Page 54 of Taken from Her
The conference room buzzed with focused energy. Diana's entire team had assembled around the rectangular table where maps of Phoenix Ridge covered every surface, red pins marking locations that had become part of Lavender's daily reality over the past month.
Lavender sat beside Diana, officially present as a civilian consultant but understanding that her role had evolved far beyond that simple designation. Detective Morgan Rivers connected her laptop to the wall display while Captain Michelle Reyes coordinated patrol schedules on her tablet. Lieutenant Angela Hodges reviewed tactical protocols, and Detective Julia Scott organized community liaison reports.
"The threatening note indicates an escalated retaliation from someone with detailed knowledge of our investigation timeline and personal connections to key personnel," Diana began, her voice carrying command authority.
Morgan pulled up the analysis on screen. "The message composition suggests professional resources. Quality paper stock, commercial-grade printing, and intentional word choice designed to maximize their psychological impact."
"What was the timeline?" Angela asked.
"Delivered within twelve hours of yesterday's forest operation," Diana replied. "Either it was prepared in advance or produced rapidly with significant resources."
Lavender studied the faces around the table, recognizing how Diana's team had adapted to include her in operational discussions. No one questioned her presence or suggested she wait outside while they handled official business.
"Community impact assessment?" Julia asked.
"The threat specifically mentioned community spaces," Diana said. "Lavender's Café serves as the primary gathering space for Phoenix Ridge's lesbian community. Targeting it would affect far more people than just Lavender herself."
Michelle consulted her notes. "Should we step up security protocols for civilian protection?"
"Personal security detail, surveillance expansion, and modified routine protocols," Angela replied. "But we need to balance protection with maintaining normal community operations."
Lavender leaned forward. "The community can't see this as police surveillance. They need to understand it as collaborative protection."
Diana looked at her, a silent invitation to continue.
"If you flood the café with an obvious police presence, people will stop coming. The space loses its function as a second home." Lavender gestured toward the maps. "But if we integrate the enhanced security with existing community networks, people feel safer rather than watched."
Morgan looked up from her notes. "Should we coordinate a community volunteer system with official backup?”
"Exactly. Buddy systems, communication trees, and volunteer patrols that connect with your patrol schedules." She had spent years developing these networks and felt confidentthis would work best without putting the entire community on high alert.
Julia wrote notes quickly. "Should we offer some community education about recognizing threat indicators?"
"We can handle that through existing meeting structures," Lavender said. "Workshop format with practical safety measures and emergency protocols that feel empowering rather than fearful."
Diana studied the tactical maps, her analytical mind processing multiple variables. "What’s the available resource allocation for sustained protection?"
"We need full department commitment," Michelle said without hesitation. "Rotating shifts for personal security, higher patrol frequency, and priority response protocols."
"Will we coordinate with the federal task force?" Morgan asked.
"They're tracking broader network activity," Diana replied. "This threat might connect to their ongoing investigation."
Angela reviewed her tactical notes. "Should we discuss safe house protocols if the threat escalates?"
Lavender felt a chill at the suggestion but understood its necessity. "Temporary relocation would mean closing the café and potentially other community spaces at risk. That hands them exactly what they want."
"Which is why we prevent escalation," Diana said firmly. "Whoever sent this message wants to disrupt community operations, isolate people, and keep them living in fear. We don't give them either outcome."
"One more consideration," Julia said as the meeting began winding down after another twenty minutes of discussion. "Media management. If this becomes public knowledge, it could create panic or vigilante responses."
"Community leadership handles internal communication," Lavender said. "I can manage the information flow through existing networks to ensure accurate information without sensationalizing the threat."
Diana surveyed her team. "Questions? Concerns about the integrated approach?"
"Chief," Angela said carefully, "the coordinated protection strategy between official and informal networks requires trust levels that we've never operated with before."
“True,” Diana said.
