Unlawful Imprisonment

by Tracey Higgins

  “Don’t you mean our girl?”

  “No, mine.” He walked over to the bed and stroked Dina’s face. “Not to say that I don’t like you my dear. Now, we are going to do this the hard way or the easy way. It’s up to you.” He removed the gag. Instead of her crying, she was infuriated.

  “I don’t really care what you do you son of a bitch!” “Really? Okay, we’ll do it the hard way.” He put the gag back on and climbed top of her. She felt the straps come off and took a strike at him.

  “You bitch!” Buddy felt the side of his face. There was blood from the scratch. Angel grabbed her arms, twisting one of them. “The more you fight us, the tougher we’re going to be.”

  Dina relaxed her muscles before her arm was snapped in two. Now she was panicking. She scratched him, and she knew she was going to pay for it.

  Nicole’s parents woke up and Michael was gone. He left a note saying he would be back soon, he just needed to get out. He called John so he didn’t panic.

  “John it’s me. I’m going to the office.”

  “Why? I want you to stay put.”

  “John really. I can’t sit in the house. Her parents are looking at me like this is my fault. If you care about my sanity, just let me go there for a while.”

  “Alright, but don’t go making any visits.”

  “I won’t.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Andrea and Tony went to dinner. They had a night of quiet with no beepers or cell phones.

  “This will be over soon, and you’ll have a new psychopath to deal with.”

  “True, very true.”

  They looked at each other deeply. Tony leaned into her. “I think you should just move in with me,

  permanently.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah.” He smiled.

  “Tony, let me get through this, and we’ll talk about it.”

  “Well, that’s better than I expected.”

  “You ready to go?”

  “Not really. I need a cup of coffee. I’m enjoying this quiet.”

  “Yeah, let’s stay awhile.” She leaned over to kiss him, then looked away.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I just feel guilty about having a good time with all this going on with Nicole.”

  “I know you do, but you can’t let it control you. Let’s concentrate on your problem.”

  “Tony,” she took her coffee. “Do you think it’s related?”

  “What?”

  “My notes and Nicole?”

  “Why would they be?”

  “A PO’s wife goes missing and another is getting threatened at the same time.”

  “You’re just nervous. Besides, you haven’t received anything.”

  “I guess so. Let’s get home.”

  Chris went to see Zachary Tyler. Hedidn’t get an answer when he knocked so he went to the supervisor.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Simms? Christopher McDonald homicide. I’m looking for Zachary Tyler.”

  “101.” Simms went to close the door, completely uninterested.

  Chris stopped him with his hand. “I know. There’s no answer. I need the key.”

  “Shit.” He got the key and they went to the room. Simms opened the door and Chris stepped in front of him. “He has a nine o’clock curfew.”

  “I know, I don’t understand…”

  “Me neither! You are supposed to be on top of these people!” Chris was on the phone to Frank “Tyler’s gone. I’m going to check out the bars.”

  “Okay I’m going to keep questioning. Call me later.”

  Chris looked at Simms on his way out. “I’m going to have your fucking job after this.” He started out at the closet bar six blocks away. When he walked in, everybody turned their heads. He was the only one in a suit. He looked at Zachary’s photo and scanned the bar but he wasn’t there. Chris asked the bar tender, bouncer and everybody there but no one saw him. The next place was a club and he had no luck there either. He drove around the neighborhood slowly. He eventually ended up around Michael’s house and his eyes perked up. There he was, on the side of Michael’s’ house.

  “Son of a bitch!” He turned his lights off and pulled over. He didn’t close the car door so there was no noise. He came to Michaels’ house and pulled his gun. “Police!”

  Zachary made as run for it but Chris got him to the ground before he made it to the end of the block.

  “Zachary Tyler you are under arrest.”

  “I wasn’t doing anything.”

  “You violated your parole.” Chris cuffed him and got him to his feet. “What were you doing there?” Zachary just stared into space. “Don’t want to tell me? Have anything todo with your PO’s wife?”

  “What? Look man, I don’t know who you are, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I’m Christopher McDonald, with the homicide department.”

