by Robin Mahle
“Heading to the south end of the lot,” Decker replied on the radio.
Ward called in. “Okay. I want Pruitt and Thompson to head in from the front, Abrams and Decker flank them on the right, and I’ll flank them on the left. It’s getting dark out there, so keep your eyes open.”
“Copy that, Cap,” Abrams replied.
“Let’s go.” Riley stepped out of the car into the dusky light. She double-checked her weapon while she waited for Ethan to join her. “Let’s get in there and pray he’s alone.”
“I’m with you.”
She spotted the other officers and Captain Ward in their designated positions, each team ready to converge, but keeping an eye out in case the thief decided to bolt or someone gave him a heads up. But in this light, it was tough to see much. Trees surrounded the first floor of the building, making it difficult to notice anyone hiding near. “Stay alert,” Riley said.
Ward used hand signals to coordinate their approach. The teams drew nearer, and so far, no one was outside or appeared to notice them from a window. This was a good sign. The quieter, the better. No one wanted any trouble.
The four officers and their captain started up the stairs to the second floor where the man known as Ainsley Nolen was about to be taken into custody. They reached the corridor and Ward was the first to knock.
“Ainsley Nolen. This is Captain Ward of the Owensville PD. I need you to open the door.” Ward shook his head and knocked again. “Mr. Nolen, we need to speak with you. Open the door. Don’t make this harder than it has to be, son.”
A blast of fear shot through Riley’s body and she rushed to the end of the hall. “He’s taking off!” She started back toward the others. “We need to catch him!”
“You sure it was Nolen?” Ward asked.
All she had to do was give him the look and Ward picked up on it immediately. “Let’s go. Now!”
The officers ran down the steps and returned to their patrol cars. Riley kicked on the lights and sirens.
Ethan grabbed the radio. “Suspect is headed northbound on Stanfield Rd. Unit 1-8-9 in pursuit.” He turned to Riley. “You’d better haul ass.”
She spun the tires and smoke billowed around them before she made it onto the road, heading toward Nolen in his old Chevy Malibu with Bondo on the doors, just like the cashier said. When they arrived earlier, she hadn’t seen the car, meaning she’d missed it or it wasn’t there. “He must’ve known we were coming. Did you see his car?”
“No. He could’ve parked around the back of the building. But yeah, like you said, he would’ve had to know we were coming.” Ethan peered at her again. “You felt him, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “He was scared. Must’ve been some kind of fear for me to pick it up from outside his apartment. Especially since he must’ve already been at his car.”
Ethan returned his sights to the road. “He’s pulling ahead. You’d better put your foot down.”
Their cohorts and Captain Ward roared onward. She was losing ground from distraction. “Damn it.”
Ward was out front and Abrams pushed his way between them.
“Why is he such a jerk?” Riley slammed her foot down again and gripped the wheel tighter.
“Because he can be.” Ethan grabbed hold of the safety handle above the window.
“He’s pulling over! Captain’s got him.” Riley slowed as the Chevy moved toward the shoulder of the road. “Ward’s pissed. I need to get up there before he yanks that guy out of his car.” Riley stopped behind him, jumped out and raced toward the captain.
Abrams and Decker were only steps ahead, but Riley blew by them.
“Hey,” Abrams said.
“Leave her. She needs to get to the captain.” Ethan followed her as she continued toward the captain, who was approaching the suspect’s vehicle.
“Captain!” Riley reached for his shoulder. “Hang on.”
“That son of a bitch is going to jail. Let go of me, Riley.”
“Captain, please. Hold up. He’s not who you think he is.”
“What the hell does that mean? Is this the guy or isn’t it?” Ward stopped cold.
“It is, but he’s not a thief.”
“Riley, what are you talking about? Is he the guy who robbed the IGA? Because I’m looking at a car that matches the description the cashier gave you. Am I right or am I wrong?”
“You’re right. but he’s scared. He might do something stupid. Let me talk to him first.”
“No way. Not a chance.” He drew his weapon. “Stand down, Thompson. Let me handle this.”
“Captain, I can’t let you do that.”
“Damn it, Riley.”
“Please!”
“Fine. I’ll approach the passenger side. You take the driver’s side. Pruitt, stand at the rear and if this guy makes a single wrong move, shoot him!”
Riley drew her gun and cautiously approached the car. As she reached the window, the man had his hands up but looked straight ahead. “Sir, step out of the vehicle with your hands up.” Riley eyed Ward at the passenger window and Pruitt at the back.
She stepped back as the suspect opened the door, her weapon trained on his head. “Carefully.” It was then that he looked at her, and she saw it, the reason why he robbed the store, the reason he was in this situation right now.
“It’s okay, Mr. Nolen, just relax. Everything will be fine. I’m going to need you to get on your knees and put your hands behind your back.”
Ward stepped around the vehicle toward Riley to address the suspect. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why’d you run? I was about to shoot your damn head off!”
“I’m sorry, officers,” Nolen replied.
Ward placed the cuffs on his wrists and pulled him up. Nolen eyed Riley again.
“I’ll make sure your kids are okay,” she replied.
His brow furrowed. “I never said I had kids.”
