Stolen Sunshine: Reese Hawking: Book 1

By Dani Donari

This story begins at the end of a young woman's life. Her murderer lifts her unconscious body from the bottom of an aluminum boat and carries her to the edge of Lake Pontchartrain. He lays her in the reeds, wipes tears from his eyes, sings her a lullaby, and slits both of her wrists. Across town, Officer Reese Hawking is on patrol, working crowd control in the New Orleans French Quarter where a woman has been found stabbed to death in an alley. Reese avoids the scene, keeps the onlookers at bay and falls into bed after her shift. She awakes to a frantic call from her best friend's mother. Janae didn't come home from work. A short time later, Reese finds herself in the office of homicide Detective Alan Brenner, the man who convinced Reese to join the force and the only man she trusts. By the time the sun goes down, Janae hasn't surfaced. As soon as her phone rings with a middle of the night call from Brenner, Reese knows it's bad. She meets Brenner at the edge of the lake where Janae's body is found floating in a tiny aluminum boat. The cuts to her wrists suggest suicide. Reese knows better. She begins a journey across the country to catch Janae's killer, no matter what it costs - even if it's her own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350932935

Book preview

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Stolen Sunshine

Reese Hawking: Book 1

©Dani Donari

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 979-8-35093-292-8 (print)

ISBN: 979-8-35093-293-5 (eBook)

Contents

Part 1: The Case

Part 2: The Chase

Part 3: The Kidnapping

Part 4: The Capture

Part 1:

The Case

Chapter 1

The sound of the aluminum boat slicing through the water, laced with the moans of the semi-conscious woman trapped on the boat’s floor created an eerie contrast to the simple song the boat driver sang. He steered into the thick reeds at the water’s edge. Using the light of the full moon, he secured the tiny vessel to an old rotting dock.

He carefully tested the rickety wood structure with one foot, leaving his other on the boat’s edge. When he was sure it would hold, he reached down and hoisted his victim’s limp body up and over his shoulder. He walked inland until he felt the ground harden beneath him, then gently laid her in the tall grass. He sat back on his heels and pulled a knife and flashlight from his pocket.

Sweet Sunshine, he whispered. It’ll all be over soon.

The beam from the flashlight swept across her light brown face. He extended the blade, pausing for a second before sweeping the sharpened steel across her skin. He felt her shudder and heard her begin to cry. Through his own tears, he pleaded for forgiveness. When her breathing began to slow, he leaned down, kissed her forehead, then rose and turned to walk back to the dock. A sound like the snapping of a twig stopped him in his tracks. Shining the flashlight in every direction, he wondered if there were alligators in Lake Pontchartrain.

No, no. No alligators. He shook his head frantically and returned to the bleeding woman. He slipped his hands beneath her and heard her take in a shallow, ragged breath. Just a little longer and then you can rest.

He lifted her small frame back up and over his shoulder. Back at the boat, he carefully placed her on the steely bottom. He freed the boat from the dock and pushed off. Sitting back to catch his breath, his tears began to flow again. The sound of her voice made him snap to her side. Her eyes opened, dull and sad. In the moonlight, he could see her dilated pupils, the soft brown of her irises. 

He stroked her hair and whispered in her ear. Go to sleep and it’ll all be over. Then no more pain, Sunshine. She opened her mouth to speak. He lowered his ear to her lips. 

Please, she whispered.

I love you so much. His Sunshine. He took her hand in his and sang her favorite song. A dark cloud passed over the moon, as the blood left her body and life departed from her eyes.

Chapter 2

New Orleans Police Officer Reese Hawking checked her watch for the fourth time in the last hour. Her shift had ended two hours earlier. She should have been home in bed, not working crowd control at the scene of a murder. A woman had been stabbed. Her body was dumped like trash. At least that’s what they’d told Reese– she had no desire to see for herself. Four homicide detectives and a crime scene unit were huddled over a dumpster in the dark alley off Dauphine Street. Ten uniforms, Reese included, kept the throngs of people at bay. The streets should have been empty at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday night, but the French Quarter is never really empty.

Reese observed the other officers fortunate enough to have pulled the same assignment as her– all men who had come for relief in the last hour. She wondered, only for a second, why she was the last one standing from the afternoon shift. Sure, she was the only Black female uniform on patrol in the Quarter, but that couldn’t be the reason. She laughed to herself. After six years on the force, Reese had gotten used to being overlooked. In the beginning, it had bothered her, but now, she couldn’t care less what a few arrogant men thought. All that mattered were the people she protected. Her people, in her city.

