Page 65 of The Pain We Allow
“Uhm…I don’t think I can-”
“If you value your job, you will.”
Colin whistled.
“I’ll see what I can do, sir. Please hold.” The line went to some cheery music for a couple minutes before an older man came on the line.
“Mr. Sinclair, Principal Felkins speaking. Is everything okay? I hear there’s something urgent that you need to speak to us about?” The older man sounded calm. Probably used to dealing with rich assholes.
“Absolutely, I need to know who is on Allison's emergency pick up list and I also need the school’s rule on visitors who come in and out of the facility. Are there security measures in place for extenuating circumstances? Are there metal detectors and so forth?”
“Well….let me look at her chart real quick. While I’m doing that, I’ll have you know we are a peaceful school, and obviously promote no violence, though we do have two fully armed security officers at the school. We do not have metal detectors, but we do have a state-of-the-art security system on the outside of the buildings that includes the grounds of the buildings and there are cameras in every hallway and in the office. The only places that do not have them are the bathrooms, the teacher break rooms, and the classrooms. In order for a visitor to enter the building, they have to be buzzed in by a staff member, and sign in. They also need to be an approved visitor on an attending child’s chart. May I ask what prompted the question, sir?” Principal Felkins’ voice sounded confident and sure over the phone.
“Yes, there have been multiple deaths of redheaded women over the last four months around our area, we have reason to believe that my sister-in-law is a target, and these deaths are related to her. Allison is her niece, and we cannot rule out she is a target as well. Last night, there was a redheaded toddler killed with her mother about thirty minutes away from my sister in law's property, and about ten minutes from the school. I would like to have my own security officer accompany Allison to class every day. I need him added to the list. Can I come in tomorrow to give you the information and get this handled please?”
Colin smiled. No ifs ands or butts about it. Jonathan was a bulldozer.
“Sir-we cannot have an officer who is not through our security company-” Principal Felkins stuttered, sounding slightly offended.
“I need you to really think about your next words, Felkins. Because if anything happens to my daughter while on your property and you’ve refused my request, I will dismantle your institution with you in it. You feel me?” Jonathan growled down the phone with his deep voice, his face flushing darker as he seethed.
“Sir, there’s no need- “
“Oh, there’s every need. I’ll be by tomorrow with the head of the security agency, we will get the school board all the needed information. You will make this happen. Be at your office by tomorrow by 7 a.m. sharp, we’ll be waiting,”
And with that, he hung up. Not even waiting for Allison’s emergency list.
“You’re such a good father,” Colin said, no malice in his tone. His anger at their situation had dissipated at some point. He reached his hand out to clasp Jonathan’s, feeling his strength. He’d been by his side through everything since he was sixteen years old, and if they had to find themselves in this situation, he couldn’t think of anyone who would have his back more.
“Thanks man,” Jonathan said, his eyes sorrowful. “Bro... I never told you this but… Ezra was pregnant when she died of her heart attack,” his voice came out strained. “Three months.”
Colin’s eyes widened in shock. The news hit him hard, knowing that Jonathan had been grieving an extra life, unbeknownst to him.
“Jonathan….brother I am so sorry. No, I didn’t know,” Colin stepped forward and clasped his hand on the back of his neck, squeezing. He was strung tight, and Colin realized he had deep seated fear too, he just handled it better. Probably because he’d already suffered a major loss.
“Man, I want to hunt Carmichael down and fuck him up so bad. He’s hunting our girls,” Colin breathed, his fist clenching as that ever present cloud of anxiety loomed closer. “I want to kill him, Jonathan. For even have the nerve to touch her, to look at her. To want her when she’s not his. Now all these women are dying and…a child? What the fuck man?”
“We have to be still and let Howards and Vincent do their thing,” Jonathan clipped, looking over at him. “Don’t be going off and doing anything reckless Colin.”
“Jonathan, come on man. You know I won’t.”
Jonathan was silent for a heartbeat. Colin bristled, already anticipating his smart-ass reply.
“Yea…but I also know you want to. And we all know how you are when you don’t get what you want,” Jonathan mused, looking over the expansive property.
“And can you blame me?” Colin growled. “We finally find a taste of happiness, and look. Just LOOK!” he barked, his eyes flashing.
Jonathan turned to face him head on. “You call me…when you get that urge. You don’t need to be alone,” Jonathan gritted, face tight.
“Fine. I’ll skin that punta alive, Jonathan. I’m not going to take many more dead redheads with no results. No justice. The man sits on the fucking bench of the highest order for Christ's sake,” Colin gritted, folding his arms and turning away from him slightly. His heart pounded. The thought of the judge hurting Olivia, Allison, Vanessa…he just wouldn’t tolerate it.
“Not for long. That’s why he’s becoming reckless. Think about how desperate he must be to kill a child. And besides, you know I’ll help you. It’ll be like the good old days, yeah?” Jonathan turned an amused smile at his friend.
Colin grunted.
“Bro, I hate to be inappropriate, but what the fuck did she do to the man? He was a client for four years, right? Jesus, well, she drove him legit crazy. He’s turned serial killer obsessed and killing children and she didn’t even fuck him? Is she a witch or something? Could you imagine holding the amount of power he has and lose your fucking mind like that over a woman you haven’t even stuck your cock in? It’s kinda eerie,” Jonathan half laughed, his cheek twitching from trying to hold off a smile. The situation really wasn’t funny, but he had a dark sense of humor.
Colin turned an arched eyebrow at him. Thinking about his and Olivia’s sex life. He got a very sickening trickle of fear that he would kill over her. And not just the judge either. He opted not to answer. Jonathan already thought he was losing his mind half the time anyway.
