Chapter 25
Nicole
I shifted in my seat. It was already getting dark as I sat in the parking lot of the Seacoast Inn. It was completely run-down. Moldy roof and siding. Chipped paint. A few cracked windows. The parking lot smelled of urine.
I’d already missed my visit with Lacey today, and that hurt a lot. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t miss it. Ever. But sitting here, watching prostitutes and drug addicts come and go, I couldn’t make myself leave before seeing Myers or getting a chance to talk to somebody.
Just one more minute. That’s what I told myself. Minute after minute. Over and over again.
I huffed and did another dry run with the camera, practicing how to discreetly take pictures when Myers showed up. But the damn thing snapped a photo of the upper half of my face again. Third time. I’d hit the reverse camera by accident.
“Damn phone,” I muttered, stabbing at the screen until it finally cooperated.
I held it ready in my hand and watched from my car as another woman stumbled out of her vehicle and toward one of the motel rooms. She wore a mini dress in this cold weather. Her makeup was too much, like she’d reapplied it for days without ever washing it off.
The woman swayed left and right and stopped in front of a room, digging through her purse. Probably for her keys. When she couldn’t find them, she sat on the concrete and knocked her head gently against the door in frustration.
After all that, she just curled up and passed out on the ground.
I watched as a door slowly creaked open a few rooms down.
An older man stepped out in boxers and a white T-shirt. He looked at her. Then to his left and right. He hesitated, as if considering. Then he started walking toward her.
He checked the lot again, shoulders hunched, head swiveling. Making sure no one was watching.
He then nudged the tip of his slipper into the woman’s back.
She didn’t respond.
Then he grabbed her by the arms and started dragging her toward his room.
Jesus Christ.
“Hey!” I shouted and jumped out of my car.
He looked at me as I sprinted across the parking lot.
“Let her go!”
He dropped her instantly and bolted back toward his room. I chased him, just missing him as his door slammed shut in my face.
I turned around and rushed to the woman.
She smelled like a whole liquor store. Completely passed out, but her chest rose and fell steadily. Her skin was icy under my fingers.
I took my coat off and tucked it around her as best I could. My hands started shaking as reality settled in. Myers, this place, this woman on the ground.
It hit me all at once.
“Damn it,” I mumbled. What was I supposed to do now?
At first, I wanted to run to the manager’s office, but I couldn’t leave her here. What if that man came back?
I fumbled for my phone and called Nolan’s number.
“Hello?” he answered quickly.
“It’s me, Nicole,” I said.
“I know.”
“I need your help,” I said. “I’m in front of the Seacoast Inn—”
“The Seacoast Inn?”
Of course he was shocked. Everybody knew this place.
“Yes. I’m here with a blackout-drunk prostitute.”
“A what?”
“I … I just saved her from a rape, I think.”
“W-what?”
“The man is only a few doors down. I don’t know what to do.”
“Goddammit, Nicole! How the hell did you end up there in the first place?”
“That doesn’t matter right now. Can you please come? The man might come back and hurt us both.”
“Jesus Christ. Why didn’t you call 911?”
“I’m not sure if it could hurt Lacey’s case if I’m found here. Are you coming?”
“I can’t. I’m escorting a murderer to the station.”
I heard a pause, then Nolan spoke again, away from the phone.
“Dispatch, this is Nolan. Possible sexual assault attempt at the Seacoast Inn. Female unconscious. Suspect still on-site. Send a unit immediately.” Another short pause. “Nicole?” He was back on the line.
“Yes.”
“Can you get yourself to safety?”
I looked around. I could try to drag the woman around the corner.
“I think so. Hang on.”
Quickly, I rose and shoved the phone into my pocket. Then I started dragging her. God, she was so skinny. How could this be such a workout?
Somehow I managed to pull her around the corner of the motel, all while Detective Nolan kept yelling my name through the phone, asking what was going on.
“I dragged her out of sight.” I huffed, completely out of breath.
“Good. Stay there. A patrol car is less than a minute away. I’ll stay on the line until they get there.”