The Woman Next Door (4 page)

“I know that, too, or you would have found yourself bared.”

“Craig!” She was blushing and embarrassed by the image of herself in that undignified circumstance. He merely chuckled, and she came to realize that he was once again using a spanking to say that he cared about her. Her parents didn’t believe in corporal punishment, and they would be incensed if they knew that Craig believed in spanking. Her grandparents wouldn’t be surprised, and would welcome him warmly.

They worked together to make the stir-fry, and then sat on the stools at the counter to eat. “This is very good,” Elizabeth complimented Craig. “Do you do a lot of cooking?”

“I do. I don’t like to eat out all the time, so I learned to cook. It’s healthier, and it tastes better. Do you cook?”

“I do, especially on my days off. I sometimes make extra so that I don’t need to cook when I am tired after a crazy twelve hour shift in the ER.”

“That’s smart. On really long days I find that cooking relaxes me. I’m not much on fast food.”

“I’m not either.” Elizabeth helped clean up the kitchen and then she asked, “What are we doing this afternoon?”

“You are going to go to bed to sleep and rest, Miss Matthews. You are recovering from a concussion and you were told to rest for a few days. I know you weren’t paying attention to those instructions, but I was, and I intend to see that you follow them.”

“But, I thought we’d talk to people and see if we could find a few clues as to who clobbered me. It is driving me crazy not to know who did this… and why.”

“I’m sure it is, but sometimes it’s better to go slow so we don’t scare off anyone who is involved in any way. I don’t want to let on what information we don’t have, and that is what I would be doing if I started questioning random people at this point.”

“What if he comes back to my house while I am here?” she demanded.

“We’ll know. I have cameras hidden all over the place, inside and out.”

“You weren’t going to tell me any of this, were you?” she demanded.

“I wasn’t sure how you would react, Lizzy. Some people get freaked out, but now that I know you want to be informed, I will keep you in the loop. Now, no more stalling… unless you want a repeat of this morning?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” she said, her temper bristling. “You can stop threatening me. I am not a child, and I don’t feel like going to bed. I would just lie there and stare at the ceiling!”

“So be it,” Craig said softly, and Elizabeth gave him a bright smile. It was obvious to him that she thought she was getting her way. “You won’t be smiling in a moment, little girl. I gave you a chance to go to bed, but you chose to argue the matter, and now I am keeping my promise.”

“No!” Elizabeth declared, and then she took off running as fast as she could, but the turn in the hallway left her dizzy, and the next thing she knew she was sitting on the floor.

“Lizzy, what happened?” Craig asked, gently scooping her up in his arms.

“I got dizzy,” she confessed.

“You shouldn’t have been running like that, honey.” He carried her to her room and put her down on the bed. He removed her shoes, and then asked, “Do you think you can rest now without the spanking?”

“Yes,” she replied in a small voice.

“Good. I don’t like being firm with you, but I will be if you keep giving me grief over resting. Are you still dizzy?”

“A bit. I didn’t think I was this bad,” she admitted, tears pooling in her green eyes.

“You’ll be fine in a day or two. Do you still have a headache?”

“Yes; it’s a lot worse now,” she admitted. “I’m sorry to be such a nuisance.”

“You aren’t a nuisance, Lizzy. Just lie here and rest. It is exactly what you need right now.” He was going to find the man responsible for hurting her, and make him wish he hadn’t been born.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, but just as he reached the door, she said, “I’m afraid…”

“Don’t be afraid, honey. I’m right here, and I promise I’m going to find him.”

“I have no clue who did this; it could be anyone! I could pass him on the street and I wouldn’t know it, and it is going to drive me crazy.”

Craig crossed the room, sat on the bed and rubbed her back gently. “It may take us a while, but he’ll give himself away. I’m vested in finding him, and I won’t let him get away with hurting you.”

“It just doesn’t make sense. I haven’t ever harmed anyone, and even though I threatened Mrs. Huffy, I wouldn’t really hurt her. It was my temper talking. Everyone who knows me knows that I am mostly mouth!” she insisted.

“It could be something as simple as road rage on some idiot’s part, or perhaps a patient thought you overheard something you didn’t. The world is full of paranoid people. The truth is, people don’t always make sense.”

“Right now I feel like I am the one being punished when I did nothing to deserve it.”

“Are my attentions unwanted?” he asked her.

