“Do I detect something going on?” Abby asked raising an eyebrow at her friend. Kim beamed but did not say a word. “I knew it! I knew something was happening between you two. Tell me everything!” She demanded. “I really didn’t expect things to develop like this but since we spent so much time together while Gary was in the hospital it seems things are just moving faster than I would have ever expected.” Kim said reluctantly. “I’m glad things are working out between you guys. Nick is a great guy, and he deserves you.” Abby said reaching out for Kim’s hand. The two women were silent for a few minutes before Abby glanced at her watch, and decided she had better go. “I want to be at home when Gary gets home.” She told Kim before rushing to her car. “I’ll call you later.” She yelled over her shoulder.

When she arrived at the apartment Abby found it to still be empty and her disappointment was strong. When Gary arrived home several hours later, he found Abby asleep on the couch. Quietly he sank in a chair across from her. She looked so beautiful he loved watching her sleep. For several moments he just sat mesmerized. He noticed her stirring and moved toward the couch. Sitting down on the edge he stroked the hair away from her face. “Hey beautiful.” He greeted her. “You’re home!” she said in surprise. “I’m sorry I am so late. I was held up longer than I thought I would be.” He apologized. “I’m just glad you are home now.” She returned. Leaning down he gently kissed her before standing and reaching out to help her up. “I love you very much. I hope you know you have captured my heart.” He told her. “I love you too.” She said reaching up to kiss him again. 

“Your baby has a strong heartbeat.” Doctor Garrison said laying her stethoscope aside. “Everything this seems to going just fine. Are you having any morning sickness or other problems?” She asked. “So far everything has been running smoothly.” Abby answered. “Do you know how lucky you are to be this far along and not have any problems? Not many women get to their fifth month without at least a little morning sickness.”

“I know, “ Abby said “but there is still time.” She said dully. Laughing Doctor Garrison picked up the stethoscope and began to move the disk over Abby’s back while listening to her breath. “How is everything going at work? You aren’t too stressed are you?” She asked concerned. “Work is always stressful but I think I’m handling it pretty well. It’s no more stressful than usual.” Abby answered thoughtfully. “Well make sure you make you take time to relax every day. Read a book, take a long bubble bath or take a long walk. It is more important than you would think it is. Too much stress can have a very bad effect on your baby.” She said putting a hand on Abby’s shoulder as she talked. After a few more minutes of conversation Abby left the office. Stopping at the front desk she made her next appointment before heading out to her car.

As Abby walked out her car at the end of the day she had an overwhelming feeling someone was watching her. Glancing around she didn’t see anyone in the parking garage. Hurriedly she unlocked her car and once inside she locked the doors again. Only then did she allow herself to relax a little. As she drove home Abby found herself glancing into the rearview mirror often. When she pulled into the apartment complex Abby scanned the parking lot for Jay car. It wasn’t there at least not in view. Abby parked her car and as quickly as possible made her way to the front door. Shutting and locking it Abby leaned her back against it for a moment. When she was sure no one had followed her Abby dropped her things by the front door and headed to her bedroom to change clothes. Standing in the door of her bedroom Abby froze. Something was not right. A cool breeze blew through the room making Abby shiver. She looked up to find the bedroom window wide open. A shudder of fear traveled through Abby. She knew she needed to move, run away and call the police but she was rooted where she stood. Movement caught her attention. Abby caught just a glimpse of color then it was gone.

When Gary arrived home from work he found Abby still standing in the doorway of the bedroom. “What’s wrong honey?” He asked while gently steering her to the couch. “He was here.” She said shuttering. “Tell me what happened.” Gary asked forcing his voice to stay calm while his hand automatically. “When I came home I set my things by the door like I always do and went to change. There was a breeze blowing and I realized we had not left the window open this morning when we left.” She said. “Jay might not have been the one who broke in on us it could have been a random robbery.” Gary tried to reassure his wife. Abby decided not to tell him about seeing someone escape since it would only upset him more. “Let’s go get something for dinner.” Gary suggested. “I think you need to get out of here for a while.” Abby was too exhausted and emotionally spent to resist. Numbly she followed Gary out to his truck and climbed in the cab.

