Nowhere to Hide

Falsely Accused

The morning sun pounds relentlessly in the vav. Abby's body is against the steering wheel. An officer continues to watch her through the driver's glass. "Why can't I get a break? Why?" Abby cries. Her life seems to have been a constant uphill battle; her against the world. A struggle that started at a very young age. First, with her numerous health issues and then being shuffled around to various homes. Having enough of the system, she ran from it straight into an abusive drunk's arm. She miscarried and then lost her husband shortly after. A loan shark decided to make good on his threat. She ran from that to a life that's nearly as harrowing.

The officer knocks on the window again, harder than before.

I can either lay here and feel sorry for myself, stall the inevitable, or face what's coming my way. Abby starts to lower the window when she remembers the keys. I could try to flee. She glances at the intruder and then the keys again. They'll have roadblocks up before I could make it through town. Besides, I don't need additional charges on top of what I already have.

The officer pounds on the barrier again.

Abby's body trembles as the window roll down. She takes a big breath of courage and says, "Can... Can I help you, officer?"

"I hate to bother you in your time of grief, but I can't allow you to park here." He points to a metal post and continues. "I'll lose my job if I do."

Abby looks at the sign and then at him. " I'm... I'm sorry, I didn't know." She reaches for her keys.

"God, be with you."

"Thank you." She sniffles. Starting the van, Abby pulls away. She gazes back to find him crossing the lot.

What a sweet man. He's handsome too. A lewd thought flashes through her mind. Now's not the time to think about that. She scolds. Abby hasn't dated since she fled: afraid that her true identity would be discovered if she did. That and her luck with men hadn't been the best. She takes one last glimpse of the gorgeous eye candy."Maybe someday I'll meet the man of my dreams." she sighs, pulling onto the highway.

Tires squeal behind her. Abby glances in the mirror to find a red sports car on her tail.

The lady pulls up beside her, yells something, and then flips her the bird.

"I... I didn't see you," Abby yells back.

The woman says something, makes a rude gesture and then speeds away.

What is her problem? Abby readjusts herself in the seat.

The car pulls to the shoulder of the road a little further down.

I didn't hit her, did I? Abby replays the events in her mind. I don't think I did. Sirens wail behind her. Abby looks in the mirror and discovers a squad car heading her way. "She called the cops on me." Beads of sweat pop out across her forehead. Her heart pounds in her chest. Her throat constricts, making it difficult to breathe. Clenching the steering wheel, Abby gasps for much-needed air. "I can't let them catch me; I just can't." She pushes the pedal down more. Abby suddenly recalls police chases on TV, how the lucky ones end up in the hospital and the unlucky ones to the morgue.

I'd rather serve my time than take my chances with fate. Abby applies the brakes. I've met a lot of sweet people these past few years. She sniffles. I've helped some darling kids too. I'll be able to do it again once I'm free. She starts to pull over when a harrowing thought comes to mind. The initial time has probably doubled now that I've fled. She calculates the time in her head. Abby gasps. I'll be an old lady by the time I get out. She then recalls the women prisoners on TV. She shivers at the horrifying thought. That's if I somehow manage to survive. Abby sees an off-ramp a few feet away. She glances behind her to find the cop is closing in. I think I will take a chance with fate. She speeds up. Abby is halfway down the exit when the cop whizzes past. "They're not chasing me after all." She laughs.

***

Chaos continues all around them. The sergeant is giving her long-distance what-for while Jerry is working at his desk.

Slamming the phone on the cradle, Rachel turns towards her detective, a perplexed look on her face.

"Did they tell you anything?"

"The officer said Troy isn't saying a word until his lawyer gets there. With him being a career criminal, I imagine he knows the statute of limitations expires on the charge soon." Rachel tilts her head to the side. She gazes into the distance and asks, "I wonder if she knows too?"

"I doubt it, seeing how her record is squeaky clean, which is surprising, considering all the criminals she used to hang out with, her history in the system, being shuffled around from one home to the next."

"It sounds like she was doomed from the start."

"The odds were against her, that's for sure. The captain and I watched her interrogation, and she seemed to be clueless when they questioned her about the drugs. She claims she never went to the basement, says it brought back some bad childhood memories. Their DA believes it was an act, but the boss and I aren't so sure."

"After what her friends said, I seriously doubt she knew they were there."

"I hope we can prove it."

"You and me both." Rachel is busy scanning her notes when Kevin walks over to her, a big grin on his face. He sets the computer down on her desk and says, "Your luck is about to change."

Rachel glances at the laptop and then at him. "Did you get into the computer?"

"I did more than that; I found the file, and you'll never believe what's on it." He clicks on an icon.

Rachel scans the document. "This could put Romero and his crew away for life."

Diego glances up from his desk. I've got to let Romero know. He springs out of his seat.

The captain looks over to find the rookie dashing across the station. "Go see what he's up to, Jerry."

He smiles. "My pleasure, boss."