by J. B. Tilton
"In other words, am I crazy as a loon and not responsible for my actions?"
"I suppose you could look at it that way. Your drivers' license says you're from Idaho. That's kind of a long way from home isn't it?"
"Yeah, maybe. I like to travel. You meet a lot of interesting people when you travel."
"So you're not a resident of D.C.?"
"I'm a resident of the world. I don't really like to set roots down in one particular place. I can get bored easily."
"What about money? Most people have to work for a living. You can't live very long travelling without money."
"Well, I sort of have a small trust fund my dad set up for me. It affords me enough to live on. And to do the travelling. So I don't really need a job. I suppose someday I may have to settle down and get a job. But until then I figure I'll just enjoy life as it comes."
Jeremy could tell from Rowe's aura that he was lying. He seemed to talk freely but Jeremy wasn't buying the happy-go-lucky attitude of the man. His words were guarded and appeared to be rehearsed. As if he'd told the same story a dozen times. Which probably wasn't that far from the truth.
"So your father is deceased. Is your mother still alive?"
"How'd you know my father was dead?"
"The trust fund you mentioned. Those are usually used only after a will has been probated. If your father were still alive you'd just get the money you need from him."
"Oh, pretty clever. Yeah, both of my parents are dead."
"Did their passing make you sad?"
"Well of course it did. What kind of question is that?"
"Just routine. What about your childhood? Was it a happy one? Any traumatic experiences that you can remember?"
"Naw, it was okay. Dad was always working and mom had her charities and groups and stuff. So I was home by myself a lot. But they never mistreated me or anything like that. I guess it was pretty much like most other people's childhood. Nothing to write home about, as my granddad used to say."
"Okay. Any history of mental illness in your family?"
"Not that I know of. Had an aunt who was kind of strange. Was one of those cat ladies you always hear about. Would take in any stray she found. I tried to count them once when I was a kid. I got up to 47 and there were still more to be counted. That's about it though."
"You said you had a friend who could clear this up. But you won't give this friend's name. Why not just tell the police who he is so they can locate him and find out what he has to say?"
"Well, he's kind of a prominent guy. I need to talk to him first and fill him in on what's going on. Wouldn't want to just spring this on him. Once I've explained things he'll be glad to come down and clear this matter up."
"Fair enough. Well, I guess that will about do it. I overheard the desk sergeant say they'll be taking you in for arraignment in the morning once the public defender arrives."
"That's it? That's all you're going to ask me?"
"That's it. Like I said just a few routine questions to see if there's any indication of mental illness or emotional instability. Pretty boring stuff, really."
"So, what's the verdict, doc? Am I crazy?"
"If you have the presence of mind to ask that question you probably all ready know the answer to it. No, you're not crazy. Maybe not as concerned about the situation as you should be but you're definitely sane and rational."
"That's what I figured. So I guess I go back to my cell and wait for my attorney to show up."
"That's about the size of it. I'll stop in again in the morning and see how you're doing."
"Oh, that won't be necessary. I probably won't be here. I mean once my friend shows up and explains everything."
"I see. Well, Simon, take care of yourself. And I certainly hope your friend can clear this up for you."
"Oh, he will. Just wait and see. I'll be out of here bright and early."
Jeremy left the interrogation room and exited the police station. Scarborough and Janet were waiting for him outside.
"Well? How'd it go?" Scarborough asked.
"Pretty simple, really. Only almost everything he told me was a lie. And I got the distinct impression that it was all rehearsed. He's probably told it so many times he could recite it in his sleep. He did seem to be honest about one thing, however. He said he'd be out first thing in the morning."
"Which means he's probably going to wait until the middle of the night to do whatever it is he's capable of doing. Come on. I talked to the precinct captain. He's an old friend of my dad. He said we could hang out in the evidence room for a while. Maybe catch Rowe red handed, so to speak."
"Oh fun a stake out," said Jeremy. "That sounds like a real interesting evening."
"Mostly it's boring," said Scarborough. "But you just never know what you'll learn on one."
Together the three headed for the property room to wait for Mr. Rowe to show up. Assuming he did show up.
It was nearly 3:00 a.m. and Rowe still hadn't showed. The property room was relatively small but well lit. The jewelry Rowe had stolen sat in a plastic bag on a small metal shelf near the back of the room, alongside numerous other bags that were evidence in other cases. It was out of sight of the property clerk so if someone could get past him, which Jeremy thought was unlikely, they could easily pick it up without being noticed.
Scarborough had been right. The stakeout had proven to be extremely boring. The three couldn't even talk to each other for fear that Rowe might overhear them. All Jeremy could do was sit in the secluded location Scarborough had picked out for him and wait. He found himself beginning to doze several times and had to force himself to stay awake.
