Chief Walker's face softened and gestured with open hands. "I'm not suggesting you over reacted, Rosie. If you had not run for your life this could have ended so much worse." When she returned his smile, he added, "I'd like to find a bullet out there that matches one of their weapons if they fired at you. From what you've told me, it's worth another look."
"Are Lacy and Dave ok?" she asked, sitting up straighter again in the bed.
"I drove to Salinas and spoke to Lacy," Charlie told her. "Lacy told me that she was too tied up in other things and wasn't involved with this. She did receive an email from Dave warning her not to get involved."
Rosalyne held Charlie's eyes until he had finished and then turned toward her husband. "Henry, I need to call Dave, hear his voice." Henry handed her his phone and she dialed.
"Thank God you're alright," she said leaning back into the pillows from and an upright sitting position. She listened a while and said, "What are you talking about? I woke up this morning." Her free hand moved up to her forehead in a confused manner. "Dave…I just needed to hear your voice and know you're ok, my head is pounding we'll talk tomorrow." She handed the phone back to Henry. "That was very strange!"
Jenny smiled and said, "Let me guess, he was talking about the emails you two shared yesterday?"
Surprise covered Rosalyne's face. "How did you know…Oh yeah, you mentioned you had my computer," she said laughing in relief, "What I didn't know was I have a new assistant."
Jenny laughed. "Don't worry, I didn't email Tom Selleck from your email account."
"I suddenly feel so naked here," she said smiling, making a dramatic gesture to pull the bed sheet up over her head.
"Ok folks, that's it for today. Mrs. Wilson needs some rest now," the doctor said walking into the room. He smiled at Rosalyne and turned his attention to the displays on the equipment surrounding her.
They all shuffled out. Rosalyne kissed Henry then ordered him to go home.
"You have bounced back quite remarkably," the doctor told her. "Do you need something for pain, Rosalyne?"
"I'm Ok, a little tired though," she said sliding all the way down on the bed and without need of a sleeping aid, fell fast asleep.
Chapter 14
Charlie and Jenny followed Chief Walker back to the Marina Police Department to touch bases with Detective Edwards for any updates on their two guests. Jacque was busy on a call when they walked in and she gave a fast return wave as they passed. Chief Walker was already telling Detective Edwards the new information he had obtained from Rosalyne.
Detective Edwards stood up as Charlie and Jenny approached his desk in the back of the squad room. "Great news, I understand. Rosalyne Wilson is recovering well, "he reached down to pick up the photo of Jackson Black, "and a positive ID on Black at the scene."
Charlie looked at Jenny with a grin. "We can only hope in time she gets beyond her reserved shyness."
Jenny gave him a playful slap on his arm. "He's being a jerk; Rosie is delightful and gave us some good information."
Edwards looked puzzled. "Given what she's been through, I can understand it being difficult for her to talk about the whole experience." When he didn't get confirmation on his thought from either Charlie or Jenny he turned to Walker.
Walker put a hand on Edwards shoulder. "Edwards, Rosalyne Wilson is indeed very delightful and extremely forthcoming with her experiences."
"Oh, got ya," Edwards said. "A yes answer requiring twenty words or more." Reaching for a ballistic report, he added, "Well, beyond the ID at the scene it seems Jackson Black didn't want to take the time to flatten Rosalyne's tire holding in the valve stem and used his ankle holstered 22. The bullet matches his gun."
"Works for us," Charlie said. "I guess he figured if the bullet wasn't in a body he didn't need to ditch the gun."
"Another thing is kind of strange," Edwards said picking up an evidence bag full of cash. "Each of these guys had a couple thousand dollars. I get cash leaves no trail but new hundred dollar bills usually gets a double take when passed."
Walker took the bag and looked at it. "Odd for sure. They look good, let's make sure they are real. Did the mug shot of our mystery guest get any hits?" Walker asked, setting the bag down on the desk.
