Cold Blooded

by Anne Patrick

  "You could look at it this way, those experiences prepared you for what you do now. Look at the way you were able to connect with Mandy. And I'm sure there've been others."

  "Part of God's plan, right?"

  "It may not seem like a perfect one to us, but He always has our best interest at heart."

  Gwen knew her childhood could have been much worse. "We should go in."

  "Before we do, I have some good news to share."

  Gwen turned in the seat and met his gaze. "They found the slugs?"

  "Yes, but it'll be a while before we get the ballistics. They did find a match on the index print off the medallion though. It matched one Bartlett gave for comparison after his family was killed."

  "Are you gonna pick him up?"

  "Not yet. I want to connect him to Mandy's shooting before we bring him in."

  "How do you plan on doing that?"

  "Nick also located Vivian Bartlett in a nursing home in Winslow. If you'll let me borrow your car tomorrow, I'll go have a talk with her and see if she knows anything."

  "Thought we weren't supposed to speak to family members?"

  He smiled at her.

  "Thanks, Ian." She hugged him. "And thank you for being here with me today."

  "I'm glad you finally trusted me enough to share your childhood with me."

  "It was never about trust, Ian."

  "I know. You just don't like to talk about it."

  "Exactly." Gwen leaned over and kissed him. She was glad she had told him about her past. It made her feel even closer to him. And the fact he was willing to risk his job by obstructing Bartlett's injunction made her love him all the more. They would both be in a heap of trouble if the captain were to find out.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Gwen stood next to Mandy's bed. A tube ran from the girl's mouth to a respirator on the other side of the bed. The constant beep of her heart monitor was reassuring. Gwen lifted Mandy's hand, being careful of the IV. Her vitals had stabilized through the night, but she remained in critical condition. "You're a tough kid, Mandy. Stronger than I ever was. There are a lot of people here pulling for you and prayers being offered on your behalf. You can do this. I know you can. Just keep fighting."

  The door slid open and a nurse came in. "Times up, I'm afraid."

  "Thank you." It had taken a visit from Erica Wentworth before the staff would allow Tony, Kara, and Gwen to see Mandy. And while she was in ICU, those visits were limited to one person at a time, every two hours for ten minutes at a time. Gwen wasn't happy with the arrangement but it was better than not being able to see her at all. Tony and Kara had left shortly after midnight, but Ian had stayed all night with Gwen, refusing to leave her alone.

  Gwen gave Mandy's hand a gentle squeeze before leaving. Pausing outside the waiting room, she glanced in and saw Ian still asleep in one of the two recliners in the room. On the sofa next to the chair, where Gwen had been sleeping earlier, sat Jim and Rhea Arnett. Their oldest son, Tim, had been involved in a bad car accident three days ago. Gwen and Rhea had visited off and on since arriving in ICU. At least a dozen other family members of other patients had come and gone, in rotating shifts, throughout the night.

  "And I was afraid you'd spent the night here alone," Kris spoke from behind.

  Gwen turned to her friend. "Thanks for coming." She had texted Kris last night and asked her to bring some essentials so Gwen could freshen up. She didn't want to waste what little cash she had on her in the over-priced gift shop.

  "You're welcome. Why don't we go grab some breakfast? You look like you could use some coffee."

  As they stepped onto the elevator, Gwen looked down at the overnight bag Kris carried. "I only asked for a tooth brush and paste."

  "Figured you'd need a change of clothes, too. The jeans will probably be a little big on you."

  "I appreciate it."

  "It's the least I could do. How's Amanda?"

  "About the same. Her vitals have improved so that's good."

  "It's a miracle she didn't die," Kris said. "She lost a lot of blood."

  "You went to the scene?" The doors opened and they exited.

  "It was all hands on deck. The lieutenant even had patrol helping. Davenport's livid."

  Gwen smiled. "I heard him on the phone. He's been so amazing, Kris."

  "Sounds like you two have made up."

  "Yeah. We've talked more in the last twenty-four hours than we have all week."

