Unlawful Imprisonment

by Tracey Higgins

  “Aaron, please. Who knows? Maybe a new job will be better.”

  “I hope so.”

  Aaron went upstairs to change for another date. Ever since his fiancé left him, he went out all the time. As a matter of fact, ever since David got arrested he was out every other night with a different woman. David had no idea what he did with his days other than pick up women. Aaron didn’t have to work with all the money he got from selling off his father’s art gallery. David hoped that Aaron wasn’t home the next time Andrea made a visit. However, he would enjoy watching her feel like a child for a change. Captain Mueller was getting the files together on Kylie Sanders and Crystal Silverman. Little did Frank know that Mueller was already in the process of re-assigning the case, at the insistence of Jerry Slomin. Slomin already had personal doubts about Frank, and his being in the hospital was the perfect time to get him off the case. However, Captain Mueller convinced him to allow Frank to continue the case, but Christopher McDonald would now officially be in charge. Mueller was not looking forward to Frank’s reaction. Frank and Christopher never got along. They had worked a case together three years ago, and there was problem after problem.

  They were investigating the death of a man found on the street of a thirty-story building. At first, it seemed like an obvious suicide, until Frank came across conflicting evidence. The deceased man had an ex-girlfriend who, according to neighbors, was stalking him. In the apartment there was a cigarette butt with lipstick on it. The man was most certainly not alone on the day of his death. Christopher did not buy Frank’s murder theory, but went on with the investigation nonetheless. Christopher wanted to do everything his own way, and because of that, he wasted time. Unfortunately, Christopher was in charge of the investigation, and Frank could not override his authority. While Christopher was taking his time, the girlfriend of the victim was found murdered and the ex-girlfriend responsible confessed a week later to both murders. Frank insisted that the murdered young woman would still be alive if Christopher had listened to him in the first place. They have not worked together ever since. Christopher walked into Mueller’s office just as he was on his way out. “Hi Chris, I was just on my way to bring this to you.”

  “Oh, thanks.” Christopher had a crew cut, and always dressed in a suit, unlike Frank who wore whatever he felt comfortable in. He towered over Mueller at 6’4. “Your welcome.” Mueller noticed him looking through the file as if he just won a million dollars. He wanted this case.

  “I spoke with Jerry.” Christopher was on first name basis with the Assistant District Attorney because he was such an incredible kiss ass, and everybody in the office knew it. “He told me that Frank is going to be kept on to assist me.”

  “You are both working on this case Chris.” “I know.” He said with a grin.

  “Look, Frank is not going to take this well, as I am sure you already guessed. His health is bad enough, and I don’t need him getting another attack with his ulcer. So, try and get along to work together please.”

  “Of course.”

  “I mean it. This case has got to be solved, quickly. Let’s not let this sociopath get away with murder because two detectives can’t play nice.”

  “I understand.”

  “Good.”

  Christopher left the office and Mueller was thinking of how to tell Frank. He dreaded having to make that call, but he would be more upset if Frank weren’t on the case at all.

  Andrea and Tony fell asleep while watching television. She awoke on the couch with Tony’s head on her shoulder. He was exhausted worrying about Frank. No matter how calm he seemed, she knew he was a nervous wreck inside. Andrea ran her fingers through his thick hair. She never had peaceful moments like this with any other man in her life. He started to wake up. Andrea was rubbing his neck when he sat up.

  “Good morning.” He sounded exhausted. “Hi, do you feel as stiff as I do?”

  “Yeah.” He yawned.

  “Well, lie down for a little while. “I’m going to make some coffee.”

  “Okay.” He stretched out on the couch. “Is it too early to call the hospital?”

  “Yes. It’s only eight o’clock.”

  “It seems later.”

  “You had a long day yesterday.”

  “We both did.”

  “I’m going to call John and tell him I’m not coming in.”

  “What?”

  “I’m calling in.”

  “I’m shocked.”

  “What did you think? I am not going anywhere today without you, not with Frank in the hospital.” “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, don’t worry about it. I have personal days to take.”

  “Thanks babe.”

  “Your welcome. Now, let’s eat something and you can call the hospital in a little while.” She dialed John’s number while making the coffee.

  “You’re calling this early?” Tony started to wake up.

  “Believe me, John is there at the crack of dawn.” John finally answered. “John, it’s me. Listen I need to take a personal day today.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Frank Riser is in the hospital and I want to make sure he’s going to be alright when he’s released today.” “What happened to him?”

  “His ulcer acted up and he passed out. They just wanted to keep him overnight for observation.” Andrea wasn’t going to get into the whole story about Frank’s case, especially with Tony sitting there.

  “Take what you need Andrea. I hope he’s alright.” “Thanks. Oh, by the way, David Reese is not allowed to leave his house.”

  “You really ripped into him, huh?”

  “Oh yeah. If you could, just have somebody check in to see if he’s there, as often as you can on the phone.”

  “No problem. You want me to have somebody go to the house?”

  “If you like.”

  “I’d just love to.”

  “Thank you. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Tony came up behind Andrea and hugged her. “Getting your boss to do your dirty work?” She laughed and turned around while still in his embrace.

