Trial By Fire (Rainbow Cove Book 1)

by Jet MacLeod

  Grace drove her again to the heights of heaven, stroking her deep inside. Reagan bucked off the bed when Grace stroked her. Grace waited for her to crash and let her fall at her own pace as Grace lowered her back to the bed. Reagan began to shake and Grace pulled her into her body.

  “Cold?”

  “No. Happy. What about dinner, Grace?”

  “It has waited this long. It can wait some more,” Grace said.

  Chapter Thirty

  Grace was driving her truck away from the station house. She was heading down North Lake Drive towards Irmo. She was tired of the case and just wishing for a break. Anything would be better than not knowing who this asshole was. She was lost in her own world, trying to sort through everything that had happened to her in the last few months.

  She was disappointed in what she had become. She had to admit that being a drunk didn’t help her too much after Camille and the death of her partner. She shook her head at the night that brought her and Reagan back together again. She could only wonder if it was fate.

  She began to sing along with the words to the Melissa Etheridge CD that she was listening to, blasting in the truck. Gracie could barely hear the cell phone ring and she had it on loud and vibrate. When it finally registered that it was her cell phone and not the music, she was afraid that she would miss this call.

  “O’Shea,” she answered, just catching the call before it went to voicemail.

  “Good, I got you” the caller said.

  “What is it, Captain?” Gracie asked the caller.

  “I need to tell you something. Pull the truck over, I can hear that you are driving and I need to tell you this,” Danica ordered her.

  “Fine, give me a second,” Grace said pulling into the suicide lane and putting her flashers on, “Go ahead. I hope it is good since you are calling me on my way home.”

  “I have a break in a case for you,” Danica told her.

  “Good, who is it?”

  “I don’t know that yet. But, I need you to interview someone for me,” Danica stated.

  “Who? I am on it, if it will help me catch the bastard,” Grace stated.

  “I am happy at your enthusiasm but I am not sure that you will be so happy in a minute,” Danica stated, “O’Shea, I need you to bring in Reagan.”

  “What for?” Grace asked, her happiness turning to worry.

  “She is the break in the case,” Danica told her.

  “What do you mean she is the break in the case? How can that be?” Grace questioned.

  “I think that you should call her and ask her to come in. She isn’t a suspect. This case is older than we thought it was. I need you to bring her in. I think that it would come better coming from you, rather than me sending a patrolman for her,” Danica added.

  “You really want me to bring her in? For questioning? What do you want me to say to her? Sorry to ruin your day, but I need you to come with me,” Grace replied.

  “I don’t care how you do it, but do it, quickly,” Danica stated.

  “Right away, Captain, right away,” Grace answered before hanging up the cell phone.

  She wasn’t sure that she was ready to make that phone call to Reagan. She couldn’t believe that Reagan was somehow involved with the rape cases. Grace couldn’t figure out what Danica wanted with her or why she was needed to come in for questioning, but Grace knew that she wanted answers for herself. Danica could wait.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Grace sat in the parking lot of Knight Tech, staring at the building. She still couldn’t believe that Reagan was somehow involved in the cases. It was still an odd thought and it troubled her that Danica wanted her to bring Reagan into the station house. Grace sat there trying to figure out what she was going to say to Reagan when Reagan finally came down from her office. Gracie was so flustered by Danica’s call that she couldn’t think straight.

  Grace ran a series of questions through her mind. She tried to come up with some answers to those questions, but couldn’t fathom a single one. It was bothering her but she wasn’t sure what she could do about it. She wanted to question Reagan on her own before she took Reagan to Danica. She was debating what she was going to do.

  Reagan stood in the lobby looking at Grace, lost in thought in her truck. She suddenly felt like Grace was watching her and new then that this visit wasn’t for pleasure. It was business. Reagan was afraid to walk out the door to see why Grace was there. Reagan, no longer wanting to be cowardly, walked out the door and to Grace’s truck.