  "That's good, Gwen." Kris pushed through the door of the cafeteria and held it for Gwen. "I was afraid you were going to blow it."

  "Thanks for that vote of confidence."

  "Hey, I know how stubborn you can be."

  They went through the line, and when they came to the register, Kris swatted Gwen's hand away when she tried to pay. "I got this."

  "Well, if I'd known you were going to pay I would've gotten another box of cereal and some fruit for later," Gwen teased.

  Kris laughed as she moved to one of the round tables overlooking the atrium. "I brought some extra cash for you."

  "That's not necessary. I can run home and get my debit card."

  "Don't argue. You can pay me back next week." As soon as they were seated, Kris slid her forty dollars. "I won't even charge you interest."

  Gwen shoved the money into her pocket. "Thanks, Kris."

  Midway through their meal Ian joined them. "Good morning, ladies."

  "Morning, Lieutenant." Kris smiled.

  He sat between them. "What's for breakfast?"

  "You can have my bacon and eggs?" Gwen slid her plate toward him. "I think I'll stick to my cereal and mixed fruit."

  "Don't mind if I do." He bit off a piece of bacon. "I heard Lieutenant Davenport is on the rampage."

  "Yes, sir." Kris shook her head. "She showed up at the scene just as I was leaving."

  "I'll probably get an ear full Monday. Nick said you and Chavez canvased the area but no witnesses."

  "Right. A dumpster diver said some of the homeless stayed there occasionally. If anyone else was in the building when it happened, they left before police arrived."

  "It's on the north side of the city, right?" Gwen asked.

  Kris nodded. "The old warehouse district. Only a couple of the buildings are being used now. One of the owners called it in."

  Ian looked at Gwen. "That family Mandy was staying with, that isn't where they live, is it?"

  "No, but she was probably headed to their place. Levi's cousin has some land along the river, which is about a mile from the scene."

  "I thought they were homeless?" Kris asked.

  "It's an old homestead of sorts. Some of the families live in tents. They have food and water and the children are homeschooled."

  "You went out there…alone?" The tone in Ian's voice prompted a smile from Gwen.

  "Wednesday, and we've already had this discussion."

  Ian sighed and Kris chuckled.

  "If the 9-1-1 caller heard the shots but didn't see a car, Bartlett must have parked on the access road along the railroad tracks," Gwen speculated. "It's a dead end so he would've had to come out on Ridgeline Road. Isn't there a bank in that area, Kris?"

  "I'm pretty sure there is, and a construction company."

  "First thing Monday morning, I want you to check for cameras," Ian instructed.

  "Yes, sir."

  "And stop calling me sir. We're off duty. My name's Ian."

  Gwen exchanged smiles with Kris.

  Ian finished the last of Gwen's breakfast. "I'm going to grab some coffee and hit the road." He looked at Gwen. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

  "No. I need to be here."

  "Okay." He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. As he pulled away, he blushed. "I guess maybe I shouldn't have done that."

  Kris laughed. "Everyone on the third floor knows about you two."

  "That explains all the looks I got when I dropped those discs off at CSU." He stood, placing his hand on Gwen's shoul
der. "I'll see you in a few hours."

  Gwen smiled after him.

  Kris nudged her foot underneath the table. "So, are you two really getting serious?"

  "I told you last weekend I loved him."

  "Yeah, but you loved David and Coop and—"

  "Not like this," Gwen admitted. "I never could talk to them like I can Ian. Last night I even told him about my childhood."

  "Really? All of it?"

  "Pretty much. We even talked about God." Tears welled in her eyes. "And I prayed for the first time since I was a kid."

  "Oh, Gwen. You don't know how happy I am to hear that."

  "Which part, about God or Ian?" She laughed as she grabbed a napkin and wiped her eyes.

  "I'm happy for you on both counts."

  "Thanks. I still have some doubts and questions where God is concerned."

  "We all do sometimes. It's all part of the journey, my friend."

  *****

  On the hour drive to Winslow, Ian thought mostly of Gwen and the heartfelt talks they'd had while at the hospital. Seeing how the Lord was using this tragic event to bring Gwen closer to Him was humbling. Ian prayed it would be the start of a wonderful journey for her, one in which she could finally come to peace with her past.

