Just Before Dawn chapter 4 (standard:mystery, 5159 words)
Author: Sarah Spenser	Added: Mar 07 2005	Views/Reads: 3140/2115	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
This chapter picks up with the birdnapping of Allison's cockatoo Scarlet!. Read on and see the interesting twist that happens!

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

gently stroked her hair, she was too upset to speak, so they just sat 
there holding each other. Allison hoped that some kind soul would find 
Scarlet and return him to her. Maybe Mark would get tired of him and 
turn him loose. Just then the phone rang, it was like a bomb exploding, 
shattering the silence. “I'll get it!” Allison said reaching for the 
portable on the table next to her. “Hello?” “Allison?” “Yes?” “It's 
Richie, Lynn's boyfriend.” “Hi, Richie. How are you?” “Fine, how are 
you and Connor feeling?” “We're fine thanks. Is something wrong?” 
“Well, I have the test results from your blood work. I told the lab to 
put a rush on it, since it was so mysterious. You were poisoned.” 
“Poisoned?” she couldn't believe it, and said the word as if it was 
foreign. “Yes, with a substance known as carbon tetrachloride. It 
causes nausea, drowsiness, headache and sometimes vomiting. It was very 
hard to trace, it's not used as a poison. Not like arsenic or cyanide.” 
“Well, what do we do? Do we need to get treated?” “No, I think it's all 
cleared out of your system, but I'll do some blood work ups on all of 
you just to be sure. Carbon tetrachloride has a very sweet odor, and my 
guess is it was put in the flowers.” “I guess so. What is it used for? 
I never heard of it.” “It's used for cars, fire extinguishers and 
refrigerants. But it was banned in the seventies. Whoever poisoned you 
was crafty, not your typical poisoning. Oh, and it's also used in dry 
cleaning.” “Hmm, thanks, Richie. I really appreciate your help.” 
“You're welcome, Allison. If you or Connor feel sick let me know. Oh, 
and I'm sorry about Scarlet. Lynn told me. I hope you find him.” “Thank 
you.” As she put down the phone, Connor knew the news wasn't good. 
“What is it, sweetness?” he asked kissing her lightly. “Connor, we were 
poisoned! There was poison in the flowers!. Now that man has Scarlet? 
He tried to kill me a few times already and now he has my baby! What if 
he kills him? What if he harms him? What if ...” Connor kissed her to 
silence her. She returned his affection and grasped his hand. “Shh, 
Allie. Everything's going to be all right. Mark's probably using 
Scarlet as leverage. You know how his mind operates. There's no doubt 
about it, I'm definitely staying with you tonight.” “I want my baby 
home with me!” she sobbed. “I know, sweetheart. I know.” He tried to 
console her and soothe her tears. At 1 they climbed into bed. But 
Allison couldn't sleep, every time she closed her eyes images of 
Scarlet would fill her mind. Thoughts of him being tortured or maimed 
plagued her, she was restless and quietly got out of bed so she 
wouldn't wake Connor. She paced around the living room, wearing a 
groove in the floor. The floor creaked under her feet as she paced 
turning her eyes to Scarlet's cage. She tried to think of where he 
might be, but she came up empty, she sat on the couch and turned the TV 
on. She couldn't sleep, so she passed the time by watching 
advertisements and late night comedy. A few hours later she heard 
footsteps and her name. “Allie?” Connor asked sleepily wandering into 
the living room. “I'm here.” She said softly, he came towards her and 
could tell she'd been crying. “What's wrong? I mean besides Scarlet 
being kidnapped.” “That's just it, Connor!. I couldn't sleep, every 
time I closed my eyes I kept seeing his face, hearing his squawk, and 
wondering where he is now.” She dissolved into tears again. “Sweetie, 
everything's going to be fine, he'll come back.” “He's being held by a 
madman!. There's no telling what he'll do, Connor!. Mark may just kill 
Scarlet to get revenge. He killed Martha Bernard!” he couldn't argue 
her point, and stayed quiet. “Is there anything I can get you?” he 
asked softly. “No thanks.” He spent the next hour trying to comfort 
her, but she was virtually inconsolable. As she was making coffee, 
Allison told him how Scarlet helped her through her mother's death. 
“Did I tell you how he helped me through Mom's death?” Connor shook his 
head. Allie sat next to him while the coffee perked and began telling 
the story. “After Mom died I was distraught, everyone was. It was so 
senseless and tragic. I was really worried about Dad, he was having a 
harder time than I was, he cried for months, slipped into a deep 
depression. It was awful, I took care of him for a while, before I fell 
into a depression myself. Lynn and Dad finally convinced me to visit a 
psychotherapist. After a while, Dr. Longstone coaxed me out of my 
depression and I went to the pet store. I wanted to get Dad a kitten. 
He always loved cats. When I wandered in, Scarlet looked up at me as if 
to say what's wrong with me. I found a cute little kitten I liked and 
as I was at the counter, Scarlet looked my way again. I glanced at him 
and reached out to pet him. He hopped on my hand and said I love you!. 
He was wonderful, he would let me cry and talk to him. I think the best 
part was he didn't judge me, everyone probably thought I was nuts, but 
Scarlet got me through some tough times. I miss him!” tears filled her 
eyes again and Connor reached out to stroke her hair. He whispered 
soothingly to her as she poured them both a cup of coffee. 

