Not Dead Yet by Pegi Price

blissfully quiet.  Theia was able to work on settlement documents without further interruptions.  Theia needed a long time to get back into gear after an interruption, and if there were too many interruptions, it was almost impossible for her to focus.  When it got to that point, she would ride the elevator down the sixteen floors to the street level of her building and then walk up the stairs back to the sixteenth floor.
    Theia printed the settlement documents and put them neatly on top of the file on her desk.  She would give them one more review that afternoon.  Just as she was about to pick up the next project, Lu arrived. 
    Theia went out to the reception area to greet the short, stout woman.  Lu was a Deputy Juvenile Officer from downtown, or, as they called it locally, “in the city.” 
    Short, spiky multi-colored hair poked out of a lightweight hoodie top over a ‘Race for the Cure’ t-shirt, baggy gray gym shorts and flip flops. 
    “You went to court like that?”
    “No, I changed in the john afterward.  I can’t stand court clothes.”
    Lu had been the DJO in a couple of Theia’s cases, including the one in which the guy attacked Theia in court. They had become fast friends.  About six months ago, a co-worker who wanted Lu’s job sabotaged one of Lu’s cases, nearly resulting in a juvenile runaway falling back into the hands of a sexual predator.  Theia represented the child in the case and went to bat for Lu, helping to save her job.
    “Hey, Lu!”  Theia welcomed her.  Lu’s name was actually Lucille, but no one dared call her that.  She said she was no Lucille Ball.  “You’re a welcome sight, after the day I’m having.”
    “Well crap,” Lu muttered.  “I’m probably not going to make it any better.”
    Theia frowned.  “Why not?”
    Lu looked around the hallway.  She looked uncomfortable.  This was unusual for Lu, who usually came across as a tough broad.
    “Can we talk in your office?” Lu asked, looking down the hall and over her shoulder.
    “Sure,” Theia replied. They walked around to Theia’s office, closed the door and sat down.
    “I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just jump in.  I got a call from some psycho guy this morning.  Said he got my number off his wife’s phone, that I had been the DJO for one of their kids a few years ago.”
    Theia stared at Lu, shaking her head.
    “He wouldn’t tell me his name, said you would know who he was,” Lu continued.  “He said to tell you he has her and wants you to come get her.”
    “Shit.  What else did he say?” Theia asked.
    “That was about it.  He said he’d call me later with instructions.”
    “Oh, please!” Theia commented. “This guy has been watching too many cop shows.  Did he say anything else at all, like where she is, if she is still alive, anything?”
    “No, just that he would call again with instructions.  What’s going on, Theia?” Lu asked. “Who is she?  I would probably be better off if I didn’t know more details, but the curiosity would kill me.”
    “I tried to help a lady who has been a punching bag for years,” Theia explained.  “We were on the adult abuse docket yesterday.  She caved.  The guy was there, and she freaked out.  She wouldn’t tell the judge about any of the abuse, just ran out of the courtroom.  She called my office at three o’clock this morning and left a message.  In the middle of the message he found her and beat the crap out of her until the message timed out.”
    “Oh, God.  You had to listen to that?” Lu asked.
    “Yeah.  I called 911 and they sent some rude asshole to take my statement,” Theia continued. “He acted as though the whole thing was a big fat waste of time.  I’m sure he’s not going to break a sweat looking for her.  He said they went by the house.  No one was there, but furniture was knocked around, stuff was broken and there was blood on the floor.”
    “Blessed Mary, Mother of God.” Lu was very