Girl Jacked (16 page)

Jack opened one eye when he heard the knock on the door but then closed it again.

Knock. Knock.

He started to call to Replacement but then he heard her in the shower.

Ugh!

He rolled himself out of bed and grabbed a pair of sweat pants from the floor.

“Hold on!” he called towards the apartment door as he hopped into the pants. “One sec.”

Jack didn’t look to see who was there before he yanked open the door. He was surprised to see Joe Davenport standing there. Joe was nearing retirement, and it showed. He liked to fish more than anything, and his wrinkled face and pot belly were the result. He seemed like a good guy, and Jack liked him even though he didn’t have the best work ethic.

“Hey, Joe. Come in.”

Joe always wore a hat that was a cross between an old fedora and a fishing cap. It was tan with a brown and white band. “My condolences, Jack.” He shook his hand as he came in, but he only glanced at Jack’s face before turning away.

Spill it, Joe
.

That was what he wanted to blurt out, but he decided to give the old detective some time. “What brings you around, Joe?”

The detective put his hands in his pockets and followed Jack into the living room. “I got some good news about the phone. The tech guys got into it with that code you thought might work.”

Jack had given Joe a ‘possible’ list of numbers that they should try. Of course, Jack knew which code would work, but he put that number second on the list to make it look good.

“They got in it? Great! Have they found anything?”

“They said they’ll go over it with a fine tooth comb.” Joe had a habit of nodding his head a lot.

Nervous tick
.

“Well… That’s good news, Joe. Do you have anything else?”

Joe nodded. “Yeah.” He was staring at his feet.

This isn’t good.

He handed Jack the manila envelope. “Toxicology.”

Jack opened the envelope and began reading; ‘Presence of benzaldehyde I; nitroethane; benzyl-methylnaphthalene…’

“I’m sorry, Jack,” Joe mumbled. “There’s been a huge increase in the county.”

“An increase in what?” Jack’s frustration was turning into anger.

“Glass meth.” Joe said the words with a shrug. “It’s 90% pure. They’ve even had a couple of ODs.”

“They couldn’t have found meth. Michelle would never do it. That’s impossible.”

“Not a lot but… Even a little of that stuff can make you crazy. You can get real disoriented, and if she was driving. I’ve seen–”

“No way! That is bullshit! Michelle would never do that crap.” Jack kept shaking his head.

“Jack, I wouldn’t say anything if it wasn’t my place.”

Jack’s head snapped up. He wanted to shout,
it’s not your place!
But it was.

Joe is the lead detective. I’m the victim’s family. Joe is just doing his job. He has to point these things out. But… he’s wrong.

“You’ve seen it first-hand, Jack. I was just reading about two kids in Nebraska that took crystal one time and ran out in the middle of a snowstorm thinking mobs of people were trying to kill them.” Joe looked back at the floor.

Jack was numb. He wanted to explode, but his anger was nowhere to be found.

“I’m sorry, Jack. Everything points to an accident.”

Jack tried to think of some other argument.

Aunt Haddie? If I say Michelle wouldn’t leave her he’ll say she might. Would she? What do I say?

Joe took one-step forward. “I’m sorry, Jack. I’ll keep it open of course.” Joe looked up.

Jack saw an old, tired cop who just wanted to make it to retirement with as little fuss as possible, but he looked sincere. Jack searched his face, but he knew Joe thought he was doing the right thing.

“Thanks for coming by, Joe.” He leaned over and shook his hand.

Joe walked out but paused at the door. “I just… I just want you to know that I did go back over everything, and I think… I think it is what it is.”

Jack nodded.

The door clicked shut, and Jack walked over and leaned on the counter. A wave of doubt crashed over him and swept his anger away.

Meth?

He went to get a glass of water but stopped himself. With his hand on the faucet, he listened.

The water had stopped. The shower wasn’t running
.

He straightened bolt upright.

He walked over to the bedroom and slowly opened the door. Replacement sat on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands, softly crying. He moved over and sat down next to her. She leaned against him, and he held her.

