Read Dying for Justice for Free Online Page B

might go straight to Bekker and tell him that the incident was being investigated.
    Evans froze in front of the printer. Did Bekker know his ex-wife had come out of her coma? If he’d tried to kill her two years ago, would he try again now?
    At her desk, she called Rosehill and asked to speak to Jeri Richmond, Gina’s nurse.
    “I’m sorry, but she’s too busy to come to the phone.”
    “This is important police business. Go get her.”
    After a long wait, Jeri came on the line. “Yes?”
    “This is Detective Evans. I need to know who was notified of Gina’s awakening.”
    “Just her parents.”
    “Is it possible anyone called her ex-husband?”
    “No.”
    “I’d like the facility to take extra steps to protect Gina. She claims to be the victim of attempted homicide.”
    “We’re doing what we can.” The nurse sounded more impatient with each response.
    “What does that mean?”
    “Someone checks on her every fifteen minutes. And the front doors are locked, so no one gets in without being screened.”
    “Thank you.” Evans hung up. She would ask Lammers for a patrol officer to guard Gina, but she knew what the answer would be. Their budget had been stripped to the bare bones and officers had been laid off. She would have to work quickly and arrest Bekker before he learned of his ex-wife’s recovery.
    Evans called McCray, hoping to get a feel for whether Bekker had any real friends in the department who would protect him. If he was a predator, he was an asshole and had probably alienated a few people. Still, he was a cop and the brotherhood always closed ranks.
    McCray didn’t answer so she left him a message, asking to meet for coffee to talk about an old case. Next, she found Gina’s parents in the citizen database and gave them a call. A female voice offered a soft hello.
    Evans introduced herself. “Are you Sharon Stahl?”
    “Yes. Did you say Laura?”
    “Actually, it’s Lara, but it doesn’t matter. I’m calling about your daughter, Gina. I’m investigating her assault and I’d like to talk to you and your husband as soon as possible.”
    “It’s about time.” The mother’s voice broke and she paused to compose herself. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t directed at you.”
    “It’s okay. Can I stop by your house now?”
    “Please do. I’ll call George and ask him to come home. The old fool is out golfing in this heat.”
    The Stahls lived in an attractive mobile home in a seniors-only park in west Eugene. Ducks wandered across the well-groomed front yard as Evans got out of her car. She blinked in the bright sun and headed up the driveway. Sharon Stahl opened the door and Evans thought: She doesn’t look seventy-seven. The woman was tall and lean and still had a straight spine. Both her knees were covered with large gauze bandages.
    “I just had my knees replaced,” she said with a chuckle. “I wore ‘em out power walking through my sixties.”
    Evans offered her hand and Sharon affectionately squeezed it between both of hers. “Come in. Would you like something cold to drink? Ice tea or lemonade?”
    “Just ice water please.” Evans was already over her calorie quota for the day.
    The home was spacious and immaculately clean. It was the first time Evans had been inside a mobile home that didn’t disgust her. Compared to the shit-pile trailer she’d grown up in, this home was so upscale it was shameful for the two dwellings to share a name.
    After a minute, George Stahl ambled into the room, looking a little less preserved than his wife. He had rounded shoulders, a small potbelly, and a lot of neck sag. The couple sat together on the forest green couch and held hands. The gesture surprised Evans.
    “Our Gina woke up,” Sharon said, beaming. “We always believed she would. When she spoke to me yesterday, I thought my heart would burst.”
    “That must have been amazing.” Evans could not imagine the feeling. She had no children, no real emotional connection to