  When he first moved to Shorewick, he never dreamed he would have a chance at true happiness again. Ian hadn't felt this great in years. Only one thing concerned him. How would his children react to the presence of a new woman in his life? JoAnn liked Gwen. That he was sure of. He recalled the brief conversation they had Sunday before she and Chad left. JoAnn told him she knew they were in love and that he needed to tell Gwen how he felt. Isaac, on the other hand, wouldn't be as supportive. He and his mother were very close, and Ian was afraid Isaac would think he was trying to replace Laurel. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The two women were as different as night and day. The only thing they would've had in common was his love for them.

  As he entered the city limits of Winslow, Ian concentrated on the problem at hand. He was determined to bring Dawson Bartlett down if it was the last thing he did. Not only had the little punk shot the woman Ian loved, he tried to kill an innocent girl who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  Red Oaks Nursing Home sat on a tree-lined street with beautiful homes on either side. Once Ian was buzzed inside and inquired about Mrs. Bartlett, he was led outside to a large courtyard. Various flowering shrubs and bushes circled the area, and centered in the middle was a large water fountain. Sitting alone in her wheelchair, staring off into the distance, was the seventy-something Vivian Bartlett.

  The head nurse Ian spoke with the day before informed him that Mrs. Bartlett was lucid and had come to the nursing home voluntarily to recover from a fall she had last year which resulted in a broken hip and pelvis. When asked if she liked chocolate, he was told she preferred flowers.

  Ian approached the silver haired woman and introduced himself. "Would you mind a short visit?" He placed the small bouquet of red and white carnations on the table next to her.

  "They're beautiful. Thank you." She motioned to one of the chairs. "Please, have a seat. I don't get many visitors."

  "Doesn't your husband or grandson visit?"

  "My husband died in a car accident four years ago. Dawson only comes to see me when he wants something."

  "I'm sorry." Ian thought of the medallion Mandy gave Gwen. "Was your husband ever in the service?"

  "Drake was an army staff sergeant with the Tenth Infantry Division. He grew up in Winslow so we moved back here after he retired." She pointed to the bouquet of flowers. "I love carnations, especially red ones."

  Ian handed the flowers to her. She closed her eyes as she inhaled their scent.

  "Do you have a garden at home?"

  "I did. I sold my home after I fell. It didn't make much sense living in that big house by myself. This isn't a bad place. I enjoy having people around to visit with. The food is pretty good, too. I never liked to cook much after Drake died."

  "Is Dawson your only grandchild?"

  She nodded. "I had two boys, Will and Terrell. Will died when he was four from pneumonia and Terrell was killed three years ago. Guess you already know that, though."

  "Yes. I'm sorry for your losses."

  She smelled her flowers again. "You know, I'm not supposed to talk to the police."

  "Why is that? Did Dawson ask you not to?"

  Vivian looked up at him. "He phoned last week and said he was getting an injunction on account of that woman detective who harassed him after the murders."

  "We're just looking for the truth, ma'am."

  "So am I. That's why I haven't had you tossed out of here yet."

  He liked the woman's candor and believed she wanted answers as badly as he did. "Will you tell me about Dawson's relationship with his parents and sister?"

  "It was volatile for the most part. I mainly blame Terrell's wife for that. Drake and I hated the way Nina treated Terrell and Dawson. She was a mean-spirited woman, always belittling them, making them feel inferior to her. A couple of years before Drake was killed, he and Terrell got into a big argument over Terrell's passive behavior toward Nina. They never spoke again. Terrell didn't even come to his father's funeral."

  "Did Nina mistreat her daughter as well?"

  "No, Leigh was her favorite and Nina never bothered to hide that fact. Leigh was the smarter one as far as grades went, and that, along with the favoritism she received, created a lot of sibling rivalry between her and Dawson."

  That could explain Dawson's contempt for the opposite sex. "Were Dawson and your husband close?" Ian figured they were and that's why Dawson kept the medallion.

