“You’re not going back to the house, Grace. You’re going to come stay with me.”
Her eyes widened. “With you? Why? Won’t the house be safest with my brother and the other SWAT team guys around? It’s not their fault the envelope was delivered to the house. They were asleep and Charlie and I were out jogging. You can’t hold them responsible, just like you shouldn’t keep Donald out of this investigation because you feel that he messed up.”
“Whoooa…hold on there. I’m not blaming anyone for what happened. I never said that Donald messed up or couldn’t be involved in this investigation. I’m just saying that whoever is responsible for those pictures and the eleven women who have been brutally murdered is after you. I’m here to protect you, and I’m better qualified and trained to do so. I’ve already discussed this with your brothers John and Frank. They’ve agreed, and the detectives working the other cases feel that you need the best protection right now.”
“They’ve agreed? You all have discussed this? What about me? What about what I think? Doesn’t anyone give a shit about what I might have to say here? My whole world is being turned upside down and everyone’s talking behind my back and keeping information from me. Don’t I have a say in all this? How do I know you’re more capable of protecting me?”
“He is more than capable, Grace. He’s a special investigator, and from what was not deemed classified in his file that I was able to read, I’d say he’s definitely the most qualified,” Donald said. Sandman knew the lieutenant had checked him out.
Grace looked at Donald.
* * * *
She wasn’t sure what was happening here. Why was a specialist called in anyway? Who was Sandman? Looking at him, she felt intimidated, yet protected. She didn’t want to admit that she would definitely feel uneasy staying with her brother and his friends back at the house they shared. That would be a lie. Right now, it probably didn’t matter where she stayed or with whom. She would be a nervous wreck.
She knew for sure that Donald would not put her in harm’s way. He was like family and he had shown nothing but kindness and love for her mother and her brothers. She looked back at Sandman. He stood at complete attention, perfect posture, like a soldier waiting to strike. It was sexy, it was nerve wracking, and it showed his confidence and a hit of potential abilities. She had to admit, she was curious about what exactly Sandman would be capable of.
Her pussy clenched at the thought, nearly shocking her with a verbal reaction.
She bit her tongue as Donald watched with curiosity.
“Well?” Donald asked.
“Give me a minute,” she whispered while watching Sandman.
He was definitely quick on his toes the way he tackled her and covered her entire body with his. Then the way he came through the bathroom door and pulled her into his arms. A place she liked and truly felt safe.
But she didn’t want to see anyone get hurt. He was willing to protect her and take her into his own home, knowing that he could be shot or killed because of her.
“Why are you willing to do this? You don’t know me? It couldn’t possibly be part of your job requirement. I hate to repeat myself but there has got to be more to this situation.”
Donald seemed to be enjoying the interrogation.
“Grace, there’s an evil person out there killing innocent, beautiful young woman like yourself. Eleven victims so far and after the attempt on your life and the envelope that was delivered to you I’d say you’re somehow a connection to all of it. I don’t want you to be a victim and you’re the closest clue we have to catching this guy. Worse could have happened at the house or when you were out jogging with Charlie. This guy is good. Really good. He’s been able to evade capture for more than three years. That’s why I and the other agents are involved now. I’m here to protect you. You’re now in my protective custody program.”
She swallowed hard at that statement. She didn’t want to come off as some damsel in distress though. She needed to feel somewhat in control here.
“Why not have some of the local detectives and their protective custody program watch over me? Why you, an outsider and independent investigator? Do you think something fishy is going on around here and perhaps this is an inside job with other agendas?”
Sandman squinted his eyes at her. Donald cleared his throat.
“Grace, some of the same ideas were tossed around between myself, Jim, and Sandman only yesterday. We just don’t know and we’re being extra cautious. He’ll take care of you. Jim and Pete agreed. Pete’s known Sandman’s brothers for years,” Donald told her and she knew he was trying to ease her concerns.
“We’re discussing and investigating many possibilities. The truth of the matter is, Grace, as we keep digging, we keep finding similar connections and murders that have taken place around the country. By the end of this week we could be looking at over twenty-five connected homicides. Not all of them have been women, but they show similarities that myself and the other detectives are not willing to dismiss as a connection of some sort,” Sandman told her.
She was shocked and so was Donald as he leaned forward in his chair.
“When did this come about?” Donald asked.
“We started making the connections before visiting Grace at her mom’s house. Then more information came available in New York and Pennsylvania. It looks like this individual has been killing in various ways for more than a decade. Unfortunately it’s taken this long to link all of the murders. There also seems to be some sort of connection to illegal business dealings but I’d rather not divulge unproven information at this time. We’re looking into it.”
“How come the government can’t come up with some kind of profile for this killer? Don’t you have an idea of his type of personality, possible lifestyle, an age or profession he may be in? I thought that was part of a government agent’s job. Investigate personalities by putting information in your complicated, hi-tech computers that spit out lists of suspects or potential criminals. How could someone get away with this for so long?” she asked in annoyance.