Scarlet had kept Mark awake all night, he made some racket. He wondered
how Allison put up with this bird, he got out of bed and walked into 
the living room. Marmalade was sitting in front of Scarlet's carrier 
hissing at him. Scarlet continued to squawk as Mark opened the carrier. 
He tried to bite Mark but he pulled his hand away. “Stop! You damn pain 
in the ass!. Why the hell did I grab you anyway?” Scarlet squawked, 
suddenly he flew and Marmalade tried to jump up and catch him, Mark 
opened the patio door and Scarlet saw his exit, he flew out the door 
and as he flew over the trees he said: “Bye bye!” “Damn bird! And you! 
you stupid cat!” Marmalade hissed at Mark and took off for the bedroom 
to hide under the bed. 

Joanne Susman was hanging clothes on her line outside when she heard the
flutter of wings. She was an avid bird lover and owned Avian Paradise a 
local pet store. Today was her day off and since her husband was out of 
town and the kids were at school, she was going to enjoy it. She called 
the bird and he flew to her, sensing that she was a good soul. “Hi, 
sweetheart, how are you?” she admired his colors as he perched on a 
tree branch a few feet above her head. “Allie!” the bird said. “Who is 
Allie?” Joanne wondered if that was Allison Shure. She remembered 
meeting her last night as she went from house to house handing out 
flyers. Even though she was on the local news, she had no ego or 
thought of herself as famous. Joanne remembered her eyes the most, 
those captivating blue eyes full of sadness. She had always been a fan 
of Allison's work, but to see her so upset was disturbing. It was a 
contrast from her cheerful demeanor on TV. Joanne had saved the flyer 
and had scanned her yard for the bird when she filled the feeder this 
morning. She ran in and grabbed the flyer and read through it. The 
bird's name was Scarlet and his owner was Allison Shure. The “Allie” 
reference made sense. “Scarlet?” Joanne said hesitantly, the cocatoo's 
crown went up and his demeanor changed. She instinctively knew she'd 
gotten the name right and went inside for her portable phone. 

Connor was trying to get Allison to eat something, but it was pointless.
She had barely eaten dinner, as worry and sadness overtook her. He 
hated seeing her like this, and wished someone would find Scarlet. He 
was stroking her hair soothingly as they sat together on the couch. 
“I'll be here for you, Allie. I love you.” “I know you do! Thanks for 
helping me.” “Any time.” Just then the phone rang. “Hello?” Allison 
said with anticipation. “Is this Allison Shure?” “Yes. Who's this?” 
“Hi, I'm Joanne Susman. I live over on Pinewood Avenue. I think I may 
have found Scarlet.” “Really?” “Yes! I just compared him to the flyer 
and the pictures match!” “I'll be right over!” Allison was smiling and 
Connor was glad to see it. When she hung up she kissed him 
passionately. “Thank you!” she said excitedly. “For what?” “For being 
there for me. I love you, Connor!. I just got a call from a woman named 
Joanne she thinks she found Scarlet. I wonder if that's the one who 
owns the avian pet store.” 

Within half an hour, Allison was pulling into Joanne's driveway. She
raced up the porch steps and rang the doorbell. A few moments later a 
plump looking woman answered. She was pretty with auburn hair, dark 
eyes and attractive features. She smiled when she saw Allison. “You're 
Allison Shure!” “Yes, and you're Joanne?” “That's me! Come in, please. 
I hope this is him, the descriptions matched perfectly.” She led 
Allison down a long hallway into the kitchen. Scarlet was perched on a 
latter. The playpen he was in was huge and when he saw Allison he flew 
to her and squawked with delight. “Scarlet! Oh, sweetheart! How are 
you?” he bounced on her hand delighted to be with her again. Joanne 
smiled at the reunion before her. Allison was crying, and Joanne was 
laughing. “I guess he's yours!” “Thank you so much!” Allison said 
reaching into her purse for money. She handed Joanne $50. “No, I can't 
take this.' “Please, Joanne. I appreciate what you did for me. Thank 
you so much!” Allison said giving her a hug. She went to the car to get 
the carrier and soon rode off with Scarlet happily beside her in the 
front seat. 

