Uncommon Thief

by William Manchee

  Chapter 25

  Friends and Family

  After Walters left, Kristina went straight to the telephone to call her son. Fred had just gotten in when the phone rang. He picked it up and heard his mother’s frantic voice. After she’d finished filling him in on her encounter with Agent Walters, he tried to reassure her that everything was alright.

  "Don't worry, Mom. The FBI has to investigate everyone connected with the bank. Since I am the bank messenger who stops there every day, they have to investigate me too."

  "I am so scared, Fred. Are you sure you're not in any trouble?"

  "They’ll figure out eventually that I’m not the bank robber and leave me alone. Don't worry about it."

  It upset Fred that Walters had dragged his parents into the investigation. Getting them involved was totally unnecessary from his viewpoint, and now Walters had probably talked to Steve and Randy too. Fred told his mother he’d call her later, hung up, and called Steve to see if he had also heard from Agent Walters. Steve told him that indeed Walters had stopped by, but that the interview had been very short since he knew nothing. Relieved, Fred then dialed Randy's number and waited.

  "I am so pissed," Randy said as soon as he knew it was Fred on the line.

  "Not at me, I hope."

  "No. Some FBI agent named Walters came by. He's a real asshole."

  "What happened?"

  Randy filled Fred in on the visit and the shouting match it had quickly become. The way Randy had handled himself delighted Fred, and he complimented him on it.

  "I am glad you didn't take any shit from that bastard, but I don’t want you to get in any trouble."

  "Don't worry. They can't prove a damn thing."

  "So, what about me?” Fred asked. “Am I in deep shit or what?"

  "No, they must have completed their analysis of the crime scene by now, so if they had found enough to arrest you, they would have already done it."

  "It doesn't matter much anymore. I might just as well give myself up and tell them the truth."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Candy died yesterday."

  "What?"

  "She was killed by a rattlesnake."

  "Oh God! What a horrible way to die."

  "Now I've lost both of the women I love."

  "What happened to Maria?"

  "I dumped her a few days ago for Candy, if you recall."

  "Oh, that's right."

  "She'll probably never talk to me again."

  "That's probably true," Randy agreed. "I'm really sorry, Fred. What are you going to do now?"

  "I don't know. I can’t go to jail though. I know that much. I’d just as soon put a bullet in my head."

  “Don’t talk like that. This will all work out somehow.”

  "I don’t see how. Anyway, I'm sorry the FBI hassled you. I better go. I am really tired and I feel like shit."

  "Sure. I’m really sorry about Candy. If there is anything I can do, let me know."

  The idea of suicide had crept into Fred’s head more than once since his nightmare began, but he had dismissed it each time as rash and cowardly. Now, however, things were a lot worse. He wondered what he had to live for with Candy and Maria no longer in his life. If he was convicted, best case he’d get five years in federal prison but it would be a lot worse if the felony murder charge stuck. When, or if he ever he got out of prison, he’d be lucky if he could get a job at a gas station. Even worse would be the humiliation. How could he even look at his friends and family after being convicted of bank robbery and murder? A handful of sleeping pills seemed to Fred more and more like an option to consider.

  The next day when Fred arrived at work, Jim took him aside to give him the latest news from Sinclair. He had overheard a conversation between Agent Harper and Sinclair about a meeting between the FBI and the United States Attorney, Samuel P. Whitehead, who had been assigned to the Bank USA case. "This Whitehead character has plans to go to Sacramento, you know," Jim said.

  "Really?" Fred replied.

  "He thinks you're his ticket there, from what I hear."

  "Oh that's great news," Fred moaned.

  "They were talking about some witness from the hospital where Candy was treated."

  "What witness?"

  "Some doctor who overheard something you said."

  "What? I don't remember saying anything to anyone."

  "I don't know, but the FBI is pretty excited about it."

  "Well, I sure as hell don't know what it could be."

  "One other thing," Jim said.

  "What?" Fred asked.

  "They’re definitely going to make a move on Maria. Since you dumped her, they figure she may testify against you."

  "No way. Maria wouldn't betray me. Besides, she doesn't know anything."

  "I guess they don't know that."

  "Hmm. Well, thanks for the information, Jim. I am going to owe you one when this is all over."

  "Ah, don't worry about it. It's been kind of fun snooping around here the last few days. I've really enjoyed it.”

  "Good. I'm glad someone's having fun,” Fred said. "Well, I better get going. It's getting late. See you in a few hours."

  "Drive carefully," Jim replied, "and watch your ass."

  “Thanks. I’ll do that.”