Guarding Light (41 page)

   "That's very kind detective. I am doing as best as I can."

   "I went by the hospital. They tell me it's a waiting game now with Agent Mackenzie."

   "Yes, that's right. Would you like some tea detective?" She indicated her cup on the side table next to the sofa.

   "No I don't want to bother you." The detective gave her an appraising look.

   "What is it detective? What else is on your mind?" Catlyn could tell he was reluctant to say.

   "The chief told me that you don't believe the Slasher is dead, even though your colleague shot him."

   Sighing, Catlyn explained. "I know it's hard for others to understand. But, I've lived and breathed behavioral analysis and abnormal psychology, and the man that Mackenzie shot," Catlyn shook her head, "And, I am not wholly convinced Mackenzie is the one who shot him, doesn't fit the profile of the man who has been terrorizing this city for the past 18 months."

   Carl considered her words and then nodded. "Ok. I guess it's not the first time law enforcement agencies have disagreed. But, your boss seems to agree with the preliminary findings of CSU and the chief."

   "I know." Resigned to be the odd man out, she shrugged.

   "Well, if you need help with anything, any digging or what not, just give me a call. I want to make sure we have the sicko that killed Tawny."

   "I do too and thank you." Catlyn assured the detective. Seeing his hesitancy, Catlyn prompted again, "Anything else detective?"

   He looked down at the floor. "Well, I kinda heard through the grapevine that you are royally pissed at the chief. I know it's none of my business, but, they don't come any nicer than the Chief. I am sure he's sorry for making you wait in the car."

   Catlyn shook her head. "It's a little more complicated than that detective."

   Carl nodded his understanding. "Ok then, I will be going. Remember, anything you need, just call me."

   "Thank you Detective Rider."

   He winked at her before going out the door.

   Catlyn was going through all the maps Mackenzie had compiled when there was another knock on her door. Wondering who it was now she peeked through the peephole, groaning in frustration when she saw Jabaria and Sharonda, opening the door, she waved the duo inside. "Hey guys."

   "Hi." Jabaria was subdued.

   "How're you doing?" Sharonda sympathized.

   "I am hanging in there, praying a lot."

   Jabaria with her usual directness blurted. "I am praying too. But, what is this about you being mad at Chief Gard?"

   When Catlyn only stared at her, Jabaria amended her tone, "I mean, Ma'am, he's so nice and it was so romantic what he did at the waterfront and you guys look so good together." Jabaria had a breathless quality to her voice, reminding Catlyn that she was only in her twenties.

   Not taking offense of her youthful exuberance for romance, Catlyn smiled and gently reprimanded, "That is none of your business, Agent James."

   Sharonda was stoic in her support. "Anything we can do? Anything you need? We heard about your beliefs that the man shot was not the Newburgh Slasher."

   "That's right. I think he's a patsy." Catlyn could see the disagreement in their eyes but was happy they were offering their help whether or not they believed her. "Thank you agents, I will let you know if there is anything I need."

   They left and Catlyn got back to studying Mackenzie's papers. There were copies of several property deeds in the name A.J. Vickers. The properties were fairly close to the Newburgh, NY area or actually in Newburgh. Catlyn sat up straighter as she read the deed for a piece of land called 'Vickers' Isle' located not too far from the Newburgh Marina and Yacht Landing.

   There it was again, Vickers. Why did that name sound so familiar to her? Catlyn headed to her bedroom for her laptop. Before she reached the bedroom door another knock sounded, changing direction, Catlyn went to answer it.

   Swinging the door open without looking, she put a hand on her hip and waved a welcome into her living room with the other. "Grand Central Station, how may I help you?"

   Tasha and Sanchez exchanged confused looks. "What?" Sanchez asked.

   "Sorry. It's nothing."

   "We just got back from the hospital. We wanted to check on you. You left rather abruptly." Sanchez gave her a worried look. "I know how close you and S.S.A. Mackenzie are, actually, I'm very surprised you left the hospital at all."

   "I know. It's seems to be the theme tonight."

   "Huh?"

   "It's just Detective Rider, Agents Washington and James also stopped by to check on me and to let me know they disagree with my assessment of the situation." Then giving a sarcastic laugh she added, "Oh, and they all think I shouldn't be angry with Chief Gard 'cause, gee, golly, gosh, he is just so dreamy and the super-est!"

