A Cop's Duty

Chapter 23 The final Chapter

We pulled into the driveway after a very, very long drive. I helped Jack out of the car and up into the house. It was exactly as I had left it, with a broken front window, and blood on the floor.

We all sat down at the kitchen table and I prepared us some Mac n' cheese. I put the bowls on the table and we all ate in silence. Jack finished first and excused himself so he could go to bed.

"I suppose we better make funeral arrangements," I said when I was sure Jack had left.

"Yeah I guess so," Kenny agreed.

We planned for about an hour or two before I suggested we all go to bed. I went to the guest bedroom to make the beds for Heather and Kenny. I was about halfway through when Jack came into the room, rubbing sleepiness from his eyes.

"Daddy, I'm scared."

"About what?"

"The RHW, what if they break in, in the middle of the night?"

"Don't worry about the RHW Jack. The FBI is watching them closely. They won't try to attack any time soon."

"Thanks Daddy."

He gave me a hug before heading back to bed. I finished making the beds and went to my room. I laid down in the bed and realized how empty and cold it felt without Jane. I was going to have to get use to this. I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

I woke up the next morning feeling depressed. I mentally slapped myself. I couldn’t spiral into depression. Jack needed me to be strong. I got up to make breakfast, only to find Kenny making pancakes and sausage.

"Good morning James."

"Good morning Kenny. Where are Heather and Jack?"

"They went for a walk down the block so Jack could get use to his crutches."

"Oh okay. Thanks for making breakfast."

"No problem."

I decided to go watch some TV while Kenny was finishing breakfast. I turned on the news and saw the headline.

James Smith saves the president.

I could not believe we made the news already. Then it struck me. We didn't make the news. I made the news. The news just said "James Smith". It didn't mention Heather, Kenny, Jack, Billy, or Jane. Anger bubbled inside me. I wasn't the only one that saved the president. I had help!

I switched the TV off and stormed out of the room. Kenny saw my face when I entered the kitchen and asked what was wrong.

"The stupid media," I spat. "I made the headline news. It didn't mention anything about you, Heather, Jack, Jane, or Billy!"

"Relax. It's ok. You probably made the biggest sacrifice."

"No, Jane did. She sacrificed her life to save others."

We left the conversation at that and sat down to eat. Jack and Heather came in soon and joined us. We were just about finished when there was a knock on the door. I got up to open the door and was greeted by a cameraman and a TV anchor.

"Are you James Smith?" the anchorwoman asked.

"Yes."

"Would you mind answering a couple questions?"

"Not at all. Come in and have a seat."

I lead them to the living room and called Heather, Kenny, and Jack into the room as well.

"We only need to speak to you sir," the anchorwoman said.

"If this is about the RHW you need to talk to all of us."

She looked at me funny before shrugging her shoulders.

"Fine. Tell me, how does all this fame of being a hero make you feel?"

"Angry."

"Angry? Why angry?"

"I’m angry because I wasn't alone that day. I had help from many people."

"Like who."

"Everyone who you see here now. My son Jack and my friends Heather and Kenny. There are also some that are not here now. My friend Greg, the cops on the NYPD, Billy, my other son Jimmy, and my wife Jane all helped."

"Could you tell us the whole story please? Tell us how these people were involved."

I told her everything. I told her about how I had amnesia and forgotten everything. How I found out my son was being controlled. How Billy was being blackmailed.

After talking for more than two hours, they finally left.

"Daddy are you famous now?"

"We all are Jack. Don't get to use to it though. It won't last forever."

"Oh."

We watched some TV for a while. Heather, Kenny, and Jack were happy. I however couldn't take my mind off of Jane. I would never again hear her laugh, or see her glossy brown hair, see green eyes, and her sparkling smile. Never again will I see those things. Those wonderful, beautiful things, were gone forever.

~

The next week we held the funeral. Heather drove back to their house to bring Jane. The happy mood that Heather, Kenny, and Jack had throughout the week was gone. It was replaced by a somber, depressed mood.

Every cop came. Every blue uniform was replaced with black. Every normally happy face filled with grief. Jane’s brother Larry was there. I think he was even more upset then me. He and Jane had had a fight before she died. They hadn’t made up. They hadn’t spoken for two years.

By the end of the funeral, no eye was dry. Jack had been crying so hard that Officer Gianos had taken him home early. We came home that night. No one said a word. We departed to our bedrooms in silence. That night I think everyone cried themselves to sleep. I had one thought before I fell asleep.

I would have my revenge on the RHW. Even if it was the last thing I would ever do.