Stowaway

The station is unusually quiet for this time of day. The sergeant and her detectives know this strange silence will change soon. The team decided to make good use of the downtime by reviewing their new case, maybe come up with a few theories as to why it occurred and what her next move might be.

"We know the burglar was searching for something small enough to fit in a gym bag or a desk drawer. Now we have to figure out what it might've been." Rachel has been with the Berryville PD for eight years, a sergeant for three. She decided to switch her career from nursing to police work after helping Joe and Jerry solve the widowmaker case.

"I think he might be looking for something that'll tie him to a crime." Jerry has been on the force for fifteen years. He started having health issues soon after he was promoted to sergeant. He decided to step down instead of quitting altogether, against his doctor's sound advice.

With a lot of encouragement, Rachel took the exam filled the position soon after. She often asks for his opinion out of respect. "Are you thinking she might be blackmailing him?"

Jerry shrugs. "It's a logical conclusion, don't you think?"

"It's possible, I suppose."

"I'll check her bank account, see what comes up." Turning towards his computer, Jerry does a quick search.

Rachel finds Rick walking towards them when she glances up. Some officers complain about the time it takes him to process the evidence, but she feels his accuracy and attention to detail make up for his lack of speed. "Do you have something for us, Rick?"

"I found this inside the gym bag." He holds up a small piece of plastic.

A puzzled expression crosses the sergeant's face. She examines it and then asks, "What is it?"

"If I had to guess, I'd say it's a lid from a flash drive."

Rachel glances at her detective. "Your hunch may be right."

He chuckles. "Don't act so shocked. This old man does get it right now and then."

"More times than not." The sergeant smiles. "Rick, I want you to go to the apartment and search for a flash drive and bring her computer too. I'll go to the gym, see if I can find out more about her." Grabbing her coat from the chair, Rachel adds, Jerry, keeping working on her digital footprint."

"Copy that, boss."

***

Red and blue lights flash through the back glass. Abby is scrunched up underneath the seat, overwhelmed with fear. I have to make sure I'm out of sight. She scans the toys strewn across the floor. Realizing she can move, she scoots further back. Her body trembles as heavy footsteps tromp towards the van. Sharp pains surge through her stomach. She draws up her legs, hoping to relieve the pang. The agonizing sensation increases, bringing her to tears. She bites her lip, hoping she can keep from crying out.

There's a tap on the window; her friend rolls it down.

This might be it. Abby gulps.

"I hate to bother you, but we're looking for an old neighbor of yours, Abby Miller. Have you seen her recently?" The first officer asks.

She looks over to find a second taking a quick peek through the van. "The last time I saw her was the day she moved across town," she lies. Abby visits them at least once a week calls nearly every day.

His partner gives him the all-clear. He nods and says, "If you see her, please tell her to call." The officer hands her his card.

Thelma glances at the piece of cardboard and then the officer. "Can I ask what this is about?"

"Her house was broken into, and we want to make sure she's all right."

"Her house? Oh dear, I do hope she wasn't hurt."

"Her neighbors said she didn't appear to be injured, and we didn't find any blood at the scene."

Thelma sighs with relief. "I'm glad. She's such a sweet young woman I'd hate to see something bad happen to her." She starts to roll up the window when her husband darts out of the house, waving his arms around.

Running to the van, he breathlessly blurts out, "I just heard on the news that Abby is running from the law."

Thelma pats his shaky hand. With a solemn look on her face, she says, "We always knew this day might come. I just hope she knows we'll help her any way we can, and she doesn't have to hide." Noticing the puzzled look on Ned's face, she leans over and whispers. "She's in the back."

He sticks his head in the window and says, "I hope she knows how much we love her, and we wish her only the best."

Thelma nods. "We love her like she's our own," she adds.

I love you too, but I can't possibly ask you guys to jeopardize your lives for me. Abby sniffles, wiping a tear from her cheek.

***

Storming over to her cubical, Rachel slams her purse on her desk.

Jerry glances up from his computer. "Your visit didn't go well; I take it?" He chuckles.

Rachel takes off her coat and tosses it in her seat. "Besides being insulted about my baby fat, I found out the owner is a bold-faced liar."

"A liar?"

"When I asked about her personal life, he became very secretive, like he knows a lot more but isn't about to tell. I threatened to arrest him for hindering prosecution, but he still refused to talk said he didn't know any more than what he's telling me that Abby doesn't say much about her personal life. What did her bank account show?"

"The only deposits made have been from her employer. And like most of us in Berryville, she lives hand to mouth. According to her bank records, she withdrew all her money a short time after the break-in. The captain and I believe she's going to leave town, so we have roadblocks set up on every street leading out of the city and I've alerted public transportation to be on the lookout."

"What about the flash drive?"

"Rick didn't find it, but he thinks the information might be stored in temporary files on her computer. He's checking into it now."

"Hopefully it'll be there."