Irrefutable Read online

  Irrefutable

  Dale Roberts

  Copyright © 2011 by Dale Roberts

  Smashwords edition

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cover designed by Dale Roberts

  Acknowledgments

  I wish to thank my wife Lisa, without whose patience, understanding and editing, this book would not have been possible.

  For Lisa, Reagan, Chris, Shane and Taylor

  Prologue

  Two broken lights provided the darkness needed for cover. Breaking them out the night before was the final step in the preparation for this moment.

  The park was quiet. Even the trees made no sound. The breeze that swept through their leaves earlier in the evening was gone, leaving the humid air heavy and thick. Aside from the woman running at the far end of the track, there were no signs of life. Tonight was perfect.

  McManus Park, Cypress Village’s largest, occupies most of the western shoreline of Lake Duval. Its lighted mile long running track was a popular attraction for the local outdoor lovers. Three hours ago it served as a temporary escape from the stresses of daily life for dozens of people; some jogged while others played with the family dog. Some simply stretched out on blankets enjoying the sun. By sunset the buzzing and biting by the local wildlife drove the sun worshipers away. The park was deserted, as it always was this time of night, except for the two of them. It was an intimate setting and the woman was coming closer.

  She was a creature of habit. The stranger had watched her for weeks, following, learning her routine, even daring to bump into her on two occasions to satisfy the ever growing need to touch. She didn’t seem to sense the danger on that first accidental meeting. But on the second, her eyes showed the uneasiness of vague recognition and maybe even the realization that it was not coincidence. Tonight, their third meeting would leave no doubt. The dark, driving need had become stronger than the stranger’s will to resist.

  The east side of the track followed the edge of the heavily wooded nature area that separated it from the water. The narrow walking trails that wound their way back and forth for three miles through the seemingly endless forest was the perfect place to get lost, literally and figuratively. This is where the stranger waited and watched, anticipation growing with every lap the woman ran.

  With the woman on the final lap of her five mile run, less than two hundred yards away, the stranger opened a small bottle and poured the clear liquid onto a rag, shivering as the sudden release of adrenalin found its way to tensed muscles. Heart pounding, breathing heavily, it was hard to sit still, to contain the primal urge that grew stronger with every stride that brought the woman closer.

  Thirty yards to go. Now twenty. Ten. In an explosion of fury, the stranger attacked from behind. The woman hit the ground face first and the stranger was on top of her.

  A gloved hand held the wet rag tightly over her mouth and nose. Her labored breathing insured the quick delivery of the powerful anesthetic vapors. The struggle was brief. In a matter of seconds she was still, silent, helpless. The stranger dragged the limp woman into the darkness of the trees, and the track was once again, deserted and silent.

  Chapter One

  Alex Mendez held a hand over his brow to shade his eyes. The flags on either side of the small stage hung motionless as the sun climbed higher into the sky. Cypress Village was too far from the coast to benefit from the ocean breezes, but today the air was exceptionally still. The forecast called for clouds this morning and possible rain later in the day, but as usual, the Florida weather refused to conform to the expectations of meteorologists.

  Alex adjusted his position in the metal folding chair, wiped beads of sweat from his forehead and pulled with two fingers at the front of his collar. He hated ties. The heavy dress blue uniform was suffocating, especially on sunny days like this, when the temperature and humidity both were approaching ninety-five. His pants were beginning to stick to the back of his legs. He couldn’t remember the last time he wore it, or any uniform for that matter.

  He’d traded them in for plain clothes fifteen years earlier. Nowadays, the only part of a uniform he wore was the silver shield he clipped to his belt.

  Alex gave a small wave to Carmen, his sixteen-year-old daughter whose maturity was far beyond her years. Her beaming smile lit up the front row of folding metal chairs that covered a large section of the lawn in front of city hall. He knew she was proud of him. Though it did little to compensate her for all the time she’s had to spend alone, at least it might offer a bit of justification. They should be giving her the medal, he thought. She’s the one who had to make sacrifices.

  In the two years since her mother died, Carmen had taken many of the household responsibilities upon herself. She’d been forced to grow up far too soon. She willingly took care of the laundry and general cleaning. She even cooked now and then, although Alex retained the official title of family chef.

  Alex surveyed the small gathering from his position on the stage. Alex didn’t care for all the hype and he certainly didn’t like being called a hero. After all, he was just doing his job. But, the department needed this to promote their image after a long string of violent robberies had shaken the public confidence.

  Since the city had gone to all the trouble to arrange the ceremony, it would be in poor taste to decline. He just wanted to get it over with.

  Carl Richards, Cypress Village’s Chief of Police approached the podium and tapped the microphone. A low thump echoed across the lawn as it reverberated from the courthouse across the street. The chief returned to the far side of the stage and casually chatted with Mayor Childress and Lt. Phelps. If anyone looked more out of place in dress blues than Alex, it was Lt. Phelps.

  The small group of reporters made final checks on their equipment and chatted among themselves as a small, but growing crowd began to fill the chairs.

