Badge of Honor by Carol Steward

someone tries to convince her that she did something to deserve this.” Sarah’s voice became softer and harder to hear.
    She was speaking like someone who knew what her sister was going through. Nick wasn’t sure how to respond. “Did anyone in our department say something like that?”
    She looked up in confusion; her attention had been somewhere else. “What?”
    He wanted to change the question, but didn’t. He wanted to take this tiny woman with more spunk than most officers and hold her, comfort her.
    He couldn’t.
    He shouldn’t.
    He had to find a way to turn off the personal feelings he was discovering for this petite spitfire.
    He repeated the question.
    â€œI don’t know. She won’t talk to me. She won’t let me talk to her….” Sarah’s voice trembled. Tears stung her eyes, and she fought to cover the fact.
    â€œIt’s happened to you, hasn’t it?”
    She turned away. “I didn’t say that.”
    â€œNot directly, but you sound as if you know what she’s going through. Or did you handle serial crimes at the FBI?”
    â€œNo, and no. A roommate in college was raped, while I was across the hall sleeping. I’ll never forget hearing her scream, seeing the rapist disappear back through that window. I was so terrified, I did everything wrong, ruined the investigation. I vowed I’d never do that again.”
    â€œForgive me for jumping to the wrong conclusion.” He couldn’t imagine how helpless Sarah must have felt. It was no wonder she wanted to help her sister now. “I’m sorry, Sarah.”
    He forced his mind to the situation at hand.
    â€œBeth is a youth counselor, encouraging abstinence. Avoiding temptation. She wouldn’t stay at Steve’s house, even after this. She didn’t want to tell our parents, so I’m positive she wouldn’t tell her fiancé, either. That concerns me.”
    â€œDo you think that’s pertinent to the case?” He felt his investigative instincts kick in.
    She nodded. “It’s worth considering.”
    â€œDoes she teach abstinence in her college classes, too? It seems I’ve seen something about an organization promoting abstinence recently, at church, or in the newspaper or somewhere.”
    Sarah was silent, then started looking around. “Do you see my sister’s laptop? It’s usually right here.”
    Nick searched the room. “Maybe she took it with her.”
    â€œHmm. She doesn’t usually do so unless she’s gone for a holiday or something. Even then, she takes her files on her flash drive and uses Mom and Dad’s computer when she’s there.”
    Sarah ran up the stairs and returned a few minutes later, empty-handed.
    What was her sister doing, and why hadn’t she told Sarah she was going somewhere?

TEN
    A fter her brother showed up, Sarah tried to escape while Nick was talking to Joel.
    â€œCall me when you get to your place, Sarah,” her brother said as she quietly closed the screen door.
    Nick swung around and darted out after her. “Wait a minute there! Talk to you later, Joel.”
    Her brother laughed from the doorway as Sarah hurried to her SUV with Nick running behind. “Keep a close eye on my sister, Nick.”
    â€œThat’s easier said than done.” He knocked on the passenger window and pointed to the seat, and Sarah smiled as she unlocked the door.
    He climbed inside. “What was that about? I told you I’m going to be your shadow until we figure this out.”
    â€œI was just trying to give myself a fighting chance to get away,” she said firmly, trying not to laugh. “I meant what I said about not jeopardizing your career, Nick. I want you to leave this problem to me. Don’t get involved. How else can I prove to you that I’m not trying to get you into trouble?”
    â€œWhy do you care what I think?” he