Page 10 of Taken from Her
"They're right." Lavender poured tea from a small pot, the homey gesture contrasting with the sophisticated equipment humming around them. "The missing women were being watched. All three changed their routines in the weeks before they disappeared."
Diana's pen moved across her notebook. "What kind of changes?"
"Tara kept asking about security cameras in the neighborhood and started walking her dog at different times and on different routes. Isabel began varying her café schedule.She used to come every morning at 8:30, but started arriving randomly, always sitting where she could watch the door."
"They felt threatened but didn't report it." Diana's tone held frustration with the situation rather than judgment of the women.
"Joanna asked pool staff to walk her to her car and even changed her swimming times from the same schedule she'd kept for years." Lavender watched Diana process this information, noting how she leaned forward, genuinely engaged. The harsh fluorescent lighting softened the sharp angles of her face, and Lavender found herself studying the curve of Diana's jawline. "They shared these concerns with friends, with me, and with people they trusted."
"But not the police."
"Would you report feeling watched if you weren't sure? If you thought it might be paranoia?" Lavender met Diana's eyes directly. "Especially if you were part of a community that's learned to handle problems internally?"
Diana set down her pen, considering. "You're saying they adapted to the perceived threat instead of seeking official help."
"I'm saying they did what felt safest based on their experience." Lavender pulled up files on one of the monitors that contained photos, notes, and timeline data. "But someone was studying those adaptations. Someone who understood how this community responds to danger."
Diana leaned closer, close enough that Lavender caught the clean scent of her soap, and studied the information displayed on screen. "You've been documenting this."
"We've been protecting ourselves." Lavender's fingers moved across the keyboard, bringing up additional data. "Three different people mentioned someone asking questions around the neighborhood. Professional appearance with a friendlyapproach claiming to be conducting research about community safety, local businesses, and women's organizations."
"Was it the same person?"
"We don’t know. But they had similar methods and the kind of approach that doesn't feel threatening until you step back and see the pattern." Lavender highlighted entries on the timeline. "A dark sedan was spotted by multiple people in the weeks before each disappearance. It was owned by someone claiming to be from the city surveying parking needs and a 'journalist' asking about community athletes."
"This level of documentation...it's impressive."
"It's necessary," she corrected. Lavender felt Diana's closeness, the subtle heat radiating between them as the police chief's attention had sharpened from polite interest to genuine engagement. "We learned long ago that our safety depends on paying attention to details that don't make it into official reports."
"I need to understand how your information networks operate," Diana said, then caught herself. "If you're willing to share that."
The careful phrasing—not a demand but a request—showed Diana was genuinely trying to adapt her approach. Lavender felt some of her defensive walls lower and hoped she could trust her gut.
"Community members trust me with observations they might not trust to authorities," Lavender said. "Not because they're anti-police, but because they've learned that official channels don't always protect informal communities."
Diana nodded slowly. "My team also mentioned that building trust would take time."
"It would. But we don't have time." Lavender turned to face Diana fully, drawn to the careful control Diana maintained that seemed both professional and personal. "Someone whounderstands this community intimately is hunting us, and your traditional methods won't catch them."
"What do you suggest?"
"Forming a partnership and having real cooperation—your resources and authority, our networks and understanding. Not just a spoken agreement, but something practical." Lavender paused, studying Diana's face. "There’s a community meeting tonight. Here. You should attend, not as an official police presence but as someone trying to understand how we can work together so we can brainstorm as a collective."
Diana was quiet for a moment, clearly considering the offer. "What would that look like?"
"It means having an honest conversation about fears and observations, information sharing that goes both directions, and recognition that community safety requires both formal and informal approaches."
"My superiors might have questions about non-standard procedures."
"Three women are missing," Lavender said gently. "Sometimes non-standard is what works."
Diana closed her notebook. "Seven o'clock?"
"Seven o'clock." Lavender stood as Diana did, aware of how the police chief moved with controlled grace even in unfamiliar territory. "And Diana? Come as yourself, not just as the chief. People here respond well to authenticity."
Diana paused at the door. "I'm not sure I know the difference anymore."
"You will," Lavender said, watching something vulnerable flicker across Diana's composed features. "Tonight might surprise you."
