The Intruder (9 page)

"Of course I will," Jake answered stiffly, and then he frowned. "I didn't want you to see any of this, sweetheart! I knew you would be upset!"

"I was a bit shocked," she admitted, but then added, "It just proves how childish Darles is, though. Wouldn't it have been smarter to leave things alone instead of scrawling threats all over the walls? Now I will be much more wary, and he has to know that you will be on your guard, too."

"I think the messages were more for my undercover persona, sweetheart," Jake stated bluntly. "Let's get you home now. You shouldn't be here at all."

"I know that now, and I am sorry for assuming it was safe. Will you forgive me this once, Jacob?" she asked, touching his arm and looking up at him with complete innocence in her lovely green eyes, imploring him to understand this one time.

Jacob felt powerless to remain firm when she looked at him so trustingly. "Do you promise you will stay away from here, sweetheart?" he asked.

"I'm not foolish, Jake. Of course I will obey you; I would have done so today if I'd realized it was dangerous still."

"Very well, Mrs. Tobias. You've earned yourself a reprieve this one time. I want you to go on home now and get some rest."

"Okay, Jacob," she capitulated. He kissed her tenderly as he put her in her car, wondering how she could so easily bewitch him that he would let her out of a spanking she certainly earned. He just hoped he didn't regret being lenient. He turned to lock up the vandalized apartment and didn't see the dark colored car that pulled out of the apartment parking lot across the street to follow Kari down the street.

Kari was halfway to Jake's when she remembered the reason she went to her old apartment in the first place. She needed a few things... and now she needed new clothing if she was going to go to work in the morning. She turned her car around and headed for the Mall. Luckily, she found a place to park close to one of the store entrances, and she ran inside, anxious to get her shopping done and get home before Jacob discovered she wasn't resting as she was told to do. Her purchases were going to make a dent in her next paycheck, but it couldn't be helped. She had to have clothing and new makeup.

Kari completely lost track of time as she tried on clothing, and she admittedly chose things with Jake in mind, wondering if he would like this dress better than another one... It felt like she was only minutes in the large department store, but when she glanced at her watch on the way to the doors leading to the parking lot, she gasped in shock! She'd been shopping for nearly four hours and Jake would be home and frantic by now! What had she done?! She searched her purse for her cell phone, but it wasn't there! Oh great! Could this get any worse? She literally ran for her car, oblivious to everyone around her, especially the man who moved stealthily to intercept her before she reached her car.

"Kari! Kari Morgan!" Kari heard a voice call her name and she automatically stopped to see who was calling out for her. She saw the other woman and smiled. "Kari! Are you all better now? We've missed you so much at work!"

"I'm much better, Violet. I was truly ill, sicker than ever before in my whole lifetime. I'll be coming in tomorrow," she promised.

"Good! It looks like you went on a real shopping spree!" Violet commented on the shopping bags packed to the brim.

"There was a bit of a disaster in my apartment," Kari answered. "I lost most of my personal belongings to vandals... so this was necessary. She grinned and said, "I also got married yesterday."

"What? Are you kidding me?" Violet was truly amazed. "Who did you marry?"

"Lieutenant Jacob Tobias of the police department here. He's a wonderful man, Violet, and I can't wait to introduce him to all of you. We'll have to have a party..." she planned.

"I should hope so!" Violet glanced at her watch. "I've got to go; Jerry will be pulling out his hair with the baby by now. See you tomorrow..."

Kari unlocked her car door and jumped in, relocking the door out of habit. She put on her seat belt and quickly started the car and backed out of the parking place and drove to the mall exit, the one with the traffic light so she could pull out easier without having to worry about traffic. She heard her cell phone beep and spotted it lying on the passenger seat, where it must have fallen from her purse. Kari picked it up and saw she had five messages. As she dialed her voice mailbox, she glanced in the rear view mirror and spotted the same car that followed her into the mall parking lot several hours before. On impulse, Kari turned right instead of left and was stunned when the car followed her. She made another turn, and he followed. She turned into another parking lot, and exited at the other end. The car followed, mimicking her every action. She was being followed.

