Mia opened the manila folder and scanned the reports. “It looks like the on-call detective was called but didn’t respond to the scene. The case was assigned to a detective on 1050 squad. Report says they tried to call her a few times but she never returned their calls. They inactivated it due to a lack of victim cooperation.”
Frankie read over the report. The detective the case was originally assigned was no longer in the unit. Reading his name, she wasn’t surprised. He never wanted to be in the unit and had a reputation of being a fast closer.
Frankie looked at her watch, “You want to go with me to talk to this girl?”
Mia nodded as she grabbed the case file and her coat.
Inside the car Frankie asked, “Do you know how bad I want to go find that female officer and give her a little education?”
“You might want to calm down a bit before you do that,” teased Mia. “Actually, maybe you shouldn’t calm down. I’d love to see you take her out to the woodshed.”
Frankie chuckled.
“You know it was probably her training officer that taught her to be that way. I remember my training officer making statements like ‘you can’t rape a whore’ and ‘what’d she think would happen?’ ‘That’s life on the streets.’ Unfortunately, she’s not alone in her attitude.”
Frankie nodded, “I know, but it’s just so sad. Guys like Sawyer are looking for girls like her so they can get away with it.”
Chapter 83
Frankie parked the car in front of a two-story apartment complex. She looked around, then called the dispatcher to tell her where they were. Looking at Mia she said, “Just in case.”
They approached the second-floor apartment, noticing the window next to the door. Light could be seen behind the closed blinds.
Knocking, Frankie looked to Mia and said, “Someone’s home.” After a few moments and no response, Frankie knocked again. Just as they were about to leave a card and walk away they heard someone unlock the door.
A burly man cracked the door, “What?”
“I’m Detective Thomas and this is Detective Boden. Is Latasha home?”
“What do you want with Tash?”
“We want to talk to her about a report she made.”
“She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
The man started to close the door, but Frankie put her foot between the door and the jamb. “Sir, we want to help her. I know the female officer was a jerk to her, but Detective Boden and I won’t be.” Frankie removed a business card and asked, “Can you give her my card and ask her to call me?”
The man grunted before he snatched the card from her hand and slammed the door.
“I wonder if she’ll even get the card?” Mia asked.
Frankie started walking away from the apartment, “Dammit!”
She started to walk down the stairs and almost did not hear a soft voice say, “Ma’am?”
Frankie turned to see the woman from the patrol video standing in the apartment doorway.
“Are you really here to help me?”
Walking towards Latasha she said, “Yes. If you’ll let us.”
Latasha opened the door and stepped aside, “Come on in.”
Frankie followed Mia into the tiny apartment. The space was sparsely furnished but not a thing was out of place. Latasha gestured towards the table and invited them to sit down. The man who had answered the door sat on the couch, arms crossed, staring at a silent television.
“Why are you here?”
Pulling the folder from her bag, Frankie said, “We think we know who raped you.” Frankie pulled two sets of photographs from the folder and placed them face down. She retrieved the digital recorder and asked, “Can you tell us what happened that night?”
Latasha attempted to hide her trembling hands by placing them underneath her legs. She looked from Mia to Frankie then down to the table. Frankie was about to re-ask the question when Latasha looked up and said, “William, would you please watch television in the bedroom?”
With a grunt, William got up from the couch and left the room.
Latasha looked at Frankie, “He’s heard the story, but I would just feel less nervous if he wasn’t sitting over there.”
“We understand,” said Mia.
“It was a few months ago, but it feels like yesterday.” Latasha took a deep breath. “I was standing at the corner of Independence and Prospect trying to make a date so I could score. I had been clean for several months, but William and I had gotten into it and I fell off the wagon. I’d been on a bender for a few days. It started with pills but then I ran out and hit the street.
“This guy pulled up in a car and asked me ‘how much for head?’ I told him $20 and got in. I was pretty strung out and didn’t notice, but thinking back now, he was super weird acting. He drove around the side streets and was…laughing. He called me a stupid whore and backhanded me for no reason. That sobered me up pretty quickly. He finally pulled into an alley and I was about to jump out when I saw the gun. He put it in my face and told me to get into the backseat. I had my hand on the door but he had this look in his eyes. I really think he would have shot me if I’d have opened it.”
“Do you think you would recognize him if you saw him again?”
Latasha nodded.
“What about the car?”
Again, Latasha nodded.
Frankie grabbed the first set of photographs. “I have a series of photographs I’d like to show you. Take your time and look at each photograph and tell me if you recognize anyone. If you do, I need you to sign it and say where you know him from.”
Latasha took each photograph and laid it face up on the table. She looked at each one carefully then went back and looked at the photograph of Sawyer a second time. She picked the photograph up and studied it. She carefully placed the photograph back onto the table.
“That’s him. That’s the man that raped me.”
“I have a couple of photographs of a vehicle. Can you tell me if you recognize it?”
