Chapter 2

Margo ran as fast as she could once she saw a woman laying on the ground outside her house. Tom was close behind her. Margo instinctively knew what had happened to the woman but decided not to jump to conclusions. When she reached the woman, who was obviously in shock, she immediately asked, "Are you alright?"

The woman was hysterical, sobbing, and didn't say anything so Margo took her coat off and put it around her shoulders. As Margo looked over the woman, even in the dark she could see bruises all over her body, especially around her legs. When the woman saw Tom walk up to them, she visibly flinched. Tom and Margo both looked at each other, certain of what happened now. This woman had been raped.

By this time, a crowd of neighbors had started to collect. While Tom assured them that he and Margo would handle it, Margo carefully put her hands on the woman's arms and tried again. "Its ok, you're all right now. Listen, my name is Margo, I'm a police officer, I can help you. Can you tell me your name?" The woman looked at Margo as though she had understood what she said but still didn't say anything. Margo turned to Tom and said, "Tom, I think we should call an ambulance." Tom turned to run back to the house saying "I'll take care of it," before the woman suddenly found her voice. "NO!," she said a little sharper than intended. "I'm fine, I just need to stand up."

Tom and Margo both helped her stand up and carefully helped her into their house. They were both a little worried about moving her but she didn't seem to have any serious injuries and it would probably be more comfortable for her to be on the couch until they figured out what they were going to do. Margo helped her get comfortable on the couch and Tom got her a glass of water. Softly, Margo asked, "what's your name?"

"Marianne," the woman said finally. Margo nodded and cautiously continued, "Marianne, can you tell me what happened to you?" Marianne thought for a minute, "I'm sorry I was so out of it outside," she said apologetically. Margo immediately reassured her, "Don't worry about it, you were in shock. Just take your time and tell me what happened."

When Marianne did finally tell her what happened, Margo felt sick. She could see it vividly in her mind as Marianne told it. She was in a bar, dressed up, and hanging out with her friends when this guy came and started talking to her. He said all the right things: how beautiful she was, why was she by herself when all her friends were dancing, etc. She talked to him for a while and then he disappeared. She didn't see him again until she went to her car, ready to go home, when he just showed up almost out of nowhere. He asked her to come to a place more private with him. When Marianne said it was getting late and she should get home, he turned violent, pulling out a knife, grabbing her arm, and forcing her into his car. Marianne didn't have to say anymore after that. Margo knew the rest but let Marianne continue anyway. She had to act like a cop and get all the facts on the record. Marianne said that he drove for a while until they got where no one could see them and then he forced himself on her. He then drove her to where he pushed her out: right outside Tom and Margo's house.

After Margo heard the story of what happened to Marianne, she knew she had to convince her to go to the hospital. "Marianne," she began, "let me take you to the hospital. You need to get checked out and I would strongly advise you to report this." "No, I'm fine, I don't want all those doctors looking at me. I don't want to see anyone, I just want to go home," Marianne said. Margo understood but she knew first hand that if they didn't report it now, there would be no evidence if she decided to press charges later.

Margo put her hand over Marianne's and continued, "I understand that, I really do, but the guy who hurt you is still out there and he's going to do this to someone else if we don't stop him. I'll be with you, ok?" With a little more encouragement from Margo, Marianne agreed to go to the hospital.

Margo got Casey to help Marianne out to the car. Marianne was still quite hesitant around males but Margo reassured her. While they were gone, Margo almost crumbled. "Oh, God tell me this is not happening," she said to herself not realizing that Tom had heard her. "Come here," he said and pulled her into his arms but she quickly moved away. "Let me come with you," Tom said as he pushed her hair behind her ear. "No, I think it will be easier for her if I just take her," Margo said. Tom nodded knowing Margo was right, but it didn't make him feel any better. He really hated the thought of Margo doing this alone. "Can you call Jack and ask him to meet me at the hospital? Tell him its urgent." "Sure," Tom said and then Margo walked out the door.

Something made Tom feel as though there was more to this situation than he knew. Margo looked as though she were about to fall apart. He had seen her with rape victims before and she was always very professional. She had empathy and compassion for them, but he was sure she had learned to deal with the issue without it bringing up her rape. Or had she? Had he been so buried in his work that he didn't see his wife's emotional pain? Or, was there something else going on? He decided to have a long conversation with Margo when she got home.

That's it for now. I hope you are enjoying this. Please review and give any comments you want. Tell me what you like and what you don't like. Don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings.

Amanda