by Baker, Alex
52
Detective Laura Stenks walked out of the door to Captain Almas' office at the Las Vegas P.D. and dialed a number on her cell phone. She had finished two days of reports and interrogations about what had occurred during her time in the city, which had kept the emotional scars of the recent events fresh; Not that she had been able to convince herself they would heal anytime soon. Just more baggage to pile up and deal with, she thought.
“Hey, Dwayne,” she responded to the forensics officer on the other end of the call. “Yes, I, and what ass I have left, am preparing to leave with the girl's body.” She strolled through the precinct, passing law enforcement personnel that were hard at work. “They're holding Mr. Reiner's body here as part of the ongoing investigation.” Laura could not stand the thought of leaving Roofy here, feeling obligated to giving him a proper farewell.
Dwayne inquired about Constance's body.
“No, the mother has legally blocked doing a full autopsy.” The detective exited the building and made her way across the parking lot. “So, you will only get a small window of opportunity for examination.”
Laura reached her car and opened the door, but she didn't get in. “Thanks, Dwayne. I'm fine. See you on east coast time.” She ended the call, deposited the phone into her purse, and blankly stared off into the distance. “I'm fine.” The empty words did nothing to reinforce to her that it was true.
53
Dwayne caught up with Detective Stenks at her desk in the Richmond City Police Department. “The bite marks on the girl were very irregular, almost animal-like, yet the characteristics were still human,” the forensics officer reported, glancing over the file he reviewed with the detective. “I just don't know. And, the mother expedited the burial, which pretty much leaves the rest open to speculation. Sure a law suit against the department will follow,” Dwayne joked, but it drew no response from the distracted detective.
“Those bruises and contusions are healing up nicely,” Dwayne said after a moment's hesitation, deciding to try a more personable approach.
“Okay. Thanks, Dwayne.”
He had begun walking away but stopped. He was worried about Laura. It was not like her to be so distant and dismissive, and he could not help but feel like he should say more, even though he did not know what would help. Whatever had happened in Vegas must have been really bad. It was definitely the first time he recalled seeing her dressed down. Replacing her trademark flashy attire were a pair of standard issue uniform slacks, nondescript uniform shirt, and police issue Bates hi-gloss Durashock oxfords. “Almost didn't recognize you, girl.” He tried to sound perky. “Got you a new look, huh?”
“Yeah. Something like that.”
“Call me if you need anything,” Dwayne said, deciding it might be best to leave the preoccupied Detective Stenks alone.
Laura began sifting through the paperwork that had piled up in her absence. It could all end up at the burning end of a match for all she cared.
“Well, Detective, another successful case for you, huh?”
The condescending voice of Officer Patterson came from behind Laura, freezing her in place. She had traded barbs with the asshole on so many occasions, but now, she just wanted him to go away. Being honest with herself, she really did not want to be around work or people, in general.
“I hope you won at the tables while you were there, since you bombed on the job,” Patterson jibed, proud that he finally had a chance to use the insult on her.
Laura did not move, but her emotions bubbled. She imagined him standing behind her, shit-eating smirk and thumbs tucked into his duty belt that his fat belly hung over.
“What, no witty come back?” The officer pressed his verbal attack. “Hell, maybe it was you and your Russian boyfriend that chewed that little girl up.”
Laura's thoughts raced back to Constance, hanging in the garage mutilated. The detective's memories ran together like wet paint: her mother, Ambrose, the leather straps, the blood on the girl's legs, and the suffering they both endured.
Patterson did not let up. “Uh-oh, did I hit a sore spot?” He put up his hands mockingly in response to the detective methodically coming about to face him and putting her hand on her holstered firearm. “You aren't going to bite me, are you?”
There was a “snap” as Laura unlatched her holster. She slid her hand down, gripped the handle, and lifted it slightly.
“You don't intimidate me,” Patterson said arrogantly, but as her gun started leaving the holster and she stared at him with those unblinking eyes, he grew concerned.
“I don't think you want to do that, detective,” Chief Epps said, gently catching Laura's wrist and removing the gun from her hand. “He's certainly not worth it.”
