ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 29

Winston Arnett hefted up the big bag of groceries from Trader Joe's in his arms as he pushed open the front door of his and Joe's EverGreen Acres townhouse. He stepped inside and shut the door with his foot.

He had had a busy morning so far. He had done speech therapy today although as usual it was a waste of time. The amount of words he was relearning how to say were too few and far between. He was not making progress as fast as he wanted to be. In the back of his mind he wanted to regain the ability to talk so he could petition the bar association about possibly reversing his disbarment. It was probably impossible but maybe he could ask Spencer and Nigel to speak up for him. Give character recommendations if needed. Maybe Nigel could even get Richard to make a few calls although he doubted it. Even with the man's memory loss and the fact that Richard Norland still didn't recall him or his affair with Sarah or his part in the paternity scandal things were still tense between them.

He had been a little depressed after therapy so he had taken the Metro to the grocery store. Shopping, especially for food, often put him in a more peaceful mindset. He never thought he would enjoy being so domestic. But he did.  He loved taking care of the house and Joe, cooking and cleaning. His father would be so disgusted about it though. Nigel Norland and Spencer loved it too although Nigel was trying to play big businessman now. He sensed the job really didn't make Nigel happy though. Taking care of the family did.

He was heading back to the kitchen when he heard a noise from the living room. Which instantly put him in a defensive stance with the hair starting to stand up on the back of his head.

He thought about Skip. Skip was dead though. And the house had been locked when he came in. The security system had been disarmed though which only happened if Joe was home. And it was rare even then.

Was Joe home?

" Joe ? ," he called out in an oddly hoarse voice. He put the bag on the table in the hallway and slowly went to the living room. He sucked in a breath and exhaled it uneasily. The house started to feel strange to him. Like all  the life was gone from it.

He walked into the living room and was horrified to see laying on the floor Joe Jacobs. His eyes were open and staring at him weakly. And there was blood on his chest from a gaping wound. Next to him was a piece of paper that said Number Two.

Winston opened his mouth to scream but nothing came out. He pulled out his phone and ran to his fiance's side. He dialed a number and put it on speaker.

Joe tried to lift his hand up to reach for Winston who stared at him with concern and anguish.

" 911. What is your emergency? "

Winston shoved the phone towards Joe and nodded at him urgently.

Joe's lips moved slowly as he softly said into the phone," A.... man in .... a mask..... stabbed me..... Help. Please....."