“He’s in pretty good shape from what I hear. Works out like a madman back at the Conduit.” The Warden replied not taking his eyes of Jackson.
“This guy? You’ve got to be kidding. Look at these arms.” He pulled back the sheet exposing Jackson’s upper arms. “They have never seen a dumbbell.”
“Maybe he’s a runner.” The EMT’s nodded in agreement.
Dever wasn’t sure what to think he just stared at Jackson as he felt the ambulance lurch forward. He just kept hoping he would survive the ride over to the hospital. He watched as the two technicians kept monitoring his blood pressure and pulse rates and kept shaking their heads in confusion. Warden Dever sat back and just watched trying to put together his remarks for the two scenarios of Jackson being alive or dead. He concentrated on the first. He tried to speed the ambulance ahead with his mind. He closed his eyes and thought about all the events that had led to this moment. He had been sound asleep next to his wife after a night out with friends and then came the middle of the night phone call that immediately had him half-way dressed before he even answered the phone. His wife had kidded him that he should have been a fire man with his quick response and right now he was wishing he had chosen that profession. It sure would make a much easier day ahead with the press and the prison staff. It would be weeks until things would settle back down at the Conduit. Everyone would be on heightened alert for the time, which isn’t a bad thing for a prison, but from what he had learned in combat, men on heightened alert for extended periods of time began to wear down and make mistakes. He would have to allow the staff and prisoners some time to cool down and get things in order. It would be tough, but it would work; it always did. He took one last look at Jackson and then pulled out his iPhone preparing to begin making all the necessary calls.
Chapter 9
Jackson tried to smile as he felt the vehicle make the final turn. Things couldn’t have gone any better. He didn’t think he would be able to pull it off, but once he saw that newspaper guy he had to give it a try. He was a little banged up and bleeding in a few places, but all in all, it wasn’t too bad for a guy who jumped out of a moving truck and landed on pavement. He had been able to watch the truck collide with those trees it had been spectacular, almost like a movie. He had stayed and watched for a minute, but he knew he had to act quickly before that newspaper guy got there. He had hidden in front of the truck until the old station wagon rattled up and stopped. The man who was in his mid-fifties and outweighed him by about thirty pounds stumbled out of the car and began walking towards the banged-up truck. He waited until he was close enough, and then he leaped towards him, injecting him with another Rohypnol syringe he had on him. He only had one left. It was a great trade. In seconds, the man became limp, and he dragged him behind the wheel and shut the door. He quickly jumped in the station wagon and took off before the helicopter arrived. He didn’t look back, but he could feel his freedom creeping into his body as he pulled onto the crowded I-95 full of midnight travelers and early-bird workers, which he had once been a part of. He easily blended into the ongoing traffic and powered on the radio to one of the many Richmond pop hit stations. He was feeling pretty good. The best he felt in five years. It would only be a matter of time now till he would see and feel Stephanie and Michelle. He imagined the authorities would contact them shortly if they hadn’t already, so he would have to be patient, but he didn’t mind. He had the rest of his life to make up for the lost time, and he was going to make the most of it. He watched a State Trooper speed down the southbound lanes probably not aware of what he was looking for. He knew he needed to ditch this car as soon as possible and smiled for the second time when he saw the sign for a rest area ahead. A few minutes later, he pulled into the dark rest area. He was immediately aware something wasn’t right, and it wasn’t till he saw the construction sign, and another State Trooper vehicle that he felt his smile fade. He carefully watched as the Trooper eyed him as he drove by the main building. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do if he tried to stop him, and he hoped he wouldn’t have to find out, but he was relieved when he pulled back out onto the highway without any sign of the police vehicle behind him. The next fifteen minutes were a little stressful as he continued to look into his rearview waiting for the blue swirling lights to fill his mirror, but nothing happened and he pulled off a busy exit full of hotels and restaurants. It didn’t take him long to find a crowded commuter train lot to lose the station wagon in and acquire a new vehicle. Thank God for workaholics like himself. In a few minutes, he was cruising north in a Toyota Prius, the perfect blending-in type of car he had hoped for.
