Wrong Exit: Nick Stryker Series, Book Four

by Vicki Graybosch

  The Family wouldn’t like that. J.T. would be done.

  ******

  Jen smiled at the orderly. “I hate to ask this of you but do you have a car here?”

  The orderly smiled back. He was obviously smitten by Jen’s attention. He pointed to a lot on the far right behind the buildings. “My car is parked in the employee lot. Why?”

  Jen asked, “My partner thinks that white SUV in the corner is suspicious. He wants me to get the plate number. I’d look less conspicuous in a car than on foot.”

  “Cool. I’ll drive.”

  As the orderly carefully moved items from the passenger seat to cover up the three joints in the console he asked, “Can I ask what the cops are doing here?”

  Jen answered, “You can ask, but I can’t answer. Do you like working here?”

  The orderly nodded his head as he eased the car from a back entrance of the lot and onto a dirt drive used by the maintenance staff. “Most days. It’s a job.”

  Jen asked, “What parts don’t you like?”

  The orderly scrunched up his face and looked at her. “The organ part, you know? We’ve got a whole room of machines hooked up to pieces of people. It’s kind of creepy.”

  “Do they have special staff for that room?”

  “Oh yeah. That whole side of the basement is off limits unless you’re on Dr. Elis’ team. He’s the primary transplant surgeon.” The orderly pointed to a row of shrubs. “We’re directly behind that S.U.V. now.”

  ******

  Nick held the door for Elizabeth as they entered the Presidential Suite. Polished marble floors echoed their steps until they reached the thick wool carpet of the massive sitting room. Mrs. Schultz sat on a tapestry print wing back chair next to a floor-to-ceiling window. A small walnut table to the right of her chair displayed a silver tray complete with a small tea pot and cup.

  She was fully dressed in a powder blue day suit. Her makeup was expertly applied and subtle. Nick saw the resemblance to Elizabeth immediately. Mrs. Schultz was a very attractive woman for her age. Seemingly out of place was an I.V. tube that ran from her forearm to the suspended bag hanging from the metal standing rack to her left.

  Elizabeth introduced him to her mother. “Mother, this is Detective Nick Stryker. Detective Stryker, this is my mother, Nadine Schultz.”

  Nick clasped his hands around hers and felt the coolness of her bony fingers. He held her hand for a minute and said, “Mrs. Schultz, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances; I’m afraid we have bad news.”

  Elizabeth burst into loud sobs and Nadine’s eyes opened wide. “My Lord, Liz. Do compose yourself.”

  Elizabeth waved her hands in front of her face. “I can’t do this! You tell her.”

  Nadine looked squarely at Nick. “Tell me what?”

  Nick pulled a chair over from a nearby table and sat. “Your son, Marvin, his wife Carla, and your granddaughter, Allison, are dead.”

  “Dead?” Nadine looked at Elizabeth. “How? What happened?”

  Elizabeth whispered, “They were murdered, Mother.”

  Nadine placed her hands over her heart.

  Nick leaned forward, “Are you okay?”

  Nadine’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded. She looked at Nick. “Do you have their murderer in custody?”

  “No, Ma’am.”

  “Do you have any leads?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Nadine straightened in her chair and slightly raised her chin. “I want to know how they died.”

  Nick answered, “Their bodies were discovered this morning. The coroner has yet to determine the manner of death.”

  Nadine’s eyes scanned Nick’s. “Why then is this being called murder, Detective Stryker?”

  “The circumstances of where their bodies were found… and other factors. I’d rather wait to tell you more when I have the final coroner’s report.”

  Nadine’s eyes flashed. “I may not be in the best of health but I can smell missing information like a bloodhound smells a downed bird.” She pointed her finger at Nick and said, “I have a right to know exactly why you believe my son and his family were murdered, young man.”

  Nick could imagine this crusty old gal in a board meeting. “Their bodies were found in an abandoned brewery building. All three of them were in body bags and missing vital organs.”

