by Anne Patrick
Nick entered the squad room. "Gwen, you've got a visitor."
She glanced through the glass wall and her heart slammed against her chest. Dawson Bartlett stood between the squad room and elevator.
"He looks familiar. Who is it?"
"It's Bartlett."
Nick cursed. "You think he's here to confess?"
"Yeah, right." Whatever he was up to, she wanted it on tape.
Gwen pushed through the doors and motioned for Bartlett to follow her. She held the door open to the first interrogation room. "Have a seat. I'll be right back." Gwen stepped into the control room and started the video and audio. She stared at the monitor. Except for their encounter Friday night, she hadn't seen him up close in three years. He hadn't changed much. Still clean shaven, his brown hair neatly combed, and that virtuous smile that fooled so many people. Her gaze lowered to his back pocket, and there was the chain wallet.
Gwen rejoined him. "You wanted to talk to me?"
"That's right. Thanks for seeing me. This room brings back memories. Or was it the room across the hall?"
"What do you want, Bartlett? It must be important for you to violate your own injunction."
He crossed his legs and looked up at her. "It is very important to me, Detective. I'd like to know if there has been any progress in the investigation of my murdered family members."
It took great restraint not to react to his arrogance. He was grandstanding. "Not yet, but I'll catch him. You can count on it."
He pressed his lips together and cocked his head to one side. "Maybe if you spent less time stalking me, you could solve the case faster."
"No need to search any further. I'm looking at the monster responsible."
"Come now, Detective, we've been down this road before. Three years ago. You didn't have a motive or proof then and you don't now."
"I know about your gambling addiction."
"I think you need to brush up on your penal codes, Detective. Gambling at a state-regulated casino is legal in the state of Arizona."
"Not when you're under twenty-one."
"Okay, so I once owned a fake drivers license. I'm of age now."
"You must be a really bad poker player to go through a million dollars in a little over a year."
"You're wasting your time, Detective. I haven't done anything wrong. Just like I was innocent in the deaths of my parents and little sister."
"So you say."
"Only you don't believe me."
"No, I don't. You see, everyone looks at you and sees this innocent, baby-faced, kid who lost his whole family in one horrible night. Me, I see a calculating, cold-blooded murderer who has never cared about anyone but himself."
"That's unfortunate. It's obvious your animosity toward me is clouding your objectivity and hindering your ability to solve the murder of my family."
"Oh, it's not just my interpretation, Dawson, pretty much every detective I work with thinks you’re an animal."
"Yes, well, I guess they're entitled to their beliefs. It's a good thing convictions aren't gained by opinions…but proof. Which you don't have." He stood and walked to the door.
Gwen followed him out of the room. "I'm going to find the proof I need to convict you of the robberies, the murder of Mrs. Gyman, and the murders of your parents and sister, and I'm going to be there when they put that needle in your arm."
He smiled at her. "Have a good day, Detective."
The elevator doors opened and Ian stepped out as Bartlett got in. He continued to grin at her until the doors closed.
"Was that Dawson Bartlett?"
"Yes, it was."
Ian grabbed her arm and dragged her into the control room.
"Before you go ballistic on me again, I didn't bring him in. He came here requesting to talk to me. If you don't believe me, check the tape." She reached over and stopped the video.
"What'd he want?"
"To rub my face in the fact I don't have anything on him."
"Just tell me what he said and save your commentary."
"He wanted to know if there'd been any progress on the murders of his family."
"Are you serious?"
"I told you he was a narcissistic psychopath."
"Did you ask him any questions?"
"No, I did not. I'm not stupid, Ian. I know he was baiting me."
"Gwen, I want you to stay away from him. I'm serious."
"I know. I heard you loud and clear yesterday." Gwen left Ian in the control room and returned to her desk. She called Stuart again.
This time he answered. "She's staying with a family at an old cabin, along the river, north of the city. Just past the water plant there's a dirt road. Follow it till you come to the gate. The couple's brown van is usually parked there."
