Just The Way You Like It - Under Construction

Chapter Fifty-Nine

 Chapter Fifty-Nine

Luke was almost to Tess' house when his radio came to life. Coby's voice came over the speaker quickly. “Uh Boss, I think I've found Sam. Buy we've got a problem.” Luke snatched up his handset as he pulled his station wagon to the side of the road.

“What's wrong now?”

“I'm over at the corner of Smith and Philmore Street. I spotted Sam's car, he's got it parked behind some bushes over here.”

“So what's the problem? Is Sam there?”

“No Sir, but I think I'm gonna need backup. There are three men, look armed, breaking into Dr. Hansen's house.”

“Stay there and don't move. I'll be there in two minutes.” Luke rolled down his window and placed his siren beacon on the roof of his car. Swearing to no one but himself, Luke flipped the siren on, and tore back out onto the road. The streets were thankfully empty of traffic as Luke sped through the quiet residential neighborhood. He knew the streets by heart, and made perfect time. As Smith and Philmore grew close, Luke flipped his siren back off, and ripped it back inside the car. Going no more than the speed limit now, he casually drove past Blake's house, giving it a quick glance as he passed.

There was no sign of immediate danger, and so Luke set about to find Coby. Sure enough, Sam's car was tucked neatly between a fence and a row of shrubbery that divided up the neighbor's properties. If he hadn't been looking, Luke would have passed right by it. Coby was hunkered down beside Sam's car, lightly motioning Luke to park near by.

Luke cut the engine the second his own car was out of sight, and jumped out. Once Luke was close enough to Coby, the questions began. “Three men you say?”

“Yes Sir.”

“And armed?”

“I think so, yes. They at least had holsters.”

“Where did they enter?”

“Side door. I think it's maybe a laundry room.”

“Mud room, actually.” Luke could picture the layout of Blake's house in his mind. The last time he had been inside was years ago, right after Blake Senior had passed away. At least the house had a relatively straight-forward layout. Two floors, plus the attic. “Okay, let's go in. Do not fire unless it is for defense, I don't want unnecessary casualties. Understand?”

“Yes Sir.”

“God I hope Sam is okay.” Luke said under his breath as he and Coby made the slow approach to Blake's house. Thankfully it was summer, making it a lot easier to approach the house unheard. Luke pulled out his gun and held it ready as Coby quietly turned the door knob. The door creaked, ever-so-slightly as Coby pushed it open, revealing an uninhabited mud room. Silently, they entered, using hand signals to navigate each other around the rooms. They reached the stairs, and crept up the steps to make sure the second floor was burglar free. Finding no one on the second level, and no one in the attic, they made their way back down, and continued with the first floor. Nothing looked touched, and everything seemed in place. The house was eerily quiet as they finished the first floor sweep.

Finally, Luke let out a sigh, letting his gun drop down to his side as he placed the safety back on and holstered it. “Looks like they've left.” Luke said.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Well, come on. We've still gotta find Sam. He wouldn't have gone far without his car.” The two men headed for the door, making sure for the last time that the place was empty. Just as Luke put his hand on the knob, a loud noise jolted him making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The two police officers spun back around, just in time to see three gun barrels pointed in their direction.