It was a cool spring evening on the Palm Beach shore. The breeze was crisp, and the waves were crashing back and forth from the shore. This was one of those perfect nights for an engage couple to stroll along the beach while holding each other close.
The young woman looked up at her lover, the moonlight reflecting in her green eyes and a smile across her face. "Just think, Josh, we'll be married next week and live the rest of our lives together." She kissed him on the lips.
He looked up at her and smiled. "I know my love. One week and we'll belong to each other." He stopped and kissed his young bride-to-be in the shimmering moonlight. The young couple then continued on their way.
A man was watching the young couple from a safe distance on a cliff, smiling down at them.
"I will have my revenge." He snickered. "It was wise of Ryan to keep her a secret, but he should've been wiser."
The man got out his gun and positioned it on the cliff. He turned on the scope light and aimed it at the couple. The gun went off.
The young man fell to the ground. The young woman picked him up in her arms, his blood seeping through her white floral dress. "Josh! No, please! Someone help me! Oh, god!" The young man died in her arms.
She leaned her head against chest. "Oh, Josh. No!"
The man on the cliff just smiled; his work had done its damage.
The young woman looked around to find anyone to help her, and she saw the man on the cliff smiling down at her.
"Oh, my god!" She looked into his eyes and knew she was next. "I'm sorry, my love." She gently laid her lover on the beach and ran away.
Tom Ryan was sleeping peacefully in his bed, until, "Tom, wake up!" Cassy St. John yelled from outside the door.
"Go away!" The detective pulled the covers over his head.
She banged on the door even harder. "Tom! Open up this door right now before I open it myself!"
Tom pulled the covers off and looked at his clock, it was six o' clock in the morning. He put it down and got out of bed.
"You better have a damn good reason for waking me up this early!"
He walked over to the door, in his T-shirt and boxers not even bothering to get a robe, and let his partner in.
She looked at him and just sighed. "Get dressed, Tom. We have a DB on the beach."
"Give me five minutes." He went into the closet and pulled out a pair of tan slacks, a black shirt, and shoes.
Five minutes later, he was dressed, shaved, and ready for work.
"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go."
The crisp spring morning was felt throughout the air. The birds were flying overhead; the morning fog was rolling in, and the breeze cool and crisp. Not one of the days to find a dead body on the beach.
Cassy pulled the sedan just a few inches from the beach. She and Tom got out of the car and walked down to where Sterling Morton was looking over the body, and taking notes on his clipboard.
"What do we have here Morton?" Tom asked as he sat down beside the body.
Morton looked up at the detective. "One bullet wound to the head. Died instantly."
Tom pulled back the sheet to look at the body. When he saw the body, the color drained out of his face. "Oh my god."
Cassy looked at her partner. He was as white as the sheet. "Tom, are you alright?"
Tom didn't answer her. He put back the sheet, got up, and went back towards the car.
Morton looked at Cassy. "Is he okay?"
She shook her head. "I don't know." She looked back at her partner heading towards the car then back at Morton. "Can you give me the report as soon as possible."
"Will do."
"Thanks, Morton." She got up and went back to her partner.
When Cassy got to the car, she saw Tom leaning against it; his face was still as white as the sheet, and his head in his hands. "Tom, are you alright?"
Tom didn't answer.
"Tom, answer me please, you're scaring me."
He looked up at his partner and took a deep breath, then let it out. "The DB is Josh, Cass."
"What! It can't be."
He nodded. "It is Cass."
He then felt a growing concern inside him for another person that he knew who might be in danger.
"We have to find JJ."
She looked up at him, the same fear in her eyes. "Let's get the report first from Morton and we'll go look for her."
Tom's patience was at its limits. "No, Cass." His fist connected with the car door. "Whoever did this to Josh is now after her. We have to find her." He sighed. "Look, take me home, and I'll meet you at the station."
She nodded as they got into the car. It was no use arguing with him when he was in this state of mind. "Okay."
He smiled. "Thanks, Cass. I owe you one."
She put the car into gear and left the scene.
The young woman ran as if the devil was on her heels, until she reached her destination.
"Tom, will help me. He will."
She opened the front door, never thinking that anyone may be home, and entered the apartment. She didn't even bother to close the door. She went towards the bed and collapsed from exhaustion.
He will help me. She said to herself before she fell asleep.
Cassy pulled up to Tom's driveway and shut off the car.
"Tom, look." She pointed to the opened front door. Tom looked towards his door.
"What the hell?" He pulled out his gun and went towards the door. Cassy did the same.
Tom went inside his apartment and checked for any signs of an intruder. He then saw a slender figure in his bed. He went towards the bed, gun at the ready.
"Tom, should I call this in?" Cassy asked.
He shook his head. "No. I don't think we need too."
The young woman heard the noise and woke up with a start. She saw the two people standing over her with guns in their hands. She went into a blind panic.
"No! Please! Don't kill me, too."
