Alex nodded. “So they reconnect and the two psychopaths start feeding off each other all over again. And let me guess, the White Rose Murders were all about them being pissed off at mommy? That’s why they chose professional women for their victims?”
Chuck nodded in the affirmative.
“What about the man who attacked us in the woods?” Alex asked.
“Ah, yes. Garvis. No one knows exactly how Sinclair, or perhaps Brooks, recruited Garvis,” Chuck said. “But we’re pretty sure Garvis knew about the murders, probably even actively helped out on the recent copycat killings, maybe the original White Rose ones. Plus he has his own history of sexual attacks. It clearly wouldn’t have taken much to recruit him to make an attack on you two. We’re pretty sure Brooks murdered him and the stuff left there was planted to throw us off and make you lower your guard.”
“The belt Brooks had,” Sydney said, her hand unconsciously going to her own throat as she remembered her own experience. “It was the missing murder weapon from the original case, wasn’t it?”
“We think so,” Chuck said. “We haven’t done a forensic match. But I’ve looked at the stitching and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a match. And that’s pretty much the whole story.” Chuck stood and was joined by the rest of the visitors. The two detectives and their sheriff’s department counterparts wished the two women a speedy recovery and departed, leaving Sal and Tiffany.
“Well, you two are supposed to be released tomorrow morning. We’ll be by then to pick you up,” Tiffany said. “I packed some clothes and necessities and brought them in for you,” she added, pointing to the duffle she had dropped beside the bed. “So you two get some rest and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
Alex and Sydney soon found themselves alone once again.
“You okay?” Alex said, looking at Sydney beside her and they remained snuggled on the same small bed.
“Yeah, it’s just, I don’t know, a little overwhelming,” Sydney said.
“But it’s over now,” Alex said. “I have no doubt about it now.”
“Yeah, it’s over. Now we can just concentrate on more important stuff.” Sydney leaned down, tucking her head into Alex’s shoulder and below her chin. “Like us.”
ALEX AND SYDNEY were dressed and ready to leave when Sal and Tiffany entered the hospital room the next morning.
Sydney was reclining on the hospital bed, Alex once again seated beside her, hand in hand.
“Well, your ride has arrived. You guys ready to go?” Sal asked.
“Yes, definitely,” Sydney said.
“You’re all checked out of the hotel. We packed up all your stuff. The deputies even brought the clothes from the cabin,” Sal said. “So we’re ready to hit the road. Any idea where we’re heading?”
“What do you mean?” Alex asked. “Home. We’re heading home. I think we’ve had enough adventure for a few days.”
“Uh-huh,” Tiffany said. “Which home? Both homes?” She turned to Alex. “You got a plan to get around for the next few days, considering you don’t have a car?”
“Shit. I hadn’t even thought of that.” Alex turned to Sydney. “And your car is at my place.”
Sydney squeezed her hand. “Well, it looks like maybe you’re stuck with me for another day or two, Sergeant Chambers,” she said with a smile. “We’re both moving a little slow. So we’ll just have to take care of each other for a while.”
Alex’s smile matched hers. “Are you sure you can put up with me?”
“I’ll manage somehow,” Sydney said as she stood to walk out handin-hand with Alex. “Thanks, Sal. We’d appreciate it if you’d take us to Alex’s place and we’ll figure it out from there.”
Just over twenty-four hours later the two women were safely snuggling together beneath blankets in front of the fireplace in Alex’s bungalow as the February rain fell gently outside. After being dropped off by Sal and Tiffany they had retired to bed and slept most of the afternoon away, awakened only by hunger. Then they had reclined amongst throw pillows in front of the crackling fire.
“So, what are the chances I can beg a ride tomorrow to go new car shopping?” Alex asked as she ran a hand through Sydney’s hair and lightly touched the still bruised cheek.
“I’m sure I can work that into the schedule,” Sydney replied. “I should probably think about going back to work on Tuesday though.”
“Yeah. Me too. Hopefully everything can get back to normal now. Really back to normal, with no more surprises.”
“What’s normal?” Sydney asked, turning within Alex’s embrace to face her. “With us I mean. With everything that’s happened, our relationship has kind of been formed around crazy drama and crisis. How do you feel about that?”
“How do I feel? I feel that I want you in my life. We’re just going to have to figure the rest out. We go back to work. We go on with our lives. We work out the rest of it as we go.” Alex leaned in and kissed Sydney lightly. “I think we’ll figure it out together.”
Sydney’s only response was a deeply passionate kiss as she wrapped her arms around Alex. Tomorrow could bring whatever challenges it may. They would meet them together.
About the Author
Dakota Hudson is a self-described “cop with an overactive imagination.” She has over 20 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, spending the majority of that time in front line crime fighting operations. Added to this is twelve years of military experience, including combat tours in Iraq and worldwide counterterrorism operations, providing her with a wealth of experiences upon which to base her writings. This is her first publication and she is currently at work on its sequel. D.H. lives in the Los Angeles area with her wife and their four furry, four-legged children.
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Table of Contents
White Roses Calling
Copyright © 2014 by Dakota Hudson
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Author’s Notes
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
About the Author
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White Roses Calling Page 36