  “Afternoon, Gracie,” Reagan said, breaking Grace’s thoughts.

  “’Noon. I need to talk to you,” Grace said, as if she was in pain.

  “Why do I have the feeling that this is in an official nature?”

  “It is,” Gracie said, removing her sunglasses.

  When Reagan looked into Grace’s eyes, she thought Grace’s heart was breaking.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know, but Danica said she needs to talk with you.”

  “About?” Reagan asked.

  “Something about the case. She didn’t say about what or why. She just asked me to bring you in. She figured it would be better for me to come get you then for her to have some patroller come get you.”

  “I’ll have to remember to thank her for that,” Reagan said, flatly.

  “Is there something you want to share with me about the case?”

  “I don’t know anything. I promise you. I don’t know why she wants to talk to me,” Reagan said.

  “I am not sure either.”

  “Well, I guess we’ll find out. Shouldn’t we go? I wouldn’t want to keep your boss, Captain Wannamaker, waiting.”

  “Danica can wait.”

  “Gracie, what’s wrong?”

  “Are you sure that you don’t know why Danica wants to see you?”

  “Grace, I promise I don’t know. Why?”

  “If there is something you need to tell me, then tell me, I can help you.”

  “Grace, there isn’t anything to tell you. Either you take me to see Danica or I’ll go myself. I wish you would trust me,” Reagan said.

  The silence became deafening between them. Grace pushed the unlock button and watched Reagan walk around the truck to get in. Once Reagan was settled in the cab, Gracie climbed up and began her way to the station house back in Lexington.

  The drive was quiet except for the faint sounds of Melissa Ferrick playing in the background. Grace’s mind was racing with questions and Reagan was giving her no answers. She wanted to scream. She wanted to make Reagan tell her something. Grace didn’t want to believe that Reagan was hiding anything from her but she just couldn’t grasp why Danica would need to talk with her. It had to be because of the case, but Grace couldn’t figure out which part.

  Grace didn’t say anything about the case as she parked her truck in the employee lot outside the station. She and Reagan made their way inside. Grace led the way to Danica’s office. Reagan could tell that Grace was upset but she really didn’t know way.

  “Come in, Miss Knightley, Lieutenant,” Danica said, waving them inside her office, “Have a seat.”

  “Captain, I’m not sure why I’m here,” Reagan said.

  “Grace, can you get the door?” Danica asked before she continued, “The recent cases at Rainbow Cove and around the lake are not the first rapes that the perpetrator has done.”

  “What does that have to do with me?” Reagan asked, watching Grace shift uncomfortably, in her chair.

  “Well, I’m sure you are aware that we actually found some DNA evidence at the latest crime scene. We ran it in the system after we had it typed,” Danica said.

  “And?” Gracie asked, getting impatient.

  “We found a match.”

  “Who?” Reagan asked.

  “Well, that much we don’t know. It came back to a match to a case that is almost four years old,” Danica said, pausing for effect.

  Reagan went pale. She gripped the arms of
the chair so tight her knuckles were white. Danica watched the transition and then looked at Grace. Danica knew, then, that Grace didn’t know.

  “I know it was a while ago, but I was wondering if you could remember anything?” Danica asked.

  “Remember what? What is she talking about?” Grace asked Reagan.

  “I remember everything that happened that night. I will never be able to forget it, Danica, never. How can I ever forget the night I was raped?”

  Grace’s head turned sharply. The only thoughts that ran through her head was that she had slept with Reagan the night before. Grace couldn’t handle the thoughts running through her mind. She watched Reagan begin to tear up but she couldn’t take it. She had to get away. She stood and without thinking fled the room.

  When the door shut behind Grace, Reagan and Danica were alone. Reagan’s composure finally broke. She began to sob uncontrollably. Danica didn’t really know how to soothe Reagan and she was mad that Grace had left them alone. Reagan took the tissue that Danica offered without looking up.

