He was decked out in his dress uniform and as he got close to the stage, he saw Devin James break free from a conversation and come towards him.
“JD!”
Jason didn’t mind when his friends and fellow officers called him that but Devin James did not fall into either category and it annoyed him that the reporter implied in public that they were buddies.
“Detective Strong.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Devin seemed unfazed by the rebuke.
“Detective, do you have any news on the girl that these guys saved?”
“No. Her status remains the same.”
“And what would that status be?”
Jason ignored the question.
“Okay, how about the guy who did this to her? Anything more on him?”
“There’s going to be a statement after the ceremony.”
Jason pushed past the reporter and continued on his way to the stage. Jason wasn’t sure what Vanessa’s issue was with Devin James, but he was beginning to feel like he would probably agree with her.
When he got to the steps, the lieutenant met him.
“Have you seen Detective Layne?”
“No. I talked to her before lunch and she said she’d be here.”
“I hope so. The mayor wants the whole team present. Doctor Davis and the police chief are already here, that just leaves Layne.”
“I’m sure she’ll be here.” Actually he wasn’t sure but no point in arousing the lieutenant’s suspicion.
Jason followed John Patton onto the stage and took a seat next to him on the left side of the podium. The other chairs were filling up as 2:00 approached. Jason waved to the two men who were the purpose of this shindig, neither of which looked particularly comfortable. They both gave him a little half wave. No doubt the last few days have been pretty surreal.
A city councilwoman got up and started towards the podium. The “privilege” of introducing the mayor had apparently been given to her. Jason didn’t think much of politicians. Usually they were just getting in the way of him doing his job, which is exactly what was happening now. He should be working instead of sitting in the increasingly warm sun.
Jason scanned the distant parking lot for a sign of his partner. Sure enough, she was just locking her car and heading full tilt for the stage. She managed to get to the steps as Madame Councilwoman began.
“Thank you all for coming out today to honor these two brave citizens. It is my…..”
Jason watched Vanessa try to look small as she waited for the mayor to be introduced. Finally, when the mayor was given the podium and while everyone applauded, Vanessa made her way to her chair. She drew a scowl from both the lieutenant and the chief.
****
Norman began to get agitated. Everyone was here but the person he’d come to see. The ceremony was about to begin and there was one chair still empty on stage. He knew it had to be hers.
He studied the two men that had saved the girl in the woods. He didn’t know how two buffoons like them had been able to surprise him. He would not be so careless again.
He spotted a flash out of the corner of his eye. It was long black hair and a police uniform. She was here. He watched as her hair waved in the light breeze while she waited by the side of stage. He found her stunning as always and was looking forward to their meeting. He always looked forward to the beginning of his next encounter with a ‘Marcie’.
He watched for a while as the mayor gave his speech and awarded the medals, but it bored him. Despite having an opportunity to stare at the thin, black-haired woman on stage, he decided leaving before the end was the right choice. He slipped away, unnoticed.
****
The police chief was the last to speak and he informed everyone that Detectives Strong and Layne would be available for questioning in the lobby at 3:15.
“Oh, great!” It was Vanessa. “Did you know about this?”
“Nope. News to me.”
“We’re not going to get any work done on this case today.”
“It would appear not.”
As the ceremony came to an end, Lieutenant Patton motioned the two detectives to follow him. They walked down a rear set of stairs and into the back of city hall.
“Sorry about the surprise news conference. I only found out just before the ceremony.”
Vanessa felt compelled to share her displeasure.
“Jason and I need to be working on this case, not doing more interviews.”
Lieutenant Patton stopped and turned to face the detectives. His eyes rested on Vanessa.
“As I recall, you weren’t getting much done today anyway. You feeling better, are you?”
Vanessa realized she’d picked a poor time to rant about press briefings.
“Oh, yeah. I do feel better. Must have been something I ate.”
As the lieutenant resumed his pace, Vanessa rolled her eyes in Jason’s direction and it was all he could do to keep from laughing. Vanessa isn’t caught off guard very often and when she is, Jason usually finds it good for some teasing.
“Probably something in your stomach.”
Vanessa fired a loaded glance at Jason, which he pretended not to notice. There was another podium set up in the lobby of the city hall and reporters were already milling about. The lieutenant went up and tapped the mic. It responded with a thud. Everyone turned their attention forward.
“I’m going to turn this over to the detectives and let you ask your questions but there will be no name given on our victim from the other night. Her status remains unchanged and we will release another update in the morning.”
He turned and motioned Vanessa and Jason forward.
“Most of you are familiar with Detectives Jason Strong and Vanessa Layne. I’ll let them take it from here.”
Jason and Vanessa came forward and began answering questions. They took turns and tried to remain patient when the same question was asked several times in different ways. They endured it for nearly 45 minutes before the opening came to shut it down. Jason took it.
“Thank you for understanding but Detective Layne and I must go back to work.”
They turned and left the stage to the lieutenant.
Outside in the parking lot the two detectives loosened their collars and sighed.
“I’m glad that’s over.”
Vanessa sat on a bench and looked up at him.
“No kidding! I thought we’d never get away. What are you going to do now?”
Jason looked at his watch. It was after 4 pm.
“I’m going to check on the girl and then head home. See you at the station in the morning?”
“That’s fine. I’m gonna sit for a few and then head home myself.”
“Okay. See ya tomorrow.”
Chapter 12
The next morning Vanessa was up early. The meds she was on were taking effect and for a change, she didn’t feel sick.
She fixed breakfast for her and Rob which they enjoyed together for the first time in weeks. Vanessa looked over at her husband.
“When we have an ultrasound, do we want to know what the sex is?”
Rob smiled.
“If it’s a boy, yes!”
“And if it’s a girl?”
“Oh, I guess that would be okay, too.”
She reached over and punched him. He recoiled but she was too fast and landed a solid blow on his arm.
“Owww!”
“You deserved that.”
“You know I don’t care if it’s a girl or a boy.” He rubbed his arm. “Man, even pregnant, you still pack a punch.”
“And don’t you forget it!”