An Affair to Remember - Freedom in Love Series: Book 1

A Fateful Promise - Chapter 2 of An Affair to Remember

Chase entered the room carefully, searching with his eyes to be sure there was nowhere for an assailant to hide. After asking Frank to fetch the ambulance, he knelt on one knee beside the woman, ripping his shirt sleeve to help slow the blood coming from her head.

“Can you tell me your name?” Chase asked, voice dripping with concern.

“Monica. Monica Townsend," she replied faintly before closing her eyes.

“Monica, my name is Chase Travers. I’m a police officer and I’m here to help you. I’m glad you remember your name; that’s a good sign. Do you remember what happened? You don’t have to say anything, just squeeze my hand if you do.”

She opened her eyes briefly then squeezed his hand before closing them again.

“Stay with me, Monica. An ambulance is just outside. I’ll stay right here until it arrives.”

“It’s OK,” Monica began to tremble, eyes still closed. “I was leaving work to come home and a man put his hand over my mouth and nose, asking me not to do anything foolish because he didn’t want me dead,” she said slowly, but deliberately. “Suddenly, I felt very weak and couldn’t even hold my weight. The next thing I remember," Monica's voice began to slur, "is waking to my head pounding just before hearing gunfire. It was worse when I realized I couldn’t run or hide.” She opened her eyes and began to cry while pointing to the ropes tying her wrists and ankles.

“Do you have any idea who might have done this to you?” he asked, adjusting his position and looking into her eyes, while continuing to hold the soaked shirt sleeve to her temple. He wished he had something to cut the ropes but knew the medics would be able to tend to that shortly.

“No. I’m just a writer and book editor. I live a clean life and don't know of any enemies,” she replied softly while looking into his eyes.

“Have you rejected anyone’s manuscript lately?” he asked while his eyes continued to dart around the room.

“No. Even if I did, I can’t imagine anyone kidnapping me because of it. Can you imagine the headlines?” she answered with a hint of a smile.

Chase smiled at her innocence, wishing his impression of the human race was as untainted. “It sounds like the paramedics are here. I’ll leave you in their hands and will catch up with you at the hospital.”

“Thanks for rescuing me. I’m sorry I ruined your shirt,” she said while wincing in pain.

“That’s OK. There are lots where this came from. I’ll see you soon,” he said while backing out of the room.

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The man in the shadows hated leaving Monica in the warehouse but it wasn’t as if he had a choice. I know her comings and goings intimately, but she doesn't know me. She hasn't seen me in many years; she has probably forgotten I exist, or does she believe that I am dead? Whatever the case, she'll be OK; I'm sure of it. He heard the wailing sirens even as he fled the scene. All would be well; they wouldn’t get that close to her again. His only mission in life was to protect her, whatever the personal cost, and he was determined not to fail.

~~~~~~~~

Monica felt as though her head would explode every time the ambulance made a turn. If she hadn’t been strapped to the stretcher and didn’t have an IV running into her veins, she would have taken a chance at bolting.

Realistically, she knew that wouldn’t be the answer and could get her in a lot of trouble; she didn’t need that at all. It was bad enough that, no matter how much she tried, she could not figure out who would do such a thing to her. As she had told the cop, she didn’t have enemies...but the fact remained that someone did this and she wouldn’t rest until she knew who it was.