Laura emerged from her emotional fog, shaken. What had she been about to do? How long had the Chief been watching? Long enough to save her from herself, the detective surmised.
“What the hell? Didn't you see that, Chief?” Patterson pouted.
“I suggest you stop talking, now, or I may just have to cut her loose on you,” the Chief directed coolly. He placed a hand on Laura's shoulder. “I want you to take a couple of weeks off, Detective. Get yourself together.”
Laura, concerned and embarrassed, acknowledged the Chief.
“And, that's an order. Starting now. We'll discuss this more when you are ready to come back.” Bringing his attention back to Officer Patterson, Chief Epps stated firmly, “Let's you and I have a discussion in my office regarding your lack of professionalism.”
“Crazy bitch. And, I'm the one in trouble,” Patterson complained, following the Chief toward his office.
Laura picked up her desk phone and dialed Dwayne. “Hey, I've been placed on leave. There is something you can do for me, if you don't mind. I'm going to put an evidence bag for Roofy Reiner in my desk. When you get a chance, can you take a hack at the phone?” She paused as he responded. “Thanks, Dwayne. I'll see you soon.” Laura hung up the phone, packed up some files, and left the building.
EPILOGUE
Casually clothed and in her bedroom, Laura held a large black trash bag. Piled on her bed were various costumes, lingerie, sexual toys, and items of domination. She had slept on the couch the last few nights, not even wanting to be in the same room with the stuff, but it was time to deal with the pain.
Laura shoved them into the large, bulging bag, cinched it shut, toted it out to a large trash can at the end of her driveway, and tossed it in. A weight eased from her almost instantly.
A Richmond P.D. SUV pulled into the driveway and Dwayne emerged, wearing a smile and sunglasses. “Hey girl. How you holding up?”
She hugged him, comforted by the visit of a caring presence. Although the time alone had been needed, there was something to be said about still having contact with the positive things in life.
“I'm doing fine. What do you have for me?”
Dwayne handed her a cell phone. “Cracked Mr. Reiner's voice mail for you. Wasn't hard. His password was the last four of the phone number.” Dwayne moved back to the car, door still standing open. “Don't worry. I never saw it.”
“I can't thank you enough, Dwayne.”
The forensics officer got in the SUV, closed the door, and gave Laura a wave. “If you need anything, call me.”
“I'll see you soon.” Laura went back into the house, plopped down on the couch, and dialed the voice mail on Roofy's phone. She really did not know what she expected to get from listening to the messages, but it seemed important. Maybe it was just enough to have a connection to the big Russian and the impression he made on her.
“Message one: Mr. Reiner, this is Doctor Laranitis. Please call me concerning your condition.”
“Message five: Mr. Reiner, this is Detective Laura Stenks. It is imperative you call me.”
“Message eleven: Mr. Reiner, it's Dr. Laranitis again. Please call me.”
“Message thirteen: Mr. Reiner, I know where you are going. Something has happened to your wife. Please
call me, Detective Stenks, immediately.”
“Message nineteen: Roofy, running with that girl is only making things worse for you. I can help you. Call me asap. Detective Stenks.”
“Message twenty: Mr. Reiner, it's Dr. Laranitis again. I was wrong. What we found was not a tumor. Please, I need you to come in immediately. What we found is not natural...it's...just come in. I need to show you this. It appears to be evolving.”
Laura sat stunned as the messages ended. Evolved? What did he mean? She didn't get to think on it long, as Dwayne's ring tone interrupted her thoughts.
“Forget something, Dwayne?” she answered.
“Listen,” Dwayne replied seriously, “Micky just called me. He got a call from Las Vegas P.D., and Reiner is gone.”
“I know. He was pronounced at the scene of the crime,” she responded, deflated by the obvious news. Dwayne must be working too much overtime.
“No. I mean he got up and walked out of their pathologist's office.”
Laura wanted to respond, but her mouth hung agape as the news scrambled her thoughts.
“I've got to go, but I'll call you when I learn more,” Dwayne ended the call.
Laura set the phone down, her heart rate jumping and a familiar spark igniting deep within her. “Roofy.”
END
