Love

Ch 8: La Profundidad Tu Amor? (How Deep Is Your Love?)

February 15th, 2017…

Quin skidded to a complete stop where he saw three cop cars and an ambulance awaiting outside the Shapiro house.

Neighbors and walkers were outside, watching the scene, while one cop was taping off the house.

What worried Quin most when he walked up was the fact Bill was talking to a police officer in handcuffs outside.

If he was outside, why were they taping off the house? And here's a better question…where was his wife?

"Zoe." He whispered as he went under the tape to get through, but a cop stopped him.

"I'm Quin Lockhart, wife of the hostage. What's happening?" He shook the officer off.

The cop gave Quin a quick look of sympathy.

"You're Mrs. Lockhart's husband? I'm sorry, sir."

Quin's heart almost came to a complete halt. If Zoe was dead…

"What the hell are you sorry for? Where's my wife?"

"You don't know…" The cop sighed.

"Sir, your wife is still being held hostage. The kidnapping was originally planned by Bill Shapiro."

"Yes, he kidnapped her from the hospital." Quin told them, losing his patience.

"Someone else came into his home and kicked Mr. Shapiro out of his basement…locking himself and Amber down there.

He has a gun and a knife…he's not up for negotiating yet. They have no food or drinks down there. Mr. Shapiro said the man smelt of booze though." The cop told Quin , who was losing his composure.

"Mr. Lockhart, is there anyone you would know besides Mr. Shapiro who would want to harm your wife?"

Quin shook his head, but then paused. "I need to speak to Bill."

The cop looked hesitant, but sighed. "Sure. Come with me."

Quin followed him towards Bill, who was fine until he saw Quin , and then he paled and panicked.

"Oh, god, get him away from me!"

The two cops held Quin back before the overprotective husband could pummel him. "Who has my wife, Shapiro?" Quin growled.

Bill shrugged, still shaken. "Beats me, Quin . He came downstairs after me and put a gun to my head, forcing me back upstairs. He told me to leave the house and then he locked himself in the basement with Zoe. I came outside, to escape, and the cops showed up. This wasn't part of my plan, I swear to God." Bill pleaded.

"Please understand, I was just trying to prove to Zoe that I'd be better than you, but…whoever that guy is downstairs ruined that plan. I'm sorry. I never wanted Zoe hurt that way."

"Describe him to me!" Quin snapped.

"Tall, brown bushy hair, like you…um…he had brown eyes, like you…he had dark skin like you…he…wait a minute." Bill narrowed his eyes to Quin.

"Come to think of it, he looks like an older version of you, Quin …"

Quin gulped. "My dad."

…

Mr. Lockhart clutched Bill's cell phone in his hands as he paced back and forth in the small basement.

Zoe sat in the corner, curled up into a tiny ball, in hopes that if something were to happen, her unborn child would be protected.
She had no care of what happened to her own wellbeing, she just wanted her baby unarmed, even if he or she was only less than 7 weeks along in her stomach.

But the way Mr. Lockhart was playing around nervously with the loaded gun wasn't easing her nausea.

Her nerves hit an all high…everything was spinning…her vision was blurry.

That's when she puked…morning sickness.

And the overwhelming stress she was feeling wasn't helping either.

"Disgusting." The man grunted after she finished. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve and didn't dare look at him, scared of what she would see.

"But that's what you deserve, you sickening slut." She heard the gun being taken off safety and her heart dropped.

"You'll get worse for what you've done to my son. Corrupting him into marrying you…ruining his future by getting yourself pregnant…selfish witch you are."

Zoe sobbed quietly, shaking violently, and wanting nothing more than to be out of this situation.

The phone rang…

"I told you I would call you!" Mr. Lockhart yelled into the phone.

"Dad…"

Mr. Lockhart chuckled, making Zoe raise an eyebrow and look at him with the corner of her eyes.

"Well, well…my bastard son. Outside to rescue your sweet little wife? She's a fragile one."

…

Quin gripped the phone tighter as he attempted to calm himself down. He had to be tactful. That psychotic man had his wife…his whole world.

"Dad, give Zoe back to me. Please. Don't do this to yourself."

"I'm trying to save your future!"

"You're ruining my life!" Quin snarled, ignoring everyone around him.

"My wife is my whole life and you're hurting her, and that hurts me, and you have no idea what you're doing to me! Don't take her away from me!"

…silence except his father's heaving breathing over the line.

Quin was breathing heavily. "Dad…answer me. Or let me talk to Zoe ."

His dad chuckled. "Talk to this."

BANG!

Zoe screamed in the background.

Quin felt his heart skip a beat…and maybe a few more.

The police held up their guns at the sound of the gunshot from within the house.

"Quin , that time was only the wall…next time: it will be her face. Don't call me until I call you!"

Click.