by Tessa Walton
“You want to go check on her, don’t you?” Jessica asked.
“Shut up,” he answered.
“I see the wit has certainly approved. We can stop by on rounds. Just make sure everything looks fine,” she said.
“Okay, yeah,” he said. “We can do that.” They walked out to the car and began rounds, driving around town and waiting for calls. They drove to Dove’s house, and Nate got out, looking around the house. He wanted to catch the man in the act.
“Hey, get out of here!” he heard screaming. A moment later, a pan came flying at his head.
He ducked. “What in the world?”
“Oh! Nate! Nate!” she called. He heard the clatter of the pan hit the dry grass.
“Who did you think it was?”
“Well, the stalker, obviously.”
“And you were going to take him out by hitting him with a frying pan? What if he had a gun, Dove? I have a gun.”
“It’s not as if you guys are doing anything with your guns,” she scoffed.
“What made you decide this time to come out and attack?” He wondered if Dove knew just what kind of danger she had put herself in. It came from all sorts of sources. He couldn’t believe that she would just try to attack an attacker with a frying pan.
“Frank told me that if I kept filing false reports I’d be arrested.”
“Oh.” He frowned. “That must make you feel pretty hopeless.”
“Better now that Teressa saw him. But if the police can’t help you, why not take matters into my own hands?”
“Because you’re going to get killed.” He started walking back towards the car, and she followed.
“I’m starting to think I’ll get killed either way. Who knows what this guy wants?”
“He probably just gets off on scaring you. He might do nothing.”
“Well, then, he’s doing his job.”
“Really?” Nate asked. “You don’t seem very scared.”
“Did you really think all this happened and I wasn’t frightened?”
“I don’t know, I figured peace of God or something.”
“I wish,” she snorted. “I don’t know; I think God’s peace for me is that it’s a stalker and not just my mind. The second is a lot scarier, believe it or not.”
“I believe it,” he answered. They reached the car. “Well, I probably should get back on patrol. Please, if the guy comes back, don’t hit him with a frying pan. Not unless that’s your only option.”
“What do I do instead?”
“Maybe stay with that nice friend of yours, Ms. Orolv.” Nate hoped maybe the problem would disappear with that. There wouldn’t even have to be any more looking into it. Some problems faded away with time. It wouldn’t exactly be closed, but it would be cold, and eventually forgotten about, and everyone could move on with their lives.
“But what if he comes?”
“Then there will be more people there to deal with it.”
“I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to her because of me.”
“And do you think she could live with herself if something happened when you were here alone? Don’t you think it would kill her?”
“I didn’t think of that,” Dove said softly.
“Do you want us to give you a ride over? Maybe leave some lights on here and stuff, so he’ll think you’re still here and won’t go looking for you.”
“Do you believe me now?” she asked.
“I guess I do,” he answered. “Go pack up. It will add to the illusion if your car is still here. And if anything happens again, you can call me directly. Unless it’s an emergency, in which case 911 is the best answer.”
“Thanks, Nate. I guess cops really are heroes.”
“I don’t know that all of them are,” he answered.
“Oh, then you must be pretty special, then. Not that I ever doubted that.”
Chapter Twelve
Chapter
Dove shoved a couple pieces of clothes into a backpack and grabbed her bag of lesson plans. Her class couldn’t suffer because of outside problems. That would be entirely unfair. Dove was truly in love with her third-grade class. That’s what she told anyone who asked her about her love life, and most people who knew her believed that was a reasonable answer. Especially since the divorce. Some people threw themselves into destructive habits during a brutal divorce; Dove threw herself into her work, possibly to the point of it becoming a destructive habit itself.
She walked out with her two large bags and walked to the police car. Nate opened the door for her and then, as she was getting in, pushed her head down to keep her from hitting on her head on the doorframe. A police officer move, but not a flirty one. “I am so sorry!” Nate said, and Dove couldn’t help laughing at his mortified face.
“I can generally keep from hitting my head myself, but thank you for the help,” Dove said. Jessica was laughing as well, and it made Dove less nervous about being in the back of a police car. She had wondered if Jessica still thought she was just paranoid, but it seemed to matter less when they all were laughing together. Or rather, Dove and Jessica were laughing together at Nate.
“Where are we going?” Jessica laughed. “I’m assuming you’re not actually arrested, so not back to the station.”
“Teressa Orolv’s house,” Dove answered.
“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe you’ll feel safer there.”
Dove wondered if she was saying you’ll feel safer so you’ll stop being paranoid. She had no guarantee that that was what Jessica was saying, but she did notice she said “you’ll feel safer” and not “you’ll be safer.” Those were two very different things.
Nate began driving, and Dove looked out the window. “I have to admit, I’d never thought I’d see the world from the back of a police car.”
“So we’re completing a life goal for you, huh, Dove?” Jessica asked with a smirk.
“I guess you could say that,” she answered.
“Could I?”
“Lay off her, Jess,” Nate said.
“We’re just having a bit of fun, Nate. Don’t get so protective here,” Jessica said.
