Drake entered her brother’s sick room, “okay Sylvester I called Jackie.” The tall, dark haired woman sat in the chair beside his bed. “Sylvester?” She shook his arm, “are you awake?” Slowly she stood and leaned over her brother, “Sylvester?” Tears escaped sky blue eyes and slipped down tanned cheeks. She held the lifeless hand and sank into the chair. “Are you dead now Sylvester?” The woman kissed the still warm hand. “It’s okay. I’ll stay with you so you won’t be alone.”

Why does it always seem to rain at a funeral. She’d spent less than an hour with the man and now she was at his funeral. She glanced at the black clad group and located Drake with Jackie beside her. A thin, tall man with blond hair stood on her other side his arm around her shoulders. Every so often he’d whisper to her and her shoulders would shake attesting to another bout of crying. That must be Jimmie Bright. Hundreds of CTI employees attended. Jane Clarke stood beside Jackie. Beside her, Lisabeth, the taller bleached blonde Toni remembered from the restroom on her first visit to CTI. Bradley the receptionist who bantered with Drake that first morning stood apart from everyone else his eyes never leaving the tall dark haired woman. Toni wondered if anyone had decided to go to work today. Everyone better be back Monday.

“Morning Bradley,” Toni swept through the lobby nodding, greeting those employees she knew already, and inserted her key into the elevator lock to call it then hit 14 when she entered. The doors hissed closed and she whistled the Marine Corps Hymn as the car swiftly rose. “Morning Rosemary,” nodded to the woman who served as secretary to her administrative assistants, “morning Jackie.”

“What makes you so cheerful this morning.”

“I’ll tell you,” she leaned onto the woman’s desk and smiled, “Hobbs got the Penthetique account in Greece.”

“Hobbs? Gary Hobbs? Mr. If-I-Ever-Fly-I’ll-Die Hobbs.”

“That’s the one.”

“How’d you swing that?”

“Ahhh,” she wiggled her finger, “you give me too much credit. Jane arranged it.”

“Jane?”

“I’ll explain it all to you. Why don’t you get us some coffee, come into the office and I will reveal all,” she stood up straight and smiled.

“I’d love too,” Jackie became serious, “but there’s a Willie Preston waiting in your office.”

Toni slowly turned to the woman behind the desk, “in my office?” Her voice was low and harsh, “don’t ever let anyone wait in my office again.” Toni’s face reddened, “is that understood?”

Jackie quickly straightened in her chair, “yes ma’am. I’m sorry. Andy used to hate people waiting for him out here.”

“I am not Andy Ms. Cavanaugh.” She turned and stormed through the door slamming it behind her.

“Temper, temper,” the soft deep voice emanated from the lounge area of her new corner office. A tall, black man turned from the large window and faced her. “One day they’ll learn your bark is worse than your bite. Then where will it get you?”

She lay her briefcase on her desk and approached the man. “Willie,” they embraced and he swung her around. “Been waiting long?”

“Nah. Hey you look good Captain.”

“Don’t Captain me. We both got out as a gunny.”

He smirked, “actually I meant Captain of Industry.”

“Yeah, right.” She moved to her desk and sat in the leather chair behind it. “Got the info I wanted? Must say it took long enough.”

“Yeah, well the guy is slippery.”

“Okay,” she settled her folded hands before her and gave him her undivided attention.

“Here’s the hard copy for you,” he slid an inch thick manila envelope to her. “Basically he’s an ex con who somehow got into working at Greystone a private hospital for mental patients in New England. He’s got a juvi record eighteen pages long, so he really didn’t start out as a nice boy. After his last stint in juvi he entered the Corps.”

“Geesh.”

Willie held up his hand, “didn’t last long though. Got arrested two weeks after basic for raping a female recruit. Beat her badly too. He was sent to Levenworth for four years got a dishonorable and disappeared. By the way his real name is Edwin Llang. He got out and started using the name Jimmie Harrow. Moved around a lot then ended up in New England as Jimmie Bright and got the job at Greystone.” He stopped when he heard a knock at the office door.

“Come in,” Toni shrugged her shoulders, “sorry Willie.”

Jackie entered with a tray of small pastries, a carafe of coffee and cups. She settled it on the corner of Toni’s desk and left.

“You got the shit scared outta that poor woman Toni.”

“Yeah,” she lifted a cup and poured some coffee, “I overreacted.” She handed him the cup and poured one for herself.

Willie took a sip and continued, “anyway guy’s there less than a year and some of the patients are complaining that he wakes them up at night. Since they’re mental the stories the staff get from them sound bizarre and fabricated. One of the patients complaining is Drake Palmer. Well, even in a mental institution when a Palmer speaks someone listens. There was an investigation and just about that time Andrew Palmer, the girl’s brother, locates his long lost sister and springs her.”

“Why was she there? She doesn’t appear to be totally incapable of taking care of herself.”

“Ah,” he held up a finger, “seems Mommy and Daddy were social climbers. New Rich. Wanted into all the best clubs. All the best parties. Was okay when they had a strong strapping son who seemed to excel in every sport, was witty, intelligent and a doggone good looking youngster to boot. Then late in life they have a daughter. Mommy is in her 40’s and really didn’t want the kid. But having an abortion was simply out of the question. What would the country club set say? Evidently everything went well until labor began. The cord wrapped around the baby’s neck and her brain was oxygen deprived for a tad too long.” He stopped and took another sip of coffee. “Must say they did take care of her themselves for several years. When she was seven and it was obvious to everyone she wouldn’t be able to keep up with her peers she was institutionalized.”

“Seven?”

