"Yeah." She walled her eyes.
"Well, uh, I think we"re ready." Parsons waved to a cop. The cop went to gather the men for the lineup. Aileen, Melody and Sarah sat at the table. The others stood behind them.
"So what happens if Aileen identifies Kemp?" Melody asked.
"Well, then Steven Kemp will be held in jail. But he"ll have a bond hearing probably tomorrow."
"So he can get bail even if you arrest him." Aileen rubbed her forehead. "So he can be the rapist and just walk free until G.o.d knows how long?"
"Aileen, I"m going to ask that Kemp be denied bail at the hearing if you identify him," Zachary promised.
Brianna and Jersey exchanged glances. Neither liked that idea but at this point felt it important to keep quiet.
"Aileen, are you ready?" Parsons asked.
"As ready as I"ll ever be. I just want to get this over with so I can go home. I haven"t been able to rest at all today."
"We understand, and we won"t take up much of your time. We just want to do what"s comfortable for you." Parsons smiled. "Please take your time." He spoke into a small microphone in front of the gla.s.s. "Bring the men out, please."
"Mel, I"m so nervous." Aileen nearly ripped the skin off Melody"s hand.
"You"re doing the right thing, Leen."
"Yeah." Sarah smiled. "You really have no choice. If this cop is the rapist, no one can afford to have him walking around free. You wouldn"t want that on your conscience, would you?"
"No." Aileen shut her eyes.
"Then just know you"re doing the right thing." Melody held her.
The men walked out behind the gla.s.s. Aileen kept her eyes shut. She waited until Parsons instructed the men to look straight ahead. She turned to see Brianna, Jersey, Arlen, Parsons and Zachary gazing as if she held their life in her hands.
"Aileen?" Parsons gestured to the men. "Do any of these men look like the man that raped you last night?"
"I..." She couldn"t bear to open her eyes.
"Take your time." Zachary smiled. The D.A. looked at Steven Kemp, who was number four in the line. Brianna and Jersey exhaled. They wished Steven didn"t look so c.o.c.ky at the moment.
Parsons pointed to the first two men. Aileen looked at them carefully. They were dismissed. Parsons pointed to the third man. She leaned forward. He had a similar rugged look and build, yet his eyes weren"t nearly as intoxicating as the rapist"s had been. She couldn"t forget that shade of blue, no matter how much she wanted to. She shook her head at the third man.
"Aileen, what about number four?" Parsons stared at her. "Does he look like the man that raped you?" She looked up. She felt as if an imaginary hand pulled her from the chair.
She stood. She stared at the cunning face of Steven Kemp. Those blue eyes that already haunted every fiber of her being. That soft, blond hair that immediately took her back to being in bed with him. Those hands that had stripped her against her will. Those strong, hard legs that held her down while she screamed for help. Those lips that had drained her dry with one kiss.
Those eyes that she"d never forget in a million years. They made her afraid to go home and they made her afraid to leave home. Those eyes that would forever be engraved in her mind.
"Aileen?" Melody found it impossible to hold the shaking woman. Steven Kemp stared ahead. They claimed he couldn"t see her. Aileen wasn"t so sure.
"Oh G.o.d." She wept into her palms. She viciously shook her head. "It"s him." Brianna and Jersey moved closer. "It"s him. Oh G.o.d, it"s him. I"m sure of it."
"Are you sure?" Brianna gaped.
"Shut up, Morris." Parsons rolled his eyes. "Don"t you dare try to influence this."
"I wasn"t doing that. I wanted to make sure she was definite."
"I think her jumping out of the chair and shaking like a leaf seems pretty definite to me." Zachary rubbed Aileen"s shoulders. "The man you identified is Steven Kemp. Are you saying in front of all of us that he is the man who raped you?"
"Yes!" Aileen backed away. "When I looked up, something came over me. It was a fear I couldn"t explain! Just like last night! There"s no mistake. He raped me! I want him in jail! I want him in jail!" She cried into Melody"s arms. "It"s the eyes." Aileen shivered. "The most evil eyes in the world. I don"t want to see him! Get him away from me, please!"
Parsons ordered the men to be escorted from the room.
"So she did it." Melody looked at them. "She identified the man who raped her. What happens next?"
"He"ll be held on the charges," Parsons stated. "And we"re gonna make sure he pays for what he"s done."
"Aileen?" Brianna stood in front of her. "There must be some mistake. I have known Steven for years. He has dedicated his life to helping rape victims. He couldn"t hurt anyone. I"d trust him with my life. You have to be wrong."
"I"m not." Aileen shook. "He raped me, and if you weren"t so blind by how you obviously feel about him, then you"d see it too, Detective Morris. I was the one he attacked and not you! How could you tell me it"s not him? I know it!"
"There has to be some kind of mistake." Jersey shook her head. "Mrs. Andrews, Steven Kemp is not a rapist."
