Cindy told him about Officers Branson and Wilderson, what they had talked about, and their thoughts about a mix-up between the two precincts.
"That could be," the detective said. "I just go in the direction they point me. I'm still learning the ropes here."
"Oh," Cindy said, "you are the new detective then."
"Yep, that's me."
"Well, they are looking for you."
The detective laughed. "I'll be on the lookout then. We'll get this figured out." Pearson continued, "Now, the reason I'm here is I wanted to keep you up to date. I've spoken with a few of your friends, and they said you did not go out to dinner on that Thursday."
Cindy frowned, confused. "Oh, I didn't? I thought I would have…" Her voice trailed off as she racked her brain.
"They weren't sure why you didn't go. According to your friends, you said you would meet them but didn't show up. They were concerned at first until one of your co-workers said you mentioned being unwell. She was going to call you later that evening but forgot."
Cindy shook her head. "I don't remember any of this."
"It would be very helpful to know where you were when you were attacked, whether closer to home or the restaurant or even work. It could make a difference."
Cindy took a moment and tried to peer into the dark recesses of her memories. But that is all they were. Dark. Murky. Nothing there would help anyone.
Cindy's voice caught as she spoke. She had disappointed herself and the detective. He needed something to go on, and she was giving him nothing. "No. I'm so sorry. I wish I could remember something, anything for you."
Pearson patted her shoulder. "Don't you worry. Memories can be strange things. Sometimes victims have no recollection one day, then all at once, it comes to them. Don't force it. It will come."
Cindy wiped away a stray tear making its way through the gauze that covered her eyes and nodded. "I hope so."
"I'll stop by again to keep you up to date on the case. If you don't mind, I will fight for it, to keep your case. I've made some headway and don't want to hand it over to someone else."
Cindy perked up. "Really? The officers said there weren't many leads."
He laughed and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Sounds like I better fight hard than, uh?"
Cindy laughed along with him and agreed, then sobered. "I think I should tell you—the other officers said it was nothing but—well, I believe someone was in my room last night."
Pearson stopped teasing. "In your room?"
Cindy explained to the detective what happened.
Pearson was quiet for a moment, and Cindy imagined he exchanged looks with Nancy and Aaron. She wondered what those looks were. Did they give more weight to her claim or imply it was all in her head?
Pearson brought a chair and sat down beside her. "Cindy, I can tell this frightened you a great deal."
"It did." Cindy bit her quivering lip.
"It's why Aaron is here, Detective," Nancy said, "to help Cindy to feel safe."
Pearson put his hand on Cindy's shoulder. "I will talk to the hospital staff so they will be extra diligent about strangers. And if it makes you more comfortable to have someone here with you, by all means, do it. If anything else happens, I can station an officer outside your room. But right now the evidence is a little thin, I'm sorry to say."
"I understand." It was, even by Cindy's own standards. "The other officer said that it would be extremely rare for the criminal who did this to come here after me."
"That is true. The perpetrator has done this crime, and they don't want to be caught. To come here would increase their chances of that happening. I would agree that it would be very rare."
Something in the detective's tone caused Cindy's heart to speed up. "Why do I expect a but to that sentence?"
"Because, Cindy, as I'm sure you figured out, though it is rare, it is not impossible. It happens."
"Has it happened on any of your cases?"
He was quiet for a minute. "Cindy, it's probably better if we don't talk about any of those cases. Instead, we'll talk about what we'll do to keep you safe."
By the time Detective Pearson was taking his leave, Cindy felt better. She said goodbye to the detective and Aaron. Then settled down into the bed satisfied her case was in good hands and hoping it would stay that way.
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning, Aaron flipped through the morning’s paper as he leaning against the counter of the newspaper stand outside of the hospital. He shook his head as his search for Cindy’s name came to an unfruitful end. So soon after finding Cindy, the news had gone on to something else. But strange as it was to find a woman on a pile of broken glass, she had lived, and there were stories of murders and mutilations to be told.
