Night Waves (7 page)

Nick spent the entire morning preparing statements for the press and preparing for the many possible scenarios he may have to face in result of them. Going public with the information regarding Serena’s disappearance, in connection with the other two abductions, was sure to create a feast for the reporters and at the least, major concern among the inhabitants of Coral Isle. It was also likely he would be dealing with more than a few panicked citizens. After all, Coral Isle was known for its beautiful beaches and family oriented attractions, not for its criminal activities.

As Nick prepared to leave his office, he said a quick prayer. Lord, please help me get through to the women that may be his next targets. Please lead us to Serena, and keep her safe.

Serena.

When had he begun to think of the missing woman by her first name? Was it the first time Cali entered his office, pleading for him to find her friend? Or, was it sometime after, as he learned more about Serena? He had read the notes Cali dropped off at the station yesterday. Nick didn’t know if any of the information could be used to help find her, but it did show him the person behind the name.

Taking out his brief notes, he wrote the words ‘make it personal.’ He wanted everyone listening to be concerned not only about their own safety, but to care about finding Serena. What better way to inspire people to help find Serena, than to make them care. An idea sparked, and he reached for his cell phone.

A brisk knock sounded, interrupting his racing thoughts. He opened it to find Deputy Owen with an excited look on his face, and his weight shifting from one foot to the next.

“They’re all waiting for you, Sheriff. You should see the crowd. It’s the biggest turnout I’ve ever seen for one of our press conferences. All of the major news channels are here. And guess what? There are a couple of guys from CNN out there. Can you believe it?” He smiled like a little boy on Christmas morning.

Irritation rocketed through Nick. “This isn’t something to be happy about Owen,” he snapped. “I spoke to Mayor Wilson an hour ago. And I have to return a phone call to the Governor. Apparently he’s concerned about having a serial rapist on the loose in his state, and you should be, too.”

Owen’s face turned serious as he cleared his throat and answered, “Yes sir.”

Exhilaration remained gleaming in the deputy’s eyes, and it took all of Nick’s patience not to throttle the man. He glanced at the cell phone resting in his hand. “It won’t hurt them to wait for another minute or two. I have to make a phone call. I’ll be out when I’m done.”

“But sir…”

Nick shut the door on the deputy’s wide eyes. He ran a hand down his face. CNN? He felt the throb of a new headache beginning at the base of his neck as he dialed Cali’s number.

His anticipation grew with each passing ring. After the fifth one, her recorded voice came over the line. “Leave me a
message.
”

He flipped the phone closed. It was probably too late anyway. He let out a long, slow breath. Lord, I need your help now more than ever.

Bracing himself for the onslaught of questions and flashing cameras, he grabbed his notes and headed outside into the blinding sun and warm afternoon temperatures. The reporters had set up their microphones in the middle of the parking lot. Surprised they had left enough room for anyone to park and maneuver around the crowd, Nick wondered if it was Deputy Owen’s bright idea to set them up there, but kept the thought to himself.

He caught sight of Helen, standing off to the side. He motioned her toward him. “Take pictures of the crowd. The man we’re looking for may decide to show up, looking like a concerned citizen.”

“Gotcha.” Helen disappeared inside the office to grab the camera.

He scanned the crowd, searching for anyone who looked as though they didn’t belong. Numerous men and women stood around, most wearing some variety of press identification. A few curious tourists lingered in the back of the crowd, but none looked overly suspicious.

A surge of adrenaline swept through Nick when he spotted Cali across the parking lot, leaning against the hood of her silver-blue car. It may not be too late after all. Nick had not expected her to be there. He assumed she planned to watch the press conference on TV from her motel room. He should have known better.

Cali’s hair was pulled back; a few loose tendrils framed her face. She held her arms crossed over the blue sundress she wore, and her eyes were hidden behind her fashionable sunglasses. She looked uncomfortable as she crossed her ankles first one way, then the next. Or maybe she was nervous. He couldn’t blame her. He was nervous too.

