Uncovering Officer Smith (The Discovering Trilogy #2)

by Sheena Hutchinson

  I make the mistake of stopping by the cafeteria before heading back to the dorms. My stomach is growling with a vengeance as I check out the selection. My hand wraps around a blueberry muffin when Tom catches up to me.

  “Becca.”

  “Sorry, I gotta go. I’ll see you later.” I try to slip around him. He blocks my path.

  “Listen, Becca, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that.” Tom sighs. I pause and allow him to explain. “I know you’re going through some stuff. ”

  “It’s okay.” I feel my shoulders relax.

  “I want you to know, I’m here if you need me.”

  “Thanks, Tom.”

  One week later, I’m still thinking about… well, everything—Actually, avoiding everything. I’ve decided against leaving my bed and facing the world outside. I’m not ready for it, and I just seem to get hurt and getting people hurt.

  The front door creaks open and slams shut. “Bee?” Meggie’s voice calls into the dorm.

  “I’m in my room,” I call from underneath the covers.

  I hear her enter. “Rebecca Swanson. Please tell me you are not still in bed.”

  “Leave me alone,” I groan, rolling over to face the wall.

  “Did you skip class again?”

  I jump up. “Oh, look who’s talking.”

  “This isn’t like you, Becca.” She sighs, glancing around my room. “I’m worried. Look at this place.” Her arms swing out wide.

  “What?”

  “You haven’t done laundry in three weeks. Your books are still in your bag. I don’t even think you’ve eaten a full meal all week. Your stomach is surviving purely on vodka and dry cereal at this point.”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s normal for a college student.” I get out of bed. Meggie is not going to let this go. I might as well humor her.

  “A college student – yes. You – no.”

  “What’s the big deal?” I stalk out of my room, attempting to escape her.

  “What’s the big deal? Are you kidding me right now?” Just as expected, she stomps after me. “All you’ve ever been talking about since I met you was law school this and homework that. Now, look at you!” She points to all of me. “You need to get over him and back on the infamous horse. Why don’t you try online dating?”

  “I am not that desperate,” I scoff. Call me old fashioned but Internet dating gives me the creeps. Plus, a part of me is hoping that there is a reasonable explanation for all of this, and that John will call me eventually, even though the intelligent part of me knows it’s not going to happen.

  “Why not?” She shrugs. “I do it all the time. I mean, nowadays, where are you going to meet someone?”

  “In life?”

  “Becca, let’s be serious. It’s not like you’re putting yourself out there. Come on, I’ll help you.” She grows soft with me, knowing this would be a big step. Pulling out her laptop, she taps the keys a few times before motioning me over.

  “Okay, username?”

  I smirk. “Reeks-of-Desperation?”

  “Veto.” Meggie shoots me an exasperated look. “How about Smart-N-Sexy?”

  “No! No sexy in the name. I’ll attract all kinds of creeps. Not to mention it makes me sound conceited.”

  “Do you want their attention or not?”

  “No.”

  “Too bad. How about Look’n-4-Luv?”

  “Sure, why not.” I roll my eyes. My best friend has that determined look in her eyes. I’ve seen that look before; the one she gives before making a move on a new guy. It’s as if once she has something in her sights, there is no letting it go.

  “Now we have to pick a profile picture.” She peeks over her red laptop case with a wicked smile. “I was thinking of one from that Fourth of July party last year, the blue dress?”

  “No way. I’m wearing way too much makeup. They are going to think I look like that everyday.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Even Kim Kardashian has to remove her make-up at some point.” She finishes typing something and hits the ‘Enter’ key a few times.

  “I hate you…” I mutter. Her fingers are gingerly flying over the keys now.

  “Join the club. I hear it’s actually pretty fun.” She mocks me, continuing the constant typing. Finally, her keyboard clacking goes silent.

  “Aaaand we are live,” she announces, peeking up over the top again.

  “What?”

  “It’s up.”

