“Well, we aren’t sure it’s safe for you to go back to your loft.”
Truthfully, Mark's stomach twisted into knots at the thought of sleeping in his bed. He wanted to go home, but his sense of security felt completely violated there. Still, he knew it was important to get back to his routine as soon as possible. He couldn’t avoid going back forever, so the sooner the better. “But we’re almost there now.”
“Yeah, we assumed you might need to get some of your clothes and things, and then we can take you to another location."
“I don't want to go anywhere else." The thought of being forced to leave his home against his will- yet again – sent a surge of panic through him.
Jessie shook her head. “Look, Mark, we’ve arranged for you to stay with a friend of a friend for a few days until we get more figured out. He lives in Indiana.”
“Uh-uh.” Mark crossed his arms. “I have to stay here. It’s not an option.” He was being stubborn and he knew it, but so far, all except one of the camera's tragedies had occurred within the city limits. Besides, he had photo-shoots scheduled. They had canceled too many already.
“We know this isn’t easy, but we don’t have many choices.”
“Listen you guys, I appreciate all the trouble that you’ve gone to, but I need to stay in my loft.” Mark glanced at them, then dropped his gaze as he tightened the strap on his sling. “I…I guess it’s like climbing back in the saddle, you know? The sooner I do it, the better.” He swallowed and heat climbed his face. In all his recent encounters with these two, it seemed like he always ended up looking like a basket case. "Besides, all my equipment is there."
The car pulled up in front of the studio, and Mark saw that Lily hadn’t been kidding. The sidewalk out front was a zoo. Cameras began flashing before he even opened the door. Mark sighed and turned to Jim. “I hate this. Will it ever end?”
Jim’s mouth set in a firm line and he took a deep breath, his gaze fastened on Mark’s eyes. “I know you do. We’re doing our best to catch Kern but I’m afraid we don’t have any control over the press.”
Jessie pointed towards the front of the car. "Dan came here ahead of us, trying to keep things quiet. I'll go find him to come help us get you inside safely." She exited the vehicle and began ordering reporters to back up and give them some room. Jim watched for a second then turned his attention back to Mark. “Hang in there.”
"Hanging is not my strong suit," he responded with a tired grin, trying to lighten the mood. It might have worked, except the door suddenly opened.
Dan stuck his head in Mark's door. “Are you ready? I’ll do my best to clear the way.”
Mark nodded, his gaze darting over Dan’s shoulder, thankful that at least the sound of the crowd covered the hammering of his heart. Trying to ignore the shouted questions along with the screams and squeals from the people gathered behind the reporters, he took a deep breath and climbed out of the car.
Jim pushed the door against the people who crowded it, and boomed, “Back off, people! Let the man out!” He searched for Jessica. She was tough, but her slim frame proved a disadvantage in this situation. Jim spotted her urging the crowd from the entrance.
Jim maneuvered with his back to the car door, but he didn’t need to be looking to know exactly when Taylor came out. The screams and shouts became deafening, and the camera flashes had him seeing spots. Damn it!
He checked to see how Dan and Mark were faring, and felt a jolt of disbelief when hands reached over the detective's shoulders and grabbed at Mark. The poor guy stumbled back, almost falling into the still open car door. Jim took a quick step towards him even as Dan swatted the arms away.
“Hands off!” Dan shoved the offenders back and blocked further access, allowing Mark to stand and move towards the door of the studio. Jim added his voice and felt like a football player trying to crash through a goal line stand. He went ahead of the other two to aid Jessica as she stood with her arms out, attempting to block as many people as she could. A few steps behind Jim, the crowd closed in like tsunami of people, pushing those in front right into Mark. Jim looked over his shoulder just as Mark staggered.
What were these people thinking? The crowd seemed to worship Taylor, and yet, they were terrifying the man.
Pissed, he pulled his cell-phone out of his pocket and called the Chicago P.D. dispatch and identified himself before saying, “We're at the corner of Hubbard and Wells, and need back up immediately. There's a mob situation going on right now!”
Jim shouldered his way through the crowd, trying to be mindful of the many small children he saw mingling in the throng. Not only was Mark at risk here, so were those children. It wouldn’t take much for one to fall under the feet of the mass of people and get trampled before anyone even noticed. “Please, folks! Someone’s going to get hurt here. Back up!”
Jessica left her place near the door and returned to help Dan as the two of them tried to clear the way for Mark while Jim was forced to push back against the crowd on his side.
Jim cast a glance over his shoulder when he didn't feel the press of Jessica, Dan and Mark behind him. Their progress was stymied and Mark appeared rooted to the sidewalk. He turned towards Jim, his face drained of color, his eyes, huge and fixed on the mob. Jim saw him shudder when a sea of hands reached for him. He was teetering on the edge of panic. Jim had seen the signs before in other situations. It went beyond the deer in the headlights look. It was akin to a deer surrounded by a pack of salivating wolves. He swore when he noticed that Taylor kept his weight off his right foot. That was probably part of the problem. Not only was the guy surrounded, but he was hobbled too. Just like a deer with his tendons slashed. Easy prey.
Jim fought his way back to the trio, wondering when the hell the cops would arrive. At that instant, a child darted between legs and touched Taylor’s hand, then dashed back with a squeal of triumph. Like a switch being thrown, people swarmed forward, their mass too much for four people to fend off.
Even the reporters started looking frightened and now many turned to face the crowd, adding their own shouts to those of Jim’s. Taylor’s shirt sleeve was torn by some seeking hand, and he tottered as he lost his balance for a second. If it hadn’t been for a reporter steadying him, he would have gone down. Jim hated to think what the outcome would be if that happened.
Several babies were shoved towards Mark and he limped backwards, holding his hand up. Over the din, Jim could barely hear him as he pleaded,“I’m not what you guys think. Please…just let me go inside.”
In response, another baby was pushed towards him. At the same time, the crowd surged forward, knocking the infant from the mother’s hands. Mark dipped his shoulder and caught the baby between his right arm and his chest, using his left hand to steady the infant.
The mother screeched,“He saved my baby! Did you all see that?” Instead of taking her baby back, she lifted her arms heavenward and closed her eyes, swaying back and forth, chanting, "Praise the Lord."
Jim reached Mark and took the child and returned her to the mother, startling her into opening her eyes. With a snort of disgust, Jim put one arm across Taylor’s shoulders, and shoved people with the other as he forced their way through the crowd. Taylor let out a strangled groan as Jim dragged him along. He hated having to pull Mark , knowing the guy was hardly in the best shape to be rushed through a crowd, but there was no other option.
Sirens announced the arrival of the police-finally-and also caused the people to turn their attention away for a moment. It was all they needed the door open, Dan blocked the crowd from entering, and Jim and Mark stumbled into the building.
The dim interior, so quiet after the screams and shouts, seemed almost unnatural.
Lily was waiting inside and took Mark's arm, letting him lean on her as he hobbled towards the back of the studio. It took the combined strength of the other three to shut the door and lock it against the push of people. The trio leaned back against the door, gasping for breath. Nobody spoke.