A Locked Box

Chapter 33

   A couple roaring police cars flew past her car on her drive back to the motel. They hadn't left yet. She had solved it in record time. A small smile was on her face as she walked up to the door and knocked lightly.

   She heard someone walk up and look through the peephole before the door flew open. Jake stared at her with a surprised look. "Looks like I can surprise you still."

   He smiled as he stepped aside and Kat walked in. "Why are you back? Have you--"

   "Where's Devin?" Kat interrupted, her voice spiking a bit in panic. The bile returned at the thought that he wasn't near.

   "The shower." Jake gestured to the closed door across the room. "We've been safe here. What happened that you're back? Did you, you know?"

   Kat's smile grew as she shook her head. She removed her black leather gloves and tossed them onto the bed.

   Jake's brows furrowed in confusion. His questioning, however, was cut short by the bathroom door creaking open. Devin had taken one look at Kat before tackling her in a warm hug. "Thank god!" he mumbled into her ear as they swayed to get their balance. Kat smiled and returned the hug. "I thought you were going to get yourself killed."

   Kat's smile wavered. "I didn't. Just don't worry about it anymore." She said as she laid her head near his dripping hair.

   Jake cleared his throat. He had turned on the television while they had been speaking. The breaking news report grabbed both of the still hugging couple's attention.

   "The call came to the police station around thirty minutes go and told the authorities of the assassination of William Moore and his wife, Ashley Moore. William had been a successful politician who had unfortunately been targeted of a previous assassination that he had escaped. This recent act of murder had taken place while he and his spouse had been staying in witness protection." The male reporter said, eyes glued to the papers in his hands. "According to our sources, the police have arrested the suspect in question along with the men associated with him. The authorities have not released the names of the people in question, however, after further questioning, they will. The police have also released that they have incriminating evidence to place our suspect at the scene. The murder weapon with the suspect's fingerprints on it was found just outside the home the Moores were staying in." A video appeared to the right of the reporter, showing several police cars and officers leading five men out of a hotel room.

   Kat's smile grew and she grabbed Devin's hand as a man with graying hair and a white suit was escorted out in handcuffs. She had called more than one person in that car. While the man who had caused her so much pain deserved so much more, Kat had accepted his lifelong imprisonment.

   The reporter continued with the same calm voice. "We will keep you informed of any more developments when they occur. Please stay tuned."

   Jake turned the television with a shocked look on his face. "You got them."

   Kat's smile grew. "I did."

   Devin held her hand tightly. "It's over then." She shared a happy look with him.

   Jake didn't share the same cheerful expression. "Kat," His quiet interruption gained her attention. "You know that we'll have to start over, right? To disappear in case things don't stick." He sounded reluctant despite his definitive tone.

   Kat's heart stopped. She had forgotten. She would have to leave anyway. Her heart felt ready to fall apart at the thought. "No!"

   Devin held her closer as her knees buckled a bit. "It'll stick!" she seethed. Her argument was invalid as she clung to Devin for support.

   "Kat, it's okay. We'll be fine." Devin reassured quietly.

   She shook her head as she stared at Jake with a hurt look. "You don't understand. We have to leave. We can't show any relations. We--"

   Devin pulled her into a crushing hug. "I won't let that happen." He whispered. Jake nodded, taking a step out of the room.

  "I'll leave to give you guys some time to talk." He said as the door closed shut behind him.

   Devin placed Kat down on the bed. "You need to breathe. I'm not going to let you leave." She swallowed heavily. She wouldn't meet his eyes. "Kat, please."

   She nodded slowly as Devin took a seat beside her. He rubbed her back and coaxed her into the safety of his arms. "You won't leave then?"

   Her eyes stayed on their intertwined hands. "I'll stay."

   Devin smiled warmly. "Why?"

   Kat fiddled with the heart pendant. "You gave me something. I can't just lose it now after all of this time." They smiled at each other as the decision was made.