Chapter 5 - Shadows at the WindowJames took my phone from my hand before I could even process the photo. He showed it directly to the police officers.
"She's sitting across the street," the lead officer said, his eyes narrowing. "Or someone she knows is."
"I'll sweep the perimeter," the second officer said, pulling his flashlight and heading out the front door immediately.
James walked over to the front window, peeling back the blinds by a fraction of an inch. "She's not alone. Lauren doesn't drive a black pickup truck."
My stomach churned. "A pickup truck? Who is she with?"
"Probably Marcus," I whispered, realization dawning on me with terrifying clarity. "Her ex-boyfriend. He got out of state prison six months ago. He's got a rap sheet for stalking and assault."
"Great," James grunted softly. "A convicted felon aiding a bitter narcissist."
Outside, red and blue lights suddenly began flashing against our living room wall. The police officer had cornered the black pickup truck parked down the block.
James and I watched through the window as the officer approached the truck with his flashlight drawn. Through the glass, we could see Lauren in the passenger seat, screaming at the officer, while a muscular, tattooed man in the driver's seat gripped the steering wheel tight.
"Stay inside," James commanded, grabbing his jacket.
"James, no! Let the cops handle it!" I pleaded, grabbing his arm.
"I'm just standing on my porch, Sarah. Establishing presence."
He stepped out onto the porch, folding his arms across his broad chest, staring down the block with icy determination.
Down the street, the situation erupted. Marcus opened his driver-side door and shoved the officer backward.
"Police! On the ground!" the officer shouted, drawing his taser.
Lauren leaped out of the passenger side, shrieking at the top of her lungs, "He didn't do anything! Leave us alone, you pigs!"
Marcus didn't comply. He lunged forward, tackling the officer to the snow-covered asphalt.
"James!" I screamed from the doorway.
Before I could even blink, James sprinted down our driveway, crossing fifty yards in seconds.
Marcus was on top of the officer, trying to pin his arms. James reached down, grabbed Marcus by the back of his leather jacket and his belt, and violently yanked the 220-pound man off the officer, slamming him face-first onto the frozen hood of the police cruiser.
With professional, terrifying efficiency, James twisted Marcus's arm behind his back, pinning him with a knee between his shoulder blades.
"Officer, use your cuffs," James said, his voice as calm as if he were ordering a coffee.
Lauren stood frozen on the sidewalk, her jaw slack, her face completely pale. She looked at James, then at Marcus groaning in pain against the hood, and finally at me standing on the porch.
The second police cruiser pulled up with sirens blaring, backup finally arriving.
As the officers cuffed Marcus and threw him into the back of the patrol car, the lead officer cuffed Lauren as well, placing her under arrest for obstruction of justice and accomplice to assault on a peace officer.
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As she was being escorted into the back seat of the squad car, Lauren glared at me, her eyes filled with pure, unfiltered rage.
"This isn't over, Sarah!" she screamed, her voice echoed in the quiet suburban night. "You ruined my life! I will destroy everything you have!"
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