Prologue and Chapter One

Light glinted of the edge of the blade. One could become mesmerized by the beauty of it light refracting from such a beautiful instrument.  All too soon the pure unblemished instrument became marred stained with the evidence of his work.

    He felt his heart beating faster with each passing second.  In anyone else it would have been fear that made their heart race. For him it was excitement; excitement over what he was doing and for the discoveries he was making. Like a child making their first joyful discovery he smiled in pleasure.

As the instrument he wielded became less and less pristine and blemished in more ways than one he felt himself changing; becoming something, someone different.

    He was becoming something more.

Chapter One

The Meeting

    Kaelin pulled down the gravel driveway, swinging over to the left side. She looked at the carport dubiously, but drove toward it anyway. Once the front end of her van was a little inside she put it in reverse and swung around so that the nose of the van pointed up the driveway. She thought about trying to back the van into the carport, and then decided against it.

    Kaelin shut the engine off and sat in the van a few minutes. Taking a deep breath she stepped out of the driver’s side and then just stood there looking around. Her gaze finally stopped on her new trailer.

    It wasn’t very big, yet had a decent sized deck built on the side. The deck would need to be redone, but that was a project for another day. Kaelin walked up to the porch and inserted the key in the lock. Once the door was open she stood there, a small smile on her face. To some the place might not be much, but to her it meant a lot.

    It was hers!

    She owned the trailer free and clear. Yes she would have to pay the rent for the lot, but that was cheaper than any apartment she had seen. And here she wouldn’t have to worry about noisy upstairs neighbors, though she might have to worry about noisy next door neighbors.

    Kaelin had moved the smaller stuff in a few days earlier, but nobody had come to say hi to her or anything of the like. Now she was moving the rest of her stuff in. Well the bigger things at least, she was sure she’d have to get some smaller items yet. Things that would make the place hers.

    Kaelin went to the back of the van and opened it up. She took a deep fortifying breath as she looked at all her things jam packed into the van. Not that it was all heavy stuff, but it would have been so much easier, if she had someone to help her.

    However she honestly had nobody to ask for help. She had people at work she talked to, but they weren’t close friends so she would in no way ask for help from them. As far as family went, well that just didn’t bear thinking of.

    Kaelin shrugged as if to say such is life and reached into her van, pulling out the first piece of her new life.

                           *********************

    Jack pulled into the drive and immediately slammed on his brakes. He had almost run into a van parked at the old Summer’s place. He backed up then drove around the van, as he passed the back of it he saw a love seat hanging halfway out of it. He pulled into his parking spot and then got out of his vehicle. He started to take a step toward trailer in front of his then decided to go inside and put his stuff away first.

    He took his shirt off and threw it in the hamper then grabbed a soda out of the fridge and stepped out on his front porch. He had taken a few swallows of his drink when he heard a few choice words coming from the Summer’s trailer, or rather from the van parked there. Curious, he put his soda down then headed over to take a look.

    Jack stopped in midstep when he saw what, or rather whom; had used those choice words. The loveseat was now out of the van and sitting in the driveway. Sitting on the loveseat was a young woman. Though her hair was disheveled and sweat was literally dripping off her, Jack thought she was very attractive. He stared at her a moment before clearing his throat. She looked up at the sound and he found himself looking into bright- if angry- green eyes.

    “I’m sorry if I am interrupting, but I couldn’t help overhearing your…ah…venting a moment ago.” he said, giving her a half-smile.

    “Well this thing here wasn’t living up to its name a few minutes ago. I actually quite hated it.” she joked.

    Jack chuckled. He looked from her, to the half empty van, then back at her. “I hadn’t realized Gwen and Mike had sold the place.” he commented.

    “I see.” the woman replied. She took a deep breath and got up from the loveseat. “Well this isn’t going to move itself so I guess I better get to it.”

    Jack didn’t even hesitate before speaking. “If you need some help I will gladly help you.”

    The young lady raised an eyebrow. “Why would you do that? I wouldn’t presume to impose on you.”

    “You aren’t imposing on me, I offered. As for why I’d help, well for one you will get done quicker that way. For another it’s the right thing to do. Can’t have my new neighbor thinking I am one of those lazy bum types.” he said, this time giving her a full blown smile.

    She returned his smile. “I wouldn’t think that. Thank you for your offer.”

    “You’re welcome….” he left the rest unfinished.

    “Oh….I’m Kaelin Jacobson.” She replied

    “Nice to meet you, Kaelin. I’m Jack Henson.” he told her.

