Why My Family?

Chapter Nine

Sheriff Rafael
    
I had just arrived at the hospital as I saw Alissa leave with a boy from Bella's class as Daniel Devlin. Alissa looked very uncomfortable.
   
That's when I noticed a black sedan leave behind them. I turn my truck around and start following the sedan that was following  Alissa. When Daniel pulled to a stop in front of a brick house I knew something was about to happen.
    
Seconds after the door closed I heard the scream. The man in the sedan got out with gun drawn and ready to enter the house.
    
I tackled him to the ground and punched him in the face. "Sheriff for goodness sake. Calm down." He said and then I recognized him as the FBI agent Detective Smith. I got up and helped pull him to his feet.
    
"Sorry. I only saw the gun. And I didn't know that you were following her around. But now I do." I said just as another piercing scream echoed.
    
"Let's get in there." Smith said leaning down and picking up his gun and running to the front door. I quickly picked the lock and we silently moved through the house. There was another scream this one followed by one I instantly recognized. "It's coming from the basement." Smith said as we approached the basement door.
    
"Daniel. Please don't kill us. Please." I plead slowly stepping in front of Bella.
    
"No. You protected her that night even though you should've been on my side." He said pulling out a pocket knife causing my grip on the butcher knife to tighten. I took a step back and screamed. Then, Bella screamed. There was a pop.
    
I watched in shock as Daniel fell to the ground grabbing his leg. I looked into the darkness to see two silhouettes. Bella and I took another step backwards. "Alissa? Are you all right?" A man asked and I sighed in relief as I recognized the voice. I grabbed Bella's arm and started toward them.
    
"I'm fine, Detective. Is that the Sheriff?" I asked him.
    
"Yes. It's me. Bella?" He said her name l like a question.
    
"Dad!!" Bella shouted running to him pulling me with her. She let go of my arm as her father pulled her into a tight hug. "Let's get out of here." Bella said shuddering.
    
"I think I need a doctor here. Could you all please quit yapping over there?" Daniel asked and Bella shivered at the sound of his voice.
    
"Smith. Take care of that. I'm getting Bella out of here." The Sheriff said walking up the stairs with an arm around Bella's shoulders. I was left staring at their backs.
    
"Alissa. Can you come help me?" Smith asked and I turned to see him staring at me. I nodded and walked over to him. "Here out these on him." He said handing me a pair of handcuffs. He pulled Daniel to his feet and allowed me to slap the cuffs on his wrists.
    
"I will find you Alissa. And then I'll kill you." He said looking me dead in the eye.
    
"No you won't, because you are going to go to jail for a very long time." I said looking at Smith to be sure and he nodded. Then, I walked up the steps with Smith dragging Daniel up behind me. I even he the door open for them.