Detection Mission (Texas K-9 Unit)

by Margaret Daley

“Good boy,” Lee said, as he always did whenever his cadaver dog found a body, then he scratched Kip’s favorite place before rising. “I’m calling this in.” He rotated in a slow circle, searching the area for any other signs of another grave.

  Pulling out his cell, he placed a call to the station to report a body being found. Then while he waited for the crime-scene techs to show up, he checked the surrounding area in case there was another body. There were several low-level criminals missing, including Pauly Keevers who had assisted them recently. Was the body Kip discovered one of them? And could there be other graves in the woods?

  * * *

  Her lungs burned from lack of air, but she couldn’t stop running. He’d catch her. Branches clawed at her, scraping across her skin. Stinging. A tree limb slapped against her face. The darkness of an approaching night crept closer, disguising the terrain and making her path difficult.

  Instead of slowing down, she increased her speed. The sound of him crashing through the woods behind her filled her with terror. The pounding of her heart outpaced the pounding of her strides.

  Then her foot landed in a hole, and she stumbled, flying forward. The hard impact with the ground knocked what little breath she had from her. The cold earth welcomed her.

  The crush of leaves and snap of branches echoed through the trees. He was coming to get her. Kill her this time.

  She scrambled to her feet and started forward when a body slammed into her...

  She jerked, raising her arms to strike him. All she encountered was air. Warm air. Not cold. As the nightmare evaporated, her eyes popped open. She was still in the hospital, and the custodian from earlier today stood at the side of her bed with a plastic trash bag in one hand.

  His frosty eyes on her, he inched closer.

  A scream welled up inside her. Clamping her lips together, she fumbled for her call button and pushed it while scooting as far to the other side of the bed as she could.

  “Ma’am, I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “You were thrashing around. I was going to put up your railing so you didn’t fall out of the bed.”

  She peered down at his other hand without the trash bag and noticed it was clasped around the bar. “I’m fine. Just a bad dream.”

  The door opened and the young, redheaded nurse called Gail came into her room. “Is something wrong?” The nurse looked from her to the custodian.

  She couldn’t think of anything to say to Gail, especially when the man who caused her to push the call button was standing nearby. “I—I—was wondering when the doctor would be by. I thought he would be here by now.” Even to her it seemed like a lame reason to bother the busy staff.

  The custodian stepped away from the bed, picked up her trash can and emptied it into the plastic bag.

  The nurse didn’t say anything until after he left the room. “Did he bother you? He’s relatively new here and may not know all the procedures.”

  “No, not really.” Some of the tension siphoned from her once the man was gone. “I had a nightmare and woke up with him in my room. It scared me, I guess. I pushed the button without really thinking.” She curled her hands until her fingernails stabbed into her palms. Why did everything frighten her?

  The nurse gave her an empathic look. “Are you recalling anything that happened to you?”

  Remembering the nightmare, she almost said yes, but she didn’t really know what was real and what was...fear of the unknown. She shook her head. “I still don’t remember who I am.”

  Gail slid her hand into her pocket. “I have something of yours. I was going to give it to you when I brought your medicine later.” She withdrew a gold heart locket and passed it to her. “You were wearing it when you came into the hospital. I put it in a safe place so when you got better you could have it. It’s beautiful. There’s a name carved into it.”

  “There is?” She took it from the nurse and held it in her palm.

  “I hope it helps you to remember. Sometimes an object will spur a memory.” Gail started for the door but paused before leaving. “I’ll make sure the other member of housekeeping assigned to this floor will take care of you. She’s an older woman. You might feel more comfortable with her.”

  As the nurse left, she stared at the locket with intricate etching in it. She opened it and saw a picture of a young woman with long blond hair, probably around eighteen. Heidi was engraved in the other side. Touching her own blond hair, she wondered if this was a photo of her. From the vision she’d seen earlier that day in the mirror, it could be.

  What did she call herself? Jane Doe? That didn’t sit well with her. It made her seem like she was nobody—not worthy of a name. That, more than anything, bothered her. She couldn’t form any kind of picture in her head of who she was. Did she like steak, going to the movies, reading books? What were her likes? Dislikes? The black hole her memories were lost in terrified her.

  She made her way to the bathroom again to study her reflection and then reexamined the photo in the locket. There were similarities in what she saw in the mirror and the woman in the picture. Was it her when she was younger? How old was she now?

  Is Heidi my name?

  “Heidi,” she said, and liked how it sounded. A sense of comfort surrounded her. She needed a name, and Heidi could be it.

  Just the effort of walking into the bathroom sapped her energy, especially after spending the day wondering why the police officer had left her bedside to go back to the Lost Woods where they’d found her. Leaving the bathroom, she nearly ran into Officer Lee Calloway, dressed in casual clothes, not his uniform.

  He stepped back to let her pass him. “The nurse said you were up.”

  “Yes.” She stated the obvious because she didn’t know what else to say. As she shuffled toward the bed, she felt his dark gaze on her and, surprisingly, it didn’t bother her. She needed answers and hoped he could tell her more about his finding her. Maybe something would trigger her memory.

