Any Hope

Phones haven’t slowed down all night. No matter, I’m going home at 3AM. I have a turkey to stuff, bread to bake and pies to prepare. I’m working half a shift. Watch Commander has already signed my paper work, and Thanksgiving is calling. The good news is around here 3AM happens in a flash.

"Well boys and girls, this is my stop, have at it," I boast as I stand up, and lean forward to unplug my phone jack. One last call hits my line. Hells bells rings through my head as I return to my seat. "Police department, what’s your emergency?" I glance at the screen to see where the call is originating from.

JERRY & ABIGAIL ESKAVAR 301 N PITTSBURG AVE

The young woman on the other end of the line is out of breath from running with the phone. I repeated. "Police department what’s your emergency? Hello, is anyone on the line?" Of course I know there is, I can hear running.

"I’ve just ran up stairs, someone is trying to kick in my front door." Her level of tension was heightening.

"Mam, are you home alone, and where in the house are you?"

"Yes, and I’m in the upstairs master bath with the door locked."

"Are you armed?" I ask  "and do you know who is trying to break in?"

"No, and I don’t know. At the moment I’m separated and live alone" Her voice craked with each syllable she spoke.

"Could it be your husband?"

"No, I don’t think so."

"Tell me your name?"

"I'm Abigail."

The phone is muted and the radio keyed up "King 1-0-1(a canine unit) and Charlie 1-0-2 I need you to respond to a 1° Burglary In Progress at 3-0-1 N Pittsburg Ave. We have an unknown assailant trying to break down the front door. Caller is locked in the upstairs Master bath. Caller is unarmed, her name is Abigail.

"Abigail stay with me, help is on its way."

I was happy with her level of composure, and the officers had a three-minute E.T.A. (estimated time of arrival) The call was coming together and shaping up. Then I heard  glass break.

I muted the phone and keyed the mic . "King 1-0-1 glass entry has been made."

"10-4, I’m turning the corner."

A wave of fear hit Abigail as she also heard the glass breaking. "My God!" she yelled. "They’re in the house!"

"Abigail." I pleaded.

"Did you hear me?!" she cried. "They’re in my house!"

I keyed the mic "King 1-0-1 E.T.A." I’m 10-97 (on scene) and releasing my canine unit. He ripped through the yard and leaped into the broken front pane. Meanwhile, Abigail was overcome with panic. I lowered my tone and firmed up my command. "Abigail, You have to get a hold of yourself. Stop screaming. You must be quiet, so the susbect won't know where to look. Help is outside."

She draws a deep breath "I’m sorry" she whimpers.

King 1-0-1 and Charlie 1-0-2 are making entry. The dog has cleared the bottom floor and is following a scent up the stairs. I hear the breaking of wood and the crashing of the bathroom door. Abigail screams, she is hysterical, sobbing as she hides behind a shower curtain. I can't  do a thing but come along for the ride. I hear the shower curtain being ripped down. My blood runs cold as I hear her cry for help. In the middle of her cry she draws a breath and then a nervous laugh. "Jerry" she sighs. "Thank God it’s You" then two shots ring out, two thumps follow and silence. I hear the King unit panting by the phone. Tom’s voice is on the line. "Sorry Sunshine, start me an ambulance two times."

"Any hope?" I ask

"Not tonight," he states.

The call is worked and cleared. Without a word I head home to start a Thanksgiving feast that everyone but I will eat.