ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 4

Richard was bored and lonely even as he sat in the living room watching the boys playing a video game while Rebecca played dolls with Tanisha. He was trying to read a book on his phone about Catherine The Great but missing his husband more and more. He wished Nigel had not gone out anyway. Whether or not he claimed to be feeling much better it was still worrisome. Least he had worn a mask when he left the house. Richard smiled as he thought that it was funny the man actually considered him to be the workaholic. Nigel was just as bad really. He had grown used to having the restaurant as his competition though.

Then his phone rang. He answered it. " Yes ? "

It was Jeremiah Duncan. Jeremiah asked," Richard, you and Nigel aren't at the restaurant right now ? Are you? "

Richard furrowed his brow. " I'm not. Nigel is. Why ? "

Jeremiah said tightly," I've watching tv and there's a breaking news. Apparently shots have been fired at the restaurant. They say cops are there. Apparently some guy is taking hostages. "

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( Texts )

Nigel : Richard, someone is shooting at the restaurant. My kitchen staff managed to get out through the back way. I wasn't so lucky. I'm here in the dining room. With my customers. Alfred is here. And Marco. And Mum. Gerald too. He's shot. I love you.

Nigel just hit send from where he stood behind the bar. His hand instinctively touched the mask he wore.

Alfred had somehow managed to get to the side of a still conscious Gerald by dropping to his knees and crawling over to him. Gerald sat up against a wall in a great deal of pain. Alfred held Gerald's hand tightly. He shot out tersely," This man is hurting bad. He needs a doctor. Let him leave. "

Skip was feeling a little on the panicked side. He hadn't meant to shoot that fat guy. Seriously how had his life gotten so fucked up? , he thought. Then he remembered.

Winston Arnett.

Spencer.

And now this asshole trying to play big dumb hero for some crippled guy. Jesus. Now the damn cops outside. He needed to think.

" Shut up ! ," he yelled as he swung the gun from Alfred and Gerald to each of the other customers including some woman who screamed like she was in a horror movie. Until he got to Nigel who remained standing behind the bar.

Then he remembered. He had gotten enough money from odd jobs and panhandling to get a room for a couple nights at a motel. He had watched some food show about this place. They had done background on the owners and the head chef named Glory. About their families and shit. His eyes narrowed. He smiled coolly.

" You're married to Spencer's brother," he said coldly to Nigel who stayed silent. Then he turned to Alfred. " And you're his stepbrother. He does the books here too. Your little disabled accountant pet. " He turned back to Nigel. " Call him. I want Spencer Norland here. Now. "

Nigel narrowed his good eye. " I will not. What do you want my brother in law for? Haven't you done him enough harm? Look. Don't make it worse for yourself. Get this man some help before he..... Let my customers go. "

Skip snapped," I haven't harmed him yet. He helped ruin my life. Just like Arnett. I fixed Arnett and I'm going to fix him too. Get him here. Tell him if he doesn't come you and the handicapped guy both get shot. Got it? "