Chapter37
Monday morning arrived and Alice had her scoop already written. She was waiting for Agent Campbell’s call to tell her when they were planning on arresting
the four boys, and, which police department they were taking them to. Alice wanted to be there with her video camera to record the arrests, and to take some photos. The photos would sell her story better to the papers. John was back on the dayshift so she was up early with him; however, she was only half listening to him talking to her.
“I’ve got a rookie working with me this week,” John mentioned as he finished his breakfast and drank the last of his coffee. “He worked with Andy last week, and Andy said he didn’t stop talking all day. He goes on about his girlfriend— apparently, she won some beauty contest.”
“Well, that’s nice for him,” Alice absentmindedly replied. “He’s a big guy and his name is Steve Bateman. The boys have already nicknamed him, Batman, and they started calling Andy, Robin,” John laughed. “I guess I’ll be Robin this week.”
“Batman and Robin? Don’t worry, love, I’m sure you’ll make a good Robin.” Alice winked at him. “Don’t forget, you were a rookie once.”
“Yeah, I hope I didn’t talk as much as Batman.” John kissed her and headed out to work, wishing her luck with her story.
~
When John arrived at the prison, Steve “Batman” Bateman was waiting for him. “Hi John, I’ve been assigned to you this week.”
“So I’ve been told.” Steve fell in step with John as they walked to the locker room: “Andy said you and Bob go tenpin bowling with him.” “Did he?”
“He said you take your wives with you on Saturdays. Do
you think I could bring my girlfriend along one Saturday?” Before John could answer he went on: “My lady won a beauty contest two years ago, down in Long Beach. I wanted her to enter Miss America, but she said she’s too shy. I think if the right people were to see her, she’d be in the movies. She’s got a stunning body; guys can’t keep their eyes off her. It’s a good job I’m not the jealous type.” Steve hardly stopped to take a breath. “One guy said she has an ass like Jennifer Lopez.” He smiled proudly. “I don’t mind them looking as long as they don’t try their luck.”
John picked up his gear from his locker and strapped his belt on while Steve continued talking about his girlfriend. John thought he’d have a headache before the shift started. He had to show Steve the ropes and to do that he’d have to shut him up. The only way to do that was to talk over him. “Before we start, we’ll make our way down to the release area. One of the inmates is leaving today; he’s been with us for seven years, and I’d like to wish him well.”
“Sounds like you’ll miss him.”
“Most of us will. He was a strange guy—wouldn’t say boo to a ghost. He never bonded with any gang, and that’s rare if you want to survive in here.”
“Did he pay them off?”
“No, I think everyone felt sorry for him, and just left him alone.”
“What was he in for?”
“Manslaughter. He accidentally killed his wife.” John could see it was going to be a long week working with Steve; if he weren't talking about himself, he was asking questions.
“Oh. Shit.”
“Yeah. Some reckon he could have gotten away without doing time if he had hired himself a good lawyer. But he refused a lawyer, altogether, and told the judge he couldn’t live without his wife, and didn’t care if he got the death penalty—he killed his wife and was prepared to do the time. The judge gave him 15 years, and he’s done seven here. Before coming here, he spent four months in a hospital. Allegedly, he downed a bottle of pills, which put him in a coma for three days.”
“So what is he––a druggie or a nutcase?”
“Neither, he was your average guy––happily married, no kids, and he and his wife both had good jobs. They were at some beach party and thought to try some Ecstasy—one thing led to another, and someone gave him a different pill to try. About twenty people saw what happened to Abel after that—that’s his name, by the way, Abel Lazarus.”
“What’s that … Jewish?”
“Yeah. Anyway, according to the witnesses, Abel and his wife had just eaten some kebabs, and Abel started using his kebab skewer as a sword, shouting that he was Zorro, the best swordsman in the world. His wife picked up her skewer, thinking he was just playing around, and started sword playing with him. Abel lunged at her, shoving the skewer into her eye and into her brain. She died on the way to the hospital from a brain hemorrhage.”
“Jesus, I bet that’s a party he doesn’t want to remember.”
“Yep. Abel didn’t even comprehend what he had done–– he was out of his mind on the drugs. He carried on sword fencing with the other guests, and stabbed one guy in the shoulder before his friends overpowered him.”