Willie nodded. “But they did their homework. At the time Greystone had an excellent record. They had a staff to patient ratio of 3 to 7. Top shrinks. Place was given a five star rating for such places when she went in.” He sipped the coffee and shoved a small pastry between his lips. “Mmmm,” he nodded his head and smiled as he swallowed with delight. “So, about five years ago Jimmie Bright aka Jimmie Harrow aka Edwin Llang begins working there. By now the place is loosing patients and hemorrhaging money. Fewer nurses, fewer shrinks, fewer everything but patients.”

“So how long had she been there by that time.”

“Fifteen years.”

“Fifteen years.” The executive whispered to herself.

“Hey Toni you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah go on.” She sat back down and swung her chair around so she could see out the window.

“Anyway, she’s one of the patients who complained about Jimmie Bright waking her up all the time. All the other patients who complained were female as well. Nothing happened for several years until a nurse quit after telling the director she was raped by one of the staff.”

“Jimmie Bright?”

“Bingo. After that they reinterviewed the patients who complained. Stories were jumbled and well, with the capacity some of them had to completely understand what they were being asked and recall what was said and done years before, it was a bit beyond what they could handle. Basically they all complained of being awakened in the middle of the night, taken somewhere, bright lights and doing things with men. Since they are all drugged at night to help them sleep it was unclear where they were taken and what they did with the men.”

“Were the police called?”

“Yes and no.” Willie finished his coffee. “The nurse reported it then decided not to press charges. She was more than likely paid off by Greystone which didn’t want the negative publicity. Four months later the staff discovers Drake Palmer is pregnant.”

“WHAT?”

“Now by this time her parents were killed so the directors decided the best thing for her was an abortion. Which they had performed.”

“Oh my god,” she rubbed her temples.

“Jimmiie is now suspect, but before they can do anything out pops Andrew Palmer demanding they release his sister. They
do, probably thanking their lucky stars. To their absolute amazement Palmer hires Jimmie so his sister can have some consistency in her life.”

Toni slowly rises from the chair and stands before the far glass wall looking out over the city. “Why?”

“Toni,” the tall black man stood beside her, “her parents never visited, no one ever talked with the woman. When Jimmie Bright arrived he probably made her feel special. Important. Everyone needs that. Unfortunately he had an ulterior motive. People like her are open and trusting. They have no way to protect themselves from people like Jimmie Bright.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and turned the executive to face him. “She more than likely believed he was her friend. From her point of view she had no reason not to.”

Toni released a long breath, “shit.”

“To continue . . .”

“There’s more?”

“Not much. Just Jimmie’s bank account has grown by leaps and bounds since he was hired by Palmer. And most of it is not from his salary. He’s got money coming from somewhere. I’ve got a couple guys working on that as we speak.”

“So he takes advantage of a retard . . .”

“Toni,” Willie looked down into her eyes, “don’t call them retards. They’re mentally challenged.”

“Since when did you get so politically correct?” Toni asked in surprise.

“Since my nephew was born with Downs.”

“Oh,” she slumped back into her chair. “Damn Willie what do I do? She owns half this company. Which,” she looked up at the man, “I really want to buy.” She held out her right hand, “I don’t want to take advantage of her,” she held out her left hand, “at the same time I need to get this company moving. And I need control for that.”

“Hey Toni,” Willie chuckled, “I’m just a P.I. you’re the Captain of Industry.” He turned to leave, “I’ll brief you when we
find out more about Bright’s income and of course, send you my bill.” He waved as he left.

Jackie entered, collected the cups and tray and turned to leave. “Jackie can you ask Drake to come up so I can speak with her please?”

The secretary turned, “Drake isn’t here today Ms. Ramsden.” She left the office quickly closing the door silently behind her.

Before she could get comfortable behind her desk Jackie heard the door open and saw her boss standing in front of her. “Okay, I’m sorry I lost my temper. It was inconsiderate especially since you had no idea how much I hate having anyone in my office when I’m not around.” Toni actually felt her blood pressure rise. “Now I need to speak with Drake, how can I get in touch with her.”

“She hasn’t been back since the funeral.”

“That was three weeks ago.” Toni was astounded. “Where is she?”

Jackie’s voice broke, “I don’t know. I keep trying to call the house. The first week there was no answer. After that Jimmie just said she was out or sleeping or taking a bath. I could never speak to her.” Now the woman was actually sobbing. “I’m a . . . afraid for h. . . her.” She sniffled.

“She’ll be safe,” Toni tried to smile, “Jimmie’s with her.”

Jackie’s head snapped up, “that’s just it. Jimmie’s with her. And he is not safe.”

Toni unconsciously tensed, “what do you mean?”

“He raped Mary Jo, one of the accounting clerks, last year. Andy sent her and her family on a vacation to Europe and got her a job in Portland making twice the money. They never called the cops.” Tears threatened but the woman blew her nose and looked into the green eyes of her boss.

“Have you visited personally?”

“No I was going to after work tonight. If he says she’s out I’ll wait for her.”

“Good.” Toni returned to her office and turned on her computer. For the rest of the day she caught up with emails, read reports, jotted off notes to various departments and worried about Drake Palmer.

“Jimmie?” Drake held her elbow to her side.

The tall blond man grabbed her from behind and slammed her back into the wall, “damn you didn’t I tell you to stay in the room.”

She cried, “I’m sorry Jimmie.”

He pulled her to him, “it’s just that we’re so busy setting everything up. I want it to be perfect for you. So you look good. Okay?”

“Do I have to do that again Jimmie?”

He took a deep breath and smiled as he clenched his teeth, “yes love you do. But it will be better this time. I gave them instructions not to hurt you. Okay?”

“Kay.”

“Hey Jimbo, where do you want the camera this time?” A short middle-aged man with a beer belly stood beside them licking his lips as he ran his eyes up and down the tall woman.

“In front of the bed and up about four feet.”

