“Did you happen to leave plastic on your bed? Or keep, um, ropes attached to the headboard?
“What the hell kind of depraved nonsense are you talking about? No, I didn’t put plastic or ropes on my bed.”
“Do you own a Taser?”
“I am a single woman who lives alone Sergeant. And, in case you didn’t notice, I don’t live in the safest neighborhood. So, yes, I own a Taser. It’s not illegal. Now, will you please tell me what the hell is going on? Why are you all in my bedroom?”
“Miss Sawyer, we are investigating Allen for the kidnap and rape of several women; most recently a seventeen-year-old girl. She said he brought her here.”
“Now you just wait a minute. My Allen would never do anything like that. He has a seventeen-year-old daughter himself. There’s no way he would hurt a girl like that.”
“Ma’am my detectives tried to stop him tonight and he had another woman with him. It appears he was bringing her here. He parked in front of your apartment and unlocked the door. He was bringing her inside when my detectives stopped him.”
Eugenia’s breathing became more labored.
“Ma’am, there’s more.”
Fanning her face, she said, “Oh my lawd, how can there be more?”
Taking a deep breath, and bracing for her response, Baker said, “When my detectives tried to approach Allen he pulled a gun and fired on them. He hit one of my detectives in the arm. They shot back…”
“Oh my God, where’s my baby? Is he dead?” Eugenia began to wail, putting her face in her hands.
“Miss Sawyer.” Baker raised his voice to be heard, “Miss Sawyer. Eugenia.”
At the sound of her first name she looked up from her hands, tears streaming down her face.
“Allen is at County Hospital. He was in surgery when I left. I don’t believe his injuries are life threatening. I have every reason to believe he’s going to live.”
Eugenia continued to sob and said, “I need to get to him.”
“Yes ma’am. I’ll take you there.”
“You should have told me when I got here.” Eugenia stood from the chair and grabbed her hand bag. “Take me there now. Please.”
“Yes ma’am.” Baker escorted her to his car. Once inside the car, the wailing stopped. He listened as she sniffled and occasional whimpers escaped her closed lips.
Before Baker pulled into the parking garage Eugenia asked, “Did you say that girl was seventeen?”
Turning towards her Baker said, “Yes ma’am. Seventeen. She said he grabbed her off the street.”
She fiddled with the straps of the purse in her lap. “That don’t sound like my boy. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Parking the car, Baker asked, “Want me to call someone to be here with you?”
“No. You’ve done enough. Make sure they lock my apartment up. Y’ear?”
Baker nodded, “Yes ma’am.”
Chapter 68
Search warrants in hand, Frankie and Mia headed out to process the vehicles. A tech from Crime Scene met them at the garage and began photographing the Honda at varying angles, in different light.
“Did you notice how the car seems to change color?” Frankie asked. “In one light it’s tan, then it’s gold. It can even almost pass for silver or white.”
“You think he bought that color on purpose?”
Frankie shrugged, “Nothing would surprise me.”
Once they finished taking photographs, Frankie grabbed gloves and opened the car door. The interior of the Honda was pretty clean. A lanyard hung from the rearview mirror but the name tag had been removed. There was a bit of change in the ashtray and a jacket, too small for Sawyer, crumpled in the backseat. Picking it up, she noticed a patch with Northeast High School’s mascot.
“Well, what do you know?”
“What do you have?” Mia asked.
“I think this might be Ciara’s jacket.”
Frankie used her flashlight and looked under the car seats. She reached underneath the passenger seat and pulled out a non-driver’s identification card. The name on the ID was Allie Wheaton.
Showing Mia the ID card Frankie said, “I don’t know how we missed this before.”
“We didn’t. Someone else did. But this does put Allie in the car.”
“Can we use the alternate light source on the car?”
“Sure,” replied Yang.
Yang had the ALS in hand, threw Frankie and Mia glasses, and waited at the front of the car. Frankie turned the lights off in the garage, creating a dark space. If there were any bodily fluids inside the car they would show up with this light.
Yang used a black Sharpie marker to circle the spots that illuminated on the front seat. “Want me to cut these leather seats?”
Frankie smiled smugly, “Personally, I’d love to see that, but if we can get the evidence by swabbing then we should.”
Moving to the backseat Yang said, “Holy crap!”
“What?” Frankie opened the other back door and looked inside. Laughing she said, “Mia, you have to see this!”
The backseat glowed. There were spots on the seats, door frames, backs of the front seats, on the ceiling, and floorboards.
“What the hell?” responded Mia.
Yang started marking the areas of illumination as Frankie and Mia talked about the number of samples the lab would have. Once he finished, Yang turned the garage lights back on and began collecting the samples. One sample per tube. Frankie turned to the back doors. The women all said they couldn’t open the back door. Operating on a hunch she looked at the door frame and noticed the doors had the child safety locks engaged. The doors could be opened from the outside but not from the inside. Just like a police car. The car was small, and Sawyer was large, so it was reasonable to think he left his side open while he raped the women.
“Yang, be sure to photograph the doors, okay?” Frankie pointed to the door frame.
He nodded in agreement while continuing to collect swabs from the interior of the car.
