Over Her Dead Body (16 page)

Chapter 23

Michael lay in the grass drifting in and out of sleep. The previous day had taken a toll on him both physically and emotionally and his body remained exhausted. When Michael would wake up, his mind would begin pouring over all the events that had unfolded. When he would drift off to sleep he would dream of April. The dreams would all begin different, but they always ended up at the same place. The amusement park. Michael recognized the place of course. He and April had gone there once as teenagers. It was an amusement park called “Great Rides By The Bay” and was nestled in next to Alexandria Bay some forty five minutes away. When they were sixteen, April’s church had put together a trip for the youth group. Michael remembered sitting next to April on the church bus all the way there and back. They had split off from the others and had went on nearly every ride, side by side. They screamed together going down “The Giant Dragon” roller coaster. They squished each other spinning around on the “Twister”. They had bumped each other on the bumper cars. And right there, down by the water, on a beautiful summer night, perhaps the most beautiful night Michael could remember, as the sun began to set over the bay, right there where they had been feeding the fish only moments earlier, Michael put his arm around April’s waist and pulled her to him and right there they each melted away into the night as they shared with one another their first kiss.

Michael was lying in the grass, eyes open, remembering the moment. A large smile had crossed his face as he experienced it again in his mind. Church bells rang off in the distance signaling the time as two o’clock. Michael sat up and looked around. No April. He didn’t figure she would be late. Not today. Not with all that was on the line. He needed her to be here. He needed her comfort. And he needed to explain. How could he explain? What would he say? He just figured it would come to him in the moment. But the moment was here and she was not. Michael scanned along the river bank to where it met the trees. Nothing. The clearing was surrounded by trees. Michael heard the sounds of branches cracking behind him. He stood up and turned in that direction. There were sounds of more branches cracking and a young woman stepped through into the clearing. Michael recognized her right away. “Becca, what are you doing here? Where’s April?”

Becca stared at him for a moment with an angry look in her eyes. “She doesn’t want to see you Michael.” She said. She had taken a strong stance with her hands on her hips.

Michael hesitated with his mouth slightly ajar. He hadn’t expected this. He loved April. He trusted her. Why wouldn’t she show up? Why wouldn’t she believe him? Michael looked down toward the ground and then back up at Becca. “I didn’t do this Becca.” Michael struggled for the words. He thought he heard more branches cracking in the woods. “I don’t understand what’s happening, but you gotta believe me. I didn’t kill that girl.”

“You know what you are Michael Bander? You are a liar!” Becca was shouting and pointing her finger at him. “They got the DNA test back on that girl. They know she was your daughter. You married my sister and didn’t tell her you had a daughter? Then you conveniently dig up her body in the woods and you expect to convince me that you are innocent?” Becca turned her head sideways at the sound of more noise coming from the woods.

Michael stood there motionless. He was oblivious to the noises in the woods. His mouth was ajar and his eyes went blank as he tried to process what Becca had said about the DNA test. He looked away in thought and then back at Becca. “Becca, I don’t have a daughter. I don’t know what you are talking about.” Michael pleaded.

“DNA tests don’t lie Michael. Stay away from my sister. You go near her again or try to contact her, I’ll kill you.” Becca stared him down for a moment and then turned and headed into the woods.

Michael remained speechless. He stood there frozen staring after her. DNA test? Daughter? Becca was right about one thing. And as a Biology teacher he knew it all too well. DNA tests don’t lie. As Michael filtered through what had just taken place, more sounds came through the woods and when Michael looked up, there were five men in a semi circle formation standing in front of him with guns drawn. Three of them were police officers in uniform. One was a young man wearing all black with a badge hanging from a necklace. And the fifth one was directly in front of him. He was wearing a brown suit. There was a badge clipped to his belt. He had brown curly hair and a brown mustache. Michael looked from one to the other and then for any escape route. He found none. He was caught.

“Michael Bander?” The man in the brown jacket called out to him. Michael looked at him. “Michael, my name is
D
etective James. I need you to come with me. I need to ask you a few questions.”

“I didn’t do this. You’ve got the wrong guy.” Michael said.