“Riiight.” The man nodded, spit on the floor and walked away.

“I don’t want to do that anymore Jimmie.”

“Do what?”

“That stuff in the bed. I can make money at CTI. They have lots of mail for me to deliver. I get paid lots there.”

“Now look you bitch,” the man grabbed her by the neck and pulled her down the stairs across the living room into the kitchen and kicked open a door. “You stay down there in the basement until I come get you. And you will do the stuff in the bed and anything else I tell you to do.” He pushed her against the railing and slammed the door behind her, locking it.

“Jimmie,” she pounded on the door and cried, “it’s dark.” She sobbed and sat on a stair. “Sylvester can you hear me in heaven? I’m sorry I was so bad. Jimmie says that god took you away because I wasn’t good.” She wept into her hands and shook her head. “I don’t know how to be good.”

Jackie heard commotion behind the door and rang the bell. “Yeah,” a tall man stood holding the door.

“I’d like to speak with Drake,” the man sent shivers down her spine.

“Hey Jimmie it’s for you,” he slammed the door in her face and she waited.

When the door opened again Jimmie stood before her, “oh hi Jackie. You here to see Drake?”

“Yes.” The woman stiffened.

“She went out with a friend to see that new Disney flick at the IMAX. Be back in a few hours. I’ll tell her you were here.” The smile never reached his eyes.

“Ask her to call me tomorrow at home.” Jackie handed him a card, “my home number is on the back just in case she lost it.”

“Yeah Jackie sure thing.” He nodded and waved then closed the door.

“Damn meddling bitch,” Jimmie tore the card in two and tossed it onto the floor. “Gonna have to do something about that fucking broad.”

“What broad?”

“Clyde you asshole get back in there and finish putting up those lights.”

“There up. We’re just waiting on the retard.”

Jimmie slapped his hands together, “okay it’s showtime.”

“Now Drake,” he sat the woman on the light blue, silk sheeted king size bed, “just lay on the bed and spread your legs.

“I don’t want to Jimmie,” the words were barely out when the force of the blow knocked her against the headboard.

“I don’t care if you want to or not,” he squeezed her arm, “I said do it.” He whispered in her ear, “if you don’t I’ll tell god to make Andy go to hell.”

Blue eyes opened wide as tears filled them. “No. No. Please tell god not to do that.”

“Well are you going to lay on the bed and do what I say or what?”

“I’ll do what you say Jimmie. Promise you won’t tell god . . .”

“Okay, okay shut up and get on the bed.”

Jackie watched the house for hours and as she suspected Drake never returned. Probably in the house just as I thought.
What are they doing with all that light in Drake’s bedroom? She heard a scream then another, that does it. Jackie pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911.

“Damn you bitch,” Jimmie grabbed Drake by the hair and dragged her from the bed, “I told you not to scream. They probably heard that all over the neighborhood. He dragged her from the room and pulled her to her feet by the hair.
“Now I have to punish you.”

She fell to her knees, “oh Jimmie please don’t.”

“Either I punish you or I tell god to put Andy in hell. You choose.” He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down the stairs. When they reached the kitchen he switched on the basement light and opened the door. “So what’s your choice Drake.”

She shivered in the cold basement. She was nude and the cold concrete was beginning to make her feet numb. “Don’t let god make Andy go to hell. Jimmie, you can punish me. I was the one that was bad.”

“You bet your ass you’re the one that’s bad. That’s why god made you a retard, because your so bad Drake.” He turned and climbed the stairs.

The dark haired woman made it to the corner where she sat on a filthy mattress. She heard the door above slam and then it went dark. “Oh Andy I hope you aren’t in hell because of me.”

“Hi officers,” Jimmie spotted Jackie speaking to another officer across the street, “how can I help you.”

“Got a report of a scream,” the younger and more muscular man said.

“Right,” Jimmie nodded, “come on in.” The two officers entered, “see we’re making a fright movie and we were shooting a scene. He stepped over a cable, “careful,” he led the men up the stairs where they saw the lights and camera in the bedroom.” Jimmie smiled and motioned around the room with his arm. Was our last scene so we’re wrapping at this location for the night.

The two peace officers scanned the room. The younger one noted the huge bed and intricately carved headboard.
“Never seen a headboard like that.”

Jimmie turned to the man and then to the bed, “uh, it was specially made. For the former owner of the house. He was into trains and so . . .” he motioned to the large carved wood. “What can I say? If you have enough money you can get anything.”

The officers nodded and Jimmie led them toward the stairs. “We’d appreciate a tour,” the older officer smiled. “Don’t see many old places like this anymore.”

“Yeah,” his partner turned to Jimmie, “they’re tearing them down all over. Do you mind?”

Jimmie sighed and led them on what he tried to make a quick tour of the upstairs. He opened the door on the final room and the younger man whistled, “wow what a set up.”

“Yeah, like I said, the guy was into trains.” The entire room held the biggest train set up either officer had ever seen.

“Looks like something you’d see in the movies, doesn’t it Carter?” the older officer bent over to get a better look at a steam locomotive, “where’s the woman that lives here?”

“Woman?”

The officer nodded. “Yeah.”

“Oh Drake, well,” Jimmie ran his fingers through his short cropped hair, “she’s out with a friend seeing a movie. I think she’s spending night.”

“You think?” The second officer, a middle-aged Hispanic man, asked.

“Yeah, she wasn’t sure. Depended what time the movie got out and if they decided to go out to eat or shop or whatever. You know women.” He forced a laugh.

“Yeah,” the young cop smiled, “my wife’s the same way. He looked around the room, “mind if we take a quick look around the downstairs. You know so we can put in our report that we covered everything.”

Jimmie hesitated a moment, “well I’ve got all this expensive equipment . . .”