Tom's heart broke at the sight of his friend. Her floral dress she was wearing was covered in blood, Josh's blood. Her red hair was twisted and mangled and it covered her face.
"JJ, its Tom. It's all right honey, you're safe."
The young woman calmed down at the sound of his voice. "To ... Tom."
He nodded. "Yes, honey. It's me."
JJ looked up. It took her awhile to refocus, but the face did belong to Tom.
"Oh Tom!" She rushed up towards him, hugged him tightly, and began sobbing into his chest. He just held her, feeling her body tremble in his embrace with each sob. He then looked up at Cassy, who was still in the room.
"Cass."
Cassy answered the unspoken question. "Don't worry. I'll tell Harry that you're sick." She looked down at her friend. "I'll go over to her house and pick up some clothes for her."
Tom smiled. "Thanks, Cass. I owe you another one."
"Just take care of her. I'll be by later on with the report and her things."
Tom nodded and she left.
After Cassy left, JJ looked up at Tom her eyes red and swollen from crying.
"I'm sorry Tom. I had no where else to go." She sniffed. "I guess you know about what happened to Josh."
Tom nodded. "Tell me what happened, JJ? I would like to hear it from you."
"We ... We" The tears came again.
Tom gathered her into his arms and let her cry.
He began to stroke her red hair hoping to calm her down again. "You'll tell me when you're ready."
After a few minutes, the young woman cried herself to sleep in his arms. Tom laid her gently on the bed. He then pulled the covers over her body. "You'll tell me when you're ready." He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. He went into the living room and turned on the TV, hoping that there was something that would lull him to sleep.
Cassy went to the station after coming from Tom's apartment. She walked into the station and saw the file from Morton on her desk ready to be read. She sat down at her desk and opened the file of the DB that they found on the beach. The image of her friend in Tom's arms sobbing over the death of her fianc�e plagued her mind.
She's lost her true love to a monster. The sound of the phone ringing jolted Cassy from her thoughts. She picked up the receiver.
"St. John."
"Cassy, it's Morton."
"Let me guess?" She sighed. "You have the a name for the DB."
"Josh O' Brian."
Cassy almost dropped the phone. Everyone in the station was noticing the pale expression on her face.
"Cassy, are you there?"
She regained her composure, realizing that everyone was looking at her. "Sorry, Morton. Thanks." She hung up the phone.
Harry walked out of his office and went towards Cassy.
"Cassy, you okay?"
Cassy was startled by her captain's voice. "Oh, Harry. I'm okay. Here's the report on the DB we found on the beach."
Harry grabbed the file from her and looked at the empty desk in front of her.
"Where's Tom?"
"Oh, he's not feeling good."
He looked down at her with his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "What's wrong with him?"
"Something he ate didn't agree with him." She lied. "I took him home after we left the scene."
Harry nodded. "Okay." He pushed his glasses back on his face. "Make sure you update him with the report." He put the report back on her desk.
Cassy nodded and Harry went back to his office.
"You owe me big time Ryan." She picked up the report and began to read it, so she could brief Tom later on what she found out about the body.
It was about mid-afternoon when Cassy was finally able to leave the station. She left the station and went to JJ's to pick up some clothes and personal items. She pulled up to JJ's driveway and shut off the car.
She got out and headed towards the door. She checked the doorknob to see if it was locked, but it wasn't. That's odd. She opened the door and found the house in shambles.
"What the hell?' She pulled out her gun and checked the apartment for trouble. She put away her gun when she found none.
"Maybe JJ made the mess after she'd left Josh on the beach. I don't blame her. I would've done the same thing if I lost someone I loved."
She looked around the apartment and found some pictures of JJ and Josh together scattered throughout the rooms. She picked up one of them. "Why would anyone want to hurt them?" She put down the picture.
Cassy climbed upstairs to the bedroom. It was just as messy as the rest of the apartment. She went to the walk-in closet and opened the door. She saw the beautiful, white wedding dress hanging in the closet, shimmering in the sunlight. She reached out towards it and felt the velvety material. "One more week and they would've been happy."
She tried very hard not to cry. "Why would anyone what to do this to such a happy couple."
She reached up on the top shelf of the closet and grabbed the suitcase that was there. She went to the dresser and put some clothes and personal items into the suitcase. She zipped it up and headed towards the door.
"So help me god, if I find out who killed Josh, they are going to pay." She closed the door, got into the car, and headed towards Tom's.
Tom woke up, the second time that day, when he heard someone knocking on his door. "Not again." He went to the door and opened it to reveal his partner.
She handed him the file. "Here's the report for the DB on the beach. You were right. It was Josh." She then handed him the suitcase. "Here's some clothes and personal items from her apartment."
She didn't want to tell him about the apartment. That would be JJ's task to tell him about that. She then glanced over his shoulder at the figure in the bed. "How's she doing?"
Tom glanced over at his bed. "She's doing okay considering what she's been through."
Cassy nodded. "I know how she feels. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost..." She stopped in mid-sentence.
"Lost what?"
