Capital Offense

She responded hungrily.

His hands traveled over her body, lingering, worshiping, then moving on until she grew breathless from desire.

Carolyn felt herself spiraling into a beautiful. warm light. A light she had longed to see and feel for far too many years.

Without breaking their kiss, he scooped her up and carried her to the couch opposite her desk.

He gathered her into his arms as they lay together.

Gently, slowly he made love to her. Carolyn felt as if she would burst with joy as he used his hands and mouth to bring her pleasure again and again. She reached for him, wanting to reciprocate as she savored his tenderness, but he refused her.

“This is about you,” he whispered. “Only you.”

SIXTY-TWO

April 2, 2001 – Jefferson City, Missouri

Jack put on his leather jacket, shoved a few bucks into his right pocket, grabbed his pack of cigarettes, and stuffed them into his left pocket. After turning off his laptop, he started out the door. Realizing his room key was still on the dresser. Jack backtracked. He retrieved the key and, remembering the package he wanted to mail to Maureen, picked it up and left the hotel room. He decided he’d head to the post office before going to the diner.

Jack, a creature of habit, ate supper every night at the same diner. The food was homemade, and the place was comfortable.

He patted his pockets, checking for all of the necessary items as he exited the hotel.

The diner was a short walk from the hotel, but he headed to the post office first. Jack enjoyed the fresh air. He mailed his parcel and then backtracked to the diner. As he entered the place, Jack bumped into an exiting patron.

“I’m sorry.” Jack said. The guy never looked up, just kept walking. That was weird. Jack thought, as he continued over to the counter.

Dismissing the encounter, Jack took a seat and read the menu. He always looked it over, although he never ordered anything but his standard cup of coffee and the house meat loaf special. Jack loved meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, and he felt the diner did a fair job at preparing it.

Deciding to read the local newspaper, Jack got change from the waitress. He walked over to the newspaper dispenser, dropped in his quarter, and pulled one from the stack.

Jack began reading through the front section. Nothing earth-shattering in the headlines today, he thought. His food arrived, and Jack enjoyed the warm meal. When he finished, he asked for a coffee refill and began to read another portion of the paper.

He reached into his pocket for his cigarettes, but they were gone. Thinking that he must have dropped them when he bumped into the guy at the entrance to the diner, Jack walked to the door and looked around, inside and out.

“What’cha lookin‘ for?” asked a burly man who sat a few stools down from Jack at the counter.

Jack did a double take. It was the same man he’d seen numerous times on the street. “My cigarettes. I must have dropped them.”

The man stood and walked over to Jack. “No matter, have one of mine,” the man pulled out his pack of cigarettes. “What do you smoke?”

“Usually Marlboros, but I’m not particular.”

The man shook the pack until a tip appeared. “Your lucky day, guy. I smoke them too. Help yourself.” He held out the pack to Jack, who took the tallest tip.

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“No problem.” the man said. He lit Jack’s cigarette for him. They sat back down at the counter, and the man picked up his own newspaper and started reading.

Jack sipped his hot coffee. He took one drag off the cigarette and started to read the sports section. He took another drag, but it didn’t taste very good. Even so, he initially ignored the acrid flavor. Then, very definitely aware that the smoke smelled odd, Jack stopped reading, put the cigarette to his lips, and inhaled again. This time he felt a slight tingling sensation in his month, so he put the cigarette out.

Why do I bother? Jack asked himself. I must waste a small fortune on half-smoked cigarettes. Jack looked around for the waitress. He needed a glass of water, but she wasn’t there. Suddenly he felt dizzy. Wow! Jack thought. He hadn’t gotten a buzz from smoking a cigarette since he was twelve.

Then the walls started to spin. The room began going in and out of focus. Jack rubbed his temples, but the movement threw him off balance, and he toppled over, landing on the floor.

His throat felt swollen. He could barely breathe. What was happening to him?

He tried to call for help. But no sound came from his mouth. Thoughts floated around inside his head like pieces of confetti tossed in the air.

Where was he? Confusion engulfed him as he struggled to focus, and fought to remain conscious.

He saw Katherine and felt immediate relief. Katherine. He loved Katherine. She would help him. He called her name, but she didn’t hear him. He tried again. She continued to ignore him. With every ounce of strength left in his body, Jack reached his hand out to touch her, but she vanished an instant before darkness engulfed him.

SIXTY-THREE