“What are we on?” asked Mia.
“QQ,” replied Yang.
“Seriously? That’s a lot of swabs!”
“There’s a spot on the carpet that I can’t swab. I’m going to have to cut it out.”
“He should be glad that’s all you are cutting,” Frankie said.
While Yang was finishing with the Honda, Frankie and Mia moved to the Kia. The exterior of the black compact was clean, however when they opened the door the smell of urine overtook them.
“Damn, I guess she did urinate in the seat!” Mia said.
“For the love of…” Frankie caught her breath and backed away from the door. “I think we’ll wait for you on you this one Yang.”
Frankie heard a deep voice yell her name. She broke into a smile when she saw Scott Fitzmeyer from the Intelligence Unit walking her way. She and Fitzmeyer worked the organized crime case with Craven.
Fitz sauntered over to Frankie and Mia, flashing his trademark smile. He reached out to shake their hands them pulled each one in for a half-hug. “What kind of mischief are you two up to now?”
“Do you remember the guy that was picking women up off the Avenue?”
“He the guy that hit while we were working the Reitzell/Kemp case?”
“Yeah, that’s him. He’s hit a few more times – the latest being earlier tonight. He popped off a couple shots at Mia and me. Last I heard he was in the O.R. getting his belly stitched up.”
“No shit?” Fitz’s dark green eyes bore into theirs, “You two okay?”
“One of the bullets grazed Frankie’s arm, but I’m good,” answered Mia.
“What? Why are you here?”
“I’m fine. It’s just a scrape.”
“Do you still want to put a tracker on his car?”
Frankie looked at Mia with question, “What do you think?”
“Given the luck, or lack thereof, with this damn prosecutor I say let’s place it,” said Mia.
“Yea
h, unfortunately I think you might be right on this one.” Frankie described to Fitz their most recent run-ins with Moon.
“Consider it done. We don’t have the manpower to sit on his house 24/7 but we will have the tracker programmed to send an alert if he leaves his house. A second alert will sound if he goes within a specific geographical radius. If the second alert sounds one of us will be on him.”
Chapter 69
Pulling all-nighters was nothing new to Frankie or Mia. The late hour and adrenaline dump had both laughing and acting silly when they returned to the office after processing the cars. They took turns telling jokes about the evidence found inside and how it may have gotten there. They giggled at the look Fitzmeyer gave them when they told him about Sawyer taking shots at them.
Baker walked in amidst their laughter. “You two are having too much fun.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about Sarge,” Mia teased.
“How are the case files coming along?”
“We’re almost done. Mine is ready to be copied and Frankie’s finishing up the last report on hers.” As an afterthought she asked, “Find anything good at the apartment?”
Baker sat down in one of the empty office chairs and sighed. After telling them what they found in the bedroom he said, “And his mother showed up.”
Frankie sat up a little straighter in her chair, “What was she like?”
“A real peach,” Baker went on to tell them about their interaction.
“Sorry you had to be the bearer of bad news Sarge,” Frankie said.
“Just another day. Get your reports done. I’m going to go write mine so we can get the hell out of here.”
Frankie nodded, “Before you do, did you hear about Trayvon Stockton and the car chase?”
“I heard there was a chase but didn’t realize it was Stockton. Wasn’t there a woman in the car with him?”
“Yeah. Cheyenne – the clerk from the Fast Stop. I’m going to run by County when we are done here and try to get an update.”
Baker shook his head as he walked into his office. Frankie heard his heavy sigh as he dropped into his seat.
Just as Frankie was finishing her last report her phone dinged with an incoming text message.
“What the hell Frankie? You okay??”
“I guess you talked to Fitz. I’m fine. Nothing but a scrape.”
“Glad to hear it. You think you’ll be up for a run tomorrow?”
“Sure. I’ll text you when I get up.”
Mia noticed Frankie texting and asked, “Derek?”
“No. Craven. Fitz must have talked to him. He just wanted to make sure we were okay.”
“Hmm. Have you told Derek?”
Frankie looked up from her phone and said, “No. No need to worry him. He has enough on his plate.”
Chapter 70
Frankie and Mia walked into County Hospital with determined steps just as the sky was beginning to lighten.
Seeing Dr. Wilhelm, Frankie yelled, “Michael.”
Turning he answered, “Hey Frankie. I’m surprised to see you back here so soon. Everything okay?”
“We’re checking in on the accident victims that were brought in earlier tonight. Trayvon Stockton and Chey…”
“Step over here,” he interrupted.
Frankie and Mia exchanged a questioning look then fell into step behind the doctor.
Once they were out of earshot Michael said, “Stockton is going to lose his eye, but should live. The girl is another story. They revived her at the scene then lost her again in the ambulance. We have her on a vent now. I’ll be honest, it’s not looking good Frankie.”
“Thanks Michael. Can we see her?”
Nodding he said, “We are waiting on transport to take her upstairs for surgery. She’s still in a trauma room. Be brief.”
Frankie and Mia walked the short distance in silence. Michael led the detectives into the trauma room filled with loud machines designed to keep this frail woman alive. Lying against the bloodstained sheets, Cheyenne’s face was barely recognizable. Her closed eyes were swollen and her hair was crusted against her head and caked with blood.
