Disclaimer: Early Edition doesn't belong to me, but I loved the show so much that when it was canceled, I had to do something to appease my aching heart. I missed Gary so much that I thought, hey, I'll write my own episode, that way I can interact with him in my own way.  ;-)

The characters of EE belong to Tristar Pictures. The other characters in this story belong to me.  :-)  This is my very first full length fan fic, and although there are 20 chapters to this story, I think they are a lot of fun. I know that I had fun writing them. Please email me to let me know how you liked April's Reign.

April Chandler, beautiful, mysterious and charming. With the face of an angel, and a knockout smile, men are just dying to meet her. Literally DYING!  Gary too has been smitten by her charms.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

April's Reign
by Candi

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Eleven
~~~~~*~~~~~

"That will be nine dollars and ninty nine cents," the cashier said, bagging the last loaf of bread and shoving the over filled bag aside,  She held out her hand for the money.

Rebecca Ann Danado had just begun work that night at the Quick Shop Mart and was a bit squeamish about working in an all night convience store.  Being newly widowed at 55 and with four children, she had no other choice and needed this second job to help supplement her income.  Her husband had been murdered about a month ago. He had just started as part of a team in a new law firm, but disappeared sometime shortly after. He had been shot in the back of the head, his body found later hidden in a ditch on the out skirts of town.  Rebecca found out later that he had squandered most of their savings, spending it wildly on gambling, women, bad investments. Rebecca's heart was broken when she found out that he owed tons of bills and back taxes and after paying most of them, there was nothing left of their savings.

   The man dug into his pocket and brought out a crumpled up bill  and tossed it onto the counter.

Rebecca sighed, and picked up the crumpled bill. Smoothing it out she examined it and seeing that it was a ten dollar bills, she quickly tendered the amount and the drawer popped opened with a 'ding!'

"Keep the change honey" The guy smirked, picked up the bag and hurried out of the store.

"Have a nice night" Rebecca said dryly.  She placed the money inside of the cash drawer and slammed it shut.  Blowing out a breath, she suddenly felt chilled and clutched her sweater tighter, around the neck, trying to block some of the cold, not sure if they were chill bumps or goose bumps. She felt nervous.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that the straggely looking teen who had come in earlier, was still standing in front of the magazine rack, his face buried in a magazine. He had been there for about twenty minutes now, and Rebecca was beginning to feel a little uneasy.

You're just being too paranoid becky, she whispered, trying to reasure herself that everything would be okay, people worked in these quick marts everyday, piece of cake. To occupy her mind, she busied herself by straightening out the candy and gum racks, and buffing down the glass door of the Icee machine.

Suddenly the door dinged, and she looked up to see a tall, rather goodlooking man enter and right away she felt a bit relieved to have someone else in the store. He wore a heavy brown coat, turtle neck sweater underneath and jeans.  He looked decent enough, clean cut, had face of apple pie, and was very handsome actually, Rebecca thought to herself and smiled.

The man nodded at her and smiled, before making his way slowy over towards the magazine racks.  As she observed him, Rebecca thought it was rather strange when he pulled a news paper from his back pocket and began reading it.  Cautiously, she watched him as he read for a while then rolled up the paper, and stuffed it into his back pocket again.  She noticed that he then began thumbing through a couple of magazines before he striking up a conversation with the  young man who had been standing there. The two talked for a few minutes and then Rebecca noticed that the young man seemed to be upset about something.

"What? Who are you? Why don't you just mind your own business"
She heard the him retort. The man with the newspaper, seemed to be talking in calm tones, as if trying to soothe the anger of the young boy saying something about not wanting to do that, and to leave so that no one got hurt.  At the word hurt, Becky's heart  leaped and she quickly made her way over to the coundter and felt around below it,  trying feverishly to locate the silent security alarm that was hidden there. Much to her mortification, it was broken and hanging by a wire. At that moment the younger man pulled out a switch blade and the two men took a stance poised to attack.  The man with the paper hands shot up in defense.

"Woa!" she heard him say and Rebecca's heart was racing now and she made a  quick move for the door. Suddenly an even bigger man appeared at the door and pushed him way in almost knocking her to the floor.

"Where you think you goin!" he snapped, grabbing her roughly by the sweater his angry bloodshot eyes darting around nervously, "Man whats taking you so long!" he yelled across the store. At that moment, Rebecca's heart flipped. This was a planned holdup!

"Over here dog!" the skinny boy shouted. He was still poised with the switch blade in hand, and the guy with the paper had his hands up a nervous look on his face.

With Rebecca in tow, the bigger man yanked her around, over to the magazine racks where his friend was. "Lets go! Lets go! Lets go!"  he yelled frantically

"We got ah problem dog!" the younger man shouted back his eyes flashing with panic. "Clark Kent here"

At that point, the larger  guy reached into his coat, pulled out a gun and held it on the man that had the paper. "C'mon man, we gotta split, ain't got no time, lets go!!" he yelled to his friend then shoved Rebecca aside and grabbed the guy with the paper around the neck in a choke hold. The young boy then grabbed Rebecca forcing her over to the cash register.

"Open the drawer!" he demanded. "Hurry! hurry! hurry!" Rebecca, eyes wide with sheer panic, knees were quivering as she fumbled with shaky fingers to accomidate the irrate boy.  She pushed 'no sale cash' key and the drawer popped open, then pushing her aside, the boy began stuffing the money in a plastic bag as fast as he could, bills fluttering, change spilling out onto the floor.

"Y-You don't want to do that man" the guy with the newspaper choked, his voice raspy and nervous with the arm around his throat.

The bigger of the men tightened his hold around the man's neck and sputtered in his ear, "Oh yeah? And what are you going to do about it Clark Kent, break out in your  Superman getup?" he then rared back with his fist, and with all of his might, punched him hard in the ribs.  Rebecca heard a loud "Omph!!" and screamed as the man with the paper doubled over in pain, clutching his side.

"Please, just go!" she pleaded to the two men, "take the money and just go!"

"Shut up lady!" the older man yelled.  He kept looking at the door as the younger man grabbed cartons of cigarettes from the and began stuffing them into plastic bags.  He then  grabbed Rebecca's purse that was underneath the counter and dumped the contents onto the counter, and finding her wallet grabbed whatever bills and credit cards he could find.

The older man's eyes then fell to the man on the floor and he kicked him this time in the side, yelling, "Give it up man! The wallet!, the wallet! C'mon!!"

The man on the floor, still clutching his side,was breathing hard while struggling to remove his wallet from his pocket. Impatient, the older thug pushed his hands away and began to rummage through the man's pockets himself. Finding a wallet he flipped it opened and quickly took out the bills, about eighty dollars in tens and twentys and tossed the wallet aside.

"Michael!" the man with the newpaper sputtered suddenly from the floor and the younger man immediately froze at the sound of his name, his eyes darting about frantically.

"H-How do yo know my name?! Man he knows my name!" he shouted, his eyes glaring at his friend.

"Lucky guess! C'mon, lets get outta here, this guy is weird!"

The man from the floor was coughing, his chest heaving as he struggled to speak, his eyes looking at the older guy,

"No,  Slugg"  he managed to get out between breaths, "No...but I tell ya, that if you...if you two walk out of here r-right now,... you're not going to make it. The place is surrounded."

Slugg, the older of the two thugs was stunned and stopped to glared at the man on the floor, his face beaded in sweat.  With the back of his hand, he wiped his mouth and his eyes now revealed panic. No one but no one other than his mama and closest friends knew him by that name! Was this some kind of set up?

Rebecca was near hesterics now, and prayed silently that the man with the paper would just be quiet so that the two thugs would hurry up and leave. How did he know that the place was surrounded? The darned alarm button was broken, so the police couldn't have gotten the call.

From the floor, the man with the paper was still clutching his side, and breathing hard, his gaze now focused on Michael, the younger of the two men. "You-you have your whole life ahead of you Michael" he gasped, his chest heaving  "don't...don't throw it all away"

Except for the heavy breathing coming from each of the frightened occupants, an eerie silence enveloped the store.

Michael was shaking nervously, pondered his choices.  Should he ignore the mans warning and take a chance and make a go of it, or should he give up?

Slugg, gun waving in the air, was cursing outloud, his eyes darting wildly about in search of another escape route.

Mrs. Danado, crouched against the wall behind the counter wa crying and shaking in sheer panic her eyes looking hopefully to the man with the paper, his handsome face bleeding, his eyes on the two thugs.

Flashing red police lights soon illuminated the small store, flickering in circular motions all about.  Police radio calls could be heard outside and the man with the paper watched with caution the faces of the two thugs, not knowing what their next move would be, it had been a while since his last look at the paper, and he braced himself for the worse.

"What are we going to do now dog..huh?!"  Michael cried throwing his hands up in the air and stamping his foot in frustration, "Man, what now!"

The man on the floor eye's darted towards the older man, not knowing what to expect from him, knowing that he was the one who was calling the shots. He only wished that Mrs Danado was a little further out of range, knowing she would be an easy target for them to grab as a hostage.

"Come out with your hands up!"  The police mega phone echoed from outside. "The place is surrounded!"

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Twelve
~~~~~*~~~~~

Outside several police cars surrounded the tiny store. Flashing lights in crimson red lit up the night, sparkling brilliantly against the cold black gravel of the parking lot, like scattered rubies across the rain washed streets.

Inside, all eyes were on Slugg, the older of the two men who was hidden, crouched behind a large display of canned goods, his brows crinkled as he grappled with a decision.  With a jerk of his head, he motioned his young accomplice over to him giving the man on the floor a stern warning not to try anything stupid.

Michael moving quickly, ducked behind an end display of Cap'n Crunch cereal boxes, and took a place beside Slugg on the floor. For a moment the two conversed quietly with each other discussing their choices, at times their conversation rising in heated whispers as they argued their next move.

Mrs Danado's heart was pounding fiercely in her chest and turning her head, she glanced over to where the man with the paper sat still holding his side. As she observed him, her eyebrows crinkling suddenly, puzzled at what she saw.  Somehow-without being detected-the man had managed to slip the newspaper he had been reading earlier from his back pocket and was secretly engrossed, his eyes glancing up nervously from time to time.

Reading a newspaper, and at a time like this! She thought angrily. Didn't he know that he was risking not only his life but hers as well!

The man with the paper looked up again, and over at her. For a brief moment their eyes locked, her fearful ones pleading silently for him to behave.  But he seemed to ignore her plea, and folding the paper carefully, he slipped it back inside of his coat and out of site.

"Michael" he called suddenly, flinching in pain as he struggled to sit up in a more comfortable position.

Slugg raised his head instead, and shot the man an angry look. "Hey! I told you to not to try anything stupid!" he shouted, then crouching down behind a display of soft drinks, he rushed over towards him.

Afraid of being punched or kicked again, the man on the floor scuffled back quickly against the wall, clambering to get out of his way his hands up in defense  "I-I'm not-I'm not gonna try anything"

"What do you want with Michael! Huh!" Slugg yelled.

Over in a corner, Mrs. Danado held her breath, praying feverishly that the man with the paper would simply be still and not cause any more trouble. But she could tell by the look in his eyes that he wasn't through.

"I-I just wanna tell Michael to remember...th-thats all" the man sputtered, bracing himself for another blow.

"What!?" Slugg's face went sour feeling as if he had been betrayed and he spun around,

"What's he talkin bout man? Remember what?"

Puzzled, Michael shook his head, glaring over at the man on the floor.  "I don't know what he's talking bout man...h-he's crazy!"

"Well...we gotta get out of here!" Slugg yelled, looking around.

Silence.

"C'mon, grab the bag of mo-"

"No!"  Michael shouted suddenly, his voice was adamant.

Stunned, everyone was silent and again all eyes were on Slugg whose glare was fixed upon Michael.

"We gotta give up man" Michael said, forcing himself to face his freind.

