The arrest was all over the noon and five o'clock news. Kim's injuries weren't severe enough to warrant an overnight stay, but they kept her anyway since she had suffered a slight concussion.
Marilyn was treated and released, and after a very brief statement to investigators from all of us about what had happened, our Commander put us on admin leave for a week. Marilyn and I left the station together in my truck so that I could bring her back to where her car was parked at Kim's apartment complex.
"Pete thanks for rescuing me today. I really thought I was going to be killed, especially after I saw what he had done to Kim."
"You would have done the same thing Bens, if the roles were reversed. I'm just glad that Sanela called me and got me involved."
"You know...since I began working with you I've done more ‘real' police work than I've ever done since I've been on the job." Marilyn shifted in her seat to look at me. "Pete, I think that He put me with you as a partner for a reason."
"Why do say that Marilyn?"
"Because I was adrift...I had lost my direction. The job was still important, but the significance of being a cop was being overshadowed by my bad choices in men and my risky behavior. I hadn't even been paying any attention to my spiritual life-hadn't gone to mass in years or prayed at all. It was all about me."
We were only a few minutes from the apartments now.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks not only for what you did today to save my life physically, but what you've done to save my soul."
I pulled into the space next to her car. "Wow Marilyn, that's some pretty powerful stuff. I don't know that I can take credit for all of that, but I will tell you this... You came into my life at exactly the right time. When Joe was killed I wasn't sure if I even wanted to be a cop anymore. And I hate to admit it, but I was disappointed in God...I felt like He had let me down. Imagine-I'm worried about myself, not Susan and the boys who had just lost the most important person in their lives. I was feeling sorry for myself."
"Pete..."
"Then Mac told me that you would be my new partner and I prayed about it-asked Him to let me know if I should continue down the same road. Should I remain a cop, or move on to something else?"
"And what happened?" She asked.
"You-you happened, you came along with your honesty, your morals and ethics, your love of God. That was my answer-He wanted us to work together...for good."
"I can't argue with that. I have never felt better about myself, nor felt so spiritually fulfilled as I have since we've been partners." She opened her car door to get out. "Not only that, but I've got two new partners rather than just one."
"Huh?"
"St. Michael Pete!"
"Oh yeah...you're right. I'll call you later; enjoy your time off partner."
"I will. You know how it says in the Bible that all things work together for good for those that believe? This mini-vacation will allow me to do my last minute prep for the Miss Illinois contest. God is good!
"Amen, see you later."
I was home in about ten minutes and was surprised to find Beth waiting for me. "Honey, is everything okay?"
She ran up and wrapped her arms around me, holding me like a child holds onto their security blanket when someone tries to take it away. "I know you called and said you were fine, but I couldn't concentrate at work so I came home early. Pete, I was just so worried...I needed...we needed to see your face and hold you," she said as she put one hand on her stomach. "Maybe it's the hormones, I don't know but I've never been this worried about you and your job before."
Her eyes filled with water as I held her and she turned her face up towards mine. I could almost feel her concern and the need to be reassured that I wouldn't leave her and the baby. "Beth...babe, listen. I'll be fine; we'll be fine. He is watching over us and He's given St. Michael the chore of watching my back. Nothing's going to happen."
"I just keep thinking about Susan and the boys losing Joe... I don't want that to happen to us."
"That's not up to us now is it? God has a plan for us; it's His will not ours."
"I know...I know. Pete I love you so much, and now that we're going to have a little baby, it's not just about us anymore-it's about our child."
"We'll be fine, and you'll be the best mommy in the world."
"Keep telling me that babe, because I have so many doubts about things."
"I'm here for you-always-and so is He."
Next: Joe Finally Lets Go
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