“Won’t take a minute,” the older cop began moving down the stairs and toward the kitchen, “and we’ll be real careful.” The two officers went through the downstairs rooms. “What’s in here,” the Hispanic officer put his hand on the knob of the basement door.

“Basement. Actually I use it as a darkroom. A friend is down there now working on some shots he did earlier today. If the door is opened the light will wreck it all.”

The officers nodded, “oh.” He led them to the front door and opened it. “So all these guys here work on the film too?” The younger cop jerked his head toward the men sitting around the living room.

“Yeah, we’re done for the night though,” Jimmie turned to the others, “okay guys you can pack everything up.” The men began moving and retrieving gear.

The older cop pulled a card from his pocket and made a quick notation on the back, “here’s my card,” the paper slipped from his fingers onto the floor, “oops,” he bent to retrieve it, “anyway, if you ever need security when you’re filming give me a call. Home number is on the back.”

“Hey thanks,” Jimmie brightened and unconsciously sighed in relief. “Bye guys.”

The officers waved and returned to their vehicle. Jimmie watched and waved as they drove away in the now dark evening noting Jackie Cavanaugh and the other police vehicle was no longer around.

“What you think?”

“Lying through his teeth.”

“Why’d you give him your card?”

“So I could pick up this one.” He opened his palm to reveal two torn bits of what had been a business card.

“Delgado, you’re good.” The younger cop chuckled.

“You’re not so bad yourself Carter with the ‘my wife does the same thing.’

“Well,” he began to chuckle, “he does.” Carter watched his partner maneuver the vehicle into their spot at the station.
“Hey, did that bed look familiar to you?”

“The bed,” Delgado opened the door and stepped out. He turned to face his partner over the roof of the vehicle and thought a moment, “nah, should it?”

“Just feels like I’ve seen it before.” Carter shook his head.

Delgado and Carter made their way to their sergeant’s office where Jackie Cavanaugh sat talking heatedly. “. . . know something is wrong. First she’d never missed a day of work. And she hasn’t shown up since the funeral. Second we talk every day. EVERY day. I haven’t heard a word from her.”

“Ms. Cavanaugh,” the sergeant held out his hands, “she just lost her brother, could be she’s still mourning that loss.” He leaned his head forward, “you did say he was her only family. It seems logical to me that she just is depressed with the loss.” He looked up as the two officers entered, “find anything?”

Delgado sat in the one remaining chair, “something’s going on there. But no reason to think anything illegal at this point.”

Jackie turned quickly to the man, “did you see Drake?”

“No ma’am.”

Jackie stood and pushed the chair back with her legs, “I tell you something is wrong. I feel it.”

“Ma’am,” the sergeant stood and smiled, “unfortunately we can’t go on feelings. But we will keep track of the goings on at that house. And we’ll keep an eye out for the girl.” He watched the woman retreat quickly from his office and listened as the tapping of her pumps disappeared when she was out the station door. “Okay, give me the whole thing.” The officers spent the next half hour going over what they saw, the demeanor of Jimmie Bright and what they suspected. “So you think she’s in the house?”

“Yeah,” Carter glanced at Delgado who nodded slightly, “basement.”

“We’ll need probable cause.” The sergeant stood, “think you guys have some paperwork to do.”

The two took the hint and returned to duty working on the computer writing the report for the record. “Still stewing?”

“Nah,” Carter frowned, “just trying to place where I saw that room before. He slapped his thigh, “that’s it. Damn.”

“What?”

“Who’s working the porno flick case?”

“Francis.” Delgado’s eyes widened, “yeah, now I remember. That headboard, the trains.” He slammed his fist on the desk, “shit.” He watched his partner go through the department phone directory, “so?”

“Calling Detective Francis at home. She’s been working her butt off trying to get a break on that case.”

“Carter it’s nearly 2300. Don’t you think it’s a bit late.”

He shook his head as he dialed, “got to work with her once. She’s a real night owl and . . . Detective Francis? Officer Carter.” He proceeded to give the lieutenant a rundown of the events with Jimmie Bright and less than an hour later the woman stood before them in Levi’s and a Detroit Redwings Sweatshirt.

She smiled flashing a piece of paper in her hand, “nice having friends in judiciary. Got a warrant. Let’s go.” Detective Francis stood all of 5’4” in her hiking boots and weighed in at 120 pounds, the majority of it muscle. Her short brown hair was graying and she really didn’t give a damn. Never into fashion, her coworkers rarely saw her out of Levi’s and a sweatshirt. During the summer she opted for T-shirts. Within the next fifteen minutes the seven members of her unit were sipping coffee listening to their boss give them a rundown on the procedure they would follow in this bust.

In the dark basement Drake sniffled. Her back and arms hurt from the beating. She was cold and hungry as well. The woman wrapped her arms around her chest and rocked singing to herself.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me.

I was once lost, but now I’m found,

was blind but now I see.”

The lament caught in her throat and Drake threw herself onto the mattress sobbing fiercely. She quickly sat up when she heard the lock released and shivered in terror when the door opened.

“Find the light switch.”

It’s not Jimmie.

“Got it LT.” The light high overhead illuminated. “Holy shit.”

That’s not Jimmie either.

Drake’s eyes hurt in the sudden bright light and she scooted into the corner holding her knees up to her chest. Her hair fell over her face and hid most of it.

“Kelly get something to wrap her.” The detective looked up at her second in command, “Graham what did you find?”

“Bedroom just like in the flicks. Other than her,” he pointed his chin down to Drake, “place is empty.”

“Delgado call her friend, what’s her name.”

“Right LT.”

“Carter, paramedics,”

“Already taken care of.” Footsteps raced up the wooden stairs.