"Oh, nothing." She sighed. "I'm tired. I'm going home and going to bed."
"Oh, no you don't. Finish your sentence, Cassy."
She glared at him. "I said drop it Tom." She glanced back over at the bed. "Take care of her. I'll see you tomorrow."
He shrugged. "Thanks, Cass. See ya tomorrow." He shut the door.
"I wonder what she meant by if she lost..."
He walked over to the table and set down the file. "I guess I'll go over this tomorrow." He lay back on the couch and fell asleep.
The young couple was strolling down the beach, holding each other close. A red light on the young man's head, the young woman holding him in her arms.
"Josh! No!"
The man on the cliff smiling at her as her lover died.
"Josh! No!" JJ woke up from her nightmare, but it wasn't a nightmare, it'd been real. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and the sweat from her brow. She then heard the TV on from the living room.
She smiled. "Tom."
She got up from the bed and went into the living room trying hard not to wake her friend, and shut the TV off. She then looked over her shoulder to see Tom laying on the couch with his covers kicked off.
JJ smiled. "Some people never change." She grabbed the blanket and covered him back up. She then saw the suitcase by the door. Another smile crossed her face.
"Cassy."
She took the suitcase into the bathroom, and decided she needed to clean herself up. She looked at herself in the mirror and for the first time in twenty-four hours, she saw her lover's blood on her floral dress.
"Oh, Josh. Why would anyone want to hurt you?" She said as she took off the dress and threw it on the floor. A lone tear fell down her face.
"Why?" She opened the suitcase to get a change of clothes.
She turned on the shower, stepped into it, and let the water soothe her body. She closed her eyes against the spray and began to remember the last night with Josh.
"Just think Josh, we'll be married next week and we'll live the rest of our lives together."
The image of Josh lying in her arms flashed in her mind.
"Josh! No!" She then looked up at the man on the cliff. She saw the look in his eyes. She was next.
"Sorry, my love." She kissed him one last time and left him on the beach.
"No!!!" JJ screamed, sliding against the wall, and bringing her knees to her chest.
Tom woke up when he heard her scream. "What the hell?" He looked over at the bed and didn't see JJ in it. He looked towards the bathroom.
"No!!!!" JJ screamed again.
Tom bolted from the couch and headed towards the bathroom. He blasted through the bathroom door, and headed towards the shower.
"No!!!" She screamed again.
Tom opened the door and saw JJ with her knees to her chest, rocking her self. He shut off the water.
"JJ, its Tom. Come on open those eyes for me."
JJ looked up at the face, but it wasn't Tom's face she saw looking down at her, it was the killer's. She leaned against the wall even harder.
"No!! Please!! I won't tell anyone that you shot Josh! Just let me live!"
Tom was beginning to get scared. "JJ, what are you talking about?"
She didn't answer him.
He got up and grabbed a towel off the rack.
"Leave me alone!" She shouted.
Tom ignored her. He went inside the shower and picked her up.
"Let me go!" She started kicking and screaming, trying to break free from Tom's grasp. She punched him in the face, but Tom didn't release her.
He placed her on the bed. "Come on JJ." He shook her gently. "Wake up you're having a nightmare."
She calmed down at the sound of his voice and opened her eyes. She looked down at herself and pulled the blanket over her naked body.
"Sorry."
Tom brushed away a strand of wet hair from her face. "That's okay. I heard you screaming from the bathroom. Are you all right? Want to talk about it?"
JJ shook her head. "I was thinking about Josh. The last night we were together." She pulled her knees to her chest.
He put a hand on her arm. "Can you tell me about it? I'll understand if you don't want to."
She nodded. "I can't keep it inside any longer. I have to tell you."
He patted her arm. "Well, why don't you get dressed, I'll make some coffee, and we'll talk about it, just like old times, okay?"
JJ smiled. "You'll never change, Tom Ryan. Always taking care of me." She got up and went towards the bathroom again. Five minutes later, she was dressed and more presentable than she was earlier.
She went towards the living room and sat down on the couch. Tom came from the kitchen with two cups in his hands. He placed them on the table.
"So you want to talk about it?" He said as he sat down beside her.
JJ took a deep breath to gather up her courage. "We were walking on the beach talking about next week and how we were going to spend the rest of our lives together."
Tom smiled at a memory of when he met Josh for the first time. "I remember when you first met Josh. He was a football star at FSU."
JJ smiled, too. "He was like you." She pointed to his framed jersey on the wall. "He wanted to be like you and that's why you liked him so much." She looked down at the floor. "That's why I loved him so much."
"He was the perfect guy for you. You told him that he had to get past me in order for him to go out with you."
"He passed the test with flying colors, I might add." JJ took another deep breath. "As I was saying, we were walking on the beach talking about the wedding. Then I heard a gun shot and Josh fell onto the sand."
She let the tears, she was holding, fall. "I went over to him and picked him up in my arms."
JJ put her head in her hands. Her body was starting to tremble again. "He died in my arms, Tom. I held him until he died. I lost the man I loved."
