Chapter 16
Jackson gave the cabdriver a twenty leaving him only about fifteen dollars left. He knew this could become a problem real quick if he didn’t get more money soon. He began walking up Duke Street in Alexandria and about twenty minutes later, he was standing in front of a homeless shelter. He hesitated at the door before going in. It wasn’t that he was nervous or anything; he had spent the last five years in prison. How much worse could this be? It was just that he was so close to Michelle and Stephanie now he could almost feel them in his pores. He slowly walked in the door and went through the proper procedures to get a bed and a meal. An hour later, his stomach was full and he was curled up on a cot amongst about forty others. He could hear the heavy breathing of the mostly male lungs around him and for a minute, he almost felt as though he were back in The Conduit, but he quickly focused his mind back on his current situation and quietly closed his eyes and felt his body drift off into the arms of his family. He felt rested when he opened his eyes the next morning and sat down and ate his large portion of breakfast. He made sure not to engage in any talk or even make eye contact with any of the others. It was something he had been doing the last five years so he had no problem continuing it here. He knew he had to keep moving; it was critical in reaching his ultimate goal. He quietly slipped out the door. He was happy no one seemed to notice. As soon as he left the facility, he turned right and twenty minutes later, he entered one of the public libraries. He knew exactly where everything was because of his extensive research in the prison library. The only difference in his plan was that he was here now instead of disappearing for a while till things cooled down and then coming back later, but that plan had been derailed with the mishap in the airport. He would just have to be a little more careful. He entered the library and signed up for internet access. The librarian said it would be a about a ten-minute wait, so he headed to the newspapers. As soon as he opened the Washington Post, he felt his heart begin to palpitate. There on the front page was a picture of him along with Michelle and Stephanie. How could this be? He couldn’t understand how he had become a national story so quickly. He suddenly became conscious of his looks and felt like everyone was looking at him. He pulled the paper up to his face and read through the article. It described how he was a violent offender who escaped from prison and was on his way to the DC area. They said he was armed and dangerous. Jackson couldn’t believe it. Apparently, there were a couple of murders that took place yesterday in Virginia that they were saying he was possibly connected to in his escape. He couldn’t believe it. This shouldn’t be happening. He scanned through the rest of the article. It went on about his five-year-old daughter and his wife and how they are coping under heavy security. He felt a tap on his shoulder and jumped so high that the librarian had to ask him if he was okay. He nodded and followed her to an open computer. He knew he didn’t have much time. It was only a matter of minutes until somebody recognized him. He could still feel the weight of the looks behind him. He quickly logged into his Gmail and felt another flutter seeing the email from Michelle. They had been secretly communicating almost the whole time he was in The Conduit through Gmail. He quickly read the email and hit the reply button. He wasn’t sure if it was going to be monitored or not so he knew he had to be careful. He wrote that he would be in touch soon, and that he was okay. He suddenly felt the stare of the middle-aged woman seated next to him. He looked out of the corner of his eye and saw she was looking at the CNN website with his picture. He watched the woman quietly get up and walk over to the checkout desk and speak to one of the librarians. He knew what would happen next so he quickly arose from his seat and headed for the door. He took one last look behind him and saw the librarian nervously talking into the phone. By the time he was walking outside on the sidewalk, he could already hear the sirens approaching. It was going to be close.
Michelle gasped when she saw the new mail message appear on her screen. Neither officer was looking her way, so she quickly read the email and was glad to see Jackson was okay. She started to write back, but jumped from the phone ringing. She watched the officer quickly answer the call. They weren’t even waiting now.
“It’s for you Mrs. Stewart.”
She reached for the phone and was at first relieved to hear it was her friend Barbara until she began to speak.
“What’s going on Michelle? We just saw the news, is that true what they’re saying?”
Michelle felt herself nod and hesitate before speaking. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“I think you better come right over Stephanie caught some of the story before I realized it was her on the screen and I shut it off. I think she is pretty confused.”
“I’ll be right there.” Michelle quickly placed the phone back in the receiver and alerted the officers she needed to go. Five minutes later, she arrived in front of Barbara’s colonial in the back of a police car. She watched as Stephanie nervously came running out and landed in her arms. She held her as tight as she could.
“Mommy, you and me we’re on TV. Are we celeberries?”
“Celebrities? No sweetheart we’re not. I’ll explain it to you when we get home.” She waved at Barbara and her daughter who were standing at the door.
“Why did they call that man, Daddy?” She watched as the officer held the back door for Stephanie, and she slid in.
“That’s who that is dear.”
“Is Daddy a celeberry?”
Michelle slid next to her daughter and watched the door close beside her. “No, he just loves us and wants to be with us.” She pulled her close to her.
“That’s why he’s on TV?