“Good luck, Dove. Don’t forget about calling me if you need anything,” he said.
“Thanks, have a safe shift,” she answered, getting out. She walked up to the door and knocked. The house was white, with a purple door and shutters to match. Her brother cut the grass, clearly in a diagonal pattern, and different purple flowers graced the edges of the walkway.
Teressa opened the door. “You’re lucky; I just got home. What are you doing here?” Teressa asked.
“Well, I almost hit Officer O’Bannon with a frying pan.”
“What? Why?”
“I thought he was my stalker.”
“And why were you going to hit your stalker with a frying pan?”
“Why do you think? Hopefully to knock him out,” Dove said. She could tell Teressa was having a similar line of thought to Nate.
“Dove! That’s dangerous! Who knows if he’s armed?”
“It’s dangerous being stalked.”
“Dove, promise me you won’t try to physically fight your stalker unless there’s no other option.”
“But—”
“Promise me,” Teressa interrupted.
Dove knew there was no hope in arguing. “I promise,” she responded.
“Now that doesn’t say why you’re here.”
“Officer O’Bannon thought I might be safer here. We left my car there and some lights on so it looks like I’m home.”
“That’s smart. Maybe he’s not such a bad guy, that Nate.” Dove looked surprised when she called him by his nickname, and Teressa laughed. “I’ve known him since he was in diapers. I’m not calling him Officer O’Bannon.”
“You were in diapers then too,” Dove pointed out.
“So he can call me Teressa. Now come on, let’s make some food for you before I have to go back for dinner rush. I’m assuming you’re stay
ing here.” Dove tried to protest that she could make her own food after Teressa left, but there was no arguing with Teressa, which was good, because Dove loved her cooking.
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter
“You know, there’s probably some perks to dating a crazy woman,” Jessica said, as they sat just off the highway and waited for a speeder.
“Don’t call her crazy. Not only is she mentally stable, but that’s a slur.”
“Sorry, didn’t know you were the political correctness police.”
“You want to see my badge?” he asked humorlessly.
“I suppose if you’re going to have a schizophrenic mother-in-law, you might as well learn the lingo.”
“Maybe everyone should. It’s rude,” he said. He felt bad for not really caring about the issue until he was thinking about Dove. It made him feel dirty. He should’ve always cared. But he didn’t, and that was all there really was to it. He figured he’d just have to do better now.
“Fine, fine, you’re right. I’m sure we’ll get training on this anyway sometime soon. We get a class on handling the mentally ill once a year. I’m sure they’ll love you.”
Nate wasn’t sure how to answer that. He stayed silent for a moment, till a red car went rushing past them. Nate put his foot on the gas and turned on the lights, racing after the car. He had expected it to pull over to the side and stop, but that’s not what happened. Instead, the car sped up, pushing forward. Jessica grabbed the radio and reported the chase and their location.
Nate hadn’t been in a car chase yet. There were few in their small town, and Nate had been on the force for less than a year. He was just thankful Dove wasn’t in the back of the car anymore. He didn’t want to put her in any danger. Someone else interrupted the static on the radio to say they could cut him off a mile and a half down. Nate knew there wasn’t much else to do besides try to keep up with him, making sure that if he got off an exit the other cops would be warned. That wasn’t exactly the best plan he thought he ever had, but he doubted he could cut him off.
Nate went faster and faster for the mile and a half. The car began to shake in a way Nate had never felt before. His speedometer got closer and closer to its limit. Nate wondered how fast the car could actually go. As he was speeding forward, he saw the man suddenly slam on his brakes. The blockade must be ahead. He slammed on the brakes himself, but the car continued lurching forward. There was no slowing down, at least not fast enough.
A moment later there was a sickening crunch and Nate felt himself be propelled forward, caught in a strict embrace with the seat belt. For a moment he thought his shoulder and waist were going to be crushed, the seat belt compressing his insides. Then it was all over. He moaned, and leaned back against the seat. Slowly, he undid the seat belt, and fell forward. He knew he needed to keep going, to get the man before he could run away.
Nate stumbled out of the car and found the other cops were already arresting the man. That was relieving, because Nate could barely see how he was going to stay standing. He leaned against the car. His head and neck killed. He realized he hadn’t looked for Jessica yet, and turned to find his partner. She was out of the car as well, and a nasty bruise was forming on one side of her neck and shoulder, leading down her body along the path of the seat belt.
“Just relax, guys,” Lieutenant Leslie said. “We have ambulances coming. We’ll get you all checked out. You did well, Nate. Brought him right here.”
Nate tried to hold on to those words. He had done well. What more could he want? He smiled, despite the injuries.
“That was a close one, hey, Nate?” Officer Trevose said. “Remember, this is what police work is about, not some whistleblower.”
“Sometimes someone needs to blow some whistles,” Nate said, but he didn’t feel much up to fighting.
Jessica walked over and clapped her hand on Nate’s shoulder. “You did good, Nate. Just focus on that.”
