The Investigator

Strange Feeling

Ellie was now 24 weeks pregnant and everything was going smoothly. They had their 20 week scan and decided not to find out the sex of the baby. Ellie and Jason both liked the idea of having a surprise.

She was out shopping for a bassinet with Jason when she got the feeling someone was watching her. Looking around she couldn't see anyone so she tried to shake off the feeling. As they left the store Jason loaded their purchases into the truck, and Ellie got the same feeling again. She just couldn't shake it.

As they both climbed into the car Ellie grabbed Jason's hand. "Babe... I keep feeling like someone is watching us?"

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I... I can't explain it. I just had this feeling while we were shopping and then again in the carpark" she told him.

Jason adjusted his mirrors and looked around the carpark not able to see anything. "I'm sure it was nothing Sweetheart" he reassured her as he started the truck and backed out. As they headed home Jason took a few different turns that he usually would, zigzagging his way through the streets. On his fourth turn he noticed that a dark van was still following them from a distance.

Pulling over to the side of the road he stopped the truck, watching as the van stopped a few spaces behind them.

"Ellie, stay in the car" he instructed.

"W-what are you doing? Someone is following us aren't they?"

"It's okay Sweetheart, I'll sort it. Stay here" he said sternly, not wanting her to get caught in the middle of anything.

Jason got out and began walking towards the van, he took out his phone and very obviously took a picture of the number plate before the van pulled out and sped off down the road.

"What's happening?" Ellie asked as he got back in the truck.

"I don't know Sweetheart. But I'll find out, I promise" he smiled as he held her hand and brought it up to his lips placing a gentle kiss to it.

When they arrived back home they set up the bassinet together in the babies room. "This little baby is going to be so loved" Jason grinned as he sat down in the rocking chair pulling Ellie into his lap and rubbing her slightly swollen belly.

"It sure is. You are gonna be the best daddy" Ellie smiled.

A couple of months later Ellie was at home while Jason was working when the doorbell rang. She was expecting a package so she answered it, but instead of a delivery person she was met by two large and rather menacing looking men.

"Elizabeth Sullivan?" One of the men spoke.

"I used to be" she stated. "What is this about?"

"Your father...  John Cartwright".

"I never knew my father" she told them honestly.

"We've been trying to track him down for a very long time. Instead we found you. Your father owes our boss a lot of money" one of them spoke.

"Sixty grand to be exact" the other added.

"Well like I told you I never knew my father. And by the time I tracked him down he was gone. He's dead. So good luck getting your bosses money back" she said as she closed the door. One of the men put his foot in the way and pushed it back open.

"Then his debt falls to you".

"What part of I didn't even know the man do you not get? Please leave before I call the cops" she said.

"I wouldn't..." one of the men warned as he flashed a gun tucked in to his pants.

"Please... I'm pregnant" she said as she gestured to her large bump.

"Pay the debt and there won't be any trouble. We will be back in three days".

"Okay. I'll get you the money" she said, and the men nodded and left. Ellie slammed the door shut and locked it behind them. Running to the bedroom she shut herself in and called Jason.

"Hey Sweetheart. What's up?"

"Jason... some men, they came to the apartment. They had a gun" she told him, the fear and panic evident in her voice.

"Are you okay. Did they hurt you? I'm coming home right now!"

"I'm okay, they just threatened me".

"Bastards. Stay on the phone with me okay" Jason said as he ran to his truck and headed home as fast as he could.

Ellie explained the whole situation to him and Jason thought about what they could do. "I think it was the same men from the van that day. They've been following you all this time".

"What should we do?"

"Get the police involved. Lawyers... Alicia can help".

"I don't want to feel like we'll be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives Jason. If they catch these guys... who's to say more won't come?"

"What do you want to do Sweetheart?" He asked as he cupped her face gently.

"What if I just pay them?"

"You shouldn't have to. That's a lot of money Ellie".

"I know. But I have money. My business is doing well".

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"Yes. I don't want to be afraid and on edge. I want to know that our baby will be safe".

"Okay Sweetheart. Whatever you want to do, you know I'm with you 100%".

"Thank you Jason. I love you".

"I love you too Ellie. And I would do anything to keep you and our little bean safe".

True to their word the men returned three days later, and Jason stayed home to be with Ellie. She answered the door hesitantly.

"You have the money?" One of the men asked. Jason came to stand with Ellie, his tall frame matching up with the men as he stared them down intently.

"Take it" she said as she shoved a bag full of money at them. "There's even interest in there. Take it and leave" she said sternly.

"Pleasure doing business with you" one of the men said with a smug smile before they walked away.

Jason was about to say something but Ellie stopped him placing her fingers on his lips. "Don't babe. Just leave it. It's only money".

"They threatened my wife" Jason said sternly. "I can't just let that go".

"I know... but I'm fine, I'm safe, we are all safe. That's all I care about".

"Me too Sweetheart" he smiled as he rubbed her belly.

Jason helped Alicia build a case against the men that threatened Ellie along with their Boss and the rest of the organisation. To protect his wife he kept her out of it, not wanting her to be called as a witness, but he told her that he was doing it. He worked behind the scenes too, the last thing he wanted was for their family to be targeted, but he couldn't just sit by after what they did. Knowing they were off the streets would set his mind at ease. Jason found a lot of other people willing to testify for Alicia, and she was confident they would all be heavily sentenced for their crimes.

"I'm so proud of you Jason" Ellie smiled. "You found a way to take those assholes down".

"It needed to be done. I wanted to kill those bastards for ever threatening you".

"I love that you are so protective" she smiled as she rest her hand over his that was sitting on her belly. "This little bean is so lucky to have you for a father".

So I wasn't going to write this particular chapter but I felt like the reason her father left was a lose end that I needed to tie up and it was bothering me lol.
I'm super excited for the next chapter!
DV.