Book 1 of the H&K Series : Path of Knowledge

Chapter 9

Karen sat at the end of the couch in the family room, watching the news that was showing an earlier press conference concerning Doctor Martin. Karen was home alone with her baby daughter, Julia, while her other children were at a sleepover at her sister's. Her hand covered her mouth as she stifled a gasp as they announced that the police had released Doctor Martin and all charges were dropped due to false information and no proof of the allegations. Her heart sank and her stomach knotted. How could they sweep it all under the rug? The conference added that they were seeking Officer Bob Roy for questioning in connection with falsifying evidence. She didn't notice as the window pane of her back door was covered in duct tape as a brick lightly tapped the pane of glass out. A hand reached in and unlocked the back door as the intruder made his way into the house without alerting Karen.

Hank parked away from Karen's home watching for movement, pulling on a pair of leather sap gloves. Sap gloves have either sand or metal pellets sewn onto the backside of the fingers and knuckles to deliver a devastating strike or punch.

Hank called Bob on a prepaid cell phone and explained that Doctor Martin had been released and was now missing. Hank told Bob there had been a press conference on the TV and that the Philadelphia police and state police were looking for Doctor Martin fearing something had happened to him at the hands of a person or persons unknown. Hank told Bob to lay low until he contacted them in a few days. If he heard anything in the meantime, Hank swore he would contact Bob.

There was a lot more going on with Doctor Martin and his assistant DAoutstretched wife than first appeared. Since the team had lost Doctor Martin, he had gone off-grid. Sarasin's warning that Karen may be in danger caused Hank to exit his vehicle, alert for any sign of Doctor Martin as he started toward Karen's home. As Hank approached the nondescript sizable two-story house, he noticed the only light on was downstairs. No outside lights were visible. Hank could tell the home was very well-maintained but not too opulent. Then Hank saw Doctor Martin as he broke out a rear door window and entered Karen's house.

"We have unfinished business," the intruder whispered into Karen's ear right from behind her couch.

"How the hell did you get into my home?" she screamed, trying to get up off the couch, but strong hands gripped her hair and jerked her roughly back onto the couch.

Doctor Martin flipped over the back of the couch to land on top of Karen. His bestial expression announced his intention. She tried to scream. With a backhand, Doctor Martin cut the scream off in her throat before she could utter it. Doctor Martin's left hand closed about her throat. With his right hand, he began to tear her white blouse off. Buttons flew across the room as she struggled against her attacker, trying to maintain consciousness. Karen thought of her children, thankful they were at her sister's home and baby Julia in her room upstairs. Karen was in outstanding shape from working out almost every day and doing yoga, but her strength couldn't match his.

Karen was frantically trying to pry the fingers from her throat as Doctor Martin produced a knife and cut her bra off. Then the blade slid into the waistband of her dress pants. Moments later, they were in tatters under her on the couch. All that was left was her thong as the cold blade of the knife touched her skin. Then she blacked out.

As Karen screamed, Hank broke into a run. He was through the same door Doctor Martin had opened before anyone knew it. Doctor Martin didn't have time to react. He hit him full force, knocking Doctor Martin and Karen to the floor. Doctor Martin rose from the floor, his knife at the ready. Hank laughed as Doctor Martin lunged at him. Hank sidestepped the blade, grabbed Doctor Martin's outstretched hand, and spun him into the wall, the knife falling to the floor. Hank delivered punch after punch to Doctor Martin's kidneys. Hank twisted Doctor Martin around and delivered repeated blows to the man's face and chest. In moments, Doctor Martin crumpled to the floor, unconscious.