“No! Craig, it isn’t you! Meeting you is the only good thing that has happened to me in a long time. It’s just that we aren’t free to be us because some idiot out there is trying to kill me! I want to enjoy us, but how can I when I can’t even take a walk to reflect on all of this newness?” She kicked one foot. “I probably am sounding like a spoiled brat right now…”

“You sound like someone who is worrying too much. Let me do that for you, and you close your eyes and go to sleep. I’ll be right here when you wake up, and we’ll see if we can figure out who this guy is.” Craig sat with her and continued to talk reassuringly while he rubbed her back. Finally, the redhead fell into a deep sleep, and he quietly left the room, hoping she would get some good sleep. He quietly closed the door to her bedroom, and then he went to the kitchen, took out his cell phone, and called the doctor who’d treated her at the hospital.

“I knew you’d have trouble getting Elizabeth to rest, but that is what she needs to do. Have you noticed any slurring of speech, or any changes at all with her memory?”

“No, just the headache and now the dizziness,” Craig reported.

“Just keep an eye out for the other things I warned you about. This headache and dizziness could last for a week or two.”

“Okay. Could you compile a list of patients that Elizabeth has worked with for the last three weeks or so? I’ll work on getting the court order, but I need this a.s.a.p.”

“You bet I’ll get a list together, but you’ll have to have the paperwork before I can hand it over.”

“Thanks, David.”

* * *

Elizabeth awoke slowly from a dream that left her smiling. When her green eyes finally opened, she looked around the bedroom curiously. It was extremely pretty. There was floral blue and lavender wallpaper on one wall, and the window drapes and comforter matched the wallpaper. The other walls were painted a pretty shade of blue, and the trim and doors were painted white. The hardwood floor was stained to a dark shade, and an area rug was under the bed. There were built-ins, and she suspected the larger doors right in the center hid a television behind them.

Elizabeth moved slowly in hopes of keeping the dizziness at bay, and was relieved when the headache seemed better. She got up and was not surprised when she found an attached bathroom. The builders seemed to think of everything, and she was already in love with this home. She made sure the door was closed tight before she used the toilet; she didn’t trust Craig not to barge right in, and she wasn’t ready for that much closeness yet!

When she was finished, she couldn’t help running her hands gently over her bottom to see how much pain there was. To her vast surprise, her bottom was just fine. She’d just finished pulling up her jeans and washing her hands when the doorknob rattled.

“Elizabeth! Elizabeth! Are you all right?” she heard Craig call out.

She opened the door to find him standing there, a worried look on his face. To her surprise, he pulled her close and held her tightly, and she knew he’d heard something that had him worried! “What is wrong, Craig?” she asked, suddenly afraid.

Elizabeth instinctively knew that something had upset Craig. The look in his dark eyes conveyed more worry than they should have to finding her in the bathroom! “Craig, what is it? I can see you are upset.”

“The judge granted us a court order to view the list of patients you’ve taken care of in the last three months.”

“He did?” she said, shocked. “What about the HIPAA Privacy Rule?”

“I don’t care about the medical details of Lon McMaken; just the fact that you took care of him a week ago.”

“I remember; he made me very nervous. His eyes followed me everywhere, and his cell phone was constantly in his hand. He was secretive, and no one was with him, not a wife or girlfriend, no family at all, and no friends. He drove himself there and when he left, he drove himself. We kept him longer because we didn’t know if the medication would make him drowsy. All in all, he was in the ER for nearly my entire shift.”

“The partial print matches one of his thugs, Terry Mix, called Mixer. He does enforcement for the McMaken Family.”

“You think this is mob related!” Elizabeth was stunned.

“I’m not one hundred percent positive, but ninety-nine percent,” he said.

“That creep! I’d like to smack
him
one!”

“Don’t waste your temper on him, Lizzy. Right now I need for you to try and concentrate on anything you might have overheard that day.”

“It was at night, Craig. I float shifts; I can do that easier than some of our nurses who have a family. I was on a night shift that week.”

“Okay, just let it all come back to you. You might have heard something and just ignored what you heard at the time.”

“I’ll try,” she agreed. “Craig, you don’t need to worry. You’ll find this Mixer person, and that will be that.”

“Honey, we need to make the connection between McMaken, Mixer, and you. I need to get a confession from Mixer, and information from him about McMaken giving an order to hit you. Mixer is well aware that his life wouldn’t be worth one cent if he talked to us. McMaken would have him killed to keep him from testifying, and he would simply send someone else after you. We need to handle this the right way, Lizzy.”

“Can’t you just bring in Lon McMaken and get him to talk?” she asked.

“I’m afraid that won’t work.”

“What if he saw me, and thought I was telling you
all
about him? I could scare him into admitting something!” She was very excited, nearly jumping up and down.

“You’ve been watching too much TV, little girl. I’m not going to let you get anywhere near that man! In fact, I don’t want you going to work, shopping, or even talking on your cell phone. Hand it over,” he ordered in a firm tone of voice. She could see that he was determined, and she wasn’t about to thwart him. She didn’t want another spanking, and since she knew he was doing his best to keep her safe, she promptly walked over to her handbag and retrieved it. Then she handed it to him.

