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  The sermon ended and hymns were played as the congregation all sang along. When the music ended, the church emptied, except for one man: Silas Alvah. He stood in the center of the nave and sang hymns all day, at the top of his lung’s capabilities, until finally, at nightfall, the pastor approached him.

  “I must admit, I am impressed and honored by your commitment, but the church is closing for the night, son.”

  Silas looked at the man with a small, evil smirk on his face and said, ”If this were truly a house of God, it would never close. You should hang your head in shame.” He then walked out of the church and headed home.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Hey Romeo, how’s Juliet?" John teased Todd as they both sat at their desks early on Wednesday morning.

  "Well, unlike Shakespeare's characters, we are still alive thankfully. Jacqueline is fine," Todd said a bit too briskly.

  "Todd, I detect some ambivalence. Trouble in paradise?"

  "Well, it's going fine. I mean, we always get along. Romance, respect, and chemistry are all present and we always have a wonderful time together. It's just she seems very cautious and hesitant to move forward. Sometimes I feel like we are stuck in neutral."

  "Todd, she is just being prudent with her heart. Trust is very hard for some people as is change. Some will hold on tight to anything rather than accept change, even loneliness. This is a leap of faith for her. She will soften and let you in. Be patient my friend."

  "Maybe you are right. You've been accurate with your assessment of her so far so I will continue to follow your advice."

  "If only my wife would say that," John said which brought a hearty chuckle from Todd.

  An officer walked up to John's desk. "Detective Corbin, the Golden is ready to go home. Would you like me to send an officer to deliver him?"

  "No, I will take him myself. Do you think I am going to pass up an opportunity to deliver some good news for a change? Not a chance."

  "Okay. Here is the file with all the info."

  "Thank you, Sanchez." As the officer walked away John opened the file. The Wilsons, 26 Marlborough Street, Mill Creek. The Wilson’s family consisted of a father, mother and an eight-year-old son named Tommy. The Golden was Tommy's dog, named Marley. A small smile formed on John's lips as he eagerly awaited communicating some good news for a change.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  John glanced over at Marley riding unconfined in the passenger seat. The vet had told him to crate him for the ride but John rejected the advice. He explained to the vet that after what this poor guy had been through, he deserved his freedom on his ride home. John had put the passenger window down so the golden retriever could stick his nose out the window, into the fresh air. Looking at him now, with his shiny coat after a recent bath, John noticed how beautiful a dog Marley really was. John thought the one advantage in life that animals have over humans is living in the simplicity of the moment, without being conscious of anything but this instant. Experiencing life this way can truly be a blessing. People are too intelligent to live that simply. Looking at Marley now, eyes blinking in the fresh blowing air, tongue hanging out, the horrors of the past have already been forgotten. The dog was happy right now, and that’s all that matters.

  John pulled up to 26 Marlborough Street. It was a modest ranch, well-kept and neatly landscaped. He had noticed Marley's tail wag enthusiastically as soon as they turned onto his street. Now it was whipping against the dashboard as fast as possible. John grabbed a toy he picked up at the pet store and walked around his truck to let the canine out. Marley pulled John forcefully on his leash all the way to the front door, which John now knocked. An understatedly attractive woman in her thirties answered. "Ma'am, I am Detective Corbin, I spoke with your husband about recovering your dog.”

  "Oh yes, hi, Detective. I can’t believe it’s true."

  Marley jumped up into her arms and she said, "I haven’t told Thomas yet just in case it wasn’t him, but it is. Thank you, Officer Corbin. This means so much to my family. Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like something? Coffee?"

  "No thank you, Mrs. Wilson. But, there is one thing you can do for me. Do you think it would be alright if I take Marley to Thomas?"

  "Absolutely. Down the hall, second door on your right. I believe he is doing homework." John took off Marley's leash, walked to Thomas' door and gave a slight knock.

  "It’s open, Mom," Thomas called.

  "Hi Thomas, my name is Detective Corbin and I have someone here who wants to see you."

  John then opened the door and Marley dashed in, tongue hanging out and tail wagging enthusiastically. Thomas was laying down on his bed reading a textbook, but when he saw Marley sprint through the doorway he dropped his book to the floor and jumped up to greet him. "Marley!" he shouted as the dog jumped up onto his bed, into Thomas' arms. John watched as tears streamed down Thomas' face that the dog licked up as quickly as they fell. John took one last look, one snapshot to save in his mind, before turning to walk back to Mrs. Wilson, but she was already behind him, taking in her son’s joy. Nothing on earth can compare to seeing our children full of happiness and she was not going to miss experiencing any of it.

  "Ma'am, here is a new leash for Marley and a toy I picked up for him."

  "Detective Corbin, I cannot thank you enough, for finding him and delivering him home, back to us where he belongs. You have no idea what this means to my boy."

  "Actually ma'am, I believe I do. You are very welcome. It has been my pleasure. You and your family have a great day."

