Shield of Justice (23 page)

“Nope.” Watts shook his head. “Just under the wire. He’s smart, this one.”

“Yes.” Her face a careful blank, but her voice vibrating with tension, Rebecca continued harshly, “Double the patrols through the neighborhood. I’ve got the prostitutes alerted if he goes after one of them. Put a man on the street across from Catherine’s office and one on the psych floor in the hospital, too…preferably a woman at the nurses’ station.”

“Rebecca—” Catherine protested.

“
Do it
, Watts.” She finally turned to Catherine, her eyes simmering with repressed anger and the revulsion she had felt as she listened to that quiet, disembodied voice on the tape. “He’s changed his MO, Catherine—he’s got a specific target now. You. This is where he’ll come.”

She could envision his hands on Catherine’s skin, forcing her down, violating her. She would not give this madman any opportunity to harm her. Not Catherine. His words were violation enough. Nothing, not even Catherine’s professional responsibilities, would change her mind. If Catherine hated her for it, that’s the way it would have to be. “Sooner or later he’ll come after you, Catherine.”
And when he does, I’ll kill the bastard
.

Watts heaved himself to his feet. “Right. I’ll meet you at the hospital in the morning.”

Catherine stared at Rebecca as Watts lumbered out. “Why the hospital?” she asked quietly.

“I’ll need to see Janet Ryan in the morning,” Rebecca said flatly. She still had not met Catherine’s eyes. She was afraid if she did she would lose what little control she had left. She was shaking—with rage, with apprehension, with a sense of powerlessness that nearly drove her crazy—and she hoped that Catherine could not see it. It would not help either of them to acknowledge just how far they were from stopping this guy.

“I want to be there when you question her,” Catherine said quietly.

“All right.”

“Is there no other way?”

“No. It’s not a random victim any longer, Catherine. It’s
you
he wants now.”

Catherine looked into Rebecca’s determined face and knew the decision was made. She held out her hand. “Is there time for you to hold me?”

Rebecca was across the room in an instant, gathering her close. “All night.”

Rebecca awakened with Catherine enfolded in her arms, the sky beyond the bedroom window just beginning to lighten with the dawn. Catherine’s head rested on her shoulder—her flesh warm beneath Rebecca’s hands, her breath a soft whisper against Rebecca’s skin, her heartbeat a steady, soothing rhythm against Rebecca’s chest. She moved her lips to the soft skin at the base of Catherine’s throat and lightly explored the sleeping woman’s body. With trembling fingers, she traced the curve of breasts, followed the arch of hip, and smoothed the slope of firm thigh, marveling at the wonder that was Catherine.

Catherine’s back arched and she moaned softly. She brought one leg over Rebecca’s hips, pressing even closer, whispering urgently, “Do you know what you’re doing to me? I’m on fire.”

Rebecca smiled as she shifted, fitting the length of her body over Catherine’s. “I hadn’t meant that—not just then—but I do now.” She kissed her, the hunger sudden, aching to fill the places left long untended in her heart, and in her soul, with the touch of a woman. This woman.

She was rewarded with a soft groan from Catherine, and her body tightened with an urgency that left her breathless. Her head grew light, every nerve in her body ignited, and fire streaked downward into a single pounding point between her legs. “Ah, God…”

Slipping a hand between them, Rebecca then pressed low over Catherine’s stomach, wanting to be inside her, but Catherine was quicker and found her first—stroking through her wetness, teasing her until she was fully distended, stiff and throbbing. Rebecca closed her eyes tightly, willing herself not to come, and caught one swollen nipple lightly between her teeth, groaning in satisfaction at Catherine’s swift gasp of pleasure. She tried to concentrate on the heat and softness of scented skin and not the building pressure as Catherine rolled her clitoris rhythmically between her fingers.

“You’re so hard,” Catherine murmured, her voice husky and deep. “I love the way you feel.”

