Etched in Glass

by Nyxie Marrs

  “Ah. So you’ve struck out and now you need Vega as a wingman, huh?” Miles sounds pretty shocked. Hell, after hearing Redmond's charming voice I’m surprised he can strike out. I look him over, then to Miles while I take in this information. I should meet the one woman who doesn’t swoon from Redmond’s comforting, soothing voice.

  “I’ll think about it. I should make sure I’m not going to set her up with a creep though. To be honest I don’t know much about you.” I lean towards him, he doesn’t move a muscle and I can see Miles tense up. He really has an issue with Redmond being close to me.

  He clears his throat and looks to Miles. “Um. You can get all you need from Miles.” Really? He’s that intimidated by him?

  “I’ll think about it. Honestly I haven’t really met her yet.”

  “Well, then. Let’s go meet her.” Miles stands up and holds his arm out for me. Also looking excited to meet the woman who turned Redmond down.

  Redmond knocks on the door to her office. Why am I nervous? Maybe because I don’t have friends, I don’t do relationships of any kind. Now I’m being thrown into a pool of what I don’t do. What’s next? I shouldn’t ask, for all I know it would happen.

  “Yeah?” She says as he opens the door. “Oh. I was wondering when I was going to see you today.” Miles and I step in after her statement. “Oh. Hi Miles. And I assume this is Vega?” She reaches out her petite hand to shake mine.

  “Yes. Hi.” I smile and met her amber eyes. Not a bad looking woman, light brown skin, deep coffee colored hair. The tint of red on her lips highlights her smile. She’s petite, and is gifted in the areas most women wish to be. I’m going to make sure she gives Redmond hell.

  “Redmond just doesn’t stop talking about you. Nothing but wonderful things. I just had to meet you.” I smile and watch a shade of red take over his cheeks. She looks to him, and I can feel the chuckle Miles is trying to stop as his arm wraps tighter around me.

  “Well, I’ve heard some good things about you too. Sorry about those co-workers of yours. Although I heard you got the best out of two of them. Wish I could have seen that.” I stop a laugh and look to Miles with a worry. Word travels fast around here.

  “You know. I was going to take a break. Want to come with me Vega? I like to take a walk every now and then.” Her eyes move to Redmond, her face flushed and she smiles. Ah. I see why he wants me to do this. Got it. This woman is reserved, extremely. Interesting how she’s okay with me so quickly.

  “Sure. You boys would be fine by yourselves, right?” The both of them smile and left us.

  She leads me through her cold, lab and steps outside from the small side door. It’s nothing glamorous, but there’s a small walking path which goes behind the precinct, leading to a jogging path along the levee.

  “So how long have you worked with them?” I ask. I need some sort of information to use.

  “Oh. I’ve been here a few years. Have been a medical examiner for nine years.”

  “Don’t know how you do it, Anya. Even I get stopped by emotions when I see a crime scene at times.” More so lately. Her soft voice reminds me of Elara. I watch her as we walk. She avoids eye contact, while holding a small shy smile. Pushes her hair away from her face and glances to me. Crap, she’s a lot like Elara.

  “Oh, I’m usually okay with it, you get used to it anyways. So, I’ve heard you’re spending a lot of time with Miles?” Oh, hell. Is it obvious, or did Redmond do some gossiping? Why must she ask?

  “You and Redmond?” I fire back, I’m not going to answer that type of question. She smiles and blush finds her cheeks. “Okay, come on. That’s obvious.”

  “As are you and Miles.” She shoots back with a stronger voice. Completely different with me than when the guys are around.

  “He’s a nice guy. Both of ‘em.” I reply. Hoping I can get her to loosen up and talk to me more. My main goal isn’t to get her to go out with Redmond. No. He’s not going to get much assistance from me. If this woman doesn’t want to date him, there’s got to be a damn good reason.

  “Yeah. So I’ve gathered.” She blushes and pushes her hair back.

  “So, if it’s obvious you and Redmond have potential together, why not go for it?” I’m really curious as to her reason.

  “What about you and Miles? Same rule applies.” She quickly snaps out.

