by Dale Mayer
“Both men are gone from the jail cells,” she said.
He froze. “Shit,” he murmured.
“Yeah, that’s one word for it. I’ve definitely got a problem now.”
“Well, we have two escaped convicts,” he said, turning to look around. “I wonder if that’s why I’ve still got that feeling of being watched.”
“Well, now you really need to watch your back,” she said, “because both are dangerous. Henry, because he’s just so young and stupid, and Johnny, because he’ll want to get back at you.”
“Yeah, I got it,” he said. “I’m headed your way. Can you determine how they got out?”
“Afraid so,” she said bitterly. “It looks like a key.” And, with that, she hung up.
He looked down at the phone in his hand and shook his head. She really was dealing with a regular shitstorm. As he walked, his phone rang, and he checked it, glad to see it was Levi. Bonaparte quickly filled him in on all the events of the day so far. Even as Levi started swearing, Bonaparte said, “I’m headed back to the station right now. I’m about ten minutes out.”
“I’d get there a little faster, if you can, because there’s no guarantee that she wasn’t being set up for somebody still in that station.”
He winced at that. “Well, she is armed.”
“Which won’t make a damn bit of difference if they take her by surprise.”
And Bonaparte knew that was true. “Well, we’ve also got Isabel in there too.”
“Yeah, and I know that’s her friend, but we don’t know what kind of a friend she’ll be when push comes to shove.”
“Especially now,” Bonaparte said and explained what had happened with her.
“Wow, these guys are good. They find victims all over the place, apply pressure, and individually they all crumble. And, next thing you know, there is a willing army, available to do whatever is needed to keep themselves out of jail.”
“Well, if you think about it, it’s not all that stupid of an idea. And it seems to be effective.”
“Yep. I also checked in with the planning committee. Apparently they’re in the process of approving a major highway change that will go right through her town.”
“Aah,” he said, with a smile. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
“You think that’s why they’re doing this?”
“Absolutely. A lot of money to be made. Malls, gas stations, etcetera. Whatever else the government is looking to appropriate for the highway.”
“Well, there’s your motive then, at least for now,” Levi said. “And, of course, they’re on hand.”
“Yep, because,” Bonaparte said, “and you probably don’t know this, but the town has an ordinance, where you sell to the townsfolk first. Before you sell to a stranger.”
“So, by being in place, they’re actually getting a chance to purchase properties ahead of anybody else.”
“Yes,” Bonaparte said. “And then, because it hasn’t been approved yet, developers have been sniffing around, but nothing’s really sold. So the brothers are getting set up to earn a quick buck by flipping the properties.”
“Every damn one of them,” Levi said. “Now hustle over there.”
As Bonaparte loped through town, heading for the sheriff’s station, he wondered just how much money was at stake. When he figured the size of the highway, the destinations that could be reached by going this way, he realized it would be a lot. It would involve gas stations and fast-food chains. It could be a whole new development that would go up. Even if they did nothing but flip it, the badass brothers would still make a sizable profit. And that included other properties as well.
He frowned at that, thinking about what would become of Angela’s acreage. That was one of the bigger tracts. He quickly texted Levi back and asked where Angela’s property was situated in terms of that new highway. Bonaparte got a response, saying Levi would check, then pocketed his phone. Bonaparte realized chances were good it would be right smack in the middle of Angela’s land.
She was in the middle of this mess, and that meant her property probably was as well. And, if they took her out, it would make a massive difference in income level for the brothers. Bonaparte swore, as he thought about the level of risk, and he picked up the pace. He didn’t know what the hell was going on, but Angela was at risk, and it looked like that wouldn’t change anytime soon.
Chapter 9
Inside the station, Angela put on a pot of coffee, as Isabel wrote out her statement. Angela hadn’t told her friend that the two men holding her hostage in her home had been in jail and that now they were both gone. But Angela had been checking the station thoroughly, including inside closets, the washrooms, under desks, everywhere. It appeared that they just unlocked the damn gate and walked right out the front door. She checked the security cameras and found the system had been completely disabled. She started to swear then. She sat down and fired off an email to one of the other sheriffs, with a photo of both men. Then she contacted the sheriff on the other side. Both responded right away.
One called her and said, “Wow, you’ve got a real problem there, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” she said. “And it looks like one of my deputies helped them get out.”
“But you don’t know that for sure, do you?”
“No, not yet,” she said, “because, of course, they disabled the security cameras.”
There was silence on the other end for a moment, then he spoke. “Did you call up more deputies?”
“I have one right now,” she said.
“What about getting a second one?”
“Well, this one is the size of two,” she joked. But inside she knew it was no joking matter and said, “Just keep an eye out for these guys, will you?”
“I’m pretty sure they’ve just gone home, all cocky and sure of themselves. Will you pick them up?”
“I will,” she said, “but, if I can’t hold them, it just becomes a running joke.”
“It does at that,” he said. “Getting those locks changed is pretty rough though.”
