He transferred the suitcases once again and drove off, this time heading north, back the way they had come. The only difference was this time it was toward the river. Jim stayed several cars behind, trying to figure out how Terry was getting his instructions.
****
“He’s headed toward the Westlake mall, do you want a car to intercept him?” an agent asked Nelson.
“Heavens no. Let’s play it safe and see what happens.”
“I think we should get a car in there,” Petty offered but Nelson just looked at him.
“He is pulling into the mall,” they were informed.
Nothing happened for several minutes.
“What’s going on?” Petty asked.
“He just seems to be sitting there. Maybe he went into the mall or to a phone for further instructions,” the agent suggested.
“Let’s give it another two minutes then you can take a car and check it out. I want you to just drive through and not stop. Got it?” Nelson said to Petty.
“Got it,” he said heading out the door for a car.
A few minutes later he reported that he was at the mall entrance. He was given the go ahead to proceed. When he found the Jaguar he drove by casually and noticed it was empty.
He drove around the corner before calling in, “No one is in the car. I guess he could be in the mall but his car is out on the edge of the lot.”
“They had him switch cars. That must have been his last instruction,” the agent said.
Nelson just nodded his head in agreement. They had lost him.
****
Terry continued South until he came to a turnoff that led to the river. He slowed down and pulled off on the shoulder of the road waiting to see if anyone was following. Jim saw him pull off and stop so he had no choice but to keep on going. He tried to watch through his rear view mirror for as long as possible but he quickly lost sight of the van.
He raced down the highway, looking for a turnaround but the next one was several miles away. He decided to cut through the median and edged the car over and down the embankment.
The car's tires started to spin on the tall grass but he managed to keep it under control. He pulled the steering wheel hard as he hit the pavement on the other side and managed to swing the car back around.
A semi-truck driver blared his horn as he shot out of the median and across the lanes to the far shoulder. He paid no attention as he raced back to the exit that Terry had taken.
He shot off the interstate and turned toward where he had last seen the van but it was long gone. He sat there trying to figure out what to do next. He could have turned in either direction or for that matter just have gotten back on the interstate and continued on. Jim pulled off the road and laid his head on the steering wheel, closing his eyes, ‘Now what should he do?’ he thought as he gently banged his head on the wheel.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Hey Captain. I think we may have come up with something new on the Ashton case,” Logan said taking a seat in his office.
“Really? Something as exciting as actually locating him this time?”
“Ah don’t be like that. When you frown so much it gives you wrinkles. Makes you look older,” Logan chided.
“When I want beauty advice from someone it sure won’t be you. Now, tell me your startling news,” the captain said, leaning back in his chair and putting one leg on his desk.
“Winston went back to the motel and showed the pictures we have to the cleaning lady and guess what?”
“Please. I can’t stand the suspense,” the Captain said, faking a yawn.
“It seems the good Mr. Larkins and Mrs. Ashton are the two that have been frequenting the La Strada motel,” Logan said.
“Well, well, well. So, Mr. Ashton finds out and decides to get rid of Mrs. Ashton,” the Captain replied.
“That’s one possibility. I haven’t really figured out where all of this is going yet. I have five or six theories but that’s all they are presently, theories. It would explain certain things that James Ashton has said but there are still a lot of holes to plug,” Logan told him.
“And you want me to let you get back on this. Despite the fact that Ashton is an escaped suspect, a prime candidate, and, maybe the biggest crime of all, acting like a jerk. Is that about it?”
“Just about. Well, we would like some additional help,” Logan said.
The Captain just looked at him for a second and then said, “It’s a good thing you were just kidding or else I would be forced to take you to one of the interrogation cells and work you over with a rubber hose.”
“See, it’s more than the wrinkles that date you. We stopped using rubber hoses years ago. We use Barry Manilow recordings now. Much more effective and takes less time. We always get a confession. Winston here even confessed at one session,” Logan said with a straight face.
“Get out. You have until the end of the week. Find Ashton, solve this dilemma, and quit mentioning my age. In that order. Now go before I lose my charming demeanor.”
Logan and Winston went back to their desks and just as they were formulating a plan the phone rang, “Logan here.”
“Hey John, It’s Al, at evidence. I have a couple of items here and I'm not sure what you want me to do with them.”
“What items would that be Al?” he said rolling his eyes.
“From the BMW we brought in. A pair of tennis shoes and a Lands End coat.”
“What coat? I knew about the tennis shoes but no one mentioned a coat,” Logan said standing up.
“Actually they were turned in by Officers Hartman and Smithers. I understand the case was transferred to you.”
“How long have you had the coat?”
“Since the car came in. I sent a report to Smithers,” he said.
“I’ll be right down. You hang on to that coat,” he said.
Winston and Logan went directly to the basement and found Al sitting at his desk eating a banana.
“What in the world are you doing, trying to give us a bad name?” Winston said.
“Bananas are good for you. Full of potassium,” Al informed him.