“I don’t think…” he began, but she pressed her hand against his lips.

“No, Jack. Shh … I’m just gonna think for a minute. Go take your shower.” She wiped her eyes and walked over to the door.

Jack sat on the bed feeling stupid.

What should I say?

He brushed his hair back in frustration.

“We’ll talk when I get out okay?”

Replacement just nodded and walked into the living room.

For the first time in years, Jack wished he had a real guy friend. He missed Chandler all the time, but he wished Chandler were around right now. He had lots of acquaintances and colleagues but no real friends. The only people that got close to him were girls, but he never truly told them anything.

Lifting his face into the water, he closed his eyes. He wanted to think, but his thoughts flew all over, scattering like scared sparrows. He felt old and tired like Joe.

Alone.

He stayed in the shower for a long time before he decided that he should call his father. They hadn’t talked a lot recently. His father knew nothing about police work. He was a math teacher, but he could read people.

After this was all over, he was going down to Florida. He’d take two weeks and go visit his parents. The water was starting to run cold. Jack realized that he must have been in there a while.

He shut the water off, stood in the warm mist, and tried to calm down.

Think of now. Screw tomorrow and yesterday, just think of now. What should you do next?

Jack’s shoulders slumped.

I don’t have a clue.

“Sorry, kid. I didn’t mean to…” Jack started to apologize as he came out of the bedroom a couple of minutes later, still drying his hair. He stopped. It was a familiar sight, just not with her. Replacement was standing at the front door with her bags packed.

“Jack… I have to go.” She shrugged but didn’t look at him.

“Hold on. Can we talk about this? Why?” Jack’s emotions shifted right to hurt.

Slow down, Jack. She heard Joe. She’s just upset.

“It is what it is, Jack.” She looked at him, and her eyes were glistening.

“Don’t listen to Joe.” Jack remembered what the old detective had said on his way out. “I’m not. I was about to come out and start…”

“It’s over, Jack. You heard him.”

“That’s stupid!”

“No, it’s not. Michelle was just going to leave. That’s it. She did meth and drove off the road and killed herself.”

“She didn’t! You know her.” Inside Jack felt like she was ripping him apart.

Why? Why are you doing this?

“I didn’t know her. I was just chasing after her. She never…” Her voice changed. It was getting colder. “Did you know her? Did you know her really? What was her favorite book? How about her favorite movie? Color? When did she get her first kiss? Who were her friends?”

Jack burned now, not with anger but shame. Shame because he didn’t know these things. Shame that he never saw that Replacement thought of him like this. She was hurt that he never returned, but they had gone through so much together that he thought that had changed.

“I’m sorry.” Jack took another step forward, and she held up a hand. “Look, I’m so sorry. I know …”

“What do you know? You don’t know crap. You think she wouldn’t leave Aunt Haddie? Why? You did. Michelle is like you in that. She got her chance to go, and she took it. That’s what I’m doing.”

“Don’t. You can go but…” Jack grabbed onto the side of a chair.

“Don’t what?” Her mouth was twisted. “Don’t tell you the truth?” She glared, all drops of tears vanishing along with any traces of warmth.

Jack wanted to become as detached as she was. He wanted just to let her leave and then he’d go back to the way things were. He’d go and get a bottle and leap headfirst into the void.

He closed his eyes. His mouth was dry and his throat was tight. They were on the edge of a cliff and Replacement was about to jump off.

 “You’re not blaming Michelle, you’re blaming yourself. You’re letting all that crap get in your head. You said you were chasing her. Is that it? You want to try convincing yourself that Michelle wanted to escape her little tag along?”

“Screw you!”

“Say what you want to me. You’re right. I didn’t know her. You did. But you need to know this. You walk out that door and you’ll bury Michelle in your head. You’ll bury her in your heart. You’ll lose all the times that you had with her because you can’t look at them because you won’t be able to look at yourself. I know that. That's… That’s what I did with Chandler.”