“It’s off?” he asked, obviously surprised… and pleased.

“It is off. I’ve had such a headache that I didn’t want it to ring, and I haven’t wanted to talk to anyone but you.”

“Turning this off has probably helped to save your life. I don’t know if the mob has tracking capability, but I am going to have someone take your phone and put it inside your house. You aren’t going anywhere near it.” He punched in a number on his phone. “This is Johnson, who is this? Okay. Hi Melanie. Please ask one of the officers on duty to swing by my home to run an important errand for me. I’ll let Wally know so the officer can get past the gate.” He listened. “Thanks, Melanie.” He then made another call. “Wally, this is Craig Johnson. I have a uniform coming by any minute now. Let them in, please.”

“Will do, Lieutenant. Thanks for keeping me informed.”

“You are seriously worried about McMaken tracking my phone, aren’t you?”

“Yes. If he is watching on a monitor, then he’ll see you moving to your house; only you won’t really be there. We’ll keep you safe, and hopefully catch him.”

“What if it doesn’t work?”

“Then we’ll think of something else.”

“What about my friends? Do you think McMaken will harm any of them, trying to find me? I don’t want that, Craig!” she said, wincing again, and holding her head at the sudden sharp pain.

Craig grabbed her before she fainted, lifted her in his arms, carried her across to the bed and laid her down once more. The doorbell rang, and he said, “You stay right here, honey, out of sight. That should be the officer I sent for.”

Craig didn’t take chances. He looked out a window before going to the door. He recognized the officer and let her inside the house. He handed her Elizabeth’s cell phone and then gave her the orders he wanted followed exactly. “Don’t take chances, Sylvia. If you even suspect someone could be inside, you get out of there and call for backup immediately. I don’t want you to take any chances. We think we’re working with the McMaken Family.” She nodded and gave him an affirmative answer.

Craig made sure his door was locked and that no one had followed Sylvia. He also called to Wally and warned him to be extra careful and told him why.

“They’re still causing trouble, eh? I’ll be on the lookout, Lieutenant. Thanks for clueing me in on what to expect.”

Craig then hurried back to check on Elizabeth, and found her where he’d left her, holding her head. “I’m going to get you your medication, Elizabeth.” She didn’t argue, and he looked in her handbag and found the bottle… along with a speeding ticket! He was shocked to learn that she’d been speeding, and decided to discuss the matter with her soon.

Craig got a glass of fresh water from the bathroom faucet, and then brought the medication to her. He helped her sit up and take the pills, and then waited to see if they eased her pain. She was soon asleep, thanks to the pain pills. When his cell vibrated in his pocket, he hurried out of the room to answer the call so that he wouldn’t wake or disturb Lizzy.

“Johnson…” He listened to Sylvia give her report. “You did a good job, Sylvia. Now, keep a sharp eye today in case they were watching you.”

“I’ll be ready for any trouble, sir.” They ended their call, and Craig checked on Elizabeth once more. She was sleeping soundly.

He was going to hope that they brought in either McMaken or Mixer so they could question them. Dealing with the mob families was never easy. Witnesses were afraid to speak up and if they did, they ended up dead unless they were put into protective custody and kept safe.

His cell rang again and it was Sylvia. “A black car has been trailing me for a while, Lieutenant. I called for backup, and I wanted you to know.”

“Keep your cool, Officer,” he said firmly, and stayed on the phone with her while the other car was surrounded and pulled over by three police cars. Craig heard gunfire, and an order to throw down their weapons immediately. He held his breath, and three suspects were taken into custody. “Be sure they are patted down for more weapons, Sylvia.”

“The lieutenant wants them patted down for weapons,” she repeated.

“Tell him we’ve got it. It’s not our first take-down you know.”

“He can hear you, Morrison!” Sylvia said, mischief in her voice.

“Huh? Oh, sorry, sir! No offense!”

“None taken,” he said, realizing she’d put him on speakerphone. “Take them in for questioning, Morrison, and I’ll be there soon. Officer Grimes, could you come and sit with my witness?”

“Yes, sir. On my way.”

Craig didn’t like the uneasy feeling plaguing him. The car only followed Sylvia; they didn’t attempt to confront her. Why was that? The questions continued to bombard him as he prepared to go to the station and personally interrogate the men his officers had arrested. Sylvia arrived as requested, and looked competent as she entered his home.

“Sylvia, Miss Matthews is asleep. I gave her pain medication, and it pretty much knocks her out. If she should wake and have questions, just call me and I will talk to her, even though I usually don’t like to be interrupted when I’m doing an interview.”