Nick knew the moment Cali looked at him. He couldn’t see her eyes through the dark lenses, but her lips curved into a hesitant smile. He wanted to smile back, to give her reassurance, but the reporters had run out of patience.

“How many women are missing? Do you have any suspects yet? Are you equipped to handle situations like this?” The questions bombarded him, some blending into the others. Forced to turn his focus away from Cali, he held his hands out to quiet the press.

“Thank you all for coming.” He waited until they settled down before continuing, “I’ve called this press conference to enlist your help in the search for Serena Taylor. She is a twenty-seven-year-old woman who was reported missing from Coral Isle by a close friend on Sunday of this week, a day after she was supposed to have arrived back in her hometown of Brookstone, North Carolina. Ms. Taylor…Serena…is known to be responsible, and it is highly unlikely she went somewhere on her own without notifying her family or friends.”

As Nick spoke, his nerves abated and he fell into his usual, authoritative and professional tone. “She’s Caucasian, has dark-brown hair, and is five-foot-six-inches tall, weighing approximately one hundred-forty pounds. Witnesses have reported seeing her leave her oceanfront rental cottage alone late Friday evening wearing a yellow tank top and black Capri pants. She is thought to have been heading out to the beach for an evening walk.”

As he spoke, he continually scanned the crowd. Helen stood off to the side, snapping photos from various angles. He was not surprised to see Deputy Owen standing to his left and a few steps behind him, directly in view of the CNN camera. Deputy Castle paced in the distance, keeping far away from the spotlight.

Nick’s gaze returned to Cali. He had given Serena’s description and the basic details. Now it was time to make it personal. He wished he had time to ask Cali if it was OK with her. To prepare her. But, considering the reporters began murmuring and asking questions again, he knew his time had run out.

“Before I give further details, I’d like to ask Serena’s close friend, Cali Stevens, to come forward and speak to you about who Serena is, and implore your assistance in finding her.” He stepped to the side and held his hand out for Cali. Shock streaked across her face. But, with little hesitation, she straightened from her position on her car and walked toward Nick. Everyone turned to face her, but she kept her focus on him.

As she neared, Nick stepped forward, pressed his hand to her lower back, and leaned close. “I’m sorry for putting you on the spot. I wanted to ask you first but…”

“It’s OK.” Cali removed her sunglasses and met his eyes. “Thank you Sheriff. This means a lot to me.” She spoke so low against the murmuring crowd that he barely made out the sincere words.

Stepping into the middle of the chaos, Cali turned to face the crowd. Nick wanted to follow her. He wanted to keep his hand on her lower back to reassure her, but from the way she stood straight and addressed the press, he knew she could stand on her own. He stood back, watching as his admiration grew.

“Good afternoon. My name is Cali Stevens, and I’m a close friend of Serena. I’ve known her for many years. I could tell you many things about her. I could tell you what you want to hear to make you sympathize with her. I could tell you she’s a loving wife and mother. But she isn’t. I could tell you she has a large family, with dozens of people waiting for her safe return. But she doesn’t.” Cali paused and took a deep breath. “The truth is she’s single. She was an only child, and her parents both passed away by the time she was sixteen. My family took her in. Serena’s like a sister to me. She’s had a hard life, and in spite of everything she’s been through, she’s the first person to help someone in need. She’s the most unselfish, caring person I know. She’s also strong. She’s a survivor. Serena, if you can hear me, don’t give up. Fight back and fight hard. And for the coward who took her…”

Nick took her arm and firmly pulled her aside. “Thank you Ms. Stevens. Ms. H., will you see she returns safely to her car?”

Helen nodded. Judging by the scowl on Cali’s face, she didn’t care for being dismissed so easily. But, when Helen reached her side, Cali’s features softened, and she turned and walked away without a fight.