“I know that’s why you did what you did. Doesn’t make it right.”
“No, ma’am. It doesn’t.”
Ward’s eyes softened and his shoulders dropped. “I’m taking you to the station. Where are your kids now?”
“In the apartment.”
“And how old are they?”
“My boy’s six. His name’s Zack. My girl’s ten. She’s Holly.”
“Is there anyone with them or another family member we can call to pick them up?”
“No, sir, it’s just me. Their mom died last year.”
“I’ll go pick them up, Captain.” Riley started back to the patrol car and eyed Ethan. “You coming with?”
“Go with her,” Ward said.
“You got it, Captain.” Ethan returned to the car and waited for Riley to step inside. “You okay?”
“Me? I’m fine. Not so sure about those kids, though. God knows what’ll happen to them now.”
4
The green door of Dillon’s humble home swung open and Riley cast her sights down to see her four-year-old nephew, Danny. “Aunt Riley!” He lunged at her and wrapped his small arms around her slim waist. Riley had grown out of her chubby pre-teen figure and into a strong, fit young woman.
“Danny!” She kissed his head. “Where’s your daddy?”
“He’s in the kitchen with Mommy. Come on, I’ll show you.” He took her hand and pulled her inside.
Riley closed the door and followed the little boy, but before they made it to the kitchen, Dillon appeared.
“Hey, we’re just cooking dinner. You plan on staying?” Dillon wiped his hands on a dish towel and greeted his sister.
“Depends on what you’re having. Is that meatloaf I smell?”
“It is.”
“Then I’d love to stay.”
“I figured as much. Come on in and say hi to Marjorie.” He started toward the kitchen.
“Where’s Ella?” Riley asked.
“Sleeping. She had Marjorie up most of the night. Poor kid’s been colicky lately.”
“Sounds like Marjorie’s the
one who needs the sympathy.” She spotted her sister-in-law. “Hey, there.”
“Riley.” Marjorie set down the spoon in her hand and approached for an embrace. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, but I hear you’re not getting much sleep lately.”
“Oh, I know. Can you believe it? This one over here.” She pointed to Danny. “Never had a problem. But Ella, she’s a whole other story. Hey, you want a glass of wine or something? You’re staying for dinner, right? Got plenty of food.”
“I’ll pass on the wine, but I’m all in for your meatloaf.” Riley had made the decision some time ago that drinking alcohol caused the gift to go a little haywire and so she abstained for the most part. The occasional drink, if she was really stressed and was at home. But never in public or at anyone’s house. Too much could go wrong.
“Great. Well, dinner’s going to be ready in about ten minutes. Why don’t you catch up with your big brother while I finish things here?”
“You don’t need any help?” Riley asked.
“No, ma’am. I have it under control.”
Riley was grateful for the dismissal. There were things to which she needed answers and looked to Dillon for them. “You have a minute?” she asked him.
“Sure. Let’s go talk in the living room.” Dillon led the way to the small, informal space where the family curled up on the sectional sofa and watched television. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks. Listen, I know I asked a lot of you today…”
“I got into the files.” Dillon retrieved his cell phone and opened the images. “Take a look here.”
Riley reached for his phone and viewed the pictures. “So she was a student.”
“Was. Yes. Graduated two years ago.”
Riley continued to peruse the photos of Chloe Dawson’s student file. “Looks like she was an average student. Nothing stands out as unique. Did you happen to find any request for transcripts? Like if she applied to colleges or something?”
“No, I didn’t find anything like that. But I did get an address and name of her parents. I couldn’t tell you if they still lived in that house or not, but thought it could be useful for you.”
“Very, thank you.”
“So, you think this is the victim?”
“I don’t know yet. She was…” Riley turned away for a moment. “She was in pretty bad shape, but at least we have a name. Can’t figure out why she’s not in any databases. No BMV records either. We need the coroner to get dental records or something like that. Then we’ll know for sure if she’s our victim.”
“And if she is? Where does that lead your investigation?”
“Honestly, Dillon. I have no idea.”
“Dinner!” Marjorie shouted from the kitchen.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t get you more.” Dillon stood up.
“This is a huge help. And I know it was risky. I appreciate it.”
“Come on, let’s get something to eat. I’m starved.”
“I haven’t had a good home cooked meal in a long time, Marjorie. Thank you.” Riley sat at the table. “It looks delicious.”
Marjorie placed Danny in a booster seat and served him a plate. “You don’t do much cooking?”
“For myself? No, not really. Not unless you count grilled cheese sandwiches as cooking. Maybe a frozen dinner or two.”
“Well, I’m sure that will change once you get married.”
“Do you know something I don’t?” Riley sliced into her meatloaf.
“Well, no. I’m just saying.”
“I’m only teasing, Marjorie. I know what you meant.” She turned to Dillon. “Hey, have you heard from Gracie lately? I haven’t talked to her in a couple of weeks.”
“As a matter of fact, she sent me a paper she wanted me to take a look at. It was for her psych class.”
“Oh yeah? How’d she do?”
“Better than anything I could’ve done. Turns out, she’s the smart one,” Dillon finished a bite. “I hope she sticks it out up there.”
