CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED and ELEVEN
(part two)
Towering over the officer and the rapist, Rodney gave the criminal a terrifying look before seeing Tanesha. His face shifted to the sheer joy of seeing his child safe. He turned back to the rapist.
“That’s my daughter,” Rodney said to the man.
The rapist shook his head in horror and the officer pushed him out of the restroom. Unable to stop herself, Tanesha threw herself into her father’s arms. He wrapped his long arms around her. Tears streamed out of her eyes and he held her tight. The officer touched his shoulder.
“We’ll need to get her statement,” the officer said.
Holding up her pants with one hand, Tanesha tried to open her mouth. She yelped with pain and pointed to her jaw.
“Shit, girl.” The officer pointed to a growing lump on Tanesha’s jaw. “Did that asshole break your jaw?”
“We need to get her to the hospital.” Rodney slipped off his belt.
“Come on,” the officer said. “I’ll take you to emergency.”
While she threaded the belt through her pants, Rodney grabbed her book bag. He picked up the pieces of her phone and tucked them into the bag.
“That guy?” The officer pointed with this thumb out the door. “He fits the description of a guy who’s raped more than twenty women in Aurora alone.”
The officer nodded to Rodney.
“You know him?” the officer asked.
“We met up in Cañon City,” her father said.
“Know his name?”
“I do.” Rodney held his hand out to the officer. “I’m Rodney Smith. Thank you for helping my daughter.”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” The officer shook Rodney’s hand. “Come on, let’s get your girl looked at.”
With his arm around her, Rodney guided Tanesha out of the bathroom. They were walking toward stairs when Jeraine caught up with them. As usual, whispers, looks, and camera clicks followed her husband like a cloud. For once, she didn’t care. She let go of her father to hold Jeraine. She kept holding on even though she heard people taking pictures of them on their cell phones. The officer put his hand on Jeraine’s shoulder.
“We need to get her to emergency,” the officer said.
“Yes sir,” Jeraine said.
They had just stepped into the elevator when the officer snorted.
“What?” Rodney asked.
“If you’re Jeraine,” the officer said. “Then is she Misty?”
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…
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