Nowhere to Hide

Stowaway

The station is unusually quiet for this time of day, but the sergeant and her detectives know this is bound to change soon. They decide 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." Sarah has been with the Berry PD for eight years, a sergeant for three. She decided to switch from nursing to police work after helping Jack and John solve the widowmaker case.

"I think he might be looking for some incriminating evidence. Something that'll tie him to a crime." John has been on the force for fifteen years. His health became an issue soon after he was promoted to sergeant. He decided to step down instead of quitting altogether, against his doctor's sound advice. Sarah filled the position soon after.

"Are you thinking she might be blackmailing him?"

John 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." John turns towards his computer.

Sarah 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. "What is it?"

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

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

He chuckles. "Don' 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, Sarah heads for the door.

***

Red and blue lights flash through the back glass. Abby is underneath the seat, overwhelmed with fear. I have to make sure I'm out of sight. She scans the toys strewn across the van. 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, trying to 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 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 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 winks. "I hope she knows how much we love her, and we wish her only the best."

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

***

Sarah storms over to her cubical and slams her purse on her desk.

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

Sarah takes off her coat and throws it in her seat. "Besides being insulted about my 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, 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. We've also 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."