Twenty minutes later, her relief finally arrived and sent her back to the station. She dropped off her patrol car and signed out. By the time she peeled off her uniform and fell into bed, the sun was coming up. When her cell phone rang just before 7 a.m., she almost threw it across the room. Had it not been Ms. Gladys, she would have. Reese rolled over and hit accept on her cell. Reese. Have you talked to Janae? Ms. Gladys asked before Reese could say hello.

Reese rubbed her eyes and yawned. Janae? No ma’am. Not since Tuesday. Why?

She didn’t come home last night. I thought maybe she was with you.

You sure she didn’t come home after you went to bed and left before you got up this morning? Reese asked.

I’m definitely sure, Ms. Gladys said, sounding frantic. Reese, something’s wrong. 

Reese forced her eyes open. Have you called her cell?

Of course, I have. I’m not crazy.

Reese stared at the ceiling and tried to collect her thoughts I know, Ms. Gladys. I’m just asking.

Something’s wrong. I can feel it.

Reese thought about what Ms. Gladys was telling her. Then she weighed the source. Ms. Gladys had been diagnosed with dementia a year earlier. Was it possible that she had talked to Janae and forgotten? Reese. Reese, are you still there?

She propped herself up onto her elbows. Yes ma’am. I’m here.

You need to go find her. You’re a cop. That’s your job, right? Ms. Gladys snapped.

We won’t consider her a missing person until she’s been gone for 48 hours.

That’s too long. Something is wrong Reese. You’ve got to do something now. Ms. Gladys was yelling now.

Reese took a deep breath. Okay, Ms. Gladys. Calm down. We’ll find her. Let me get dressed and I’ll be over there as soon as I can.

Hurry. She was gone before Reese could say anything more.

Reese laid back for another minute, trying to force her body to move. She eventually got herself to a sitting position, then swung her legs off the bed. She called Janae’s cell while she pulled on jeans and a t-shirt. The call went straight to voicemail. She brushed her teeth and pulled her thick dark curls into a ponytail before driving to Janae’s house.

Ms. Gladys opened the door of the small shotgun house as soon as Reese pulled into the driveway. Reese. Come in.

Reese climbed the porch steps two at a time. Ms. Gladys’ house dress was wrinkled and her hair was tousled. Reese wondered if she’d slept at all. Do you remember the last time you talked to Janae? Reese asked as she stepped inside the living room.

Ms. Gladys was looking around as if she’d lost her daughter under the loveseat. Yesterday when she left for work.

Reese sighed. You didn’t talk to her again after that?

Ms. Gladys eyes snapped back to Reese. No. That’s how I know something is wrong.

That is strange, Reese said quietly.

Ms. Gladys pointed a finger at Reese then turned toward the kitchen. Told you.

Janae always called home at least once a day to check on her mother, Reese knew. She walked across the room to the cordless phone and pushed the button to review the previous calls. Ms. Gladys, the phone log says Janae called yesterday morning and again at 4:30 in the afternoon. You sure you didn’t talk to her?

Ms. Gladys put her hand to her head. Did she? Yes, that’s right she called.

Reese took a breath then replaced the phone on the charger. If Ms. Gladys couldn’t remember the last time she talked to Janae, could she be wrong about the last time she’d seen her? Ms. Gladys, when was the last time you ate?

This morning, Ms. Gladys said, nodding.

Reese walked to the kitchen. What did you have for breakfast?

"Now what did I eat? The confused woman put her hand on her forehead again. Oh, I can’t remember. But what does that have to do with anything?"

Reese opened the door to the pantry and grabbed a box of cereal. Let’s get you something to eat.

Ms. Gladys waved her off. There’s no time for that. You need to go out there and find Janae. Ms. Gladys pointed that finger at Reese again. Tara Reese, don’t make me call your mother.

Reese shook her head at the threat. Calling Reese’s mother was impossible since she’d been dead for almost ten years, but it seemed Ms. Gladys had forgotten that. What time does Sharon come to stay with you? Reese asked.

When the morning news goes off.

Reese looked at her watch. She should be here soon. When she gets here, I’ll look for Janae. Right now, I need you to eat something and take your medicine. She gently guided the worried woman into a chair at the kitchen table and got a bowl from the cabinet.

