by Andrew Gruse
Bloom stared angrily at Orb. “Are we done here? Because I’m quite done with you.”
“Not quite. And here’s a newsflash for you. The information I have. It’s legit. Obtained legally. The nationwide APB for Derek Willows allowed us to get a friend at the FBI involved. You’d be surprised how fast warrants are issued when missing kids are at stake,” Orb said. “I didn’t even know that. Impressed the shit out of me. You should see what we found next.”
Bloom said nothing but stared at Orb angrily. Orb smiled. He still hasn’t asked for a lawyer.
* * * *
The afternoon turned into the early evening. Sheriff Orbison didn’t mind dragging this out. Time was on the sheriff’s side here. The longer Bloom sat, the more irritable he became. Orb waited for the mistake. He waited for the slip-up. He felt it coming. Orbison hoped he’d give the whole affair away, including all involved.
Bloom fidgeted, twirled his fingers, his eyes shifted, and he looked at the floor a lot. Orb sat back down at the table and took a deep breath.
“Long day, huh, Bill? Why don’t we wrap this up then, ok? I’m hungry and have a missing kid to find. Should be getting that warrant to search the Miller place any minute now. I’ll tell you what, I’m going to turn on this camera so you can confess to what you did. That will save us some time down the road.”
“Are you going to tape the abuse I endured?”
“What abuse?
“Keeping me here all day against my will? My lawyer will have your job. I’m going to savor that day.”
Orb hesitated. He didn’t ask yet. Keep going.
Orb a sheet of paper in front of Bloom. Bloom read it. He hesitated. He took a deep breath and attempted to look as annoyed as he could.
“What is the meaning of this? I have no idea what this is!”
“I think you do, Bill.” He slid another sheet in front of Bloom.
“What is this?”
“That’s a statement of last month’s bank statement for you from First Bank downstate, Bill,” Orb said.
“This is an invasion of my privacy!”
“No, it’s not, Bill.” Orb showed him a third paper. It was a federal warrant signed by a circuit court judge in Baltimore. “This is a warrant. You know what this warrant says?” Orb leaned forward. “It says that we can look at whatever the hell we want in your life, and we did. We had just cause.”
“What cause?”
“Well, you were seen at the high school approximately the same time Derek Willows went missing. In fact, other than the teacher and the guy who saved her life, you were the only person seen leaving the high school right before the fire, which makes you the prime suspect.”
Bloom silenced.
“Throw in what we know about the illegal affair one of your teachers was having with the kid, and it really looks like a giant conspiracy to save your ass, Bill,” Orb said. “It isn’t looking good. Someone is going to jail a long time for this. And if the boy turns up dead, well, that will be worse.”
“I didn’t know anything about the illegal affair. I would never allow that!”
“It looks like you did, Bill. We have documents that show it has gone on at least the last five years.” Orb stood and paced slowly in front of the table. “But let’s get back to that. Right now, I want to talk about the payment we circled from your bank statement. What I can’t figure is why you need a third cell phone. I mean, the district pays for one. You pay for one with your wife under the name William Bloom. So who the hell is Touchdown Billy? And how did you get that name on the account? What low-level provider did you use?” Orb laughed. “That is you, isn’t it?” Orb sat, his smile faded, and seriousness returned as he tapped the paper. “Your hidden identity you use with the magnificent seven. How cute.”
* * * *
Julie stood beside Molly as they watched Bloom squirm. It was only a matter of time now. No way could Bloom lie his way out of the evidence Michelle found. And it was all about to blow up in Bloom’s face. Julie looked at her watch. Seven PM. Zack disappeared over forty-eight hours earlier.
The door dinged on the station. Two deputies, Sam and Lou, walked down the hallway. They saw Julie and Molly. Lou peeled off to find the coffee.
Sam smiled at the women and stopped beside them. “Bloom say anything yet?”
“Not yet,” Julie said. She looked at Sam, who scratched his chin. She noticed a black and blue bruise under one of his fingernails. “Did you find anything out there? Any sign of Zack?”
