Nick noted the sarcasm in the supervisor’s voice. “Or heads will roll, huh?”
“Something like that. And good job, by the way, sending Roberts to talk to me about her observations. I think she’s onto something with that online angle. All three victims had postings on that Coedspace. Wang is looking into it.”
Nick was relieved that Sarah had followed through, but he was still concerned. “Good,” he said, hesitant to mention that Wang despised using computers, so it wasn’t likely he’d be very effective investigating a digital connection between the cases. “If I can do anything to help…”
“Thanks for the offer,” his supervisor said with a smile. “The chief is looking for someone who can handle the computer side of the case, to work with Wang.”
Nick nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. And by the way, I’d like to talk with you sometime about holding a few community safety classes. It’s been a long time since we’ve given any.”
“I’ll pass that suggestion along and have them get in touch with you. It’s a good idea.”
“I think Officer Roberts would be willing to help, too.”
“Good. I’ll add you both to the list. Stay safe out there.”
Downtown businesses were bustling with festival goers when Nick arrived ten minutes later. He radioed Sarah to find out her location, and found her with Sergeant Donovan, her previous training officer. The three walked together for a few blocks, making few contacts during the first part of their shift.
As the night went on, however, gang members were an ominous presence, and half the manpower was used to keep crosstown rivals apart. There were three thefts in stores, two wallets pickpocketed, a half-dozen fights and one medical emergency. By the time the carnival wound down, the officers had been run ragged.
No one had noticed anyone matching the rapist’s description. Nick wasn’t sure if that was good news or bad.
Sarah had been quiet, considering how busy it had been. They made one last foot patrol after escorting business owners along the carnival perimeter to their cars. As they were headed to their cruiser at two in the morning, a minivan pulled into the alley behind the downtown bakery.
“Everyone else is leaving, and a van is pulling in. That’s odd,” Nick said. “I think we’d better check on it.”
Sarah radioed in their location and both of them hurried toward the vehicle. A young woman jumped out of the van and headed toward the building, then screamed.
THIRTEEN
“Police!” Nick yelled.
He drew his Glock and searched for what she was screaming at.
The blonde dropped her backpack and threw her arms into the air, then screamed again at the top of her lungs. “Don’t shoot!”
Sarah pulled out her flashlight and quickly scanned the creepy alley with the halogen light, finally settling the beam on the girl with her hands in the air. “Are you okay?”
“What?”
“It’s all right, miss. Put your arms down. We’re police officers.” Sarah lowered her heavy-duty flashlight, training the light on the ground.
The blonde put her hand out to shade her eyes. “Oh, I couldn’t see you, I just saw a gun pointed at me and two figures. It freaked me out.”
Nick pulled out his own flashlight and walked past the two of them. “I’m going to take a look down here.”
“Sorry about the scare,” Sarah said to the woman. “We saw your van driving into the alley and wanted to make sure everything was okay. Are you going in here alone?”
Her eyes were still as big as saucers as she stepped under the mercury light above the bakery door, her hands still elevated. “Yes. I make the pastries for the bakery,” she said breathlessly.
“Go ahead and put your hands down,” Sarah said as she rested her palm on her gun, just in case Nick needed backup.
He had disappeared down the alley, making sure no one was lurking in the shadows. “Clear,” he said as he headed back. He radioed dispatch, updating them on their location.
“We’re warning everyone in the college vicinity to be on the lookout for a man fitting this description,” Sarah said quietly as she held up a sketch of the suspect from the rape earlier in the week. “Do you come in at this time every day?”
The blond woman nodded.
“Alone?” This girl was either very brave or very ignorant.
“The owner is upstairs in the apartment, but Grandma doesn’t hear much.”
“Again, I’m sorry we scared you. Why don’t we check out the shop for you, make sure no one slipped in during the festival,” Nick offered. “We’d be happy to request increased patrols through here, about this time, but I’d recommend you call the police department and ask for someone to meet you every morning to make sure you get in safely.”
“Especially until we catch the rapist,” Sarah added.
“Thanks. It’s usually pretty quiet when I come in. If I see anyone lingering, I drive around a few minutes until they leave.” She picked up her backpack and keys, fumbling to find the right one, then unlocked the door and invited them inside. “Mrs. Scott, my grandmother, gets the dough started before she goes to bed, then when I arrive I roll it out and bake the pastries.”
Nick shone his light up the stairway to the owner’s apartment.
“Then I decorate the cakes for the next day. Grandmother has been training me to take over for her when I buy the shop.”
“That’s a huge undertaking for someone so young,” Sarah commented.
The blonde set down her backpack and jacket. “Yes, I suppose it is. I’m a party planner, so the shop will be making a few transformations. I think Fossil Creek is ready for the change. Either of you know anyone who’s getting married, send them to me.” She watched as Nick searched the kitchen and then walked past her into the customer area, checking to be sure the front doors were locked.
“Would you mind helping me carry a box, Officer…” she looked at Nick’s badge as he returned “…Matthews? I’m going to change it into a party planning shop. It was a last-minute idea to have some costumes here for the festival tonight. I’m hoping to spark some interest in them before Halloween. With all our health-conscious customers, the bakery isn’t going to survive on its own.”
