The Twinkling

By Jewel M. Scott

AND YOU SHALL BE CHANGED
Jade Stillwater knew something was wrong with her. Shortly after her thirtieth birthday she began experiencing strange rages and violent outbursts. While on her way to have lunch with her best friend, Jade is stopped by the police for what should have been a routine traffic violation. However, it turns into a nightmare! Jade gets into a confrontation with one of the arresting officers, angry she grows and growls in front of everyone. Shocked and frightened, Jade is tossed into prison where inmates are mysterious dying from severe blood loss.

AND THEN THE TWINKLING

Nothing could have prepared Jade for the chain of events that day unraveled. Prison changes most people, add fighting and killing a supernatural creature, and it changes everything. Thrown into the world of supernatural, Jade and her friends race against time to prevent the resurrection of an ancient evil so heinous, it had taken angels to defeat it centuries before.
In the midst of it all, Jades heart is torn between two men who want nothing more than to love and protect her, one human, the other supernatural both sexy as hell. Never in her life had she felt so desired and needed by everyone close to her heart. With time running out and lives being lost, Jade is left with the ultimate decision that could save or end the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781477100882

Jewel M. Scott

Jewel M. Scott was born in Virginia and raised in Brooklyn, New York during the convoluted 70’s. Currently living in the Philadelphia area, she is the devoted mother of two wonderful sons and an avid reader. As an author of paranormal romance, she intertwines heroines who have a wicked sense of humor, with the mysteries of the bible. She adds a pinch of modern day sorcery with a good bit of sex and humor; topping it all off with old world charm. “The Twinkling” is the first novel in her, “Guardians of Zion” series. To learn more about her upcoming novels, visit her website at www.jewelmscott.com. Enter the lair of the WolfPack if you dare!

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Jewel M. Scott.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2012907244

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4771-0087-5

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4771-0088-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. Date: 04/26/13

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

EPILOGUE

AUTHOR’S BIO

THIS NOVEL IS DEDICATED TO:

Shelia Marie Scott

April 27, 1959-September 1991

My sister, my friend, I carry you with me, close in my heart always. I miss you, Shelia . . . until I meet you there.

And to

Bishop Hezekiah Walker

My confidante, my cousin, my friend . . .

By the way, did I happen to mention how very

proud of you I am?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, to God be the glory, always; for truly His will is what’s left for me!

To my mother, Louvenia Scott: thank you for always picking me up whenever I fall(which is often).

To my second mother and aunt, Charlotte Boyd: thank you for always taking my hand and leading me in the right direction (even when I didn’t want to go).

To my aunt, Aretha Carpenter: thank you for teaching me to always dance like there’s no one watching (and, for not laughing out loud when I do)!

To my sisters, Sylvia Mathis and Cynthia Mitchell: thank you for always listening and for your endless patience (even when you wanted to slap me silly).

To my sons, Richard and Ryan: you both are and will always be my inspiration (even when I wanted to slap you silly)!

To my sisters of the heart, Donna Griffin and Dana Brown: we are the sisters three; together we stand and God help whomsoever tries to divide us! (Except, of course, our men!)

To my favorite cousin, Joann Lee: without your help this would not have been possible. I am forever in your debt and forever is a very long time. (Now . . . can I borrow twenty dollars?)

To my best friend, Carolyn T. White: it’s been a long and dusty road. Tears, heartache, heartbreak, betrayal, finding love, losing love! But you have been with me every step of the way. (And that all happened before Iwrote the book!) Hang with me, Kate, the best is yet to be!

To my bosom buddy, Callinda Knox: thank you for telling me to always keep my heart open and for letting me follow my muse. (And you were right, you do make the sexiest vampyre there ever was!)

To Adriene Irving: Thank you for always saying, Don’t give up; you can do it! (When you really wanted to say stop calling my job so much!)

To Jennifer Morales: Thank you for giving without question and for believing without doubt. (And for reminding me that I can always get a job cleaning.)

Dwaine Vassell, my computer expert and web designer/builder extraordinaire! Thank you so much for all of your help, your great work is much appreciated! I look forward to working on the next project with my work husband! (Now, give your wife $100 dollars; she needs new shoes.)

And last, but certainly not least, to my brothers Thomas, David, Timothy, Lonnie and Jerome: thank you guys for keeping the laughter in my life. I treasure each and every one of you! (Now, can one of you guys finish fixing my house?)

Ms. Bernadette Y. Connor:

There are no words in any language that would articulate my appreciation for all you have done for me. I will simply say, thank you for teaching me more about writing than I could have ever learned in any school. Thank you for being patient with me when I know you were ready to pull out your hair. Thank you for not giving up on me when so many others would have. Thank you, most of all, for being my sister, my mentor and my friend. But, you know I don’t like you… right?

The Kiddo,

Jewel M. Scott

THE BEGINNING

The battle between good and evil is as old as time; it involves all of mankind. The battle takes place on this world and all other worlds God in His wisdom has created. This war rages on different planes and in many realities. For who, but mankind, would be so arrogant as to think intelligent life exists only at this time on this planet we call Earth. God created men and in His infinite wisdom and agape love knew evil would choose many forms in which to come to claim them. God also, in His greatness, created the angels to do battle with the principalities of evil on planes most do not even know exist.

Evil is wise, cunning and deceitful. It waits and watches for every opportunity to snatch a soul… to snatch the soul of an evil person? No! Why take what is freely given? Evil wants to snatch the soul of the pure and good, to rip it screaming from the hand of God: that is evil’s purpose! Here on Earth at this time, God has creatures of His own to do battle with the elements of evil mankind faces, but chooses to ignore as myth.