You gotta be kid'n me!?" Slugg's voice was incredulous "Give up!? Forget it man I ain't goin back to no jail!" he said shaking his head. Scanning the store, his eyes found Mrs. Danado huddled behind the counter her body shaking, her eyes clenched tight.

"We could use the old lady as a hostage-" he suggested waving the gun in her direction.

"No!" the man with the paper sputtered suddenly from where he sat,  his voice husky with panic, " I-I mean..you...you don't want to do that Slugg"

Mrs. Danado's heart was racing wild as her eyes flew open searching desperately for the man with the paper. She couldn't die this way! She had children at home who needed her!

"And what do you know about it!!" Slugg yelled.

"U-Use me as hostage...let the lady go" the man offered.

"No!" the young boy interrupted, "It's over man. You said this was going to be easy...easy money! But we got caught! We busted man!"

"You turning on me ?" Slugg shouted pointing the gun in his direction.

Michael, throwing his hands up in frustration tried to explain, "I'm not turning on you dog...but I can't go through with this. I thought it was going to be easy..you said it would be easy man!"  Taking a deep breath he sighed. Things had gotten way out of hand.

"Look Slugg" he said, blowing out a breath, "my old man was murdered some months ago...som-somebody killed him and the police still don't know who done it!  My old lady is dependent on me now, and needs me man. I have a little brother to help take care of too. Um all they got "

Slugg paused for a moment, his angry eyes searching his young friend's face,

"So we ain't down no mo?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders.

"Not like this man" Michael said, shaking his head, "it's over"

"Police!" The voice over the mega phone echoed loudly from outside, "Come out with your hands up!!"

A deathly silence filled the room as Slugg stood, glaring at his friend, his mind wavering in indecision. His eyes fell to the plastic bag stuffed with the money taken from the register and he grabbed it.

"I'm going for it man.....with you or with out you!" he said, rushing towards the rear of the store.

"Slugg!" the man with the paper shouted, struggling to stand. But it was too late.  Slugg had already bolted out the back door  and into the night. The bag of money he held tight in one hand, the gun in the other.

"This is the Chicago Police!" the police mega phone echoed loudly  "Police! Stop where you are! "Put down your weapon! This is your second warning! Put down your weapon and raise your hands....NOW!! "

Outside police sirens wailed noisily, but inside an eerie silence engulfed the small store as the next sound that was heard, made everyone's heart stop.

Pop!

The faint sound of a single gun shot could be heard, followed quickly by the sound of several rounds of shots, exploding the air.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! POP!!

Mrs. Danado screamed and covering her head with her arms she prayed silently for the man.  Slowly she opened her eyes and glanced over at the young man who had slunk to the floor with his back against the wall. His knees were drawn up and the knife he once held, was on the floor at his feet.

Her eyes quickly sought the man with the paper and was surprised to find that he had already taken the paper out and was reading it. He glanced up and over at her, then turning his attention to the young boy, he sighed.

"You did the right thing Michael"

"Did I ?" the boy cried, his face a scowl, "Slugg's gone man...they shot him!"

The man with the paper drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he tucked the paper back inside of his coat.

"I-I think things are going to be okay" he said reassuringly

Mrs. Danado sighed, feeling a sudden relief wash over her and from the look in the man's beautiful eyes she had a feeling that maybe he knew something more. That maybe everything was going to be all right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So what were you doing at the Quick Shop Mart this late at night Hobson" Brigatti inquired stirring a styro foamed cup filled with black coffee, "buying slushys?"

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Thirteen
~~~~~*~~~~~

"So what were you doing at the Quick Shop Mart this late at night, Hobson?" Brigatti inquired, stirring a styrofoam cup filled with black coffee, "Buying slushies?"

With tired eyes, Gary looked up.  One finger wrapped neatly in a white bandage, he reached over and took the styrofoam cup of coffee she held out to him.  It had been a long night.  His side hurt, his finger throbbed, and with all that he had gone through in the past two hours, he was having a hard time concentrating.

"T-Thanks" he stammered, " I-I was auh.. actually there to buy some... gum."

With one eye brow arched, Brigatti studied him for a moment, not believing a word of it. When would he learn!

"Really," she drawled.  A bit of sarcasm tainted her tone, "What kind?"

In mid-sip, Gary lowered his cup to look at her, "Huh?"

" Flavor , Hobson," Brigatti's voice was bored and mono toned. She knew he was lying!

Gary blinked, ruffling the back of his hair. Flavor of gum? What did that have to do with anything?! What did she want!?

Shaking her head, Brigatti rose swiftly from her desk, crossed the room to the file cabinets and pulled opened the large metal drawer.  She didn't look at him as she fingered quickly through the folders muttering something incoherent under her breath.  Looking for his file, Gary supposed, shifting nervously on his seat.  He watched her wearily for a moment as she rummaged through the files and, finding the one she had searched so violently for, snatched it out then turned around to look at him.

"Well?" one eyebrow arched. She would continue the silly game if he wanted to play!   "Juicy Fruit?"

No answer.

"Peppermint?" she was glaring at him now, her voice sounding more irritated with each question.

Gary, looking befuddled, shifted on his seat, scratching his head.

"Spearmint?... Wintermint? Big Red -- lia-!" she muttered, slamming the drawer shut with a bang, her last word "liar" drowned out by the sound of crashing metal.

Gary jumped spilling hot coffee all over his coat.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted them, and the door opened slightly. It was Detective Winslow.

"Excuse me " he said, peeking his head in through the partially opened door.

Drawing in a deep breath, Brigatti looked up slightly annoyed, "What is it Winslow?"

"How you doin', Mr. Hobson,"  Winslow smiled acknowledging Gary, his eyes surveying the spilled coffee down the front of Gary's coat.  Clearing his throat, he turned his attention back to Brigatti, "Captain wants to see you. It's about that ahhh....special assignment?"

"I'll be there in a minute."

"Right-e-o," he mused, winking at Gary before closing the door softly.

"Don't move," she ordered, tossing Gary a box of Kleenex before she stalked out of the office taking the folder with her.
xhausted, Gary pulled a tissue from the box, and wiped the front of his coat. His finger throbbed, and the white cloth bandage that was wrapped around it, was soaked now from the spilled coffee. He wasn't sure how he had hurt his finger, but figured it happened when Slugg kicked him. The peremedics had examined and treated him on the scene. Except for the cut finger and his bruised side, there were no major injuries, so he had declined going to the hospital. He regretted that decision now!

Looking around Brigatti's small office Gary found it surprisingly effeminate. There were a few pictures hanging on the wall.  Some were of Brigatti surrounded by a group of her police comrades. Probably from her days in the police academy, Gary thought to himself, smiling at the smile she had on her face. It was rare.

There were lots of awards on the wall, one that stood out was a large authentic looking certificate housed in a large wooden frame, a shiny police badge emblem graced the front of it.

Her desk complete with computer was neatly aranged. Pencils and pens were kept neat in cylinder holders, a small vase with one single flower surrounded by baby's breath sat on the side. The back of a picture frame facing the opposite direction caught Gary's attention and he reached over and turned it around.

It was an old picture of a young Brigatti, posed with an older woman whose white hair was pinned up neatly in a bun. They were smiling, their faces huddled close together, Brigatti's sleek black hair was much longer than when he had first met her, and it spilled about her shoulders giving her a seductive look. Gary smiled. The two women resembled each other -- both women's eyes beautiful, dark and piercing. Eyes that seemed untrusting and although they were smiling, Gary could see a sadness behind them. Her mother? Grandmother? He couldn't be certain.

The clicking of heels fast approaching sounded out in the hall and Gary quickly returned the photo to its place just as the door swung open.

Brigatti walked briskly in, still clutching the folder and closed the door behind her. Whipping the folder out from under her arm she plopped down at her desk, clasped her fingers together and with pursed lips sat looking across at him, her dark eyes blinking.

"Where were we?" she asked.

Gary sighed, impatiently shaking his head.

"Lets see," Brigatti began her lips tight, "we got a dark rainy night with wet slippery roads. Roads, that incidentally, no one in his right mind would be out driving around in. We got you in a bronco, out and about, cruisin--"

" Cruising !" Gary scowled, interrupting her, " W-What  cruising?!"

" Cr-ui-sin ---!" Brigatti sneered, emphasizing the word, her eyes burning into his before she continued, "... around town , and looking for ...  what ? ... It hasn't yet been established. You get this sudden tickle in your throat and out of  all  the stores in  all  the neighborhoods along the way,  you  decide to pull over to  that  particular convenience store in  that  particular neighborhood, to purchase, as oppose to cough drops, bottled water, or coffee, a package of --- Gum?!

The room went silent as Gary sat staring at Brigatti in utter disbelief.  His face was perplexed and he was looking at her mouth as if she had just spoken in some unknown language.  After all that he had been through tonight, he could not believe that she would be going on and on about a flavor of gum! Rubbing his face in his hands, he kicked himself for not having gone to the hospital.  At least there, he would have been shown more sympathy!

Seeing that she was getting nowhere with him, Brigatti, blew out a frustrated breath and leaned forward, "If that question is too hard for you, Hob-son, let's try something a little more simple. How long have you known Mrs. Danado?"

"Howzat?" Gary asked looking up from his hands.

"Mrs. Danado? The woman who was held up at the Quick Shop Mart?"

"I-I don't know her!"

" Humph!" Brigatti sat back, her dark eyes flashing, "Well, she sure seemed to know you, Hobson, the way that she was hugging you when we stormed in."

Now, Gary was annoyed, "I didn't know that woman! I-I suppose that she was just happy that someone else was in there with her when she was being robbed...I don't know!"

Brigatti scribbled something down on a note pad in front of her.

"So you never saw her before tonight?" She inquired looking up.

"No!" Gary groused.

"How about the kid, Michael?"

"Michael?! No...no I don't know him either..look why are you asking me all these questions?"

"Just trying to tie together some loose ends, Hobson...that's all!"

"What loose ends!"

"You tell me," Brigatti leaned back in her chair and studied him for a moment. "Why is it Hobson that you seem to turn up in some of the most extraordinary circumstances?"

Gary ruffled the back of his hair, "I-I don't know...wrong pla--"

"Don't give me that wrong place, wrong time business or I swear I'll shoot you Hobson!" Brigatti snapped, glaring at him.

Lowering her head slowly she continued writing, "Seems as if our little cowboy and Mrs. Danado has a little something in common." She murmured under her breath.

Gary was beginning to feel very uncomfortable discussing anything that had to do with a murder; and as much as he didn't want to know, he was curious, "Wh-What was that?" he asked reluctantly.

Brigatti looked up and sighed, "Well, Michael's father was one of the victims who was murdered over a month ago. Shot in the back of the head with the same specially made caliber gun.  His body turned up in a ditch somewhere across town...," she paused, reflecting for a minute.  "Mrs. Danado's husband was also a victim of that particular type of killing."

"Well, don't look at me!" Gary scoffed, scratching his head and looking around, he was eager to get out of there and didn't want to know any more than necessary.

"Need to see a doctor, Hobson?" Brigatti asked, not bothering to look up at him as she continued writing.

Surprised at her concern, Gary looked up. He didn't think that she had noticed his discomfort. "No..no, I'll be all right" he stammered, "L-Look do you still want me?"

The room grew suddenly quiet, Gary's last words resounding in Brigatti's head, and for once her face flushed and went blank.  "Huh?"

"Can I go now?" Gary asked irritably, glancing down at his watch.

Brigatti cleared her throat, "Yeah...I think we're done here for tonight, Hobson"

"Good!" Gary said, feeling relieved, and rose quickly to leave but stopped abruptly and turned back.  He couldn't help wondering about the fate of Slugg.

"One more thing," he asked sheepishly.

"What's that Hobson?"

"That guy...the gun man...Slugg? W-What happened? I mean is he going to be okay?"

Brigatti looked up at him and sighed, "Well, after he fired that first shot, I had to do something to keep him from getting hurt permanently...if you know what I mean.  I was aiming for the hand with the gun, but the punk turned slightly and he got it
in the---,"  she paused briefly before continueing, "well....let's just say that he'll be doing most of his time standing."

Gary grimaced, " Oh...yeah-well...see ya," he muttered, quickly fumbling the door knob to open it.

"Let's hope not, Hobson," Brigatti called as the door closed swiftly behind him.
 

Chapter Fourteen
~~~~~*~~~~~

The crisis was over, at least for now. As Gary made his way down the long corridor of the police station, his mind was on the paper. It had been a while since his last look and Brigatti's detaining him hadn't helped matters any.   Sliding the paper from his back pocket, he unfolded it slowly to take a look, his eyes finding a newly developed headline.