“Holy shit, imagine having to live with that; it’s good they didn’t have any kids.”
John and Steve had reached the release area, and John shouted to his colleague: “Hey, has Lazarus gone through?”
“He’s due any time now; he’s already been through clearance.”
Steve was shaking his head in disbelief that someone could get so high on drugs that they would stab their own wife and not realize they had done it. “I bet Lazarus’ wife’s family isn’t too happy that he’s getting out early on good behavior.”
John shook his head. “They didn’t want Lazarus to go to prison in the first place; they knew how much their daughter and Abel loved each other; it was a tragic accident. They also knew their daughter would have forgiven him, and wouldn’t want him to go to prison. The parents actually spoke up for Lazarus.”
“With their testimony and a good lawyer, he should have gotten off lighter than 15 years.”
“I’m sure the judge would have given him a lighter sentence, but it was what Lazarus wanted.” John heard the gate open and turned in that direction. “I think that’s why the gangs in the yard took pity on him, for his courage more than his crime.”
Two guards escorted Abel Lazarus as he walked the last twenty yards to the main gate and his freedom. John and Steve were off to the side, behind the wire fence, and as Abel came closer, John called to him.
“Hey, Lazarus, I hope you’re going to behave yourself out there; we don’t want to see you back here.”
“Officer Timberlake, have you come to see me off?”
“Yeah, I’m showing the new guy, Steve, the ropes today, but I thought I’d come and say all the best.”
“Thank you.” Abel walked up to the fence and gave Steve a friendly smile: “This must be Officer Bateman, whose girlfriend won a beauty contest.”
Steve’s jaw dropped open. “How did you know that?”
Abel shrugged. “I wish I could stay longer and get to know you, but my dad’s waiting for me.” He turned to John. “Look after yourself, Officer Timberlake.”
“I will.” John waved his hand and jovially said: “Don’t forget to send us a Christmas card.”
“Yeah … sure … and, Officer Bateman,” Abel shouted over his shoulder as he walked away, “I hope your girlfriend makes it in the movies.” And I‘ll be paying you both a visit tonight. Abel smiled. “By the way, what’s her name so I can keep an eye out for her?”
“Jean Thornton,” Steve shouted after him as he watched Abel walk through the last gate to freedom.
~
Abel Lazarus—also known as the Magic Man, Invisible Joe, Old Joe, and now by the new name of Joe Mann—walked free and was met by his mother and father. He liked the thought of meeting Steve Bateman’s beauty queen—he couldn’t wait to find out what she looked like, and what fantasies they could have together. He was ready to start a new life, but he wasn’t going to give up his gift of getting into people’s dreams.
However, Joe’s biggest concern would remain the same–– keeping one step ahead of the Feds and Frank Brubaker. He still wanted to work with the FBI through Alice, though. It fe
lt good to be using his gift for the greater good, but it was also a way to keep on top of what the Bureau did or did not know about him. Joe was going to have to continue giving Alice false information about himself, which he felt badly about, but it was essential to keeping the Feds off his tracks, and making their partnership work. If Alice, Burrows, and the Bureau believed him to be an old man—old enough to be a suspect in a 47 year old rape case— that was good, because Joe was not yet 40 years old. If they believed he had been dream-walking since his teens, it was even better, as Joe had only acquired his gift seven years ago when he woke up from his coma in the hospital. The less factual information they had about Joe the Magic Man, the better for everyone involved.
Chapter38
A“Mrs. Timberlake, good news––we’re going to arrest lice waited impatiently during the morning for Agent Campbell to phone her. Finally, the phone rang.
the four boys tomorrow while they are in class. It’s going down around ten, so be down there before then.” “I’ll be there by nine.” Alice felt disappointed she had to wait another day, but she was still excited to be in on the takedown.
“Good.” Agent Campbell was just as thrilled as Alice. “I told the Legal boys that an informant had told me about the blanket and a mattress in the warehouse.”
“I guess a little white lie wouldn’t hurt.”
“In a way it’s not a lie, you phoned me and told me.” Agent Campbell laughed. “We can’t go telling the public the Magic Man hypnotized one of the boys to get the information out of them, now, can we?” In a more serious tone, he added, “We’ll stick with an anonymous phone call.”
