by Diana W
I was the first one to discover her body.
I stopped in the room like I always did before my eleven o’clock accounting class and couldn’t figure out why our door wouldn’t open fully. I had to take off my bookbag and use all of my strength to force it open. The scream left my mouth before I fully registered the scene. I rushed to undo the knot looped around the door knob, holding her in my arms, begging her to wake up. It didn’t take long for others on our floor to make their way to our room, triggering them to call the police. The siren blaring from the ambulance made my ears feel like they were bleeding.
“So, what changed?” Denise spoke up.
“The obvious would be me becoming an officer, right?” Lucas briefly offered her his attention. “But surprisingly, I learned how to bottle Shanice’s entire death into this compartment of my brain so I wouldn’t feel the pain of it anymore. I couldn’t cope, and I saw what trying to cope did to my parents’ marriage. They blamed themselves for failing to take care of her and eventually went their own ways. Even now, my brother and I are the only ones who check in with each other regularly,” he sighed. “But everything changed years ago, when I arrived first on the scene to the house of a fourteen-year-old girl who committed suicide. If I didn’t know the circumstances, I would've assumed she was some fucked up in the head kid that didn’t know how to deal with her emotions. But the letter she left...it messed me up. “Maybe now you’ll see me” is all it said. I mean, it was laying right next to her mother’s emptied prescription sleeping pill bottle and all I could think about was what could have happened to this innocent girl to make her take this route.” Lucas scoffed with a noticeable look of disgust. “Got my answer when the mother’s boyfriend broke down and confessed to his nightly visits to her room.”
“Jesus Christ,” Elliott sighed, grabbing hold of my hand.
“Yeah, I see it all the time man but, that day, something triggered in me to revisit Shanice’s file. My focus shifted. Shanice was saying something without saying it all and I felt like I needed to know why. Despite being rightfully upset about her mother’s passing, she didn’t come across as depressed. A loner? Yes. But nothing that would’ve given us any red flags. I mean, am I wrong about that?” Lucas looked to me for confirmation.
“No. Even as an introvert, she never seemed in distress.”
“Well, that exact reason is why I dug deeper into what was taking place around the university at the time. I figured something would stand out.”
“And?” I urged him to continue.
“Three rapes within two to three weeks of each other, a couple of months before her death.”
“I mean it’s unnerving but not uncommon for college campuses,” Elliott chimed in, wincing as he leaned back against his pillow.
“True,” Lucas nodded. “But there was something in the statements given by each victim. During the act, the guy was quoted as telling the victims to ‘have his baby’.”
“What?” Denise responded seemingly confused. “I mean I don’t know much about this but that’s weird right?”
“It’s extremely odd,” Lucas agreed. “Rape is an act of power. To be in control of everything. Dominance over your victim. Telling a woman you’re taking advantage of to have your baby, doesn’t make sense. That means you're willing to leave your DNA behind, assuming he didn’t wear a condom.”
“So what’s the connection with Shanice and...Julian?” Saying his name felt like a sin with no repentance.
“The last victim that gave their statement was listed as a Jane Doe. She didn’t want to disclose her name. The police noted that she followed through with a rape kit but changed her mind with moving forward to press charges.”
“Oh my God.” I sat forward from the chair, stomach in knots at my own conclusion. “You tested the DNA against Shanice’s?”
“Ninety-nine point nine percent match,” Lucas confirmed.
Hearing that broke my spirit down even further. Did she think I wouldn’t have listened to her? Julian was my world but not enough where I wouldn’t believe this type of accusation.
“Well let’s go get this predator arrested then,” Elliott huffed. "If you have the evidence, we should be able to get him locked away with no problem.”
Lucas’ head lowered. “That’s just it. Statute of limitations is up and Julian’s clean. Not so much as a speeding ticket.”
“But if she did a rape kit, his DNA would be in it right?” I asked hopeful. “I mean, this couldn’t have been his last time doing something like this.
Lucas eyes looked to me. “We would need his DNA.”
The promising bubble I created had suddenly popped. This was a request I wish was made some weeks ago. Then again, would I have even been willing to do that then? “I might kill him myself if I ever see him again.”
“Well if he was behind this attack on Elliott and the damage to their house, that’s enough for the police to arrest Julian, right?” Denise looked to Lucas then to both Elliott and I. “Anything to get him locked up and maybe we can convince the police to investigate his past.”
“That’s true,” I jumped at that thought. “Since I’ve been here at the hospital, I haven’t spoken with the police for an update.”
“Ok,” Lucas’ mood seemed to lift. “I need you to go speak to Officer Lewis. He’s the one handling your case.”
I was already nodding in agreement. We all went quiet and I’m sure it was due to us digesting the information we just discussed.
“Why the name Cooper?” Denise suddenly questioned. “Why get me involved?”
Lucas looked remorseful as his eyes reluctantly met Denise's.
“I needed an ally in the event your sister didn’t believe me. I needed more background information on what was going on with her and Julian. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I had to do what I needed. My sister deserved that.”
Denise turned away first, offering a slight nod.
“And Cooper is my middle name.”
