“Joel Sims, ma’am.”
“They’re going to ask you some questions.”
“Okay,” Brooke replied.
Daniel decided to take the lead and stepped in front of Russ. “Can you tell us what happened, Miss Wallace?”
Russ glared at him, but he didn’t care. Russ had no tact, no propriety. After seeing the shattered innocence in the girl’s eyes, Daniel broke the rules for the first time in his career. He knew this wasn’t his case—it was Russ’s job to do the questioning. But the sight of this traumatized girl made him protective, gentle.
Brooke’s hand gripped Sarah’s. “I—I went to this party and there were older college students there doing drugs, drinking and having…and having sex. The party wasn’t like I thought it would be and I was uncomfortable and left. As I was walking to my car someone grabbed me and pulled me in the bushes and…”
Daniel waited a minute, then said, “I know this is difficult, but we need to hear what happened next.”
Sarah squeezed her hand and Brooke continued. “I screamed and he hit me a couple of times and told me to shut up. I kept screaming, but no one heard me because the music was so loud. Then he…” Brooke visibly swallowed. “He ripped my clothes off and something stung my arm then he…he pushed my legs apart…and…he hurt me. He hurt me.” Brooke wept silently and her body trembled.
Silence filled the room.
“It’s okay, Brooke,” Sarah said, comforting her, rubbing her arm. “Can you continue?”
Brooke nodded and brushed away tears. “When…when he was through, I felt something around my neck and it grew tighter and tighter and I couldn’t breathe. I was choking and he was laughing…then someone began talking by the parked cars and he let go and ran off. I tried to scream, but my throat was too sore. I managed to get up and I was dizzy and felt weird. I stumbled over to a couple talking by their car and they called 9-1-1.”
“Did you recognize the man?” Daniel asked.
“No. It was dark and I was scared.”
“Besides telling you to shut up, did he say anything else?”
“He, uh, kept asking how I liked it. Did I like it now? It…it was awful and I was sick to my stomach with revulsion. Please, I can’t talk about it anymore.”
“It’s okay,” Daniel told her. He glanced at Russ and received a cold stare in return. Russ wasn’t pleased with Daniel’s intervention and Daniel didn’t care—sometimes he had to do what he felt was right.
Russ moved to the bed. “Then let’s back up to the party. Was there anyone there you knew?”
“Yes. My friend, Whitney, and I went together, but she left with some guy.”
“Any other people?”
“Yes, several students from the university.”
“Did you speak with them?” Russ was doing his usual—firing questions. The girl seemed to be holding up, though.
“Yes.”
“What about?”
“Mostly about drugs. Everyone was doing them and they wanted me to do them, too, but I told them I didn’t do drugs.”
“Who are they?”
“A guy named Neal, and Brian Colley who gave the party.” Russ and Joel scribbled names on a pad.
“Anyone else?”
“An older guy who brought the drugs, but I don’t know his name. Neal pointed him out to me and said he was going to be offended if I didn’t participate. I refused again and left.”
“Now think, Miss Wallace,” Russ instructed. “You heard the voices at the party. Can you identify any of those voices as the rapist’s?”
Brooke shook her head. “No. I was so scared. I don’t know who he was.”
“Are you sure?” Russ kept pushing.
Brooke nodded.
“Now, Miss Wallace, that’s hard to believe, you spoke to several guys at the party. Surely you can remember something.”
“I can’t.”
“Did you drink anything at the party?”
“A glass of wine.”
“Did you make out with anyone?”
Brooke’s face crumbled. “No.”
“You did nothing but watch. You didn’t participate in—”
“The questions are over,” Sarah broke in. “She’s told you all she knows.”
“Ms. Welch…”
“The questions are over, Detective Devers,” she repeated firmly.
Russ’s eyes narrowed.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Wallace.” Daniel intervened before Russ could do any damage.
“Please catch him.”
“We’ll do our best.”
The trio left the room. In the hall, Russ turned on Daniel. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. I’m the lead detective on this case and you were way out of line taking over the questioning. You’re only here for your expert knowledge, that’s it.”
Daniel held up both hands. “I realize that, but you have as much tact as a telemarketer.”
“Don’t start with me, Daniel, or I’ll report you.”
“Go ahead. I’ve had about all I can stomach of this job.”
Joel stepped between them. “Let’s put the personalities aside and concentrate on what we’ve just learned.”
“Yeah.” Russ jammed his notebook into his pocket. “Now we locate Brian Colley and get a list of everyone at the party. Our rapist was there and I have a feeling Miss Wallace knows him. If Ms. Colder Than Ice hadn’t stuck her two cents in, I’d have gotten it out of her.”
Daniel was stunned at Russ’s insensitivity, but he didn’t say anything. Words would be wasted on Russ.
Russ and Joel started toward the door. Russ turned back. “Daniel, we’re through with your expert knowledge. I’ll inform your lieutenant that we don’t need your help anymore.”
“Fine,” Daniel replied. The two men stared at each other in stony silence. Russ was the first to look away and he hurried toward Joel.
DANIEL LET OUT a long sigh of frustration, trying to get Brooke Wallace’s
