17. Shiloh
17
SHILOH
I had been going crazy for the few days I had been booked off work. My arm wasn’t bad and the stitches were healing well. Still, the doctor had booked me off and the captain wasn’t taking any chances. During that time, I also needed to see a therapist. She gave me the all clear to return, provided I booked another session with her.
I understood the need to make sure we had our head in the game. And I appreciated the support I got from the department. Something that was still stigmatized by the older police officers but thankfully, the people in charge were beginning to see the benefit of making sure mental trauma was dealt with properly.
Since we had once again stayed at Ryder’s place past Ethan’s bedtime, I was left to get ready for work on my own. That happened more regularly than I wanted to admit. But as it turned out I liked kissing the man, and I needed Ethan asleep to do that.
My mind went back to the conversation we’d had the night before. He was nervous, something I rarely saw since he had become more comfortable around us. Turned out he needed a favor, he wanted me to appear in a music video. Before I had a chance to turn down the idea, he explained the concept and after a lot of convincing and a heavy make out session, I agreed.
As usual, my alarm went off a few minutes after I woke and I immediately threw back the covers. I went through my normal morning routine and since I didn’t have to get Ethan ready, I even had time to chat with the girls.
The Pancake Club Chat thread popped up on my phone.
Maggie: Who’s going to be home over Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year?
It was tradition that my group of friends gathered together the night before a holiday, since everyone used the actual holiday for their family.
Skylar: I’m working in New York over Thanksgiving. And with Hilton’s parents for Christmas. My parents are coming to LA for New Year.
No surprise there. Skylar danced in the parade and would be doing other shows in the build up to Christmas.
Tiffany: I’ll be here. Hopefully Cat will be home.
Caterina was my foster sister. She had been rescued at the same time as me, Maggie and Grace. But as it turned out, she was also Tiffany’s half-sister. Her father was the one who bought her mother when she was still in the trafficking ring. She was currently deployed, which was why she never answered any of our texts.
Me: Grace?
It didn’t surprise me that my youngest sister didn’t answer. She was likely on the other side of the world walking a runway. I dropped my phone on the bed and continued getting ready.
I was busy fastening the Velcro of my under armor when my phone rang, interrupting my morning routine. At first, I thought Ethan needed something, and I couldn’t help but smile. I checked the caller ID and saw it was the landline for the station. My smile immediately dropped and I put on my work voice.
I pressed the green button without even thinking. “Bauman speaking.”
“Bauman. You’re meant to be coming back to work today.” He was always abrupt and efficient.
“Yes, Sir. I’m busy getting ready now.” I just finished tying the last strap. “Nothing like strapping on a bullet proof vest your first day back on the job after being shot at.”
His voice was a little strained. “Well, I’m not sure you’re going to need it today.”
“Sir?”
“I’ve reassigned you while Joel is recovering.” The pause he took made me nervous. “Lilly Salinger has requested your assistance while your partner is recovering.”
I understood the words. And a part of me was elated to hear it. Still, it bothered me. “Sir, are you sure? I mean, I have no experience to offer Salinger Security, or Lilly Salinger in particular. And is it even allowed?”
“Firstly, she requested you.” He lets out a big sigh. “I have no intention of pissing off the department's biggest allies. Especially if it means avoiding a logistical nightmare of having to figure out who to partner you with. Besides, what you learn while you’re there could benefit the department greatly. And I have sent my men to them for training before. I don’t see this as any different.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You have presentable plain clothes for a few days?”
I smiled at the odd request. “Of course, Sir.”
“Good, she’s expecting you in an hour.”
He slammed the phone down without so much as a goodbye.
Well, this made my next few mornings a little more complicated. Not having to decide what to wear was one of the few perks of wearing a uniform. That saved me a ton of time. Still, in a little under forty-five minutes, I grabbed an apple and a protein bar and headed to my station wagon.
The drive to Salinger Security was quick since it went against traffic. I parked alongside Tiff’s tiny hatchback. As I stepped out of my vehicle, I took a deep breath and walked toward the entrance.
The grey pantsuit may not have been the most exciting outfit choice, but it fitted well and made me look professional.
Of course, it was nothing compared to the cream-colored bell sleeve dress Tiffany wore with a tan corset over the top and a matching pair of ballet flats. She’d wanted to go into styling or designing when she left school, but after discovering her dad was part of a crime syndicate and his involvement in sex slavery, she had abandoned her family money and took a job as the receptionist at Salinger Security almost as soon as she left school. The job had quite a turnaround. Sue Wilson had left to pursue her veterinary nursing career. Millie Brewster had taken over from her for a little while until Nick found someone permanent. That someone turned out to be Tiffany a few years later.
No college or design school or anything where she needed to rely on her late father’s money.
“Tiff. Morning.”
She reached under the shelf covering the reception desk and pulled out a paper to-go mug. “I figured you wouldn’t have a chance to get your fix. I bought your latte when I got mine. It may not be as hot as you like, but its caffeine and its sugar.”
“Today, you’re my favorite.” I took the coffee from her and looked around. “Where do I go?”