I know this because I fight evil whenever and wherever I find it. I fight for God because in all that I am, He still loves me and guards my soul. I fight because of who and what I am. I am Jade Marie Stillwater, I am African American… I am Lycanthrope!

For thirty years of my life I knew nothing but my humanity. Then, I reached my Lycanthrope pubescent years and experienced The Twinkling of the change for the very first time. Oh, how my life changed, and will never be the same again. I feel my life began at thirty, when I released my wolf! You see, I am not Lycanthrope by way of bite… that is a myth. Lycanthropes are born: from birth your wolf forms within you and with the twinkling it becomes!

My wolf is as much a part of me as my hands, my eyes and most of all my heart. This story I share is not for the glory of my battles, for all glory belongs to God. This tale is to share knowledge and enlightenment with all who want to believe. Truer words were never spoken than when it was said, There are more things between Heaven and Earth than we could ever imagine

I was once human and walked about in total ignorance. Sometimes I wish I were still in that place; but, believe you me, dear friend, most of the time I am well satisfied with my lot in life. So, if you are ready, I shall begin. This tale begins shortly after my thirtieth birthday…

CHAPTER 1

I was driving along Route One going toward West Chester, Pennsylvania in my niece, Tanya’s car—a cute little Nissan Rogue. Tanya is nineteen and beautiful, and although I am her aunt and have nearly ten years on her, she still thinks of me as one of the girls. Earlier, Tanya had said to me, "Aunt Jade, take my car for the day, but only if you promise not to try and run people off the road. And absolutely no chasing cars down the highway yelling, ‘Who’s your momma?’ I had only done that once. Still, those were terms I could live with.

I was on my way to have lunch with my best friend Anna Ewing. Anna’s the Senior Vice President of a major corporation, and we have been friends for as long as I can remember. Anna and I are truly opposites who somehow make a great team! For instance, she’s married with two children; Michael is eight and Storm is four, and her husband, Marcus, is a magnificent specimen of a black man. I am not married, and I do not have a prospect in sight. Also, I don’t have any children of my own, just loads of nephews and nieces who all love me as much as I love them. Anna is also a combination workaholic/super mom! Everyone who meets her loves her, and she has a smile that would light up the devil’s day. She’s the most levelheaded person I’ve ever met. Anna hates confrontation and is always the first to try to make and keep the peace.

Again, I’m the total opposite. If there’s going to be a fight, please let me be in it; especially lately, something’s been wrong with me. I had turned thirty in August and I feel… I don’t know… different… like I’m waiting for something… out there. There are also uncontrollable feelings of rage that just come over me at times. I didn’t know what was happening to me. That was one of the reasons for the lunch with Anna. I thought maybe she could help me sort things out, or have me quietly committed, whichever came first.

So again, there I was rolling along in my borrowed vehicle when all of a sudden I heard the whoop-da-whoop of a police car behind me. I immediately slowed down, pulled over to the shoulder, stopped, took a deep breath and tried to prepare myself for whatever came next. I sat there trying to remember how fast I had been going as the officer walked toward the car. It was a woman; she was five-feet-ten, and probably weighed in at one-hundred-and-ninety. Oh, and of course she was filled with attitude—bad attitude! I have a theory; all police personnel of that type were beat up a lot as children. Now they’re trying to get back at any and everyone unfortunate enough to cross their demented paths.

I rolled down the window and demurely chanted the universal, Is there a problem, officer?

It didn’t work; small town police are the worst. She said, Uh, your tags are bad. License, registration and insurance card, please.

Wanting to look demure, I had to act the part. I nicely handed my license and the registration over to her. I had trouble finding the freaking insurance card. Tanya had given it to me, but I had put it in that black hole I call a purse. I finally dragged it out, and handed it over too.

Officer A. O’Brien looked at me like she had forgotten who I was or what we were doing there. Of course, that would have been fine with me. Then, she blurted out, Stay here! I’ll be right back!

I thought to myself, ‘No lady, I’ll just drive off while you’re holding all of my information. What the heck, it’s a nice day for a high-speed chase.’ I was chewing gum and waiting when I noticed more police cars arriving on the scene. Four more police cars! I wondered, what the heck was going on? I figured this was a small town and I was probably the most excitement they’d had all month.

A male officer walked up to my car, looking like he had been in a fight and lost… terribly! He stared at me and I returned the favor. He kind of smiled at me… I think. It was hard to tell with all of those bruises. Finally, he asks, You ever been in any trouble in North Carolina?

I stared at him for a moment really wanting to ask him, What the hell happened to your face, man? But, I remembered I was still in demure mode, so I replied, No sir, I’ve never been to North Carolina.

He gave me a look I know he considered shrewd, and asked, You sure?

I had been sitting and waiting for about twenty-five minutes, and the demure mode was wearing thin; so I replied, Duh, yes, I’m sure.

I checked his nameplate because I like knowing names. I also wanted to be well aware of whom I would be suing, because racial profiling was becoming a mantra in my head. His nameplate read, B. Buffalo. I almost burst out laughing in his face! But since this was no laughing matter, I restrained myself by looking up at the sky instead. Officer Buffalo then asked me for the keys to the car. The high-speed chase thing quickly ran through my mind again. If O.J. could do it, so could I. But, I handed Officer Buffalo the keys while I chanted once again, Is there a problem, Officer?

Well, there might be; we’re checking things out now. Then, he asked, Do you have any weapons, drugs or drug paraphernalia in the car with you?