Once he was home, Allison checked Scarlet over. He didn't appear to be
injured. She changed his water and cleaned his cage. She had called 
Connor and told him that she would be late today. He was elated when 
she told him that Scarlet was back home. After making sure that Scarlet 
was all right, Allison headed to work. 

When she arrived Connor was on the phone. He was asking questions so
fast that Allison wasn't sure how he kept the answers straight. He hung 
up a few minutes later and smiled at her. “How's Scarlet?” he asked. 
“He's fine, no injuries that I can see. But I'm taking him to the vet 
this afternoon just to be sure. What was that call about?” “Bad news, 
Greg Brindel was murdered.” Allison gasped. “Oh no!” “Yeah, I have to 
go and observe the scene want to come?” “Sure, I'll report on it 
tonight.” 

Allison's shocking report was the lead story on the evening news, her
face was plastered all over Fallwood's TV sets. News of Greg's murder 
spread like wild fire, and at dinner tables everywhere, it made for 
interesting conversation. But there was no one more interested than 
Mark Renson. He ate his meatloaf and watched Allison's report again, he 
was transfixed and enraged at the same time. Now she would have to pay, 
he had tried even harder this time to cover up the murder, but the 
police would suspect him anyway. He was the prime suspect in the case 
and expected to be hauled into the station for questioning. He wasn't 
surprised when two officers in plain clothes showed up at his door. 

By the next day, Allison was hot news. Her breaking story was the talk
of the town, and radio talk show host Lorena Kennet wanted to interview 
her. She agreed and Connor tuned in as he perused paper work. He wasn't 
the detective questioning Mark, but he was responsible for gathering 
evidence. He read the preliminary report on Greg's death as he tuned in 
for Allison's interview. “This is Lorena Kennet coming to you live from 
WEER Radio!. My special guest today is reporter Allison Shure. She's 
the gutsy woman who pursued such stories as the Polaroid Murders and is 
now investigating socialite Martha Bernard's murder. This case has gone 
unsolved for almost an entire decade, that is until Allison came 
along,” Lorena winked at Allison who smiled. “she is the focus of 
today's show, feel free to call our toll-free hotline with any 
questions. But first I have a few myself. Allison, what drives you in 
cases like the Bernard case and the Polaroid Murders?” “Well, Lorena, I 
have an intolerance for injustice. In my line of work, I'm reporting on 
injustice every day. These crimes are mind boggling and absolutely 
horrendous!. The Polaroid Murders was one of my toughest cases, but I 
wasn't going to let that one get away!. He was murdering grandmothers 
at the ATM's and I thought what if that were my grandmother? I just 
have this tenacious streak.” “You know, Allison, I think the way that 
you personalize every case is one of your greatest qualities. That's 
what makes you the best crime reporter Fallwood's ever had!” “Thank 
you.” Allison said with a laugh. After a few more minutes of chatting, 
the phone lines began to light up. Most of the callers praised 
Allison's work and were glad they got the chance to speak to her in 
person. But the last caller was strange, Marla the receptionist told 
Lorena through her headset. “You might want to be careful with this 
one, Lorena!. He's an odd duck!” Lorena told her to put him through. 
“Oh, we have another call for you!” Allison smiled mentally preparing 
herself to answer any question that came her way. “You're on the air, 
go ahead.” Lorena chirped cheerfully. “Allison, you'll never escape 
me!” “Who is this?” Allison asked softly. “You know who this is, you'll 
never get away! I took your precious bird and I will take you one day 
too. One day when you least expect it. Just remember these words: next 
time you won't be so lucky!. It won't just be your bird you'll lose!” 
then he hung up. Allison was unsettled but she played it off to Lorena. 
Connor was startled by the caller and couldn't believe that Mark had 
done that. But he was in lock up wasn't he? Connor dialed the sergeant 
who told him the bad news. “Sorry, Connor. We don't have enough 
evidence to hold Mark. We made the arrest too early!. I was overzealous 
in trying to catch him. I think he murdered Greg, but there was no 
weapon found, no signs of forced entry and who knows how Greg died. I 
have some men interviewing friends and family now. Legally we couldn't 
hold Renson.” “But you can if you get forensic evidence?” “Of course! 
But we don't have that yet and his attorney would have a field day!” 
“Okay, thanks.” Connor hung up and went back to his paper work. Allison 
breezed into his office half an hour later. “Hi, Allison!” Connor said 
rising from his chair to kiss her. They lingered for several minutes 
just lost in each other. “Wow! That was some kiss!” she said running 
her fingers through his wavy blond hair. “Thanks!. You were great, 
Allie!. I loved the interview! Except for that last call. Who was that 
crackpot?” “Take a guess!” she said sarcastically sitting across from 
him. “Renson. I thought he was in lock up until I called the sergeant.” 
“They released him?” Allison asked in shock. “Yeah! They arrested him 
before they had any real evidence linking him to Greg's murder. We 
don't actually know that he killed Brindel yet. All we have is our 
intuition. Not to say that's not valuable, but you can't arrest someone 
on pure suspicion. You have to have evidence to back it up.” “Yeah, I'm 
sorry he got released. I think that man's dangerous!. I know it was 
Renson who called!. He talked about kidnapping Scarlet.” “I heard, 
Allie. I really want to stay with you tonight!. There's no telling what 
Renson will do.” “Sure! if you want to. I'd love to have you. But you 
have to do me a favor.” She said devilishly. “What?” Connor inquired 
eager to fulfill her request. “Make love to me, all night. Smother me 
in your kisses and ...” there was a knock at the door. They were 
unwillingly brought back to the present as Nina the lab technician 
entered. “Hi, Allison, Hi Connor. I just wanted to update you on Greg 
Brindle's case. From the preliminary reports, it looks like a suicide.” 
“So, we were wrong?” “It looks that way.” Nina said shaking her head. 
“But I'll get back to you when I have something definitive.” Allison 
and Connor spent the rest of the day reviewing the evidence in the 
Swenson and Bernard cases. They also perused the new file on Greg 
Brindle. Allison was almost sure that Mark killed Greg. If Mark had 
found out about Greg's omission to Connor that he wasn't with him the 
night Marlena was murdered, Mark could have very well snapped. 