“Well, she owes you a world of thanks for what you’re doing for her,” Riley said. “Helping pay for school and all.”
“It’s not like our parents were gonna pitch in. Besides, you do your part on that end too.”
“Not much. But still, neither of us is swimming in money. I’m just saying it’s really kind of you to help her.”
Marjorie reached for Dillon’s hand. “We do what we can. Gracie had a hard time of it.”
“That she did. Probably harder than either of us, eh, Riley?”
“I suppose so.”
Riley pulled out of the driveway and waved goodbye to Danny and Dillon as they stood at the door. The confirmation Chloe Dawson was a former student at the high school needed to be relayed to the captain. It was still early enough in the evening to make the call.
“Captain? It’s me. I just left Dillon’s. He said Chloe Dawson graduated from the high school two years ago, but that he didn’t know if she’d gone on to college or where she went after that. Her records didn’t indicate anything else. Oh, and I have her parents’ address.” Riley’s cell phone rested in her center console with the blue tooth activated and Ward’s voice sounded over the car speakers.
“That’s good news. Are you headed home?”
“I am. Just finished up dinner. Unless you need me to come back to the station? You want me to run the address and see what we can find?”
“No. Go home and get some rest. We’ll tackle it in the a.m. I think I’ll call in the address to the boys and have them run it. Last I heard, it was pretty quiet at the station house. They’re probably looking for something to do.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. Because I can run back down…”
“Riley, go home. I’ll take care of it from here and we’ll talk in the morning.”
“Okay, Captain. Oh, and Dillon says hi.”
“That’s nice. And how’s my namesake?”
“That boy is a handful,” Riley said.
“Yep, just like his aunt, I expect. Good night. Get some rest.” Ward ended the call.
Riley turned the corner and drove along her street, where her home was about halfway down and on the right. Her headlights shone down the quiet road of the modest home she’d bought a few years ago at auction, with some help from Jack. Captain Ward helped her with some of the improvements because it had been vacant for a long time. And now it was hers. No one could take it away or could threaten to make her leave. It was the only place she could really call home. The house she grew up in, where her grandfather had committed suicide and her father drowned himself in booze, never felt like home.
Jack had stopped drinking after that night he decided he was going to let the tornado take him and Riley stopped him. Her gift made him come inside for shelter, and while he had been struck and almost killed by debris, he had survived, and it changed him. But it was hard to erase the past, no matter how much Riley tried to forget.
Dillon never did forgive Jack for what he’d done to their mother. Riley supposed, deep down, she hadn’t either but did her best to put the past behind her and move on. It was the only way she could focus on her future. A future that now seemed in flux thanks to Jacob’s return.
As she approached her house, she saw a car was parked in front of it. It was the same car from the night before. Only now that she’d talked to Jacob and had seen his car, it occurred to her this definitely wasn’t him.
The car’s lights flicked on and pulled away from the curb as she neared. “What the hell?” Riley considered following it, but it would be too obvious now. Whoever it was had seen her approach. And in the dark, it was nearly impossible to determine the make and model.
Carl narrowed his aged eyes, producing even deeper wrinkles. “Someone’s trying to scare you, but the question is why?”
“I don’t know. I think it has something to do with the plant and Chloe Dawson.” Riley sat next to Carl in his room and peered at the rising sun. “We don’t even know if the body is
this girl or not. It’ll take days for a positive ID. What do I do?”
“Riley, you know better than most, maybe even better than me, what you need to do. But I would say put a camera on your front porch. It’ll pick up whoever comes by your place when you’re not home. Or if you’re home and you’re asleep.”
“Then I could get a plate, if I’m lucky.”
“Who the hell knows? Dumbass who’s doing this could show his face. And then there you go.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Riley replied.
“Okay, then. You’d best get on into work. Don’t want Ward to write you up for being late.”
“He would never do that.”
“Yeah, well, maybe he should once in a while, keep you on the straight and narrow.”
Riley smiled. “Thanks, Carl. You need me to bring you any supplies tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t mind a six-pack.”
“You know the nurses don’t want you drinking beer. They say it messes with the meds.”
“Fine. Don’t know why the hell I’m asking a cop to bring me booze.”
Riley kissed his cheek and started to leave. “Don’t cause too much trouble when I’m gone.” She closed the door and headed down the corridor to the elevators.
Surveillance was a good plan. Carl, a Vietnam Veteran, was still sharp as a tack. The nightmares he’d had that brought them together were long gone, luckily. But he was still a combat veteran, and as such, had been well versed in the tactics of his enemies. And anyone who tried to harm Riley would be a guaranteed enemy of Carl’s. It was a designation one should try hard to avoid.
Riley pulled into the parking lot of the station and made her way inside. It was just before eight a.m. when her shift officially started. “Morning.”
“Hey, Riley.” Ethan turned away from his computer screen. “Captain wants to see you.”
“Thanks.” She approached Ward’s office door and knocked. “It’s Thompson.”
“Come in,” the voice beyond the door replied.
“Pruitt said you wanted to see me?”
“Close the door and have a seat.” Ward removed his reading glasses.
“This have something to do with the address Decker and Abrams ran last night?”
