“None, we’ve run her prints, and she’s clean. There’s no missing people reports, no leads, Pyro, I’m dead in the water,” Lio replied.
“This whole situation is fucking weird. Woman didn’t give me her name, and I didn’t recognise her. But it’s clear she’s met some trouble.”
“We’re at a dead end. This woman is a ghost or someone who lives alone. SPD got nothing. Doc, she said anything to you when she’s awake?”
“No, she’s confused and hasn’t identified herself. She falls to sleep when pushed, although my gut says that’s deliberate,” Doc Gibbons replied.
“Four days since she was hit, and we’ve got shit?” Pyro sounded frustrated.
“Yeah, literally fuck-all,” Lio confirmed.
“Fuck, I’ll get her name, even if I have to camp by her bed. She’s always sleeping when I come, so I’ll fetch some clothes and stay. We need to understand why she was shot on Hellfire,” Pyro said. Oh, hell no. Pyro didn’t want to help me before, so I wasn’t depending on his aid now. I heard the door shut but kept my eyes closed. They’d attempted to trick me several times by pretending to leave, but someone had remained. The first time it had been Lio. His smug smile at catching me out irritated me. I lay there quietly and ran an idea through my mind.
If Pyro planned to come back, then I needed to move now. First, I required clothes, and then I had to flee. Once home, I could grab my escape plan and leave. Janet Revers would disappear forever because when she’d gone to the police, they’d laughed her out of the station. No, I wasn’t safe, as evidenced by the two shots to my gut. A sigh echoed above my head, and I inwardly smirked. Yup, I’d known it. Someone had stayed.
“Lady, when you wake up, we’re having a chat, and I’m getting some answers,” Pyro said, and I heard his boots cross the floor and the door open and shut. After waiting a few minutes, I glanced through my eyelashes and saw I was alone. I waited an hour and then got to my feet and slipped out. The stitches tugged at my stomach, but I couldn’t stop now. Quickly, I ducked into a room nearby and discovered that it was empty for now, although occupied.
Quietly searching through the closet, I found some clothes that were just a little too big, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. I escaped with my prizes, walked into a visitor’s toilet, and dressed. The shoes I’d stolen were two sizes too big, but they’d have to do. Checking the coast was clear, I wandered slowly, but with determination, towards the exit. Relief swamped me as I left the hospital and entered a taxi. Once inside, I gave the address of the safe house, and on arrival, I paid him and gave him a hefty tip to forget he’d picked me up. I explained I was running from an abusive husband. The kind man’s eyes softened, and he agreed to keep my secret. Inside, I sagged against the door as pain engulfed me again.
Staggering, I moved to the bedroom, where I had painkillers, and took a handful. I needed to run, and who knew how safe this apartment was? The apartment belonged to a colleague of mine, a librarian, much like me. I sank onto the bed and curled up. My friend was on vacation for a month and had only been gone a fortnight. So I could sleep here for a few days while I regained my strength.
The issue was the stitches. I’d need them removed, and I couldn’t afford to risk a hospital visit. My mind made up; I researched how to remove them and prayed I’d do an adequate job. Clearly, I was in danger, even though it wasn’t my fault. The aim was now to minimise the peril and ensure that Janet Revers disappeared for good. Even if that meant leaving my childhood home and everything else I held dear behind. All because I’d witnessed a murder the police didn’t believe in!
???
Pyro
Pyro stood staring at the empty hospital room with Lio. He’d been gone three hours, and the woman had vanished. Lio had his partner, Phil Gold, checking the cameras for any evidence of what happened to her.
“Do you believe this shit? Think someone came for her?” Pyro asked, worried.
“Don’t know, Pyro. There’s more to this crap than a random woman being shot on Hellfire. Here, is this her?” Gold asked, pointing at a figure.
“Yeah, can you track her?” Pyro demanded as Gold followed her and switched cameras. Gold cursed as he saw her exit a side entrance with no coverage.
“We got a time frame to see if she picked up a taxi,” Pyro said. But unfortunately, the view was blocked by a lorry parked in front of them. “Shit!”
“Who is this woman, Pyro?” Gold demanded in frustration.
“Dunno. She was dressed like a librarian but appeared to know me. She honestly expected me to recognise her. But she’s not somebody I’m familiar with. Can you see me knowing someone like her?”
“Fuck knows Pyro, she someone from your past?” Gold suggested. Pyro shook his head. He kept seeing her disappointment when he didn’t recognise her. She thought she’d known him, but he was blank as far as he was concerned.
“We’ll find her,” Gold promised, and Pyro nodded.
???
Six months later, May 2020.
“Found her!” Lio crowed as he walked into the clubhouse and waved a file. Chance looked up with a frown, and Pyro, standing beside him, blinked.
“Who?” Bear rumbled from where he sat with Thalia on his lap.
“Librarian lady. Her name’s Janet Revers. Ring a bell, Pyro?” Lio asked softly. Pyro felt a lurch in his gut. The way Lio studied at him meant Pyro should know that name.
“No,” he said.
“Janet lived on Munster Avenue, number fifteen.” Pyro drew back sharply. Chance rose to his feet and steadied him as the blood drained from Pyro’s face.