Behind them, the house, collapsed in on itself, causing everyone to jump. Firefighters frantically moved about, spraying not only the remnants of the house but the surrounding trees, fences and grass, obviously hoping to keep the fire from spreading.
Tina broke. She fell, sobbing, into Lisa’s arms. Lisa looked at Alex, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t think she had to. Her knowing glance, pleading, would be adequate for Alex to back off a little.
“Tina,” Lisa said, hugging the young girl. “Come back to my place. Let’s get you out of all of this, okay?”
Tina nodded.
* * *
The fire raged for nearly another hour before firefighters finally got the blaze extinguished. Though it wasn’t inherently safe, Lisa had told the other officers on the scene that she would be taking Tina back to her house and to alert her of any need to leave for safety. Desperate times called for desperate measures.
The last embers snuffed out, Lisa was finally able to talk Tina into a shower, though even Lisa knew that it was impossible to wash despair off like a mud mask. At the least, Lisa hoped the shower would relax Tina enough so that she could talk to them about what had happened.
Lisa set out a T-shirt and pair of pants for Tina to change into.
Back on her couch, Lisa sat holding Tina’s hand. It might have been unprofessional, but something inside Lisa could not shut off the emotions.
“Tina,” Alex whispered much more gentle than before. “I’m going to have to ask you some questions now, okay?”
Tina nodded, wiped a tear.
“Okay, if you need a break, just let me know. I’ll try to get this over with.” When she nodded, Alex continued. “Tina, can you tell me where you were tonight? Can you tell me from, say 5:00 until the time you arrived at home?”
“Class,” Tina said. “I have a night class. It runs from 6:30 to 9:30. I left the house maybe 5:30ish. Got there just before 6:00.”
Alex wrote feverishly.
“Okay, you said that the class let out at 9:30, right?”
“Yes,” Tina said. As if sensing the direction the questioning was headed, Tina continued. “After class, I stayed behind to talk to my professor. It’s a long story, but basically he was a replacement for the guy that was supposed to teach the class. I work for him. Just hired.”
“The replacement teacher?” Alex confirmed.
“Yes,” Tina said. “His name is Malcolm Shepard”
“Uh huh,” Alex said, still jotting notes. “And how long have you worked for Mr. Shepard?”
“Well,” Tina said, trembling. She looked at her hands, which fidgeted in her lap. “Actually, tomorrow will be my first day.”
“I see,” Alex said, Lisa knew that Alex was pretty much back in Joe Friday mode. She interceded.
“Tina,” she asked. “How long did you stay to talk to Mr. Shepard?”
“Oh well,” she stammered, fidgeted her hands. “Uh, I don’t know. Maybe 15 minutes? Class let out pretty much on time. And I know, by the time I got into my car, it was almost 10:00
“You didn’t arrive home until after 10:30,” Alex noted. “Can you explain why it took you so long?”
“I stopped for some food,” she answered. “I had a rough night. Didn’t feel well. Thought some food would help.” As she paused, she broke down, her face turning red. She sobbed. “Who did this to me?”
“A rough night?” Alex asked, diverting his attention from his notebook, “Something you want to tell us, Tina?”
“Oh, well, no—” Tina seemed lost, scared. She tried to compose herself. “Just, well, just this guy at college. Just teenager stuff.”
“I see,” Alex said, matter-of-factly, “A boyfriend?”
“Oh no,” Tina said. “Just some guy.”
“Just some guy,” Alex repeated. “Some guy that contributes to you having rough nights?”
Lisa gritted her teeth. Alex was pushing too hard.
“Alex,” she interrupted, “I need you to help me in the kitchen, please.”
“Wha—?” he said, cutting off when he met Lisa’s “Now!” expression. “Uh, yeah, Tina. We’ll be right back.”
“You want anything?” Lisa asked.
“No thank you.”
* * *
The questioning proceeded with much less hostility, Tina thought, when the two officers returned from the kitchen. Whatever the reason, she was glad for the change of pace. She was becoming increasingly uneasy with Officer Mendez’s insinuations and innuendos. The fire marshal would take days to figure out who or what had started the blaze. In the meantime, Tina resented the implication she might have been behind it in some way.