There was so much left, though. The mystery of Cindy was only beginning to unravel. Who had stabbed her and laid her like that? And why? What stopped her memory of practically everything? A bump on the head was one thing, but the girl had lost almost her whole life with it.
Aaron ran a hand over his chin, wishing he could openly talk to Cindy about her case, but that wasn’t likely to happen anytime soon. He’d brought it up twice, and both times Cindy had shut him down. The only way to question her now would be to fess up to why he was really there… getting the scoop for his Internet news site.
Aaron uttered a little groan that caught the newspaper vendor’s attention. “You okay there, buddy?”
“Oh, yeah.” Aaron grimaced. No, not really. He remembered Cindy as he’d left her last night. Her small, hunched shoulders with a body covered in bandages. Her long dark hair seemed the only untouched part of her as it flowed in slight waves down her back. Even her delicate facial features had light scratches on them.
The woman was lost, needed help. He’d be surprised if those jokers from the police department solved half their cases. The only hope was the detective.
Aaron gripped the newspaper tighter. It crinkled in his hand. He could find the answers, though. He just needed a place to start.
Aaron smoothed and folded the newspaper and put it in his satchel. One never knew when some small tidbit of a case would lead to something else, so he kept them all.
Aaron needed something big to propel his journalist career, to make himself a name. This case could be it. He looked up at the hospital. He could help Cindy and himself at the same time.
But where to start? Aaron tapped his fingers against the side of his satchel. He couldn’t get to the police records, so he had to start with her. Aaron had listened as the police officers and the detective questioned her. He would start with the only thing Cindy remembered.
Her work. Her friends.
Aaron looked up and down the street before crossing to a coffee stand. He’d see what he got from Cindy this morning. She trusted him more every day, so she may open up more.
Aaron ordered a plain black coffee from the no-nonsense barista. He’d acquired a taste for the dark brew because he absolutely refused to drink some frou-frou coffee that took five minutes to order. Quick and hot, that’s what he liked.
He took a sip from the steaming cup. Perfect. Aaron set his shoulders and set off. Today was the day. Today was the day he would start writing his front page, above-the-fold screamer.
Chapter Sixteen
Cindy woke in a good mood. She’d slept straight through the night with little disturbance and no visits from creepy strangers. Once again, she went over the events of the other night in her mind. Nancy was right, it was just as likely it was a nightmare.
Cindy was eating her breakfast when she heard the slap of tennis shoes rushing down the hall. Nancy’s breathless voice said, “Oh, dear, the aid was supposed to stay with you.”
“It’s okay, I’m fine, Nancy. They didn’t seem very talkative, anyway. It got awkward the little bit they were here.” Cindy laughed, remembering the small grunt they had given her instead of a hello as they set her food tray in front of her. Even after she thanked them, Cindy had
gotten nothing. She wasn’t even sure if they were a man or a woman. “Definitely not the type for chit-chat.”
“As long as you are okay.”
“I’m fine.” Cindy frowned. “Nancy, aren’t you here late? You’re usually gone by breakfast.”
Nancy straightened the blankets at the bottom of Cindy’s bed. “Yes, I am, but that’s okay. Rose is your nurse today, and she seems to be running late. I wanted to stay until either her or Aaron is here.”
Behind them, Aaron said, “And Aaron is here.”
“Oh good,” Nancy and Cindy said in unison and laughed.
“Go home, Auntie, and get some rest.” Cindy imagined Aaron waving Nancy out of the room.
“I will.” Nancy heaved a long sigh. “I need to put my feet up, I’m dragging today. You both have a good visit.”
After saying goodbye to Nancy, Cindy turned toward Aaron. “Aaron, thank you so much for visiting, but you aren’t required to, you know. I do feel much better.”
“So you want me to go away, do you?”
Cindy put out her hand out toward Aaron. “No! Not at all.”