Melody shook her head. "If she says he raped her then he raped her! The question now is how much time will the b.a.s.t.a.r.d get. I can"t believe this. The main person who was put on this case to help the victims is the same man that"s a.s.saulting them? What kind of police force is this?"
"You"re wrong." Brianna sighed. "Steven Kemp is not a rapist! Aileen, we want to help you, but you"re not thinking clearly."
"How dare you? How in the h.e.l.l do you know how I"m thinking? Steven Kemp is the man who came into my house and raped me with my daughter in the hallway! I"m gonna make sure he goes to prison and stays there! You"re supposed to be protecting us, Detective Morris! Not him!"
"So it"s true?" Cheyenne Wilson whispered from the doorway. Everyone stared at her. She walked up where they could see her in the aura of the lights. "It"s true, isn"t it? Detective Kemp is the rapist after all?"
"Cheyenne, what are you doing here?" Brianna whispered.
"Funny I came to talk to you, Detective Morris. I was waiting outside until I heard someone yelling." She looked at Aileen. "I a.s.sume you were raped by the Albany Predator, too?"
"Yes." Aileen nodded. "Or in other words, by Steven Kemp. May I go now? I"ve had enough of this for one night."
"Yes, and please try to get some rest, Mrs. Andrews. I"ll show you and your friends out." Parsons led Melody, Sarah and Aileen out of the room. Arlen rushed out behind them.
Cheyenne glared at Brianna and Jersey. "I thought you were on our sides, but I see you"re not, Detective."
"Cheyenne, I don"t know what you think you heard, but I am on your side. I"m just trying to find out the truth, that"s all."
"Right. Why do you go to such extremes to defend this man? I heard what she said out there. She identified Steven as the rapist. And you stood here and defended him. How could you do that? You"re supposed to protect the victims and not the criminals!"
"Cheyenne, we have to be sure! A cop"s life is at stake here." She chuckled. "A cop"s life? What about our lives, huh? How do you know he didn"t rape us? How do you know? Tell me how you can be so sure? Were you there? You don"t give a d.a.m.n about us."
"Cheyenne, that"s not true. I"m doing all I can for everyone! Please see that I am. I want to help you!"
She scoffed. "I can"t see that at all. As a woman you should be ashamed of yourself."
Brianna sighed. "Please, you"ve got the wrong picture of me, Cheyenne."
"All I see is someone determined to defend that man no matter what we all say. Maybe you"d think different if you were standing on this side of the fence, Detective. I hope you never have to go through something like this. I wouldn"t wish this on my worst enemy. Not even on you."
"Cheyenne, please understand where I"m coming from," Brianna pleaded. "I am on your side, but I know Steven and he"s not a rapist! Please believe that."
Cheyenne shook her head. "All I believe is that you will do anything to protect that man, Detective Morris." Cheyenne turned to Jersey. "I"m gonna do my part to make sure Steven Kemp gets what he deserves. You can count on that." She stomped away.
Jersey touched Brianna"s shoulder. "Morris, are you all right? She didn"t mean what she said. It"s a difficult time for her right now." Brianna sobbed. "Morris?"
Brianna left the room.
"I didn"t do it!" Steven slapped the wall of his cell.
"She"s identified you, Steven!" Arlen paced. "What in the h.e.l.l is going on? Do you realize the s.h.i.t you"re in?"
"Oh Jesus." Steven rubbed his forehead. He sat on the little bed. "Arlen, how could this be happening to me? I was just going along and now I"m accused of rape? I could lose my badge and be kicked off the force." He held his head low.
Arlen held his waist. "Steven, losing your badge is the last d.a.m.n thing you need to be worried about now. You could to go prison!" Arlen leaned against the wall. "Steven, I want to believe you, but..."
"Want? So you think I"m capable of rape?"
"All I know is that Aileen Andrews identified you as easy as the white on snow! And she didn"t just point you out, Steven. She nearly had a heart attack because she was so frightened. You can mistake someone"s judgment but you can"t question fear. Steven, you gotta be honest with me here. That"s the only way I can put together a decent case."
"It"s really going to trial?" Steven exhaled. "Arlen, we gotta stop it from going to trial!"
"What do you think this is, some fairy tale? You were just accused of being a serial rapist! Of course you"re going to trial, unless you can prove that you"re innocent! And you wait until they bring the other victims in here. Steven, you gotta give me something to work with!"
"I didn"t rape anyone, Arlen! That"s all I can say!" Arlen sighed. "I"m innocent. You have to believe that."
"Steven, it"s not what I believe; it"s what everyone else believes. This isn"t looking good at all. I thought for sure that the lineup would go our way but it was a disaster! There has to be something you"re not telling me!"
"I...did...not...rape...anyone! If you can"t believe that, then don"t defend me!" Steven leaned against the wall.
