by Judy Candis
“Does he have a chance of taking Ramon from you?”
“No one is ever going to take Ramon from me!” The words dropped so cold and harsh from her lips, Sills fell back in his seat.
“And I believe you. Hey, I’m not the villain here, just trying to help.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to take my anger out on you, but as the saying goes, don’t mess with a lioness’s pup. She’ll do whatever is necessary to protect her own.”
Just then the phone rang. Sills looked at it, up at Jael, then back at the phone again. Jael stared blindly at it, as if she didn’t recognize what it was. She took three deep breaths before answering.
“Detective Reynolds, Homicide.” Her voice sounded frightened even to her.
“Time’s a-wasting. You’re down to an hour and fifteen minutes.”
The phone went dead, but Jael continued to hold it to her ear. After a few seconds, she said, “You’ll want the juvenile department for that complaint, ma’am—this is Homicide.”
Slowly she replaced the phone in its cradle. Sills was watching her, his head tilted. Neither of them moved. Then Jael glanced at her watch and began to shift papers on her desk as if she were getting down to work.
“Remember, Jael. I’m a friend.”
Jael raised her eyes without lifting her head, casting him a curious stare. Could she be sure of that?
Chapter
37
The parking garage for squad vehicles and employee autos was darker than usual. After getting off the elevator at the ground floor, Jael walked slowly toward the third row and her car. Every footfall seemed intensified as she moved along, her hand on her shoulder holster.
The loud slam of a car door pierced the otherwise dead silence of the garage, and Jael jumped nearly a foot off the ground. Seconds from pulling out her weapon, she heard her name called out in greeting.
“Hey, Detective Reynolds, you know you’re the bomb. You’re all over the news. You go, girl.”
Jael recognized the rookie officer moving toward her as one of the new female African-American recruits she’d taken a liking to and encouraged as often as time allowed. The woman was with a white male officer Jael had never met.
“Hey, just doing my duty,” Jael answered, pleased with the casual way her voice sounded.
“All I can say is I’m glad you’re getting that kind of trash off the streets. Makes my job a whole lot easier,” the woman said, then looked curiously at Jael. “You’re off duty already?”
“No, more like on a personal errand, if you know what I mean.”
Jael didn’t miss the small grin that crossed the male officer’s face. She tensed.
“Yeah, I got you. That was another notch for you catching that suspect like you did,” the woman said.
“No personal credit for me—it was the entire department.”
“Good work, Detective.” It was the first words the man had spoken.
Jael moved toward her car, giving him a curious look. “It’s far from over. This was certainly not a one-man operation.”
The man’s grin widened, and Jael’s heart began to pump faster. As he moved slowly toward her, Jael stiffened. “Hey, you mean there’s more brains behind the operation?”
“That’s what we have to look into.” Stepping backward toward her car, she slipped her key into the lock, all the while keeping her eyes on the officer. She said her good-byes and got into her car. The man was still standing there watching her. Throwing up her hand in a good-bye wave, Jael pulled out of the garage, a little too fast. In her rearview mirror she could see that the white officer had not followed his fellow officer but stood there gazing after her.
“Keep your eyes on the road and don’t look back.” “JESUS!” Jael’s heart leaped into her throat, her head just missing the roof of the car as she nearly jumped out of her skin from the sound. The voice was coming from the back of her car.
“Calm down, it’s me, Grant.”
“Grant? What are you doing hiding in the backseat of my car?”
“More important, what are you doing climbing into your car without checking out the backseat. You can’t take any chances.” Jael heard Grant make a growling sound. “It’s tight as I don’t know what back here.”
Jael could imagine his huge frame wedged between the back and front seat in an attempt to hide from any unknown observers. If not for her current circumstances she might have laughed.
“Where should I be heading?” she asked, keeping her eyes straight ahead as she pulled out of the parking garage. Fortunately, the media was stationed at the front of the police building and not watching the side as she departed.
“Keep a look out for a tail. Make sure you’re not being followed; if you’re not, head in the direction of my hotel on Brower Boulevard. In the meantime, if you can pull into a gas station or something so I can get out from back here, I’d appreciate it.”
Jael drove for about five minutes, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be trailing her. When she was sure she wasn’t being followed, she pulled into a Chevron filling station. In the dark isolated area behind the car wash, she said, “Okay, you can come out now.”
Grant unfolded his body from the backseat, moving like some kind of huge beast, and exited the back door. He opened Jael’s door.
“Move over and let me take the wheel.”
Jael was happy to oblige and slid over, then leaned her head back against the rest and closed her eyes.
“Okay, that’s better,” he said, giving her a quick glance. “Now we’ll head for my hotel while you tell me everything you know so far.”
Which wasn’t much. After giving him a quick review, she asked, “What are your plans, Grant? I know you mean well, but I can’t let you jeopardize my son’s life.”
“I’d never do that. But these guys are playing ugly. I don’t want to scare you any more than you already are, but they may be lying about giving your son back to you alive.”