  “I’m sorry,” Danica said trying to console her.

  “Nothing for you to be sorry about. You didn’t do it,” Reagan said.

  “I don’t mean to upset you, but you are one of the few that have survived this rapist. I know that is difficult to bear, but it is true. I just need you to tell me everything you can remember. Anything will help us here,” Danica said.

  “I will try, but you must understand that I have tried to forget it. It is something that I don’t want to remember. I have a blessing from this evil event that is a constant reminder with my little girl. I don’t need any more pain from the incident.

  “I understand. I’m not trying to push you but you may be able to help us get a break in the case. I want you to do this at your rate. Anything that you can do for us will help us catch

  this guy. You are our best hope at the moment.”

  “What do you need to know?” Reagan asked, glaring at Danica.

  “Anything.”

  “Well, that is simple. It is already in the file for my case. They got half a DNA profile from my child. I can’t tell you anything else. I didn’t know the guy. He didn’t say anything. He did the deed and left. I called the police. End of story, there is nothing else.”

  “I understand this is difficult for you, Reagan. I appreciate that, but do you remember any details? A smell? His eye color? Anything?”

  “No.”

  “Do you mind if we do a composite in the computer?”

  “How? I don’t remember anything more,” Reagan said.

  “I would like it if you would bring your daughter in,” Danica said.

  “Why?” Reagan asked, defensively.

  “We will try to use her face and yours to come up with a composite of the rapist. She is the closest thing we have to him.”

  “Do you honestly believe that this will work?” Reagan asked.

  “I don’t know, but I have to give it a try. It is the only thing that I have at the moment. I have a partial DNA profile, a full DNA profile, three dead women who were raped, a drowned woman, and an old rape case that resulted in an offspring. I have to try everything, Reagan. I have a criminal, serial rapist on the loose. I have to do something, anything to find him, to stop him, to catch him,” Danica said.

  “I understand that. Trust me. I want you to find him. I want him to be punished but I don’t want him to know about her. She is my child, not his,” Reagan said.

  “He won’t have to know. I won’t tell him. That is your business. I just want something to give me a basis to go on, so we can try. I just want some sort of chance,” Danica said.

  “Can you promise me that?” Reagan asked.

  “I can’t. I’m sorry. But, I’ll do my best to protect the both of you from him. That is all I can promise. I will do my best for you, Reagan. You have to believe me on that,” Danica said.

  “I guess that is all I can ask for,” Reagan said.

  “We will do our best for you,” Danica said.

  “I’ll try to help you as much as I can. I’ll bring Catherine in as soon as I can. I can’t promise you anything, right now,” Reagan said honestly.

  Reagan slumped in the chair. She stared across the room into nothingness. She was lost in thought. She sat slumped in that chair looking at Danica’s wall of accomplishments and awards.

  Danica watched her internalize everything. She watched Reagan become more detached from the reality before her. She knew that Reagan was hurting. The news that Reagan’s rapist was the serial rapist and murderer didn’t help much. It was a tangible pain ripped open and placed out on the desk before Reagan. Danica was sorry for the woman before her but also for Gracie.

  It was then that Danica realized and remembered that Gracie had run out earlier. Danica knew that she would have to talk to Gracie about this situation. She had to know whether or not Gracie could remain objective on the case. She knew that the case hit close to home and with the addition of Reagan as a victim, maybe it was too close.

  “If you need someone, Reagan, we have someone you can see,” Danica said, breaking the awkward silence.

  “I have my own. Thank you, though. If we are done, can I go?”

  “If you want.”

  “What about Gracie? Is she going to be in trouble?”

  “Don’t know, but I doubt it. I am going to talk to her. I need to know how objective she can be on the case. I know she is close to you, Reagan, but with the addition of your case to the case might make it difficult for her, now,” Danica said.

  “Leave it up to her…please.”

  It was a plea. She was begging for Grace’s sake and it broke Danica’s heart. Danica couldn’t say “no” to her. She wanted to please her and to protect her, as well.

