Lauren (21 page)

Once his tongue hit her flesh, she gave in.

"A little longer ... then I have to go,” Lauren whispered, and Eddie moved her back onto the bed.

An hour later, Lauren left Eddie's place. She didn't head straight back to the city. Instead, she headed toward the River Point Police Department, and directly to her father's office.

"Well, look who it is? My God, woman, you look fantastic!” Steven Soranno told Lauren, as they met outside the police station.

They embraced one another.

"Thank you, Steven. You look great, too. How is Victoria?"

"She's good. We should try to get together for dinner. You should come by our place."

"That sounds like fun. I'll call Tory when I get a chance."

Steven gave her a sideways glance. “Oh, I won't hold my breath."

Lauren smiled. “I know. I've been kind of busy and all, but I promise to call. We will get together. You know, Victoria and I already discussed this on Memorial Day?

So, what brings you to the department today? A big head honcho meeting, or something?"

"Actually, I just stopped by to see your dad. We made plans for lunch later in the week."

"Sounds good."

"What about you? Got plans with your dad?"

"No, I didn't even call him to let him know I was coming. I've been working with the Ridgeburgh Police Department on a case."

"Yeah, he mentioned that. I also saw you on TV. You looked great. I bet they'll ask you to be the spokesperson for all the high profile cases,” Steven teased, and winked.

"Let's hope not. There's too much pressure, and the damn media is always trying to catch you off guard, reveal secret information, or twisting words. Did you notice that I haven't been quoted, or done any articles in the paper? I'm not taking any chances."

"So, you're getting used to throwing around the words no comment?"

"Exactly,” she said, and they laughed.

"Well, it sounds like a tough case, and this guy you're after sounds ruthless. I hope you catch him soon."

"He is ruthless, but we'll catch him. I'm determined."

"Good for you. Well, I have to get going. You better give Tory a call. I expect concrete plans once this case is over."

"You got it."

They hugged again, then Steven left.

Ruthless was an understatement, as far as she was concerned. She now knew, first hand, Ben Silver thought he was above the law. He didn't value life or give it much thought. Instead, he continued to take lives, destroy families, and cause so much pain and sadness. She wanted to stop it, and she wanted to understand Ben Silver's way of thinking.

Lauren entered the front door to the department. The place was busy, and many gazes turned her way, as she walked to the front desk. Immediately, she was recognized. A few police officers came over. Some were friends from high school, while others just knew her as Don Phelps’ daughter, the NYPD detective.

"Hey, Lauren Phelps, you looking for your dad?” Sergeant Conway asked.

"Yes, I am. Is he in his office?"

"Sure is. You go right ahead. By the way, you look great on television, but even better in person.” She smiled, and thanked him.

Lauren made her way to her father's office. She knocked first. Her father opened the door.

"Wow! What a surprise. Does your mom know you're in town?” He gave her a hug and a kiss. She sat down in the chair in front of his desk.

"No, she doesn't. No one does, really."

"Oh, you're sneaking around now? Things must be intense?” He sat back down.

She looked at the pictures he always kept on his desk. There was one with her, her brother Dave, her mom, and her dad on her parents’ thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, from three years ago. Then, there was a picture of her and her father in uniform, when she graduated from the New York City Police Academy.

"So how are things going? This guy you're after is an intense individual, huh?"

"He sure is.” Lauren moved forward in her seat. She wondered why she came here, before heading back into the city. Her mind was all over the place. Was this some kind of sign?
Go see your father, your family before it's too late?

Did her father have some kind of special powers, or abilities, to help her solve this case, find the killer, and bring justice to their families? Maybe she just needed to feel safe, to feel that special strength, power, and love that a father and daughter share.

She was a grown woman, a homicide detective no less, so why this sudden feeling of weakness and uncertainty? She was well trained, had been on the job since she turned twenty, so what was the deal? Was Silver breaking her down?

"Lauren, you didn't hear me. Do you need to talk?"