  My mouth drops open. “No.” I scramble to my feet. “Let me see. What did you put?” She twirls the laptop to face me and I’m mortified. Not only did she put the picture with the blue dress, she said I was looking for a guy to prove that they are not all the same. I roll my eyes when I read that she indicated me being slim and intelligent, looking for men between the ages of twenty-four to thirty, any type. If I didn’t sound desperate before… it only takes one click to confirm. “I can’t believe you put this up.” I sink back down on the couch next to her.

  “This is fun. Let’s check out some hotties.” She clicks on a link that says, ‘Check him out’, and the screen floods with thumbnail pictures of men. “Oh, how about this one!” She clicks on a guy and reads his profile aloud to me. “Looking for a laid back chick that loves outdoor activities and football games.”

  “Veto! He’s looking for a man.”

  “Aw, come on, he’s cute.”

  “The guy sounds like a tool, and look, he even took the liberty of blurring out his old girlfriend’s face in his picture, how nice of him.” I give her a look that could kill and she scrolls a little further.

  “How’s this guy?” The cursor hovers over a guy in a blue-collared shirt, his dark hair quaffed up.

  “He’s okay…” I mutter.

  “That’s good enough for me.” She clicks on a button that says ‘Message’ and a new screen pops up.

  “Uh, what are you doing?” I reach for her arm.

  “Messaging, duh!” She plugs in a generic ‘Hey, how are you?’ and hits send before I can blink.

  “Have I mentioned that I hate you?” I spin around, running hands down my face, beyond mortified. This is just not something I’m used to. Well, putting myself out there, in general, is not what I’m used to. I had tried with John and look what happened to that.

  “Hmm, nope, haven’t heard that one before.” She interrupts my internal pity party. Meg clicks back to my main screen before a number pops up. “Ooooh, we have visitors.” She clicks another screen and it shows twenty men have already viewed my profile. None of them pique my interest. Suddenly, the guy we messaged pops up on the top of the list. “Oh my God, he’s looking at us!” She practically screams in my ear. We wait in silence; the minutes pass by and I never get a message or what they call a ‘Wave.’

  “He hates me,” I whisper. “I’m ugly.” I begin to doubt my entire existence.

  “No!” she insists, too defensively. “He’s just busy. He’ll message you later or screw him – there are plenty of hotties on here.”

  “No, this was an epic waste of time. Take me down.”

  “What, because one guy didn’t like your profile? Come on, Bee.”

  “I said, take it down.” I toss my books into a corner and storm out, humiliated.

  I fall into my bed face first and pull the pillow down to cover my face. My feelings are hurt but apparently, my eyes refuse to tear up. It’s as if I have nothing left to give, no emotions left to hurt. I am thoroughly and officially finished with men until after I graduate and rule the world.

  I arrive at The Bar only to get my check for last week. I’ve taken Matt’s advice and called in some vacation time. I need to focus on unsolved cases and not Rebecca Swanson.

  I manage to sneak in and out without having to make conversation. I made sure to arrive early enough so I didn’t run into any of the night crew. I’m slinking across the patio when I hear my name called.

  “Smith?”

  I turn. Mack barrels toward me like a freight tra
in. That guy is so huge; he makes my muscles look like child’s play. He looks like he could bench a car. I definitely don’t want to piss this guy off.

  “What’s up, Mack?”

  “I meant to talk to you about something, but haven’t seen you.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “You arrested two of my friends a while back.”

  “Which ones?” I ask only to humor him. I already know. They had mentioned a construction company. I know Mack works for one. He’s only been picking up some shifts at The Bar to gain some extra money for an upcoming wedding.

  “Jared and Eric. One has a ponytail, the other a shaved head. I think you picked them up at a residence. From what I hear, they really tore each other a new one.”

  “Yeah, I think I know who you’re talking about.”

  “Listen.” He pauses. “No one is telling me what happened. Eric hasn’t been at work since. I’m just trying to figure out what is going on.”

  “I don’t think he will be back anytime soon,” I mutter. “But I can’t really discuss an ongoing investigation.”

  “I understand. It’s just I’m getting married in a few months. They are both my best men. How am I going to get married with them at my side if they are going to tear each other apart?”