  Elizabeth howled. Nadine closed her eyes.

  Nadine looked at Elizabeth and said, “Could you please see if Tony is available to speak to me? I believe he should be made aware of this development.”

  Elizabeth blinked a couple of times and then stood. “I’ll go get him for you.”

  When Elizabeth had left the room, Nadine asked, “These leads you have…Do they point to a motive for why my son and his family were targeted, Detective Stryker?”

  Nick sensed that Nadine was unaccustomed to not being in control. “I can’t answer that question until I have more information. I notified Elizabeth earlier today at your home. She was concerned the news may worsen your health condition.”

  Nadine frowned. “Nonsense. Elizabeth is weak. Her only concern is selecting her fifth husband. Marvin is, was, a man of character. You’ll find no skeletons in his closets. He would fight to the death to protect his family, Detective. You found defensive wounds didn’t you?”

  Nick nodded. “There are numerous defensive wounds on both Marvin and Carla.”

  Nadine’s eyelids briefly closed and reopened. “I called little Allison my angel.” Nadine dabbed a tissue to her nose. “I was so looking forward to their visit.” Nadine smoothed her skirt, a tear slowly trailing down her cheek. “Please find the monster that did this.”

  Nick’s mind flashed an image of Allison in the body bag. “I will.”

  Nadine seemed to pull strength from some core reservoir in her soul as she straightened her shoulders back and asked, “Do you have a number I can use to reach you, Detective?”

  Nick pulled a card from his shirt pocket and handed it to her. Nadine’s demeanor was shifting. She was a warrior and her family had been attacked. “Call me anytime.”

  Nadine reached for Nick’s hand and gave him a squeeze. “You must find our Allison’s killer. You’ve lost valuable time here with me.”

  “I came here to the hospital on official business. I didn’t know you were here until I ran into Elizabeth in the parking lot.” Nick could practically see thoughts racing through Nadine’s mind in her intense stare.

  Nadine raised her chin and coldly stated, “Allow me a brief moment of reflection. A homicide detective comes to this hospital on official business. A detective working on a case where the victims are missing organs visits a hospital famous for transplants. Am I on to something? No matter Detective, you needn’t answer that. Merely the ramblings of an old lady’s deductive imagination. Detective Stryker, do you believe that Elizabeth and I are in danger?”

  Nick suspected that everyone at Sunrise Specialty Hospital was at risk. “It couldn’t hurt to get a second opinion on your medical condition from someone outside of Sunrise.”

  Nadine’s eyes narrowed. “A second opinion?”

  Nick squeezed her hand gently. “Yes, a second opinion.”

  Nadine slid her hand back to her lap. Her eyes never left Nick’s.

  Nick added, “Soon.”

  C H A P T E R 17

  Sharon was keenly aware of the horror of her situation. She had to escape. Her eyes darted around the walls of the ambulance and landed on the medical box next to her head. Whatever drug they planned on giving her was in that box. The head of the gurney was slightly elevated preventing her from seeing her kidnappers. It also shielded her from their direct vision. She could tell they were about four feet behind her and engaged in a heated discussion about the Chicago Cubs.

  Her eyes glanced down at the straps that bound her. They had red release buttons similar to car seat belts. She inched her right arm out from under the strap freeing her right hand quite easily.
Obviously they were counting on her being medically restrained.

  She pushed the red button on the strap restraining her left arm and caught the end of the strap before it dropped to the side. She slowly pulled herself up enough to the right to reach down and release the strap near her knees. One strap remained at her ankles. Her feet could easily slide out from under the strap when the time was right.

  With her right hand she carefully opened the door of the medical box. The needle was leaning against a bandage box in the center. She cupped it in her hand and closed the lid. Wanting to keep her left arm still in case they could see movement she used her thumb of her right hand to rub against the needle cap until she felt it ease off. Her heart pounded. Could she attack her kidnappers and survive?

  The ambulance was making a turn and slowing down. Were they at their destination? Had her time run out? The ambulance stopped. The roar of the motor beneath her silenced.