“I’m sure you
'
r
e
right. There is probably a reasonable explanation for all of this. But I need you to come with me right now so we can get this all sorted out.”

“Last time I went with you I was tortured and nearly raped.” Michael said angrily.

The detective paused. Images of the underwear on the floor came back to him and he put the pieces together. “The officers who took you have been relieved of duty pending an investigation.”

The other officers were getting fidgety. They creeped forward a step and Michael matched theirs by stepping backward toward the river. “She said that DNA tests show it was my kid.” Michael nodded toward Becca who had stopped just inside the woods and was watching the situation unfold from behind a sycamore. “Is that true?” Michael asked.

“Yes. What she said is true.” The detective responded. He knew his only chance was to talk this guy in. If they rushed him, he was likely to take a dive.

“That’s impossible.” Michael said.

“99.9 percent accurate. Odds say it’s your kid Michael.” The detective said matter of factly.

The other officers creeped forward a little more. Michael took another step back. “I don’t have a kid, I didn’t put that girl there, and I sure as hell am not trusting you torturing, rapist cops to figure out what really happened.” Michael turned and leaped toward the river. One of the cops fired twice as Michael leaped.

“Michael don’t!” The detective hollered as Michael had jumped. “Hold your fire! Hold your fire!” He yelled at the officer that had shot at him. The officers moved forward toward the river. “Jeff, call in a boat!” The detective yelled at the officer in black. “The rest of you, follow the river and find him. You see him you drag his ass out!” The detective looked at the officer who shot at Michael. “Do not shoot unless you see that he is armed!”

The officer pointed at the river and spoke angrily. “We can’t let that murderer escape custody and end up back on the streets!”

“Did you see him commit murder?” The detective asked.

“Well no, but…”

“Then he’s a suspect at this point, not a murderer. Got it?” The officer nodded. The detective looked down where Bander had dove toward the water. Two large rocks were glistening with red. The detective ran his finger over it and held up a finger with Michael’s blood on it. “You say he’s a murderer and that might be. But if you just killed him and we find out he was innocent, what will that make you?” The officer had a look of shock cross his face. He hadn’t considered that. “Go find him.” The detective said. The officer turned toward the river and started off down the bank. “And Paul…?” The detective shouted after him. The officer turned around. “If you see a weapon, you don’t hesitate to shoot
,
guilty or not!” The officer stared for a second, then nodded and headed back into the woods. The detective turned back and spotted Becca standing with her hand cupped over her mouth with a look of shock and horror. She turned and headed into the woods.

Chapter 24

Michael hit the water and the cold rushed straight into him nearly sending him into shock. The water was so cold that Michael hadn’t felt the bullet that had grazed him on the leg. He had heard the gunshots though. And for that reason Michael had kept his head down as long as possible. He let the current drag his body quickly downstream. When he felt like he could no longer hold his breath, Michael came back up for air. He looked around him. Police officers were scrambling to keep up along the bank. They must have noticed him because they were pointing in his direction. Michael knew they would probably bring in dogs and boats. If he was going to remain free, he was going to have to stay in the water and wait it out. That was his only chance. Michael looked downriver as he floated. There was a cove on the side of the river the officers were moving toward. From where he was, Michael thought it looked like steep cliffs and lots of overhanging trees and brush. Michael was sure they would expect him to continue downstream. He felt his shirt pocket and when he found what he was looking for, he pulled out the pen he had used to write with earlier. A boulder hit his legs as he was pushed quickly downstream. Michael winced at the pain. He had to keep his arms tre
a
ding the water to keep his head up. Michael put the pen between his teeth and swam toward the cove. His shoes were filled with water and threatened to take him down. Michael wanted to kick them off as they were draining his energy, but he knew finding another pair would be most difficult. He couldn’t kick fast enough to get anywhere so he let his hands do the work. Slowly, he made his way over to the cove. The police officers were still in pursuit but they were a ways back. Michael’s feet finally reached bottom and he breathed in deeply as he was able to catch his breath. Michael was just a
round the corner and out of sight
of the officers. He pulled the pen from his mouth and bit down on the end of it with his teeth. He wiggled the pen back and forth in his mouth until the cap came off and he spit it out into the water. He then grabbed the writing part between his teeth and did the same. After he had pulled it out, he was left with a hollow tube. Michael looked toward the bluff to make sure the officers hadn’t rounded it yet. There were no sounds and nobody had yet emerged. Michael waded into the cove and found a deep area under some branches that hung out over the water. Noises were coming from above. The officers had rounded the bluff. Michael lowered himself into the water and used the tube as a breathing device. The water was dark and concealed him well. The officers pushed on past, not noticing the small pen tube that was protruding from the water. Underneath the water, Michael could hear all the sounds of rocks tumbling and sand being pushed from one are
a
to another. After about fifteen minutes the sounds of boat motors filled his ears as well. Breathing out of a tube was difficult. Michael struggled to remain calm. He wanted to leave. He wanted out of the water. He wanted April. Even if she had betrayed him. How could he blame her? With DNA evidence against him, she probably thought he had lied to her. Michael’s thoughts were getting him worked up and he began to need more air than he could get from the tube. He risked coming out of the water despite the sounds of the boat motors. Michael popped his head up for a moment and breathed the air. He could see two boats. One was heading into the cove and the other was heading upstream. Michael took three deep breaths and then lowered himself back into the water. He tried not to think about April. He tried not to think about the boats or the officers searching for him. He tried not to think about the girl he had dug up in the woods. In fact, he let his mind clear and didn’t think about anything at all. He just lay still and breathed slowly through the tube.