“Sure,” he said, following her to the van and back inside with a cumbersome box. “I’d suggest you consider having them shipped directly here in the future so you don’t have to unload in the middle of the night. I can’t believe your grandmother slept through your screaming. Should we check on her?”
The blonde looked at Sarah, then Nick. “She’s a heavy sleeper. She never even wakes up when I’m down here running the mixers and clanking pans. You’d probably give her a heart attack by going up there.” She reached for a stiff white apron, unfolded it and slipped it over her head. “I saw the headlines this morning. Is the rapist in this area?”
“We’re just being cautious,” Sarah said, “but coming and going in the middle of the night isn’t a great idea right now. And be sure not to open the door for anyone when you’re here alone.”
“Thanks for the warning,” she said. “If you’d like to come back in a couple of hours, I’ll have some pastries and doughnuts ready. My treat.”
“Thanks, but we’re going off duty soon. I’ll ask the next shift to keep an eye out for you here, though.” Sarah eyed the box of costumes. “Could I get your name so we can let them know who we contacted?”
“Amber Scott,” she said hesitantly, as she tied the apron around her waist. “I’m not going to be in any report or anything, am I?”
“Not unless something else happens,” Sarah answered.
“Oh, good. I don’t want to raise any issues, with this sale going through.” She put a hairnet over the bun on the top of her head and walked them to the door. “Thanks again.”
They could hear the heavy metal door lock click behind them. As they walked back to their patrol car at the other end of the alley, Sarah had an idea of how to get a better sense of what was really
going on at the festival the next night.
Nick pulled out his notepad and jotted down Amber Scott’s name. “That was interesting.”
“And I thought my sister was bubbly. That much energy makes my head hurt.”
“She’s young yet. Give her some time, especially with everything she hopes to do in her shop.” Nick rolled his eyes. “It’s hard to imagine Mrs. Scott’s bakery as a perky party place.”
Sarah laughed.
“You ought to laugh more often, Roberts. It looks good on you,” he said.
“What, you think the brainiac can’t have a sense of humor?”
“I didn’t mean that. It’s been a rough few weeks, and it’s good to see you smile for a change.”
“You should be funny more often then. I happen to like laughing.”
That quieted him down, and it was awhile before Sarah asked, “You think the shift supervisor would be willing to let some of the officers go plainclothes tomorrow night? It seemed like we were always one step behind the action tonight. I think that if some of us weren’t in uniform, it would be easier to blend in and catch any troublemakers. That goes for unmarked cars, too.”
Nick shrugged his broad shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s worth asking. He’d need to let everyone know who’s on duty, since we wouldn’t be as easily identified.”
“That’s exactly the point.”
“So how’s your sister doing?”
“Reality finally hit her when she found out about her neighbor. Beth can’t stand the thought of going back to her house now, even to move. Dad and I went over yesterday and picked up a few things. We’re closing on the condo soon, by the way. Thanks for telling us about it. It’s going to be a good move for us both, I think.”
“Good. Kira will love having new neighbors. Her fiancé is also a cop, with the Antelope Springs PD. I’ll introduce you sometime.”
Sarah unlocked the cruiser and both of them got inside, anxious to call it a night. After she’d e-mailed her idea to the shift supervisor, she went home feeling pretty positive.
When she arrived, Beth was still awake, playing computer games. “Hi, how was your night?” Sarah asked as she plopped onto the sofa.
Her sister shrugged.
“How did the class work online tonight?”
“I didn’t do it. I sent them my e-mail address to send assignments to.”
Sarah felt the relief of finding a new condo and the few minutes of laughter she’d shared with Nick drain from her like cold, murky water. “What happened? It seemed like a good alternative for the moment.”
“I was fine until you started mothering me. Are you happy now? It’s bothering me. I’m afraid to talk to anyone, online or in person, wondering if that’s how this guy found me. You have me terrified.”
Sarah suspected that was an excuse, but she didn’t argue. Beth needed someone to be angry with, and right now, that was her. “And what do you want to do about it?”
Beth shrugged, trying to hold back tears. Not the first today, apparently, from the look of her eyes. “Just give me some space.”
Sarah nodded, counting to ten. “We’ve given you space, and you can see how that worked for us. I’ve barely seen you since meeting you at the hospital the night it happened. It should be bothering you—it’s a serious crime. It’s also time to get in to see a counselor. I doubt that you ever heard about the time my roommate in Boulder was raped right across the hall while I slept.”
Beth looked at her with wide eyes and shook her head.
“Some guy broke into our apartment through her window and put his hand over her mouth. He had a knife and threatened to use it if she didn’t cooperate.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about that?”
“This is the first time you’ve let me talk to you, Beth. I’ve wanted to tell you that I know what you’re going through. I haven’t been assaulted like you were, but I’ve worked with a lot of victims who have been. I never told you before because you were so young when it happened, Mom and Dad didn’t want you to know, and then I guess it didn’t really come up.” Sarah knew this might be her best chance to talk to her sister. Though she was tired and had another long night ahead of her, she needed this more than sleep.