So much confusion lived inside Tina. She didn’t know what she was going to do. Her house gone. Her clothes. Everything.
She tried to hide the occasional tear, but her strength left her under the pain of being forced to relive the fire over and over again. Everything was gone. She was, in the truest twist of irony, now the nobody she had long desired to be. She had no name. She had no home. She had no identity, save the driver’s license in her purse. She had nothing tangible that could tell the world Tina Miles was here.
“Tina,” Officer Mendez said. She sniffled, met his eyes. “Do you have any family you’d like us to contact? Anyone we should make aware that you are safe?”
“No,” Tina whispered, choking back what tears she could. “I live alone… um, lived alone.”
“Tina,” Officer Warner interjected placing a hand on Tina’s shoulder. “I would like to offer you my home if you need a place to stay.”
Tina was confused, shocked uncertain. Dumbstruck, she sat silent when Lisa continued, “I know it’s not much, but I have a spare bedroom and you’re more than welcome to it.”
“Thanks,” Tina said, not really certain how to answer. “I couldn’t impose.”
“Nonsense!” Lisa offered. “You wouldn’t be imposing. And besides, we’ve been neighbors for a while now and I hardly know anything about you. You got any better offers?”
“I guess,” Tina relented.
“Hey,” Lisa said, smiling. “Like I said, it might not be much, but it beats the mess out of a hotel!”
Lisa smiled again.
Tina wept.
CHAPTER 17
THE WALLS
Tina’s day had consisted of far too much reality. She needed a mental break and wasn’t really sure how she was going to get it. It had taken less than an hour to get reasonably comfortable being on a first name basis with Lisa Warner. It seemed the more they talked, the more they found they had in common. Similar tastes in music, even for two eclectic souls. Neither one was tremendously fond of reading, though Lisa seemed to enjoy the ritual more. Both were serious movie buffs. Lisa even knew the name of that blonde actor that had once graced Tina’s bedroom wall.
Tina had no work clothes – in fact, no clothes at all any longer – and Lisa’s were few and far between, but at least she had offered.
They talked for a while after Officer Mendez left. Tina knew that Lisa was fond of him, for whatever reason. To Tina, however, Officer Mendez was a bit of a nuisance. Perhaps even a threat.
She didn’t like to talk about her past. She didn’t like to talk about her problems. She didn’t like to talk about herself. Perhaps that was what she enjoyed most about her conversations with Lisa. She was very assertive to Tina’s reserved, thought little of leading the conversation, but she did not push. All Tina had to do was nod and occasionally agree or disagree in kind.
“So,” Lisa offered, “I think it’s about time I ask you a question you can’t answer with a yes or no.” Tina’s face went bloodless. Her spine tingled. Lisa laughed, obviously catching the signals of Tina’s growing nerves. “I promise it will only hurt for a second.”
“Um, okay,” Tina whispered, looking at her hands. She felt like she was a witness to a subway bombing or that she herself was being put on trial. This was the part she hated.
“Anyway,” Lisa co
ntinued. “Tell me about this guy that had you all aflutter tonight.”
Tina hesitated as her mind drifted to him. What did she want to know? What could Tina really offer? She knew nothing about Devin. Nothing of consequence anyway. And yet, how would it look to say that she had developed a serious interest in, and deep connection with, a man about which she knew nothing. Tina shrugged, looked around the room as if trying to find the words she should speak written on the very air that hung about the room, increasingly difficult to breathe in.
“Man of mystery perhaps?” Lisa asked.
“Very much so,” Tina confirmed, unable to hide her blushed smile.
“Well, what’d he do to upset you tonight? You know, if you want, I can make his insurance rates sky rocket with just a few strokes of my magic police pen.”
