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.

He was decked out in his dress uniform and as he got close to the stage, he saw Devin James break free from a conversation and come towards him.

“JD!”

Jason didn’t mind when his friends and fellow officers called him that but Devin James did not fall into either category and it annoyed him that the reporter implied in public that they were buddies.

“Detective Strong.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Devin seemed unfazed by the rebuke.

“Detective, do you have any news on the girl that these guys saved?”

“No. Her status remains the same.”

“And what would that status be?”

Jason ignored the question.

“Okay, how about the guy who did this to her? Anything more on him?”

“There’s going to be a statement after the ceremony.”

Jason pushed past the reporter and continued on his way to the stage. Jason wasn’t sure what Vanessa’s issue was with Devin James, but he was beginning to feel like he would probably agree with her.

When he got to the steps, the lieutenant met him.

“Have you seen Detective Layne?”

“No. I talked to her before lunch and she said she’d be here.”

“I hope so. The mayor wants the whole team present. Doctor Davis and the police chief are already here, that just leaves Layne.”

“I’m sure she’ll be here.” Actually he wasn’t sure but no point in arousing the lieutenant’s suspicion.

Jason followed John Patton onto the stage and took a seat next to him on the left side of the podium. The other chairs were filling up as 2:00 approached. Jason waved to the two men who were the purpose of this shindig, neither of which looked particularly comfortable. They both gave him a little half wave. No doubt the last few days have been pretty surreal.

A city councilwoman got up and started towards the podium. The “privilege” of introducing the mayor had apparently been given to her. Jason didn’t think much of politicians. Usually they were just getting in the way of him doing his job, which is exactly what was happening now. He should be working instead of sitting in the increasingly warm sun.

Jason scanned the distant parking lot for a sign of his partner. Sure enough, she was just locking her car and heading full tilt for the stage. She managed to get to the steps as Madame Councilwoman began.

“Thank you all for coming out today to honor these two brave citizens. It is my…..”

Jason watched Vanessa try to look small as she waited for the mayor to be introduced. Finally, when the mayor was given the podium and while everyone applauded, Vanessa made her way to her chair. She drew a scowl from both the lieutenant and the chief.

****

Norman began to get agitated. Everyone was here but the person he’d come to see. The ceremony was about to begin and there was one chair still empty on stage. He knew it had to be hers.

He studied the two men that had saved the girl in the woods. He didn’t know how two buffoons like them had been able to surprise him. He would not be so careless again.

He spotted a flash out of the corner of his eye. It was long black hair and a police uniform. She was here. He watched as her hair waved in the light breeze while she waited by the side of stage. He found her stunning as always and was looking forward to their meeting. He always looked forward to the beginning of his next encounter with a ‘Marcie’.