Hidden Angels: Wildfire Lake Book One

by Victoria Wyngate

  “What are you talking about?” Trish asked.

  “David,” answered Janelle, “He’s waiting for you right over there.” Trish looked in the direction she was pointing.

  There he was leaning with his elbow on the counter. He waved to her.

  “Is it okay if I go to lunch now?” Trish asked, blushing.

  “Duh… are you kidding me? Get outta here,” said Janelle, “I’ve got this. Besides, it’s slow right now. You know I’m gonna want all the gory details when you get back.” Trish blushed as she walked toward David.

  “No promises,” she said.

  Janelle walked away shaking her head.

  ******

  Trish and David walked through the front door of O’Malley’s and were escorted to their table. Each of them were handed a menu and asked for their drink order.

  “Sweet tea, no lemon,” said Trish. David requested a coke. As the waitress walked away Trish asked, “Do you know when I might be able to get my car back?”

  “Sorry about that,” he said, “I got a call about it this morning, but I forgot to tell you. They finished processing it. We can probably get it this afternoon. The good news is most of the upholstery is still intact,” he continued with a smile.

  “Well that is good news,” said Trish sarcastically, “But I forgot to mention something. Janelle wants me to work until 6:30 p.m.. And I forgot one more thing.”

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “I have no keys. We’ll probably have to tow it to a mechanics shop. The ignition and probably a window will need to be replaced,” she said.

  Neither talked about the case throughout the rest of the meal. When they finished their lunch, he took her back to the mall.

  “I’ll see you at 6:30 p.m.,” he said as she got out of the car.

  He stayed and watched as she walked back inside.

  ******

  Right on time, David was sitting outside the mall entrance. He spotted Trish walking across the lot. He pulled the car up to her and she got in.

  “You know you don’t have to do this,” she admonished.

  “I know I don’t have to, but I want to,” he replied, “I want to do something else.”

  “And what’s that?” she asked raising her eyebrow. David leaned and whispered something into her ear.

  “You, sir, are full of surprises and I might just take you up on that offer,” she said. David smiled as he pulled out of the lot and headed home.

  Half an hour later the doorbell rang.David looked at her and said, “Dinner’s ready.” as he went to open the door.

  He returned with their takeout and placed it on the coffee table. He pulled the cushions off the sofa placing them on the floor.

  “When in Rome,” he said.

  “But it’s not Italian… it’s Chinese,” she said.

  “Exactly,” he said, “We’re eating Chinese. I want it to be as authentic as we can. We going to sit cross-legged on the floor and use chopsticks. No Forks.”

  “I hope you have a good vacuum cleaner because using these,” she said, holding up her chopsticks, “Most of mine will probably wind up on the floor.”

  “Here… let me show you,” he said, taking her hand in his, “You need to hold them like this.”

  As he touched her hand Trish felt a shiver run down her spine.

  Stop it Trish, she thought. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? Can’t get carried away. It’s just dinner.

  “Thank you for suggesting this,” said Trish.

  “You’re welcome, my lady,” he said as he stood and bowed with a flourish. Trish wasn’t too bad with the chopsticks, but they laughed every time she dropped a piece of food into her lap.

  After the meal, he started picking up the cartons from the table. She put the cushions back on the sofa and followed him into the kitchen. She went to the sink to wash her hands.

  He came up quietly behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She smiled and turned to face him. When she did, he placed one hand on each side of her face and kissed her tenderly.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. She never wanted that kiss to end. It was electric and scary, all at the same time. He took her hand and headed down the hall.

  He stopped, looked at her and said, “Only if you want to.” Trish nodded as he led her to his room.

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  Trish stirred as David eased out of the bed. She sighed and rolled over, reaching out for him.

  He tip-toed to the bathroom. He didn’t want to wake such a sleeping beauty.

  He came out of the bathroom to find her sitting up in bed. She had the sheet pulled up around her neck.

  “Sorry,” he said sheepishly, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “You didn’t really. I’m usually up at this time, today I don’t have to go in until 11:00 a.m. I have the late shift and I promised Janelle that I’d close tonight,” she said, throwing back the sheet and getting out of bed. She was completely naked.

  “Now don’t you start something that I don’t have time to finish,” he said.

  “Well… there’s always tonight,” she said seductively. What am I going to do with her? he thought to himself.

  ******

  Travis took one of the jars of homemade Chloroform and a cloth. He placed them in the console of his car.

  Today, it has to be today. He was tired of waiting. He was going to have her one way or another.

  ******

  Amanda came into the employee locker room. She put her lunch in the refrigerator and she went to find Tommy. She found him in the front of the store, cashing out one of the front registers.

  “Tommy,” she said, “I have a huge favor to ask.”

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “Someone has asked me out for coffee, but I’m a little nervous,” she said.

  “And you want me to do what?” he asked.

  “Could you, possibly, go with me?” she asked.

  “Are you crazy?” he asked incredulously.