Losing my temper, I answered, Look Officer, I don’t know what this is all about, but I can assure you I neither carry nor do drugs of any kind. And for the record sir, if I had a weapon I would have used it by now! So angry, I had begun to sweat, I thought, ‘Just give me the freaking ticket, so I can be on my way!’

Again, he looked at me with that, I’m so shrewd I could be Sherlock Holmes way, and asked, Are you threatening me, Ms. Stillwater? You trying to tell me if there’s a weapon in this car you’ll use it on me?

Shaking my head, I answered wisely, No. Actually, Officer, if I had a weapon I would gladly turn it on myself, just to get away from all of you. Even death has to be better than this waiting! With that said; I gave a sigh and looked out the opposite window. Another thirty minutes went by with me composing a small operetta in my mind. In other words, I was bored.

Officer A. O’Brien finally showed her face again. I thought she was hiding she had been in her car for so long. She approached my driver’s side asking, Ms. Stillwater, could you get out of the vehicle and sit on the sidewalk, please?

I opened the door, got out of the car; then I stared at her really hard! My eyes, they’re gray… dove gray when I’m trying to play pretty and steel gray when I’m mad as hell. You wouldn’t need a Quija board to know which color was representing at that moment. Out of patience, I said to her in a very low voice, I’m out of the car, but I won’t be sitting on anyone’s sidewalk. I’d like to end this day free of disease, if possible. Whatever you have to say to me, I can hear standing just as well as sitting. This ticket thing has gone on long enough. Do you people have any idea how long I’ve been waiting?

O’Brien blinked a couple of times before saying, Ms. Stillwater, we have a problem here. When I ran your license and birthday it brought up a warrant for the arrest of someone fitting your description in Raleigh, North Carolina. We have conferred with the Raleigh police and they’re not sure if it’s you or not; but we’ve got enough to hold you until we can verify your information.

Very calmly folding my arms, I asked, You’re arresting me because you think I might be someone other than whom my official Pennsylvania State license says I am? Is that correct, Officer? That is an official Pennsylvania State license I gave you, isn’t it?

O’Brien went blank for a second, and I thought, ‘Goodness, this girl is dumb! What are they feeding cops these days, stupidity Alpo?’

She finally drifted back into this reality stating, Again, Ms. Stillwater, we have conferred with the Raleigh police and the D.A. here in West Chester and they feel the description provides probable cause to hold you.

I was in never-never land by then, okay. Giving Barry White a run for his money in voice octaves, I asked, What is it about me that exactly fits the description of this person and what are the charges against her?

Officer O’Brien looked around at her fellow officers for a second and then blurted out, We have forgery, car-jacking and gun running.

Allowing my thoughts to stray momentarily, I pondered, ‘What the hell is gun running? I mean do you literally run down the street yelling, I’ve got a gun, I’ve got a gun!’ I focused again on Officer O’Brien who was saying, Identity theft, well the list goes on and on. But again, Ms. Stillwater, we can and will be holding you.

I was beyond stunned and getting frightened, until she said, "Oh! And about the description, everything fits except the eyes. Are those your real eyes? I mean… you don’t see too many black people with gray eyes. You know what I mean?" With that said, she gave a little laugh for her fellow officers. After all, no harm done, right? Everyone on her side had a gun. Besides, she was just doing her job, facing down another criminal; same crap, different day… right? Until I grew larger!

No, I did not have an inkling of what was to come. But all of my life, I have hated prejudice in any form. As I said earlier, my temper had been somewhat volatile over the past couple of months. Officer O’Brien was pushing me, really pushing me! My head was pounding and my clothes felt much too small; my jeans were suddenly too short. I grew larger!

I let the rage take me when I stepped very close to her saying, For the record, Officer, my name is Jade Marie Stillwater. All of my family is golden-skinned and light of eye, and I’m extremely proud of my ancestry. If you say anything like that again I’ll take it as an insult to them and may God have mercy on you then! Do we understand each other… Officer?

I can truly say A. O’Brien was at a loss for words, she looked as if she had pissed her pants. Peripherally, I saw three of the officers had drawn their weapons. I guess you don’t see people grow larger every day, huh? I kept staring at O’Brien because I didn’t care at that point. I really wanted her to say something, anything, and I would have torn out her throat before I felt the first bullet.

Fortunately for both of us, Officer B. Buffalo walked up very calmly and said, Jade. He called me by my first name, I was sure he had taken some psych courses somewhere. Jade, he said again. I was still waiting on my good friend, O’Brien. Jade, please don’t do anything everyone here will be sorry for. When we did the NCIS search, the name came up Janine Scott; your description matches… everything but the eyes, just like she said. We called Raleigh and they want us to hold you on a fugitive warrant. They’re still checking everything out there. We’ll be checking your information here as well. Please calm down and come with us quietly. Okay, Jade? Jade, look at me, please!

I did, because he had said please, and it was gone… just like that! I was back to normal. Well, what I considered normal anyway. Then, it was to prison I would go, hi-ho the cherry-o, a prison I would go!

CHAPTER 2

Actually, I did not go directly to prison; I was taken to a West Chester police station where I was asked one-hundred-and-one questions about my personal and private life. Officer Buffalo read me the Miranda.

I asked to make a phone call. I had to call my mother, Louise Boyd Stillwater, who had grown up in a small town in Virginia called Suffolk. She is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter from a family with eighteen children. My mother and her sisters are all very close; they dote on their brothers and feel they can do no wrong. Never make the mistake of speaking rudely to, or about, one of them within the hearing distance of another. You will soon find as they say in the streets, That’s your ass.