  “Well I don’t like to. Nothing would give me more pleasure to go back there and let him and his family know I’m not joking around.”

  “I’m glad I’m not on your bad side. Then again, maybe you could arrest me.”

  “Don’t start!”

  He was in hysterics. “I’m sorry, but I needed the laugh.”

  “I know, let’s eat.”

  “Sounds good.” Tony was grateful that Andrea took the day off. If Frank was being stubborn about doing what he was supposed to do, Andrea could always talk some sense into him.

  Later that morning Andrea and Tony headed over to the hospital. When they got to Frank’s room he was dressed and signing his release form. Tony rushed ahead of Andrea.

  “Frank, what are you doing?”

  “I’m outta here!” Frank was thrilled to be leaving. “I can’t stand that gown. Although I think my nurse liked it.” “Cute. Are you sure you should be leaving so soon?” Andrea inquired. She almost sounded like a mother.

  “Yes. The doctor said I was fine. Trust me, no more drinking or fast food. Plus I’m on a new medication that seems to be helping already.” Tony brought up the stress issue.

  “What about work?”

  “I’m going back tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a little soon?”

  “Nah, it’s fine, trust me.”

  “Oh really?”

  Frank looked at them very seriously. “I promise. As a matter of fact, I’ll have my own private nurse tonight.” He said with a grin.

  Andrea looked at him suspiciously. “What private nurse?”

  “Maggie Sawyer. I work with her and she called last night. She insisted that if I left the hospital today she was going to stay at my place tonight so I’m not alone.” Tony was trying not to laugh. Andrea was amazed. “You are unbelievable. Did you fake this whole thing to get her to your apartment?”
Frank and Tony started laughing together.

  “Hey, I can’t help it if she wants to take care of me. You want me to hurt her feelings?”

  “Goodness no! By all means, have fun with Florence Nightingale.”

  “Thank you I will.”

  Tony finally controlled his laughter. He was one of those people who couldn’t stop laughing once he got started. “Come on, we’ll drive you home.”

  Andrea was relieved to hear Tony and Frank joking around. It was almost like the two of them were twins.

  Buddy was out that afternoon following their special girl to a shopping mall. Perfection, he thought. She was fair skinned with long brown hair. She was alone as she walked away from her car. When nobody was paying attention, he slashed her tire. Then, he walked around waiting. Nobody noticed him. It was about an hour before she came back out, but it would be worth the wait. He kept his distance while he saw her walking to her car. “God Dammit!” She exclaimed when she noticed her tire. Now he moved in.

  “Are you alright Miss?”

  She turned around, startled. “I…I have a flat.” “Need help?”

  She looked at him for a moment. He was in a casual suit carrying a briefcase. “I don’t want to trouble you.”

  “It’s no problem, I’m waiting for a cab. You have a spare?”

  “Yeah, in the trunk.”

  She opened her car and put her packages away. Then she opened the trunk. He walked to the back and took out the tire and the jack. It started to drizzle. “Shit, would you mind stowing this in your car so it doesn’t get ruined?” He asked her politely handing her his briefcase.

  “No problem.” She started a friendly conversation with him while he was changing the tire. “I really appreciate this.”

  “Don’t mention it. I have a daughter and I would not like the idea of her being stranded with a flat.” “Oh, so you’re married?”

  “Afraid so.” He smiled, and she laughed with embarrassment. Within a few minutes he was finished. “Thank you so much.”

  “Your very welcome. I just need my briefcase.” While she reached for it, it started to downpour.

  “Oh no!” She paused for a moment, thinking. “Look, why don’t I give you a lift?”

  “That’s alright the cab will be here soon.” “They’re never on time. It’s the least I could do. Where are you going?”

  “The law office on Brentwood. That’s where I work.”

  They were both soaking wet by the time they got into the car. He opened his briefcase and she reached out her hand for the radio. He took a syringe out and stuck her in the arm. Sheshrieked. “What the fuck?” With the rain coming down so hard, nobody could hear, or see what was going on. Her eyes slowly closed and she fell into his lap. That was easier than I thought. He congratulated himself as he rolled her onto the floor and covered her with his coat. He started her car, and drove off.

  Her name was Dina Weston. She was thirty years old. He pulled over to a secluded area. When he reached his car, he put Dina in the trunk. Then he destroyed her car. It was perfect. He put it right on the edge of the cliff, put it in park and placed a brick on the gas pedal. He then slipped the car into drive and watched it crash into the water. He did it. Now to go to his palace and let the fun begin.

  John walked out of his office to make his coffee. The building was quiet at this hour. John and Andrea were the only officers who ever came in early, so he jumped out of his skin when he walked by Michael’s office and saw him sitting there at his desk.

  “Michael you scared the shit out of me!” “I’m sorry. I have to do my reviews so I figured I’d come in here when it was quiet. Nicole and I had an argument last night. I didn’t want to be there in the morning, if you know what I mean.”

  “I know. Well it’s encouraging to know that you decided to come here and work.”

  “You know I love my job.”

  “I know you love to arrest people.”

