Vanessa volunteered to call and went to her desk. Jason looked at the lieutenant.
“When do they want to do the medal ceremony?”
“Day after tomorrow, 2 pm.”
“I guess Vanessa and I will be required to attend?”
“If I gotta go, you gotta go.”
“Who made that rule?”
“Me. Deal with it.”
Jason laughed as Vanessa hung up and came back over.
“Her condition hasn’t changed. She’s still stable but unconscious. I told them we want to know the second she comes around. Apparently, they’re going to keep her under while she heals some more.”
Jason understood but it was still frustrating.
“Did they say how long before they will let her wake up?”
She shook her head.
“The nurse said it just depends on her progress.”
Jason was tired, they had been up since 1 am.
“Well, nothing to do but call it a day. I’m going home. Sandy has the grill warming up for me.”
Vanessa was worn out, too
“Sounds like a plan. Goodnight, JD. See you tomorrow, lieutenant.”
“You two be back here bright and early tomorrow. We’ll need to prep for the mayor’s ceremony.”
The two detectives rolled their eyes and headed out.
****
Norman watched as the two detectives came out of the station. They walked together until the man reached his car and got in. The female detective waved and laughed at something that was said, before continuing on to her car.
Norman was sitting in a gray Malibu, not his truck, since he figured that by now they would be onto that vehicle. The sun was starting to go down, Norman’s favorite time of day, but he would not be going to South Presa street tonight. He had a different mission this evening.
Detective Vanessa Layne pulled out of the lot and into traffic, Norman following about ten car lengths behind her, with a car between them. They drove for nearly twenty minutes before she turned into a subdivision on the south side of the city. When she pulled into her driveway, Norman kept going and circled the block.
Coming back around, he stopped at the end of the street. The detective had already gone inside but Norman didn’t care. He was there to look over the house and to look for an advantage.
The house was two stories with white vinyl siding and a gray shingle roof. The front lawn was mowed but little time had been spent on landscaping. The exception to that was planted along the side of the driveway.
A large hedge ran from the sidewalk all the way back to the side of the house. It appeared to have been put up for privacy from the house next door, and it would be perfect for what he needed.
The sun was almost down and people were coming home in a steady stream. He needed to leave before he was spotted. He took a final look and started his car.
Chapter 11
Jason pulled into the station parking lot on the morning of the ceremony. Stephanie Morris had taken a turn for the worse the day before and, though they stabilized her, she was still in the induced coma. Despite the events of yesterday, the mayor’s decision was to go forward with the ceremony.
He didn’t see Vanessa’s Challenger and, though he was rarely late, she almost always beat him in. He came through the station doors and spotted his friend, Sergeant Dave Connor , manning the front desk.
“Good morning, detective”
“Morning Dave. How’s Vicky?”
“Mean as ever.”
“Come on, Dave. She spoils you rotten. If I didn’t have Sandy, I’d steal her from you.”
“You detectives! You think all the woman swoon over you.”
“What are you sayin’, Dave. You mean they don’t?”
The sergeant rolled his eyes.
“You don’t fool me. That Sandy has you wrapped around her finger.”
“Too true. Say hi to Vicky for me.”
“I will.”
The elevator doors closed and reopened a few minutes later on the third floor. Jason walked towards his desk but Lieutenant Patton was waving at him to come in his office. Jason leaned in and John Patton hung up the phone.
“That was Vanessa. She’s not feeling well.”
“Anything serious?”
“No. She said she’s sick to her stomach. I told her she better not being trying to get out of the ceremony this afternoon.”
Jason chuckled, but in the back of his mind, he was worried. She might be having complications.
“Did she confess?”
“Nope. In fact, she said she would meet us at city hall this afternoon.”
“Doesn’t sound too serious. I’m going over to the hospital to check on Stephanie Morris. I’ll meet you at city hall, as well.”
“Don’t be late.”
“Yes sir.”
****
Jason got to the hospital in under a half hour. Record time for San Antonio in mid-morning. He parked and made his way up to Stephanie’s room. He checked the spot where he had left Brooke the other day, but she wasn’t there.
He stopped to talk to the officers guarding the door and they reassured him that all had been quiet. He went into the room.
Stephanie Morris was still unconscious. Blood seeped through the thick bandage on her chest and looked like it was due to be changed.
Right on cue, a nurse came in. She didn’t appear to be aware of the detectives presence. She checked the tubes and lines running from Stephanie before looking at each of the monitors. Despite Jason thinking that the dressing needed changed, she didn’t begin to remove it. He stepped closer to the girl and stared down at her.
“Watch the transfusion line, please.”
Apparently, she did know he was there. Jason looked down at where he was leaning against the bed and saw he was pinching the line.
“Sorry.” He stepped back. “Has she been awake?”
“Not yet. They still have her sedated.”
“Do you know when they will wake her up?”
“You’d have to ask the doctor to be sure. The chart seems to indicate late tomorrow afternoon or evening.”
The nurse was apparently done with her mission and exited the room as suddenly as she came in. Jason stood looking over the girl.
What do you know? Did you see his face? Do you know his name? Can you take us to his house?
Jason asked them silently in his head but he longed to ask her out loud. He had made a promise to Brooke and he liked to keep his promises. He also wanted this guy off the street.
Hang in there, kiddo. Come back to us.
He turned away from the bed and went outside. Checking his watch, he realized he had time for a quick sandwich before he had to leave for the ceremony. He dialed Vanessa.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Vanessa. You doin’ okay?”
“Yeah. Some cramps and sick stomach.”
“Everything all right?”
“Yes. We called the doc and he gave me something new for the nausea. It’s not real strong because of the baby, but it’s helping.”
“You still going to make it to the ceremony?”
“Yes.”
“Need a ride?”
“No. I’ll see you there.”
“Okay.”
Jason hung up and drove the four blocks to his favorite sandwich shop. He decided to have coffee with lunch. He might need the caffeine at the ceremony.
****
Jason pulled in at city hall just before 1:30 and from the parking lot he could see that seating was already at a premium. Most of the chairs were filled with spectators and press. The press, as usual, had the front 2 or 3 rows. TV cameras were set up at the back of the seating and photographers were jockeying for best place to set up their tripods.
Jason got out and walked towards the raised stage. The podium was at the front with a row of chairs in a half moon behind it. At the back of the stage were three flags. The American, Texas State and San Antonio City flags wafted in a soft breeze. The day was sunny but not overly hot. A fact that Jason appreciated because he noticed there was no shade over the seats.