“Has her family been contacted?”
“I’m not sure, but I think her father was called.”
“Do you think she can hear us?”
“You can talk to her. She can probably hear you but it’s unlikely she’ll respond.”
Mia looked at Frankie then back at Cheyenne’s ashen face. “You didn’t know he’d been released Frankie.”
“I know, but that doesn’t matter to her.” Frankie touched the young girl’s warm, slender hand. With tear-filled eyes she said, “Cheyenne, we’re going to make this right.”
Mia touched Cheyenne’s shoulder gently and said, “Fight girl.”
The trio walked out of the trauma room together. Michael touched Frankie on the shoulder, “I’ll call you if her status changes.”
“Thanks Mike. We’ll have an officer stay outside of Stockton’s room once he’s out of surgery.”
Walking out of the ED Mia put her arm across Frankie’s shoulders and squeezed, “It’s not your fault. You weren’t given a chance to warn her.”
Chapter 71
Frankie was exhausted and her head was spinning. The sun was just beginning to rise when she got into her Jeep to head home. She looked at the clock on the car radio.
“6:30. I bet dad’s driving to work.” Frankie dialed her dad’s cellphone and was met with a cheery hello after one ring. “Hey dad.”
“Is everything okay Frankie?”
“Yea. I had a late night and thought I’d catch you on your way in to work.”
Frankie and her dad made small talk while each drove to their destination. Frankie never mentioned the shooting, instead they talked about the kids, her siblings, and Jake’s party. Frankie was pulling into her driveway just as her dad told her he needed to get into the shop.
“Have a good day today dad.” Frankie turned off the Jeep and grabbed her bag. “And dad?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
“Love you too Frankie.”
Frankie opened the door to the sounds of a normal school day morning. Keith was directing the kids while getting his lunch together. At the sight of Frankie, he stopped talking and gave her a hug.
“I take it James called. Please tell me you didn’t say anything to the kids.”
“He did and are you crazy? Of course, I didn’t. They worry enough as it is.”
“Thanks Keith. Do you mind dropping them at school? I’m dead on my feet.”
Keith gave her a one-arm hug and said, “Was planning to. Go get some rest.”
Nodding her thanks Frankie walked down the hall and gave both kids a hug before falling, fully clothed, onto her bed. After what seemed like minutes she was jolted awake by the sound of her alarm. Looking at the clock she realized it was 130. Time to get up and get ready for work. She rolled over and looked at her phone, seeing a text message from Baker.
“You, Mia, and I are taking tonight off. Brett and Rich can handle it. See you tomorrow.”
Frankie smiled. Baker was always watching out for her. She quickly replied, “Thanks Sarge. See you tomorrow.”
She was about to roll over and go back to sleep when her phone dinged again. This time the message was from Craven.
“Up for a run in the park?”
“When?”
“2?”
“See you there.”
“Well Isabelle, so much for sleep. Want to go for a run?” With those words, the dog that had been sprawled on the bed next to her jumped up and ran towards the door. Laughing Frankie said, “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Frankie got to the park before Craven and used the time to stretch her tired muscles. It was an unseasonably warm winter day, which allowed her to run with gloves and a heavy sweatshirt.
Isabelle barked a hello as Craven approached the table. Her tail wagged with furor when he rubbed her he
ad. They started off walking to warm up and about a quarter mile in they started their run. It didn’t take long for Craven and Frankie to find their rhythm; their feet pounding the pavement in unison. They chatted playfully while they jogged and talked about everything under the sun.
Taking a few minutes to stretch when they finished Craven asked, “Want to grab a diet Coke before heading home?”
Frankie looked at her watch, “As much as I’d love to I think I’m going to go surprise my kids. They don’t know I’m off tonight. In fact, I forgot to tell Keith. I guess I’ll surprise all of them,” Frankie laughed.
With a hint of disappointment, Craven smiled and said, “Okay. Well, enjoy your night off.”
Frankie hesitated then turned to him and said, “Would you like to join us for dinner? It’ll probably just be pizza but the kids are sure to entertain.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Let’s say 6 o’clock?”
“Okay. I’ll bring some beer to go with the pizza.”
“Sounds good.” With that Frankie and Isabelle climbed into her Jeep and headed home.
Craven stood up from the picnic table he had been resting on and watched Frankie pull away.
Chapter 72
Frankie was putting clothes in the dryer when Tyler burst through the back door. He and Dani were bickering and almost missed her standing in the kitchen. Dani nearly jumped out of her skin.
“I thought you were working tonight.”
“Sarge gave me the night off so I thought I’d surprise you.”
Tyler dropped his bag on the kitchen table and said, “I’m glad he gave you a night off. What’s for dinner?”
“How about pizza? And your bag doesn’t go there.”
“I’m going to do my homework here.”
“Mmmm, okay. By the way, a friend of mine is going to join us for dinner if that’s okay.”
“Whatever. I’m going to go do my homework.” With that Dani stomped down the hall to her bedroom and slammed the door.
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