Intimate Relations, Rebecca Forster [best ereader for manga .txt] 📗

on their backs these days. I wasn't going to put my officer or the EMTs at risk." Douglas said. He chucked his chin at the woman in the doorway. "She could be anything. She could be a decoy."

"And she could have a vest full of dynamite strapped to her, but I'm thinking not," Finn said.

Douglas shuffled. He took his eyes off the woman in the doorway, and turned slightly to make sure Finn heard hm.

"I got three years 'till retirement, and I'm going to make it there all in one piece. I'd like to go home to my wife and kids every night for the next three years.  Now that I know you caught the call, I think I made the right choice. I'd rather you walk in ahead of me 'cause I sure don't want to be target practice for you either."

Finn pulled up his bottom lip. He put a hand on Douglas's shoulder. Finn gave him a smile that never reached his eyes.

"That bit's getting old 'tisn't it, Officer Douglas?"

The man stiffened, his hand clenched. He wanted a piece of Finn, but he wouldn't try to take it. As the officer said, he would do nothing to jeopardize his retirement. Officer Douglas was disappointed that his slur had not been the gut punch he intended. Before either spoke again, Cori came between them.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Officer Douglas has declined to make his way inside that building. He wants assurances no harm will come to him," Finn said.

"Isn't that nice, Officer Douglas." Cori smiled at the man and then turned to Finn. "What shall we do about that, Detective O'Brien?"

"I'm thinking we should leave Officer Douglas here, and call him when it is safe," Finn said.

Finn and Cori did not wait for agreement from Officer Douglas. They walked away quickly enough that they did not hear the curses muttered by the uniformed man. They only had eyes for the woman who clutched her high-necked, loose dress to her throat. Finn held her gaze hoping she would see that he meant her no harm.  The eyes that looked back were not beautiful, but they were expressive: pained, confused, and distrustful. Finn stopped a few feet from her. Cori came up behind him and stood on his left so that she could hear what transpired.

"Missus, I am Detective O'Brien and this is Detective Anderson. We are responding to a call for assistance. We understand that you have denied our officers access to this building. We cannot leave without looking into the matter. Do you understand that?"

The woman's head bobbled. Her lips parted, the muscles in her throat contracted, but there was no sound. Finn nodded slowly, hoping she would understand his sympathy and catch his calm.

"Fine, then. No need to speak. We are here to help you." He extended a hand, palm up. "Please stand away from the door. 'Tis for your own protection."

Finn waited, but the woman didn't move aside. Her hand twisted the fabric of her smock so tight that it appeared she might strangle herself.

"This is bull, O'Brien," Cori mumbled. "Those clowns wasted too much time already."

Finn nodded. He raised his voice so the woman could make no mistake as to what would happen next.

"We are going to come to you now. Detective Anderson will move you aside. Do you understand?"

The detectives moved in. The woman's eyes darted between them until the moment Cori took her hand. She held it long enough for Finn to note the wedding ring on her finger. When he nodded, Cori turned the woman to the wall.

"I'm going to make sure you haven't got any weapons." Cori adjusted the woman's hands and feet, and then ran her own over the woman's head scarf, her smock, and down her legs. She shook her head at Finn. She turned the woman around and asked. "What's your name?"

The woman's eyes never stopped moving. It was as if she was struggling to understand them. Finn checked out the entrance to the unit. It appeared that this woman was alone. Having a firm hold on her arm, Cori had a line of sight past the corner of the building. There were no unexplained shadows or movement. She gave her partner a thumbs up and asked again:

"What's your name?"

"Emi," she said.

"Okay, Emi. Is this your place?"

She nodded.

"Are you under duress?" Cori said, but the woman looked at her blankly.  Cori tried again. "Is anyone threatening you?"

"Please, please don't go inside. It is only a mistake. Please. Go away."

She pleaded with them. She begged them. She covered Cori's hand with one of her own, looking for understanding. Cori's eyes flicked to Finn, and they exchanged a look over the woman's head.

"Is your husband upstairs?" Finn asked.

 Her head jerked as if she couldn't decide between a shake or a nod.  When she hung it low, he knew it was a sign of defeat and agreement.

"Where exactly is he?" Cori asked.

"I don't know now," she said. "He was in the big room. The first room."

"And where is that?" Finn asked.

She pointed up the short flight of stairs.

"And above that? Up there?"

The woman's eyes went up. "Where we work."

"And the top?" He persisted.

"Where we work. We work, that is all."

"Is there anyone else with your husband?" Cori asked as she waved Officer Douglas over.

He in turn signaled Officer Hunter who came to take the woman. Finn pitied Officer Douglas's wife. She only had three years until he retired. Then he would be ordering her about for the rest of her life.

"Yes. Eight people I think," the woman said. "Maybe more."

"Who are they, missus?"

 "Guests. I don't know them." She started to cry.

"Are they in the first room, too?" Finn asked.

"I don't know now. Please, please. Don't hurt my husband. He is sick now. He is sick only."

Emi grabbed Finn's arm as she begged, but the detective set her aside. Officer Hunter took ahold of her. She strained to get out of his grasp. She appealed to Cori, swearing over and over again that her