“Conference room.” She pointed up the chrome stairs. “The one with the blinds closed. I think she’s waiting on you.”
I straightened my handbag over my shoulder and followed her instructions. As long as I could remember the building had been the same. Marble and chrome finishes with touches of black on the upholstery. The interior was a stark contrast to the rustic farm where the building was situated complete with dry grass in the summer.
The block heels of my boots echoed as I climbed the stairs. When I considered working for the FBI, there was always the hope that one day I would settle down and end up working for Salinger Security when I was ready to come home. Alas, things didn't work out that way. I went into the Police Academy straight after college and compromised my career growth so I could get better shifts. I chose to be a cop in my small hometown instead of a big city to ensure both Ethan and I had a support structure.
It was never a decision I regretted, and when all the shit happened with Maggie, I was glad she had me and Tiff around. But there was still a part of me that wondered whether I would’ve made a good profiler.
I knocked on the door to the conference room and at Lilly’s voice, I stepped inside. She was sitting alone at the head of a tinted glass table, surrounded by charcoal grey chairs. In front of her was a mass of charcoal grey folders.
Smiling, I remembered when Tiff got excited as she told us she found manilla folders to match the aesthetic of the office a while back.
Lilly nodded to the chair on her right. “Come, take a seat.”
I did as I was told and suppressed the urge to wring my hands. I had no idea why I was in that conference room, let alone what Lilly needed from me. Though, there was a part of me that hoped I could learn from one of the best women I knew. That, maybe, I would get to see if I would’ve been able to make my dreams come true.
She pushed four smaller envelopes toward me. “Those are the crime scene photos of the four victims of this killer. The press has labelled this asshole The Small Town Killer. How fucking original. I also included the autopsy pics. I wanna know what you see.”
I saw the large pin board alongside the big screen tv. There were different colored pins in one corner. I took the envelopes over and started pinning the photographs on the pin board. “Four men. Two white. One African American. One Latino. No wedding rings or tan lines on any of them. Their wrists and ankles were bound. Puncture wounds to their necks.” I look over at Lilly. “Are there more reports?”
“Still waiting on the last one, but the others had no indication that they were drugged.”
“Not even a sedative?”
She moved her head from side to side in a slow shake. “But, according to the police reports, from the time the first victim was reported missing to the estimated time of death was about four days.”
I looked at the latest victim. He had no family but someone still cared enough. “Who reported him missing?”
“Ex girlfriend. It was his weekend with their daughter and when he failed to show, she got worried. Apparently he only ever missed a visit when he was deployed.”
I saw in his file that Chief Petty Officer Simms was stationed at the Naval Base in Coronado.
“So, he’s keeping them for a few days before he kills them.” I looked down at the folder once more. “And then dumps them days later. Provided the freezing and defrosting is not part of the signature.”
Lilly swiveled her chair to face me completely. “It doesn’t look like it. According to the coroner’s report, the second victim had not been completely frozen. He’d only been in a freezer for under twenty-four hours before he was defrosted and dumped.”
“What about this last one? He was from Campo. Do we have any information on him?”
“I have an appointment to see his mother and his ex later this morning.” Lilly raised a brow at me. “Wanna tag along? I mean you have a badge, and the CBI can only interview them later in the week.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know if you made enough noise, the CBI would make sure you had credentials, right?
“Yeah, but then you wouldn’t feel needed.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I was right, they didn’t need me. But something told me Lilly wanted me around. And that was just as good. “Do I need my weapon?”
I’d worn it, because technically I was on duty. But I didn’t wear my body cam. I had never worn my weapon without the protection of a body cam before and the thought made me nervous.
“You’re on duty, Shi. You carry your badge and your weapon. Neither of which needs to be hidden, though.”
I nodded as we both walked out of the door. Instead of heading to her own car, she moved toward mine. I raised a brow but followed her lead.
She smiled at me and shook her head. “What? You think I’m going to drive if I can avoid it?”
“I suppose not.”
We both put on our seat belts and I put the address she gave me into the GPS.
It was only once I was pulling out of the parking lot that she spoke again. “So, tell me about shacking up with the rockstar.”
“We’re not shacking up together. I go home every night.”
“That’s a shame. He looks like he’s made for sleepovers.”
My voice came out a hoarse squeal. “Lilly.”
“What?” She offered me a devious smile. “I’m married to someone who is built for sleepovers. I know what I’m talking about.”
“I don’t think Oliver would appreciate you talking about other men being built for sleepovers.”
“No.” She smiles. “None of the men in our lives would appreciate that. But considering none of them have given Ryder a hard time yet, I’m assuming they’re biding their time or something.”
“Right?” Even though I would never condone it, the fact that neither my dad, my friends, nor any of the other men in my life have ‘invited Ryder for a drink’ was highly suspicious. “I’m not sure whether to be offended or not.”
Lilly cocked her head and looked at me. “I think they want to see how things shake out. I have no doubt that as soon as he claims you, there will be some words.”
“Claims me? What century are we in?”
“Shiloh. You and I both know it's simpler to just let them be.”
“Or maybe it's because we’re not together.”
“Or maybe you’re delusional.”