Quandary: A Detective Series, page 23
“Then why are you calling me?”
“Listen, Chase, Bambi’s son, likely murdered your cousin, and now, Rich Masterson is dead. It was probably murder disguised as an accident. A couple of weeks ago, Bryan Walters was also murdered, the same way as your cousin. Now, Philip Devaney is not answering his phone. In my opinion, he’s the next man up to die, then his dad. You may even be in danger.”
“Me…umm…”
“Mr. Stewart, I have a gut feeling you’re not telling me everything, are you?”
“Uh, umm, I received a strange phone call several weeks ago. The voice was muffled. All they said was revenge was coming if the checks didn’t resume. I called Barry about it. He dismissed the threat and told me not to worry about it.”
“Is there more?” Silence. “Dammit, Larry, what aren’t you telling us? You’re in danger, sir.”
“Okay, Bambi and I had a thing together. I believe I’m the one that ended up getting her pregnant.” As silence flowed over the speaker, gasps traveled around the table. No one expected that. “We began having sex regularly. One day we got into a big fight. I don’t remember what it was. Anyway, I broke it off. Then Barry spilled the beans that she showed up at that party with the Diamond Brotherhood. I could’ve killed him back then, but let it go…uh…”
“There’s more, right?”
“George found out about that party. He was once a member of the Diamond Brotherhood. He knew what went on at those parties. The next thing I know, George met with all the fathers and threatened to expose what happened that night. It would have destroyed everyone’s life and maybe sent their sons to jail. They weren’t going to let that happen. I’m not sure whether George knew that Bambi and I were sexually active at that time.”
“So, he blackmailed the fathers thinking one of their sons was Chase’s father.”
“You could call it that. George was a smart man. I’m not sure how it happened, but the fathers set up a trust fund with George as the administrator. Each father put in a large sum of money, and it grew over the years. Everything was fine until Barry told me to stop the checks.”
“How do you know all of this?”
“My dad, Joseph, started this company and took me in after I got my CPA. When he unexpectedly died several months ago, I inherited the business. That’s when I found out what happened back then. The file I found details everything about that night.”
“Mr. Stewart, you need to seek a safe haven. Are you married?”
“No, my wife died a couple of years ago.”
“Sorry to hear that, but you need to disappear. Just go somewhere, and don’t tell anyone until this is over. If Chase knows you are his father, he’ll come after you.”
“Seriously, I’ve got a business to run. I’ll take my chances, Detective McBride.”
CHAPTER 56
Turning left onto Banfield Lane, the street looked normal and peaceful to everyone. Pulling in front of Philip’s house, Carla cut the engine. Carla, Bernie, and Chief Evans sat cautiously, staring at the house. It appeared lifeless; the driveway was empty. Exiting the car, they walked up the driveway to the garage. Bernie peeked through the windows of the garage door, nothing inside.
Walking up onto an expansive porch, Carla immediately noticed the front door was ajar. Informing Bernie and Chief Evans, she called for backup in silent mode and waited for them to arrive. The police station was only five minutes away. Once Officers Pete Wiesmann and Dave Justice arrived, Carla assigned them to secure the back entrance. Notifying Carla, they were ready, Bernie knocked on the door and announced himself. Silence. He repeated himself. Silence once more. With his service weapon drawn and flashlight beaming, he pushed the door open. They entered the great room, all clear. It took them only a few minutes to clear the remainder of the downstairs. They moved up the stairs to the second level, all clear. While Carla examined the bedrooms, Bernie and Chief Evans returned downstairs looking for anything to help them find Philip and his father.
Striking out, they returned to the police station where Carla and Chief Evans rejoined Beth, Mayor James, Angela, and Geronimo in the interrogation room while Bernie called Philip’s pharmacy. Mayor James immediately stood up, wanting an answer. Carla just shook her head several times.
Mayor James exclaimed emphatically, “What now, Detective McBride.”
“Bernie is checking with his pharmacy. Is there any other place Philip and his dad could be?” A few minutes later, Bernie entered the room, shaking his head. “Mayor, think hard, okay?”