“Go slow, go slow,” Rebecca begged. Moaning now, barely able to think, she clutched Catherine’s shoulders, her hips thrusting against Catherine’s hand.
Not yet, not yet, not yet,
she chanted silently, gritting her teeth, each second a sweet agony.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Catherine breathed, feeling a fluttering beneath her fingers as Rebecca’s orgasm began.

“Uhh…” Rebecca exhaled, shuddering, as Catherine pressed harder along her length. She tried but couldn’t hold back any longer. The spasms started beneath those relentless, knowing fingers and twisted inward, the force causing her to jerk in Catherine’s arms. When she cried out her release, again and again, she didn’t feel the tears that followed swiftly upon the joy.

Catherine gentled her with tender caresses, holding her securely as she trembled. “It’s all right, Rebecca. There’s nothing to be afraid of here.”

Rebecca lay in her arms, her heart pounding with hope and terror, yearning desperately for that to be true.

*

Catherine stood silently as Rebecca prepared to leave, feeling the distance grow between them and wanting very badly to prevent it. The woman across the bedroom from her did not
seem
like the lover who had cried in her arms just hours ago; yet, Catherine reminded herself, she was. What they shared in private was precious to her, because it was a side of herself that Rebecca kept hidden from the world. Her secret side—the vulnerable, all too human side—disappeared when she buckled on her holster and clipped her detective’s shield onto her jacket. But it was there, Catherine knew, inside her still. As formidable and aloof as Rebecca appeared now, gathering herself for battle, Catherine admired and respected the tough street cop with a will of iron and a core of steel.
My tender warrior with the fragile heart.

“How are you feeling?” Catherine asked. They had had so little time to talk in the tumultuous days since they met, and so much had happened to both of them. She wished that for just a few hours they could stop time.

Rebecca looked up to find Catherine regarding her with a look both tender and passionate, and she blushed slightly, pleased by the appreciative look on Catherine’s face and embarrassed by the scrutiny. Nevertheless, she liked being the focus of Catherine’s attention. “I’m all right. Last night…it helped.”

“I’m glad,” Catherine said softly, gathering her things as well.

Rebecca cleared her throat. “I know it will be difficult for you to have me around all day, but I just can’t take any chances. As you said, he’s becoming unpredictable, and there’s no way to anticipate his behavior. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be concerned about intruding,” Catherine replied, kissing Rebecca quickly as she reached for her briefcase. “I can think of much worse things than having you around all day. And I do know that you’re doing what needs to be done. I appreciate it.”

*

Janet Ryan was sitting in a chair by the window when Catherine and Rebecca entered. The bruises on her face were fading, but she still appeared fragile physically. She smiled a greeting at Catherine and looked hesitantly at Rebecca, who pulled up a worn armchair and sat beside her.

“Do you remember me, Janet? I’m Detective Sergeant Frye. I spoke with you before.” When Janet nodded, Rebecca continued, “I have more questions to ask you. I want you to tell me again everything you did on the day of the assault. Everything you can remember, even if it doesn’t seem at all important. Start with when you woke up.”

“I overslept,” Janet began uncertainly. “I usually run in the morning and then take the train to work…but I was late. I was rushed that morning, so I decided to drive. I remember working…nothing unusual happened. I took River Drive home. The sun was still out…there were boats on the river. It seemed so peaceful I decided to stop. I parked…and walked down toward the water.” She stopped suddenly, a fine sheen of sweat glistening on her pale face.

Rebecca tried not to appear anxious. Janet was speaking in a low monotone, and her eyes were slightly unfocused. Her memory for the events surrounding the rape was clearly improving. Rebecca desperately needed for her to remember, but she was afraid to push too hard.

“You’re doing wonderfully, Janet,” Catherine said softly from where she stood just to the right of Janet Ryan’s chair. “Tell us about walking down to the water.”

“It was so quiet; I could barely hear the cars on the road. There was no one around and then…I heard something—a scream…” Once again, she stopped abruptly. This time she was visibly agitated. Her hands trembled and her breath came in quick gasps. Catherine reached out and lightly rested her hand on Janet’s arm.

