Trouble [New Crescent 1] (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Lou George

  “He was stronger.”

  “No he’s not Sandy. He’s weak and sick and pathetic,” Travis said, his voice steady. “You’re stronger; you’re talking to us about him and whatever information you give me will help me to bring him to justice. You’ll survive him and the horrible things he did to you. He’s nothing.”

  “He raped me. He was inside of me and I couldn’t stop him.” She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands and took a deep, quieting breath in an attempt to keep from losing control.

  Travis said, “Well, now you’ve told us Sandy. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop him, but I’m going to need your help. I’d like to ask you some questions now. Do you feel up to it?”

  She took the Kleenex Gillian handed her and nodded her head solemnly. “Sure. I’ll try to answer if I can.”

  “Good girl. Did he say anything?”

  “He told me to be quiet when I started to scream. He held his hand over my mouth and I couldn’t breathe, what with the hood over my head and his hand pressing the cloth to my nose and mouth. He kept telling me to shut up. I don’t remember much else he said. I was trying too hard to fight him off.”

  When Travis opened his mouth to ask another question Sandy interrupted him.

  “Wait a second. When he was finished he whispered something really creepy in my ear. I could feel his hot, wet breath through the hood.” She gagged with revulsion, “God, I’d almost forgotten this. He said, “mine” in this horrible whisper. I can’t remember if he said it more than once but I’m sure he said “mine.”

  “Did you recognize his voice?”

  She shook her head.

  “Do you remember anything else about him? Did you touch his skin? Was he hairy or smooth? Did you notice anything out of the ordinary about him?”

  “It all happened so fast, yet it felt like forever. I can’t remember.” She shook her head again, trying her best to recall. “He must have been wearing long sleeves because I kept pushing at him and I never connected with skin. He was clean-shaven. I didn’t feel a beard or stubble.” Sandy paused and shivered as a fresh wave of revulsion washed over her. “This is hard.” With one hand on Hank, Gillian put an arm around the young girl’s shoulders. Hank pressed his solid body weight against the two of them.

  “You’re doing fine, Sandy. This is helping. I’m sorry I have to ask you to re-live it but we want to catch the bastard and you’re the only lead we have. I have to ask you to go on. Okay?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. I don’t think he was too hairy. I figure he was pretty tall because I’m 5’8” and he didn’t have any trouble getting the hood over my head. He just sort of, loomed over me. He had reach as well, because he could easily control my movements and grab my hands. His shoulders were pretty broad. Gloves, he wore gloves but he took them off when he was finished because I think I heard them snap. Then he ran his hand over my head and whispered that awful word in my ear.” She looked Travis in the eye and said fiercely, “He stole something from me. He cannot own what he stole from me. I’m taking it back. I swear, I’m taking it back.”

  Travis pressed her hands between his and said, “’Atta girl. You keep remembering that. He’s got nothing and is nothing. He has no power over you and he’s not going to win this. You are. Is there anything else? How about smell? Did he have a particular smell?”

  Sandy appeared to think hard on the question. “Not really. All I could smell was the sea. I don’t want him to spoil that for me; I love the ocean. Wait, I did smell something that didn’t belong. Rubber…or latex, I hate that smell. I guess it was his gloves. I hate the smell of latex gloves.”

  “Did he wear a condom?”

  “Yes, I think so. And it felt like he had latex on his hands when he touched me.”

  Sandy had stopped crying now and was applying herself to the task of remembering everything she could of the attack. With her arm around the young girl’s shoulders, Gillian could feel her own strength returning. She drew on her reserves and wrapped them around her like a warm blanket. As an experiment, Gillian tried to transmit some of her strength to Sandy. She imagined a white light and surrounded her with it. Not sure if it helped at all, Gillian continued to stroke Sandy’s shoulder and loan her what support she could.

  When Travis was finished asking Sandy questions, he impressed upon her that this was not her fault, that she had done nothing wrong, just the opposite in fact. She’d done everything right. She was still here. She survived it and was doing all she could to keep the man from hurting someone else.

