by Nikki Rose
“That will be all. Thank you.”
Officer Andrews gave us both a nod and left. I was glad Daniel would be staying with me. He put me at ease and made me feel safe. After a night like tonight, that was a major feat.
“I should let you get some rest but don’t worry. I’ll be right out here.”
“Thanks. I’m just going to take a quick shower before bed.” I smiled and took my bag into the one-bedroom for what I was sure would be one of the longest nights of my life.
CHAPTER 6
Hunter
They took her. Before we ever had a chance. Before I could find a way to introduce myself to her. The detective ushered her into his squad car. There was nothing I could do but stand there in the distance as she cried. I wanted to be there for her but I couldn’t. She didn’t even know me.
Chris would tell me my obsession with this girl was unhealthy and that I should stop before it got worse. But I couldn’t stop. I needed to be near her, to know her, to protect her. There was no way I could follow the detective. He’d have a good ten minutes on me and there was no telling where he’d take her.
I sat in the driver seat of my car. Parked in the shadows of a dark alley I waited—rather impatiently. I was trained to be patient, but this was different. I knew they’d send someone to get a few things for the girl. The police in this city were predictable.
A female cop received her orders and started packing up. That was my cue. I grabbed my fake police jacket from the trunk. One could never be sure when it might come in handy. Slipping it on, I slumped my shoulders and walked at an even pace, trying to blend in. I didn’t need anyone questioning who I was or what I was doing there. I just needed to get across the police lines.
I’d watched the female police officer go to her car earlier to make a call so I knew which one was hers. All I had to do was place a small tracker and I could tail her from a safe distance.
A couple of rookie cops passed by. They chattered on excitedly about the case and barely acknowledged me with a nod before passing by. I didn’t walk in a straight line to my target as to not look too determined. Instead, I weaved, paused, and kept going pretending I was supposed to be there. When I neared the car, I looked back to make sure no one was following me before rounding it to the far end where no one could see.
I knelt down near the back tire well and made quick work of fastening the tracker into place. I stood just in time for some beat cop to spot me.
“Hey you, officer...”
“Officer Johnson.” I stated, figuring it was a common enough name, chances are someone would have known someone by that name at one point or another and the name would sound familiar enough not to spark suspicions.”
“From the north office?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“What brings you down this way?”
“I was off duty in the area when the call came in. Figured I’d lend a hand.”
“Good, man. But what are you doing over here in the dark?”
“Oh,” I had to think quickly. I dug into my pocket for an answer. “Just needed to grab a quick smoke.” I pulled out the pack of cigarettes and flashed the pack at him. I didn’t smoke. Never had. But needing a smoke was something people understood and could help explain a number of situations where you find yourself somewhere you shouldn’t be.
“Your first homicide?”
“No, Sir. But they never get much easier.”
“Ain’t that the truth. Well, I’ll let you get back to it. You tell the boys up at the North office I said hi.”
“Will do.”
He walked away back into the chaos of the crime scene. I sagged with relief and waited for my chance to walk back to my car.
Once in the darkness of the alley again, I slipped off my police jacket and tossed it in the backseat.
I slipped my phone into its dock so I could take advantage of hands-free calls. I had to be ready and I didn’t need distractions like a phone in my hand while tailing the police.
“Call Chris” I barked at my phone but never took my eyes off that female officer. She was my key to finding where they’d taken her. Her. I didn’t even know her name.
“Calling Chris” My phone confirmed.
“Hey man, where are you? You never checked in after your mission.” Chris sounded concerned—he never sounded concerned.
“Hey, Chris. I got a bit of a situation here.”
“I’d say you do. Our police scanners are picking up a lot of chatter. What the hell happened?”
“Long story. I’ll explain later. I just need to know you’re taking care of it on your end.”
“Yeah, I got you covered. What else do you need?”
“They’ve taken the girl.”
“What do you mean? Who’s taken what girl?”
“The cops. They’ve taken the girl.”
“Shit. Are you talking about the girl you’ve been obsessing over for the past week? This is seriously unhealthy, man.”
“Chris. Listen to me. This is all connected. They’ve taken her into custody and I need to find her.”
“Geez. How the hell did that happen?”
“Like I said it’s a long story. I’ll explain more when I can. They’re dispatching a secondary officer to bring in supplies. That’s my chance to find her so I’m waiting. I’m going to follow her. I’ll call you when I find out more.”
“Okay. Just be careful. I know you have this unexplainable obsession with this girl but she’s not worth your career. You know the boss won’t look kindly on you getting yourself tangled up in the local police business.”
“I get that, but this is something I have to do.”
“I figured. You’re not one to change your mind once it’s set on something. Just be careful.”
“I will.”
The best thing about having a tracker on a car is not having to rely on keeping a visual on the target. Being able to let her out of my sight, means also being out of her sight so I don’t risk detection. I waited for her to leave, giving her a five-minute head start. I didn’t want to risk delays on the road making me miss her stop altogether.