   "Uh, ok! Now I know it's time for me to leave you alone." Sanchez knew from experience there was no reasoning with Catlyn in this mood. She had her Dr. C. L. Light hat on. And it appears in bitch mode, so watch out. "If you need me for anything at all call."

   Sanchez gave Tasha a peck on the cheek. Saying in a smooth lowered tone, "See you later at the hotel?"

   Tasha nodded in the affirmative before returning his quick kiss. Sanchez gave Catlyn a salute and walked out the door.

   Tasha turned towards her and opened her mouth. "Gurrl what is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind, dissing the chief?"

   "Oh my God, can I get a break?" Catlyn was about to pull hair, not sure if it was hers she was thinking of pulling, she glared at Tasha's black tresses. "I will tell you what is wrong with me. I was highly disrespected by the man who is supposedly in love with me. I was demeaned in front of subordinates and my peers, cuffed like a common criminal and forced on the sidelines when my very closest friend called for help."

   Soberly, Tasha took her hand. "I am so sorry about S.S.A. Mackenzie. I hear she is one of the good ones."

   Forcing tears back, Catlyn nodded. "Yes, yes, she is. I don't know anyone with more innate goodness. She is always there for… well, not just me, but for everyone."

   "Don't give up. Keep believing that she will be ok."

   Catlyn squeezed Tasha's hand. "This reminds me of when you used to comfort me after one of my clashes with J.T." She pulled Tasha closer for a hug. "I hope that you know that I've always appreciated your caring for me and considered you a great friend."

   Sniffling, Tasha gave her a warm smile. "You too, you know you're my girl." Shaking off her weepy mood, Tasha went to the sofa, asking, "So, why don't you agree with Jack and CSU?"

   Before Catlyn could speak there was yet another knock at the door, throwing her hands up, she impatiently stepped to the door and swung it open and froze, her muscles locking in rigid fear. Then after her initial shock, once again Catlyn reflexively reached for a weapon that was normally part of her dress code but she was not currently wearing.

   Jason, seeing Catlyn's habitual move to pull a gun, raised both hands in surrender. In a loud voice he said, "Blue butcher's block!"

   At the newcomer's strange words, Tasha looked towards the door. She screamed, jumped up, rummaged through her purse and before either Catlyn or Jason could explain, she gave Jason a face full of mace.

   Jason bellowed in pain, blocking his eyes with his hands. Catlyn quickly disarmed Tasha. "Wait Tasha", she also had to take her cell from quickly dialing fingers. Tasha had pressed 9-1 before Catlyn had the phone pressing the end button.

"What the flippty fuck are you doing? It's J.T."

   Ignoring Tasha, she took Jason's arm, leading him to the kitchen sink. She turned on the tap, ensuring the water was cool. "Jason, stop rubbing your eyes. Bend until you feel the water and start to flush your eyes. You need to do this for at least 15 minutes."

   Jason quickly followed her instructions. Catlyn went to the bathroom for the first aid kit and a towel. Tasha followed, asking non-stop questions.

   "Tasha, I will explain in a minute. But, for now, I need you to trust me when I say this isn't J.T."

   While he flushed his eyes Jason explained he had called Jack who in turned told him about Mackenzie, the fatal capture of the Newburgh Slasher. When Jason stopped talking Catlyn then filled Tasha in on the J.T. situation.

   "What the hell, only white people," Tasha concluded.

   Giving Tasha a censorious look, she cleared her throat. "Jason, it's been a little over 15 minutes how do your eyes feel?" She opened a special non-oil base soap from the kit. "Wash your hands with this and rinse your eyes for another minute."

   Jason blindly took the soap. "I feel a little better. I'd feel even better if Quick Draw would step further away from me."

   Tasha smirked and stuck out her tongue at Jason.

   "I saw that," Jason informed her.

   Tasha's eyes widen in shock. Catlyn laughed. "Thanks for coming by Jason. But, I am fine. Worried sick over Mackenzie, but, ok."

   Jason straightened. Gingerly he opened his eyes. Each eye appeared puffy and had a red ring around it. "Can you still see the difference?" His voice was so low and held such fear, Catlyn responded instinctively. Moving in close she put a gentle hand to his face. She probed his crystal blue depths. Although his cornea had a red hue and his irises appeared purplish, the very distinctive darker ring around them was still obvious.