  Sandy was exhausted but she had lost a little of that frightened, prey look and accepted Gillian’s offer of coffee. Travis told them that he’d make fresh, so the two women could relax together. When he left, Sandy rested her head on Gillian’s shoulder and sighed deeply. “I’m so glad I came here tonight. I was surprised when you called and invited me, but I couldn’t resist coming and I love Hank. She reached down and stroked the dog still pressed against her knees. “Gillian, I wanted to get to know you better as well. Everyone’s so curious about you.” She smiled shyly, “I don’t think I would have been able to tell anyone what happened if you hadn’t been here. I know now that this is the only way I’m going to get over it. Ernestine Sinclair is right. You are needed here. Thank you so much.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad you were able to talk to the Sheriff. Now he might have a chance at catching that bastard. We have to stop him and my money’s on Travis.”

  “Are the two of you a couple?” Sandy had the quintessential girlfriend glint in her eye.

  Gillian recognized it and laughed, “I have no idea what we are. Do you have a few hours? He’s a hard man to resist.”

  “You can say that again. I can still admit that, that’s a good sign, don’t you think? I guess one day, I’ll be all right after all.” He face lit with a beautiful, brave smile.

  “Glad to hear it.” Travis returned with the coffee completely oblivious to the subject matter. The two women exchanged secret smiles.

  The dogs were a wonderful tonic. It was hard to think dark thoughts while watching the two of them frolic. The sunset was a treat to behold but Sandy grew more and more agitated as its orange glow dipped below the horizon and Travis said, “Everything’s okay kiddo, it’s natural for you to feel this way after what you’ve been through. If you’d like, I can call a deputy to follow you home and check out your apartment for you. I’ll have him check on your building throughout the night as well, if you’d like.”

  Gillian didn’t wait for Sandy’s response. “I think that would be a great idea Travis.”

  Sandy nodded her agreement, offering up no argument. She appeared grateful that Gillian accepted for her. She had constructed a very tenuous, brave front.

  After Sandy left, a police cruiser a short distance behind her, Travis and Gillian were left alone with the dogs.

  “That went better than I expected.” He helped her clear the table.

  “What makes you say that? Didn’t you think she’d open up to me?”

  “I thought she might eventually, but I didn’t dare hope she would on the first try. You were good tonight Gillian.” There was a wealth of respect in his voice. He took a pile of dishes from her hands and walked them to the sink.

  “Thanks. I was afraid I’d scare her off.”

  Outrageously touched by the compliment, Gillian smiled at him and accepted the cutlery from him, their hands touching briefly. “You don’t have to help me clear up you know. I don’t mind. It gives me a chance to wind down after entertaining. It’s late. Don’t you have an early day tomorrow?” She looked over her shoulder at the sleeping dogs and added pointedly, “Maggie’s wiped out. It’s been a long day. Shouldn’t you be getting her home?”

  His glance followed hers to his beloved mutt stretched out beside Hank and he grinned in response. “She’s a dog. She sleeps anywhere. I, on the other hand am a little more selective.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.

  “Glad to
hear it, for your sake, but if you’re hoping to sleep in my bed, the answer is no.” She deliberately turned away from him and began to load the dishwasher.

  He leaned against the counter by her side, invading her space just enough so that as she bent over to add another dish to the dishwasher, her rear bumped his hard thigh. He made a satisfied noise and said, “I don’t recall saying anything about sleeping.”

  She stood up, avoiding him. “I did. I’m getting a good night’s rest and something tells me that if you stay, rest won’t be an option.”

  “That’s not strictly true, Gilly.” He leaned in closer and touched her lips with his ever so gently, persuasively. “We’d stop for a breather every twenty seven and a half minutes or so. I’m not nineteen anymore, but I’m flattered that you think I’d be up for the challenge.” He looked her up and down with obvious appreciation, a predatory look in his eyes. “On second thought, with you, I’m definitely up to the challenge.”

