Chapter Thirty-two
On their way to the school, Noah broached the subject of Val and the incident at the Miller’s place.
While Raven filled him in on a shortened version of what she knew went down there, she not only informed him about Val’s braveness in stepping up to keep Dale calm and save the others, but she admitted that Val might have a lot more information from when she first met the prick.
Raven looked at him trudging beside her. “You want me to ask her to come to the office and make a statement?”
“Yes. As soon as possible.”
“Figured as much. Okay, I’ll set it up.”
“Just give me some time with Josh and Ami, and we can get back to work.”
“You got it.” Raven watched as Noah reunited with his two excited children… the hugs and laughter lightening her sadness.
After seeing the way Cane intended on playing out the travesty of their relationship – his dishonesty and downright cowardice for ignoring what had happened between them – it had her questioning everything she held as essential in two people loving each other.
Shaking off her immense regret, she moved to see Winona in the middle of a group of women, explaining how they should use her special ointments and what effects they would have on any cuts and sores…
plenty being visible on the battered bodies.
Some listening already owned her products, and others were clearly interested, especially since there would be no charge.
Many of these folks and their families had been caught in their homes while the dirty water had rushed in, forcing them to leave in a hurry, only to be stranded before the rescuers came to help.
During their time in the mucky filth, they were battered and bruised, and several had visible wounds that needed to be dealt with.
One of the women in the group was Val holding Bonnie close and looking terribly worried. Raven approached her. “Hi, Val, is baby still fretting?”
“Her fever is getting worse. Earlier, I just put her fussiness down to her teething, but now I’m wondering if she might have picked up a bug of some sort.”
Raven checked the child’s forehead and felt the heat.
Then she looked into her feverish eyes, and her heart melted.
“Poor Bonnie, she does feel warm. I’ll get Winona to check her out.
If she decides she needs a doctor, we’ll get you to the clinic.
But they’re swamped, so I hope it’s something we can handle here. ”
Minutes later, after Winona handed out jars of her creams and packets of teas, she approached Raven and Val. With her eyes traveling to the baby and her arms reaching, she spoke, “What a little angel. May I?”
Raven watched as her nana assessed the child and relaxed when Winona smiled. “She’s got a bit of a temperature, hasn’t she. Has she taken any fluids or food?’
“Not really. She’s very listless, unlike her normal sunny nature. Usually, she sleeps really well but I can’t get her to settle at all.”
Winona moved to a chair where she sat down and began disrobing the baby who’d been swaddled in multiple blankets and thick fleecy pajamas. By the time Winona had shed most of the layers, Val was unmistakably panicking. “What are you doing?”
Not looking up from her task, Winona said, “When a child has a fever – though it’s common sense to let them cool down naturally – we tend to do the opposite.
Us worried parents wrap them in so many clothes the body has a hard time fighting off the heat.
Unless we let it do its work, the person can get overheated.
We need to get her to drink lots of fluids, eat something light, and give her a bit of medication.
” All the while she worked, Raven watched Winona searching Bonnie’s body as if looking for something.
Val noticed it too. “I didn’t know, but I guess it makes sense. I always thought we needed to keep babies warm if they have a fever. What are you looking for?”
“Signs of a rash, but her skin looks clear.” By this time, Winona had Bonnie down to her basic diaper and T-shirt, they all watched as the child seemed to perk up.
When the older woman held the bottle of water for Bonnie to drink, she swallowed more than she had previously, and Val breathed a sigh of relief.
Raven took this time to introduce them. “Nana… Val and Bonnie are completely homeless. They’re victims of that killer who’s on the loose. He kidnapped them, shot her boyfriend, and left their car in the flood. They have nothing. I hoped they might live with us for a while.”
“But of course.” Winona looked up from hugging Bonnie, laughing at the child’s toothy grin. “I’m thrilled to have a baby to fuss over.” She stared at Val for a few minutes before saying. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you have the need.”
Val’s eyes filled, and her shaking hands reached out as if of their own volition. Winona held one and squeezed. “We’ll get you looked after, honey. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
Val slumped against Raven who’d stood close.
