THE NEXT MORNING RUBY AND DANI DROVE TO THE POLICE station and parked the car and sat there with the engine running. Sat there looking at the austere building like it was a mirage. Then Dani shut off the engine and they sat there some more.
There were only a few lights on in the station. From time to time they’d see an officer walk past a window and then walk past again like a tin character in a carnival shooting gallery.
It’s not too late, Dani said.
We’re here, Ruby said. We’ve made the trip.
Could just as easily turn around.
We’ve come this far.
All of this has an end, Dani said.
I know, the girl said.
And that can start right now.
Ruby was picking at her nail.
I’ll be right beside you, Dani said. You’re not alone. Those days are gone.
Dani reached for her hand.
She said, It’s you and me now, you understand? You and me.
She lifted Ruby’s hand and kissed the back of it. Ruby nodded. They got out of the car and walked through the rain to the station. They walked through the doors and took the elevator to the fourth floor. Rawlings was sitting at his desk and he looked up when their figures daubed out the light through the glass. Dani opened the door. Rawlings knew Dani and said her name. Then he asked who the girl was.
There someone we can talk to? Dani said.
With me, I guess, Rawlings said. What’s the problem? You looked spooked.
There somewhere we can talk in private?
In another room Ruby told Rawlings everything she could remember and when she was done Rawlings didn’t know what to say. Finally, he said: When did all this happen?
About a month and a half ago, Ruby said. I think.
Then he said: He violate you?
No, Ruby said. I don’t think so.
Were there any marks or anything of that nature?
Marks? Ruby asked.
Yes mam, Rawlings said. Abrasions or cuts. You know . . . vaginally.
Dani shot Rawlings a look that could start a fire.
Just a question, Dani, Rawlings said.
She already told you no, Dani said.
Just a question I have to ask, Rawlings said. Don’t know how else to ask it.
Differently, Dani said. You ask it differently.
Okay, Rawlings said. He held up his hands in surrender.
So is there anything you can do for us? Dani asked.
I can file all of this and put it out there. But if we don’t have anything to go on, no description, no name, no forensics, then . . .
He pursed his lips and hunched his shoulders.
He said, I just don’t want to give you any false hope is all.
False or not, Dani said, we need something.
Rawlings looked hard at Ruby. Hard and long and he didn’t say anything for a while. He knew what she had told him was true. About the dopers in the house. About the looming figure and the horns. About being drugged up and so scared that she ran out of the house into the woods and tried to push it all from her memory. Didn’t doubt her for a second. He knew hope was exactly what she needed. False or not. He took another deep breath. He said, I tell you what. I’ll put it out there. Make it a priority. I’ll ask around. Shake some trees. You never know.
Just then Price walked into his office. The light went on and they could see him through the glass two rooms down. He was about to take off his Stetson when he looked at them. He kept his hat on and walked out of his office and down the hall and stepped into the doorway of the room and looked at Ruby, said, Who we have here?
Rawlings told him. And he told him about the girl’s situation. Told him his plans to put out a person of interest.
Sounds fine to me, Price said. Can’t have monsters roaming free, can we?
Thank you, Dani said.
Price went and sat in a chair in the corner of the room. The chair was behind the women and Price was talking to their backs. He crossed his legs at the ankle and rubbed at a smudge on the toe of his boot and ceremoniously removed his hat and propped it on his bent knee and smoothed his hair with his hand.
Does seem a reach though, Price said. Hundreds of sickos out there. Hundreds of dopers. They come and go every day. Though I am curious. Why it take you so long to come to us? Someone might get the impression you’re hiding something. That what you’re doing? You hiding something?
She was scared, Dani said.
You let her tell it, Price said.
Ruby looked at Dani and Dani nodded to her.
I was scared, Ruby said.
Of course, Price said. Who wouldn’t be?
We’ve established that, Dani said. How many times you need to hear it?
What’d I tell you about interrupting?
He uncrossed his legs. He stood from the chair and went to the corner of the desk and sat on it. He looked down at them. His eyes were shadowed under his hat. He looked at the tattoos on Dani’s hands. The tattoo of the woman being carried by the raven on her chest. He looked at her cleavage. Dani sensed it and did her best to conceal herself.
That’s kind of a spooky tattoo, Price said.
He pointed at Dani’s breasts.
Have any meaning? Price asked.
It’s a long story, she said.
I’m here to serve my community. My job is to listen, sweetheart. I’m all ears.
He reached down and with a finger tried to move aside the fabric of the collar to see the full tattoo but she shied at his touch and cast her eyes into her lap.
Sir, Rawlings interrupted. I think we got everything we need. I’m sure these ladies are tired after such an ordeal.
Price laced his fingers together on his lap. He smiled his too-white smile. Yeah, he said. I’m sure they are.
He stood and squared his hat. He extended a hand. First to Dani, who shook it reluctantly. Then to Ruby.
Thank you girls for stopping in, he said. We’ll let you know what we find out.
He walked out of the room and all three of them watched him walk to his office. When he sat down at his desk he took off his Stetson and smoothed his hair and turned and winked at them through the glass.
Yeah, Rawlings said to Dani and Ruby, Well, we’ll let you know.
When they had gone Rawlings went out to get coffee. When he was passing Price’s office Price said,
Deputy.
Rawlings stopped at the door.
Where’re you headed?
Coffee, sir.
Get me one, would you?
Sure.
And Marty.
He stopped again.
Kill that person-of-interest case.
Sir?
You heard me. If there even was someone like that, they’re long gone. Don’t want to waste resources going on a ghost hunt.
Rawlings didn’t speak for a while. Price just stared at him.
That all, sir? Rawlings finally said.
Price nodded. Rawlings put his hat on and was walking away from the door when Price stopped him a third time.
Sir?
Black, Price said. Little bit of sugar.