At Last – Part 1
I’m borrowing Toby’s idea of using an old soap
plot for my new story. Hopefully you will enjoy it!!
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Where we are – Nora and Sam are together. Matthew is thriving. Bo is still single and enjoying it. Asa has returned from the “dead.” Asa and Bo are slowly getting their relationship on track, as are Asa and Renee.
At Police Headquarters – Bo is looking at a file when there is a knock on his door.
BO: Come on in.
TIM: Sir… I figured that you would want to know that there is an office fire going on downtown.
BO: I just heard. Can you make sure that there are plenty of cops down there directing traffic? I want full cooperation with the fire department. Do you know exactly what building is on fire?
TIM: It’s the Lumber Exchange Building.
BO (startled): Are you sure?
TIM: Yes sir.
BO (grabbing his coat as he rushes out the door): That’s Nora’s building.
Bo drives like a maniac towards the building. He is stopped a couple blocks away by the police blockade so he runs the rest of the way to just outside the building. He scans the crowd for any sign of Nora. He sees Kay and he bolts in her direction. Bo pulls her into a quick hug.
BO: Are you okay?
KAY: Yea…I’m fine. I little smoky but I’m fine.
BO (looking around): Where’s Nora? Is she okay?
KAY: Last I saw her she was over there (pointing) talking to a fire investigator.
Bo looks in the direction that Kay is pointing and sees Nora talking to the Peter Reyes, one of Llanview’s best fire investigators. Bo smiles softly as he watches Nora’s hands waving in the air. He could tell she was fine but he was still concerned. He jogged over there as quickly as he could. When Nora saw him, she smiled and stopped talking. She walked into Bo’s open arms. He held her tight.
BO: Are you okay?
NORA: I’m fine. Both Kay and I are fine.
BO: I know…I saw her over there. What happened?
NORA: I was just telling Pete that Kay and I were talking when all of a sudden a man came in with something in his hand and threw it in my office. It immediately burst into flames and Kay and I got out as quickly as we could. I’ve never been so scared.
Bo hugs her again.
BO: At least you both got out okay. Pete, was anyone else hurt?
PETE: No. All of the tenants got out okay. Nora’s office is the only one that took any major damage.
BO: Any ideas what the guy was using?
PETE: Preliminary indications are that it was a simple Molotov cocktail…lots of gasoline and a burning rag. We’ll probably know more tomorrow. I’ll send over a full report to both of you. I’m going to go talk to Kay quick and see if she has anything else to add.
BO: Thanks Pete. (To Nora): You sure you’re okay?
NORA: Yes. I’m okay. I was more scared than anything. Who would do something like this?
BO: A disgruntled client? Maybe somebody you helped put in jail? Quite a few possibilities unfortunately. Did the guy look familiar?
NORA: He did for some reason but I just can’t place him.
BO: Would looking at mug shots help? Maybe we can limit it down to guys that you had contact with.
NORA: It’s worth a try. Can we do it first thing in the morning?
BO: Sure. 10:00?
NORA: Perfect.
BO: You sure there’s nothing else going on?
NORA (looking away): No Bo. Nothing else is going on.
BO: Okay…if you say so.
NORA (smiling softly): I say so. You still coming to Matt’s party tonight?
BO: I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Not everyday a little boy turns five.
NORA: I’m glad you can make it. It wouldn’t be the same without Uncle Bo. What’d you get him for a present?
BO (smiling): I’m not telling.
NORA (laughing): Fine…be that way. But if it isn’t that fishing pole he’s been begging you for, you better not even show up. He would never forgive you.
BO (laughing): You don’t have to worry. Your son will not be disappointed.
NORA (smiling): I knew I could count on you. I need to go pick him up at pre-school, do some chores and then head home to make sure everything gets set up okay.
BO: You sure you’re okay to drive? I could take you if you want.
NORA: I appreciate the sentiment but I’m fine. (touching his arm) Really I’m fine.
BO: If you say so. I’ll see you tonight then.
Later that night at Nora’s house. All of Nora and Sam’s friends and relatives are there for Matt’s “adult” birthday party. He would be having his “kid” party in a couple of days. Vicki, Ben, Bo, Hank, Kay, Cris, Jess, Jen are all there to celebrate Matt’s birthday.
HANK: So what happened at Nora’s office today? An arson?
BO: Looks more like an assault really. I talked to Pete Reyes just before I came over here and he said that it was definitely a Molotov cocktail. So at least we’re probably dealing with an amateur here.
HANK: Did Nora have any clues as to who it was?
BO: She says that he looked familiar but she can’t put her finger on it. She’s going to stop in and look at mug shots tomorrow.
All of a sudden Bo gets a far off look on his face.
HANK: What is it?
BO: I don’t know. I just have the strangest feeling that something isn’t right with Nora.
HANK: Like what?
BO: I’m not really sure. I can’t explain it but something is very wrong.
Bo and Hank continue to mingle but every once in a while Bo wanders towards the windows and looks out…waiting for Nora. Sam doesn’t seem too concerned so Bo convinces himself that he is just being paranoid. He answers his cell phone when it rings.
BO: Buchanan.
TIM: Sir, there’s been an accident on Miller Road. It’s pretty bad.
BO: Okay. Why are you calling me?
TIM: Sir, I’m sorry….it’s Nora’s car.
To be continued…….
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