Chapter Three
Eric did not sleep that night. He stayed awake keeping vigil at Caitlin’s bedside. Throughout the night, he bathed her head with cool cloths. She was definitely running a fever. She kept moaning in pain, but never waking out of her sleep. As he sat there, it started to rain outside. He sat back and listened to the raindrops pelting against the roof of the cabin. He remembered how his mother used to cradle him in her lap because he was afraid of thunder as a small child. She told him that the rain was God’s way of making sure that everything kept growing. Eric wiped a tear from his eyes when he remembered his late mother. It started thundering, and the rain came down harder.
Eric looked again at Caitlin, with her petite body and angelic face. He thought of his mother’s favorite saying,
“Everyone has a story to tell.” Eric clutched her frail hand.
“What is your story, Caitlin Ryan?” In his mind he began to gather the clues of what he’d found so far. She was lying bound and gagged in the forest, not far from his cabin. Was she a rich man’s daughter who’d been kidnapped for purposes of ransom and left to die after the money was collected? Had she been involved with a mobster and witnessed a murder? Maybe she was one of those people who got off on being tied up and helpless. Maybe she was playing a game with friends that went terribly awry. That could explain her injuries. At any rate, she needed urgent medical care. Eric had done what he could with the few bandages and antiseptics he had there, but if she went into shock or stopped breathing, she would die if he didn’t get her to the hospital.
The mere fact that he found a young woman tied up near his home suggested serious trouble. He needed to call the police. He went for his phone when he stopped. His hand paused in midair over the receiver. He was already living in an unincorporated area to keep a low profile and hide from the police until the first mess he was in blew over. Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and it ruined his life. He had meant to help the girl he found the first time. In her delirium, she named Eric as her assailant. She thought he was a monster because of his scars. He wasn’t a monster at all. He was nothing more than a lonely young man with half a face.
“I promise I won’t hurt you. I’m not a monster,” he whispered softly to Caitlin. She began to whimper and moan in pain.
“No…no…don’t hurt me….”
“Hey, it’s all right. Don’t worry. You’re safe now.” Eric said in a soothing tone. Caitlin struggled to open her eyes. She looked up at Eric, who in turn gave her a kind smile.
“Am I in the hospital?”
“No, there wasn’t any time to get you to the hospital. You were injured badly.”
“Who am I?”
“You don’t know who you are?”
“I can’t remember…”
“Easy now. Just relax. You’re in my cabin. I found you nearby. Someone kidnapped you. Do you remember anything about what happened? Who would want to hurt you?”
“A man…he’s mad at me…” Aha, Eric thought, now we’re getting somewhere.
“Are you in some kind of trouble, Miss Ryan? You can trust me.”
“I can’t remember anything…please help me…I’m so scared…don’t send me away…”
“Shhh, it’s all right. I won’t send you away. Don’t even think like that. You’re hurt. I’m your friend, okay? You can trust me, Mrs. Ryan.”
“What did you call me?”
“Miss Ryan. I found some medicine lying near you. Are you a diabetic?”
“I think so…I’m not sure…”
“Easy now, just breathe easy. You’ll be safe here until I can get you to a hospital.”
“What’s my name?”
“According to the information I found on your pharmacy package, your name is Caitlin Michelle Ryan. You were born on August twenty-fifth, nineteen seventy-six. You live in Chicago. Does any of this sound familiar?”
“No…I’m so scared…why can’t I remember anything?”
“Your attacker probably struck you in the head. You might have a concussion.”
“Chicago…are we still in Illinois? I remember the city…the beautiful skyline…”
“Yes, we’re still in Illinois. We’re about forty-five minutes south of the city. It’s very peaceful out here. Right now, we’re in the middle of a storm. When”
“A man…he’s mad at me…” Aha, Eric thought, now we’re getting somewhere.
“Are you in some kind of trouble, Miss Ryan? You can trust me.”
“I can’t remember anything…please help me…I’m so scared…don’t send me away…”
“Shhh, it’s all right. I won’t send you away. Don’t even think like that. You’re hurt. I’m your friend, okay? You can trust me, Mrs. Ryan.”
“What did you call me?”
“Miss Ryan. I found some medicine lying near you. Are you a diabetic?”
“I think so…I’m not sure…”
“Easy now, just breathe easy. You’ll be safe here until I can get you to a hospital.”
“What’s my name?”
“According to the information I found on your pharmacy package, your name is Caitlin Michelle Ryan. You were born on August twenty-fifth, nineteen seventy-six. You live in Chicago. Does any of this sound familiar?”
“No…I’m so scared…why can’t I remember anything?”
“Your attacker probably struck you in the head. You might have a concussion.”
