{{If there was a better title for this episode, I honestly couldn't think of it.—tmw.}}
Betty was led to the closest waiting room, and promised she would be notified when there was word.
Alone, for the moment, Betty took a deep breath, then collapsed into the closest chair and started to cry.
MEANWHILE...
The knock on the front door to the Jenkins house was totally unexpected, for Huck would have let himself in with his key, cheerfully calling out for mom and dad before joining them for a late cup of coffee before starting work on the forthcoming garage apartment for Harry and Jenny.
Wondering who it could be, Henry Jenkins, Senior answered the front door to see an Oriental man dressed all in black on his doorstep.
"Mister Jenkins?" he asked.
"Yes?"
"I am Hiroshito Takiwana, of Tachibana Industries," the man said, taking a slight bow. "I am sorry to intrude, but I must take you and your wife to Moon Lake General Hospital immediately. Please, the car is waiting," he added, indicating the town car sitting in their driveway.
"Why? What's wrong?" Henry demanded to know as his wife started coming up from behind to see what was going on.
"I have been informed that your son Huck has been shot by an evil man under the mistaken belief he was killing your child Harry to prevent his wedding to Jennifer Harper this weekend."
"WHAT?" screamed Henry, as his wife began to cry.
"This is a great embarrassment to the Skulk and—"
"Screw that shit. Get us to the hospital, NOW!" shouted Henry, as he grabbed his wife's hand and led her to the car.
Takiwana simply bowed as the Jenkins rushed past him the best they could at their age.
He closed the door behind him and motioned for the man by the car that he would have to stay to guard the house as Hiroshito moved to join the distraught parents.
ELSEWHERE...
"Principal Andrews," began the voice on the phone. "This is the Moon Lake Police Department, notifying you that Moon Lake Junior High has gone into lock down mode at our request."
"Why?" he politely asked.
"We are currently in foot pursuit of a suspect wanted for attempted murder, and the chase is leading our men toward the junior high."
"Is there any chance of my school being in danger too?"
"Unknown at this time. Last reported position had the suspect approaching C'yoc Brook behind the junior high. Lock down is a precaution at this time because we don't know yet whether or not our fugitive will cross the stream, let alone in which direction he'll head afterward."
"I see. Please keep me posted," requested Principal Andrews, before the call ended.
Then he called the Vice Principal into his office.
"Lodge," he began, as the woman entered. "The junior high is in lock down as the police chase a suspect in their area."
"I see," replied the woman, studying the district map on his office wall.
Outside the center of Moon Lake that passed for the downtown district; the elementary, junior and senior high schools were evenly spaced apart in a triangular pattern within what many considered the wagon wheel spoke layout of their fair town.
"I'm sure the authorities have already called the elementary school too. Want me to notify our on campus security?" asked Lodge.
"Yes. Standard precautions for the moment," advised Andrews. "I want someone on constant monitor duty until we get the all clear. I won't initiate lock down here until necessary, but as a precaution I will have the remaining gym classes for today stay indoors, despite how great the weather still is outside."
CONCURRENTLY...
He stared at the stream.
It wasn't that wide. At least wade able, if not swim able as well.
But it was the building on the other side that made him pause, as Dieter Wilhelm's second henchman and fugitive from justice spotted the school buses parked along the side of the complex.
"Damn!" he cursed. They'll be super sensitive, let alone hyper alert to someone like me in the area. It wouldn't present too many hiding possibilities and also meant extra security, especially if they had been already warned he was nearby.
Yet a school also meant the opportunity to steal a car and increase his chances of escape.
So which way man? he asked himself, turning around to see the distant figures of law enforcement still in pursuit and drawing ever closer.