Progressive Properties is aggressively taking over where small neighborhoods once flourished. Now Angelique's Shelter, St. Gabriel's, is under attack. Who shows up at her door to deliver the news? John McDougal, now a prominent property attorney, an...
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Officer Ryan turned on her sirens and negotiated her way through traffic. It amazed Michael the amount of skill this woman had. They made it to the marina in record time. When they arrived at the scene, it was utter chaos.
There were several squad cars and two fire engines. The firefighters were in the middle of trying to get the blaze under control. The fire engulfed a boat, and the firefighters seemed desperate to get the boat subdued before it blew, reached the pier, or set fire to any of the other boats.
Officer Ryan parked the squad car. "Stay here," she advised, "I need to find out what's going on."
Michael wasn't sure what he should do. He had to reach his car to find Angelique, and he had no way of knowing how long all this would take. Looking around at his surroundings, he realized he really was in no position to do anything about it, as more emergency vehicles arrived and they set the blockade up. He would have to wait.
Michael watched with fascination at all the commotion that was going on. He noticed Officer Ryan had become all business and took charge of the situation as soon as she arrived at the scene. Obviously, she was much more than she seemed.
He saw another officer approach her after she talked with the fire chief. She glanced back briefly to the squad car where Michael sat waiting for her. He suddenly had a feeling of dread. It was the look in her eyes. Her eye contact was brief before she turned her attention to another officer.
Michael wondered at that look. There was something very unnerving about it. Confusion... pity... he couldn't place his finger on the exact thought her eyes conveyed, but he felt certain it didn't bode well for him whatever was going on. Suddenly, he saw Officer Ryan accompanied by Sargent Reid approaching her squad car. Michael knew there was trouble, but what?
He got out of the car as they approached, no longer able to sit still. "What is it?" he asked, looking from Officer Ryan to Sargent Reid. "Have you found out something about Rebecca?"
The look of sorrow in Officer Ryan's expression was clear. "My God! She's not dead, is she? She wasn't murdered? Please, tell me she's all right!"
Michael knew he would never forgive himself if anything happened to the girl. She was his responsibility. He should have been there on time to pick her up. If he was, none of this would have happened.
Officer Ryan looked over to Sargent Reid. Knowing the torment Michael was putting himself through, she approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not Rebecca," she said and she could feel the tension leaving his body. She looked to Sargent Reid to put into words what needed to be said.
Michael felt confused. "If there is no news of Rebecca, then what's wrong?" he asked, sensing there was more to the story.
Sargent Reid stepped forward. "When did you last speak with your brother?"
"John?" Michael asked confused, "A few days ago. He was at the rectory."
