Patrolling The Streets
As she patrolled the quiet streets, the radio crackled to life with a call from dispatch. The moon hung high above, its light breaking through the clouds for the first time in days, after a relentless string of snowstorms.
Her grip tightened on the steering wheel, her mind focused on catching the person responsible for unsettling her neighborhood. She slammed her foot on the gas, determination fueling her every move. But when she arrived at the scene, the sight before her would leave an indelible mark on her soul forever.
Dealt With Similar Cases
Officer Frankie Russo had dealt with similar calls repeatedly over the past two weeks. A string of burglaries and home invasions had left her small town rattled, and the tension was palpable among everyone, herself included.
Despite her department's relentless efforts to solve the case, they had made little headway. Though it was difficult to accept, one thing was undeniable: they were running out of leads.
Handling Cases
Frankie and her team were accustomed to handling cases involving skilled criminals who left no evidence behind, while the devastated community struggled with the loss of their belongings. The department often found itself in the delicate position of dealing with grief-stricken locals, their lives turned upside down.
When Frankie received the call at midnight on Christmas Eve, she felt a spark of hope. This could be the break she needed. As dispatch relayed the details of a potential robbery at the nearby convenience store, she braced herself for what could be the key to unraveling the case.
Proud Of Her Role
Frankie had always been proud of her role as a woman in blue. She found purpose in serving her community, whether it was stopping criminals or helping children and the elderly navigate busy streets.
After twelve years on the force, she felt prepared for anything. However, her sense of security was shaken when reports of stolen items and home invasions began flooding in, revealing a new, unsettling challenge she hadn't anticipated.
Increasing Frequency
The increasing frequency of home invasions and burglaries made it clear that Frankie couldn’t tackle the situation alone. Dispatch urged her to wait for backup, fully aware of the risks involved.
Frustrated by the relentless crime in her town, Frankie couldn’t bear the thought of waiting. She feared that if she hesitated, the criminals would slip away, continuing their destruction. What she didn’t know was just how dangerous the situation would be.
Fought To Stay Composed
Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought to stay composed. Her gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, scanning the quiet neighborhoods she passed through.
She knew she should have waited for backup, but now was not the moment for doubt. The situation she was about to face was unlike anything she had ever experienced, and there was no turning back.
En Route
Officer Frankie was en route to the scene when the night was suddenly shattered by explosions. The violent, jarring noises echoed from a distance, sending a chill through the air.
The sounds were unmistakable—sharp cracks that resembled thunder tearing through a storm. "Gunshots," she muttered, her grip tightening on the wheel. Slowing down, she considered it wiser to wait for backup before proceeding further.
Explosions Echoed
The explosions echoed relentlessly, fueling the officer's determination. It wasn't the first time she'd been forced to make life-or-death decisions to protect others.
Without hesitation, she notified dispatch of potential gunfire and activated her siren. Fully committed to her mission, she pressed the accelerator, ready to risk everything for the safety of her community.
Notified Dispatch
Just as Frankie neared the convenience store, dispatch notified her that security had apprehended the suspects. "Sorry, can you say that again?" Frankie asked, clearly puzzled.
Dispatch clarified that the store’s security had already secured the perpetrators in a safe room, preventing any harm. Frankie was left confused, trying to piece together what had happened. Little did she know, what awaited her inside would be even more surprising.
To The Convenience Store
Frankie's cruiser slid into the convenience store's parking lot, its tires crunching on the snow. She quickly exited the vehicle, her hand hovering near her holster, alert for any potential threats.
The parking lot was eerily quiet, with the store's festive Christmas lights offering a stark contrast to the otherwise bleak evening. From where Frankie stood, everything appeared calm, making it easy to believe there was no trouble inside.
Nearly Empty
She took in deep breaths as she scanned the parking lot. The place was nearly empty, which was understandable since it was Christmas Eve.
But an old van was parked in the furthest parking spot from where Frankie was. One look at it, and she knew it was somehow connected to the incident at the store. There was only one way to find out.
Now Or Never
With nowhere to go but forward, she unsheathed her weapon and took her first step into the lonely parking lot. She was alert, her senses burning with awareness.
She knew she was in the open and would likely take a hit if ambushed. But this was the fastest way into the store, the quickest way to put the string of robberies to rest. It was now or never.
Courage
Frankie wondered what would happen if she finally put the perpetrators behind bars. Would her town finally know peaceful nights? Would people breathe easy once more? The last two weeks had been daunting for them.
Such thoughts gave her the courage to ease into the convenience store slowly. But what she found made her pause in her tracks.
Inside The Store
The place was empty, save for the cashier, who waved at Frankie before seeing her weapon. Her brows drew up before she pointed down the aisle where a lone door stood.
Frankie nodded at her, even though she found the fact that the lady was smiling in such a tense situation a bit odd. Wasn't she supposed to be scared witless and possibly in tears?
At The Door
Despite this little detail, Frankie kept on, slowly moving through the aisle with her sight trained on that door. If there was anything that would help her solve this mystery, it lay behind that structure's threshold.