Her shoulders trembled and her hands began to shake. She began to wail and she covered her face. Jack didn’t hesitate. He moved to her and pulled her close, his arms wrapping protectively around her. She pushed her face against his chest and sobbed. Jack felt her legs wobble. He swooped her up, cradling her in his arms. She turned her head against his chest, hiding her face. He carried her into the bedroom and softly laid her down.

She curled into a ball. He sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her shoulders until she cried herself to sleep but he continued to sit there and look at her.

He was numb with pain. Pain immobilizes people. Pain locks them in place so they spend hours, days, and lifetimes captive.

I need to talk to Mark Reynolds. He’s undercover. He’ll help me find the meth dealers. Then I’ll go out to the Psychology Center.
Jack began to make a new list.

Jack knew pain. Pain and him were old friends. Jack knew only one way to deal with pain. Hunt it down and kill it.

Jack was dressed and in the kitchen. He looked at the clock. 8:30 am. He wanted to get going but he waited. Replacement had finished her shower but she had not come out of the bedroom. He looked down at the two plates of food that he had laid out on the counter.

Damn. She went back to bed.

He started opening and closing cabinets but he couldn’t find anything suitable. He looked beside the refrigerator and over it. Nothing. He pulled open the drawer under the stove and pulled out an oven tray. He frowned.

The tray was rusted in places and there were splotches of black charred remnants in numerous areas. He grabbed a roll of aluminum foil and covered the entire tray in it. He opened another drawer and took out two red cloth napkins that looked like they belonged in a Chinese food restaurant. He carefully laid them over the tray, put the plate on it, and arranged the fork and knife.

He opened the refrigerator and his eyes still went wide. Mrs. Stevens had brought by four bags of food. Jack didn’t like that she had used her key to come into his apartment and put the food in the refrigerator, but was still very grateful. He poured a glass of orange juice and stood back to look at his handiwork.

I doubt she’ll throw anything at me.

He picked up the tray and walked into the bedroom. Replacement lay on the bed, curled up in a ball. Only the top of her brown hair peeked out from the white and purple comforter.

“Good morning, kid.” Jack stood at the side of the bed.

After a couple of seconds, she pulled the corner of the comforter back and one of her green eyes peeked out. She took one look at Jack, sat bolt upright, and burst out crying.

“No. I just wanted…” Jack set the tray on the bureau and sat down on the bed.

Replacement grabbed him and pulled herself close. Her head tilted and she pressed her face into his neck and continued to wail.

Jack tried not to cringe as she sniffled and blubbered all over him as she attempted to speak. He could make out every couple of words.

“…sorry… ...I don’t… …you mean… …please don’t…”

Jack just let her go on. After a few minutes, he realized that her nose was so stuffed up, she couldn’t breathe. He jumped up, grabbed a roll of toilet paper from the bathroom, and brought it back to her.

“Thank you. I’m so sorry! I…”

Jack grabbed the breakfast tray and held it out, eager to get her to stop crying. “It will get cold and you’ll… hurt my feelings.” Jack felt like a pansy saying those words but they seemed to work.

Replacement took the tray and closed her eyes. After a few moments, she picked up the fork and started eating. Jack started breathing again.

He watched her as if she was an IED that could go off any second. After she had taken several bites, Jack started to relax and leaned against the bureau.

“Wait!’ Replacement’s voice broke. “What about you?”

Jack stood up straight. “What about me?”

“What are you going to eat?” Replacement’s lip trembled and she went to set the tray down.

“I made one for me too. I’ll go get it.” He hopped up from the bed, returning a few seconds later with his own plate. Only then, did Replacement pick up her fork and begin eating.

After a few mouthfuls, she lifted her head and gave a sad smile, swallowing a sob. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”
Just keep her from crying again.
“I was thinking… that this morning you could sleep in. So after you’re done, you can just watch TV or sleep and I’m going to run a couple of errands.”