My mother is very strong-willed and mule stubborn, but when she loves you, you own her heart and you know it. She loves all of her children—all nine of us. There’s nothing she would not sacrifice for any of us, including her own life. She’s not a doting mother, if we’re wrong she is the first to tell us. However, no one should ever try telling her we did something she knew we would never do! She would absolutely refuse to believe any of her children would be involved in drugs, guns or anything on that side of the law. She knows that we fear her a lot more than any prison. I called her because I knew I was innocent, had I been guilty I would have called my sister.

My mother’s phone rang about four times; I was beginning to fear she wasn’t home. Since my dad died and she retired, she had been spending a lot of time with my Aunt Charlene. On the fifth ring she finally answered, Hello?

Mommy? Mom, it’s Jade.

Hi baby, where are you? Did you have lunch with Anna? Did you—

I had to cut her off, not knowing how long they gave you for one of those calls. I was sure it wouldn’t be long enough. Once my mom gets started it’s really hard to stop her. So, I said quickly, Mommy! Mom, please listen to me! I’m at the police station. They think I’ve done some crimes in Raleigh, North Carolina. They’re holding me until I can prove I didn’t!

Mom was quiet for a moment, then she said, Jade Marie Stillwater, are you playing a joke on me, because if you are…

No! Mommy, no! I wouldn’t joke about this. I’m in a police station in West Chester, check your caller ID. She never does, she hates the dang thing!

Jade baby, you tell them I said you didn’t commit any crimes! You’ve never been to North Carolina! We don’t have any family there! Tell them I said to let you go right now!

Staying as calm as possible, I said, Mom, Mom, I’m okay for now, but there’s nothing I can do. I’ve already told them all that and no one cared. Can you get in touch with Gene? Gene Silverberg is our family attorney; he and my father had gone to college together and he’s like one of the family.

Yes! Right away! I can’t believe this is happening! How long are they going to hold you, Jade?

I’m not sure, I believe they can only hold me for seventy-two hours, but I’m just not sure. Call Gene; tell him where I am and what happened. See what he can do about getting me out of here, okay. Oh, and call Tanya at work, tell her to come and get her car. I don’t want them to tow it anywhere. Pausing to catch my breath, I said softly, I’m sorry, Mom.

About what, baby?

About all of this… mess.

She sighed, Jade, this isn’t your fault; you have nothing to be sorry about. Now, I’m going to call Gene. Then, I’m calling the family and we’ll get you out of there as quickly as possible… and, Jade?

Yes, Mom?

Be careful. Don’t lose your temper.

Like I said, she knows her children. I smiled to myself. Okay, Mommy, I won’t. I love you.

I love you too, Jade, I’ll start making calls right now.

With that said she hung up. When my mother says, ‘I’m calling the family’ take it literally. She means all of the family, including her remaining eleven sisters and brothers. All of my sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and any stepchildren received a call from Louise Stillwater about the injustice done to her child.

I sat down and waited; another twenty-five minutes went by. Handcuffed before they brought me in, I was still wearing them. They were very uncomfortable and I was considering asking someone to take them off when Officer Buffalo walked in and said to me, Jade, I’m going to take the cuffs off you now, but before I do, I need to ask you something.

I was perplexed; what did he have to ask me? Did I commit the Upper Darby murders in ’92? Intrigued, I said, I have nothing to hide, Officer, ask me anything. I’ll tell you the truth, unless it’s too personal. Then, I just won’t answer at all.

He stared at me for a long moment. I was beginning to think he had changed his mind about the question and the cuffs. Then, he asked, How did you do that? That thing back at the car. I mean you… He stopped and gave a nervous laugh. You appeared to grow bigger for a second. It was…

It was what, Officer?

It was amazing.

I said to him, Officer Buffalo, I’ll make you a deal, I’ll tell you my secrets when you tell me what happened to your face.

He gave me a severe scowl, letting me know my mouth had just gotten me into trouble again. You’ve got a real smart mouth, Ms. Stillwater. Maybe you didn’t commit any of the crimes we have you on and maybe you are who you say you are; but, that mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble one day… some powerful, hurtful trouble. Then, he actually tried to stare me down.

Now who’s threatening whom, Officer?

We continued staring at each other until Officer O’Brien walked in and said, We gotta take her to see the District Judge.

A Judge! What for?! What the hell is going on around here? I asked, Is my attorney here yet?

Officer O’Brien smirked, Man, your whole family’s here! I don’t know how they got here so fast, but there’s about twenty-five people sitting out in the station waiting to see you.

That’s my momma! I perked up, and said, Well, alrighty then! But, is my lawyer amongst those twenty-five, Officer?

She went blank again. Dang, she had that thing down to a science! She finally blinked and said, Yeah, he’s here, too. He’s a Jew, ain’t he?

That woman wanted me to hurt her! Was she a glutton for punishment, or what? But, I remembered my mom saying not to lose my temper. I very calmly answered, Officer O’Brien, my attorney has been a friend of my family since before I was born. What he is… does not make any difference to us. If you have a problem with his nationality, please speak with him about it. I’m in somewhat of a difficult position right now and I don’t want to add to my troubles by calling you a bigot.

Officer O’Brien sauntered over to me; got up close and personal, right in my face. She could have used a tic-tac when she said, You know, Ms. Stillwater, I’m getting a little sick of your attitude. You’re a real uppity bitch! If I hear one more thing come out of your mouth, you’re going to have a little accident before you leave. You see, around here we rule! And we protect each other so no one will be the wiser. Not your family; or your Jew lawyer either. Am I making myself clear?