  He stood back while she perched on the side of the bed. “I wanted to ask you some more questions.”

  “I still don’t remember who I am, but the nurse gave me a locket she’d kept for me with a picture inside it and the name Heidi engraved on it.”

  “Is the picture of you?”

  She flattened her palm to show him the necklace that she’d gripped in her hand. “It might be when I was younger.”

  His fingers grazed across her skin as he picked it up and opened it.

  A tingling from his touch zapped her, further surprising her.

  He studied it, then her. “Maybe. Or a member of your family? A sister? Your mother?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to use the name. I need one, and it’s better than Jane Doe. I’m pretty sure it isn’t my daughter.” She attempted a smile, and the gesture seemed alien to her. “I’m probably between twenty-five and thirty.”

  Again, he scrutinized her. “If I had to guess, closer to twenty-five.”

  When was her birthday? Where was she born? Questions she couldn’t answer flowed through her mind in a steady stream until she had to shut them down or scream in frustration. “What do you need to ask me? I’ll help if I can.” She really hoped she could. This officer was being so nice to her.

  “Describe the man you saw in the woods.”

  “I saw a man in the woods?”

  “When I found you hiding, you said something about a man.” Lee pulled out some photos. “See if you can recognize the one you were talking about.” After spreading out four pictures, he pointed to each one. “Take your time. Study them.”

  She examined the four men, and nothing clicked for her. “I don’t know them.”

  “So you haven’t seen these men?”

  She shook her head. “Not that I remember.”

  He held up one of a dark-haired guy with a thick neck and bushy eyebrows.

  “No. Maybe.” The bushy eyebrows niggled her memory for a few seconds but nothing concrete came to
mind. “I don’t know.” How many times had she said that since she woke up?

  “This one?” Lee indicated another man, red hair with thin lips.

  “No. Nothing.”

  She laid her finger on the man with the bushy eyebrows. “Who is he?”

  “Don Frist.”

  “Could he have been chasing me before you saw me?”

  “I don’t know. We didn’t see him pursuing you. But you were definitely running from something or someone.”

  “Where is this man?” She examined him again, wanting to be able to identify him—to know someone.

  “In jail.”

  “What did he do?”

  He has quite an extensive rap sheet...which includes kidnapping Brady Billows.”

  “The little boy you told me about this morning? I don’t understand why anyone would harm a child.” The idea that someone would kill or hurt a little boy knotted her stomach. Did she have a child? The more she thought about the question, the more she didn’t think so.

  “I agree. But Brady will be fine, thankfully. He was scared but between his mother, Eva, and Detective Austin Black, another K-9 team member, he’ll be safe.”

  “Did he find the little boy?”

  “Yes and he will soon be his stepfather.”

  A happy ending. Relief unraveled the knots. “I’m so glad.” Peering down, she touched her left ring finger, but there was no sign she’d ever worn a wedding band. For some reason she felt in her heart she loved kids. Not liked. Loved.

  “Do you remember something?”

  “Yes. I love children.”

  “Do you remember if you have any?”

  “I don’t think any of my own. It doesn’t feel like it. I don’t think I’m married.” She held up her ringless finger on her left hand.

  “Maybe you worked with children.”

  “Could be.”

  “That could help us find where you’re from. Contact friends and family.”

  “No” tumbled from her mouth before she could stop the word.

  TWO

  The panic that invaded Heidi’s voice made Lee wonder if she knew more than she was letting on. “You don’t want us to look for your family and friends? Don’t you want to know who you are?”

  She dropped her head, staring at her lap. “Yes, of course, but...”

  “But what?”

  When she lifted her gaze to his, her beautiful brown eyes shimmered with tears. “Why was I running through the woods? How did I get hurt?” She touched her forehead. “How did I get this gash?”

  “You think someone is after you?”

  “I don’t know.” With a deep sigh, she settled back against the raised bed.

  “So you don’t want us to put your picture out and see if anyone knows you?”

  She kneaded her fingertips into her temples. “Not right now. I’d like to try and remember who I am first. I just can’t get past...” Nibbling on her bottom lip, she averted her eyes.

  “Why you were running as if someone were after you?”

  She nodded. “Earlier today, I had a dream—no, nightmare. Someone was chasing me and it looked like I was in a wooded area. He caught up with me and—” she connected with his gaze “—and he was trying to kill me. What if that’s true? What if that’s why I was running when you saw me?”

  “The only two men we know were in the woods were these two I showed you.” He pointed to the redheaded man. “This guy is dead.” Then he tapped the photo of the guy with the bushy eyebrows. “Don Frist is in jail. If they were after you, you’re safe.”

  But why would they have been after her in the first place? All the police’s quiet inquiries around town about her identity had hit a dead end. No one knew her and there wasn’t anyone fitting her description missing in Sagebrush. But could there have been a third man in the woods that day? They’d thought there might have been. Would she be able to tell them if she remembered?

  “Give me a chance to recall first. The doctor said my memory could come back at any time.”