“You’re all right, Janet. You are safe here with us. Can you tell me what is frightening you?”

“There was a man…he was doing something to the woman on the ground. He was…hurting her…but she wasn’t moving. I ran toward him, screaming at him to stop!” Janet looked wildly about the room, her gaze finally fixing on Catherine’s face. “Oh, Dr. Rawlings! I can’t remember! I just can’t remember any more.”

“That’s all right, Janet. You’ve done beautifully. Really. I’ll speak with you again this afternoon. I think we’ll be able to talk about you going home, all right?”

Janet nodded gratefully and softly murmured goodbye as Catherine and Rebecca left the room.

“That’s as much as you’re going to get for today. She
is
remembering, but it will take more time.”

Rebecca ran a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. “What about trying hypnosis or drugs?”

“It’s possible that either method might help spark further recollections, but I’m concerned that forcing the issue will be harmful to her in the long run. Her memory will return when her mind is healed enough to deal with what she experienced.”

“Is that doctor talk for no?” Rebecca asked, but there was no edge in her voice.

“You’re learning, Detective,” Catherine laughed. “Was it helpful for you at all?”

“She’s consistent, but I need the details.” Rebecca shrugged in exasperation. “I can’t help feeling that there’s something there, and I’m just not getting it. Three times this guy rapes and murders a woman in a fairly well populated area of the park, and no one sees him coming or going. He’s like the invisible man.”

The sound of Catherine’s name over the loudspeaker interrupted them. Rebecca was reviewing her notes from her first interrogation of Janet Ryan when Catherine motioned urgently for her to pick up the extension line.

“I’m so glad I found you in, Dr. Rawlings.”

Rebecca recoiled slightly when she recognized the same smooth voice from the tape of the previous night. She swore under her breath in utter frustration. She couldn’t believe how easily this guy could get to Catherine, despite all her efforts to prevent it. All her training, all that she
was
, seemed inadequate to protect her own lover from invasion. She forced herself to remain silent and listen.

“Why are you calling?” Catherine asked, her eyes on Rebecca. “What do you need?”

“I must see you.”

“All right,” she answered quickly, ignoring the violent negative gestures from Rebecca. “Come here to the hospital. I’ll see you this evening.”

Soft laughter. “Oh, Dr. Rawlings…you know I can’t do that. Besides, I want this meeting to be private and romantic. I want
you
to meet
me
tonight. I’ll tell you where later.”

Catherine looked quickly to Rebecca for direction. Rebecca shook her head
No!

“I want to talk with you,” Catherine responded, sounding totally sincere. “I have a feeling it would be very interesting.
You
are quite remarkable. I’m afraid that I can’t meet you tonight, however. Won’t you tell me your name so that I can reach you, too?”

“Good try, Doctor,” he said, his voice suddenly harsh. “The next time I talk to you, you’ll be ready to do whatever I ask.”

“Wait—” Catherine exclaimed as he broke the connection. She settled the receiver slowly into the cradle and stared at Rebecca, who hurried to her side. “I didn’t handle that very well, did I?”

Rebecca covered Catherine’s hand with her own. “You were fine. You had to tell him no.”

“Perhaps I should meet him,” Catherine mused, her expression distant and distracted. “If he wants to talk to me so badly, I might be able to talk him into giving himself up. Very often this type of personality craves attention, even to the point of accepting incarceration if it means more media exposure.”

“Are you crazy?” Rebecca’s eyes flashed angrily and her fingers tightened on Catherine’s arm. “There is no way I’m going to let this guy anywhere near you. Don’t even think about it; it’s not going to happen. I need to call this in, and then I need to get someone to run a check on the phone records to this floor. It’s a long shot, but you never know.”

Catherine nodded, her thoughts elsewhere. If only she could get him to get talk to her…

The call came at a little after two a.m. Rebecca roused herself from an uneasy sleep, checked her pager, and reached for the bedside phone, trying not to awaken Catherine as she pushed the familiar numbers.