Etched in Glass

by Nyxie Marrs

  “Unpredictable and independent. I do enjoy it, but I also don’t like it because I never know what the hell you’re going to do. Which terrifies me too.” That wicked laugh right now is perfect, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from her. She knows how much stress she puts on me.

  “What? Never met a woman that can handle herself as well as I can? What’s the point in being predictable?” Ah, finally. She leans into me and I smoothly place my arm around her shoulders as we watch the dusk take over the sky.

  “No, actually, I haven’t. There’s no one like you, which is damn attractive.” And that’s true. I’ve never met anyone who has the attitude Vega has. No one’s come close to holding my interest as much as she does.

  “You are tenacious, I’ll give you that. I haven’t had anyone take my brash attitude as a challenge before.” It’s not exactly a challenge, it’s appealing.

  “So that’s good?” There’s nothing but silence. It’s nice, but not. I get the feeling that when she’s silent her mind jumps into work, and I can’t have her do that constantly.

  “I give in, Miles. But just so we’re clear, Elara's safe return comes first.” I squeeze her against me. I wasn’t expecting that answer. She’s not going to fight me anymore. Well, about her safety and going out together anyways.

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know how important this is, trust me, my focus is there too. We just can’t constantly work on it. That’s when we lose our focus and that’s not going to help.” This is the easiest conversation Vega and I have had. I hope all of our conversations can go this way now.

  “I know you’re right about that. And I’ve done nothing but concentrate on it. But you have to understand the instancy of this.” Her body tightens like her mind can’t stop thinking the worst. And she probably can’t help but go there. After seeing the condition these women are turning up in, it probably takes her mind to what Elara may be going through.

  “I do, Vega. The longer this goes on the more those women are at risk. Along with other potentials. No one understands that more than Red and I. Well, really everyone but your previous partners.” She shivers at that thought. Hell, who wouldn’t? There haven’t been many people actively trying to solve this mess. After everyone in the precinct saw how Rocky and those men handle things, it definitely made everyone realize how they’ve pushed this important case back.

  “Well, you know quite a bit about me. Care to discuss yourself?” It feels like she’s nuzzling into me. I don’t dare move.

  “Sure. I’ve got a brother, lives out of state. Parents passed away a few years ago. Had a fiancé, as you know, who wasn’t right for me. Just didn’t figure that out for a while is all. Red saw it. I just didn’t listen to him soon enough.”

  She pushes away from me. “Great general overview. Anything personal you can add?”

  “Oh, sure. I enjoy long walks on the beach at sunset, listening to all your problems, wait on you hand and foot, go shopping for hours on end-, shall I stop?”

  “I see. Very funny. I’m serious.” She lightly taps my shoulder.

  “The listening is true, to an extent depending on what it is. As you know, I do care about a lot of things-.” My phone rings. She scoots away as I answer. Red has great timing.

  “There’s been a forty.” Red’s voice stops all my other thoughts. I look to Vega and that soft, sweet smile fades.

  “Where?” I ask as I turn away from her.

  “Wolfe’s Tavern”

  I hang up, and turn back to see her already power-walking back to the car. I have to jog just to keep up with her.

  “Vega.” But she doesn’t slow her speed until we get closer to the car.

  “I told you. I messed up his plan. Now he’s gone off his usual path and took a woman at an earlier time in the day than usual.”

  “Vega, this isn’t your fault. This person is determined, and was going to do it no matter what. You just stalled him. Hopefully he made a rash decision and left more evidence.” She stops at the car and glares at me. Vega changes her emotions quickly. I want that soft voice and those non-murderous eyes focusing on me again.

  “Don’t try to stop my rampage by making me think I could have made him screw up.” She plants herself in the seat and slams the door. Damnit, so much for relaxing tonight.

  We meet Red at the bar. Vega jumps out and heads inside. “Video?” She yells out hoping someone will have the right answer. Dear God, I hope someone has the right answer for this woman. No one should cross her path right now.