  She sighed with frustration and tried again. “Seriously Travis, I don’t think now is a good time to start something, other than the dishes perhaps.” She reached around him for another plate.

  “At this rate, I’ll be one hundred and nineteen before we start something. I can’t promise to be up to the challenge at that age.”

  “I’ll take my chances.”

  He sighed and grabbed the butter from the table.

  * * * *

  About five miles up the coast, Regina was enjoying an evening with Travis’ parents just as she had promised him. She loved the Sinclairs like family. She’d grown up around them. She was comfortable in their company and was thoroughly enjoying her quiet Saturday night. She sent a silent word of thanks to Travis for suggesting it. She hadn’t spent an evening at the Sinclair estate in weeks and it was long overdue. Like Reggie, the Sinclairs were pleased Ernestine had finally found the right person for the house on the cliff, and like Reggie, they found Travis’s reaction rather amusing.

  “I’d always thought Ernestine wanted Travis to live in it.” William said as they made themselves comfortable in front of the television. “He wasn’t pleased when she told him that wasn’t her plan. He’s so used to everyone falling in with his wishes, it was enlightening to see him square off with Ernestine.”

  “The unstoppable force, meets the immovable object. It must have been epic.” Reggie laughed.

  Ruth shook her head, “Ah, he was no match for Ernestine but it was entertaining to watch him try. She accused him of letting his position as sheriff go to his head and reminded him of her own responsibilities to New Crescent as Guardian.”

  Reggie said, “Still…I don’t blame him for being surprised. Ernestine sure took a shine to Gillian right off the bat.”

  “He’s been away from home so long he’s forgotten that Ernestine sees beyond what’s on the surface and the rest of us can forget about explanations.” William said, “He’s always relied on his own instincts but he’s forgotten that Ernestine’s are more powerful than most. And she’s been at this for so long.”

  “I’m sure she reminded him.” Reggie smiled.

  Ruth returned her smile with one of her own. “Of course she did and told him he should be ashamed for not trusting her. Then, cryptic as usual, she said that his time was approaching and we’d better all pray he’d be up to the challenge.”

  “Things are just about to get really interesting here in New Crescent.” Reggie said and both William and Ruth nodded in agreement.

  Over her husband’s protests, Ruth Sinclair selected The Way We Were as the Saturday night movie; Bill promptly fell asleep in his chair while the two women cried unabashedly at the ending.

  Travis strode in. He dropped his large form on the couch between his mother and Reggie, his considerable weight tipping them both closer to him. He put an arm around each and hugged them enthusiastically.

  “Why are we crying?” He pretended an avid interest.

  His mother sniffed, “They love each other so much but just can’t be together.”

  “Man, that sucks.”

  Reggie punched him in the side and said, “Be quiet, this is the good part.”

  Travis sat quietly holding both women as the movie came to an end. He waited patiently as they continued to cry while the music played and the credits rolled. His mother was the first to stir. She brushed the tears away and called to her softly snoring husband.

  “Come on sleeping beauty, bed time.”

  William Sinclair woke, blinking blurry eyes at Travis and said, “Nice to see you son, I hope they didn’t force you to watch this chick flick.”

  “No, like a true hero, I came in just in time to mop up the tears.”

  “Good boy.” With a broad stretch, he rose. He patted Travis’s always-tousled hair and put an arm around his wife. “Did you say something about bed time Ruthie? Goodnight you two. Regina, don’t be a stranger.”

  Ruth leaned over and kissed both Travis and Reggie goodnight and the handsome couple went off to bed.

  The silence they left behind was a comfortable one. Travis had finished off the potato chips and was sneaking handfuls of Reggie’s popcorn with earnest, when she finally broke the quiet in the room.

  “How is Gillian?” She slapped at his hand.

  “She’s fine thank you,” he said, his mouth full of popcorn.

