CHAPTER THREE

As Iris pulled into the apartment parking lot, she saw an ambulance and Brass' Dodge Charger parked by another LVPD patrol car. Jim was standing beside the open doors of the ambulance with an older African-American couple when he spied the dark green Bronco with a large gold star emblazoned on the hood. Iris had kidded him that she just had to have that color in honor of her Dallas Stars hockey team. After getting her kit from the front seat, she opened the door to find Brass standing there with a hand extended to help her down.

"You're too little to be driving this beast," he joked with a wink.

"Hey, it's horsey and anything equine I can ride, bucko," Iris jabbed back.

"Right, but you do need to get running boards still," Brass said as he jerked his thumb at the Bronco.

"Yes, my Captain," Iris agreed. "Where's the young lady?"

"She's in the ambulance getting checked out by the EMTs. Hey, let me introduce you to some good citizens. Charles and Neecie Phillips, this is Investigator Iris King from the crime lab. Charles here literally went to bat for his young neighbor when her scumbag pimp messed her over but good. He's on the All-Star Citizen's team in my book and you can pinch hit for me anytime, pal," Brass said as he shook hands with Charles.

"Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, the pleasure is mine," Iris said pleasantly as she also shook hands with the couple.

"We're worried about Martina, the little pregnant girl," Charles said as he gave a concerned look toward the ambulance with a deep sigh. "Why does it take something like tonight for us to learn her name?"

"As soon as I do my forensics examination of her, she'll be taken directly to the hospital," Iris reassured them as she then turned toward Brass. "Jim, where's the dilrod who did this?"

"He's in the patrol car. Finally came to about 15 minutes ago after Charles cold-cocked him with his Louisville Slugger. The EMT's also checked him over to make sure he was coherent. Officer Brewster, open the door so we can take a gander," Jim said as the officer obliged and opened the door. Dice's eye, where the bat had caught him in the face, was already turning spectacular hues of blue to dark purple.

"That old bastard could've killed me! I want him arrested for assault," screeched Dice when he saw Charles.

"Uh, no dice, Dice, it was self-defense and the wife backs it up," Brass said with a pronounced sneer as he motioned to Officer Brewster to drive off.

"No dice, Dice?" Iris whispered up at Brass with raised eyebrows.

"I'm on a roll," Jim said drolly with a shrug as he walked with her toward the ambulance. "Vincent "Dice" DiCenzo is a two-bit pimp with a small stable of women and thinks he's just shy of hitting it big. Another low-life who thinks he's going to be the next high roller. Vice is well-acquainted with him. He has a reputation for fast turnover in his women, a real mean S.O.B who'll beat them or use drugs to keep them in his so-called service. Just short of slavery if you ask me. You better go see to who really needs your attention."

Iris approached the EMT standing outside the ambulance where he was sneaking a quick smoke. He quickly stubbed his cigarette out when he saw Iris and she casually asked, "How's she doing?"

"She's nervous but alert and coherent. He beat the snot out of her and she said he raped her twice . We did a fetal sonogram and the fetus is viable with an acceptable heart rate right now. There's been some bright red vaginal bleeding but a pad should control it. She said she's sore all over but refused anything for pain as she's concerned about the baby. The OB doctor at Desert Palm can tell you more after we get her there," the EMT summarized.

Martina lay quietly on the stretcher but nervously folded and unfolded her hands as Iris climbed inside the ambulance. Iris took a seat beside her and set her kit on the floor.

"Martina, I'm Iris King from the crime lab and I need to do a very quick examination and then you'll get whisked to the hospital to be checked out," Iris introduced herself as she patted the younger woman on shoulder.

"Hi, Iris," Martina said with a tremulous smile before she turned her face away as Iris observed her soft sobs.

"Honey, things are going to sort out for you and your little one," Iris said encouragingly as Martina turned her head to face her.

"How? I got no family here!" Martina said sadly.

"While you're at the hospital, I'll call any family you want and with the help of some local agencies you don't have to go back to what you were doing," Iris responded firmly.

Martina gave her a surprised look. "You don't know me."

"True but that's never stopped me from helping," Iris replied with a warm smile.

"Thanks. You and that detective have been real nice to me and my neighbors too. Most people just turn the other way when they find out what I do or think they know what I do…like my parents," Martina said with an increasingly pained look as she then groaned and clutched at her midsection.

"Martina, are you having contractions?" asked Iris as she closely watched the young woman.

Martina's forehead was covered in a fine dew of perspiration as she exhaled heavily before replying. "I don't know. I just hurt all over from what Dice did when he, when he, when he forced me to…"

"You don't have to elaborate, Martina. I know what his type is capable of. We'll get your statement at the hospital, so just try to relax. I'm going to take some photos, take some swabs from your genital area, and check you for what we call trace evidence like fibers or hairs. I'll be very gentle." Iris opened her kit and retrieved what she needed for the sexual assault examination. As she noted the three cuts on Martina's left cheek, Iris added, "He really clobbered you good on your left cheek."

"He wouldn't let up, just kept punching and kicking between the times when he could get it up and keep it up to keep poking me," Martina said faintly but sarcastically between her swollen, puffy lips.

Iris nodded and grasped Martina's hands in her own. "Detective Brass is one of the best, Martina, he'll stay on this. He especially doesn't care for guys who thump on women."

Martina said nothing as her face suddenly registered surprise and Iris' own eyebrows rose in alarm.

XXXXXXXXXX

Brass waited patiently outside the ambulance. Neecie and Charles remained also because they wanted to know that their young neighbor was okay before being taken on to the hospital. Dice had been taken on to Desert Palm by Officer Brewster for a quick evaluation in the emergency room and then would be taken on to the police department for booking. Jim glanced at his watch and was reviewing his notes when the doors of the ambulance suddenly opened and Iris hopped out with a worried expression. The second EMT shut the doors behind her as the lights began to flash red and blue. The ambulance sirens began to wail as the EMT driver hit the gas and the vehicle sped from the parking lot.

"Iris, what the devil?" Brass asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"I was just finishing up my examination and her water broke. She's gone into labor. Poor kid doesn't have a clue how far along she is and has had no prenatal care. This isn't her first pregnancy. The other two were terminated," Iris said sadly as she watched the whirling lights dim in the distance.

"Neecie, honey, go get your purse. We're going to what hospital?" asked Charles as Neecie hurried upstairs.

"Desert Palm," Brass answered as Charles nodded.

"Jim, she wants us there too. She's scared and doesn't know anyone here in Vegas outside of Dice and her neighbors and now us," Iris said to him and he heard the concern in her voice.

"Come on, I know a short cut," Brass said simply as he headed toward his car. Iris quickly locked the Bronco, kept her kit in hand and trotted over to Jim's car as he held the door open for her.

"Classy," Iris murmured as she took her seat.

"Yeah, never let it be said I don't know my manners," Brass shot back as he climbed into his side of the Charger, started the car and hit the accelerator as Iris barely got her seat belt on. The car barreled into the night with its siren blaring and kaleidoscopic whirling of red-and-blue lights