TEN

Janie grabbed her cell phone and shoved her toes into her flip-flops. She dashed out the back door, without locking it, and ran down the alley. She punched in 9-1-1 as she scuffled along. The dispatch answered in three rings.

“Yes. Hello. This is...Janie...Manson.” Her breathing became shallower as she picked up speed. She ducked into the next alleyway which led to the back of the condos on Sunrise Court. “White van...Sunset Acres...no lights on. Headed to Sunrise Court. Burglary in process. Hurry.”

She clicked off and dialed Betsy Ann. It rang. Once. Twice. “Come on. Come on. Pick up, please.”

A puzzled hello sounded over the speaker.

Janie stopped, and tried to catch her breath. “Betsy Ann. The white van is headed your way. You and George leave, now. I’ve already called the police.”

Her friend squealed and must have dropped the phone. Janie heard a clunk.

“Betsy Ann? You there?”

She didn’t respond.

Janie sucked in a lungful of air and began power walking again. Suddenly a light flashed behind her.

“Hold it right there, lady. What are you doing out in the middle of the...?”

With hands raised high over her head, Janie pivoted as she held her breath. When she recognized who had called out to her, she let out a sigh. “Officer Edwards. Thank goodness you’re here.”

He lowered his flashlight. “Mrs. Manson. You need to get inside, ma’am. Someone just reported...”

She beckoned with her hand. “That was me. This way, hurry.”

She began to run, the officer pacing his steps with hers. They rushed to Annie Schmidt’s kitchen door.

“Are you certain this is the one?”

“Positive.” She pointed to a carved wood sign which read Annie’s Abode. Backdoor friends welcome. “Besides it’s the only one with an enclosed area instead of a stoop. But why is it so dark inside?”

Inside a loud crash vibrated. Then Betsy Ann raised the bedroom window. George popped out the screen. “They’re in the house. I detected at least two hushed voices. Living room is my guess.”

Edwards reached out his arms. “You two. Out. Now.” He helped Betsy Ann maneuver through the sill from the pitch black bedroom. George followed behind her.

“Now all three of you, go.” He turned his head to speak into the microphone attached to his shoulder. “2-11 in progress at 363 Sunrise Court. B&E with two or more persons suspected. Requesting backup pronto.” He withdrew his gun from his holster.

Janie, Betsy Ann, and George backed into the alleyway and huddled inside the carport. Within a minute, a plain clothed officer appeared in the shadows, his weapon drawn. He flashed a badge hung onto his belt underneath his hooded jacket. Edwards motioned and the two sneaked around to the front of the condos.

“Why don’t they just enter through the bedroom window?”

George drew Betsy Ann to him. “They know what they’re doing.”

Janie looked at them. “Um, none of my business, but what were you two doing? All the lights are out. Obviously, you weren’t playing board games in the dining room.”

“Uh, well...” George coughed. “I admit it. I was in the master bedroom. We’d just started getting ready for bed. Er, I mean...I planned to camp out on the floor. Honest. No full-length couch or sleeper like you have, Janie. Mrs. Schmidt only has two loveseats opposite the fireplace. Hardly adequate for my five-foot-eight frame.”

Even in the dim glow of the street lamps, Janie could see her friend’s cheeks reddened. Betsy Ann offered an explanation. “Annie uses part of the second bedroom for her gardening tools. Most of it is now part of her Florida room. So, no guest quarters either.”

Janie chuckled. “Oh, of course. Makes sense.”

Bang-bang. Two shots rang out in rapid succession.

The bushes rustled.

A man jolted past them like a jack rabbit being hunted by a red tail hawk. He dashed down the alley.

George pointed. “Is it one of the burglars?”

“He’s headed for the golf course.” Janie swiveled to follow him with her eyes.

Sirens blared. The night filled with swirling red and blue lights. Three cruisers careened toward them and screeched to a halt. Policemen jumped out and dashed in all directions. Janie, George, and Betsy Ann stepped deeper into the shadows inside the carport.

George yelled over the commotion. “What’s happening?”

More sirens rounded the corner as lights in the condos began to flicker on. People emerged, some fully dressed, others wrapping their robes around their middles. Four officers hurried to control the growing crowd. “Everyone back inside your homes. Please. There’s a dangerous, armed criminal on the loose. Lock your doors.”

Several gasps and squeals responded to the command. Even the men shuffled hurriedly back into their places of residence. Soon, the alleyway cleared of all civilians, except for three.

Janie tapped one of the officers on the shoulder. She recognized him immediately. “Mike, what’s going on?”

“Mrs. Manson? What are you doing here? This isn’t your block.”

She gave him a sheepish look. “I saw a white van and called it in then raced over here to tell Betsy Ann and George it was headed their way. They’re house sitting for a friend. There.” She motioned toward Annie’s stoop.

Two more cruisers entered the alley and stopped abruptly. Officers poured out, their weapons ready.

“Ma’am. You three need to get out of here.”

Above the continued wail of more emergency vehicles arriving, George pointed to the left. “We saw someone run that way. A man.”

“Got it.” He reported it into his microphone.

Janie looked around. “Mike, tell me. Why so many responders?”

He clutched her shoulders. “One suspect shot. Officer down.”

She gasped. “Who? Phil Edwards?”

“Aaron Jenkins.”

She covered her mouth with her hand. “He has two small children.”

“Also, one on the way. Yes’m.”

“Tell me he isn’t...”

“They’re resuscitating him now.” His voice softened. “I recall how your husband, well...Mrs. Manson, I’m sorry. This must bring back horrid memories.”

Betsy Ann whimpered. George gathered her to his chest.

Janie took a deep breath. “Well, it’s in the past. Let’s talk about now. My condo is one block over. You can use it as a command base, if you like.”

“Thank you. I’ll pass on the word.” He whistled. “Jorge. Take these three back to Mrs. Manson’s place on Sunny Ridge.”

The policeman jogged over to them. “This way please.”

Betsy Ann raised her head. “Um, you mean we’re riding in a police car?”

Janie folded her arms. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

George arched one eyebrow. “Oh?”

Betsy Ann leaned in. “She and Ethel were arrested for breaking into a morgue a few weeks back. Blake nearly blew a gasket.”

The two police officers exchanged smirks.

“Never mind. Let’s go.” Janie bent and scooted into the backseat as the policeman guided her head.

George helped Betsy Ann, and scooted next to her. Officer Gonzalez closed the car door and went around to his side. His radio squawked the news. “Suspect last seen running across the golf course near Westwood Creek. Tall, dressed all in black. Perhaps early twenties. Around six feet. Considered armed.”

Janie sighed. “He’s headed for the woods.”

The three listened in silence as responder after responder reported in. A manhunt had begun, utilizing the police from Alamoville and many of the surrounding towns.

Janie thought to herself how much Jack would have loved to be here, barking orders. She wondered where Blake was. Had he broken protocol to join in the hunt? Dear Lord, please let him be all right.