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"We’ve been waiting for this day," said Amy, her voice trembling slightly. "But it doesn't feel like what I had imagined." I could sense her fear, and I knew she was worried about how this situation might affect her mental well-being, especially with our wedding day fast approaching and her new role as a mother to Ava.
Meagan swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "Yes, I agree. I feel creeped out. I don't have time to return to therapy. The twins need a full-time mom. Not one crippled by her past," she added, her voice barely above a whisper. The prospect of facing her attacker was clearly bringing back painful memories and nightmares she had tried to suppress without the help of her therapist. I could see the fear in her eyes and the way she squeezed Amy's hand for reassurance.
Chase and I exchanged glances, helpless and concerned for the two women we loved. We wanted to protect them and remove their fear but knew we couldn't. It was their battle to fight, their memories to confront. We could only stand by their side and offer our support.
After a few moments, the door opened. Agent Carter, the investigator on Rosedale's ongoing case for a long time, entered the room. He motioned for us to follow him into his office. His demeanor was serious, and his face showed signs of exhaustion.
"Thank you for coming in today," Carter said once we were seated in his cluttered office. "I know this is difficult for all of you." He looked at Amy and Meagan with empathy. "We're here to conduct a lineup to see if you can identify the man who accosted you. Giuseppe Russo insisted we do this today, so we're moving forward without having interviewed Blackwood yet."
Meagan's eyes widened in surprise. "You haven't interviewed him yet?" she asked, her voice barely concealing her disappointment.
Carter shook his head. "I'm afraid not. But we need to know if you can identify him as your attacker. If not, we'll no longer have reason to hold him."
He then went on to explain the double-blind lineup procedure. "This is a double-blind lineup, which means that neither the officer administering the lineup, nor the witnesses know the suspect's identity. This helps to prevent any unconscious bias or influence on your identification."
Amy and Meagan exchanged anxious glances as Carter continued. "There will be six individuals in the lineup, including the suspect. They'll be presented to you one at a time, and you'll be asked to state whether or not each person is the one who accosted you. Take your time and make sure you're certain before giving your answer. Remember, it's just as important to clear an innocent person as it is to identify the guilty party."
As he finished his explanation, I could see the growing anxiety in both women. The responsibility of potentially deciding someone's fate weighed heavily on them, and their hands visibly trembled.
Meagan's breathing became more rapid, and she fumbled through her purse, pulling out a small pill box. She quickly swallowed a pill with a sip of water, trying to steady herself. Chase and I exchanged worried looks, our concern for her mounting with each passing moment.
"Are you okay?" Amy asked Meagan, her own voice trembling.
"Yeah," Meagan replied, her voice strained. "This is the first time in a long time I've had to take my anxiety medication. Thank God I still have a few pills in my purse."
Carter nodded in understanding. "I know this is a lot to handle, but we'll be right here to support you throughout the process. So, take as much time as you need. Just be honest about what you remember."
Unable to contain our frustration any longer, Chase and I confronted Carter about his lack of action on his investigation. "Why haven't you interviewed Blackwood yet? This is the first break we've had in the Rosedale Tech case," I demanded, trying to keep my voice in check.
"Yeah," Chase chimed in, his tone equally as tense. "Giuseppe's men had to track this dude down and then called the police to insist someone come and make the arrest. So, you should be on top of this!”
Carter sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to explain. "I understand your frustration, but we've been swamped with cases. The sheriff's office is understaffed, and I've been stretched thin trying to manage everything."
His words did little to quell our anger, but Chase and I had to keep things civil for Amy and Meagan's sake. They were already upset enough, and arguing would only make things worse.
"Fine," I said, clenching my jaw. "We just want to make sure justice is served. As you know, we are more than ready to put this nightmare behind us."
Carter nodded, his eyes solemn. "I promise you, I'll do everything I can to ensure it is. To avoid any bias, Amy and Meagan will view the lineup separately.”
Amy went first, with me accompanying her into the observation room. In total, there were six men in the lineup, each of varying heights, builds, and hair colors, dressed in similar plain clothing. They stood facing forward, waiting for instructions.
Amy studied each individual carefully, her eyes narrowing as she tried to recall the harrowing encounter on the beach. Finally, when Carter had them repeat a phrase twice, she stepped away and grabbed my hand, “It’s #4. I can tell by his voice!”
Carter had the women exchange places but I was allowed to stand at the door while Meagan repeated the same process as Amy.
When person #4 recited the phrase, Meagan stepped forward and touched the glass as if receiving a vibe. Then, after a pause, she stepped back, covered her mouth with her hand, and whispered, "That's Alex. He's gained weight and has had his nose fixed, but that's definitely Alex!"
Chase pulled her close and indicated for Carter to close the curtain. "That's enough. We've done what we came to do."
Agent Carter's response to their identification was somewhat unexpected. Instead of displaying relief or satisfaction, his expression seemed to flicker with a hint of unease. "Alright," he said, his voice conveying a subtle tension. "I'll note your identification, but we still have a lot of work to do in this case."
Chase and I exchanged concerned glances, trying to decipher Carter's reaction. It felt as if something was amiss, but we couldn't put our finger on it. Yet, despite our suspicions, we knew it was essential to focus on supporting Amy and Meagan through this ordeal.
As we left the observation room, Meagan suddenly broke down, sobbing into Chase's shoulder. "I never thought I'd have to face him again," she cried. "I just want to move on and forget what happened. But remember how, after my therapy session to help my memory, I recognized the voice I had heard inside the car while locked inside the trunk..."
"Didn't you think it was the guy named Alex you dated a few times a long time ago?"
"Yes, but none of the guys looked like Alex at first, but when he said, 'slow down, you're driving too fast,' it was the exact same voice I heard while locked in the trunk." Chase comforted Meagan by stroking her hair while Amy and I stood nearby to support her. Even though today progress was made, Meagan and Amy had a long way to go in their emotional healing journey. The traumatic events of their abductions had inflicted profound wounds that would take time to heal completely.