  “Homicide?”

  “Yes. You sound surprised. Let’s go.” He led him to the car and locked the doors. Chris knocked on Michael’s door but he didn’t answer. His car wasn’t in the driveway. Chris called Frank and told him to meet him at the station. Tyler was scarred shit.

  “I had nothing to do with any homicide.”

  “Okay.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “It would be a lot quicker if you tell me.” Chris looked in the mirror. “No? I guess you want to wait for the lawyer.” Chris couldn’t wait to get this asshole to the station.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Frank got to the station and was told to wait, which he didn’t accept. “Are they in there?” He walked up to one of the rooms. An officer grabbed his arm and Frank shrugged him off.

  Chris came out from another room. “Hey, Frank. I waited for you to start questioning.”

  “Has he said anything?”

  “Nope. Did you call John?”

  “Yeah, I told him we would call.”

  “He say anything about Michael?”

  “He came to the office but he left. Nicole’s parents were leaving and he wanted to be home in case of a call.”

  “He wasn’t there when I came.”

  “We can’t worry about it now.”

  They walked into the interrogation room and Zachary stood up. The handcuffs echoed on the table. You mind taking these off? I’m already dying in here with this heat.”

  “Yes I mind You are under arrest.”

  Frank sat across from him and Chris stood next to him. “Have a seat.”

  Frank started off. “What the hell were you doing at your parole officer’s house after your curfew?” Tyler said nothing. “You can wait for your lawyer but you’re still going to jail for the parole violation.”

  “I don’t need a lawyer because I didn’t do anything.”

  Chris crossed his arms. “Mr. Tyler has waived his right to an attorney.”

  “Fantastic.”

  Chris leaned into him. “You were just taking a stroll by the side of his house?”

  “Alright, alright. I was there, but I had nothing to do with a homicide.”

  “Cut the crap, where are the girls?”

  “Who?” Zachary looked at both of them.

  Frank banged his fist on the metal table. “Dina and Nicole you sick fuck!”

  Chris stepped in. “Frank calm down.”

  “Don’t tell me to calm down.”

  “I was just going to fuck with him, honest. I was going to break a window, just to piss him off, I swear.”

  Frank leaned in. “I want to know where they are and I don’t care what I have to do to you to find out.” Tony was out like a light, exhausted from all his worrying. Andrea went downstairs to be alone. It was the only time she had peace and quiet for days. She was already on edge so everything seemed to creek when she walked. There was suddenly a crash upstairs and she dropped her glass of wine. She ran up the stairs yelling. “Tony!”

  She went to the bedroom thinking he fell, but he was in bed, motionless. “T
ony?” Her stomach knotted up. She took a step and felt an arm grab her from behind and cover her mouth. She fought for a few seconds and there was a prick in her arm. Angel put her passed out body on the floor and went to Tony. He hadn’t killed him from the blow to his head with the lamp. He would be awake soon so Angel had to work fast. He took Andrea to the truck fantasizing about bringing her to the house.

  Tony woke up and felt his head. The blood was running down his face. “Andrea?” He sat up but stumbled to the floor when he reached for the phone. He could barely hold the phone steady whole he called 911. called “My girlfriend. I think she's been kidnapped.” He gave them the address, hung up and called Frank.

  Frank was in his second hour with Tyler when Tony called. He knew something was wrong by his voice. “Tony?”

  “I need help. Somebody came in and knocked me out. Andrea’s gone.”

  “Christ.” He went outside and motioned to Chris to follow. “Did you call the cops already?”

  “On their way.”

  “I’ll be right there. Stay on the phone with me until I get there. Tony, keep talking to me.” He covered the receiver and told Chris to follow him over there and call John.. “Tony?”

  “I couldn’t protect her.” The phone hung up.

  “Tony!”

  Tony was losing more blood. He woke up but he was dizzy and his vision was blurry. When he tried to stand he fell. He was screaming for Andrea.

  Angel got back to the house and Buddy was waiting for him. “Let me have her and put your mask on.”