“No, I got a big padlock,” she said. “I’ll use that instead. I’m just waiting for my deputy to return, and I’ve also got somebody writing up a statement right now,” she said. “I can’t leave right away.”
He swore. “Look. If you want me to come over, I will.”
“And I might need you to,” she said, “so thanks for the offer. I appreciate it very much. I’ll let you know what happens in the next little bit.” When she hung up from that call, she rose and poured herself a cup of coffee and asked Isabel if she wanted one.
Isabel looked up from her table with a frown and then nodded. “Yes, please.”
Angela poured two cups, dropping off Isabel’s, and walked back to her office, then checked to see where Bonaparte was. She stared out the window but kept out of any direct line of fire. It was just one of those conversations in her head that she knew would not have a good answer. If these guys had any idea that they could shoot her here, then chances were they probably would. They would love the irony of the sheriff being murdered in her own station. When she caught sight of movement outside, she looked over to see Bonaparte heading quickly toward her. She smiled as she watched his huge frame lope toward her easily. It surprised her, given his size.
He came up the front steps in two bounds. “Any more trouble?”
“No,” she said quietly, “and I did find a large padlock.”
“Good,” he said. “You want me to go pick them up again?”
She hesitated and then nodded. “Are you up for it?”
He gave her a feral grin. “Are you kidding? I’m just waiting for the chance.”
“It might get ugly.”
“Even better,” he said.
She smiled. “I don’t feel like you should go alone.”
“But that’s what I’m here for,” he said, “and you can’t leave her.”
“No,” she said, frowning at her friend. “She’s writ
ing up a statement right now.”
“Good. It might not be enough, but still it’s good to get it done,” he murmured.
She knew exactly what he meant. “Go pick them up,” she said, “and let’s just hope they won’t give you any guff over it all.”
“They will,” he said cheerfully. “Not to worry though. I’ve got this.”
After giving him the address, she watched as he hopped into the truck and took off. As she went back inside, she watched Isabel stare at her curiously.
“What was that all about?”
She stared back and said, “Police business.”
Isabel flushed. “I guess I deserved that.”
“I don’t know what to do now,” Angela said. “We were friends, until this.”
“We still are friends,” Isabel said. “I crossed the line, I know, but I’m not really any different than I ever was before.”
“I hope not,” Angela said, as she studied her face. “There could be some tough questions and answers coming up.”
She nodded. “I know, but I do realize what I’ve done wrong.”
“And yet you’re not willing to talk to your mother?”
She winced. “I can,” she said hesitantly.
Just then came a cry from the front door. “Isabel, is that you?”
Angela looked over at Isabel and said, “Looks like the news has already traveled. You may have failed to mention that your sister was in the middle of all this too?”
And, at that, Lana hopped into the station, looked at her sister, and asked, “What happened?”
“What do you mean, what happened?” Isabel said drily. “Have Henry and Johnny or other guys been bothering you?” As the color washed out of her sister’s face, Isabel said, “They have, haven’t they?”
She nodded. “Ever since the nursing home, getting Granddad’s signature,” she said, sagging onto a nearby chair but looking sideways at Isabel.
“Oh, my God,” Isabel said, “me and Mom didn’t even really think about it. We were just so panicked, trying to get the sale done, before Granddad got even worse.”
“And that’s what you need to tell a judge,” Angela said.
Lana stared at her, looked at her sister, and said, “Judge?” Her word came out with a squeak.
Isabel looked sad and nodded. “Yeah, you know what we did was wrong.”
“Maybe, but it wasn’t criminal,” Lana said. The two women looked at her, and Lana slowly sagged in place. “Oh, my God,” she said, “that’s what you think? It is, isn’t it?”
“You forged a signature on a legal document,” Angela said, “when you could have just gotten a lawyer to deal with it.”
“We couldn’t have done anything,” Lana said. “Granddad was right there—well, as much as he ever was. It’s not like we forged it.”
“It’s exactly like you forged it. The bottom line is, it’s still something that has to be discussed,” Angela said. “And that puts you and your sister in the position you find yourself in right now. And then we have the actions of these men. Did those two brothers or others ever approach you afterward?”
Lana tried to look surprised and failed miserably, then sagged even further in her chair. She looked over at her sister. “Did they approach you?”
Isabel said, “Of course they did. Constantly.”
“What were you supposed to do for them?” Lana asked Isabel.
“Get close to Angela and find out what was going on.” Isabel looked over at Angela and said, “But I didn’t do that, I swear.”
Angela shrugged. “I wouldn’t have let you,” she said quietly.
“I told them that too,” Isabel said.
Angela looked straight at Isabel. “Too bad you didn’t mention your sister’s involvement. That changes things considerably.” She looked at Lana. “So what about you? What did they want you to do?”
She flushed and remained silent.
“Ah,” Angela said. “Weren’t you dating Deputy Johnson at one time?”
At that, Lana’s face turned bright red. “Yes,” she said.
“But she broke up with him ages ago,” Isabel said.
Lana was silent, looking at the floor.
“So did you suddenly become inspired to reconcile?” Angela asked her.