The day passed by uneventfully after Allison's interview. There were no
more calls, and she couldn't be absolutely sure it was Mark who had 
called her earlier. The man was using some sort of voice disguising 
equipment so she wasn't positive. When she got home, she ordered pizza 
while Connor went to his apartment to pick up a few things. When he 
returned, the pizza was warming in the oven. They lit candles and had a 
romantic candle light dinner. Afterwards, Connor carried Allison to the 
couch where the foreplay began. “Do you know how much I love you?” he 
asked smothering her mouth with tender kisses. “Show me!” she whispered 
as his lips met hers again. Connor's kisses were full of passion and 
longing as he kissed his way down her neck and slowly came to her 
breasts. He delicately began to caress them as he undid the buttons of 
her blouse. “Allie! I love you so much!. All I could do today was think 
about you!. Think about holding you, making love to you, kissing you. 
You are my life!” he slowly slid off her shirt revealing her bra and 
her supple breasts. Connor gently picked her up and carried her into 
the bedroom. 

He laid her on the bed as he disrobed, Allison quickly rid herself of
the rest of her clothes and pulled Connor towards her. She began to 
kiss him passionately, as the wild fire of passion coursed through her. 
Her desire for him was insatiable, and she slowly made him moan her 
name in pleasure and ecstasy as she made her way down his body. Once 
she had kissed every part of him, she made her way back up to his mouth 
and took possession of his lips again. 

They kissed for several minutes, their tongues overlapping and exploring
each others mouths. They murmured promises of love between kisses that 
aroused them both. “I love you, Allison! I love you so much! Tell me 
you want me.” Connor said breathlessly. In response, she kissed him 
passionately. She pulled away and looked into his brown eyes. They were 
filled with longing and reflected his love for her. Allison knew she 
was a lucky woman, most people never found true love. Yet she was 
making love to her soul mate. “Does that prove how much I want you!” 
she asked smiling devilishly. “Oh yes! I love you. I'll love you 
forever!” Connor said grabbing her and kissing her. Allison's hands 
gently traveled to his soft hair as she ran her fingers through it. He 
stroked her hair lightly before he began to make love to her. 

