Life Sentences

by Tekla Dennison Miller

  Pilar decided that a drive along Lake Superior for a late lunch at Thunder Bay Inn was the right treatment for her blues. But then, a black Ford pickup truck followed her from Marquette to Big Bay on the remote two-lane road going to the inn. Pilar noticed it right away, when she turned out of the apartment complex.

  Normally she wouldn’t be concerned, but she drove slowly because of the rain. Most cars passed her and the truck. When she slowed, the truck slowed, too. Whoever was behind her had to be as cautious or as unfamiliar with the roads as Pilar, though she was surprised that anyone driving such a big truck had anything to fear.

  Rain turned to snow as Pilar stopped outside the white clapboard inn made famous by the movie, Anatomy of a Murder. The truck parked down the street alongside Lake Independence, opposite the inn. The truck’s windows were tinted. This was no coincidence. The driver was heading anywhere Pilar was. But, why?

  Pilar waited for the driver to get out. When he didn’t, she decided not to go inside. Why take a chance the driver would tail Pilar in the dark the twenty-five wilderness miles back to Marquette? She certainly would be vulnerable if he decided to play games. The highway bordered the isolated, rocky cliffs of Lake Superior along an unpopulated andheavily wooded area. It was a perfect place for someone to get away with a murder. No witnesses.

  She locked the car doors, then reluctantly turned her car around and headed back to town. She’d be in for a night of TV, a frozen dinner, and dreaming about seeing Chad the next day. The truck followed. Again if she speeded up, so did the truck. If she slowed, it did, too. Whoever was driving, possibly Corbett’s brother, made no attempt at concealing his mission. Pilar’s eyes darted rapidly back and forth from the road in front to the rear view mirror. Snow came down as hard as hail. Though it was only mid-afternoon, it looked like dusk. The windshield wipers slapped loudly in rapid, constant motion. Pilar’s heart kept pace.

  Once Pilar pulled into her carport in her apartment complex the truck sped past and out of sight, taillights blurred into the falling snow. Pilar’s hands froze to the steering wheel as though the tight grip protected her. In that position, she waited in the idling Subaru for what seemed like hours. Not until her neighbors came home did Pilar have the courage to leave. When they parked nearby, she turned off the engine, got out, and followed them inside.

  After Pilar double-locked the front door, she checked the windows, thankful her rooms faced the lake and not the street. She didn’t want to know if the truck was still out there, like someone on surveillance. If it was, who could she call for help?

  Feeling consoled for the first time by the barren, cheerless rooms, Pilar built a fire and put the kettle on for tea. The blinking light on the answering machine was probably her mother calling for the tenth time. Who really needed the comforting? At least she wasn’t sharing another meal with her and Marcus.

  Prepared to choke back the guilt she felt when she heard her mother’s sad voice, Pilar punched the button on the machine and waited for her words. Instead, Chad’s voice came on the line. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier,” he said with sadness that rivaled Celeste’s. “I miss you. Sweet dreams.”

  Pilar listened again to Chad’s message. She was intrigued by how he was able to telephone without going through an operator to place a collect call. Chad’s call must have been placed by a third party. Perhaps it was some kind of a scam the prisoners dreamed up. In any case, she and Chad still had to be careful. Suspicious calls were traced and monitored from the prison.

  The second message was from Julie. “Where have you been, old girl? I haven’t heard from you since you went to that prison in the wilderness. Don’t they have phones in that place? It’s been too long. I think I can get a way for a long weekend to visit. Give me a call, pronto.”

  Julie’s perky voice made Pilar laugh out loud. She dialed Julie’s number. After the second ring, she hung up. Pilar wanted to confide in her about what she’d been up to. She wanted to believe Julie could accept her relationship with Chad. Most desperately, she wanted to see Julie’s cheery face. But, could she trust her?

  Pilar picked up the receiver again. She held it to her ear and stared at the key pad. She slammed the phone down and cleared all the messages. Pilar grabbed her cup of Good Earth Tea and plopped down in front of the fire. “I’m in this alone,” she told the flames.