Drake watched silently as the woman knelt beside the mattress, “hi, my name is Frances.” She smiled and Drake wanted to smile back but Jimmie would be angry. “Are you Drake?”

She nodded.

“Where’s your friend? Jimmie.” The woman took the blanket from the female officer and wrapped it around Drake’s shoulders.

Drake shrugged. She really didn’t know where he was. But she couldn’t say anything. He became very angry when she talked to strangers and she just got punished more.

“We’re calling your friend Ms. Cavanaugh to come help you.” The detective sat beside the woman and squeezed her shoulder. Drake winced. “I’m sorry Drake. We’ll have someone here soon to help make you feel better. Okay?”

Drake shrugged her shoulders.

“Can you stand up?” The detective gently took her arm. “Come on Drake stand up and we’ll take you upstairs where it’s warmer. Okay?”

Drake nodded and tried to stand but collapsed onto the mattress. Officer Kelly gasped at the sight of the massive bruises on the woman’s chest.

“That’s all right Drake.” Frances fixed the blanket around the woman once again. She turned to the steps when she heard the heavy footsteps and smiled when she saw the paramedics. “Hey Griggs,” she smiled at the taller of the two and quickly stood pulling him aside. After a few minutes the man knelt beside Drake.

“My name is Barney. Hi,” he smiled to the woman. Drake smiled back. Behind him she could see a little narrow bed on wheels. “We’re going to take you out of here and to the hospital so we can take care of you because you’re hurt.”

Drake tried to stand and at the same time began pushing the man away, “no, no. I don’t want to go. No.” She swung her hands in the air connecting with his jaw and sent him sprawling.

Barney rose quickly and again approached Drake. “Hold it Griggs.” Detective Francis knelt again beside Drake. “Why don’t you want to go to the hospital. They’ll take good care of  you there.”

“No. I don’t like hospitals. They hurt you.”

“Uh LT?”

“Yes,” she swung her head around to see Delgado and with a tall woman beside him.

“This is Ms. Cavanaugh . . .”

“Jackie,” Drake yelled then began sobbing. Immediately the woman sat on the mattress and wrapped her friend in her arms.

“Shhhh. It’s okay.”

“They,” she sniffled, “want to take me to the hospital.”

Jackie looked up at the paramedics noting one with a black and blue bruise on his jaw, “can you just take care of her here and I’ll take her home? She’s afraid of hospitals.”

“Sure,” Frances stepped forward and glanced quickly at Griggs and his partner, “no problem. We just want to make sure she’s all right and have on record her injuries in case we need it at a later date.”

“Drake?” Jackie gently pushed dark hair from the woman’s face and for the first time saw the extensive bruising around her eyes and the split upper lip, “is it okay if they fix your owies so they can get better?”

The dark head nodded.

Over the next thirty minutes Griggs cleaned Drake’s obvious wounds and checked for any hidden injuries. “She has a minor concussion. Just keep her quiet for a few days and get food and water into her. I think she’s got a couple of broken or fractured ribs.” He said softly to Jackie. “We really should get her into x-ray.”

“Drake?” Jackie spoke softly to the woman, “how would you like a picture of your bones?”

Blue eyes lit up for the first time in many days, “you can’t take a picture of bones, Jackie,” she scoffed.

“I can’t, but Barney here can. Can’t you?”

“Really?” Drake sat a bit straighter, “can you really take a picture of my bones?”

“Sure,” he stood and smiled down at her, “but we have to use a special camera. Not just any camera can take picture of bones.”

“Can I have one?”

Griggs looked at his partner who shrugged her shoulders, “yeah we can give you one to take home.”

“Wow.” Drake was excited. “Can we take the picture now?”

“Sure, but you have to come to a special picture place.” He turned to Jackie, “probably best if you just follow us.”

“Can we go Jackie? Can we go get the special picture place to take a picture of my bones?”

“I’ll ask the detective if we can leave now and you let Barney and Betty help you upstairs, okay?”

Drake nodded and allowed the two paramedics to assist her up the wooden basement stairs. Officer Kelly and Betty helped Drake dress in the kitchen while Jackie spoke with Detective Francis in the living room. “No problem, Ms. Cavanaugh. You can go. I’ll drop by tomorrow to speak with you and Drake to flesh out my report. Meanwhile we’ll put out an all points for Bright.” She gave the secretary her card. My cell phone number is on the back if you should need to contact me.

Jackie read the card, “Lieutenant Frances Francis?” She looked into the detectives eyes.

“My parents had no imagination,” the officer offered.

Drake began to shiver when they parked at University Hospital. “You lied,” she accused Jackie. “No I didn’t Drake. This is where the special camera is.” She turned to face the woman who turned away and looked out the passenger window. “Drake look at me please.” Slowly the dark head turned, “thank you. I promise you this is where the camera is. If I’m lying I’ll let you have pizza every day for lunch for the next week.” She raised her brows, “is that fair?”

Slowly Drake nodded. “But they won’t poke me with needles will they Jackie?”

The woman smiled and crossed her heart with her finger, “I promise they won’t even come near you with a needle.”

Drake finally smiled and opened the door, “okay. But I get some of the pictures.”

“You bet,” Jackie chuckled as she grabbed the woman’s hand and led her into the hospital.

Dr. Ruben Paper approached x-ray room #3 and heard laughter from inside. He pushed the door and entered. “Hi Dr. Paper.” A tech smiled and swung his arm to Drake, “this is Drake Palmer and she’s a very special person,” he put his finger to his temple and was relieved the physician understood. “We have these pictures of her bones.” He turned to Drake, “Dr. Paper will read them and tell you if everything is okay with your bones.”

Drake laughed delighting everyone, “how can you read pictures?”

