Chapter Two
2015 Words
Artemisia's phone rang, and she looked at it. She realizes it was Nilüfer who was calling her, and she answers her phone.
Artemisia says in a concerned tone, "Nilüfer, is everything alright at home? Are Bayzeid and Kasim alright?" Nilüfer says on her end of the phone call, "Everything is fine. The boys are just missing you. Elcim is helping me keep them entertained."
Artemisia then says, "That's one of the benefits for them. They benefit from having four mothers and a father who care for them." Nilüfer chuckled softly, appreciating Artemisia's perspective. "You're right; they are truly lucky to have such a big support system. It makes the hard days a bit easier to handle."
Artemisia chuckles and says, "I agree." Nilüfer then says on her end of the phone call, "How's our newest addition to the family doing in your womb? I hate that you're still bounty hunting while six months pregnant with child."
Artemisia sighed playfully, "Oh, you know me; I can't resist the thrill of the chase, even now." She paused for a moment, then added, "But I promise to take it easy—just as soon as I catch this last target."
Nilüfer chuckled, her voice laced with concern. "Just make sure you don't overdo it, Artemisia. We need you both safe and sound when the time comes."
Artemisia smirked, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Don't worry, I've got a plan to wrap this up quickly and get back to nesting—besides, I have little ones counting on me to come home."
With a nod, Nilüfer replied, "Just remember, plans can change in an instant. Stay sharp." Artemisia’s smile faded slightly, but her resolve remained unshaken. "I will, and I promise to be back before they even notice I'm gone." Then Artemisia notices her target is approaching the restaurant and says to Nilüfer on the phone, "I got to go. My target is going into the restaurant. Give the boys a kiss for me and tell them I love them. I will see them later on tonight for their bedtime."
As she hung up the phone, Artemisia took a deep breath and adjusted her coat. She steeled herself for the task ahead, ready to blend into the shadows and execute her plan with precision. But first she cloaks her pregnant belly so her target doesn't find out she's pregnant with child. She then gets out of the car and makes her way into the restaurant. She walks up to the hostess stand.
Artemisia says to the hostess, "Hi, my name is Artemisia Rogues, and I'm here to meet Edward Collins." The hostess glanced up, her expression shifting as she scanned the reservation list. "Right this way, Ms. Rogues," she replied, leading Artemisia through the bustling dining area, where the scent of gourmet dishes mingled with the low hum of conversation. As they approached the table, Artemisia was determined to catch the fugitive and return home to her family.
Mr. Collins looks up and says, "Ms. Rogues?" "Yes, that's me," she replied, trying to maintain her composure despite the urgency of her mission. Artemisia says, "Please call me Artemisia. Everyone does."
"Very well, Artemisia," Mr. Collins said with a nod, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed her demeanor. Then he says, "Please have a seat." He assists Artemisia in taking a seat in the chair positioned across from him.
As she settled into the chair, a mixture of anxiety and determination coursed through her. "I appreciate your willingness to meet on such short notice," she said, her voice steadying as she prepared to wheel him comfortably and slowly.
Collin asks Artemisia, "So what is it that you do exactly? Your profile says that you do different things at a job agency. " Artemisia says, "That's right. But I'm currently working at the local court house."
Collin then asks Artemisia, "What is it that you do exactly at the local court house?" Artemisia then says, "I help find people for them." Collin then asks, "What kind of people do you help them find?"
Artemisia then says, "Oh, I help them find people who are out on bail and who are also on trial for crimes they have committed as well. For instance, in your case, Mr. Theodore Weller, I help find individuals like you. You have embezzled millions of dollars from your clients at your accounting firm that you run. Unfortunately, all of your accounts have been frozen due to the ongoing trial that the government has against you."
The text continues, stating, "Unfortunately, your wife had to bail you out of jail by taking out a second mortgage on your house." This act was done to cover the payment amount ordered by your trial judge. This incident occurred not even two days after the bail bond was paid. You had the audacity to steal all of your wife’s jewelry and the money from your three children’s college funds. Then you had the audacity to skip town and decided to put up a dating profile on a local dating website. Not even a week had passed since you skipped town. Am I assuming all of this correctly, Mr. Weller?"
Mr. Weller shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting around the courtroom as he struggled to find words. "I—I was just trying to start fresh," he stammered, but the bounty hunter's piercing gaze made it clear that excuses would not suffice. Then says, "Wait, are you saying you're a—"
Artemisia says, "A bounty hunter. Then the answer is yes, Mr. Weller, and I am here to take you back into custody." Mr. Weller's face paled at the revelation, the weight of his past deeds crashing down upon him like a tidal wave. "You can't do this," he pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice, but Artemisia stood her ground, unwavering and resolute in her mission.
