Chapter 75-76-77 - Former CIA, Now LAPD

Chapter 75 – Code Yellow

March 27, 2019 – 4:08 PM

City Car 12-A-27 – LAPD – Western Division

The radio crackled. The dispatcher's voice sounded deep, almost muffled, as if carrying with it the urgency of someone who had just been swallowed by fear:

"12-A-27, AMBER alert confirmed. Code 207. Two minors missing, last seen at 3:22 PM. Call address: 1349 North Curson Avenue. Mother present. Support unit already en route."

Athena looked at Mike, without saying anything for a second. He was already turning the key, accelerating the car.

"Code three," he said, turning on the lights and siren.

Athena picked up the radio.

"Central, this is 12-A-27. Responding to 207. We request the latest update on the missing person report. Full description of the minors, possible perpetrator, and suspect vehicle."

"Received, 12-A-27. Children: Ethan L. Carter, 7 years old. Ava M. Carter, 5 years old. Both Caucasian, brown eyes. Last seen in front of the school, waiting for their mother. Possible abductor: biological father, Christopher Carter. History of domestic violence. Valid restraining order. Vehicle possibly a black Ford Explorer, 2008, license plate NEVADA C84-9RM."

Mike pressed his lips together.

"If it's the father and he's running away, we have a short window before he crosses the interstate."

Athena was already opening the map on the patrol car's tablet.

— "The I-10 exit toward Vegas is congested, but if he takes I-15, he can escape through Barstow in less than 90 minutes."

— "We need to intercept him first. Or track down a stop. Any links to LA yet?"

— "Let's talk to the mother. She can tell us more than any report."

4:22 PM – Scene of Incident – 1349 North Curson Avenue

The house was simple but tidy. A white SUV was parked in front. The children's mother, Melissa Carter, was on the sidewalk, in tears, supported by a neighbor. Two officers from the local unit were securing the perimeter and gathering basic information.

Mike and Athena approached slowly.

Athena spoke calmly but firmly:

— "Melissa. I'm Sergeant Grant. This is my partner, Mike Edwards. We're here to find your children. We need your help. Can you tell me exactly what happened?"

Melissa was trembling, but her eyes focused on Athena as if hope were a dark blue.

"I… I left work at 2:30 p.m., went straight to school. They were supposed to be at the gate at 3:00 p.m. When I got there, all that was left was Ethan's backpack on the sidewalk. A neighbor saw a man who looked like their father pulling them into a black car. She thought it was a plan…"

"But you have a restraining order against him."

"Yes. He threatened to kill me last year. He was arrested. He got out three weeks ago. I… I swore I'd move out of state. But I haven't been able to yet."

Mike took the lead.

"Melissa. Does Christopher have family around here? Friends? Places where he can hide or rest?"

She thought. Crying.

"His sister. But they had a fight. Maybe… maybe he's going to the garage where he worked. In Commerce. He slept in his car there before he met me."

Athena wrote down:

"Garage address?"

"It's a lot behind a tire shop on Atlantic Boulevard. I don't remember the number… but the name is 'Hank's Auto.'"

Mike was already on the radio.

"12-A-27 to Central. Request unit near Hank's Auto on Atlantic. Possible location of suspect with kidnapped children. Alert all patrol cars and put helicopter on standby. We have reasonable cause."

4:45 PM – Route to Commerce – Traffic and tension

Mike was driving with full attention. Athena was monitoring the radio and updates on the AMBER system.

"Last license plate reading was on East 10th, near Boyle Heights. That was twelve minutes ago. If he entered from 710th, he could be five minutes from the warehouse."

Mike nodded.

"Time is of the essence."

"Does he have a history of child abuse?"

"His medical record only mentions threats to his ex-wife. But disorganized behavior. That worries me. If he's having an outburst..."

The radio vibrated:

"Dispatch to 12-A-27. Support unit at the garage location. Suspicious vehicle spotted partially covered by a blue tarp. Gate locked. No visible movement yet. Waiting for you."

Mike activated the siren.

"We'll enter cautiously. Children may be inside the car. Silent approach tactic."

4:58 PM – Hank's Auto, Commerce

The place was run-down. The metal gate was closed, but with wide gaps. Through them, patrol cars and a night-shift sergeant were already waiting, rifles lowered, eyes alert.

Mike and Athena disembarked. Mike surveyed the area: five entry routes, side cover, an old crane, and the Ford Explorer partially visible in the background.

Mike whispered:

"Approach from the side. I'll enter from behind the garage. You cover from the front with a megaphone. If he's in the car, we can get the kids out in no time."