  Several uniformed officers stood facing the crowd in front of and on either side of the stage. Alex couldn’t tell if they were there for show as part of the ceremony, or some kind of security detail, but it seemed to be the latter.

  Alex wiped another bead of sweat from his brow as Rachel Summers found a seat in the front row, next to Carmen. Alex smiled and waved. Rachel had been a godsend after Allyson’s death. She and Carmen had grown quite close over the past two years. Rachel had been Allyson’s boss, if you could call it that. Allyson worked for her in the District Attorney’s office, but it wasn’t your typical employer/employee relationship at all. They were best friends. Rachel took Allyson’s death as hard as anyone. She and Carmen had helped each other cope with the loss and supported one another as they began the healing process. Alex was glad to see her. She smiled and returned the wave.

  The chatter from the crowd tapered as the chief approached the podium and began to speak, “Thank you all for coming,” he began, “It’s not often that you find the kind of bravery and dedication in a person, that they risk their life for the sake of strangers,” He turned toward Alex. “But today, we are here to honor a true hero.”

  The sound of applause covered the lawn. Alex fidgeted, readjusting in his chair. He was a private person. To be put on public display, even if it was to honor him, made him very uncomfortable.

  “Six weeks ago,” the chief continued, “
Detective Alex Mendez was off duty, on his way home after a long day’s work, when a call for assistance went out. Officer Allen Barnes had spotted a vehicle that had been taken earlier at gun point. When he tried to stop the suspect vehicle, he was fired on. While several units responded, Detective Mendez was the first to intercept. He joined the pursuit and together, he and Officer Barnes shortly cornered the suspect in an apartment complex. The suspect, knowing he had no means of escape, took a young child, who had been playing just outside her door, hostage. When brief negotiations failed, Detective Mendez made the decision to offer himself in exchange for the child’s release. Leaving his weapon with Officer Barnes, he approached the suspect. Detective Mendez was approximately twenty feet from the suspect when he stopped and insisted the child be released.”

  The Chief looked toward Alex then back to the crowd. “He would maintain his position until the child was safely with Officer Barnes. The suspect released the child, but before she reached Officer Barnes, knowing that Detective Mendez was unarmed, the man opened fire, shooting over the child’s head striking Officer Barnes in the shoulder. The child was able to take cover in the nearby opening of a stairwell. Under fire from the suspect, Detective Mendez ran to the downed officer, taking a bullet to his leg before pulling Officer Barnes to safety behind the patrol car. Although he had been shot, he held the suspect at bay until backup arrived nearly two minutes later and the suspect was taken into custody.” The chief turned and motioned for Alex to stand next to him at the podium.

  The sound of applause blanketed the area as Alex stood and with a subtle limp, walked to the front of the stage. He smiled at Carmen as she wiped a tear and reached for Rachel’s hand.

  “Through his selfless act of bravery, Detective Mendez saved the lives of two people, while facing tremendous danger without the security of his own weapon.”

  Alex stood with his hands behind him. He looked toward his feet in a show of humility and subtly tried to remove the sweat soaked material that was stuck and beginning to creep up his backside.

  “So, it is with tremendous pride that I award the Police Medal of Honor, not to Detective Mendez,” The chief looked at Alex and smiled. “I award this medal to Detective Sergeant Alex Mendez.”

  Alex looked up, eyebrows raised in surprise. The Chief removed Alex’s badge. In its place he pinned the gold shield with the words ‘Detective Sergeant’. The Chief then placed the medal around Alex’s neck, and extended his hand. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you sir, I didn’t expect that.” Alex shook his hand.

  “You’ve earned it.” The chief turned toward the microphone. “Before the new sergeant takes the podium, we have one more person who would like to honor our hero.” The chief extended his open hand to the opposite side of the stage. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Governor of the State of Florida, Mr. Rick Scott.”

  Every news camera turned toward the right side of the stage. The crowd applauded as the bald man climbed the steps to the stage and approached the podium. That explains the security detail, Alex thought.

  The governor waved to the audience. “Thank you.” He held up his hand, but the applause continued. “Thank you…” He extended his hand to Alex, “your applause is for this man. This is his day.” The governor backed away from the podium, himself applauding Alex.

  Alex waved a humble hand and mouthed “Thank you.” He nodded to individuals in the crowd and smiled at Carmen and Rachel as they both wiped their eyes.

  That’s when he saw her, standing in the shade of the trees at the far side of the lawn, behind the crowd. Dark shades covered her eyes, but Alex could feel her gaze. The smile left his face. Why had she come?