"He's a person of interest to the FBI in Atlanta. Eye witness to a double homicide picked him off the screen. A strong enough ID that they want him for a line up, but zip on tracing the guns or ballistics."
Jenny asked, "Chief, do you think with these two off the street, whoever is behind this has to know whatever information could be obtained from Rosie, Eden and Dave is in your hands. Are they safe now? I mean, would they still be considered a threat to them?"
"Jenny, you and Charlie were brought into this to find Rosalyne. She is alive and well, so mission accomplished. I have Captain Becker looking for Sandy and this is very much an ongoing police investigation here. Let us draw the heat to bring those behind this to justice," Walker said. "I know when children were involved you two couldn't let go, but that is not the case here. To answer your question, if any of you take further action, marking yourselves as a continuing threat, and I explained this to Rosalyne Wilson as well, then you are walking back into danger."
Charlie took Jenny's hand. "We have no problem following your advice here Chief, and will gladly step out of this frying pan."
"That'd be a tremendous relief for me," Edwards said standing up to face them. "Allowing us to explore the leads we have, rather than worrying about your safety." All three men turned to face Jenny.
"Hey guy's, no problem here," Jenny said throwing her hands up in a surrender fashion, "keeping them away from Watson Manor and all we love there is my only goal."
Chief Walker relaxed; his concern for their safety understood and accepted. "We'll keep you posted of course and please convince your friend Eden to let go as well."
"I can say with certainty, Chief, that the missing child flyer with Emily's photo on it crushed any desire Eden has to stay involved," Jenny said. "We hope you find Sandy also alive and well."
Charlie and Jenny said their goodbyes and left the Marina Police Department with a sense of relief.
*****
Julia greeted them as they entered Watson Manor. "I need to know I can breathe again, Rosalyne is OK?"
Jenny extended her arms for a hug. "Yes, she most definitely is and we can all breathe a little easier. When I return her files and computer after dinner tonight, this is strictly a police matter."
Julia looked over to Charlie seeking confirmation.
"You heard her, Julia. What we've seen these people are capable of…done deal for us," he said.
"That’s great news, "Julia said, pulling a Taser out of her pocket, "I can put this back in my bag then."
"I had no idea you were armed," Jenny said with the surprise evident on her face.
"Dangerous maybe," Charlie said grinning. "That has a protective, caring, and loving husband written all over it."
"Stan's first choice was I'd never leave his side," she said with a sheepish smile. "It's all about compromise. I hate it, but Stan feels better."
Charlie looked at Jenny and his message was clear when she said, "What? I chose the never leave your side option. I'll go get Rosie's stuff together before dinner. I'm sure Madison would enjoy some time outdoors with Dad."
"Smooth, but I think my argument about your protection has gained support."
"Yeah, protective, caring, loving Daddy time that’s what Madison needs," she said as she turned not waiting for a response and entered the office.
Charlie stayed home with Madison following dinner while Jenny made the quick trip to return Rosalyne's files and computer. Eden asked if she could tag along after hearing Rosalyne's ordeal she wanted to meet her before she and Emily left for home the following day. Eden insisted against opposition from everyone else she had to get back to work and promised she had no intention of pursuing this investigation.
When they walked into Rosalyne's hospit
al room she was sitting up with the head of the bed raised to form a chase lounge. "Jenny, I am so excited, they are letting me go home tomorrow!"
Jenny set the box in one of the chairs and walked over to her. "That's wonderful, Rosie. Rosalyne Wilson this is Eden Downey, she's the Editor of the Salinas Tribune."
"Hello Eden Downey, you just missed my Editor and owner, Steve and Debbie Hansen of the Marina Press. We have maybe a third of your circulation, but you have to start somewhere."
"Hello Rosalyne, I wanted to meet you after hearing about the horrible experience you went through and see firsthand this amazing recovery."
"I'll be in a wheelchair for probably a week until my leg is healed enough for a walking cast. Steve said I could work from home after a couple weeks and come back to the office when I'm ready. They are running my story in tomorrow's edition."
