All About Love Part XII

She struggled violently because she still hadn’t seen who it was that was talking to her. All she knew was that a gun had gone off. As she felt herself being rolled over, she forced herself to look into the eyes of (who she thought was) her captor. NO! It was George Wilson! She burst into fresh tears and struggled again as he gently untied her. When she was loose she flew into the old mans arms and sobbed her heart out. George didn’t have to tell her…she knew Phil was dead and she was safe at last.

****

By the time the call came through to the boys that Lisa had been found and was okay, they were less than an hour away from town. The news that Phil Robinson was dead was greeted with a mixture of relief and disbelief. They all wondered how this had escalated as far as it had. It was a known fact to the four of them that society (in general) still had a lot of accepting to do as far as their sexuality was concerned…but this? This was madness in it’s purest form! Needless to say, except for the occasional comment, the ride back into town was quiet. By the time they reached the outter limits of Junctionville all four of them were a nervous wreck because they knew that Alan Hamilton was still on the loose and still gunning for them. Todd was even more nervous than the others because he feared for his mothers safety along with his own.

“He’s gonna try something.” Todd said quietly as they rolled into the parking lot of the town hall.
“What babe?” Billy asked.
“My father…he’s going to try something.”
“He’d better have an army with him,” Jack replied. “Look up ahead.”

Indeed…in front of them was an army of police. They had completely surrounded town hall. There were cops everywhere! 
Sheriff Jason Jones had called in re-enforcements from neighboring towns to help keep order. There were barricades everywhere and police were patrolling and stopping cars. One approached the truck and Jack rolled down his window.

“You kids have business here?” The cop asked gruffly.

“Yes officer,” Jack replied. “My name is Jack Parsons, (he gestured toward Robbie), this is Robbie Burns and I have the Mayor’s son and the former sheriffs son in the back seat.”
“Billy Osgood and Todd Hamilton?”
“Yes sir.”

The officer stepped back and spoke briefly into his walkie-talkie. Instantly the vehicle was surrounded by an army of cops and the kids were escorted to a parking space. As soon as they stepped out, they were completely surrounded by cops. As soon as the press saw what was happening they moved in.
“GET BACK!” An officer shouted.

The four boys were jostled as a sea of photographers, camera men and journalists tried to get a closer look at them. They shouted questions, snapped pictures and the cameras rolled. But each boy knew better than to say anything as they were quickly brought inside, rushed down a hallway filled with more reporters and ushered into an office. The door closed quickly behind them and they came face to face with their parents.

“TODD!” Mrs. Hamilton shouted with relief. 
She flew across the room and embraced her son. Natalie kissed Robbie lovingly and Jack and Scott hugged warmly.
Billy went to his parents with tear filled eyes. “How’s Lisa?”

Mayor Osgood looked at his son warmly. He and his wife loved the way their children looked out for each other. “Your sister has a major concussion and she’s in the hospital. But, she is going to make a full recovery. Jason has her surrounded by officers all armed to the teeth.”

Billy looked somewhat relieved. “What about Zach?”
“Zach,” his mother said. “Is safe in the arms of your grandmother. Just let anyone try to get close to him without her permission.”
Billy laughed softly. His mother’s mom was not a person to be fooled with. Especially when she wielded that old shot gun of hers!
“Good. Now I can breathe easy for awhile.”
“Everybody listen up!” 

Jean Grigway had stood silently by the door that led into the council chambers. The place where the press conference was to be held. But now was the time to act so she made herself be heard. 

“We have everyone here except Drew and Paul. You boys should know they did a very brave thing today but we’ll fill you in on that with everyone else at the conference. Right now they are in protective custody. The rest of us have to go out there and face that horde of reporters. We have two tapes to show them and a lot of questions to be answered and (she looked at the boys), I know that you guys can do it. You answer calmly and clearly. If you fumble one of us (the adults) will pick up the ball. Just…tell…the truth! We are here tonight to take back our town. A town that has two long been filled with old prejudices. Tonight we are going to get rid of them all. Is everyone ready?”

They all nodded quietly. “Good,” she said cheerfully. “Now Timothy as Mayor you go first, followed by your wife. Then the four boys, Jack, Natalie and Elizabeth. I’ll bring up the rear. Okay Timothy…it’s time.”

The Mayor stood up, squared his shoulders and kissed his wife. “Alright everyone…let’s go.”
“Just a second,” Elizabeth Hamilton said. “I need a minute to compose myself.”

“It’s alright Liz,” Jean said. “You come out when you’re ready. We all understand. We really couldn’t make those reporters out there understand if it wasn’t for you.”

She nodded gratefully and watched as the Mayor opened the door. The noise grew an octave as they all started to file out the door. Elizabeth could hear the Mayor speaking into the microphone and then Jean closed the door behind them. Elizabeth sat down, before her legs gave out, and burst into tears. Damn Alan straight to hell, she thought bitterly as she fought to control her tears. 

As she wiped her eyes and stood up, the closet door behind her slowly opened up and out stepped her husband. He approached her slowly from behind and covered her mouth quickly and roughly with one hand. The other hand held a gun which he jammed into her neck.
“Alone at last dear,” he whispered in her ear.

Her eyes wide with fear, Elizabeth Hamilton stood stock still. How the hell did her husband get past all those officers? Oh My God! Todd! No! He was out there with the others. He was safe for now.

“Now,” he continued quietly. “You and I are going out to the chambers to join the others and I’m going to take back what is mine…’ya hear?”
He jammed the gun deeper into her neck. She nodded her head up and down, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Shhhh….don’t cry sweetheart…I promise you…I’m just going to take you out there say a few words and then you, Todd and I are leaving okay?”
She nodded again, barely able to breathe, because his hand half covered her nose as well. Slowly they walked to the door that led to the council chambers.
“Now open the door real slow and everything will be alright.”

Her trembling hand reached out and touched the knob. Forgive me Todd, she thought…I’ve failed you again. She turned the knob and slowly pulled the door open and she and Alan stepped out into the harsh lights of the cameras.