Take a Breath(80)

“What’s up, Missy. Did you leave some toilet roll hanging out your ass or something?”

“No, no nothing like that,” I snort. “I was introduced to this new detective today—”

“Really, is he hot?”

I huff, impatience setting in. “No, in fact he’s probably right up Tom’s alley on first impressions, but that’s not why I’m calling, Jessie!” I say in frustration.

“Sorry, Ana. Go ahead.”

“When he asked me what my last name was, right in front of Jake and Tom, I said Bennett. I nearly died, Jessie.”

She gasped first, then laughter erupts down my ear. I have to pull it away until she calms down.

“Not helping, Jessie.”

“Sorry, Missy. I wished I had been there. What did Jake say?”

“Well a little while after, he came up to me and said, “Ana Bennett has a certain ring to it.”

Jessie went crazy down the phone. “Do you know what this means? He wants to marry you girl.”

“No, I think he was just making fun of the situation. We haven’t even told each how we feel yet. We haven’t said those words yet, so how could marriage be on the agenda so soon?”

“I’m sure he’ll pick the right moment. It seems pretty obvious to me—and anyone else watching you two together—how you feel about each other. Sometimes words don’t mean a thing.”

I think for a moment about what she says. I know Jake makes all the right noises, but sometimes you just need to hear it.

“I know what you’re saying, Jessie, but I still need something. Anything.”

“Oh my God, Ana, listen to yourself. He just practically told you that you should take on the Bennett name. There’s only one way you can do that—unless he is planning to adopt you of course. I highly doubt he has that on his mind. This is big, Ana. Huge!” she screams.

“Ok, ok thanks. I’ll take all you said on board. What are you up to with Jerry today?”

I wanted to change the subject. I’m reading too much into things and need to just go with the flow again.

“Jerry’s just gone to pay the bill. I’m waiting in the lobby. We’ll be driving back once he’s done. I may want to lock him up in the apartment when I get back and never let him out. Ana, the sex last night—I mean it normally is great, but last night was fantastic.” She pauses for a moment and then says, “Oh, he’s coming over. I’m going to have to go.”

“Okay. Well I hope you don’t wear Jerry out too much today,” I laugh.

“I fully intend to, girl,” she answers.

We both laugh, saying our goodbyes, and I swiftly get back to work.

I begin to shift through the endless cases of burglaries we’ve had from four years ago onwards. I’ve already tried to look at more recent ones, and nothing has compared to what has been happening in these cases. I was at it for a couple of hours and my head started to hurt. My eyes began to blur a little, so I knew I was getting tired.

Just when I think I’m about ready for a break, I come across this case that happened around five years ago. An elderly couple—just the same as the others—were held at gunpoint, while two others raided their home. It all sounded a little too coincidental for me, so I rub my eyes and read on.

The names Adrian Simmons, Clark Baxter and Brent Maxwell, all from the Roanoke area were caught, tried and convicted. Adrian Simmons for Armed Common Law Burglary, was given ten year custodial sentence, whilst the other two were convicted of Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit Burglary, and given four years a piece.

Heart pumping, I start to look to see when each one was released. As far as my records were concerned, Adrian Simmons was still in jail. The other two were released six months ago.

I find their addresses—which are still in Roanoke—and gather all the details for Jake.

I quickly head over to his office and knock on the door. I’m still feeling the embarrassment of my earlier slip up, but pumped at now finding this information.

“Come in!” he shouts.

I open the door and find Jake sat at his computer looking serious. He spots me standing there with a file in my hand.

“What you got for me, Ana?”

I clear my throat before I begin. “Well, I’ve been looking back through these burglaries and I think I may have found something.”

His interest is piqued, so I begin telling him what I’ve found, giving him all the details, names and dates.

He smiles looking proud of what I’ve done, his chest bulging out of his shirt as he inhales.

“That’s a good job, Ana. Well done.”

I blush and thank him.

“I’ll get some people on to this right away. You did well.”