Irrefutable Read Free Page B

the officer. “Where was she jogging?”
    “McManus Park. It happened last night.”
    “Last night?” Alex raised his eyebrows. He listened as he placed his clipboard on the counter and looked through the stack of forms, finally finding the one he needed.
    “She remembers being pushed down from behind, then waking up, naked, on the ground by the old marina this afternoon. Says she doesn’t remember how she got there.”
    “Maybe she was drugged,” Janet said.
    Alex looked at Janet then back at the officer. “How did the call come in?”
    “The woman who found her called it in,” the officer said.
    “Has anyone talked to her?”
    “Yes sir, we’ve got a statement from her. Says she was driving on Lakeview when she saw the victim walking up the drive, naked, from towards the old marina. Says the woman looked confused. She stopped. The woman told her she thought she’d been raped. She wouldn’t get in the car with her and so she called us.”
    “Did you get a written statement?”
    “Yes sir.” the officer said. “Oh, and Ms. Dixon was worried about her car. She asked if we could check on it. Says she don’t know where her keys are, probably with her clothes. Says she wants it towed to the dealership where she bought it.”
    Alex shook his head. “It could be part of our crime scene. We need forensics to go over it.”
    “We asked her, says she was quite a ways from her car when it happened.”
    Alex considered the request for a minute. “Fine, have it towed.” Alex turned to Janet. “I need to talk to her when you’re finished.”
    “Of course. I’ll let you know what I find.” She softly knocked on the door then disappeared into the room.
     
    Alex was startled by his phone. “Mendez.”
    “Hi Alex, Rachel. Are you busy?”
    “Actually, I am. I’m at the hospital with a rape victim.”
    “Sorry to bother you, I just wanted to let you know, I got a call from Carmen. She asked if I could come over and see her off to the prom, so I’m over here.”
    “Oh, well thank you. I appreciate it.”
    “She’s pretty upset.”
    “I know. She wouldn’t talk to me when I left.” Alex picked up his clipboard and walked outside through the ambulance entrance. “I tried to explain, I don’t have a choice. When I’m called, I have to go.”
    “I explained that to her. I think she understands,” Rachel said. “She just didn’t want to be alone when her date arrived, and I don’t blame her.”
    “I know.” Alex paced back and forth across the covered ambulance driveway.
    “ You should have called me. I would have been happy to come over.”
    “I didn’t think of that. Besides, I don’t want to bother anyone with our family issues.”
    “Alex, I practically am family,” Rachel said. “Her mother and I were best friends. I’d do anything for that girl. You know that.”
    “I know you would and I appreciate it. I really do.”
    “Well anyway, Carmen looks beautiful. I’ll get lots of pictures. I think she’ll be able to enjoy the evening.”
    “Good, thanks again for being there. I know it means a lot to her.”
    “Anytime.” Rachel said.
    Alex hung up and looked over his report form as he walked back inside. He had to re-familiarize himself with the form. It had been quite some time since he used one. The last time he could remember was over six months before, and it turned out to be nothing more than a domestic squabble. A woman had filed the report after an argument with her husband, but they later reconciled and she recanted her statement.
    There was a string of rapes four years earlier that kept Alex away from home all too often. It took Alex and his team six months to crack the case. It was a great victory professionally. He was a hero, but it came at a cost; his relationship with Carmen.
    Alex walked to the cafeteria for some badly needed coffee and time to think.
    He replayed the evening’s events. He could still see the look of contempt in Carmen’s eyes. Would she forgive