“Warden Dever. Can I speak to you?” The tall lanky doctor asked removing his reading glasses. Warden Dever immediately jumped up from the emergency room chair he was seated on outside of Jackson’s room.
“Yes, what is it Doctor?” He was waiting to hear the words come out of the doctor’s mouth that he hadn’t made it, but instead what he heard was far worse. He suddenly felt himself become unstable and felt the doctor’s hands steady him.
“This man in there is not Jackson Stewart. There was no way he was in that accident. He was induced with a drug.” He slipped the glasses back on. “We received Mr. Stewart’s medical records from the prison, and this is not him. We are still trying to find out who it is.”
“What are you talking about?” He didn’t even recognize his own voice any more.
“Were not sure what drug was used, but it placed him in a comatose state. He’ll be in it for another hour or so.”
“That’s just like what he did to our guard at The Conduit.”
He’s used this drug before?” The doctor looked over his glasses.
Warden Dever immediately turned around and felt like screaming. “Yes tonight in a cell. That’s how he escaped.
“Okay. I need to call the prison and get that info. I’m sorry Warden.”
He felt his feet move beneath him and began sprinting towards the front door. There were several police cruisers parked outside. He walked up to the closest one. “Let’s go. We need to get to I-95 immediately.” The young officer nodded in response and they both jumped in the car and sped away. Warden Dever was screaming into his radio directing all officers towards 95. There was no way he was going to get by him again. He couldn’t believe he was fooled into thinking that was Jackson. Despite the darkness, he should have checked him more closely. He didn’t even think something like that was possible. He needed to find out more about this Jackson Stewart. He ordered that photos be passed out to every officer so something like this didn’t happen again. He had had him, he was in his grasp. If only he had had a picture maybe he would be sitting in the back of the cruiser instead of out there somewhere eluding him. He had probably been no more than two minutes away from that staged accident. This was turning out to be much more than he could have ever expected. He reached into his pocket and immediately tore up the speech he had been working on and threw it onto the cruiser’s floor catching the eye of the officer who immediately turned his head back towards the road. He felt his iPhone began to vibrate and pushed the talk button waiting for more bad news. What else could go wrong now he thought?
“Hey Warden, it’s Captain Wilson. We just got word that the guy in the hospital is a newspaper delivery guy who was on the road at the same time. Somehow your boy switched places with him.” The Warden felt his heartbeat tinge. There was that excitement again, must be the same thing a bloodhound feels, he thought.
“Have we got any info on the car?”
“It’s a late model Oldsmobile station wagon. Not sure of the exact model. We got some guys taking his wife to the hospital now.”
“I’m on it. I’m heading up 95 now. He’s got to be going north.”
“I dispatched all my guys to the highway after getting your message. I hope you’re right.”
“I hope so too.” The Warden hit the red button to disconnect the call. He knew who the next call would be from and it was only a minute later that he saw the f
amiliar number of the Governor.
“Hello Governor.”
“What’s going on out there John? Are you getting any closer?” He cringed, hearing the loud brash voice through the speaker.
“I’m not sure Governor. We know what kind of car he is in now and which way he is heading, but we don’t have any signs of him yet.”
“That’s not what I want to hear. We got two hours till press time.” The Warden looked at his watch. It was almost quarter to six. “How can he keep fooling you guys? Who is this guy? Is he dangerous? Do we need to alert the citizens they could be in danger?”
The Warden immediately felt his head began to ache. "I’m not sure how he did it. The last one is on me. I should have checked the body closer. I just assumed.” He hated himself for that mistake. He always preached to his men never assume and here he was guilty as sin. “I don’t think anyone is in danger. He is a computer wizard.”
“He’s desperate though and a convicted murderer.
“Yes, but we are closing in. We have every resource heading towards him. It’s going to be pretty difficult to pull off what he did again. I will personally make sure it doesn’t happen.” Though he wasn’t totally convinced of what he was saying anymore.
