Watson Manor My Journey Home (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 4)

by Ronald S. Craig

  "Makes sense. It'll be dark when we get there, though." Jenny slid into the front seat. Charlie set the monitor beside him in the back seat and Walker started the car.

  "I feel badly leaving Emily and Eden," Jenny said. "They just got here."

  "I think they understand the situation, Jenny. We'll be back to get Emily settled into her bedroom tomorrow."

  "We'll probably follow them to the rented house, turn it over to Baker's group and beat the sunrise back to Watson Manor," Walker said pulling onto the on ramp for Interstate 101 north toward Highway 152.

  Jenny was shifting in the front seat and Charlie put his hand on her shoulder. "We are doing all we can, Jenny."

  She turned to look at him over the seat. "Have I always gotten so engaged in our cases?"

  Walker laughed and then turned to face her. "Sorry Jenny. In simple terms, if you were behind the wheel we'd be going ninety."

  "He's right, Jenny, I've never seen you coasting."

  "Is this where I apologize for driving you both crazy?"

  "No. This is where we admire your conviction," Charlie said squeezing her shoulder.

  Jenny was content with that remark and glanced at the speedometer with a grin. "I can relax at seventy five, thank you Chief."

  "I know Charlie and I sense the horror of Sandy's kidnapping, but you, Jenny, seem to connect emotionally in a way we're not wired to intercept."

  "You earth creatures," she started with a laugh, "just weren't given a full deck to work with."

  "Chief, I'm sure our alien counterpart here knows this already, but from one mere earthling to another, Santa Nella has a huge truck stop just ahead on 152. There's nothing at the interchange with Interstate 5."

  "How far ahead of them are we?" Walker asked.

  "Twenty-five, thirty minutes. Interstate 5 doesn't have a lot of service stops. They'd stop in Santa Nella for gas, coffee and bathrooms."

  "Unless they continue north on 5 to Highway 130," Jenny said looking at a map. "But, I'm with Charlie, this would be my choice, short of the more private, road side rest stops."

  Walker was on the long sweeping off ramp for Santa Nella and the massive truck stop lit up a square mile. "I'll fill her up if you two want to make a potty and coffee run," Walker said.

  "Works for me," Charlie said. "Large black for you Chief?"

  "Yes, thanks." Walker pulled up to the gas pumps. Charlie and Jenny went into the Speedy-Mart. Charlie headed directly toward the restroom sign and Jenny went for the coffee counter. Walker filled the tank and backed into a parking spot at the end of the Diner adjacent to the Speedy-Mart for a full view of all of the service islands.

  Jenny was carrying the coffees and had a pizza box when she approached the station wagon.

  "Meat Lovers I hope," Walker said getting out of the car.

  "I had a thought on getting a closer look," Jenny said, "this is my San Jose sign, looking for a ride."

  "Not liking you getting that close, Jenny. I'll be right back." Walker left as Charlie walked back to the car. Jenny uncapped the marker and wrote 'Need a Lift to San Jose' on the blank back side of the box. Walker slid back into the driver's seat and took his coffee from Jenny.

  "We need to know if Sandy is in the van." She responded to Charlie's inquiring look.

  "Five minutes, they're slowing down," Charlie said. Jenny jumped out of the front seat and took her sign to the opposite end of the parking area.

  The white Dodge Caravan pulled in and they saw two men in the front seat. The van approached the far row of gas pumps with the windshield facing away from the Speed-Mart and foot traffic heading to the store. Jenny circled around the far side of the van to get a quick look through the windshield before approaching the man fueling it on the driver's side. She saw the front seat was vacant and the shadows of two figures in the third seat back inside.

  "Excuse me sir," Jenny said when she'd walked around the front of the van and the man was in view. She held up the sign. "Can a stranded gal get a lift?"

  He was dressed all in black, slacks, dress shirt and leather jacket. He'd been watching the store and turned quickly to face her. Surprise reflected in his reply, "Where'd you come from?"

  "Over by the semi-trucks," Jenny said pointing across the lot. "Can you help me out, I've got gas money?"

  He looked around nervously and said," No, going the other way."