We drove down a long stretch of nearly abandoned highway and I took the opportunity to make another call.
“Call Mikey,” I ordered my phone and it dialed my tech friend.
“You have reached the all-powerful Mikey.”
“Hey, Mikey. I need a favor.”
“What’s up?”
“Can you get me a residence log for the building across the street from my place?”
“Sure man, you know it. I can have it to you before you can say ’thank you, Mikey, you’re the best—”
“Thank you, Mikey. I really appreciate this...”
“Yeah, yeah. I got the log but it’s a long list. You need the whole thing?”
“Any way of finding out new tenants?”
“I’m insulted. That hurts me.” I heard him typing away on his keyboard and wondered if that man ever left his computer screen. “I’ve got five new tenants in the building.”
“I need one for the third floor.”
“Right. Okay. That would be a Ms. Adelaide M. Cole.”
“Thanks, man.”
“You need anything else?”
“Not for now. Thanks.”
“No prob.”
I ended the call and relaxed my grip on the steering wheel.
“Adelaide Cole.” I bet she went by Addy. She seemed like an Addy.
I continued to follow the officer at a safe distance down the long stretch of highway before finally turning down some small winding roads into the middle of nowhere. A perfect place to hide someone.
CHAPTER 7
Addy
A knock on the bedroom door pulled me from sleep. “Ms. Cole? Addy?”
I sat up and ran my fingers through my hair to try to tame the mess of dark strands. “Yes? Come in.”
Daniel slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Seeing that I was decent, he opened the door ful
ly and stepped inside. “Sorry to wake you but we need to get on the road. I just got word, I’m to take you to a new location where we’ll get you set up with temporary witness protection.”
“Oh wow. So, this really is happening, huh?”
“Yeah. It seems that the man you witnessed killing last night...well I can’t say too much but he’s a professional killer. He’s not a man to mess with so you will be safer out of town until we can find him.”
“How long have the police known about this guy?”
“We’ve been searching for him for years but we’ve never been able to get a description or even a sighting on him. You’re the only living person who laid eyes on him.”
“So how do you know all those murders were him?”
“His MO is identical in every case.”
“You said years? Does that mean it could be years that I’ll have to be in hiding?”
“Let’s hope not. But we really should get going. We are meeting our contact at the state line.”
“The state line?” Panic built in me again.
“I’ll be there the whole time. I’m your point person and I’ll be making sure you’re safe.”
I swallowed hard. This was really happening.
“Okay.”
Daniel broke the tense silence as he pulled off an exit near the state line.
“We’re meeting a guy from WITSEC who has put together your new identity.”
I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart. “I’m so nervous.”
“I know, but you’re going to be just fine. I’ll make sure of it.” Daniel cast me a quick smile before returning his eyes to the road.
He pulled off onto a small street that led to a small bait shack that looked abandoned. We rounded to the back-parking area and found a man in a black sedan. Daniel parked and unbuckled his seat belt.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
The two men didn’t waste much time. They both flashed their IDs and the man passed Daniel a manilla packet. Daniel climbed back into the driver seat and passed me the folder before pulling out.
“Here you go. You’re new life.”
We got on the highway again heading to my new life. I tried to keep my mind busy by looking through the papers he’d provided.
A new driver’s license. My new name would be Emma.
They kept my art hobby in my backstory which I liked. The story was that I was a struggling artist, looking for new inspiration in a new place. I would have to find a normal job once I got settled. They’d already provided a small rental house in a quiet Cape Cod neighborhood and an older model silver sedan along with enough spending money to cover me for a month if I lived very modestly.
Daniel and I stood just inside my new place as he got ready to leave. “You’re going to be alright. My number is programmed into the new phone they provided you in case of emergency or if you have questions.”
“Thank you.”
“Remember, don’t tell anyone about your old life. This has to become your new life at least until we find this guy.”
“I’ll be careful.” We exchanged smiles and a lingering handshake before he left.
I made sure to shut and lock the door behind me once I said goodbye to Daniel. That was it. I was officially alone—again. I looked around my temporary home at the sparse furnishings and bland walls. I couldn’t even bring myself to sit down. I was antsy and out of place.
“This is not the home of an artist. Even a struggling one.” I spoke to the house.
I looked around, realizing I could be stuck here for years if they didn’t catch the guy. I hadn’t even seen his face. Not only was my life turned upside down for the crime I’d witnessed, I hadn’t even witnessed enough to help the police catch him.
“I need art supplies. Lots of art supplies.” But the money I’d been given was just enough to make it through the month. If I was going to get what I needed to make my art, I’d need to ensure I had a paying job first.