“I hope so. Keep me informed and let me know if I can be of any assistance.”
“You got it Governor.” He heard the click on the other end. He sat still, staring at all the traffic they was passing by trying to wonder where Jackson was, until he heard the voice call out over the radio that the wagon had been found in a full VRE commuter train parking lot about five miles ahead of them.
Chapter 10
Warden Dever and the young officer quickly pulled into a parking lot full of commuter cars. They nestled in between two cruisers, their blue lights still flashing. Both officers were examining the station wagon trying to find any evidence.
“You guys got anything?” Dever quickly walked up to the abandoned car.
They both looked back covering their eyes in the blue light till they recognized the Warden. “No, it looks like he just dumped it. Keys are still in the ignition. The car is not warm, so it has been a while.”
Dever looked up at the train tracks at the other end about fifty yards away. “Do we know if any trains have come by?”
One of the officers reached into his car and pulled out a clip board. “The station manager handed me this. Apparently, there have been two trains in the last hour.”
“Do we know if he boarded those?”
“The State Police have both of them being stopped at the next station, not allowing anyone on or off, so if he’s on there they will get him.”
“I have heard the before,” mumbled Dever.
“What was that?” The officer responded handing Dever the clipboard.
“Nothing. What about stolen vehicles?”
The two officers quickly glanced at each other waiting to see who would respond first. The one who had given him the clip board answered. “Sorry Warden we have no way of knowing. I don’t think we’ll know till tonight when the commuters get off the train and come looking for their cars.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Don’t they have records of who parks here?”
“They can pay cash to board the train, so it would probably be quicker to wait till they come back for their vehicles than tracking them down.”
Shaking his head in disbelief, “what about cameras out here?”
“We’re working on that. The manager said he is trying to get the footage.”
“What do you mean trying, we need it now.” Dever felt his anger building up. It felt like he was going to explode. He knew he had to get control of himself if he was going to function correctly. “If he’s not on those trains he is gone. Where’s the manager?”
They pointed at a small office building near the tracks. Dever quickly stormed over to it and knocked loudly on the door. He was surprised when a police officer answered the door. It took a minute for him to recognize the Warden, but once he did he invited him in. “We’re looking at the footage now.” He could see a grainy image on a computer screen that showed the station wagon pulling into the parking area. Dever closely watched trying to see if he could see Jackson get out, but it appeared that no one was exiting the vehicle. “What’s going on here? Why can’t you see him getting out?”
“We were wondering the same thing.” The officer answered. Dever saw the sergeant stripes on his sleeve. This is the third time I have seen the footage and I don’t see anyone get out, but in a minute you’ll see tail lights leaving at the other end of the lot.” The manager hit the fast forward button. “Whoa whoa don’t do that.” Dever called out causing the man who was slightly overweight, balding and wearing a loose fitting tie to quickly rewind the tape and put it back to when the station wagon pulls in. Dever watched again as the car parked in what appears to be the same spot it is in now and a moment later its lights go out and then nothing. Finally, about four minutes later, he can see the tail lights of another car leaving the lot. “That’s the only angle you have?”
“Yes, during the day it works pretty well.” The manager responded.
‘It’s not the day is it?”
“No.” The man immediately looked down avoiding Dever’s piercing eyes.
"Can you tell what kind of car that is?"
"It could be one of those Prius types from the taillights."
“Get this to the State lab and see if they can get anything off it.” He ordered the Sergeant than ran back out the door to the police cruiser. “Let’s go we need to get back on 95.” He yelled to his driver. He knew it was beginning to get hopeless, but he couldn’t give up. He had to keep pursuing and just maybe they would get lucky and Jackson would turn up on one of those trains, but he doubted that. He felt like he had been defeated, something he wasn’t used to. Even if they got the footage of the car, it would be too late. He would have changed cars by then probably four times. The guy was good he had to admit that, but he was better and he would get him no matter what the cost. He just couldn’t figure out how he got out of the car without being seen on camera.