“I understand, sir.”

“Help yourself to some coffee or a soda if you want. Just don’t answer the door, and if you sense trouble, call for backup, and call Wally on the house phone. He was active up to a few years ago, and he’s still got street instincts and would help you if you need help.”

“That’s good to know,” she answered.

Craig stopped by the gatehouse to speak to Wally and keep him informed. “I’ll have Officer Grimes’ back, sir.”

“Thanks, Wally. I have to admit, I’m puzzled by this. Those men didn’t attempt to take Sylvia when I’m sure they could have. I have to ask why.”

Once he was gone, Wally puzzled over the matter for a few moments, and his mind went back several years to another case he’d worked. He suddenly jumped up, made sure his gun was loaded, and he put the expensive gate on lock. He could work it with his equally expensive remote if necessary. He hoped like hell he was wrong. Officer Grimes seemed like a nice young woman, but the crime families didn’t have any qualms about using a young police officer for their gain. He hurried as fast as he could drive to the lieutenant’s home!

* * *

Elizabeth came awake to find that something was over her face, and she was struggling to breathe. She tried to push it away, but she quickly realized that someone was kneeling over her, and holding a pillow against her face, trying to suffocate her, saying again and again, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Elizabeth put up a fight, and did her best to throw off whoever was doing this, but she was quickly losing breath. The more she fought, the more lightheaded she became. She wondered where Craig was, and if someone had harmed him in some way. He would never let anyone do this to her if he were alive and well!

Suddenly, she heard a male voice yell. “Get off of her now, Officer, or I will shoot!” When Sylvia didn’t move quickly enough to suit Wally, he let loose with a punch and sent the woman flying off the bed, to land on the floor beside the wall. “Miss Matthews? Miss Matthews? Talk to me now. You’re safe.”

Elizabeth gasped for air. “Where’s Craig?” she whispered.

“At the police station. Don’t you worry; I wasn’t born yesterday and I put two and two together and got here in time to help you. You’re safe now.” He dialed his cell phone.

Sylvia moaned, and then started sobbing. “They made me; they have my baby!” she cried out. “They’ll kill him!”

“You settle down, Officer. If you’d handled this properly, we’d have your baby back by now. Just hush.” He was waiting for an answer, and when he got one, he said, “Retired Sergeant Wally Norton calling for Lieutenant Craig Johnson. The matter is urgent. He’s in the interview rooms.

* * *

Craig was getting nowhere fast. The three men lawyered up and once that happened he couldn’t get a peep out of one of them. When one of the officers notified him to say that he had a call, he picked it up. “Johnson.”

“Lieutenant, Wally here. We have a situation, and need you to come immediately.”

“I’m on my way, Wally. Is Lizzy safe?” he asked, his heart pounding in fear.

“Scared, but all right. I have it under control.”

“Thanks, Wally.” He was in his car by then, and put the light on top so he could speed all of the way to his house. When he got to the gate, his remote didn’t work! He called Wally’s cell. “I can’t get in, Wally.” The gate then opened just long enough for him to drive inside. Craig realized that something serious was going on for Wally to put the gate on lockdown. He hurried to his home and ran inside.

Craig heard sobbing coming from Elizabeth’s bedroom and he hurried down the hallway to see his officer sitting on the floor, sobbing. Lizzy looked frightened, and Wally had his gun trained on Sylvia. “Wally, that is Officer Grimes!” he explained.

“She just tried to kill Miss Matthews,” Wally explained, his voice cold and unemotional as he related the details. “They have her baby, Lieutenant; told her they’d kill him if she didn’t take out Miss Matthews.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this, Sylvia? We would have helped you,” Craig said. He was angry and sympathetic at the same time.

“I was too scared to think straight, Lieutenant. I didn’t want to do it, but they have my baby, and they promised to torture him! I don’t know Miss Matthews, but my baby is my
baby
, my
child
! I can’t let them hurt him!” She was nearly frantic.

“We have to get him back, Craig,” Elizabeth said emotionally, tears in her eyes. “Sylvia kept telling me that she was sorry, and I know she was crying, too! I couldn’t bear to be the cause of her child’s death. Please!” she begged.

“I’ll do my best, Lizzy,” he promised, and wasn’t surprised when she went over to help Sylvia up off the floor.

“What we need to do is let those heathens think their plan worked,” Wally said calmly.

“You just might have something there, Wally,” Craig said. “How were you to get your son back, Sylvia?” he asked.

“They were to leave him in my car and then call me.”

“It sounds as though they don’t want you to see them, and how were you to explain Lizzy’s death to us?” Craig wanted to know.