  The applause finally tapered off as the governor began to speak. “It gives me tremendous pride to know that our great state has the finest law enforcement officers in the world. Mr. Mendez is proof of that.” More applause. The Governor held up a hand to quiet the crowd. “Police officers take an oath to uphold the laws of the land, to abide by the policies of their respective departments, to follow the orders of their superiors, and to serve with honor and integrity, the people of their communities.” The governor looked at Alex. “Sometimes an individual goes above and beyond, and by his actions, defines the very spirit of that oath; the selfless service to his fellow man, placing the lives of others above his own.” He held up a small box that to Alex resembled a jewelry case. “We have a special honor for officers who go above and beyond the call of duty, officers who willingly place their lives in peril to save the life of another.” He opened the box and removed a gold medallion that sparkled in the sun as it dangled from its red and blue ribbon. “Detective Sergeant Mendez, it is my great honor, to award you The Governors Medal for Heroism.” He placed the ribbon around Alex’s neck and positioned the gold medallion next to the first one and shook his hand. Applauding, the governor stepped back and allowed Alex to approach the podium.

  Alex’s heart pounded. He could feel himself blushing as he began to speak. “Thank you…I’m speechless.” He smiled at the crowd then at Carmen. “Thank you… I don’t know what to say.” He continued to speak over the applause of the crowd. “Thank you.” He paused, waiting for the sounds of the crowd to die down. “Thank you. I am not the one who deserves these awards.” He slipped his left hand behind the ribbons, lifting the medals from his chest, draping them over the back of his hand. “There is someone here who has made far greater sacrifices than I. Someone who saved my life.”

  The crowd was silent now, listening to their hero. “I’m sure many of you know, umm…” Alex cleared his throat and wiped a tear before it could run down his face. “I lost my wife two years ago.” Alex’s voice quivered. “But, there was someone who helped me make it through. Someone who showed me I still had a reason to live. She saved my life. She has made many sacrifices since then, far more than I, and for that, I’m truly thankful.” Alex wiped his eyes, trying to maintain his composure. “Carmen, these are for you. I love you baby.”

  Carmen blew her father a kiss and wiped her own tears. “I love you,” she mouthed.

  After a few more words from the chief, the ceremony drew to a close. Alex stood beside Mr. Scott in the grass at the front of the stage, giving out the obligatory handshakes, as the local politicians eagerly awaited their turn to be seen with the Governor and the new celebrity.

  Carmen and Rachel waited off to the side for the meet and greet to wrap up. Rachel was patient. As a Deputy District Attorney, she understood local politics and the need to be seen at public functions such as this.

  Alex forced a smile as he endured the canned congratulations and photo opportunities for the last few city officials. His smile vanished as the woman approached for her time with the hero. “What are you doing here?” Alex asked, trying to regain his counterfeit smile. He glanced at Rachel as she raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly to one side.

  “I just wanted to shake the hand of a true hero,” the woman smiled. “I’ve never been this close to a celebrity before.” She extended her hand to Alex.

  “Okay, you see me.” Alex felt the eyes on him as he shook her hand. “Time to go.”

  “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” She walked toward Rachel and Carmen. “You must be so proud.” she said to Rachel. “And you must be the daughter.” She extended her hand to Carmen. Carmen took her hand and looked at Rachel with a furrowed brow. Rachel shrugged and shook her head.

  The woman offered her hand to Rachel, who half heartedly shook it.

  “We really must be going.” Alex ushered the woman out of earshot from Carmen and Rachel. They exchanged a few words then Alex returned.

  “A friend of yours?” Rachel asked.

  “She’s nobody, just someone I know from work.” Eager to change the subject, Alex rubbed his hands together. “I’m starving. Let’s get some lunch.”

  Chapter Two

  The call came at 7:34. The shrill sound of the pager pierced the silence startling Alex from sle
ep. It had been a long day. He was tired. He only wanted to catch a quick nap while Carmen readied herself for her junior prom. He looked at the pager on his belt. He let out a sigh of disgust. “Not Tonight.” His palms began to sweat as a lump grew in his throat. He tried desperately to swallow it down, but each attempt only made it larger.

  Alex sat up on the edge of the bed, trying to prepare himself for the inevitable confrontation that was about to ensue.

  Resigning to the fact that he had no choice, he slowly opened the door to face the heartbreak of the one person in the world who truly depended on him.

  Carmen had been waiting for this moment for months. The night was finally here. Her dress was beautiful, a burgundy satin affair that was off the shoulders and just touching the floor. Her makeup, which she had spent hours on, was flawless. At sixteen, she was a picture of youthful beauty, a perfect blend of the best features from Alex and her mother.

  Her date wasn’t due to arrive for another hour, but Alex couldn’t wait that long. He was going to miss, yet another, milestone in her life.

  “You look beautiful,” he said from the hall as his daughter admired her dress. “Your mother would be so proud.”

  “Do you think she can see me?” Carmen did a twirl.

  “I’m sure she can.” Alex said with a forced smile. In the two years since Allyson’s death, he had raised Carmen alone. She needed him to be here for such an important event. He struggled to find a way to break the news that, once again, he had to leave.

  He walked to her and pulled her close for a tight hug.

  “Careful with the makeup,” Carmen laughed as she pushed him away.

  Alex backed away and put his hands in his pockets. Too ashamed to look at her, his gaze fell to the floor. He drew in a deep breath a held it for a moment. “I just got a call. There is a woman in the ER who has been assaulted.”