The voice mails had all been from Jake... and Kari was in trouble... But, before she could face his anger, she needed his help. She quickly hit her speed dial. Jake answered on the first ring. "Jake... I need help. I'm being followed."

"Where are you?" he was suddenly all cop, calm and reassuring, while getting all the details he needed to handle the situation. "I'm on my way, and I have uniforms on the way, too. Just stay calm and don't panic, sweetheart. You'll be fine." His voice kept reassuring her, telling her what to do, where to turn, and when he directed her into a parking lot, and the dark sedan followed her, it was quickly surrounded by police cars.

Once Jake was positive that the suspect was apprehended, he walked over to pull Kari out of the car and he gave her a little shake. "I've been out of my mind for the last three hours, young lady. What were you thinking to be gone so long? Why didn't you answer your cell phone?" he demanded.

"It fell out of my purse and on the car seat. I didn't realize it until I came out of the Mall," she explained. "I lost track of time, Jake. I didn't mean to worry you, and I'm sorry I did."

"You were told to go straight home!" he scolded.

"I know, but I needed something to wear to work tomorrow, and some makeup, and a few other things. I only intended to be a few minutes, but I was in the Department Store for over four hours! I'm so sorry, Jake."

"I intend to make you even more sorry," he promised. "This is the second time today you disobeyed me... and you put yourself at risk both times."

Kari didn't argue; she couldn't. Jake had every right to be vexed with her, but she did say, "If I'd gone straight home, he would have followed me there," she whispered.

"What?"

"He was following me before I turned into the Mall, Jake. I didn't think it strange that he pulled in behind me there, but it did seem odd that he left when I did, and then I made a few turns just to see what he would do, and he followed me... That's when I called you," she explained.

"Darles is having your place watched," Jake said angrily.

"I know you're really upset with me right now, and I won't argue your right to be upset. I worried you... but could you please hold me right now?" she shamelessly begged. "I'm frightened."

Jacob wrapped his arms around his bride and held her close. She was shaking and he felt like an ass for scolding her before he reassured her that she was safe. "You're safe now, sweetheart. We'll get through this together."

"I trust you, Jake, and I promise I'm not going to be foolish again. I'm not used to being at risk, and I'm not used to having a husband to obey. I promise to try harder."

"I promise to give you plenty of incentive," he growled and was surprised when she giggled. "You think I'm not serious about setting your sweet ass on fire?"

"I know you are serious, Jake," she looked up at him. "I was just wondering if all new brides are as foolish as I? This must me some kind of record for getting into trouble within hours of saying 'I do'!" She reached up to caress his cheek, "I didn't do it on purpose, darling. I'm not trying to provoke you or test you, and I need to know you believe me. I just simply didn't think it through before I made a choice to go to the Mall."

"I believe you," Jake stated, realizing it was the truth. "But I'm still going to turn you over my knee and spank you until you learn to obey me," he promised.

"Because you love me," she whispered, kissing him.

"Definitely because I love you," he agreed, giving her still tender bottom a firm slap. "Now, Mrs. Tobias, you get behind the wheel of this car and drive yourself straight home and stay there. Officer Wintrow will meet you there and stay with you until I get home. Unless the Caller ID shows someone you know and trust, don't answer the phone. Got that?"

"Yes," she said, as he buckled her seat belt. When he straightened and looked at her, she smiled and said, "Thank you, Jake. It's nice to know that I have someone to call who will actually drop everything and come running. Other than my Dad, I've not had that with anyone else in my entire life. I love you."

"I love you, too, honey. Now drive safely and let me know when you get home. I'll be several cars behind you, but if you see anyone suspicious, call me. I won't leave you completely alone until Kelly is with you," he reassured her.

"Okay, Jake." She felt safe, and while she was diligent, she didn't see anyone who looked as though they were following her. Officer Wintrow was already there when they arrived, and she insisted on going inside first and making sure the house was safe. Once she determined they were alone, she had Kari come on inside. Kari used her cell to call Jake, and he thanked her politely and told her to keep the doors locked and call him at the first sign of trouble.

"Looks like you had some fun shopping?" Kelly said with a smile.

"My things were all ruined that were in my apartment," Kari explained. "I was without much of anything... Want to see what I got?" she asked.