Latasha took the two photographs and laid them face up on the table. She looked at the photographs and asked, “Are both these pictures of the same car? It looks like they are different colors.”
Before Frankie could respond, Latasha pointed at the photograph and said, “This one is the car he was driving. It looked more silver, like this one.”
“Thank you. Can you finish telling us what happened?”
Latasha stood up and asked, “Would you like a glass of water?”
Mia and Frankie both declined.
Latasha grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and took a long drink. She returned to the table and sighed. “I got into the backseat. Like I said, he had this look in his eyes. I knew if I ran he’d shoot me so I figured I’d just do what he wanted.”
Frankie noticed the tremble in Latasha’s hand when she lifted the glass for a drink.
“I waited ‘til he got out of the car, but when he did I tried to open the back door. I thought if he was focused on getting into the car it would give me time to run. But it wouldn’t open. It was like a cop car. The back doors wouldn’t open from the inside. Before I could try again he got into the back of the car and started yanking on my clothes.”
“Where was the gun?”
“He had it on the back dash.”
“Can you tell me what was going through your mind when he got into the backseat?”
Latasha looked away from Frankie. She took a deep breath and when she looked back her eyes were filled with tears. “I really thought I was going to die. All I could think about was William and my momma. I wanted a chance to tell both of ‘em that I loved them. I had said some pretty mean things to Will and I didn’t want them to be the last things I ever got to say to him.”
“What happened next?”
“I started to cry and he slapped the shit out of me again. He grabbed my pants and pulled them down and shoved it in me. I just laid there ‘til he was done. After he was finished he grabbed me by the feet a
nd pulled me out of the car. He threw my bag at me and drove off.”
“Can you tell me anything about him or his car? Did you see or smell anything?”
Latasha didn’t immediately answer. After a few moments she said, “I’m not sure. There was a thing hanging from the mirror but I don’t know what it was.”
“Describe it if you can.”
“It was like a shoe string with a clip. A plastic card hung from it. I think there was a picture on it, but I couldn’t really see it. There might have been a name too. It was dark.”
“What about smells?”
“He had a smell. It wasn’t like B.O. or anything. It was more like he had smoked weed and was trying to cover it up with cheap cologne.”
“Did you have a cellphone with you that night?” Mia asked.
“Yeah.”
“Can you give me the phone number?”
Latasha gave Mia the number.
“Who is the service provider?”
“Sprint.”
Frankie asked, “What did you do when he left?”
“I’m embarrassed to say, but I sat there for a few minutes wondering if I had any crack left in my pipe. All I could think was that I wanted to get high. Then I just started to cry. I had truly hit bottom. I don’t know how long I sat there but eventually I called William and he called the police.”
“Did you ever go to the hospital for a forensic exam?” Mia asked.
Latasha tapped her fingers on the table. After a few moments she said, “Yes. William took me after the cops left.”
“Good. Is there anything else you can think of that would help us in this case?”
Latasha shook her head.
Chapter 84
“What do you mean he’s out?”
Coleman held up his hands and said, “Don’t shoot the messenger. The hospital released him to our custody, and he made bail. Didn’t you put a tracker on his car?”
“Yeah.”
Frankie couldn’t believe Sawyer was able to make bail. She called Fitz and told him about Sawyer’s release then begrudgingly started to work on her reports. The evening went by quickly. Coleman and Wheeler left first, leaving Mia and Frankie alone in the squad room.
“Are you going to Derek’s tonight?”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do?”
Frankie started gathering her things to leave. She forwarded the phone, grabbed her coat, and slung her bag over her shoulder. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
Mia followed Frankie out of the squad room and onto the elevator. Once outside Mia said, “Tell him how you feel.”
“I wish it were that easy.”
Mia placed her hand on Frankie’s shoulder then walked to her car. Before opening the door, she said, “Call if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Mee. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Frankie sat in her Jeep and stared at her cell phone. Almost as if he could read her mind, it began to ring. Seeing Derek’s face, she couldn’t help but smile. “Hey.”
“Whatcha wearin’?”
“A smile now.”
“Good. You on your way?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. See you in a few. And Frankie?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re coming.”
“Me too.”
Bear greeted Frankie with a bark. She rubbed the top of his head and opened the back door. Looking down she said, “Come on bud.”
Frankie placed her holstered gun on the table in the dark kitchen like she’d done a hundred times before. She was surprised Derek didn’t meet her at the door. After she dropped her bag and coat she walked softly down the hall. The bedroom door was cracked and a bluish light lit her path.
Derek half-laid, half-sat in the bed with a blanket pulled up to his waist. His well-defined chest and easy-going smile made Frankie’s heart jump into her throat. He gestured for her to come to him. Powerless to resist, she sat on the bed next to him and laid against his chest.
Derek reached his arms around her, pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. She let her arms circle his waist and just sat there breathing in his natural scent. Years before she had asked him what cologne he wore and he admitted to not wearing any. His scent was indescribable and had the power to make her go weak in the knees.