Lana looked like she wanted to disappear.
“Does he know that you took the key from his pocket? The key he was supposed to return and didn’t?”
At that, Lana’s face went from red to pure white.
“Oh, my God,” Angela said. “So it was you who walked into the jail and let two prisoners go free.”
Isabel looked at her in confusion and back at Lana. “What are you talking about?”
“Henry and Johnny are both missing from the jail downstairs,” Angela said, “and your sister’s the one who let them out.”
Isabel looked at her sister in horror. “Do you know they were in my house and kept me kidnapped inside? And that is where I would likely still be if Angela hadn’t come to rescue me?”
Lana stared at her in shock. “No, I didn’t know anything about that,” she cried out. She stared at Angela. “What have I done?”
“Well, on top of the forgery, you’ve now aided and abetted two criminals in a successful escape from custody,” Angela said, shaking her head at the stupidity of these women. “I can’t get you two out of this mess that you’ve created all by yourselves.” She turned to her best friend. “Good God, Isabel. If you’d told me that Lana was involved, I might have headed some of this off.”
“But, but …” Lana sputtered, “that’s not what I meant to do.”
“Where did they go?” Angela asked, stepping forward and glaring at Lana.
Lana shrank back. “I don’t know,” she said. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“And does Deputy Johnson know about this?”
Lana glanced at her and then away, without speaking.
“Damn it, Lana,” Angela said, “silence only digs you deeper into this hole. Start talking and don’t you dare lie to me.”
Shamefaced, Lana slowly nodded. “He knew he was supposed to return the keys, but the brothers found out and told him not to, in case they might come in handy some time.”
“Or did he get a copy made?” Angela asked in a hard voice.
“He tried,” she rushed to say, “but nobody here would do it, and, when he tried to take them into town, they wouldn’t do it there either.”
“That’s because they’re not allowed to,” she said, “because they are supposed to be secure. Something Deputy Frank Johnson knows very well. But I’m sure, with enough poking and prodding, with enough money and threats, somebody would have eventually,” she said bitterly.
She pulled out her phone and phoned Bonaparte. “Watch out for those two,” she said. “Isabel failed to mention that her sister, Lana, was in the middle of the forgery mess as well. It would have been nice to know because her lack of judgment and questionable morals made her an obviously easy target to do just about anything. Apparently the brothers blackmailed Lana, who is currently sitting in front of me now, into reconciling with her boyfriend, the soon-to-be ex-Deputy Johnson. He was supposed to return his keys, of course, but chose not to after willingly attempting to get them copied. Anyway, Lana used them to walk into the jail and to let go the very same prisoners who were terrorizing her sister earlier today, so the brothers could spread more havoc on our community.”
There was silence on the other end.
Angela reached up, rubbed her temple, and said, “Yes, I know. This is Peyton Place. Drama surrounds these guys.”
“Good,” he said, “I’ll have even more fun pulling them in then.”
“If you think it’s safe,” she murmured.
“I ought to be safe enough,” he said. “Believe me. At this point in time, I’m really hoping they do something stupid.”
“But you’re alone, and you have no backup.”
“Nope, I don’t. You just get that jail
cell ready. I’ll have two bodies ready to warm those seats back up in no time.”
She hung up, looked over Lana and Isabel, and said, “Where’s your mother?”
“She’s at home. Why?”
“Because I’m not sure I can let you two go home.”
“She has—you have to,” Lana said, jumping to her feet, staring at her in shock. “Mama has no one else.”
“And now Mama will have to go to the seniors’ home for care by somebody who can look after her.”
Both women stared at her in horror.
“Did either of you even think about Mama,” Angela said, “when you started your life of crime and then buckled under the brothers’ blackmail? Did you even consider what would happen to Mama?”
Both women just looked at each other, tears welling up, and they shook their heads.
“Jesus,” Angela said, staring ahead. “I’ll go call the prosecutor.”
“Please, please, please,” Lana said, “you have to let me go home.”
“Why? I can’t trust you to actually go home, even to take care of your mother. When I left dear Isabel here on her own, she had already packed up her car and was leaving town.”
Lana turned to stare at Isabel. “What!”
Isabel flushed. “I didn’t know what else to do,” she said. “I was terrified. I knew those men would come back. I knew they’d get out of jail one way or another, though it didn’t occur to me that my own sister would help them escape, but I knew they’d be coming back after me.”
“And what about me?” Lana asked, staring at her sister in shock. “Were you just leaving me with Mama and Granddad to worry about?”
“Only until I could figure out what to do,” she said. “I had to get away. You weren’t the one being held hostage in your house,” she said.
“And it was Henry and Johnny,” Angela said, looking at Lana. “Who did you deal with?”
Lana’s face turned red and then white and then red again. Finally she admitted, “It was Ronnie.”
“No surprise there,” Angela said. She walked over, grabbed another pad of paper and a pen, and dropped them in front of Lana and said, “Start writing down everything that happened.” The woman looked up at her and said, “Can’t I use a laptop or something?”