Nearly at the door, she called in a request for backup, reporting that she was at the store, but nothing seemed to make sense. Afterward, she pushed the door open.
It Doesn't Make Sense
Franky had expected to find a burly six feet goon waiting for her or at least tied to the floor since dispatch reported that the store's security had the situation under control.
She expected to see bags of cash stuffed in one corner or expensive electronics strewn everywhere. But what she found almost drove her mind crazy.
Food
Instead of cash or electronics, there was a cart halfway filled with groceries. Frankie could make out a small turkey, a packet of pasta, several sauces, and orange juice.
There were eggs, a shank of beef, a roll of bread, and fresh veggies like mushrooms and spinach. But that was only the first part of the puzzling find.
A Woman
Next to the groceries was a woman, seemingly in her early thirties, with her hand zipped behind her back. Her face was half-covered with mated curls of hair, and she was in sweats and a dirty tank top.
Frankie's brows furrowed as she tried to understand what was before her. She'd seen all kinds of crime scenes but nothing quite like this. But that didn't mean that everything was okay here.
Shots Fired
Slowly tucking her weapon back into its keep, she turned to the security officer in the room. "I heard gunshots," she said. "Is there a weapon here that I should be aware of?"
The man shook his head. "Those were fireworks," he said. "Some local kids had an early Christmas celebration outside. But we've searched her and found nothing," he added. "Well, except this." He handed Frankie something that would make the case easier to digest.
Evidence
"A driver's license," Frankie said as she received the card. She stared at it, her eyes widening. She put up the card against the woman's cheek, gently parting the hair out of her face.
Oh my God, she almost said. But she stifled the urge before stepping back. Nobody back at the department would believe what she'd just discovered.
A Difficult Time
For the past two weeks, Frankie's town had been shaken by burglaries that left everyone distraught. The authorities had been working overtime to get to the root of the issue.
But even with their combined efforts, they had yet to make any significant findings to aid their search. But tonight, Frankie might have just found what they needed.
The Woman
The woman before her was dressed haphazardly. Frankie knew her, given that the woman was also a local. The woman had been working for a technology company outside the town for a few years.
She led a good life with wonderful children. She was a great person to those who knew her. But toward the end of summer, she just disappeared. No one knew where she went, assuming she'd taken a vacation. But that wasn't the interesting part.
Where It Started
The woman's home, a stunning bungalow on the outskirts of town, had been the first house hit by the string of burglaries. A cleaning crew who usually took care of the house whenever she was away reported the incident.
Frankie went down on her knees, "Miss Alterman," she began. "I'm Officer Frankie Russo. Is everything all right here?"
Miss Alterman
The woman didn't answer, only hung her head so that her locks of unkempt hair fell over her face again. "Miss Alterman," Frankie called again softly. She remembered that the woman had been in the same high school as her younger sister some years back.
Given how small their town was, everyone knew everyone. But now, the woman didn't even seem to recognize Frankie. What was happening?
How They Caught Her
Frankie called the security guard outside the room to ask questions. She took out her notepad and began. The guard explained that he had been watching some local kids blow fireworks in the parking lot when they saw the woman trying to sneak goods out of the store.
She hadn't scanned or paid for any of them and was looking to make a quick score. But the report didn't make any sense to Frankie.
Something's Missing
Miss Alterman was among the most well-off in town. She lived in a big house and drove a slew of those high-end electric cars. So why would she be stealing from a grocery store?
Frankie thanked the man and walked back into the room. She was missing something crucial here, and Miss Alterman was the key to finding it.
Her Truth
Frankie went down and unzipped the strip binding the woman's wrists together. "Can we talk?" she asked lowly. When the woman reluctantly nodded, she asked, "What's going on here?"
Miss Alterman explained everything. Over the last few months, she'd learned she'd been laid off from her prestigious job. She and her family had been surviving on her savings, trying to keep their heads afloat.
A Harsh Reality
But now she was almost a hundred thousand pounds in debt, with her house robbed and all her expensive belongings stolen. The bank was also threatening to repossess her home. She'd already lost her cars and her kids were forced to drop out of their private schools.
She explained that she was months behind on most of her bills and was at her wit's end as it stood. "That's why I had to come here," she said with tears. "I needed to feed my kids."
What To Do Now
Frankie's heart broke as she heard everything. She'd known Miss Alterman all her life and could attest to her being a good woman. That's when a thought hit her – what if she paid for her groceries? No one was meant to starve on Christmas.
Frankie asked the guard if she could talk to the store owner. After explaining everything to the owner and asking to pay for the woman's groceries, she cleared Miss Alterman's 180-pound bill, wishing her a Merry Christmas.
A Quiet Christmas
She knew she'd face harsh repercussions at work for not calling this in. It was a robbery, after all. Even the store owner was dumbfounded. But Frankie was willing to shoulder the risk, hoping Miss Alterman could have a quiet Christmas.
But as she escorted her to the lone van parked outside, the woman looked her dead in the eyes. "There is something else," Miss. Alterman said. "The robberies. I know who did it. But you have to promise to protect me if I tell you."