Jane Doe's Return

by Jen Talty

  “Perceived virginity could be the key though.” With a shaking hand, she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

  “What’s going on inside there?” He tapped her forehead, hoping she’d open up to him. She had a theory, or an idea, and he wanted her to share it.

  “What if we approach this as two different killers? At least, how we present it to the task force. I think there’s enough to link the two hotel cases together.”

  Travis held up his hand. “Too many years between them.”

  “Don’t you see?” Her voice cracked.

  “We need a bigger connection, before we present this, to make it more than a file we are continuing to aide the police on. You are on to something, though; we just need to dig a little deeper, like find Jane Doe.”

  “Maybe she doesn’t want to be found,” his mother said, standing directly behind him and breathing down his neck. “Maybe she wants to forget and move on with her life. Like you should.”

  Avoiding his mother painful stare, he said, “I can’t get over it, and neither can you.” He clenched his fists.

  “I’ll always miss my Marie. If I could’ve changed places with her, I would have, but I’m not going to let some psycho dictate what I do. She was my only daughter.” A tear dripped down his mother’s cheek. “If I could bring her back, I would.”

  “Putting the jerk behind bars will certainly make me feel better.” He looked out over the lake, trying to find some calming aspect of his surroundings.

  “They already put one behind bars.”

  “The wrong man, Mother.” The small plastic table knocked over as he leapt to his feet, sending his soda can spraying down the stone path.

  “Well, he was guilty of something and belongs in prison.”

  “So does the man who raped and killed Marie,” Travis said.

  His mother let out a long slow breath. “Are you prepared to bring an innocent young girl into this? She may not believe they caught the wrong guy. Do you want to ruin her sense of security? Don’t you think she has been through enough?”

  “If that monster is still out there, she’ll never be safe.” The wood railing shook with his trembling hands. He struggled to keep his anger from igniting an all out war of words. “I just want to protect her,” he said behind clenched jaw.

  “If she believed he was still out there, don’t you think she’d come forward?”

  “Not if she’s smart.”

  “Oh, that’s right. She’d stay hidden because she knows her attacker is out there,” his mother said. “I loved Marie as much as you did, but you have to move forward. Live your life, not live in her memory.”

  “I don’t want to argue.”

  “Then drop it. I don’t think you see what you are doing to this family. Now if you would excuse me,” she said softly, and went back into the house.

  “Your mother’s right,” Shauna said.

  Travis’s pulse increased. “What the hell does that mean?”

  “I might be out of line, but your world seems to wrapped up in the past.”

  “One, you’re out of line. Two, didn’t you just think we should present all this to the task force?”

  “Yes, but not under the pretense of looking for your sister’s killer. We’re looking for the man who raped and murdered those girls. Even if they are one in the same, that is immaterial, as is Jane Doe.”

  “But she might be able to help.”

  Shauna stood and faced him. “While you say you want to protect Jane Doe, just talking to her could bring her out in the open, reveal her identity. If what we believe is true, if this is the same guy and if he finds out who she is—” Shauna blinked, “—then he’ll kill her. Can you live with that? Because I know I can’t.”

  “I doubt he knows who she is, or he would have gone after the one person who can nail his ass. What happened to those instincts of yours?”

  “Call these womanly instincts, but I doubt Jane Doe wants to be identified.” Something flickered behind her eyes. “Besides, what would the bureau do with us if we got caught trying to find a woman’s rapist who technically has been sitting in prison for years? We need to focus on the caseload we have. The victims we can tie to a killer, not the one that haunts you.”

  “Jane Doe holds the key to our caseload. We need to find her. And we can do it on our own time.” Travis turned and entered the house. The one time he thought he had someone in his corner, thinking his way, she turns on him. Figures.

  Well, he would make sure she came around to his way of thinking, she had to. She was too damn smart not to.