Nick kept his gaze trained on Cali and Helen, waiting until they had walked a good distance away before saying, “Serena is the third woman on Coral Isle to be abducted by a serial rapist.”

Cali stopped and swung around so fast she stumbled. Helen took her arm and steadied her, keeping her from falling. Nick assumed this was the first time she had heard the victims had been sexually assaulted. She slowly slid on her sunglasses, covering the tears welling in her eyes.

“Sheriff?” Deputy Owen brought his focus back to the hungry reporters.

He cleared his throat and drew his gaze from Cali. “We have reason to believe the abductor used GHB, commonly known as the date rape drug, to incapacitate his victims. GHB is odorless, colorless and besides a slightly salty taste, is virtually undetectable. Perpetrators often mix the drug with soda or alcoholic beverages, making it extremely difficult for the victim to discover the drug before it’s too late.

“I want to assure the residents and visitors on Coral Isle we’re doing everything possible to find Serena, and to bring the criminal who abducted her to justice. And until we do, I’m asking every woman to be extremely cautious. Under no circumstances should you accept an open drink from anyone. It is also imperative you do not go anywhere alone. Close and lock your doors and windows, and stay alert to your surroundings at all times.”

One of the reporters interrupted. “Sheriff Justice, what are you specifically doing to find the abductor?”

He acknowledged the reporter with a nod. “Although I cannot release any specific details of the investigation, I can tell you we have sent information developed from our investigation to the FBI. They will provide us with a criminal profile and check out any other offenses that appear to be related. I can also tell you we have obtained DNA samples of the offender from each of the first two victims. The DNA is being checked against the national database of convicted felons.”

Voices erupted all around. Reporters clamored to get their questions answered above all the others. The resulting chaos made it impossible for Nick to answer even one more of the questions. Not that he had any more answers to give them anyway.

“That’s all we have to tell you for now. We’ll be posting any new information we can release on our website. A picture of Serena is already posted on the web. Please take a moment and look at it. If anyone has seen her or has any information regarding this case, contact our office.”

He stepped away from the microphones before the reporters had a chance to swarm around him. He automatically looked for Cali, wanting to make sure she was all right. But, she had already climbed into her car. He glimpsed her pale face as she drove away, and recognized the devastation written across her features.

As a tide of remorse washed over him, he wondered if he should have warned her of the possibility of what may be happening to Serena. It may have softened the blow if he had told her last night over the phone. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t have.

With renewed determination, he turned and stepped into his building, intent on tracking and putting away the predator who had dared pick Coral Isle as his hunting ground.

Night Waves

Serena is the third
woman on Coral Isle to be abducted by a serial rapist. Close and lock your doors and windows. Don’t go anywhere alone. Cali shivered as she remembered the words of warning Sheriff Justice gave to the women on Coral Isle.

Fear and anxiety built inside her, and the small, musty motel room didn’t help. Her pulse raced. Her breathing became labored. She had to get out before claustrophobia descended, which would cause a full-blown panic attack.

She grabbed her room key and stepped outside. The warm, humid air did nothing to help her catch her breath, but the openness of being outside held the panic at bay.

“Ms. Stevens.”

Cali jumped and twisted in one swift motion.

A man lounging on the bench seat in front of her room rose and stepped toward her. Her heartbeat intensified, and she took a hesitant step back. “Yes?”

He stopped. “Pardon my intrusion, ma’am. I didn’t mean to startle you,” the man said in a cautious tone. “My name’s Lex Harrison. I’m a reporter for the Coral Isle Observer.”

Cali steadied her breathing, and studied the press identification the middle-aged man held out. A strand of his long, thinning brown hair fell across his eyes, and he tucked it behind his ear. His teeth, too large for his mouth, shined as he smiled, and his bulbous nose crinkled as he studied her beneath dark lenses.

“You followed me.”

His teeth disappeared into his mouth, but his lips remained curled. “Just looking for the truth. As a fellow reporter, I’m sure you understand.”

“I don’t have any information for you.” She turned, heading for the beach.

