by DJ Owen
Alex mentally kicked herself again and noted to herself, I have got to let that go! They're a weird couple. It's not about me. They didn't know I would call. It's my own fault for getting involved in the first place. Maybe I should just live a normal life.
Alex noted the Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs on barns and other buildings as she drove along I-80. She stopped for gasoline at a station with a roadside gift shop and on impulse bought a wooden sign painted with the traditional House Blessing, which she immediately mounted over her Winnebago's door. She continued through the Pennsylvania countryside as her mind went back to her nightmare and Amy's face mixed in amongst the trees. She thought again about her own dead body and the missing heart. Maybe I should give it up, she thought.
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Almost 2,500 miles away, Kyle Buckley was walking into the Sheriff's office in Elko, Nevada. He sat at his desk and began checking his email. The unexpected events in California refused to leave his thoughts alone.
Kyle's partner, when he wasn't driving solo, was Jolene Rayburn. She was a feisty woman in her late thirties, solidly built and an expert marksman. She was the one you wanted watching your back. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty in a brawl, and was stronger for her size than most of the men in the department. Jolene's husband of twenty years was Emmett Rayburn, who was generally referred to as "Ray" by his coworkers at the FBI office in Salt Lake City, Utah. The two lived almost an hour from Elko, so Ray had about a three hour commute when he was in the office. He was often in the field, so driving was seldom a problem. It did frequently keep them from seeing each other, which helped keep their marriage fresh.
"What's up, Kyle?" Jolene asked as she moved to her desk to sit. She could always tell when Kyle was working something over in his mind. "How was the seminar?"
Kyle looked up, frowning, and then smiled. "Oh, the seminar was fine. I mean, you get what you expect with a course name like 'Surviving Hidden Weapons for Female Officers'. I was happy to cover for you, though. You and Ray don't get to spend enough time together."
"It was almost like our honeymoon all over again!" Jolene's face bordered on angelic for a moment. "I really was planning to attend, you know. I didn't expect Ray to get those days off."
"I know, I know. Any time." Kyle became distracted as he weaved his way through the internet. His brow became furrowed again as he stared at the screen.
"What are you working on?"
Kyle typed a little more and hit return. "I don't know. Probably nothing." He again looked at the screen and frowned.
Jolene couldn't suppress her curiosity and came over to Kyle's desk. She looked over his shoulder and found him looking at a driver's license for an Alex Warren out of California. Kyle hit a few more keystrokes and soon they had confirmation that Alex Warren had no criminal past, other than having been questioned in the death of her soon-to-be-ex, according to the report.
"Isn't that the name of one of the people at the RV park where that man died? The guy in the van?" Jolene thought the name was familiar. "She's a cutie. Are you interested? I thought you might find someone at the seminar!"
"Yeah, its her. I'm just not sure what's going on with her." Kyle was trying to put together all the pieces, and half of them were missing and others seemed to be from a different puzzle.
"Out with it," Jolene demanded. "Why are you investigating her?"
"I'm not actually investigating her. There are some things that don't mesh, though." Kyle filled Jolene in on the details as he knew them: she was at the RV park, gave him her license and cell, he called while he was in San Francisco to check on her, she said she was in Chicago, he took a small gift to her house, and the homeowner said Alex hadn't lived there in years.
"You WHAT? You took her a gift? What kind of gift? I knew this was more than just regular police work...you LIKE her!" Jolene began the sing-song chant of a schoolyard girl. "Kyle and Alex sitting in a tree..."
"Oh, come on. It isn't like that. I knew she lived in San Francisco and just thought I would check in on her. I don't know if she would be interested in someone like me, but I thought I would see if she might have dinner since I was in town. She did seem to like me when I spoke with her at the RV park."
"Well, it is weird that the woman in San Fran told you this Alex woman hadn't lived there in years. She should have updated her driver's license. Maybe she didn't move far and was just waiting for her license to expire. What about her RV?"