  Michael laughed. “Yeah, I do. But only when they deserve it.”

  “How many reviews do you have?”

  “Thirty.”

  “Oh, I was hoping you could do me a favor.” Michael looked slowly up at John. He didn’t like the sound of John asking for a favor. “I need you to make a house visit to David Reese. Andrea isn’t coming in today and he’s not allowed to leave the house. She wants to make sure he’s there.”

  “Sure, no problem. What’s up with Andrea?” “A friend of hers is in the hospital.”

  “Oh.”

  “Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.”

  “You got it, just leave me the address.” “I will. See you later.”

  Michael started on the pile of reviews to work on. Impossible, absolutely impossible, he thought as he took out a seltzer tablet.

  Later that afternoon, Michael walked up to David Reese’s door and rang the bell. He looked like a television detective with his long brown coat and dark sunglasses. A man answered the door, but Michael didn’t know what David looked like. “Hi, I’m looking for David Reese.” “Who are you?”

  “Michael Amalfitano with the Parole Department.” “Yeah, and?”

  Michael took off his sunglasses. “I need to see David Reese. Are you him?”

  “No, I’m his brother.”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yeah, sure.” Michael walked into the living room and looked like he was snooping around.

  “Where is he?”

  “I’m right here.” David came out of the kitchen. “David Reese?”

  “That’s what I said.”

  Michael officially hated him. “I’m just here to check in.”

  “Where’s that woman?” Aaron asked like he was looking for a fight. Michael turned to Aaron.

  “First of all, that woman has a name. Second of all, it’s none of your business.” Aaron was flustered. David just stood there. “Just a surprise visit. I’ll be checking in on you later.” He looked over at Aaron. “Nice to meet you.” Incredibly, Aaron didn’t snap back. After Michael left, Aaron released his frustration.

  “Jesus Christ! You get rid of that bitch for a while and they send another asshole!”

  “What did you expect?”

  “That’s true.” Aaron took a deep breath. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m going upstairs.”

  The good thing about not working was that David could finally get some sleep. It was easy during the day because the nightmares only occurred at night.

  Maggie Sawyer was shutting her computer down and getting ready to go to Frank’s apartment. Captain Mueller walked up to her and sat at her desk.

  “I hear you’re going to see Frank.”

  “Yes, I’m making him dinner.” Maggie knew that Mueller would be on her case if she said she was spending the night.

  “I was wondering if you could give him a message for me.”

  “Sure.”

  “He’s not going to like it, and after the day I had I’m not up to arguing with him.”

  Maggie rolled her eyes. “What is it?”

  “Jerry Slomin has insisted that I re-assign the case.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “Yes, to Christopher McDonald.”

  “Oh shit.” She moaned.

  “I did manage to convince Slomin to let Frank continue on the case, but McDonald is officially in charge.” “This is what you want me to tell him?”

  “Yeah, if you could.”

  “I will,” she sighed, “but don’t be surprised if Frank winds up in the hospital again after hearing this; or worse, in prison after he kills Chris.”

  “I’m sure they will do fine working together. I already talked to Christopher.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Maggie went to the store to get what she needed to cook for Frank and on the way to his apartment her stomach was in a knot, thinking of a way to tell him about Chris. She waited until she knew he was feeling all right and he seemed to be relaxed. She was busy in Frank’s kitchen mak
ing him something he never had, a healthy dinner. He was sitting on the couch, watching her. “Can I do anything?”

  “No, just relax.”

  “Okay, if you insist.” She smiled at him. “Frank,” she took in a deep breath, “I was talking to Mueller before I came here, and he wanted me to talk to you. Just keep in mind that he had nothing to do with this.” Frank got up and walked into the kitchen. “What is it?”

  “Christopher McDonald is now in charge of the case.”

  Frank sunk into a chair. “What?”

  “Jerry Slomin insisted that since you are not well, Chris should take over.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “Frank, you are still on the case, just not in charge.”

  “That bastard is in charge?” Frank couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “Frank…” she was speaking very calmly to try and keep him relaxed.

  “I don’t believe this.”

  “Neither can Mueller. He was the one who saw to it that you stay on the case, no matter what.”

  “Great, I’ll be sure to thank him.” He replied sarcastically. Maggie didn’t know what to say. Before she could say anything, Frank walked over to her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “I know.”

  “This is just the last thing I need.”

  “Look,” she sat at the table; “maybe this isn’t so bad.”

  “Are you serious? You know what Christopher is like.”

  “I know, but with your health you shouldn’t be working this case at all.”

  “The doctors said I’ll be fine.”

  “It’s not just your ulcer, it’s the stress. I don’t want to see you in the hospital again.”

  “I won’t be. Look, I am really glad to hear that you care about me, but you of all people should understand that I cannot let this case go.”

  “Even if you make yourself sick in the process?” “I will not make myself sick.”

  “Promise me.” He stared into her eyes. Frank kissed her for a moment but Maggie broke away from him. “Maggie, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met.”

  She blushed. “Thank you.”

  “I was thinking, maybe we could go out one night.” “I’d like that, but…”