Wrong Turn (22 page)

‘I am afraid that after it’s done, Dr Burns will say that I need just one more. I don’t think it will ever be over.’

‘You’ll never know if you stall out now. And listen, I’ll be at the hospital, waiting for you to come out of surgery. I’ll be there by your bed when you wake up. I’ll come to stay with you, if you’ll have me. I’ll run your errands, make your meals and if you get tired of my cooking, I’ll pick up some take-out. I want to be there for you.’

‘Shoot, you do that and next thing you know I’ll get used to it and expect you to move in.’

‘Would that be so bad, Lucy?’

She looked at him, trying to assess his seriousness. ‘My place is too small for the two of us. Sometimes, it seems too small for me and Chester.’

‘My place isn’t any bigger. Maybe we should both find another place.’

A sharp intake of breath from Lucinda indicated her alarm at taking the relationship to the next step. ‘I don’t know, Jake. I don’t know if I’m ready.’

‘Sometimes, Lucy, you just need to take the risk and hope for the best.’

‘Well, as my ex-mother-in-law put it, I’m easy to like on an occasional basis but once someone knows me well, I’m poison.’

‘She’s a fool and her son is a liar.’

Lucinda laughed. ‘How about if I just think about the surgery first? If I go through with it, I’ll take you up on the offer of temporary live-in servitude. Now, do you really think Rogers is ever going to show up?’

Before he could answer, Lucinda’s cellphone rang. It was her brother Ricky. ‘Hey, bro, what’s up?’

‘I just got back home from bailing Lily out of jail.’

‘Lily? She was arrested? For what?’ Lucinda turned to Jake and mouthed, ‘My brother Ricky’s wife.’

‘Assault. Our dear sister Maggie filed charges.’

‘Oh, dear. Start at the beginning, Ricky. How did this happen? Jake’s here with me, do you mind if I put you on speakerphone?’

‘No, not at all. Hey, Jake!’ Ricky said. ‘Well, we saw Maggie’s little television performance and we were both pretty ticked off. Honestly, I just wanted to pretend as if she didn’t exist, but Lily insisted we go over and tell her to cut it out. So we did.

‘I started out being really diplomatic and trying to convince her that the attack on you didn’t specifically matter to me, but you do know it does, right?’

‘Yes, Ricky. I know.’

‘Well, anyway. I wanted to make her think that I believed having a sister like you reflected on me – and on her – and she was making us all look bad. Maggie wasn’t buying it. Lily was keeping quiet. Then Maggie said, “Our piece of shit sister”, sorry, Lucinda but that’s what she said.’

‘I know, Ricky. Go on.’

‘Anyway, she said, “our piece of shit sister shouldn’t be allowed to use her badge to abuse people. She should be locked up for the rest of her life. And I won’t give up until that happens”. I guess that was a bit too much for Lily. She got up in Maggie’s face and said, “That woman saved my life. She saved your brother’s life. And a long time ago, she saved both of you from the worst of it when your father shot your mother and then himself. Where is your gratitude?”

‘And Maggie had to put in her two cents. She said, “We’d all have been a lot better off if Dad just shot Lucinda instead”. Lily’s response was to throw all of her weight into a shove that sent Maggie flying across the room. She hit her head on the edge of the fireplace mantel and boy, did the blood flow. Don’t think it was that bad of a cut but you know how head wounds bleed.’

‘Then what did you do?’

‘The second Maggie got to her feet and started roaring at us, I grabbed Lily and got out of there. We went home and about two hours later, a couple of deputies were at the door. They cuffed Lily, put her in the back of the car and took her over to the county jail.’

‘Is there anything I can do, Ricky?’ Lucinda asked.

‘For another one of your wife’s breakfasts, I’ll do anything you need,’ Jake added.

Ricky laughed. ‘You can come on out for breakfast any time, Jake. Lucinda, the lawyer said if we go to trial, we might need you to testify, but he’s hoping it won’t come to that. He said usually these family things can be worked out. I’m not sure I want it “worked out”. You ask me, Lily’s reaction is normal – it’s been building for a long time, thanks to our sister’s continued provocation. Maggie’s out of control. Something needs to be done.’

‘But what, Ricky? What could we possibly do?’ Lucinda said as she watched an angry woman in a tight spandex skirt move across the parking lot as quickly as her garment would allow. When Lucinda realized she was heading for the car, she said, ‘Listen, Ricky, something’s happening here. I have to run. I’ll catch you later.’

