Chapter 8

James decides visit Dekota's restaurant with his family and finds Maddie there working as a waitress.

It has been two weeks since she saw James's parents at the restaurant, and she was on edge these past few weeks because of that. When she saw they didn't come, she finally could relax a bit and continue working without looking every minute at the door and see if they came or if they told James where she was working right now.

"Maddie? Can you come to the office for a minute?" Maddie nodded her head and went with Dekota to her office.

"Is everything OK, Dekota?"

"Everything is wonderful. I've been thinking since you told me about your story and I've tried to find some evidence against John on the INTERNET, but there are none. The only thing that I find are the deaths of some women around your age that were killed mysteriously. Do you think it has something to do with him?" Dekota showed Maddie the information that she found on the INTERNET. Maddie read the article that Dekota found and couldn't believe it.

"Could you give me days off so I could go back to my hometown and investigate more about it and maybe find some evidence about John?"

"We'll do something even better. I'll come with you. Don't argue with me Maddie," Maddie closed her mouth when Dekota said those words, "I'm going with you. I will not leave you alone in that town, plus I'll help you investigate this thing."

Maddie hugged her friend, "thanks Dekota, I don't know what I would do without you in life. So, let's leave tomorrow early in the morning, because it's a long drive to Texas. Let's hope we'll find something."

Maddie and Dekota planned their trip to Maddie's hometown and a place to stay while being there. They hope to go back to LA with some info about John.

At the next morning, Maddie and Dekota woke up at sunrise because they know this trip will be a long drive from LA to Houston. She packed a few clothes and some food for the road.

"I'm nervous a little. What if we find nothing?" Maddie was looking outside of Dekota's car window when she said those words.

"Don't worry Maddie, I'm here with you. I won't let anything happen to you, even if we find nothing, well that means that we'll have to work harder."

"You're right, Dekota, don't mind me. I'm nervous because just going back to where all my nightmares began is hard for me. If you want me to change with you so you could sleep, just pull over and I'll drive."

"Don't worry, Maddie. I'm not sleepy yet, sleep a little and I'll wake you up when we get to our first stop."

"OK, don't forget to wake me up." Dekota nodded her head and Maddie closed her eyes for at least one hour so she could change with Dekota.

Few Hours Later

Maddie jump suddenly when she felt that someone was shaking her.

"Relax Maddie, it's just me." Maddie looked at her friend and relaxed.

"What time is it?" Maddie looked outside and saw that they had stopped at a gas station. "How long have you been driving?"

"Well, for 3 hours. Now get out of the car and go but something, I'm going to the toilet." Maddie felt dumb. Instead of sleeping for one hour, she slept for 3 hours. She got out of the car and stretched her back a bit and went to the store to buy some water and food for the rest of the road.

After a few minutes, Dekota came back from the bathroom and helped her with bags of food and drinks that she bought. When they came back to the car, Maddie sat on the driver's side.

"Now it's your turn to get some sleeping and I'm going to drive us the rest of the way. Don't look at me like that. I know you are tired from all this driving." Dekota sighed and sat in the passenger sit and shot her eyes to get some sleep.

For the rest of the ride, it went smoothly. They changed places two more times before arriving at her hometown. It has been almost two years since she ran away from there but knew that those evidence won't come to her if she doesn't go to look for them.

When they arrived at the town, it was already afternoon and the first thing they did was to check in at the hotel that Delora made a reservation.

After they took their key to the room, they organized a bit and refreshed their self from the long road.

"Let's eat something at the hotel and then go back to the room to go through our plan for finding something on this."

"You're right Dekota, Today will relax a bit and plan it well."

Maddie and Dekota organized their stuff and went to eat something at the hotel. The road to Houston was long and tiring and the only thing they wanted to do was to eat and sleep. That way, they can start their search with new strength.

At the next morning, Maddie and Dekota did their morning routine and went downstairs to the lobby and went to eat their breakfast, because today they want to find as much evidence, they can so Maddie can finally be free from that man once and for all.

"Where should we start our search?" Dekota asked Maddie at the breakfast table.

"Remember the article you showed me two days ago about those women that were killed? Well, we should check that out with the victim's family. Maybe they know something."

"Some victims got killed a few years ago before you knew him. I don't know if their family will be kind about that."

"I know, but that is our only chance. The police is on his side. I don't think that there is someone that hates him. Let's just see how it go, if they decide not to talk to us about it, then we'll back out and look another way to find evidence."

"OK, I'm with you Maddie. Let's finish our breakfast and then start it!" Maddie nodded her head, and they went on finishing their breakfast. In a few minutes, they finished and went to the car and drove to the first house.

While they were driving to the house, Maddie was reading the information about the victim that died a year before she met John, she felt nervous on meeting her parents.