  John passed through the front door and down the walkway towards his truck. As he turned to get in he glanced one last time at the Wilson's home. As he did a lone tear ran down his face. For once, this tear was different. It was a tear of happiness, not sorrow.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The stars and moon reflected off the calm, glassy water as Todd steered his father’s boat towards the middle of Elliot Bay.

  “It’s beautiful,” Jacqueline said.

  “I agree. I come out here alone sometimes, just to think. It resets my mind, gives me perspective.”

  “I can understand that how filling your senses with such beauty can clear your mind.”

  “How’s this spot?” Todd asked.

  “Perfect.”

  Todd cut the engine and dropped anchor. He then entered the cabin and returned with a bottle of red wine. He popped the cork then poured two glasses.

  “Now, dinner. I’ll be back shortly,” Todd said. While cooking, Todd’s thoughts returned to Jacqueline. In his heart, he felt she was the woman for him. She was the one he wanted to wake next to every day. The woman he wanted to grow old with.

  Todd arose from the cabin with two plates of seared chicken breast with balsamic glaze and sautéed vegetables.

  “Impressive. It smells delicious,” Jacqueline said.

  “Thank you. Enjoy.”

  While eating, Todd could feel her apprehension to let go. Her reservations still controlled her mood and emotions. He needed to use this time alone with her to break through those walls.

  The following morning, Todd awoke, checked on Jacqueline, who was still asleep in her bed, then continued to the deck to survey the weather. The morning was already warm, with brilliant sunshine, perfect for the couple to spend the day swimming and fishing.

  Todd and Jacqueline sat down to eat salmon that she had caught a few hours earlier. “Are you working on any new cases?” Jacqueline asked.

  “Actually, yes. We seem to have a vigilante on the loose.”

  “A vigilante? Why do you think that?”

  “Someone is targeting malicious criminals. We found a man dead who had molested his children. Also, a rapist who disfigured his victims,” Todd said as he devoured the salmon. “Jacqueline, this is delicious.”

  “Thank you,” she said, flashing a brilliant smile. “This is the first fish I have ever caught, thank you for teaching me.”

/>   “My pleasure. You are the most beautiful fisherman I have ever seen.”

  “Aw, thank you,” she replied.

  “Whoever is responsible is very careful. We have no clues, no leads.”

  “Well, to me, it sounds like these evil scumbags deserved what they got,” Jacqueline said.

  “Maybe, I can’t say that I disagree, but it is still murder and John and I need to put a stop to it.”

  “Well, I respect your professionalism and determination,” Jacqueline said.

  You can tell more from one flash of a person’s eyes than you can from a thousand words. Todd noticed the change in Jacqueline’s eyes immediately. They were warmer, more exposed. Somehow, Todd had broken through and reached a part of her she was protecting. Jacqueline smiled, then walked over to him and sat on his lap while putting her arms around his neck.

  “Maybe we can share the same bed tonight,” she said. Todd looked into her eyes and felt a jolt of passion pass through his body. His lips met hers and he instantly felt something new, something different, unlike any experience he had ever felt before. His hands moved to the curve of her hip, as his mouth eagerly searched out hers. She let out a small groan as she felt him rising against her leg. As he gently placed his mouth on her neck, her natural sweet vanilla scent engulfed him, which sent a primal, urgent desire to explore the rest of her body through him. Todd picked her up and carried her into the cabin.

  “Your place or mine?” He said with a sly smirk.

  “Mine,” She answered as Todd placed her on the bed. Jacqueline looked up and said, “Todd, I don’t have much experience. I have only been with one man.

  “I understand,” he answered.

  They made love slowly, passionately, deep into the evening. They fell helplessly in love, while sharing each other’s bodies. Unknown to them at the time, lost in the throes of passion, they created a new life together.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The target returned and John's consistent, accurate shooting came into focus. "Damn, partner, you have some dead aim."

  "Yeah, I finished first in my class," John said.

  "Every time that I come with you, you amaze me. I strive to be better than you someday."

  John and Todd were at the shooting range, practicing an element of their craft, as was the custom when they both had days off from the station. "You must love shooting," Todd said.

  "Nope. Hate it actually."

  “How could you hate it being as good as you are?"

  "Well, I have a talent for it, I don’t deny that, but let me tell you how shooting was introduced to me. When I was ten, one of the few times that my father and I were together, he took me to a wooded area in the neighborhood to hunt birds with a pellet gun. I spotted one, resting on a branch. I leveled and pulled the trigger. Got my first kill, right in the head. Bullseye. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. Walking up to the dead bird, standing over it and looking down at its limp body. My father aglow with testosterone-fueled excitement. Had my first sip of beer that day, handed to me by my dad to celebrate. I will remember that feeling forever. I wanted to redo it, take it back. But, there is no taking that back. I felt horrible. Who the fuck was I to take its life for no reason? Just to make my father proud? After that I missed every shot on purpose. My father’s excitement quickly turned to disappointment and talk about beginner’s luck. Since that day I can’t kill anything innocent. If there is a spider in the house, I take it outside. I stop mowing when I see something move in the lawn ahead of me. I once sideswiped a car because a squirrel darted in front of me in the street. I was sixteen. Avoided the squirrel but my father gave me quite a slap when he found out. It all stems from that day in the woods with my father. I took my first step in becoming a man that day."

