just like the poor victim she found laying on her kitchen floor!

Sam put a hand on her arm to stall her opening the door, "It's ok Whit, I know we usually use one of the unmarked cars for delivering someone to a safe house, but since this involves one of our own, Chief decided to do a rental car, under his mom's name, Ginny drove herself & the boys here, followed by another rental car, under my dad's name, with plain clothes police.  We're not taking any chances.  And before you say anything, there was another plain clothes cop in the car with Ginny & the boys.  They are taking a little more "touristy" route to get here, just to make sure they aren't being followed.  I guess you didn't notice we took a couple of detours too?" 

"Well I did notice, but I figured you were just being careful & it wasn't worth mentioning, but why didn't you tell me about Ginny driving herself here?  We didn't want to say anything over the radio or the phone, just in case."

Sammy saw her relax a little bit, "C'mon, let's get this stuff inside before they get here.  We don't want to draw too much attention having everyone show up at once."

Whitney grabbed the bags of food & one of the overnight bags, Sammy got the other 3 overnight bags & their 2 lap tops.  He unlocked the door and they went up the stairs to apt # 218.  He sat down the bags, unlocked the door, cautiously & pulled his backup piece from the holster that kept the 45 concealed  on his back, under his jacket.  He quickly, but quietly checked out the room "it's clear"  he told Whitney.  She stepped inside the room and stood just inside the door until he checked out the bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen & closets.  When they determined the apartment was safe, Sammy reached outside & grabbed the other bags & they shut & locked the door.  

"Which room do you want me to put your stuff in Whitney?" 

"I guess the one closest to the back, our guard can keep an eye form the living room & I'll keep an eye out the back window."   Whitney put the bags of food on the kitchen table.  She looked to see if there was any coffee stocked for tomorrow morning.  Much to her delight, Whitney found the kitchen fully stocked, in the fridge and in the cupboards.   The bathroom had all the necessities also, tooth paste, shampoo, tylenol, asparin.  That was a relief, they wouldn't have to worry about what to eat, there was even frozen pizza in the freezer which the boys would enjoy.  Entertaining the boys might be a different issue, or so she thought until she discovered there was some kind of game system in the cabinet under the tv and they also had access to cable tv. 

"Sammy, where did you put my laptop at, i want to start writing my report, get as much down as i can before Ginny & the boys get here."

"Sure," he said, "I was just thinking of the same thing.  I put them both over there by the couch.  I'm going to find something boring on tv to create some kind of noise while we work.  make it seem more 'real' for the neighbors" 

"Ok, you do that, I'm going to go make some coffee.  If you hear from Ginny or Ben you'll let me know?"

"Of course!  Look I know this is all a little crazy for you, but it's going to be ok."

Whitney just looked at him & smiled a little bit, then she walked into the kitchen to get the coffee started.  She got the coffee started and went to the kitchen window to just take in the scenery and get some idea of the layout around the apartment.  She was still looking out the window when she saw the car drive up & Ginny & the boys got out.  "Sammy, they're here!"  It was all she could do to keep herself from running out the door and grab all 3 of them for a big bear hug!

Sammy watched from the living room window and saw the other car pull up & park across the parking lot.  The plain clothes police guard got out & walked around to let Ginny out of her door, held her hand & put his hand on the small of her back as they came up the stairs, in case anyone was

watching.  The boys had already bounded up the stairs, snickering quietly and jostling each other a little bit, typical boys.  They waited by the door and when the guard got there he unlocked the door & let them all in. 

Ginny barely got in & they shut the door when Whitney grabbed her, hugged her, & reached for the boys for a big group hug.

"Whitney, are you ok?  What's going on?"  Ginny pulled away just a little and grabbed Whitney's arms to steady her & looked in her eyes.  She'd never her seen Whitney rattled, ever!  But that's what she was now, definitely rattled!

"Let's sit down.  Boys, there is food on the table in the kitchen, bring your mom & me our salads, shakes & some fries please?  the rest is all yours.  o wait, leave some for Sammy and, I'm sorry, I don't even know your name?"  She looked at the guard who came in with Ginny. 

"Logan ma'am, Bob Logan, I'm not hungry though, I ate before I got the call to come over to Neligh for extra duty" 

"Thanks officer Logan, but go get a bight to eat anyway, there's soda in the frig & coffee brewing.  In fact if you could let me know when it's ready I'd appreciate it" 

"Logan ma'am, just call me Logan, I'm not an officer yet, still in training, and of course, I'll bring the coffee out as soon as it 's ready"

Sammy went into the kitchen with Logan and the boys after checking the door one more time. 

"Let's sit on the couch Ginny, I need to get my laptop out & start making notes.  How's Mom & Dad doing?  How are you doing?" 

"Dad is his usual stoic self, pacing holes in the floor while he "looks strong".  Mom is just plain worried, but she's really quiet for a change, too quiet, like there's something brewing inside her brain.  I'm kind of worried about her, but they have guards inside the house & the boys will be there soon, maybe one of them can get her to talk." 
She paused when Logan brought out the coffee pot & Sammy brought out their salad's & shakes.  Sammy sat on the chair next to the couch & got out his lap top too.

"This is just too weird Whitney?  Why was that guy in our house & why would anyone want to kill him?  Are you ok?  Can you tell me anything?" 

"There's not much to tell right now Ginny,   We are still sorting out the evidence, and I need to write out my notes & report.  Ben's coming by later & we'll hopefully have more information then.  But I need to ask you something Ginny.  Have we had any strange calls at the house in the last few days?  Has anyone come to the door that might have seemed just a little off?"

"Mmmmm,  no, I can't think of anything,  I've been really busy with the boys activities & getting ready for the church yard sale.  I can't say I've been home much during the day, just mostly got home in time to make supper every day & get the boys busy with their homework."  She took a long sip of her shake.  "oh, wait, there was some one who came by yesterday, I was just leaving the house when I saw him walking up the driveway,  I thought it was kind of odd because when he saw me he seemed surprised & asked directions to the library.  I remember thinking why would someone be looking for the library in a residential neighbourhood, it seemed like he was just making something up.  It didn't even seem like he was coming to the front door, like he was walking up the driveway to go around back.  He left when I gave him directions, got in my car and pulled out my cell phone.  Remember, I called you to ask you to get some flowers from the little florist by the police station & I told you some dork got himself lost in Neligh, like Neligh Texas is big enough to get lost in."

"that's right, i remember that now.  what did he look like, do you remember?"

"well, yea, I remember he was kind of nice looking, and very well dressed, nice suit, high end & shiny shoes, but very generic, you know, black suit, black tie, black shoes, white shirt, gold cuff links & tie clip.  very nice, expensive looking."

Whitney, looked at Sammy & knew he was thinking the same thing, that sounded just like the poor victim she found laying on her kitchen floor!



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please know, you, my readers, are always welcomed & encouraged to please leave helpful hints, questions, etc. thanks!