"I hope you plan on dropping this beyond tomorrow's story," Jenny said.
"What story? Only kidding, but that's my position. My editor was shocked when I told him what I was doing and forbids my further involvement. Henry, that's my husband Eden, reminds me my job is to report the news not to make it, and oh my God, Chief Walker insists he will lock me up for, get this, interfering with his police investigation if I even think about this case. I think that man can read minds, so like I said, as if falling in a ditch and almost dying then there's this broken leg were not enough, what story? Eden, are you here for a story in your newspaper?"
"Rosalyne, normally…"
"Rosie, please," she said, "only Dad calls me Rosalyne. Mom calls me Ros, but all my friends call me Rosie. I'm sorry, go ahead, Eden."
"Normally we would have, a near death rescue, amazing recovery and all the questions, but I did some digging also and managed to get pulled into their web receiving a warning. I need to send them a clear signal that I'm no longer interested in or involved in this."
Rosalyne looked her over, looking for physical injuries. "I'm glad to see you avoided the ditch warning. What happened?"
Jenny replied to save Eden the discomfort. "Let's just say they used the safety of Eden's daughter in the message. She and Emily have stayed with us a couple days, but she insists she has to get back to work."
"Are you sure it's safe to go home? Not to mention, if I was staying at Watson Manor I'd stay for at least a week."
"Marina PD has the guys directly involved behind bars. My urgency is that our printing press has been on life support since Benjamin Franklyn installed it and we refuse to bury it," Eden said to lighten the mood surrounding them.
"Pretty old huh? I don't know much about printing presses but ours is only a few years old. Seems to me Steve has our nightly production done in less than two hours."
"Charlie and I didn't see it when we started the search for you Rosie. We got the feeling, I don't know, like they didn't want us back there."
"A new press? Your owner must have a full printing service going," Eden remarked.
"Just the Marina Press is all that I know. Now that you mention it, it has always seemed an overkill for our little newspaper, but again this is my first job at a newspaper so I don't know what it takes."
"Rosie, do you recall the manufacture of the printing press? I've been looking for over a year to replace ours and everything I've found has been a real stretch financially."
"It's funny you ask and it's only because of my uncle that it stuck with me. He collects cars, well classic sports cars. My favorite is his old MG, it's gorgeous a two tone cream and brown. One of his other cars is a Jensen Healy, that's how I remembered the name."
Eden paused wanting to control her surprise. She was familiar with the Jensen press line but in relation to a story she had done in Chicago and certainly not related to her research to replace their newspaper printing press. "You're sure it was a Jensen?" she casually asked.
"Yes, because of my uncle's cars. Is that strange or what?"
"Oh, not at all. I'll have to check them out for our needs, thanks. I'll bet your husband is excited to get you back home?"
Rosalyne's smile returned. "I know most of my time here has been sleeping. Henry has been living and sleeping in that little chair. Thank God he doesn't have back problems."
"Henry is definitely a keeper," Jenny said. "We just wanted to bring your computer and files back. I'll give you a call in a few days, see how you're doing."
"Thank you. You're always welcome to drop by the house also. Give Charlie a hug for me. It was nice to meet you Eden."
"The pleasure was mine. I hope you have a quick recovery," Eden said.
"Goodbye," Rosalyne said as they left her room.
*****
"Mitchell, this is way out of control. Sentinel needs to coast until this goes away!" Laurie Gayle said pacing in the back meeting room at Sentinel in Santa Cruz. The wall clock displayed it was almost eleven o'clock that evening.
"I know it looks bad, but I'm assured those two being held by your police have no link back to Sentinel." Mitchell said, leaning back in his chair to convey his lack of concern.
"He's an egotistical ass!" she shouted, throwing her arms up in the air. "He thinks Chief Walker is some ignorant figure head? Once those two goons put that reporter, Wilson in the hospital it set a pit bull loose!"
