The next day, Jacob returned to work and walked into Captain Castlemain’s office. The office was decorated with awards and plaques that had been given to the captain for his service in the military and on the force. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
“Yes, please sit down.”
Jacob sat in the chair facing the captain’s desk, knowing what was coming.
“Jacob, how are you doing?”
“About as well as I can, sir.”
“You know we all have your back.”
“I know. Thank you, sir.”
The captain ran his hand through his hair, the frustration getting to him. “Jake, you don’t have to call me sir, we’re friends.”
Jake just nodded, and then sighed.
“Jake, I have to put you on paid administrative leave until Rachel’s death is investigated by Internal Affairs. I’ll need your shield and firearm, please.”
Jake stared at him, the anger building inside.
“I’m sorry, but I have no choice, Jake. Please don’t make this any harder.”
Jake took each item from its proper place on his belt and set them on the captain’s desk. “I need time away, anyway. You know how to get ahold of me, Captain.”
Jake turned and left the office. Having a lot of pent-up frustration, he went to the gym to relieve some of it. He put his padded gloves on his taped fists and began working over a punching bag, hitting the bag harder and harder as the feelings of loss, rage, and frustration came to the surface. After an hour of Muay Thai boxing, he showered and returned home. There he packed all his clothes, climbed into his Jeep, and took off out of town. He drove and drove, no planned destination in mind, just feeling an urgent need to get lost.
His mind continued to go back to the day his beloved Rachel was killed. He played the scene over and over. The moment he found her flashed in his mind’s eye, her body lying on the bed in a pool of blood. Rage exploded inside of him.
Jake desperately needed to talk to someone. He pulled over, checked both ways, and then did a U-turn. He pulled out his phone and called his partner.
“Hello?”
“Alice…”
“Jake, is that you?”
The tears started to flow. “Yeah… Can I come over and talk?”
“Of course. I’m here for you.”
“I’ll be there in a few.”
“All right.”
Five minutes later, Jake pulled into the driveway. He got out of the Jeep, walked up to the front door, and knocked.
Alice opened the door. “Come on in.”
Jake walked in and Alice could see the tears in his eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered, “I’m so sorry, Jake.”
“Thank you,” he said, barely audible.
“Take a seat and I will get us something to drink.”
He nodded and sat down on the couch.
She handed him a cup. “It’s tea.”
He took the cup. “Alice, I miss her so much. I’m not sure how I’m going to go on without her.”
“I know you do. I also know you are strong enough to go on. She will always be with you, you just need to listen.”
“The captain took my badge and gun.”
“You will get them back.”
“That’s just it, I don’t think I want them back.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t stay here. It hurts too bad.”
“I understand. Do what you feel you need to, but always remember that I am here for you.”
“Thank you for everything. I will call the captain and explain everything.”
“Good luck, Jake.”
“Oh, one more thing. I need you to watch after Thiago. I need a completely new start and he will always remind me of Rachel, since he was our dog. And besides he will watch over you as well.
“Of course I will. You know I love your dog.”
Jake hugged his partner one last time, handed her the leash, gave Thiago one last hug and then left. He would deal with this on his own.
He kept driving, trying to outrun the memory of that horrific day. As the miles and cities flew past him, he had time to think about what he needed to do. His promises to Rachel fueled his rage. This rage would help him find her killer and bring him to justice.
He knew that his captain would never let him work the case, so he needed to figure out a way to get all this off his mind. The only thing he was sure of right now was that a change was needed. He drove across the land in search of a new place to call home.
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