Jenna shook her head and then got to her feet. "I'm going to put on a pot of coffee. I need a cup, and so do you. You're grumpy in the morning," she accused.

"Yeah, I am," he admitted. "One of my many faults," he told her with a grin. "I need coffee, and I wasn't happy when the Lieutenant sent us directly out here."

"I could tell. I heard you muttering under your breath about 'wouldn't hurt to drive through McDonald's or go to Starbucks's on the way'," she giggled at the sheepish look on his face. "You follow orders well, I'll give you that."

"Habit."

"Yes, I imagine so." She looked at him for a full minute and then said, "I respect that about you, Linc. You might not like it, but you do it. You have an ingrained sense of duty... You remind me of Jake and Jase, and in a good way," she added, and then turned her attention to making the coffee, embarrassed that she'd revealed herself in that way.

"Thank you," Linc replied. "Seriously, that is a nice compliment, Jenna," he smiled. After a pause he asked, "Do you think I should go and check on Kelly and Kari?"

"Not if you value your life. Didn't you notice that gun my sister-in-law was carrying? I'd leave well enough alone right now."

* * *

"Oh, this is awful," Kelly groaned, was sick again, and then she started crying.

"Oh, honey, don't cry," Kari knelt down to hug her. "You'll feel better soon, once this passes." She handed her a cup of water to rinse her mouth.

Kelly did so, and then tried to nibble on the cracker that Kari offered her. "I can't do this, Kari. I've got to call Nevin and tell him I'm pregnant, and then get another officer out here right away. I am useless to you right now."

"That other cop is out there, so we aren't alone," Kari reminded her.

"I can't believe you took his cell phone!" Kelly giggled in spite of her misery. "I'm amazed, in fact."

"He made me angry," Kari sputtered indignantly. "I didn't like his attitude at all!"

"Linc is a good guy, and a good police officer," Kelly defended him, and held out her hand for another cracker. "I'm starting to feel a bit better," she said in relief. "I just need a few more minutes to pull it together before facing Linc. I don't want HIM to tell Nevin. That is my job."

Kari held up his cell phone. "He won't get the opportunity as long as I have this," she said smugly.

"I hate to mention this, but if Jake finds out about this, you're going to get your rear end dusted."

"I don't care. I'll find a way to make him pay if I get into trouble," she promised. "I'm not nice when I get mad."

Kelly actually laughed, and her color was returning. "You are something else, Kari Tobias, and I am so glad you are on my side of things." She took a deep breath, and got up off the floor. "I'm going to freshen up a bit and I'll be right out." She hugged Kari and said, "Thank you, my friend, for taking care of me this morning. I'm not going to handle this part of being pregnant very well, I'm afraid."

"Tomorrow we'll make sure you eat some crackers before you get out of bed, okay?" Kari hugged her back, and then left the bathroom, pleased that Kelly was finally past the morning sickness for the day. She went out to the kitchen, prepared to fix some coffee, and was pleased to see it was already made. She needed a cup. "Thanks, whoever made the coffee."

"I did. I would have started some breakfast, but I didn't know what you wanted, Kari," Jenna said.

"Kelly really stocked up on food. We have pretty much whatever anyone wants," Kari answered, carrying her mug of coffee over to the table. She had a seat and asked, "What can I fix for you?"

"You can give me my cell phone," Linc said firmly.

"Nope." She saw his eyes light up. "I will warn you right now, Officer Aiken, that I might be small, but you are not getting this phone without one hell of a fight." To her surprise, Jenna started giggling. "I'm not joking, Jenna."

"I know you aren't, but, Kari, Linc took out three of Darles men, and they were huge and armed!" she giggled again.

"Well," Kari turned up her chin, "he hasn't tangled with
ME
yet! And he doesn't want to!"

"Do you sass Jake like that?" Jenna asked with a laugh. "Man alive, I'd love to see that. Jake has met his match for sure. I thought you were all sweet and mooshy, but you aren't. Oh, that didn't come out right. I meant to say that you have spirit, and you will keep Jake on his toes. Not that you aren't nice," Jenna was red-faced by now.

Kari just grinned at her. "I have a temper, and yes, I've let Jake have it a few times." She didn't add that she'd lost those skirmishes, but she suspected that Jenna already knew that. She sipped at her coffee, and then got up and started breakfast. Jenna offered to help, and Kari kept her busy. Kari also kept an eye on Officer Aiken and glared at him every so often so he would sit still.

Kelly finally came into the kitchen and smiled at Kari. Her eyes were shining and sparkling and her cheeks were pink with pleasure. She quickly said 'hello' to Linc and Jenna before turning to Kari to say, "I'm in 'big trouble' according to Nevin, but he's happy! About broke my eardrum letting out a whoop! He's so excited!"

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Kari exclaimed.

"He said I can stay as long as Linc is here, too. They caught several of Darles men last night. They tried to break into the dorm, and were also apprehended outside Jenna's house... and they broke into your home, Kari. The Lieutenant had officers everywhere. Darles wasn't with them, however. Jake doesn't think Darles knows about this place, and that is why he sent Jenna here."

"I think that is a good idea," Kari nodded and then smiled at Jenna. "The more the merrier. It will give us an opportunity to get to know each other better, and I would really like that."

"I would, too," Jenna said, stunned to realize she meant it.

A telephone rang and Linc held out his hand. "My phone, please, Mrs. Tobias...?" His look was somber, but turned to surprise when she handed it over immediately, and without protest. He answered, and then listened. "Yes, sir, I will. Yes, I understand." He was smiling. "Congratulations, sir," he added before disconnecting the call.

"Nevin?" Kelly asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes, I am ordered to keep you safe," he answered. "Congratulations, Kelly."

"Thank you!"

"Well, darn it, someone please tell me what is going on?" Jenna looked around the room.

"I'm pregnant, Jenna," Kelly explained. "I just learned about it... and had my first bout of morning sickness this morning. That is why Kari took Linc's phone. She knew I wanted to be the one to tell Nevin."

"Ohhhhhhh....! I understand now! Great move, Kari!" she praised her sister-in-law.

Linc shook his head. "I would have held off making the call if you'd just told me the truth, Mrs. Tobias," he said earnestly.