New beginning

It’s the thought that counts. At this moment Eric is thinking about escaping. The house is unfamiliar. Furthermore, he has no idea who else is in the house. He stands motionless in the hallway. Forcing his breathing to be quiet, he strains his ears for sound. After what happened earlier, he doesn’t want to be caught off guard again. The pain in his lower leg still throbs, as he listens intently.

The hallway is quiet. Eric eases along the wall, looking back over his shoulder with each cautious step. He sees the front door ahead of him, but there are three other doors he must pass along the way. However, all are closed. At least there’s that. He thinks about Emma, and it fills him with a longing to see her. Is she safe? If he gets through this, they will make a new beginning. He knows it’s been at least two days since he’s been gone. Two days tied to a chair.

Two days, and for what? In fact, he would still be in that chair if not for the rusty nail. As if to accent the thought, his wrist flares again, throbbing with the same consistency as his injured leg. He takes another cautious step forward. One step closer to the front door. One step closer to freedom. He doesn’t think to question why he was left alone for so long. All his focus is on that front door. He takes another, very cautious step forward, and that’s when the door behind him opens.

Callisto watches the houses pass by. They are in the back of the limo. Emma is with him, and they are on their way to meet the rest of his security team. Tiny is driving the limo. Twenty minutes ago, they located Eric. Or, more accurately they located Eileen and her very well hidden estate. Callisto is fortunate in that his security force is world class. Furthermore, they have resources that go far beyond the local Sheriff’s.

With this in mind, he felt it necessary to move quickly. Furthermore, based on the Intel his team gathered, Eileen is increasingly unstable. Additionally, it appears she isn’t working alone. Obviously she picked up a few tricks from his old man. Callisto wonders how many more things no one knew about his old man. Benjamin Thomas was an enigma, wrapped in a paradox. The only one with any real knowledge about that, is his mother, Jupiter Davis.

The intercom buzzes. It’s Tiny with an update. “We’re here boss. The team is in place. They say she’s here, but no one’s seen her, or her help.” Callisto looks at Emma and then leans toward the intercom.

“Thank you Tiny, and how many times have I asked you not to call me boss?”

“Sorry boss, do you want the team to move in?” Callisto looks at Emma and decides they have no time to waste.

“Yes, tell them to do it. But make sure they move cautiously, we have no idea if he’s here or not, but if he is let’s not make things worse.”

“Roger that, boss.” The intercom clicks, and is silent.

Jupiter’s Heart

Jupiter’s flight lands in one hour. She will be meeting Mary Elizabeth at the airport. If only it were under better circumstances. Honestly, she can’t believe she is still contending with Benjamin’s web of questionable dealings from the past. However, she’s not surprised that Eileen has become involved. This isn’t the first time. Furthermore, it likely won’t be the last.

She checks her phone and notices a new message. It’s from Mary Elizabeth. Callisto has found Eric. At least they think they have found him. They have a team in place. She settles back in her seat. Soon. It has been a long time since she’s seen her children. However, it’s been even longer since she’s seen her granddaughter.

The last time she saw Emma, was when she was a baby. Now all these years later, she finally has a beautiful chance for a new beginning. After all these years of waiting she is not going to let Eileen, nor anyone like her, prevent this from happening. She picks up her phone, and sends a reply to Mary Elizabeth. Then she settles in and waits for the plane to land. Not much longer now.

Author’s note: Previous Chapters of this story are available in the category menu selection under Jupiter Davis.

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