Sam frowned. “I’m sorry. Nothing. We combed the forest road, even walked around. There’s no sign of anyone there. I wish I could do more, but with it getting dark, it just doesn’t do any good to search.”
“He’s out there, I know he is,” Julie said.
Sam sighed. “I’m sorry. Look, you look exhausted. Why don’t you two go back to your place Molly and try to relax? Have some wine, maybe get something to eat,” Sam said. “Now is not the time for you to wear down. We’ll find him. I promise.”
Julie covered her face with both hands as tears formed in her eyes.
“Sam’s right, Julie,” Molly said. “Let’s go back to my place. Orb can handle this.”
“I’ll tell you what, I suspect you aren’t feeling too safe around here anymore,” Sam said. “I’ll follow you home and check out the inside of your house first. Make sure it’s safe and sound. Then you’ll be able to relax, at least rest until morning when we start again.”
Molly looked at Julie. “Come on, Jules. Let’s go.” Julie nodded; her head held low. Molly looked at Sam. “If you don’t mind, Sam, I’d appreciate that.”
“Great. Let’s go.” Sam found Lou. “Hey Lou, tell Orb I’m taking the girls home then gonna drive over to the Hobby forest.”
“You want me to come with?” Lou asked.
“Nah,” Sam said. “You stay here so I can reach you in case I find anything. Frank is off tonight, right?”
“Unless Orb calls an all hands on deck he is.”
Sam nodded. “No need. I’ll let you know.” He looked back at the girls. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
CHAPTER 47
Zack’s body was numb. Lack of movement, food, and warmth created a dire situation for Zack, and he suspected his side bled. Pigface hadn’t given him his hourly dowsing of water, but he hadn’t dried from the earlier showers. In fact, Pigface disappeared. So did Weasel, String Bean, Bigshot, Junior, and Coward. It was quiet in the tunnel. Dead silence.
Zack’s shoulders throbbed in pain, and he felt knots behind his shoulder blades. Fight through this, Zack! You aren’t dying down here in this underground labyrinth of evil or in an Arkansas swamp. Now get out of these damn restraints.
He arched his shoulders back and forth despite the exhaustion and numbness in his arms. He pushed up and out in rhythmic movements Zack believed would loosen the duct tape up his arms near his shoulders.
Zack heard something and stopped. It wasn’t footsteps, it was different. He listened and cocked his head. He learned when beginning his birding hobby many years back that by cocking his head when listening, he’d be able to determine the position of a bird call quickly. At times a birdsong seemed like it came from any direction. The tip saved him time.
He heard the faint noise again. It was a distress call. Someone was in the tunnels with him, and whoever it was made a sound. Whether to alert someone or just in agony and despair, Zack didn’t know. The faint noise silenced. It came from his left, where the group of miscreants appeared sporadically.
There’s a room or something down there. I have to get out of these restraints. And then what do I do? I can’t move. If I loosen one and they show up, they’ll either kill me or tie me up so tight I’ll never get out. I have to get out. Julie is in danger, and she’ll never forgive me. Come on, shoulders, do your damn job!
He felt the tape move, and with all the might and strength he had left after trying for the last thirty minutes since they left him, his arms moved away from his s
ides. The tape slid up his body. Stage one complete.
Approaching footsteps ended his relief.
Long strides, heavy feet. No shuffling. Zack guessed Coward.
“I was told to give you a sip of water,” Coward snapped as he appeared from the dark tunnel to Zack’s left. “I don’t know why. You won’t need it where you’re going.”
Coward came closer to Zack. Zack hoped he wouldn’t notice the duct tape around Zack’s body. The strands rested mid-bicep instead of at his elbows, and slack evident in the middle of Zack’s chest. The water Pigface kept throwing on Zack weakened the adhesive. Moron. He’ll pay. As long as Coward doesn’t notice.
Zack wanted to say something. But silence was his friend. The quicker he can get Coward out of there, the better.
“Here,” Coward said and threw the bucket of water into Zack’s face. The force knocked Zack’s head back against the dirt wall and soaked him again. He again sat in mud. Coward laughed and laughed. “Ogre said that’s how you like it.” Coward laughed some more. “You’ve been tied up how long? Two days now? I bet that pretty little gal of yours is scared to death.” Coward squatted down to look Zack in the eye. “Don’t you worry. We don’t discriminate around here. We show women the same fun we show boys, especially tough ones like you. Guessing she thinks she’s all tough, too, right?”