“Don’t say that!” She lifted her head, giving him a hateful scowl.
“Jael, you have to be aware of the fact that if Ramon can identity them, they can’t take that chance.”
That very thought had hovered at the back of her senses since this nightmare began. She’d fought even thinking about it, and now Grant was saying it out loud.
“Father, I give myself completely over to You,” she whispered, lowering her head, her hands in tights fists in her lap. “Save my son.”
Grant gave her a supportive look. “I’m sure He heard you.”
“Believe me, this is certainly the right time for praying without ceasing. Even when I feel no one’s listening, I have to remember the adversary wants me to think just that.”
“Their venom is the venom of dragons.”
Jael frowned and glanced over at Grant. “Pardon me?”
“From the Book of Deuteronomy, 32:33. It’s from the ancient eastern Aramaic text of Peshitta. I believe the King James version goes more like, ‘Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.’ I tend to like the Aramaic translation, which more adequately describes this scum.”
Jael shook her head in awed disbelief. “You have amazed me from the moment I met you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. I hope you’ll still feel that way after we reach my hotel. I plan to equip you with a tracking device. I also have one I want to attach to your vehicle. Then, I want you to call my cell phone number from your cell phone just before Upton gets in your car. Keep the phone line open so I can trace you and hear your conversation.”
With all that had happened in the past two days, Jael wondered if she had remembered to recharge her phone battery. Oh God, please let it be charged up.
“With the device and your cell phone, I’ll be able to keep in touch with you by an overhead helicopter and know exactly where you’re ordered to take Upton.”
“Won’t these guys be aware of a helicopter hovering in the air?”
“I certainly wouldn’t put a
nything past them. But I know what I’m doing. I need you to follow my instructions to a T. Remember to speak clearly so I’ll know how they plan to make the exchange.”
“Oh, Grant, it’s all . . .”
“I know, but we can’t make any mistakes now. Remember, Jael, think like a cop now, not a mom.”
Jael wasn’t sure if she could.
Chapter
38
Filled with trepidation, and constantly looking over her shoulder for any sign they were being watched, Jael remained silent as Grant pulled the squad car into the hotel parking lot.
Without turning off the ignition, Grant jumped from the car. “Wait here. I won’t be a moment.”
Those few minutes seemed like hours, as she sat waiting in the idling vehicle.
Sweet Lord, how could something like this ever be allowed to happen? I’ve lived a good clean life. I gave up painkillers, tried to be a good mother, fought as little as possible with Virgil and I go to church every Sunday. I even go Tuesday night for Bible study and Saturday for prayer meeting. I sing in the choir and read my Bible all the time. I prayed that the Blood of Jesus would always remain over me and my family. I thought I was doing everything right. How could this be happening to me?
Jael waited to hear a voice explain all the whys, but only the hum of the engine answered. Looking around the hotel parking lot, she noticed tourists climbing in and out of vehicles, many in swimsuits and already tanned. For them, life was filled with the promise of a great and blissful holiday.
Overhead the sky was a brilliant powder blue. God had fluffed up the clouds into gigantic misshapen white towers. It was an awesome sight, displaying all the majesty of the heavens. Jael never failed to appreciate such beauty in humbled awe. Just as Psalm 8:3—When I consider thy heavens—always filled her with wonder.
“Lord, hear my prayer. Receive my petition for my baby’s safe return. I acknowledge I was weak and foolish and had no right to question you, but I now come boldly before your throne. I stand on your promise to never forsake me, and lay my heart on the altar of your mercy. I put aside all whining and false imaginations of the devil, because through Christ’s Blood I am more than a conqueror. I will hold that fast to my heart and count on you to see me through.”
She knew that right now, more than anything, she needed to keep her spirit saturated with the Word. Leaning forward, Jael pressed the CD button on her dashboard. The music and words of one of her favorite choirs washed over her, delivering the needed inspiration.
Never fail to cast your cares on Him,
Because He cares for you
Hold fast to your faith, and
He’ll see you through
If you never let go of His hand
He will answer according to His plan
Remember, through every situation
Just hold on, and God will see you through.
Those words were just what she needed right now, a reminder to HOLD ON. Jael mouthed the words as they filled the car, receiving and absorbing the message.
She jumped at the soft knock on her door. It was Grant. He’d approached unnoticed, and she realized it could have been anyone. In his eyes she saw concern and encouragement. She lowered the volume on the CD with a trembling hand.
“It’s going to be all right, Jael. Hold on to your faith and don’t let it waver. This is only a dark time you’re going through, which may be a test to see how much you truly rely on the Lord.”
She thought of her earlier moments of doubt with shame. Of course it was human to have moments of fear, but this was a battle like no other. It was time to stand fast. To speak the words that would give her the victory.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will rely on Him with my whole heart. I have nothing now but my faith. Bless the Lord.” She was silent for a minute before continuing to speak. “I haven’t put all the pieces together yet, but I feel strongly that Tammy, the receptionist, is involved. She knew about my incoming calls, and another officer let it slip that Tammy knew I was at the property room. Billups is also a prime suspect; he may be Red Dog and the one who put Ramon’s chain in my desk.”
