They were on the way back to Sam's house when he got a call. " I'm off tonight, what do they want?" He picked up and only said a few words, "Yeah I'm not far from there, heading over now." He turned the car around. "What's going on?" She asked. "Someone is reporting another car jacking, but this time it's in a residential area. They're sending a unit but we're closer. I just want to head over there."
"Sam, are you sure?" Mara's hair stood up on the back of her neck. He grabbed her hand, "It's alright babe, I won't pull up too close. But we've been working on this case for months and I want to get a lead on these guys. We told dispatch to contact us whenever they get a related call." She tried to focus on what he was saying, but she realized he called her babe.
God she loved hearing him call her that. After 5 more minutes, he shut the car lights off and slowly drove up and parked the car. At first with the fog that night it was hard to see. But then they could make out a short guy that looked like he was trying to get into a red BMW next to other cars parked on the street.
"Shit, he's two minutes away from jacking it." He stared at her, "Listen to me…just stay in the car, keep your head low. Do not get out for anything. I have a gun in the glove compartment." Sam grabbed his gun that was on his side holder and cocked it. Then he threw the holder on the seat and put the gun behind his back. Mara let out a small gasp. What would she need a gun for? Suddenly fear surged everywhere in her body. "Sam," she whispered.
"It will be ok, the guy's by himself," he said looking at her intently. But somehow she couldn't believe him. For a woman who had been a suburban housewife most of her life, this was the scariest thing she'd seen in a long time. Sure, she had dreams of a more exciting life, who didn't. But not now that she was watching a real life crime unfold! Her daughter flashed in her mind. It was late. She was probably in her dorm room studying or out with friends. She looked up and the man was still struggling to get the car door open.
Sam got out of the car and slowly approached the man. "Good evening Sir, you want to tell me what you're doing here?" Sam spoke in a tough, but calm tone. Mara had never heard him sound like that before. She was keeping her head low, but was trying to see what was happening. "Hey guy, what's the problem here," the man said nervously.
"You tell me," said Sam. " We've had quite a few strings of car thefts lately. I don't suppose this is your car." The man had started to reach down for something in his pants..."look man I don't want no trouble, I lost my keys. I just gotta get in my car," he said as his hand went in the air as to wave to someone.
"Police, Get your hands up now," Sam yelled and he went to reach for his gun behind his back. Mara was trying to keep her head down, but she wanted to see what was happening. Out of the corner of her eye Mara saw someone running in the dark, something was in his hand. It happened so quick. He hit Sam with the object in the legs and Sam collapsed hard on the ground. "Hey motherfucker, what are you gonna do," the guy laughed.
The shorter punk by the car ran over and kicked Sam in the head and the taller man proceeded to hit him with the weapon again in his chest. Mara was shaking. She had to do something, so she grabbed her cell phone and tried to call 911. Her hands were shaking so bad, she kept missing the numbers. After the third try she got it and started to frantically search in the glove compartment.
"911, what is your emergency." a man answered. "My boy..my boy friend he's a cop, he's being attacked outside our car, please help!" she tried to whisper, but her voice was cracking. "Ms, where is your location?" he asked." I'm not sure we... I'm not from here.. she tried to look for a street sign. We just came from dinner, from the Market Square downtown. Can't you track my phone?" She asked "Yes, just stay on the phone, we'll get someone out to your location now." As he spoke Mara found the gun in the glove compartment.
The man was asking more questions, but all she could hear was the sound of Sam being beaten. It was like an out of body experience. Mara looked at the gun trying to remember what Sam showed her. It looked similar to the gun she used at the range that day. She pulled the safety off the gun and slowly got out of the car. Shaking, with both her hands on the gun, she tried to aim and one shot went off.
The sound instantly stopped them. She walked closer, her legs feeling like they could give out at any second, "Get the fuck away from him or I'll shoot your dicks off, I'm a pretty good aim." She lied. She heard Sam try to say her name. Her hands were shaking. "You want to go to jail tonight assholes? More cops are on their way now!" She screamed and shot the gun again, this time right by the taller man. Sounds of police sirens were off in the distance. The taller man dropped the crowbar on the ground and they both ran.
Mara was shaking so hard, her fingers felt locked around the gun. She wanted to run over to Sam, but it felt like she was moving in slow motion. She got closer to him and screamed. His face was bloody on one side. He looked like he was barely breathing, more tears started forming in her eyes. She fell down to her knees and didn't know where to put her hands.
"Sam, she whispered, and then got louder, "Sammm! Can you hear me?" She lightly touched the side of his face. His beautiful handsome face. His square jawline with his 5 o'clock shadow starting. His full lips. His brown hair waved to the side, was dark and damp with blood. She heard the sirens and ambulance in the background…. "Hang on, please babe...I can't lose you too," she cried.