"I do believe you, Steven. That"s why this is so scary. I can"t bear the thought of an innocent man going to prison. I mean, I represent plenty of guilty clients, but I work my a.s.s off extra hard when I believe the person is innocent."
"Arlen, I just need to get outta here, man. I need you to get me a bail hearing for tomorrow. Can you?"
He shrugged. "I"ll try my best. But the DA"s going for no bail, Steven. That means, if I don"t convince the judge that you"re safe enough to put on the streets, then you"ll have to figure out what the h.e.l.l you"re gonna do from inside this cell."
Captain Jersey walked up.
"Captain." Steven sighed. "I"m glad you came. What"s going on?"
"I uh, just got off the phone with Commissioner Reynolds. Steven, I have to put you on suspension."
"No! I have to be on this case in order to clear my name!"
"Steven, you were just charged with rape. There is no way around this." Jersey clasped her hands.
"Do you believe that I"m innocent, Captain Jersey?" He stared at her.
She smiled. "Of course I do. There isn"t a doubt in my mind, Steven. You would never hurt anyone. I"m going to do everything in my power to help you prove it."
Chapter Thirteen.
That night Melody dropped Sarah off at a friend"s, then headed home. She couldn"t ignore how beautiful the night had been. Even Aileen"s ordeal hadn"t dirtied the fantastic moonlight. Melody rarely had time to appreciate nature"s beauty. She"d always loved looking out her bedroom at the moon and stars. Nighttime had always been her favorite.
While others slept through it, she always received pleasure from lying in her bed and listening to the still of night flowing through the house. She noticed Lucas"s car before she moved from her jeep. She had forgotten their argument while dealing with Aileen. He would always be the most handsome man she knew. She could imagine thirty years pa.s.sing, yet Lucas would still probably be the only man she really loved. They shared more than most couples did during a lifetime.
They"d been kids together. They"d shared more than people of the opposite s.e.x ever could. Lucas had been one of her dearest friends. No matter what happened in their romantic lives, nothing would ever change that. He would forever have a special place in her heart. She walked to the porch. He sat on the little bench with his head low. He seemed as tired as she felt.
He immediately looked up when she approached. It seemed so automatic how she got his attention sometimes. He claimed he lived just to be near her. Just to please her. Melody didn"t have to question the sentiment tonight. Him being there proved how much he cared.
"Hey." He waved. She couldn"t ignore how fascinating he looked under the glare of the porch light. She twirled her keys.
"Uh, what are you doing here?" She didn"t know why she asked. She didn"t give a d.a.m.n why he"d come. She silently thanked G.o.d that he had.
He nodded. "I know I"m the last person you want to see." Melody opened the front door. Lucas kept his eyes on the flow of her denim skirt. Lucas had a way of looking at her that couldn"t compare to flattery from words. "I"ve been waiting for a while. I think it was still light when I came." He chuckled. "I called your cell phone."
"Yeah, I didn"t have it on. I"ve been busy, you know?" She rested against the door as she swatted a gnat from her face. "You didn"t say why you were here."
He stood. "I"m just here to apologize. I also rushed over when I heard about Aileen. Craig called me. He said you told him." Melody nodded. "He wanted to go see her, but didn"t know how she"d react."
"Yeah, it"s best that he waits. She just needs some time."
"I can"t believe it, you know?" He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Aileen"s like family to me. You all are. We grew up together. I mean, you know someone for years, and you never dream that something so terrible could happen like this. I wanted so much to go see her. But how could I? What would I say after not being around all this time?" He sighed. "Anyway, it"s ridiculous that I lost touch with you all. You guys were a part of me, Melody. You all mean so much to me. It"s like something"s been missing since school."
"No one blames you, Lucas. Like you said, people drift apart."
He stepped up to her. "But not from family. It"s no excuse, Melody. I should have always been there. I"ll never forgive myself for that."
"Yeah, but why are you bringing this up now? I mean, tonight?" She gestured for him to come inside. He did. She offered him some refreshments. He refused. They sat on the couch. "Luke, talk to me."
"I guess Aileen"s rape made me realize that I was taking things for granted. I took you for granted. You"ve always managed to be there for me, even in spirit. And I can"t be a more supportive boyfriend?" He shook his head. "After you left my place last night, I was so confused. It didn"t make sense for us to fight, and about Keith." She turned away. He took her hand. "Melody, I don"t ever want you to feel you can"t come to me. You can come to me with anything, baby. Anything."
"I need you to be my boyfriend, Lucas. I don"t need you tearing into me and lecturing me. I get that s.h.i.t enough. I need to know you"re on my side, because right now, I feel like no one is."
"That"s not true, Mel. We"re all on your side. That"s why we want to make sure everything is okay."
"Sometimes you look at me like you expect me to fall apart, and I hate that feeling, Lucas. I"m not gonna explode or get to where I can"t handle things. I wish you could accept that I can handle things for myself. I don"t need a guardian, Lucas. I need a lover."