   "Yes. I see the difference." She whispered.

   Jason continued to hold her eyes in a hypnotic stare.

   "Hell nah, man, you betta back the fuck off. You drooling over Jack's woman." Tasha glowered at Jason.

   Jason gave Tasha a withering glance of his own.

   Catlyn ignored Tasha's territorial stance and words. Stepping back from Jason she gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, now that I know, I will always know the difference."

   Jason let go a relieved sigh. "Thank you."

   Walking back to the living room, Catlyn realized she had left the door open. Closing it, she faced her guests. "Look, I know Jack sent you guys over here to check up on me. You both can report back that I am fine. I am not someone he ever needs to concern himself with again."

   They both tripped over their words trying to deny Jack sent them. They deduced at the same time that Catlyn wasn't buying their b.s.

   "Hell yeah he did." Tasha admitted.

   "Guilty as charged." Jason said.

   "It's ok. I just need to be doing something. I can't sit at that hospital waiting for my friend to die, especially when I think Newburgh citizens are still in trouble."

   Jason frowned. "Are you positive? Because, Jack seems to think your friend got the Slasher."

   "Yes I know what Jack thinks." Catlyn's tone revealed just what she thought of Jack's thoughts.

   "Not going to touch that with a 20-feet pole," Jason said. "If you are sure you are ok, I am going to head out." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to her, "Anything I can do or you need, anytime." He tapped the card.

   "Thank you, Jason, good night." Catlyn smiled.

   Jason returned her smile, giving her a nod. He then gave Tasha a frown, "'Night Quick Draw."

   Tasha gave him a wave that seemed more like she was flipping him the bird. When Jason's back was to them, Tasha stuck out her tongue. Without turning around Jason called out, "I saw that," he walked out the door.

****

   Tasha had stayed only a little longer than Jason. Catlyn told her there was nothing she could do. She needed to work some things out on her own. Tasha had also spent the time putting in a good word for Jack, reminding Catlyn what a fantastic guy Jack is and what a wonderful catch he'd make. Ugh. Catlyn had heard enough before she had finally frog marched Tasha to the door and shut it in her face.

   Catlyn was refreshing her cup of tea and thinking it was nice to have her steady stream of visitors end. Now she could get her laptop and search why the name Vickers rang her bell. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Guess I spoke too soon." Catlyn mumbled to herself as she made her way to the door.

   Detective Tyron Anderson stood on the threshold. He smiled his movie star smile. "Hey, I just came by…"

   "…to check on me." Catlyn finished for him, waving him into the living room.

"You've had some visitors huh?"

   "Oh, you could say that. Jack seems to have sent everyone to my apartment."

   Tyron looked around, taking in the piles of papers on the coffee table. "What're you working on?"

   Catlyn gave a long suffering sigh. "You can save your breath detective. I know no one believes me when I say I think Delbert Jenks isn't the Newburgh Slasher. And, everyone agrees with Jack."

   Tyron looked at her. "Not everyone agrees with Jack."

   The hairs on the back of Catlyn's neck stood on end a half second before she interpreted Anderson's look. Catlyn heard the crackle of the Taser at the exact same time she felt the jarring flow of electricity. And then she felt nothing.

****

   Jack sat in the conference room staring at the victims' pictures. This was depressing. He had stayed with Kyle for a while, giving him some support. Even though Kyle didn't seem to know the reason he was so devastated over Mackenzie's situation, Jack knew it was because he was completely in love with Mackenzie. He knew what Kyle was feeling because he recognized the same thing in himself.

   He was completely, hopelessly, irrevocably in love with Catlyn Lee Light. It made his insides burn thinking he may have fucked things up so irretrievable with her. Catlyn thought that he didn't respect her as a woman or her authority. Which was beyond ridiculous, he respected her more than anyone in his life, barring his dad. Catlyn was incredible. She was sweet, sexy, smart, loving and beautiful.

   Jack frowned, pausing. Hmm, Catlyn was smart. Shaking his head, Jack spoke out loud. "Mackenzie caught the guy red handed."

   
'You got the wrong guy'
Catlyn's words reached out to him and then the adjective he used most recently to describe her. Smart. Catlyn is smart.