"Are you sure about this, Stuart?"
"Those are the directions that were given to me."
"All right. Thanks, Stuart."
Kris came in and dropped a file on her desk. "You're never going to believe who I saw downstairs."
"Dawson Bartlett." Gwen took the scarf and the envelope with the altered photo of Bartlett from her desk. "I'm taking an early lunch. Cover for me."
Kris followed her out. "Gwen, what's going on? Why was he here?"
"Watch the tape. I've gotta go."
Kris snagged Gwen's arm. "You're not following him."
"No. I've got a lead on the girl."
"You aren't supposed to—"
"Please, Kris. Just cover for me."
"Only if you promise to call if you find her."
"All right."
*****
Gwen pulled up to the gate and turned off her engine. On the other side of the barrier stood a longhaired man wearing a straw hat. Gwen's gaze fell to his waist. He didn't have a weapon that she could see. Looping her credentials through her belt, she got out of the SUV and slowly approached. He lifted his hand and she saw he had a walkie talkie. She kept her hand on the 9mm at her side. Within a foot of the gate, she saw three other men appear out of the brush. Gwen's adrenaline surged. This is so not a good idea.
With her left hand, she motioned to her badge. "Detective Jamison. I need to speak with Levi or Hayley."
The man with the walkie talkie relayed her message. The other three men continued to stare at her. They all looked to be in their thirties or forties. Dressed in blue jeans and either muscle or t-shirts, and unlike the first man, they wore ball caps. Dirt and sweat caked their clothing.
"Follow me," said the man with the walkie talkie. He motioned for one of the other men to open the gate.
Gwen looked at the path beyond the gate, thick brush on either side. "I don't think so. You tell Levi if he isn't here in five minutes, there'll be a half dozen patrol cars here in less than seven."
"This is private property."
"I don’t care if the mayor of Shorewick owns it. You're harboring a fugitive and I'm not leaving here without her."
Gwen waited in her car with the engine running. Three minutes later, Levi came through the gate. He stopped at her door. "Where is she, Levi. I'm not leaving here without her."
"Mandy is at the library, studying."
Gwen searched his expression. She couldn't tell if he was lying or not. "She better be there, Levi, because if I have to come back here, I won't be coming alone."
"You have my word. She'll be there until four. That's when I was supposed to pick her up."
On her way to the library, Gwen called Kris and told her she was going to be late coming back from lunch.
"Where are you, Gwen?"
"I'm on my way to talk to the girl. She's at the library. I'll be back as soon as I can."
*****
Gwen entered the two-story red brick building and saw less than a half dozen people, counting the librarian. She moved to the farthest corner where more computers were located. There, Mandy sat alone at a round table a few feet from the computer cubicles. Gwen walked toward her. She seemed engrossed in the book she was reading.
>
"I believe this belongs to you." Gwen laid the scarf on top of one of the closed books. Beside them lay a pink and blue backpack.
The girl looked up at Gwen, eyes wide. "I knew you'd find me."
"Well, it wasn't easy." Gwen pulled out the chair next to the teenager and sat down. "I only want to talk to you, Mandy."
The girl took the scarf and draped it around her neck, then lifted one end of it and smelled it. "You washed it?"
"It seemed special to you. Hope you don't mind."
The corner of her mouth drew up slightly. "Thank you. It was my mother's."
Gwen remembered the caseworker had told her almost four years had passed since her mother died. "It's tough not having a mom around. I lost mine when I was twelve."
"Well, I have a new family now, and we take good care of each other." She shifted in the chair, still grasping the end of the scarf.
"I sensed that at the church last week." Gwen knew she needed to be careful in her approach. She had to gain the girl's trust first. Gwen lifted a couple of the books up and viewed their titles. "Algebra and Physics…not my favorite subjects."
"Mine either."
"Studying for your GED?"
