Jen barely reaches the top of the stairs when a defining thundering noise erupts at the front door. The sound echoes through the house like a gunshot. Jen springs back as she screams. Terror surges up her spine.
"Bettendorf Pd." A deep voice announces.
An overwhelming sense of relief washes over her, causing her knees to buckle as she makes her way down the steps.
A bone-chilling memory from the past comes to mind. How a member of the mob, using false pretenses, nearly invaded their home. Jen freezes at the entryway, torn between what she should and shouldn't do.
Keeping her back pressed along the walls, Jen slowly inches her way to the door; every careful, deliberate step is slow and controlled. At least I know the door will hold, she thinks.
The barrier is reinforced by a sturdy steel core with the outer layer of dark weathered oak, giving the home a warm, welcoming, less industrial feel.
Jen glances through the peephole to find two officers on the porch; she then sees what looks like a police cruiser parked in the drive, sighing with relief, Jen reaches for the lock. Another horrific thought flashes through her mind. The mob will go to great lengths to find us. She glances at the men, then their car again.
The older officer impatiently shifts his weight.
In a stern tone Jen says, "Hold your badges out so I can see them."
Grumbling, the older officer digs into his pocket and pulls out his wallet, then holds it in front of the peephole.
"Happy now?" He asks, snapping his billfold shut with a quick flick of his wrists.
Satisfied they are who they say they are, Jen exhales, "I'll be right back." Disabling the alarm, she returns.
Unlatching the five steel locks, she opens the heavy barrier. The door moans in protest. Once the officers are inside, Jen closes and then locks it behind them. In an exasperated breath Jen explains. "You can never be too safe nowadays, especially after all we've been through these past nine years."
The officers give her a knowing nod. "We completely understand, ma'am," the rookie says, sympathy etched in his voice.
The older of the two officers takes out his notebook, a determined look on his face. He looks up and asks. "Can you tell me what happened tonight?"
Jen's hands begin to shake as she replays the moment in her mind. "A car pulled up in front of our house, around ten or so. At first, I thought maybe they were lost, but the driver pulled further into the shadows and then proceeded to get out."
"So, you saw the man and the car?"
Jen nods. "Briefly."
"Can you describe them to me?"
Closing her eyes, she pictures both in her mind. "The car was an older model two-door coupe. It was dark in color, possibly navy blue or black."
"What else do you remember?"
"The headlights were mismatched. Her forehead creases as she tries to recall what she'd seen. "And it didn't have a second antenna like you'd normally see."
"Is there anything else?"
Jen pauses trying to think back. "I'm sorry, officers, but I can't tell you any more than that."
"What about the man?"
"He was tall, stalky, and wore a dark coat." Seeing the disappointment on the officer's face, Jen quickly adds, "I only saw him for a second."
The officer closes the notebook. "It isn't much to go on, but we'll do what we can." He turns to leave.
"Wait."
The officer spins around. "Did you remember something?"
No, but our security system should've picked him up."
"Can we take a look?"
Jen leads them to the small office in the back. Plopping down in the worn chair, she gets to work. Her fingers tremble as she taps on the keys.
A heavy tension builds in the room as the three lean in, their eyes staring at the monitor while the past hour continues to play on the screen.
"This is around the time I saw him," Jen murmurs, moving closer to the screen.
They watch the trees gently sway with the wind and a few nocturnal creatures frolic around the yard. The night continues to play throughout the video, quiet and undisturbed, but they never see the mysterious car.
Finishing the last of the recording, Jen glances up; confusion crosses her face when she says, "I don't understand."
"Maybe we missed it." The first officer suggests not sounding too convincing.
The rookie clears his throat. He glances over at his superior, then at Jen, and asks, "Can I try ma 'me'?"
Crossing his arms, the older man nods. "He's really good at these things," the second officer explains.
The two exchange places. The officer plays the tape scene by scene, homing in on every small flicker. But like the first time they don't see a parked car in front of the house. Nor do they see headlights on the road or a silhouette of a man crossing the yard.
Exasperated, Jen collapses into a nearby chair, more frustrated than ever. Rubbing her weary eyes, she says, "I know what I saw."
With a sympathetic nod, the younger cop asks, "Is that the only camera that goes out that far?"
Jen nods. "The rest only go as far as the house."
The second officer stands, turns, and says, "Your intruder is gone for now."
Jen springs from her chair. With panic in her voice she quickly blurts out, "Wait, you can't
leave me like this." Trying to control the terror hidden inside. The vulnerability she feels,
being left in a cold, dark house alone. The night they escaped replays in her mind. Gripping
the chair for support, she turns and adds, "What if it comes back when we're asleep?"
"My partner and I will be close by."
Jen tries to mask the terror on her face. Jen sighs with relief. "I appreciate that, officer."
"Try and get some rest," the older officer says as he steps out the door.
That's easier said than she thinks. Locking the door, she resets the alarm. Walking to the window, she gazes outside. The driveway is empty, the road dark and deserted once again.
"I know I'm not imagining things," she murmurs, pulling the drapes