Thick silence smothered the room as he walked around the room, scratching his head. After a minute or two, he faced Carla looking calm and composed.
“His father’s cabin on Lake Jackson.”
“Okay, maybe it’s our last hope to save them. Where on Lake Jackson?”
“Take the main road in, at the stop sign, turn right, go a mile. It’s a rustic place, and Devaney’s name is on the mailbox. The cabin is down on the lake with a gravel driveway leading down to it.”
“Let’s go, guys. Everybody else stays put.”
Angela interjected, “Detective McBride, I’m going. You may need me.”
“I said, sit tight. I’m not putting your life in danger. Plus, I don’t trust you. I still believe in my gut; you have something to do with this.”
“You’re wrong, dead wrong.”
“Am I? Just sit tight, and don’t do anything stupid, okay?”
Angela nodded, and Carla, Bernie, and Chief Evans left. About twenty minutes later, Carla made a left turn onto the lake’s main road, with Officers Wiesmann and Justice following. Reaching the stop sign, she turned right per the mayor’s instructions. One mile later, they reached the gravel driveway leading to the cabin. On the mailbox was the name Devaney. After Carla turned onto the gravel driveway, she could not see the cabin. Several sharp turns through the forest blocked her view. As the driveway straightened out, the cabin came into view.
As she drove slowly, the gravel crunched under the tires. Eerie silence captured their thoughts, while outside, the wind whistled among the naked trees. Halfway down the driveway, it straightened out. The lake house was just about one hundred yards away. A white sedan parked in front of the house heightened the silence inside the car. Pulses raced, and heavy breathing bounced off the windows as anxiety and tension grabbed their souls.
For some odd reason, Carla glanced in the rearview mirror. Four-letter expletives blasted the windows. Bernie and Chief Evans turned around to see a Porsche fifty yards behind them. Quickly stopping, the Porsche caught up with them and stopped. Not wanting to alert Lenny and Chase, Carla called Angela. After a brief conversation, Carla continued toward the house, finally stopping about ten yards from the cabin. Seconds later, Geronimo pulled in behind them.
Before exiting the car, Carla radioed for backup. Outside the car, everyone grabbed Kevlar vests out of the trunk. After taking the bullhorn out of the trunk, she turned it on. With everyone ready, she announced herself; an errant shot rang out. Ducking down beside Carla’s car, they discussed their options.
Suddenly, Angela got out of the Porsche, approaching Carla. “Let me try. What do you have to lose?” Realizing Angela was probably right, she handed the bullhorn to her. “Lenny, this is your sister, Angela. Put your weapons down and come out. I can help you.” Silence flowed from the cabin. “Lenny, it doesn’t have to end this way.” Silence met her plea once more.
Carla’s phone rang, startling everyone. Caller ID indicated it was from Philip. After placing it on speaker, erratic breathing flowed from it. “Philip, are you okay?” More silence, more erratic breathing, then muted mumbling. “Who is this?”
“Where’s Angela?”
“I’m here, Lenny. Are Philip and his father, okay?” Silence. “Lenny, are they okay?”
“Umm, yeah, for now.”
“Good, you need to give up and end this if you want to stay alive. Is Chase there with you?”
“Yeah…umm…”
As Angela continued her conversation, Carla instructed Officers Pete Wiesmann and Dave Justice to position themselves behind the cabin. All the while, Angela continued talking to her brother, hoping to occupy him. Bernie and Chief Evans had moved in position, flanking the front door. Everyone was ready to storm the cabin if needed. That was risky, but at this point, the odds of a positive outcome were slim.
“Lenny, the cabin is surrounded now, and unless you give up, this situation will not end well.” Silence. “Lenny, it’s over. Do you understand that?”
Carla had had enough. She grabbed the phone from Angela. “Lenny, this is Detective McBride. You’ve got five minutes to decide if you want to live or die. I’m setting a timer. When it reaches double-zero, we’re coming in.”
The line went dead. Carla’s timer began the final countdown. With three minutes left, Angela grabbed the bullhorn. “Lenny, this is Angela. I’m coming in.” Carla glared at her at such a stupid idea. “Detective McBride, I’m your only hope to end this without more people dying. I don’t think he will harm me. I’m going in. I got this.”