  "But you have killed in the line of duty," Todd interjected.

  "Absolutely, but it was always to protect myself or others, and

  the people that I have killed were far from innocent," John said.

  “Well, I can’t disagree with that. Speaking of people that deserve death, any info on a suspect in the dogfighting ring?"

  "No new information," John said.

  “I would like to see that dude burn at the stake," said Todd.

  “Copy that partner, copy that."

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  It was one of those perfect days when everything seems to fall into place. The world, for once, is aligned perfectly just for your wants and needs. The sun was shining and it was a perfect seventy-two degrees. John spent the day with his family. He and Julie slept in as the children uncharacteristically slept late on a Sunday. Getting breakfast at a local diner, the eggs were perfectly cooked. The toast and home fries were browned just enough. The coffee was bold yet smooth, at the perfect temperature. Gianna and Ryann ate every last bit of food. After breakfast, John took his family to the Mariner game. Seattle won eight to seven in the bottom of the ninth inning on a walk-off home run. Gianna caught a foul ball in her glove, which she immediately gave to her younger brother, because, as she explained, it meant more to him than it did to her. They all ate hotdogs, peanuts, and ice cream. John even won free tickets for a future game in a raffle. On the way home, they stopped at a playground and the children ran and played while John and Julie sat on a bench and talked peacefully about pleasant subjects, the children, friends, and family. Julie cooked a delicious lasagna for dinner. They all watched a wonderful animated family movie, then John put the happy, exhausted children to bed. He and Julie had romantic, passionate sex and fell asleep inside each other’s arms. It was the perfect end to a perfect day. The only problem with these type of days is they make you yearn for more. To somehow catch that magic in a jar and open it up and relive it whenever you desire. But, you are only granted a handful throughout your lifetime. You never know when you are living through your... Very... Last... One.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  John looked up from his desk early on Tuesday morning as Todd's stare cut through the unusual quiet of the station. "What?" John asked.

  "I have a philosophical question about our work. How do you deal when someone goes free? I mean someone that you know is guilty but goes free anyway. A rapist because his victim is afraid of the shame. A pedophile who controls his prey so much they will never talk. A murderer who walks on a technicality. How does that not eat you up inside?"

  "It does," John said. "But I will relay to you what my lovely, intelligent wife has told me: Worry about what you can change, the people that you can help. Concentrate your energies on that. Try not to let your emotions affect your thought process. Those thoughts and realities will crawl around the dark abscesses of your soul, reproduce, spread like cancer and slowly take over that part of you. On many occasions, there is a thin line between innocent and guilty. Sometimes our systems are perfect. Sometimes our systems blur those lines. A woman gets convicted of stealing and does three months. What if I told you that she was stealing formula to feed her infant? A man found guilty of rape and does two years. What if I told you he was eighteen, she sixteen and they had been together for sixteen months? A man convicted of murder by shooting someone in the back was charged and does fifteen years. What if I told you the victim was in the defendant’s house, robbing him, then started to run away, past the children’s bedroom, which is when the defendant shot him? There is an abundance of grey area in what we do Todd. We do what we can."

  "What if that isn't enough?" Todd asked.

  "John looked straight into Todd’s eyes, gave a little smirk then shrugged. "We try harder," was his response.

  The mood lightened up a bit. "Let’s get together this weekend. Dinner. Conversation. Jacqueline, Julie, you and I."

  "I think that will work," John said. At that moment an update flashed across their computer screens. "Body found at the base of Mount Rainer of the Cascades."

  "Let's go, old man," Todd said. "I’ll drive. You nap."

  "You know, Todd, if this detective thing ev
er falls through, you will always have a career as a comedian to fall back on," John said.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  As the partners approached Mount Rainier National Park, Todd commented on how beautiful a mountain it was. "Might be beautiful but it is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world," John said.

  "What are you an encyclopedia, old man?" Todd said.

  "Maybe, but you have to get with the times junior, it's Wikipedia now. Encyclopedias went out with the pay phone."

  "Touché, old wise one," was Todd's response.

  Approaching the crime scene, they noticed a mob of policemen, detectives, and reporters. As John gave a small roll of his eyes, he said "The parasites have arrived," referring to the press. They parked and walked toward the congregation. An officer turned to them and said, "Detective Corbin, Detective McGrath, I’m Officer Gallo. What’s left of the body is about half a mile into the woods straight ahead. We took a print of what was left of a finger on the victim’s left hand. We are running reports now for identity."

  "Thank you, officer. Please inform us when it is achieved," John said.

  As they plodded through the dense trees Todd said, "What’s left of the body? Another messy one I guess." They reached the yellow police tape that enclosed a circle with a diameter of what looked to be approximately fifty yards. What they first noticed as they ducked under the police tape and entered the crime scene was blood. Blood was everywhere. Smeared on the ground, on trees, on bushes. Much more blood than one body could contain. "Damn!" said Todd. "Were there multiple victims?"