When Reese picked up the daily pill container from the bathroom vanity, she felt the first tinge of fear. Ms. Gladys’ evening pills from the night before were still in the container. Even if Janae had returned home late, she wouldn’t have forgotten to give her mother her medicine. For now, Reese filed that information away and handed Ms. Gladys her morning pills before making her way down the hallway.

The door to Janae’s room was ajar. There were a pair of jeans and a few shirts on a chair in the corner and a pair of running shoes on the floor, but nothing looked out of place. Reese dug around in the closet and bathroom. No purse. No phone. No wallet. Back in the kitchen, she got Janae’s work number from the white board on the fridge and dialed it from her cell phone. Janae’s voicemail picked up just as Sharon came through the front door.

Good morning Ms. Gladys. Oh, hi Reese. Sharon’s face fell when she saw Reese’s troubled expression. Is everything okay?

Reese came to find Janae, Ms. Gladys said from the kitchen table.

Sharon looked over to Reese. Where’s Janae? 

Ms. Gladys says she never came home last night, Reese answered.

Ms. Gladys, are you sure she didn’t just come home late? Sharon asked.

I’m sure, Ms. Gladys snapped.

Sharon, what time did you leave yesterday? Reese asked.

I left at five, like I always do. Janae is always home before six. Reese, do you really think she’s missing?

I don’t know what to think, she answered truthfully. Her room looks fine, but she’s not picking up her cell or her office phone. When was the last time you talked to her?

I texted her yesterday to verify Ms. Gladys’ doctor’s appointment today. She called back on the house phone about a half hour before I left, Sharon answered.

Did she say anything about going somewhere after work?

Sharon stared back at her, suddenly worried. No, she didn’t.

Reese put her cell in the back pocket of her jeans and started toward the door. Sharon, take Ms. Gladys to the doctor. I’ll call you as soon as I find something.

Reese was out the door and down the steps before either of them could answer. At 8am, the temperature had already topped eighty degrees which explained the sweat dotting Reese’s forehead– or maybe it was the dread rising in her stomach. Taking side streets to avoid the morning traffic, Reese drove to the electric company where Janae worked as an admin in the HR department. Ten minutes after leaving Janae’s house, Reese pulled up to the red brick building downtown.

A young blond woman came from a back office when she heard the bell on the front door. Can I help you?, she asked Reese.

I’m looking for Janae Harper. Can you tell me if she came into work today?

The young woman’s smile faded. I’m sorry ma’am, but I can’t give you that kind of information. 

Reese held up her badge. I’m Officer Reese Hawking. Ms. Harper may be missing.

The receptionist took a step back, startled. Let me get Janae’s supervisor.

A few minutes later, a balding man in a short sleeve white shirt and khakis came from the back. Can I help you, Officer?

Reese flashed her badge again. I need to know if Janae Harper came to work today.

The color drained from the man’s face. Janae isn’t here yet, but it’s still early and…

Reese waved him off. She’s supposed to be here by eight, is that right? Is she usually late?

The concern in the supervisor’s eyes made Reese more nervous than before. Never.

Reese took a breath to steady herself. What time did she leave yesterday?

I’m not sure, but we can check her keycard to see when she left the building. Follow me. He led Reese through a door behind the front desk and into his office. She stood behind him as he sat down, opened a program on his computer, and typed in Janae’s name. Says here she clocked out at 5:19. Nothing since then.

Reese swallowed hard. Did she say anything to you about where she was going after work? 

The man shook his head. Nothing.

I need to see her desk. Reese walked down the short hallway and into the office Janae shared with three other women. They all watched as Reese went to Janae’s empty chair and opened her desk drawers. Did Janae say anything about going somewhere after work yesterday? Reese asked the three women. None of them knew anything. Did she seem paranoid or worried yesterday?

The brunette in the back answered for the room. She said something about her mother going to the doctor, but other than that she seemed fine.

Reese pushed back from the desk and stood, blood rushing to her head. She went around to the other offices and questioned every employee she could find. No one had heard from Janae. No one had any idea where she might be. By 9:30 Janae hadn’t shown up, and Reese was in a full-on panic. Janae wouldn’t have skipped her mother’s medicine, and she wouldn’t have skipped out on work unless something– or someone– had kept her. She was too responsible for that. Had been since the second grade.