“Where are you going?”

“We need some stuff. Aluminum foil and kitchen stuff.”

“Okay.”

They ate in silence and Jack had to force himself to slow down. He timed it so he finished right when she did.

“All right.” He put his plate on hers, took the tray, and set it down. “Back to bed with you.”

Replacement scooted back under the covers. Jack pulled the comforter up and gave her an awkward tuck in.

“Good?” He leaned down and she sat part way up and kissed his cheek.

“Good.” She smiled and rolled over.

Jack hurried out of the room. He had already put his holster in the hallway near the door. He didn’t want Replacement to know where he was going today or why.

Jack drove straight for the Psychology Center. His hands were sweating. He couldn’t have asked for a better excuse to get out to the college but he still had to be careful, invite or not. If he asked too many questions, someone could still call the sheriff. He could explain it but if someone called from the college, it always went to critical mass on Collins’ radar. WRE paid the most taxes and any issue there brought the most heat.

He turned off White Spruce Road and onto General Alexander Davidson Circle. His Impala raced up the road, hugging the turns. Speed felt good, real good. He loved a rush.

I like it too much.

He was always tempted to go all out. Go faster. Go harder. He took his foot off the gas and coasted into the small parking lot. There were a dozen cars in it. He parked, got out, and stretched.

Jack scanned all of the cars in the parking lot. None seemed out of the ordinary except a silver Audi. Parked at a slight angle, it took up two parking spaces. He was grateful for the brief walk to the front of the building because it gave him the chance to burn off his nervous energy.

He opened the large glass door. A gray carpet with black and red flecks covered the floor. The two staircases he had seen a few nights earlier were of a light oak and the railing was metal and clear plastic. A very large counter stood before a light brown wooden wall. In the daylight, Jack could now see that four doors, not two were evenly spaced along the wall, each with a name plaque. He liked the look. It was a mixture of modern with a natural feel. The place even smelled new.

A young, pretty girl with short black hair sat behind the big desk, but no one else was visible.

“Good morning!” She seemed eager. “Can I help you, sir?”

“Good morning. I was wondering if I might see Dr. Hahn?”

“Did you have an appointment?”

“No, he had asked me to stop by for a tour.”

“May I have your name?” She was too perky for Jack.

“Jack Stratton.”

“Certainly, one moment, please.” She pressed some buttons on the phone. “Karen? Is Dr. Hahn in? Can you interrupt?” She covered the phone and whispered; “He’s very busy.” She looked up and grinned. “Okay.” She hung up and looked back at Jack. “Just one minute.”

“That’s fine.” Jack leaned onto the counter and the girl leaned closer. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“Stacy.”

“Do you have a long shift ahead of you, Stacy?”

“Yeah,” she pouted. “I have to work until noon.”

Three hours? Killer shift. Wait until you graduate kid.

“That’s rough.” Jack tried to look sympathetic. “Do you ever have to work a late shift?”

“No. We close at five every day.” She put her chin on the back of her hand as she looked up at him.

“Does the whole Center close or just the reception area?”

“People with card access can stay after hours I guess. Why?”

“I’m just curious. I hate those cards. Your picture always looks funny.”

She sat up straight. “Mine doesn’t look funny!”

Jack rolled his eyes. “Sure.”

“It doesn’t. Look.” She handed Jack her card.

Computer chip inside. Card reader. No key punch access. All doors monitored and recorded. The cards are color-coded. Hers is yellow.

“It’s a beautiful picture but it doesn’t do you justice.” Jack made sure that he brushed her hand as he handed the card back to her.

“Thank you,” she sighed.

“You mentioned…”

Dr. Hahn walked through the door to the far left of the reception desk. A dark wooden cane was in his left hand and he leaned slightly on it as he walked. He was dressed in a medium blue suit with a matching tie and flashed a confident white smile at the receptionist. A young man walked through the door after him. He was tall too, just over six feet with blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore khaki pants and a white shirt.

