Dnaleri

Ch-16

Jacob came out of the kitchen with a tray filled with four mugs of hot chocolate and bowls of popcorn for everyone. It had been a very long and stressful day at the Court House, with Colin’s trial. He’d been charged with assault and attempted murder, but the bastard had the gul to claim self defense against Rebecca. Though he’d believed it would be an open and shut case, Jacob was irate to find out that it was going to drag on, putting Rebecca through much more turmoil than necessary.

The young woman had struggled to remain calm throughout the day, trying not to focus on Colin even as he sent cold, leering glares at her. His lawyer was no different. One of the sleaziest lawyers one could buy, he was known for being able to get even the most obviously guilty criminals off on technicalities or missing evidence. He had called into question Rebecca’s past, indicating that genetics meant she was as ruthless and evil as her father.

Rebecca couldn’t hold back a few tears from escaping down her cheeks. Seeing her pain made Jacob want to beat the lawyer to a bloody pulp. Even after the courtroom was dismissed, the chaos didn’t subside. Jacob was barely able to shove his way through the crowd of reporters as he carried Rebecca to the car. She had kept her hood pulled down low on her face, not wanting to look or speak to anyone.

Just as Jacob was about to get into the driver’s seat, a male reporter had grabbed his arm asking,

“Sir, can you tell the nation what it’s like to date a murderer’s prodigy?” Jacob had turned around, looked at the man darkly, then before the reporter could blink, Jacob slammed his fist into the man’s nose. The man shrieked and crumpled, clutching his broken nose. Without a word, Jacob got into the car and drove back to Penny’s house.

Now, looking at how relaxed and cozy everyone was, you wouldn’t know that any of this had happened. Even Rebecca had calmed down and her cheeks were rosy with delight.

Jacob gave everyone their food and beverage before he sat next to Rebecca and put his arm around her. Penny picked up a remote and pressed play on a very old VCR set and TV that Jacob had managed to find tucked away in storage. Though she’d resisted the idea at first, Penny eventually caved in when Jacob had them watch a comedy and saw Rebecca laughing full heartedly.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Everyone froze and were stunned by the sound. Penny paused the movie and rose from her seat. She looked out her peep hole and opened the door. A tall man stood outside. He wore glasses, a long black coat, dark sweatpants, black gloves, and his cropped brown hair was windblown. The rain had lightened up a little but was still coming down in a heavy drizzle and the man was drenched from head to toe.

“Hello, who are you?” Penny asked.

“Is Miss Rebecca at home? I need to speak with her.”

“Why?” Penny asked, deeply suspicious. The man only said,

“Nothing that concerns you, madam. Now may I speak with her or not?”

“No. Now go on and g’it!” And she went to close the door when he stopped her with his foot.

“I didn’t go through all this trouble to be stopped by an old lady.” The man grunted, shoving his way in. Jacob had had enough. He left the couch and stood in front of the man, not letting him any closer.

“She said no, now get out of here.” He said in a warning tone.

The man looked at him with disdain and grabbed him by his shirt front and hissed, “No one orders me, boy.” Then his gaze suddenly found Rebecca and his eyes widened with evil excitement. Rebecca had recognized the voice from when she was little, but she had hoped she was wrong. When he suddenly came into view, she shrieked with horror. He was not only the man who had helped her father with all those murders, but the police were unable to catch him, there for forever haunting her dreams.

“I’ve finally found you, my pet.”