“Donuts are good for you. Jellyrolls are good for you, but bananas? That could give us all a bad reputation if this ever got out,” Winston said.
“We have to kill him,” Logan said.
“No other way,” Winston agreed.
“No good. I have pictures of this banana. Upon my death my lawyer has been instructed to send the prints to the newspaper.”
“Drat, in that case I guess you had better give me one as well,” Winston suggested.
“Sorry boys. Just have the one banana. Got an apple you can have,” Al said.
“An apple,” Logan lamented, banging his head on the counter, “What is this world coming to? Look, just let me see the coat before you pull out some grapes.”
Al handed over the coat and they inspected it. It was obviously older and well worn. There was a small tear on one of the pockets. They were sure it was the jacket that James Ashton had said was missing. It didn’t validate everything he had said but it did add creditability to his story.
Was he being set up? If he was, it was a darn good job and his actions were helping the cause.
After they got back upstairs Winston said, “What do you think?”
“I don’t know but I do think we should have a little chat with Mr. Larkins. He has some explaining to do about his relationship with Mrs. Ashton.”
“The Feds are babysitting him. Do you think they will even let us get near him? It’s technically their ball game at this point,” Winston reminded him.
“It’s never stopped us before.”
They rounded up a car and headed to Larkins' home. They pulled into the driveway just as the Jaguar was pulling out. A FBI agent held up his hand for them to stop.
“What going on?” Logan asked, rolling down his window.
“Will you come with me, please,” the agent said.
“I’m Detectiv
e Logan and this is Detective Winston. Who is in charge here?”
“Agent Nelson. Detectives, please come with me,” the agent said more forcefully.
Two more agents walked up to the car. Logan and Winston looked at each other and then decided to see what this was all about. They got out of the car and followed the agent inside.
“Ah, Detectives Logan and Wilson,” Agent Petty said.
“Winston. The name is Winston,” the detective corrected.
“Whatever. What brings you here?” he asked.
“Your goons actually. They said you wanted to see us,” Logan said.
“Not you specifically. Anyone who happened to turn up we wanted to talk to. So, again, why are you here?”
“We obviously came to see Mr. Larkins. I would think even the FBI could figure that part out,” Logan said.
“Why?”
“Actually it doesn’t concern you. Our business is with Larkins, not the FBI,” Winston said.
“Now you see,” Nelson said, interrupting, “It just goes to show you how wrong the local gendarmes can be. Everything that has to do with Mr. Larkins is our business. This is FBI business.”
Logan turned to Nelson and said, “You may be in charge of the kidnapping but we happen to have some new evidence that this is not your typical kidnapping case.”
“No case is typical, most of all this one. What have you got?” Nelson said.
“First, where was Larkins going when we drove up?”
“To the store. He should be back soon. So what have you got?”
“To the store? I don’t think so. You would have sent one of your agents for whatever he needed. Where was he going?”
“What do you have?” Nelson insisted.
“Confirmation that he and Mrs. Ashton were visiting a local motel together pretty regularly,” Winston said.
“What? You’re sure? It was Larkins and Stephanie Ashton?” Petty asked.
“Yeah we’re sure. Now where did he go?”
“What else? There has to be more,” Nelson said.
“We located Ashton’s jacket. The one that was missing and a new one turned up in its place with the gas receipt. It appears that it was just a plant,” Logan said.
“But you don’t know that for sure yet,” Petty said.
“No Agent Pitty we don’t. That’s why we are here,” Winston said.
“Petty,” the agent said.
“Whatever,” Winston responded.
“So where did Larkins just take off to?” Logan insisted.
“Like I said, to the store. He needed some space so we let him go. We have a tag on his car in case we need to locate him,” Nelson said.
“Does he know that?” Winston asked.
“Sure. Why?”
“Nothing. Just curious,” he replied turning to leave.
Winston and Logan got back in their car just as it started to sprinkle.
“What do you think?” Winston asked.
“He sure didn’t just pop out to the store. My best guess is he was on his way to pay the ransom. The timing is right and the fact that they are tracking him all indicates that,” Logan said.
“Why didn’t they just say so?”
“They’re the FBI so they don’t need a reason to act like jerks. It’s part of their job description,” Logan said disgustedly.
“Now what? Back to the office?”
“I guess so. I have a couple of other things to check out on our friend Mr. Larkins and the good missing Stephanie Ashton,” Logan said.
They drove back in the mist, saying little to each other. When they got to the office Logan immediately started checking through his past notes and the charge slips again. They had been working for almost an hour when his phone rang.
“Logan,” he said, picking up the phone.
“Logan, it’s me James Ashton,” the voice said.
“You decided to come on in?” he asked.
“No, not yet. Look I need your help. I followed Terry after he left his house. He went to the Westlake Mall and changed cars. He picked up a van and then drove to another spot and changed again. I think he is on his way to pay the ransom but something doesn’t smell right. I followed but unfortunately lost him a few minutes ago. I’ve been sitting here trying to decide what to do. I called you,” he told him.
