Protecting Kendra

Chapter 3 - Kendra

I’m still hard at work when I notice that others have begun leaving for the day. I can’t seem to follow their suit. Emily, the missing girl, has been gone for nearly two weeks. I can’t pull myself away when I still have energy left in me. I have read her case a thousand times over. I have also gathered a list of her family and friends that I think would be most beneficial to interview. However, I’m still lacking on what questions I wish to ask them. I wonder if Paxton will understand me missing our training for this reason. I highly doubt so. As if he could sense me thinking about it, I received a text message from him. “One hour. Don’t forget.”

I groan. I dialed his number and hoped for the best. “Hey Paxton! I know I said tonight would work, but I was just handed my first big piece and I have to get questions ready to schedule interviews tomorrow.” I hold my breath waiting for his answer.” I didn’t have to wait long as he quickly replied “You’ve missed a lot of training. We really need to get you back on track. I know you see these as pointless, but you need to stick with them.”

“Please, it’s really important. I’m working on a story of a missing girl. The police have no leads, and they really need help keeping her case alive in the public eye. I don’t feel right learning to defend myself when I could help someone that is in actual danger.” Maybe the sympathy card will work. After a few seconds, he spoke again. “I’ll tell you what. Come to training and I can help you brainstorm ideas.” As much as I would love to get out of training all together, this could be helpful. Paxton has knowledge he obtained from the academy that I most likely would not have come up with on my own. “Okay, deal. I’ll see you there.” I hung up the phone and leaned forward to lay my head down on the desk.

After a few seconds, I decided I should probably go ahead and pack up my things to head out. I hate being the last one in the building. It’s so eerie. I always freak myself out imagining that I’m seeing things. Once I’m in my car, I let out a breath. I really hope it will be a light workout.

As soon as I walked into the training room, Paxton started to run over the schedule. It turns out that today had a little luck left in it for me. “We are going to start with stretching and then focus on cardio for the remaining time. Your apartment steps were able to take you out fast. Go change and then we will begin.” I nodded and head to the locker rooms. I love how this facility keeps workout clothes stocked. I never have to worry about forgetting my own. Which I’m sure would happen often. I quickly change and grabbed my shoes out of my locker to put on. I meet Paxton back on the floor after they’re tied and sit down next to him to begin stretching.

“So, tell me about this case.” Paxton asked, as I lean forward to touch my toes. I didn’t expect we’d jump right into it, but I’m glad that we are. “Emily was last seen as she was headed home from work one day around 8:30 pm. The camera recording was hazy, but it caught a few details. The suspect was tall, maybe 6’4”, and roughly 240lbs. His apparel was all black and his hoodie was hiding his face well. She didn’t have a chance of fighting him off, and she fought hard from the look of it. The last thing you see is him pulling her around the corner. There were no cameras on that side of the building to catch what happened next. We have no idea what car he used to take her away in.” I paused to take my phone out of my sweatpants pocket. “I have the video they sent for me to review.” I handed over my phone so he could watch it.

The video clip is short, so it doesn’t take long for him to review. He even played it a few more times to make sure that he did not miss a detail. “There’s a trail of wet shoe prints that heads in the direction they go. It’s most likely a woman’s by the size of it. They

usually dry fairly quick, so whoever it was couldn’t have been too far ahead of them. Also, Emily’s expression also turned to shock a split second before he even began to grab her. It doesn’t quite register fear right away though, more like running into someone you desperately wanted to avoid. I’m willing to bet they have encountered each other before.” I pondered this over for a minute. If it was somebody that she knew on this level, surely a family member or friend would have recognized the description. I grab my phone back from Paxton and type all of this into my notes. We continue throwing thoughts by each other while we finish up our stretching. We take a break during the cardio portion. I’m struggling to breathe as it is. There’s no way I could add talking on top of it without passing out. I can tell that his mind is still fixed on it though.

When the timer goes off on my machine, I step off and let myself collapse face down onto the floor. I’m so mentally and physically exhausted I could fall asleep. I heard Paxton laugh at my dramatic display. I looked up as he approached and saw that he had brought me a bottle of water. I sat up and snatched it from him. I chug it as if I haven’t drunk anything in days.

“When did you say the interviews were?” He inquired after I sat my empty bottle down. “I will find out tomorrow. I start making calls tomorrow morning to see who would be willing to talk and when their earliest availability is.” He nods and adds without hesitation, “Well, let me know when you find out and I’ll go with you.” I can’t help but to grin ear to ear. His offer doesn’t feel like an order from my guard. It feels like one that a friend would say when they know how much something means to another. For once, I am looking forward to the next morning.

We both gathered our things and started walking to the parking lot. We didn't say much during the walk. The quiet was nice after a day like today. This is one thing I've always loved about our friendship. We have never had the pressure to keep a conversation going. The silence has never been awkward where you look forward to an excuse to leave. Our presence alone has always brought peace to whatever chaos or stress was occurring. We reached my car and I lingered back until Paxton gave me the okay to get in. Instead of sliding into the front seat, I wrapped my arms around Paxton's neck for a hug. "Thank you." I said so quietly it was almost a whisper. "Anytime." He said on the same level. He probably thinks I meant for his help tonight and the interviews to come, but it still brings me the same comfort. I let myself enjoy a few seconds of the embrace before getting into my car to leave.