Thread of Hope

SEVENTY-NINE

The small narrow street was now packed with police officers, fire trucks and curious eyes.

“You should’ve called me,” Mike Lorenzo said.

We were standing off to the side of the Jordan’s buy-in home. Lieutenant Bazer was in the middle of the yard, directing his officers. He glanced at me, then looked away.

“I didn’t know what I was walking into, Mike,” I said. “Otherwise, I would’ve.”

That was the truth. I had learned early that it was better to let the local police handle things when the time was right. I wasn’t looking to showboat or steal anyone’s spotlight. If I’d known Meredith was inside, that Stricker was a piece of crap and that Megan was armed, I most definitely would’ve called Mike.

But sometimes you don’t know.

Mike rubbed at his jaw. “You alright?”

I nodded. “Fine. Did you call Jordan?”

“Yeah, he should be here soon,” Mike said. “Didn’t tell him everything that happened, just that his kid was safe.”

Mike’s colleagues had Meredith and Megan separated, talking to them individually. As long as they told the truth, they would be fine.

EMTs spilled out of the house, Kelly Rundles on a gurney. She was moving, alert. She would be fine.

“It was absolutely self-defense, Mike,” I said. “That girl probably saved my life.”

Mike looked over to where Megan was talking to another officer. “I’ll make sure she’s alright.”

There was movement amongst the gawkers in the street. Jon and Olivia Jordan emerged from the middle of the pack, their heads twisting and turning, eyes wide. Jon saw Meredith first and broke into a sprint toward her. One cop attempted to grab his arm, but Jordan shook him off, missile-locked on his daughter.

Meredith saw him and her body shook as she began sobbing. Jordan slowed as he approached, like she was a deer and he didn’t want to scare her away. Meredith’s chin sunk and her body shook harder. Jordan stepped in and swallowed her with his arms and they shook together.

Olivia was slower in getting to them and when she did, she seemed unsure of what to do. She put a hand on her husband’s shoulder and another on her daughter’s. Her eyes scanned the crowd until they settled on me.

She gave a slight nod in my direction and I had no idea what it meant nor did I have any any desire to ask her.

Jordan never took his eyes off his daughter. I imagined that it would be hard for him to ever let her out of his sight again.

I was envious.

“If you wanna get out of here, go ahead,” Mike said and I knew he was reading my thoughts.

“Thanks.”

He walked with me away from the crowd and guided me toward his car. “Hang on a sec.” He opened the door and pulled out a thin envelope.

He handed it to me. “This was what I was gonna give you at breakfast tomorrow.”

I took the envelope and flipped it over in my hands a couple of times.

“It’s probably nothing,” Mike cautioned. “But it’s something I’d take a look at. Since you’re here, I figured I’d just pass it along.”

I knew by his tone and demeanor we were no longer talking about Meredith Jordan and the subject was Elizabeth.

I stared at the envelope. “Okay.”

“Like I said, it’s probably nothing,” Mike said again. “But it’s the kind of thing that I’ve been looking at over the last few years when it rolls in. You can take a look, see what you think.”

I folded the envelope and stuck it in my pocket. “Thanks, Mike. For everything.”

“That sounds like a goodbye,” Mike said with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded at Meredith and her parents. “We found her. Chuck’s clear and he’s gonna be alright. I think I’m done.”

“You gonna be alright?” he asked.

I offered him my hand and we shook.

“I hope so,” I said.