  A sigh escapes my lips. “I’m sorry, Mack. What went on between them was somewhat serious. You should talk to Jared about it.”

  “That’s the thing; he won’t talk about what happened. I don’t know whether my job is in jeopardy or what.”

  “Mack, Hoffman Construction is the most prominent company in Angelica. I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

  “Okay. But, I shouldn’t expect to have both of them at my side?”

  “It’s not going to be easy getting them in the same room after what Eric did.” Crap. I already said too much.

  “I don’t know what do. I’m supposed to go to Atlantic City for a weekend of gambling and drinking… Would you like to take his place?”

  “Eh, I don’t know. I have to check my other work schedule.”

  “Oh right, well, let me know. I’m guessing it’ll be open.”

  “You got it.” I pat him on the arm before heading out to the parking lot.

  “So, I told that kid, Mack, ‘Grab the one with the leather jacket’ – who does he grab?”

  “Who?”

  “The one with the vest! I’m here dragging this guy out and leather jacket comes running and gets in my face –”

  Seems like ever since Matt took the job at The Bar, he has an endless supply of stories to tell me come Monday morning. I’m glad I quit. I don’t think I could handle all this drama anymore. I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. I have to focus on my career and becoming detective. Plus, Matt enjoys the bouncing life more than I ever did.

  The phone beside me rings. I pick up the receiver.

  “Hello?”

  “Officer Smith? It’s Luce, from the lab.”

  “Hey, Luce, what’s up?”

  Matt looks up, “Luce! My future girlfriend Luce?”

  “Shh,” I hiss across the desk.

  Luce continues, oblivious. “That sample you gave me… I have more results.”

  “More results? What do you mean?” I cover the receiver with my hand.

  “Well, I ran more tests on it. It’s a specific strand of GHB. They’ve been lacing it with Ecstasy.”

  “Okay, so what does this mean?”

  “Luce! I love you!” Matt screams. I put my finger in my other ear.

  “Smith, I’ve only encountered this specific strain once or twice before. You didn’t hear it from me, but in your area, there’s only one dealer that handles this kind of stuff.”

  “Really? Do you have a name?”

  “He only goes by one.” She lowers her voice on the other end. “The Godfather.”

  “The Godfather?” I scoff. “Really?”

  “Laugh all you want. His business is only growing and he’s becoming a big problem. This guy specializes in college parties. A few serious cases are on his hands.”

  “Thanks, Luce, I’ll look into it. Thanks for the call.”

  “Anytime.”

  She hangs up first. I wish all women were quick and to the point like Luce. At least now, I have a lead.

  “No! Why didn’t you let me talk to her?” Matt slumps back into his chair, disappointed.

  “Matt, focus.” My eyes roll. “She said Becca’s GHB was laced with E. Only one dealer around here deals this kind of stuff.”

  “The Godfather?”

  “Yeah, how did you know?”

  “You said it before.”

  “Oh, right. We have to contact narcotics. We need to find ‘The Godfather’.”

  “I’ll place a call.” Matt picks up the receiver to his phone. He has a cousin in the county’s narcotics department. It’s only a matter of time before we have a direction. Finally. Looks like I can’t go to Atlantic City this weekend. I have work to do.

  I’m distracting my anxious self with past due paperwork while we wait for Matt’s cousin to return his call. When the precinct door opens, I know who it is before I even glance up. April’s green eyes scan the row of desks. My heart seizes inside my chest. Our eyes meet and a slow smile creeps across her face. Her fingers wave a little hello before heading directly for my desk. I close the folder with her husband’s file inside and shuffle a few papers on top of it.

  “Why, hello, Officer Smith.” She smiles as she says this, telling me she still has that sense of humor of hers.

  “Mrs. Hoffman.”

  She smiles deeper at the sound of her new name. “Can we go somewhere to talk?”

  I glance toward the interrogation rooms, but the thought of April sitting behind one of those metal desks makes me sick. “Come, let’s go grab some coffee.”

