Chapter 25 #2
“No, you didn’t.” She shook her head angrily.
“You framed and arrested an innocent woman because you have a grudge against her father. You are suspended, pending a full inquiry into your conduct, as is Deputy Cameron Walker. You will also face charges regarding the assault of Judge Lloyd and the theft of a blood sample from the medical center with the intention of incriminating Miss West here. You see, Mr. Walcott, I know how to do my homework. I have spoken to both Judge Lloyd and Doctor Hughes, and I am appalled that a man I appointed as chief of police could behave in such a manner. By the time I’ve finished with you, you’ll be lucky not to end up in prison yourself. ”
“You can’t do this,” he hissed.
“I think you’ll find I can,” she replied coolly. “If you would be so kind, Captain McCallister.”
“My pleasure.” Mac smiled.
“You son of a bitch.” Erica came sailing angrily into the corridor.
“It’s alright, Erica, we have this,” Mayor Burnett told her gently. “Go and take care of your friend.”
Erica swept past Walcott, throwing him a dirty look, and in through the wide-open door of Olivia’s cell. Olivia looked up through chattering teeth and blue-tinged lips as Erica sat down on the uncomfortable cot next to her and rubbed her arms vigorously, trying to restore some of her body heat.
“Theo called as soon as they left,” she murmured. “Jake went to pick him up, they’ll be here soon.”
“I want to go home.” Olivia shivered.
“Soon,” she replied soothingly. “We’ll get all this straightened out. They’ll probably want to take your statement.”
Deputy Helga re-entered the cell with a pair of police issue pants and jacket, some socks, and a pair of boots. “These might be a little big, but it was all I could find.”
“Thank you,” Erica snapped, taking the pile of clothes from the tall woman roughly. “We can handle it from here.”
Helga’s eyes met Olivia’s for a moment. Olivia wanted to ask her what she had meant earlier when she said she wasn’t watching her because of the chief, but she couldn’t get the words out as her body was wracked by deep shudders.
Helga nodded then disappeared, and Erica helped Olivia to dress quickly.
She had to fold the waistband on the pants over several times, but they still hung low on her hips.
The thick socks felt heavenly wrapped around her frozen feet, even though the boots were two sizes too big.
Pulling on the padded jacket, she wrapped the blanket back around her shoulders, and slowly the violent shivers began to ease.
“Here, this might help.” Mac walked into the cold cell carrying a cup of coffee.
Olivia stared at the offered cup and then up at the face of the man offering it to her.
“Please,” he said softly.
She took the cup from him warily and took a small sip, her eyes never leaving his. “It tastes like crap.”
He laughed out loud, and it was a warm, genuine sound. “I didn’t make it.” He took a seat the other side of Olivia, his expression sobering. “I’m really sorry for the way you have been treated by the Mercy Police Department.”
“Are you trying to talk us out of suing you?” Erica asked pointedly.
“No.” Mac chuckled. “You want to sue the pants off Walcott, be my guest. As far as I’m concerned, the bastard deserves what he gets.”
Olivia continued to stare at him.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” Mac asked her.
She frowned. “We’ve met?”
He nodded. “A long time ago. The night your father fled with you to Philadelphia.”
She cast her mind back to that night, studying his face. “I do remember.” Her eyes narrowed in thought. “You were the officer who sat with me after they took my dad away. You wrapped me in your jacket and gave me a soda and waited with me until child services arrived.”
“That’s right.” He smiled softly. “I kept an eye on you, but once you left Philly, I lost track of you.”
“You did?” she replied in surprise.
He nodded. “Look, Olivia, I’ve read the files, both the current ones and the ones from before, and I don’t believe you had anything to do with the murders.
But your father is another matter entirely.
There are just too many red flags going up.
When we finally manage to catch him, we will want to question him in relation to these murders. ”
“I know.” She sighed.
“Do you know where he is?”
She shook her head. “No,” she replied reluctantly. “But I know he’s been watching me. He’ll be somewhere close by.”
“Thank you. I know this isn’t easy for you, but we do need to take your statement with regards to Chief Walcott.”
“Captain McCallister, I just want to go home. I’ve had about as much as I can take for one day,” she answered tiredly.
“I appreciate that it has been a difficult day, but we really do need to ask you some questions. If you would be more comfortable, we could interview you at your home instead of the station.”
“I’m not comfortable having cops in my house after the way I have been treated lately.” Olivia frowned.
“I understand, but if it helps, it will just be me, and of course you are welcome to have your lawyer present.” He glanced at Erica. “I can promise you that you will be treated with the utmost respect and consideration.”
“Fine.” Olivia blew out her breath.
“Thank you.” He nodded as he stood. “I’ll drive you home personally.”
“I’ll let Jake and Theo know to meet us back at your place.” Erica pulled her phone out of her purse.
“Ladies.” Mac indicated for them to follow him.
They barely made it down the corridor to the stairwell when a younger officer, who Olivia had never seen before, rushed toward them, calling for Mac. “Captain McCallister,” he breathed out heavily.
“Yes?” He stopped and turned toward him.
“Sir, I was sent to find you. You’re needed immediately.”
“Why? What is it?”
“Sir.” He glanced warily at the two women behind him, his voice dropping low. “They’ve found another body.”