I was astonished for two reasons. I couldn’t believe she would make such a direct threat, or that she could speak so coherently. It was time to chill out before things got nasty, not Ms. Jackson nasty either. I glanced over at Officer Buffalo to see if he concurred with her; and by the look he gave me, the answer was, yes big time!

I asked Officer O’Brien, The A on your nametag, what does it stand for?

She continued staring at me for a couple of seconds with that nasty smirk before answering, Alicia, my name is Alicia. What do you want to know for? You gonna tell your Jew lawyer? Go on tell him! I don’t care! Tell him Officer Alicia O’Brien badge number 9114 of the West Chester police threatened you. See if you can make it stick. You tell your version of the story and I’ll tell mine. We’ll see who they believe; an officer with three awards for excellent service in the line of duty, or some uppity nigger bitch with a drugs and arms record!

I stared at her with a smile, wanting her to understand I wasn’t afraid. I was angry; very, very angry! Still, I said in a calm voice, I wanted to know your name so I could remember it for future reference. I like knowing the names of interesting people I meet. You know my name and now I know yours, so when we meet again under any circumstance, we’ll remember each other and let whatever happens… happen.

O’Brien pulled out her nightstick and everything seemed to slide into slow motion. I jumped up from the chair. Officer Buffalo yelled as he flew across the room toward us. I heard a weird noise in the background.

Suddenly, my hands were free and I thought to myself, ‘These idiots didn’t even lock the cuffs!’ The nightstick was quickly descending toward my face, and that noise got louder and louder. Officer Buffalo tackled O’Brien to the floor, and suddenly I was wet all over! My clothes, hair, even my shoes felt soggy. I thought someone had thrown water on me; you know, hose the prisoner down or something. I stood there in shock and shaking. I did notice the awful noise had stopped. It had been a terrible sound that made me think of an animal in pain.

Officer Buffalo had O’Brien in a headlock and was quietly talking to her on the floor. Another officer walked in at that time. The sound from the scuffle and that other weird noise must have attracted him.

Officer Buffalo yelled to the very young, blond-haired officer, Put her in a cell, man! Put her in a cell right now before we get into some real shit out here!

The officer walked over to me, his nametag read, H. Randolph. Taking my arm, Officer Randolph said, Good Jesus, take a look at this! What the hell went on in here?

I looked down to see what it was about me that had caused him such distress, and lo and behold, the handcuffs were broken! They were still attached to my wrists looking like matching ugly bracelets. I’ve always been strong, my brothers said I hit like a man. It was a family joke. However, handcuffs are made from tempered steel! They should not, in any way, be broken by a one-hundred-thirty pound woman. I was stunned to say the least, but I said nothing. My mouth had already gotten me into enough trouble.

Officer Randolph said, Come with me, Ms. Stillwater.

I walked past Officers Buffalo and O’Brien who were still sitting on the floor with my head held high. I’m a Stillwater, I wasn’t going to let them see me sweat; but inside, I was all shaken up! There was a short hallway and a cell for short-term prisoners on the left side of the wall. That’s where they put me. My God, it was horrible! A hard pad on a bunk bed made of steel mesh and of all things sitting right smack in the middle of the room was a toilet! There was a door with a small window with the same mesh wire covering it, but anyone walking past looking close enough could see you doing your business, if you know what I mean. Degraded, demoralized, dehumanized that’s how anyone would feel in a cell!

I sat on the bunk, and Officer Randolph said, I’m going to try and take off these cuffs now. So don’t you try anything stupid, okay?

Okay, I answered.

As he fumbled with the cuffs, he asked, How did you break ’em anyway? Do you even know?

I told him the truth, I don’t have a clue.

Shaking his head, he said, Well, this is one for the books. Maybe they’re defective or something, huh? I just can’t believe a little thing like you could break them. With that said, he walked out of the room and locked the door.

I sat on that bunk staring at the door for a long time, thinking to myself; how could a good day have turned so bad? I had forgotten to ask my mother to call Anna, but I figured she would. Anna is also considered part of the family. I began to wonder again, why was I so wet? I lifted my hand to my nose and sniffed it; I didn’t smell anything unusual, so with the tip on my tongue I licked the back of my hand. I tasted sweat, regular old sweat. I had perspired enough to soak all of my clothes and my hair was dripping! What was this, early menopause or something? I lifted my blouse and sniffed it; it smelled funny, like I had been in close contact with an animal. Again I thought, ‘What the hell is going on?’

The officers had taken my cell phone, watch, all of my jewelry; even my belt when I arrived. You know, I can understand everything except the watch. What did they think I was going to do, try and wind myself to death? I continued to wait for someone to come and give me some answers. When the door finally opened, it was about five hours later. Officers Buffalo and Randolph walked in, and Officer Buffalo said, It’s time to go now, Jade.

I didn’t say anything. I simply held out my hands to be cuffed.

That won’t be necessary. I don’t think you’re going to try and run, and I don’t want to lose another pair of cuffs.

Officer Randolph laughed. Bosey, I don’t believe you, man! You’re a real head case. She didn’t break those cuffs; they had to be defective or something! The chain link was loose from so much wear and tear. I mean, how many people have had those things on, maybe hundreds, right?

Yes, Henry, all of that could be believable; except O’Brien just got those cuffs this morning. I was there when she took them out of the box.

It was Officer Randolph’s turn to look blank and bewildered, and say, Then they were defective, factory error or something. Come on, let’s go, the Judge is waiting for us, man! You don’t want to cuff her, Bosey?! He turned to me and said, I don’t want any trouble out of you. Okay?

