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David was on his radio. Isaac glanced upward to where the sharpshooters were perched on rooftops. Why didn’t I learn to use a gun?

“See if you can get a clear shot,” David was saying. “He may be slow, but he’s shielding himself behind her. Looks like she’s trying to shield him as well.”

“Are those guys any good?” Skip asked.

“The best, but I don’t think they’re going to be able to take him out. Chelsea looks unharmed. I can see her face. She doesn’t seem too frightened. They’re going inside. She has to stop and unlock the door,” he spoke into the radio. “Try your best to get him.”

They saw Chelsea give him her keys and move behind him.

“She is protecting him. Skip knew of his sister’s incomparable compassion better than anyone. “Do you have anyone inside?”

“No. We didn’t expect to let them get that far.”

“So much for your expectations,” Isaac huffed as the door opened and closed behind them. “They just did.”

* * * *

Ray pulled her into the shadows of the entryway and stood, listening for sounds inside.

“This had better not be a trick.”

“Come on.” He backed into the door, with her in front of him, and slammed it shut.

“See? There’s no one here.” She squinted around the room. “Let me get you a glass of cold water.”

“Stay right here!” He screamed when she walked away.

“RayRay, you have your gun, I’m not getting out of your sight. I was just about to get a glass from the cabinet and go to the refrigerator for ice.”

Ray rubbed his temples with the balls of his hands. “My head hurts.” Tears streamed down his face. “Maybe I am crazy like they say.”

“Saying you’re crazy is an easy answer, but life isn’t quite that simple. You’re very bright. You read the bible. You have a job. The doctor gave you medication, but I’m sure more could be done to help you live a normal life. I will try to help make that happen.”

“If I let them catch me, they’ll put me away. If you go back in that courtroom, you’ll make Curtis sound like a bad person and they’ll send him to prison. I ain’t got nobody if Curtis goes to jail.”

Watching his face became more frightful to Chelsea than the gun he was holding.

She took his left hand in hers.

“You’ll get help, Ray. Curtis will probably be charged with something much less than he is now. I’ll go to the mat for both of you now that I know why it happened, but that poor woman is in critical condition. I won’t make promises I can’t keep. You’ll get a full medical examination to determine how you can be helped, so you never do that to anyone else. Other people care about you. Your mother came to check on you last night. Don’t you think she cares? I care, Ray.”

“I wanna believe you, but I think you just wanna get away. I don’t think you care

about me. All my life, people been pointing at me and calling me names. Everybody but Curtis. I know my mama loves me, but she ‘shamed of me, too.”

“I do care about you. Right now, I just want to help stop your pain and my own. I

can give you aspirin or one of my pain pills, but I’m hesitant since I don’t know what medications you’re taking. Do you remember any of the prescription names?”

“For my nerves, so I don’t do crazy things. I need some water.”

“Okay. I’m going to the refrigerator to get ice and water. Watch me, or whatever

you need to do, but please get that gun out of my face, Ray-Ray. You’re a smart man, so I’m sure you know you’re already in trouble, but at this point you haven’t killed anyone. You’re nervous, upset and sweating. If your fingers slip, I’m dead. Is that what you want? Do you think that will make things better for you and your brother?”

“You promise to help Curtis?”

“I promise.” She held his hand between hers and circled his little finger with hers.

“Pinkie swear. That’s as good as it gets.”

He gulped the water and so did she. “Ray, I’m getting my medication. I’m afraid

to give you my pain pills, but I do have aspirin. I’m going to pour water on this towel and you can hold it on your forehead.” She held out a chair. “Sit here. That way you can see everything I do.”

“Where’s that cat?” He refused to come in the kitchen, but still held the pistol in his hand.

“I’m not sure.” Holding the cloth under a spray of cool water, she glanced around.

“Cats are afraid of people, too. I’m sure he’s hiding. If he comes out, I’ll take him to the bathroom. Here, hold this to your head. I think it will help the pain.” Her heart swelled when his trembling fingers touched hers. He was no more than a frightened child, she thought, and then quickly remembered he had a gun and the shakes. “It’s going to be okay, Ray.”

* * * *

“SWAT is here,” David told Skip and Isaac. “They’re better equipped to deal with

this than we are.”

“I don’t know how they’ll get inside,” Skip said. “I wish they’d been able to take him out.

Looks like this whole thing is just beginning. I’m calling the folks. At least we’ve seen her.