"Are you doing good, Maddie?" Maddie nodded her head and then remembered that Dekota is driving and can't see her.

"Yeah, Dekota. It's just that I'm nervous meeting her parents, I don't know what to tell them."

"Just tell her the truth. Tell her that you dated John and managed to escape from him and that you're looking for evidence to lock him down behind bars forever. I'm sure that she'll be grateful to you. Well, we are here, are you ready?"

Maddie looked outside of the car's window and saw that indeed, they have arrived to Alison's house, Maddie took a deep breath and released it. She was very nervous, and she hoped not to cost them any pain with her questions. They got out of the car and walk to the entry of the house were the late Alison used to live.

When they arrived at the entry, Dekota knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. A few mutes later the door opened and a woman in her 50's was standing there, she looked tired and barely could stand on her two feet.

"How may I help you, young ladies?" Ms. Harrison said.

"Hello Ms. Harrison, my name is Dekota, and this is my friend Maddie. We want to talk to you about your daughter Alison, if it's OK with you?" Ms. Harrison looked at them and started to close her door.

"Please, don't close the door," Maddie stopped her, "I used to date John Brown, and I managed to escape from him about a year and 4 months ago, I also moved to a different city to be far from him. This is the first time that I'm back here since then. I want to put him behind bars for what he did to me, can we come in please?" Ms. Harrison looked at Maddie and let them get inside the house.

When the three of them sat down on the couch Ms. Harrison looked at Maddie and asked, "What that murder did to you?" Maddie was shocked with her question John is a murder? So that means, he murdered those innocent women? Oh GOD, what I got myself in. I managed to escape him, but those women had suffered a bad luck because they met him.

"I met him a year after your daughter was murder, which I didn't know about that, just recently I found out thanks to Dekota. Anyway, I met him when I went to do an interview for a job at his CORP as a secretary and along the way he managed to charm me with his looks and his talking, after working for five months for him I fell in love with him and two month later I've moved to his department because for some reason my previous owner told me to pack my staff a leave the place because some else is going to come next week to live there… " Maddie took a breath because the next part of her story was hard for her to tell someone, but she had to do it so Ms. Harrison could tell her what happened to her daughter and how she died. She told Ms. Harrison everything that she had to go through in the hands of that monster sand the way he always treated her and the most painful one was that he pushed her throw the stairs just so she could abort the baby she was expecting from him. Ms. Harrison got up from the armchair and sat next to Maddie and hugged her while she cried for everything that she had to go through while she was living with him.

"I'm sorry dear, for your lost. Well, my poor daughter also met him like you actually, when I met him after few months, she always looked jumpy, like she was afraid of him or from his touch, one time when she came to visit me alone without him, she sounded so afraid, and she wanted to get away from him. I was such a fool, because he always tried to flatter me with stuff and 'blind' me with his good looks and manners that I told her to go back to him," Ms. Harrison sighed and few tears started to fall down her cheeks while she told them her daughter's story, "after a week I couldn't reach my daughter, at first I thought that maybe she started to work or lost her phone but at the evening there was a knock at my door. When I opened it, a police officer was standing there and told me that they found my poor daughter dead, they found her body at some abandoned place in the forest all beat up and she was raped before they killed her. That day, I thought that I'm going to lose my mind. I've suffered a heart attack also; the police never found the killer but for some reason I had a feeling that what my daughter was telling me that day was true, and I was a fool for not listening to her and help her escape that monster. I did my own research when I told the police about John, but they didn't believe me, so I did my own research and found out that he dated a lot of women that also died the way my daughter did. I'm glad that to get away from him, dear. Wait here, I bring you the research that I did on that person."

Ms. Harrison got up from the couch and went to a room to bring the research that she did on John. Maddie couldn't believe that man was not normal. How could he do it to those poor women? I need to find something about him and lock him behind bars so he couldn't hurt women anymore. A few moments later Ms. Harrison came back with a folder that was thick meaning that she searched a lot about him.

"Here dear, you can take this. I hope it'll help you with you journey of finding any evidence against that murder and when you manage to arrest him, come to visit me and I'll welcome you with open arms." Maddie smiled at her and took the folder that she passed to her.

After saying goodbye to Ms. Harrison and promise her to tell her the result, they left her house and drove back to hotel they were staying. Maddie was exited even though those were not the evidence that she hoped to find but it was still something that can help along the road. When they arrived at the hotel, they got up to their room and started to pack their stuff so they could leave tomorrow morning this town and drive back to LA and read the folder she received today from Ms. Harrison. That night, Maddie went to sleep feeling exited that maybe she could finally find something inside this thick folder, with these thoughts she went to sleep knowing that tomorrow they finally going to leave Houston and go back home, where she really want to be!