She looked into her friend's eyes, tears streaming down her face. "I then looked up and saw a man on the cliff smiling down at me. I looked into his eyes and I knew I was next. I left him on the beach and ran all the way to my apartment, hoping he wouldn't follow me. I was in such a rage over Josh's death that I destroyed my apartment and then ran all the way here." She couldn't continue anymore.
Tom gathered her into his arms.
"Why, Tom?" She said against his chest, "Why would anyone want to hurt us? We were going to be married and live the rest of our lives together."
Tom held her tighter. "I don't know, JJ, but me and Cassy will find out. I swear to you." He placed his head on hers and cried too.
After awhile, she fell asleep again. He lay on the couch and just held his friend. "I swear to you, JJ, we'll find Josh's killer and make him pay." He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
The early morning sun peek through the window of the small apartment. The young woman, who was sleeping on her friend's chest, felt the rays peeking through the window. She lifted her body off his chest and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She gently shook her friend.
"Tom, wake up sleepy head."
Tom stirred and opened his eyes. "Are you feeling better?"
She nodded. "I'm all right now. Why not you go take a shower and get ready for work. I'll make breakfast."
He smiled. "You talk about me never changing."
JJ got up off him and went towards the kitchen. "Thanks for last night, Tom. You've always been there for me when I needed for someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on." She then noticed the visible bruises on his face. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to hit you."
Tom waved it off. "That's okay. You were in pain and I was the closest punching bag."
She laughed out loud. The first real laugh since she got there. "Hurry up, you're going to be late."
Tom got up from the couch and went into the bathroom. He looked down at the floor and saw the dress with Josh's blood on it. He picked it up and held it. "You are going to pay whoever you are." He put the dress into the hamper. He turned on the water in the shower and thirty minutes later he was ready for work.
JJ saw him coming from the bathroom, heading towards her in the kitchen. She caught a glimpse of the gun on his side and dropped the frying pan.
Tom rushed up towards her. "JJ! Are you okay?"
She pushed away from him. The image of the man on the cliff flashed once again in her mind. "Don't hurt me please! I won't tell!" She crawled to a corner of the kitchen and put her knees to her chest.
He was scared. "JJ, what's wrong?" He then looked down at the gun at his side. "Shit!" He put the gun on the counter. "JJ, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." She looked up at him and realized who it was.
"Oh, Tom. I'm sorry." She then looked at the mess on the floor. "I'll clean it up."
Tom shook his head. "That's okay. I'm sorry about the gun. I forgot. Can you forgive me?"
She wiped the tears from her eyes. "You're forgiven." She started to get up. "I'm still a little jumpy, I suppose. Can you stay with me today? I don't know if I can handle being alone, yet. Please, Tom. Please."
He nodded. "Okay, let me call Cassy." He got up and went towards the phone. He dialed Cassy's number.
"St. John." Cassy answered from the other end.
"Cass, it's me."
"Hey, Tom. How's JJ?"
Tom took a deep breath. "That's what I called you about."
She gripped the phone tighter. "Is she all right?"
"Yes, she is. I don't think I should leave her alone. I'll tell you about it later."
"Tom, this is becoming a habit for you." She sighed. "I'll cover for you again, but you owe me big time."
Tom smiled. "Thanks, Cass."
"Later, Tom. Take care of her. I'll be by later." She hung up.
Tom put the phone back on the hook. He went back to the kitchen and saw JJ cleaning up her mess.
She looked up at him, still cleaning. "Is Cassy mad at you?"
"She'll get over it. She's going to come by later to see how you are doing."
JJ smiled and stopped cleaning. "It's been awhile since I've seen her. I haven't seen her since you two got divorced. I was really looking forward to seeing her again at the wedding." She looked down at the ring on her finger, shimmering in the sunlight, and began to cry again. She wiped away the tears. "I'm sorry. I'm acting like a big baby."
Tom pulled her up and hugged her. "It's okay. You've lost the most important person in your life. It's okay to mourn for him."
JJ felt an unspeakable rage course through her body as Tom held her. "I want this bastard, Tom. He took the man I love away from me." Her words were laced with venom.
Tom pulled her away from him. "JJ, you don't know what you are saying?"
"What do you think I'm saying Tom?"
"I know how you feel, but revenge isn't the answer."
JJ's rage grew even stronger. "You know how I feel!" She pulled away from him. "Then tell me how it feels to lose the people you love, like your parents, and then your fianc�e." She turned away from him.
He walked up towards her. "JJ, what happened to your parents and Josh wasn't your fault. You had nothing to do with that."
JJ turned around and slapped him. "You shut up about what happened to Josh and my parents! It was my fault that they were all killed! Anyone that I love gets killed!" She ran towards the door and left the apartment.
"JJ, wait!" Tom shouted, but JJ was gone.
"Tom, you idiot. What have you done?" He grabbed his gun and jacket and went after her.