The first thing eight-year-old Janae ever said to Reese had something to do with the state of Reese’s messy desk. Janae had insisted they organize everything before the two of them left for recess. They had been best friends ever since. Reese drove faster than she should have to the police station, the ache in the pit of her stomach growing with each passing mile. 

Chapter 3

Detective Alan Brenner was on the phone when Reese knocked on the glass window of his office door. He waved her in and gestured to the chair in front of his desk. She closed the door behind her, took the seat, and waited impatiently for him to finish his call. Reese had known Brenner since before she joined the department. He and Reese’s mom started dating the summer after Reese graduated from high school. Brenner had recently moved to New Orleans from Texas. He and Reese’s mother had broken up a few months later, but they had stayed friends. After her mother died in the car accident, Brenner made a point to check in on Reese. He had encouraged her to go to the academy and had even helped her train. Now, with Janae missing, Reese needed his help again.

Brenner was technically in the Robbery and Homicide Division, but she wasn’t about to concern herself with protocol. She leaned forward in her chair and clasped her hands in front of her. Brenner looked like he had gotten less sleep than she had. Then she remembered that he’d been one of the detectives at the murder in the Quarter. The sound of her boot heels bouncing on the old linoleum floor reverberated in her head and didn’t stop until Brenner hung up the phone.

Al, I need your help.

Brenner leaned back in his chair. Good morning to you too, Kid. What are you doing here? Aren’t you off duty today?

Reese rubbed her hands together and forced herself to stay seated. I am. It’s Janae. She’s missing.

Brenner furrowed his brow. Janae? Your friend from high school? Reese nodded. Brenner leaned forward. What’s going on? How long has she been gone?

She left work before six yesterday and never made it home. I went to her house and her mother hasn’t seen or talked to her since yesterday. Her car isn’t there and neither is her cell phone or purse.

But that doesn’t… Brenner started.

Reese cut him off. I went to her job, and she didn’t show up this morning. Al, trust me when I tell you something is very wrong. Janae wouldn’t disappear like this.

Brenner sighed and sat back. Reese, I believe you, but I have to ask: how are you so sure she didn’t just leave town or meet some guy? It hasn’t even been 24 hours.

Reese could feel her heartbeat accelerate but did her best to keep her voice steady. Janae’s mom has health issues. Her only other sibling lives in Shreveport. Janae would not leave her mother without making sure someone was around to take care of her. And she would not go home with some random guy.

Brenner considered for a few seconds, then handed Reese a pen and paper. Since it hasn’t been that long, we can’t file a missing person’s report. But we can put the word out to some patrol officers to look out for her car. Write down the make and model. I’ll get the plate number. Go over to patrol and spread the word. I’ll call a few guys from here, and then I’ll check the impound lot. After you’re done with patrol, check a few spots she might have gone. See if anyone has seen her. Come back here when you’re done.

I already have the plate number. Reese wrote everything down and added Janae’s physical description along with the clothes she’d been wearing the day before, which she’d gotten from Janae’s coworkers. She handed the sheet of paper back to Brenner before heading to the door. She stopped at the threshold and turned back. Al. Check the hospitals, Reese sighed. And check the morgue.

Reese, I think it’s a little early…, Brenner started.

Al, just do it please, Reese said quietly.

Brenner nodded as Reese left the office. She gave every cop she could find a description of Janae and her car. Then she spent the next three hours going to Janae’s gym, the coffee shop by her office, and her favorite sandwich shop. She even went to a bar the two of them went to once a month to catch up. She stopped at every gas station between Janae’s job and her house. No one had seen her. Reese was almost back at the station when Brenner called her cell. She answered without saying hello. Did you find anything?

Brenner sounded like he was driving. Patrol found her car. It’s out near Pontchartrain Park.

Reese took a deep breath before asking the next question. Is she there?

No sign of her. Northeast end of the park. I’ll meet you there. Brenner said.

Reese was off the phone and turning her car toward the park before Brenner hung up. The park was in the opposite direction from Janae’s house and from her job. There was no reason her car should be there. When Reese got to the park, she followed police lights to the parking lot of an airboat tour company. Brenner was there talking to two patrol officers. Reese parked on the street and ran over to them.

Anything? She asked.

Brenner wiped sweat from his brow. Impound got a call about an abandoned car in the parking lot. Patrol recognized the make and model. They came over here and had Impound leave the car, then called me at the station.

Have you checked the car and the trunk? Reese’s voice cracked when she asked the question.