  "Thanks anyway," she said and walked toward another row of cars getting gas. Jenny was conversing with another man when she noticed the van pulled away from the pump and parked in the dirt lot at the far end of the paved lot, behind a row of green dumpsters. She folded up the pizza box and tossed it in the island trash can, and then worked her way back to the station wagon and quickly slid in the passenger seat.

  "Looks like two men and another person in the back seat. The man riding shotgun moved to the back while the driver was getting gas," Jenny said.

  "They haven't moved," Charlie reported.

  "The man you saw, what can you tell me about him?" Walker asked.

  "5-9 maybe, small build." She stopped suddenly, looking out the windshield. "That's him, all black crossing through the service island toward the store."

  "You said two figures in the back seat. No faces?" Walker asked.

  "I couldn't see them. It was dark inside. One was leaning against the side, the other figure … maybe a little taller. Chief, we can't let them leave with her!"

  "I'm with Jenny, Chief. If it was a third man back there, the front seat passenger wouldn't have moved to the back seat, and they certainly wouldn't park behind the dumpster!"

  "Surveillance and report, remember? These guys are surely armed."

  "And they're split up, Chief. I'll tag the driver when he's walking back from the store. You can take the guy by surprise in the van."

  "We could blow the whole thing with the FBI, you two."

  "Chief, we'll have them call their boss. Say, Sandy didn't make it, overdose or negative reaction to the sedative," Jenny offered.

  "Damn it, you two. If I didn't know you were right. Charlie, I know you're licensed to carry, do you have a gun?"

  "Don't leave home without it, they say."

  Chief Walker watched as the driver approached the front door to the Speedy-Mart. He started the car and as he pulled back into the service island he said, "Jenny, you've got the wheel. Charlie pretend to be putting gas in it so you don't look to obvious out there. I'll take position behind the dumpster. Jenny, when Charlie is walking our guy back to the van, you can drive the car around."

  "Got it, thanks, Chief," Jenny said.

  "Don't thank me. This is crazy!" Walker got out of the car, checked that the driver was out of sight in the store and then ran to the end of the last of five dumpsters lined up. Charlie was beside the car holding the fueling nozzle in position and casually watched the people leaving the store.

  In a squatted stance, Walker looked around the end dumpster and located the van parked beside the middle dumpster. He moved in closer and discovered the windows were not tinted as he had believed, but black construction paper was taped in place. He moved silently to the side sliding door and drew his pistol. Walker reached up and grabbed the handle with his left hand prepared to fire and pulled the door open.

  "Take a walk Frank, I've waited long enough for some of this fine stuff," the man said.

  The inside light showed both rear seats were folded down making a sleeping surface and the man had his pants down and was facing away from the door.

  Walker stood and pressed his gun to the man's back. "Change of plans, both hands on your head, Casanova!"

  "What the hell…"

  "Hands on your head, now! I have no problem dropping you right here." The man complied and Walker swung the man's arms down, behind him and put handcuffs on him. Leaving the man's pants around his ankles, Walker jerked him out of the van and pushed him to the ground. "I'm Chief Walker and you are under arrest for kidnapping and rape."

  Walker looked at Sandy s
pread out on the bed, unconscious, her legs spread and her skirt pushed above her waist. He felt the rage lessen, but only slightly when he saw her panties were still in their proper place on her. "Attempted rape, but you so much as flinch and it will be your last." Walker pulled his phone out and dialed 911 for police backup and information on hospitals in the area.

  Charlie watched the driver carrying food and drinks out of the Speedy-Mart holding the cardboard tray with both hands. Charlie was putting the fuel nozzle back into the pump and Jenny started the car. The driver was ten feet away as Charlie moved between the pumps to get behind him. The driver glanced at Jenny in the driver's seat under the well-lit island lights and dropped the tray. Charlie was just raising his pistol when the driver turned back, his own gun drawn, and spotted Charlie. The driver fired his gun and Charlie went down, then he took off running toward the dumpsters. Jenny slammed the car into drive and aimed at the man running. She slammed into him from behind and pinned him against the dumpster. He couldn't run, but turned at the waist and brought his gun around to fire through the windshield at Jenny. Jenny kept her foot on the gas and laid flat across the front seat. She heard the shot and closed her eyes expecting pain from the bullet or particles of glass from the windshield. Frozen in fear on the seat she didn't dare raise her head when she heard the ignition key turn and the engine shut off.

