Robyn Carr - Whispering Rock

M ike Valenzuela was up and had his Jeep SUV packed long before sunrise. He had a long drive to Los Angeles and meant to get an early start. Depending on traffic around the Bay Area, the drive would be eight to ten hours from Virgin River. He locked up his RV, which was his home. It sat on the property at Jacks bar and grill; Jack and Preacher would keep an eye on it for him, not that Mike expected any kind of trouble. That was one of several reasons hed chosen to live hereit was quiet. Small, peaceful, beautiful and nothing to disturb ones peace of mind. Mike had had enough of that in his former life.

Before coming to Virgin River permanently, Mike had made many trips to this Humboldt County mountain town for hunting and fishing, for gathering with an old Marine squad that was still close. His full-time job had been with LAPD, a sergeant in the gangs division. That had all ended when he was shot on the jobhed taken three bullets and had a lot of hard work getting his body back. Hed needed Preachers robust food and Jacks wife Mels assistance with physical therapy on his shoulder. After six months, Mike was as close to completely recovered as hed get.

Since moving to Virgin River hed been home only once to visit his parents, siblings and their families. He planned to take a weekone day driving each way and five days with that crowd of laughing, dancing Mexicans. Knowing the traditions of his family, it would be a nonstop celebration. His mother and sisters would cook from morning to night, his brothers would stock the refrigerator with cerveza, family friends and cop buddies from the department would drop by the house. It would be a good timea great homecoming after his long recovery.

He was three hours into his drive when his cell phone rang. The noise startled him. There was no cell phone reception in Virgin River so the last thing he expected was a phone call.

Hello? he answered.

I need a favor, Jack said without preamble. His voice sounded gravelly, as though he was barely awake. He must not have remembered Mike was heading south.

Mike looked at the dash clock. It wasnt yet 7:00 a.m. He laughed. Well, sure, but Im nearly in Santa Rosa, so it might be inconvenient to run over to Garberville and get you ice for the bar, but hey

Mike, its Brie, Jack said. Brie was Jacks youngest sister, his pet, his favorite. And she was really special to Mike. Shes in the hospital.

Mike actually swerved on the highway. Hold on, he said. Stay there. He pulled off the road onto a safe-looking shoulder. Then he took a deep breath. Go ahead, he said.

She was assaulted sometime last night, Jack said. Beaten. Raped.

No! Mike said. What?

Jack didnt repeat himself. My father just called a little while ago. Mel and I are packingwell get on the road as soon as we can. Listen, I need someone who knows law enforcement, criminology, to walk me through whats happening with her. They dont have the guy who did thistheres got to be an investigation. Right?