“Kind of.” She leaned back as the car lurched forward. She wasn’t sure what to say. There was no way she could tell her Jackson was in jail, but she was going to hear it sooner or later so she had to say something. “Daddy was in jail for something he didn’t do and he left so he could come see us.” Michelle felt Stephanie tense up. “It’s okay.”
“Is he going to find us and hurt us?”
“No honey. Daddy would never hurt you. He loves you so much, just as much as I do.”
“They said he was dangerous, and I know that means scary because Mrs. Wilson taught us that word in reading.” Michelle couldn’t help it, but she smiled for a second. She pulled Stephanie closer taking in the fresh aroma of her light blond hair.
“Daddy is not scary. In fact, when you were little you wouldn’t even sleep unless Daddy was right next to you.” She watched Stephanie smile as they pulled up to their house.
“Will we keep our car?”
“What do you mean?” She watched the officer open the back door.
“Do we ride in a police car now?”
“Just for a little while. Let’s go get find a good snack.”
“Okay.” Michelle followed Stephanie into the house. “How about cookies? Does Daddy like cookies?”
Laure nodded her head. “He sure does.” She opened the front door and wasn’t at all surprised when Stephanie ignored the police officer sitting in the living room and headed right for the kitchen.
Chapter 17
“This is Dever.”
“Captain, Stewart was just spotted at a public library in Alexandria about five minutes ago. The police are looking for him now.” Dever squeezed the phone closer to his ear. He looked beside him at the young officer who he could tell was trying to figure out what he was saying.
“Good. We’re closing in. This should be over soon.”
“Apparently, he was on one of the computers.”
“I need to know what he was looking at.” He looked out the window. They were still a few hours south of the DC area.
“Already on it. The police said he was looking at his Gmail account and some news sites.
“Damn it.” Dever slammed his fist onto the dashboard of the prison car causing Timmons to jerk his head towards him. “It’s okay.” He whispered.
“What was that Warden?” The Captain asked through the phone.
“Yes sir.”
He saw anger on his face in his reflection on the side mirror. He couldn’t help but notice the scowl. There were large bags forming under his sagging eyes causing his thick gray eyebrows to stand out even more, and strands of hair were hanging across his forehead not slicked back as it usually is. He almost didn’t even recognize himself. This was trying him and he felt like it was just getting started. He hoped the police would pick him up so he could transport Stewart back. It would be a fun ride. He would love to watch the face of defeat on Stewart thinking he could outwit him and get out of his prison.
“Also, sir, the Marshalls were just here looking for you. I told them you were unavailable, but they are starting their search. From what they were saying, it sounds like they are going all-out because the pub on this one.”
“Damn Marshalls…you didn’t tell them where I was headed did you?”
“No sir. They we’re heading to the prison to start from the beginning. They are thorough.”
“I know. I just want to be the one that brings him home.” He watched a blue Prius go by. “That must be the tenth one I’ve seen already.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing how’s the media so far?”
“You wouldn’t believe the parking lot. They’re all here, CNN, Fox, everyone. I’m telling you ever since they put up that picture with him and his family they have been all over this, and then the suspected murders in Virginia added to it.”
“He wasn’t involved in those.” Dever mumbled.
“The police aren’t ruling it out.”
“It’s not his style. He is just trying to get away.”
“I agree, but we’ll let them figure that out.”
“Okay. Keep me updated.” Dever placed the iPhone in his lap and looked out the window. A minute later, he turned to Timmons. He was wearing a gray off-the-rack suit. He couldn’t be more than thirty-five, but he could already see the few years of prison time on his face. It had an effect on people even if they weren’t sentenced and only working. “Take us right to police station. I think he’s still in the area.” He watched him nod his head not taking his eyes off the road. He felt his phone begin to vibrate in his lap. It was the Governor again.
“Hello Governor.”
“What’s going on John? Why’s this taking so long. We need this guy captured.” He could picture the Governor probably jogging or working out. The guy was a gym rat and he looked like it too. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him and he looked like he was molded from the hall of presidents. He was definitely a shoe in for President. He had already served three terms in Congress and was now on the second year of his term as Governor. It was rumored he would be starting a Presidential campaign very shortly, so he needed this capture.
“We’re closing in on him. He’s in Alexandria and we believe he’s going to try and make contact with his wife. I’m almost there now.”
“I’ve got the press here all the time John and I need something positive to say.”
“Tell them we’re following right behind him. We’ll get him.” Dever wished he felt as confident as he was sounding.
“What’s with the murders in Virginia? We’re going to get blamed for those too.”
“It wasn’t him Governor.” He watched two large trucks battle for position in the left lane out the window.
“I sure hope you’re right.”
“I’m sure Governor. It’s not his style.” He hoped he was right.
“I need you to do another press conference tonight, and let them know we’re close and the murders weren’t done by him.” He listened to the Governor, but the words were just passing through his ears. His mind was still focused on that damn Gmail account.
