Free Fixing Perfect by Therese M. Travis

big brother is missing.” His finger smudged across one of the boys. “This is Jake West. He’s ten, almost eleven. Fifth grade, a good kid. Dad left a few years ago so he spends a lot of time with the scout leaders. They mentor him.”
    Sam turned away. “What is wrong with this guy? Now he’s after boys? Males? What’s he going to do to them ?” Sam took a breath to choke some of the fury from his voice. None of this was Bricker’s fault. But everyone was on edge, everyone spouting off about this pervert. Even Donovan had done his share.
    Almost made him like the guy.
    Well, maybe not that close to almost.
    “Who knows?” Bricker slugged back half a cup of coffee and wiped his face with his hand. “The thing is, he didn’t do anything with the girls.”
    “What are you talking about? He killed them, Bricker, two of them, anyway. He played dolls with Lehanie and—”
    “Yeah. All that. But he didn’t touch them. No sign of rape.”
    Sam stared at his friend, finally remembered his mouth hung open. “Why don’t people know? Everyone assumes that’s why both those girls were—”
    Bricker shrugged. “It’s one of the things they aren’t letting out. But it helps to know.”
    After a moment, Sam opened his eyes. “Yeah, it does help. But the guy is still a pervert, and we still have to find him.” And if Sam were in on the find, he sure hoped God would forgive him for forgetting he was a Christian, just for a minute. That was all he needed. One minute, and the pervert at his mercy.
    He shook his head. No matter what, he wouldn’t forget. And he had to pray for the resolve to keep himself in check. Or pray that he was far away when they caught him. Pray that if he ever got the chance, he would show mercy. Could show it.
    He didn’t want that, either, not when the guy seemed to be after Robin. Another bit of privileged information, but not something he wanted to dwell on.
    “You ready to go back out?”
    Sam pushed his cup away and stood. “Yeah. Though I wonder if we’ll find these two any faster than we found the other victims.” Somehow, it felt safer to refer to Lehanie and Kaitlyn as victims. It made them one word removed from human, and he could breathe.
    “Don’t be so positive.” Bricker led the way outside to where he’d parked his patrol car. Usually the officers weren’t allowed to drive them off duty, but that rule had been waived for the searches.
    Sam got in the passenger seat, buckled himself, and held onto the window frame as Bricker peeled out of the station lot.
    Two days past the time change, it was already dark by five in the afternoon. They passed an empty park, the swings hanging forlorn, and Bricker pulled to the curb.
    “Saw something,” he yelled as he bolted from the car.
    Sam followed. A male figure darted across the open grass. Sam veered away from Bricker, heading at an angle to cut off the now-running man. The guy vaulted over a low concrete wall, and Sam did the same.
    His feet slid in a scuff of weeds and gravel. He fell back, skidding on his heels and one protesting hand, down to a ditch that ran between backyards. After pushing himself to his feet, he ran again. The guy was halfway over a wall when Sam caught up to him. He grabbed a jean-clad leg. The booted foot slammed into Sam’s jaw, and he stumbled back. He jumped again, caught the boot and tugged. Another kick to his face brought pain. Within seconds warmth flooded over his mouth and onto his shirt. The boot slid from his fingers and the leg disappeared.
    “Bricker!” The name came out strangled. He tried again.
    In a few seconds, Bricker hopped over the wall behind him.
    Sam pointed. “That way.” He held one hand to his nose, still pouring blood.
    Bricker lumbered over the wall, and Sam sagged against it. He’d lost the guy to a stupid broken nose. If he hadn’t been so sure his bloody hands would slip on the chain link he’d have gone after him. He should have anyway. He shouldn’t let