Chapter 6

Tim knew Lucy well. He knew on the inside she was nervous. On the outside, Lucy looked calm. She looked determined to see the video provided. Maybe it was something. Maybe not.

Sitting at a table nearest the door, Lucy was beside Tim. Of course, neither would have it any other way. He was ready to pull Lucy out of there if things got too overwhelming for her.

At the front table, John Nolan was beside Angela Lopez. Nyla had to leave early with an uneasy feeling. She was very nervous nearing the end of her pregnancy.

Captain Romano and Sergeant Grey stood in front ready to address the room.

In the other room, Thorsen was looking through files with Wesley Evers. To no surprise, Smitty opted out of the investigation entirely. James Murray was aiding in the file search. However, he had to leave with Nyla.

A heavy silence hung over the entire room. It was John Nolan who broke the silence

"Before we start, I want to remind everyone that Rosalind loves to play mind games. She lives for that. I won't be surprised if she is going to do that here." Nolan glanced around the room before sitting back down.

"Thank you, Officer Nolan." Sergeant Grey sighed before continuing. " I think we all realize that but we need to keep that in mind before continuing ."

Lucy felt her heart quicken when Rosalind's face appeared on the screen. Tim leaned down on the table so that their arms were touching. The contact of his skin to hers, immediately subsided her nerves.

Staring at the camera, Rosalind smirked as she calmly spoke. "Hello. My how I've missed you all. I hope John Nolan is there. I do miss our chats. I need to thank you for getting rid of the problem of Armstrong. That turned out nice."

Rosalind leaned closer to the camera. "I'm not going to tell you how, who, where but I can tell you why. Why now to plan my escape? Simple. Opportunity presented itself. How pleasing to know that desire still leads hearts even when wrong."

"John. My perfect John. I'll never be a threat to you unless it is kidnapping you. Not to kill but … well you can imagine what I'd want you for. " Rosalind chuckled before continuing. " I don't really care to call the others by name. I never cared about any of you enough to bother with names. That pretty police officer is there. Isn't she? She would want to prove her bravery. She'd want to prove that I don't bother her. Don't worry, my little songbird, I have no interest in trying to make Caleb's desire happen. You were only a means of getting to Armstrong for me. Caleb may have enjoyed that. Don't get me wrong, I was entertained. However, I don't plan on killing the songbird. No my plans are more about the pain I get to see in others. The pure raw emotion of losing someone loved."

Rosalind sat back in her chair. "On a side note, Caleb was an abused child. I was an abused child. Prison is full of psychopaths who abuse and have been abused. I often wonder how one can live that life without the love of a father or with a selfish mother. I guess that isn't really abuse. However, I'm sure things were far from perfect in that case. Or being so young when a father's fists remind you who is in control. How does one not become like me but instead become a boy scout or a fierce protector?"

The screen went black. Lucy exclaimed "Tim, call Genny. Rosalind called you the fierce protector. Call Ashley too."

Tim licked his lip nervously. He knew Ashley wasn't in danger. He had broken up with her a few weeks ago. He never mentioned the breakup to Lucy. Mostly due to reason for the breakup. Lucy would interrogate him about it. Besides, Tim didn't love Ashley. Somehow, Tim knew Rosalind would know that. His sister, Genny, and her family needed to be called. Then there was Lucy. Rosalind knew he'd protect her.

"I broke up with Ashley." Tim told Lucy nonchalantly. A few weeks after the double date. Considering Rosalind knows the information she already has, she will know that as well."

Lucy looked surprised. She had no idea that Tim and Ashley had broken up. Now wasn't the time to question it. Tim needed to call Genny.

Nolan was dialing frantically as he tried to reach Bailey. He knew Henry was safe as he was in Japan with his fiancé. It was at that moment Nolan was thankful Henry had quit college and took the job from his best friend.

Tim did call Ashley, warning her just in case. Ashley understood but stated she doubted she was in danger. He called Genny, who agreed to visit her husband's family in Idaho. Bailey agreed to head to the station to discuss safety with the police. She arrived within minutes.

Everything seemed to be moving in a frenzy as the reality that Rosalind was out to get Nolan and Tim in some way took hold. It only slowed down when James called to say that Nyla was put on bed rest and would be taking a temporary medical leave of absence. It was only precautionary and the baby was fine. There was a collective sigh of relief that Nyla would be safe from the escaped serial killer.

An impromptu meeting was called so that Grey could go over what the next steps were. "Captain Ramono has agreed that all those involved in Rosalind's case should be protected by the VARDA system. Lucy's decoy will be removed. Tim's house and Nolan's house will be set up with VARDA. Bailey, we ask that you stay with Nolan."

Ashley had decided to go out of town just in case. However, she had a feeling she wasn't in too much trouble considering that Tim hadn't exactly proclaimed love for her nor was their relationship still intact. Nolan informed Grey that Bailey had already been living at his home.

"Stay at my house, Lucy." Tim swallowed nervously. "You know it is safer than your apartment. Rosalind may be lying about you to throw us off of her plans."

The desperation in Tim's voice made Lucy immediately agree to continue to stay with him. As far as she was concerned, the tables had turned now. Lucy felt she needed to protect Tim.