Officer Jones

Chapter 52

When he stepped into the master bedroom he became Batman. He overloaded with anticipation and began to sweat profusely. He opened a window and the breeze cooled him.

He was convinced that Gwen had no idea that he was aware of her betrayal when he found her earring in his yard, in a patch of poison ivy. Leave me a note? Do I seem that stupid, Gwen? But it was to his advantage to keep it that way. He also knew he had a weak spot for her that he’d never had for anyone before. He would have to fight off the temptation she provided. It would be his toughest test in completing his mission.

He walked into the closet and parted the clothing. His necklace began to vibrate-his warning system working perfectly.

Once he completed the code for the combination lock, he opened the heavy door and strutted into the musty room. He flipped a light switch and the room filled with dim light. He took a plastic, three-ring binder from a small bookcase. As he held the sacred book, his hands began to shake. He waited for the shaking to cease, and then added his new entries into the binder, which told the cautionary tale of Noah Warner.

He understood that he’d be hailed as a hero in future years, which was why it was so important to chronicle his journey. But until that day of acceptance, he faced the reality of having to do his work in the dark, just as Batman had.

He moved to the pictures on the wall, once again feeling the heavy burden of responsibility. He removed the cap of this black pen and proceeded to mark a large X over the photograph of Noah Warner. He did it in slow motion to prolong the ecstasy.

He only had a brief moment to savor the accomplishment. There was so much more work to be done, and he immediately focused on his next mission. It would be less than two weeks from today, on October 10.

He knelt down in ritualistic fashion, as he always did during the “Crossing Off Ceremony.” He thought of the Spargo family and wished they could have shared this moment with him.

A knock on the bedroom door stunned him back to reality, followed by the sound of Gwen’s voice, “Kyle, are you in here?”

He wiped the tears off his face and raced out of the storm room. But before he did, he grabbed a small box. A gift that would give Gwen the surprise of her life. What was left of it, anyway.