'Man Killed', the headline read. What now!? he muttered irritably, glancing up from the paper.  He was tired, and not wanting to face what the article had instore for him, Gary scanned his surroundings instead, nodding sheepishly at a burly police officer who was standing in front of the elevators as he passed.  Knowing that sooner or later he'd have to face the headline and that time was of essence, Gary glance back down at the paper to resume reading.

'The body of a man was found yesterday at a local bar located on Illinois and Franklin. Thomas Parette--" he stopped abruptly, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Tom!" he sputtered aloud. Looking around the quiet building, he hoped no one had heard his out burst and rubbing the back of his neck, he glanced back down at the paper to continue reading.

'Thomas Parette was found late last night by bar owner, and employer, Gary Hobson. He had been shot once in the back of the head at close range. Reports are sketchy at this time, and police aren't saying if this killing is related to the others that have plagued the city for the past month.'

Gary's heart was racing now as he headed through the building fighting the urge to run. He saw an officer sitting at a desk in the front lobby and stopped.

"Can I use your phone?" he panted. He had been walking alot faster than he thought.  The officer peered at him over the top of his spectacles, giving him the once over before motioning to some phone booths through the bullet proof glass doors leading out into the lobby of the building.

"Thanks" Gary nodded, and quickly made his way out to the phones. He glanced down at his watch to check the time. It was now passed 9 o'clock PM. Tom should still be there, he thought as he dialed the number to the bar. He only hoped that he wasn't too late.

"Good evening, Mcginty's" A male voice answered.

"Tom!"

"Mr. Hobson..." Tom's voice was smiling, " Good evening sir. You had a visitor..the woman who was here last night."

"Woman?"

"Not the detective.....but the other pretty one. The one you were talking to at the bar" Tom offered smiling.

"Oh yeah...April" Gary said his focus still on the headline. "Thanks listen Tom....l-let me speak to Marissa, will ya?"

"Sure"

There was a short pause, and then a rustling sound through the receiver as Tom passed the phone to Marissa.

"Gary?"

"Marissa!"

"Gary?...Whats the matter, what's wrong?"

"Is-Is....everything all right there?" he asked,

"Yeah...everything's fine...whats wrong? Are you all right you sound awful"

"I"m okay"

Marissa knew Gary's tone, and that something was wrong. "Did you stop the robbery?" she whispered into the phone.

"Yeah, everything's fine Marissa, look, I need you to do something...I need you to phone the police and tell them that you think that someone might be trying to break into the Mcginty's van."

"What!?" Marissa sounded surprise,  "What are you talking about Gary?"

"Just listen to me Marissa, tell them that you think there might be a burglary in progress...a-and get them to survey the area I'll tell you about it when I get there."

"Burglary?"

"Never mind....just do what I ask will ya? I'll explain everything when I get there" he whispered. Not wanting to upset her any further, he didn't want to tell her that Tom was supposed to have been murdered tonight.

"Yeah... sure Gary." Marissa's voice was worried.

"Ok" Gary sighed looking back down at the headline, which was still there.

"April was here," Marissa informed him, "and she seemed a little edgy...I don't know"

Gary looked up and saw the officer eyeing him suspiciously and cut the conversation short.  "Marissa, I have to go"

"Ok"

"But you need to call the cops right away Marissa" he reminded her.

"I will as soon as you get off the phone Gary," Marissa sang.

"Oh..." Gary said, and held out the receiver out to look at it, before  hanging it up quickly.  Sighing, he glanced down at the paper again. The headline was still there.

"Hurry Marissa" he muttered under his breath, as he hurried out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gary's bronco pulled up in front of Mcginty's, and he cut off the engine.  For a moment he sat looking around. The rain was still coming down hard, and he took a look at his watch. By the dim glow of the street light, he checked the time. It was 10:00 pm.

Opening the paper Gary held it up to the street light to see clearly. The headline about Tom's murder had disappeared and he heaved a sighed of relief.  Calling the cops seemed to have helped.

Stepping out of the bronco Gary looked around the darken shadows of the building, and surrounding streets, then pulling up the collar of his coat, he walked briskly into the bar out of the rain.

Inside, the music was playing softly with only a few people scattered about.  A small group sat at the bar, their face's turned upward as they watched the news on the small TV over the counter.

Marissa was sitting at a table by the office door writing something in a notebook and looked up as Gary walked up. She knew his smell.

"Gary...are you ok?" she asked, her voice sounding concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine" Gary mumbled looking around for Tom. Then he spotted him busy talking with a customer. Gary was glad to see him. Thank God Marissa had called the cops!

Tom looked up and spotted him, then made his way over to the edge of the bar where Gary stood.

"Mr. Hobson, can I get you something?" he asked leaning over the bar.

"Yeah Tom, aspirin... a..and a glass of water would you please" Gary said plopping down on a chair.

"Tough day huh?" Marissa asked putting down her pen, and paper work.

"If you only knew" Gary sighed, rubbing his face in his hands. "It's been a long night"

"I can tell. You sound exhausted"

"Did you call the cops?" Gary whispered glancing up from his hands. He wanted to be sure.

"Yeah, I did just like you asked....they looked around outside for a while"

"Good....good"

"So you were able to save the woman?"

"Yeah, if you want to call it that" Gary didn't want to go into details right now and would certainly tell her about it later.

"Hungry?" Marissa asked, knowing that he probably hadn't eaten since that morning.

Tom brought the aspirins, and a glass of water and Gary downed them both in one motion.

"No...not right now. I think I'll go shower, and lie down for a minute." he said, clunking the glass down on the table.

"Ok...but you were going to tell me something" Marissa reminded him, remembering their phone conversation.

"Oh it..it was nothing."  Gary said warily, trying to dismiss it. There was no need to worry her, and besides, the murder wasn't going to occur. Something had changed it. Maybe it was the police's presence around the bar that night. Maybe not. Gary didn't know for sure.

"I do want you and Tom to go home early tonight" he suggested.

"What are you talking about Gary?"

"I ..I just feel we should shut down the bar early tonight that's all"

"Something to do with the paper?" Marissa asked, her eyes staring blankly past him.

Gary, looking up at her and took a deep breath,"Yeah" he admitted hesitantly.

"What? Tell me"

Gary thought for a moment, then he glanced around the bar before leaning forward, "The bar was supposed to have been burglarized tonight Marissa"  he whispered. "According to the paper, a male employee was supposed to be seriously hurt. I-I figure that was Tom. But something happened...th...that  changed it."

"Tom was supposed to have gotten hurt?" Marissa sat up in her seat.

Gary drew in a breath thinking he should have waited to tell her. "Yeah...but after you called the cops, it changed. Must have frightened them off." he said.

"This is scary Gary" Marissa shuttered.

"Yeah...but it's okay now."

"You're sure?"

"Of course I'm sure, it's no longer in the paper"

"So what are we going to do?"

Gary looked over at his friend, worrying about her safety too. He didn't want her anywhere near the bar tonight just in case.

"We're not doing anything, it changed, and t-that's it" he grumbled, "Toms okay that's all that matters."

They were both quiet for a moment, and Gary remembering that April had been there earlier wanted to change the subject.

"What did you tell April?"

Marissa paused, remembering Gary's preocupation with the headline didn't think that he had heard her when she had told him about April's visiting the bar.

"Oh, I told her that you were out on an errand, and that you would call her when you got in"

"Well,...thats good" he nodded, feeling relieved.

"She left something for you though"

"She what?"

Marissa  slid a small white envelope from beneath her pile of notebooks and handed it to him.

"What's this?" he asked.

"It feels like an envelope to me Gary." she smiled settling on her seat, anticipating what was inside.

Gary gave her a smirk, and opened the envelope. He removed the small letter inside, and unfolded it slowly. The handwriting was the prettiest and neatest he had ever seen, written in pink ink. He read the note to himself.

Gary,

I really enjoyed the company that we shared the other night, and just wanted to thank you for the kindness that you've shown me. You are a very special man Gary Hobson, and if you weren't aware if it, I just wanted to tell you. In person would have been nice, but you weren't here. Some lucky lady will win your heart some day, if you are willing....

Affectionately yours,

April

Folding the letter, Gary tucked it back inside of the envelope and slip it into his coat pocket.

Silence.

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"What's it say" Marissa grinned, crinkling up her nose teasingly. Resting her chin in the palm of her hand she waited patiently.

Gary stared at her for a moment, then leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "She wants to borrow the cat."

"Oh, c'mon Gary!" Marisa shrieked suddenly, laughing, his answer unexpected and his breath had tickled her ear.

"Right now, I have a phone call to make and I want you to get Tom to drive you home. Close up early tonight" he said rising from his bar stool

"Sure Gary" Marissa answered softly. She knew it was useless trying to talk him into staying opened. The danger was over according to the paper, but if he wanted to close, then she would respect his wishes.

"Gary" She called over her shoulders, her face looking thoughtful.

"Huh?"

"You didn't happen to take Tom's key to the bar by accident when you left this evening...did you?"

Gary paused, sliding his hands over his pockets, searching for an extra key that he might have grabbed on the way out that evening.

"No...no I just have mine"

Marissa bit her lip, "Humm...it's probably nothing. I'm sure it'll turn up."

"Yeah" Gary sighed scratching his head then turned to leave.

"Oh...and Gary?" Marissa called again.

Slightly irked this time, Gary sighed running a hand through his hair and turned around again.

"Yeah?"

"Take care of that finger will you."

Surprised, Gary's eyes dropped to his bandaged finger and he looked up at her, puzzled. How does she do that?

Marissa smiled opening her notebook again,  "I felt the bandage when I-handed you the ahh...letter"

"Oh..."  Gary mumbled scratching his head and shot her another bewildered look before hurrying through the office door.