“First, Grace, I’m not a government agent. I’m what local authorities and the government call in when there’s an investigation with this magnitude and no exact leads in a case. It’s my specialty. So you understand, Grace, it doesn’t matter what type of profile we come up with or what information is spit out of our computers. The fact of the matter is, you’re our only clue and I’m not letting you out of my sight,” Sandman told her as someone else knocked on the door.
Detective Jim Warner came to the door just as Grace’s cell phone rang. She answered it and began speaking to her mother.
Grace told her what was going on and about staying in a safe location. Sandman stopped her from telling her mother exactly where they would be. Grace was annoyed with him but respected his advice, not telling her mom too much. The investigator seemed like he didn’t want to take any chances at all.
She tried to focus on her mom’s questions as she stared at the cabinet behind Donald’s desk. It appeared that he had gained some awards in the community over the years and was involved in politics now, too. Some sort of new building and affordable housing award was displayed in the center of the other awards. Donald had always had a big heart and enjoyed volunteering at community centers and fundraising for the poor. She figured that he must have helped raise money for the new affordable housing neighborhood being constructed about a half mile from Grace’s mom’s house.
“What do you mean a safe place? Can’t I see you? Where are you going to be?” her mom asked her, bringing her back to the conversation.
“I can’t say, Mom. They want me to be protected and I suppose I won’t be able to see you. I’m sure I can call you or something.” Grace glanced at Sandman, who nodded then continued his conversation with Jim. The man was somehow able to converse with Donald and Jim while also eavesdropping on her phone call with her mother. Geesh, the man was good at his job.
“I can’t believe this is happenin
g. I finally have you home again where you belong and this happens. I’m so scared and so worried about you. Oh God,” her mom said as she began to cry.
“Oh, Mom, don’t cry…please…it will be okay,” Grace said and she noticed that Donald appeared upset and Sandman looked at her, too. She turned away.
“It will be all right, Mom. Investigator Sandstone is very special. The departments and the government know that this is a unique situation and so they sent in the best. I think he’s a trained killer, you know. Most of his file is classified, spy-like stuff. It will be like being with 007 and the Terminator at the same time.” She joked around with her mom, trying to make her laugh, and hoped that the investigator couldn’t hear her. She didn’t want him to think that she was impressed with him. When she heard her mom sniffle then giggle, Grace felt a bit of relief.
“Oh, Grace. I love you honey. Please be safe.”
“I will, Mom, I love you, too,” Grace said and hung up the phone.
Grace paused for a moment, closing her eyes, picturing her mom inside her head. Why was this happening to her family? Why did she come back to America? Right now she should be making plans with her family to celebrate, spend time together, and get to know everyone again. She needed to contact her boss, set up some small jobs, and prepare for the big photo shoot she had in a few weeks. There was so much going on in her life right now. This was supposed to be a positive time and someone was out to destroy her and her family.
Just then her cell phone rang again. She looked at Sandman and Donald who seemed concerned from her previous conversation and she answered.
“Hello.”
“Miss Thompson, this is Brian Watson with People of Houston Eyewitness News. I’d like to set up an interview with you and perhaps your family in regards to some information we received from one of our sources. We were told that the serial killer has tried to contact you and even sent physical evidence to your brother’s house where you have been staying. Is this true, Miss Thompson? And if so do you know who the serial killer is? And what does he want with you?”
Grace didn’t know how to respond. He was speaking so quickly. She looked toward Sandman and Donald as she asked the caller, “Who is this?”
“Give me the phone, Grace,” Sandman told her as he took the phone from her hand.
“Miss Thompson has no comment at this time. Please don’t call this number again,” Sandman said then hung up the phone. He asked what the reporter had said and she told him. She asked how the reporter was able to get her unlisted number.
“I don’t know how he got the number, but I’m going to have to hold onto this for now.” Sandman took the phone and placed it into his back pocket.
“What? Now you’re going to screen my calls, too?” she asked, all annoyed.
“It would be the best thing, Grace. I’m sorry,” he told her as she abruptly walked away from him and headed over toward the window in Donald’s office.
She was looking out toward the police cars and could see reporters and camera crews everywhere. Instantly she turned back toward the men in the room.
Jim was explaining that what happened to Grace this morning was leaked to the press. They were carrying on about interviewing her and about her being the only connection to the murders. They were showing pictures from three years ago, when all the press surrounded Clara’s murder and of Grace at her sister Clara’s crime scene. The media was playing the tapes over and over again on the television sets.
Donald, Jim, and Sandman looked at the main TV in the office outside Donald’s room.
The detectives gathered around listening to the reports, watching a scared, crying twenty-two-year-old woman shaking with fear as police officers and friends tried to comfort her. Then they showed the funeral and the same young sad Grace crying, mourning her sister’s death.