That's when Mr. Weller makes a run for the back door of the restraunt. Artemisia then says to herself, "Why do they always like to run?" Without hesitation, Artemisia sprang into action, sprinting after him through the narrow aisles filled with startled patrons. She could hear the sound of his footsteps echoing in her ears, but she was determined to catch him before he slipped away into the night.
As she burst through the door, the cool night air hit her like a wave, sharpening her focus. With each stride, she visualized the moment she would finally bring him to justice, her heart pounding with anticipation and adrenaline. Suddenly, an unknown man tackles her target to the ground.
In the chaos, she hesitated for a split second, trying to process the unexpected turn of events. Seizing the opportunity, she sprinted toward them, ready to assist in restraining the man who had evaded her for so long.
Artemisia says to the unknown man, "Thank you for the assistance, Mr.?" David says, "David, and you're welcome." I'm guessing you're a local bounty hunter."
"That's right," Artemisia replies, her eyes narrowing as she assesses the situation. "I’ve been tracking him for weeks, but I didn’t expect to find help out here."
David nodded, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "Well, sometimes fate has a way of bringing the right people together, Mrs.?" he remarked, glancing at his long-lost daughter Artemisia and then glancing back at the restrained man, who was now glaring defiantly at them.
Artemisia then says to David, "My name is Artemisia, and if you don't mind, David. I'm going to take my perp back to the local police station to collect my bounty." She picks up her perp and escorts him to her car.
David watched her with a mix of admiration and concern, realizing that the reunion would have to wait. "Just be careful, Artemisia," he called out, his voice tinged with urgency as she led the man away, the weight of their shared past lingering in the air.
Then an unknown man walks up to David and says, "So when are you going to tell your daughter who you really are, David?"
David then says to John, "As soon as she drops her perp at the local police station." John then says, "Well, we better get going. That way we're there when she comes out of the local police station."
David nodded, a mix of anxiety and determination crossing his face. He knew that the truth could change everything, and he hoped they would be ready for whatever came next. Then he and John make their way back to their car. Then they start driving towards the local police station.
Artemisia walks into the police station with her perp, and the desk sergeant looks up with a smile on his face. "Good to see you, Artemisia," he greeted warmly. "What do you have for us today?" As she began to explain the situation, the tension in the room shifted, and the air crackled with the promise of justice.
Artemisia detailed the events leading up to the arrest, her voice steady and confident. As she spoke, the sergeant nodded, his expression turning serious as he realized the implications of the case. Then she asks the desk sergeant if he's heard of a bounty hunter named David Nolan.
The sergeant's brow furrowed at the mention of the name, and he leaned forward, intrigued. "I've heard whispers about him," he replied slowly, "but what does he have to do with this situation?"
Artemisia then says, "He helped me catch this fugitive when I was chasing him out of the restaurant." The sergeant then says, "Wow, I didn't know he was on this side of town. He usually hunts on the west side of Boston."
Artemisia then asks the sergeant, "What do you know about his personal life?" "He became a bounty hunter over twenty years ago," the sergeant continues.
"Do you know why he became a bounty hunter?" asks Artemisia. The sergeant says, "Well, based on what I have heard over the years, he became a bounty hunter so he could use the system to find his long-lost daughter."
Artemisia says, "His daughter," and then all of a sudden she has memory flashbacks to the day she was born.
Twenty years ago
Snow says to her newborn daughter, "I love you, my sweet little Artemisia." "Find us, my sweet girl." Artemisia makes adorable little baby noises in response.
Charming kills ten of the Evil Queen's soldiers with his sword. But he gets injured in the assault. Despite the pain coursing through his body, he pressed on, knowing that each step brought him closer to salvation for his daughter. The flickering light from the wardrobe beckoned him, a ray of hope in the midst of chaos, urging him to summon the strength he had left to finish the fight.
He approached the wardrobe; he could hear the distant sounds of battle fading, replaced by the quiet promise of a brighter future for his daughter once she is safe inside of the magical wardrobe.
Artemisia cries from all of the new noises she experienced. Charming opens the wardrobe and then says to his daughter, "I love you so much, Artemisia. Find us, baby girl. Find us." Then he places his daughter into the wardrobe. Then he closes the door, and his daughter gets magically transported to the land without magic.
Present
The sergeant asks Artemisia with a concerned voice, "Are you okay, Artemisia?" Artemisia says to the sergeant, "I'm fine." Then she realizes what time it was and then says, "I didn't realize what time it was. I need to get home before my sons go to bed."
The sergeant says, "Of course." He hands the bounty check to Artemisia and then says, "You have a wonderful evening, Artemisia. Tell the family I said hello."
Artemisia nods appreciatively, clutching the check tightly in her hand. "I will," she replies with a grateful smile before hurrying off outside. Then she runs into the man she didn't think she would run into so soon after finally remembering who he is and that he's her biological father.
- Writer
