Page 10 of Riggs
Chapter Four
Luna
Standing in front of the mirror, I inspect the bruises on my face. I have two black eyes and bruising along my jaw. With the way I look, I'm surprised I didn't suffer any broken bones. Turning away from the mirror, I reach into the shower and turn the water on, letting it heat up. I then strip out of the hospital gown and step into the stall. I wince as the water hits my battered body. Taking a shower is almost unbearable. Despite the pain in my ribs, I push through. I couldn't stand to lay in my filth for any longer. Though the nurse tried to clean me the best she could yesterday, I still had dirt and blood caked in my hair. One of the nurses was kind enough to bring me a pair of scrubs since I didn't have any clothes to change into. When they brought me into the ER, I had on sleep shorts and a t-shirt. Those were also covered in mud and blood.
After brushing my teeth, I comb my long blonde hair before pulling it up into a messy bun on the top of my head. Glancing in the mirror one last time, I conclude this is the best I'm going to get, but I'm thankful to feel halfway human again. Turning the knob on the door, I push it open, and I am startled by the police officer standing in my hospital room. I recognize him as the officer that has been assigned to watch over me. He has yet to introduce himself, but I was able to catch a glimpse of his face last night as the doctor came by to check on me. I don't know what it is about this man, but the way he is looking at me now causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand and a wave of unease to settle in the pit of my stomach. A moment later, he speaks. "Just came to check on you, Miss Novak," he says as I read his lips.
Swallowing hard, I nod. Something strange passes over the officer's face, just as Detective Brooks walks into the room. I can't see what she says to the officer, but by the look on her face, she is not pleased with him being in my room. Without another word, the officer turns and walks out, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Turning toward me, Detective Brooks speaks. "I have something I'd like to discuss with you. I have requested the hospital translator come down, but the nurse said it would be a few minutes."
Sitting gingerly on the edge of the bed, I ignore the burning pinch in my ribs as I reach over, grabbing the notebook and pen laying on the bedside table.We don't have to wait. We can talk now.
Just then, Marie, the translator bursts through the door and immediately begins to sign. "Sorry I'm late."
"That's okay," I tell her. "Detective Brooks just got here."
"Thank you, Marie, for coming on such short notice," Detective Brooks says then brings her attention back to me. "First things first. Here you go," she hands over my purse. "This was recovered from the Savage Outlaw clubhouse."
Taking the bag from Detective Brooks, I open it, finding my wallet and phone still tucked inside. Feeling grateful for having my belongings back, I smile. "Thank you." Detective Brooks smiles in return but then wastes no time getting down to business. "Rex was arrested last night. He is currently being held without bail," she informs me and I feel a weight has lifted off my shoulders.
"That's good news."
"It is. But there is a large problem that comes with his arrest."
"What do you mean?"
"We have reason to believe you are in danger. You are the only witness to the murder. He and his club know you are still alive. They know where you live and where you work."
My body begins to shake at her words. "What am I supposed to do? I don't have anywhere else to go."
"I want to take you to a safe house. The judge is supposed to schedule a court date next week. Once we get word on Rex's court date, we will go from there."
"Will I have to testify against him?"
Detective Brooks nods. "Unfortunately, yes. Without your testimony, he will walk."
The thought of Rex getting out of jail and possibly killing another person or doing to another woman what he did to me causes my stomach to clench. No matter how scared I am, I can't let that happen. "I'll do whatever I have to. I don't want him hurting anyone else." I can tell Detective Brooks is satisfied with my answer.
"The doctor said you would be discharged today. I already have a safe house in place. My partner and I will escort you there. You will have someone guarding you at all times."
"Is there a way for me to get some of my things from my apartment?"
"I don't want to risk taking you back to your place in case it's being watched by one of Rex's men. If you make a list of what you want, I will have it picked up and waiting for you at the safe house."
Nodding, I scribble down the things I want from my apartment, including clothes, my canvases, and my paints, along with where they can be found then hand the list over to Detective Brooks. Taking the list from me, she stands. "I'll be sure to get you your things. I'll be back in a couple of hours to pick you up."
Sitting in the back seat, I gaze out the tinted window of an unmarked sedan while Detective Morgan drives. I was relieved to find out the officer guarding me at the hospital would not be the one staying with me at the safe house. Instead, that task will go to Detective Morgan who looks to be in his fifties. I like him. His calm demeanor puts me at ease. With my thoughts drifting all over the place, I continue to stare out the window. I have no clue where we are going. We left the town I live in about thirty minutes ago and I'm pretty sure we have passed the same small grocery store at least three times. My guess is Detective Morgan is being extra cautious and making sure we are not followed. Before leaving the hospital, my phone was taken from me. Detective Brooks was worried it would be traceable. My cell is not something I hold much importance to. I only use it for texting my employer. I have been working at a daycare center for hearing impaired children since I was eighteen. My boss and only friend, Jade, took a chance and hired me on the spot the day I walked into the center. I tried to get Detective Brooks to let me stop by there and let Jade know I was okay and what was going on, but I was told it would be too dangerous. Rex could have one of his men watching the center. Detective Brooks said the fewer people involved, the better. In the end, I agreed with her. I would never forgive myself if something happened to Jade.
A minute later, I'm brought out of my wandering thoughts when we pull into a residential neighborhood. This is not what I was expecting. I figured we'd be staying in a more secluded area. Maybe hiding in plain sight is the smartest move. Either way, I have no choice but to trust the detectives know what they are doing. We make several turns before pulling up and parking in front of a quaint Spanish style home. Stepping out of the car, I peer down the street to my right to see a few kids riding bikes. It seems like a typically quiet neighborhood. Closing the door, I make my way around to the trunk of the vehicle along with Detective Morgan, who helps me with my bags. True to her word, Detective Brooks had everything on my list retrieved from my apartment.
When the three of us walk into the house, Detective Morgan motions for me to follow him down the hall and to a bedroom where he places my bags on a full-size bed. Detective Brooks trails in behind us. Coming to stand in front of me, she speaks. "This will be your room. Detective Morgan will be across the hall. You are not to go outside. Detective Morgan is not to leave you. If you need anything, you let him know, and he will have someone bring it. Do you have any questions?" she asks. I shake my head, no.
Reaching over, Detective Brooks gives my arm a squeeze. "I know you are scared and completely out of your element, but I want you to know we will do everything within our power to keep you safe. Let's see what the judge says next week at the hearing, and we'll go from there. Until then, take this time to heal and rest."
* * *
Over the next week,the days tick by at a snail's pace. Each day is the same. I spend most of my day held up in my room painting, and each time I venture out, Detective Morgan greets me with a friendly smile. We have engaged in a few casual conversations here and there. He has not shared too many details about his life, but I have learned he is a married father of three. When he spoke of his family, I felt a surge of guilt knowing I am the reason he is not with them now. He saw the look on my face and quickly assured me he often has these types of assignments and that he and his wife are used to it by now. Deciding to turn in for the night, I clean my brushes and put my paints away. Standing from the stool in front of my easel, I stroll over to the dresser and grab my pajamas before heading down the hall to the bathroom for a quick shower when suddenly the bedroom door is pushed open, and I am startled by Detective Morgan's abrupt entrance. By the look on his face and the gun in his hand, I know something is not right. I see his lips move as he says five words.
"We have to go now."