The news reporter spoke as the pictures covered the screen.
“Grace Thompson has returned home after nearly three years away. She has returned to her loving family and friends and with her return comes the news that a serial killer is loose in the area. The serial killer could possibly be the same person who killed her sister Clara Thompson nearly three years ago. The anniversary of Clara’s death will be next Wednesday. We hope to share an interview with the Thompson family and perhaps Grace herself as new information surfaces on this killer who remains on the loose and unidentified,” a reporter stated.
Grace stood in the doorway. She remembered it like it was only yesterday. The media had little respect for what her family was going through. Then they showed her mother and Eric holding her, comforting his grieving wife.
Grace recalled Eric’s ability to control the reporters, give them just enough information to make them leave the family alone. She was thankful to him for that.
A tear escaped her eye as she leaned against the doorway. Sandman and the others looked at her with sadness in their eyes. They probably remembered the incident as if it were only yesterday. As she glanced around at their faces, she recognized many of them. The way they offered support, searched day and night for Clara. The community came together pooling their hopes and prayers for a miracle that never happened.
Then her brothers John and Frank were at her side, pulling her attention away from the television set trying to once again console her as they brought her back into the office.
“I shouldn’t be here. I should be back in Europe. I should have never returned.” Grace pulled away from Frank and walked toward the corner of Donald’s office. She ran her fingers through her hair then placed her hands on her hips. The sadness that the scenes on the television set had caused her was now turning into anger and frustration.
“Don’t say that, honey. You belong here with us, your family, not in Europe,” said Frank as he stood behind his sister.
“We’re stronger than this asshole, sis. We’re Thompsons and we don’t give up without a fight,” said John.
Grace gave a small smile at her brother’s attempt to lighten things up. “I know that and I’m just getting frustrated. You should call Mom and make sure Eric is there with her and she’s not alone. This is going to upset her badly. Seeing those scenes on the television and remembering that time in her life.” Grace sat down on one of the office folding chairs.
John and Frank were so angry about the leaked information.
“I’ll call Mom. You call Peter,” said Frank as they took out their cell phones.
* * * *
Sandman knew that Grace found her sister’s body. She had gone through so much, that was obvious. He wondered why she left home for Europe. The family seemed so close, so loving. A lot of questions went through his mind.
He watched her on the TV and then standing there by the door so hurt, so sad, and scared all he wanted to do was take her away from all this.
He needed to get her away from here. Her life depended on it.
“Sandman.” Grace softly said his name as he turned and walked to her. She sat on a cushioned folding chair looking drained and exhausted but wanting to talk.
He squatted down next to the chair, still towering over her petite size, reminding him how feminine and delicate she was. She needed protection. He took Grace’s hand into his. He spoke to her softly, quietly, and she was thankful for his kindness.
“I can’t leave my family, Sandman. I can’t run away from this…From them again. I don’t know why this is happening. I just don’t understand it. My mom….Oh God, my mom needs me. I need her, too. I’ve been away for so long. This isn’t fair. I’m not going and you can’t make me.” She wiped an escaping tear from her eyelash.
Sandman felt terrible and this was definitely a bad situation. He knew his main priority would be to protect her and he wasn’t confident that he or his men would be able to accomplish that if she stayed here.
“Grace, honey, I know this is terribly difficult for you and for your family but…” He couldn’t continue his sentence as Grace began to speak.
“No buts. I’m not leaving m
y family.” She looked away from him, determined to fight him every step of the way. Sandman needed to come up with something fast or Grace could refuse his protection completely and that would be suicide.
“How about a compromise? If things stay the same for a while, if this killer doesn’t try to contact you, try to hurt you in any way, and as long as I feel your life is not in danger, then we can stick around here. How does that sound?” he asked her.
Grace looked at him and smiled as she squeezed his hand.
“It’s a deal. Thank you.”
He smiled then walked out of the office to join the other agents.
* * * *
“Donald, when did you get into all the political stuff and building the low-income housing?” Grace asked Donald as he leaned against his desk.
“Oh about two years ago. Actually, it was after everything that happened with your family. As we were searching and investigating, I came across a family living in the back of their minivan. It upset me. Then I found out there were others out there, too. I couldn’t believe that this town, this suburb, had people living on the streets. Anyway, one thing led to another and I found out about a government-funded program for the poor. Your mom actually helped me find some jobs for the people so they could qualify to be part of the program.”
“That is fantastic. So was that the affordable housing project that is still being constructed right now?”
“Yes. We received approval for an extended set of seven units. As you probably saw the other day when you visited your mom’s place, it’s a great location. Despite some negative remarks and feedback, the program has been working for the last year. I can’t foresee it causing any other issues.”
“What kind of negative feedback?” she asked, wondering how anyone could find anything wrong with such a program that helped those in need.
“Just some complaints, a bit of freak accidents during the construction, but nothing too crazy.”
The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 6