Man in Charge

Daniel was a man of few words. Even at age fifty-five, his body remained chiseled and in top shape. Years of military training and special operations service to his country had formed him into a disciplined, loyal, and forthright man and husband, sound in body and mind.

He and Marcy had only one child from their thirty-year union, a daughter named Emily Rose. And, to him, she was everything worthy of his focus which gave him faith in life itself. She was the best of both of her parents, but she loved too quickly and believed in the goodness of others too readily. Daniel blamed his long absences on that. He thought that had he been around more, he could have taught her to be more discerning. He certainly could have kept more wolves away from his little lamb. Marcy had done the best she could at raising a gullible teenage daughter. He would never fault her.

Not having been able to spend her formative years at home with her had been a hardship on all of their lives. If it hadn't been for the strength, courage, and fortitude of the one woman he would always love, the marriage might have fallen apart. His career had been the jealous lover between them. And now, his retirement meant he could finally give Marcy the time and attention, the devotion she had deserved.

Emily Rose had been married just over a year and was in her second trimester of pregnancy. At twenty, she had become a beautiful woman. Daniel and Marcy were over the moon about their upcoming "first grandchild," but both had concerns about the toll the marriage seemed to be taking on their young daughter's health. She was often pale, had circles under her eyes, and she didn't seem to smile as much as she had before. In fact, she came home to visit them less and less. Sure, pregnancy had some bearing to that, but there was more. He just knew it in his gut.

Marcy had been the one to answer the phone that evening. Daniel watched her face and knew it wasn't good. "Yes, this is Emily's mother, Dr. Lester. Has the baby decided to come too early?" A long pause, and then, "Of course, we will be there as soon as possible," followed.

Daniel wrapped his arms around his wife's small frame and held her close, her body going limp as she broke down. She explained to her husband that Emily had lost the baby. "Daniel, it wasn't a natural kind of miscarriage. Emily also had a concussion and two broken ribs."

"An accident? Why didn't Jason call us? Is he okay?"

"It was no accident. Apparently, Jason caused it. He left Emily bleeding on the floor and then he just left her. She was able to dial 911 before she lost consciousness."

He heard the words his wife spoke. They registered. For only a split second, he allowed emotions to surge through him. Red hot anger, fear for his daughter's life, an overwhelming sense to protect and defend. He was now on a mission, he concluded. And calmness must prevail. Old habits kicked in and as he looked at his watch, he said out loud, "1930."

At the hospital, an armed police officer stood outside of the ICU unit, startling Marcy, but giving both parents a sense of comfort. The nurse discussed with them that their visit must be short and to keep "the patient" as calm as possible. "Only one at a time," she said. Daniel nodded that Marcy go.

While ushered to the waiting area, Daniel was met by a middle-aged man in a suit, which didn't seem to match the vibe of this fellow who introduced himself as "Detective Spencer." Daniel Miller could see him being more comfortable in khaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.

"I'm terribly sorry this has happened to your daughter, sir, and I know this is a bad time, but I need to ask you a few questions."

"I understand. Go ahead."

"Where were you from around 6:00 pm onwards tonight?"

"What???" Daniel glared at him.

"Just routine questions to get out of the way."

"My wife and I ate dinner around that time and then we cleaned up the kitchen and went for our usual stroll around the neighborhood." As he answered, his stomach knotted thinking that while he was nonchalantly enjoying his wife's company and feeding his belly with his wife's perfect meatloaf, his beautiful child was getting a life-altering beating, and her child being killed. His face reddened.

"Now, sir. We want you to know that we are doing our best to determine who perpetrated this crime. When we get the person or persons involved, we will do our best to bring them to justice."

"Do you suspect more than one person to be involved?"

"We are still gathering inform.."

"It was her husband, Jason," Daniel interrupted.

"He is a person of interest, sir. But we advise you to let us to do our jobs and ask that you don't interfere."

Daniel glared at him, but spoke not a word. His jaw clenched as did every muscle in his body. Detective Spencer winced but tried not to show the fear he felt as this formidable man sized him up. "I have my work cut out," he thought.

Marcy broke the awkward conversation as she joined her husband. "They have her on a ventilator, Dan," she sobbed. "The nurse said just until she is strong and willing enough to do her own breathing. It's too painful to breathe deeply with her ribs right now and she has lost so much blood, her body is too fatigued. They might have to put in a chest tube. They are keeping her sedated for now."

"I'm sorry, but I need to ask you a few questions, Mrs. Miller," Detective Spencer said in a whisper. Please step over here with me while your husband sees your daughter. He would need verification of their time frame to eliminate them so this case could progress. Spencer wanted to get this heinous coward that had wreaked so much violence on a young mother to be. But not nearly as much as Daniel Miller wanted to. They just had different outcomes in mind. It was now 8:45 pm, around 3 hours into the first 48. Spencer called his wife on the way back to the crime scene to let her know he wouldn't be home tonight.

