Chapter 1

In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In Long Beach, California, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.

Sergeant Maxwell Clark sat at an outdoor café eating lunch with his friend, Daniel.

"Thank you for having lunch with me," Clark said.

"No problem, Max," Daniel said. "You're my best since I moved to Long Beach."

"I'm glad to hear that," Clark said. "My other best friend doesn't like me anymore."

"What happened in San Jose?" Daniel asked.

"I do not want to talk about it," Clark replied.

"Okay," Daniel said. "But if you ever do, I'll be happy to listen."

"Thank you, Daniel," Clark said.

Clark looked at his phone.

"I'd better get back," Clark said. "My lunch break is almost over."

"Me too," Daniel said. "My shift starts in twenty minutes."

9-1-1 Call Center: Long Beach

Daniel walked over to his desk and sat down at his computers. His friend, fellow 9-1-1 dispatcher, Steven, patted him on the back.

"How's your day been?" Steve asked.

"Great," Daniel replied. "Let's just hope it stays that way."

A text message of an address appeared on one of the screens.

"Long Beach 9-1-1," Daniel typed. "State your emergency."

"My name is Margaret Anderson," came the reply. "There's someone in my house."

"Police are on their way, Margaret," Daniel typed. "Where are you now?"

"I'm hiding under my bed," Margaret replied.

"Did they break a door or window?" Daniel typed.

"No," Margaret replied. "They just walked in. I left my door unlocked."

"Do you know if this person is male or female?" Daniel typed.

"I don't," Margaret replied. "I was in my room when I heard someone enter. I immediately hid under my bed. I turned my phone on silent so no one can hear me text. Are the police almost here?"

"Yes," Daniel replied.

"Oh my God!" Margaret texted. "I hear him outside my room!"

"It's a male?" Daniel texted.

"He's coming into my room!" Margaret texted.

"Margaret," Daniel texted. "Stay calm. Police are almost there."

"He sees me!" Margaret texted.

"She's been spotted!" Daniel hollered to Steven.

"He's got my leg!" Margaret texted.

"Suspect has the victim!" Daniel shouted.