Part 17 (1/2)

”It's time for the next phase in our game, Melody. Maybe then we can see how much you might like it. I really think you'll enjoy the things I have planned.”

”Get off me, Keith!”

He held her against the wall. ”I gave you a chance to be nice. But then I got to thinking, maybe I liked it better that you weren't playing so fairly. Wanna know why?”

She grunted.

”Because even though it got on my nerves at first, this thing we've got going is the most exciting thing I've ever experienced. You don't know how much it gets me going, Mel.”

”Get...off!” She struggled.

”See, you didn't know that, did you?” he panted. She felt his hardened crotch against her thighs. ”Didn't know that I'd end up liking all you're doing to get rid of me? The harder you try, the better it all feels.” He kissed her again. She jerked away.

”No! I swear to G.o.d, Keith! I swear I'll call the police!”

”Oh yeah? And what would you say, huh?” He shoved his hands underneath her skirt.

”I'll tell them everything! I'll tell Mr. Lawson, too, and you'll be fired! Is that what you want?”

”I don't think anyone would believe you, Mel. You've got no proof.” He grinned. ”Besides, any outsider would probably feel you enjoy this. I think you may in the long run. Who knows? You probably already do.”

”Stop!” She pushed him off. She ran to the door. She looked back at him just to see if this could have been real. These days she wasn't sure. He sat behind his desk. He shuffled through papers as if nothing had happened.

”Have a good day today, Melody.” He smirked.

She ran out the office.

Chapter Nine.

Cheyenne Wilson turned from her bedroom window. The bruises on her face had already begun to heal. Brianna knew that would be the least of Cheyenne's worries. After all, she may never be able to heal the wounds she held inside.

Brianna rushed to help Cheyenne as she stumbled from the window. Brianna hated seeing a young woman so distraught. The minute Brianna walked into the house Cheyenne studied her as if Brianna had the power to make her pain go away. It hurt Brianna like h.e.l.l that she couldn't give any comforting news to the broken woman. The police were stuck.

The rapist still ran around free, while his victims crumbled beyond control. Brianna sighed. Cheyenne wasn't the only one who needed positive rea.s.surance.

”So.” Cheyenne moved her fluffy hair from her face. She had a vibrant smile that even her traumatic state couldn't hide. She sat on the bed. ”Detective Morris, I just want to thank you for all you're doing. On behalf of me and all the ladies.”

”I'm just doing my job.” She smiled. She wanted so much to let Cheyenne know that she too had been attacked. Brianna didn't have the heart. She couldn't kill Cheyenne's hope by having her develop doubt toward the police when she needed them the most.

”I still want to thank you. I was surprised when you said you were coming by this morning. I was hoping it meant you had some good news.” Cheyenne looked at the carpet. ”Can't say I'm not disappointed, you know? I feel so stupid.”

”You don't have anything to feel stupid for, Cheyenne. You didn't do anything wrong.”

”I was...so...so trusting.” She wiped her eyes. ”I'm not a fool, Detective Morris. Yet I acted like one the other night. Why? Why in the h.e.l.l did I get in the car with him? I knew better! I knew better!” She cried. Brianna held her. ”I'm just so mad and...confused. I've never felt like this before.” She shook. ”I've been scared, but nothing like this.”

Brianna rocked her. ”I think you're doing very well, Cheyenne. You're a strong woman and you'll get through this. Remember that number I gave you?”

Cheyenne sniffed against Brianna's chest. ”For that rape center?”

”It's the best in the city. I want you to contact them whenever you need to.”

She moved away. ”I'm not ready for that, Detective Morris. I can't even understand what happened yet. How can I talk to others about it?”

”They can help you understand, Cheyenne. That's what they're there for.”

”Detective Morris, have you...” Cheyenne swallowed. ”Have you ever been raped?”

Brianna exhaled. ”No.” Yet she'd almost been. That had been hard enough. Sometimes she wondered if she thrust herself into Cheyenne's case to forget what happened to her. She'd been determined not to be a victim. It hadn't been easy. She was already one whether she liked it or not. She hadn't been raped, but judging by the newfound fear she felt, she might as well had been.

Brianna had been so scared of being alone in her home. Even having a gun hadn't given her comfort. Brianna could easily say she hadn't been in Cheyenne's shoes. But did that mean she could escape fate? If the predator came after her again...could she escape? She could easily be in Cheyenne's shoes. Could she deal with such fear when she stood on the opposite side of it? She prayed she wouldn't ever find out.

”Detective, are you okay? I hope I didn't upset you.”

”Uh no.” Brianna stood. ”Uh, I almost forgot. The reason I came is because my partner wants to speak to you. He's downstairs.”

”Oh.” Cheyenne glanced at her bedroom door. ”Uh...” She held her s.h.i.+rt. ”I don't know if I am...”

”I know you're afraid of being with a man right now, but he's here to help you. Cheyenne, you have to cooperate with us as best you can. We need to get this guy off the streets before he has a chance to hurt anyone else.”

She sighed. ”I don't know if you can catch him. He seems invincible.”

”No one is invincible, and we won't stop until we get him.” Brianna nodded.

”You can believe that.”

”I'll talk to your partner, but only if you're in the room, too.”

Brianna smiled. ”Then let's go.” Steven paced around Cheyenne's little white living room. Brianna walked in first. Cheyenne huddled in back. She kept her head to the floor. She hadn't taken a glimpse of Steven yet. Brianna walked toward him.

”Is she doing okay?” he whispered.

”As good as to be expected. I think she's holding up well considering what she's been through. She's talking, which is more than I can say for the other victims.”

He nodded. ”We just need to go over some things.”

”Cheyenne?” Brianna gently grabbed her arm. ”This is my partner, Detective Steven Kemp.” Steven held out his hand with a smile. ”He just wants to ask you some questions.”

Cheyenne's mouth dropped as if it weighed a thousand pounds.

”h.e.l.lo, Miss Wilson. I hope you're doing okay.” Steven put his hand in his pocket when she didn't take it. ”I know this is a hard time for you so we won't be long. I just wanted to go over some things...”

”What the...” Cheyenne looked at Brianna. She shook unlike anything they'd ever seen before. She screamed uncontrollably. She ran across the room. ”Monster! Monster, this monster right in front of me!” She gripped her head. ”Oh, no, no, no, no!” she cried hysterically. ”No!”

”Cheyenne!” Brianna ran to her. ”Cheyenne, what's the matter?”

”What's the matter?” Her eyes filled with tears. ”You're asking me what the matter is?” She charged Steven. ”Get out! Get out of my house!” She hit him repeatedly. He used his arms to s.h.i.+eld his face. ”Get out! Get out! Get the h.e.l.l out of my house!”