Flying in Shadows (The Black Creek Series, Book 2) (29 page)

Dave walked over and looked at the before and after photos of the new women that were
posted in the Suspected Victims column. Each was labeled at the bottom with name,
age and city. Pittsburgh; Indy; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; and Milwaukee. "How? When?"

His assistant sat down, crossing one ankle over the other on Dave's desk. "I told
you, I'm a genius and while you were reconciling and consoling your ex, I was pulling
an all-nighter."

"You're right. I apologize. I should have called. I was... wasn't thinking."

"On account of the situation, forget about it." His assistant nodded toward the photos.
"Each of these women had years of scattered robbery and assault reports. The perp
fits the basic description. Aliases used so far are Maarten Ricks, Monty Rodriguez
and Miguel Rauel. Initials M.R. Michael Rainer fits." His aide walked up to the Coleman
picture, studied the notes underneath. "What makes you think this one's connected
if money was left on her?"

"He was angry. Amanda said no to him. Physically hurt him. Emotionally humiliated
him." Dave took a deep breath, his mind spinning with plans and strategies. "Catch
a nap in the bunk room, then see what else you can come up with."

* * *

"This is Jenna Woith, reporting live for WCEL TV, from the Birds of Prey Research
and Action Center. We are here this morning to join in the ribbon cutting ceremony
for the newly constructed predatory bird aviary."

"This is stupid," Rose said.

Andy could hear her grind her teeth. "This is publicity." He held tightly onto her
arm.

"This is a dog and pony show."

Conceding with a tilted nod, he whispered, "You look beautiful."

"I don't look any different than I do any other day. You're all cleaned up. Look at
the size of those obnoxious scissors. The frigging mayor is here. Do I have to? This
is Dr. Gray's research center."

"You look like a doctor of biology who specializes in conservation. I'm dressed like
I own my own building and developing business." He resisted kissing her cheek. "And,
yes, you have to cut the ribbon with the scissors. It's ceremony and this is your
project, not Paul's."

She stepped out smiling widely, motioning dramatically for him to follow.

The small crowd applauded.

"Thank you all for coming," Rose said with a clear voice as the reporter shoved the
microphone inches from her face. Without acknowledging it was there, Rose continued,
"What we have here is a place for injured birds to properly rehabilitate and for Gracie
the eagle, our newest addition to the center's education animals." She continued articulately
and with appropriate enthusiasm citing a summary of Gracie's avian pox and the events
of the animal's life that followed.

He thought she was seamless. She presented just enough facts to keep it interesting
and impress the audience without losing the attention of those who weren't into this
kind of thing and were really just here to make an appearance. Although the catalyst
was Gracie, Rose used the present lead-poisoned bald eagle as an example, making sure
to emphasize the enclosure would assist all injured birds, not just the one.

She gestured for him to take the lead. "Please give a warm welcome to Andrew Reed,
owner of Reed Builders, whose generous donations of both materials and labor made
this all possible. Andy?"

He thought that for how much she hated this, Rose could put on a good show. He couldn't
resist shooting her a small wink as he took the podium.

He looked at the crowd and noticed the reporter in the front row lifted a brow.

"Thank you, Dr. Piper." He wore his black dress pants, Duncan's Italian shoes, a fitted
gray-blue shirt, and a black tie. "It is the honor of Reed Builders that we were able
to give this gorgeous animal a place to spread her wings and thrive as much as humanely
possible. Gracie is special, and in a way, represents many species, winged and not,
that are at the whim of human intervention. Let's cut the ribbon and set her loose!"

Applause rippled as he glanced over his shoulder at Rose. He did a double take when
he saw water pooled in her eyes. She blinked twice at him, then headed for the giant
scissors. Smiling at the cameras, she cut the ribbon, cheered and then politely directed
the group to the outside of the structure.

He helped with the podium and with the nosy Jenna Woith. Nudging her out of the enclosure,
he shut the door securely behind them. They watched as Grace and Rose put on their
leather gloves, then stepped out with Gracie tethered to Rose's arm. The enclosure
was extensive. He had installed artificial trees at each end that would scrape and
peel much like the feel of actual bark and branches. In the middle was a large water
tank because damn it if he wouldn't ensure the girl would have her chance at fishing.
He wished the area could be taller, as it went only up about three stories.

Jenna Woith edged closer and, while keeping her eyes on the bird, leaned toward him
and whispered in his ear, "You two make a cute couple. The conservationist and the
land developer. That could make a great story."

He stood expertly expressionless.

"You're Nathan Reed's boy, aren't you?"

He'd had years of practice with reporters who tried to crash the house showing his
uncle offered his friends and customers every other year.

He turned slightly to look at her with eyes of steel. "We're here for Gracie today."
Then pretended she wasn't there.

The euphoric feeling of watching the girl take her first, honest flight surprised
him. There was enough room for her to spread her wings and glide momentarily before
perching on a protruding branch and screeching loudly. "Ha! Look at her!" He swore
she was working the crowd.

Rose and Grace high-fived over success that was a longtime coming.

* * *

"This was his doing, wasn't it?" Amanda took the story she'd printed from the Northridge
News site and set it on Dave's desk.

He sighed and nodded. "I think so, yes."

"Did you see it? Was it as bad as they say?" She paced. "I can't help but feel responsible."

Dave got up and took her gently by the shoulders. "No more feeling responsible." Then,
brushed his thumb over her chin.

"What happens now? What can I do to help?" she spoke into his chest.

"At some point, we'll bring you back in for more questioning. For now, be careful,
be safe."

She frowned at him.