  “Mm, coffee.” She groans as I climb to my feet and lead her to the door. “Coffee has become my new best friend.”

  “I can imagine. You work almost as much as I do.”

  “More,” she says, nudging me slightly with her elbow.

  I hold the door to the precinct open for her.

  “You’re looking good, John. Have you been working out?”

  “When I get a chance.” That’s a lie. I’ve replaced sleep with working out in one fashion or another. My arm hovers behind her back as we walk down the pathway leading to the sidewalk. It was the simple things like this. April fills me with the sense of comfort. I don’t feel like I’m with a beautiful girl. I feel like she’s one of my closest friends. It sounds nuts; I can see that now. I barely knew her. I still barely know her. It’s just when you see something you’ve been looking for in someone – how do you let it go?

  Somehow, I did.

  “Let’s take the cruiser.”

  “Oh, no. I’m not getting in one of those again.”

  “Come on, hop in the back seat—For old time’s sake.”

  “You’re a jerk,” she teases, nudging me again.

  “Nah, I’m only kidding. Hop in the front seat.” My arm grazes the small of her back as I move to open the passenger door for her.

  “Thanks.” She squeaks as she plops into the seat.

  I allow myself a deep breath before slipping around to the driver’s side. This is just coffee. She just wants to pick my brain about her husband.

  The cruiser roars to life. It’s on its ninth life.

  “You know, I haven’t had a decent cup of coffee since Jack’s closed.” Her fingers twist in her lap, but it’s her face that glances blankly out the window that tell me there’s more to the story. There’s regret behind those sparkling blue eyes.

  “Yeah, that place always hit the spot.”

  “Do you know what happened to it?” she asks.

  “He just closed up. Open one day, closed the next.”

  “With everything still inside? It just never made sense to me,” she whispers, growing quiet again.

  “Me, either, but there was nothing to
investigate.”

  “Uh, missing persons.”

  “See, that’s the thing. No one reported him missing. No one saw where he went, no forwarding address. Keys and everything were still behind the counter. His house had enough dust it was apparent he hadn’t been there in months. He just vanished.”

  She shivers in the seat beside me. Her fingers are twitching now.

  “I was the last person to see him,” she murmurs under her breath.

  “What?” I crane my ear to hear her.

  “It was the girl with the red hair.”

  “What are you talking about?” I lower the radio to hear her. The radio has become background noise to me; I forget it’s even on sometimes.

  “I was working the night Jack went missing.” I glance over at her, slowing for a red light. “The girl with the red hair came in dressed like a weird soldier and told me to leave.”

  “The girl with the red hair?”

  “Oh, what was her name?” She’s snapping her fingers now. “It was something weird.” She bites her lip. I’m slightly distracted until I notice the light has turned green. I pull the cruiser into the parking lot and shift into park.

  Her eyebrows are scrunched in the center of her face as she mumbles to herself. “S… Ss… Sera! She spells it with an E.”

  It’s my turn to shiver; feeling like ice dripping a slow path down my back. “Sera?” I cough.

  “Yeah, do you know her?”

  “Her name has come up in a few cases, actually.”

  “That girl is trouble,” she grumbles before slipping out of the car and closing the door behind her.

  “Why didn’t you come forward before? This is almost two years later. The trail is cold.”

  “I should have.” She’s biting her lip again. “But that night was the accident – and…”

  She doesn’t need to say any more. I know exactly the one she’s talking about, having heard the call come over the radio. Motorcycle accident on the interstate. I knew she rode around on the back of Jared’s bike; I’ve watched them zip past while on patrol. I can’t even explain it, but a feeling in the pit of my stomach knew it was them. Even though my shift was ending, I took a ride. My heart was in my throat upon pulling up. The entire highway was at a standstill. I had to ride the shoulder the entire way. The tractor-trailer was on its side, smoke spewing from somewhere. But I only saw †he blood. My first thought—There’s no way anyone survived this. My eyes followed the trail of blood to her; helmet still strapped to her head. Leg limp at her side, her foot was facing the wrong way, and she had dirt smudged across her face.