  “Manager is getting it.” Red replies cautiously. He looks to me. The only thing I can do is watch her as she scans the scene. She’s furious.

  “Witnesses?” She growls into the room. Vega is on a damn mission and whoever blocks her path is asking for death.

  “Enough.” Dave says as he steps inside. When he catches sight of Vega, his eyes widen with panic. Yeah, that was the wrong answer. He glances to me, then back to her.

  Vega turns around instantly and steps up to Dave. Nearly face to face as her hateful eyes watch him, making this man shake. Hell, who wouldn’t after seeing her displays of aggression.

  “What do you mean enough?” I walk to a table where Red is looking over the glass that was left. Generally in this case, 'enough' means nothing. She’s going to fly off the handle at that answer and I am not going to be involved with that.

  “I-, I mean there’s more tape than they usually have. Outside cameras are working.” I think he attempted a harmless smile, but the fear she’s got going through him would not allow that to stay.

  Just as she smiles the sexiest, evil grin I’ve ever seen, her eyes move to the door and that hateful stare tells me all I need to know. Rocky and Dante enter the bar. Red nudges me towards her as she heads for them. This isn’t good.

  “Get out of my crime scene before your misogynistic thoughts cloud over any true evidence.” Her growl is more than threatening. Any more and I swear she’s going to lunge and rip their throats out.

  Dante flinches as she steps closer, and I smirk. At least one of them learned. I step to her side and watch them. I may not stop her depending on what they have to say.

  “You’re right. I apologize for my previous actions.” There’s a tone I never thought Rocky’s voice could hit. He sounds like he’s actually sad.

  “It’s my sister.” Dante whispers as a tear falls. Vega's hardened stare dissolves as more tears well up in his eyes. She looks at me, and I’m equally as stunned as she is, but that enmity took over quickly. She looks to Rocky and that glare came back with more hate than I’ve seen in her eyes.

  “Oh, so it’s serious now that it’s his sister?” Her roar definitely made both these men step back. Red stands next to me, I’m sure with that exact thought.

  “I’m sorry, Vega. Truly.” Dante replies with a cracking voice.

  She sighs and drops the anger, well tries to. “Any recent breakups?” Her hand briefly covers her eyes, then pinches the bridge of her nose as she waits for his answer.

  “What?”

  “Did she just get out of a relationship?” Her repeated question holds frustration and she glares at him.

  “I think so. What does that-.”

  She holds her hand up and looks between them. “You seriously didn’t do a damn thing with the case, did you? If your intolerant, sexist brains got out of my way, I’d have more information for you.” Her angry words came out through clenched teeth. I get it, she’s pissed, but she’s worrying me right now. “Miles?” There’s a prominent change in her voice as she says my name, sounding like her anger melted in an instant.

  “Right here, Vega.” I say sternly while not breaking eye contact with them.

  “Glass?” She never looks away and they seem uncomfortable. Almost as if they want to avoid eye contact with her, but afraid they’ll be torn to shreds if they do.

  “Yeah. We’ve got one. Number forty.” Red replies as he holds up the bag.

  She falls silent while watchi
ng these two men. I have no idea what she’s going to do, or what she’s thinking, but it looks like they’re about to sweat waiting for her response.

  “Ready for me to take lead, boys? I’m pretty sure I’m your best bet.”

  Watching them finally ease up and nod is relieving. Maybe we’re actually going to get good information from this place. Dave hands me the video with a shake in his hands as he watches her, then goes back to James and Pete who are getting more information from the manager and bartender. I tap Vega on the shoulder and show her the disc. She smiles and turns back to them.

  “Dante, sit out. I really can’t have you be involved right now. Rocky. I’ll call you with what I find? Where’s Cole and Brad?” Her empty voice indicates she’s not going to let him in on anything she finds.

  “Off for a few days.” Rocky grumbles.