Grant nodded, then handed her a small mechanical device. “Do you know how to attach this voice-sensitive tracking device to your clothing?”
“I learned at the academy. I still remember.”
“Okay, while you do that, I’ll attach this other one to the tail of your car.”
Jael looked at the small silver instrument that Grant had attached by four small slivers of duct tape. Releasing the top two buttons of her blouse, Jael pressed the contraption to the tender flesh just within her lace bra. She was buttoning the top button back up when Grant returned to the window.
“So far, so good. Now head for the jailhouse and get Upton out. Agents are on their way to pick me up, so I’ll be right behind you.”
The ringing of her cell phone startled her. Jael glanced at the phone, then back at Grant. He nodded toward it.
“Hello.”
“You’re down to forty-five minutes. Once Upton is released, wait for my call to tell you where to drop him off.”
“Wait a minute! We have to make an exchange. I’ll drop him nowhere until my baby is safe in my arms.”
“The process for the exchange will be explained after Upton is released. Wait for my call.”
“He says he’ll explain the procedure for the exchange when I have Upton,” Jael said after she’d clicked off.
“Typical.” Grant looked around. “Okay, remember everything he tells you. Speak clearly into the mouthpiece. You don’t have to worry about the actual release; by the time you get to the jail, I will have taken care of all that. Upton will be released into your custody. I’ll be near every step of the way. You’ll never be alone for a minute during this ordeal.”
For the first time in hours, Jael felt this was true. Where had Grant really come from? she wondered. Had God foreseen all of this and sent her someone she could see and touch to remind her He was there? As she drove away, it gave her a good feeling to think that God loved her so much that He had sent someone to watch over her. She was aware that she could certainly be fantasizing the whole idea that Grant was a guardian angel, but oh, how she needed to believe it, to feel that God was working so personally on her behalf.
“If he is or not, Lord, thank you for allowing him to be around right now,” Jael softly whispered inside the car.
When she had driven about five blocks from the hotel, forcing herself to stay within the speed limit, she was so deep in prayer and worship that she never noticed the maroon Buick that pulled out behind her at Jamerson Avenue and 12th Street. Nor that the vehicle followed her, always two car lengths behind her, all the way to the county jail.
Chapter
39
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can . . .” Jael allowed the words to flow through her mind and found more courage with each passing phrase. It was a tonic to her soul. A renewed surge of hope lifted her spirit. Her shoulders straightened and her chin tilted with a holy arrogance. She was not in this battle alone. She had to keep remembering that or the adversary would crush her with fear and doubt. It was the toughest battle Jael had ever been in.
When Jael arrived at the Dadesville County Jail, she parked in the space allotted police officers and exited the car. People were milling around outside waiting for their husbands, sons, brothers or whoever to be released or for the next visiting hour.
She entered through the main entrance door and headed for the information booth. No one she was familiar with was at the desk, but the process would be easily handled if Grant had completed his end of the arrangement.
Jael moved up to the caged window. “I’m Detective Reynolds. I’m here to pick up inmate Whitman James Upton.”
“One second, Detective,” a white-haired clerk told her as he clicked away at the keys on his computer.
Within
the span of a minute or two, the clerk looked up. “Upton is already in the inmate release room. Captain Slater left not too long ago. It shouldn’t be more than another ten minutes.”
The Captain was here? So he must have decided to assist with her plan. Jael looked at her wristwatch. It was already 4:52. She would be cutting it very close. “Can they rush it a little? This is a very serious case I’m working on here.”
The man smiled. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank you.”
As Jael moved toward a bench, her cell phone began to ring. She almost dropped it trying to get to it so fast.
“I’m here. I’m waiting for him to be released,” she hissed into the mouthpiece.
“Waiting for who to be released?”
“Virgil?” she said, her voice full of exasperation. “Oh, not now, Virgil, you’ll have to call me later.”
“Don’t you dare hang up on me!”
“Virgil, this is a bad time, I—”
“With you it’s always a bad time. And you never bothered to return my calls, again. Jael, I don’t want any more problems with you. If you keep this up, I’m going to have to force the judge to look into your—”
“Not now, Virgil, please, I don’t have the time! I’ll call you later.” Jael hung up.
She’d forgotten Tammy had told her she’d had several calls from her ex-husband. She didn’t need this additional headache right now. The phone began to ring again.
“Detective, your man is ready.”
Jael turned to the door to see Upton standing on the other side of the cage, his grin as wide as the length of the snake that seduced Eve, and just as hypnotic. She completely forgot the ringing phone in her hand.
Chapter
40
Moving through the gate, Jael faltered a bit, not wanting to be near the man. His vile depravity seemed to roll off him in waves. If ever a person could be described as evil incarnate, Jael reflected, it could be said of this man. And the first words to come from his mouth were like righteous blasphemy.