Blackbird Fly Part Nine

If you haven't read the previous parts to this ongoing story, here are the following links:

Part One: https://vocal.media/chapters/blackbird-fly-xrl46g04bk

Part Two: https://vocal.media/chapters/blackbird-fly-part-two-little-angel

Part Three: https://vocal.media/chapters/blackbird-fly-part-three

Part Four: https://vocal.media/chapters/blackbird-fly-part-four

Part Five: https://vocal.media/fiction/blackbird-fly-part-five

Part Six: https://vocal.media/chapters/blackbird-fly-part-six

Part Seven: https://vocal.media/chapters/blackbird-fly-part-seven

Part Eight: https://vocal.media/chapters/blackbird-fly-chapter-eight

Jack was sitting on one of the swings in the park. Pumping his arms and legs, soaring back and forth, creating a cool breeze that blew through his hair. For a few minutes, he felt free from the stress and fear of everything going on around him. He savored the moment of gliding free through the air. It was as if he were a bird flying in the sky, soaring towards the fluffy white clouds, into a world of beauty and wonder.

An Unexpected Appearance

Wandering from the swings to the park bench, he pondered how he had gotten into such a big mess. Just a year ago, his life was going pretty well. He had just started dating Angelita, acquired his first car, and was excited about his prospects.

However, now it felt as if a dark cloud was following Jack, and he wasn't sure who he could trust anymore.

Suddenly, Jack sensed the presence of another person in the park. He looked up and saw Angelita in the distance, with the glare of the sunshine behind her. This startled him, as he hadn't seen her in nearly two months. He wanted to walk over to her and talk with her, but he was afraid that maybe she was being used as a decoy to lure him into a trap. So, he just stayed put as she walked toward him.

“She looks so beautiful,” he thought. “All I want to do is hold her and make her feel safe.”

She stopped about twelve feet from him.

“Hi Jack, I just want to let you know that I'm okay.”

“Where have you been, Angelita? I've been worried to death about you.”

“I'm in a good place now, Jack. Everything is fine; you don't have to worry.”

Jack felt a chill from the thoughts that raced through his mind. He was excited to see her but uneasy about her unexpected appearance.

“What do you mean that you're in a good place?”

“Don't worry about me, Jack; you're the one who is in danger. Keep out of sight. Don't trust anyone.”

“How about my mom? I need to contact her.”

“No, Jack. If you call her, they will find you. Your mom is on the right track. You just need to stay out of sight. Now, I have to go.”

“Well, wait, wait, Angelita.” Before he knew it, she faded into the sky, and she was gone.

Jack sat with his thoughts perplexed. "Where do I go? I can't sleep in the park. Maybe I should go to a homeless shelter or the YMCA. There's a Y close by. But, maybe first I should go talk with Sheriff Sampson."

Fedora Hat and Sunglasses

Jack decided on the YMCA. As he was leaving the park, a man wearing a charcoal gray fedora and designer sunglasses walked up to him. Out of fear, Jack started running. Another man wearing a fedora and sunglasses blocked Jack and said, "Stop, Jack. We're not here to hurt you; we're here to help." The other man said, "Your mom loves classical music."

Jack was stunned by this comment about music. "What does classical music have to do with anything?" Jack stopped for a second, and it came to him, "Yes, classical music. She loves classical music."

"We're going to take you to a safe house. You'll be okay there for a few days."

The Phone Call

Back at home, Sheryl was devastated by Jack's disappearance. At this point, she couldn't do much. She had to wait it out until she spoke with her investigator friend later tonight. She was stuck knowing that she could not trust anybody in law enforcement.

As the time approached for the 5 PM call, Sheryl left the house and drove ten miles to the South Coast Plaza. While on the freeway, she noticed an early model white Camaro following her. Upon reaching the mall, she circled the parking lot three times before settling on a spot in a crowded area. After parking, she observed a man wearing a black suit jumping out of the passenger side of the Camaro and starting to follow her.

Choosing a longer route to enter the mall, she blended into a crowd of people, seemingly losing the man in the black suit. Upon entering the mall, she took an elevator to the second floor. Once there, she pressed the button to return to the first floor. From the elevator, she briskly walked to the escalator, taking it to her destination on the third floor—the busiest section of the mall housing the food court and movie theater.

Quickly slipping into a phone booth, she closed the door and awaited her phone call.

The phone rang three times then stopped. A minute later, it rang again. That was the code. Sheryl picked up the phone immediately.

"Hello," Sheryl said.

The man on the other end spoke in a low and tempered voice, "This is Beethoven."

"Before anything else, Beethoven, my son is missing."

"Jack is okay. We have him. He's in a safe house in an undisclosed location."

"Oh, thank goodness," Sheryl sighed.

"You said you know who W.S. is."

"W.S. is the Sheriff with Orange PD. He drives a Silver Mercedes. His full name is William Samson. But we've been calling him Buddy or Sheriff for more than forty years now."

"Good work, Sheryl. I will be investigating this further. But it sounds like we're going to have to get the FBI involved."

Sheryl exited the phone booth, only to be greeted by the man in the black suit.

🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛

With Love, RHC ❤️