"No apparent break-in or robbery. One set of bloodied footprints approximately a size ten men's shoes," he was informed. He passed the nursery decorated with yellow gingham curtains and brown teddy bears. They were still dusting for fingerprints as he made his way to the master closet. He picked up a pair of men's shoes in the closet. "Yep, a size 10." Then he went to the garage. No car. "Bring me the computer and any cell phones you find," he directed to team, "I'm talking to the neighbors now."

The neighbors verified there had been screams, but that wasn't unusual with that house. And cameras showed a late model Ford Escape that looked like the couple's car leaving around 6:40 pm. Spencer then headed to the station to find out all the information he could about this Jason dude. He didn't like him already, but he vowed to make it right with Emily Rose and her baby. It was a little past ten now. Clock was ticking.

Marcy had promised Daniel that she would go home only if he did first and came back around 4:00am. She knew he hated confined spaces and she noted his restlessness. He agreed. It was an old habit, but he checked his watch again. "2230. Plenty of time," he thought to himself. He decided on an Uber.

On the way home, he drove slowly by his daughter's house, yellow tape in the perimeter. It would be hours before the detective would find the whereabouts of Jason, but he had a pretty good idea where he was already.

Once home, Jason went to the locker in the basement. There he had his old memories and his all-black uniform and boots. He would take no weapon other than his hands, though. One last mission he promised himself. He could still run a distance easily. The cabin Daniel and Marcy kept was "most likely where that penniless bastard was hiding," he concluded. Soon he would have a guest, though.

Daniel lost track of time as he trekked stealthily through backyards into the woods. Adrenaline was his friend and the run helped ease the tension he wanted so badly to release. Miles went by and Daniel stopped within sight of the cabin. He saw a light as he had suspected. He would rest awhile before the next step. He knew he had to be clear-minded for that. His watch told him he had made good time. "0100...not bad for an old man."

Minutes later, as he crouched like a tiger to the back window, a car drove up. "What the hell?" And then, just as he thought he was safe, Detective Spencer called, "Halt," gun drawn. "Miller...what the hell do you think you are doing? Turn around. You are under arrest."

"For what? This is my cabin."

"For obstructing a police case."

"I haven't stopped you from doing your job, sir."

"Well, we are going in and taking a look around to see if Jason is here. No heroics or revenge or you'll be leaving your wife alone as you sit in jail. Understood?"

"I have a key."

" Okay. Stay behind me while I call for back up."

"You won't need any."

Spencer shot him a glare, but he knew that to be true. He had also served before joining the police force.

No sounds were coming from the house. "Does he have any firearms that you know of?"

"No, he is too queasy to even hunt. He only beats up women."

As the unlikely pair made their way through the door, into the front room, they saw the body of a man in his late twenties sprawled on the floor, oozing blood from his forehead.

"That's Jason."

"Don't touch him."

"But I have gloves on. I can check his pulse."

"Okay, just don't disturb the body."

As Daniel leaned over Jason's head, he noticed a glint of something small and shiny. A woman's heart and diamond earring. He recognized it to be Marcy's. He had given them to her for their anniversary. "No pulse, Spencer." As Spencer cautioned him to back away, he grabbed the piece of jewelry without him noticing.

Marcy? Daniel had a thousand thoughts running through his mind. This night had certainly not gone as planned. Spencer was saying something like, "You'll need to come by the station tomorrow for a statement, Miller. Where's your car?"

"I needed a jog."

Spencer stared at him. "I'll have an officer take you home."

Daniel arrived back at the hospital per Uber, showered and changed. Watch read, "0400." He found Marcy cuddled on a very uncomfortable looking couch with a blanket the nurse had provided, sleeping. He pulled her honey blonde hair away from her face and kissed her cheek, noticing she wasn't wearing any earring on that side. He would grab some coffee for them and let her sleep a bit longer. God knows she needed it.

The sun was about to rise and the hospital staff was stirring as they silently drank the last of the coffee. "Did you forget something?" Daniel asked as he handed her the earring. Marcy reached for her ears. "Where did you find this?"

His stare into her eyes told her the answer and she broke down. "I just went to confront him and convince him to do the right thing and turn himself in."

Daniel reached for her hand. Marcy continued, "But then he lurched for me and I remembered how you taught me to throat punch if ever I was getting attacked. He just fell and wouldn't get up. I think he hit his head because there was a loud thump, too."

"So, what time did you leave the hospital, Marcy?"

"As soon as you left."

"We are going to tell Spencer that you took me home and returned to the hospital." We are going to stick to that story. Understood?"

Back at the station, Spencer had his work cut out for him. It was a real, "who dunnit it?," but as far as he was concerned, the Millers had been cleared of any wrong doing. And Jason would never hurt his wife anymore.