Chapter Forty-six
Over the next while, Jack tried to spend as much time as possible at Angie’s place, but unavoidably, he’d arrive too late to see Maisie, who he’d call at least once a day just to remind her she was his sweetheart.
Most times, Mia would wait up for him, if you could call being there slumped over in the living room easy chair surrounded by beautiful garments waiting up.
He’d have to wake her when he arrived, and more than a few times, Angie found them cuddled together in the same chair in the morning, Mia on his lap and a blanket pulled around them.
Exhaustion colored Mia’s pale face gray most nights. She had her own load of responsibilities. The mom and daughter orders were coming in faster than she could fill them. Even with the two new girls she’d had to hire to sew their products, the list seemed never ending.
Thank goodness for the spacious area where they were able to spread out in comfort.
Jack saw the boxes for FedEx piled on the veranda waiting to be picked up each day.
Pride at her incredible accomplishment abounded.
He’d loved the matching outfits his girls had worn for his inauguration and couldn’t wait to see what Mia had planned for Christmas.
As for himself, Jack took to the office of Mayor, the immense responsibilities and the workload that would stymie a person born to a position of power.
People streamed in and out of his office during the next couple of days with problem after problem, left over by the lowlife who’d worn the title before him.
He handled each situation using common sense and with the help of his new assistant and the councilmen who rallied around him determined not to leave him blowing in the wind.
Between Angie bullying them into making decisions and them wanting to clean up the mess, he couldn’t have asked for better support.
Unfortunately, on the evening of the visit from a couple of thugs who scared the shit out of him, he was alone in the office.
It was late and he’d sent the others home, including Angie.
There were papers only he could handle, and decisions best made by the mayor, who would have to live with them if done wrong.
The low light from the lamp on his desk sent a glow over just that area so when the door opened and a man slid into his office, Jack couldn’t make out any details at first. When the second man took his place behind the first, Jack’s blood started to pound.
Under the desk drawer was a button. It led directly to the police office. He hesitated to push it in case his suspicions were groundless.
“Can I help you, gentlemen?” He didn’t stand. After all, they hadn’t knocked. So, the politeness he’d normally have shown a guest didn’t count.
“We gotta have a talk. In case you’re wondering why the police haven’t found any clue about Matt Lotborn, you need to know we got to him first. Now, it’s your turn to help our boss get the deal Lotborn promised him.”
Jack’s ire rose. He still didn’t push the button. After all, there were just two of them, and he could normally talk his way out of most problems. “Look, I have no concern for Lotborn or his future problems. All I care about is the disgusting mess he left this city in.”
The skinnier of the two approached his desk and leaned over so Jack could see him clearly and smell the disgusting breath of a chain-smoker.
His expression boded trouble and the bad vibes rang in his head so they couldn’t be ignored.
“You’re going to do exactly as we tell you.
” Before Jack could reach below the desk, a punch slammed into his face and sent him flying backwards against the wall, his chair sliding past him.
He gained his feet quick as anyone can after having been shocked by extreme pain and the awareness of danger. Before he could defend himself properly, another punch landed.
While falling, he grabbed at the heavy crystal vase sitting on a small table and using all his strength, he angled his body in order to aim it at the head of the man bending toward him.
Intentions to do harm etched in his mugger’s mean expression; Jack felt no pity when he saw the damage done by the heavy weapon. Stunned senseless, his opponent dropped to his knees. Jack had only a few seconds to get to his feet and finish him off before the other assailant would reach him.
Though stunned, his attacker wasn’t finished. Scrambling away from Jack’s second swing, he kicked out at Jack’s knee, which brought him down. In his peripheral vision, he saw the second fellow fall over, seemingly he stumbled, but that had to be insane. These types didn’t trip.
Thinking fast, he knew he couldn’t hold both off if they teamed up.
He struggled against the man coming up behind him by surging to his feet.
Using the momentum, he elbowed his ugly mug.
Then seizing the guy’s flailing arm, he bent and flipped the schmuck over his back, sending him flying.
Right into a table full of heavy books that couldn’t sustain his weight too.
The table shattered, and the contents landed on his head.
Still concerned that he’d be pounced on at any moment, he turned quickly. Prepared for the other’s attack, he watched the slime ball fall on his face yet again. Only this time, his head hit the side of an end table on his way down and his eyes rolled back. The threat had been eliminated.
Laughter rumbled. Clutching his knees, he gave into it. Roaring, he struggled to speak. “Man, Lucas, you’ve probably scarred the jerk for life. Imagine fighting with a ghost.”
Lucas appeared, standing over his opponent, wearing a huge grin. “It’s not our tenet to fight, Jack. But if we should be in the way, and a person stumbles over us, what can I say? It happens.”
Reaction from danger triggered an increase of blood flow, where he still felt the adrenalin surging. Add in the humor of the situation, he sat back on the floor and let it rip. Finally, he could speak. “I’m so happy you’re in my life, Lucas. Don’t ever leave me, my friend.”
“You won’t remember anything when I’m gone, Jack. Trust me. Just always know you’re never alone. By the way, I pushed the button and the police will be here in a few seconds. Be happy, Jack. I love you, man.”
Before Jack could voice his dismay, the door burst open and two officers crowded into the room. One stood exactly where Lucas had stood earlier. He was gone…
And Jack mourned for a few seconds before that too disappeared.