  Voice one said, “It’s been almost two hours driving around and I didn’t have lunch. I’m going to run in and get some food. Do you want something?”

  Voice two said, “Yeah. Get me a couple of burgers.” There were some rustling sounds and then voice two said, “Is ten enough?”

  Sharon heard the driver’s door open. “Back in a minute.” The door slammed shut.

  She held her breath expecting the passenger to step into the back to check on her. He didn’t. Sharon heard him talking on his phone. “I might be late tonight. Got a last minute gig from Lucas and I don’t know how long it’ll be.”

  There was that name again. Lucas. Sharon decided it was now or never. She freed her feet, swung her legs to land next to the gurney and leaped toward the front seat. The man in the passenger seat began to turn toward her. She stabbed the needle into his neck as his hand gripped her wrist and pulled. Sharon pushed the plunger of the needle and screamed in terror at his twisted expression. His eyes fluttered, his hand dropped from her wrist and his phone dropped to his lap. Sharon grabbed the phone and jumped out the back door of the ambulance.

  Her legs felt weak as she landed on the pavement. For a moment she thought they would fold under her. She inched her way past the ambulance and moved to hide next to a parked sedan. The parking lot was for an establishment called ‘Happy Burgers’. Through the tall tinted windows, she could see a man standing at the counter ordering food. He had to be her other kidnapper.

  A rush of fear washed over her as she imagined him glancing her way and beginning a chase. Behind the last row of cars in the parking lot was a group of old apartment buildings. Sharon forced her legs to run. A row of dumpsters sat at the side of the brick building and she squeezed between them for cover. It took all of her courage to glance back toward the ambulance. No one was chasing her yet.

  With one eye on the Happy Burger door and the other on the stolen phone she punched in 911. The 911 operator answered, “This is 911. What is your emergency?”

  Sharon gripped the phone tight, it was her only link to safety. “My name is Sharon Perez. I was kidnapped and I have escaped. Please send the police to come get me!”

  The 911 operator asked, “You are calling from a cell phone. Where are you?”

  Sharon realized the call center could only connect her to the nearest tower, if that. “I’m hiding behind some dumpsters behind the parking lot of Happy Burgers. My kidnapper is inside getting food.”

  The 911 operator asked, “Do you see a street sign anywhere?”

  Sharon inched out from her hiding spot and looked toward the street. There were no signs. “I don’t see any signs anywhere! I’m standing next to an apartment building that has a big ‘C’ on the bricks. I’m hiding behind the dumpsters.”

  The 911 operator said, “Can you check inside the dumpster for any mail? I need an address.”

  Sharon lifted the lid and was assaulted with the smells of garbage. A cloud of flies escaped and buzzed around her head. “Can I put the phone down? I need two hands to tear open a bag.”

  The 911 operator assured her she would stay on the line. Sharon carefully placed the phone on the ground, took a deep breath and flipped the lid of the dumpster bin completely open. She quickly glanced toward the Happy Burger door and saw her kidnapper walk toward the ambulance.

  She grabbed the top bag and tossed it to the ground next to her and the brick wall. She dropped to her knees and began tearing through the contents. Finally, she caught sight of an envelope covered in spaghetti noodles. She pulled it free and saw it was a disconnect notice for an electric bill.

  She picked up the phone, “Are you still there?”

  “I’m here. Did you find something?”

  Sharon exhaled, “Yes. The address is 14438-C South Green Street, Chicago. You must hurry! The kidnapper has left the Happy Burger building and will start looking for me any minute.”

  The 911 operator said, “I am dispatching patrol officers to your location. Stay on the line with me until they get there.”

  Sharon peeked between the dumpsters and saw the ambulance man dash from the ambulance to the middle of the parking lot. He slowly turned his body in a circle and scanned all directions. He was looking for her! Suddenly he stopped and stared right at her. Sharon felt her heart pounding in her chest. She felt his stare burn a hole in her forehead. He started walking in her direction.