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Fifteen
~~~~~*~~~~~

The hot water felt soothing as it burst from the shower head with a vengeful force, hitting his neck, shoulders and back. Gary felt his whole body relax under the tension relieving pressure of the water, like millions of tiny fingers massaging every frasled nerve, every tightened muscle in his body and he reveled in it's comfort.

He leaned foreward letting the water hit the back of his neck, and run through his hair then tilting his face upward, he welcomed the soothing spray of water as it washed away the blood and grime from his ordeal of that day.

His rib cage felt like it had been shattered where he had been kicked and he winced in pain as the water beat down over the bruises. The bandaged on his finger was now merely a soaked piece of cloth.

His headache was beginning to subside thanks to the asprin he had taken earlier, and right now all he wanted was a break from the paper, at least for the rest of the evening. The thought of seeing April weighed heavily on his mind knowing that it was much too late to take her out, he would give her a call.

Shutting off the water he reached for a large towel and wrapping it around his waist, stepped from the shower and into his warm bedroom.

He got dressed pulling on a clean pair of sweats and warm cotton socks. He couldn't remember feeling this relaxed in a long time, and throwing himself backward across his bed he layed there staring up at the ceiling.

Laying there Gary thought about everything that had transpired that day. The hold up, Micheal, Slugg... Mrs Danado.

The name Danado still puzzled him, and the headline concerning Tom  worried him even more.  Gary knew that he would not rest until he figured out that was going on. Someone was supposed to have entered the bar tonight, and attack Tom. But who? He reached for the paper, his tired eyes scanning it once again to make sure the article hadn't reappeared. It hadn't.

Laying the paper aside Gary rolled over and reached for the small envelope on the table beside his bed and read again the letter April had written. He would call her in a few minutes to talk, but right now he just wanted to rest his eyes for a minute...just a few minutes.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In a restless sleep, Gary frowned and rolled over trying to relieve the pressure from his aching side. He wrapped his arms about his pillow which was soft and a comfort to his side and pulled it close, snuggling up to it he murmered contently and slept on.

The fresh clean scent of lemon petals surrounded him, and smiling, he inhaled deeply thinking how nice it smelled. He'll have to thank Marissa for doing his laundry for him he thought sleepily.

Tossing a  leg about his pillow his knee rested against something uniquely soft and it moaned, then moved slightly.

Pillows don't moan! Gary's eyes sprung open.   In the darkness beside him he could see a bundle rising and falling gently in slow rhythmic motions. Breathing! Cat? he thought scratching his head. No cat was that big!

His heart pounding, Gary sat up quickly and reached over fumbling for the lamp switch. Snapping on the light he glanced down quickly. It was April on the other side of his bed, her hair spilled about his pillow, fast asleep.

Fully dressed, her back was to him and she was curled up in a fetal position, the covers she had pulled haphazardly over her small frame for warmth.

Confused, Gary scratched his head, and glance over at the door then back down at the woman fast asleep beside him. What was she doing here? How did she get in? He picked up his wrist watch to take a look at the time. It was 3:25 am.  Now what? he sighed, scratching his head. She looked so peaceful sleeping and he hated to wake her. He would find out in the morning what was going on with her, right now he needed sleep.

He glanced down at his warm comfortable bed, then over at the cold hard sofa in front of the window. Down at his warm snugly bed again, then back over at the cold hard sofa and sighed irritably.

Couch, he muttered, grabbing his pillow.

Snapping off the light Gary rose carefully from the bed trying not to awaken April. He pulled the covers up higher over her uncovered shoulders and she stirred. Moaning softly, she rolled over wiping her eyes,

"Gary" she murmured, her voice soft and sleepy.

"It's okay" he whispered, "go back to sleep, we'll talk in the morning."

"I'm sorry" she murmured sleepily.

Gary smiled, "it's okay" he whispered softly "we-we'll talk in the morning"

April's lashes fluttered sleepily and closing her eyes, she drifted back into a deep sleep.

Gary grabbed a blanket from the closet and settle down on the cold hard sofa. Giving his pillow a few punches to fluff it, he leaned back against it trying to get comfortable, wrapping the blanket around his body, to keep warm.

In the darkness he watched April sleeping soundly as if she hadn't had a good night's sleep in quite a while. The moon shining brightly through the bed room window, cast an eerie bluish glow across her lovely face.

 Gary was perplexed, as he studied her, thinking about their first meeting. Her untimely death that, thank God, didn't occur. The contents of her spilled package in the store lobby. How she had helped him gather his scattered paper in the parking lot. The way she looked that day as the wind blew through her hair while she watched him, quite amused at his predicament, as he stupidly tried to retrieve a page that had clung to a car's antenna. Gary smiled.  Boy she must have thought him strange! Sighing he rubbed his face in his hands. As much as he didn't want to admit it ... he was in love.

From outside, the riving sound of a car engine starting up caught his attention, and Gary glanced towards the window. The engine hummed quietly for a moment before pulling off slowly.  It sounded as if it was beneath the living room window. Who would be out this late? It was too cold to get up and take a look and brushing it off, Gary drew his blanket tighter around himself and settled back against his pillow.

Sitting there he thought again about what April had said about feeling as if she was being followed. Her life in New York, her fiancee...  ex fiancee , Gary quickly reminded himself.

He felt guilty for not calling her last night, remembering what Marissa had said about April looking disturbed when she had come to the bar that evening. But how did she get into the bar tonight? He glanced back over at the door, his face pensive. How did she get in to his loft? He rubbed his tired face in his hands again and blew out a tired breath.

Glancing up from his hands, his eyes caught a glimmer from the coffee table and he sat up, blinking, trying to focus on it. Through the large picture window, the street light from out side had reflected off of something shiny and he leaned forward to take a closer look. It was the silver ring on Tom's key to the bar. Gary reached over and picked it up, examining the key closer. That key wasn't there when he came in last night. At least he hadn't noticed. He glanced back over at April sleeping soundly. Did she…?

Aaargghh! It was late, he was tired and was thinking too much! Rubbing his face in his hands again, he  scrunched down under the blanket, trying to get comfortable on the sofa, trying to get warm.  He just had to get some sleep or he would be useless in the morning!
 

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Sixteen
~~~~~*~~~~~

Something fluttered gently across his eye and Gary, stirred and swiped sleepily at his face. Pesky fly! he mumbled and frowning he turned over on his stomach and drifted back to sleep.

A tickle on his ear, and again he brushed at his face, murmured something incoherent about the cat and fell back into a deep sleep, with his mouth slightly ajar.

This time there was pressure on his lips and although gentle, it was enough to awaken him, and Gary opened his eyes slowly.

Lethargic, suspended in that strange state somewhere between sleep and consciousness, Gary's eyes were opened, but not really focused on anything.

"Morning" a soft voice greeted him, and coming to his senses, Gary blinked his eyes, trying to make out of the blurred figure sitting beside him. The clean scent of lemon blossoms surrounded him as his brain struggled to connect with what was reality, and what was a dream. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the figure for a moment, thinking that maybe it was----an Angel?

The 'angel', holding the cat smiled settling back.  "I hated to wake you." she said, "You were sleeping so peacefully"

His brain was starting to connect and realizing that he was on his stomach, Gary turned painfully over on his back, his side aching as he moved.  Running his fingers through his hair, he did a quick survey of his loft, discovering that he wasn't in his bed, but on the sofa. Why was he on the sofa? Laying his head back against his pillow, his eyes settled on April again, and then he remembered.

"Morning" he murmured hoarsely clearing his throat, then drawing a deep breath he stretched like a child just waking up.  With his arms up high over his head, at that moment, April wanted to fall into them, to feel them around her. She had never felt so safe and content with a man as she had with him.

She had studied him sleeping peacefully, and with gentle fingers had traced his face, thick brows and dark lashes. His straight nose and slightly cleft chin accounted partly for his beautiful profile, but his pouty lips were more than she could bear, and while he slept, she kissed them.

With his hair tousled across his forehead,  Gary lay peering at her through sleepy eyes, everything still hazy. He figured she must have taken a shower, because her hair was damp, and she was wearing his robe which was a couple sizes too big for her. It had slipped a little off her shoulder revealing soft skin and Gary smiled slightly, drawing in a deep breath.  She smelled good, like the fresh morning of spring.

The sun streaming in through the window shone brightly on her face that had been scrubbed clean. The tiny diamond studs in her ears twinkled when she moved and at that moment Gary thought she looked more beautiful than any woman he'd ever seen.

Sun.

"We have sun?" he asked raising his head slightly, squinting towards the window.

"For a little while anyway " April laughed nervously, turning around to look. She was glad that he had broken the tension.

For a moment they sat in silence, enjoying their brief ray of sunshine, and as the sun faded slowly behind the darkened clouds, their smiles faded too, both of them realizing that there was some explaining to be done. Biting her bottom lip, April turned slowly back around to find him already looking at her.

"I hope you don't mind, I-I borrowed your robe" she said tugging nervously at the oversized robe a the chest.  She was trying to stall for time, not knowing exactly where to begin.

"Oh no-thats...thats okay" Gary said with a deep comfortable sigh.

"I-I sort of ... borrowed the key " she confessed, tucking a wet  lock of hair behind an ear.

Tom's key. So, she did take it.

Drawing in a deep breath, Gary ran a hand through his hair, and this time he just nodded.

Rising slowly, April placed the cat on the floor and walked towards the large window to peer out. Gary averted his eyes quickly to avoid a shapely leg and thigh that flashed briefly as she moved and
blushing slightly he cleared his throat and sat up "I..I meant to call you last night. I ahh, fell asleep. I'm sorry"

April turned around and smiled. Her clear blue eyes searching his face. "You must have been very tired."

"A little" he chuckled, reflecting on everything that happened last night. From the hold up at the conveyance store where he had been kicked and punched, to being slaughtered by Brigatti.

"Meow" Cat purred, slinking gracefully around April's bare feet and she smiled and bent to pick him up the robe slipping slightly off her shoulder again.

Oh boy!

More leg flashed through the slit where the robe tied in front.

Gary rubbed his face and drew out a breath. Gosh! She was beautiful!

"She's adorable" April cooed, snuggling the cat, and rubbing her face on it's soft fur.

"He" Gary, scratching his head, corrected her.

April looked up, her eyebrows raised "Huh?"

"It's a....he,"   Gary repeated hesitantly, suddenly feeling foolish for making a big deal about it.

April smiled and cuddled the cat closer, "Well he's adorable," she corrected herself smiling and tickling the cat under the chin. She looked up suddenly, her  eyes finding his. "And so are you Gary Hobson"

At that remark, Gary raised his eyebrows feeling his face flush and he nervously ran a hand through his hair, "Me? Oh...well ..I-Im kind of.. a mess m-most morn---"

"I-I've never met a guy like you before" she interrupted him, her expression thoughtful, "I..I mean you're so caring, and sweet and gentle---" she paused and sighed closing her eyes, "taking that key was wrong."

"It's okay" he assured her softly.

I-I needed some place to go" April said, her blue eyes flashing innocently, " I couldn't think of any place else to go...."

Gary studied her for a moment, her last words ringing in his ears. "Were you having those feelings again?" he asked.

She nodded "I had the strangest feeling someone had been in my apartment too---going through my things." She stopped abruptly and turned to face the window again, "I-I'm sorry, my coming here was wrong....I shouldn't have come here." she stammered.

" W-We could get the police" Gary offered, looking concerned.

"I-I think I should go."  she said placing the cat gently on the floor  before heading towards the bathroom.

What did he say? Gary thought, untangling himself from his blanket, he scrambled quickly over the back of the couch and stepped in front of her with both hands held up, "W-Wait a minute" he stammered, "Wh-Where are you going?"

April shook her head looking distressed, "I'm sorry, I-I shouldn't have come here"

"I-I don't understand. I mean, first you break into my apartment and then say that you are leaving? Don't you think that you owe me an ex---"

"What?" April said cutting him off. Looking up at him, her eyes were hurt, then tears registering in them as she began slowly untying the oversized robe, the shoulder slipping down off of her shoulder even further.

Gary's expression was surprised, mixed with confusion, "W-What are you doing?" he scowled.

"It's what you expect...isn't it" she asked curtly.

Gary frowned, "No!...I mean, no...what are you saying?"

"It's what most men expect from me"

"Well I'm not most men!" Gary retorted angrily, pulling the robe gently back onto her shoulder. "Don't...don't do that. You misunderstood what I was trying to say"

April paused looking up at him her eyes tearful. She reached up and wrapping her arms about his neck, held on gently, but firmly, as if her whole life depended on it. "I'm sorry Gary" she apologized.

Stunned, Gary stood with arms out, totally unprepared for this response. He didn't know what was bothering her but whatever it was, it certainly had her scared and acting irrational. Reaching up he pulled her arms gently down to her sides, to look at her.

"W-What is it? What's bothering you?"

April didn't answer, but with trembling lips, she planted a tender  kiss upon his lips. Gary, with his eyes completely open, stood looking confused not knowing what her intentions were. Her lips were moist and sweet against his and he couldn't resist. Warily, he accepted.  A sudden knock at the door interrupted them and April jumped slightly, pulling back, her eyes wide with worry.

