| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted April 6, 2025 | Chapters: |
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A Multi Author Mystery Story
A chapter in the book In Plain Sight
In Plain Sight - Chap 3
by Begin Again
THIS IS THE THIRD CHAPTER OF A MYSTERY/CRIME STORY WRITTEN BY LORI MULLIGAN AND BEGIN AGAIN (CAROL). We are alternating chapters so please be sure to check out each chapter.
Jack and Lena are partners and are currently working a case involving brutal attacks on young women. The twist in the story is the vigilante, who comes to their rescue, takes out the perp, and then disappears into the shadows. The detectives are short on clues and long on public unrest. Jack prefers to move unseen through the city's dark life, but Lena never hesitates to put herself out there, almost announcing, "Come and get me."
******
CHAPTER 3
Lena squinted against the camera flashes as she and Jack stepped onto the precinct steps behind Captain O'Malley. The reporters surged forward like sharks scenting blood, voices overlapping in a chaotic blur of questions and flashing bulbs.
Lena squinted against the camera flashes as she and Jack stepped onto the precinct steps behind Captain O'Malley. The reporters surged forward like sharks scenting blood, voices overlapping in a chaotic blur of questions and flashing bulbs.
"Captain, do you condone vigilantism?"
"Is it true this so-called savior has killed five men?"
"Do you have any suspects?"
"Detectives — do you feel safe walking alone at night?"
That last question hit a little too close. Lena's gaze shifted toward the woman who asked it, then over to Jack, who was already watching her. His jaw was tight, his expression unmistakable — "Don't even think about it."
But that's all she could do — think about it.
Captain O'Malley stepped up to the podium, his voice as composed as ever. "We understand the public's concern, and we share it. Our department is actively investigating these incidents and taking all necessary steps to identify the perpetrators, including those responsible for intervening. We will not speculate. We will not encourage hero worship. We will work the facts."
A voice called out from the crowd, sharper than the rest. "Is it true your detectives have no leads?"
Jack shifted beside Lena and leaned in slightly. "Same circus," he muttered. "Vultures fighting over the remains."
Lena didn't respond. Her mind had already drifted back to the alley, to the blood on the bricks, to the fear in Marisa Kline's voice, and to the man who stepped out of the dark to save her and disappeared just as quickly.
O'Malley wrapped up quickly, turning on his heel and heading back into the building. Jack and Lena followed under a flurry of shutter clicks and questions, the noise subsiding once the doors shut behind them.
They had barely made it down the hallway before Jack turned on her. "Tell me you're not seriously considering going out there alone."
Lena didn't miss a beat. "It's the only way to draw him out."
"He's not some ghost we're chasing in a sheet. He's fast, brutal, and clearly knows what he's doing. You really want to end up on a slab just to make a point?"
"I want to stop this before there's a sixth body," she snapped, her tone sharp but controlled. "We've got nothing. No prints, no footage, no description worth a damn. Our best witness remembers a coat flapping in the wind."
Jack dragged a hand through his hair and gave a low exhale. "You should've been a damn lawyer. You'd have made a great one, speeches and all. But you aren't Dick Tracy or Perry Mason. Just don't do anything reckless."
"I never do," she said, already pulling out her phone.
Jack narrowed his eyes but let it go.
*****
A few hours later, Jack was still at his desk finishing a report when his phone buzzed. It was Kayla, the garage guard.
"Rourke," he answered.
"Hey, sorry to bother you. Any idea where Hart is?"
Jack sat forward a little. "She said she was heading home. Why?"
"Well, I found her badge. Might've slipped out of her bag on the way out. I tried texting her but haven't heard back."
Jack frowned. "You saw her leave?"
"Yeah, not long ago. She looked different, though. Hair down, dressed to knock somebody's socks off. And I swear, she had one of those pink flyers sticking out of her bag — looked like a promo for Ladies' Night at MacArthur's. The only reason I remember is that I went a few weeks ago. Same bright design."
Jack didn't say anything at first. His stomach had already tightened.
"Figured she might need this badge. You think she's working undercover?" Kyle asked.
"I think she's out there alone and didn't want anyone to know." He hung up without another word, grabbed his coat, and left.
*****
When Jack parked across from MacArthur's, the street was slick with drizzle and mostly quiet. He spotted Lena through the front window of the bar. She perched on a barstool, looking like someone waiting for a friend. The wig was subtle, and her makeup was minimal but enough to change her face just a little.
His phone buzzed. He glanced down. It was Lena.
Out with Taylor & Meg at Luca's. So, you can chill.
He looked back at her, then again at the text. MacArthur's wasn't Luca's. She had lied. He didn't bother responding.
A commotion broke out near the corner before he even considered walking in on Lena. Jack turned toward the sound just in time to see a man shouting at a woman, grabbing her arm, and slapping her across the face. She cried out and stumbled to the ground.
Jack cursed under his breath, yanked his badge from his pocket, and ran toward the couple.
