A New Journey (Second Chance #3) (4 page)

The next couple of days passed quickly. Madison was released from the hospital after undergoing surgery to realign the bones in her leg. She’d be in a cast and on crutches for weeks to come, but she was alive and she would heal. Elliot, Mallie and Maddie all three identified the same guy from a picture line-up and it was confirmed that he was Mitchell Torretto, The Theater Bomber.

“We’re pretty sure he’s left town.” John told Andrew when he stopped in to see what was going on. “He doesn’t know Miss Martin survived so he has no reason to stick around. Apparently he leads the women helping him to believe that they are transporting drugs and the deal is going to take place in the darkened theater so no one will see. After the previews start he tells them he’s going to the restroom to meet the man buying the drugs, but they are supposed to stay with the bag so no one steals it. Miss Martin started getting nervous after he was gone for a few minutes and decided to just leave the bag on the floor and go to the restroom herself. She was in there for a few minutes before the explosion happened so she didn’t know that the film broke and everyone was shifted to the other theater that was showing the same movie because neither was full. That technical malfunction saved several lives. If anyone had been in the theater at the time of the explosion they wouldn’t have made it out.”

“So it was pure luck his bomb didn’t kill anyone.” Andrew said in awe as he shook his head. “What about Miss Martin? Is she going to be charged?”

“She is, but not yet. She is terrified he’s going to find out she’s alive and come back to finish the job so for the moment she’s in witness protection. Until we find him we have to keep her alive. We may know where he’s heading next though. Apparently he tells them where they`re going with the money from the drugs and we have already contacted the authorities there and told them to keep a close eye on their theaters.”

“Are Elliot and the girls in danger from him?” Andrew asked in concern.

“We don’t think so. Other people have seen him in passing or waiting to meet the young woman he’s meeting, that’s how we know what he looks like, but nothing has ever happened to them.”

“That’s good. Now I have to get to the hospital. My shift starts in thirty minutes and I’ll never make it if I don’t leave now.”

“We’ll watch out for your family, Andrew.” John promised as he shook Andrew’s hand.

“I know you will, John. Thank you for meeting with me.”

“Any time, my friend, any time.”

Once Andrew was gone John leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He was still sitting there thinking five minutes later when there was a knock on his door. “Come in.” He said gruffly.

“Sir, we just got word from Memphis PD that they picked up someone matching Torretto’s description.” The uniformed officer said when he walked in.

“Can you get them back on the line for me please? I would like to talk to the officer who picked him up.”

“He’s still on line four, sir. I thought you’d wanna talk to him so I put him on hold.”

“Thank you.” John said and the officer knew he was dismissed. When the door clicked closed behind him John picked up his desk phone. “Captain John McGraw, who am I speaking with?”

“Captain McGraw, I’m Officer Oliver Henderson.”

“Officer Henderson, what can you tell me about the man you picked up earlier today?”

“Well, Sir, I was running routine traffic early this morning when I spotted a black sedan with Davidson County tags run a red light. I blue lighted him and he immediately pulled over, but before I got out of my cruiser I ran the tags. It came back registered to a Helen Martin, but I knew that a man was driving because I had seen his face. Anyway, when I got out and asked for his license, registration and insurance he had it all ready for me, but something felt off so I went back to my cruiser and ran the name on his driver’s license and popped as one of the victims of one of the New Jersey theater bombings. That’s when the name on the registration clicked with me and I was pretty sure I was dealing with The Theater Bomber. I immediately called in backup and within two minutes the car was completely surrounded.”

“Did he cooperate with y’all?”

“He did not. He punched one of the other officers and tried to run, but one of the K9’s stopped him and after we had him cuffed the bomb sniffing K9 alerted us to a horde of explosive making equipment in the trunk of the car. We knew we had him.”

“Very good work. I’ll start the paperwork to have him extradited here and I’ll contact New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. I’m sure they want him worse than I do.”

“I’ll let my Captain know to be watching for the paperwork, sir. I’m glad I was where I was this morning.”

“I am too, Officer Henderson, and I’m sure a lot of other people will be too. If you can fax me the info I’d really appreciate it. Thank you again. I’ll be in touch.” John said and hung up the phone. He sat there for a minute before he heard the fax machine start ringing. Once everything was printed he took a deep breath, grabbed the papers and walked out of his office and into his Detective’s Bull Pen.

“Listen up everyone.” He said in his best commanding voice and the room fell silent. “Earlier this morning one Mitchell Torretto was picked up for running a red light just inside the Memphis city limits. He was driving Helen Martin’s car and through the use of bomb sniffing K9’s the components for building an explosive device were found in the trunk of said car. I spoke with the arresting officer and will be sending the extradition papers today. Hopefully within the next couple of days he will be back in Nashville to face charges here, then I am sure he’ll be off to face even harsher charges in the other states. Good work ladies and gentlemen. Greeves, good call on the guess that he’d go the opposite direction of what he told Miss Martin.”