“What about Chase?”
“I don’t know about him. Wish me luck.”
“I can’t let you do this.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
“Geronimo, talk her out of this.”
“Detective McBride, Angela is her own woman. When she’s made up her mind, no one is going to change it. Trust me, she can handle herself.”
“Angela, once inside, you’ve got five minutes. I hope you know what you are doing.”
“Umm, I got this, or this is the end for me. It’s my choice, okay?”
CHAPTER 57
Grabbing a Kevlar vest out of the trunk, Carla tossed it to Angela. Fully protected, Angela took the bullhorn and announced she was coming in. She began her descent to the cabin. Moving cautiously, Angela stepped onto the porch. Bernie and Chief Evans flanked the door, ready to act. After they nodded, Angela’s moment of truth flashed in her mind. She had always wondered what made her come back to her childhood home. Maybe this was it, to save her brother’s life or end hers.
Standing at the front door, she took a deep breath. With her heart pounding furiously, she announced she was coming in. After starting the timer on her phone, she opened the door. She had five minutes of life remaining because if she couldn’t get them to surrender, an impending firefight would likely take her life. After she entered, Lenny and Chase stood behind Philip and his dad. They were bound and gagged but appeared unharmed.
Surveying the insides of the cabin, it was rustic. Down a hallway, Angela saw several doors, probably to the bedrooms and a bathroom. In the main living area, curtains covered one window on the left side of the room. The window on the front was similar. She glanced at her phone, four minutes until all hell broke loose. As she approached Philip, Chase pointed the gun at her, and she froze. Ignoring him, she directed her gaze at her brother.
“Lenny, you’ve got four minutes to save yourself and everyone in here. Do you want me to die because that’s what is going to happen?”
A defiant silence met her gaze. While glancing at Chase, anxiety covered a stoic and absent expression. She wondered whether he cared about living. Focusing back on Lenny, his eyes told her there was a glimmer of hope.
“Lenny, look at me. We are down to three and a half minutes, and you need to decide. Do you want to live or die?”
As Lenny focused on Angela’s concerning demeanor, his glistening eyes turned cold and hollow. She knew things were quickly deteriorating. Three minutes remained until the doors and windows would implode, giving way to a hellish furry of bullets. Philip and his dad felt Chase and Lenny’s presence behind them. Their eyes wandered around the room, searching for a glimmer of hope. Two minutes remained until death claimed another soul.
Outside Carla felt the anxiousness, the intenseness of the moment. As time ticked away, it took her back to the Black Rose Case. The outcome of that day replayed vividly in her mind. She took a life that day, and now, unless something changed, she might add another kill to her belt feeling that guilt once again. After holding the bullhorn up to her mouth, ninety seconds echoed among the hills. She saw Bernie in place and wondered what he was thinking. It brought her back memories of when she killed Adam Prescott. Bernie had taken fire for the first time, and now, he was facing a similar situation with life and death consequences.
Inside, Angela stared at Lenny, and his hollow eyes screamed death. She wondered if this was where it all was going to end. Over the bullhorn, two minutes roared in her ears. Lenny was beginning to show signs of uncertain anxiety. On the other hand, Chase seemed calm but distant, not caring about what might occur.
“Lenny, Chase, you heard that, didn’t you? You’ve now got less than sixty seconds until they crash in, and your lives will be over, possibly, even mine.”
As Chase’s hands began to shake erratically, his eyes turned glassy with uncertainty. Holding the gun closer to Philip’s father’s head, it appeared he was ready to end it all as his trigger finger twitched. Angela glanced at the phone—forty seconds glared back at her.
“Lenny, talk to Chase. Please don’t do this. Mom wouldn’t want this, would she?”
“Shut up, Angela. Don’t believe her bullshit. She’s playing you, Lenny. Can’t you see that?”
“Lenny, I’m pleading with you, don’t listen to him. I can help you both.”
