Deadly Obsession (9 page)

“Do you have no self-control at all, what were you thinking, I won’t go down for this. I’m already facing murder charges for his mother’s death, this one’s all on you.”

“Shut up, Nick, don’t act as if you’re some sort of saint, you’re no better than I am. I did what I had to; I won’t stand here and listen to this.”

“You didn’t have to do this, you almost killed him, if you didn’t, and there’s a good chance he still may die. You went too far Carol.”

“I’m warning you Nick, I won’t keep listening to this, not from you of all people. What makes you think you have a right to judge me?”

Carol’s animosity towards Nick was obviously growing causing him to back off as he had no desire to be her next victim.

“Do you need anything from the store?” Nick asked.

“I could use some food and drinks.”

Carol made out a list of items and handed it to Nick. He promised to get them and bring them back but in the back of his mind, he never planned on it. He didn’t want to be anywhere around here when the cops found Dexter in his condition.

Several hours passed as Carol anxiously awaited Nick’s return before coming to realize he wasn’t coming back. She could only wonder what his true intentions were; what if he turned her in to the police for a reward. The brutal beating she’d given Dexter could cost her the rest of her life in prison; she wouldn’t go down without a fight. She packed her car and left Dexter and the cabin behind her. She had to make a get-a-way while there was still time.

Carmen was adjusting well to motherhood. Zachary was a wonderful baby, only crying when he was hungry or wet. The one thing that would make her life perfect was Dexter’s return. She seemed to see him everywhere, especially in Zachary’s face; he was a spitting image of his father. Why didn’t God return him to his family? The time passed only caused Carmen to fear the worst. She felt certain that he would have found his way back to her by now if he was still alive.

It was Zachary’s nap time, so Carmen laid him in his crib. She decided to take a nap with him as she was tired. She stretched out on the bed and drifted off to sleep.

“Carmen, wake up I need you.” The voice called.

She shook her head in disbelief, rubbing her eyes.

“Dexter, is that you?”

“I need your help, I’m dying and I don’t have much time. My life is quickly fading away.”

She turned to see him, his appearance was unbearable. What had Carol done to him?

“Oh my God Dexter, what did she do to you? You look terrible. I’m so sorry.”

“She left me at the cabin, if you don’t find me soon, I’ll die. Please hurry Carmen.”

She sat straight up in the bed, realizing that it was a dream. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“Officer, can I help you?”

“Are you Carmen Haines?”

“I am how can I help you?”

She asked him inside.

“Have a seat please.” She invited.

“I’m here concerning Ada Crane’s accident. Did the two of you get along?”

“Of course we did, surely you don’t think I had something to do with her accident do you? Ada was a very sweet and caring person with great courage and determination. She and Dexter were extremely close. I love Dexter, why would I hurt his mother?”

He held up a clear bag, as Carmen examined it closely, she couldn’t believe it.

“Where did you find it?” she asked.

“You recognize it ma’am?”

“Of course I do, it’s my engagement ring. It was stolen from my house; I didn’t think I would ever see it again. Where did you find it?”

“It was recovered from Ada Crane’s vehicle, in the passenger’s floor. Are you sure it was stolen?”

“Yes, I made a report, you can check it

out.”

“I’ll check the report but just to be on the safe side for now, I must ask you not to leave town until all of this has been cleared up.”

“Where would I go, I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Carmen showed the officer to the door. She couldn’t believe it; Carol had tried to frame her with Ada’s death.

In the meantime, Carol Avery was wondering the country-side aimlessly. She had no idea where she was going but was scared to remain in any one place for a long period of time for fear of being identified. The authorities in Georgia had issued an APB for her arrest, her picture along with a description of her car would be given to every state. Every highway cop in the country was searching for her. And though she knew it was only a matter of time before they found her, she wouldn’t willingly turn herself in.

Unfortunately    the    fuel    light   was

blinking; Carol had no choice but to stop for gas. She pulled into a station and took a cap from her passenger’s seat and put it on, lessening her chances of being noticed. She then reached into her purse and pulled out a hundred dollar bill and took it inside to pay the attendant.

She quickly pumped her gas and got into her car. As she pulled away from the pumps, she noticed a police car circling the lot. She tried to remain calm but it only lasted a short moment, she panicked. Her only focus was getting out of here as quickly as she could but the car’s sudden acceleration immediately gained her attention from the policeman, prompting him to follow after her.

Carol gave no recognition to the blue flashing lights or the loud sirens following behind her. She recklessly led the chase in and out of traffic, giving no thought or concern for the innocent lives she now placed in danger. Freedom was her only priority and she refused to give up until she found it. Her life was flashing before her eyes, uncertain as to which crossroad she had chosen this dead-end turn which caused her to end up here in this moment. Her mind was racing with endless thoughts; it was too late to turn back and there was nowhere to go from here. There was no way out, only one thing left for her to do now. She pulled her cell from her purse.

“Mom, it’s me”

“Carol where are you, what’s wrong?”

“I need to know, why did you let daddy be so mean to me all those years?”

“I’m sorry Carol; he was mean to me too. I tried to stop him but there was nothing I could do.”

“You could have left him, had him locked up, killed him. You should have done something to protect me but you didn’t. That’s why I had to take care of him.”

“You killed your father? I thought it was an accident, you said he fell down the embankment. How could you kill your own father?”

“It was easy after everything he did to me. Did you know about the molestation? Did you let him do that too?”