Lex Harrison followed. “I have a proposition for you.” He fell into step beside her.

“What are you talking about?”

“The sheriff seems to be a likeable guy, right?”

She stiffened and stopped walking. “What are you suggesting?”

“An alliance. You and me. You get the inside scoop on the investigation, and I get our names in the headlines.”

“Let me get this straight. You want me to use the sheriff to get inside information so you’ll get the publicity for it.”

“Sure.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“I told you. Headlines. It would benefit both of us. Give our careers a boost.”

“I don’t need a career boost, and I’m not interested in headlines, unless they are the kind that says my friend has been found.”

“I’m an opportunist, Ms. Stevens. I thought, as a reporter, you would be too. Isn’t that why you are becoming friends with the sheriff?”

“You…” Several adjectives to describe the man came to her mind, but she refrained. “I’m not interested.”

“Take my number.” He held out a plain, black and white business card as his calculating gaze studied her. “In case you change your mind.”

“The answer won’t change.” Cali took the thin, inexpensive card and stuffed it into her back pocket, hoping he would back off and leave her alone.

“Good day to you, Ms. Stevens.”

Relieved he had decided to leave, she said, “Goodbye, Mr. Harrison.”

“Oh, and be careful out there. You never know who you might run into.”

Unease crept up her spine at the unexpected warning. “I’m always cautious.”

His bushy brows lifted. “Really? Yet, you didn’t see me coming did you?”

He turned and walked away, leaving her with the sting of his words. He had followed her, probably straight from the press conference, and she hadn’t even noticed.

Anxious to put the incident out of her mind, Cali headed across the road to the beach, hoping to find solace in the calming sounds of the ocean. After walking for a few minutes, her breathing returned to normal as the sounds of the waves crashing against the shoreline soothed her, helping her escape from reality for a few precious moments. As the evening progressed, she kept her mind focused on the simple act of putting one sandy foot in front of the other and let all other thoughts be carried away.

The sun sank low on the horizon, casting a soft, amber glow to the surface of Coral Isle. She passed by a young couple, strolling hand-in-hand along the foamy surf, oblivious to the chaos consuming Cali’s life. She continued past them, looking to the beach that lay beyond. A large brown sign came into view, clearly marking the beginning of the Coral Isle Nature Preserve. No one occupied the beach beyond the notice, and she relished the idea of a few moments alone.

Cali fell into a rhythm, walking along the shoreline as the waves continued to grow deeper, stretching along the beach farther and farther up as the tide worked its way in. The beach became thinner, the passageway between the ocean and dunes narrower. Afraid of being squeezed out of walking space, she stopped for a moment to breathe in the salty sea air and embrace the solitude before heading back.

When she turned, she immediately recognized she had gone farther than she had planned. She glanced at her watch and discovered she had been walking close to an hour and a half. How far had she gone along on the deserted beach? Alarmed by the discovery she had traveled too far, the sun seemed to hasten its decent, taking its calming amber glow with it and casting long shadows on the sand that lay ahead. The grayness of twilight descended, and she felt a prickly unease crawl along her spine. Every hair on her neck stood on end. Cali had the distinct feeling someone was watching her.

She wanted to brush off her apprehension, to attribute it to the darkening sky, yet she’d learned to trust her instincts years ago. Using them now, she picked up speed, launching into a full jog.

She cast several quick glances over her shoulder. No one was behind her, and no one in front. There was no evidence to support her sudden unease. But, when she had covered about a quarter of a mile, she sensed a presence some distance behind her. A dark presence, and it felt wrong. Extremely wrong.

As the sky darkened, panic consumed her.

Cali ran as fast and hard as she could, yet felt as if she moved in slow motion as the sand slowed her progress. Her breathing quickly became labored, her lungs screamed for oxygen. She used her initial surge of adrenaline in record time, yet was awarded with a second surge when she peeked over her shoulder again and a bright light blinded her.

