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There’s no
disturbance here, Officer. Thank you.”
    “I’d like to hear that from Teresa. Everything is
alright…ain’t it, Teresa?”
    “Yeah….yeah, Hunter. Everything’s just fine.”
    “You ladies have a nice day now,” he said as he
walked down the hall and out of the building.
    “Mmmhhmm….” Morena said as she watched Teresa step
into her apartment.
    ***
     
    Black sat nursing a beer at the local bar, Under
Caution. He wasn’t much of a drinker. He only ordered it to not
appear out of place. He knew he was a stubborn man to a fault. He
knew he was wrong to be here for so many reasons, yet he felt
compelled to finish what he’d started. He couldn’t leave. Not
before the investigation even began. His conscience wouldn’t let
him. Digging his hand into the bowl of peanuts he felt a heavy hand
fall down on his shoulder. Without looking he continued crushing
the shells to the peanuts with his hand and popping them in his
mouth. “You following me now, Waeltz?”
    The detective sat next to him. “Give me a
reason.”
    “What are you talking about, Detective?”
    “A reason, D.A. Love, not to request to have you
removed from this case?”
    Black smiled and continued eating his peanuts. “On
what grounds?”
    “Conflict of interest. You use to date the
victim.”
    Black faced Waeltz. “Oh, she’s a victim now.”
    “That’s not an answer, Love.”
    “That’s what you call doing a thorough
investigation? Looking into me?”
    “I was looking into her and guess who popped up like
zits on the face of a horny pre-teen boy?”
    “I thought the law didn’t matter in Danville?”
    “I’m going to the D.A. with this.” He slid from the
chair and turned to leave.
    Black grabbed his arm. “Wait. You’re a good cop,
Waeltz.”
    Waeltz yanked away from Black’s grasp. “How the hell
do you know what kind of cop I am?”
    “You found out about me and Teresa didn’t you?”
    “A four year old with an internet connection
could’ve found that out.”
    “A four year old wouldn’t have cared. So tell me
your honest opinion as a cop. Do you think she’s lying?”
    “Yes.”
    Black turned away from Waeltz and continued eating
his peanuts. It wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear but he
respected the man’s opinion and his honesty.
    Waeltz continued. “Lying…..about being raped, no.
About not knowing who did this to her, yes. I think it’s someone
she knows and it scares her to death to come forward with it.”
    Black swiveled in his seat now facing Waeltz again.
“Someone she knows. So you’re really thinking date rape?”
    “I believe so.”
    One guy came to mind and that was James. He didn’t
like the guy but he didn’t have him pegged for rape. It would make
sense though, especially the way that he’d been behaving. Black
figured he’d keep his accusations to himself until he found out
what else Waeltz had. “Any suspects?”
    “She was a true work hound. Never did the bar scene,
no hook ups, no internet date lines… she doesn’t even have Twitter,
Facebook, or Instagram accounts. She was seeing one guy who works
in the department. I’ve put off questioning him until she gives me
a time and a place at the very least. I can’t question his
whereabouts without it.”
    “Who is this guy on the force?”
    “James Collins.”
    “You know the guy?”
    “Not on a personal level. He’s taken down a few
doors with me on high profile warrants. Couldn’t say if I liked or
disliked the guy but he was professional.”
    “Do me a solid and look into him.”
    “If this case goes any further I’ll check it out. I
ain’t making no promises that it will.”
    Black nodded before he spoke. “Why come to me
instead of going straight to get me kicked off this case?”
    “Wanted to look you in the eye man to man first and
see what you had to say. I still might turn over this
information.”
    Black reached out his hand. Waeltz extended his and
they shook firmly.
    “I appreciate that,”