Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four: Olivia
My tires screeched to a harsh stop against the asphalt, leaving black tire tracks in its wake. I quickly got down from the car and then turned my head around to scan my environment. This definitely had to be the place.
"Maple street," I whispered to myself as I strutted forward. Recognition hit me as I looked around, this was the same neighborhood I'd come to the other day, during Grace's funeral. It just seemed like a different street.
I spotted Regina's house from the distance, it was unmistakably her backyard. The small white gate by the fence confirmed my suspicion when I reached the house. "Regina?" I called out, cautiously stepping into the house.
My eyes landed on the broken lock and I could deduce that there was a forceful entry. I'd already called the police on my way here and given them the address so I could tell they were close.
I trudged forward, my shoes crunching against grass as I neared the main house. Just by the kitchen door was a log of wood which I picked up and secured within my grip in case of anything. My eyes were sharp as I looked in every direction.
"Regina?" I voiced again, wondering if she was still inside. A dry thud emanated from the distance, causing me to jerk. My heart raced to my ears while I was approaching the sitting room. I readjusted the stick with and tried to steady my breathing.
By the time I came out of the corner, I realized that the source of the noise was just a cat. The chilling breeze that swept in from the front door was a giveaway. Regina must have ran out through the front while the man was trying to break in.
Without hesitation, I followed after, bursting out by her porch. I swiveled my head around wondering where she could have gone. From the distance, the sound of blaring sirens filled my ears as a cop car pulled over right in front of Regina's house.
Kate got down from the car and frowned when she saw me, "What do you think you're doing here?"
"I'm the one that called the police."
She sighed as if she was tired of dealing with an impulsive teenager. "Alright, you can leave, we'll take it from here." She gestured with her hands for the men to hand in and search the house.
"Don't waste your time, Regina is not in there, nobody is. She ran out through the front and whoever tried to attack her at home must have gone after her, we need to spread out and try to cover the area to find her."
Kate turned to face the officers. "Okay, spread out and search the area!" I was heading to my car when she spoke. "Where do you think you're going"?
"To look for Regina."
I entered my car and started the engines. Unsure of what route to take, I just decided to drive. I keep my eyes on the road in search of anything. That was when I saw her from a distance. "Regina!" I screamed even though she couldn't hear me.
Her steps were sluggish and she seemed exasperated, about 400 meters behind her was a man holding a gun. He had just emerged from a thicket and looked equally gassed out. It was obvious that he had been chasing her.
My eyes widened when I saw him point the gun towards her. I stepped on the gas, pushing it all the way to the end. My engines roared and my car bolted forward, running smack into him within the twinkling of an eye.
I hit the brakes and brought the car to a sudden halt, my seatbelt keeping me from crashing against the dashboard. Her assailant tumbled on the ground with a loud grunt and rolled to a stop. Regina stared at me with wide eyes and then looked back at the man.
He planted his arms on the ground and used it to support his weight, dragging himself into stance. I was still in my car. "Freeze! Put your hands where I can see them!" a man with grayish looking hair barked as he reached for the gun in his holster.
The goon made a run for it, limping into the woods. The officers shot in the air to deter him but it was futile. "Move move move! Go after him!" the officer ordered.
I alighted from the car and rushed over to Regina, Impulsively pulling her into a hug. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" I asked with concern.
Despite the tears streaming down her face she still shook her head. "Thank you for saving me, I don't wanna die." She sobbed against my shoulders.
"Shh, you won't die." I rubbed circles on her back.
***
In the station, I couldn't help but pace back and forth as Kate took her statement. "So how did it happen, run me through everything."
"I was at home lying down in my room and crying as usual. For the past few days I haven't stepped foot out of my house, and I explicitly told my friends and family members that I wanted to be alone, to process everything."
"What about Jimmy? Your nephew, I'm aware he lives with you. He, Grace and you used to live in that house together, correct?" Kate questioned.
"Yes but he's currently in university so he was at the dorms."
Kate raised an eyebrow, "He's not taking a break?"
With each passing second I felt my patience running thin. "With all due respect, what does this have to do with taking her statement, ask her about the main event."
She instantly narrowed her eyes on me and I saw a flicker of annoyance in her gaze. "Mrs. Black. Don't you ever interrupt my work, ever. I'm the detective here, not you." I tried to open my mouth to defend myself but she spoke first. "Not another word."
With folded arms I listened to Regina narrate everything that happened. She was inside when she heard a knock, knowing that she wasn't expecting any visitors, she ignored it. However the man was persistent. She decided to spy from the kitchen window and that was when she saw the gun he was holding.
She knew that it was the same people that killed her sister that were after her, so in a state of panic, that was when she called me. The man was outside trying to break the lock so she made a run for it from her front door. He'd been chasing her through the woods until I found them.
After she was done giving her statement, Kate stood up. "For now we're going to have to find a safe place for you to stay."
"She can stay at my house." My tone was sharp and left no room for negotiation. "That is, if it's okay with you Regina, remember I told you I would offer you protection, I plan on doing just that."
She swallowed involuntarily. Kate sighed and shook her head. "She can't just come live with you, what about your family? You're putting them in danger."
"Mrs. Brooks, I know what I'm doing, the house is highly secure, trust me."
We both turned to face Regina, waiting for her final verdict. "Okay, I'll stay with you."
The door to Kate's office clicked open and the gray haired man from earlier walked in, taking off his hat to allow some fresh air hit his scalp. "Chief, did you find the bastard?"
He shook his head. "He managed to get away, but when he was hit by her, he dropped his gun, so we have a lead to work with. Plus I got a good look at the scoundrel's face and shot him in the arm so we'll be checking all nearby hospitals and clinics."
I felt a sense of pride swelling within me for having run him over earlier. The chief and Kate began to discuss while Regina and I left the station together and I took her home, texting Maria on my way to prepare the guest bedroom.
When I arrived, Liam didn't even give me room to breathe before he started to bombard me with questions. "I heard what happened, you shouldn't have gone there."
"It's okay, I'm fine, I recused Regina."
He glared at the both of us with an angry face. "Rescued? What do you think this is? Some game?! You put your life on the line without even considering the people that care about you! What if you got hurt?! Or killed?!"
Maria subtly took Regina away to her room. "Liam-"
"Leave me alone, just keep doing whatever you want." He walked past me and entered his car then drove off.
I went inside and freshened up before going to the balcony to get some fresh air. I was lost in thought when Regina showed up. "I'm sorry about the argument."
"No it's not your fault." She was fidgeting with her blouse. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Yes, I wasn't totally honest at the station today."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone