Unbreakable Read online

  UNBREAKABLE

  MELISSA SEAL

  Copyright © 2019 Melissa Seal

  Layout and Design Copyright © 2019 Emerald Design Co.

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-69462-395-9

  DEDICATION

  To my Battle Buddy Sergeant J. Miller, who was there from the beginning, and to everyone who encouraged me to keep writing when I wanted to quit. To my family, who supports me, and to Olivia, who inspires me daily.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CHAPTER ONE

  Lexie’s cell phone rang as she lay in bed on a chilly October morning. She snuggled up in the covers and didn’t want to move. She assumed it was her husband, Chris, with another lame excuse as to why he had not come home last night. She let it ring until the voice mail picked up, but it rang again.

  That time she answered and heard the panicked sound of a young paramedic on the other end, “Detective Fleming?”

  “Yes, this is Detective Fleming, how can I help you?”

  “Jack Porter was found unresponsive in his front yard at five this morning. Since you are his emergency contact, I am calling to notify you that he was taken to Norfolk General Hospital, you should get there quickly, Detective.”

  Lexie knew he hadn’t been himself lately, they had been working overtime trying to catch the Last Call Killer. The killer was relentless and had already killed seven young women but not before forcing the victims to make one last call to their loved ones to say goodbye. The case was hard on Jack. He had worked a lot of late nights and early mornings. He pushed himself and his team to get the murderer off the street before more innocent people died.

  The night before at the end of their shift, Lexie had pleaded, “Jack please slow down and get some rest. You haven’t eaten all day and you look like hell. Either you get some dinner and sleep or I’m talking to the captain and you will be forced to do so.”

  He begged her not to, “Lexie, this maniac is torturing and murdering young girls and they are counting on us to stop this vicious lunatic! I know I’m getting older and need to slow down, but I can’t, not until we close this case. I’m not thirty-years-old anymore, and if I start slowing down, they will replace me with a newer, younger, better version. I swear Lexie, if I can’t work in the field, I may as well be dead. Ron from HR informed me that he overheard a conversation between Captain Harris and the deputy police commissioner this morning about that young army vet that took the detectives exam a few months ago and nailed it. They discussed making room for her in the Violent Crimes Division. We don’t have any openings here for a detective, so you know what that means. Get rid of the old guy to make room for the young woman!”

  “What the hell are you talking about Jack? The girl from Narcotics? She’s been a detective for like five minutes, there is no way they would transfer her to Violent Crimes. Now, stop talking crazy, go home, and eat a decent meal. I won’t tell the captain if you promise to get some rest and start taking better care of yourself. Take a vacation day or two, you have plenty of vacation days, use them!”

  Jack agreed, “I will go straight home and do absolutely nothing, I promise Blondie, you don’t have to worry so much about me, I’m going to be fine.”

  Lexie couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough. she was on the phone calling her captain before she got to her apartment’s parking garage. She ran into Chris who was coming in from a long night of drinking and who knows what else. She locked eyes with him, I miss you so much and I need you to hold me and tell me everything is going to be alright. It was a short-lived thought.

  “Why do you smell like a brewery? The sun is barely up, and you are drunk! What the hell is your problem, Chris? I’m not going to ask where you were all night because I do not have time to listen to your lies!”

  Chris listened to his wife sounding defeated. I have really screwed up this time, I haven’t seen her this upset since the Ponzi scheme. He saw the tears threatening to fall from her beautiful blue eyes, and he wanted to comfort her. As he reached out to his wife, she pushed past him, jumped in the car, and drove away.

  It seemed like an eternity before Lexie arrived at the hospital. Captain Harris, a few detectives, and the patrol cops that responded to the call were waiting for her. She was terrified for Jack and pissed at Chris. The nurse at the desk greeted her, and she responded by snapping at her. She wanted to see Jack and know that he was going to be okay.

  Captain Harris pulled Lexie to the side, “You need to calm down Detective, we are all worried about Jack. If I had known he wasn’t feeling well, I never would’ve asked him to follow that lead last night. He was supposed to call you, why weren’t you with him?”

  “What lead? Jack never called me after I left the station. Where did you send him?”

  “We received an anonymous tip that a suspicious looking male was harassing a group of young college girls outside the Happy Café Bar and Grill. Jack took the call and said he would have you meet him there. An hour later, he called the station to tell me it was just some annoying punk, and he scared the guy off and the ladies went home. Everything seemed fine then.”

  The doctor came to the waiting room and asked to speak to Lexie, “Jack suffered a massive heart attack; we did everything we could, but he never regained consciousness. I am so sorry for your loss.”

  No one moved or said a word; complete silence enveloped the room as they all waited to hear what the doctor was telling Lexie. After a few minutes, she came back into the waiting room, no words were needed, the look on her face told them that Jack was gone. With tears streaming down her face, Lexie ran out of the emergency room. She drove around the city for hours with nowhere to go. She hadn’t made any real friends since leaving Manhattan except Jack. She wanted her husband. She called Chris, but he didn’t answer. She went home hoping to find him, but he was gone again. She called her best friend Debbie and told her what happened.

  Debbie’s heart broke for her friend, “I am so sorry Lex, I know how much Jack meant to you.”

  “Thanks Deb, it’s been a long day, I need to go. I will call you later?”

  Lexie barely made it to Jack’s funeral. She arrived late with her long blonde hair unkempt and her soft blue eyes bloodshot from crying. She was so obsessed with finding the killer that she wasn’t eating or sleeping and ran only on caffeine. I should’ve seen what was happening, I should’ve made you slow down. I promise you Jack; I will not rest until this cold hearted asshole is dead or behind bars.

  After the funeral she spent all her time at work. She had no desire to see her husband or anyone else. She avoided Chris’s calls and texts; she was still angry that she couldn’t find him the day Jack died. After three days of waiting, Chris came to the station looking for her. He had become a stranger to her. He was at the funeral and tried to comfort her, but she wanted nothing to do with him. Lexie completely shut the world out, and all her energy was focused on finding the person she blamed for Jack’s death.

  Chris demanded, “When are you coming home?”

  He hit a raw nerve a
nd Lexie retorted, “You want to explain to me now about the times you stayed out all night and came home drunk? While we are talking, let’s talk about when you are going to get a real job and start helping me out!”

  She went on to remind him that it had been five years since he had a steady job and helped her pay any of the bills. After his part in the Ponzi scheme back in NY, he had been banned from the finance world and was taking odd jobs in construction whenever he could find them. Lexie had been the bread winner in the home since they moved to Virginia, and she was done carrying his sorry ass.

  The last thing she said to him before storming out was, “I want you and your shit out of my house before I come home tonight!”

  Chris stood speechless for a few seconds then attempted to follow her, but she was already in her car and driving away.

  After the blowout with Chris, Lexie had to get away to clear her head. She called Captain Harris, “Sir, I have vacation time, can I take the rest of the week off? I need to be around family right now, and my family isn’t here.”

  Harris was relieved to hear that she wanted a break. He also knew her well and was afraid she might be following up on leads by herself. “Yes Detective. Visiting family sounds like a good idea. Drive safe.”

  Lexie called Debbie, who still lived in Brooklyn, “Hey Deb, I need to come home for a while, can I stay with you? I don’t want to see mom and dad right now.”

  “My door is always open for you Lex and I would love to see you.”

  She drove straight to NY and was at her friend’s house nine hours after she and Chris had fought at the police station. When Lexie drove past her parent's house on the way to Debbie’s, she saw her mom standing on the front porch. I miss her so much, I wish I could talk to them, but they already don’t like Chris and I can’t let them see me like this, it will only make them worry.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Dani barely finished her morning run when she got a phone call from her captain in Narcotics. “Good morning Detective Watkins, your presence has been requested at the Violent Crimes Division. You have been chosen to partner with Detective Fleming due to her previous partner’s untimely death.”

  Dani was stunned, Wow, what an opportunity! I get to work with Lexie Fleming, she has the highest arrest rate in the state! I just wish it was under better circumstances. I can’t imagine how it feels to lose your partner and friend so suddenly.

  “Thanks, captain, I’ll make you proud.”

  “I know you will, Detective. Good luck with your new partner. I hear she’s been a real mess since the funeral.”

  Hanging up with her former boss, Dani called her best friend, Ellie, “I have the best news! I just got a huge promotion, and you are now speaking with the newest member of the Violent Crimes Division!!”

  Ellie squealed, “That’s amazing, Dani, I am so proud of you!”

  “I have to call Cheryl and tell her the great news,” informed Dani.

  “Your sister is going to be just as proud of you as I am,” promised Ellie.

  Danielle Watkins joined the Norfolk police department after finishing eight years on active duty. She had spent her first four years as a military police officer, and then four more as an investigator for the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Growing up, she had witnessed the crime in Norfolk. She dreamed of being a detective with the NPD, and eventually, the Police Commissioner.

  She walked into the precinct to the Violent Crimes Division. I am living the dream, baby. An enthusiastic desk sergeant and Captain Harris greeted her.

  Captain Harris extended his hand, “Welcome detective, we are excited to have you join our team. You can take the desk over here. Your partner, Detective Fleming took a few personal days.”

  “I completely understand. I am looking forward to working with her. She is a rock start detective. I think I can learn a lot from her.”

  “Lexie is one of our best detectives. I’m certain you two will make a great team. Now, go get settled in and ready to work” commanded Captain Harris.

  “Yes, sir!”

  At the end of her first day, Dani drove home with the top of her jeep down. She loved the warm, October wind in her face. She felt nervous about working with her new partner, and she was happy Lexie wouldn’t be there for a few more days because it would give her a chance to get settled in before going out in the field. She was concerned about being younger and less experienced and questioned her ability to keep up.

