Rage

Content Warning: Domestic Violence, Assault

Rage

D. A. Ratliff

“Who did this?”

My voice echoed through the house. All I wanted was a cup of tea, but one of the twins, running through the house like maniacs, knocked it over. My nerves tingled, and every muscle in my body felt coiled like a spring. Survival seemed out of reach.

I ripped paper towels from the roll and wiped up the tea that had spread across the counter. Mason and Avery ran into the kitchen, with my Golden Retriever, Ginger, on their heels. At least, Ginger seemed to enjoy the chaos.

The seven-year-old twins stopped on the other side of the bar, watching me. Avery swallowed. “Sorry, Aunt Carrie. I didn’t mean to knock it over.”

I sucked in a breath, my chest aching as my ribs shifted. Taking my frustration out on the boys wouldn’t change anything. “It’s okay. Just be careful next time.” I tossed the wet towels in the trash and tried to hide my frustration. “Boys, I’m thinking of ordering pizza for dinner and then watching a movie. How does that sound?”

They grinned and, in unison, yelled, “Yes!”

Mason, the more studious of the pair, went from happy to serious. “How’s Mom?”

“The nurse I spoke with said she is improving. They hope to move her to a room tomorrow.”

“Can we go see her?”

“As soon as the doctor says it’s okay. Why don’t you take Ginger out in the yard for a while?”

The boys whirled and headed out the back door, Ginger barking as they left. I sank onto a bar stool, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on my shoulders. Two weeks ago, I couldn’t have imagined what was in store for us.

My phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts. The gate guard told me Detective Liam Connor was on his way. Maybe he had news. I headed to the front door.

“Detective, please come in.”

I led him into the kitchen. “The boys are in the backyard, and I want to keep an eye on them. Any word on where Dave is?”

“Not yet, Ms. Manning. I checked with the gate when I came in. They are monitoring all entries and exits to the complex and the perimeter cameras.”

“Please call me Carrie.”

He nodded. “I’m Liam. How’s your sister?”

“She’s responding. The pressure in her head has decreased, so they are optimistic she can transfer from the ICU as early as tomorrow.”

“That’s good. What are her total injuries?”

“Besides the head injury, broken cheekbone, three broken ribs, bruised kidneys, and pretty battered all over.”

“Can you walk me through what happened after Emma arrived?”

“About ten days ago, she showed up with the twins. The fear on her face was palpable. She was pale, her eyes bloodshot, and she had bruises on her face. Doctors told me she had old bruises all over her body. She arrived about ten p.m., and once we got the boys to bed, she told me that Dave had flipped out. He had a drinking problem once but had been sober for several years. He’s an attorney. Emma said his firm released him for questionable practices, and he started drinking again. He roughed her up and threatened to kill her and the boys. Dave was full of rage, and she was afraid for her sons. She managed to escape the house without his knowing and drove here.”

“Has Dave tried to reach her?”

“We turned off her phone, and I have it here. It was among the things I brought from the hospital. He tried to call me, but I blocked him. I tried to keep her from going to the convenience store, but she wanted icy drinks for the boys. I’m glad she didn’t take them with her.”

“I interviewed the couple who pulled into the parking lot and saw what was happening. They scared him off and gave us a good description of the car he fled in. So far, we haven’t been able to find it on any traffic cameras.”

The back door flew open, and the boys and Ginger ran in. Ginger ran straight to Detective Conner. I tried to pull her off, but she had none of it.

Connor laughed, pure delight in his eyes. “I have this effect on dogs.”

The boys watched quietly. “Avery, Mason, this is Detective Connor.”

Mason lifted his head to look at Connor. “Are you going to find out who hurt Mommy?”

“I’m trying to do that. I promise.” He stood up. “Do you work?”

“Yes, but from home. I write articles for a science magazine.”

“Anyone else live here?”

A shiver slid down my spine at his question. “No, I’m not married.”

Briefly, his eyes held mine. “Good. I suggest you stay inside the gate unless you really need to go out.” He handed me his business card. “Call the number listed below my cell number and tell them where you are going. They will dispatch a squad to accompany you.”

Before he left, Connor knelt before the boys. “I know this has been tough for you, but I promise I will do my best to find out who did this.”

The boys’ faces brightened, and I was grateful to Connor for taking the time to talk to them. I walked him to the door, or rather, Ginger did.

“She likes you.”

