Bette left the room and headed for her desk. “Everything ok with Jodi?” Alice asked realising Bette’s mood had changed.

“Um, yeah she wanted some advice, that’s all.”

“Ok.” Alice decided not to push, but she wasn’t convinced that it was nothing.

A few days have passed. When Bette didn’t hear from Jodi or any of the victims she had conceded that they didn’t want to come in and report it. She and Alice were into one of their usual friendly banters while Shane and Tasha looked on in utter disbelief. They were interrupted by a young lady who looked scared. “May we help you with something?” Shane asked as she passed them.

“Uh yes. I’m looking for Detective Porter? Jodi down at the centre sent me.”

“I’m Detective Porter.” She introduced herself.

“Hi, my name is Becky, and I was raped.” She half smiled shyly. “With all those meetings, I never get used to saying that.”

“Come this way.”

“Has any of the other girls come in yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“They’re scared you know. But I don’t want him to do this again.”

“You’re doing the right thing. You’re showing more courage coming in.”

“I know.” Phyllis offered her office for privacy rather than the intimating aura of the interrogation room. She sat down and began to tell her story. Bette listened intently and compassionately as she gave almost vivid details of her encounter. “I saw his face you know. When he was leaving.”

“He showed you his face?”

“Not intentionally.” She closed her eyes in an attempt to shut the images of his face out. “I have a mirror.” She continued. Her voice shaky from crying. “It’s near the front door of my apartment. You know last check before you leave.” She smiled through the tears. “Anyway, when he was leaving he took the mask off. I mean he must have thought I was still passed out.”

“Can you identify him if you saw him again?”

“I’ll never forget his face. I can’t sleep because when I close my eyes I see his face. I see him in every guy I see when I walk down the street. I stopped going out because of him.”

“Now you don’t have to if you don’t want to. But do you think you can identify him in a line up?” Bette asked trying not to be insensitive.

“Would he see me?”

“No. I’ll be there with you.”

“Can Jodi come?”

“If you want here there she will be.”

“Would I have to testify?”

“You’re a victim so no one can force you. And if we get a DNA match it should be enough to convict him.” Bette reassured her.

“Ok.”

The girls spent the next few days investigating. They interviewed the other women in the presence of Jodi. With the exception of a few minor details, their stories were almost identical. They got all the evidence they needed and with the positive identification from Becky the case was solid and the girls were sure of a conviction. That was until ADA Kennard demanded that the victim, Becky, testify.

“She saw his face Bette she can point him out in the court room.” Tina argued.

“Yes, but she’s the victim here. We have enough evidence to convict. We don’t need her testimony.”

“I say we do.”

“No we don’t. And you can’t make her testify either.”

“I can. With a subpoena.”

“You wouldn’t.” Bette saw the look in Tina’s eyes. There was rage and pain reflecting in them at the same time. She realised that Tina was serious. “You conniving evil bitch.” Bette said. Their face only inches apart. “You will let her live through that again?”

Tina ignored Bette’s question. “She will be served.”

“I won’t let you do that.” She blocked Tina from leaving.

“I suggest you stand down Detective, or I will have you arrested for obstruction.”