“Do we have any DNA or anything that connects them to the scene?”
Frankie was glad the phone was on speaker as she rolled her eyes at Mia. Jessica Moon was the on-call prosecutor, and as usual, she was fighting Frankie on everything.
“We have fingerprints on the duct tape used during the kidnapping. We have two eyewitnesses who saw them running from the apartment, and the victim identified them. This just happened today. You know as well as we do that it could be months before DNA comes back. These guys were stalking her and thought they murdered her.”
“Do we know where Corey is?”
“We have a couple of flophouses he hangs at and officers are looking for him, but according to Tubby, he could be just about anywhere.”
“What time is he due out?”
“1900, um I mean 7:00 PM. Tomorrow.”
“Okay, good. Have the dayshift bring a copy of the completed file over first thing. I’ll staff it, then let them know what to do with him.”
Frankie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. In her mind, it was a no-brainer.
“Okay.” Frankie made sure the phone disconnected before she said, “What the hell else does she want?”
Mia sat there, speechless.
“We have three people who put them there. Unbelievable injuries. A history with fingerprints at a previous scene.” Frankie paced the floor and continued ranting for several minutes before collapsing into her desk chair.
“Face it, she’s just a bitch who’s afraid to do her damn job.”
“Why doesn’t she just go do something else?”
Frankie felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.
“You still up?”
“Still at work. You okay?”
Frankie waited for an answer that didn’t come.
“I’ll be right back,” Frankie said.
“Everything okay?”
“I don’t know. Derek texted but then didn’t respond when I asked if he was okay. I’m going to give him a quick call.”
“Okay, I’ll start working on my reports and making copies of Tubby’s interview.”
Frankie felt a pit in her stomach. The last time Derek texted her late and then didn’t answer, it was because he had been shot. She was certain he was okay, but he’d been acting strange lately. He was having nightmares again and she knew she would not be able to concentrate if she didn’t call him and hear him say he was fine.
The phone rang several times before Derek answered.
“Hey pretty girl, whatcha wearin’?”
Frankie smiled. He was fine. Instead of answering his question, she asked, “Are you okay?”
“I just needed to hear your voice.”
Frankie’s smile fell at the slurring of his words.
“Another nightmare?”
“Yeah. This one was a doozy but, hey, I’ll be okay. Want to help me forget about it?”
“I wish I could babe, but I’m trying to put a case together for an in-custody. Maybe tomorrow? Sophie is keeping the kids and Isabelle tomorrow night.”
“That would be great. I’m going to go lay down now.”
Frankie said good night and stared at her phone, wondering if Derek would be able to sleep. Derek’s face looked back at hers with soulful eyes. Frankie couldn’t put her finger on it, but something was wrong. Very wrong.
Chapter 81
Frankie walked into an empty squad room after a fitful morning of sleep. She and Mia had worked until 6:00 AM getting everything written and put together for the prosecutor’s office. By the time she got home, Frankie was wired and couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with Derek. She had woken feeling anxious and on edge.
A note was on Frankie’s desk stating Tubby was charged with the assault and drug possession. His bond was set at $75,000. A sigh of relief washed over her. Frankie grabbed her phone and texted Mia.
“75k!”
“Woo hoo! Are you going to go tell H?”
“Yeah, I’ll go by there tonight.”
“Cool. Stay safe, and don’t scare anything up without me!”
“You got it – enjoy your day off with Erik!”
Frankie went to the hospital to tell Heather at least one of her assailants was locked up. She was visibly relieved and peppered Frankie with questions. When was he going to get out? When would the other two be arrested and charged? When would the case go to trial? Would she have to testify? The list went on and on. Frankie patiently answered as many of the questions as she could then returned to the office.
Frankie spent the balance of the evening in the quiet office working on reports and making notes to follow-up on other cases. She wanted Corey arrested on his pick-up but secretly hoped they did not get him tonight. Frankie was looking forward to some time with Derek, and an arrest would change that. The ringing phone jolted Frankie from her thoughts.
“Dammit!” Frankie said aloud. Picking up the receiver, she said, “Sex Crimes, Thomas.”
“Got any sex?” the news reporter asked.
Frankie laughed out loud.
“Killer, you have no idea how glad I am it is you calling! We don’t have anything for you today.”
Frankie could have given him the information on Tubby being charged, but she didn’t want Corey to see it and go deeper underground. She’d wait until she got all three of them, then let Killer know so he could air it.
Chapter 82
Frankie was lost in thought as she walked out the basement door of Police Headquarters. She was grateful her shift ended on time, and since the kids were at Sophie’s she was planning to call Derek. A smile lifted the corners of her lips when she saw Derek leaning against her Jeep in the parking lot.
Reaching up to give him a kiss, she said, “Hey counselor, I was just about to call and see if you were still up for a visit.”
Derek reached out and brushed the hair from Frankie’s face. He stared, memorizing every detail of her smile. Taking a deep breath, he said, “We need to talk.”
Frankie’s smile fell at the intensity of his voice. She felt a weight in her stomach. She knew something was wrong the night before but had hoped it was her imagination.