"S-Somebody's at the...ahh...I-I'll get it." Gary, stammered clearing his throat.

Still reeling from the kiss, he moved unsteadily towards the door, while looking back at her, confused by her actions.

He opened the door and Marissa stood outside, a worried look on her face and the paper in hand. Gary glanced back at April, then at Marissa "Everything okay?" he asked. Now he was worried.

"Gary" Marissa said sounding relieved, "Yeah...everything's fine. I just came up to see if you were all right. It was after eight,...and you hadn't come down"

Gary ruffled the back of his hair and looked back at April, "I-I ah, kind of over slept"

"Are you all right?" Marissa inquired, sensing something wrong in his tone and demeanor.

"Yeah...I-I'm fine Marissa" Gary answered. Why did he have to sound so guilty? He hadn't done anything!  Marissa could read him like a book! He glanced back again at April standing there wearing--nothing he supposed, but his bath robe.

"Ahh, April's here Marissa..you remember April" he stuttered.

There was an uneasy silence before Marrissa, taken off guard, responded.

"Oh" she said, swallowing hard, her tone mingled with surprise and embarrassment at the same time. It wasn't like Gary to have female company overnight.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude--"

"Of course you're not intruding" Gary scowled, running a hand across the back of his neck.

"Hi" April said softly.

"Hi" Marissa smiled "Nice meeting you again."

"Nice meeting you again too" April smiled back.

"Gary you forgot your paper" Marissa said handing him the paper. It wasn't like him to forget that paper either, she thought. Scratching his head and feeling foolish Gary took it.

"Thanks" he mumbled.

April smiled, and motioned towards the bathroom, "Could you two excuse me for a moment. I'd like to get dressed.......er....I  mean--" she paused biting her lip, realizing that she had said too much. "E-Excuse me please" she stammered and headed quickly towards the bathroom.

"Sure" Marissa smiled nodding as April walk past. An uneasy silence followed as she stood staring blankly at Gary the corners of her mouth drawn up in a knowing smile and Gary waited until he heard the click of the bathroom door closing before he spoke.

"It's not how it looks!" he whispered irritably.

"I didn't say anything" Marissa whispered back innocently.

"Yeah but you were thinking it!"

"Thinking what Gary??"

"Th-Thinking....wh-whatever it was you were thinking!"

"Uh-humm" Marissa smiled crossing her arms her eyebrows raised.

"Now w-whats that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing Gary. I-I mean you're a grown man, and if you choose to have a woman over for the night then...that's your business"

"I didn't have her over the night...I mean--" he stopped sighing in frustration. Somehow he felt compelled to explain April's being in his loft at such an unexpected hour of the morning. He watched as Marissa carefully felt her way around the sofa and patted it cautiously before sitting down on the arm.

"I hope you slept soundly" she remarked, with a smile.

"Huh?"

"This sofa can be pretty hard on the backside sometimes" she said, lifting his blanket.

Seeing that Marissa had discovered where he had bedded for the night, and knew that he had slept on the sofa, Gary was aware now that she was teasing him.

"When I woke up...sh..she was here" Gary whispered, still feeling the need to explain.

"What!?"

"April, sh-she was already here when I woke up this morning, in my apartment."

Marissa face turned serious. How did she get in? Then she thought about the missing key.

"Tom's key?" her eyebrows raised.

"Yeah"

"Wow" Marissa said, reflecting on the dream she had had a couple of nights before. She hadn't mentioned it to Gary, feeling it was nothing and not wanting to upset him. Either April *was* trouble, or she was in a lot of it.

"Gary...I-I think we should talk"
 

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Seventeen
~~~~~*~~~~~

It had been two weeks since they had met, and Gary knew that he was in love with April.  He loved her spirit and spontaneous nature. She was the excitement in his life after a long tired day and for once he seemed happy. Marissa noticed it right away. There were mornings when he would actually come downstairs whistling and Marisa, although ecstatic for him, was worried.

The dream that she had several weeks ago still disturbed her, but she kept it to herself, not wanting to rain on his happiness. Besides, she was probably imagining things anyway. She had wanted to tell him about it that day when she'd found out that April had taken the key, but decided against it. She ended up telling him something pertaining to the business of the bar instead.

April seemed very nice and was very attentive towards Gary...perhaps a little too attentive.  Marissa recalled one day when she had gone up to Gary's loft to get something only to find April there tiding up the place. Had she spent the night there? Marissa wondered.  Gary hadn't mentioned giving April a key to his apartment, but knowing Gary, he had probably forgotten to tell her about it. Besides what he did with his personal life was his business. Knowing all of this, Marissa was still worried.

As for Gary, it was hard trying to conceal the paper from April, always having to explain his continual excuses to go to the men's room or to make a phone call. He hated lying to her but he wasn't ready to tell her about the paper.

April, on the other hand was happy and content just being with Gary.  He was special, different somehow from any other man she had ever dated. Kind and gentle with her. Sweet and caring but not controlling.

In the past, men had always treated her like an ornament, constantly reminding her of how pretty she was. But with Gary things were different. He hadn't told her yet that she was beautiful, didn't gush all over her and April was beginning to wonder whether or not she was attractive to him.

They had been seeing each other for a couple of weeks now and not once had he tried to make a move on her which was something April wasn't use to, but it was a welcomed change. She had finally found someone that she could give her all and all to without any strings attached. April noticed his preoccupation with the paper, but never really questioned him about it or his peculiar behavior. She trusted him. She had fallen in love with him.

Fortunately the shooting deaths had ceased. The paper hadn't been of much help anyway and Gary was still at a loss as to why, and as the weeks rolled by, his duties with the paper continued.

However, something was disturbing to Gary. Lately, he himself was beginning to feel spooked and uneasy. There were times when after a date with April Gary felt that he was being followed. Twice after returning home late from a save he had awakened to the sound of a car pulling off from the side of the bar. A couple of times, he had found the bar in disarray, as if someone had been inside looking for something. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, but he kept it from April, not wanting to upset her again.

Also, even though the shooting deaths appeared to have ceased, Brigatti was still on the job, and once again, Gary found himself in her office, the object of her  'affection.'

`````````````````````````
"How are things going with you, Hobson?" Brigatti inquired as she entered her office carrying a large manila envelope.

Gary, already seated, noticed as she removed her coat, she was still wearing her shoulder holster and bullet proof vest, the gun flashing briefly as she hung up her coat. Pushing up her sleeves, she sat down briskly in her swivel chair across from him.

"I'm.. ah...doing okay. Look, why am I here?" Gary asked irritably, sliding a hand through his hair.

Brigatti had called him to request that he come down to the police station and answer a few questions for her. Although he hadn't be subpoenaed, Gary knew that if Brigatti wanted to see him for questioning he could either come down willingly or her way. He chose to go willingly.

He was exhausted. It had been a busy day starting off by having to chase down a taxi, which had taken off with an old woman's purse still on the back-seat. The purse contained most of her life savings. It was all he could do to get away from the woman who began smuthering him with kisses, thanking him for returning her purse.

Later that day, he had prevented two Pitt bulls from attacking a young woman returning home to her apartment.  He had first alerted the animal authorities of the unchained animals, and then watched from a distance as the huge beasts were caught and muzzled before being hauled off to the animal shelter.

Across town, at a local park, he had prevented the death of a young child by stopping an older boy from performing a deadly wrestling maneuver on him. The older boy, about age 11, had seen the move performed by one of his favorite wrestlers on television last night.

Right now he was exhausted and irritable. Looking over at Brigatti, he wondered what she could possibly want with him now!

"I've been doing a little investigating Hobson" she said tapping her pen idly on her desk as she studied him carefully.

"And w-what has that got to do with me?!" Gary retorted.

"Well," Brigatti sighed,  "I have a little, ah, problem here and I was just wondering if you could, you know, help me out?"

"Well...I-I don' know anyth--"

"It's about my job," she cut him off quickly. Placing the pen behind an ear she leaned back in her chair.

"W-well what do I have to do with your job?" Gary snapped.

"Let me put it to you this way Hobson" Brigatti said impatiently, leaning forward on her desk. "Think of me as a farmer, and that out there-" she jerking her chin towards the large picture, "that out there Hobson, is my garden."

Gary sat staring at her, not sure where she was going with this little scenario.  He scratched his head, his face perplexed.

"So far, every seed I have sown in this case has taken root and I'm waitin’ around for the harvest." she continued gritting her teeth, "But lately it seems to me that instead of everything comin up roses Hob-son, it keeps comin up---You. W-Why is that?"

Silence

Brigatti sat glaring at him, her dark eyes blinking impatiently as they usually did whenever she was irritated about something.

"Me?!"  Gary finally responded, "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

Taking a frustrated breath, Brigatti grabbed the large manila envelope she had brought in with her. Reaching in, she pulled out what appeared to be a snapshot taken of two people.

"Do you know her?" she asked, tossing the photo down on the desk and tapping on the image of the woman in the picture.

Gary's heart did a double flip when he saw the woman in the photo. It was April, smiling, wearing a very skimpy bathing suit, cuddled up to a man old enough to be her father.  Scratching his head, Gary frowned "Y-Yeah..I know her." His expressing was confounded  as he studied the picture.

"Wh-Where'd you get this?" he asked, finally looking up at Brigatti.

"Nevermind about that, what I want to know is what do you know about her?"

Stunned, Gary didn't know how to answer the question."W-We're just friends," he murmured, his eyes glued to the photo.

"Um hum." Brigatti arched an eyebrow, not believing a word of it, suspecting that there was something more.

Pulling out another photo, she plopped it down on the table beside the first. This one was a picture of the lady Gary had saved from a holdup a couple of weeks ago. Beside her was with the same man who was in the photo with April.

Gary's heart did another flip as he studied the picture. Frowning, he scratched his head, "Mr. Danado," he whispered under his breath.

"Startin’ to get the picture, Hobson? Er...no pun intended."

Stunned, Gary's mind was in a flurry. He could only blame himself. He had never really pressured April into telling him everything that was going on with her.  He had not wanted to upset her and figured that she would tell him in due time. He loved seeing her happy and at ease, and never in his wildest dreams did he figure she would be involved with anything Brigatti had an interest in. His mind was so in  combat with his heart that he didn't hear Brigatti calling his name.

"Hobson!"

Gary looked up, his face a blank.

Arching one eyebrow, Brigatti leaned forward on her desk. "So...do you want to tell me about it?"

Gary didn't answer.

Leaning back in her chair, Brigatti sat staring at him, her eyes searching his face, which was at that moment, completely dumbfounded.

"She looks familiar, Hobson."

Gary shrugged, shaking his head slowly, not wanting to confess just yet, his situation with April.

"The night I came to the bar to talk to you, remember that?"

Gary was silent.

"That's her...isn't it?"

Gary ruffled the back of his hair with a far away look in his eyes, and still refused to answer. Brigatti already knew for a fact that the two were dating, and a twinge of jealously pricked her heart, but she would never let him know it.

Feeling sorry for him now, Brigatti didn't want to appear entirely  unsympathetic to his situation.  She leaned forward, saying, "I didn't just fall off a turnip truck, Hobson. I already know her name, I know where she lives, and that she works for a law firm. A new law firm under the name Davies Davis and Daly, formally known as Davies *Danado* and Daly."

Gary was silent as the name Danado finally connected, remembering now that April had told him about the new law firm that rainy night she came into the bar, and had mentioned the name Danado as being a part of a law team she worked for. But she had said that something had happened to Danado, and didn't elaborate on it any further.

"Danado came up missing." Brigatti continued, "He had been shot in the back of the head with that same weapon, his body found a week later dumped on the outskirts of town.  Now do you wanna talk?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him impatiently.

Still refusing to believe that April could be involved in something so horrendous, Gary sat quietly.

Brigatti paused and closed her eyes. Inhaling deeply she blew out a frustrated breath, hating to say what she was about to say next.