Mandy nodded. "Once I get a job, when I turn sixteen next year, and can prove I can take care of myself as an adult, I can apply to be emancipated. I'll legally be an adult and can make my own decisions."
She was smart. "I admire your ambition, Mandy. A lot of kids your age, and even adults, find the day-to-day responsibilities like rent, car payments, groceries, and other bills can be overwhelming."
"I can handle it."
"I'm sure you can. Someone with your intellect could be or do anything they want in life." Gwen sucked in a silent breath and exhaled. "But there is one small kink in your plan. The attempted strong-arm robbery charge against you."
Mandy shifted again in her chair.
"I could help you out with that, Mandy."
"But only if I help you, right?"
"I'd like to help you whether you return the favor or not."
She looked at Gwen. "Why? You don't even know me."
"Because I've been where you are right now. If someone hadn't reached out to me, the way I'm reaching out to you right now, I hate to think what might have happened to me. So you could say I'm only paying it forward."
"You can get the charge dropped against me?"
"It won't be quite that simple. I've talked to a judge, though, and he's willing to have the charge deferred if you'll agree to probation and community service." Gwen hesitated, hoping this wouldn't be the deal breaker. "You'll also be required to stay in a foster home during this time."
"Why can't I stay with Levi and Hayley?" she asked softly. The defeat in her voice tugged at Gwen's heart.
"Because they're not your legal guardians, Mandy. I have a great home lined up for you, though, their names are Tony and Kara. They have a huge house, plenty of space. You'll have your choice of bedrooms."
Mandy folded her arms. "You've met them?"
"Tony's my foster brother. I've known him since I was fourteen. He's a great guy, and you'll like his wife, Kara, too. She's a high school science teacher. She could help you study for your GED."
"You were in foster care?"
"Yes I was, and I spent a couple of years on the streets."
Mandy smiled. "I thought you were lying to me so I would tell you what I know."
Gwen reached over and placed her hand over Mandy's, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll always be up front with you, Mandy. You have my word on that."
"Once I complete my probation and community service, then will I be able to apply for emancipation?"
"Yes, or you could stay with Tony and Kara, get a job like you planned, and save your money. You'd have a better chance of getting a scholarship if you wanted to go to a trade school or college."
Mandy pulled over her backpack and unzipped a pocket on the side and then handed Gwen a wadded napkin. "The man who robbed that liquor store and killed Mrs. Gyman dropped it."
Gwen carefully unfolded the tissue. It was some sort of military medallion that looked to be made out of silver. 10th Mountain Division was inscribed along the top, Climb to Glory along the bottom, and there was a pair of crossed swords in the middle.
"I think it broke off his keychain."
Gwen remembered the robber had a chain that fastened to his belt loop and billfold. Just like Bartlett.
"Will it help you catch him?"
"It could, especially if we can get a fingerprint from it."
"Mine is on there, too, because I picked it up. I haven't touched it since I put it in my backpack though."
"That's good." Gwen’s gaze rested on the girl. "Will you tell me about that night?"
"I guess so.” Mandy sighed. “I was on my way to see my friend, Mrs. Gyman. I heard the shots as I was coming down the alley. I ran to check on her, and as I rounded the corner of the building, he ran into me."
"Did he say anything to you?"
"No. He just took off running."
Gwen opened the envelope and laid the altered photo of Dawson Bartlett on the table in front of her. "Is this the man?"
Mandy lifted the picture and studied it for several seconds. "I'm pretty sure it is. I remember his eyes looked almost black." Her hands began to shake and tears welled in her eyes. "Why did he have to kill her? She had such a kind heart…was always so happy."
Gwen fought back her own tears. She slid her chair over and put her arm around the teenager. "I'm sorry you lost your friend, Mandy. I promise we're going to get the man."
Mandy nodded. "She used to bake cookies for me sometimes. And she'd give me money for helping her out around the store, but only when her husband wasn't around. He's not a very nice man."
