Page 85 of Heart of a Hero

“What’s this all about?”

“Miles Markowitz and Alan Solstein are cousins.”

“No shit?” Mark said, frustrated that didn’t come up on an earlier check.

“I’ve sent deputies to pick him up, but they just reported that Miles isn’t at the ESHH, and the receptionist gave them his schedule, but he hasn’t made it to any of his appointments today.”

“Fuck… we need to find him. If Alan is still in the vicinity, he may decide to get rid of one of the people who helped him.”

“Do you think Alan and Carla are still in the area?”

With his hands planted on his hips, he shook his head. “If they’re smart, they’ve left by now.” He looked at John. “But then, smart isn’t exactly how I would describe them. And if Carla has any maternal instinct at all, she won’t go far.”

Karen once again called Laura to ensure the kids were home from school. She hated having to place the responsibility on Laura, but Karen was playing catch-up with her schedule sinceshe’d had several days off. Starting tomorrow, she’d pick the kids up from school.

“Hey, Mom. We’re all home safe and sound.”

“Is Benji there, too?”

“Yes, he also rode the bus to our house.”

She loved that Benji wanted to spend time with Marty. “I’ll be home in a few minutes, and the pot roast in the crockpot should be ready.”

“It smells amazing. Everybody noticed it when we came in.”

“Okay. See you soon, sweetie.”

Fifteen minutes later, Karen was home, and her mind firmly on whether or not she could entice Olivia to try some broccoli. She wasn’t sure about Zannie and Marty and would leave the broccoli attempts for Benji up to Mark.

The kids were outside playing, and from the shouts and peals of laughter, they were all getting along. She glanced through the window to see Laura sitting on one of the deck chairs with a book and her phone in her hands. She wondered if she allowed Laura too much freedom to have her phone with her all the time but knew that most fourteen-year-olds did. Karen had promised that as long as Laura’s grades stayed up and she wasn’t involved in any virtual hassles, then she could keep her phone with her.

Olivia seemed to bounce between playing with the younger kids and sitting in a chair near Laura. Karen smiled, knowing how difficult the age of twelve was. Virtually a teenager yet still very much a child in some ways. Having Marty and Zannie in the house didn’t seem to faze Olivia at all. She almost relished the big sister role that she, due to order of birth, had never been able to attain.

Karen had expressed concern to Mark that if something happened and they discontinued their relationship, she didn’t want Benji to feel as though he was not part of their family.

She chuckled, remembering his response. He had reared back and glared before asking, “Are you planning on breaking up with me?”

“Of course not!”

He had stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her lightly. With her still in his embrace, he’d said, “Don’t borrow trouble, Karen. You and I both know trouble can come at any time. What we have is real. We want to be together, so let the kids revel in our new relationship.”

Now, standing in her kitchen, her gaze drifted out the window, and she lifted her fingers to her lips, remembering the kiss.

She heard Benji shout, “Dad’s home!”

The kids had been playing in the backyard, but she watched as they ran out of sight to head to the front yard. Benji must have heard a vehicle pull into the driveway since he couldn’t see from where he was.

Laura stood and stretched, then caught Karen’s eyes through the window and smiled.Only four more years with her at home full-time. How will I bear having my firstborn leave the nest?

Laura walked through the back door, and just as Karen reached out to pull her oldest into a hug, she heard screaming. This was not the shout of fun and glee but the screams of terror. She raced down the short hall and through the living room, throwing open the front door.

Instead of Mark, there was an unfamiliar sedan. A woman with a black eye and split lip was in the front yard with her hand on Zannie’s arm, jerking her toward the car.

Olivia was screaming as Benji rushed to wrap his arms around Zannie, keeping the woman from dragging the little girl farther away from the house.

“No, Mom, no!” Marty yelled as he rushed forward to help Benji keep Zannie from being tugged to the car. “Go away! We don’t need you anymore!”

Bolting off the front porch, Karen looked over her shoulder and yelled back at a wide-eyed Laura. “Call 911! Call 911! Tell them Carla Perkins is at our house!” Her feet pounded against the grass as she rushed toward the side of the house where Carla still had her hands on a crying, terrified Zannie. “Stop! Let her go!”

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