  “Jesus, relax.” He laid her down on the bed. Buddy sat next to her. Angel began unbuttoning her top and Buddy grabbed his hand.

  “No, not yet.”

  “What?”

  “Just leave me alone with her.”

  Angel walked away but was angry. “I would like to have some time with the others if this one is all yours.”

  “You will.”

  Buddy wished he could take his mask off but he knew it was too risky. She would wake up soon so he had to work quickly. He cuffed her wrists to the post and put the gag on. He went upstairs to Angel.

  “Hey, you can see Dina and Nicole.”

  “Gee thanks.”

  Buddy lit a cigarette. “The boyfriend?”

  “Passed out.”

  “I have to go. I’ll be awhile. Don’t touch her.”

  “And if I do?”

  Buddy reached for his wallet and flashed a badge. “Or I’ll end this whole thing and arrest you for it all. Don’t touch her.” He slammed the door on his way out. Frank ran to the door and banged but there was no answer. He stepped back and kicked the door a few times but it wouldn’t budge. Chris grabbed a chair from the porch. “Stand back.” He used it to break the window. He reached in and unlocked the door. They ran upstairs yelling for Tony. He was on the floor.

  “Tony! Tony, wake up.”

  Chris took a pillow case to put pressure on the wound and Frank shook his face.

  “Tony!”

  “What?” He asked weakly.

  “Wake up.”

  “Andrea.”

  “POLICE!” The cops came in and Chris yelled for them to come upstairs. Frank told Chris to call for an ambulance.

  “No, I have to get her.”

  “Tony, I need you to tell the officers what happened. Frank got behind him and sat Tony up. One officer looked at the injury and the other were talking to him. Chris was on the phone getting an ambulance.

  “I’m not going to the hospital.” Tony tried to get up and Frank held him.

  “You need stitches. It’s a big gash.”

  “I need to get her.” He tried to get up again and Frank stopped him.

  “Just relax buddy. We’ll get her.”

  John arrived as the ambulance was going up the stairs. “I don’t believe this. Tony, Tony what happen?”

  Frank took John aside. “I’m going to start looking for any tracks. Not a lot of people use this road. I want you to make sure all of her parolees are accounted for.”

  John was trying not to thrown up. “Okay, right away.” He was on the phone to Jesse Daniels. He ordered him to get everyone together and start checking her parolees. He was dreading the call to Michael seeing as this would definitely set him over the edge. But he was going to find out sooner or later. He could just imagine his response if he showed up at the office and John didn’t tell him. John started checking the parolees he knew off who were arrested for violent offenses. He tried to keep calm. Chris was going through the house with a fine comb looking for any evidence. He saw the dirt on the floor next to the side entrance and examine the lock. He jimmied it. “Over here.” He called out for a pair of gloves and the dust kit.. “This is where he got in.” Chris began dusting hoping there would be something.

  Chris was in a sweat when he thought he had some prints. “We need to rush these.”

  “We will.”

  Chris answered his cell phone. It was Slomin. “What’s going on?”

  “We have a lock that was opened and just lifted the prints.”

  “Where’s Frank?”

  “Checking tire tracks.”

  “So, what do you…”

  “As soon as I know anything I’ll call.” Chris hung up on Slomin. He had no time for bullshit. He searched Tony’s bedroom again. Any doubt that it was the sociopath they were looking for ended when Chris realized Andrea’s wallet was gone. Another trophy, same as the others. ~~~~~~~~~

  Frank was popping a pill in his car following the tracks. It was obviously the assailant’s car because of the skid marks. He definitely left in a hurry. The tracks were visible until he reached the highway.

  “Fuck!”

  John went tofifteen of Andrea’s parolees and then to see Michael. Michael opened the door when he saw John’s car. John never came to someone’s house for nothing.

  “John, what is it?”

  “I need your help. The last thing I want is you out at work but…”

  “Is it Nicole? Tell me what to do.”

  “Andrea’s missing. Tony was knocked out and when he came to she was gone.”

  Michaels leaned against the chair. Violently he threw it across the room into the television. “SON OF A BITCH!”