The Bull Pen erupted in cheers and some words John didn’t care for, but he let them slide because today was a victory for all the victims of this scumbag. “Captain?” Trent said from beside him. “Can I be the one to tell the Peterson’s and Carpenter’s?”

“Sure thing.” John answered him with a rare smile. “They’ll appreciate it coming from you.”

“Thank you, sir.” Trent said before he walked back to his desk and grabbed his keys. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.” He shouted over the noise and walked out.

Over the next few weeks things calmed down a little and they all started to get back into their normal routine. The day after Karla’s birthday Leslie took her to the DMV to test for her driver’s license. When they walked into the house later that afternoon Elliot and Kiara were sitting at the kitchen table. “How’d it go?” Kiara asked.

Karla didn’t say anything, but she reached into her pocket and tossed her license on the table in front of her siblings. “Congratulations.” Elliot said with a grin.

“Not only did she pass, but she passed with a top score.” Leslie told them with pride. “I’m a very good teacher.”

“Yes you are. Now I have to find a way to get a car.” Karla said and sat at the table. “I could start babysitting. There are a lot of families in the neighborhood with small children.”

“That’s true, but with your practice and school work will you have time?” Leslie asked.

“I will. We only practice Tuesday and Thursday and you know I would never let my school work suffer. I wouldn’t take any jobs on meet days, but any other Friday or Saturday I would be open.”

“What about Conner?” Kiara asked, knowing Conner loved taking Karla places.

“He’ll understand that I have to make money to get a car.” Karla told her, hoping she was right.

“Well for right now you can drive my car anytime you need it and Conner has already said he would drive you and Elliot to and from school.” Leslie told her.

“I know. It’s just that I really want to be able to get myself where I need to be, when I need to be there.” Karla told them. “I think I’m going to head up to my room and see what I can figure out.”

“Okay, sweetheart.” Leslie told her with a soft smile. “You’ll figure something out. You always do.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you too, Karla.”

Once Karla was gone Kiara turned to Leslie and grinned. “I’m really surprised you didn’t give in and tell her.”

“Me too. When the sadness came into her eyes I almost did. I can’t wait to see her face when Andrew and Manuel gets here.”

“I almost said something too.” Elliot chimed in. “I literally had to bite my tongue.”

“They should be here in about half an hour. I sent Andrew a text when she passed so he’d know to go ahead with the plan.”

“Did anyone let Conner, Rylee and Callie know?” Elliot asked.

“Manuel did.” Kiara answered. “He just sent me a text and they’re on their way now.”

“Awesome.” Elliot said just as the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it.” Kiara said and jumped up from the table. When she opened the door Conner, Rylee and Callie were standing there. “Why on earth are you three ringing the doorbell?”

“Because it was locked.” Rylee answered with a grin as she walked past Kiara and into the kitchen.

“Oh.” Kiara said with a chuckle as she closed the door behind them.

“Where’s Karla?” Conner asked when he entered the kitchen.

“She’s in her room.”” Leslie answered. “You can go get her if you want.” She added with a grin.

“I’ll be right back.” Conner said and took off up the stairs.

When he knocked on Karla’s door and heard her soft “come in” he grinned and opened the door.

“Congratulations, baby.” He said as he crossed the room and sat beside her on the bed.

“Thank you.” She replied and laid her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him then leaned his head against hers. “Did Leslie text you?”

“No. Manuel texted Callie after Kiara texted him.” Conner told her. “I am very happy for you, Karla.”

She lifted her head off his shoulder and smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you
,
too.” He answered and placed a soft kiss on her lips. When she went to deepen the kiss he pulled away and smiled. “I don’t want Leslie to come up and find us making out on your bed.” He told her in explanation.

“I know.” She told him as she stood up and pulled him to his feet. “We’d better get downstairs before she comes up.”

Before they reached the door Conner stopped walking and pulled Karla into his arms. When she looked up into his eyes she saw the ever present wanting shining from the sapphire orbs and grinned. She leaned in, pressed her lips to his neck and grinned again when he groaned. “You’re killing me, Karla.” He said in a rough whisper.

“You’re killing me too, Conner.” She replied and he saw the same wanting shining from her eyes.

“We’d better get downstairs.” He said and pulled away. He knew she wasn’t completely ready and he wasn’t ever going to do anything to frighten her.

A minute later they walked into the kitchen holding hands and Leslie looked up from her seat at the bar and grinned. She knew they were moving closer and closer to an intimate relationship, but she trusted them both enough to know they wouldn’t do anything inappropriate in the house. Still, she made a mental note to talk to Karla again.

Everyone looked up when the garage door opened and Andrew walked in. “Karla, can you come outside for a second please?” He asked with a straight face.

“Umm.. yeah, sure.” She responded and followed him out the door and into the garage.