"His pattern is to hit and run. He's likely moved on now. Our work will be across
state lines. We're gathering his hot spots. I'm working to clear out the women willing
to leave and place unmarked patrols at the others. He's going to show up, Amanda.
We're gonna get him." Brushing back the hair from her face, he changed the subject.
"Where are you headed?"

"I've got a meeting with the M.O.D. at the shelter in Seneca Falls. I may have to
work up plans for another can drive there. Then, I'll stop at the Waterloo location
to make sure the volunteers for dinner show up. We've been having some issues there."
In response to his scowl, she placed her hand on his cheek. "I've done this for years.
I can't live in a closet. Won't."

"Don't go home alone." He put up a hand before she could speak; a pained expression
formed on his face. "You owe me that. Go to Jessica's. I'll call when I'm done here.
Please."

She had no choice but to nod in agreement. "We meet with Rose tomorrow at one."

* * *

"How many speeding tickets have you had?" Rose sat in the small bucket seat next to
Andy as he took a corner.

"Not that many. Lately." She loved when he grinned at her from the corner of his eyes.
"I don't speed. Mostly. I just like to get to the speed limit as quickly as possible."
He winked and tucked her short hair behind her ear.

"Are you sure you want to be here for this?" She tilted her head. "I'm not sure what's
up. Mom avoided me at your folks' on the Fourth."

She had watched them that day at the Reed's. She gave them the space they'd requested
even though she wanted to pull her mother aside and demand an explanation. Instead,
she waited. Seeing them like that had somehow soothed her curiosity. She'd always
been able to accept the divorce of her parents. It had been a decision between two
grown adults. But seeing them together, knowing they'd always longed for one another,
overwhelmed both the daughter and the woman inside her. And now?

"I'm nowhere near ready to let you out of my sight," he answered.

Charcoal stood at the sidewalk, obediently resisting the urge to run into the street,
even though he'd clearly heard the familiar rumble from Andy's car around the corner.
Older and much calmer now, the only uncontrolled part of his greeting was his tail.
It wagged madly while the rest of him waited patiently.

Andy parked along the curb. They got out at the same time. Squatting, Andy rubbed
Charcoal's ears before playfully smacking his side. Males postured no matter what
species, she thought. The Lab took the bait and lowered his chest to the grass, tail
swishing and daring. Andy nearly mimicked the pose, then chased him in circles as
they made their way to the front door. "You coming in?"

Rose smiled, knowing he was talking to the dog. Charcoal darted in front of them as
if, of course, he'd understood what he'd been asked.

Dave and her mother were waiting in the front room, holding hands together on the
couch. They left the loveseat for her and Andy. She felt subtle warmth at the sight
of her nestled parents and the familiar scent of home.

They followed their lead into small talk that ranged from the scissor-cutting ceremony
at the center to the dog's latest antics. She noticed as her mother wrung her hands.

"There's more to your father and I getting back together." Her mother blew out a breath.

Momentary silence followed the jump into the reason for the meeting.

"It's about your biological father. It's not pretty, and you'll need to decide if
you want Andy to be here for this."

Rose was much more concerned with her mother's jittery behavior than any story about
some person she never knew. Never did she feel any need to hear about her biological
father as some missing-parent adults did. She was surprised at the topic, though.
Very surprised and looked to Andy, read the acknowledgement in his eyes, then nodded
to her mother.

"I met him in Nicaragua, but you know that." Her mother stammered in a way that was
new to Rose. Keeping her gaze on her mother's eyes, she noticed Dave squeeze her fingers
as they rested on her thigh. "I was working with Red Cross. We... no, the reason I
was there doesn't matter. What matters is that he broke into my trailer and..." Dave
slid an arm around her shoulder. "He came in and... raped me. I left for the states
shortly after."

"Mom." Instinctively, Rose's fingers covered her cheeks, a painful wince distorting
her face. "Oh, Mom. Why didn't you ever tell me?" Rose felt her face drop as realization
filled her. "Oh."

Her mother sat very still.

"I'm so sorry," Rose said. "That must have been terrifying. Were you... hurt badly?
Did you have anyone to help you?"

"I had you." Her mother smiled warmly. "It was my choice. I healed and learned I was
pregnant with you." Letting go of Dave's hand, she straightened her shoulders and
folded hers in her lap. "But I'm afraid that's not all."

"If you think I care one iota about who my sperm donor was, let me just say I'm not
built that way. Biology is science. Family is love. I wish you wouldn't have held
this in for so long, if you felt you needed to tell me."

"He's come back."

Rose's eyes burrowed. She waited a beat. "What do you mean
come back
?"

"I mean he's been here, broken into the house, stolen from me... from us. Dave is
going to find him and put him away so he can't hurt anyone ever again, but I need
you to be careful. He's a very dangerous man. Very, Rose. Dangerous."

Feeling heat crawl up her neck and over her face, Rose was certain her face showed
the instant it all clicked. Call it woman's intuition, whatever.

"Your eye. Oh, oh, your eye. Mom." She stood from the couch and walked to her mother
now. Standing, they embraced with awareness.

Rose pulled back, tears dripping down her cheeks. "How long? No. Don't tell me. My
birthday. It was my eighteenth birthday." She pressed her hand to her mouth. "That's
eight years." She turned away, running her hands through her hair, grabbing hold of
large chunks. "No." She spun. "No, not my birthday."

Dave stood and wrapped his arms around her mother's waist, whispering in her ear,
"Let her get it out."

"Great-granddad." Rose looked to her mother and saw the answer she was looking for
before taking off out the front door with Andy tight on her heels.

Chapter 24