Kyle busied himself looking at Alex's driver's license again. "No, she just renewed her license last April." More keystrokes gave him the license information on the Winnebago. "Nope, the camper was also renewed last April. Same address. I don't get it. The woman I spoke with at the house said she moved to Ohio or someplace back East."
Jolene could see the confusion on Kyle's face mixed in with something that might have been sadness or hurt. "Hey, Kiddo. I'm sure it's nothing. You should call her again. Ask her point-blank. But before you do, maybe you should look a little deeper into her finances. Can't hurt, right?"
"Yeah, I know. She just seemed so open and willing to help." Kyle sat staring at the screen a few more moments. "Jolene, what's the status of the investigation into the van guy?"
"Don't ask me...I was out sick, remember?" Jolene saw another officer getting ready to sit down. "Tommy, what's up with the crispy critter out by Lake Monroe?" She loved to rile the young deputy. He was a stickler for protocol and always eager to impress leadership.
Tommy Lane looked up and twisted his boy-like features into a scowl directed toward Jolene. "You know the Captain would have a fit if he heard you call the victim that."
"Victim?" Jolene and Kyle chorused.
"Yeah, we know he's a victim now. According to the M.E.'s office, the guy bled out from a puncture to his carotid. It looks like the fire was staged."
"Any evidence?" Kyle asked.
"Not yet. Haven't found any fingerprints on the van or anything, and the fire pretty much roasted anything else that might have been there. It did look like someone had wiped down the passenger side of the van, though, so there might be something in the ashes. It will take a miracle to find, if there is anything. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Jolene replied innocently. "Just getting caught up on the status of the case, is all. Who's running lead?"
Tommy looked down for a moment before answering. He joined the Sheriff's Department to start an exciting career in law enforcement, but his experience so far was limited to transporting prisoners and helping direct traffic during heavy snows. It was no secret that he wanted more. "State has it. I'm not sure which detective picked it up."
"Thanks, Tommy. Let us know if it gets more interesting. We can always use a little excitement around here." Kyle wasn't inclined to let the younger detective know how interested he was already. He didn't want Tommy to run rampant investigating someone who was most likely innocent. The most Alex was guilty of right now was failure to report her current address and lying to an officer. Not exactly something that warranted a full court press.
Kyle looked up at Jolene, who surreptitiously nodded. She understood exactly why he didn't tell Tommy about Alex's false address. Not only would Tommy jump all over it, but she wouldn't put it past him to throw Kyle under the bus for visiting Alex's old house. Jolene liked Kyle and they worked well together. She could count on him to cover for her when she had a chance to see Ray, and Kyle would have her back during any confrontation.
The phone rang and Jolene picked it up with a curt, "Sheriff's Office. Rayburn speaking." After a few affirmative grunts and interjections, she hung up. She stood and cast a look toward Kyle.
"That will have to wait. Semi versus pick-up on 93. They need us to reroute traffic." Heading toward the door, she slapped Tommy's desk as she passed, almost causing him to fall out of his chair. "You, too, Kiddo. It's all hands on deck." All three filed out of the room to keep the public safe.
CHAPTER TWELVE
It was late when Alex finally parked in th
e driveway of Monica's house. She locked up the Winnebago and reached the front door just as it opened.
"MOM! It's really you!" Amy threw her arms around Alex's neck. Alex laughed and gave her daughter a squeeze in return.
"Yep. I'm back earlier than expected. It happens sometimes."
"Not often enough. I'm so glad you're here!" Amy held the door for her mother. "Monica should be home soon. She's out with Mark again."
Alex wasn't sure what to think of that piece of news. "She's seeing a lot of him these days."
"Yeah, she's so happy. He's all we talk about anymore."
"Well, I'm going to be here for awhile, and we have lots to talk about besides Mark. What's going on at school? Tell me while I fix myself a quick bite of supper. Have you eaten?"
"I fixed myself a salad earlier. I wouldn't mind a grilled cheese, though, if that's what you're in the mood to eat." Amy grinned at her mother.