The woman’s fist hammered on the passenger side window. Jake rolled it down and the woman said, ‘You cops?’

So much for our undercover presence, Lucinda thought.

‘Yeah,’ Jake said. ‘Is that a problem?’

‘You vice?’

‘No. I’m FBI. The lieutenant here is Homicide.’

‘So you’re not here to bother girls trying to earn a living?’

‘No, ma’am,’ Jake said.

‘Well, then, somebody stole my damn car.’

‘From this parking lot?’

‘Well, I live here. Where else?’

‘When did you notice it missing?’

‘It was a couple of days ago. But I thought a friend borrowed it. I just found out she didn’t.’

‘Have you reported it as stolen?’

‘What do you think I’m doing here? Are you sure you’re cops?’

Lucinda tried to suppress her laughter and put her hand over her mouth to hide her spontaneous smile. The woman leaned into Jake’s window and said, ‘What you laughing at, girlie? You better not be laughing at me.’

‘No,’ she said, pointing a thumb at Jake. ‘I’m laughing at him.’

‘Yeah, well, he is a pretty sorry excuse for a cop. Maybe I should be talking to you.’ She backed up and walked around to Lucinda’s side.

Lucinda got out of the car and said, ‘C’mon, let’s sit over on that bench and call it in together.’ Lucinda relayed the details about her car along with the woman’s name and phone number and slid back behind the wheel.

‘A 1998 green Hyundai Elantra – I can hardly believe it’s still on the road. Nobody would steal that car unless they were simply desperate to get away. It has to be Mack Rogers. He’s not coming back for his truck, Jake.’

‘Damn, I guess we’ll have to start looking for her ride and hope we find him with it. Did you emphasize the importance of finding it?’

‘Yeah, they’re sending it out to all the patrols as we speak. We’ll find him.’

‘I still don’t feel right abandoning the truck.’

‘You could just tow it in.’

‘Yeah, I think I’ll keep the watch up for another twenty-four hours first.’

‘You love stake-outs that much?’ Lucinda asked.

‘With you, I do.’

‘Don’t start, Jake. I already agreed to a temporary living arrangement with you after my surgery – don’t push your luck.’

Jake pressed his lips together and held his hands up, palms out.

‘Jeez, Jake, you’re even more juvenile than I am. If you do the little girly thing miming that you’re locking your lips and throwing away the key, I’m getting out of this car and walking home.’

W
hen their relief arrived, Jake and Lucinda decided to go into their respective offices to catch up on paperwork before a busy Monday hit. Lucinda dropped Jake off at the FBI offices and pulled into the Justice Center lot. She was halfway to the back door when her cell rang.

‘Pierce,’ she answered.

‘I’ve got an arrest warrant for you.’

‘For whom, sir?’

‘Chris Phillips, who else?’

‘But, sir, I didn’t think you were going to take action this weekend.’

‘Do you want to arrest him, or not? I can get someone else.’

‘No sir, I would very much like to make that arrest.’

‘Then, get in here and pick up the warrant and go get him.’

‘Yes sir.’ Lucinda was puzzled what changed the DA’s mind about not bothering a judge on the weekend. In a couple of minutes, she was on the sixth floor, walking into Reed’s office. ‘What changed since Friday?’

‘Phillips’ travel plans.’

‘Where is he? At the airport?’

‘Nah. Not yet, anyway. He went by his brother’s house and dropped off the key to his front door and asked him to stop his mail and home newspaper delivery. Apparently, his sister-in-law is not too fond of him. After Phillips left the house, a police officer knocked on the door. Phillips’ brother got all belligerent about invasion of privacy but his wife blurted out that her brother-in-law had plans to leave the country for an indefinite period of time. That started a yelling match between the couple. The officer warned them not to get physical and left them to their squabble.’

‘Where is Phillips now?’ Lucinda asked.

‘He’s been circling around the neighborhood where Trevor’s grandparents live. I suspect he’s trying to figure out how to get Trevor out of the house. Keep in touch with dispatch, they’re in constant contact with the cop on his tail. Get him – but do it easy. Don’t cuff him unless it’s absolutely necessary.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘We don’t want to make a spectacle out of this. It could have far-reaching consequences.’

‘To your re-election campaign?’

‘Get out of here,’ Reed said. ‘And go do your job.’