Zack wanted him to disappear. One wrong move and even an idiot like Coward would see the tape around Zack’s body was loose.
“I almost wish I could be there, too.”
Zack couldn’t bite his lip anymore. “I thought your group prefers little boys who don’t fight back.”
The smile Zack imagined had been on Coward’s face left. Even in the hazy, dim light, what little of Cowards’ face Zack could see turned red with anger, perhaps embarrassment, but rage definitely showed in his eyes. Coward stood, reared back his arm, and swung the bucket at Zack’s head. Zack hunched his shoulders and flinched. Coward should have noticed the tape, but he didn’t. The bucket clobbered Zack and knocked him over. Zack’s face hit the wet ground and stayed flush with the mud.
“As soon as your bitch is taken care of, you die, tough guy. I don’t care what Bilford says! You are going to die!”
Coward glared at Zack, but Zack didn’t move. “No smart-ass comments, tough guy? No wisecracks or threats?” Coward kicked Zack’s legs. “Come on, Mr. PI, say something funny.”
Zack turned his head. “Since you’re going to kill me, would it kill you to give me something to eat? I’m starving down here.”
Coward smiled. “I think we’ll feed you all right,” he laughed an evil deep laugh. “Ogre wants a shot at you. I think I’ll let him rip you a new one, then I’ll show you how I do it.” Coward knelt down in front of Zack, grabbed the back of Zack’s head, and held it up. “We might have to rip your teeth out first. Don’t want you to bite down.”
Zack didn’t like the sound of that. “Aren’t I too old?”
Zack expected another shot. Instead, Coward stared at him and dropped Zack’s head. Coward stormed off. Zack smiled despite the pain. Bilford. That must be Bigshot. Is that a nickname or did dumbass Coward just slip up? I better get out of here. Not in the mood to get violated.
There was no more time. Zack had to get out of there. He slowly rolled to his butt using his shoulders as leverage, then raised his arms. The water did the trick. But it hurt to move.
No blood flow. If will could achieve anything, Zack willed it this time.
He moved his arms up as far as he could. Each movement helped, but it was slow. He raised them as high as he could and suddenly swung down and pulled out with his wrists.
Nothing.
Too weak.
He clenched and unclenched his numb fingers. The tingling feeling felt like needles in his hands and feet. He stretched, his bones creaked, but the blood flow increased. Zack heard noises. Someone talked with Coward.
Pigface.
They decided it was fun time with the prisoner.
No time left.
Zack raised his arms again, shot them down, and pulled out. The tape tore. He wiggled his wrists back and forth and tore at the tape with his teeth. The tape ripped clean and freed his hands. He reached down despite a stiff back and tore at the tape around his knees. The voices grow louder. They laughed.
Hurry, Zack!
Zack ripped the duct tape free from his ankles. He tried to get to his feet, but his legs wouldn’t work. Zack needed time. He looked to his right. A long dark tunnel. Using his arms, Zack dragged himself down the tunnel, across the mud and dirt, into the darkness. He reached the corner, but his legs refused to come back to life. Pull! Pull! Crawl and find cover. You need time!
The voices got louder. There was no fighting. Not like this. Zack’s arms ached, but he had full function and propelled him down the dark tunnel. Zack didn’t know what was ahead, only that he needed to find a place to hide if that was possible. A black space appeared on his right.
A room. A place to hide.
The voices shouted. “HE’S GONE!”
Zack heard footsteps as two people ran down the tunnel. They’d be on him quick.
And then they were.
CHAPTER 48
“So you played football back in the day and were running back for Clyde, huh,” Orb said. “Says here you lead the league in touchdowns two years in a row and hence the nickname Touchdown Billy.” Orb shook his head. “If you were going for anonymity, that is the dumbest name you could have picked. It literally took us two minutes to find that out.” Orb wasn’t sure about that, but he knew that whoever that Michelle girl was, she was thorough.