    They quickly shook hands then turned to the loveseat. It was easy going getting it up to the porch, but once they got it to the door they saw it wasn’t going to be as easy to get it inside. Not that it wouldn’t fit; it was just going to be an awkward fit. Jack smiled at the thought of how much of a challenge it was going to be.

    He liked challenges.

                ***********************************

    Kaelin looked at the man on the other side of the loveseat. She had been a little surprised when she had looked up and saw him standing there. He hadn’t actually scared her when he cleared his throat, but had startled her a little. She hadn’t expected anybody to come to her; however she was grateful for the help.

    As they maneuvered the loveseat through the doorway she caught herself watching the muscles in his arms and chest move. She mentally shook herself out of that urge, though she admitted to herself that he was a good looking man.

    Once they had the loveseat in and where she wanted it they then headed back out to the van. Sometimes as they unloaded the van they each took an item, sometimes they both wound up having to carry something in together. What would have taken Kaelin a few hours to do was done in half the time.

    Once the last heavy item was in and the doors of the van were closed both Kaelin and Jack collapsed on the loveseat. Kaelin closed her eyes and briefly rested her head against the back. When she opened her eyes Jack was looking at her.

    She gazed into eyes very much like her own, though Jack’s were a little lighter in color. His black hair was soaked and plastered to his scalp. She was sure she looked affright. Even sweaty and a little dust smeared Jack was still a good looking man. He smiled at her and she smiled in return. It then struck her that she couldn’t pay him for his help. Though he had said it was the right thing to do, she still felt weird about not being able to pay him for his help.

    An idea suddenly came to her.

    “Thank you for your help, Jack.” she said.

    “No need to thank me, Kaelin. I couldn’t see you having to do it all yourself.” he responded.

    “Still you didn’t have to do it. I can’t begin to repay you…”

    Jack interrupted her. “I didn’t do it for payment, Kaelin.” he told her, his eyes narrowing a little.

    “I know you didn’t. However I don’t feel right not doing something. What do you like to eat?” she asked, seeing the surprise in Jack’s eyes.

    “I eat just about anything.” he replied.

    “Is there something you like that you haven’t had in a while?” she questioned.

    “I haven’t had lasagna in a long time. I mean good homemade lasagna.” he told her.

    Kaelin smiled at him. “Great.” She took a good look around the trailer, silently calculating. “Since I know you won’t take payment even if I had the money I am going to make you dinner.” Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Kaelin held her hand up to forestall him. “No arguments. Give me a few hours and I’ll have you a lasagna dinner you won’t be able to believe.”

    Jack smiled. “Well since you put it that way, how can I refuse?”

    “Great. Let’s say sixish, is that ok?” she asked.

    “That’s fine.” Jack responded.

    They both stood up and Jack headed out, calling back that he’d see her in a few hours. Once he was out of sight Kaelin shut the door and cranked the AC on, she wasn’t sure it would help, but she’d try it.

    She smiled when she thought that she had at least befriended her first neighbor. Once she was totally unpacked she would go around and introduce herself, well at least as much as she could without being intrusive.

    Her first day in her new home hadn’t been so bad so far after all.

                               **********************

    Detective Blake Fitzgerald looked at the picture of his daughter sitting on his desk. A small smile played over his lips as he traced her cherubic features with his finger. It was in moments like these that everything seemed to fade, even if only for a little while.

    All too suddenly the real world intruded on his peaceful thoughts.

    A man with red hair, intelligent blue eyes, and a usually gentle smile appeared before him. His lips were curled in anger. Blake raised his eyebrows questioningly at his demeanor. “The son-of-a-bitch.” Detective Sam Blaylock gritted out between clenched teeth.

    Blake’s mouth almost dropped open in surprise, but he stopped himself just in time. Sam was the more mild-mannered of the two of them, so his outburst was a bit surprising. “What is that all about?” Blake asked, gesturing towards Sam’s face.

    “The sack of crap lied to us.” Sam said, darkly.

    “And which sack of crap would this be?” Blake questioned, trying to control his patience.

    “Richard Daniels.”

    “Richard Daniels? What do you mean?” Blake asked.

    “We bit into his story hook, line, and sinker.” Sam responded.

    Blake narrowed his eyes in thought. Richard Daniels had reported his daughter missing three weeks ago. He had come to them, the grieving father, and now Sam was saying that he had lied to them? It just didn’t make sense to Blake.

    “What story?”

    Sam met Blake’s eyes squarely. “His daughter isn’t missing, Fitz, she’s dead. She has been these past three weeks and he’s the bastard that did it.”