Brenner sighed. She’s not here. The car was unlocked. Keys were in it, along with her purse and cell phone, which was off.

Reese almost doubled over at the mix of relief and panic that swept over her. Al, there’s no reason she’d be out here.

Brenner took a step toward Reese and lowered his voice. Was Janae depressed? Or maybe anxious about something? 

Reese put her head in her hand. No. I mean I guess she was worried about her mom, but no more than usual. Why do you ask?

The tour company is missing a boat. Small, aluminum thing they had out back. Is there any chance Janae might have taken it?

Brenner’s asinine questions were starting to piss Reese off. She didn’t steal a boat, Al. Janae hated the water. She got carsick if she sat in the backseat for too long.

Brenner put both hands up but stopped short of touching her. Okay. I need you to calm down and think. Did Janae have a boyfriend or was there anyone new in her life?

Reese took a deep breath to steady herself. No one.

Brenner took a small notepad from his pocket. Did she mention anything about someone following her? Or someone at work who might have been bothering her?

No. I talked to her colleagues this morning. No one said anything like that, Reese said.

Brenner nodded. Then we’ll file a missing person’s report and get to work.

*********

The patrol officers left while Reese and Brenner searched Janae’s car. It didn’t appear to have been broken into and had no damage. To Reese’s relief, there was no blood or indications that Janae might be hurt. Reese did find a receipt for a local grocery store in Janae’s purse. She had stopped at 6 p.m. the day before, but there was no food in the car. When Reese was satisfied, Brenner had the car transported to the station so forensics could complete a more thorough search. When the tow truck left the lot, Reese and Brenner went to the grocery store. They tracked down the cashier who checked out Janae’s groceries, but he didn’t remember seeing her. Brenner was able to get the manager to let them look at the security camera footage. They followed Janae as she shopped, paid, and left. There was no footage from the parking lot, but Brenner took a copy of the store recording for good measure.

Reese could feel the knots in her stomach building as she and Brenner stood next to his car. What now? she asked.

Brenner put his hands on his hips. We can check traffic cameras in the area and see if we can track down which direction she went when she left.

Reese rubbed her temples. Half of those cameras don’t work. You know that.

Brenner wiped at his forehead with the back of his hand. It’s worth a shot, and right now it’s all we’ve got. He paused for a long time before speaking again. Look Reese, I’m going to have to kick this over to Missing Persons.

Reese raised her head. Al, please. Missing persons won’t do anything for two days. We don’t have that kind of time.

I’ll check in with them. I’ll make sure I update you as soon as I hear something. Reese put her head in her hands, and Brenner pulled her into a hug. We’ll find her Reese. For now, I need you to go home and try to rest. I’ll call you as soon as we get something.

As soon as you hear something. Reese said, pulling away.

I promise. Go on home.

Reese drove home, packed a bag and went back to Janae’s house. It was past eight when she sent Sharon home. Reese told Ms. Gladys everything she knew, which did nothing but confuse her more. After Reese finally closed the door to Ms. Gladys’ bedroom, she walked onto the porch to call Janae’s brother in Shreveport. They had already talked several times that day, and now she had to tell him that they still had no idea where his sister was. He insisted on coming down to New Orleans the next day. Reese was lying awake on the couch when her cell phone rang a few hours later. Whatever Brenner had to tell her at that hour had to be bad.

Chapter 4

Sharon was back at Janae’s house fifteen minutes after Reese got off the phone with Brenner. She was out the door two seconds later, heading back to Pontchartrain Park. The stolen aluminum boat from the tour company had been found floating near a lighthouse off Lakeshore Drive. There was a body inside. Five-foot-tall, Black female with dark, curly hair wearing khaki pants and a pink shirt– the exact description Reese had given Brenner the day before. When she reached the lighthouse, Reese sat in the car and told herself to breathe. She didn’t open the car door until Brenner walked up to the driver’s side window.

He removed the blue latex gloves he was wearing and put them in his pocket. Reese, I’m so sorry.

Reese forced herself not to cry. Brenner went to touch her shoulder, but she pulled away. Don’t Al. I won’t be able to hold it together. He nodded and took a tiny step back. Reese swallowed hard. I want to see her.

Brenner shook his head. I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Al please. I have to make sure it’s her before I tell her mother, she answered softly.

Reese, I’m sure. There’s no reason for you to have this memory.

Reese closed her eyes and