Dark Creations: The Hunted (Part 4) by Jennifer Martucci, Christopher Martucci Page B

Department, as well as ones from the Santa Ynez force,” Melissa told him and held out a manila folder filled with prints.
    “Why?” Jack questioned.  “Why would you do that?  Was your Aunt grabbed by cops too?”
    Melissa did not answer right away.  Her second of hesitation resulted in a look of disgust clouding Sergeant Downing’s features.  Gabriel interpreted his reaction as insight; that Jack knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that had Melissa lied.
    “There was no missing Aunt, was there,” Jack hissed. “And I bet you guys are a team of reporters trying to write some damned story about the soldier that returned from war all fucked in the head and can’t handle that his wife left him, aren’t you?  Well I know what I saw!” 
    Jack Downing rose to his feet and no longer retained the bearing of a boulder.  His air more closely resembled a mountain, a mountain filled with volatile, volcanic venom bubbling at its vent.  He thundered toward them, just a few steps, and was face to face with Gabriel instantly.  Gabriel could smell the rank stench of liquor and bile as Jack warned him to leave through clenched teeth.
    “Let’s just go, Gabriel,” Melissa said in a voice that trembled.  “Forget about this, let’s just go.”  Then to Jack, she said, “I’m so sorry for lying to you, and for bothering you.  You’re right.  I don’t have a missing Aunt.  And we’re not reporters, by the way.  We just wanted to help.”
    “You can’t help,” Jack replied in a voice tempered by defeat, and sat back down.  “No one can.”
    Gabriel watched Melissa turn to leave.  She attempted to slip the folder in to her purse, but appeared to miss the opening completely and the folder fell.  As it dropped, the photographs scattered about the filthy barroom floor.
    “God, Melissa!” Alexandra exclaimed.  “Way to make a dramatic exit.”
    “She didn’t mean to do it,” Yoshi added levelly.
    “Who cares, this guy’s about to crush us to a fine powder and she makes us stay here longer,” Alexandra complained.  “Maybe one more drink will convince him to do it.”
    “Shut up Alex,” Melissa said and Gabriel saw the tears fill her eyes.  He expected Jack to respond to Alexandra’s reference to him, to react in some way.  He could not rule out the possibility of impending violence as alcohol often loosened inhibitions and made otherwise rational people behave irrationally.  He readied himself and looked quickly to Yoshi who was suspicious as well.  Yoshi nodded to him, and let him know that he, too, was prepared.  Then, as if on cue, Jack sprung to his feet and lunged forward.  He looked as if he were about to attack Melissa who had just knelt to begin picking up the photographs.  Gabriel swiftly stepped in front of her, placed his body between hers and Jack’s.  But his protective move proved unnecessary as Jack’s eyes were cast down at a set of pictures, not on Melissa. 
    He watched as the color drained from Jack’s face and he reached for the photographs. 
    “Where did you get theses?” Jack asked without looking up.
    “These are two new officers in the Santa Ynez Police Department,” Melissa replied gently.
    “Do they look familiar?” Gabriel asked but already knew the answer.
    Jack did not respond at once.  Instead he remained, in his bowed position and clutched his head with his hands.  When finally he looked up, his eyes, though red rimmed, were no longer bleary or hazed by liquor.  They were clear and resolute. 
    “Yeah, they look familiar alright,” Jack said firmly.  “Those are the bastards that took my Dawn.”
    Jack stood and placed a crumpled wad of cash on the bar then turned to them.  “Thanks for the info kids.  Don’t know why they were all the way down here in Ventura County, but I’m sure I can persuade them to tell me.”
    “Where are you going?” Gabriel asked.
    “To find out where my wife is.  Even if I have to beat it out of a couple of