While Gary drove he kept glancing over at Abby. She was very shaken from the break in. He knew he needed to do something to get her help her feel safe again but he had no idea what. Weather Jay had been the culprit behind the break in tonight he needed to be caught and soon for Abby’s sake. He had controlled Abby for much longer than he ever should have and Gary made a promise to himself he would do everything he could to see justice brought to Abby. He was going to do whatever it took to see Jay put behind bars for the rest of his life.

“I keep thinking somehow my life is going to rise out of all the ashes and I will finally be free. At one time I thought there was justice out there but now I think I will always have to live in this prison imposed by Jay and his evil scheme.” Abby said somberly. “Gary is talking about moving but I know Jay will just track me down where ever I go there is no use in my running anymore. He will win in the end.” Kim didn’t know what to say to help her Abby. She had been watching her decline ever since the break in and this conversation was only the panicle of days of serious thought.  Kim thought of trying to tell her things would work out okay and Jay could not hide forever. He had made a mistake in leaving his fingerprints on the window this time and was only going to get more careless at time went on but she knew Abby was not going to listen. She had already given up and Kim didn’t know what to do to give Abby hope. It was evident Jay would be caught sometime even no one knew when it would be. “Whatever happens Abby I want you to remember you will never be alone. I’m here for you and Gary is too. He loved you with all his heart and will do whatever it takes to make sure you are safe and as happy as possible.” Kim said seriously. “I know.” Abby responded reaching out to hug Kim. “It just gets hard sometime to live knowing Jay is looming in the shadows and no matter what I do I can not seem to beat him. I get frustrated and need to vent. I don’t know what I would do if I did not have you. Even though it might sound like it I am not about to give up yet.” Abby tried to reassure. “You really had me scared there for a moment. I thought you were ready to give up fighting and let Jay win.” Kim said relieved. 

Gary sat at his desk tapping a pen his nervously. He had to come up with a way to find Jay and fast. Abby was quickly losing hope. In the days since the break in he had watched her retreating into her shell and he was scrambling to do find someway to bring security back into her life. If Jay were caught Gary was sure Abby would blossom and start thriving again but it was a matter of making Jay slip up so he could be caught. Gary was completely blank of ideas. He kept banging his head against the perpetual brick wall. As Gary gathered his things at the end of the day he had still not made any progress toward catching Jay but he knew Abby would start to worry if he did not come home soon. As the climbed into his car Gary was still milling the problem with Jay over in his mind. When he parked in front of the apartment Gary had a plan set in his mind. The hard part was going to be making the trap believable enough Jay would fall for it.

“I think we should plant a decoy at the hospital and keep Abby hidden away for a while. If Jay follows his usual pattern he is going to strike Abby’s work next. If we plant a decoy and make him think she is still going to work he is going to do something to let her know he is still stalking her and if we play our cards right we might can force his hand. He is getting more desperate. The break in at the apartment was his most bold move yet and he is only going to get more desperate as time goes on.” Gary told his sergeant the next morning. The idea had been about to explode out of him from the second he had set foot in the office. The first opportunity he had gotten he had made his pitch. “We know he is probably on the verge of doing something desperate and I think getting Abby out of town would be the safest thing for her. Maybe she could go and stay with family or friend.  A decoy trick him into thinking no one has caught on to him yet and he just might finally slip up.” The sergeant said thoughtfully. “The problem is going to be getting Abby out without tipping him off.” Gary said concerned. “It can be done but we have to execute it just right especially if he is watching her around the clock.  We will have to create a diversion while we move her out a route he is not expecting. Now for the part you aren’t going to like. You aren’t going to be able to go with Abby. At least one of you has to be visible. The way we use a decoy is making sure she stays where he never sees her very well so he can not say for sure if it is her or not.” He continued. Gary didn’t like being separated from Abby especially right now but if this were what it took to catch Jay and put him out of their lives forever he would do what he had to. Gary went through the rest of the day feeling a mix of anticipation and dread. He was ready to get plan underway and dreading being away from Abby. If Jay caught on to what was happening and followed Abby to the safe house Gary knew he would be powerless to protect her. When he told Abby of the plan she reacted with an eerie calm. She was resigned in her fate whatever it might be. Both of them knew something had to give. They had to go out on this limb to catch Jay. It was the way things had to be.