*****
Striking out, Lena left the bar, walking down the route she'd mapped out earlier. Her wig itched beneath the hood of her coat, and the rain made the sidewalk slick under her boots. Her clutch was clenched tightly in one hand. She passed the alley, glanced once behind her, and kept going.
Nothing was happening. Maybe it wasn't her night
.
She took two more steps, passing the dumpster, and the blow came hard from behind.
She took two more steps, passing the dumpster, and the blow came hard from behind.
A hand yanked her purse away before she could turn. Instinct kicked in, and she spun, trying to hit back, but a fist caught her across the cheekbone and sent her crashing to the pavement. She barely registered the pain before her vision blurred and everything faded to black. Her last thought was — where's Jack?
*****
Lena didn't remember the ambulance ride. She wasn't sure how much time had passed by the time she blinked awake. The room smelled like antiseptic. She was in a hospital bed with gauze at her temple and a dull ache pulsing behind her eyes.
"You're lucky," a voice said. A nurse, in her mid-fifties, had a silver braid tucked behind her shoulder. "Bruised ribs. Nothing broken. You fight back?"
Lena blinked, wincing as she sat up. "Yeah. Didn't do much good."
The nurse dabbed ointment along a shallow cut on her cheekbone. "You're police, right? One of the other nurses recognized you."
Lena gave a nod.
"You're the third one in two weeks with damage from an attacker in a downtown alley." She clucked her tongue. "Last girl didn't have a badge, though. Refused to talk. Just wanted out."
Lena's focus sharpened. "What can you tell me about the others?"
"The one I talked to wasn't giving out much info. She had knife wounds, not bruises. Fake ID. Wouldn't talk to anyone. She was bleeding, scared, and bolted before we could do anything.
Lena pushed herself upright, ignoring the sting on her side. "What did she look like?"
"Early thirties, maybe. Blonde hair. Tight dress. Pretty. Looked like she'd been through hell. Kept watching the door like someone might come through it."
"When did this happen?"
The nurse narrowed her eyes slightly. "You should rest, Detective."
"I'm fine. Where did she go? Did you report it?"
The nurse shook her head. "Nothing to report. I went to get the security guard, and she slipped out the back. Never gave us a chance to find out more."
Lena's mind was racing with the knowledge that there were more out there than the five victims they knew about.
*****
Jack was already at his desk the following day when Lena limped into the bullpen. Her temple was bandaged and her wrist bruised.
He jumped from his chair. "Jesus, Lena —"
"I'm fine." Another officer handed her a cup of coffee, which she thankfully sipped.
"You lied to me," Jack snarled
.
She froze, almost choking on the coffee as it slid down her throat. "About?"
She froze, almost choking on the coffee as it slid down her throat. "About?"
"You said you were with Taylor and Meg. At Luca's. I saw you at MacArthur's."
She met his eyes but didn't blink. Had he followed her?
"You could've gotten yourself killed."
"I suppose, since my partner wasn't there to save me. Since you knew where I was, why didn't you help me?"
Jack's voice dropped an octave. "I was breaking up a guy beating his girlfriend. I didn't expect you to go rogue. I won't make that mistake again."
Lena's gaze settled on the reports on her desk. "I thought I could catch him."
"You could've gotten yourself killed."
"I found something," she said, voice low.
Jack lifted his gaze to her. "Besides bruises?"
"In the ER. The nurse told me about another woman. Knife wounds. Gave a fake name. Never reported it."
Jack ran a hand down his face.
"How many more are out there?" Lena asked.
The question hung in the air.
Jack met her eyes. "That's for us to find out."
Detective Lena Hart --Late 30s. She transferred to the city's homicide division after a high-profile case went sideways in her last precinct. The brass claimed she needed a fresh start, but really, she'd pushed too hard on corruption and made enemies.
She's Jack's new partner, trying to adapt to the department's unspoken rules and Jack's gruff, enigmatic way of doing things.
Detective Jack Rourke -- Age 40. He grew up in a very tough neighborhood in the city. At the age of 11, he witnessed the mugging of his older sister âÃÂàshe was killed. Since he was hiding nearby, skipping school, when it happened, he carries the guilt because he thinks he should have done something to stop it.
He sees her face and hears her voice in his dreams. Because of that, he doesn't sleep much. Instead, he walks the streets, telling himself he's clearing his head, but is he really?
He's known for his instincts and street smarts and is respected as a good detective, but he keeps people at arm's length.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. She's Jack's new partner, trying to adapt to the department's unspoken rules and Jack's gruff, enigmatic way of doing things.
Detective Jack Rourke -- Age 40. He grew up in a very tough neighborhood in the city. At the age of 11, he witnessed the mugging of his older sister âÃÂàshe was killed. Since he was hiding nearby, skipping school, when it happened, he carries the guilt because he thinks he should have done something to stop it.
He sees her face and hears her voice in his dreams. Because of that, he doesn't sleep much. Instead, he walks the streets, telling himself he's clearing his head, but is he really?
He's known for his instincts and street smarts and is respected as a good detective, but he keeps people at arm's length.
Multi-Author Book
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