  ON MONDAY PILAR’S INBOX was overflowing. In her lab coat and settled at the desk, she tackled the pile before her first patient reported. Her hands shook when she finished the threatening kite from a prisoner.

  Dear Dr. Brookstone, M.D.

  We know you for what you are — a whore. The AMA is about to investigate you. You’ve had your big dick, but you had to be a one-man whore. So there’s a contract out on you and you won’t live long no matter where you are going. Watch your step, bitch.

  Jameson #200801

  Her picture was attached to the paper. The photo wasn’t from any ID. It was the one she gave to Chad. She was sitting on the bed in her apartment. It was innocent enough, but Chad had other photos that are far more incriminating. There was no way Jameson could get a picture like that unless Chad had been careless. How could she have been so stupid to believe they could hide such evidence from those who wanted to find it?

  Pilar turned the piece of paper over and over. The truck driver came to mind. Was he connected to Jameson?

  A computer search of both medical and institutional files revealed no prisoner by his name or number existed in the entire system. Despite having to face Warden Whitefeather a second time, Pilar had to show him that letter, too.

  Rocking her head in her hands, Pilar laughed. Whitefeather was right. She may have to leave because of her involvement with a prisoner. How did she get into this? Never mind. Who was the snitch? Someone who had seen Chad and her together. Jane? Tommy Johnson? Officer Leonard? Who?

  LEONARD STOPPED PILAR IN the hallway on the way to the warden’s office. “You look mighty upset, Doctor Brookstone,” he said, apparently enjoying her agitation. He focused on the “kite” she clenched. Perhaps he knew about the warnings and the death threats. Perhaps he helped send them.

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” She had to squeeze by him since he didn’t relinquish enough space for her to pass. Their bodies touched and Leonard sighed. He nauseated Pilar.

  The warden’s secretary signaled Pilar into his office. He looked up from a stack of files, removed his out-of-stylewire rim glasses, and said, “I’ve been expecting this meeting.” He motioned her to sit.

  “Why?” Pilar was feeling more and more like she was the object of a conspiracy. She sat, careful not to expose too much leg. “Do you have some other information I should know about?”

  “No.” He replaced his glasses and leaned back. The familiar chair squeak was almost soothing. Whitefeather rested his hands, fingertips pressed together, at his chest. “But, I did warn you there could be trouble for a young, attractive woman working in this prison, and after our last talk … ” He shrugged.

  Pilar straightened, ready to do battle, and handed him the letter. “Why would I want to be the recipient of anything like this? I’m not a masochist.”

  Warden Whitefeather took the letter and read it. He fluttered the picture and asked, “How do you suppose he got this?”

  “My ID picture was recently stolen from an employee’s office and sent to me with a “kite”.” Pilar moved forward and stared so hard it was as though she could see inside the warden’s mind. “Now, how do you suppose that happened? A careless employee? Or, perhaps an employee bent on getting me in trouble? Maybe Officer Leonard?”

  Whitefeather furrowed his forehead. Though he ignored that question, Pilar was sure he tucked it away in his memory bank to use in the future if he needed.

  “Perhaps,” he slid the photograph into a desk drawer, “you should transfer to another prison, as I have already suggested. There’s an opening for a medical director at Scott Correctional Facility. You should think about applying.�
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  Relieved he wouldn’t pursue the picture at that moment, Pilar stood. “That’s how you’ll deal with the fact that someone wants to kill me? Send me away? How thoughtful.”

  Whitefeather thrust the letter at her. Pilar raised her hand. “That’s your copy. I have plenty more. Who knows, maybe I’ll put together a scrapbook about my happy days at Hawk Haven Prison.” She didn’t ask for the photograph. She didn’t want the warden to think it was important.

  WHEN CHAD APPEARED FOR the afternoon infirmary call out, Pilar ushered him into her office instead of going to an exam room. A thoughtless move perhaps, especially after she admonished Tommy Johnson for being in there. But, why should she care how she behaved? Pilar was desperate. Jane was the only other person in the area, and she wouldn’t tell anyone anything, if only to protect herself.