“Good because I was looking forward to our walk together.”
Cindy lit with excitement. “Walk?”
“Yes, I asked at the nurse’s station if we could stroll around the hall, and they approved. And I have a piece of news that may brighten your day.”
Cindy leaned toward him. “What?”
“Rumor is your IV is coming out as soon as this bag is finished.”
That news his aunt had already told her, but Cindy wouldn’t burst Aaron’s bubble. “It is? That is good news!”
A little while later, a nurse came in to free Cindy from the IV. When she introduced herself as Stacy, Cindy frowned and asked if Rose had made it to work yet.
“No, not yet,” Stacy said as she went to work on pulling the needle and bandaging Cindy’s arm. “It happens sometimes. I’m sure she’ll call in.”
Cindy absentmindedly nodded as she scooted to the edge of her bed, ready to take her walk. She swung her feet off the bed and slowly stood. Her head swam for a moment, and she swayed. Aaron put an arm around Cindy until she steadied.
“Okay, I’m good now.” Cindy took a tiny first step, and a second, before Aaron moved. He threaded her arm through his, putting Cindy’s hand on his forearm.
The closer they got to the jumbles sounds of the hallway, the happier Cindy became. At the corridor, they turned right. Aaron told her the hall was a loop, and they had permission to walk entirely around it if they wished. Or, if she got tired, Aaron would push her in a wheelchair.
Cindy warmed at his consideration, so like his aunt, as she raised her face to the lights. She could see just a bit of the brightness through her bandages.
“Can you see them?”
“A little.”
“You’re going to love the end of the hall. There’s a waiting room with a huge window, and the sun is pouring through it.”
The joy that filled Cindy over such a simple thing surprised her. Tears flooded her eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks. Embarrassed by her over-reaction, Cindy hoped the tears would stay right where they were. Nevertheless, her pace picked up a bit. She couldn’t wait for the warmth of the sun.
Chapter Seventeen
Prince practically gasped when he saw Cindy and Aaron round the corner of her room and walk directly at him. He’d tried to plan for every contingency but hadn’t expected this. He scanned the half-full waiting room, turning his nose up at the screaming, disorderly children presumedly waited for a few minutes with their sick parent.
Prince looked down at a tug on his pant cuff. More likely, the parent had kicked the brat out of their room so they could get some rest. He pulled a face and moved his leg away from the snotty-nosed young boy who reached out for his pant leg, then threw a glance at Princess and her escort.
He could run for it. Well, not literally run, but leave before they reached this area. They were taking their time moving down the hall so he could easily escape. Or he could stay, bury his face in yet another magazine and continue to watch them. It wasn’t like she could see and recognize him.
Prince’s eyes narrowed when Cindy tripped, and Aaron’s arm immediately wrapped around her waist. Aaron bent to her, his face worried.
Prince’s brows drew together. It had taken everything not to leap out of this chair. He should be the one with her, holding her when she stumbled. Instead, he hid here, while she paraded with that impostor. She probably tripped on purpose to get that guy’s attention. She did that sometimes, pretended helplessness to get a man to notice her.
Prince ground his teeth. Aaron had yet to remove his hand from her, and they were almost to the waiting room. How long did the guy think she needed it? Now he was just playing at the protector, and it was too much.
Over the edge of the magazine, Prince continued to peek at them, locking his jaw. Until they entered the carpeted lobby, and Cindy exclaimed at the sunlight warming her face. For an instant, Prince empathized with her, it had been a long time since she felt the sun, a very long time.
But it had been her fault. Perhaps if she had cooperated better, he would’ve taken her outside. He would offer that as an incentive the next time. If she was good, she could feel the sun. If it were that important to her, maybe she’d listen.
Prince threw them another glance. They looked like a couple, standing there, backlit by the sun. It made him sick, physically ill. He almost gagged.