“Told you, dogs love me.” He flashed a smile. “I’m likable. Call me if you have questions or need anything.”

Emma’s condition improved significantly, and the next day the doctor transferred her to a med-surg floor. After preparing the boys for her condition, I took them to see her. They were a bit upset but handled it well. True to his word, I called the number Liam had given me, and a police officer accompanied us.

The hospital planned to discharge Emma on Saturday, and the boys and I settled into a routine over the next five days. Thank goodness it was summer, so I didn’t have to worry about school. I caught up on my work in the morning and took the twins to see their mom in the afternoon. As we were having dinner and deciding what treat to have when Emma came home, someone pounded on the front door. I felt each blow as if it were striking my chest. I knew who it had to be when a voice called out to open the door. It was Dave.

I grabbed my phone and tapped Liam’s contact. “Boys, take Ginger upstairs, go into my closet, and close the door. When you get there, press the green call button and tell Detective Connor someone is trying to break in. Go.” The boys were on the verge of tears, but they did as I asked.

I ran to the desk where I’d left Emma’s phone and dialed 9-1-1 while Dave tried to break through the front door. The operator helped me stay calm as I explained what was happening and gave her the address. She said the police were on their way and told me to stay on the line.

Dave threw a stone planter through my front window, then crawled inside. Rage oozed from him. His hands clenched and unclenched, and his skin flushed crimson. He growled. “Where is she?”

The phone, nestled in the pocket of my jeans where I had slipped it when Dave broke in, vibrated, and I hoped it meant the 9-1-1 operator could still hear me. I backed up as Dave stepped toward me.

“Tell me where she is.”

“She’s in the hospital where you put her after you beat the crap out of her.” A chill ran through me, and my legs turned to lead. I forced them to move as I stepped back from him.

“You got my kids. I want them.”

I had to buy time for the police to arrive. “The boys aren’t here. I sent them somewhere safe.” I kept edging across the living room, away from the entry hall and the staircase.

He flexed his shoulder, a low, guttural sound rising from his throat. “Tell me where they are, or I’ll kill you now.”

“I told you they aren’t here.”

He started toward me when a muffled bark cut through the air. He stopped, a distorted grin on his face. “The dog. My kids are upstairs.”

He turned toward the stairs. I had to stop him. I grabbed a glass vase and ran toward him, smashing it into the back of his head. It shattered, and a jagged edge ripped his scalp. Blood poured down his neck. When he turned, his eyes wide, pupils dilated, I knew he would kill me. I backed away, grabbed a lamp, and swung it at him. As he leaped toward me, I caught a flash of blue light out of the corner of my eye—the police. I felt a tiny thread of hope that they’d get inside before he killed me.

Dave grabbed me, and his hands encircled my throat. “You die, then the boys. And I’ll get Emma, too.”

I did the only thing I could. I dropped my hand and slammed my fist into his groin. The pain made him let me go, and I ran toward the front door as the police reached the porch. I jerked the door open just as Dave tried to grab my shirt. An officer pulled me out of the way while others rushed past. As the officer led me to safety, I begged him to get the kids and the dog from upstairs. He radioed their location.

Liam arrived and came directly to me. “The kids?”

“Upstairs.”

“I’ll be back.”

I don’t think I took a breath until I saw Ginger bolt out the front door, with Liam carrying Avery and a uniformed officer carrying Mason. The adrenaline that had kept me going disappeared as Ginger jumped on me, her tail wagging, followed by hugs from the twins.

Liam helped me sit on the grass. “The boys did great. Mason was calm and told me exactly what was happening. As soon as the paramedics check you out, we need to get you, the boys, and Ginger to a hotel. Fire/Rescue is treating Dave's wound, and as soon as we get him out of the house, we can go in and pack a bag for you. We’ll make sure the house is secure.”

“Did the boys see who it was?”

“No, we made certain they couldn’t see him as we brought them out.”

“Thank you. They will have to know, but not until they are with Emma. How did he get in?”

“He hijacked a food delivery driver. Patrol found the driver unconscious about four miles from here. He sailed right into the complex, knowing your name and address.”

He squeezed my shoulder, then turned to the boys. “We’re going to a hotel. Ginger, too.”

Mason and Avery hugged him, and Ginger pushed between them. Liam smiled at me, and a warm sensation coursed through me. I knew then that Detective Liam Connor would always be there to protect us.