I rolled my eyes, but stayed silent, I was exhausted! On opposite sides of me, the two of them led me out. We looked like the famous Jade and her entourage. As we walked toward the door, I could hear people whispering about me. Of course, all sorts of ideas were running through my mind, from breaking out into song to yelling out, dead woman walking! Instead, I kept my head held high and my eyes straight. I’m a Stillwater, we bend we do not break! I stayed like that all of the way back to the car.

I fell asleep on the way, so I missed all the pretty scenery. We pulled up in front of a small professional building, very suburban and relatively new. I was taken into a very small courtroom; fifteen people tops could fit in it. I looked around for my family, but I didn’t see anyone, not even Gene. I was really frightened, and after everything I had been through, I was trying hard not to cry.

I sat in the chair that was obviously the defendant’s seat. There were three other people in the courtroom; a woman and two men. I wondered who they were right before I thought, ‘No, I don’t give a damn! Just let me out of here now, please!’

Officer Randolph carried all of my things in a brown bag and sat it on the table between them. They were seated at the seat usually reserved for the D.A. I stared at the bag and dreamed of home when one of the men walked over to their table. He had white hair and a moustache that shadowed the big grin on his face, he was six feet two, with a stomach that screamed, Gee, you think that last beer was too much?

Showing his badge to both officers, he said, I’m Detective William Fence, spelled like it sounds. I’m with the Philadelphia Police, 19th District. What you boys got here? Anything good?

Both officers stared at him like he had just crawled out of the sewer asking for change. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to notice this. His attention was focused on the bag holding my things when he asked, What’s this, evidence?

Officer Randolph glanced at Officer Buffalo and winked before saying, Yeah, that’s evidence! See that woman over there, pointed to me. We think she’s with those goons who planted that bomb in Haverford last month. We’ve got some of the explosives right in this bag.

Detective Fence’s eyes grew large. You’re shitting me.

Officer Buffalo took it from there; with a very serious expression, he added, No, man! She just ran into the station today yelling, ‘kill all the white people!’ and waving this bag around. After we dropped her, we opened the bag and it was filled with explosives. She could’ve killed us all. I almost shit myself. In fact, I still feel like I got diarrhea!

Detective Fence pushed out what was left of his chest; mostly it was his stomach growing larger. Then, he said, Boys, I’m a Philadelphia detective first class. I see shit like this every day. Mind if I take a peek?

Officer Buffalo pushed the bag closer to him. Be my guest.

Officer Randolph jumped to his feet asking, Are you crazy? What about that hair trigger the bomb squad told us about?

Officer Buffalo jeered, You heard the man; he’s a professional! He sees shit like this seven days a week. He can handle it. Can’t you?

Detective Fence looked nervous, and I tried hard not to laugh. I was actually aiming for that blank O’Brien stare. It must have worked because Detective Fence forced out his huge chest/stomach, and boasted, You boys heard about that killer in West Philly offing some kids, haven’t you?

Both officers nodded their heads.

Well, if they’d had me on the case, there wouldn’t be eight kids missing now.

Officer Buffalo asked, Really? And, why is that?

Because, Will Fence would’ve caught the son-of-a-bitch by now, that’s why! I’ve got eyes in the back of my head when it comes to lowlifes, man!

Officer Buffalo again with that perfectly straight face said, Well, that must be really useful if one doesn’t want someone sneaking up behind them, huh?

Detective Fence continued with, Yeah, well. He stopped for a moment to scratch his stomach. They got some colored detectives on it. I mean, they know their people so much better than I do. Besides, I figure with that neighborhood, it’s probably the parents killin’ and eatin’ them; trying to make that welfare check last longer! You know what I mean! He laughed most heartily; belly shaking, tears falling freely, the whole thing. He again did not notice no one else was smiling or laughing along with him. However, I knew then, whatever joke those officers were about to play on that man, I was definitely in on it!

Detective Fence finally stopped laughing and wiped his eyes while bending over the bag, saying to Officer Randolph in a horrible imitation of a child’s voice, Don’t worry, little man. Papa will keep you safe from those nasty old explosives. So, don’t you cry. Okay?

Officer Randolph replied nervously, Okay. It’s on your head, but I’m going over there. Walking over to stand by the wall, he added, You’re crazy, man!

I couldn’t believe those guys were wasting their time being policemen, they should have been on the stage somewhere! Detective Fence placed both hands on the bag. I decided to get into the act by moving to the seat across from me. The man and woman in the back left the room altogether. Detective Fence sweated, pulled his hands away and wiped them on his pants. Swallowing hard, he ripped the bag open. Both officers at the back of the room yelled, Boom!

CHAPTER 3

Detective Fence was extremely agile for such a large man; he ran, jumped about four feet, threw his considerable body face down on the floor and covered his head with his arms. Everyone present laughed. I was hysterical, forgetting where I was and why. I mean, he looked like a mad Santa taking a nosedive. Detective Fence got up real slow, and he was not pleased at all. I couldn’t stop laughing. I love the theater.

Detective Fence walked over to the officers who were giving each other high and low fives, and shouted, You bastards! Who the fuck do you think you’re playing with, huh? So this is how you treat your fellow officer, huh? I could have both your badges for this shit!

Suddenly, the laughter stopped. Officer Randolph said, It was a joke. Lighten up a bit, why don’t you.

Alas, Detective Fence was not in a lightening up mood. He had been disgraced. Fence spat angrily, A joke! He says it was a joke! You play this kind of joke on me?! You fucked with me in front of her? He pointed a stubby finger in my direction. Well, fuck you! He pointed to Officer Randolph. And you! The finger stabbed toward Officer Buffalo. And, most of all, you! His finger finally rested on me.