"How about that? I was just thinking about grilled cheese!" They both laughed as Alex began making their sandwiches. Amy launched into her play-by-play of all the happenings at school. Seeing Amy gave Alex's appetite a boost, so she also opened a can of tomato soup for the two of them to split.
Monica came in as they were cleaning up the kitchen. "Hi, Alex! I'm surprised to see you here!" That was an understatement. She hadn't expected Alex for another week.
"I've been thinking. Maybe I could stick around here for awhile, if you don't mind. I'm beginning to miss sleeping in a real bed and cooking honest-to-goodness meals." Alex wasn't sure how long she would stay, but she knew she had some serious reconsidering to do before she hit the road again.
"You're always welcome here, Alex, you know that!" Monica was perplexed by her sister's words. It wasn't like Alex to want to stay put for very long. "Is anything wrong?"
"No, everything's fine. I just need a little down time, I suppose." Alex didn't want to worry either Amy or Monica. She was used to keeping her life to herself. "You know what? It's getting late and I've been on the road all day. How about we hit the hay?"
"Sounds good to me. I'm not used to going out every night. I need to get some beauty sleep before I start looking as old as I feel and scare Mark off. Good night, all!" Monica led Alex and Amy upstairs.
Alex fell asleep almost as soon as she closed her eyes. She was exhausted from her disturbed sleep the night before, then driving over twelve hours to get home. Her sleep was deep and dreamless.
After Monica and Amy left in the morning, Alex cleaned the house and thought about how her life had turned out. She was a strong woman, committed to making the world a safer place for her daughter and sister. Was driving an RV all over the country eliminating threats to women really going to have a positive effect at home? She felt exhilaration whenever she managed to thwart the plans of those who would harm her, and by extension other women. Was that thrill what was really driving her? Could it be she was really doing this for herself? Her thoughts were going down a path that made Alex distinctly uncomfortable. Could it be that her actions weren't all that altruistic? Was she becoming what she tried to eliminate?
Alex shook her head and deliberately forced her thoughts elsewhere. She found her MP3 player and tried singing while she cleaned, but her thoughts moved inward again. Eventually Monica's relationship with Mark forced its way into her mind. Alex had serious concerns about how hard and fast Monica was falling for this man. Despite working in a law firm, Monica remained a little naive. Her sister seldom considered whether someone might have an ulterior motive. Alex and her sister were complete opposites in this regard. Alex assumed almost every interaction involved an ulterior motive, probably because she lived a dual life herself. How can you assume everyone is on the up-and-up when you aren't?
The day progressed and Alex eventually began dinner preparations. Her thoughts about Mark morphed into thoughts of Kyle, which took her by surprise. She had not allowed herself the luxury of an intimate personal relationship for many years. She didn't want to have someone else placing demands on her time. She already adapted to Amy's schedule, at least for the important events. She may not be there 24/7, but Amy could count on her to be there when it counted. She had managed to make it to opening night of every play, every graduation, even all the playoff games and tournaments. She smiled as she remembered Amy dressed as an angel the first time they went trick-or-treating. Monica attended these milestones as well, giving Amy that needed sense of continuity.
Amy burst through the door earlier than Alex expected and ran to her bedroom. This was completely out of character for her daughter, so Alex put dinner on hold before following Amy upstairs. She listened at the door but heard nothing, so she knocked softly.
"Honey? Are you okay?" Alex wasn't sure if Amy was angry, sad, or just had something on her mind.
"I'm fine, Mom. Please go away. I need some time alone, okay?"
"I understand, Amy, but I'm still concerned. Can I come in just to give you a hug?" It was a gamble, but it worked. Amy told her to come on in. She was face down on her bed, her chin resting on her crossed arms.
"Thanks, Sweetie. I can tell you have something on your mind. No matter what's going on, you know I love you and support you, right?" Alex knew her daughter well enough to know she couldn't pry. Amy would tell her what was going on when she was ready.