A nervous laugh and Tina was at ease again. While she couldn’t admit being nearly as fascinated with Lisa as she seemed to be with Tina, she understood the motives all too well. Tina enjoyed the burgeoning kindship she was experiencing with Lisa. For once, she felt a non-threatening chance to bond with another human being. It wasn’t overpowering. It was unlike the confusing, inexplicable bond she’d felt with Devin. This was different. Devin was, to use Lisa’s words, a Man of Mystery. Lisa was, or at least had the chance to become, something much simpler.
Friend.
When the clock sang two a.m., Tina knew it was past time to put all thoughts to bed, including her questions about friendship and discovery. Still, laying in a different bed, she began to question her existence. So many things were changing all at once. She’d started college. She’d met a guy. A guy she now wasn’t sure she even trusted. She’d gotten a job, lost her house and, at least temporarily, found another. Could she now find it within her to make another change?
Could Tina Miles actually be a friend?
* * *
As Lisa finished in her bathroom, she decided to take one last listen outside the guest bedroom. Tina had the door shut and Lisa made up her mind not to open it, unless the intrusion on what little privacy Tina now had was necessary.
Lisa had taken an hour getting herself ready for bed. Normally, it wasn’t such a lengthy ritual, but this was not a typical day. Lisa felt an uncontrollable need to wash the day off of her. As if it was something palpable that she could send down the shower drain. She was nervous about leaving Tina unattended, but figured privacy was more important to Tina than company, or even comfort. Sometimes, as Lisa understood all too well, what a person really needs is a moment alone to just process. Lisa needed it. Certainly, Tina would need it. Tina’s privacy seemed more important to her than anything. This wasn’t a kid. She was a woman, for all intents and purposes. Lisa would check on her in the morning. For now, if she needed something, Lisa would let her ask. Not that she would. But what would she really need? If it was Lisa, she’d need the one thing, it appeared, Tina was getting. Rest.
When she stepped to the door, Lisa heard fitful sleep radiating from inside the room. Tossing, turning, pillow fluffing. The occasional yawn, sigh and even grunting. It was pretty clear the girl was up, but Lisa fought the urge to verbally confirm her assumption. She wanted to call out. Instead, she bit her tongue, turned away.
Silent, Lisa bowed her head and prayed a simple prayer of contentment for young Tina Miles.
She heard more rustling upon finishing her silent litany. Still fitful, Lisa thought to herself.
She turned, stepped away from the door. As she reached for the door to her own room, the sound of breaking class caused her to jump. She darted into Tina’s room. The bed was empty, the room otherwise undisturbed. The window pane to her far left was smashed.
As she ran to the window, she caught sight of Tina running across the street, where her car remained parked.
“Tina!”
No response. She appeared as if running like a disturbed throwback to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
“What are you doing?” she shouted, still hoping Tina would respond.
Nothing.
* * *
When she opened the front door, Lisa ran face first into the man. He was rock solid and, though she had smashed into him full steam, he hadn’t budged an inch. Unlike Lisa who found herself firmly planted on the hard tile of her foyer. Confused, it took a few seconds to realize she’d run into an actual person.
The man spoke no apologies, reached a hand toward Lisa.
“Can I help you?” Lisa huffed, still trying to catch her breath.
“Lisa Warner?”
Lisa found the man intensely unsettling. His eyes were hidden behind sunglasses. Odd for this time of night. His hair was neatly combed, cut shorter than might be considered hip. His face was rugged, hazardous.
“Officer Lisa Warner,” Lisa said. “Detective.”
“Detective Warner,” the big man spoke. “We’re looking for Tina Miles. I understand you may have knowledge—“
“You’re a bit late,” Lisa offered, trying to step past him
“Pardon?” The man’s associates stepped to block Lisa’s exit.
She pointed to the distance, where tail lights were disappearing into the night.
“There she goes. And you made me lose her, you idiot! Geez! I should have you arrested!”
The man reached in his pocket. Reflex reached Lisa’s hand to the gun hidden in the small of her back.
“Easy there, Ace!” she cautioned, before finding herself with 3 guns trained on her.
Slowly the brick man retrieved a wallet from his coat.
