Free Stand by Becky Johnson

the more I wondered what Georgia’s point was. It seemed like she wanted me afraid. Was that all this was? An intimidation tactic? Or was there some other point I couldn’t see yet?
    The one thing I could say for sure, if Georgia wanted me to be scared she was failing. I was calmer right now than I had been in months.
    ______
    The lights from two police cars illuminated my front door in flashes of blue and red when I pulled Bertha up to my house. I was not at all surprised to see Jack on the curb waiting for me. The blue pickup truck that I usually saw at Joe’s gym was a surprise. An officer moved and I saw Skeet. What on earth was he doing here? Not that I wasn’t happy to see him, he was a friend. I just didn’t expect to see him here tonight.
    I parked in my driveway. I wasn’t sure if I could pull into the garage yet or if the cops were still looking things over. I didn’t even know if there was anything for them to look over.
    Jack was waiting for me when I stepped out of the car. He pulled me into his arms the minute my feet hit the ground. While I appreciated the hug I was too busy processing events and trying to figure out my next step to take any comfort from it. Jack pushed back to arm’s length, but kept his hands on my shoulders.
    “You’re calm.” I guess he expected me to be hysterical.
    “I am.” I smiled at him.
    He waited a minute for me to retrieve Max before he led me toward the front door. It was already propped open. I took the moment to look him over. He was dressed in dark sweatpants and sneakers. Under his down coat his t-shirt was inside out. It was cute. He obviously rushed to get here. More proof that I could always trust Jack. Although I felt calm, I moved a little closer to him as we entered my home. Across the lawn Skeet and the two officers turned toward the house and started to walk in, which reminded me.
    I snagged Jack’s sleeve. “What is Skeet doing here?”
    Jack gave me a grin. “That’s what you are worried about? Your home was broken into and you’re worrying about Skeet?”
    When he put it that way I felt stupid. I was still curious though.
    Jack must have seen it on my face. He chuckled, “I guess you don’t know what Skeet used to do. He is Sergeant First Class Nathaniel Jacobs, also known as Skeet.” Jack looked at me as he said that. I guess he knew I would need a second to process that Sergeant First Class, seriously. “Skeet was an Army Ranger,” he continued, “later he was an MP, military police. There is no one better to investigate.”
    I hadn’t even known Skeet and Jack were friends, let alone Skeet’s history. I was a little overwhelmed.
    “Ma’am.” A man addressed me. Ugh, I hate being called Ma’am. It makes me feel about ninety. “Everything appears secure, but we do have a few questions for you.”
    The person speaking was a police officer who looked about nineteen.
    I nodded my head in acceptance of the inevitable questions.
    He looked young and eager with his notepad ready to take notes. Skeet and the other two officers joined us. We moved as a group into my kitchen and sat down at the table. Time for reality. The last few minutes I had been distracted by Jack and Skeet. I had avoided looking around. I didn’t want to see what had happened to my home, but everything was fine. Nothing out of place.
    Except. Kitty. Where was she?
    Without my butt ever actually touching the seat I jolted back up and called for Kitty. Max was glued to my side. For the first time, fear took over. I had been so calm and centered, but now someone I cared about was missing. I ran through the living room. Several steps behind me came Jack, Skeet, and the officers. Jack is the only who knew what I was looking for. I heard him calling her, too. We checked under the couch and chairs.
    I ran up the steps toward the bedrooms, still calling Kitty’s name. Nothing. I burst through the door into my bedroom and froze. Centered in the middle of my bed lay a single pink