Locking eyes with Angela, he nodded. She had struck a chord in him. Her phone screen flashed twenty seconds until all hell would crash through the doors and windows, ending life as she knew it. As anxiety grabbed her soul, her pulse raged out of control. Suddenly, she collapsed, crashing to the floor. Her hands immediately grabbed her chest as she struggled to breathe.
“Lenny, uh, please help, uh, help me. I think, uh, I’m having, uh, a heart attack. Help me…please, I beg you.”
Flashing in his mind, Lenny remembered when his mother needed his help one day. He acted and revived her, saving her life. Looking at Angela grimacing with pain and gasping for air, a voice in his head controlled his emotions. Out of instinct, he rushed over to aid her, to save her life. As he neared her, a swift, powerful leg-whip caught him off guard. With nothing to break his fall, his head crashed hard on the oak floor. Lenny lay motionless as the seconds ticked away.
Completely surprised by this action, Chase charged Angela. Outside, double-zero glared at Carla. She signaled to Bernie their moment of truth had arrived. With the door unlocked, there was no need to crash through it. Bernie quickly opened the door with Chief Evans following. Chase aimed his gun at them. One shot rang out, then another. As Chase’s gun hit the floor, he grabbed his chest. Crimson blood flowed through his shirt covering his hands.
Carla entered the cabin seeing Bernie on his knees over Chase. With blood-soaked hands, he pressed harder and harder, trying to save him. On the floor, Angela stared at Lenny lying motionless. Off in the distance, sirens blared. Geronimo entered the cabin, quickly consoling Angela, sitting up beside her limp brother. Chief Evans tended to Philip, and his dad, untying them and leading them outside.
The sirens in the distance grew closer and stopped. Paramedics rushed in attending to Chase, however, Bernie’s life-saving efforts were all in vain. Bernie watched death claim another bothered soul, and now he would have to deal with the guilt of his first kill. Lenny began to move his head around, rubbing it constantly. He finally noticed a white sheet covering Chase. Paramedics began to evaluate Lenny’s condition. After placing him in a neck brace, paramedics put him on a gurney. Minutes later, he was on his way to the regional medical center.
CHAPTER 58
After being admitted for observation, Lenny, with Angela and Geronimo by his side, rested peacefully in a private room guarded by Officer Pete Wiesmann. Carla and Bernie arrived about thirty minutes later to question him. However, the doctor treating him declined their request. It wasn’t until later that afternoon the doctor allowed them to question him. As they entered the room, Lenny was sitting up in the bed. Angela sat beside him, holding his hand, comforting him. A quiet conversation between them was interrupted by Carla and Bernie’s presence. After Angela introduced them to Lenny, Carla informed him they were recording the interview.
“Lenny, tell them what you told me, you know, tell them the whole truth, okay?”
As Angela squeezed his hand, a quirky smile painted Lenny’s face. He nodded and began. “Yeah, of course, Angela. A year ago, Chase and I met at a drug rehab center in Missouri. We became friends, and that’s when we discovered our parents were from the same town, Oakmont. Our friendship grew to more than just friends. Anyway, he received a call from his grandmother about his sick grandfather, and we visited him before he died.”
Pausing, he sipped on cold water as he rubbed the back of his head. Focusing on Angela’s mesmerizing eyes, he continued.
“On his death bed, his grandfather, George, set all of this into motion. George had never gotten over his daughter’s death. Even though Joni was not his biological daughter, she was still his pride and joy.”
That revelation stopped everybody in their tracks. As gasps filled the room, they gave way to smothering silence. After taking several sips of water, Lenny sighed.
“Yeah, he’s not her father. According to George, Greg Devaney is Joni’s biological father, and he was certain Greg didn’t know. Angela, this is also where I found out that I’m not your full-blooded brother, but I suspect you knew that? You’ve probably known that for a while, haven’t you?”
Heartstrings exploded in Angela’s soul as she swallowed hard, then rubbed her glistening eyes as Lenny squeezed her hand.
“It was hard to believe. I was angry. Chase was angry. Before George died, he told Chase about the checks and who his father was. After George died, we stayed with Karen for a while and learned the checks no longer were coming and that Karen would have to sell the house. She had nowhere to go. That’s when Chase told her he would take care of things.”