"I know, Mom. Thanks." Alex began to lightly scratch Amy's back, something she had started when Amy was a baby. She had always been able to count on a light back scratch to put little Amy to sleep.
Her daughter sighed. "Why do kids have to be so mean?"
Alex was at a loss for words. "What do you mean, Amy? What happened?"
"There's this group of boys at school who are mean to everyone. They do stupid stuff like shove people down and knock their books onto the floor. Crap like that. They're mean and cruel, and they never do it in front of the teachers, so they never get caught."
"Oh, so that's what's on your mind. Did they hurt you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Mom. They just pushed me today and I lost my balance and fell down. I've been hurt worse plenty of times playing soccer. It's just not right. Last week they made Jackie cry."
Alex was angry. This was her daughter, after all. But Alex knew that the wrong kind of interference could make her daughter even more of a target.
"I'm sorry they did that, and I'm sorry there are people like them in the world. Is there anything I can do to help? Do you want me to talk to the principal? Maybe speak with the boys' parents?"
"Oh, no! Mom, you can't! If you get involved, they'll just look for other ways to get back at me." Alex could see real fear in her daughter's eyes. Alex knew these boys were headed down the wrong path and that something had to stop them.
"Okay, then. Do you want to transfer to another school? Or we could try home-schooling."
"Mom, I appreciate the thought, but my friends are at that school and if I run away, it means those boys win."
"Well, Amy, if you don't want to leave there and won't let me get involved, there's only one other thing I can do. How about I start taking you to some self-defense classes? I need to start getting to the gym again, and we could go together. In fact, I might invite Monica to join us. Since she's out more at night, she should probably learn how to defend herself, too."
"Monica? Really, Mom...I don't think self-defense is what she's thinking when she goes out with Mark." Amy gave her mother a knowing look. "I think Mark may be the one who needs self-defense lessons!"
"You might be right about that!" They were both laughing as they went downstairs to finish getting dinner on the table. Alex felt as though a cloud had lifted. Perhaps she would be better off staying here for awhile, guiding her family to learn how to defend themselves. Stopping rapists and murderers after they had done their evil deeds wasn't protecting her daughter and sister. Pushing them to learn to defend themselves, however, could.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A name, an old address, a current address state and a cell phone number
were really all Kyle had available for his search for Alex. He checked every database he could access, and found virtually nothing more current. Alex might as well have been a ghost.
The cell phone contract had been started when Alex still lived at the old San Francisco address. A search of her name turned up nothing of interest. There were other Alex Warrens, but most were men and none of them matched the history of his Alex. His Alex? When did he start considering her HIS Alex?
Kyle continued his search whenever he had a few moments free. He was determined to find something before he contacted her again. You couldn't buy a newspaper anymore without showing up somewhere. A little patience and he would find something.
About two weeks later, it occurred to him to go back by the campground where he had met Alex. He managed to drop by the park ranger's office under the guise of looking for an escapee from the Humboldt Conservation Camp. It was unlikely the inmate would be in the area. He left when his wife went into labor, so he had probably headed toward the hospital in Reno. However, Kyle was happy to have a reason to volunteer to visit Lake Monroe's Park Ranger.
"Hey, Mike! How have you been?" Kyle was happy to see Mike's familiar face. He usually stopped by the Ranger's office two or three times a year, but seldom did those visits happen only a few weeks apart.
"Well, hey yourself!" Mike enjoyed having the Sheriff's Deputy visit. Kyle didn't treat him like some of the state police did, like he was a police wannabe. The truth was that Mike enjoyed his job at Lake Monroe. He enjoyed being out in nature and getting to know the habits of the local wildlife. He liked having visitors stay at the campground or the cabins, for the most part anyway. The occasional jerk would visit, but most of the people were really nice and treated him well. He felt he made a real difference teaching people to respect the environment and animals. Mike had no desire to become a police officer, especially the state police. His days would be spent mostly in the confines of a vehicle, and his interactions would be limited to giving tickets or helping stranded drivers. No, he liked his life at the park just fine, thank you very much.