That’s a big relief.”

Isaac watched him walk to the corner of the building. Another group of officers joined David and the dark clad SWAT team. He knew they were doing all they could, but that was not enough.

David left the others and joined Skip. “They’re bringing this boy’s brother here. Curtis Hamilton may be the only one who can get him out of there. They had him in their sights, but they also saw the gun in his hand. They were afraid to shoot. Even a bullet in the right place to drop him wouldn’t stop his finger from pulling the trigger.” He looked up the roof. “I know this building was divided several times. Other than being dropped down, I don’t know how to get to the roof. Do you?”

“There’s no entry from Chelsea’s place, but I remember her mentioning she and Isaac…”

Skip looked around “Where did he go?”

David caught sight of Isaac’s shirt hurrying into the garage next door. The door slammed shut.

“Oh, shit! Man, you’d better let everyone know he’s out there.” Skip wiped his forehead.

“He’s a damn big target.”

* * * *

Isaac hesitated before pushing the button on his cell, cutting off all ties with Skip and the police. “She’s mine.” He spoke to the silent phone as he placed it on his belt. “I can’t wait any longer.” He could get to the roof from the adjacent building. It had been their quiet place above the city. They would take folding chairs—blankets if the weather was cool—hold each other and count the stars. Chelsea said it was one quiet place where nature ruled. He did not know how to get to her back door from there, but he would find a way.

He moved, quickly but cautiously, up the steps. The door that led to the roof was bolted with a heavy metal bar. He smiled at the ease with which Chelsea had lifted it the first time she showed him her secret place.

If he had anything to say about the matter, there would many more nights of

stargazing with the woman he loved at his side.

* * * *

Ray held the cloth to his head and nodded when Chelsea asked if his head felt better.

“Good.” She turned to go down the hallway. “Now I have to get something for my itch.”

Ray’s scream was louder than the pop of the pistol. She froze, waiting for the pain.

“Get that cat! You let him in and you knowed I was scared of him.” He was on his feet, cowering behind the sofa. The weapon moved about erratically in his shaky hand.

“Oh, my God, Raymond. Are you okay?”

“Shut up! Shut up! See what you made me do? You made me do it, just like she

did! Shut up! I saw what you tried to do. You just like them others. You think I’m crazy!”

“Ray, you’ve got to listen to me. Pay attention. I know that’s hard to do when you’re upset and nervous. I told you I was getting my medication and the aspirin. It’s in the powder room on the other side of the kitchen.” She tiptoed to face him. “How the hell can I get it if you don’t let me move.” Feeling the arm of a chair behind, she sat without looking down. “I won’t move a muscle. I asked you to put that gun away. You’re shaking. You’re hurting, and you’re frightened, just like I am. If you’re not careful, you’ll kill both of us.”

“I want you to do what I say. Get up!”

She stood slowly. “Okay, I’m up. Now what?”

“Get that damn cat out of here!”

She had caught the tip of Armageddon’s tail as he scampered up the stairs. “The cat went up to my bedroom. That’s his safe place when I have company. Do you want me to go up and get him?”

“Stay where I can see you,” he mumbled through his tears. “You can get the medicine, but don’t move too fast. You tried to run away. I know you did.”

“Whatever you say, Ray.”

He followed her through the kitchen. She looked at the block of knives. A heavy skillet sat on the stovetop. Thoughts ran through her head with blinding force. She wanted Isaac.

Wanted to see her family and feel safe again. She did not want Ray to die.

“You better walk slow. If you tryin’ to help me, just don’t gimme no reason to

shoot. I still got this gun. I’m sick, but I ain’t crazy, so don’t try no tricks, and keep that damn cat away from me.”

Chelsea inched to the bedroom door. The big Himalayan Dee had brought back

from her trip to Atlanta would surely come back downstairs. “Raymond, the cat won’t hurt you, so please don’t discharge that weapon again. He’s a sweet cat. He’s my friend.”

Chelsea hesitated. Her eyes fell on the cast iron statue next to her mirror. Her mind raced feverishly.

“Go on! What are you waiting for?” Ray shoved her from behind.