  Chapter 21

  "Jenny, it's over," Charlie said and opened the driver's door. She sat up quickly and looked at Charlie and then forward through the windshield at the man. He was still pinned between the car and the dumpster, but was collapsed on the hood. "We're clear, Chief."

  "I've got number two restrained here and found Sandy. The driver?"

  "He's done. We'll drive around," Charlie said and turned back to face Jenny.

  "He shot you, Charlie. I saw you fall … and then he was aiming at me …"

  "Teamwork. You held him in place and thank God I was able to finish him."

  Jenny jumped out of the car and looked Charlie over. "My God! Your side is bleeding, Charlie."

  "It stings like hell, but I don't think there is major damage. Back the car up, Jenny. I'll make sure he stays here." Jenny was shaken and turned the key and nothing happened. Realizing the car was still in drive she pushed the lever into park and started the car. She backed up slowly six feet and Charlie pushed the man off of the hood where he collapsed to the ground. Then Charlie walked around and slid into the passenger side.

  Jenny drove around the dumpsters and pulled alongside the van. She jumped out. "Charlie's been shot, Chief!"

  "Memorial Hospital is in Los Banos. Get on the 152, east and cross over Interstate 5. Let's get Sandy in the back seat."

  Jenny looked down at the man face down on the dirt with his pants still wrapped at his ankles. "Did he … ?"

  "No, Jenny, he didn't. Attempted only." With that Jenny stepped into the van to get a closer look at Sandy.

  "She looks pretty pale, but without injury. Are you coming with us Chief?"

  "I need to wait for backup and this asshole and I have a phone call to make. I'll meet you at the hospital, later." Walker moved in beside Jenny and picked Sandy up. Jenny jumped out and opened the rear door on the station wagon and he set her down. "Charlie, how bad are you?"

  "I'm good, Chief."

  "Damn it, can I at least pull my pants … " the man on the ground started to say when Walker cut him off.

  "I said quiet!" Walker shut the back door on the station wagon and Jenny got in behind the wheel. "You'd better go."

  Jenny rounded the dumpsters slowly then hit the gas hard when pavement was under the wheels. She ran the stop sign and was on the on ramp accelerating through sixty when Charlie commented grabbing the dashboard, "Jenny, in one piece would be good here."

  "Look Mister, you get shot, and I get to go a little nuts." Their attention was drawn to the two Highway Patrol cars passing them on the opposite side of Highway 152 with lights and sirens going. Jenny looked over at Charlie in the passenger seat, leaning against the door. His eyes were closing as his head was dropping. "Charlie! Stay with me!" She pressed down hard on the gas pedal. The Hospital sign came into view when she crossed over Interstate 5 and took the exit with a death grip on the steering wheel and emotional tears clouding her vision.

  *****

  Chief Walker heard the approaching sirens and after allowing his captive to pull his pants up, moved the cuffs to anchor him to the van. He found passage between the dumpsters to check on the driver. The man was face down with one leg obviously broken from the impact of the car, but the large exit wound from Charlie's gunshot was the reason he couldn't find a pulse.

  The Highway Patrol cars shut off their sirens and moved slowly through the service islands until they spotted Walker waving from the far side of the lot. They drove over and two patrolmen jumped out of their cars and approached Walker. He flashed his badge to the senior patrolman. "I'm Chief Walker, Marina P.D. and this is part of an FBI operation and we need to shut down radio chatter."

  "Sergeant Benson, Chief. We responded to a shots fired call from the store." He turned his focus to the man on the ground. "Looks like the coroner, not an ambulance call."

  "I have his partner, restrained on the other side of the dumpsters. Kidnapping and attempted rape and I'll need you to take him to local lockup after he calls in."

  "The kidnapped victim?"