“Officer.” Dr. Hahn’s countenance became more somber as he approached Jack with an outstretched hand. “It is certainly a pleasure that you have accepted my offer so swiftly.”

“I appreciate the invitation. I really wanted to see the work Michelle has done.”

“If it will be okay with you, I have asked Brendan to begin the tour while I conclude a previously scheduled appointment.”

“Certainly, Doctor. I apologize for the short notice.”

“No trouble at all. I shall not be long. If you will excuse me.” The doctor hurried off and Jack turned to look at Brendan.

The young man waved then shook Jack’s outstretched hand. “Brendan Phillips. I’m sorry about Michelle. She was very nice.”

The strength of Brendan’s grip surprised Jack. He looked Brendan up and down and instantly disliked him. The young man raised no suspicions, it was the type of person that Jack perceived him to be; manicured hair, muscular, handsome, and preppy. That combination always rubbed Jack the wrong way.

He’s a rich jock.

“Thank you. Did you know her long?”

“Just a few months. She came to the center to work on the computer systems.”

Brendan walked over to the right-hand staircase and Jack followed a step behind.

 “And what do you do here, Brendan?”

“I’m working on my Masters in Neuropsychology.”

“I would have pegged you for a football player.”

“I was. Quarterback – but I tore my rotator cuff. I changed my major and never looked back.”

I knew it.

“Do you take classes here?” Jack asked.

“Some. Most of my classes are at the main campus but I work here in the lab.”

“Lab?”

“It’s on the lower level. We do a lot of work on brain scans – brain imaging.”

“Imaging? Like creating a picture of what people are thinking?”

Brendan looked away from Jack for a second but Jack still saw him make a face and smirk. He turned back and explained. “No, that technology is still years away. We use the fMRI to perform scans and see patterns. Images of how different stimuli affect the brain.”

Jack nodded.

I should shove him off the balcony and see how that stimuli would affect his brain.

Brendan pointed out various conference rooms and offices on the third floor. Jack noticed the many warning and danger signs posted throughout the building.

This looks like a fun place to work.

Jack pointed at the 'Volatile materials. Use caution' sign and quipped; “I thought the most you had to worry about in the Psychology Center was falling off the shrink’s couch and getting a headache.”

Brendan frowned. “This is a fully functional laboratory environment. It's world renowned.”

Jack tried to backpedal; “I am sure it is. I just had different expectations.”

Brendan turned and continued with the tour.

The whole center appeared to have been recently remodeled, there was still that faint chemical odor of new that hung in the air. Everything seemed to have a plaque attached to it that indicated who donated the money for it. Jack was starting to get bored but nodded his head at the appropriate times and looked for any opportunity to question Brendan.

“What was Michelle’s role here?”

“I’ll show you on the second floor. That’s where the new computer lab is. Michelle did a great job overseeing the backup generators, updating the servers, and increasing the storage capacities. More and more we are moving to video and that takes a lot of space.”

“When did she find the time for all that?”

“It takes a lot of dedication. She was here all the time.” Brendan paused outside a large glass wall. On the other side computer lights flashed and flickered in three separate rows.

Jack noticed all of the security cameras around the computer room and the card reader attached to the door.

“You have a lot of security here.” Jack pointed at the card reader.

“It’s almost all done. That was the last part that Michelle was working on. I got one of the first new cards.” He scanned it through the card reader at the door. Jack noticed it was a blue card with his picture on it.

He followed him out and the level they were now on was all glass to the rear. The result was a panoramic view of the woods. A solid white wall with a large double door in the middle split the lower level in half.

Brendan gestured to the breathtaking view of the woods. “The college purchased it five years ago. The makeover has been going on as long as I’ve been here. This way.”

He walked down a staircase that led to the lowest level. At the bottom of the staircase were two closed metal doors.

Jack was now walking down the stairs first. Neither door had a sign on it and Brendan wasn’t offering any advice as to the correct way to go. Jack paused at the bottom of the stairs.