Jackson watched as the sun broke through the dark gray skies. He hadn’t seen a sunrise in five years. He almost pulled over to watch one of the earth’s most magical moments that he knew most people took for granted, but he kept going. He had passed Richmond sometime ago and he was now climbing through Virginia heading for the District. In about an hour or so, he would be within minutes of Stephanie and Michelle. They were only a few miles west of I-95 in Fairfax County, but he knew he would have to resist the temptation and continue on. He had made it. He had seen a few police cars drive by both north and south, but they wouldn’t know what kind of car to look for, at least for a while yet. He would trade in the Prius for something else as soon as he got to DC. He had been careful at the commuter lot. He had even slid out the back door of the station wagon so the man sleeping a few cars over in the Prius wouldn’t see him sneak up. He quickly emptied half of his last syringe into the man’s arm and carefully dragged his body onto the grass behind some bushes. What a break. Things were starting to look better now. He pushed the window button to open the Prius’s window. He felt the cool air wash across his face and wipe away any of the perspiration from the tense moments before. The question was what now? He knew he needed to get to DC and disappear into the crowds of people and get back to his original plan till things cooled down. It would eventually, they always did. There would be a lot of big media hype for a while, at least until something else happened. He had made sure to place the Warden’s weapon under the seat in the station wagon knowing it would be found eventually. He also placed his cell phone under a nearby car in the commuter lot to hopefully throw them off with the GPS signal or at least to give them something to think about. He wasn’t one to play games or anything. He didn’t get any satisfaction out of outsmarting the system or the Warden, he just wanted to be free and anything else to throw them off would probably help. He quick
ly slowed way down seeing a police car creeping up behind him. He hadn’t noticed the lights before. He would have to react if he had to, but right now he was just watching as the two lights approached. He was doing about sixty but the police car had to be topping eighty at the rate he was catching up. This could be it again. He felt his body begin to surge into panic mode. He felt the beading sweat and tingling on his forehead again. He didn’t have a plan yet, so he kept driving with the rest of the traffic trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. He watched as the lights slowed down a bit. They were still at least ten cars behind him but catching up. The car was in the left lane and the driver appeared to be examining each driver in the right hand lane. He figured they probably had a picture being circulated by now. That was the one thing he had not had a chance to do yet, change his appearance. It had been part of his original plan, but with all those close calls with the Warden he hadn’t had the time to do it yet. He was quickly running out of options and with the sun beaming down now they would surely recognize him. He quickly placed the Prius between two eighteen wheelers. It was three lanes of heavy traffic and he moved to the far right, giving a thankful wave to the truck driver who responded with a nod. The police car was still in the far left lane and it was about six or seven cars back now. He could almost make out the face of the officer conducting the search. He appeared to be looking at the laptop monitor and quickly comparing it each driver. He watched as the officer slowed down next to a car in the middle lane, once satisfied he even waved to the driver who waved back; probably unaware of what was going on. He had the radio news broadcasting and hadn’t heard anything about his escape, so at least it was just the law enforcement officers looking for him now not the general public, but he knew that would change soon. He had to act soon or he was done. He could only imagine what his cellmate would do to him upon his return. He looked over at a white utility van slightly behind him in the center lane. The scruffy driver was navigating the traffic and holding a large 7-11 cup of coffee in one hand and the wheel in the other. He loved early morning habits. He waited till he was obscured from the officer by one of the large trucks and quickly pulled the wheel left moving him into the center lane cutting off the van. He watched the driver’s expression go from calm to anger as he slammed his brakes and turned into the far left lane to avoid hitting him and causing a small compact to swerve onto the shoulder and end up on the grass pointing south. He still couldn’t see the police car, but he knew it would have to stop. He looked behind him and it appeared traffic had come to a halt in the left lane. He could see the police car, the white van and the compact all stopped. He quickly pulled off the next exit and finally took a well-deserved breath.
Evasion Page 4