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter
Dove was watching the six-o’clock news when she heard what had happened. A car chase, then a crash. No one was seriously injured, but Officers O’Bannon and Daniels were being treated for whiplash. The man who had been fleeing, one Trevor Wilkins, had a broken arm, but it had already been set, and he was in police custody. Dove realized she couldn’t help but be worried about Nate. They said he wasn’t seriously injured, it was true, but there had to be something traumatizing about being in a car chase.
She hadn’t planned on going to see him. She didn’t know exactly when she grabbed her coat and purse. There was some leftover lasagna, one of Teressa’s best dishes, and she barely remembered putting it in a Tupperware container. Still, she found herself driving to Nate’s house with the Tupperware container on the passenger seat. She wondered where he was sitting during the chase. Before, it had been in the driver’s seat. Maybe that was where he stayed.
She walked up and knocked on the door. She heard shuffling feet and moved her weight from one foot to the other nervously. “Hello?” Nate said, opening the door. He had a deep bruise on his neck and shoulder, and a tired look in his eyes.
“Hi, I just, I heard what happened, and I thought I’d bring you dinner, so you could just relax.”
“Thanks, Dove,” he said. “It’s nice to see you.”
She pushed the Tupperware container into his hand. “Is there anything else you need?” she asked.
“Someone to eat dinner with?” he ventured.
“I already ate, and I’m not sure there’s food for two there.”
“You don’t have to eat. Just talk to me.”
“Well … Okay, yeah. I can do that.” Dove figured he was probably alone and scared. She remembered how much safer it made her feel to have someone in the house with her as she was being stalked. She wondered if it was the same for him.
“Thank you. Please, come in.” Nate stepped out of her way, and Dove looked around. The house was perfectly neat. Everything was in its place. The blankets on top of the couch were carefully folded, and there were no dirty dishes in the sink. He led the way to the kitchen. It was a small apartment, and Dove was surprised he couldn’t afford something better on a police paycheck, but it didn’t seem like the right thing to ask.
“So, are you okay?”
“Well, the police department is paying for my hospital visit, so I’m just dandy,” he answered. Dove laughed. “Any more run-ins with the stalker?”
“Not since I went in with Teressa,” Dove answered. “Thank you for that. It was a good idea.”
Nate stuck the lasagna in the microwave and motioned to the small table. “Please, sit,” he said. Dove complied. “How is school going for you? You must be a little distracted. That must be a challenge.”
“The best challenge will always be a classroom full of third graders,” she answered. “I’m trying to do my best to be fully present for them.”
“I’m sure you’re doing a great job. You clearly have a teacher’s heart.”
Dove wondered what that meant exactly. A teacher’s heart. But she liked the sound of it. She wondered if she could start to use it to explain herself. “How is being a cop?” she asked. “I know today might not be the day to ask you.”
“Oh, I still love it,” he said. “This doesn’t make me want to change anything. Besides, I was just in a car chase. How cool is that?”
“Right, that’s not dangerous, but hitting someone with a frying pan is.”
“I have a badge. It means I’m allowed to do dangerous things. Besides, you announced yourself. Shouldn’t you be trying to take him by surprise?”
“Are you giving me tips on how to attack my stalker?” she asked with a smirk.
“No. Absolutely not. It’s best to let the police handle it.”
“If you were actually handling it, that would be easier.”
“Tell you what,” Nate said. “I can hang around your house when I’m off duty. Me seeing him would hold more weight.”
“Than
k you, Officer O’Bannon. I really appreciate it.”
“Oh, come on, I’m off duty. Nate is fine.”
“Fine. Thank you, Nate.”
Nate finished up his meal and went to the sink. “Let me wash this up for you, so you can take it straight back,” he said, beginning to pour soap onto the container. “And thank Teressa for making it for me.”
“How do you know I didn’t make it?”
“Oh, please, I’d recognize Teressa’s lasagna anywhere. If you want it to be the same for you, you’ll have to come make me some sometime.”
“I may just take you up on that. That bruise looks bad.”
“Want to kiss it better?” Nate asked with a grin.
Dove stood slowly. She took one step towards him, then another. He stood still, eyes wide and watching. She pressed her lips ever so gently against the place where his neck met his shoulder, on the dark of the bruise.
“Dove,” he said, voice breathless.
“Yes?” she asked, centimeters from his shoulder, then kissing it again.
“Dove, you’re part of an open case. We can’t—”
“No, no, of course, you’re right,” she said, taking a quick step back. She took the plastic container from him. “I should go.” She felt stupid. Of course he wasn’t really interested. He was just being a polite police officer.
“Dove,” he said.
“No, it’s fine. You don’t have to explain yourself, Officer O’Bannon. I’m part of an open case. It makes sense.” She rushed out the door.
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter
Nate felt so stupid. Why did he stop her? No one was there. No one would catch them. Now she probably thought he wasn’t interested. That couldn’t be further from the truth. He just told himself he’d have to find the stalker all the more now, just so it would be obvious he cared. Anything to prove to her how much she mattered to him.