I’d seen a small diner just a few blocks away. I could wait tables. It wouldn’t be the first time. Before my paintings began to sell, I’d waited tables at a high-end steakhouse. I could do that again—at least temporarily.
I got in my new-old silver Honda and drove through the small town I now called home until I found the diner. The large green awning was faded from the sun and the sign that read Helen's had seen better days. Large front windows allowed me to see the cliche small-town diner.
There were only three customers spread out over the restaurant and one waitress busy filling drinks behind the counter. She was old enough to be my mom, graying brown hair, crow’s feet, but a warm smile. “I’ll be right with you. Just take a seat anywhere.”
“Thanks,” I called back to her and took a seat on a barstool at the counter.
She hurried the refills over to the table where two women chatted then came back to me.
“What can I get ya?”
“Just a sweet tea, please.”
“It’s about dinner time, you sure I can’t get you anything else?”
I hadn’t planned to eat there. I was just ordering a drink to be polite, but as she mentioned food, I realized I was pretty hungry from my trip. “Actually yeah. I’ll have a burger and fries, please.”
“Good choice. We have the best burgers around.” She winked at me and placed my order before pouring my tea. She was called over to another customer and didn’t return until she was placing my plate in front of me. “Haven’t seen you around here before. What brings you to our little town?”
“Oh, I actually just moved in a few blocks down. I’m an artist and I needed a change of scenery.”
“Where you from?”
This was a tougher question. I paused, taking a sip of my tea to not let on I was having to think of such a basic question. “Here and there. I move around a lot.”
“Sounds so adventurous. I’ve lived here my whole life. Used to come to this same diner with my daddy when I was a kid.”
“This is a nice place.” I looked around the diner. “I don’t guess you’re hiring, are you?”
“We might be looking for some help, but I thought you said you were an artist.”
“I am but—”
“But it’s not paying the bills, huh?”
I gave a half-smile and nodded.
“You know what? You seem like a nice girl and I like you. I have to talk to the owner. He’s a real asshole but he’s been talking about taking on another waitress for when we get really busy. You’ll have the job.”
“Great, when do I start?”
“Breakfast rush in the morning. Be here by six-thirty.”
“Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure. I could use the help.”
I stopped just before walking out the door. “Oh, before I go, which way is the nearest art supply store?”
“There’s one in a shopping center about five blocks down.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
“See you then, honey.”
I left the diner with an extra bounce in my step. I’d been so focused on my art for so long, I was proud of myself for adapting so quickly. I’d have a paying job, which meant I could take a small trip to the local art supply store. I had some redecorating to do.
The art store was small and left a lot to be desired with their stock but the clerk was very helpful and assured me they could special order anything I might need. For now, I was going to keep it simple. I bought an easel and stocked up on several different sizes of canvas, paints, and a good set of paintbrushes.
I swung by the grocery store to pick up a few things since the house was empty then went home to a relaxing night of painting.
After cleaning up my paints for the night I walked around the empty home. I’d never felt so alone in my life. I craved human interaction more now than ever. I suppose it was true what people say. When someone says you can’t do something, it only makes you want to do it more. I decided to do what I use
d to in my early high school days, back when I was alone and needed to interact with people. I started up the old dinosaur of a computer supplied in the house and logged into my old sci-fi chatroom. Before I discovered art in my Junior year of high school, this site had been home to me. It gave me more of the social interaction I needed.
While in the chat room, I met a nice guy with the screen name DarkPrince. He enjoyed talking about similar shows and movies. I spent a couple of hours in the chat, lost in conversation about my favorite Sci-Fi movies and shows and debating theories about Firefly and Dollhouse. It was as close to normal as I’d felt in a while.
CHAPTER 8
Hunter
I was able to slip a bug into the detective’s car before he came back out with the girl. A trained detective would be able to catch a traditional tail. With a simple tracker, I was able to keep my distance and follow out of sight.
The best tracker in the world can’t do much good though when the person you’re tracking ditches the car in a parking garage on the edge of town.
I hit the steering wheel and let out a yell of frustration before turning around and heading back to my apartment.
On my way, I hit the speed dial on my phone and waited.
“Hey there Hunter. What’s up?”
“Mikey, hey. I need you to do me a favor.”
“Sure man. Anything you need.”
“I need you to find some intel on a witness protection case.”
“Whoa, WITSEC? You know they keep those files pretty tight to the vest.”
“Can you get them or not?” I cringed at the unintentional bite in my tone.
“Yeah, yeah man. I can get it. Just might take me some time without setting off any alarms.”
“How long?”
“A week should be doable. This doesn’t happen to be about that same case you had me looking up the other day, does it? The third-floor tenant?”
“Yeah.”
“She an asset?”
“Something like that.”
“I’ve still got her info. I’ll start working on it ASAP and let you know as soon as I find anything.”
“Thanks, Mikey.” I hung up the phone but could barely pull my hand away before it rang.