I knew she wanted to stay pissed off, hell me too, but she knew as well as I did that we would have probably done the same thing for each other.
Lucas stood up from the chair.
“I’m gonna head out and go keep watch on your house.” He told both Elliott and me. “Maybe Julian is stupid enough to slip up and do something since he thinks everybody is wrapped up with you.” He referred to Elliott.
I didn't respond because what exactly would that look like? Gratitude? Awkwardness? I mean, he wasn’t necessarily doing it to protect us.
“Let me know if you find out any more information.” He opened the room’s door.
And just like that, the thought finally hit me. Even amongst the chaos, I’m surprised it hadn’t come up sooner. “Victoria!” I exclaimed prompting odd looks from everybody in the room. “She came here today.”
Lucas stood by the door as Elliott looked to me. “Why?”
“Yeah why?” Denise cosigned.
“She’s not pregnant.” I could barely look Elliott in the eyes. It’s what he’d been trying to plead his case for this entire time. “Admitted it was a lie.”
“That bitch!” Denise fumed.
“Wait,” I held up my hand preventing her rant from blasting off any further. “She was forced to do it. I didn’t wanna believe it either but she honestly looked terrified. Said that she couldn’t tell me who did it but I know it has to be Julian. We need to find her.”
“She may be exactly who we need to get info on him.” Lucas absorbed that information. “First thing tomorrow.”
Denise pushed open the front the door of her house as quietly as she could. The amount of information unloaded on her from the hospital was too much to bare even for her. She needed a temporary break, even if home wasn’t the most ideal place to for stress relief right now.
She had no plans on sleeping in the same bed with Gerald. Truth be told, she would rather him not know she was even there. Her plan was to catch a few hours of sleep and then head back to the hospita
l and sit with Elliott while Cass went down to the police station.
She closed the guest bedroom’s door and tiptoed in the dark over to other side of the bed, closest to the window. The small streams of moonlight peeking through the blinds were helping her navigate without having to turn on any major lights.
Minus her jacket and shoes, Denise climbed under the covers and was out before she had a chance to think about it.
The smell of bacon could be a substitute for any alarm clock in Denise's world. Her eyes popped open at the first whiff of it. Seeing the sunlight and checking her phone, she realized she’d overslept past the time frame she’d given herself. She jumped up, slid back on her shoes, and grabbed her jacket on her way out of the room. Once she made it by the kitchen, her movement stilled at the sight of Gerald.
Shirtless, Avengers-themed basketball shorts, and tall yellow socks that stopped on his calves. He hovered over the stove frying bacon.
Gerald… was frying bacon.
That was the equivalent of cooking a six-course meal in their household.
If she wasn’t so pissed at his entire existence, she could’ve appreciated the view and gesture. She observed the defined lines of his back muscles and his cute little butt that he hated her touching. Crazy how he never worked out but had one of those bodies that suggested he did. He turned around, almost dropping the plate full of swine gold at the sight of her.
“Hey,” he said almost shyly. “I didn’t realize you were up already.”
“Yeah, well... I need to get back to the hospital.” Denise went for her purse.
“Aren’t you going to eat first?” Gerald placed the plate down. “You look exhausted.”
She wouldn’t admit that she was and damn sure wouldn’t eat any of his lying ass bacon no matter how weak it made her.
“Like I said, I need to go,” she continued with her departure, reaching for her car keys.
“I’m not cheating on you,” he belted out.
Denise wasn’t even sure if she had the energy to discuss this subject right now, but nevertheless, she turned around and gave him a doubtful look.
“Never had. Never will,” he continued.
“So, what’s going on with you then?” She asked skeptically.
Gerald’s eyes went to his feet. “I made something, and I wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”
“Made what?” Denise adjusted the purse on her shoulder. Whatever he was trying to say wasn’t making sense.
“I’ll show you,” he stated, holding out his hand towards her.
Denise folded her arms in defiance. Gerald took that answer and turned to head in the direction of their bedroom with Denise in tow. Once inside, he gestured for her to sit in front of the very computer screen that held his secrets. He logged in and went directly to a folder called Angel Assassin.
“What you saw was a character I created,” Gerald declared as he clicked through a few images. “Well one character. Did you even look at her face?” He asked pulling up the voluptuous naked woman.
“Why in the hell would I look at her-” Denise’s words caught in her throat as Gerald placed a sleeping image of her in their bed next to the animation.
The hairstyle. The curves. The legs. Exaggerated yes but all her characteristics were there.
“I created a game. Like an actual video game. This is the prototype I’ve been working on. I’ve been swamped between testing it out and working on the storyboard for some months now. It has to be perfect for me to pitch it to this company I’ve tested games for before.”
Denise spun towards Gerald and punched him in the arm. “Why wouldn’t you just say that then?!”
“Because you don’t care Denise! You hate the fact that I play video games. Hate the fact it takes away from us doing family time. You shit on it any chance you get. I couldn’t, you know, because of the guilt of not telling you what was going on. It was getting to me. I don’t keep secrets from you.”