Athena nodded. She adjusted her vest and picked up the radio.

"This is the LAPD. Christopher Carter, if you're in there, put your hands up and step out of the vehicle. We have a closed perimeter. There's nowhere to run. The kids don't need to get hurt."

Silence.

Mike walked around the side, approaching the Explorer. Through the half-open window, he saw two small bodies, crouched, motionless. But alive.

In the front seat, Christopher had a gun in his lap, his eyes empty.

Mike approached silently. The gun was still in the man's lap.

"Christopher. This is Mike Edwards, LAPD. I'm here to help. The kids are scared. You don't want them to remember you like this."

Silence. Then Christopher turned his head.

"She took everything from me. Even them."

Mike continued calmly:

"You can still give them something. Your surrender. Your sanity. That will matter."

The man trembled. He dropped the gun on the seat.

Mike opened the door slowly. He drew his gun. Within seconds, two more officers arrived. Christopher was handcuffed, without resistance.

Mike crouched in the backseat.

"Ethan. Ava. It's okay. I'm Mike. I'm with the police. Mommy's waiting for you."

They both cried. But alive.

5:25 PM – Reunion

Melissa got out of the police car in tears as she saw her children leave, held by Athena and Mike. They ran. She hugged them tightly.

Mike stood at a distance. Watching. Not needing to be the center of attention. Just… presence.

Athena approached him.

"We didn't save the world. But we saved an entire universe."

Mike looked up at the cloudy sky, which was now beginning to clear.

"And today, this… is more than enough."

Chapter 76 – The Space That Doesn't Yet Exist

March 27, 2019 – 9:48 PM

Mike's Residence – Los Angeles

The house was quiet. The lights were low. The scent of chamomile tea hung in the air. Kendall was sitting on the couch, barefoot, wearing Mike's white cotton shirt, her hair tied up casually. The TV remote was still in her hand, but she hadn't decided what to watch.

Mike entered the room slowly, fresh out of the shower, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. He carried two mugs. One with tea for her. The other with coffee for him.

"Thank you," she said, taking the mug.

He sat beside her, saying nothing immediately. He simply brushed his leg against hers, a simple gesture, but full of intention. The silence between them was comfortable, but Mike carried something that made him different that night.

Kendall noticed.

"Was it a rough day?"

He nodded.

"Children. Parental kidnapping. We found it before it was too late. But... it was close."

She looked into his eyes. Silence again. Only this time, thick.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Mike took a deep breath. He ran his hand slowly through his stubble. Then he looked at the ground, then back at her.

"That boy... Ethan... looked me in the eyes like I was the only thing standing between him and the end."

Kendall swallowed.

"You saved him."

Mike nodded.

"Yes. And... it made me think."

Pause.

"Think about what?"

He looked at her with sincere eyes, not dramatic. Just open.

— "Of children. Of what it would be like... to have someone look at me that way. Not out of fear. But out of trust. Out of love."

Kendall didn't say anything right away. He just set the mug down on the coffee table. Then he turned, sitting sideways, facing him.

— "You never told me about this."

— "Because for a long time I thought it wasn't possible for me. Not with my history. Not with the things I've seen, done, carried. I saw myself as someone who should never... bring another human being into this world."

Kendall took his hand.

— "But now?"

He looked at their joined hands.

— "Now I see that maybe... maybe that's exactly what would make me a good father. Because I know what the world can do to someone. And I want to be the kind of man who stands between that world... and my son. Or daughter."

She smiled. Her eyes welled up.

— "Mike..."

— "And you? Have you thought about it?"

Kendall nodded slowly.

— "Yes. But I never felt ready. Or didn't see how to fit it into the life I led. Always rushing. Traveling. Exposed. But with you... everything slowed down. And silence became possible. The idea of a child here, in this house... it doesn't scare me. It excites me."

Mike leaned closer, touching her face gently.

— "I don't want to rush anything. I just wanted... to share this thought with you. Maybe... after the wedding... we can try. Slowly. In our own time."

She smiled.

— "Mike Edwards. Former CIA, current LAPD, Sunday cook, and... future father."

He smiled, lowering his head.

— "Scary?"

— "Beautiful."

She lay down on his lap. He began to stroke her hair, his fingers running through it with the same precision they had once held guns, maps, and lives. Now, there was only tenderness.

10:40 PM – In the bedroom, getting ready for bed

Kendall was brushing his teeth. Mike, already in bed, was leafing through a book on geopolitics he was reading for the fifth time.