JJ ran all the way to her apartment fighting her rage within herself. What happened to Josh and your parents wasn't your fault. Tom's words hit their mark in her heart. She broke open the front door and went into the bedroom.
She lay down on the bed and began to cry. She looked up at the pictures of her parents and Josh. She grabbed one with Josh and one with her parents, and held them against her chest.
"I miss you guys so much." Her tears dripping on the pictures. "Why did you have to leave me? Why?" She lay back down on the bed. "Why?"
A man had seen JJ enter her apartment from across the street. He went inside the apartment and up the stairs. He heard the young woman crying from the bedroom.
"Good. The bitch is here. Now's my chance."
He reached inside his pocket, pulled out a cloth, and poured chloroform onto it. He went inside the bedroom and saw the young woman crying on the bed. He went towards her, until he heard someone enter the house. He hid in the closest.
Tom ran down the street after JJ. Tom, you why did you say that? Why!? Has she been through enough already? She's lost her parents and now the man she loves. He continued running after her, hoping to catch her.
He entered the front door of her apartment, exhausted from running. "JJ, you here?"
He went up the stairs and heard the crying from the bedroom. "JJ?"
JJ looked up at him. "Go away, Tom. Just leave me alone."
He knelt down beside her. "I won't leave you alone, JJ. I'm your friend."
The man in the closest went towards the two friends.
JJ's face turned white and screamed. "No!!!!"
"JJ! What's wrong?" Tom turned around and was knocked out.
"Tom!" JJ felt the sweet smelling cloth over her mouth. She fell into unconsciousness.
"Now revenge is mine Ryan. Just wait and see."
The man picked her up and placed her over his shoulder. He then placed a note on the bed, and he left the detective on the floor.
It was mid-afternoon when Cassy's shift at the station was over. She'd told Harry Tom was still sick. You owe me really big Ryan. She said to herself.
She pulled up to Tom's driveway and pulled her car beside his. I wonder how JJ is doing? I wonder if she's driving Tom nuts, yet. She smiled at herself. She remembered the time when she first met JJ. It was when she and Tom were married. He made her swear not to tell anyone about her, and that included Harry.
JJ was still her friend through the divorce, even after the nasty things she did to Tom during that time. JJ always listened to both sides of each story, and now the death of JJ's fianc�e brought them together again.
Cassy got out of the car and walked up to the front door. She knocked on Tom's door. "Tom, JJ, are you here?"
She knocked on the door even harder. "Tom, JJ, open up its Cassy!" She tried the knob to see if it was unlocked. It was. She opened up the door and entered Tom's apartment.
"Where is he?" She checked the apartment for any sign of her friends. She saw the mess on the kitchen floor. "What happened here?" She bent over and checked the mess. "I wonder if he took JJ home? Why didn't he take his car?" She got up and went to go find out.
She turned onto JJ's street and pulled into the driveway. She saw the front door opened wide.
"What the hell?" She got out of the car and went into the house.
She pulled out her gun. "Tom, JJ, you here?"
She went up the stairs and went towards the bedroom. She saw Tom lying on the floor.
She shook him gently. "Tom, its Cassy. Are you all right?"
Tom moaned.
"Come on Tom. Wake up."
Tom opened his eyes. "Where's JJ?"
"I don't know, Tom. I was going to ask you that." She helped him up. "What happened here?"
Tom tried to stand up on his own, but the room wouldn't stop spinning.
"Easy there, partner." She set him on the bed. She then saw the note on the bed. "What's this?" She handed it to Tom. He read it out loud.
"I'm glad you kept her a secret, Ryan. Now my revenge will be complete. Now, if you want to see your goddaughter again, come to the abandon warehouse district. If you bring backup, she'll meet the same fate as her lover. Steven Spears"
Tom face turned white as he read that name.
"Tom, are you all right?"
Tom didn't answer.
Cassy was getting scared. "Tom, what's happening here?"
Tom still didn't answer her.
Now she was frustrated. "Dammit, Tom! Don't shut down on me! Tell me what's going on!"
He took a deep breath and let it out. "Steven Spears is the brother of Robert Spears."
She sat down on the bed beside her partner. "Wasn't he the guy you arrested for murdering a fourteen-year-old girl?"
Tom nodded. "Yes, he was. My testimony put his brother in jail. When his brother went to prison, he ended up with a knife in the back."
"You mean to tell me that this is all about revenge."
"Yes." He got up from the bed. "JJ is some serious trouble. Steven is worst than Robert. He won't stop killing until I'm dead. We've got to tell Harry." He sighed. "I have to tell him everything."
"Are you sure about this? He's not going to like it."
"He has to know Cassy."
"Okay, partner. Let's go tell Harry."
Tom and Cassy left and went to the station.
Tom and Cassy walked into the station and went towards Harry's office. They entered the office and shut the door.
Harry looked up at his detectives. "How's the case going?"
They didn't answer him.
"Well?"
Tom was the first one to break the silence.
"The DB on the beach was Josh O' Brian."
