Free Reprisal by Christa Lynn

holster, Sydney comes back to the table and sits. She leans forward on her elbows and bats her eyelashes at me.
    Keep your hands off of her.
    Yeah, I will for now. But when this is all over, she’s fair game.
    “I’m ready to go.” She says quietly. I can tell she’s been crying by the redness in her eyes and the slight smudge of mascara. But I keep silent and nod for the check. The waitress brings it and a box for the leftover pizza. After it’s boxed up and I pay, we head out.
    I stroll alongside her, as I don’t know where she lives but I’m about to find out.
    But she turns to me and stops. “You don’t need to walk me home, Gabe. I’m fine and would like to be alone.”
    “ Nuh uh, you aren’t walking these streets by yourself.”
    “Gabe, I’ve lived here for years. And, I have a Black belt in Sanshou. I know how to defend myself.”
    Wow, I am totally blown away by this. I don’t know a lot about Sanshou, but I know it’s a Chinese fighting technique, like kickboxing. “Where did you learn this?”
    “There’s a good school here in New York, I go once a week. Even teaching a bit now, so I’m not afraid. Plus, I own a gun too.” She says as she glances at my Glock.
    “Well then, if you insist. But I really don’t mind walking you home. I’m enjoying spending time with you.” I say this and immediately wish I could take it back, cause she just stepped back about three steps.
    “I do insist. Thank you for dinner and for carrying me there, but you have a big investigation to get through and I need to be alone. Thank you again.” And she turns and leaves me in the dust.
    I know I’ll see her again at the station, unless Chuck boots her off of the case. I’m actually kind of relieved, because now I can find out what in the hell Chuck is talking about.
    “Hey Sydney?” I call out to her.
    She stops and turns around as I walk towards her. I pull out one of my business cards and hand it to her. “Will you call or text me when you get home, so I know you made it all right?”
    She takes the card and smiles, tucking it in to her pocket. “Sure.”
    She walks away and I stand there a moment, breathless. Her smile lights up her entire face, I only wish she would smile more. Maybe once we catch this rat bastard that’s raping and killing young girls, I’ll see more of it.
    Once she’s out of sight, I turn back towards the station. I pick up my pace and get there as quickly as possible.
    Rose is behind the glass window and looking the other way. I tap lightly and she glances up, pressing the button under her desk to unlock the door. Once I get to Chuck’s office, I stop and stare at the back of the door. I want to know what this is about, but at the same time I have a feeling it’s not going to be good news. I knock quietly, but with purpose.
    “It’s open!” I hear from the other side.
    I step into Chief Matthews’ office and take a seat in front of his desk, crossing my ankle over my knee and wait. Wait for what he has to say.
    Chief Matthews pauses briefly before beginning to speak.
    “I’ve already pulled Doctor DeCarlo’s file.” He says as he slides the thick folder to me.
    “Chicago PD faxed it over to me today. You should look inside.”
    I take the folder and slowly open it revealing pages and pages of incident reports and photos.
    As my eyes focus on the photos, I realize it’s Sydney. A very young Sydney DeCarlo. “Jesus, how old was she?”
    “Thirteen.”
    “She was just a baby. Damn, no wonder she’s so wounded. How does such a young girl survive something like this?”
    “Lot s of therapy.” Chuck grumbles.
    “What did you say?”
    “Nothing. Look through that tonight at home.” He stands to leave. I’ve been here since four this morning and it’s.....” he looks at his watch, “seven. I’m out for the night. Read over all of that tonight and give me your thoughts in the morning. Be back here at nine tomorrow morning.”
    He grabs his jacket and as he gets