She saw the concern on his face. She knew she needed to gain back that control she once had. She didn't want her father to worry. It was hard enough, not telling him Silver had invaded her home, mocked her.

"This guy is a psychopath, and I know that. I guess I'm just a little frustrated. I don't know.” She leaned back in her chair.

Her father watched her. She was trying to act tough, but she knew she needed him. “Lauren, you know what kind of a person this Silver guy is. You are correct in labeling him a psychopath, but he's an organized serial killer out to cause shock, rattle you, and the other detectives working this case. To keep you off balance. You can find this guy."

"I don't know why I'm questioning my abilities.” She wondered if meeting Eddie, and opening up her heart to him right now, caused these feelings of vulnerability? Now was not the time for this.

"It's perfectly normal to react this way. You and I respect life. We respect the fact we all have the right to live our lives, do the right thing, and abide by the laws.

"Unfortunately, there are people out there who don't value life, who don't believe in the law, and only believe in the power they feel when they commit murder. Think about it. To us, these killings are senseless acts, but to the serial killer, he has the power over life and death. He's in control, and that control, that feeling, and the belief no one can stop him, makes him feel untouchable."

"I want to find him and stop him. He's playing a game with us now, and I don't want anyone else to get hurt."

"That's understandable. You know, usually these types of offenders don't just wake up one day and decide to kill."

"I know that. I'm sure he's had his share of willing partners, women who enjoy the roughness, and getting dressed up as he requires. That's why I want to try and question some of the female employees he worked with. It's just a hunch, but maybe he was involved with one of them. I don't know."

"Sure you do, honey. That sounds like a great idea. A lot of times, people like this have a secret location, or a hideout area, where they feel safe and uninhibited. You're a great detective. All this digging around and gut feelings, or instincts, if you want to call them that, usually pay off. You're doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing. You will get this guy because you're good, and you're working with some of the best detectives.

"Actually, I received a few phone calls from some higher ups, both the city and locally. They're impressed with your work. You can get this guy, kiddo. I know you can."

Lauren stood up. It was getting late, and she needed to get into the city, and to the warehouse.

"Thanks for the pep talk, Dad. I needed it."

"Anytime, sweetheart, and remember, you're not just a cop, you're a cop's daughter."

Lauren smiled, then gave her dad a hug. He had the most amazing power, and he didn't even realize it.

She said goodbye, and headed into the city. She had a new hope, a new sense of commitment, responsibility, and determination.

She thought about her dad, and their relationship. He was always there for her, to guide her, pick her up when she fell, or felt she failed. His smile alone, at just the precise time, empowered her, gave her that extra kick to accomplish the task at hand, and to succeed. She decided that once this case was over, she'd make serious plans to spend some quality time with her family and friends.

Lauren sat outside of the commercial building, in the Bronx watching the employees enter for work. She waited, for one in particular. The young woman who wouldn't admit to knowing Ben Silver, even though Lauren had a hunch she did.

It was 9:00 a.m., and she wondered if she were given the wrong information about the girl's work schedule.

She thought about last night with Eddie, and how hard it was to leave him this morning. He didn't want her out of his sight. They actually argued about it. He was worried and fearful. She knew it had a lot to do with what happened to his wife, Sarah.

She figured she needed to cool things off with Eddie. Silver was playing games, and now she needed to get her mind focused, to be sure to catch his mistake, when he made it. As perfect as Silver thought he was, he would screw up, and she would be there to catch him.

She had a job to do, and finding Ben Silver any way she could was all that mattered right now.

By 9:30 a.m., she figured the girl was a no show. She remembered the business owner saying, sometimes, Salina Bard didn't show up for work.

The dispatcher interrupted her thoughts. They were trying to locate her. She wondered why Tom hadn't called her on her cell phone. As she reached down to her hip, she realized it wasn't there.

"Shit."

She responded to the dispatcher, and was connected to Tom.

"I thought I told you to go nowhere alone, or call in first. I tried your cell phone, and got your voice mail. I'm in the car. Where are you? I'll meet you right now,” he told her.