  Chapter Five

  Shauna lingered on the porch trying to enjoy the sunset against the shimmer of the crystal-clear lake. A few boats hummed along the shoreline like a picture on a post card. But there was nothing picture-perfect about this situation. She feared her job would be on the line if any of her superiors knew she was ‘The Jane Doe’ in a case that involved her partner’s dead sister.

  A loud shriek, followed by a splash and a roar of laugher brought her attention to two teenagers frolicking about in the water. Letting out a huge sigh, she closed her eyes and tried to remember the happy times in her childhood. But there were none.

  “Hi.” Kamy’s squeaky little voice danced in her ears.

  “Hi.” Shauna smiled as the little girl climbed up on her legs. The brushing of Kamy’s soft skin felt warm against Shauna’s cold memories. This child had the world at her hands and love in her heart.

  “Mommy says you’re pretty. I do, too,” Kamy said as she settled into Shauna’s lap, smelling like peaches.

  “I think you’re much prettier than me.” Shauna batted Kamy’s nose.

  “There you are.” Kim slipped through the patio door. “You can’t just walk off like that, baby.”

  “I’m not a baby!” Kamy pouted.

  “You’re my baby. I hope she wasn’t bothering you.” Kim scooped up the little girl.

  “She’s no bother. I enjoy her company,” Shauna said.

  “She is full of sweetness, that’s for sure.” Kim lifted Kamy into her arms and gave her a big smooch on the check. “Let’s go get cleaned up for dinner.”

  Shauna stood and stared out over the water, concentrating on the soft roll of the water crashing against the shore, instead of the heartache she felt deep in her soul.

  “I’m sorry for my outburst.” Rita appeared at her side.

  “Don’t apologize.” Shauna looked into the same intense eyes Travis had and swallowed.

  “Travis is a very passionate man.” Rita rounded her shoulders. “He’s also very stubborn.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  “May I ask you a question?” Rita touched Shauna’s hands. She nodded, trying not to tremble. How could she stand here, look this woman in the eye and not tell her.

  Because to tell her would probably destroy her.

  “Do you think Jane Doe could help?”

  Shauna broke out in a cold sweat and she was sure her face drained of all color. “I’m sure if Jane Doe knew anything, she’d find a way to help.” On some level, Shauna wanted to scream, I’m right here. But what good would that do? She couldn’t ease their pain, or deliver that bastard to them. “Truthfully, I don’t know. You’re daughter’s case is officially closed and all the reports indicate that Jane Doe was attacked by the same man, although that was never proven.”

  “I know Travis believes other innocent girls have died, but I wonder if simply talking to Jane

  Doe would ease his pain.”

  It would probably only add to it, which was why Shauna had to keep her identity a secret. She set this lie in motion, now she had to live with it. “I’m not sure. However, I do believe we need to focus his attention on the here and now cases, especially those that are similar.”

  “Do you believe the authorities convicted the right man?”

  Not an easy question to answer without giving herself away. “I really don’t know. For now, I think Travis has too much on his mind a
nd it’s blending with his past. He’s a very determined man.”

  “Yes, he is,” Rita smiled. “When the cops first picked up Williams for my daughter’s murder, I was relieved. I felt as though I had some kind of closure, but with Travis’s thoughts and convictions, I have to wonder. He’s very smart and very good at what he does.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “Sometimes I think we are all just nuts,” Rita said.

  “I don’t think any of us are nuts.” Shauna fought the tears that begged to run down her cheeks. The need to be strong for this family outweighed her own personal agony.

  Rita pulled Shauna into the kitchen with her. “Enough of this serious stuff. Rita placed a cutting board in front of Shauna. “You get to slice the cucumbers.”

  “I think I can handle that.”

  Rita put her hands on her hips. “So, tell me. Is my son behaving himself?”

  “Oh, yeah. Always the gentleman.” Shauna easiest of the boys to train. I told him it was his job to teach Marie how to be a lady. I think he took it a little too seriously.” Rita held a locket that dangled from her neck, gave it a quick kiss and smiled at Shauna.

