Link to Chapter 1:  https://steemit.com/story/@justephen1/justin-time-mystery-science-fiction-novel 

Link to Chapter 2:  https://steemit.com/novel/@justephen1/58x4h-justin-time-mystery-science-fiction-novel

Justin Time

Chapter One (Part 3)

      This was common behavior for Justin as he has always been adventurous and ambitious. His parents Katherine and William often tell the story when Justin just turned four and they were celebrating his birthday. That was the day that Ruffus entered the family. He was just a small puppy and was a four year old boy’s birthday present.    Justin asked, “Can he fly?”
Mom replied, “No honey, dogs can’t fly”.
Folding his arms, Justin replied, “Yes he can.”

“Don’t be silly, son.” replied William.

     Little did they know that Justin took that last comment as a challenge. That night as they were watching TV, they noticed Justin going in and out of his room more than usual. They saw him bring in a folding chair and a small foot stool. They found all this action quite amusing. After that, he brought in one of Katherine’s old ironing boards. For a couple hours they saw him bringing in and taking out a variety of items. His old training potty, a laundry basket, couch cushions, sunglasses, one of William’s old boots and a variety of old books were just some of the morsels.

      After a short time he became very quiet. In fact, it was too quiet. So, both William and Katherine quietly walked upstairs and opened Justin’s bedroom door just in time to see Justin jumping off of his bed, landing on one side of the ironing board that was balanced on top of a stack of books about a foot high. Relaxing on the other side of the ironing board was Ruffus who was inside of William’s old dark cowboy boot. Ruffus was wearing sun glasses from an old Joe cool doll that was tied on by a rubber band and around his neck was a red scarf. As Justin landed on the ironing board, Ruffus flew about seven feet through the air and landed right on the couch cushion and a stack of pillows. Justin then looked up grinning from ear to ear with pride.

     “See, I told you he could fly.”

      Justin studied the fabric for a moment and then tucked it away inside his pajama pocket. He then stealthily traveled downstairs and back on the sofa as he could still hear his dad conversing in the kitchen.

      Finally, the dispatcher got back on the line and told William that they would send a squad car as soon as one frees up. He then called his wife, Katherine who did not answer her phone, but instead walked through the front door a few minutes later.  William rushed to the door.

     “Honey, I need to speak to you.”  Grabbing five foot Katherine’s arm, he pulled her back outside and closed the door. Her hand bag slipped off her shoulder and inched down her arm. 

    “What honey?”

He kept his clutch bound around her arm. “It’s about Justin. He is okay, but…”

“But what? What’s wrong?” Katherine’s brown eyes darted to and fro focusing on William.

“He wasn’t touched, but we had an intruder about 30 minutes ago. He climb…” 

“What? An intruder? Where’s Justin! Where’s Justin!”

“He’s fine. He is sitting quietly on the couch.”

Katherine ripped her arm from William’s grasp and burst through the front door; the door slamming against the interior wall.  “Justin! Justin!”  Katherine raced to the couch startling Justin.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Following closely behind her, William cried out. “I told you. He is fine.”

Justin looked up at his mom. “I am fine mommy.”

Katherine stood up glaring at William. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“I did. I called you just a couple of minutes ago. I first called the police and they will be here shortly.”

      Katherine quickly reached into her bag and pulled out her cell phone. She read ‘1 missed called 5 minutes ago.’  William then continued to patiently describe the events as Katherine listened with occasional questions. She had calmed down once she felt assured that Justin was unharmed.  Katherine then walked over to Justin and sat down on the couch beside him and Ruffus.

“I am happy you are safe. Would you like to sleep with us tonight?”

“Yes mommy.”

 “Good. Let’s get ready for bed.”  She then led Justin upstairs and after brushing his teeth she tucked him in. “We will be in bed shortly dear.”

    Moments later the police arrived. William spoke to Officer Quintez and gave him the events that happened as he knew them. He also let the officer know that the perpetrator may be injured. 

 "I had my gun pointed in his direction, and it accidentally fired. I am pretty sure I hit him. I did hear him run away afterwards though.”

“We will check the local surroundings and speak to the neighbors to see if they saw anything. We will also tell the local hospitals to notify us in case someone checks in with a gun shot wound.”

“Do you mind if I speak to Justin?” asked Officer Quintez.

“He’s sleeping upstairs in our room right now and I prefer that he is not bothered.” Katherine interjected. “He is still shaken by the incident. Maybe tomorrow.”

“I can’t tomorrow, but Monday works.”

“Okay, Monday after school then.”

 “That works, but I need to speak to him on Monday while the incident is fresh in his memory. If this man is a child predator then Justin’s report of events can save lives.”

Katherine gasped. “Do you think this man is a child predator?”

“It’s possible. Can we go up and see his room?”

“Certainly. Follow me.” said William as he led the officer into Justin’s room.  Officer Quintez surveyed Justin’s room. He first noticed the shattered window and the glass shards on the floor.

“He jumped through that window?”

“Yes.” answered William.

They can check around the window as well as the area where you shot him for blood stains. They will most likely finger print the areas as well.

“What time do you think the detectives will come?” asked Katherine.

“I don’t know, but most likely Monday. They will call you first. Meanwhile try not to touch anything. I need to leave now.”

After Officer Quintez left, Katherine had a series of thoughts. ‘Was this man a child predator? Why did this man choose their house? Was this random? Was he a thief?’    With increased concern, Katherine decided that she should sit Justin down tomorrow and discuss inappropriate touching and that he should never talk to strangers and they can’t be trusted.   

Katherine, is a highly respected Doctor who specialized in Neuroscience. For twelve years, she has been researching comatose patients and had a monumental breakthrough five years ago. She hopes this breakthrough will advance humanity, but still more needs to be done. Tomorrow is Sunday and will be their tenth year wedding anniversary. They were married in Boysen, Wyoming, a very small town where Katherine was raised. William Jonathan Time had quite a different background. He is a renown chef.  William didn’t learn his culinary skills at France’s Le Cordon Bleu or any other top chef universities. In fact, William never even went to any culinary school. He never got a culinary degree, but he is every bit as good as any chef.    Currently, he is the executive chef at The Gourmet Grille. William thought it would be nice if some day Justin explored that path. However, his interests are more like his mom’s; scientific and abstract. With dark brown hair, Justin Nicholas Time is of medium build and medium height. His eyes are hazel with black specs. Justin is not the product of a broken family. Both of his parents love him, and support him. He is well mannered, respectful, and caring. The other side of Justin is ambitious, adventurous, risk taking, and courageous. It was this part of his personality that worries his parents the most, as they had little control of him when he had an inspiration. 

Chapter 2 will introduce Blair, Justin's best friend.  Overall Chapter 2 is fun and lighthearted, but moves the story forward.

Justephen