Chapter 19

Two hours later, they walked back into the observation room. The detective was sitting at the table. The internal affairs detectives showed him the pictures and questioned him about it but he gave lame excuses. He asked where they got them from nervously. After a while, the DA gave Brian permission to go in and question him about Rebecca. He walked out the door and a moment later he went into the interrogation room. He introduced himself and asked him about Rebecca disappearing. He said he didn't know her. Brian told him who she was, but he still denied knowing her. Brian pulled out a photo taken at the hospital when she was first brought in. The detective stiffened, but still said he didn't know who she was. After a few more questions, Brian walked out.

"He's clearly lying," Rebecca said.

"Maybe." The DA said. "We will hold him with what you brought us and will launch a full investigation." The DA said. "If no evidence is found or witnesses don't come forward then he will be released."

"I guess you really do protect your own." Rebecca said then walked out of the room. Duane followed her out. "I'm going to use the restroom. Have the pilot get the plane ready."

"Sure thing Rebecca." Duane said.

Rebecca went into the ladies’ room. Duane pulled out his phone.

Two hours later, Brian pulled up to the airport. He drove over to the airplane and parked the car. Duane got out and took the bags to the plane. Rebecca turned to Brian. "If they don't want your help, will you still stay here?"

"Yes. If they release him, I will keep an eye on him. If he screws up, I will get him."

"Thank you. Did Larry tell you about the move?"

"Yes. I will take care of that, too." Brian said. "Take care of yourself, Rebecca. And Larry too."

"I will Brian. Watch you back. That guy is dangerous. Who knows who is working with him.”?

"I will. I will keep you informed."

"Thanks Brian. For everything." Rebecca said then hugged him. She got out of the car, waved then walked to the plans. She climbed the steps and went inside. She sat down in her seat and fastened her seatbelt.

Duane came into the plane and took his seat. He fastened his seatbelt. "It should be a smooth flight."

"I just want to get out of here. I want to go home."

"I know." Duane said. "It didn't go as planned, did it?"

"No," Rebecca said. "He's denying everything. I just wish he would have been arrested."

"They can hold him for 24 hours. Maybe by then, enough evidence or witnesses will be found."

"I hope so," Rebecca said.

"Have you told Mr. Newman that we were coming home?"

"No. He's busy at work. He told me that he would be working late."

"Yes, but he should know that you are on your way."

"I'll let him know when we land."

"All right." Duane said. "Do you know when I first met you, I was worried that you were some kind of con?"

"Is that why you kept an eye on my movements that day?"

"Yes. I know now that I was wrong. I apologize for that."

"You don't have to apologize. I probably would have thought the same thing."

"You are a good person, Rebecca."

"I haven't always been good. I have done a lot of bad things in my past," Rebecca said. "When I said that I remember everything, I didn't just mean about Detective Sharp. I mean I remember everything about my life."

"So, the rest of your memory came back?"

"Yes. Everything," Rebecca said. "I don't want to say anything to Larry until after he's done with this project. That is tomorrow. Can you keep it a secret until then?"

"Unless he asks me specifically if your memory came back, I won't tell him."

"Thank you. I will tell him, though."

"I know you will." Duane said. "So, what kind of bad things have you done?"

"I protested against a wide variety of things when I was a teenager and young adult. I participated in rallies. Most things I believed in but some things I just did to have something to do or to get a story. Most things I did were to get story. I didn't do any damage to anything, but I did sneak into places I wasn't supposed to be."

"I know you never got caught by police. You don't have a record."

"Actually, I did get caught twice, but I talked my way out of it. They let me go with warnings."

"That's good."

"Yes, but some things I did were wrong and hurt people. I guess forgetting everything and now remembering has made me realize that it was wrong of me."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Yes. That's not the kind of person I want to be."

"That's good."

"Yes, it is. I want to be a better person," Rebecca said.

"Are you talking about your articles you wrote?"

"Yes, some of them hurt people or their livelihood."

"I read some of them. I think they brought out the truth."

"Yes, but in the process, it hurt people."

"You can't dwell over hurting people with the truth. They move on. You wrote from your heart in everything I have read. It's not bad to have that kind of passion."

"Thanks, Duane. It means a lot hearing that."

"You're welcome." Duane said.

Rebecca and Duane arrived back at the hotel around six. They went up to the floor and went inside. Duane put the bags in the living room. "Do you want some dinner?"

"I'm not very hungry."

"You haven't eaten all day. You need to eat."

"I'll make myself a sandwich. You don't have to stay."

"I'll make the sandwiches and eat with you then I will leave. Mr. Newman won't like if I didn't at least try to get you to eat."

"All right. I don't want you to get in trouble with the boss."

"Thank you." Duane said then went to the kitchen. "Did you talk to Mr. Newman?"

"No. I left him a message."

"I'm sure he'll be in tonight."

"He told me this morning that he would be late."

"If you want, I can stick around."

"No, thank you. I'll be fine." Rebecca said as she sat down at the bar and watched him make the sandwiches "Besides you have a life of your own."

"Not really. When I'm not working, I'm either sleeping or watching television. I don't do much."

"I'll be fine. I have plenty to do here."

Duane put a sandwich in front of her. "It's not the best, but it's edible."

She took a bite of her sandwich. "I want to thank you for being there for me. I know Larry asked you to go, but you were there when I needed somebody."

"You're welcome. If you need anything, you can call me. Even if you just want to talk."

They ate their sandwiches. Duane stayed for a little while, then left. Rebecca took her bags to her bedroom and put her stuff away. She took her laptop over to the desk and opened it up. She started working.

Larry walked up behind Rebecca around ten o'clock at the hotel bar. He stood behind her for a few moments before he cleared his throat.

Rebecca turned her whole seat around. Larry hugged her. "I'm so glad you're home."

"So am I," Rebecca said. Larry sat down next to her. "Hey, Matt, give the boss a drink."

"I heard it didn't go your way."

"No, but there is still hope."

"Is that what you’re doing down here? Hoping something will happen?"

"Actually, I was waiting for you and working a little. I also needed a drink."

"Well, I am done working for the night. And I don't have to be in until ten in the morning."

"That's good."

Matt, the bartender placed a drink in of Larry. "Here you go Mr. Newman."

"Thank you, Matt."

"You're welcome." Matt said then walked away.

"I heard you were upset when the DA said that they needed more."

"Yes, I was. I pointed him out in a line up. I remembered I had more evidence on him and had Brian go and get it. I gave the DA detailed information and she still said they needed more. I guess law enforcement does protect their own."

"I had a message from the chief and he said they found your car. It was parked at a cheap hotel. He had it towed back to the garage."

"Did it have anything in it?"

"He didn't say. I will call him in the morning," Larry said. "He's putting together a case here for attempted murder. He's doing what he can."

"I know I started it. I saw something that I shouldn't have and kept digging. I put the mark on my head."

"You can't blame yourself. You were doing the right thing."

"I know it was the right thing, but it's not enough if he's not punished."

"Brian said the investigation has opened up and it's no longer being quiet. So, even if he isn't convicted, everyone will be seeing him differently."

"That's good."

"Yes, it is," Larry said. "Don't worry, he won't be doing anything without looking over his shoulder."

Rebecca finished her drink. "It's been a long day. I need some sleep."

Larry finished his drink and picked up Rebecca's camera bag. "Let's go home." He said as they got up. He put his arm around her and they left the bar.