“I’m sorry I’ve acted like a brat, Sarah. I just wanted to forget it ever happened. I didn’t want to think about how close I came to this changing my life.”
“I understand that, Beth, but it has changed your life. It should. You can choose to use this to reach out to others, help raise awareness….”
“No, I couldn’t. I don’t want to let anyone think I’m a poor example. I mean, I must have—”
Sarah knew what she was going to say. “No, Beth, you didn’t do anything to deserve this. Most sexual assaults aren’t about the sex. It’s violence. It’s a warped person acting out violence toward someone who for some reason triggers this anger inside them.” She hugged her sister. “I’m sorry I didn’t get that through to you earlier. I’m not blaming you at all. It’s really difficult to discuss assault with someone so close, because so much between us can be applied to situations that, on the outside, look like they’re the same, but they’re not.”
Beth gazed at her through tear-filled eyes. “What?”
“That’s a perfect example of what I was trying to say. If I give a watered-down example of what I know, clinically and criminally, about sexual predators, you’ll either take it personally, because you think I’m talking directly to you about some incident that I’m remembering, or you’ll get angry and shut me out. I’m not trying to throw out accusations. I don’t want to counsel you. I want you to go to a professional counselor, Beth.”
“Fine. I’ll find one tomorrow.”
“I want you to think about something else, too. I’m not pointing fingers. I just want you to look at this through a different perspective. I know that you believe abstinence is the only way to remain pure, but there are a lot of women who don’t have that option. Someone stole their innocence from them, like this creep threatened to do to you. There are a lot of people who need the healing that a Waiting for Marriage support group might be able to offer. With your conference next weekend, it’s a perfect chance to bring this into a discussion. If you’re interested, I know a speaker who would do a good job.”
“We already have—”
“I know,” Sarah said. “You have all your speakers lined up. But I keep asking God why this happened to you. I’ve never known anyone to be upset with you over anything,” she said gently. “Yet this guy has come after you twice, Beth, and the second time he sent a pretty strong message of why you’re his target.”
“I don’t want to know.”
“I won’t get graphic, but your work for purity is the only thing that makes sense to me. Think of how powerful messages are sent, Beth. Through a strong person who has faced his or her fears and shares that enlightenment with others. You can use this for God. You’re one of God’s missionaries. When you’re doing God’s work, the devil sends out the troops. This creep who assaulted you is trying to stop the good work you’re doing. And if you hold back from doing it, if you hide your head, he’s going to win.”
Beth wiped her eyes and wrapped her arms around Sarah. “I didn’t know you were a believer—I mean, still….”
“I know what you mean. I got pretty lazy about it for a while. Since your assault, God and I have been discussing a lot of things. It’s helped having a partner who isn’t afraid to pray when things get ugly.”
“He seems like a good guy, judging from the one time I met him, anyway. But then, I guess he could have been nice because you had a gun aimed at him.”
“A gun wouldn’t scare Nick.”
“I’m glad you have him out there with you, then,” Beth said. She let go of Sarah and turned back to the desk.
Sarah realized how blessed she was to have been assigned Nick as her FTO, in all aspects.
“I’ll be better once he’s caught. I’ll think about what you said,”
Beth promised as she started closing down the computer. She had several Internet browsers open, with many small message boxes on screen. She’d apparently been talking to some friends online.
That’s what Sarah had thought all along, but Beth didn’t need to hear ‘I told you so’ from her. “I know, hon. We’ll all feel better then.” She pulled her sister’s hand away from the computer mouse. “I need to use this now. Just leave it as is, okay?”
“Let me close out this stuff for you.”
Sarah dared not venture into law-enforcement-officer mode. Nor another oldest-sister lecture. She’d laid it on thick enough for one night. “I can do it later. One quick shortcut and it’ll all shut down at once. Let me just check my e-mails.”
Beth nodded. “Okay.” They were both silent, watching the hourglass on her computer turn.
Sarah slipped into the chair and stopped the process so she could search for clues as to who her sister had been talking to. “I’m going to go look at the condo again tomorrow afternoon, take some measurements and figure out where to put things. Why don’t you come with me?”
“Yeah, maybe I will. I’m going to bed now. Thanks for the advice, Sarah.”
“Anytime,” she said, anxious to start her investigation.
FOURTEEN
Nick left for work early again the next evening. In almost the same spot that he’d come across the stranded woman, he found a young boy trying to carry an injured dog. Nick never could turn away from a child in need. He called the parents and waited for them to come get the boy and the dog.
By the time he arrived at the precinct, his trainee was once again out on duty.
“Matthews, be sure to study the list we put in your box. We’ll have extra officers on the midway, but most are going to be in street clothes. I don’t want a repeat of last night,” the shift supervisor said as he headed into his office. “Meet me back here after you’re in uniform. I’ll take you downtown, since all the patrol cars are on the streets tonight.”
Badge of Honor Page 9
