Megan grabbed her remote and aimed it at her TV. When the local news filled the screen, Megan watched as a man in handcuffs was shoved into the back of a police cruiser.
The five-year-old Gentleman Rapist case had gone cold until the arrest today, the reporters voice-over said. The similarities between the attacks Smith is charged with and the unsolved attacks in the Gentleman Rapist case prompted police to investigate Smith for the older assaults as well.
Is it him? Can you tell? Ginny said.
Absorbed by the pictures on her TV, Megan had almost forgotten she had Ginny on the phone until her friend spoke.
I cant see him. The cops in the way. Megans palms sweated, and her stomach roiled. Heat crept through her limbs and stung her cheeks as buried anger clawed its way to the surface. The idea that this man on her TV screen could be the man responsible for her suffering prodded the dormant rage and frustration shed had to tame years ago in order to function, to preserve her sanity.
But seeing a flesh-and-blood target for her anger after so many years fueled the simmering tempest in her blood. This could be the man responsible for stealing years of her life, for the humiliation of the exam when the E.R. collected the rape kit evidence, and the invasion of her home as the forensic team picked through her possessions. The isolation as her impatient fiancé and friends drifted away. The frustration of dealing with well-meaning coworkers and neighbors who labeled her a victim and treated her with kid gloves, when all she wanted to do was forget what had happened. Megan swallowed the rising bile in her throat as the images on her TV reopened the Pandoras box of emotions and memories.
The results of DNA tests on samples taken from Smith wont be known until late next week, officials said, the reporters voice-over continued. Based on discrepancies in the evidence collected during the five-year-old Gentlemen Rapist investigation, authorities believe a copycat rapist could have been responsible for several of the attacks. Police wouldnt say if Smith is believed to be responsible for the initial series of attacks or if hes thought to be the copycat assailant.
Megan walked slowly toward her living room, squeezing her phone in one hand and jabbing up the volume with the remote in her other hand.
The serial rapist was dubbed the Gentleman Rapist by police, the
doggie! Caitlyn spread her hands and gave him a look that said she felt her excuse exempted her from punishment.
Sitting straighter, Jack patted his leg and wiggled his fingers to motion Caitlyn closer. She gave him her I-know-Im-in-trouble-but-arent-I-cute look to counter his fatherly scowl.
Honey, you cant go in the street. Ever. Not without an adult holding your hand. And Ive told you before not to pat strange dogs. Not all dogs are nice.
Sam was nice, and so was Megan. Caitlyn scratched a mosquito bite on her arm and shrugged.
Jack quirked an eyebrow. He didnt bother to argue the fact that Sam didnt seem so nice to him.
I think Megan looks like Cinderella. Caitlyn grinned and pranced over to him, twirling like a ballerina. Did you think she was pretty, Daddy?
What he thought about Megan was too racy for a four-year-old. Megans petite body had enticing feminine curves, and although she hadnt worn much makeup, her cheeks had been flushed pink from the summer heat. Jack felt his own brow warm as he thought of other ways Megan could get flushed and out of breath. With him.
Daddy?
Caitlyns summons snapped him out of his sultry daydreams. Yeah, I thought she was pretty.
For crying out loud, he didnt even know if Megan was married. He had no business fantasizing about her. Even if he was in the midst of months-long sex depravation.
Caitlyn clambered onto his lap, her bony knees and elbows jabbing him awkwardly. Can I go to her house sometime and play with Sam?
I dont know, Cait. Sams not the sort of dog I want you playing with. He was pretty big and Mean.
She slapped her arms across her chest and poked out her lip. His little drama queen.
Cut to the chase. Youve got an article to write.
You could get hurt if you dont obey the rules. The rules are: dont go outside alone, dont go in the street and dont pat strange dogs. Okay?
But I didnt get hurt!
Caitlyn, the point is
The loud jangling of the telephone interrupted the point.
Dont move. Ill be right back, he told Caitlyn and shoved off the sofa.
Snatching up the phone, he balanced the receiver on his shoulder while he rummaged through the freezer for a frozen dinner he could zap in the microwave for Caitlyns supper. Hlo?
Jack? Burt, here.
As soon as his boss said his name, Jack winced. With all the interruptions this afternoon, he hadnt finished his article for tomorrow mornings edition. Without looking at the clock, he knew hed missed his deadline.
Burt, I know. Im late. Im sorry.
Aggravation knotted Jacks stomach. Hed never get the big story assignments and lead headlines if he couldnt even get the fluff articles on Burts desk by deadline. Generally, Burt Harwood, the news editor, cut him a lot of slack. He knew Jacks situation as a single father in a new town. He made allowances for Jack missing a deadline here and there.