    Blake sat there in stunned silence. Blake had believed in Daniels’ grief. Daniels had come in, the grief-stricken father, reporting his ten year old daughter missing. He had claimed that the last time he had seen her she had been going to school. Now Sam was telling him it had all been lies.

    “How’d you find this out?” he questioned Sam.

    “Snow and I ran into each other at Mike’s on lunch. While we were there he got a call saying Daniels had come in and confessed. Nice of him to let me know.” Sam commented.

    “How? How could someone do that to their own child? You know you were too kind calling him a sack of crap.” Blake growled.

    “Yeah, I know, but I really don’t have any words to describe him.”

    “Evil monster.” Blake suggested.

    Sam nodded in agreement hen sat at his desk, he banged his fist against it once then sat back and crossed his arms across his chest. Blake looked at his partner for a moment then decided to let him calm down at his own pace.

    Blake looked at his daughter’s picture again. He just couldn’t understand how someone could kill an innocent child. It was even more unthinkable how a parent could do that to their own child. Blake hoped Richard Daniels got everything he deserved, but when it came down to it no punishment was actually harsh enough for the reprehensible crime he had committed.

    Some days Blake wished he had never chosen the life of a crime fighter.

                             ***************************

    Kaelin opened the door and looked at the man standing on her deck. Unbidden a smile came to her lips. Jack stood there wearing shorts and a muscle shirt. His black hair was now styled and he looked refreshed. She stepped back from the doorway and invited him in. once inside she shut the door and motioned for Jack to walk into the dining room.

    She hadn’t gotten fancy like this was a date or anything, but she had the table set. The lasagna sat in the middle of the table, a basket holding half a loaf of garlic bread also sat on the table. She motioned for him to sit down.

    “Would you like something to drink?” I have water, green tea, milk, or lemonade.” she told him.

    “Water is fine.” Jack responded.

    Kaelin poured them each a glass of water, set one down in front of Jack, put hers down then sat down herself. They both looked at each other, neither one making a move to serve themselves. Finally Kaelin chuckled and held her hand out for Jack’s plate. After she served the both of them they dug into their food, enjoying a companionable meal.

    Jack unashamedly ate three pieces and a good portion of the bread. Once they were done eating Kaelin divided the leftovers, giving Jack the majority of them. She didn’t actually tell him they were his; she’d just spring them on him when he left. She put the dishes to soak, planning on getting them later.

    Jack and Kaelin then went into the living room and sat on the loveseat. “I don’t think I could eat another bite.” Jack said, patting his stomach.

    Kaelin looked at his still flat stomach, then quickly looked away, a blush on her cheeks. “Guess that means I will have to send the cake home with you then.”

    Jack’s eyebrows quirked up. “Cake? You baked a cake?”

    Her blush deepened, but she could always blame it on the heat. “Had the oven on for the lasagna so I figured I would make a cake too. Chocolate with peanut butter icing.”

    Jack stared at her. “You’ve got to be kidding me!!” he exclaimed.

    “No. Don’t you like…”

    Jack smiled at her. “No, I don’t like it. I love it. How’d you know it was my favorite?”

    “Lucky guess?” Kaelin said, chuckling.

    They sat and talked about normal everyday things then. Kaelin told him that if he liked baked goods he was in luck. She was starting her own small business, dealing in baked goods. She planned on selling them at local flea markets and the like for a while and see how it went. If it didn’t go anywhere she would just go back to her old job. Jack told her he worked construction so a lot of the time he’d be gone for days if not weeks at a time.

    Soon they noticed that it was just about half past nine. Jack said that he should be going, he was sure it had been a long day for her. She smiled her thanks, she actually was getting tired. She went out to the kitchen and got his lasagna out. When she went to give him the whole cake he told her to keep some to give to the rest of her neighbors. She cut him some and put it on a plate for him. She then handed him the cake and lasagna. Jack just couldn’t help himself and broke off a small piece of the cake and popped it into his mouth. He closed his eyes and gave a deep sigh of satisfaction.

    “You are too good to be true, Kaelin. I didn’t think anything could top that lasagna.” he told her.

    Kaelin smiled. “Well thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed both.”

    They stepped out onto the deck. “Thank you for a wonderful meal. I could get used to this, but then I guess you’d have to marry me.” he whispered, jokingly. Kaelin smiled at his joke. “But if you won’t marry me I guess I’d just have to kidnap you then.” They both chuckled and Kaelin told him any time he wanted something all he had to do was ask.

    Sometimes people who had no part in the conversation but had ears like a bat listened to things that weren’t meant for them. Sometimes these same people had selective hearing.

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