Dr. Paper smiled, “well I had to go to a special school to learn how to do it.” He held them up one by one and stuck several under rubber clips to hold them against white glass. He flipped a switch and the light from the glass illuminated the x-rays.

“What does it say?” Drake leaned over his shoulder to look.

“Well, it says that you must hurt right here,” he gently pressed her left ribcage and she reacted.

“Ow that hurts.”

“See?”

“Where does it say I hurt there?”

“Look here,” he pointed to the x-ray, “see those white things?”

“Yeah, David and Eddie said they’re my bones.”

“Right. But look at this one,” he pointed to her second rib, “see that tiny black line though it?”

“Uh huh,” she nodded.

“That means you have a fractured rib.” He looked at the confusion in her face. “Fractured means it’s broken.”

“Will it fall off?” She asked frightened.

Dr. Paper chuckled, “no, no. See bones are very special. If you don’t do anything to hurt it more it will fix itself. Then you won’t have a broken rib anymore.”

“It fixes itself?” Her eyes widened, “really?”

“Absolutely. But you have to make sure you take care of yourself for several weeks.”

“How many is several? Is that the same as seven.”

“Uh no. Three weeks.” He looked through the additional pictures taking the time to put each one over the light so Drake could see as well. “The rest look real good. See,” he pointed to a few arm and leg bones, “no black lines.” He turned to a slight oriental young man, “Eddie why are there two of everything?”

“Uh,” the man blushed, “Drake wanted to take a set home to show her friends.

“Jackie promised if I came to get the pictures that I could get some to.” She bounced on her toes, “I want to show my friends at CTI my bones.”

“CTI?”

Jackie smiled, “our employer.”

“I deliver the executive mail,” Drake smiled.

He nodded to the young tech, “okay,” then turned back to Drake, “just make sure you don’t lift anything heavy.”

She nodded, “for several weeks and several really means three.” She smiled, “right?”

“Absolutely,” the doctor couldn’t help but chuckle and grin back.

Eddie and David slipped the extra x-rays into oversized envelopes and gave them to Drake.

During the drive from the hospital Drake couldn’t stop talking about the experience, smiling and laughing as she gave a detailed account of everything that happened as if Jackie had not been there at all. “I can’t wait to tell Jimmie,” suddenly the woman dropped her head to her chest. “He’s going to be very angry.”

“Why Drake? Why will Jimmie be angry?” Jackie glanced at the woman beside her.

“Cause I was bad again,” tears streamed down her cheeks. “He gets angry when I’m bad and has to punish me.” She covered her face with her hands and quietly wept.

Jackie felt a rage begin to boil in her. “Drake,” she glanced at the woman, “Drake look at me.” She turned to see tear filled blue eyes glisten in the oncoming headlights, “you never ever did anything bad. Do you understand me?”

“But Jimmie,” she sniffled.

“Jimmie doesn’t know what he’s talking about. You are not a bad person. You do not do bad things.” She tried to be as firm as possible without sounding angry herself. “Do you understand me?”

She saw the woman shake her head. Jackie pulled the car into a strip mall parking lot and turned off the ignition. She turned to Drake and gently placed her hand on the woman’s forearm. “Drake,” her voice was soft, “what do you do that’s bad.”

Drake looked away. If I tell the truth Jimmie would be angry. If I lie . . . I can’t lie. Lying is wrong. “I can’t tell you.”

“Why?”

“Jimmie would be angry.”

Jackie tried to keep her temper in check. “Why would Jimmie be angry?”

Drake chewed her lower lip for a moment. “Cause he told me not to tell.”

“Not to tell what?”

“Not to tell the secret.”

“Why?”

Drake shrugged her shoulders, “I guess cause then it won’t be a secret anymore.”

“Drake honey,” Jackie wasn’t sure where to take the conversation. She was tired and when she looked at her watch she
sighed. “Look it’s past three in the morning. I’m tired and I’m sure you are too, so why don’t we talk about this tomorrow.” She started the car and began to drive.
 The woman beside her nodded. “It’s way past my bedtime.” She yawned and leaned her head against the window where she fell asleep.

When Jackie arrived at her home she tried to rouse the younger woman. “Drake honey, we’re home. Come on.”

Drake nearly fell out of the car when Jackie opened the passenger door. The seat belt kept her up and Jackie reached over and pressed the button unsnapping it. She pulled the woman to her feet and gently held her while closing the car door and pressing the autolock button. As quickly as she could Jackie helped the woman to the door, into the house and to the first floor guest room. “Come on now. Undress and get into bed. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

The secretary checked the doors and windows making sure everything was secure and returned to the room to find Drake snuggled under the covers her clothes folded neatly on the dresser. Jackie straightened the blanket and kissed the sleeping woman on the forehead. “We’ll get this taken care of tomorrow. I promise you you will never be hurt by Jimmie Bright again.”

Jimmie Bright sat in the black Lincoln and watched the scene at the house. Blue lights flashed into every corner of the neighborhood. He watched Jackie lead Drake to her car and drive away. Fucking bitch. Should have taken care of her a long time ago. He didn’t have to follow. Jimmie already knew where Jackie lived. He’d even visited with Drake several times.

The man pulled a cell phone from his pocket and punched in numbers. “Rieger? Jimmie. Cops are at my place. No I have the video with me. Yeah . . . yeah . . . no she’s gone. But I know where to find her.” He listened for a while, “no the masters are with Taggert. There’s really nothing in the house for them to find. . . .I’m telling you there’s nothing there. . . . Look Rieger I don’t leave that stuff in the house. All the video is with Taggert except the one we finished last night.” He nodded his head as he listened. “Okay. But what about the retard. . . . Why? She knows nothing. . . .That’s gonna be a bit difficult.  . . . yeah. . . yeah. I said yes. Okay.” He closed the phone and slipped it back into his pocket. Frigging idiot.

