Bloodstain (7 page)

Chapter 10

San Antonio General Hospital, or SAG as locals
call it, is on the west side of town between Seaworld and Lackland Air Base. They arrived and parked in the main lot.

After
showing their badges at the desk, they were informed Stephanie Morris was in Intensive Care on the second floor. They took the elevator up and when the doors opened, Jason was relieved to see two uniformed officers guarding Stephanie Morris’ room. He walked up to them and showed his badge. “Has she had any visitors?”

“Just one, th
e girl sitting over there.”

Jason looked over in the direction the officer pointed. Sitting alone was Brooke Donald. Jason turned to Vanessa.
“I’m going to talk to her. Can you see if you can find the doctor?”

“Sure. Be back soon.”

Jason walked toward Brooke. The young girl gave him a half-hearted wave when she recognized him. “Hello, Detective.”

“Hi, Brooke. How you holding up?”

“Okay. Steph came out of surgery about an hour ago, but they said I won’t get to see her until this afternoon at the soonest.”

“
I’ll make sure the officers know you’re allowed in when the doctor clears it.”

She gave him a slight smile.
“Thank you. I knew something was wrong. I kept hoping she was okay, but when the phone rang during the night, I wasn’t surprised.”

“If it helps, Stephanie may be the key to
stopping this guy. She’s probably seen him, and if she can describe this animal, we’ll get him. I promise.”

“I know you will. Thank you,
Detective.”

Jason saw Vanessa coming down the hall.
“Will you excuse me, Brooke?”

“Sure.”

Jason patted her on the hand before meeting Vanessa down the hallway. “Did you find the doctor?”

“Yes. Surgeons name is Mary Nance. She operated for five hours.”

“What’s the prognosis? Is our girl gonna make it?”

“She said the bullet missed the heart, hit the shoulder blade
, and bounced around until landing near her spine. She got it out, but doesn’t know if she’ll have any paralysis.”

“Poor girl. When does th
e doc think we can talk to her?”

“Dr. Nance said the girl lost a lot of blood and will likely be in
an induced coma for at least twenty-four hours, maybe forty-eight.”

“
Crap! Well, I guess we wait. We need to interview the two guys who found her, as well as go to the scene. Let me tell Brooke what we know and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Jason spoke to the officers
, and then went over to where Brooke was sitting. “She’s doing okay. They’re going to keep her sedated for at least twenty-four hours.”

“Okay.”

“Do you need anything? A ride?”

“No. I’m just going to stay near her for a little while longer.”

Jason gave her a smile. “You do that. Stay as long as you want. I’ll check with the doctor to see if you can sit in the room.”

“That would be great. Thanks.”

*******

Jason spoke to the surgeon and got permission for Brooke to sit in the room. He
got her settled before going downstairs to find Vanessa.

She was in the lobby and hung up her phone as Jason approached.
“Lieutenant gave me an address for each of the guys that found her. They’re loggers, cutting for Weyerhaeuser. They were at the end of their day when they stumbled onto the girl.”

“We need to visit them, but first, you want to take a ride to the woods?”

“Sure. We need to get out there before they clean it up.”

“Works for me.”

*******

The scene was well lit when they arrived
, but didn’t yield much in the way of evidence. The wine glass had been bagged for evidence. The killer had left nothing else behind, as usual. Officers at the scene interviewed the two men who found the girl. Jason and Vanessa reviewed the notes.

The sun had started to come up and Jason was hungry.
“Wanna’ get a bite before we go interview the loggers?”

“Sure.”

Jason drove them to an IHOP and, after some eggs and coffee, they left for the first logger’s house. Joe answered their knock on the door with no apparent surprise. “Yes.”

“Joe Dixon?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Detective Jason Strong
, and this is my partner, Detective Layne. We’d like to ask you some questions about last night.”

Joe stepped back and opened the door for the detectives to enter.
“Sure, come in.”

Joe, like his name, was average in every way. Average
height, average build, average brown hair, etc. He led them into a small living room. A beer sat keeping an easy chair company. Joe sat next to the beer. “I told the cops everything I could remember, last night.”

Jason took a chair across from Joe
, but Vanessa remained standing. She opened a pad to make notes and let Jason ask the questions. It was their routine. One asked the questions and watched the face of the person they were questioning while the other observed the surroundings and took notes.

“I’ve
had a chance to read the report, but we like to follow up the next day, anyway. Just to make sure nothing occurred to you.”

“Okay. I
don’t mind. I called in today, didn’t feel like working. Nothing has come to mind but I’m glad to help.”

Joe took a sip of the companion beer and leaned forward.
“How’s the girl? I tried calling the hospital, but they won’t tell me anything.”

“She’s doing okay. The d
octors put her in a drug-induced coma while she heals. You almost surely saved her life.”

Joe
appeared uncomfortable with the idea he was some sort of hero. Vanessa reinforced her partner. “Detective Strong is right. You most likely saved that girls life.”

“I just did what my friend, Jonathon, told me to. He
’s the calm one.”

“You’re both heroes to that girl.”