He couldn’t stay and watch this. And he didn’t need to, there were other things needing attention. Still, he could have a little fun. A smile curved one side of his face as Prince concocted his plan.
Chapter Eighteen
After Aaron left, a nurse gave Cindy a long cane and showed her how to use it. Cindy smiled. The thin tool gave her such a sense of power. It was not a little thing that she could now make her own way to the restroom. Even after the nurse went on to other patients, Cindy tapped her way from one side of the hospital room to the other. Back and forth she went, the little tap, tap, tap giving her the confidence she needed to move around the room.
Up and back, left and right. Cindy walked, quickly figuring out the set-up of the entire room. Up, back, left, right. Up, back, left, right. The tap of her long cane echoed through the little room. She had more confidence with every pass.
Up, back, left – Cindy turned right and hit at the floor expecting to hear the tap. She didn’t. Cindy pressed her lips together. She must have gotten confused over where she was. She centered herself and tried again.
Up, back --. Cindy stepped to the left. It wasn’t something blocking her path. It was someone, and this time he didn’t hide it.
He whispered, “I wish we could dance like this all night, the prince with his princess, but I haven’t the time.”
His voice poured over her like slippery motor oil, clinging to all the scared dark places inside her and making them darker. Almost against her will, Cindy brought up her hand and reached out. He was right in front of her – so close. Ice raced down her spine. His breath brushed the side of her neck.
He leaned closer. “I have her. Briar Rose. She’s no Cinderella, but she’ll have to do. For now.”
Cindy backed away. Her words wild, almost incoherent. “Go! Go away! You aren’t real. You can’t be.”
He had followed her step for step. His low words audible only to Cindy. “I most certainly can be.”
Cindy put a hand to her trembling mouth. “Who are you?”
He moved behind her, cupping her elbows and said in a hushed tone, “You know who I am, Cinderella. I’m your Prince.”
Cindy’s heart jumped. She pushed him away and raced for the bathroom. She slammed the door and fumbled with the lock. Had she made it? Was she safe? Cindy turned her back to the door. Or was he in here with her?
Cindy swiped the cane through the air over and over, not stopping until she heard a crack from the mirror above the sink, and the shatter of
its pieces.
From outside the room came the sound of his mocking laughter.
What was this man’s fixation on fairytales? Why did he keep calling her Cinderella, and now, himself Prince? He had to be insane. And yet, for one awful moment, it had seemed right.
Cindy screamed her frustration.
Prince strolled out of Cinderella’s room and turned the corner. Mother had always told him he teased the girls too much. But really, how could he help himself, they made it too much fun?
Prince glanced at his watch. He needed to get to his car before his current prize woke. Alone in the trunk of the car, there was no doubt Rose would draw attention if she woke in a mood. And they always started out with a bit of a rebellious streak.
Prince patted his pocket. That’s what the drugs were for, to keep them in line. Rebellious princesses didn’t make him any money. They needed to be compliant. To smile, dance, and pose for the pictures without arousing any suspicions.
Chapter Nineteen
Aaron hummed as he walked away from the hospital. He’d enjoyed the time with Cindy. She was a kind woman, a little fragile, but that was to be expected with everything she’d gone through. Finding the answers Cindy needed would aid her to heal. He could help with that.
Of course, it helped him too. Maybe Aaron delving into this helped his career more than Cindy, but he didn’t want to believe that. Regardless, it needed to be done. Those police officers were clearly overworked, and they hardly knew Cindy’s case. Aaron blew out an irritated sigh. They were probably hoping Detective Pearson would take it over. And Detective Pearson claimed to have leads but hadn’t shown evidence of any. Aaron tucked the day’s newspaper into his satchel. The story was his to break, Aaron just needed to find some real facts. He rubbed his palms together in anticipation of his next move.
Cindy’s office, Paskel, Dylan, and Lindel, is where he needed to go. Unfortunately, it was Sunday. But he could drive by and see if there was security of any kind. Maybe they would know something.
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