It was magical, starting slow and sentual like the slow build of a wave.
But soon it grew more intense and rhythmic as the passion burned 
inside. Allison wanted to be one with Connor, she loved him so 
desperately, so completely, she couldn't tell where she ended and he 
began. As he made love to her that night, Allison was floating on a 
cloud of happiness. This was all she ever wanted out of life, this is 
what poets wrote about. True love, everlasting love, and Allison Shure 
had found it. 

Once they were too exhausted, they collapsed beside each other. For a
while, Connor just held Allison, just listening to her heart beat. He 
watched her adoringly as she looked into his eyes. He ran his fingers 
through her hair as her soft hands delicately caressed his cheek. “That 
was wonderful.” Connor said, Allison smiled and laughed. “I'm glad you 
think so. I love you, Connor.” “I love you, Allie.” “Thanks for helping 
me get through Scarlet's kidnapping.” “Any time. How is he? What did 
the vet say?” “He said he's fine, thank goodness. No injuries!” “That's 
wonderful, sweetness.” “I love you.” She said stroking his cheek. “I 
love you, Allie. You're my world!” he kissed her tenderly. She returned 
his kiss and soon was asleep beside him. 

Connor watched her for a long time, she was so beautiful and peaceful.
She was lying in his arms, and every time he looked at her, his heart 
started to race. He wanted to stay with her, to protect her just in 
case Mark decided to make tonight Allison's last. Soon Connor drifted 
off to sleep, content with his life and delighted that he had found 
Allison. 

At around four the next morning, a car pulled into the Fallwood
Apartment Complex. The man had been planning this for weeks, and 
tonight was his night. Tonight was the night that everyone who stood in 
his way would be silenced permanently. He took out the folded piece of 
paper he kept in his pocket and read the apartment number. He could 
probably scale the wall. Under the cloak of darkness, the man crept up 
behind the building. He slowly and carefully began to scale the wall. 
Once he reached his destination, he hopped over the terrace railing. He 
fiddled with the lock on the terrace door, but couldn't get it open. He 
took out his trusty lock pick, and within two seconds gained entry into 
the apartment. 

Night was the perfect time to strike, when people were asleep, they were
at their most vulnerable, and he was going to catch her off guard If it 
was the last thing he ever did. But as he passed Scarlet's cage, the 
bird began to squawk incessantly. Allison and Connor stirred sleepily 
in the bedroom, not knowing what to make of it. “Connor? Is it morning 
already?” Allison asked sleepily barely opening her eyes to look at 
Connor. He reached over to shut off the alarm, and discovered it wasn't 
time to get up. He read the bedside clock which said 4-22. “It's 
morning but not time to get up, Allie. I'm not sure what that was.” 
“Oh, well, I guess we can go back to sleep.” She said settling back 
down In Connor's arms. But as soon as she began to doze off, Scarlet 
began to squawk again. “That's highly unusual! I'll go check on him.” 
Allison said searching for her slippers. “No, honey, I'll go.” Connor 
said getting out of bed. The man was lying in wait in the hallway, 
stalking his prey with the stealth and accuracy of a hungry lion. His 
hiding place was inconspicuous, one of the very reasons he had chosen 
it. As soon as Connor rounded the corner that led into the living room, 
the man hit him with a paper weight. Allison heard a thud and wondered 
what it was. “Connor? Are you all right?” when he didn't answer, she 
got out of bed. After searching for her slippers, she rounded the bend 
calling his name, but he still didn't answer. Then she saw Connor lying 
unconscious on the floor. “Oh my God! Connor! Connor? Can you hear me? 
What happened?” as Allison bent down to check his pulse, the man snuck 
up behind her. His movements were punctuated with purpose and 
determination. She felt the sharp blade of a knife press into her skin. 
She gasped, unaware of the intruder. “Don't move, Allison!” she turned 
to face the man who was incognito with a stocking cap, sunglasses and 
gloves. “Can I call an ambulance for Connor?” “Don't move! And don't' 
scream! Otherwise I'll kill him right in front of you!. Now take me to 
the bedroom! Show me where it is!” nervous and terrified, Allison 
slowly left Connor to comply with the masked man's demands. As she made 
her way into the bedroom the man closed the door. Once she was on the 
bed he pushed her down and pressed the knife into her skin. “What do 
you want? I'll give you anything! What do you want? Please don't hurt 
Connor He's a good guy! He was just trying to protect me! Don't hurt 
him please! I won't tell anyone this happened! Not even Connor!. I'm a 
very trustworthy ...” “Shut up!” the man grew angrier and Allison froze 
as the knife came perilously close to her throat. 


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