Chapter 63
“I’m not supposed to be here working. As much as I want to beat my head against a wall, wondering where Vine is, I’m tired. I’ll pray for you guys.” Lainie got up to leave.
“I’ll walk you out,” Ben said.
“It’s funny,” Lainie said as she and Ben walked toward the elevator. “I want Vine caught more than anyone, but now I feel like I can wait. He can’t stay hidden forever. He will be found.”
The elevator doors opened and they stepped on. “I agree, and I have other things to attend to right now.”
Lainie caught his eye. “I’m sorry, I should have realized. You’re waiting to hear from San Bernardino.” They exited into the lobby and walked toward the parking lot.
“Yeah, I am. And I have to tell Efren’s wife. That won’t be easy.”
Lainie started to say something then stopped. Callen West was leaning against her car. “What do you want, West?”
“I’ve been calling you, Detective. You don’t return my calls.”
“You going to be okay, Lainie?” Ben asked.
“Yeah, this is Callen West, reporter for the local paper.”
“Oh, the one with the Vine obsession.”
“I’m not the one with the obsession.” Callen raked Ben up and down with disgust in his eyes. “The only thing I want is true justice.”
The reporter was built like a marathon runner, skinny, with sunken cheeks, bony hands. He also sported a nice tan, so Lainie guessed he didn’t spend all day inside on his computer.
Lainie saw concern on Ben’s face. West sounded a little off. She’d only ever talked to him on the phone, though she’d seen him often at crime scenes.
“Callen, I’m officially off duty. If you want an interview, you’ll have to talk to the PIO or wait until the doctor says I can return to work.”
“You’re not trying to find Dallas Vine?”
“The department is, so are the Feds, but me personally? I just got shot, and my sister went through a trauma, so I have other things to take care of.”
West frowned. “I need to talk to you about Dallas Vine. You’re all wrong about him. I don’t want to see another miscarriage of justice. Dallas is a good man.”
Ben stepped up. He was at least a head taller than West. Lainie wasn’t certain if he was trying to be intimidating but it seemed to work on West.
“I think Detective Jensen was clear; she’s not on duty.”
West puffed up his chest, and for a second, Lainie thought he was going to argue. But he backed down. “Fine, please call me when you are back on duty.” He stalked away.
“What was that all about?” Ben watched West leave.
Lainie told him about Avery West. “You were the one who thought maybe he was connected to Vine somehow. That’s the only connection I could find.”
“It’s an interesting one. Let’s hope West leaves you alone until you’re ready to talk to him.” Ben turned his attention back to Lainie. “I think I still owe you dinner.”
“I think so too.”
“Will tomorrow night work? I’ve got too much paperwork today.”
“Tomorrow would be perfect.”
Lainie picked up Chinese takeout on her way home.
She was ready to relax, but she still didn’t have a TV.
It would be takeout food and streaming entertainment on her computer and then early to bed.
Lainie felt such peace at the moment. Her faith was back, her sister was alive.
Even though Lainie had lost her house, she had a positive attitude about the future.
Settling in at her kitchen table, Lainie set out her food, said grace, and began to eat. Her phone rang, and she answered immediately. “Evie! How are you?”
“A lot better. I remembered something. I’m not sure what it means, but I thought I should tell you. I don’t remember the drive up to the mountains. I do remember being on a boat.”
“A boat?”
“Yes, I remember the rolling and the sound of water. It smelled like the marina. I also remember being blindfolded, pulled along, but nothing else specific. Does that help you at all?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll let everyone know.” Lainie disconnected.
She thought back to the time she’d watched Vine. She remembered the yacht; it was docked by his home. It was called Havana, if she remembered right. “I wonder if Vine still has the boat.”
Quickly, she typed out a text to Shea. Maybe they missed the yacht. Yawning, Lainie had lost her appetite. It was a good thing she’d bought Chinese food. The little cartons would store well, and she didn’t have any other containers.
Just as she stood to step to the refrigerator, a knock sounded at the door. Lainie saw the clock. It was a little after six, and she wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Detective Jensen, it’s Callen West. Please, can we speak?”
Irritated, Lainie got up and opened the door. It wasn’t Callen West. Two men stood at her door: one was big and muscular; the other was Dallas Vine.
“Vine.”
The big guy pointed a weapon at her. Before she could react, he fired. The Taser prongs hit their mark, and the jolt paralyzed Lainie. By the time she regained control of her muscles, she was tied up, covered in a blanket, and thrown into the trunk of a car.