Chapter 25

Becca arrived back at her home about forty five minutes after watching Michael get shot. She was struggling to keep it together. Twice she had broken out in tears and had to pull over. How was she going to explain to her sister that her husband had been shot? How was she going to explain to her that he had been tortured? And how was she going to explain that she had read his eyes and found no trace of guilt in them? Becca shook her head. She pulled into her gravel driveway and put the car in park. She sat there for a moment thinking. Her sister was going to need her. This was such a mess and Becca felt helpless to untangle it. Becca sighed and stepped out of the car and headed inside to bare the bad news. April was waiting for her at the door. She was trying to read her expression. Becca tried not to give her one. April held the screen door open for her sister. Becca flew past her and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and pretended to be looking for something. Finally she grasped a diet coke, stood up and shut the fridge. April was standing on the other side, arms folded, apparently not fooled by her sisters attempts at avoidance. Their eyes locked on each other.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” April asked.

Becca tried to maintain a calm look but her eyes gave her away in the end. They were filling up with tears despite her internal protest that they remain unemotional and unreadable. Too late. A tear fell and ran down her cheek.

April’s look went from one of anger to one of concern for her sister. She thought maybe something had happened to her. The thought that something had happened to Michael had not occurred to her. April threw her arms around her sister and pulled her close. “Oh honey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have had you do that. This shouldn’t have been your problem.” She pulled back to look into Becca’s eyes. “Are you ok? What happened?” April asked softly.

Becca opened her mouth and then closed it. She opened it again and then closed it again. She didn’t have any idea where to begin. “Let’s sit down.” She said and motioned toward the couch in the living room. April followed her lead and sat right next to her. For a moment they both stared into each other’s eyes trying to read one another. Each finding only pain and confusion.
And it’s about to get a whole lot worse
. Becca thought. “I uh…” Becca glanced around and then back at April. “I did what I had said I would. I contacted the detective.”

“Was Michael there? Did they bring him in?” April’s voice was low but panicked for information. She wanted to get to the bottom of this whole situation.

“Um, ya he was there.” Becca began. “But they didn’t exactly bring him in.”

April gave a shocked look. Her mouth was slightly ajar. “What happened?” She asked.

“Well, I approached him first. You know, where you told me he would be?” April nodded. “And I told him about the DNA test and him having a kid…” April nodded again.

“And…?”

“Well, he kind of looked shocked. He didn’t know what I was talking about. He was still claiming that he didn’t do anything.”

“Well, what did you say?” April asked.

“I didn’t say anything really. I stepped back and let the detective and officers move in to arrest him.”

“And they didn’t?” April asked.

“Well, they tried to…but he dove into the river. They’re out looking for him now.”