  “What else can I do?” Shauna asked, praying that it didn’t consist of actually cooking anything.

  “I think we’re all set. John’s got the steaks on the grill, so just take this salad to the table.” Rita handed a bowl to her.

  “I can handle that.”

  “Are agents allowed to date each other?” Rita opened the door to the dining room with a slight grin.

  “I think it’s highly frowned upon,” Shauna said between gasping breaths, and then came face-to-face with most of the Brown family.

  While the dining room seemed spacious, she felt closed in. She sat in her chair, hoping no one really noticed her. Being a part of a normal family was not something she knew anything about.

  “I’m told you grew up in Saratoga,” John, Travis’s father, said to her over the noise of the kids.

  She nodded, trying to avoid getting pulled into the conversation. If she remained quiet, she thought they’d continue with their own family discussions, letting her mold in with the furniture.

  “Do you have a lot of family there?” Rita asked. Her smile gave Shauna a sense of warmness, but it was the sensitive look in Rita’s eyes that gave her the courage to answer.

  “My dad lives there, but we’re not close.”

  “That’s sad,” Jessica said. “My dad’s a pain, but I think I’ll keep him.” She batted her eyelashes at her father.

  “Jess, I said no.” Bill gave his daughter a

  pointed glare.

  “Mr. Brown?” Kirk, Jessica’s boyfriend piped in. “Would it make a difference that my mother is one of the chaperones?”

  “It might. Would she be driving you back and forth?” Bill cocked his head.

  “Yep, I mean…yes, sir.” The young boy shot upright in his chair.

  Shauna watched as her heart filled with a mixture of emotions that she didn’t know where to file. “What are we talking about?” She placed her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands.

  “A dance! Kirk asked me to a dance with his church on the Minnie Ha Ha, a cruise boat that circles around the bay near the village,” Jessica answered. Excitement danced in her soft gold eyes.

  “I’ve never been to a dance or on the Minnie Ha Ha,” Shauna said.

  “What about the prom? I can’t believe you didn’t go to your prom,” Travis said, placing his fork on his plate.

  She looked around the room feeling all the eyes on her. Why did the prom mean so much to some people anyway? “Not a big deal.” She shrugged.

  “I won’t believe that no one asked you.” Kim said, looking shocked.

  “I wasn’t really into it,” Shauna replied.

  “Na-huh, no way. Someone had to ask you. You are way too hot—um, I mean pretty,” Kirk said, while his face turned three shades of red.

  “Thanks.” Shauna smiled. “But no one asked and I wasn’t interested.”

  “Girls ask boys to dances all the time,” Jessica added, looking into her plate.

  “Not a lady.” Rita patted Jessica, who sat up

  straighter.

  “Ladies can ask,” Kim added, with squinted eyes. “We don’t live in the dark ages anymore.”

  “I still don’t think young girls should be so forward.” Rita gave the squint back, but smiled playfully.

  “And that’s why Grandma asked me to the formal, long before we started going steady.”

  “I most certainly did not.” Rita narrowed her eyes.

  Out of the blue, Shauna wanted more than what she’d had most of her life. Now that she had her dream career, it seemed she wanted more. She didn’t want to feel alone anymore, except until now, she hadn’t realized she felt lonely. Her therapist used to argue with her about her inability to form meaningful relationships. Of course, Shauna had always replied that she got enough meaning out of her relationships with her fellow agents in training.

  “She also told me that she might say yes, if I asked her to marry me.” John stood, helping Rita clear the table.

  Shauna watched everyone roll their eyes, including Travis.

  “How can you tell such fibs?” Rita swatted her husband’s arm. “I mean, really. I would never.”

  John whispered something in Rita’s ear.

  She giggled.

  A few minutes later, Shauna found herself alone in the large family room. She took in a deep breath, taking in all the scents from dinner and dessert realizing she’d never smelled anything so wonderful in her life. Being here, with his family, made her heart flutter, skipping beats, knowing this was how life should be.