  “No, hear me out. If you go with me I can scope him out. Learn his intentions. Oh, please, please, please!” she pleaded, “I’ll owe you one, big time.”

  “Okay, but just this once,” he consented, “Next time you’re on your own.”

  “Oh, thank you,” she said as she hugged him. “It’s this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. at the Java Jive,” she said. “You can even ride with me.”

  ******

  Trish was ready when David arrived. She ran out to the car and jumped in. Kissing him on the check, she said, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t think I could ever repay you.”

  “Who’s asking you to?” he asked as he drove her to work.

  As usual, he waited until she was safely inside before he drove away. He wasn’t taking any chances, not with her.

  ******

  Travis arrived at the Java Jive at exactly 4:15 p.m. He backed into a spot in the back with a good view of the door. There he waited with the motor running.

  At 4:55 p.m. he was surprised to see Amanda’s car pull into the lot. He thought she’d stand him up. She selected a spot near the door. He watched as the driver’s door opened and she got out of the car.

  Unexpectedly, the passenger door opened as well. A tall dark haired man got out of the car and shut the door. She wasn’t alone.

  He watched, fuming, as both of them walked into the building. Once they were inside, he pulled the car into gear and fish-tailed out of the lot.

  How could she betray me like this? he thought.

  ******

  Amanda and Tommy chose a table toward the back of the room. A server came and placed napkin wrapped silverware on the table.

  “What can I get you guys?” she asked.

  “I’ll have a mocha latte.” Amanda said.

  “Expresso, heavy cream, one sugar,” said Tommy. The server came back with their drinks. She put them on the table.

  “We’re expecting one more. He should be her
e any minute,” said Amanda.

  “If you need anything, my name is Clara. I’ll check back with you later,” she said as she turned and walked away.

  ******

  Travis was furious. How could she bring her boyfriend like that? In his mind she had committed the ultimate betrayal.

  He increased his speed paying no attention to the road signs. That included the stop sign at the corner of North Road and Garrison Avenue.

  He buzzed right through in front of a marked patrol unit. The officer pulled out behind him and activated the blue lights. Travis looked into his rearview mirror.

  Seeing the lights, he floored the accelerator. The chase was on.

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

  Amanda and Tommy were still sitting at the coffee shop at 5:30 p.m.

  “I don’t understand. He promised to meet me at 5:00 p.m. I guess I was right to be suspicious,” she said.

  “Maybe so,” said Tommy, “But if he ever asks again, just say no!”

  “I intend to do just that,” Amanda said with resolve, “I had originally gotten this really weird vibe from him, but now I’m certain. I don’t want anything to do with him. Not now or ever.”

  ******

  Travis was driving erratically as he was trying to lose the officer pursuing him. The road was narrow and winding.

  “318 radio,” the officer said into the microphone.

  “318, go ahead,” was the reply.

  “In pursuit of a Black Acura with a Virginia tag. Papa foxtrot charlie 287. Repeat PFC 287. On North Road passing Tremont lane. Have another unit enroute to assist.”

  “Clear 318,” dispatch replied, “Any unit in the area of North Road and Tremont Lane respond with 318.”

  “322 radio… I’m enroute from Glenhurst Drive code 2. ETA less than 5 minutes,” was the reply.

  “Clear 322,” replied dispatch.

  ******

  Travis kept the accelerator to the floor as another unit fell in line behind the first. He was looking into the mirror and not paying attention to the road ahead. When he looked back to the road he saw a sharp curve directly in front of him.

  He tried to make the curve at his current speed only to have the passenger side tires leave the asphalt. He made a correction, but the car started skidding. It slid down an embankment and started to roll. Making two complete rolls before coming to a complete stop.

  The car was right side up with the passenger door wedged against a tree.

  “318 radio,” said the officer.

  “318 go ahead” was the reply.

  “Copy an accident at North Road near Windsor Drive. Roll an ambulance and a wrecker,” the officer said.

  “Radio clear 318,” was the response.

  He stopped and approached the car. The driver was slumped against the passenger seat. Checking him for a pulse, he found that the driver was still alive.

  Looking into the vehicle the officer saw something else. A woman’s purse with its contents scattered all over the rear passenger compartment.

  He picked up a wallet from the back seat and opened it. Inside was Virginia driver’s license.

  It belonged to Patricia Langley.

  ******

  The Fire Department and police arrived and set up a perimeter. The firefighters and paramedics began the task of extricating the driver from the car. They had to use the jaws of life. Practically peeling the car away to be able to get to the victim.

  Once he was out of the vehicle, they immediately strapped him to a backboard. Securing him to the gurney they rushed him to the awaiting ambulance.

  “Med 12 Radio” the paramedic said.

  “Med 12, go ahead,” was the response.

  “Transporting one male to Charlottesburg General. Patient is approximately 30 years old. 6’, 190 pounds. He is unconscious, but breathing on his own. Blood pressure 125/76, pulse is 63. He has a severe laceration on his left leg. IV started with normal saline. Pupils equal and reactive. Transporting code 2.”