  She looks to us, I think I know where her thoughts are going. They’re mysteriously not here when an incident goes down. I was already suspecting all four of them to be involved.

  Chapter 32

  Vega

  Not to be smug at a serious thing like this, but finally they see what needs to be done. Unfortunately they couldn’t see it until another woman was taken, a personal one at that. Dante leaves shortly after our conversation, but Rocky sticks around. Watching me as I infiltrate this scene.

  With their acceptance and armed with video footage that we’ve not had before, I’m excited to get this going. I know Miles wants me to calm down, but that was before this incident. I can see he’s not happy with the fact we are going to be working on this all night.

  We oversee the evidence being collected. The uniforms on scene left before I had a chance to speak to them, at least their notes are decent. Red interviews the two friends she was with. I’m sure getting everything we need as he uses that caring tone of his. I’m just anxious to see this video.

  “Red. Mind if we get a head start? Meet us when you’re done?” Miles asks as I try to leave, he tugs on my arm, refusing to let me walk out of here alone.

  Rocky steps up to us as I’m trying to rush out. I nearly throw a punch as I turn around. I don’t like this man approaching me. Ever. I don’t care if he takes me seriously now, he is useless in my case.

  “I’ll call you in the morning with information.” I lie. Rocky doesn’t deserve any information I find. I’m finally able to drag Miles out of the bar before Rocky can reply.

  “Vega.” I hate how his gruff voice is finding a way through all this fight I have.

  “I know Miles. I can’t help it. I need to look at this.” I point to the disc he’s holding. This is the only thing I have right now that can potentially unlock this case for me. We plant ourselves in his car and head back to his place.

  “Do you know anything about his sister?” His low tone doesn’t help my nerves. This is his investigative tone. I know he’s trying to find answers or information that can help, but I can’t listen to this kind of voice right now. It’s redirecting my thoughts elsewhere, and I can’t have this distraction.

  “I didn’t even know he had one. I really want to watch this footage though.” I hold up the disc.

  “Dinner first?” What kind of response is this? We’ve got a fresh abduction with new evidence, and he wants a damn date?

  “What the-.” He stops me. He’s lucky I’ll take that kind of response.

  “We’ll pick up dinner on the way back home. Eat and work. I know it’s going to be a long night.”

  “Okay then. Now we’re talking. Get whatever you want, I just want to get through this evidence.” I get it, always working isn’t great. I can’t help the fact that this case brought in new video. I should really write down that description of the guy I saw at the bar. “Why didn’t I think of that sooner?”

  “What?” He’s confused. Did I say that out loud?

  “I saw the guy's face. Shouldn’t I have written down his description or a sketch done?” How can I overlook a detail as important as that? A piece of evidence that might be able to help push this forward.

  “For a second. You think you got a good enough description in that one second? I think if you did, that would have been the first thing you would have done.” Why does he always sound like he’s doubting me?

  “Well, yeah. You’re right, unfortunately all I saw would probably match my profile description. No stand out detail, other than blue eyes.”

  “It’s fine, Vega.”

  He picks up some Chinese food and heads to the house. The first thing he does is bring out his computer, his rough notes from the officers on scene, and the old files. He sets up our research like he knows how I operate.

  “Red will have more with the witnesses when he gets here.”

  “Pft. Yeah. Redmond and his interviews.” Miles shoots me a stern look as I let out a chuckle thinking about Redmond’s consoling voice. I know it irks him. “What?”

  He lightly shakes his head. “Nothing.” While he loads the video, and I load a plate. “Come on.” He pats the chair next to him. “So we were there about an hour after it happened.” He says as he tries to find the abduction on the video.

  “That’s close timing. I assume it’s because this victim is Dante’s sister. Not to sound apathetic but that’s a bunch of bullshit.” He places his arm around me and presses me into him. He seems to do this a lot, usually when we’re going over evidence.

  “Yeah.” He takes a bite of food from my plate and plays the video.