  As soon as Chad stepped inside, Pilar disclosed everything about the two letters and let him read them. She paced and listened to the pages turn. Chad slumped into a chair. The papers he held quaked like leaves in the wind. He raised his eyes to the ceiling.

  The silence in the room hurt Pilar’s ears more than banging gates. Tired of waiting for a response, she spoke. “That’snot all. Whitefeather wants me to transfer to Scott.”

  Chad bolted upright, eyes wild. “I’m not ready.”

  “What?” Pilar stood in front of him.

  His face flushed as he explained. “We haven’t made our plans. We need more time.”

  “I may have no time. Doesn’t that matter to you?” She pointed at the “kites” in his hand, and told him about the black truck.

  Chad lifted her hand to his cheek and slowly lowered it to his mouth. They both calmed.

  “I’m as frightened as you are about these.” Chad threw the ‘“kites”’ on the desk. “But, if you transfer, how will we be able to get me out of here?”

  Pilar rubbed her forehead. “I don’t think I have a choice. Someone here knows about us and is out to get me. Maybe even blackmail me for money and my job.”

  “Blackmail?”

  “It’s no secret that I have money. And, I want to keep all the funds I have so we can get a good lawyer.” Pilar circled her arms around him.

  He left his arms at his sides and whispered, “What if an attorney, if we get one, can’t get me out? Or, doesn’t have the contacts or enough money to get the governor to commute my sentence.”

  Pilar pushed away. “Then, we’ll just find a way for you to escape. After that, we’ll head for Canada.”

  “Are you crazy?” Chad yelled. “I tried that before.”

  Pilar placed a finger to his mouth to quiet him. “Not with my help, you haven’t. I may have a plan. I’ll tell you about it when I’ve thought it through. We won’t use plan B unless the attorney doesn’t work out.” She drew him close, and they kissed. “Better go,” she said, and released him. Yet, she never wanted to let him go, fearing it would be a long time before she’d embrace Chad again.

  “Yeah. I’ve got some planning to do myself.” Chad scrambled out the door.

  THAT EVENING, BEFORE A fire, Pilar wrote several entries in her almost-filled journal. If her words were ever read by someone other than Chad, their eyes would burn. Pilar’s deepest desires, fantasies, and plans were vividly penned along with her observations and descriptions of prison employees. Both Whitefeather and Leonard would love to get their hands on that kind of information. It would condemn her at last.

  As she jotted down notes about plan B, Pilar decided to collect her jewelry. Once assembled, she would look for a place to sell it without revealing her identity. She needed a trusted buyer who wouldn’t expose her. Anyone dumping large quantities of expensive jewelry in that small community would not go unnoticed. Chad had bragged about his connections on the streets. He’d know the right contact.

  When Pilar piled the gathered diamonds, pearls, and what looked like a ton of gold on the bed, her heart raced. She never imagined that a life-long collection of useless pins, necklaces, bracelets, and rings would take her on the thrilling journey that lay ahead. Impending danger made the trek all the more titillating. Pilar giggled when her nipples hardened at that notion. She began to visualize Toronto as a place to live.

  chapter twelve

  OUT OF CONTROL

  LEONARD MARCHED INTO PILAR’S office. He kicked the door closed. As he swaggered toward her desk, he dangled a piece of paper in the air and taunted, “Guess what I have?”

  “I can hardly imagine. Maybe a Christmas gift?” His boldness concerned Pilar. She followed his every move like a cat hunting mice. What would he do next?

  Officer Leonard’s gray shirt, taut against his muscular chest, was pressed military style and tucked firmly into his black slacks which were creased as though just ironed. Pilar fancied him staying that neat even in a fight.

  “It’s a “kite”.” He passed the paper in front of her face.

  “So?” Pilar backed away from him.

  Leonard let out a low, sadistic laugh and displayed straight teeth, their perfection spoiled by too many cigarettes. “It’s a special “kite”,” he teased. He tossed the paper into the air. It floated in slow motion and landed in front of Pilar. Standing tall, back straight as a board, Leonard’s stomach flattened. He must spend hours working out.

  Happy her desk separated them, Pilar placed her telltale, shaking hands in her lap out of sight. Chad was upset when he left her office the other day. Had he been that foolish to send a note saying more than he was requesting an appointment?