  "They were very close. He used to take Dawson hunting with him whenever they visited."

  "Did Drake ever give Dawson a medallion with the Tenth Army Division insignia on it?"

  "No. Drake gave that to me. It's in one of my storage units, or at least it was."

  "I'm afraid it's in evidence right now."

  "Why that little…" she cursed under her breath.

  Ian thought of the car on the video footage from Wednesday evening. "Do you have a vehicle in storage also?"

  "I did. Dawson has been driving it for a couple of weeks now, since his car is in the shop."

  "What kind of car do you own?"

  "A blue 2011 Lexus. Why?"

  Gwen was right; it was Dawson on that footage following Erica Wentworth.

  "Will you please tell me what's going on, Lieutenant?"

  "Dawson has been lying to you, ma'am. There's nothing wrong with his car. Yours was caught on tape Wednesday following an eyewitness to a crime we believe your grandson committed. That witness was shot yesterday and is now in critical condition."

  "Oh my heavens." She braced her head on her hand and shook it.

  "Ma'am, you said you wanted the truth. I know he's your grandson, but he's a very dangerous young man. The medallion that belonged to your husband was found outside a liquor store where one of the owners was shot and killed. Dawson's print was on it. And the witness to that murder is the one he tried to kill yesterday."

  Vivian looked up at him with teary eyes. "So he really did kill his parents and little sister."

  "It's very likely that he did. We do know he killed that clerk, and he tried to kill again yesterday."

  "I guess deep down I knew that over a year ago."

  "Why do you say that?" Ian asked, hopeful for evidence that could lead to a conviction for the murder of the Bartlett family.

  "He received over a million dollars in insurance money. After blowing through it all, he came to me, asking me to help him out financially. I helped him for over a year before cutting him off. I'll never forget the look in his eyes that day. It was pure evil. I didn't see him again until last year."

  "Was Dawson responsible for your fall, Mrs. Bartlett?"

  "No. That was my own carelessness. I was at the grocery store, and when I stepped off the curb to
get into my car, I tripped and fell. He is the reason I decided to sell my house, though. I was afraid if I moved out of here and back into my home, I would end up like my son."

  From what Ian knew of Dawson Bartlett so far, that would be a likely scenario. "I suggest you don't speak to him anymore, ma'am. If you like, I'll leave instructions at the front desk that he isn't to see you under any circumstances."

  "Thank you. Tell me, Lieutenant, if I had said something a year ago, would he be in jail now?"

  Ian suspected she felt guilty that she hadn't come forward sooner. "No ma'am. We don't have any proof he killed his family. However, with the medallion and the testimony of our witness, he will be tried for murder."

  "I wish you could get him for Terrell's murder too."

  "Unfortunately, that may not happen. It's still an open case, though, and we are actively investigating it. It'd be a big help if you were to report your car stolen. Just in case he decides to get rid of it."

  "All right, I'll do that."

  Ian recalled Gwen's case notes about Dawson's lack of friends. "Did your grandson mention how he came to Winslow to get your car?"

  "Said he took the bus. If he drove his own car, he would've left it in the storage unit. You're welcome to have a look if you want."

  "I'd appreciate that."

  "Come on back to my room and I'll give you the keys."

  Ian followed her. Her private room was about the size of his living room, but it was nicely furnished with a bed, recliner, dresser, and flat-screen television. There was also a wheelchair accessible bathroom between the closet and large window overlooking the courtyard.

  "Ace Storage is the name of the place. It's over on Wilshire Boulevard. Unit twenty-six." She rolled over to the table next to her bed and removed a set of keys from her purse. "Will you do me a favor?"

  "Of course," he answered as he took the keys and shoved them in his pocket.

  "When you're done with it, may I have the medallion back? I'm sure Dawson has sold the rest of my belongings. I would at least like to have that back."

  "I'll deliver it to you personally," Ian promised.

  "Thank you. You can just drop the keys off at the nurse's desk when you bring them back. And thanks again for the flowers." She smiled. "It was a nice bribe."