Understanding the worry of a single mom who had a daughter and faced homelessness, she put her arm around Val and pulled her close.
“It’s a stinkin’ world out there right now, but things will look up for you and Bonnie.
After what you did for them, I know Helen and Mac would want to help out and so will Steve and Abbie. ”
Nodding, unable to speak from the tears overwhelming her, Val sucked in a sob and nodded her thanks.
Giving her a few minutes to recuperate, Raven waited before saying, “I hate to put you through this, but we have to get a statement from you about Dale. You know he’s killed again, this time a childhood friend. We have to gather every bit of evidence we can on the prick.”
“I wondered when you’d want to talk with me. Of course, I’m ready to help all I can.”
Winona stood holding Bonnie. “Let’s get this baby something to fill her tummy. Poor child needs food to give her strength to fight off the fever. Val what does she particularly like?”
“Well, she loves bananas and toast with peanut butter. And one of her favorites is oatmeal with blueberries.”
“All good food. Raven do you and Val want to round up some of that from the kitchen? Meanwhile, I’ll find her a light pair of jammies from the other room and organize some medicine for her to take.
Once Precious is fed, she’ll begin to feel better and maybe she’ll sleep peacefully.
” Winona kissed the cradled child’s forehead and added, “Won’t you little darling? ”
Just as they had Bonnie settled, and her eyes closing in a restful sleep, Noah approached. Raven introduced them. “Val, this is Sheriff Noah Williams. He’d like for us to go back to the station so he can take your statement.”
Noah graciously held out his hand, his eyes seeming to evaluate the woman standing so tall, her shoulders stiff as if she knew what he might be thinking of her and daring him to sneer.
Except he didn’t. In fact, his voice turned gentle, and his reaching hand showed a respect that seemed to shock. “Glad to meet you, Val. I’m very sorry for what you’ve had to suffer. Thanks for agreeing to talk with me. I’ll be as brief as I can.”
Winona spoke up, “Don’t worry about Bonnie. I can take care of her while you go and get done what you need to, Val.”
Relief written in her surprised expression, Val nodded and smiled. “Thank you. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
***
Meanwhile, back at the station, Cane fought off his guilt at having shied away from spending alone time with Raven. He couldn’t continue to ignore what happened between them the night before, yet the thought of asking her if the sex had been real made him squirm.
While he chewed over his situation, he took numerous calls, most of them demanding information and only one seeming to provide any news about Dale. He was writing the name and address just as three people entered the office. “Thanks for calling. We’ll send someone out there this morning.”
While Raven helped Val get a cup of coffee, Noah sensed that Cane had something to share. “What’s up?”
“A Mrs. Tener called in to say her store had been broken into during the night, and she didn’t think it was looters or kids.
Seems like the robber only took a couple packets of cigarettes, a few beers, a box of pain medication, and some jerky.
She figures whoever robbed her place might have been on foot. ”
“So, the bastard’s on the move. Must have walked from there to Winona’s place and found the jeep.”
“My thoughts exactly. Look, we only have a short time to grab this son of a bitch before the road gets reopened, and he sneaks out of the vicinity.”
“Fuck, tell me about it. But we don’t have near enough cops to cover the whole district. Could you and Raven maybe go and get the report from Mrs. Tener?”
Quick thinking made him reply, “Sure. But it might be better to send Raven alone. I can stay here in case something else comes up while you’re talking to Val.”
“Right. Okay, let’s do that.”
Cane shrugged off the exploding guilt once again at having gotten out of being with Raven and possibly facing the consequences of the night before.
***
Raven, using Winona’s van, headed to Mrs. Tener’s store. Since its location was closer to Winona’s than any of the others in the area, while growing up she’d visited the place often. When she arrived, she slipped in behind another customer and took a look around spying the overhead cameras.
Once they had the store to themselves, she hugged the older woman. Then keeping her fingers crossed, she pointed to the object near the ceiling. “Elvira, do those camera’s work?”