“Chicago…are we still in Illinois? I remember the city…the beautiful skyline…”
“Yes, we’re still in Illinois. We’re about forty-five minutes south of the city. It’s very peaceful out here. Right now, we’re in the middle of a storm. When the rain stops, I’ll get you to the hospital. Just try and rest.”
“I will. What did you say your name was?”
“Malone. Eric Malone.”
“Eric…” she repeated.
“Yes. Now, go back to sleep. If you need anything, I’ll be right here.” Eric pulled the covers up to her chin. Eric kept bathing her face as the raindrops continued to pound against the roof. He hoped that the storm would stop soon so he could get her some help. Hopefully, flooding wouldn’t wash out the main roads. Eric had a strong feeling that someone somewhere was looking for Caitlin. He was determined to get her home.
In the precinct, Joshua awoke with a start. His neck and shoulders ached from sleeping with his head on his desk.
“Damn it!” He stood up and stretched.
“Martinez, are you all right?” Lieutenant Walker came into the room with a cup of black coffee.
“How can I be all right when the woman I love and care about is missing? What time is it?”
“About seven in the morning. You fell asleep at your desk?”
“Yeah, somewhere around five, I think. I feel terrible.”
“Here, this might help you perk up.”
“Thanks. Any news on the search?”
“We’ve got officers searching the surrounding forest preserves and the back roads with bloodhounds. I’ve got others checking on any activity with Caitlin’s bank accounts and credit cards.”
“And?”
“So far, nothing has come up.”
“I’ve called the area hospitals, and she hasn’t been admitted. What about…” Joshua hesitated, “the coroner’s office? And the funeral homes?”
“Nothing, fortunately. Listen, you hang in there. Why don’t you go home and get some rest?”
“I can’t rest, Lieutenant. I love Caitlin.”
“Joshua, I think you’re too close to this case. Go home, and get some rest.” Joshua rose to his feet, feeling defeated. He was about to leave his office when suddenly, Lieutenant Walker’s assistant burst through the door, puffing and panting.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant, but there’s a pharmacist in the lobby who says that she has information about Caitlin.”
“Bring her in here right away.”
“Lieutenant, can’t I at least hear what the woman has to say? I’ll rest easier if I know something.”
“All right, but you are officially off this case.”
“Yes Sir. I understand.” A few minutes later, a pretty young black girl, dressed in a pants suit and a lab coat came into the room.
“I’m Lieutenant James Walker. This is Detective Martinez, Caitlin Ryan’s significant other.”
“I’m Melanie Phillips. It’s nice to meet you both.”
“Have a seat, Ms. Phillips.”
“Thank you.”
“Ms. Phillips, what is this information that you have about Caitlin Ryan?” Lieutenant Walker pulled out a tape recorder.
“I’ve seen Miss Ryan before. She comes in monthly to get her insulin and testing supplies. I saw her last night.”
“Was there anything unusual about her?”
“Well, I did notice a well dressed gentleman following her around the store. She noticed it too, and it seemed to make her uneasy.”
“What time was this, Ms. Phillips?”
“About eight o’clock. I closed up shortly after she left.”
“So you were the only person in the store?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Did you hear anything unusual?”
“I heard some tires screeching when I came out of the store. A black van was speeding out of there faster than a bat out of hell. He was heading south, I think.”
“Did you see the license plate number?”
“No, it was too dark. But there was one other car besides mine, a ’94 Toyota Camry LS. It was gold.”
“That’s Caitlin’s car!”
“She wasn’t in there, Detective.” Joshua clenched his fists angrily. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together.
“Ms. Phillips, do you have a security camera at the store?”
“Yes, Sir, for inside and outside.”
“Who would I contact to get a copy of the tape?”
“Our security supervisor. I can give you his number. I’m more than sure that he’d cooperate with you.”
“Ms. Phillips, you have been most helpful. Would you recognize this man if you saw him again?”
“Yes, Sir.” Lieutenant Walker stopped the tape.
“Ms. Phillips, would you excuse me for a minute?” He motioned for Joshua to follow him into the hall.
“Lieutenant, she’s been kidnapped! It’s obvious! We need to get out there and find her!”
“Detective Martinez, I told you that you are off this case! You’ve been up all night, and you’re too emotionally involved. Please, go home and get some sleep. I will call you with some news. But if I find out that you are doing anything to help this case without my permission, you will be suspended indefinitely. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Joshua, you’re a damn good police officer. I need you sharp and alert. Right now, you’re just too close. It was different when I need you sharp and alert. Right now, you’re just too close. It was different when you didn’t know this girl, but now she’s your girlfriend. I think it’s best for everyone if you don’t work this case.”
“I understand, Lieutenant.”
“I’ll call you soon.” Joshua held up his hand in reply as he walked out the door. He got into his truck, started the engine, and turned up his radio as far as it would go. The music drowned out the sound of his imminent tears rolling down his cheeks.