“Stop pushing me!” She glanced up and started speaking softly. “You’ve

frightened the hell out me and my poor cat. Armageddon wouldn’t hurt…”

As quickly as she said his name, the huge cat made a strong feline snarl as he ran past Ray. In the midst of Ray’s scream, she reached for the statue. A crashing sound and the sight of Ray’s body sailing to the floor halted her step. The gun fell from Ray’s hand and made a soft thud on the hallway rug. She could hear Ray’s flesh tear as Isaac straddled him and pummeled his face.

Her scream was lost in the crashing sound of the front door being sprung from the

hinges. Bodies surrounded her. Ray’s sobs broke her heart. He’s a child. He’ll never understand.

“Isaac, no! Please don’t hit him any more. I’m okay. I’m fine. Don’t hit him,

please! Isaac!”

Surrounded by bodies in uniform, she pointed to the gun. “I’m not hurt. The gun

is on the floor.” She screamed each time Isaac’s fist made contact with Ray’s jaw. Blood gushed from his face and onto the tile.

“Stop! You’ll kill him, Isaac! Don’t hit him anymore! I’m okay!”

Two men grabbed Isaac’s arms. David ran in to join them but stopped when he saw her face. “Just rash. I’m fine. “Ray is ill and he’s frightened, but he didn’t really hurt me.”

Isaac stood but did not move away from Ray, who was now curled in a fetal position with his arms over his face. Sobs shook his body.

“They’ll kill me,” Ray sobbed. “You said you’d help me.”

Isaac’s shirt was splattered with Ray’s blood, but that did not stop her from hurling herself into his arms. More uniforms entered, followed by Skip.

“I’m okay,” she said when Skip joined their embrace. “I’m okay, everyone. Thank you.

I’m okay.”

“Get that creep out of here!” David scornfully nodded to the sobbing young man who was still holding his head.

She took the pill Skip held out to her and swallowed, noticing that Ray’s sobs had turned to whimpers.

“Hold it a minute, guys.” She pulled away from Isaac and slipped her arm around Ray’s waist. “I plan to keep my promise, RayRay.” Grabbing a towel from the counter, she mopped his face. “This man broke into my place early Saturday morning. He came back and kidnapped me at gunpoint and kept me tied me to the bedpost in his apartment overnight.” She gently dabbed the cuts on his face. “He did bad things, but he’s not a bad person. He could have hurt me, killed me, but he didn’t. He has medical problems. He needs help, guys.” She looked at the somber faces around her. “He knows he has to pay for what he did, but first he needs help. Please don’t hurt him.”

“Chelsea.” He pleadingly said her name. “If I say I’m sorry to that woman, will they let my brother go?”

“You read the bible, Ray. I know you’re aware that what you did to that woman was

wrong. She laughed at you and that hurt your feelings, but you beat her within an inch of her life.

That—”

“Good news on that,” David interrupted. “She’s going to make it.” He looked at Ray.

“Son, you did a bad thing, but if Chelsea says you need help, we’ll try and make that happen.”

“I’ll visit you, Ray. I’ll tell everyone what really happened. I promise.”

* * * *

Skip’s eyes were moist as he waited his turn to hug his sister. “I’ve called the

folks. I made the mistake of saying that you were probably hungry to Mama Rose. They’re on the way.” Tears flowed down his face when Isaac released her to his arms. “I can’t tell you how worried I’ve been.”

“I know.”

After the frenzy quieted, Chelsea told her story to Detective Barrett. “He came in using my key both times. First, the one I left in the light fixture. I don’t know what he intended to do, probably what he ultimately did, but he saw Armageddon, my cat. He’s afraid of cats. That’s when you saw him leaving,” she told Skip.

“But he did kidnap you?” Detective Barrett asked.

“He did. I came in yesterday with an armload of files, my purse and briefcase. I left the door open and my keys in the lock. I was going right back to get the food I had brought home, but stopped to pet the cat. When I turned around, Ray was behind me.” She detailed the events of the prior evening with Skip and Isaac holding her hands.

“He thought if he could keep me from going to the courtroom, his brother would be okay.

He tied me to the bedpost last night, and roughed me up a little, but he’s not a bad kid. I think you should check his apartment, though. It smells like rotten flesh.”

“We did. We found it.” David told her what they discovered.

“Oh, my God. That’s Peaty. He kept talking about Peaty but wouldn’t tell me who or what it was. Obviously he’s developmentally challenged. He beat that woman in the park.” She shook her head. “Lost control. I’m not sure of his diagnosis, but he takes medication for headaches, and he hasn’t had it today.”