She came out of the bathroom and looked at him.

"You know... maybe I've imagined you with a child. Here, in this room. Holding her. Singing some song no one understands."

Mike looked up from the book.

"I don't sing."

"Maybe I need to learn. Rocking someone to sleep requires more than guns, soldier."

He closed the book.

"I'm willing to learn everything from you. If you're with me."

She turned out the light and lay down beside him.

"I already am. Since the first yes. And now... with even more reason."

In the dark

Mike wrapped his arm around her. She rested her head on his chest.

"Let's be good parents."

"Let's. Because we're going to love the right way. With presence. With intention."

Silence.

And then, the sentence Mike had thought about all his life... but could only say now:

"I want to build what I never had. And give it to someone. With you."

Kendall squeezed his hand.

"Then let's go. Slowly. But right."

Chapter 77 – After the Uniform

April 2, 2019 – 8:17 PM

Mike's Residence – Kitchen

The night was silent. The distant sound of crickets and the soft clink of cutlery filled the spaces between words. Mike had cooked fresh pasta, rustic tomato sauce, and a salad with green leaves. He knew that for certain conversations, you needed to offer comfort with your hands before words.

Kendall sat at the kitchen island, wearing a sweatshirt and wearing her hair loose, her eyes still shining like someone who had spent the afternoon finalizing the details of the ceremony that was just a few days away.

Mike silently washed the dishes, dried them with a white cotton cloth, and placed them on the drainer with almost military precision. When he finished, he slowly turned around.

"Kendall."

She looked at him immediately. She recognized his tone.

"What is it?"

He walked over, pulled out one of the high stools, and sat across from her.

"I want to tell you something. And it's not to worry you. But it's something I've been thinking about for months. I just... needed time to understand if it was real. And now... I know it is."

She rested her elbows on the counter, clasped her hands together, eyes intent.

"You have my full attention. Always."

He nodded, glancing briefly at her hands.

"After the wedding... I'm leaving the LAPD."

The silence wasn't immediate, out of shock, but rather absorption.

Kendall took a few seconds before reacting.

"Are you sure?"

Mike stated with calm conviction.

"Totally. I've done my job. First as an agent. Then as a police officer. I've traveled the world, I've saved lives, I've buried people I loved. And now... now I have you. And I want to choose you. Not out of obligation. But because it's right."

She took a deep breath. There were no tears yet. There was understanding.

"Mike… I would never ask you that."

"And I would never let you carry that choice alone. I'm ready. For the first time… I want to live calmly. I want to travel with you. Wake up next to you and not go out to answer a gun call. I want… to be whole for you. And for the children we're going to try to have."

Kendall bit her lower lip, overcome with emotion.

"You know I admire your work. That I see who you are in uniform. But seeing you say that… gives me a peace I never imagined."

Mike stood, walked around the counter, and stood between her and the world. He caressed her face with the back of his hand.

"I'll say goodbye properly. Speak to Captain Elaine. Thank Athena properly. I won't disappear. But… the time has come."

She placed her hands over his.

"You're not straying from your mission. You're redirecting it. And... if this is the new path... I'll walk it with you."

9:20 PM – In the living room, with the wedding album

Kendall showed him the final album layout: an ivory linen cover. Photos selected for a moment approaching like a new birth.

"Will you miss it?" she asked.

Mike thought. Really thought.

"The adrenaline? Maybe. The uniform? A little. But the weight that came with it... I won't feel that."

"And my colleagues? Athena? The 118?"

"They're part of me. Always will be. But this choice... is about living. And not just surviving."

Kendall closed the album.

"You'll be amazing anywhere. And here, with me... you already are."

He pulled her into his lap and kissed her forehead.

— "My new position: husband. And who knows, maybe soon... full-time father."

She laughed.

— "You'll need tactical training to deal with diapers and colic."

— "I've already started studying. And I'd trade a mission in Beirut for a late night with a crying baby."

10:30 PM – In the bedroom, getting ready for bed

Mike was tidying his shirt in the drawer when Kendall appeared in the doorway, brushing his hair.

— "Do you know how you're going to tell Athena?"

Mike sighed.

— "I'm going to ask her to lunch. Outside the district. It's not locker room talk. It's friend talk."

— "She'll understand."

— "She will. And she'll scold me. But she'll understand."

Kendall moved closer, leaning against him.

— "You're the strongest man I know. And now... you're also the freest."

He looked into her eyes.

— "Free to choose what matters most. You."

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Chapter 31 - Chapter 75-76-77