“Keep me posted.”

“Yes sir.”

****

Time had stopped for Vanessa.

After what seemed like hours, she couldn’t tell how long actually, Norman came back into the room without a word. She heard him move around the room. There was a click, like a lock snapping shut, and then she heard him walk to the door. He left.

Vanessa looked around her. The closet at the far end of the room was now closed and had a padlock on it. That was what she had heard snap shut. She couldn’t put her clothes back on if she wanted to.

She curled back up on the mattress. She shook even though she wasn’t cold. The fear that came with the loss of control over her own life was something she had never experienced. She knew that each girl before her had felt the same fear. It was paralyzing.

Vanessa had been in street fights while on patrol. She had been involved in a gun fight when responding to bank alarm. Nothing had approached the fear she felt now. She was helpless. No weapon, no clothes, no escape. She fought for control. She wanted to run to the window or door, start pounding and screaming at the top of her lungs but she had realized that the room must be sound proofed in some way. He would not have risked firing his gun if he thought someone could hear it.

She thought of Jason. He was her best hope, maybe her only hope. He had to find her before it was too late.

****

Jason arrived at the Walker’s home twenty-five minutes later. The lights in the house were on. He parked and walked up to the door. Mr. Walker opened it before the detective could knock.

“Come in, Detective.”

“Thank you. Did Mrs. Walker have any luck finding the yearbook?”

“She’s still upstairs looking. Would you like some coffee?”

“No thank you. I’ll just sit if it’s okay.”

“Of course.”

Jason was about to sit when he heard Mrs. Walker coming down the stairs.

“Found it. Hello, Detective.”

“Hello. You found the yearbook?”

“Not only did I find the book, I found his picture.”

Jason’s adrenaline began pumping.

“Excellent. May I see?”

She handed him the book with the page open to a row of pictures. Jason spotted him immediately.

Norman Lasiter.

The name didn’t ring any bells.

“May I take this book?”

“Of course. Please let us know when you catch him.”

“I will. Thank you and I apologize again for getting you out of bed.”

Mr. Walker shook his head.

“It was no trouble.”

Jason headed for the door. His next stop was back at the hospital to show the picture to Stephanie Morris. There was no point in trying to put together a photo line-up with six men who have Port Wine Stains. IF he could find them, it would take too long. Vanessa didn’t have that kind of time.

He called and updated the lieutenant as he drove.

****

Jason found Stephanie Morris asleep with the TV on. The nurse was just coming to check on her and Jason let her know he needed to wake her.

“She needs to sleep, Detective.”

“I know but a life is at stake and I need her to look at a photo for me.”

“Very well but I will have to note it on her chart. Dr. Nance wanted her to sleep as much as possible.”

“I understand. I won’t keep her any longer than I have to.”

Jason walked over and shut off the TV. The change in noise seemed to stir the girl. Jason touched her arm.

“Stephanie? Stephanie?”

She opened her eyes and gave him a half smile.

“Detective? Is everything alright?”

She sat up, pulling on her shoulder and wincing.

“Yes. I just need your help with something.”

“Did you see the sketch?”

“Not yet. I’ll see it when I get to the station. I have a photo I need you to look at.”

“Okay.”

She rubbed at her eyes before accepting the yearbook from Jason. His heart was pounding but he did his best to hide it. He needed a positive ID with no influence from him. The lieutenant had suggested that rather than point out the suspects picture, Jason should show her the entire page of senior photo’s and see if she picks him out. It wasn’t a true photo line-up but it was better than nothing.

The yearbook was in her lap and Jason opened it to the page he had dog-eared.

“I want you look carefully at all the male photos on this page. If you see the man who attacked you….”

Before Jason could finish the sentence, her finger came to rest on the picture of Norman Lasiter. He watched her begin to shake and tears welled up in her eyes. He could tell by her reaction that she was sure. He didn’t bother asking.

“Thank you, Stephanie. I have to go. Are you alright?”

She nodded, and as he got to the door, she stopped him.

“Detective Strong?”

He turned and met her eyes.

“Get him.”

“I will…. I will.”

Jason ran for the elevator even as he was dialing the lieutenant. His phone said 1:45 am.

“Patton.”

“Lieutenant, I have an ID on our guy. I need an address.”

Jason heard the lieutenant grab a pad and pencil.

“Our suspect’s name is Norman Thomas Lasiter. He went to high school with Marcie Walker.”

“Give me five minutes.”

Jason smiled to himself. He knew John Patton wouldn’t be asleep but he didn’t expect him to be at the station. He should have known better. Lieutenant John Patton would not rest when one of his own was in danger.

It was no more than three minutes when the lieutenant came back on.

“Norman Lasiter. Age 22. No priors. Last known address was 125 Rio Grande here in San Antonio.”

“You’re shittin’ me!”

“No. Why?”

“That’s two blocks from Marcie Walker’s parent’s house. I’ve driven past that street probably ten times in the last few weeks.”

“I’m on my way with a S.W.A.T team.”

Jason was already pulling out of the parking lot and heading back towards the neighborhood he had just left an hour ago.

“I’m going there now.”

“JD.”

“Yes sir?”

“Be careful. No unnecessary risks until I get there.”

“I’ll be careful.”

He hung up and gunned the engine.

Chapter  17

Exhaustion had finally taken over and Vanessa had dropped into a fitful sleep. She twitched and moaned as a dream moved through her mind.

The nurse helped her onto the birthing bed. She was so relieved to be alive and to see Rob standing there with her. They had survived the ordeal and now it had come time for them to meet their baby.

“Let me take a look.”

The nurse raised the sheet and did a quick exam of Vanessa.

“Looks like we’re almost ready. I’m going to get the doctor.”

Vanessa waited for a contraction to end before smiling at Rob.

“Soon!”

The nurse returned to the room with the doctor following behind. Vanessa’s heart jumped into her throat. It was him. Her abductor with the birthmark on his face. She started to panic but Rob seemed unconcerned and the doctor acted as if he didn’t recognize her. She was hit with a major contraction and when she opened her eyes again, he was on a stool below her.

“Okay, Marcie. Push the next time.”

Marcie, he called her Marcie. She looked at Rob but he was still smiling. Didn’t Rob hear what the doctor had called her?

Another contraction came and she pushed. She felt the baby being born.

“It’s a boy!” the doctor said.

He held the child up and turned him towards Vanessa.

There was a large birthmark on the left side of his face!