Blackmailed

Janet peeks around the corner in search of her hero. Seeing the restaurant empty, she rushes to the door. She glances over to where they'd parked to find the truck gone. He left me. That bastard left me. A horrid thought comes to mind. What if he turned me in? He said he wouldn't, that he believed me, but he had a gun pointed at him at the time too. Maybe he just said that to appease me, so he could drop me off somewhere and leave. Get as far away from me as he can and then call the cops. What if he called before he left? I've got to get out of here before the cops arrive. She spins around to find her picture on the big screened TV. A description of her quickly follows.

"The police believe this woman is responsible for both deaths." the announcer says.

They're trying to pin two murders on me now? How did that happen? Maybe that's why Sam left. He thought I killed two people and that he might be next. Threatening to shoot him probably added to his fear. I'll deal with all of that later. Right now, I've got to get out of here before someone recognizes me. Seeing everyone glued to the screen, she runs to the back, grabbing a box of hair dye and scissors on her way through. I'll make sure no one recognizes me, she thinks, continuing to the back.

A short while later, the now-redheaded Janet leaves the store. I need to catch a ride, but with who? She searches the parking lot for potential drivers when she sees a repulsive-looking man in the far corner of the lot. Janet is usually wary of such a devious character, but he seems to be her only option. It's either him or prison for the rest of my life. Taking a breath of courage, she heads toward him. "Hey, mister, can I get a lift?" she nervously asks.

Hearing a young woman's voice, he quickly glances around to find a pretty little lady coming his way. Today must be my lucky day, he smiles.

Janet sees his long greasy hair, filthy clothes, and decaying teeth when she gets closer and freezes in mid-step. Maybe this isn't a good idea after all. She glances across the parking lot, hoping for a better option. She soon realizes he's the only trucker left on the lot. I'm not feeling good about this. Not one little bit. She scans the empty lot, hoping to find someone pulling in, but the rest area remains dead. What other choice do I have? I could wait it out. One of the staff might recognize me and call the cops. She forces a smile as she takes another step. "Can can you help me?" Janet gulps.

"I can if you're going south." He winks.

"That's exactly where I'm headed."

He smiles again. His eyes light up. Freebie for a lift. This is my lucky day. "Climb in then." He places the gas nozzle into the pump and hops in the cab. She's better looking than the last girl I had, he thinks, drooling all over himself.

Seeing he was staring at her, Janet nervously adjusted her clothes. "Thanks for the lift." She scoots over as far as she can go.

"I have a thing for redheads," He runs his finger along her face, across her breast, and then along her inner thigh.

"I'm happily married." She says, moving his hand away.

Running his hand up her shirt, he squeezes her nipples. "He'd never have to know."

She moves his hand away. "I said I'm not interested so please just drive."

"You want a ride, don't you?"

Janet sneers. "Not if it means doing you." She reaches for the handle but soon discovers the lever is gone. She spins around. "Let me out."

"I will when I'm done with you, sweet thing." Unzipping his pants, he pulls his hardened appendage out, rubs it, and says, "Please me like I know redheads can."

"Either let me out, or I'll scream."

"I don't think you want to draw attention to yourself, now do you, Janet?"

Her jaw drops, and her face turns pale. "How, how do you know my name?"

"I saw your picture on TV. So either do as I say or else. Seeing her hesitate, he grabs the back of her head and pushes her down. "Do it now, or I'll turn you in."

***

Joe and Jerry are working on cold cases at their desks, waiting for news on their suspect. Both are hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

Only a few officers remain in the squad room, bringing an uncommon stillness to the ordinarily chaotic station. The two usually enjoy the quiet, but tonight it seems unsettling somehow.

Joe glances at the rows of empty desks haphazardly cluttered together. The close quarters didn't help the mayhem at all. I wish the city would give us the funds to expand. He thinks, surveying their work area. Most days, it's nearly impossible to move without bumping into someone. Joe glances out the window to find the sun rising over the mountains. "She's been out there for hours, Jerr," Joe says, running his hands through this thinning hair, something he often does when he worries.

"She'll turn up eventually, Boss."

"I just hope we find her before Moretti does." Rachel discovers Bill owes him a lot of money, and once they hear that Bill is gone, they'll probably go after Janet for the debt.

"Don't worry, boss, she'll turn up soon."

Hopefully, not dead in a ditch somewhere. The thought made Joe worry more.

Want a refill?" Jerry asks, pointing to Joe's cup.

"No, I'm good, but thanks."

Jerry sets his cup on the desk. "I've probably had enough of this crap too." Reaching into his desk, he pulls out a box of Twinkies. "Don't tell Rachel I have these, alright? Rachel is always getting on to him about his diet.

"Only if you share."

Smiling, Jerry hands him the box and says, "Deal."

Hearing footsteps, the two look up to find a forensic tech walking toward them.

"Do you have something for us?" Joe questions, hoping they'll get a break in the case.

"The baseball bat is your murder weapon. The wood matches the splinters embedded in Bill's head. We checked for prints and found three latent sets. Two belong to children. One is Timmy's, and the other, we assume, belongs to one of his friends. The third print belongs to Janet."

"You said she had the bat in hand when you answered the call."

"Yeah, but wouldn't there be a fourth set from our killer?"

"Not if the perp wore gloves."

"Ok, so why did Janet have the bat, to begin with?"

"Maybe she grabbed it for protection in case the killer returns."Joe glances over to find his partner shaking his head. "I know what you think, Jerr, but I don't believe she did it. Not her, not sweet little Janet."

"All the evidence says she did."

"It's all circumstantial at best."