  “Oh, that tells me a lot. You were with her tonight, weren’t you?”

  “Yup.”

  “You’re not going to tell me are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Well, since I’m obviously not going to get anything out of you I’ll just talk to Gillian tomorrow. I told your mother I’d ask her to design Aunt Ernestine’s 80th birthday announcement anyway.”

  “That sounds like a good idea. She needs to take her mind off things. I’ll bet she’s a great designer. She makes everything look just great.” His tone dripped with suggestion.

  “You have too many hormones. I’m getting out of here in case they drip on me and leave a stain I can’t Shout out.”

  He was off the couch in one graceful movement, “I’ll drive you.”

  “Are you blind? Didn’t you see my car in the drive? I can make my own way home.”

  “I’ll follow you then.”

  “Isn’t that a bit excessive? This is New Crescent, not New York. I’m perfectly safe.”

  In a tone that brooked no argument, he said, “Nevertheless, I’ll follow you home.”

  She knew when to concede. Driving home, she glanced in the rear view mirror and noted that he stayed a consistent distance behind her all the way. He checked that all was secure before he bid her goodnight.

  After he left, Regina felt safe but far from comfortable. Something was up and he wasn’t sharing it with her. She knew it was pointless to speculate with so little information and no ability to see into the future, Reggie decided that all would be revealed in time. But still, that night, sleep didn’t come easily.

  * * * *

  High on the cliff near Gillian’s house, a solitary figure stood watching as the light in her bedroom went off. She was sleeping, alone. He felt a surge of pleasure at the thought of her in bed by herself, waiting for him. The sheriff hadn’t been invited to stay.

  “Good girl, Gillian,” he whispered. The wind carried his words out to sea.

  Chapter 12

  Travis was in the office early the next morning. He had a lot to do. On his way in, he’d stopped at the location Sandy had described the previous evening. He found nothing, no indication, or even a hint of what had happened to the young girl there in the sand. He’d made arrangements for one of his deputies to pick up the clothes Sandy had worn the night of her attack and they were on their way to the lab for testing. He didn’t hold out much hope they’d get anything off them, because Sandy had used seawater in a vain attempt to wash off the bastard’s stink. He knew he was grasping at straws but at the moment, that’s all he had. Nothing like this had ever happened in his hometown. To the residents of New Cre
scent, their town was still a sanctuary from all things evil. He knew the damage evil wrought, especially to a sensitive community like New Crescent. He’d come home to shake off those memories, to make a fresh start with good people; only to find the violence, the depravity had followed him.

  In order to protect Sandy’s privacy and avoid panic, Travis was keeping his investigation low key. That didn’t mean though, that he wasn’t turning over every rock and digging up every skill and instinct he possessed, to find her attacker. Still, there was very little to go on. Sandy had bravely agreed to be examined so Travis made an appointment with an old friend of his, an expert on sexual assault evidence. He fervently hoped they’d get some sort of lead, because so far, he had nothing to go on. He ran an impatient hand through his hair and frowned at no one in particular.

  It gave him no satisfaction whatsoever to have his gut feelings confirmed. This was the trouble he’d sensed brewing. He was sure of it and couldn’t help but feel that in some way Gillian was connected to it. It’d started when she arrived in town. Could her attacker have followed her here? Had he brought his evil to the small town?

  The officer in charge of Gillian’s case had sent him her case file and Travis spent a good part of the morning going over it. They really didn’t have any leads. She had been attacked in the lobby of her condominium, there were no witnesses and the guy knew enough to stay out of the security camera’s view. They’d canvassed a whole city block and got nothing. The police speculated that something spooked her assailant and he was unable to finish what he’d started. Travis said a rare prayer of thanks for that one fact. Gillian couldn’t remember anything about what she had been doing before the attack and could offer nothing of real value to aid in the investigation. Another dead end. It sickened Travis to think this guy could strike again before long, and way too close to home.