She understood his concern, told him where she was, and that she left her cell phone at home, without realizing it.

Tom sighed, in obvious relief.

"I don't think she's showing up today, Lieu. I'm going to give her a couple more minutes. Then, I'm headed back to the 53rd."

"I'll be there in ten,” he told her. There was no use in arguing with him.

He radioed out, and Lauren couldn't help but smile. Tom was a good friend. She knew he would do anything for her, just like she would do for him.

She heard, then saw, a beat up, eighties’ looking Bronco pull into the parking lot at full speed, The driver swerved its front end into a tight parking spot. They nearly took out the car one space over.

Salina Bard stepped out of the vehicle, wearing a short, red miniskirt and a tight, black blouse, along with very high heels.

Lauren didn't think the outfit was suitable for a profession such as a secretary. A different profession came to mind, though.

She waited a moment, then followed Salina, who walked to the side of the building, instead of the main door. Lauren approached the corner, then made the turn, surprising the three people huddled in the group there. She was surprised, as well.

Everyone halted.

Lauren eyed the narcotics Salina held in one hand, as well as the money the other two guys held out to her.

"What the hell is this?” Salina yelled out, obviously trying to act tough, then she dropped the drugs and ran for the gate. The other two guys did the same, but ran in different directions.

Lauren grabbed the bag of drugs, and went after Salina. She smiled, knowing there was no way the girl could get away, or run that fast, in the heels she wore.

She caught up with Salina quickly, and she grabbed her by her poorly dyed, red hair, yanking her to the ground.

Salina kicked and screamed, nearly making contact with Lauren's face with her fist. Lauren retaliated with a right hook to Salina's cheek, then a forearm to her nose. The blood splattered. Salina gave up, and laid flat on the ground. Lauren pulled out her handcuffs and arrested Salina.

Afterward, she reached down for her cell phone, and realized, once again, she left it at home. She cursed the situation, until the owner came out, declaring he'd called the cops, and that Salina was fired.

A few minutes later, Tom and Jack met her at the scene, and she went over what happened. One look at Salina, and both Jack and Tom smiled at one another.

"That's a nice ‘collar’ you got there, Phelps, with a drug deal like this. The school yard, right around the corner, is an awesome arrest,” Tom told her, and she winked, as she finished speaking to the responding officers.

"Looks like you can add resisting arrest and assaulting an officer,” Jack added.

"Not assaulting an officer. She never had a chance.” Lauren gave Salina a dirty look, as the patrol officer placed her in the back of a patrol car.

"What were you doing down here?” Tom said.

Lauren explained her theory about Salina possibly knowing more than she'd let on.

"You want to question her a little? Maybe find out what Silver was into, before murder?” Jack said.

"That, and maybe there's a place he likes to act out his sexual fantasies. You remember all those X-rated videos and home movies you found at Silver's apartment? They were taken at a different location than his apartment. Maybe Miss Fake Redhead/Miniskirt has an idea? Let's thoroughly question her. We'll talk to the D.A. and see if we can negotiate Salina's charges. Promise her that if she talks, and gives us some useful info, we'll make sure the judge goes easy on her."

"Sounds good. We'll head back over."

"Oh, shit! Wait a minute. I left my cell phone at home. I'll go run by to get it, while you guys take her in and start questioning her. First, I'll wrap things up here.” Lauren headed over to the patrol car.

Officer Lizzy Lopez finished taking a shower and getting something to eat, then started looking for her necklace again. She'd almost finished her third bottle of water, and placed the plastic bottle onto the dresser.

She prayed to Saint Anthony—the saint of lost things and lost people—multiple times, to try and locate the heart locket her father had given her, when she graduated from the police academy. She was his only daughter. Her three brothers were cops, just like her dad.

He wasn't too happy his little girl wanted to get involved with law enforcement, but with her natural instincts, Latin attitude, and street savvy ways, she was going places in the department, and there was no doubt in anyone's mind.