To Push Back the Darkness

By Lisa Timpf

When the trail goes cold on a string of robberies, Detective Janet Vertran is forced to call on her ex Fiona for help. When Fiona broke things off between them two years earlier, Janet swore she’d keep her distance. But she also knows from past experience how helpful Fiona’s creation, an android named Pat, can be in ferreting out the little details that make all the difference when solving tough crimes.

Though the robberies appear to have been conducted by separate individuals, Pat finds an unexpected connection between them. But as Janet, Fiona, and Pat get closer to unearthing the truth, it becomes clear the case is taking an emotional toll on Fiona.

As she works with her ex once again, Janet is reminded of old times and familiar feelings begin to stir. Is it possible they’ll get a second chance to make their relationship work? And will Janet find the courage to do what it takes to find out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Mar 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781646567133

Book preview

13

Chapter 1

Detective Janet Vertran, I said, shooting what I hoped was a comforting look to the lean, dark-haired man who greeted us at the variety store entrance. I gestured toward my patrol partner. This is Detective Logan Patterson. You reported a robbery?

I did, the man replied. Vincent Smithson. I own the place. I have to say, you got here fast.

Often, we heard the opposite. A sarcastic, what took you so long? or About time. But I drew little comfort from his words.

Not fast enough, I said, gritting my teeth. This was the fourth in a string of robberies in the area over the past week. Maybe, if we were lucky, we’d catch a break that would help us solve the case. We could always hope. Were you working the cash at the time?

Yeah. That single word contained mingled pride and regret. Tuesday mornings are slow, so I just handle it. He shrugged. The perp waited till the store was empty, then came in through the front door… I swiveled my head to follow the direction the man behind the counter had pointed. And then he waltzed up to me, gun in hand, dropped a zip-up leather bag on the counter, and demanded the contents of the till. So I gave him the money.

Good decision, I said, nodding. You don’t want to tangle with somebody with a gun. I scribbled in my notepad, then looked up. Can you give us a description?

I can do better than that, Vincent said, his downcast expression brightening. He didn’t have a disguise of any sort, and I have a hidden camera at just the right spot to catch a good view of his face. Come on back and I’ll show you.

I gave Logan a sidewise glance. He shrugged. Just go with it.

I nodded. Who knew, maybe this time would be different. Though I wasn’t counting on it.

Vincent led the way into a cramped office. I grimaced when the play-back began. Sure enough, the perp’s features blurred and rippled. Same effect as the other three crimes.

What the— In the seconds it took for the play-back to run, the store proprietor’s glee morphed into a mix of puzzlement and anger.

He wore a distort device. Like the others. Until we get our hands on it, we won’t know exactly how it works, Logan told him.

Distort field doesn’t cover the top of his head, I said, leaning forward. Looks like he wore a toque. Just like the others

Weather’s a little warm for that, that’s what I thought, Vincent said.

We’d like to take a copy of the video with us, if you don’t mind, I turned toward the proprietor and held out a flash drive. From the camera angle you showed us and any others, for the time frame of the robbery. There might be evidence that’ll help us.

For a moment, I thought he was going to refuse. But he’d simply sunk into a despondent funk, which seemed to dissipate as he processed my words. Sure. It’ll just take a minute. Vincent busied himself with that chore, seeming happy to have something to occupy his time. When he finished, I thanked him.

One more thing. We may not have video, but if you don’t mind sitting with a sketch artist—

Yes. I’ll do that. If you think it will help? He shot me a beseeching look, and I hesitated. Sometimes, on the police shows on TV, the characters make commitments like, We’ll catch the guy. Don’t worry. Me, I’m careful not to say those sorts of things. They sound nice, and they’re reassuring at the time, but it makes it sting all the harder when you can’t live up to it. When you raise false hopes.

And I know all about the pain of false hopes.

Any data we can gather is beneficial, I said as I followed Vincent