  Sharon whispered into the phone, “Oh my God! He’s coming right at me!”

  ******

  Lucas glanced at his watch, 6:30. He had spent the last hour answering emails requesting organs. People with money didn’t want to wait on a registry list. His problem with Tony made him reluctant to make any promises. He would only be able to stall the requests for a few days before the Family would get wind there was a problem in Lucas’ organization.

  Lucas slipped his suit jacket on and tapped in the number for his current girlfriend. “I’m leaving the office soon; do you still want to go to Legends tonight?” Lucas smiled at her enthusiastic answer and responded, “I’ll pick you up within the hour.”

  In the parking garage his car lock chirped the exact moment his cell rang. He slid onto the leather seat and answered as he turned the ignition. A voice on the other end said, “Mr. Costellano? She escaped! I don’t know where she is!”

  Lucas rested his elbow on the arm rest and rubbed his temple. He made every effort to keep his voice free of the rage he was feeling. “Where are you?”

  Lucas listened as the ambulance driver told the story of Sharon’s escape at Happy Burger. Today had been cursed by some unknown evil. He already had ordered three of his men shot and four others had been killed by the police. He had to find this girl before she talked to anyone.

  “I’m sending a crew. Find her!”

  Lucas ended the call and tapped in the number for one of his street leaders. “How many men are with you?”

  “Three.”

  “Get over to Green Street in the 14000 block. Happy Burger parking lot. A girl escaped our guys from an ambulance.” Lucas took a deep breath. “I’ll send you her picture. I want her found. Dead or alive. Do it!”

  ******

  Tony had returned to his office from his visit with Nadine Schultz. That stupid cop had gotten her all upset. She had insisted she wanted to go home until after the funeral of her son and his family. Tony helped Elizabeth pack a small bag for her and escorted them to Elizabeth’s car. It seemed everything had gone wrong today.

  His cell phone rang, it was Lucas. “Tony.”

  “We have another problem. Sharon Perez has escaped. Can she identify you?”

  Tony thought back to when he did the tissue sample and Sharon opened her eyes. “She opened her eyes for a minute but I drugged her again right away. She was probably too drugged to focus.” Tony was secretly glad that Lucas had a problem with his men today, too. Maybe he’d be a little more forgiving about John’s mistakes.

  Lucas said, “Okay. When we catch her we’ll try to keep her alive. I’ll call you when we’re bringing her back.” Lucas paused. “The
surgery is still on for tomorrow, right?”

  “Right.” Tony wondered what they would do if Lucas didn’t find Sharon but he wasn’t going to ask.

  ******

  Sharon watched as the man from the ambulance stopped walking toward her and put a cell phone to his ear. He began to pace and wave his arm in the air. As soon as he turned his back to her she decided to run. She glanced to her right and guessed it was about one hundred feet to cross the apartment building lot to the rusted chain link fence. On the other side of the fence were some houses and businesses. Surely there would be some place for her to hide over there.

  She whispered to the 911 operator, “I’m going to run to a safer spot. Don’t hang up!”

  Sharon peeked around the side of the dumpster from her crouched position one last time as she slipped the phone into her blazer pocket. The man was still not facing her. She darted from behind the dumpster and began to run for her life toward the chain link fence. A large, low hanging branch of a walnut tree hung over the fence on her side. She jumped and grabbed the branch with both arms, swinging her legs up to hug the branch and pull herself into the cloud of green leaves. She climbed up two more branches and balanced in the crotch of the tree’s main trunk and a large limb. Thank God she had been a tomboy when she was a child. It seemed she had spent most of her childhood up trees.

  This would have been much easier in slacks than her skirt. Her thighs had been scraped by the bark and blood was running down her legs. Sharon felt like a frightened child peeking through the foliage for a glimpse of her enemy. She exhaled slowly to calm herself and pulled her phone from her pocket.

  “Are you still there?”

  “Yes. Where are you now?”

  “Same address I gave you but now I’m in a walnut tree.”