  I look at her for a few seconds, personality wise, she’s so much like Elara. When was the last time Elara and I spoke like this? Too long. Overall, Anya is a sweet person. This is bringing up a lot of emotions I didn’t expect. I need to push that thought out of my mind.

  “Okay, fine. That’s true. He’s been trying to get me to open up a hell of a lot since he met me. Things happen to block you off from the world sometimes.” A lot can happen that makes you never want to take a chance on anything again. “Ever since my sister was taken, I’ve closed myself off to everything.” My body cools with fright. Did I just say that? I keep walking, ignoring the fact that I just released that information. I’m hoping she didn’t hear it.

  Anya stops, and pulls me back to a stop with her. Nope, she heard it. “Taken?” Damnit. I can see fear on her face. Great.

  I take a few steps back and shake my head. “No, no. No. I-I’m.” I look to her. I push back whatever sadness is trying to infiltrate my mind right now. I need an out. A way to get out of this conversation without having to explain.

  “Vega?” That concerning voice matches Miles and Redmond’s.

  “Anya. I can’t explain it. Please just forget I said it.” I plead, I can’t let any more people in on this. I need a way to distract her. “You know, Redmond recruited me to convince you to go on a double date. I’m pretty sure they’re both sitting outside that building crossing their fingers as they watch us right now.” There it is, the one thing I’m hoping will change this subject immediately. I just outed Redmond, and redirected her attention. Hopefully.

  “I’m sure he did.” She softly chuckles. “We’ve been talking for a few months now. I keep turning him down.”

  “Are you crazy, Anya? That man puts on his charm and even I get swayed.” I chuckle.

  “But, you and Miles?” She looks to the building and smiles. I was right, wasn’t I?

  “Hey, doesn’t stop me from appreciating a good looking man, does it?” My body sure does like that sight. I look in the direction she’s looking, and yup. I can see the two of them standing outside the building like two bodyguards.

  “I see what you mean. Well. Maybe this is what I need.” Her words are extremely hesitant.

  “You do realize once you go out with him, there’s no more hiding, right?”

  She nods. “Oh, I know. But maybe it’s what I need to push myself out of this bubble of comfort. The last place I was at, a coworker I turned down ended up stalking me. Didn’t turn out so well if you know what I mean. So you can see my reasons.” Saying that in such a quiet voice like I wouldn’t hear her defeated tone. Or like it makes it less real. She better not think it was her fault.

  “Oh, Anya. You know what that guy did wasn’t your fault.” I pause for a moment. We’re more alike than I thought. Those types of situations arise and sometimes you just don’t know how to handle it, or make it go away. That’s when reservations set in and a buildup of walls around yourself starts.

  “No. I know. It was just a very real situation that I never thought would occur. Made me reserved I suppose.”

  “Hell. Don’t do it if you don’t feel comfortable.” I turn to her. I can’t convince her to do something she’s uncomfortable with.

  “That guy is in jail for a long time, it’s been years since I’ve been out socially. But, like you with your sister’s situation, I’ve closed myself off. I’ve been talking to Red for a while and I’ve considered it. But doing it by myself seems intimidating. If you can handle being with them with no problems, maybe I can too. Besides, if you’re there it’ll help me.” She’s relying on me? Well, hell. I’m screwed, aren’t I? We’re going to have t
o do the double date. Miles will be ecstatic.

  “I don’t want to be a reason for anything, Anya. I’ve got my fair share of problems going on. My life is not good right now. If not for these two budging in, I’d probably be-. Well. It wouldn’t be good. They’re good guys as far as I know. Unfortunately I’ve only known them for like a month.” Hell, had these men not convinced me to accept their help, I probably would have been number forty. Or just dead from starvation. I won’t lie, I wasn’t eating enough, I was too focused on Elara and catching that bastard.

  We start heading back. “He’s going to ask as soon as we get back in there, isn’t he?”