  It’s the same as the other videos. He comes in, he waits. In this one though, he comes in alone and scouts for half an hour. The unlucky woman went to use the restroom and I assume he ambushed her and dragged her out of the back. The hallways are always so dark.

  “Outside. I need to see the outside Miles.” I tap on his arm hoping that will make him hurry up.

  “On it, calm down.” He says as he pulls up the outside surveillance.

  In the front, a car drops him off. Miles notes the type of car and possible year range. Then the surveillance from the back camera comes up. The car that dropped him off waits at the back door. Miles' grip increased on me.

  “Well, we’ve got a description of the car they use.” He checks his notes.

  “They threw her in the trunk!” Damn right I screamed. “How does no one see this? It’s not like they were trying to hide it either.” My voice is near frantic. They didn’t do this as stealthy as they have been. I’m surprised no one saw a thing.

  “They were desperate it seems?” He asks. Desperate? Why? Not like they have a deadline or quota to fill for the month type of thing to abduct women.

  “Miles. Loosen up. You don’t have to keep a death grip on me.” He only tightens as I try to brush him off.

  “Can’t help it, Vega. Just thinking about all the times you’ve been to the bar alone, purposefully luring him. I can’t help but think that could have been you too.”

  “But it isn’t, so release that death grip.” He doesn’t exactly let me go but he loosens up, runs his hand up my back and stops with his fingers in my hair. This really shouldn’t be happening, we have a case to work. But he leans in and steals my breath at the threat of a kiss.

  There’s a knock on the door. I smile knowing exactly who that is.

  “Red.” He whispers in frustration. He pushes away and lets Redmond in.

  “Sorry to intrude.” He tries to say softly, but he looks to me and nods. Miles must have given him a stare down.

  “What do you have?” I try to get the fluster out of my breath, I’m not so sure I was successful because Redmond smirks. Is that an embarrassed look on his face?

  “The usual. She was upset, had a few drinks, friends let her go off by herself. You know the rest. Oo. Chinese?” He points at the take out and helps himself. “What’s the video got?”

  “Like Dave said. Enough. Got a make on the car used. No plates though. And you know these bars skimp on their security systems, grainy as hell, we can’t make out proper detail.” Miles says as he tak
es his seat next to me.

  “So now what?” I ask before I shove a fork full of rice in my mouth. Damn. Working on these cases, I lose track of when I eat. I didn’t realize I’m starving until I took a bite.

  “We search. It seems when he’s done with one woman he grabs another. So that means what? They constantly have ten women in his hell at one time?” There’s a lot of disgust in Miles' voice. It only makes my body shake at that thought.

  “The two we’ve found so far were severely malnourished. He obviously starves them.” I say trying to figure out what type of conditions these women are subjected to. Obviously it isn’t a good environment, but should be a place that has a lot of room to do this. These men starve these women and do the worst until they kill them. I shiver with dread just thinking about the women we need to save. I’m starting to feel like it’s not going to be as easy as I want it to be.

  “Of course. Makes it harder for them to fight back.” Redmond mutters.

  His body stiffens as he looks to me, realizing that statement may have an effect on me. I shake my head. No. I can’t think about that right now. Miles puts his arm around me again. He reads my emotions well, doesn’t he? I’m not sure I like that.

  “That’s a lot of women to have on hand. Sick bastards. I’m going to kill them when we catch them.” I let my anger take over my thoughts, there’s no hiding what I want to do.

  I can’t hold in my frustrations. The longer this goes on, the closer to thirty-eight he gets, the more I worry about Elara. Miles grips onto me like he knows where my thoughts went. To hell. That’s where my mind drags me every time I worry about Elara.

  “Sorry, Vega. I can only imagine how hard this is for you. I know there’s all this excitement from the new information and evidence, but maybe you two should get some rest?” His eyes dart between us. Hell, is he trying to hint at Miles and I? Maybe he’s feeling bad for disrupting Miles.