“I…I...” He choked on his words. He had gone over everything he was going to say a dozen times, but seeing her in front of him, he found himself unable to speak. He needed her to understand his leaving wasn’t about her. He wanted to explain why he was going, but he wasn’t sure he could. Derek wasn’t completely sure he understood himself, he just knew he had to go. And he wasn’t sure when, or if, he’d be back. Derek knew he wouldn’t, no couldn’t, ask her to wait on him.
Frankie dropped her bag next to the Jeep. A chill went down her spine.
“Are you seeing someone else?”
“No! Frankie... It’s just…” He hesitated before saying, “I’m leaving. Tonight.”
Frankie felt the air leave her body. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
“This last year has been a tough one. So much has happened…”
“And not just to you…” Frankie interrupted, suddenly defensive.
“I know. I just, I feel like I can’t catch my breath. And the nightmares…”
Quietly Frankie said, “They’re getting worse.”
Derek nodded and said, “I am surrounded by violence and death at work. Then when I sleep, I dream about death. I’m always on guard, and right now, I just need a break from it all.”
“Why do you have to leave me to take a break. Why can’t you go to a different unit or take a sabbatical here? Or go work for a law firm or corporation? Things were just starting to…We were finally starting…I was finally going to ask if you wanted to meet my kids.”
Derek reached out to take Frankie’s hand, but she jerked it away, unwilling to allow the slightest comfort.
“I know it doesn’t make any sense. Even to me. I never wanted to hurt you, but I can’t stay here. And I know you can’t leave.”
“Where are you going to go?”
“I’ve been asking myself that very question, and to be honest, I’m not sure. I’m going to start driving and figure it out along the way.”
Frankie looked down and quietly asked, “When will you be back?”
Derek gently touched Frankie’s chin and lifted up. He reached out and took Frankie’s hands in his. This time she didn’t pull away. His eyes bore into hers as he softly said, “I’m not sure I will be back.”
“What about your job?”
“I resigned. Jessica is leaving the sex crimes unit and taking over my cases. They brought in an attorney from Pennsylvania to take Jessica’s place in SVU. The new girl seems like a real heavy hitter.”
Frankie looked at her feet and sighed, “How long have you known you were going to leave?”
“A couple of weeks.”
“You’ve known a couple of weeks, and you are just now telling me? What the…”
Derek’s voice caught as tears filled his eyes.
“Frankie, I didn’t know how to say good-bye to you. I still don’t…”
Frankie slowly lifted her head as Derek let his hand caress her face. Leaning in, Derek gently kissed Frankie on the mouth then pulled her body into an embrace, resting his head on hers. After he was certain he had memorized her smell and the feel of her body, Derek pulled away. He kissed the top of her head and held her hands in his.
Derek’s eyes spilled tears as he softly said, “I love you Frankie, but I’ve got to go.”
With those words, he felt her hands leave his and fall to her sides.
Frankie knew he was gone, even before he walked away. She watched Derek slip into the shadows and felt a physical pang of loss. In her gut, she knew it had been a long time coming but she still couldn’t believe he was leaving. Frankie wanted to run after him, beg him not to go. Instead, she sunk to the ground, her knees buckling beneath her, and began to sob. When she finally looked up, Derek was gone.
Frankie wasn’t sure how long she sat crumpled on the ground in the police parking lot. One minute. Five. All she knew was the air had changed, and suddenly the life she knew was different. The buzz of her phone jolted her back to reality.
“See you in a few.” Frankie started her Jeep as soon as she hit send.
Chapter 83
Within thirty minutes, she was standing at her sister’s door with a six-pack of beer, Doritos and chewy chocolate chip cookies. Sophie gave Frankie a hug and without saying a word, the sisters settled onto the sofa with a favorite chick flick on the television.
After the first beer was emptied, Sophie asked, “What’s up buttercup? Ready to talk?”
Frankie opened the second beer and laid out the conversation she had with Derek, still struggling to believe it was real. Absentmindedly she checked her phone in hopes there would be a message telling her he didn’t mean it. He wasn’t leaving – or at least not for good. A message asking her to come to him. They could make it work. But no messages came through.
Sophie listened in silence, letting Frankie get it all out. When Frankie finished, Sophie said all the things a sister should say, “He’s a jerk. What an idiot. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. His loss.” But her words were hollow. Sophie had never met Derek but had seen the roller coaster he kept Frankie on and didn’t like it.
Frankie’s phone buzzed, causing both girls to jump in surprise.
“Want to grab a beer?”
“Is it him?” Sophie asked.
“Craven.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s not like that. We are just friends.”
“Okay,” Sophie said in a tone that said she didn’t believe it for a moment.
“At Sophie’s for some sister-time. Raincheck?”
“You even have to ask?”
“Run tomorrow?
“8:45. Riverfront Park.”
“See you there.”
“Thanks, Sophie.”
“For what, sis?”
“For not saying ‘I told you so’ or a thousand other things you could say.”
Sophie put her arm around Frankie and pulled her into her side, resting her cheek atop Frankie’s head.
“I love you, little-big sister.”
“Love you too, kid,” a lone tear escaped Frankie’s eye, but she didn’t even try to brush it away.