He couldn't see either Scarborough or Janet. Each was secluded in a different location in the room, unobserved by anyone who might be near the bag of evidence. They could all see the location clearly but anyone in there would be hard pressed to see them. But in all the hours they had been there no one had even gone near the evidence.
In fact, few people even came into the property room at that time of night. The sergeant in charge of the room sat at his desk behind a cage working on paperwork. He knew they were there, of course, but he all but ignored them. Jeremy was beginning to think it was all a giant waste of time.
He involuntarily looked to his right. He thought he had heard something. But he couldn't quite be sure. He looked around but saw nothing. He realized it was more of a feeling than a sound that had attracted his attention. Probably his imagination working overtime with nothing else to do.
He used his electromagnetic vision to scan the room. It was probably a waste of time. It only worked on living organisms. And even though he couldn't see either of them, he could still see part of the auras of both Scarborough and Janet. Both were sitting quietly in their secluded location waiting for Rowe.
Suddenly movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. As he gazed at the wall he thought he must be seeing things. In the wall itself was what appeared to be the outline of a person. But that was clearly impossible. Even though a person's aura left a residual effect that he could pick up, anyone who had been against that wall would have left hours ago. The residual effect would have dissipated rapidly leaving nothing to see.
As Jeremy continued to study the wall, Simon Rowe suddenly stepped through the wall and stood in the middle of the room. He glanced around furtively as if gauging to see if he had been observed. Finally satisfied that he was alone, he turned to one of the metal shelves and began to hurriedly check the tags on each plastic bag on those shelves.
Jeremy could scarcely believe what he had seen. Rowe's aura had shown him using an ability when he had stepped through the wall but had quickly changed back to normal once he was inside the room. But the implication was unmistakable. Rowe apparently had the ability to pass through solid objects leaving no trace that he had ever been there.
Rowe had gone through several bags without finding what he was looking for. He turned and was about to begin examining more bags when he looke
d up and saw Scarborough standing in the middle of the aisle facing him. Scarborough had his hands on his hips, his suit coat held open. His sidearm was still in its holster on his belt but was clearly visible to Rowe.
Rowe suddenly turned as if to move away from Scarborough. As he did he saw Janet at the opposite end of the aisle only a few scant feet from him. He was clearly startled by the presence of the two. As he backed against one of the metal shelves behind him, Scarborough walked over and picked up one of the bags on a nearby shelf.
"Out for a little stroll?" Scarborough asked. "I think this is probably what you're looking for."
Jeremy had to act fast. He could see Rowe's aura beginning to change all ready. It was easy to figure out what he was going to do. Being able to pass through solid object Rowe simply had to step back and pass through the same wall he had entered through. If he did that he might disappear and they might never find him again.
"That's a handy talent you have," Jeremy said, stepping out where Rowe could see him. He cautiously moved slowly toward Rowe. "Passing through solid objects. No wonder the evidence always disappears from the evidence room. All you have to do is come in and get it. No evidence, no charges. Very ingenious."
"Doc?" Rowe questioned, his aura returning to normal. "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you. Simon, don't leave. We want to talk to you. It's very important."
"Why should I?" Rowe questioned. "All you're going to do is lock me up."
"From the looks of it, that might be hard to do," said Jeremy. "But to be honest, we aren't looking to lock you up. We'd like to talk to you about this ability you have. To pass through solid objects. We might be able to help you put it to good use. A much better use than some simple burglaries."
"Like what, robbing banks? You don't strike me as being the criminal type doc." He glanced momentarily at Janet and Scarborough as if he expected then to jump him at any moment. "Besides, I have to get back to my cell. If the guard comes in and finds me gone they'll add escaping to my charges."
"I can make this go away," said Scarborough, holding up the bag of evidence. "As if it never happened. And you obviously haven't escaped. You're still here. Just hear the doctor out, that's all we ask."
"So I just listen to your shpeel and I'm free to go, is that it?"
"If that's what you want, yes," said Jeremy. "All I ask is five minutes of your time to hear what I have to say. After that if you want to go about your business no one will stop you."
"And all the charges go away?"
"That's the deal," said Scarborough. "I'll talk to the captain myself. But if you try to run I'll have every law enforcement agency in the country looking for you. There won't be any place you'll be able to hide."
"How do I know you'll keep your word?" Rowe asked.
"What do you have to lose?" Jeremy asked. "Besides, if we try anything all you have to do is do that little trick of yours and disappear through some wall. To be honest, I'm not sure how we'd be able to stop you anyway."
"Phasing," said Rowe. "I call it phasing. So I give you five minutes, you say your say, and I walk. That's the deal?"