  “Read it.” Leonard placed both hands on Pilar’s desk and leaned across. Pilar felt his breath. “You may enjoy it as much as I do.”

  Pilar lifted the paper. The handwriting was as familiar to her as her own. Ice ran through her veins. She read the words without showing any reaction. How much did Leonard know?

  Pilar, love

  I am so sorry I was distant when we last met. I hate wasting any precious time we have together. I blame my selfishness. But I am concerned if you leave our plans will be destroyed.

  I love you

  C

  Pilar laid the “kite” down and folded her hands together on top of the desk. Her eyes engaged Leonard’s. She said nothing. Every muscle in her body ached. Yet, Pilar would not give in. She must think clearly.

  Leonard massaged his hands for a few moments and thensat. “Well?” he asked, no doubt waiting for the frightened reaction Pilar was experiencing, but straining not to reveal.

  “Well, what, Officer Leonard?”

  He tilted his head to the side. He pushed his fingers through hair as blond and thin as Chad’s was black and thick. Leonard’s frigid stare remained fixed on Pilar’s. “Don’t play stupid with me.” He leaned back in the chair. “You know exactly what that “kite” says.”

  “Exactly what does it say?” Pilar took a chance Leonard was only guessing about an affair she was having with an inmate.

  Leonard blasted from the chair as though he’d been fired from a cannon. The chair screeched against the floor and slammed into the shelves behind. “You’re involved with a prisoner, and I think I know who it is.” His Kentucky accent became more pronounced with his increased frustration.

  Pilar bit her lower lip and smiled at the same time. “Officer Leonard, do you know how many love letters I get in a week?” She tore the “kite” into tiny pieces.

  His smirk showed he was ready to make his next move. It was like a chess game, and one of the players would soon yell out “gotcha” instead of “check mate.” “I have copies of that ‘kite’.” He pointed to the pieces of paper in the trash, but continued to stare at Pilar.

  Though hoping he hadn’t been that smart, Pilar answered, “I’m sure you do.”

  “Where are those other “kites” you’ve gotten? Arethey in the trash, too?” Leonard seemed comfortable in the interrogator’s role.

  “I don’t keep them. There’s no need.” When his face brightened like a cartoon character who had just been given a clue, P
ilar wished she had kept the other “kites”. She quickly added, “There’ll be plenty more to replace them.”

  Pilar stood. She walked around the desk to face Leonard head to head. They were about the same height, so their eyes were level. “What do you want, Officer Leonard?”

  He flipped Pilar’s hair. “I want you.”

  Pilar’s heart felt as though it had jumped into her throat. She hadn’t expected a sexual proposition. Blackmail seemed more Leonard’s style. Blood pulsated through the veins in her jaw. “I’m not sure what you mean.” She clenched her teeth so hard pain shot into her temples. “But, if that was a pass, you’ve embarked on dangerous ground.”

  Leonard tossed his head back and released a self-assured laugh. His mouth opened wide enough to show the dark cave where his tonsils were once embedded. In a sudden jerk of his head, Leonard stopped. “You think you’re too good for me, but you’ll bang a prisoner.”

  Pilar’s jaw tightened even more. She must not be defensive. Leonard needed to let off steam. And, she needed to remain level-headed. Several moments passed as the two stared each other down. Suddenly, Leonard grabbed Pilar’s arm. She wrenched it loose. His hand dropped to his side. “You’ll be sorry, Doctor.” His fingers twitchedlike a gun fighter’s. “I have enough evidence in that “kite” to get you canned.”

  Gaining confidence by the minute, Pilar jumped at the clue he slipped. Leonard only had one “kite”. “All you have, Officer Leonard, is one among many love letters from fantasizing inmates.” She walked to the door. She placed her hand on the handle and threatened, “What I have is enough to file sexual harassment charges on you.” She opened the door. “However, I won’t tell anyone what happened here today if you stay away from me.” Pilar directed him into the hallway with a sweep of her hand. As Leonard walked by, she leaned toward him so her mouth was close to his ear. “And I had better not hear any rumors, either.”