"In the days prior to the robbery, do you remember seeing a black car with tinted windows in the area?"
She shook her head. "What happens now, Gwen?"
"We're gonna go see this friend of mine. The judge I mentioned, and he's going to visit with you for a while and explain how this is all going to work. You see, the good thing about a deferment is, as long as you keep your part of the bargain, the charge won't go on your record. It'll be like it never existed."
"So it wouldn't hurt my chances of getting into a good college someday?"
"That's right. You can even become a cop."
Mandy grinned. "What'd you get charged with?"
"Shoplifting. The judge took me into his chambers and we had a long talk. He told me, ‘It doesn’t matter where you came from. It doesn’t matter who gave birth to you. Neither of those define who you are. The only thing that does matter is where you are heading.' He told me the path I was on was either going to land me in prison or the morgue. That's when he offered me a deal similar to the one you're being offered."
"And you took it."
"It was the best decision I ever made." Gwen checked her watch. It was almost two. "We better get going."
Gwen waited for Mandy to put the books back on the shelves and then helped with her backpack. “You scared?”
“No,” Mandy answered quickly.
“Well if you were, I was just going to tell you that Judge Larkin is a firm, but fair man. He may come off as kind of terrifying at first but he’s really a teddy bear. Don’t tell him I said that, though.”
Mandy giggled.
Gwen pushed through the doors and stopped. Ian and Kris stood in front of an unmarked cruiser. Parked next to it was a patrol car.
"You did lie to me."
"No I didn't, Mandy. I swear."
A woman got out of the patrol car and started up the steps. It was Erica Wentworth. "You're going to have to come with me, Mandy."
"She's not going anywhere." Gwen pulled Mandy behind her.
Ian came forward. "Yes she is, Gwen. The girl has to go to child services."
Gwen looked at Kris. "You told him?"
"I'm sorry, Gwen. He asked where you were. I couldn't lie to h
im."
"That's right. So don't blame her," Ian said.
The woman led Mandy to the patrol car.
"Why, Ian?" Gwen fought to control her anger and the tears. "Why did you do this?"
"Because I knew you wouldn't, Gwen."
"In other words, you didn’t trust me to do my job." She reached into her pocket and took out the tissue with the medallion. "This is what Bartlett dropped the night he killed Mrs. Gyman but, thanks to you, Mandy probably won't testify to that now."
"Why'd you go behind my back? Why didn't you just tell me you were coming here to meet her?"
"You placed me on desk duty, remember? She wouldn’t have talked to anyone else. And just so you know, I was on my way to the courthouse with her."
He placed his hand on her arm.
Gwen shoved him back. "Stay away from me. Both of you." She ran down the steps. The patrolman stepped in front of her. "Back off or you're gonna be on the ground. I just wanna talk to her." He looked past her, and then moved to one side. Gwen jerked open the back door of the patrol car. Tears streamed down the girls face. "I'm sorry, Mandy." She reached in and hugged her. "I promise I'll get you released as quickly as I can."
Mandy sucked in a deep breath and nodded.
Gwen shut the door and walked toward her SUV. She had to get hold of Judge Larkin. No way would she allow Mandy to go to juvie. Even for one night. Mandy had come through for her and Gwen was determined to keep her promise by any means necessary.
Both Kris and Ian called out to her but Gwen ignored them.
She had never felt more betrayed in her life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
On her way to child services, Gwen called Judge Larkin’s cell phone and left a message on his voice mail about what had happened. She asked him to please expedite the paperwork so Mandy wouldn’t have to go to juvenile detention. She then called Tony and asked for him and Kara to meet her at DCS as soon as Kara got home from school.
Gwen drove into the parking lot and stared at the yellow brick building. It was times like this she wished she had Kris and Ian’s faith; something to grasp onto that offered a glimmer of hope. The loving God Gwen's father had taught her about as a child had failed her in the past. No reason for her to believe in Him now.