Chapter 84
Frankie woke up to Tyler, sitting on her feet asking Sophie why his mother was sleeping on the couch.
“She missed you guys and decided to crash here instead of going home to an empty house.”
Sophie yawned and wiped her eyes. She wasn’t used to staying up so late during the week.
“I’ll get them to school, Soph.”
Frankie pulled her feet out from under Tyler and urged him to get ready for school. Tyler shuffled off to the bedroom to get dressed and brush his teeth.
“Thanks for letting me crash here last night. I appreciate you; you know that?”
“You’d do the same for me, sis. And have.”
“Yes I would. Now I guess I better get moving, or these kids are going to be late.”
Frankie corralled Tyler, Danielle, and the dog. She dropped the kids off at their respective schools then ran home to grab her running gear. She had almost forgotten she was meeting Craven.
Frankie spent the ten extra minutes at the park before Craven arrived stretching. Isabelle watched from the passenger seat of the Jeep. Frankie had taken the top off after dropping the kids at their schools.
“Topless is a good look for you,” was Craven’s way of saying good morning.
Frankie laughed as she grabbed Isabelle’s leash.
“You ready?”
Craven knelt to pet Isabelle and then said, “Let’s go, girl.”
The pair started off at a slow, steady pace, quickly finding a matching rhythm. They made small talk about the weather and Craven told her about a case he was working on. Frankie upped the pace the last half mile, preventing both from carrying on a conversation. When they finished, they were breathing heavier but smiling.
“Damn, that felt good,” Frankie said. “But something tells me I’ll pay for it later.”
“It’s always good to take it up a little every once in a while!” agreed Craven. “Everything okay?”
Frankie wiped her face and filled a little bowl of water for Isabelle.
“Sure, why do you ask?”
“Just checking. You seem…well, off today.”
“I’m good. Just a little tired. Sophie and I stayed up a little too late drinking beer and watching The Heat. Probably shouldn’t have sister nights on a school day.” Frankie chuckled half-heartedly. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t tell Craven about Derek leaving. Maybe she just wasn’t ready to say it out loud yet.
“Okay. Want some pancakes?”
Frankie looked at her watch. 9:30 AM.
“Sure, why not? We’ll have to sit outside with Iz, though.”
Craven ruffled the fur on Isabelle’s head.
“Sounds good to me. Maybe I’ll even sneak her a piece of bacon.”
Frankie laughed.
Chapter 85
Frankie stepped onto the elevator, checking out the people who beat her into the car. An older man with a woman one could only assume was his mother. A young man nervously tapping his foot. And a young girl with water-filled eyes. Frankie was about to hit “4” when a woman pushed her way through the crowd. Frankie admired the petite woman, about her age who wore a well-fitting suit and three-inch heels. Her straight, dark hair fell to the middle of her back, and her smile was contagious.
“Good, we are going to the same floor,” the woman said.
Frankie smiled and nodded. She had been summoned to the prosecutor’s office to meet with Jessica Moon’s replacement.
When they stopped at the fourth floor, Frankie followed the woman off the elevator to the secured door. The woman stopped and asked Frankie who she was there to see.
“A new prosecutor, Samantha…”
�
�That’s me, but please call me Sam,” the raven-haired woman held her hand out for Frankie to shake. "You must be Detective Thomas."
Frankie could not help but smile. "You can call me Frankie." They were both girls with a boy's name. Frankie took this as a good omen.
“Come on in Frankie. I’m afraid I don’t have any fresh coffee made. But I do have a cold diet Coke.”
It was at that moment Frankie knew she and this woman were going to be fast friends.
“Thanks, that would be perfect.”
“Make yourself comfortable. Don't mind the clutter, I’m still getting settled in. I looked over the case file you prepared on Heather Whitaker, and I think we can do something. Why don’t you tell me what you think and maybe we can lock up some bad guys together? What do you say?”
“I say, where have you been all my life?”
Their smiles simultaneously dissolved into laughter.
Frankie and Sam spent the next two hours discussing Heather’s case in depth.
“So, Corey hasn’t been arrested yet?”
“No, he’s in the wind. I have a few guys who are leaning on associates, but this guy is pretty hardcore. Everyone seems to be afraid of him. William is still out there too. Your predecessor wanted to wait on DNA to charge him,” barely disguised contempt fell from Frankie’s mouth.
“I would have charged him, but that’s neither here nor there.”
Frankie smiled. She and Sam were going to get along famously.
“We have fingerprints now. How far behind is the lab with DNA?” Sam asked.
“They are averaging six to nine months unless there is a rush or a trial pending.”
“Okay, we can work with that. I’m going to write a warrant for William today so you can take it to the judge with Tubby, I mean Lamont’s. As for Corey, have you all gone up on his phone?”
“The phone number we had was a burner, and he’s already tossed it. No one is coming off with the new number. I’ve done some internet searches and had PIC…”
“What’s PIC?” Sam asked.
“Oh, sorry. Perpetrator Information Center. I had them run an Accurint, Lexus Nexus, and a couple of other deep searches but came up with very little. We have his known associates, which is who my guys are leaning on.”
Across State Lines Page 18