“What are you talking about Carol?”

“He came into my bedroom at night and he raped me, time and time again, while you were in the next room asleep. How could you not know?”

“Oh Carol, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know, I swear I didn’t.”

“I hope you’re telling me the truth mom. I love you; I have to go now.”

Janice, Carol’s mother, was sickened by the strange conversation she’d just had with Carol. She thought her husband’s death was accidental but his own daughter had taken his life, and given the newly learned details she somewhat understood how she could do it. All the beatings they’d received at his hands wasn’t the extent of the abuse suffered as her daughter was being forced to satisfy her husband’s sick sexual obsessions.

Without another thought, Carol guided her car into a telephone pole standing at the side of the roadway. The speedometer registered 100 mph, causing her chance of survival to be absolutely none. She had sealed her fate in the mangled wreckage, ending her life instantly upon impact. Her cares were ended and she was freed from prison, the prison which held her hostage in her own mind.

The policemen looked on in amazement; Carol Avery had purposely slammed her car into the pole at full throttle. One of the officers radioed the accident in, requesting an ambulance. He then got out of his car and went to investigate the scene. Though he’d seen many accidents, this one was by far the most gruesome. The vehicle’s metal was twisted and bent around the tree in such a way that it’s make and model was uncertain without prior knowledge. Rescue was unnecessary as the victim’s body was severed at the waist, which was now lying on the hood. The force of impact was so severe that it pushed the dash forward causing the steering wheel to penetrate the seat. Recovery was the only remaining effort left, besides contacting family.

Lying on the ground was Carol’s cell phone; the screen was still lit up. The officer picked it up and dialed the last number called.

“Carol, what happened? Are you alright, you scared me?”

“Who am I speaking with? How do you know Carol?”

Janice Avery was confused as to why a strange man was answering her daughter’s cell phone.

“My name’s Janice, Carol is my daughter. Who are you and why do you have her phone.”

“Ma’am my name is Officer Jack, I’m afraid your daughter has been in a bad car accident.”

“What do you mean; is she okay?”

“I’m sorry to tell you ma’am but it doesn’t look good at all.”

“Where did it happen? Where is she?”

“It happened here in Lakeland ma’am.”

“You mean Lakeland, Florida, what was she doing in Florida? She lives in Georgia.”

“I can’t answer that ma’am.”

“I have to come to her. Tell me where to go.”

“Do you have someone to drive you down?”

“Yes, I can get my brother to bring me down there, just give me the address please.”

Janice took down the address.

“Jason, I need you to drive me to Lakeland, Florida. Carol’s been in a bad car wreck down there. The officer said it didn’t look good for her. I need to go to her as soon as possible.”

“I’ll be right there.”

News of Carol’s accident began to spread through the small community like wildfire. It wasn’t long until Carmen heard about it.

“I can’t believe it, it’s over, Dexter can finally come home; he’s coming home!” she screamed excitedly.

“What are you yelling about? What’s going on?” Eva Haines enquired.

“They found Carol in Florida.”

“Are you serious?”

“She was involved in an accident while she was attempting to flee police.”

“Is she okay?”

“I don’t know but Dexter can finally come back to me.”

“Was he with her?”

“I don’t know but surely he was. I know he’s been with her. Where else would he be?”

Fear suddenly came over her. There was no mention of Dexter being with Carol when they found her, what did that mean?

Chapter Ten

Janice and Jason had ridden for hours with nothing but silence between them, other than the sobbing of Janice’s crying.

“Please tell me why this had to happen? I just don’t understand.” Janice asked.

“I don’t know sis, I don’t understand either. Why was she in Florida?”

“I don’t know, except for the purpose of eluding the cops. I know you’ve heard about the whole Dexter Crane case.”

“Yeah, did she really kidnap him?”

“I don’t know but she called me just before her accident and told me some disturbing details concerning her father.”

“What kind of details?”

Janice swallowed hard.

“She said that her father molested her for years, she even asked me if I knew it was happening.”

“Are you kidding me, that sick piece of crap?”

“Imagine my surprise; I had no idea, none at all. How could he do that under my nose for so many years without my knowing? That’s not all.”

She paused.

“What do you mean? There’s more?”

“I’m afraid so. She said that she killed him. His death was ruled an accident but it wasn’t, Carol killed him. She didn’t seem remorseful at all.”

They were arriving to their destination. They parked and went inside the hospital.

“I’m Janice Avery and this is my brother, my daughter Carol was brought here a few hours ago. She was in a car accident, can I see her please?”

“Be seated ma’am, I’ll see what I can find out for you.”

It wasn’t long until she returned with the doctor.

“Are you Mrs. Avery?”

“Yes sir, how’s my daughter, is she okay?”

“Follow me please.” The doctor advised.

He led Janice and Jason to the chapel. As they travelled the distance of the hallways, anxiety grew. Reaching the chapel entrance, reality sunk in for Janice, Carol was gone. They followed the doctor in and sat down, by now the tears were flowing as she knew what the doctor had to tell her. She’d hoped this day would never arrive, yet here she stood, a mother isn’t supposed to outlive her children. She took Jason’s hand and held it tightly as she braced herself for the news.

“As you know Carol was in a horrific car accident. The injuries she sustained were fatal, she died on impact; there was nothing we could do for her. I’m so sorry for your loss, if there’s anything we can do; don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll need some information concerning arrangements for her body, and again, I’m so sorry Mrs. Avery.”