"Sure. I love to see nice clothes, and I'm looking forward to the day I get to wear regular clothes to work instead of a uniform," she admitted wistfully.

"I'm sure that day will come," Kari said. "I think you are good at what you do."

"Thank you, Kari, but please, don't put any bugs in the Lieutenant's ear. I want to earn my way and not get promoted because we're friends," she stated bluntly. "You know what I mean? It wouldn't mean much if it was handed to me."

"I appreciate that, Kelly. And frankly, I don't think my words would help all that much with Jake. He likes it that we are friends, but I really don't think that would make a difference as far as a promotion goes."

"That's fair!" Kelly grinned. "Now, let me see what you bought."

Kari obliged, and Kelly boosted her self confidence by approving of the outfits she bought. They discussed the current styles and found they were in agreement about avoiding clothing that was too trendy in favor of classic style that was timeless. Once Kari put away her new things, she decided to fix dinner. Kelly kept her company, and they were chatting amicably when there was the unmistakable sound of gunfire outside.

"Go to the bedroom and lock the door, Kari," Kelly ordered, her own gun in her hand immediately. "Go now! Don't open the door for anyone but me or Jake!" She gave Kari a push down the hallway and waited until she heard the lock click before she eased herself into the entryway, killing all the lights as she went.

In the meantime, Kari was on her cell phone. "Jake, there were shots fired outside. Kelly's investigating. I'm afraid for her."

"She knows what to do. I'll be there shortly. Stay put like she told you," he ordered shortly, and the line went dead.

Kari couldn't help worrying and when she heard a high pitched scream, she feared that Kelly was in trouble and knew that she had to go to her and try to help if she could. She unlocked the bedroom door and went flying down the hallway and outside, searching for Kelly. She spotted her just as two police cars and an ambulance arrived on the scene. Kari stood there and watched in horror as Kelly tried to pull a woman away from a child lying on the sidewalk. The paramedics took over and Kelly explained to the officers what happened and why she was first on the scene. Kari knew the exact moment that Kelly spotted her standing outside the house. She came running and took Kari's arm and pushed her inside. "You were told to stay in the bedroom with the door locked, Kari!" she scolded.

"I heard screaming and thought it was you. I wanted to help," Kari explained.

"Don't you ever do that again!" Kelly yelled at her. "I am a police officer, and my job is to keep you safe. You should have done what I told you to do, Kari."

"Yes, you should have," a deep voice said in disapproval. "Officer Wintrow, you're needed outside. I apologize for my wife's behavior."

"I'm sorry I left her alone, sir," Kelly stammered.

"A child was shot. You reacted instinctively once you realized the incident wasn't a ploy to get you out of the way. You did the right thing to try and stop the bleeding until the paramedics got here to take over. If that little boy lives, it will be because of your quick thinking. Well done," he praised Kelly. "Now go and follow up. It's your crime scene to work."

"Yes, sir." Kelly promptly did as she was ordered, leaving Kari alone with a husband who was more than a little irate.

"I have dinner in the oven," Kari said with a smile.

"Dinner can wait. Spanking my disobedient wife can't."

"I don't suppose that saying I'm sorry again would work?" she asked in a small voice.

"No, it wouldn't. You disobeyed three times today, Kari!" he exclaimed. "Three times! You need a sound spanking, and you are going to get one to remember for the rest of your life. Take off your jeans and panties and come here," he ordered as he removed his suit coat and took a seat on the padded bench at the foot of the bed.

"Can't you at least wait until you aren't so... upset...?" she pleaded, making no move to obey him.

"No, Kari. I let you talk me out of this earlier today, and I regret it. If I'd spanked you then, then the other two incidents wouldn't have happened."

"No, that man would have followed me here, and who knows where I'd be right now!" she reminded him.

"That man wouldn't have been able to follow you if you'd obeyed me in the first place, now would he?" Jake asked. "Stop trying to wriggle your way out of this, sweetheart. You've earned a sound spanking, and you're going to get a sound spanking to remember. If you don't want to make it worse than it's already going to be, then obey me right now and take off your jeans and panties and bring your sweet butt over here."