Jimmie watched and waited until the last police car departed the scene just as the sun was rising then left to get the supplies he would require.

It had been a long night and Detective Francis was exhausted. The search of the house found nothing other than the headboard Carter had recognized from a porno flick he’d seen at a cousin’s bachelor party the year before. His own interest in trains made him remember the carving. She thought the case had gone cold. Then the headboard. Ordinarily the department didn’t expend time, energy and money in the search for porno producers, but this one had included small children. And now that they had Jimmie Bright she hoped they could get to bigger fish. She looked at her clock and winced. Noon.

Jackie heard movement downstairs and forced her eyes open. She glanced at her clock and rolled over pulling the sheet over her head to keep the daylight out. It didn’t work. She thought about rising and looked at the clock. Noon. “Ten more minutes,” she mumbled to herself and snuggled into the pillow.

BZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZZ. The loud buzzing of the smoke detector nearly stopped the woman’s heart. “Shit.

“What the hell?” She leaped from the bed and raced down the stairs fanning smoke that was rising toward her.

In the kitchen corner Drake sat shaking with her knees pulled to her chest holding her ears. Jackie saw the dark smoke billowing from the toaster and immediately unplugged the appliance. She then opened the door and windows, grabbed a kitchen towel and began fanning the air with it to get some circulation through the room. Realizing the other smoke detectors were buzzing Jackie raced through the house opening windows, pulled out two fans from a closet and set them up in the living room and upstairs in her bedroom.

She returned to the kitchen and sat beside Drake pulling her close until the buzzing stopped. “I’m sorry Jackie. I was bad again. I made the smoke.” Drake’s shoulders shook as she cried.

Jackie would have laughed but found no humor in the young woman’s insistence that she did bad things. “It was just an accident Drake. It’s an old toaster. It wasn’t your fault.” She stroked the long dark hair and rocked the frightened woman who still shook. “Shhhh, it’s okay. Really.” She stood and helped the taller woman to her feet, “I’m hungry.”

“Me too.” Drake mumbled.

“Great. I really hate eating breakfast alone. What do you want?”

“Cheerios. O’s of oats.” Drake smiled and sat on a chair at the table. “They’re good for you.”

“They sure are. But I don’t have Cheerios. Would bacon and eggs be okay for today and I’ll get Cheerios for tomorrow?”

“Sure Jackie.”

“Drake would you set the table?” Jackie pulled eggs and bacon from the fridge and pulled a frying pan from one of the lower cabinets.

“You want me to set the table?”

Jackie turned around and looked around the kitchen, “well yes, unless there’s another Drake around here that can do it.” The secretary poured olive oil into the pan and waited as it warmed.

“No Jackie, I can do it. Really I can do it.” Drake stood looking at the cupboards.

“The plates are in there,” Jackie pointed to the cupboard just above the counter. As Drake set the table Jackie coaxed the bacon and eggs until they were just as she liked the white part cooked with the yolks still runny. “Do you want toast?”

“The toast burned Jackie.”

She stopped a moment, “oh that’s right. Then we’ll just have to have plain bread. Is that okay with you Drake?”

“Sure. I like plain bread.”

Jackie had to chuckle, “is there anything you don’t like to eat Drake?”

The tall woman thought a moment then made a face, “Brussels sprouts. I really don’t like them Jackie.”

The cook settled two eggs on each plate with four strips of bacon. “Can you get the bread from the fridge?”

Drake did as she was asked and they settled to breakfast. “You’re a good cook Jackie.” The younger woman began cutting the eggs and bacon into small pieces. Jackie watched the methodical way she would cut everything horizontally then turn her plate a quarter turn and do the same thing again. After five minutes the bacon and eggs met with Drake’s satisfaction. She piled some on the corner of the bread and took a big bite chewed twice and swallowed. Within minutes the plate was empty.

Jackie poured Drake a glass of milk and herself a glass of orange juice then settled to eat her own breakfast. Drake watched her eat as she finished her milk. “You know Drake,” Jackie leaned toward the woman, “next time the smoke detectors go off you should do two things.” She scooped some egg into her mouth.

“What two things Jackie,” Drake leaned toward her resting her elbows on the table.

Jackie swallowed and took a sip of her juice. “First you should grab the cordless phone and run outside. Second,” she continued, “you call 911 on the phone and tell them the smoke detectors went off.”

“Okay Jackie I’ll do that next time.” She stopped and thought. “What happens then?”

“Then,” she took another drink, “the fire trucks come and put out the fire if there is one.”

“What if there’s no fire?”

“Then they go back to the fire station.”

“What if it’s the middle of the night?”

Jackie finished her juice and stood retrieving the plates and utensils, “you do the same thing no matter what time it is.” She turned and faced Drake, “we don’t want to have a fire burn down the house now do we?”

“No Jackie then you wouldn’t have anyplace to live.”

The woman couldn’t help but smile, “exactly.”

The phone rang, “hello. Oh yes Detective Francis.” She smiled at Drake and nodded her head, “yes that would be fine. Yes she’ll be staying with me. See you then.” The secretary turned to the younger woman, “Detective Francis will be here to speak with us at three o’clock.” She jerked her head toward the kitchen door, “until then I’ve got tons of laundry to get caught up on to say nothing of dusting and vacuuming. Want to help?”

“Yes Jackie I’ll help.”

For the next two hours Jackie and Drake cleaned dusted, vacuumed, stripped the beds and remade them with clean sheets and moved furniture around. When they were done the two woman sank into the couch glad to put their feet up. At three the doorbell rang and Jackie ushered the detective into the living room.

Not certain what to do Drake stood at the kitchen door. “Hello Drake are you feeling better?” The lieutenant walked to the tall dark haired woman and smiled, “do you remember me?”