  A few days later, Dani moved some of her things into Jack’s old desk.

  Out of nowhere, a blonde fury screamed, “What the hell do you think you are doing? Get your crap off Jack’s desk right now!”

  Lexie grabbed Dani by the arm and attempted to snatch her away from the desk.

  Dani pulled away, “Detective Fleming, I understand that you have been through some stuff and this is hard for you, but if you don’t keep your hands off of me, things are going to get much harder.”

  Lexie was pissed and ready for a fight, but Harris walked in and escorted her out into the hallway.

  Dani was in shock for a second, then got herself together and finished moving her things into her new desk. That didn’t go well at all. Lexie doesn’t want me here. She already hates me. It’s going to be a long day. I really admire this woman, and I know she’s hurting, but damn, this is crazy. I hope she doesn’t get in trouble because of me.

  Lexie came back in later and sat down in silence. She worked on finding the Last Call Killer, while Dani wondered, Should I say something to her or leave her alone? Does she want help, or does she still want to kill me? I hate silence!

  “What are you working on, partner?” Dani inquired.

  Lexie didn’t answer. She shot the “rookie” an evil look. The two ladies worked the rest of the day in silence and then went their separate ways without even acknowledging one another.

  Lexie woke up at four am the next morning. Her goal was to get her car and case files from the station before anyone else arrived. Coffee in hand, she was in the elevator headed to her desk at 6 am. She was certain no one, especially Dani, would be there. The office was quiet and dark. Lexie went to turn on the lights and heard a strange noise. She turned around to find Dani doing pushups in the dark.

  “What are you doing here so early?” Lexie demanded.

  “I always get to the office around five, so I can get a good workout in before the day starts. Why are you here so early?”

  Lexie didn’t answer. She walked to the motor pool, signed out a car, and left. Captain Harris arrived around seven and looked around. Where is my lead detective, and why isn’t her new partner with her?

  He called Dani into his office. “Where is your partner? I need you to call her and have her return to the station now.”

  “Sir, maybe this isn’t the right place for me, Lexie obviously doesn’t want me here, and now you want me to track her down, when she clearly wants to work alone.”

  “You haven’t given it a real chance yet Detective, now go call your partner.”

  Dani made the call, but she got Lexie’s voicemail. “Captain Harris wants you back at the station now.”

  Lexie arrived at the warehouse a few minutes before her cell phone rang, and she ignored the call. Why is she calling me? She needs to leave me alone.

  Lexie was walking the crime scene when her phone rang again, this time it was Captain Harris. Lexie knew better than to ignore his call, so she answered quickly. He informed Lexie she needed to return to the station and stop ignoring her new partner’s calls.

  The captain advised, “Play nice, and give the newbie a chance. It is not Dani’s fault that Jack is gone, so please don’t blame her.”

  Lexie said goodbye and hung up, that’s bullshit Captain, I do blame her. It’s because of her that Jack pushed himself so hard that he had a heart attack. His fear of being replaced by this rookie and his obsession with finding The Last Call Killer is what got my partner killed. Losing him, the way she had and things ending with Chris at the s
ame time troubled Lexie in ways that no one understood. She was not ready to let another person in right now. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever be.

  Waiting at the station for Lexie to return, Dani wondered; how can I get her to open up to me. She has to want me here, or this partnership isn’t going to work.

  Driving back, Lexie pondered, who in the hell does she think she is? She is part of the reason Jack is dead and I’m not working with her.

  Lexie took her time driving back to the station and neither woman found answers to their questions. They ran into each other in the parking lot and rode the elevator up to the squad room without a word. Captain Harris, Detective Winston, along with Officers Reynolds, and Officer Nash, were assigned to homicide until this case was closed. They were all standing around the evidence board where seven pictures hung in chronological order. The pictures of Lacy White, Susan Scott, Denise Adams, Vicki Boyce, Rebecca Grant, Kathy Watson, Hailey Blythe. All victims of the Last Call Killer.

  Once all the evidence was combed through yet again, there still were no leads, and it was getting late. Dani and Lexie’s shift had ended over an hour ago.

  Lexie went home and called her mom, she wanted to hear a friendly voice. “Hi Mom, how are you? How’s Dad?”

  “We are both doing well, sweetie, how are you? You sound tired, is everything okay with Chris?”

  “Yes Mom, everything is fine with Chris, I am tired. We are working on a case that has the whole precinct frustrated. I do have other things in my life besides my husband. Just once, it would be nice to have you ask about my job or anything other than Chris. I have to go Mom; please tell Dad I love him.”

  Dani felt the same ping of loneliness.

  After work, she went to visit her sister. “My new partner hates me sis, I don’t know how to get through to her.”

  “I’m sure she doesn’t hate you Dani; she probably needs time to mourn the loss of her friend and time to get to know you. Once she gets to know you, she will love you. Why don’t you stay awhile, we are getting ready for dinner and I know your niece would love to see you.