#

Currently, he was standing outside watching the new rookies doing the exercises that he told them to do. He could see a few of them that won't be able to pass the exam if they didn't train harder.

"How are our new recruits are doing?" James turned around and saw Mike coming his way. "Do you think someone from them will pass our trial?"

James sighed and shook his head. "It's hard to say, my friend. I can see a few of them passing the trial, but the rest of them, well, as you can see, some are having trouble with our routine. Let's hope for the best."

Mike nodded his head and stayed with James to watch the new recruits working on the same routine that they had to go through to pass the trial and get to the 'Red Flag' base.

"How are you hanging without Maddie in the house? Did you find a better babysitter?" James looked at his friend and sighed, the only thing he could do during this past month was thinking about Maddie and the way she moved around his house and watching over his son while he was recovering or when he returned to the base.

"I found someone, but Drew doesn't like her and is making a fuss about it. My mom is now watching over him, because the woman didn't last even a day with Drew's crying and fussing. I don't know if I'll be able to find someone like Maddie, but he'll have to get used to the idea that she's not coming back. Don't worry Mike, I'll find someone else, and he'll have to get used to that person. I will not chase after her if she doesn't want it."

"Sir, there is a phone call for you," the soldier had said to him.

"Thank you, see you around Mike." James left Mike to watch over the recruits and went to the office to answer the phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hi honey, how are you?"

"Hi mom, is everything is, OK?"

"Yes, James, everything is doing good. I have Drew sleeping right now. Are you coming home tomorrow?"

"Yes mom, I'm coming home tomorrow. I know it's your birthday, so I'll be there for you."

"That is good James, we are going to Dekota's restaurant to celebrate my birthday."

"No problem, mom. You know that I really like her restaurant."

"That is good, son. Well, I'll let you finish your stuff and I'll see you tomorrow. I love you, my boy."

James smiled and said, "I love you too mom, see you tomorrow!" They said their goodbye and hang up the phone. He sat in his chair and looked outside of the window and got lost in his thoughts.

I know I should stop thinking about Maddie and concentrate on the most important people that I have right now, but I can't get Maddie out of my head. I'm sorry Paula, I won't ever forget you, you were the most important person to me, but right now I have someone else in my head and I can't get her out of my head. James sighed at his thoughts. He sure is losing his mind because of that woman.

At the next day, he left the base early in the morning so he could get home and be with his son before they'll have lunch at his mother's house. The traffic was quiet and empty. It was good for him because he got home in less than an hour and release his mother to get home and prepare the lunch until they come.

After he saw his mother leaving, he went to the laundry to put on his dirty uniform and other clothes as well. After he started the laundry, he went upstairs and entered Drew's room and to his surprise, his son was standing in his crib and the moment he saw his father, he jumped inside his crib. James laughed at his son's reaction.

"Hello buddy. Did you miss me that much?" James picked him up from the crib to give him a kiss. "Today is your grandma's birthday, so you'll have to behave, young man."

James got out of the room with Drew in his hands and went to the kitchen to prepare him his bottle. When he got there, he saw his mom had already prepared it and made him breakfast. James shakes his head. I see mom will always help me when I don't even ask for it. Thanks mom. James laughed and then put Drew in his highchair.

"What do you say buddy, you want your bottle?" Drew clapped his hands and then put them out and blabbered.

"Bobble, bobble," James laughed at his son's words.

"OK buddy, here is your bottle. While you're drinking your milk, daddy will eat his breakfast."

The morning went by with a lot of laughter and playing, and when noon came, James dressed his son so they could go to celebrate his mom's birthday at home. After finishing dressing Drew, he went to his room and got dressed, too. In an hour, they both dressed and were ready to leave the house and head out to his mother's house.

His mother's house was just in front of his, so they only had to cross to arrive. James knocked and waited for his mother to answer the door. When the door finally opened, he hugged his mother and gave her the flowers that he bought at the last minute.

"Happy birthday, mom."

"Thank you, my loves. Come in. Your dad is in the living room." James came in and went to the living room.

"Hi dad, how are you?"

"Hi James, and hello to you too, little man. Come to grandpa." Albert took Drew from James's arms and sat down on the couch to play with him.

James watched his family from the living room and was happy that he got to see his parents happy and smiling all the time. If only I could bring them a daughter-in-law and fill their house with more grandchildren. James sighed to himself and laughed at that thought. He noticed his father was looking at him with a worried face.

"Don't worry dad, I had a funny thought in my head. Don't mind me, let's have some lunch and celebrate mom's birthday."

James got up from the couch and alongside his father and son went to the dining room to eat and having some fun.