Harry nodded. He knew Tom was holding back something. "Anything else you not telling me, Thomas?"
Tom looked towards Cassy for courage. She nodded. "Tell him, Tom."
He turned back towards Harry. "There's something I'm not telling you and it concerns this case." He swallowed nervously. "Josh was engaged to my goddaughter, Jennifer James."
Harry turned towards Cassy. "You knew about this!"
Cassy nodded.
"Harry, she had nothing to do with this. There was a reason why I kept this a secret." He took a deep breath. "JJ's parents were killed in a car crash when she was six. I swore to them that I would take care of her, if anything ever happened to them." He walked towards the window. "The only people that knew about her were my parents, Cassy, and now you."
"Why Tom? Why did you keep this a secret?"
"I had to keep her safe. After her parents died, my parents took care of her and so did I. When we went to hear JJ's parent's last will and testament, I found out that she was given to me as a goddaughter. I became her father for the past fifteen years of her life." He took a deep breath. "When Cassy and I were married, I told her everything and I made her swear not to tell anyone, especially you."
Harry sat down in his chair. "This is a little hard to swallow, Tom."
Tom shook his head. "I know, Harry and I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I thought I could handle this situation by myself. Now because of me Steven Spears has her."
Harry's ears perked up at the sound of that name. "Steven Spears. How did he find out about her?"
"I don't know, Harry. I know now he's the one who shot Josh. He must've used his connections after his brother was killed."
Harry nodded. "Robert Spears. I remember that you sent him to prison for murder."
Tom looked down at the floor. "Only to knifed in the back by some of his enemies."
"So, you're telling me this is about revenge?"
"Yes, it is. He won't stop killing until I'm dead." Tom took a deep breath. "If anything happens to her, I don't know what'll I'll do."
"Nothing is going to happen to her, Tom. We won't let it." Harry pointed to Cassy.
"Harry's right, Tom. We won't let anything happen to her."
"Thanks, guys. I don't know what to say."
Harry put a hand on Tom's shoulder. "Enough's been said. Now where did Spears say he had her?"
"At the warehouse district, but if he hears any sirens he won't hesitate to kill her."
"Okay, we'll go with you. If the situation gets worse, I'm calling for backup."
"Thanks, Harry."
"Okay, let's go get JJ." Cassy said as she got up from the chair.
The three officers left the office and went to go rescue JJ.
The smell of seawater and dead fish assaulted JJ's nose. She woke up and checked her surroundings. "Where I'm I?"
Steven Spears saw that his prisoner was awake. "Well, its nice to see those beautiful green eyes again."
She turned towards the voice. "What do you want with me?"
"It's not you I want, my dear. The person I want Tom Ryan." He stepped up closer to her. She could feel his hot breath on her body. He saw her tense.
"Does this bother you?" He moved even closer to her.
She turned away from him. He put his hands on her chest and moved them up and down her body. JJ tried to pull away, but she was tied up. "Stop that!"
"No, baby. I'm going to make you pay for your father's sins." His hand moved lower. "I'm going to have some fun with you first."
JJ tried to blink away her tears. Spears saw them and smiled. "Now, you belong to me and no one else."
"Please, you don't want to do this. Trust me, you better stop what you're doing now."
He let out a hollow laugh. "Or what? Your cop friend is going to kill me. I don't think so. He's going to pay for what he did to my brother, and you are what I need."
JJ spit in his face. Spears slapped her. "You bitch! You're going to pay for that!" He untied her and took hold of her arms.
"Please, don't." JJ begged. "Please."
Spears didn't even listen to her. He threw her against the wall. JJ's head hit it hard sending her to the floor. He picked her up. "Now, what to do first." He looked down at the slender body. He moved his hands up and down her body again and again, enjoying the feel of it. JJ tried to move, but her body didn't respond. She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "Please, don't."
Spears just smiled. "No, baby. You're mine."
He kissed her hard on the lips. JJ tried to move her head, but two strong hands held it into place. She spit in his face. "Bitch!" He slapped her and she fell to the ground. He grabbed her hard. "Get up, bitch!"
His hand went towards the buttons on her blouse. His touch made her shiver. "That's good, baby. Give yourself to me." He slid the blouse down her shoulders. "You're beautiful." That made JJ shiver even more. His hands reached around her back and unfastened the strap to her bra. He pushed the bra straps off her shoulders. JJ tried to cover herself up, but the effort earned her a slap to the face.
"Don't even think about it! You are mine and you are going to give yourself to me."
JJ tried to shut him out, but she couldn't. She could feel the blood dripping down her mouth and nose. Spears laid her on the ground and plastered his body on top of hers. He hands moved even lower. She tried to squirm away from his touch, but that earned her another slap.
"Bitch! How many times do I have to tell you that you belong to me!"
His hands went to the button of her jeans. He unsnapped it and moved the jeans down her slender legs. His lips followed his hands. JJ couldn't do anything to stop him.
"Please, don't."