April’s face looked bewildered. She couldn’t picture Michael escaping from the police once much less twice. She shook her head. “I don’t understand. This just doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t seem like the type to run from police…or anything really.” April said.

“Well…about that…” Becca began and looked around not sure how to break it to her that her husband had been tortured by police officers. Finally, not finding anything of importance for her to focus her attention on, she turned back to her sister and looked her in the eyes. “Apparently the police who took him from the crime scene…?”

“Ya?” April nodded.

“Well, apparently they took him somewhere and tortured Michael.” There, she said it. “And that is why he escaped and probably why he didn’t let them take him into custody again.”

April cupped her hand over her mouth and stifled a gasp. Her eyes had went wide. “Wha..what did they do to him?” She asked.

“I don’t know. He didn’t say. But he did say they attempted to rape him. He referred to them as torturing rapist cops.”

April turned and vomited. It was too much. She was too weak. She couldn’t handle anymore. Her face had gone pale. She was leaning over now
,
crying
,
and another wave of nausea
hit her
but there was nothing left to throw up. “How..”she began with spit hanging from her mouth. She spit it out. Becca had leaned forward and was rubbing her back and trying to pull April’s hair back so it didn’t get in her vomit or spit. “How could this happen? How could this happen to him? To me?” She was sobbing. “I don’t understand…” April stood up. “I’m sorry about your floor. I’ll get some paper towels.”

Becca stood up and grabbed April’s hand and turned her around. She pulled her close and hugged her. “I’m sorry this is happening to you. I really am.” She stood there for a moment hugging her. After a couple of minutes she pulled back and looked at April whose eyes had gone all puffy again. “I’ll clean this up. I want you to go lie down and get some sleep.” April nodded and Becca led her to the bedroom. Becca was about to get her sister into the bed but she was running the scenario through her mind. Tell her now and be done with the bad or tell her later and drag it out? She wasn’t sure what the right thing to do was. She knew that if she didn’t tell her, it could come back and bite her later and her sister might not forgive her for it. She decided to get it over with now. April began to head for the bed when Becca grasped her hand. “Hold up a moment hun.” She said. “Let’s go get your face cleaned up a bit first.” She led her around the corner to the bathroom. Becca opened a cabinet and took out a wash cloth and ran it under some cold water. She dabbed at her sister’s cheeks. “There’s more…” Becca said quietly while looking down. She didn’t want her sister to see the worry in her eyes.

Becca looked up but vacantly and began dabbing April’s face again. April’s hand came up and gently stopped Becca’s. “What is it?” April asked looking for an answer in Becca’s face and finding none.

“Sis, they uh…” Becca began but turned her head. She was crying now. “They…” She sniffled and was holding back an all out emotional breakdown.

“They what?” April asked as she reached out and turned Becca’s head so she was facing her. She could read it now. Something
had
happened. Something had happened to Michael. “Becca…what happened?” April asked with a little sternness in her voice. “What happened to Michael?”

Becca had tears running down her cheeks. She clasped her sister
'
s hands that rested on her face. Her sister with such a gentle, soft, kind heart. Her sister that she loved. Her sister that was a broken mess. “They shot Michael.” She blurted out and collapsed into her sister’s arms bawling in total emotional chaos. “They shot him. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they’d hurt him. I’m so sorry.” Becca was crying in her sister’s arms. April’s face had gone pale and expressionless. Her hands had grasped her sister’s shirt and had formed fists full of cloth. Becca pulled back and looked at April. Her face had gone from pale to red. She wasn’t breathing and her face was vacant. Her knees began to shake and she suddenly collapsed to the floor unconscious.

Becca scooped her up into her arms and took her to the bedroom and slid her into the bed. She pulled the covers up and over her and tucked her in, drying her own eyes with her sleeve in between bouts of sniffles. She had to take care of her sister now. That’s all that mattered. She would feel better when she woke up. She hoped. Becca collapsed in a chair that was in the corner of the room. She was running all the events through her mind. He just didn’t look guilty.
He didn’t look like a man who had just killed someone
. The thoughts haunted her and carried her off to sleep.