Detective Fence turned to the officers again, and hissed, You think I’m going to let you get away with this, you fucking morons?! Like I said, I could have your badges for this shit! But, I don’t want ’em; I’m going to take my time on this, just like you did. You planned this shit and I’m going to get the both of youse back! He looked over at me and growled, In spades.

Officer Buffalo asked, What’re you talking about, Dude? We didn’t plan anything. We just met you. I’ve never laid eyes on you before today. I’m sorry about the joke, but I think you’re taking this thing too far. What do you say we all make up and be friends? He held out his hand to Detective Fence, who looked at it like it was diseased.

Fence replied with a smirk, Do I look like a fool? You both planned this shit and you got that little bitch over there in on it, too. Isn’t that right? Isn’t it? The man was yelling loud and clear. It was apparent to me he was missing quite a few fries from his happy meal. Fence stared at us for a few more seconds, and then he said, Yeah right, a joke! Uh-huh, like I said, officers, in spades; and you can take that to the bank! He stormed out of the room; everyone was quiet for a moment.

Officer Randolph spoke first asking, Jade, are you okay?

Yes, of course, I get threatened all the time.

Well, fuck him if he can’t take a joke!

With that said, we all burst out laughing again. I was coming down from my comic relief when I heard someone coughing loudly behind the door where the judge’s chambers were located.

A man sneezed and said, Oh God, I’m dying! and then there was more coughing.

I knew it was the Judge I was there to see, and I also knew then, I was going to jail. That man was going to send me to the deepest, darkest prison he could find. Why? Because he had a bad cold and I’ve never met a man who can be amiable when he has a cold. I stared at the door praying it was anyone other than the Judge who was sick. ‘Please God, are you listening? Don’t let that be my Judge back there hacking out his brains! Hmm God, please!’ As I silently pleaded this prayer to the Almighty, the Judge walked in wiping his nose with a handkerchief. The bailiff was right behind him saying, All rise!

I kept my eyes on the Judge. He was everything I feared; a man with a bad cold, a gavel and the power to use it. I had gotten up with everyone else and then noticed I was the only one still standing. I sat down quickly; trying to turn myself invisible. I had a serious mantra of, ‘Please God; please God,’ going on.

The Judge whose name was Hugh F. Bailey, looked over my paperwork, cleared his throat loudly and said, Ms. Stillwater, come here. I got up on weak legs and walked toward the bench. Stand right there, that’s far enough.

I was about two feet from the bench when he continued with, Ms. Stillwater, we have quite a dilemma here. I hope you can understand our position.

I said nothing, because fear had me by the throat.

It seems you, or someone who fits your description is wanted very badly by the Raleigh police. They want me to hold you on a fugitive warrant, and…

I jumped in and said in my most demure voice, Your Honor, I understand that someone fitting my description, except the eyes, is on the most wanted list of the Raleigh police. But sir, shouldn’t my attorney be in here now?

No, an attorney couldn’t help you now. You see, the law says the Raleigh police have seventy-two hours to prove you are the person they want. Your attorney has the same amount of time to prove that you are not. We are bound by law to hold you for that amount of time, unless you can come up with bail.

Hope bloomed in my heart once again at the sound of that most beautiful word, bail!

Judge Bailey then said, You’ll be having your extradition hearing in three days on November fifteenth; that gives everyone the time they need to… He stopped to sneeze loudly.

I said politely, God bless you.

Thank you. Anyway, the time they need to straighten this mess out. Either you are Janine Scott, or you are Jade Stillwater. One way or the other we’ll all know in about seventy-two hours. I set bail at five-hundred-thousand dollars cash.

I felt faint when he said that; I prayed I had heard incorrectly. Then, it dawned on me that not only had he asked for an incredible amount of money, but he had also said cash. That meant no five percent of the actual amount; my family wouldn’t be able to come up with five-thousand dollars, much less five-hundred-thousand. I thought, ‘Okay, God, what is going on here? I’ve obviously done something to make you extremely angry.’

I said to the Judge in a shaking voice, Your Honor, I’ve never been in any trouble at all, ever. Don’t you think that, that bail amount is a tad excessive for someone with no record, sir?

He gave me a sad smile, Yes, Ms. Stillwater, you’re right. That bail would be too high for Jade Stillwater, but for Janine Scott it wouldn’t be high enough. So, the bail stays until we find out for certain which one you are. He slammed down his gavel and it was over.

I was in serious shock. Part of my mind screamed, ‘Run, Jade. Run! Just make a mad dash for whatever door that’s close!’ But that small part of my mind that was still rational said, ‘Jade, don’t do anything stupid. It’s only seventy-two hours, you can do this. You’re a Stillwater, you bend you don’t break.’ I sat down and lost the battle with tears.

Officers Buffalo and Randolph walked over to me looking as sad as I felt. Officer Buffalo handed me a tissue, I took it and whispered, Thank you.

Officer Randolph said, Jade, we’re not equipped to hold you for three days, so you’re going to have to go to the county prison.

County prison! God, we are having the mother of all problems here! I pleaded, I don’t want to go to prison! I just want to go home!

Both officers knew enough at that point to keep quiet. I simply couldn’t believe what was happening to me. I closed my eyes for a long moment, and then I opened them again. Yes, I was still there. It wasn’t a nightmare from eating too much spicy food.

I asked, Will I be able to speak with my family?