“I thought you...hated my body,” Denise’s eyes fell. She suspected he was up to something, but this? This was so far from where her conclusions were.
“Hate your body?” Gerald fell to his knees resting his chin on her thighs. “I love everything about you. Hell, as you can see,” he gestured to the computer screen. “I’m swimming in uncharted territory right now and I’m honestly scared to death of anybody seeing this game. That’s it. That’s all it is baby, I swear.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. It was a combination of relief and the fact that she doubted his love for her. “I’m sorry,” she barely whispered out.
“Don’t cry baby. I’m sorry too. I should’ve said something to you when I started creating it.”
“No,” she shook her head. “I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me. I don’t always understand you and what you do, but I should at least be willing to try.”
Hearing that made Gerald’s heart swell. As long as they’d been together, that was the first olive branch about his video games she ever extended.
“Come here.” His hands held her face.
She brought her lips down to his, savoring everything about him. She needed to tell him about all the drama that had gone down at the hospital, even the Cooper situation. That wasn’t going to be pleasant, but it was necessary.
“Baby, there’s so much I need to tell you,” she spoke against his lips.
“Tell me after you take off your clothes,” he pulled at her tights.
“But I have to go back to the hospital. Cass needs me to stay with Elliott while she talks to the police. She’s in trouble,” she half-assed protested.
Gerald gritted his teeth after hearing that. Although he and his wife needed to reconnect on so many levels, especially physically, there were obviously more serious matters at hand.
“Let me go get dressed. I’ll come with you.”
Chapter 22
“What do you mean he wasn’t in the area at the time?”
Officer Lewis, who had been assigned to Elliott’s and mine case, sat back down in his tattered leather office chair.
“He was at the address you gave me for him the entire night. Security videos, as well as, statements from the front desk workers puts him there.”
“Well they’re lying!” My closed fist hammered down on his desk. “I mean, he must’ve paid somebody to do it then. I know it’s him.”
“Mrs. Watson,” the officer sighed, “we can’t go arresting him because you say so. That’s not how it works. There’s no evidence other than the text message you showed me and honestly, that’s not saying anything at all.”
I was seething at this point. I entrusted the police to do their God damn job and this is what I got in return. All signs led to Julian and they acted like I was the crazy one.
“It says a lot,” I challenged. “He was aggressive. Showing up at my job unannounced. He even threatened to beat up Elliott before. He knows where I live for Christ sakes!” My hands went up in frustration.
“And nothing about that says he’s on some plot to terrorize you or your husband. Upset lover? Yes. But nothing other than that. If you can tell me how to find the girl you were speaking about, then maybe she can give us more answers.” He placed both of his hands on his desk, interlacing his fingers.
“Like I already told you, Victoria was too terrified to even say anything, and we don’t have her address in addition to her changing her phone number.” My fingers went to my throbbing temple. It was frustrating enough to find out that Elliott only met Victoria out or at hotels. He hadn’t the slightest idea of where she lived.
This was all bullshit.
“Well,” his tone turned regretful. “Until we have some solid proof of Mr. McCoy’s wrongdoing, there’s nothing else we can do.”
I didn’t even bother responding. I grabbed my purse and stormed out the station’s front doors to my car.
“That officer is a dick!” I told Lucas who was leaning against the driver’s side door of my car in a black hoodie and jeans.
“Went that well, huh?” He sighed.
“Why can’t you just take over this investigation, Lucas? You know the truth about everything.”
“I’m a patrol officer, Cass. I can ask for favors but other than that, it’s out of my hands.” He moved off of the door so I could get inside. “You don’t think I’d love some good ole vigilante justice? But I can’t risk my freedom or my job over it. We’ll never get proof of what he did if I’m locked up without access to vital resources.”
I plopped down onto the seat. Frustrated. Emotional.
“What am I supposed to do now? Wait for him to finish Elliott off and do God knows what to me?” I stared out the front window.
I hadn’t heard from Julian since the night of our heated exchange and although I should be relieved, it frightened me on an unexplainable level. Not knowing where he was or what he was planning, I quickly learned, was a path paved with paranoia.
“Let’s not think that way. There has to be something we’re missing or an avenue we haven’t crossed yet.”
I wanted to share in his hopefulness, but the facts were the facts and the main fact was, we didn’t have shit to connect Julian to anything.
My head subtly turned to the car that pulled up on the right of us. I recognized it as a Honda Civic because it looked exactly like Victoria’s except it was black. Crazy how I now considered it to be a point of reference but the chain of events that ensued from that day would be forever etched in my brain.
“CVN... 7,” I said effortlessly
“What?” Lucas questioned.
“Her license plate,” I kept trying to recall the rest of it from that day. “Victoria’s license plate. That’s the beginning of it. CVN7.” I nodded with assurance. “I’m positive of that. Is there anything we can do with that?”
“Yeah...yes.” Lucas scrambled trying to get his phone from his pocket. “I got a guy that does some off the record things for me. You know the make and model, right?”
“Yes.” My heart started racing at the possibility of being this close to a breakthrough. “Blue Honda Civic, exactly like that one,” I pointed for reference.