“I see, and just what is it you want me to do? If you lost him I can’t be of much help. My Indian scouting days are long over,” Logan replied.
“I don’t know really. I do recognize the area I’m in. I’ve been here before with Terry and Carla. They have a cabin someplace around here. I thought he might be headed there but nothing makes much sense to me at the moment. Look Logan, I didn’t kidnap anyone and I didn’t kill Linda Taylor and for what it’s worth, I really didn’t try to escape,” Ashton said.
“I believe you Mr. Ashton,” Logan said.
Stunned silence followed for several seconds, “You do? What? Why?” Ashton stammered.
“Let me qualify that some. I think there is a lot more going on than I first suspected. Several things just do not add up and that always unsettles me. Also, I have uncovered additional information that casts a doubt on your involvement. I’m not totally convinced that you are blameless in this but at this point I’m willing to stretch my imagination somewhat. So, there you have it. Now, where are you?” Logan said.
“I want you word that you won’t just come and arrest me,” Ashton said.
“I said I would give you the benefit of the doubt. If I wanted to come and arrest you there would be little you could do about it. You’re wasting time. Where are you?” Logan said evenly.
Ashton gave him directions to where he was calling from. Logan gathered up Winston and headed out to meet Ashton.
****
“Carla? Carla? Are you there?”
There was no response.
“Carla, it’s me, Stephanie. Carla dear, are you there?” she asked.
Nothing. Not a sound.
“Carla honey, can you hear me?”
Still no reply.
“What do you think?”
“Her breathing is really shallow.”
“Her pulse?”
“Weak. Very weak. What do you think we should do? She hasn’t eaten a thing in two days.”
“I don’t think there is much we can do at this point. This should all be over with today. If it all goes well they will find her and she should pull through,” he said.
“And if it doesn’t?”
“She will be the least of our worries.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Logan pulled into the convenience store parking lot. He got out, looking around. He figured Ashton would be watching from someplace nearby, waiting to see if other cars showed up. He went inside, used the john and bought a candy bar and a Diet Coke. He went back outside and leaned against the car.
He was just about finished with his coke when Ashton’s rental car pulled up. Logan walked over and Jim lowered the window.
“Detective Logan.”
“Mr. Ashton.”
“Look. I just want talk to you. If you don’t think I’m telling the truth then you can arrest me and take me back. I won’t put up a fight.”
“Sure I’ll listen but if I think you’re trying to pull the wool over my eyes...well, let’s just say don’t and let it go at that.”
“Fair enough. You want to get in?”
“Sure why not. You don’t have a gun do you?”
“No gun, I swear.”
Logan opened the door and got in on the passenger’s side. He turned and looked over at Ashton. He looked like hell with a partial beard, wrinkled clothes, and dark circles under his eyes. It was not the same pretty boy Logan had seen just a few days earlier.
“So?”
“Okay. Here is what I think.”
“Think or know?”
“Honestly? I don’t know a damn thing. I’m not sure about anything at this point,” Ashton replied.
“I can understand that. So tell me what you think.”
“Before I start, you need to know I did not hurt that policeman. We went downstairs and the crowd was out of control. Someone grabbed the cop and shoved him over a bench. We both went down. I could see he was hurt so I reached in his pocket, got the key, took off the handcuffs. People were stepping on him so I picked him up...no, more like dragged him over by the wall so he wouldn’t get stepped on. I went through a door that happened to be a courtroom and the Judge wanted everyone to get out. He shoved us all out the door with him. I didn’t try to escape.”
“That’s what your lawyer said but no one else can validate that. Maybe the officer will eventually remember. Besides, that’s old news. It’s the rest I want to know about,” Logan replied.
“Okay, I just wanted to get that off my chest. As for the rest. As much as I hate to say it, I think my partner Terry is involved somehow. First he wants to sell the company right out of the blue. When I won’t sell strange things start to happen. Trouble with the Millennium3 aside, the amount we are offered for our company just happens to come at the exact time we need money for ransom to get our wives back. The amount and timing is just too convenient. The note that Carla supposedly wrote saying she was coming to see me and fix me dinner makes no sense. She has never been to our house when Steph isn't there. My old jacket is missing but a new one with a receipt in the pocket shows up. My gun was used to kill Linda. I may not always do the brightest things but that would be just plain stupid. I know you have the ballistics on file so why would I use my own gun?”
He stopped and waited but Logan just indicated he should go with his hand.
“Okay, and then Terry gets the money and is going to make the delivery. He changes cars three times but I don’t see him getting a phone call or a note. I mean, he could have, but I sure didn’t see it. He supposedly has ten million in cash with him. Does anyone else know that for sure? What if he has all twenty million and is planning to skip. Stephanie and Carla were just a diversion. He never intended to pay the ransom because he just wanted the money.”
Avarice or Innocence (JOHN LOGAN FILES Book 1) Page 19