Lucinda located Phillips parked at the curb, a block away from the home where Trevor lived with his grandparents. She pulled up behind him, got out and approached his silver BMW. She was beside the rear of the vehicle when the engine roared and Phillips peeled away.

She ran back to her car and set off in pursuit, with three other police vehicles just behind her. She flipped on the multicolored lights and siren hidden in the grill of her car and slapped a portable round light on top of the roof. She was surprised when Phillips pulled to the side of the road.

She parked lengthwise in front of his car and called for a patrolman to do the same in the rear. Then, she got out of the car and approached Phillips.

He popped out of his Beamer and stood with his hands on his hips and his elbows jutting out at his sides. ‘Looks like harassment to me, officer.’

She held up the warrant and said, ‘Sir, you are under arrest.’

‘I called my attorney as soon as I saw your lights. He’s on his way. We have plans to sue your department unless you abandon your harassment immediately.’

‘Sir, step away from your car and put your hands on top of your head.’

‘And if I don’t, what are you going to do? Shoot me?’

‘I’m sorely tempted, Phillips, but I’ll control myself. Step away from the vehicle.’

‘I have witnesses – not just your cop buddies. Look around you. People are coming out of their houses. This is not the type of neighborhood where folks are used to seeing a gathering of cop cars.’

‘Phillips, if you do not step away from the car, I will have to take steps to forcefully secure you. I have an arrest warrant and you need to comply with my orders.’

‘I’m not going anywhere until my lawyer gets here.’

Lucinda sighed and caught the eye of the nearest patrolman who immediately moved towards her. Lucinda reached back to make sure her gun was secured in her holster and then took four quick steps over to Phillips. She grabbed one wrist off his hip, pulled it behind his body and bent it back.

Phillips squealed and tried to writhe out of her grasp. ‘Police brutality,’ he screamed. ‘Somebody help me.’

The officer slapped a cuff on the wrist Lucinda held and grabbed Phillips’ other hand and connected them together behind his back. Phillips yelled, ‘Help! Help! Somebody help me!’

Lucinda made a quick visual assessment of the curious neighbors. Fortunately, none seemed willing to intervene. Some were on cellphones. I hope one of them is calling the media, Lucinda thought. It would be great if television cameras caught the former congressman making his perp walk from the car to the jail.

M
onday morning, Lucinda woke up with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked at her bedside clock, just past four a.m. She knew she’d never get back to sleep. Her anxiety about the coming day raced through her bloodstream and set off alarms throughout her nervous system. Her mouth was dry, her palms moist, her skin crawled and zings shot through her brain.

The last thing she needed was a jolt of caffeine but she convinced herself that a warm mug of coffee in her hands was just what she needed to calm down. In the short term, she was right. The first sip slid down with soothing warmth but by the time she’d finished her first cup and started on her second, her nerves jangled like a streetcar racing downhill.

She tried to cuddle with Chester but her anxiety oozed through her fingertips, causing him to wriggle away and take refuge on the window sill cleaning his hindquarters. Knowing she’d be in court that afternoon, she chose her outfit with care, deciding on her favorite suit in a muted gray, with a four-button jacket and pencil skirt. She selected her classic black pumps with four-inch heels to give her a one-inch height advantage over DA Reed – something she was certain would come in handy before the day was over.

She drove out of the parking garage as dawn shot pink slivers through the skyline. Arriving at the Justice Center, she checked her email and voice messages and grew restless once again. Looking at her watch, she knew it was too early to find anyone in the lab or to locate someone in the court clerk’s office willing to update her on Phillips’ bail revocation hearing scheduled that morning in the criminal court.

Not knowing what else to do, she dug into the Sherman files again, making sure she’d memorized every little detail she’d need when she testified for the defense that afternoon. When her cell rang, she was grateful for the interruption.

Pulling it out, she looked at the screen. Charley. She knew she shouldn’t answer it but she just couldn’t bring herself to ignore it.

‘Lucy, Lucy, I don’t know what to do,’ Charley wailed.

‘What’s wrong, Charley?’

‘At first, I thought I should rip it off my locker and tear it limb from limb and stomp on it. Then, I thought it would be better if I just ignored it. Pretend it wasn’t there and that it didn’t bother me at all. But then I thought, maybe it’s evidence. And so I called you. I know I’m not supposed to but I–I–I . . .’