  However, her life could never be like this.

  Even if she did find her attacker, she’d never have this. There would always be another attacker. Another rapist to catch. Another murder to solve. Another victim to help.

  She held up a picture of Marie and Travis. Tears fought to break free, but she wouldn’t let them drop. She’d get though this without falling apart. Her life depended upon it.

  ****

  Travis watched Shauna interact with his family with a degree of sadness. She seemed withdrawn and he wondered how much of her life had been spent having to fight. No one should be alone in the world. Then again, the last few years he’d gotten used to being by himself. However, no matter how distant he got, he could always come home. Funny how someone can make you rethink things.

  Travis followed Bill down to the dock. The boat needed to be cleaned and battened down for the night. Somehow, no matter who used the fishing boat, Travis and Bill always had to take care of it.

  “You’re in big trouble, little brother,” Bill said as he gathered up the fishing tackle.

  “What are you babbling about?” As if Travis didn’t know. When it came to women, he’d always been such an easy read. Not a single crush went by unnoticed, or without mega family teasing.

  “That’s one damn good-looking woman.”

  “She’s smart, too.” Travis hooked his finger with a fishing lure. “Shit.” The blood dripped to the dock.

  “Oh, big trouble. Especially since Mom is on the prowl again. She wanted me to fix you up with the new gym teacher.” Bill tossed him a bucket. “I told Mom she was gay.”

  “At least Mom doesn’t think I’m gay.” Travis smirked.

  “Huh?” Bill stopped and stared at Travis.

  “Never mind.”

  “Yeah, well…Mom has a point.”

  “Mom doesn’t know everything,” Travis said.

  “She won’t let up.” Bill tossed something at Travis, but missed. “She’ll hound you until she finds you the perfect woman.”

  “Just like she did for you?” Travis shot some extra fish guts at him.

  “Kim and I picked each other.”

  “After Mom did everything in her power to get the two of you together.”

  “She sure as hell didn’t get Kim preg
nant. I did that all on my own.” Bill flicked his wet hands at Travis, with a smug grin.

  “And we’re proud of this fact?” Travis took a step closer.

  “As a matter of fact, I am. Mother was a little disappointed that it happened before we married, but it got me to the altar, didn’t it?”

  Travis smiled. There was no place for Bill to go, but the lake. “If memory serves me correctly, Kim didn’t want much to do with you.” He stood inches from Bill. “How’d you manage to get her to sleep with you anyway?”

  “The same way you’ll end up in bed with your partner. Hot, animal attraction.”

  That did it. Travis shoved.

  Bill started to fall backward, waving at Travis.

  “Crap.” He blinked as Bill yanked on the rope tangled in Travis’s feet and they both went…

  Splash.

  “Real mature,” Kim said as she made her way onto the dock. “You’d think two grown men could take care of one chore without ending up in the lake.”

  “Come here and help me, hon.” Bill reached his arm out.

  “Not on your life, hon. Hurry it up. We have to get the boyfriend home.” She held out a towel.

  “Where’s my towel?” Travis asked.

  “Mom told me to collect mine. Shauna was told to collect hers. I think Mom is explaining the birds and the bees to her.”

  Bill laughed.

  “Jerk.” Travis dunked him and then heaved himself up on the dock. “Damn it.” He fell backward when Bill pulled him.

  “My wife, my towel. Get your own, on both accounts.” Bill took his towel and kissed his wife.

  “So, he got the hots for her or what?” Kim glanced over her shoulder.

  “That doesn’t cover what he’s got for her. Let’s go embarrass the heck out of our daughter.”

  Travis lingered in the water, waiting. His mother would make Shauna come down, eventually.

  Just as he gave up hope, he saw her figure slink down the stairs in the moonlight. Oh yeah, hot didn’t cover it, but he was going to have to hide his reaction to it. On a regular basis for the next two years. Yep, right now his job sucked.