Spears smiled. "I love it when women beg."
That sent violent shivers down JJ's spine.
"Please. You don't know what you're doing."
"Oh, please not this again. I don't want to hear his name again." He slapped her. "Understand."
The tears streak her face. Help me, Tom. Please, help me. Her mind cried out for her friend, but Tom wasn't there to help her. Maybe some training will work here. A cop, for most of my life has raised me, so I should put it to good use. She told herself.
Spears moved his hands to the rim of her underwear and slid them down her legs. She was now completely naked.
"You're so beautiful. Now I know why Josh loved you. Who can resist you?"
The mention of her lover struck her heart. "You bastard. You'd killed him didn't you?"
Spears smiled. "Yes I did. How did it feel to have him dying in your arms?"
JJ got one of hands free and slapped him hard. He had his answer.
"Bitch!" He slapped her. "How dare you do that to me!" He slapped her again and again. "You're not worth it after all." He slapped her again. He got off her and left the room.
JJ sat up and pulled her knees to her chest. "Please help me, Tom. Please." She put her head on her knees and cried.
It took about half an hour to get the warrant for Steven Spears arrest, when they did, Tom, Cassy, and Harry headed towards the warehouse district.
When they approached the warehouse district, Tom parked the car at a safe distance.
"Look, Tom. There's his car." Cassy pointed out.
Tom gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were turning white. "If that son-of-a-bitch harm her in any way, he'll wish he never been born." Tom's words were laced with venom.
"Tom, control yourself." Harry said. "Now let's go get her."
The three friends got out of the car and headed towards the abandon warehouse.
"Harry, Cass, take the back. I'll take the front."
"Be careful, Tom." Cassy said.
"You too."
Harry and Cassy went around back.
Tom entered the front of the warehouse. He heard faint crying coming from inside.
"JJ?"
He went towards the crying and saw JJ with her knees against her chest and completely naked.
"JJ?"
She didn't answer him.
He reached out towards her. She pulled away from him.
"JJ, its Tom. I'm not going to hurt you."
JJ looked up at him. "To ... Tom."
"Yes, are you all right."
He looked down her body and saw visible bruises from head to toe.
"What did he do to you?"
She didn't answer him.
He lifted her head so he could see her face.
"Oh, my god."
Her face was swollen up and bleeding very badly.
"I'm so sorry, JJ."
He gathered her into his arms, but she pulled away from him.
"Let me go! Don't touch me!"
"JJ, its Tom."
She looked up at his face then over his shoulder and screamed. "No!!"
"JJ! What's wrong?"
Tom turned around and he stood face to face with Steven Spears.
"You son-of-a-bitch! What did you do to her?"
Spears just smiled. "You figure it out. You're the cop."
Tom lunged out towards Spears, hands around his throat. Harry and Cassy saw the exchange between Tom and Spears and rushed up towards them.
"Tom let him go!" Harry shouted.
Tom didn't answer. Spears was beginning to turn blue.
"That's an order, Sargent."
Tom let him go and went back towards JJ.
Harry got out his handcuffs. "Steven Spears you're under arrest for the murder of Josh O' Brian." He cuffed him and pulled him to his feet.
"It doesn't matter now. I've gotten my revenge." He snarled.
Harry took him away.
Tom picked up JJ and held her. Cassy brought him a blanket from the car.
"Here use this." Tom covered her up.
"How's she doing?"
Tom looked up at her. "She need's to get to a hospital fast."
Harry came up from behind.
"Already done."
Tom held her close until help arrived.
The wait in the hospital was hard for Tom. He paced the waiting room like a caged animal. It's my fault she's here. I should've protected her. Tom's thoughts were broken when he saw a doctor entered the waiting room.
"Are you here for Jennifer James?"
The group nodded.
"My name is Dr. Stephanie Banks. I've been treating Ms. James since she has been brought into my care. We're going to keep her overnight. Her face is going to be swollen for a couple of days."
Tom looked at the doctor. "Are there any signs that he ... he" He couldn't finish the question.
The doctor looked at the detective. "No, he didn't, to answer your question. I'm surprised he didn't."
That sent a shiver down Tom's spine. The doctor saw the reaction.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like that."
Tom waved it off. "That's okay. We can I go see her?"
"Are you her father?"
"No, her parents are dead. I'm her godfather."
"That explains a lot." She looked down at her clipboard and continued, "She's being moved into a private room right now. If you want, you can follow me and I'll take you to see her."
Tom looked at his friends.
"Go, Tom. We'll be here for you." Harry said.
"Thanks, Harry." Tom left with the doctor.
The doctor led him down the hallway and into JJ's room.
"You can stay here for a few minutes. I'll be back later."
"Thanks doctor."
The doctor smiled and left.
Tom went towards JJ's bed and sat down on a chair beside it. He grabbed one of her hands and kissed it. JJ's eyes fluttered open.
"To ... Tom. Where I'm I?"
"You're in the hospital, JJ."
She looked around the room.