Bloom stayed silent, but his hands shook, sweat formed on his forehead, and his face turned white amongst the wrinkles and dark spots of old age.
“Ok, so Touchdown Billy received a text from someone named Johnny Gage, whoever the hell that is, and copied was some joker named Electro. Seriously? Electro? Who the hell is that? Anyway,” Orb shook his head as he read, “the text says in block text, ‘Leave by 11:30’ then adds a fire emoji.” Orb looked at Bloom. “That’s what that little flame symbol thing is, right? An emoji. Did I say that right?”
Bloom said nothing.
“You were seen leaving shortly after that. Were you grabbing extra memorabilia or something?” Orb raised his voice. “Is that it, Bill? This thing was planned from the beginning, wasn’t it? You obviously have at least two other people who planned the fire and explosions to completely destroy the school, and you were in on it the whole time. Your job was to keep everyone out, right? That’s why you made sure the school band practiced far away from the school. Come on, Bill! TELL ME THE TRUTH!”
Orb slammed his fist on the table, and his enraged voice scared Bloom. Bloom jumped in his chair, fright in his eyes. The look on his face betrayed him.
“Bill, you’re going down. Arson, insurance fraud. That’s at least twenty years. You’ll die in prison, and Harriet will lose everything. Your pension will be lost, and she’ll have nothing. She’ll be disgraced and have nothing, Bill. Where the hell will she go? Hell, the DA might decide that she’s in on it, too. Do you want her to rot in prison, Bill?”
“ALL RIGHT!” Bloom screamed. “ALL RIGHT! THAT’S ENOUGH!” He stared angrily at Orb, but he shook equally with fear and rage. “Leave Harriet out of this. She had nothing to do with it. She knew nothing, Sheriff. I swear it.”
Orb stared at him. He never took his eyes off Bloom’s whose eyes shifted from side to side, up and down, afraid to meet Orb’s intense look. Orb sat down and took a deep breath. He folded his hands in front of him and calmly spoke. “To do with what William? Tell me.”
“Harriet has to be taken care of,” Bloom blurted and cried. He broke down and openly sobbed. Bloom dropped his head to the table and covered his face with his hands. “I made a mistake, but she wasn’t involved with it,” he cried.
“Calm down, Bloom. What happened?”
“I only did it for the kids,” Bloom said. “I di
dn’t want to, but it was the only way to keep the school,” he said. “The merge was certain because of the condition of our school. Clyde was going to be closed, but if we had the money, we could propose a new school and force the Hobby school to close and send their kids here. The referendum failed again, and we were out of options. We had pieces of ceiling fall out of the gym! The students were in danger because the school was in such bad shape,” Bill confessed. “We had to do something. I know it was wrong, but I did it for the kids.”
Orb sat back and waited. A confession he didn’t think he’d get just came out. He just had to figure out who was Johnny Gage and Electro. He’d figure out if there were others later because this seemed more in-depth than only three guys.
“The school needed money,” Bloom said. “There was no way we could repair the school. Just to update it so we could provide the pupils with the opportunity to learn modern-day technology required millions. Our students fell behind. We tried, but it was determined it would be cheaper to tear down and start over. Only we couldn’t borrow the money. We had no other options. Unless we got the Ag Cen company to build here in Clyde,” Bloom spilled. “But we couldn’t do that without the promise of a new school.”
Orb nodded. He started to piece it together. “And you needed seventy million to build a new school.”
“I did it with the best intentions,” Bloom said. “I made sure no one would be in school. I don’t know anything about Derek Willows. If he was at school, I don’t know anything about it. Weber wasn’t supposed to be there. The woman, Lockett, I didn’t know about her there either. But I swear, I did it for the future of Clyde and to provide the best possible education for our students.”
Orb took a deep breath. “Is Weber involved? Who else?”
Bloom wiped his face, sniffed, and sat straight. His lips sealed.
“Come on, William, there’s nothing to gain by protecting anyone now. Do you want to take the fall for this?”
Bloom took a deep breath. “I need your word that Harriet will be shielded from this. She knows of none of this.”