“Christ.” Mac blew out a breath. “Alright, I’ll be right there.”
The younger man scurried off and Mac turned back to Olivia and Erica, his expression contrite.
“I’m very sorry, Olivia.” He shook his head. “I’m afraid I need to deal with this situation. Perhaps I could come by later if that is convenient for you?”
“Sure,” she replied quietly, studying his face.
“I’ll have one of the other deputies drive you home.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Olivia replied. “I’ll get a cab.”
“No, please,” Mac answered. “I insist. If you would just follow the stairs down to the parking garage, someone will be with you in a moment.”
She watched Mac disappear down the corridor while Erica tried Jake’s number again. “There’s still no answer.” She frowned.
“Jake’s probably still driving,” Olivia told her as they headed down the stairs. “Why don’t you try Theo’s number instead?”
Once they arrived at the parking lot, they were shown to one of the unlocked cars and told someone would be with them shortly. Olivia settled into the back and dropped her head back against the seat. Her stomach growled loudly, and she could have killed for a decent coffee.
“Damn it,” Erica swore softly.
“Still no answer?”
“No signal down here,” Erica murmured, holding her phone up at a different angle. “I’m just going to head outside and try again. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“I’ll be right here.” Olivia yawned, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders against the chill, and with a deep sigh, she closed her eyes.
* * *
Chief Walcott tugged viciously against the handcuffs anchoring him to the heavy table.
His gaze was dark and narrow as he surveyed the room, his jaw ticking in tightly clenched fury.
How dare they? Handcuffing him like some common criminal.
Arresting him. Who the hell did they think they were?
He couldn’t believe they would just release Olivia West. Why could they not see what she was?
He couldn’t trust them, none of them. He was obviously on his own, and if the law wasn’t going to back him.
.. well then, he would just have to take matters into his own hands.
The door clicked open quietly, and Deputy Carl stepped through holding a paper cup. Behind him he could hear some sort of commotion and a great deal of activity.
“I brought you a coffee, Chief.”
“What’s going on, Carl?” he demanded.
“I’m not sure. I’m not supposed to say anything.” He paused in the doorway, frowning.
“What am I going to do?” he replied, forcing down the anger and assuming a more congenial expression.
“Well,” Carl replied reluctantly. “I guess there’s no harm.”
“Exactly.”
“They found another body in the woods,” Deputy Carl breathed heavily. “Just when I think it can’t get any worse…” He broke off shaking his head.
Chief Walcott’s heart jolted in his chest, and his jaw clenched tightly. If they had just listened to him in the first place, this would have never happened.
“How?” he croaked, dreading the answer. “How did he die?”
“I don’t know for sure.” He shook his head. “But looks like his brain was removed… I don’t know how anyone could do such a thing… sick bastard.”
A buzzing began in Chief Walcott’s ears, and his heart began to pound in his chest. For a second, he was transported back twenty years and looking down at the mangled corpse of the man he loved, a man with his brain missing from his skull.
“I mean, what’s the world coming to?” Carl continued. “Who the hell would do such a gruesome thing, and why?”
Chief Walcott barely heard him. His gaze narrowed, and a thin veil descended over his eyes, his breath coming in sharp gasps.
“Chief?” Carl placed the cup down on the table. “Chief, are you okay? You don’t look good.”
“Can’t breathe,” he wheezed, slumping forward. “My chest…”
Carl rushed forward, unhooking the keys from his belt and reaching for the handcuffs. “Hold on, Chief.” He unlocked the cuffs, freeing his hands.
As the cuffs clattered harmlessly against the table, he reached for the chief, intending to loosen his collar, but suddenly he felt a hand wrap around the back of his neck, and the next thing he knew, his face was smashed hard against the table, then blackness enveloped him.
Chief Walcott stood slowly and watched the unconscious man slump to the floor.
Stepping calmly over him, he pulled Deputy Carl’s weapon from its holster, checking it was loaded before he tucked it into the back of his pants.
Opening the door slowly with a quiet click, he glanced out into the corridor, and once he was certain the way was clear, he slipped silently from the room.
* * *
Olivia was just drifting off when a sudden scuffling noise startled her. Sitting up abruptly, she leaned out of the car. “Hello?”
Her voice echoed in the silence. She stepped out of the car and slowly looked around the parking garage.
“Hello?” she repeated.
Unable to see or hear anything suspicious, she turned slowly back toward the car.
Suddenly she felt herself being shoved forward, and unable to stop her momentum, she felt her forehead crack sharply against the edge of the open door.
Everything began to spin, and she felt herself pitch forward into blackness.
* * *
“I can’t reach either of them, I don’t know why they bother having phones if they’re not going to answer them.
” Erica stalked back to the car, her attention on her phone as she finished sending a text.
Aware that Olivia hadn’t answered her, she looked up to see Olivia’s limp form being bundled into the back of the car.
“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?
” She dropped her phone and purse and ran toward the car.
Chief Walcott turned toward her, teeth bared in an angry snarl.
Grabbing her roughly, he threw her out of the way.
Erica crashed into one of the pillars and fell to the ground.
Pushing herself shakily to her knees, she glanced up in time to see the car peel out of the parking space with a loud squeal of tires and head straight for her.
Rolling out of the way, she turned and watched as the car crashed through the barrier and disappeared.