"That's the deal," said Jeremy. "Richard makes this little business of the burglary go away and if you want to leave you'll be free to do so."
"Well," said Rowe thoughtfully, "I suppose it couldn't hurt to listen to you. It's only five minutes."
"Okay," said Jeremy. "Now, you need to go back to your cell. We'll talk to the captain and have him release you to us. Then we'll have our chat."
"Just don't try anything funny. You try anything and I'll phase out and you'll never see me again."
"No tricks, I promise," said Jeremy. "It will take a few minutes to make the arrangements. We'll come get you as soon as we're finished."
"Okay, I'll listen to you," Rowe said. "But after that, I'm gone."
Rowe looked at the three one last time, and then simply turned and passed through the wall as if it wasn't there.
"You think that was a good idea?" Janet asked. "Letting him go like that? What makes you think he'll go back to his cell and wait for us? For all we know he's on his way to Timbuktu right now."
"He said he'd listen to us," said Jeremy. "And he was being honest. Come on. He probably won't wait very long before he decides we weren't honest with him. We need to get him out of that cell as quickly as possible."
"I hope you know what you're doing," said Scarborough. "Secretary Napolitano is going to have a cow when she finds out I interfered with a local police matter and then let the suspect just walk out scot free."
"We'll just have to do our best to make sure that doesn't happen," said Jeremy as the three headed out of the property room.
CHAPTER SEVEN
At first the captain was hesitant to release Rowe. But Scarborough had been right. The phrase "Homeland Security" did carry a lot of weight. In the end the police captain agreed to let Rowe go, albeit reluctantly. Once he had been freed from custody, Rowe insisted they talk somewhere other than the police station. He said if he was free to go then it shouldn't be a problem. They all gathered in a coffee shop that wasn't far from the station.
"Well, it seems you're as good as your word," Rowe said. "I never heard of a cop just letting someone go like that. I guess that Homeland Security thing really does have a lot of pull."
"And you should know," said Scarborough. "You've been arrested more times than I can count."
"All misunderstandings, I can assure you," replied Rowe, a half smile on his face.
"That's quite an interesting talent you have," said Jeremy, trying to diffuse the situation between Scarborough and Rowe. "How long have you been able to do it?"
"You said you wanted to talk to me for five minutes," said Rowe, looking at his watch. "The clock is ticking. I never said I'd answer any questions."
"You're not very trusting," said Jeremy.
"Trust is highly overrated," replied Rowe. "People aren't real dependable."
"That's certainly true of some people. But it doesn't describe everyone. Besides, we all have to trust someone at some time. You trusted me and here you are out of jail. That has to count for something."
"That's because you want something. I'll tell you what, doc. Why don't you just come right out with it? Just tell me what you want so I can turn you down and be on my way. No sense wasting either of our time with long drawn out conversation. You want something which is why you sprung me. So let's just get it out in the open. What do you want?"
Rowe was not a very trusting individual. He had probably lived on the streets his entire life and come to believe that you couldn't count on anyone but yourself. Which meant that most of the people he dealt with, other than the police, were criminals. Not exactly the most trustworthy bunch.
"Okay," Jeremy said finally. "First, you're a thief. You stole those jewels and we all know it. Despite your claims you have no friend who's going to 'clear it all up'. There is no trust fund from your father. In fact, neither your father nor your mother are deceased. And you don't believe you'll ever settle down and get a job as you claimed. Most likely you'll continue to steal as long as you're alive.
"You were being honest about your childhood. At least partially. It was 'okay', as you put it. But you father didn't work all the time and your mother didn't have any charities or groups or anything. You also weren't home along as you claim. Someone was usually there with you. But you were being honest about them not mistreating you. And that was an interesting little anecdote about your aunt with the cats. The one that doesn't exist. What, did you know someone who did have an aunt like that and just decided to throw it in for good measure?"
Rowe just stared at Jeremy with a strange expression on his face. Jeremy had seen it before. It was a look of confusion. As if he was trying to figure out how Jeremy could know so much.
"What, no flippant answer for that?" Jeremy asked. "You barely graduated high school and have never attended any trade school or any other school to give you any kind of mar
ketable skill. So you use your ability to support yourself. What did you call it? Phasing? You steal what you need and then move on.
"You've never held a job or paid any taxes. When you get caught, you simply use your phasing ability to steal back the evidence so you can't be charged. If that doesn't work you just phase out of your jail cell and leave town. How am I doing there, hot shot?"
"How could you possibly know all that?" Rowe asked a look of confusion on his face. "No one could know all of that."
"Because you aren't alone," said Jeremy. "There are others out there with special abilities just like you. I can tell when someone is lying. And not like a lie detector either. Mine is always accurate."
"Okay, but that doesn't tell me what you want."