  I nod. “Yup. Give him the run around. Make him wait it out until you are comfortable with it.” We both laugh, and she agrees. “Give me your number. Keep in contact with me. I could use a friend. I’m pretty sure I don’t have any anymore.” Hopefully having contact with me will help her come out of her shell a bit more. Make her relax a bit maybe. Knowing she went through a rough situation stirred my anger. I can’t see women in a situation like that.

  “Well, me either, except my assistant and Red.” We walk down the hall to her office. Keeping our voices low.

  “I’m pretty sure you can scratch Redmond off the friends list.” She laughs lightly and nods. I get the feeling he never was on that list, but hopefully I can help her recover from whatever issue left her reserved. Redmond was right, we do get along, and it’s easier because she’s so much like Elara.

  We find them sitting in her office doing absolutely nothing, startling them as we walk in laughing.

  “Nice to see you having fun, Vega.” Miles’ eyes brighten as soon as we walk in. Anya nudges me with her elbow. Yeah, yeah. Obvious.

  “I’ll call you?” She asks.

  “Of course. We’ll set something up?” I glance to Redmond for a second. Oh, the hope on his face right now is sweet. Widening my smile because I just told her to deny him.

  “I’ll see you guys later? Go research the case?” Redmond motions to the door, trying to rush us out.

  Chapter 30

  Talia

  This man walks in here two or three times a day. Each time reeking of alcohol. Leaving a cloud of stench in his path. It makes me want to vomit, but I need to keep every bit of energy I can get. Elara sounds better than she has been. I hope she’s got enough to fight. I know it’s slim, but every time my captors' door opens I get a glimpse of a potential escape. I just need to find a way out. If we’re going to die anyways I may as well try to escape.

  “Hey, Talia. Did I ever tell you about my sister?”

  This is the most I’ve heard from her all at once in a while. She must be doing better.

  “No.” I don’t want to keep her talking though, it exhausts energy.

  “She’s FBI.” A small laugh fell from her cell. Oh, no. She’s not doing better at all. She’s barely hanging on. Is this delirium?

  The door slides open. It’s metal against metal screech radiates off the walls, throbbing in my ears. Cigarette smoke. A large cloud of cigarette smoke puffs into our jail. This man is broad and heavy. With the light from the door illuminating my jail, I can make out the other women in here, but the light leaves only the silhouette of this man. Each step he takes rumbles the concrete floor underneath me.

  “The bitch messed it up.” A rough voice mutters from the door.

  This heavyset man stops and a burst of cold air swims through this room. I close my eyes hoping to wake from this nightmare.

  “Who?” That deep, hateful voice echoes. Fear kicks in, trembling my body. I’ve not heard this voice before. This is a new man. So, there is more than one?

  “That woman.” The growling voice outside the door repeats. This large man with a red glowing butt sticking out of his mouth takes a second to look at each of us and walks back out. The heavy metal door slams shut and the bars shake. If I plan on trying an escape, I better plan for multiple captors so I won’t be caught off guard, or just hope for a quick death.

  “I pray she won’t stop 'til she’s found this place. Even if I’m no longer here.” Elara weakly says. My heart breaks each time I hear her weak voice, or her horrible cough. I can’t see her, but I can only imagine how frail she is right now. I’m not far behind her.

  Chapter 31

  Miles

  “Good talk with Anya?”

  “Eh. So, you and me?” She pauses and I watch a smile on her face widen. “We’re going back over all of the files we have? The videos?” I know we need to start making progress. It does feel like we’re stuck in one spot on this, but maybe a break can help.

  “Vega.”

  “No, Miles. We need to figure this out. I need to get Elara back.”

  “What else is there to look over? The three of us have scoured these files several times. I don’t think there’s anything new we can find.” I shouldn’t have said that. This evil look she’s giving me is making me rethink my words.

  “There’s always something we could have missed.” She whispers.

  I glance at her as she presses her body into the seat of my car. Her eyes are tightened and She’s taking in deep, steady breaths. What the hell can I do to get her to relax and get off of work mode?

  “We can’t look for things that aren’t there, though. Vega, we have to keep a clear head, and yours obviously isn’t at the moment.” I turn away from my house. That look means she’s not happy with my remark, but it’s true. She may be focused, but she can be too focused trying to find something. It can cloud her search, and she doesn’t see that because it’s personal.