  He didn’t want to tell her he’d already told his captain he was going to do some checking in the surrounding towns. He could still do that quietly, go through the police in those towns, and check their missing-person’s reports. For some reason he felt responsible for her. He’d captured her in the first place, when she tripped and fell while he chased her. She’d hit the ground hard. He’d always wondered if that was what had caused her to lose consciousness. “Have you talked to the doctor today?”

  “Not yet, but last night he told me he wants to make sure the swelling has gone down. If so, he thought I could leave here in a day or so.”

  “Where are you going to go?”

  Her light brown eyes widened. “I don’t know. Did I have a purse with me?”

  “No, but you had some money stuffed in your jean pocket.”

  “How much?”

  “Four hundred in twenties.”

  Surprise flitted across her lovely features again. “Where did that money come from?”

  “Good question. I don’t suppose you remember?”

  She shook her head slowly.

  “As far as the police are concerned, it’s your money and will be returned to you. I can bring it to you tomorrow.”

  She met his eyes. “Will you wait until I leave here? I don’t want to keep that much money here.”

  “Fine. In fact, Heidi, I’ll take you where you want to stay. Unless you have somewhere else to go, we would like you to stay in Sagebrush at least until you remember. In case you recall something about the men in the woods that day.” He paused. “Don Frist will stand trial, and if you could testify to his presence or that you saw him with the young boy, that would be great.”

  Her forehead creased. “What if I don’t remember?”

  “Don’t worry about that. I don’t like taking on extra worrying because it’s a waste of time. I figure I’ll leave the future in God’s hands. He’s very capable of taking care of it.”

  “Any suggestions about where to stay?” she asked.

  “I’ll check around and see what I can come up with.”

  “I appreciate it, but I don’t want to cause you a lot of extra work...”

  Her vulnerability poured off her and ensnared him. “It’s not. I know a few people who know a few others. We’ll find somewhere for you to stay.”

  Her smile reached deep into her eyes and lit them. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but thank you. I don’t know where to turn.”

  “My pleasure, Heidi. Now I’d better leave you to get some rest. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon to see when you’ll be released from the hospital.”

  He strode from her room and headed for his SUV in the parking lot, his dog poking his head out the window. The second Lee opened his door, Kip barked, peeking his head over the front seat and licking him on the cheek.

  “Glad to see me? I wasn’t gone long.” He started the engine and rolled up the window. “Lie down. We’ve got a mission. To find Heidi a place to stay.”

  * * *

  The next day Lee paused in the doorway of Molly’s kitchen at his boarding house, a large Victorian home near downtown, a block off Sagebrush Boulevard. He took in a deep whiff of her coffee, the best in town. Two things that appealed to him about the place besides its quaint atmosphere were its owner, Molly Givens, like a second mother to him, and a large fenced backyard for Kip.

  At the sink rinsing some dishes, his landlady glanced over her shoulder. “Did you bring your mug?”

  “Yep. Wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to have some of your coffee. It sure beats what I make myself.”

  “It smelled like you were brewing burned rubber. Here, pour yourself a big cup. I certainly don’t need to drink any more. Doctor’s orders. Watching my caffeine intake.”

  Lee filled his travel mug, relishing the aroma wafting from the glass carafe. “I seem to remember you talking a few weeks ago about fixing up those couple of rooms on the third floor and taking in
another boarder. Are you still interested in doing that?”

  The kindhearted older woman dried her hands and faced him. “What are you up to?”

  “I know someone who needs a place to stay while she recovers.”

  “Recovers from what?”

  “She was injured. A head trauma. She has amnesia. She can’t even remember her name.”

  Molly quirked a brow. “That lady you found out in the Lost Woods?”

  “Yes, but it’s not common knowledge. How’d you find out about her being here?” He should have realized if anyone knew what was going on in Sagebrush, it would be Molly. She didn’t have to work, but she’d been lonely after her husband died five years ago, and she’d opened her second floor for two tenants. She was a people person and couldn’t see living in a huge Victorian house by herself. He’d been glad he’d snatched up the first apartment, and shortly after that another coworker had taken the second one available. Mark Moore, a fellow police officer who worked the graveyard shift, lived across the hall from him.

  “Lorna Danfield spilled the beans. We’re good friends. From church.”

  “Oh, yeah, I forgot. Lorna was the one who reminded me of your empty third floor. I should have remembered you two take care of the flowers for church.” Lorna was the secretary at work and was always looking out for the officers and dogs that were in the K-9 Unit.

  “I’ve been talking of doing something. Now is as good a time as any. When will your lady friend be getting out of the hospital?”

  Lady friend? That made what he was doing sound like more than someone helping another. And that was all this was. After his breakup with his fiancée, Alexa, eight months ago, he certainly wasn’t ready to jump into a relationship beyond casual. “I’ll find out today, but I think in the next day or so.”

  Molly blew out a deep breath. “There’s a lot of work to do in a short time.”

  “I think I can get some of the guys from the unit to help. We could work on it in the evenings.”

  “And if she gets out before that, I have a spare bed in my apartment.”

  “If she stays for a while, I don’t know how far her money will stretch to cover expenses.” Lee dumped two spoonfuls of sugar into his coffee.