“You got it Governor. I promise we’ll get him.”
“You better.” He heard the phone click in his ear. He slammed the phone down onto his lap.
Chapter 18
The sound of the car door shutting startled Jackson, he felt his body immediately tense up. He quickly remembered he was hiding in the woods behind the Home Depot. He must have fallen asleep. He couldn’t believe it when he saw the Alexandria police car parked about twenty feet away. The officer was talking to a scruffy-looking man wearing an orange Home Depot shirt and faded jeans, and they were looking directly towards him. He had no idea what time it was. He had forced himself to lose track of all time while he was in prison. He felt frozen, if he moved they would hear him, but if he stayed in place he was sure to be caught. He slowly sat up and placed his feet flat on the ground. He could see the Home Depot man pointing directly at him and the officer looking where he was pointing. It was time. He had no choice. He quickly bolted his stiff legs through the woods running away from both of them. He didn’t dare look back, just kept plowing ahead through the thick brush. His injured leg was stinging with each step, but he tried to ignore it thinking about his old cell. He wasn’t sure where he was headed but he knew he had to get away. His luck had to start running out soon he thought. If it kept up like this he would be back behind bars before the day was out. He kept thinking about Michelle and Stephanie as he ran ahead. He could hear the crescendos of sirens filling the air behind him, but that didn’t matter because right now it was just him and the officer behind him quickly catching up. It looked like a clearing up ahead, but he wasn’t sure because he didn’t know Alexandria that well. He leaped out of the woods and landed in the middle of large crowd. He was in Old Town Alexandria, the quaint little part of Alexandria that borders the Potomac. It was full of small shops and busy restaurants and right now, there was a high school band set up on the pier area near the waterfront with hundreds of parents, and spectators gathered around. He quickly immersed himself into the crowd. No one paid any attention to him. Behind him, he saw the officer exit from the woods and walk onto the pier. He watched as he stopped and looked in all directions. He immediately began talking into his radio. Jackson could hear sirens all around him. He wasn’t sure where to go. He had to think quickly. He could see several more officers come up next to the pursuing one. He looked all around. Behind him was water and to the other side, was a food pavilion that he considered running into, but quickly changed his mind when he saw two police officers walk out carrying food trays. He decided his best bet was to stay in the midst of the crowd. He watched as two trumpet players sounded out a solo while the others eyed their music sheets. The kids were all high school aged and were dressed in pressed white shirts and dark-blue chino pants with nervous expressions on their faces. He began applauding along with everyone else when the two soloists sat back down, and the rest of the orchestra joined in. He could feel the drums competing with his pulse in his ears. More and more officers were gathering behind, causing a few nervous glances from the crowd. Luckily, no one was looking at him. He knew he had to think of something quick or he was going back behind bars. He took a step back towards the other end of the crowd and away from the gathering officers and began yelling “gun…gun” at the top of his lungs. Immediately people began to panic. Their faces were erupting in fear. He then started screaming “run…run” at the top of his lungs. The band immediately stopped playing and people and instruments began going in every different direction. He got behind a family sprinting towards King Street, the main and busiest street full of cars and people. He ran up the hill away from the water and the police, closely following the family and many others. He looked back as he reached the crest and could see the police officers trying unsuccessfully to gain control of the unruly crowd. There were people going back and forth and about thirty empty chairs with expensive instruments thrown in front of them. Jackson felt bad for the kids and parents, but he had no choice, and it was his best and only option at the time. He could feel the stress and tension pouring
out of his body the further away from the water he got. Ten minutes later, he was standing on the King Street metro platform waiting for the yellow train to take him into DC.
Dever arrived at the police station and was quickly led into the back to the Assistant Chief’s office.
“So I heard you guys had him dead in your sights, and he got away.” Dever looked around the wooden paneled office. It was much nicer than what he had in the prison. He felt the texture of the leather upholstery below him in the chair. He looked at the Assistant Chief who was comfortably seated across from him behind his large mahogany desk filled with a giant 25” monitor. He was a large burly man closing in on fifty. He could see the specks of gray throughout his thick hair.
“I think he got away from you first Warden.”
Dever leaned forward his eyes hardening. “Okay, let’s move on. I’m here because I want my guy back. Can you tell me where he was last seen?”
The Assistant Chief leaned back in his black leather swivel chair and looked out the window behind him overlooking the Beltway. Dever could see thousands of cars speeding by. He hoped Jackson wasn’t in one of those. “He was last seen in the vicinity of Old Town. We think he caused a distraction and got away.”
“What kind of distraction?” Dever kept his eyes glued to the highway.
“There was a high school band playing a concert on the waterfront when someone began yelling gun and chaos broke out and we think your man slipped away. We haven’t seen him since.”
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