  Walker pointed down to the man on the ground. "The driver. He shot one of my partners on this surveillance that turned badly. My other partner is en route to Los Banos Hospital with both my wounded partner and the kidnapped victim. I know you need to call this in for your supervisor and I plan to relay the whole story, but I need five minutes right now without sirens in the background for the other guy to call in."

  "I'll let my dispatch know we have the situation under control and I'll advise after investigating," Benson said, and then he turned to the other patrolman. "Torres, get the gawkers on their way and let the store manager know it's over out here. Oh, and kill the lights on your car."

  "Thank you," Walker said and waited for Benson to call his dispatcher.

  "Ok, Chief. You’ve got your five minutes." Benson followed Walker through the dumpsters back to his prisoner. Walker picked up the man's wallet from the ground beside him and glanced at the driver's license then handed it to Benson.

  "Randy Staples, or whatever your real name is, your future is in your hands," Walker began. "I might even forget how I found you with your pants around your ankles and the DA will be pleased with your cooperation."

  Staples looked between Walker and Benson but said nothing.

  "Here's the story I need you to relay to your boss, if you want any hope of freedom in your future," Walker said.

  "Forget it!"

  "What do you think, Benson? Do I have a witness to his attempted escape and my need to cripple, not kill him with my gun?"

  "I'd tell the amazing story after the disfiguring struggle to contain him, how he managed to run," Benson offered.

  "Maybe Randy would enjoy being a quad love toy in prison? If not, Randy your story is that before stopping for gas you found Sandy, not sedated, but dead in the back of the van. Your partner is at this very moment dumping her weighted body into San Luis Reservoir."

  "They won't buy that bullshit story."

  "I'm thinking your partner went too heavy on the sedative and she went into convulsions and died. You sell it for a chance to save yourself or I'll decide your future right here and now!" Walker said. He freed Staples' right hand, leaving his left hand cuffed to the van and handed him the cell phone from the van's dashboard and drew his gun. "We're out of time, Randy."

  *****

  Henry McBride was standing on the tree covered porch of the rented house in Stevens Creek; it was dark as the sun had set a couple of hours prior. The tumbler of scotch in his hand followed dinner, but was doing little to calm his tension in the final hours of this theft of the "Nestseeker" technology. The porch li
ght came on and Brittney passed through the front door to join him.

  "Dan and Tom are back from Marina and Randy called from the road. Said they are ninety minutes out and will be stopping for gas and food shortly."

  "Don Richards?"

  "Went straight home from Branson after work. I called him on the cell we gave him. The device is in place. He wants to talk to Sandy."

  "Of course he does, that’s why I'm bringing her here. What did you tell him?"

  "That she'd be in his arms moments after we confirmed the data file."

  "I never had kids. Were you close to your father?"

  "My dear stepfather." She walked to the end of the porch, "died when I was fourteen."

  "I'm sorry, that must have been tough?"

  "Henry, it was the most liberating moment of my life. My dear stepfather was very attentive to his little girl from about age seven. He insisted on sharing bath time and tucking me in at bedtime while dear mommy was passed out drunk."

  Henry stared at her without reply.

  "That’s why we've not discussed my family, Henry. Dear Daddy, he insisted I call him, had the misfortune of slipping on the wet bathroom floor and hit his head on the hard porcelain tub, several times, until I was certain he was not getting up again."

  "I'd never be that monster with our …," he started to say when the phone in Brittney's hand rang.

  "Yeah," she answered. After listening a minute she switched it to speaker. "From the beginning and slow the hell down, Randy."

  "She's dead! We stopped for gas and when I checked on her, she wasn't breathing."

  "What the hell happened?"

  "A negative reaction to the drugs, who the hell knows, I'm not a doctor. Frank and I weighted her down. They're in a rowboat we found headed off shore in the reservoir here."

  "Hold on," she said and hit mute on the phone. "What do you want to do, Henry?"

  "You mean after I choke the life out of them both? Highly recommended you said." He was pacing the porch. "I don't want them anywhere close to us now. Trace evidence in the van, torching it would draw attention. Have those morons take the van back to Phoenix. No one was supposed to die here, Brittney!"