When everyone else followed Andrew raised the garage door and Karla saw a silver Nissan Sentra sitting in the driveway. She looked at Andrew in confusion and he grinned. “Happy birthday, sweetheart, and congratulations on getting your license.”

Karla stood there in stunned silence for what felt like hours before she looked up at Andrew and grinned. “I don’t know what to say.” She said and he wrapped his arms around her in a huge hug.

“You don’t have to say anything. Mom and I wanted to get you a car that we knew would be safe and dependable. You will have to earn the money to pay the insurance, but for now just enjoy it.”

“You two are the best parents in the universe.” Karla said and motioned for Leslie to join them. “I love you both very much.”

“We love you too, sweetheart.” Leslie told her as a single tear slipped from her eye.

The week following Karla’s birthday Manuel and Callie were finally able to have their first date. Manuel knocked on the Newberry’s door at fifteen minutes till six and waited. When Mark Newberry answered the door he inwardly cringed. He’d been silently hoping Dr. Newberry would have been on call tonight.

“Manuel,” Mark greeted him with a grin. “Come in and have a seat. Callie will be down in a minute.”

“Thank you, Dr. Newberry.” Manuel responded and followed him into the house. “How are you this evening, sir?”

“I’m doing well.” Mark answered and motioned for Manuel to have a seat. Once they were both seated he looked at Manuel and said, “Now answer a question for me, how serious are you about my daughter?”

“Sir, I love Callie. I have for a year now. I tried to stay away from her, to fight these feelings I have, but I failed and I am so afraid I’m not right for her. I’m afraid I’m going to hurt her.”

Mark grinned at Manuel’s words. “Okay. Do you want to know what that fear tells me?” He asked and when Manuel nodded he continued. “It tells me that you really do love Callie. You love her enough that you tried to stay away and that your biggest fear is hurting her. I’m glad she found you.” When he stuck out his hand Manuel looked at it for a second before he grasped it and shook.

“I’m glad I found her. I didn’t know anything was missing in my life until I pictured my life without her in it.”

Mark grinned and looked up as he heard Callie walking down the stairs. She was wearing a knee-length black skirt and a bright blue sleeveless tunic style top. Her strappy sandals and painted toenails made Manuel grin.

“You two have fun and Manuel, have her home by eleven.” Mark said and grinned.

“I will, sir.” Manual said and led Callie out the door and to his car. When he opened the door for her she smiled and slid into the passenger seat.

“Did my dad give you the third degree?” Callie asked after Manuel was seated in the driver’s seat.

“Not too bad.” He answered as he buckled his seat belt and started the car. “He’s just worried about you.”

“Between him and Conner I’m surprised I ever get to leave the house.” Callie mumbled.

“I completely understand where they are coming from. I am like that with Kiara and Karla.”

“I know.” Callie said with a soft smile. “Okay, enough about siblings and overprotectiveness and parents. Let’s focus on us. Where are you taking me?”

“Well the original plan was dinner and a movie, but the movie is out because the theater is still closed, so I was thinking dinner and then a surprise.” He told her with a grin.

“I’m not a fan of surprises.” She told him with a serious expression on her face.

“You’ll like this one, but if by chance you don’t, you can blame Karla. It was her idea.” He grinned and turned into the parking lot of her favorite Mexican restaurant.

“I love this place.” She said with a grin.

“I know. Karla told me.” He grinned back and she chuckled.

“Did you ask Karla about everything for our date?”

“Nope. This part was all my idea.” He said and pulled a small box out of the console of the car. “I hope you like it.”

When he placed the box in her hand she opened it and gasped. Nestled in the black velvet lining of the box was a sparkling Sapphire teardrop pendant on a silver chain. “Oh my gosh. Manuel, it’s beautiful.”

“I know Garnet is your birthstone, but this reminded me of your eyes.”

“I love it, Manuel. Sapphires are my favorite gemstone.”

Manuel’s face lit up in a smile as he grabbed the box out of Callie’s hand and pulled the necklace from it. “Turn around and hold up your hair please.”

When Callie did as he asked Manuel slipped the necklace around her neck and fastened it securely in place. He’d spent half a week’s pay on this for her, but he wanted her to have it. One of his biggest fears was that she wouldn’t be happy with him because he wasn’t in the same social bracket that she was used to. He’d never had many material things, but he had always had love. Callie was used to both. He shook himself out of his thoughts and placed a soft kiss on the back of Callie’s neck before he settled her hair back in place and got out of the car. He opened her door for her and grasped her hand in his as they walked through the doors of the restaurant. He knew he’d find a way to get her the moon and stars if that’s what she wanted and he’d make her happy if she’d let him.

Once they were seated Manuel looked at her over the top of the menu and grinned. He knew she wasn’t a superficial kind of girl, but he couldn’t help these feelings from popping up. He’d just keep fighting them and deal with things as they came.