Page 32 of Taken from Her
“Lavender?” Corinne’s voice sliced through her distraction. “You were saying something about safe meeting places?”
“Right.” Lavender turned back to the flip chart, buying herself time to remember what she’d actually been saying. “Safe spaces. We need to find locations where people can go if they feel threatened or need immediate help.”
“The cafe, obviously,” Sam said.
“My bookstore stays open until nine,” Elle offered. “Good visibility from the street.”
Diana added three official locations—the police station, fire department, and city hall—but also acknowledged that formal spaces didn’t always feel accessible to everyone.
“Community members might be more comfortable seeking help from informal networks,” Diana said, glancing at Lavender. “Places where they’re known and trusted.”
The observation was professional, but something in Diana’s tone suggested she understood the difference between official safety and genuine sanctuary. Another evolution from the woman who’d first entered their space.
As the discussion continued, Lavender found herself fighting a constant battle for focus. When Diana leaned forward to examine a resource list, Lavender noticed the way her uniform pulled across her shoulders. When Diana asked a clarifying question, Lavender caught herself explaining the concepts in excessive detail, as if trying to impress her instead of informing the group.
“The communication protocols Chief Marten described integrate well with our existing networks,” Lavender said, then realized she’d been looking at Diana while addressing the entire group. “Sorry, what I mean is that formal and informal systems can work well together.”
Georgia's knowing smile from the corner didn't help her composure.
The workshop was productive despite her distraction. They developed concrete safety improvements: enhanced buddy systems, communication trees for emergency situations, and better coordination between community networks and official resources. Diana shared updated emergency contact procedures while respecting community autonomy. Trust was building in real time.
But every small success felt overshadowed by Lavender's awareness that she was performing below her usual standard. When Diana offered technical resources, Lavender found herself seeking her input more than other participants. When Dianashifted position or spoke, Lavender lost track of conversations that should have commanded her full attention.
"One question about the reporting procedures," Racquel said. "If someone feels like they're being watched but can't prove it, what's the best way to document that?"
Diana considered the question seriously. "Gut instincts matter. Even if you can't identify specific threats, changes in your comfort level are worth noting. Write down the date, time, location, and what felt different. Patterns emerge from details that seem insignificant individually."
"Like a safety journal," Hazel suggested.
"Exactly. And share observations with trusted friends. Sometimes other people notice things you've normalized."
Lavender watched Diana navigate the question with both professional competence and genuine care for community concerns. This wasn't the distant Chief Marten who'd approached them three weeks ago. This was someone who'd learned to listen, to see community members as partners rather than sources of information.
The recognition made her chest tight with something that might have been pride or attraction or both.
"Let's talk about environmental awareness," Lavender said, forcing herself back into facilitation mode. "Identifying spaces and situations that might be riskier."
The discussion that followed was thorough and practical. Community members shared knowledge about lighting conditions, visibility, and escape routes. Diana contributed professional assessment of threat levels without undermining community judgment. They created comprehensive safety maps that combined official and informal intelligence.
But underneath the productive work, Lavender felt the constant pull of Diana's presence. She caught herself staring when Diana rolled up her sleeves to write on the flip chart. Shestumbled over words when Diana's attention focused directly on her. She fought the urge to touch Diana's shoulder when moving around the room, hyperaware of every moment their bodies occupied the same space.
By eight o'clock, the flip chart papers covering the walls displayed impressive results: safety strategies, communication protocols, resource networks, and emergency procedures that integrated community knowledge with official support. The workshop had achieved everything Lavender had hoped for.
"This is exactly what we needed," Corinne said, studying the safety maps they'd created. "Concrete steps that actually fit how we live."
"And real partnership," Sam added, glancing between Lavender and Diana. "Not just police telling us what to do, but working together to figure out what works for everyone."
Diana gathered her notes. "Your community networks provide security that formal systems can't match. My job is to support that, not replace it."
The comment drew approving nods around the circle. Even Georgia looked satisfied.
As participants began gathering their things, Lavender felt both relief and disappointment. Relief that she'd managed to facilitate a productive workshop despite her distraction; disappointment that their public time together was ending, that Diana would return to her world while Lavender remained in her space.
"Same time next week?" Elle asked, shouldering her bag.
"Absolutely," Lavender said. "We'll follow up on tonight's action items and address any new concerns."
Diana stood, straightening her uniform. "I'll have updates on the investigation by then, including the resource information we discussed tonight."