"We also know, Hobson, that there were others."

With that remark, Gary's head shot up suddenly, in surprise and then disgust. "Others?"

Brigatti sat staring at him. She did have a job to do.  "Seems as if your pretty Miss Muffet is up to her little tuffet in trouble."
 

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Eighteen
~~~~~*~~~~~

Exhausted, Gary opened the door slowly to his loft, and right away the smell of something burning assaulted his nostrils. His eyes moved towards the window in front of the sofa noticing that it had been slightly opened.

Looking around, traces of April graced his small loft. Her purse on the entertainment center and her shoes placed neatly in a corner. Everything was neat and tidy. His bed had been carefully made which was something Gary never did when he rushed out in the mornings.

The coffee table had been carefully covered with one of Lois's laced table cloths where on top, two wine glasses sat across from each other, a vase full of fresh flowers graced the middle of it all; but, Gary's thoughts were far away from the cozy little scene in his apartment. His mind was on what Brigatti had revealed to him down at the police station. Brigatti had told him that she wanted to question April about some things, and not wanting to have her subpoenaed, she entrusted Gary to bring her down to her office.

The sound of the door closing caught April's attention and she appeared suddenly from the kitchen.

"Gary," she smiled, running out in her stocking feet to greet him. Throwing her arms about his neck, she planted a sweet kiss on his lips then pulled back suddenly to look at him.

"Where have you been ... where do you go everyday?" she questioned, scolding him in a loving tone while helping him out of his jacket.

Gary loved seeing April happy. It as if she was experiencing a whole new lease on life and he enjoyed every moment of it.  But tonight he felt guilty being the bearer of bad news.

Jacket removed, April wrapped her arms about his waist and drew him close, her face looking up at him.  She didn't care where he went everyday as long as he came back to her.

Gary's heart felt heavy as he bent to tenderly kiss her and April's eyes grew wide, sensing something wrong in his demeanor.

"What's the matter?" she whispered, against his lips.

"Just tired," he sighed rubbing his face in his hands. He didn't know how he would confront her about what he had just learned. He was in love her, which was a blow in itself, and now he had been told some pretty questionable things concerning her. But the picture of her on the lap of another man upset him even more.... a man who had been murdered.

"Poor baby," she cooed softly, breaking into his thoughts. Cupping both sides of his face lovingly in her hands, she kissed his lips again.

"Hungry?" she asked hanging up his coat, "I made pasta but it scorched a little" she said looking frustrated.

The corners of Gary's mouth curled into a lazy smile as he pictured her trying to cook for him. She wasn't a great cook, and Gary had found out the hard way when he dug his fork into a huge serving of lasagna she had prepared for him one day, only to find that the noodles hadn't been thoroughly cooked.

Tonight, he had grabbed a bite of something to eat from the kitchen downstairs just before coming up and wasn't hungry. He couldn't remember what it was that he had eaten, but he didn't have the heart to tell April that he wasn't hungry. He also didn't have the heart to tell her what he was about to tell her now.

Troubled, he sank down on the sofa and watched as April hurried into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later carrying two plates of pasta and placed them carefully on the coffee table in front of him.

Quietly he watched her, his eyes taking her in, still mesmerized by her  beauty. The black leather skirt she wore graced her soft curves fitting her perfectly, and the powder blue cashmere sweater she wore complimented her pretty blue eyes and honey brown hair that spilled about her shoulders.

Aware of his gaze upon her, April made a funny face at him and tugged the rather snugged fitting skirt up slightly to bend her knees and she knelt down on the floor in front of the coffee table. With her legs tucked comfortably under her, she sat looking up at him, her pretty eyes blinking, waiting for him to join her.

Staring at her, the picture Brigatti had shown him and everything he had been told that evening weighed heavily on his mind and he bent his head, rubbing his tired face in his hands.

Why did he have to fall in love with her!! He groaned silently, his mind in torment as he contemplated how he would start the conversation.  He was thankful that Brigatti had trusted him, giving him time to talk to her. He knew Brigatti would come looking for her sooner or later. It was now or never.

"April...w-we need to talk" he said straight forwardly.

April sat quietly looking up at him perplexed by his worried look and demeanor. Gary rubbed his jaw, trying to figure out a way to start the conversation.

"I-I just came back from the police station" he continued, his voice shaky as he proceeded to tell her everything he had been told. He mentioned the pictures Brigatti had shown him, the men April had allegedly dated and the murders. When he was finished, the silence in the room became tense, broken only by the sound of a police siren wailing somewhere in the distance.

April's face was flushed as she sat staring up at him. Tears of confusion filled her eyes as she thought about what he had just told her.  She wanted to run, but she knew that she could no longer hide the terrible secret that had tormented her for months.

Her lips were trembling as she answered, glancing down at her hands,"I-I'm a bad person Gary, and I've done some awful things!" She finally admitted.

Speechless, Gary sat staring at her, trying to let what she had justconfessed, make sense in his tired mind. It didn't.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, frowning, his eyes searching her face. "You're not bad. W-What are you talking about?"

"Bad...horrible, things and then I can't remember them!" April said softly, her body quaking suddenly as she covered her face in her hands and broke down crying.

Gary was stunned as her words resonated around in his head. He couldn't imagine what she could have possibly done that would warrant such a horrible confession. He had to know!

"Like what!?"

April couldn't answer from crying.

"April...tell me...things like what!" Gary demanded, trying to keep his voice calm and not really sure that he wanted to know, remembering the picture Brigatti had shown him.

"I have to go," April said quietly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.  She rose from the floor and Gary jumped up quickly from the sofa, blocking her path.

 "Oh no you don''t--n-not that again April, we have to talk."

"What do you want to know!" she cried, snatching a Kleenex from the box on the table and pressing it to her eyes.

"What do I--" Gary started but stopped abruptly, feeling frustrated with her now. He ran a hand through his hair and looked off, trying hard to keep his composure. She was stalling and he knew it! What was she hiding from him? Taking a deep breath he faced her again trying to use a calm tone with her.

"Tell me what kind of trouble are you talking about, th-things like what?" he asked softly.

"Like-like mu-murder" she answered quickly and began crying again. There! She had finally said it!

Whoa!

Shocked, Gary's eyes grew wide as he stood staring at her, not sure he had heard correctly. Like a cold fist hitting his heart the word murder setting off an alarm within him. Murder!?

"Do you know what you are saying!?" he whispered looking around the loft, as if the walls had ears.

"I-I suppose I-I block it out somehow.... I don't know!" she exclaimed, tearfully.

"Well...h-how can you not remember doing something!?"

"I-I don't know! I only know that whenever I go out on a date with a guy- then the next thing I know...he's been murdered!"

An uneasy silence engulfed the room and Gary blew out a nervous breath. He was dumbfounded and didn't know what to say to her.

April, feeling totally helpless, stood looking up at him, knowing she had lost him. Tears weld up in her eyes, spilling over and splashing on the blue sweater Gary thought had looked so pretty on her and his heart softened. There had to be another explanation for all of this. She was no murderer.

"C'mere" he sighed, reaching out to her and April went to him, wrapping her arms about his neck, she buried her face against his shoulder and cried, her small frame convulsing as thoughts of what she had become flooded her mind. The thought of losing Gary tore her apart.  She had finally found love but now her whole world had fallen apart!

Gary, in shock, closed his eyes tight. This could not be happening! he thought, running a hand through his hair. He could feel April's arms tight about his neck crying. Her breath was hot on his shoulder, already damp from her tears and after a moment, he pulled her back gently to look at her. He had to know more.

"April" he called, shaking her gently, trying to get her attention. "did you know a Mr. Danano?" The picture had really disturbed him.

Crying.

"April--!" Gary shook her gently, his voice stern. God he hated using that tone with her.  He hated seeing a woman cry, but he had to get through to her. "Did you know a Mr. Danano?" He asked again.

"Y-Yes!" she finally exclaimed.

"Well...how?!" Gary's voice cracked, not wanting to picture her with anyone else. The photo had disturbed him deeply and when Brigatti had mentioned that there were others, he thought he would lose it.

"He was one of the lawyers at the law firm that I work for. W-We dated for a little-while.....I-I didn't know that he was married Gary, I swear!" she cried her voice muffled against his shoulder.

"And then what happened?"

April pulled back wiping her eyes. She knew that she had to tell him everything and that eventually, the killings would have to stop. She felt she could trust Gary and felt safe to tell him anything.

"Tell me" Gary asked again, his tone softening.

"I-I don't know really" she sobbed, pressing the tissue into her eyes,  "h-he didn't show up at work for days a-after our last date. I called and called the number h-he gave me, but I never got an an-answer. His body was found days later."

Listening to this, Gary swallowed hard knowing that they were cooked! He leaned back against the sofa, letting her body slumped against his,waiting patiently until she was able to compose herself to answer some more questions that he had for her, and there were many.

In a daze Gary held April gently, her back shaking uncontrollably as she cried. The awful truth was now exposed. But was it true? Was this beautiful woman really a killer?

The gun! Gary murmered under his breath, thinking frantically for anything that might help them out of this hopeless situation.  April had never mentioned owning a gun and Gary's heart fluttered anxiously as the next question he had to ask her might answer the whole awful question.

"April" he called softly, and it was a few minutes before he heard a barely audible murmur against his neck, as she finally responded.

"Mm?"

"I-I need to know....do you have a gun?" he asked softly.

April pulled back to look at him blowing her nose on the wadded tissue she held in her hand. The eyes that were once a clear blue were now red-rimmed as she blinked thoughtfully for a moment, thinking about the question he had just imposed. Then as if to suddenly remember, her mouth stretched open. "Yeesss!!!" she wailed falling onto his chest again crying.

They were toast! Gary thought, his mind frantic. Brigatti said that it was a special caliber gun that had been used in the murders. One that had been specially made. He would have to see her gun.

"Do you have it with you?" he asked trying to sound calm.

April nodded against his chest and sniffling again, she pulled back from him wiping her eyes with the tissue. As if in a daze she rose slowly from the sofa and moved carefully towards the entertainment center to retrieved her purse. Gary got up and followed, standing close behind her.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a white handkerchief and began to slowly unwrap what was inside. A small, strange looking revolver came into view as she pulled back the last layer of the cloth.

It was a weird looking contraption, and it fit perfectly in the palm of her hand. Gary's heart fluttered, as he remembered Brigatti's description of the gun that had been used in the murders. He reached over, snatching it out of her hand.

"Where did you get this!?" his voice was panicked, as he examined the gun.

"P-Peter gave it t-to me" she answered, sniffling.

Peter? Gary's mind raced, trying to remember if she had ever spoken of any one named Peter. He couldn't remember.

"Who the heck is Peter?" He asked, looking over at her.

"M-My ex..." April responded, trying to keep her emotions down, "My ex fian...fiancee,"  she sniffed. " I told you about him.  He gave me the gun to use for my pro-protection when I left New York. He wanted me to be safe."

"Yeah" Gary sighed, slightly angry, remembering how April said that the guy had treated her.

Raking his fingers through his hair, Gary examined the gun more closely, turning it over in his hand before opening it up, to take a look inside of the chamber. There was two bullets left in the chamber and he emptied them out into the palm of his hand.

They were odd looking things, much smaller than any bullets he'd ever seen, which explained the strange wounds found on the victims.

Wrapping the bullets in a tissue, he placed them carefully on the table and snapped the gun closed.  Examining the barrel of the gun again, he noticed the darkened color of the barrel and that it smelled of smoke.

"It's been fired!" He exclaimed looking at her.

April's lips quivered and shaking her head, she seemed to be as much in the dark as he was. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"We have to tell the police" He muttered under his breath.

"Gary, no!" April cried, "Please Gary!"

Gary sighed, studying her tear streaked face pleading with him not to tell, and it tore him up inside. He loved her and in his heart he knew that he couldn't turn her in. Not now, maybe not ever.

"Maybe we can hold off of telling right now" he said scratching his head. Sighing deeply, he wrapped the gun back into the cloth and placed it on the coffee table beside the bullets. Then without a word he put an arm around April and together they sank back down on the sofa with April crying softly against his chest.

He clicked off the lights and for a long while the two sat quietly, holding each other in silence. When her tears had subsided and April felt calm enough to talk, only then was she able to tell Gary the horrendous details of her life.  Growing up as foster child and being  moved from place to place, abused and mistreated.

She told how she had grown to detest men, especially married men. They were the worse. Wanting to mold her to be what they wanted her to be only to be dumped by them later because they already had a family.  She was just decoration.  She felt that she was a monster for feeling the way she felt about men and when the bodies of the men she had dated started turning up dead, she assumed it was her. There was no other explanation for it. She was a monster!

"So there were others" Gary said, wanting to make sure he had heard correctly.

"Yes." She answered softly

Gary's heart sank.

He thought about Robert Norse, the man from the Golden Spoon restaurant and the woman in the red wig.

"D-Did you know a man by the name Robert Norse?" he asked reluctantly.

April nodded slowly. "I saw you when you came into the Golden Spoon restaurant that night. You said something to him and then he canceled our date."

"So that was you in the red wig?"

She nodded again, "Yes...he wanted me to wear it"

Silence.

"Gary"

"Yeah"

"Except for my being abused as a child, I-I never slept with any of those men....and I-I think that only made matters worse. "

Gary closed his eyes and sighed. "It's okay."

"I-I never met anyone like you before" she murmured softly against his chest, "You make me feel safe a-and you never tried to take advantage of me. You didn't expect anything from me..." stopping abruptly, she pulled back to look at him. "Even now."  Her eyes searched his face, "I-I love you Gary" she whispered tearfully.

At that moment, Gary thought that his heart would burst. She had endured a horrendous life growing up and it wasn't fair that she would have suffered the things that she had. She looked so helpless now and Gary felt that he needed to protect her now.

"I love you too" he whispered back. He studied her face for a moment, resigned to his feelings for her and he leaned in, kissing her tenderly. Gary had never told April that he loved her before.... in fact, not since Marcia had he dared to utter those words to any woman, and it surprised even him.

April on the other hand had heard those words numerous of times, but her eyes widened with surprise upon hearing them come from him. Sighing contentedly, she closed her eyes and settled against his chest again.

"Do you want me to go to the police tomorrow?" she asked softly.

"We'll sort everything out in the morning" Gary sighed "It'll be okay"

Somehow those words coming from him meant so much to April and she sighed, feeling happy that she had finally told him about her torment. This man that she loved and trusted.

Leaning against his firm body, April listened to his heart beating in his chest and feeling comforted, it wasn't long before she drifted off to sleep.

Gary, on the other hand, sat in silence, mulling over their situation, knowing that they were in trouble. The whole evening had  seemed so unreal and couldn't be happening! There had to be another explanation for it all!

Maybe April needed help... psychological help. Maybe she could plead temporary insanity or something. Gary didn't know. Clenching his eyes tight, he wondered what he would tell Brigatti in the morning. With April snuggled against him, Gary drifted off slowly, into a restless sleep.
 

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Nineteen
~~~~~*~~~~~

