Crucified by Adelle Laudan Page B

as soon as I have a quick
look around.”
    The officer
grabbed hold of the cuffs and persuaded Ray down the stairs.
    Seth turned
back to face her. “Do you think he’s our man?”
    Dianne
shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s not exactly playing with a full deck.
I’m not sure he’d tell us where to find Casey, even if he does
know.”
    “ What the hell were you thinking, taking this guy down without
backup?”
    “ We just stopped to ask a few questions on our watch. How was I
supposed to know the guy was taking pictures of young
kids?”
    “ Go back to the station.” He passed Taylor and continued down
the hall “I’d appreciate you waiting for me before you start
grilling the prick.”
    “ Don’t be long. Time’s tickin’.” She tapped her watch, even
though he couldn’t see her.
    Taylor followed
her from the building in silence. Once outside, she stopped and
stooped over, resting her hands on her thighs. She took a couple
cleansing breaths before standing up. “I’m afraid we’ll have to go
for our ride another time.”
    “ I understand. I’ll walk you back.” Disappointment laced his
reply.
    Dianne nodded
and they walked side by side up Main Street, leaving behind a small
number of townsfolk who had gathered in front of the hardware
store. “I’m sorry if I was a little short with you back there.”
    Taylor
shrugged. “No big deal. I guess I owe you an apology for busting
his face.”
    Dianne
chuckled. “I think I can let that one slide. How about a rain check
on the ride?”
    “ Anytime, Officer Parker.” His smile set her pulse racing as
she ascended the stairs
    She forced
herself to open the door and step inside. As the door closed behind
her, she heard the rumble of his motorcycle as it pulled away from
the station.
    I’ve got to
find Casey.
    She looked
forward to hopping on the back of his bike and tossing all her
cares in the wind.

Chapter
Eight
     
    Dianne splashed
cold water in her face. No matter how many all-nighters she pulled,
they never got easier, and with thoughts of Taylor distracting her,
made for an unbearably long shift. Ray Gilbert turned out to be one
sick puppy, but she was pretty confident he wasn’t the one who took
Casey. Confirmation came in the form of a report from the head
office. The camera they’d confiscated at Ray’s apartment didn’t
match the camera that had taken the photos found on the bulletin
board.
    We had to have missed something . She
dried her hands and smoothed down her hair. She’d let it loose from
a ponytail around four that morning.
    W ell, when you think you’ve missed
something, what do you do? You go back to square one. She gave her reflection in the mirror a decisive
nod.
    “ I’m heading over to the post office.” Dianne scooted over to
pick up her notebook and cell phone. “We’ve missed something, and
I’m going to figure out what it is.”
    Seth leaned
back in his chair and took his glasses off, rubbing his eyes. “What
are we going to do with Mr. Picture Guy?”
    “ Arrange for the guys in the white coats to pick him up. Call
my cell when the last photo comes back from forensics.”
    “ You got it.” He stretched his arms above his head. “Don’t be
going to some whack job’s house alone again. I’m only a phone call
away. Promise?”
    She scrunched
up her face and laughed. “You know how I feel about promises. You
worry too much.”
    Seth frowned.
“And you don’t worry enough about yourself.”
    “ I love you too.” Dianne blew him a kiss before opening the
door and slipping outside.
    The sun shone
bright despite the thick tension that shrouded Johnstown. With each
day gone by without a break in the case, a sense of urgency grew.
The only place with any sign of life was the diner across from the
station. It seemed to be ground zero for the townspeople to discuss
Casey’s abduction. She debated walking up to the post office, but
opted to take the sedan. If she got a call, she needed to be ready
to roll.
    The post