Derek knew not to push but gently caressed her back and held her body close. He waited for her to lift her head, then leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. He hesitantly followed with another kiss. When she didn’t push him away he pulled her closer and began kissing with a fervor fueled by the fear of losing her.
Frankie responded by helping Derek with her clothes. Once she was undressed they fell into the comfortable rhythm of two people who knew one another’s bodies well. When they were both satisfied they lay spent in one another’s arms. Derek ran his fingers through Frankie’s short hair while she traced figure eights on his chest.
“I’ve missed you Frankie.”
“Me too.” Frankie didn’t lift her head from Derek’s chest. She was afraid to look into his dark eyes; afraid she wouldn’t be able to say what she was thinking. Instead she laid her hand on his chest. “We need to talk.”
Chapter 85
Derek tightened his hold on Frankie but didn’t say a word.
Quietly she said, “You mean…more to me…than I can say, but…”
“You mean the world to me...”
“But I need more than this. I want more than this.” Frankie disengaged herself from Derek’s embrace and sat up, covering herself with a sheet.
Derek spoke softly, “Where is this coming from? I thought you liked things the way they are.”
Tears glistened in Frankie’s eyes. “Derek, you had to see this coming. The last few months have been crazy. My dad almost died. My daughter was kidnapped. My best friend’s husband was shot. Then you almost died. These are all things we should have gone through together, but…”
“Is this because I didn’t call you when your dad was in the hospital. I explained…”
“Explained what? That you thought I’d be in bed and you didn’t want to wake me. Seriously?! Yes, that’s part of it but that’s not all. I stood outside the trauma room while they brought you back to life and realized if something happened I would be cold-calling your family. And that’s if the doctors told me anything. Not to mention if Mac had not called me I wouldn’t have even known you were in the hospital or…”
“Frankie…”
“Don’t! And I know we never said we would be exclusive but I guess I always thought…always hoped I was enough.”
“You are baby.” Derek laid his hand against her cheek.
Frankie let her face rest on his hand and whispered, “Then why have you been screwing Jessica and God knows who else?”
Derek laid back against the headboard, stared at the muted television, and put his hands in his lap. He sat silently, lost in thought.
After several minutes Frankie said, “Derek. Talk to me.”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you in love with her?”
“No. It just kind of happened. We were spending a lot of time prepping for the murder trial and she was constantly flirting…”
“Don’t you put this all on her.”
Derek turned to face Frankie, “I’m not blaming her or saying I had nothing to do with it. I just want you to know it wasn’t intentional. Then after the shooting we got…close. She needed me and I guess I needed her.”
“Why? What could she give you that I couldn’t.” Frankie wanted to understand.
“I could talk to her about what happened…and about the nightmares that came back.”
“Why couldn’t you talk to me?”
“I don’t know. I never wanted you to think of me as weak.”
“I would never think of you that way.” Frankie paused then said, “Did you know I got shot the other night?”
Derek sat up straight in the bed, “What?!
Why didn’t you tell me?”
“That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say – I didn’t think I could. I didn’t want to add to your worry and you’ve been so distant. I guess I’m tired of trying to make this more than what it is.”
“What do you want this to be? Why can’t the way it is be enough?”
“Because it isn’t.”
Frankie grabbed Derek’s t-shirt and pulled it over her head. She started to get off the bed but he grabbed her arm and held her in place.
Frankie turned to look at Derek and said, “Because this,” she gestured around the bedroom, “isn’t all of my life. Do you realize in all these years you have never met my kids, much less any other member of my family? And I’ve never met yours. We don’t go to friends’ houses or double date. We talk, text, and spend stolen moments together. Here. Don’t get me wrong, I love the time that we have together, but I am not sure it’s enough anymore.”
Derek let go of Frankie’s arm and laid back against the bed. He didn’t immediately respond, but instead weighed his words carefully. After several minutes he said, “I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t know that I want to do that. Frankie, I do lo…”
Frankie reached over and touched Derek’s leg and said, “I know.”
Chapter 86
The sound of Frankie’s cell phone ringing pierced the silence. “What the hell?”
“I didn’t think you were on call,” Derek said.
“I’m not.” Hitting the telephone she said, “Thomas.”
“Hey Frankie, it’s Fitz. Sorry to call so late, but I thought you’d be interested to know Sawyer is on the move.”
She took her phone and went to the kitchen to grab a notepad and pen. “Where’s he heading?”
“We had the GPS set up to notify us if he drove within three miles of the areas he’s been targeting. The alarm just sounded. Looks like he’s heading towards Prospect now.”
“Are you going to get eyes on him?”
“I’m heading that way. The car has stopped. Right now, it’s at 31st and Prospect. Are you going to be up for a while?”
“Yeah, something tells me I’m not going to sleep much tonight.”
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