“Yes I’m feeling better. And yes I remember you. You’re the lady who came in the basement last night.” Drake shivered as she remembered the cold dark place.

“Well you look better today.” She turned to Jackie, “this shouldn’t take too long.” Jackie indicated the woman sit. “Can I get you something to drink. Juice, coffee?”

“No I’m fine.” Detective Francis opened a notepad and pulled a pen from her pocket. “Just a few items we didn’t have time to get to last night.”

Jackie pulled Drake to the couch and they both sat facing the woman in the armchair. “Anything that we can help you with we will.” She turned to Drake, “won’t we.” Drake nodded.

“First of all, Drake why were you in the dark basement?”

Drake shivered and lowered her head, “I was bad.”

Frances leaned closer to the woman and asked softly, “what did you do that was bad?”

The dark haired woman played with her fingers on her lap, “I yelled when they hurt me.” Tears began to stream down tanned cheeks.

The detective shifted in her chair, “do you know what they were doing with all the lights and stuff in your bedroom?”

Drake nodded. “Making movies. Jimmie makes movies and says I’m his star.”

“And how many movies have you made with Jimmie?”

Drake shrugged her shoulders and chewed her lower lip.

Okay Frances time for a different tack. “Did you get your bone pictures last night?”

Drake immediately brightened. “Yes. You want to see my bones?” The woman rose quickly ready to move if the answer was yes.

“I’d love to,” the detective glanced at Jackie who gave a slight nod. “Do you think . . .” Before she could get the question out Drake had returned, kneeled in front of the woman and began pulling out the x-rays.

“This one is of my foot. And this one is my ribs. That dark little line means I have a fricture . . .”

“Fracture,” Jackie corrected.

“Yeah a fracture.” She looked at the detective, “that means it’s broken.” She smiled, “but it will get better. In several weeks, which is really three weeks, it will be all better.” Drake sat back on her heels happy that she got to show off the pictures of her bones.

“What caused the fracture Drake?” The detective asked softly as she pointed to the small dark line.

Drake shrugged her shoulders and again began to chew her lower lip.

The lieutenant looked into the sky blue eyes and smiled. “You know I’m a police officer don’t you Drake?”

The woman nodded, “do you have a badge and a gun?”

Frances smiled, “oh yeah. Want to see them?”

Drake scooted closer as the detective removed a dark leather wallet from her jacket pocket and unfolded it to reveal a gold police badge. “See?”

Drake stroked the badge with her finger and smiled up at the real live police officer. “Wow. Do you have those things police put on the bad guy’s wrist?”

“Handcuffs. Want to see them to?” The detective spent time showing Drake the cuffs, her radio and even let Drake wear her badge while the interview continued. “Did Jimmie hurt you Drake?” Frances asked softly as she opened her gun and removed the clip then checked it to assure herself chamber was empty before handing it over for inspection.

Drake nodded as she looked over the weapon carefully. “He hurt me.” She whispered.

“Did he do that allot?”

Again the mentally challenged woman nodded tears forming in her eyes. “He said I’m bad and that’s why.”

“Do you think you were bad?”

Drake shrugged her shoulders as the tears ran down her cheeks, her chin quivering. “I must be bad. God took Sylvester away from me.” The woman’s shoulders shook and she sobbed into her hands. The detective watched as Jackie slipped to the floor and wrapped Drake in comforting arms.

“Who’s Sylvester,” she mouthed to Jackie who replied in kind. So her brother dies and Jimmie Bright takes advantage of her innocence to scare her into doing what he wants. What else did he tell her?

It took awhile for Drake to calm down. Jackie gave her some iced tea and cookies and turned on the television for her while she and the detective moved into the kitchen to talk. Although the secretary give her as much information she had about Jimmie and his relationship with Drake the detective felt she had to get more out of Drake herself. She sat beside the woman who sat in front of the television.

“Drake?”

“Uhhh?”

“Drake can we turn of the tv so we can talk?” Drake shrugged her shoulders and Frances reached over and pressed the off button on the appliance. “Drake did your brother ever tell you about policemen?”

The woman nodded and finished her milk before turning to the detective. “He said the police are my friends and if I’m ever in trouble I should find a policeman.”

“That’s right,” Frances smiled in spite of herself. “That’s exactly right. And you know that the police are here to protect you, don’t you?” Drake nodded. “Good. Now I want you to know that whatever you tell me I won’t ever tell anyone else unless it’s to help you. Do you understand?”

Drake nodded and rolled her eyes. “Yeah I understand,” she said slowly mimicking the detective.

Frances smiled and started to chuckle, “guess I was being a little patronizing there, huh.”

“What’s patronizing?”

“That’s like talking to you like you didn’t understand me when you really can.”

“Yeah, you were being patronizing.” Drake started to chuckle too. “I know I’m not smart like everyone else.” She looked down to her lap, “but I wish people wouldn’t patronizing me all the time.”

“You’re absolutely right Drake. And from now on I want you to tell me if you think I’m patronizing you. And I’ll stop.”

Drake looked into the woman’s face and smiled. “Can policemen have friends?”

“Sure, I have lots of friends.” She leaned toward the woman, “but you know what they say about friends?” Drake shook her head her eyes wide. “They say ‘you can’t have too many friends,’ so I always look for more.”

Drake chewed her lip and suddenly found her sneaker very interesting, “can we . . .” she started and then continued
slowly, “can you and me be friends?”

The detective suddenly felt tears in her eyes, “oh Drake, I would be happy if you would be my friend. And if you’ll let me be your friend.”

“Good like they say, ‘you can’t have too many friends.’ Uh Frances?”

“What Drake,” the police officer used her palms to wipe away the tears before they fell.

“Who’s ‘they’?”