Chapter 6: "Protection"
That's how they found her. Sprawled on the floor in the kitchen.
Detective Jim Anchor tapped her angelic face lightly in the hope that he would wake her up.
Val groaned quietly, then muttered, "What happened?" just seconds before her recent memories
came rushing into her head like the tide.
"Looks like you fainted," Jim Anchor said, stating the obvious. Val had to strain not to roll her
eyes or make some sarcastic remark. "Mind telling us why?" Anchor continued.
"I got another phone call," she whispered. "It said, 'that could be you.'" She pointed to the stabbed
Barbie doll, then went on. "Then-it's like he's a stalker or something-he said 'you haven't called the
police on me, have you?' It scared the crap out of me." Val finished.
"Oh." Anchor paused. "When is your mother supposed to be home?"
"Later," she replied simply. "She's staying late at work again. I haven't the slightest idea when
she'll be home."
"Any siblings?"
"Just my sister Brooke, and she's at a friend's spending the night."
Geez, what is this? An interrogation? Val thought with disdain. They should spend this much
time poking around looking for Adam Wood so I can live my life
"Alright, Miss Lanier. Make sure your sister and mother are hear tomorrow morning, bright and
early. I have something tremendously important to discuss with you all."
"Yes sir." She was so tired and dilerious, she had almost saluted him, as though she had gone back
to her childhood days.
~*~
They were all sitting at the kitchen table when the doorbell rang at 9 the next morning.
Val, Brooke, and their mom were still half-asleep and still in their pajamas.
Val got up and let the detective in.
The policeman introduced himself to Brooke and Joanne Lanier because he hadn't met them yet.
"I'm sorry to say," he began, "that this man, and 'Adam Wood' has been found, but he doesn't fit the
description you gave us. We are still searching for a description match. We have gathered, though,
that he is dangerous to you, Valerie, and your family based on what occured here yesterday and the
threatening phone calls."
"So, what's going to happen?" asked Joanne Lanier.
"Well, this is the hard part," he said slowly. "You have to go into the Witness Protection Program
for a short period of time; till this guy is caught and put in prison. You will be given a new location,
new names, entirely new identities. You can keep contact with no one from your 'old life' and you must
STAY AWAY FROM KINGSPORT."
"But the squad! It needs me!" Val suddenly blurted.
"I'm sure you can joing the EMS in your new location, Val."
"But where are we going to be located?" Joanne asked, in a voice barely above a whisper.
"This is the only thing I do know," Detective Anchor said. "As far as I know, you will be relocated
to Myrtle Beach."
"Oh, that's cool." Brooke said in a monotone. "Not. This sucks."
"You have a week to pack up anything you want and/or need to take with you. You cannot bring any
furniture or anythin that can be traced back to you. Basically all you have to bring with you are close
and personal items. Everything else will be provided for you. Also, before this week is over, you are to
see the Witness Protection Program councelor to get your so-called 'new life'," said Anchor.
And he left.
~*~
"I can't believe I witnessed that crime. I can't believe I've been threatened several times. I can't
BELIEVE I have to leave my home, my friends, my family, MY LIFE. I am torturing Brooke and Mom,
making them move with me..." Val ranted. "And worst of all, I'm talking to myself! I just can't believe
this is happening to me!" she screamed, then lowered her voice and muttered frantically, "What to pack,
what to pack??
Then the thought occured to her. "Ohmigawd! I'll never see Tyler again!" Her face contorted into a
grimace just at the thought.