"Spears?"
"He's going to be locked away for a long time. You don't have to worry about it."
Tears began to run down JJ's face.
"He shot Josh, Tom."
Tom nodded. "I know he did."
"Why did he have to shoot him? Tell me why."
He held her hand tighter. "JJ, if I knew the answer to that question I would answer it."
"He was a monster, Tom. All he wanted was to have his revenge on you."
He dropped his head. "I'm sorry you got involved in this. This is my fault. I've should've protected you."
"You did, Tom. Trust me you did."
"How?"
"I kept saying your name and it stopped him for doing anymore damage."
Tom looked at her face. She was right.
"He ... He" Tom tried to finish his sentence.
JJ placed her other hand on his. "No, he didn't. I've been raised by a cop, remember. You taught me everything."
Tom smiled. "I guess I did."
"Yes, you did. You've been like a father to me ever since I was six years old. You've been there to protect me no matter what." She placed her hand on his face. "I love you, Tom."
" I love you, too, JJ." He got up and hugged her.
"Well, isn't this nice." Cassy said from the doorway.
"Cassy."
Cassy went up to JJ and hugged her.
"It's nice to see you again, JJ."
"You too, Cassy."
"So, this is JJ." Harry walked into the room. Tom turned around and saw his captain enter the room.
"Who is this?" JJ asked.
"JJ, I like you to meet my Captain, Harry Lipschitz."
JJ smiled. "Nice to finally meet you Harry. Tom told me some interesting things about you."
"He has, has he."
JJ yawned just as the doctor entered the room. "Look's like I'm in time. Ms. James needs her rest. It's time for you guys to go."
Tom hugged her. "I love you."
JJ hugged him back. "I love you too." She closed her eyes and fell asleep. Tom, Harry, and Cassy left the room.
The funeral held no comfort for anyone, especially for JJ. She'd lost her true love to a monster bent on revenge. Tom was also there, so was his parents, Cassy, Harry, and Frannie. JJ stood by Tom as the rain poured down on her.
After the ceremony, JJ went towards her lover's grave. She placed a single rose on his grave. Tom was there to offer comfort.
"I will always love you, Josh O' Brian. You'll always be in my heart." She hugged Tom tightly.
"I'll take care of her, Josh. You can count on that." He said silently.
"Tom, can you leave me here alone? I just want to be alone to say goodbye."
Tom nodded. "I'll wait for you by the car." He turned around and left her at her lover's grave.
She sat down beside Josh's grave. "There's so much I have to tell you. I just don't know where to begin."
JJ let the tears flow. "It probably starts when my parents died. I felt so lost that I hid myself from everyone, then Tom came along and took care of me as if I was his child. Then I fell in love with you. My true love. Then you were taken away from me." She ran her hands on his grave. "I don't know what to do? I lost my parents, you, and I fear that I may lose Tom and all my friends, too."
"No, you won't JJ."
JJ turned around and saw Cassy standing behind her. JJ wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Cassy, I didn't know you were there."
"I'm sorry I scared you. I didn't mean to intrude."
JJ smiled. "That's okay."
Cassy sat down on the chair and patted the one next to her. "Come sit with me JJ. I need to tell you something and you must swear not to tell anyone else."
JJ nodded and sat down beside her friend. She'd always known that she could trust Cassy and Cassy could trust her.
"JJ, listen to me. You are not going to lose Tom."
JJ felt a rising panic course through her. "You almost lost him once."
"I know, but he beat the odds, remember."
"I remember." She looked into Cassy's blue eyes and saw comfort there. "I couldn't come down to see him because you wanted to keep me safe."
Cassy nodded. "A mobster was after him. I had no choice."
"I understand that you wanted to keep me safe. I wanted to be there for him even Tom's parents told me to stay put. I'm thankful now that he's safe."
"I'm glad too, that he's safe."
"What was it you wanted to tell me?"
Cassy took JJ's hands. "I wanted to tell I'll protect Tom with my life and keep him safe for you. I won't let anything happen to him. I swear to you."
JJ hugged her friend. "I know you will Cassy. I know you will." The two friends held each other for a long time.
Cassy lifted JJ from her. "Hey, let's go home. Tom's probably getting worried about you."
JJ nodded. "Knowing Tom, he's probably pacing around the car waiting for me."
The two friends got up and headed towards their cars. JJ ran up and hugged Tom. He held onto her.
"Ready to go home?"
"Yes, I am. Let me say goodbye to Cassy first."
JJ ran up and hugged Cassy. "I promise I won't tell. You'll keep him safe for me."
"I will JJ. I will." Cassy released her.
JJ went back to Tom. He opened the door for her.
"What was that about?"
JJ smiled. "Oh, nothing."
Tom sighed in disgust. "You two could be sisters, you know that."
JJ just smiled at him.
He put the car into gear and headed home.
I know Cassy will keep her promise. JJ placed her hands on the window. Goodbye Josh. I love you..
Tom drove away from the cemetery.