  “Clear Med 12,” said the dispatcher.

  The ambulance rushed away with its siren blaring and lights flashing. The officer, Joe Carmichael, was left to write the accident report.

  The tag number that he had run during the chase returned to a Travis Conrad. Per standard operating procedure he ran the driver’s name and date of birth through the national database.

  When the information returned on his mobile data terminal he stared at the screen in disbelief.

  The word “WANTED” was flashing in big red letters across his screen. Travis Conrad had several active warrants out of Virginia. Three for kidnapping and two were for murder.

  The ambulance arrived at the emergency room to an awaiting crew. He was immediately taken into the triage unit for assessment. His injuries were determined not to be life threatening, but his leg required immediate surgery.

  He was prepped and rushed to the operating room.

  ******

  Officer Carmichael called dispatch to confirm the warrant and verify extradition. Ten minutes later he had his answer. The warrants were valid and with full extradition.

  Finishing up his investigation, he completed the citations for running the stop sign, fleeing and attempting to elude and reckless driving.

  However, Travis couldn’t be processed on the citations. Not until he recovered from his injuries.

  Officer Carmichael completed his report and returned to the precinct. He just needed one more piece of paperwork. He requested, and got, a fugitive from justice warrant from the local Magistrate Judge.

  That warrant would allow them to hold Conrad in custody until Virginia could arrange to extradite on their charges.

  ******

  Travis was in surgery for over an hour. An armed officer waited in the recovery room. He stood as Travis was wheeled in on a gurney still unconscious from the anesthesia. His leg was wrapped heavily in bandages and propped at the knee on a pillow.

  Once he was notified that the fugitive warrant was in place, the officer took out his handcuffs. He placed one cuff around the wrist that wasn’t encumbered with the IV line. The other cuff was locked around the bed rail. He sat down and waited.

  ******

  Gary stuck his head into David’s office and said, “Dispatch called a few minutes ago. Cedar Bluff North Carolina has Travis Conrad in custody on our warrants.” said Gary, “They have local charges, but they are all bondable misdemeanors. They’ve already confirmed our warrants and placed the hold for us.”

  “Are you kidding me?” David asked suspiciously.

  “I’m totally serious,” replied Gary, “Seems he ran a stop sign and was involved in a chase. He lost control of the car and wound up in the hospital.

  They ran him for the accident and our warrants hit. He’ll need to be processed on their charges once he’s released from the hospital. They are probably going to keep him for a few days.”

  “I need to call Trish,” was the only thing David said.

  ******

  “Beautique, how can I help you?” said Janelle, answering the phone.

  “This is Detective David Moore. I need to speak to Patricia Langley. It’s urgent!” he said.

  “Trish, it’s David he says it’s urgent,” she called, holding the phone out to her. Trish ran to the phone.

  “Hello?” she said.

  “Hey, gorgeous. I wanted to be the first to tell you, we’ve got him,” he said, “He’s in custody in North Carolina.” Trish threw her head back, breathing a sigh of relief. Janelle looked at her concerned.

  “Everything alright?” she asked. Trish nodded and brought her hand to her face.

  “He’ll be in the hospital for a while,” David said.

  “Thank you for letting me know,” she said. “No problem. After all, it is part of the job. Speaking of job, I’ll let you get back to yours now.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to you later, bye,” she said.

  “Bye,” said David. She ran over and hugged Janelle tightly.


  She whispered into her ear, “They’ve got him.”

  ******

  Travis awoke and looked around the room. The glare from the light was causing his eyes to tear. He tried to wipe them, only to discover that his right arm was restrained.

  His other arm was hooked up to several machines that were beeping and whirring. Looking over to the corner of the room, he spotted the armed officer.

  Seeing that he was awake, the officer walked over to the side of the bed.

  “Mr. Conrad, my name is Officer James Evans and you are under arrest,” he said.

  CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

  Trish picked up the phone on the counter and called David. When he answered she said, “I hate to bother you at work, but I didn’t know who else to call.”

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  “No… nothing like that. The garage just called a few minutes ago. They told me that my car is ready. I was wondering if you could take me to get it during my lunch break? That is, if you’re not busy on a case.”

  “I’m never too busy for you. What time is your break?” he asked.

  “I take the 1:00 p.m. lunch today. Could we get it then?” she asked.

  “Not a problem. I’ll see you at 1:00 p.m.,” he replied.

  ******

  She was watching at the window as David entered the lot. She looked at Janelle and smiled.

  “Do I even need to ask?” Janelle inquired.

  “You probably already know the answer,” she said.

  “David?” she asked. Trish merely nodded.

  “Figured as much. This is getting to be a habit with you two. I mean… lunch again?”

  “Yes,” said Trish, ”But this time I have an errand that he’s helping me with. My car is ready. He’s taking me to pick it up.