Officer Buffalo stared at me, as if he were searching for something and suddenly blurted out, My God! Those are really your eyes!

Yes, they are.

He gave me a crooked smile that reminded me of someone, but I was too much in a fog to remember. Then, he said, I’ll make sure you get to call your family. In fact, I’ll take you to county myself.

CHAPTER 4

As we walked back to the car, Officer Randolph said, I have to go back to the station. Bosey, you think you can do this by yourself?

Officer Buffalo stared at me for a moment; then, he said, Yeah, I’ll be alright.

Officer Randolph turned to me and said, Hey listen, Jade, if it’s any consolation I don’t think you’re the woman they’re looking for. There’s something a little too classy about you. Taking off his hat, he went on, I mean, I’ve been around the criminal element going on thirteen years now, and well, you just don’t… well, you’re not one. That’s what I’m trying to say. I’d bet my badge on that, ma’am.

Tears shimmered in my eyes, as I answered, Officer Randolph, that was very sweet. Thank you, sir.

He blushed deeply, took both of my hands and said, Be strong.

I nodded, and he left.

Officer Buffalo opened the back door of the squad car and helped me in. I didn’t have on the handcuffs, so it was a lot easier. I sat back and tried to get as comfortable as possible. I had no idea where the county prison was located and I was still very much in shock. So, when Officer Buffalo began to speak, I didn’t catch the first couple of words.

Blinking my eyes, and taking a deep breath, I said, I’m sorry, what did you say?

That’s okay. I know you’re feeling pretty shitty right about now.

I murmured, That sir, is an understatement.

We rode for a while in silence; then, Officer Buffalo began to speak again. I live in Essington, Pennsylvania. Do you know where that is?

I answered, Actually, yes I do. It’s close to the airport, isn’t it?

He nodded, Yeah. Anyway, there’s a pond there behind the Radisson Hotel where the kids like to play ice hockey and ice skate once it freezes over.

Knowing he was telling me something he considered important, I stayed silent.

"You know it’s been really cold these last few days and some of the smaller creeks and ponds froze over. A couple of days ago, some of the Junior Hockey Team decided to practice on the pond. They figured with the weather so cold the ice would hold them. Well, they figured wrong!

My sister works at the hotel and I was taking her lunch. When I drove past the pond I heard screaming. I stopped the car and what I saw was the most frightening scene I had ever witnessed. There were about five or six kids in full hockey gear all trying desperately to help each other out of the water. Under their combined weight the ice had broken. That hockey gear weighs a ton! Anyway, one of them went under while I watched.

Unable to stop myself, I had to ask, Oh, my God! What happened?

I ran, Officer Buffalo said in a whisper, "faster than I’ve ever run in my life. I jumped in and grabbed the first kid and tossed him out of the water while yelling to the others, ‘get off the ice!’ I knew they were trying to help, but they still had on that gear, and the ice was cracking everywhere. Every time I had enough air, I hollered, ‘Get off the fucking ice!’

I was dragging this kid out of the water, which was freezing cold, colder than anything I’ve ever felt; and the kid was terrified. I could see it in his eyes. His tears were freezing on his face and his lips were blue.

Officer Buffalo’s voice cracked, as he continued, "I finally got him to safety, then I ran back for the second one, but he wasn’t there anymore. He had gone under, so I did the only thing I could. I jumped in; the water felt like thousands of small knives cutting me all over. I don’t know how I was able to swim, but I did! I had to find that kid!

I mean, I don’t have any children of my own yet, but I’ve got plenty of nieces and nephews… and to lose one of them, he paused and slowly shook his head, well, I just can’t imagine. When I spotted him, he was still trying to swim, and I grabbed him. That poor kid was so frightened he fought me. There was no time to calm him down; I had to get him out of the water. The kid was strong… adrenaline rush, I guess. I managed to get him to the surface, but he was still fighting. I yelled at him, ‘stop fighting me! I’m trying to help you!’ I shoved him ahead of me toward the edge of the ice, and just as I got him all of the way on the ice; he kicked his feet out. Kabam! He was still wearing his skates, and he got me right in the face.

Officer Buffalo gingerly touched his face. All I saw were stars that faded to black. Thank God some other people had arrived by then. They told me I fell back into the water and two men dragged me out.

Officer Buffalo and I were silent for a while. I felt like crap because I couldn’t think of one decent thing to say to him. Finally, he said, Well, Jade, you wanted to know what happened to my face, and now you do. I believe the deal was I tell you my secrets and you’ll tell me yours. Am I right?

At a loss for words, I managed to mumble, Good Lord, I’m having a lousy day.

He burst out laughing, What?

Shaking my head, I said, Listen, Officer Buffalo, I can be a jackass sometimes, and I readily admit that. The story you just told me took my breath away. I really mean it! It was the single most unselfish act of bravery I’ve heard about in a long, long time; and I apologize deeply and sincerely for my behavior earlier.

He stared at me through the rear view mirror. We’re almost there; the prison is right down this road, he said, pointing into the darkness.

I couldn’t see anything, but I nodded anyway.

After pulling the car off the road and parking, Officer Buffalo turned around and asked, Well?

Perplexed, I asked, Well what?

I want to know how you did what you did today. You said you would tell me if I told you what happened to my face. So I have, and now it’s your turn.

Speaking slowly, as if to a not so bright child, I said, Officer Buffalo, you’re in the middle of escorting an alleged criminal to the county prison, and you’ve pulled off the road to hear what you think is some big secret. Am I right?

"Jade, don’t go into that hard ass act with me. I’ve been watching you and I know that’s what it is, an