  “We thought it was Zachary Tyler.”

  “Why?”

  “Chris McDonald arrested him a while ago sneaking around your house.”

  “When? I was here except for, I don’t know a half hour to get a drink.”

  “Then he was probably waiting for you to leave.” Michael put his jacket on. “He’s at the station?” “Yes, but it isn’t him. Andrea was taken after he was arrested. He’s still under arrest for the parole violation.” “Jesus Christ!”

  “Calm down. I need you calm.”

  “Calm down! My wife then Andrea! What the fuck is going on?”

  “I don’t know. Everyone is checking her parolees…” “So am I. I’ll go to the office for the files.”

  “Michael, I don’t’ know if you should be involved.” “You can’t tell me that you don’t need my help.” John paused. He was right. He handed him a stack. “I need to know if you can handle this.”

  “For Nicole and Andrea yes.”

  “Good. Keep in touch with me.”

  “Okay.”

  Tony had to be mildly sedated for the stitches. He was left alone while he was coming to so he got dressed and snuck out the hallway. The officer who came with him was with the doctor. Quickly he went down the stairs trying to keep his dizziness under control. Tony grabbed the first can he saw and went to the parole department. He stormed into Andrea’s office and ripped the drawers open looking for her files. Jesse heard all the commotion and came in. “What the Hell?”

  “I want her files, now.”

  “John has them already Tony. Everyone is out.” Tony gripped her desk. Jesse noticed the bandage on his head. “I think you should sit down.”

  “Why aren’t you out there?”

  “So
mebody has to be here.”

  “I have to go.” Tony dashed passed Jesse. Jesse caught up to him at the elevator. “Tony let me drive you home.”

  “Alright.” He need to get his own car, and his gun. Jesse tried to talk to him in the car. “We’ll find her.” Tony didn’t say a word.

  Buddy went to the basement two hours later. He interrupted Angel washing Dina.

  I’m hoping you kept to your word and didn’t touch her.”

  “I didn’t touch her. You want to test the body for prints?”

  “Just go.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I want to be here alone.”

  “She’s still out.”

  “I said leave.”

  Angel finished with Dina and went upstairs. Buddy walked over to her. “I’m sure you’re not upset about him leaving.” He touched her breast and she flinched. “Still feisty I see. That’s alright love, I kind of like that.” He went to Andrea’s bed. “Please wake up soon.”

  Tony jumped out of the car before it came to a full stop. He ran into the house yelling for Frank. Chris came from the basement, shocked to see him.

  “Tony, what the hell are you doing here?” “Where’s Frank?”

  “Checking for tracks.” Jesse came in and Chris gave him a nod to leave. Chris noticed Tony sweating and ready to pass out. “Jesus man, sit down.” He pulled a kitchen chair out to Tony. “I just finished dusting for prints.” “How much you want to bet their mine?”

  Chris looked to the floor. “Let’s just hope he got sloppy.” He stood up and grabbed his jacket. “Come with me to the lab.”

  By now, the case was all over the news. Every news van was canvassing Michael’s block hoping for anything to report. Chris turned off the radio so tony didn’t have to hear anything. All eyes were on Tony when they walked in. Chris pointed Tony over to his desk and called Debbie right away.

  “Anything?”

  “Did I call you yet?”

  “Thanks.” Chris slammed the phone down. “Bitch.” “I‘ll call Frank.”

  “You know he will call.”

  Tony put his head in his hands. “I know.” “Are you bleeding?”

  Tony touched the bandage. “Yeah.”

  Chris saw Maggie and motioned her over. “Tony I’m Maggie. Let’s get you a new bandage.”

  “Alright, thanks.”

  She led him out of the office and Chris turned on the news. Every detective and officer available were out looking for any suspicious looking trucks or vans. He was about to call Frank to appease Tony when he looked at the television and saw news vans on Michael’s block. Chris felt his heart jump into his throat. “SON OF A BITCH!” He ran out of the office without telling Tony. He called Maggie’s cell phone from the car. “Chris? Where are you?”