It was decided Abby would go to visit her college roommate. When she called to set up the trip Misty had been thrilled to hear Abby’s voice and had immediately agreed to the host her for as long as needed. She was not told of the reason for the visit. Abby planned to tell her after she arrived.  Unmarked patrol cars had been cruising the apartment complex since six o’clock and there had been no sign of Jay at all. When Abby’s transportation pulled up in front of the apartment they knew it was time to say good-bye. Gary took Abby into his arms gently as she fought back the tears. “I’m going to miss you so much.” He whispered in her ear. “But it’s going to worth it to catch Jay. Everything is going to be fine. I don’t want you to worry.” He said. “I don’t know what I am going to do without you.” She said tearfully. When the signal was given Abby regretfully picked up her bag and headed for the car. Gary stood by helplessly. He felt like his world was being taken away.

Days went by with no sign of Jay and everyone began to wonder if he had caught on to the plan. Abby was safely tucked away with Misty. In a less tense situation Abby would have been delight to have the chance to catch up with her best friend from college. She and Gary were allowed an hour each day on a safe line on the phone, which was never enough time. Abby tried to stay hopeful for Misty’s sake but she when she was alone Abby often found herself unable to hold back the tears.

Night had fallen and Gary sat tensely in his recliner. Jay had been spotted snooping around the complex a few hours ago and everyone thought tonight would be when he made his move. Judy the decoy was washing dishes at the kitchen sink and Gary was pretending to watch the evening news.  When Gary heard a scraping noise coming from the bedroom window he fought the urge to rush toward the sound. He waited tensely until he saw the silhouette of a man sneak into the kitchen. Drawing his gun he crept into the kitchen. Turning the corner Gary raised his gun.

The kitchen was empty but a commotion outside caught his attention. Rushing back through down the hall, and out the front door. He found Jay cornered in the alley outside the apartment. His arm was wrapped menacingly around Judy’s neck and his gun pressed into her waist. “I’ll shoot her if you come any closer. I swear I will shoot her.” Jay yelled. “Back off and let us through or you will be sorry. I am not kidding.” He began to advance on the officers. They had no other choice but to retreat and let him go.  Jay kept the gun pressed tightly against Judy as he led her to his truck. Opening the door he jumped in and drug her along with him. The officers watched in shock as he shoved the keys into her hand.

“You are going to take me to Abby and if you don’t you will be sorry.” Jay demanded. “I don’t know where she is.” Judy said terrified. “You do know and you will take me to her. Now drive.” Pulling out on the street Judy began to drive. She wasn’t sure how she was going to keep Jay from getting to Abby. He would kill her if she didn’t take her to Abby but he would kill Abby is he found her. He would probably find Abby eventually with or without Judy’s help but she was determined he would not find her by any fault of her’s even if she had to give up her own life. Judy tried to stay on the main road to buy the cops following them the chance to catch Jay before he did anything desperate. After an hour Judy began to wonder if they were even being followed at all. She could feel the gun pressed against her and how Jay’s hand had started waver over time. He was getting tired and if Judy was able to hold him off long enough she might be able to overpower Jay and turn the table on him.

When Gary didn’t make his scheduled evening call Abby started to worry something was wrong. Calling him could jeopardize her safety as well as his. When nine o’clock came and there was no word from Gary Abby was ready to explode. This was not like him at all. Something had to be wrong.  By ten thirty Abby had started pacing like a caged tiger and Misty was beside herself to find a way to help her. Misty could not imagine how Abby felt. Her husband was a contractor and never encountered danger at work.  

When the phone rang at eleven o’clock Abby pounced on it but her hope was soon deflated when Kim was on the other end not Gary. “Jay made his move tonight. He broke into your apartment tonight.” She told Abby quietly. “When he was trying to escape he took Judy hostage. He was demanding she bring him to you, but so far she has driven anywhere but in your direction. I am sorry to wait so long to call, but we just realized Gary missed his nightly call, and you wouldn’t know why. Nick just called and gave me an update.” Abby breathed a slight sigh of relief knowing Jay had not gotten to Gary at least for the moment. “Where is Gary?” She finally said. “He is in one of the cars tailing Jay.” Kim responded. “If you talk to Nick again ask him to tell Gary to call me just as soon as he can. I won’t relax until I know Jay is caught and Gary is safe.” Abby pleaded.

“I will.” Kim reassured her. “This is going to be over soon. They are going to catch him and put Jay away for the rest of his life.” She promised.