Cr-r-r-e-e-e-e-k!

Mew!

S-s-l-i-i-i-i-d-e!

Bump!

Gary's lids fluttered and his eyes opened slowly. He had been awakened by a strange noise, and feeling a sudden chill he lifted his head off the back of the sofa and peered groggily towards the large window in front of him.

Night had fallen and it was raining again. The sound of raindrops pelting steadily against the window alerted him that he wasn't in his bedroom, but in the livingroom. Remembering now that he and April had fallen asleep on the sofa he no longer felt the warmth of her body pressing against him, and he sat up and looked around. She was gone.

Blinking his eyes trying to adjust to the dark, he ran a hand over the place where she had sat cuddled close to him. The spot was still warm.  She's probably in the bathroom, he thought and reached over to turn on the lamp light. He flipped the switch. Click! Nothing. The bulb had burned out. Great!

The moon light shining through the raindrops on the window created shadows that danced eerily along the walls and across the coffee table where their dinner from last night sat untouched.

 The flower in the vase, wilted hours ago, and was now drooped over. Their plates, pile high with spaghetti, sat now greasy and cold. Looking at the carefully prepared meal and place setting, Gary suddenly felt guilty about spoiling the dinner she had painstakingly prepared for him.

A gentle rustle near the bathroom and Gary's eyes shot over in that direction. The window leading out to the balcony was slightly ajar, and the newspapers that were stacked neatly beneath rustled gently from the wind and pelts of rain that dripped through.

It was only the rain, Gary thought with a sighed of relief, remembering that April had opened the window earlier that evening to air out the smell from the burnt spaghetti, he got up and walked over to pull it shut.

"April?" he called moving towards the bathroom. He knew that last night she had been was hurt and wanted to make sure that she was okay.  It had been a very emotional night for the both of them and he was worried about her.

"April?" he called again,

No answer.

Concerned, Gary tapped gently on the door and getting no reply, opened it slowly and peeked in.  It was cold and dark inside of the bathroom and no sign of April. He glanced down at his watch. It was 3:45 am. Where could she be? he frowned, running a hand nervously through his hair.  Now he was really beginning to worry.

Sighing, he walked over to the coffee table and noticed right away that the gun was missing and so were the bullets! He moved towards the sofa and picked up the paper, holding it up in the moonlight to take a look at it.  In the dim light, the headline that glared back at him made his blood run cold.

Bar owner and female found Shot, Police suspect Murder -Suicide

"What?!!"

Another rustle, from behind him this time and he froze, hesitant to make another move.

"April?" he called again, his voice uncertain. Turning slowly, he was grabbed suddenly from behind. An arm around his neck, he was held tight in a choke hold.  Painfully one of his arms was brought up  behind his back as the two of them tumbling to the floor.

On his stomach, Gary struggled to get loose. He could feel a knee pressing painfully in his back, but it was the cold hard object pressed firmly against his ribs that persuaded him to stop struggling and he did.

"O...okay!" he said through gritted teeth while trying to catch his breath.

Meow! Cat's purr echoed softly from somewhere near by. A welcomed sound and Gary's eyes darted frantically about in the darkened room, trying to locate him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of cat watching silently from a darken corner on top of the entertainment center, and he shot him a menacing look.

"I could use some help here," he muttered, out of breath. With that remark the side of his face was pushed firmly against the cold floor and held there.

"Make another sound...." the intruder hissed against his ear,  "and I'll have to shoot you my---ahh--ah--ah-choo!!..Self!"

Gary's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Brigatti???
 