Jason turned the man’s attention back to the details. “You said you were walking back to your truck after cutting wood. It was kinda late, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, I was
chewin’ Jonathon out for just that, when I fell. He helped me up and we’d gone just a short distance farther when we saw them. Actually, Jonathon saw them, and pointed them out to me.”

“What exactly did you see?”

“Somebody standing over someone who was sitting against a tree. Then things just took on a life of their own. Jonathon yelled at him, a gun went off, and we dove for cover. When we got up, the shooter was gone,” he paused. “That poor girl. It was awful.”

“Could you describe
the shooter or his vehicle?”

“It all happened too fast. I didn’t get a good look at either one.”

Jason looked at Vanessa. She shrugged and put away her notebook. Jason took out his card and handed it to Joe. “Do you know if your friend is home, as well?”

“He is. He called in, too.”

“Joe, thanks. You think of anything, please call.”

“Sure. If you get a chance, let me know how the girl’s doin’.”

“You bet.”

*******

The stop at Jonathon’s went the same. It was clear these two men had been thrown into a situation as bad as any they could imagine. They had done above and beyond what could be expected from any normal person, so it didn’t surprise Jason when Lieutenant Patton gave them the news.

They had just returned to the station when the lieutenant waved them into his office.
“The mayor wants to present those two men with medals from the city.”

Vanessa, however,
was
surprised. “Shouldn’t he wait until they’re sure she’s going to make it before doing a publicity stunt?”

“The mayor’s people are telling him she’s going to be fine.”

“The mayor’s ‘people’ are idiots!”

Jason smiled. Vanessa was not one to prance around an issue. Still, it did seem too soon. Jason still
hadn’t had a chance to talk with her, never mind knowing if she was going to be ‘fine’.

“Has anyone talked to her doctors since this morning?”

The lieutenant shook his head and Vanessa volunteered to call the hospital. She went to her desk.

“When do they want to do the medal ceremony?”
Jason asked.

“Day after tomorrow, two
p.m.”

“I guess Vanessa and I will be required to attend?”

“If I gotta’ go, you gotta’ go.”

“Who made that rule?”

“Me. Deal with it.”

Jason laughed as Vanessa hung up and came back over.
“Her condition hasn’t changed. She’s still stable but unconscious. I told them we want to know the second she comes around. Apparently, they’re going to keep her under awhile longer so she heals more.”

Jason understood
, but it was still frustrating. “Did they say how long before they will let her wake up?”

She shook her head.
“The nurse said it depends on her progress.”

Jason was tired,
they’d been up since one a.m. “Well, nothing to do but call it a day. I’m going home. Sandy has the grill warming up for me.”

Vanessa was worn out, too
“Sounds like a plan. Goodnight, JD. See you tomorrow, Lieutenant.”

“You two be back here bright and early. We’ll need to prep for the mayor’s ceremony.”

The two detectives rolled their eyes and headed out.

*******

Norman watched as the two detectives came out of the station. They walked together until the man reached his car and got in. The female detective waved, laughed at something said, then continued on to her car.

Norman
sat in a gray Malibu, not his truck, since he figured by now they would be onto that vehicle. The sun was starting to go down, Norman’s favorite time of day, but he would not be going to South Presa Street tonight. He had a different mission this evening.

Detective Vanessa Layne pulled out of the lot and into traffic, Norman following about ten car lengths behind her, with a car between them. They drove for nearly twenty minutes before she turned into a subdivision on the south side of the city. When she pulled into her driveway, Norman kept going
, and circled the block.

Coming back around, he stopped at the end of the street. The detective had already gone inside
, but Norman didn’t care. He was there to look over the house for an advantage.

The house
was two stories, with white siding, and a gray-shingle roof. The front lawn was mowed, but little time had been spent on landscaping. The exception was a large hedge planted along the side of the driveway.

It
ran from the sidewalk all the way back to the side of the house. It appeared to be for privacy from the house next door, and it was perfect for what he needed.

The sun was almost
gone, and people were coming home in a steady stream. He needed to leave before he was spotted. He started his car, took a final look, and pulled away.

Chapter 11

Jason pulled into the station parking lot on the morning of the ceremony. Stephanie Morris had taken a turn for the worse last night and, though they stabilized her, she was still in the induced coma. Despite the events of yesterday, the mayor’s decision was to go forward with the ceremony.

Jason
didn’t see Vanessa’s Challenger and, though he was rarely late, she almost always beat him in. He came through the station doors and his friend, Sergeant Dave Connor, greeted him from the front desk. “Good morning, Detective”

“Morning Dave. How’s Vicky?”

“Mean as ever.”

“Come on, Dave. She spoils you rotten. If I didn’t have Sandy, I’d steal her from you.”

“You detectives! You think all the women swoon over you.”

“What are you sayin’, Dave. You mean they don’t?”

The sergeant rolled his eyes. “You don’t fool me. That Sandy has you wrapped around her finger.”

“Too true
, Buddy, too true. Say hi to Vicky for me.”

“I will.”