"They were instructed to scare her, like Reed. She's the one that took off running," he said leaning back toward the conference table and slammed both hands down. "Look, he has skeletons from both our closets and is not ready to let the million dollars from the Marina sale to Cinemagic go?"
"He'd better!" she returned quickly, staring directly at him. "After that stupid stunt about back taxes…he needs to stay away from the other two properties in Marina."
"I seem to recall that tax thing worked for you, one of those skeletons that brought you into Sentinel."
"Johnson was a feeble old man, would have probably left his fortune to his dog." She moved to the table across from him, planted both hands firmly on it and leaned in toward him. "If he'd done a little research it would have told him that Christine Hodges is a retired professor and is still on the local school board. There's a difference. What about your intern?"
"Not our concern, she's under control, I'm told. Your blazing into my office certainly helped drive her curiosity, Laurie, while we're on the subject of stupid moves."
"What has he done?" she asked sinking into the chair.
"It's out of my hands, Laurie. You don't want details."
"Tell me Mitchell!"
"I warned you. Their setting up evidence of an escalating drug problem. She'll either be found dead from an overdose, or worse."
"What could be worse?" she demanded.
"He said or beat to death by a john in some alley."
"He's a monster!" she shouted as she stood up again. "I didn't sign on for this, killing that old man with a heart attack and now this!"
"But we didn't sign on, Laurie. We chose to avoid prosecution, which is still my choice until we can get a handle on this. What little money has come our way is enough to pull us in as accessories to all of it, so I suggest you calm the hell down before he sees you as a liability." He waited for her to take a seat and reel in her anger.
"Ok, make the call," she said. Mitchell reached out to the table mounted speaker phone and hit the speed dial button. The call was connected after a few moments.
"You brought this late night meeting and need for damage control on yourselves. So I need your attention to cover our wounds and move on. Do I have your attention?" the man asked.
"We're both here and listening," Mitchell said.
"Ms. Gayle?"
She shifted in her seat and leaned toward the phone. "I'm here."
"The reason you are here tonight, Ms. Gayle, is because you broke the rules with your appearance in Assemblyman Mitchell's office, a flamboyant and memorable appearance, I might add, seen by others in that office."
"I know it was…"
"Damn stupid! Yes I agree. Now, the reason for your flamboy
ant and memorable appearance was over your extreme disappointment that the budget item to fund your pet project of renovating Marina Ocean Park was not presented by Assemblyman Mitchell as he had promised. It won't be a hard sell as you have let that park deteriorate to the point of being an eye sore. So your task is to scramble getting playground equipment and renovation quotes to support your new pet project."
"I can do that," she said.
"My ten year old nephew could, the jury is still out on you, Mayor Gayle. There are two adjoining properties Sentinel is pursuing. One is already in escrow at an excellent price that will triple in value when we secure the property from Christine Hodges."
"We understand she was not interested in selling," Gayle said.
"We'll approach her with an apology, indicating our previous associate was terminated for his unethical conduct. Even if we need to offer her full value, the combination of these properties will be a positive return. Once we close escrow on both, Mayor Gayle, you can light the fire under your City Council to move forward with the Development Enhancement Incentive program."
The room fell silent. Neither Mitchell nor Gayle spoke waiting for him to continue.
"Now, Mitchell, we have a group of people asking questions based on one woman's overhearing a conversation you had. A conversation that fortunately was not recorded or heard by anyone else. The hard evidence of a questionable nature relating to you, Mitchell was removed from her hands as we escorted her out of your office."
"So nothing damning got out?" Mitchell asked.
"We've read and cleared her emails where we were alerted to Reed and there is nothing we can't handle. Now listen, Mitchell. When you're visited, and you will be visited in an attempt to locate your old intern, you'll share with them the suspicions you've had for some time about drug use. Maybe it started when you saw her late at night with those shady guys on your drive home. Maybe being the wonderful humanitarian you are, Assemblyman Mitchell, you offered to get her help, but would have to let her go, or better yet, have to report her if it continued. That might give a drug addict needing money motive to create this fable about you."
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