  “I will, Reagan. I will.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Grace sat in her truck for an hour before she left the station. She left Reagan at the station with Danica. She was upset, more hurt that Reagan hadn’t told her about the rape. It hurt. She couldn’t understand why Reagan hadn’t told her or why Reagan didn’t stop her the night before.

  Grace was upset that they had made love. Actually, she wasn’t. She was…she didn’t know but for some reason she felt dirty. She couldn’t help that. It was like she had stepped over some unseen boundary that they should have never crossed.

  Grace looked up at the blue and red sign with the white lettering ahead of her. She couldn’t remember pulling into the Lowe’s parking lot but there she was. The next thing she knew she was in the store and heading towards the millwork department. Grace was searching for her friend Alexis Roman. She found her knee deep in customers asking for help with their door questions, proper installation of windows and what the difference moldings were for in their homes.

  Alexis recognized Gracie as she walked up to the desk. She waved a finger telling Gracie to wait a moment. Alexis smiled and walked down the aisle to help another customer. Gracie sat down at the millwork desk and glanced at her watch.

  It was a little after seven, almost dinner time. Grace’s stomach was voicing its protest of having to wait. She hadn’t thought about dinner. She hadn’t thought about much else except Reagan and the case since Danica had called her earlier that day. She had to admit that she had become obsessed with it. She hadn’t eaten since her early lunch while she was trying to catch up on the paperwork with the case. She wondered if Alexis had her break yet. Grace hoped she hadn’t and they could go to dinner together and talk about things.

  Alexis came back up the aisle, smiling. Grace had to note that Alexis’ platinum blond hair and light brown eyes only accentuated her Russian heritage. Alexis closed her sale and then turned to address Grace.

  “Well, if it isn’t the Irish lass with too much money. What can I do for you, Gracie? Need something?” Alexis asked.

  “Sort of,” Grace said.

  “Something tells me that is doesn’t have to do with a home.”

  “It doe
sn’t. You take your break yet?” Gracie asked.

  “Yeah, I did around two, but I get off soon.”

  “Hungry?” Gracie asked.

  “Sort of, why?” Alexis asked.

  “Does the Russian Princess fear her old and rich Irish friend?”

  “Not really, but when it comes to you, food and friends, especially when you seek them out, something had happened. Did you do something?”

  “Define something,” Gracie said.

  “Grace,” Alexis said, flatly.

  “Okay, but it wasn’t something, but possibly some things.”

  “Let me call Emily and tell her that I’m going to be late, really late.”

  “Emily?” Grace asked.

  “Yeah, Emily, my roommate,” Alexis said.

  “Emily, like from college, Emily?”

  “Yeah that Emily.”

  “So…anything there?”

  “No, we’re just roommates, friends. I don’t even think that she is gay.”

  “Ri-hight,” Grace said sarcastically.

  “Think what you like but it is true. I haven’t even thought about getting with anyone since Noel. I am just waiting for the right time.”

  “Come on,” Grace said.

  “It’s true. Let’s go. I don’t want to air any dirty laundry here. It would be all over the store by morning. It is worse than high school here sometimes,” Alexis said.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “Doesn’t matter, you’re buying. It’s your turn.”

  “If you say so,” Grace teased.

  “Okay, well, it is your problem, so you treat.”

  “That much I know. I can handle that. Come on,” Grace said.

  “So, where are we going?” Alexis asked.

  Alexis tore off another piece from her breadstick and popped it in her mouth. She regarded Grace across the table. Whatever was bothering Grace, it was enough to make her unusually quiet. Alexis stared at her and wondered when she was going to say something.

  “Okay, you brought me to dinner to talk about your problems and you haven’t said a word. You wanna tell me what’s going on? Or, am I going to have to finish my meal in peace? I mean I like Olive Garden, but I don’t want to feel like I am eating alone when I am not,” Alexis said.