#

Maddie couldn't believe it yet. Now that they were back home, she could read the documents in the folder that Ms. Harrison gave her two days ago. She couldn't find evidence against John, but at least she had some information about him now.

"Maddie, are you OK?" Maddie turned around and saw Dekota standing behind her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What were you saying?"

She knew her friend was worried about her. "I need you to prepare a table for three people and a highchair for a baby. They are going to come at 7 pm to celebrate the birthday of the mother."

"You got it." Maddie went to the big table that was in her area and cleaned and organized it. Maddie looked at the watch on her wrist and saw that she only has one and a half hours till they come to the restaurant. She shocked her thoughts out of her head and worked on cleaning the table and organizing it.

#

James felt nervous going to the restaurant today. It felt like something is going to happen there.

"Are you doing well, son?" His father asked him from the front sit while he was driving them to the restaurant.

"I'm fine, dad, just feeling weird." James looked at his son, that currently was playing with his shoes and laughing. He smiled at him and looked for the fake tablet that he bought for Drew, so he could play with it. "Here buddy, play with this until we reach the restaurant, cause after dinner we are going to eat some cake! Are you happy with that?" James laughed as Drew clapped his hands at the sound of the word 'cake'. "Someone here likes the word 'cake'."

All the way to the restaurant, James and his parents were laughing at the way Drew was saying the word 'cake' and laughing at every sound that he heard on the way. Once they arrived at the restaurant, James took Drew out of his car sit and put him on his hip to carry him all the way in. As they entered, there was a hostess on the entry.

"Good evening. Do you have a reservation?"

"Yes, it's under the name of Davis."

The hostess looked at her list, and when she found the name, she said, "please follow me, I'll take you to your table." They all followed her inside to their table.

"This is your table. There is also a highchair for the baby, as requested. The waitress will be with you at any moment. Enjoy your evening here." James thanked the hostess and sat down Drew on the highchair, and they all took their sits around the table.

"It has been a while since I've come to here. It has changed a lot over the years."

"It sure does, James." Dekota came to their table with a smile. He was happy to see his friend again.

"How are you, Dekota?"

"I'm doing good, thanks. Well, hello to you too Drew. Did you miss me and my boys?" Drew was clapping his hand when he saw Dekota next to him. "You waitress will be with you any moment. Enjoy your stay."

"Thanks, Dekota, and say hello to Bill when you see him."

"I will James." After a little conversation with Dekota, they waited for their waitress for another 10 minutes.

"Good evening. My name is Maddie and I'll be your waitress." James froze in his place. He knew that voice. It was the voice of the woman that haunts his dreams and thoughts. He looked up from the menu and there she was, standing right next to him.

"Maddie? Is that you?"

Maddie looked to her right, and froze, then she looked around the table and saw his parents too and at the sound of a baby voice she looked at the highchair that was prepared and saw little Drew putting his hand up as he looks at her.

"Caddy, Caddy" he was saying. As she saw him, tears were forming in her eyes. She missed him so much, that little guy.

"What are doing here, Maddie? Since when you worked for Dekota?"

Maddie looked at James and said, "Hi James, it has been two months since I've worked here. Happy birthday, Terry. I wish you the best. What would like to order?" Maddie took their order and then collected their menus. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her arm and saw James stopping her from walking off.

"I wish we could meet up and talk. Please Maddie, come tomorrow to the house so we could talk."

"There is nothing to talk about, James, so please excuse me. I'm going to give your order to the chef."

"Please, Maddie. Just come tomorrow. I know you miss Drew. He also misses you a lot. Don't you see it? He cried a lot when you left, he still can't connect to the other babysitters. Just come tomorrow before your shift."

Maddie looked at Drew and saw how happy he was to see her. I see that at least someone missed me. "Fine, I'll stop by tomorrow at your house before my shift. Now, excuse me." Maddie took off to the counter and gave their order to Greg, so he could pass it to the kitchen stuff.

"I didn't know that they would come today, Maddie. I can ask Julia to switch with you."

Maddie looked at her friend and said, "it's OK, Dekota, I don't mind serving them. Plus, I've missed Drew a lot. He grew up so much."

"You're right, he grew up a lot. One day, all the women will fall in love with him." Maddie and Dekota laughed at her remark.

"You're right."

"Maddie, the first order is ready." Greg called her from the counter.

"Thanks Greg. We'll talk later." Dekota nodded, and Maddie took off to grab the order.

As time pass by, she just enjoyed looking at little Drew, at the way he was eating his food with the spoon. She doesn't even realize that he can eat on his own. GOD, Drew is growing up so fast. He can eat by himself now and before you know it, he'll be running around the house, and I won't be able to see it anymore. Maddie shook her head from these thoughts and continued to serve their table until they left the restaurant with a promise that she'll come tomorrow before her shift.