~~*~~~~~~~*~~~
Chapter Twenty
~~~~~*~~~~~

His arm was released and Gary rolled over to find himself staring into the face of Brigatti. Breathing heavily, she stood up adjusting herself while glaring down at him. For Brigatti's petite size, Gary was a big man to try and handle, but with her skillful police training and guts she could handle just about anyone if warranted.

Surprised, Gary opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a sound, she held a finger quickly to her lips, ordering silence.

"What are you doing here!" Gary groused, whispering.

"Hush!! And get rid of that darned cat will you!" she ordered, holding a finger to her nose this time to stifle another sneeze.

"Huh?" Gary's eyebrow shot up "oh...yeah..the cat" he murmered rising unsteadily to his feet.

Looking back at Brigatti, Gary hadn't anticipated such strength coming from such a small package. If he didn't have broken ribs before, he most certainly had them now!

Holding his side in pain, he made his way carefully through the dimly lit room, towards the entertainment center where Cat sat perched, and lifted him off with both hands. "Some help you are!" he muttered, carrying him to the bathroom and opening the door he placed him on the floor.

"Sorry buddy" he whispered closing the door quietly behind him. Sighing Gary turned back around again to face Brigatti, who trying very hard to suppress another sneeze.

"How did you get in here!" he questioned angrily, his voice still a whisper. He knew that Brigatti wasn't one for making social calls, especially in the middle of the night.  Gary was worried.  Maybe she knew something more about April and was there to arrest her.

"I don't have time to explain!" she whispered through clenched teeth,
"Get over there on the couch and pretend that you're asleep!"

"What for?!" he whispered back.

Brigatti lifted her chin defiantly, "Do it Hobson!" she hissed, nudging him towards the sofa.

Confused, Gary did as he was told. Brigatti had looked totally serious and he had learned from past experience to trust her. He settled on the sofa and watched as she slipped quietly behind the door clutching her gun in both hands. With her weapon held high over her head she peered at him through the darkness, placing a finger once again to her lips for silence, and they waited.

Gary was troubled as he lay in the dark, skeptical of the headline about the murder suicide.  Something was terrible wrong! The paper was known to have been wrong from time to time. Nevertheless, he worried about April's safety.  Maybe she had to leave. Maybe---.

Thunk!

What was that!?

Gary felt as if his heart would leap through his chest and his eyes darted over toward Brigatti behind the door. She had heard it too. Adrenaline rushing, her chest breathing hard, Brigatti was poised and ready to move.

The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs!

Gary swallowed hard. What if it was April! He was sweating
now hoping Brigatti knew what she was doing.

A shuffling outside of the door sounded, and Gary peered at the door. Through the blurred glass it was dark out in the hall way but he could see the silhouette of two figures standing side by side, one looming taller than the other.

The door knob clicked, then turned slowly. Gary's heart was pounding as he watch the door creak open. Through slitted lids, he held his breath and watched as the two figures stepped inside of the door, the smaller one more reluctant, their faces becoming more clearer in the moonlight.

It was April! And she wasn't alone. Standing behind her was someone tall, a black mask covered his head and April's face shown sheer terror as the man stood clutching her arm.

Gary's heart was beating so hard in his chest, he was certain that they could hear it. He wanted to bolt up and try and tackle the guy. He was a pretty tall man, but Gary was tall himself and was certain that he could handle him. He didn't like seeing April frightened, and being mauled by the creep.

Once inside April broke loose and ran, stumbling then falling onto the sofa and on top of Gary.

Gary's eyes flew opened, and they were staring face to face, April's tear-filled eyes were wide with fright.

"Gary" she whispered.

From where he lay, Gary could see that Brigatti was ready to make her move and he struggled quickly to sit up, both of them now looking up into the  masked face of the  man towering before them.

April's eyes found Brigatti in the shadows behind the door and she gasped. Gary clutched her around the waist trying to  assure her that it was okay, hoping the man hadn't noticed her reaction. April, eyes wide, bit her lip and quickly looked away.

"W-What do you want?" Gary asked suddenly, "Look..if-if it money--"

"Shut up!" The man ordered, cutting him off, "What I want, I know now that I can never have!"

That statement confused Gary, and his brows crinkled in consternation. He glanced over at Brigatti and gritting her teeth, Brigatti shot him a threating look, waving him away and Gary quickly averted his eyes.

April, still frighten was also now curious. The man's voice sounded familiar and she was certain that she recognized it.

Gary was feeling edgy now not knowing the full intentions of their early morning visitor. Silently, he and April waited staring nervously at the intruder standing before them. His gloved hand twitching nervously.

The masked man looked around anxiously, and it was obvious that he was scared too. Through the holes in the mask, his eyes darted about frantically.

Gary noticed that in his hand he clutched a very small revolver, pretty much like the one April had. Actually, it was exactly like the one April had shown him! April's eyes grew wide when she saw the gun and her mouth dropped open too. She had one just like it! The only other person she knew with a gun like that was--!"

"Peter!" she gasped, disbelief in her voice, her eyes wide.

Gary's eyebrows shot up. Peter? April's ex fiancee!

The man reached up and pulled the mask off over his head. His dark hair was scattered over his head, and his eyes were mere slivers as he stood in front of them, massaging the tiny revolver nervously in his hand.

"April" he whispered, his voice hoarse and mono-toned as he stared at her.

"Peter?"

"My sweet April" he whispered again, his eyes filled with love and adoration. " My bunnie"

April gasped.

"Please come back to me.....my bunnie" he begged shamelessly.

April's heart was pricked at the sight and sound of him and astonished, she looked back at Gary then back at the man she was once to marry, standing over them. There was something terribly wrong with him!

"Peter...it-it's over" she whispered tearfully, "it-it was over months ago"

"NO!!"  he shouted out suddenly, spittle trickling down his chin and he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He was sweating profusely his dark eyes flashing now with anger.

April jumped grasping for Gary's hand.

"It's not over...not yet....you see-" the man reasoned, as he  moved closer,  "I still love you April, and I've been following you. You're still my pretty bunnie"

April cringed and shut her eyes tight at the name. That use to be his pet name for her now it made her flesh crawl. She was scared now, but she also felt sorry for him.

"P-Peter it-it's over now," she said softly, "w-we're throu--"

"I-I have been watching you April" he said cutting her off quickly completely ignoring her statement. "Y-You see...the others all died because of you. If you had come back to me, they would still be alive." He was moving closer.

April blinked, remembering the nights she felt that she was being followed. It was all becoming so clearer to her now. No wonder.

Listening to all of this, Gary's jaw was clenched tight. This man was mad! Noticing that the man was moving dangerously close and that his voice sounding more desperate with each step, Gary feared for April's safety and his eyes darted over to Brigatti.

"Please!" the man cried softly "April...I-I love you...I can't stand the fact that you're not with me. I-I can't let you go April."

"So it was you. The men that I dated...you...you killed them?!" April was incredulous "Peter...why?"

Gary's heart was racing, for he could see now that this man was insane, and with everything he had just admitted, Gary knew that he was pretty much capable of doing just about anything. Again, Gary's eyes darted towards Brigatti, this time in desperation.

"If I can't have you April, then no one will! He's next!" he muttered, motioning with his chin towards Gary, his eyes tearful and angry.

"No!" April pleaded, "Peter...no!"

I've got a real nut case on my hands! Brigatti thought feeling very anxious now, knowing that she had to act and act fast!  She felt relieved knowing that detective Winslow, who had been following the two of them from downstairs, was close by and was waiting for her to make her move.

"I-I killed for you April-" the man continued, "but since you won't come back to me you'll die along with your... lover. The police will think that it's a murder suicide. I switched guns with you one night sweetie when I broke into your apartment. Now the police will think that you were the one who had been committing the murders.  But I won't hide your bodies like I did the others..no...no...." his breath was labored and shaky as he moved even closer to them.

Gary raised his eyebrows, surprised again by the man's diabolical statement. So that was not April's gun, but his! And Marissa was right! The paper couldn't report the murders because he was hiding the bodies which would be discovered days may be weeks later! He hoped Brigatti was getting all of this.

"I want them to find the two of you right away, together. You love being with him don't you!  I know! I've watched you! So happy together...so die together! Give me the gun!" he ordered moving forward.

 Gary was frantic, and grabbed April quickly pulling her away, out of his reach. At that moment Cat sprang from the windowsill, knocking over a lamp with a loud crash and the man turned quickly toward the sound.

That was all the break that Brigatti needed to make her move, and in an instant she had rushed forward, knocking the man to the floor.

Winslow, much to Gary's surprise, and several other policemen were there in a flash right beside Brigatti and they proceeded to struggled and scuffled with the distraught man.

Everything was happening so fast that Gary had to pull April out of the way to keep her from being crushed as several policemen scuffled violently with the man who was putting up quite a struggle.  This man, the serial killer whom all of Chicago had been searching for, had been finally captured. Brigatti did not want to make any mistakes.

Before long the man was subdued, handcuffed and lay sprawled on the floor, writhing like a wild beast that had been  caught.

Breathing heavily, Brigatti stood up runnng a hand through her short tousled hair. "You all right?" she asked April, her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath.

April visibly shaken, looked over at Brigatti and nodded.

"APRIL!!  I LOVE YOU APRILLLLLLLLLL!!!  the man roared suddenly from the floor. He was like a mad man with his hair wild about his head, and his lips bleeding. Winslow and a couple of officers checked him again making sure he was secure and pulled him up roughly from the floor.

Terrified and crying, April covered her face with her hands and turned to bury her face into Gary's chest. She wanted to hide from every thing! To hide from the world!  She felt sorry for what had happened to those men, Mr. Danano and the others. Even sorry for what had happened to Peter. Sorry that she had ever met him.  Sorry for putting Gary's life in danger!

"Get him outta here" Brigatti ordered waving him away, her tone irritated.

It was all over. Holding April close, Gary ran a hand soothingly up and down her back trying to comfort her.

"It's okay..you're safe now" he whispered against her hair, letting her cry to get it all out.

With April wrapped in his embrace, Gary looked up suddenly to find Brigatti staring and for  a moment their eyes locked. Brigatti's dark eyes looked tired and showed evidence of exhaustion..or was it a twinge of hurt that Gary saw in them. He couldn't be certain. Raising his eyebrows, Gary shrugged his shoulders slightly with April still wrapped in his embrace.

Aware that she had been staring, Brigatti slid her eyes away quickly, as a flush rose to color her cheeks. Clearing her throat, she ran a hand through her shorten hair, trying to compose herself and drew in a deep frustrated breath. You're gettin soft Brigatti! she cursed herself inwardly.

"Well" she said lifting her chin defiantly, as if to be saying another job done, "Take care huh?" With that she turned briskly on her heels to leave.

"Brigatti!" Gary called and she stopped suddenly and turned around.

"H-How did you know?" Gary asked, his eyes narrowing.

Brigatti paused, reflecting for a moment, "About Peter Cohelo?" she asked, an eyebrow arched.

"Yeah"

April turned around to face Brigatti "How did you know that he was the killer?"

"I didn't." Brigatti answered frankly, "It was only later when  I researched Danado's disappearance and came up with--" she paused to look at April.  Did a check on you Miss Chandler and quite frankly, everything was pointing to you. Every one of the victims had some connection to you in one way or another."

April looked back at Gary to check his response. He didn't offer any.

"S-So how did you know about Peter Cohelo?" he asked, scratching his head. He was still confused.

"Well....I tracked this man who I noticed following Miss Chandler. Found out that he was from New York, so I called a couple of detectives I know in New York to do a little background check on him. Again, Miss Chandler's name came up...." Brigatti paused there,  not wanting to go into details.

"We use to be engaged" April said softly.

"I know" Brigatti answered sharply, "You were smart to leave...anyway, I did some more checking around and discovered that Mr Cohelo dabbled in some pretty shady dealings around New Jersey and New York.  Found out that he had freinds in a little underground operation where they made and sold fire arm of all types and capacity. Thats where we discovered the gun that could have made the type of wounds that were found on the victims."

"Peter!?" April asked, astonished. How could she not know that about the man she was once engaged to be married too. She knew that he was very controlling towards her, but she never guessed that he would be involved in something so horrendous as this!

"He was studing to be a doctor" April said softly.

Brigatti stared at April for a moment. "Peter was a pretty busy boy alright, and yes he was studing 'biology', but  he was also majoring in a little criminology on the side...if you know what I mean."

"So you knew that he was following me?"

"Eventually," Brigatti arched her eyebrows, her dark eyes piercing into April's blue ones. "He was following you. You too Hobson" she said tossing Gary a look.

Gary rubbed the back of his neck. So that explained the strange feelings he had that he was being followed. The lone car starting up and pulling off from beneath his window in the middle of the night.

"So that was your car out there the other night?" Gary asked, pointing with his two fingers towards the window and Brigatti stared at him for a moment before she spoke.

"No.  That was Peter checking you out." she said sternly and drawing in a tired breath she gave him a look,  "I don't like being out in this fridged cold weather Hobson... but lets just say that I had things under control. Tonight he saw Miss Chandler leaving...and decided to pay you a little house call, and believe me it wasn't for milk and cookies"

April turned to look back at Gary, "I'm so sorry Gary"

Gary  nodded, looking thoughtful, "So thats when you entered the window here" he said,turning towards the large window. "You knew that he was--" Gary stopped abserving the look on Brigatti's face.

She didn't answer but stood staring at him, her eyebrows arched.
He had gotten his answer.

"Well," Brigatti sighed, drawing in an exasperating breath, "I have some paper work to do" she said turning to leave but stopped abruptly and turn back around, "Oh...do you still have that gun?" she inquired looking April straight in the eye.

April nodded and bent to retrieve her purse that had fallen to the floor. She reached in and pulled out the tiny stange looking weapon and cringing with disgust, held it out between her thumb and forefinger for Brigatti to take.

Brigatti took the tiny gun and examined it thoughtfully, resting it in the palm of her hand for a moment before placing it into a plastic bag for evidence.  She then looked at April "I will need to see you down at police headquarters tomorrow morning."

April nodded and with that, Brigatti turned on her heels and was gone.

After the police had gone and the bar carefully locked up, Gary and April tired from their ordeal, settled down on the sofa in front of the large window to watch the sun come up.

April, looking sad and forlorn sat quietly staring out into the dark morning sky. Gary noticed her demenor and with his fingers brushed her hair gently back behind her ear to see her face more clearly.

"You alright?"

"I-I was just thinking"

"About what?"

April swallowed hard, looking down at her hands. "Well...did you ever think that it was possible that I could have--I mean that I was a murderer?"

Gary studied her face carefully in the dawning morning light, before answering. "Not for a minute" he whispered, quite confidently.

"Really?" April eyebrows went up in surprise as she glanced quickly over at him  "Thank you," she said softly, "I suppose that I was so angry with everyone and everything...I blamed myself."

"You were confused" Gary assured her softly pulling gently on silky lock of her hair. He studied her face again before leaning in to kiss
her and she happily obliged.

"Where did you go last night?" he asked, changing the subject and  pulling back to look at her.

Shrugging her shoulders, April looked down at cat who lay on the floor beside her feet.

 "I-I was afraid.... and was going to go home to think about some things. When I got outside thats when this masked man--Peter forced me back inside. I was so scared! But I never dreamt it would be--" she stopped abruptly and drew in a deep breath, her eyes blinking, reflecting with sympathy.

Gary noticed. "What?"

April bit her lip, not sure she wanted to say what she was feeling. But she knew that she could trust Gary not to be completely uncaring. "I feel sooo sorry for Peter...he-he loved me sooo much" she said looking over at him.

Gary stared at her letting her words sink in.  "Maybe" he sighed, "but April h-he was a sick man I-I mean....,"  Gary paused, his dark lashes  blinking as he reflected back over the years and his love of Marcia.  "Love has to be strong enough to let go. A love that's healthy doesn't destroy. He-He needed help."

April looked at him, thinking about what he had just told her, as if he was speaking from some experience. This beautiful man. Had someone hurt him?

Gary smiled slightly sensing her question, "I-I'll tell you about it sometime"

"Mew" Cat purred softly and smiling, April leaned over to pick him up. Gary, smiled proudly, not knowing how Cat got out of that closed bathroom but then, there were a lot of things he didn't know about Cat. He was just glad that he showed up in time.

"Good cat" April cooed, scratching the cat gently behind the ears. After a long silence, she leaned her head on Gary's shoulders, both of them sleepily awaiting the sun.

"She likes you you know" she sighed, unexpectantly.

"Who!?"

"That pretty police lady"

"No she doesn't!"

"Yes she does"

"Have you seen how she looks at me?!!"

"Um-hum. But I have you now"

Outside the first light of day greeted them cheerfully as the sun rose slowly, spreading out brilliantly over the sky. A new day was dawning. A new day for the both of them.

The End

Comments?  Please email me and let me know how you liked April's Reign. It was my first full length story and probably my last. LOL!!

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Email the author: Candi30938@aol.com
 

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