The elevator doors closed and reopened a few minutes later on the third floor. Jason walked toward his desk, but Lieutenant Patton was waving at him to come in his office. Jason leaned in and John Patton hung up the phone. “That was Vanessa. She’s not feeling well.”

“Anything serious?”

“No. She said she’s sick to her stomach. I told her she better not be trying to get out of the ceremony this afternoon.”

Jason chuckled, but in the back of his mind, he was worried. She might be having complications.
“Did she confess?”

“Nope. In fact,
she said she would meet us at City Hall this afternoon.”

“Doesn’t sound too serious.
I’m going over to the hospital to check on Stephanie Morris. I’ll meet you there, as well.”

“Don’t be late.”

“Yes, sir.”

*******

Jason got to the hospital in under a half hour. Record time for San Antonio in mid-morning. He parked and made his way up to Stephanie’s room. He checked the spot where he’d found Brooke the other day, but she wasn’t there.

He stopped to talk to the officers guarding the door and they assured him all had been quiet. He went into the room.

Stephanie Morris was still unconscious. Blood seeped through the thick bandage on her chest that looked like it was due to be changed.

Right on cue, a nurse came in. She
didn’t appear to be aware of the detective’s presence. She checked the tubes and lines running from Stephanie before looking at each of the monitors. Despite Jason thinking the dressing needed changing, she didn’t begin to remove it. He stepped closer to the girl and stared down at her.

“Watc
h the transfusion line, please.”

Apparently, she did know he was there. Jason looked down at where he was leaning against the bed and saw he was pinching the line.

“Sorry,” he stepped back. “Has she been awake?”

“Not yet. They still have her sedated.”

“Do you know when they will wake her up?”

“You’d have to ask the doctor to be sure. The chart seems to indicate late tomorrow afternoon or evening.”

The nurse, apparently done with her mission, exited the room as suddenly as she came in. Jason stood looking over the girl.

What do you know? Did you see his face? Do you know his name? Can you take us to his house?

Jason longed to ask her out loud. He’d made a promise to Brooke and he liked to keep his promises. He also wanted this guy off the street.

Hang in there, kiddo. Come back to us.

He turned away from the bed and went outside. Checking his watch, he realized he had time for a quick sandwich before he had to leave for the ceremony. He dialed Vanessa. “Hello.”

“Hey, Vanessa. You doin’ okay?”

“Yeah. Some cramps and a sick stomach.”

“Everything
all right?”

“Yes. We called the doc
, and he gave me something new for the nausea. It’s not real strong because of the baby, but it’s helping.”

“You
still going to make it to the ceremony?”

“Yes.”

“Need a ride?”

“No
. I’ll see you there.”

“Okay.”

Jason hung up and drove the four blocks to his favorite sandwich shop. He decided to have coffee with lunch. He might need the caffeine at the ceremony.

*******

Jason pulled in at city hall just before one-thirty and from the parking lot, it was already obvious seating was at a premium. Most of the chairs were filled. The press, as usual, had the front two or three rows. TV cameras were set up at the back of the seating, and photographers were jockeying for best place to set up their tripods.

Jason got out and walked toward
the raised stage. The speaker’s podium, at the front of the stage, had a row of chairs in a half moon behind it. At the back of the stage stood three flags. The American, Texas, and San Antonio City flags wafted in a soft breeze. The day was sunny but not overly hot, a fact Jason appreciated when he noticed there was no shade over the seats.

D
ecked out in his dress uniform, he saw Devin James break free from a conversation, and come toward him.

“JD!”

Jason didn’t mind when his friends and fellow officers called him that, but Devin James didn’t fall into either category, and it annoyed him the reporter took the liberty. “Detective Strong.”

“Oh, sorry
,” Devin seemed unfazed by the rebuke. “Detective, do you have any news on the girl 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
, the police chief, and the captain 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 the lieutenant, on the left side of the podium. The other chairs were filling up as two o’clock 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 for you guys.

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, 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 captain.

*******

Norman began to get agitated. Everyone is here but the person he’s here to see. The ceremony was about to begin and there was one chair still empty on stage. It had to be hers.

He studied the two men
who 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.

A
flash out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Long black hair and a police uniform. He watched as her hair waved in the light breeze while she waited by the side of stage.

As always,
he found her stunning, and looked forward to their meeting. He always looked forward to the beginning of his next encounter with ‘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 Detectives Strong and Layne would be available for questioning in the City Hall lobby at three-fifteen.

“Oh, great!” It was Vanessa. “Did you know about this?”

Jason held up his hands. “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 public relations.”

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. 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 busting out laughing. Vanessa wasn’t caught off guard very often, and when she was, Jason usually found it good for some teasing. “Probably something in your stomach.”

Vanessa fired a loaded glance at Jason, which he pretended not to notice.
A podium had been set up in the lobby and reporters were already milling about. The lieutenant went up, tapped the mic, which 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 forty-five 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 Jason loosened his collar 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. I
t was after four.

“I’m going to check on the girl
at the hospital, and then head home. See you at the station in the morning?”