  “Where the hell are you going?” Now she’s alert, but a little frightened as I turn the opposite direction. Her breathing quickens and she starts looking around. I was hoping I wouldn’t, but it is interesting to know I can startle her.

  “To help you relax. I was thinking a movie or food of some sort. Maybe drive a bit further out of town and take a nice relaxing walk.” Either one of those would be relaxing. Something to clear our heads for a bit. We can’t always be focused on work. Between the files, the videos and Vega wanting to throw her ass in the fire, it keeps me sharp sure, but it feels like I’m constantly working.

  “Miles.” That’s a new tone from her. Defeat? Exhaustion? No, she can never keep that attitude at bay for long. There’s no way she should feel defeated about this. She’s been the only one to make connections in this case.

  “Yeah, Vega?”

  “Hm.” She lets out a breath. “Fine. How about a relief walk of some sort? Suppose the fresh air can help.” The other two options sound like a date, I figured there wasn’t a chance for those to happen.

  At lease she eased up, and her tension started melting away. We’re nearing an area not too far from town that’s quiet and has a great outlook, and a soft dirt path covered by trees. It makes you feel like you’re lost in nature. It’s generally a popular place, but at this time of day, not so much. A perfect, secluded activity for us.

  “So. You and Anya get along?” Hopefully I can get her to talk about something other than work before we get there.

  “Yeah.” She sighs. I was hoping she wouldn’t keep that defeated tone. “I accidentally blurted out Elara was taken. I couldn’t stop it. Anya and Elara are very similar. So of course we get along.” Well, that makes sense now. It’s not defeat in her voice, its sadness taking over her attitude.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that happening. Did you tell her?” I would hope not, the less who know about this the better for us, but Vega is going to do what she wants.

  “No. Got her to drop that topic by revealing Redmond’s motive for us to meet.” She laughs.

  We close the doors and start down the trail. The leaves crunches under our feet as we head up the path. It’s always relaxing for me. The silent sound of nature, well, the natural sound of nature is what makes this better. It’s soothing.

  “Poor Red. What did she say?” That mischievous smile tells me Red’s in trouble. He should have thou
ght about it before asking Vega.

  “I get why Redmond wanted me to talk to her. We’re similar in some aspects. I told her to turn him down.” That sly sexy chuckle under her breath ran through my body spiking my interest.

  “Well, that’s unexpected.” Hope she knows my sarcasm. I can definitely believe she’d do that.

  “Just a few times. That’s what he gets. Besides, it gives her control. She had a bad incident once before which created that shyness wall. And, well. It left her to be secluded like me when Elara went missing.”

  This is what I’ve been waiting for. I don’t have to fight her for information, she’s calm and comfortable telling me. My heart unclenched, but wanting to quicken at this moment with her. I can’t stop thinking about her, and haven’t been since we met. I’m liking her relaxed state, but I enjoy that fight with her more.

  I’m certain we will close this case with her leading the way. She won’t stop until she gets the results she wants.

  “I’m sorry. Seems like she needs you then? Both of you looked calm and happy, I like seeing that.” She smiles as we slowly walk down the path nearing a bench overlooking a small farm. She wraps her arm around mine and gently brushes her body against me. I can’t explain the rush through my body at the moment, but it definitely left a smile on my face.

  I don’t know what it is about Vega. Since I saw her in the bar that first night, I’ve been drawn to her. I want to keep her with me. No. I need to keep her next to me.

  “I also used to not be so defensive. If you can believe that, but that was a long time ago. It was the seclusion and other things that occurred after Elara.” We reach the small wooden bench that sits between a group of trees.

  “Well I happen to enjoy that guarded side.” It’s damn attractive.

  “You enjoy me fighting back. I get the feeling that my resistance to everything keeps you interested too.” Of course it keeps me interested. Vega keeps me alert and it’s refreshing to have someone be so open and blunt. It may not be the best thing to say all the time, but you’ll know exactly what she’s thinking.