“FBI,” he said. Lisa was unconvinced. “I’m agent Wallace. These men are part of my field team. Special Agents Stone, Smith and Taliaferro.”
Agent Smith was the shortest – roughly the same height as Lisa. But otherwise resembled the other three. Agent Stone was a black man, not hulking, but several inches taller and thickly muscled. The gun each man carried was not FBI issue.
Agent Taliaferro looked to be Hispanic, perhaps Italian. Black, kinky hair, cool blue eyes. He had a scar under his right eye. Of the four, he gave off the least welcoming aura.
Lisa nervously holstered her weapon, trusting that the FBI – real or not – would follow suit. She was relieved when they reciprocated.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Lisa said, “I’ve got a runaway to catch.”
“A fugitive you mean,” offered Agent Stone.
“When she’s in my custody, she’s a runaway,” Lisa snapped.
“And once she’s in ours,” Agent Wallace said, leering menacingly, “she’s a fugitive. Got it?”
“A fugitive from what?”
“That’s’ privileged,” quipped Agent Wallace. Lisa thought she detected a slight smirk.
“I don’t’ have time to argue with you,” she screamed, pushing past the men and trotting toward her car.
“We’re not done here,” Agent Wallace said.
“Maybe you’re not,” Lisa said, not breaking stride, “but I am.”
She opened her car door, gave one last look over her shoulder. “Lock up when you leave, boys,”
“Miss Warner?”
She wasn’t sure who had said it
“What?” she shouted, throwing her hands up in frustration and turning in their direction. All four men trained their guns on her again.
“Guys, how would you like to be charged with interfering with a police investigation?”
“This investigation is no longer a police matter. Frankly, it’s no longer your concern,” Agent Stone said.
“I suggest you come with us,” Agent Wallace added, approaching Lisa.
“Do I have a choice?”
“Do you want me to give you one?”
“Look,” she said, gritting her teeth, “if you have to shoot me, shoot me. I’ve got a very scared girl to catch up with. Frankly, I’m not all that undisturbed myself right now. When we are done with her, you can have her for whatever you need. Maybe. But certainly not if you shoot a cop on her own front lawn, in possible view of seve
nteen witnesses living in homes nearby. Your move.”
“We shall be in touch, Detective,” Agent Wallace said, motioning for his team to lower their guns.
Looking forward to it, she thought to herself. If, by looking forward to it, I mean “I hope you get hit by a bus and die.”
* * *
Burke Atherton couldn’t’ believe the ignorance of this police detective. She just assumed he really was an agent with the FBI. His badge looked real enough. And it had been real, in 1987. But it didn’t take that much effort to check. She didn’t call anyone. Didn’t examine his ID. She just rushed off, in search of, he believed, Tina Miles.
“Adam,” he said, addressing the black man to his right, “Follow her in the van. Take Spencer.” He pointed to the man with the piercing blue eyes. “Will, you’re with me.”
“Think she bought it?” Adam asked.
“I don’t know if she bought it, but it’ll be a while before she has time to think about it, I think.”
“What if she checks?” Will asked.
“So what,” Burke said. “If she checks, she’ll find no fewer than 1000 smiths currently working for the FBI and at least 40 Wallaces in the bureau. We didn’t give her anything to go on.”
“What if she runs pictures?”
“She’s not going to do that from her car. And even that won’t help her. Luckily I thought to put our pictures on the FBI’s agent database.”
“You can do that?” Stone asked.
“I can do that,” Burke said, sneering.
CHAPTER 18
VENGENCE
Burke Atherton pulled out a small laptop and hand-held radio from under the passenger seat. He punched in a special code and accessed the main screen. A few tweaks and clicks here and there and Burke smiled, clapped his hands together.
“We got her!”
In the driver’s seat, Will Burton just smiled. Burke picked up the small hand-held communicator.
“Adam, Burke here.”
“Adam here,” the speaker crackled.
“We got her,” Burke replied, “ You can catch her if you take fifth street and circle around to Lincoln.
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