“Cali?”

She heard her name spoken in a question, yet it sounded foreign. She couldn’t see past the light to identify the source of the voice. He knows my name! The stalker knows my name! The second round of adrenaline shot through her system and she took off faster, nearly tripping over the depressions and grooves in the sand.

She prayed for help. She prayed for protection.

“Wait!”

Urgency resounded in the deep voice. A man’s deep voice. Terror filled her, taking control of all rational thoughts. Move faster. Move faster. The frightening thoughts kept her legs moving, when her sides started to ache and her deep breaths turned into uncontrolled fits of coughing.

Heavy footsteps came close behind her, and she struggled to outdistance them. Precious seconds later, a strong arm banded around her waist, lifting her off the ground and back against a hard, solid chest. Cali screamed for help, but feared she had ventured too far out for anyone to hear. She struggled, panting for breath. She kicked, scratched and turned her head to bite a well-muscled shoulder.

“Cali,” he spoke her name in an even, controlled tone.

A spark of recognition hit her, but before she had time to place exactly who it was, the man dropped the flashlight into the sand and twisted her around.

“It’s me. Sheriff Justice. It’s OK. You’re OK.” He held her by her shoulders, steadying her as she fought to gain her balance.

“Sheriff?” She recognized the outline of his features, and the hard angle of his jaw. “Justice.” All at once, the feeling of something being terribly wrong vanished. It was quickly replaced with a sense of calmness and security. Cali wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into the firm length of his body. She buried her head under his chin, feeling his strong heartbeat against her cheek as she rested against his chest. She noticed he had replaced his standard uniform with a pair of jeans and a dark, snug-fitting T-shirt, and he smelled fresh out of the shower, as if soap still clung to his skin. His masculine scent surrounded her, providing a more intimate layer of comfort.

He enfolded her into his arms, but the tension remained in his body. “I saw you running. Something scared you.”

“Someone scared me.”

He pulled back, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Did you see somebody?”

She looked into his intense eyes. “N-no.” She shook her head. “But I felt someone nearby, and it wasn’t you.”

“Are you sure?” He glanced over his shoulder, then his gaze came back to drill into hers.

“I’m sure. I felt something…” she hesitated, afraid of what he may think of her relying purely on instinct.

“Something what?” he prodded.

“Out of place. Something just plain wrong.” She shivered as goose bumps traveled up her arms and neck. She looked away into the churning sea, not wanting to see doubt in his eyes.

He ran his warm, solid hands down her arms, and then lifted his hand to cup her face. Using his thumb, he coaxed her chin up until she had no recourse but to meet his questioning gaze. When she discovered no doubt, no ridicule, relief swept over her, urging her to say, “And I don’t feel that when I’m with you. I feel safe with you.”

Something flashed across the deep-blue depths of his eyes. His gaze flickered to her lips and he hesitated, before dropping his hand and leaning to recover the flashlight.

He took her arm in his urgent grasp and began walking with her. “I’ll take you to my truck. It’s on the road directly past this dune. When we get there, get inside and lock the doors. I’m going to look for him.”

“Do you think it’s the stalker?” she asked, breathless from running and then trying to keep up with his long strides.

“There’s a good chance it is.”

They climbed the path up the sand dune and he loosened his grip, sliding his hand to lace his fingers with hers. Stepping in front on the narrow passageway, he half dragged her up the slope in his haste. When they crested the hill, Cali was surprised to find the road right next to the dune. She spotted the white truck, marked “Sheriff of Coral Isle.”

Nick led her to the truck, using the remote to unlock it. Opening the door, he guided her into the passenger seat with his hands on her waist and slammed the door. The locks engaged before she had a chance to find the inside control panel and lock them first. He stopped long enough to nod his head, his eyes telling her to stay put. She nodded back, watching his determination surge forth. He turned, drew his pistol from his ankle holster and disappeared into the dark night in search of a stalker.

Night Waves