Alice agreed that was for the best. “Joe would rather stay out of it, anyway.”
“We owe Joe a lot; Forensics managed to get semen samples from the blanket—let’s hope they match one of the boys.”
“Didn’t they wear condoms?” Alice couldn’t believe the boys would be that stupid.
“Yeah, they wore condoms. The doctor who examined the girls said they wore them, but condoms can be messy to take off–
–if they were still kneeling over the blanket when they took them off…” he let her picture it for herself.
“Yes, of course. So, you’ve got your case, then?”
“We can’t say for sure, but I’m confident.”
“I’ll tell Joe.”
“Have you got your story ready?”
“Yes, I’ll give it to you first thing in the morning, or do you want me to email it to you?”
“No, don’t email it; goodness knows who might see it. Read it out to me.”
“Now?” Alice wasn’t expecting to do that: “Over the phone?”
“I’ll have no time tomorrow morning, either, so go ahead, read it to me.”
Alice read it out nervously, with Campbell stopping her here and there to correct or censor her.
“That should do,” he commented when she finished. Agent Campbell wasn’t overly happy about any press, but had to admit she had done a fine job. “Just don’t let on who your informant is,” he added.
“I’ll take a leaf out of your book and say a student told me. It’s half true, anyway––Scott Bailey did tell Joe.”
“True enough. I’ll have Agent Kelly go over what you can and can’t do tomorrow morning. She’ll meet you just outside the gates, like before. Okay?”
“That will be fine.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then, Mrs. Timberlake.”
~
By the next morning, Alice had her plan all worked out; she had gone over and over it with John. With a bit of luck, it would get her career in journalism started. First, she had to get the arrests of the boys on tape, and then phone the local television station to arrange to show them the tape, and offer them part of the story. After that, she was going to phone three newspapers, offer them the full exclusive story, and see who offered the most money for it. Alice checked the batteries in her cell phone, video camera, and laptop, and set off early.
She was outside the gates by 9:25 a.m.; at 9:45 a.m. Agent Hannah Kelly pulled up behind her, got out of her car, and went and sat with Alice in her car.
“Mrs. Timberlake, I’m glad you’re early.” “Good morning, Agent Kelly.” Alice hated all the formality.
“We’ve got a few matters to go over before the convoy comes, so here’s the plan. There will be a local police car that will pull up to the gates, and the officers will make sure the guards know what’s going down. Behind, will be five FBI cars, and two black and whites. As soon as the last car passes you, you pull out and follow it through the gates, and I’ll follow you. They’ll be on silent code. The four boys are attending a lecture in the east wing, so you follow the convoy around until it stops there. You are to stay in your car until I give you the nod. Try to get the local sheriff in your pictures, more than our agents. Got it?”
Alice had been nodding yes the whole time, too excited to interrupt her. “Okay, I’ve got it.”
“Good. I’m going back to my car and I’ll flash you when they come.”
Alice felt like saying copy that, but another okay came out meekly as Agent Kelly got out of the car. For the next long, ten minutes, Alice looked from her rearview mirror to her side mirror. When Agent Kelly flashed her, she looked in her side mirror and saw the top of a police car come into view. It drove past her, silently, followed by a second car, driven by Agent Campbell. He gave her the thumbs up and Alice smiled back tensely as the adrenaline raced through her.
“Oh shit,” she whispered, “this is what it must be like on a drug bust.” Alice had seen so many raids like this on television. She pulled out behind the last car, and Agent Kelly followed close behind. She stayed in the convoy, doing just 15 mph as they crept halfway around the campus. By the time Alice pulled up behind the final car, Agent Campbell was out of his vehicle and looking down the line of cars toward Alice. He put his finger to his lips to signal not to slam the doors.
Alice stayed in the car as she’d been told to do. She opened her window, grabbed her video camera and zoomed in on the sheriff. He was a fat man, and she caught him trying to suck in so he could pull his pants and belt up over his belly. Alice filmed the backs of the FBI agents going quietly into the building. Her car was well placed to see the main entrance. When they brought the boys out, they’d have to walk the 15 yards or more across the lawn to the cars, and Alice would have a perfect view. Two minutes later, as promised, Agent Kelly gave Alice the nod. Alice got out of her car and stood with her camera rolling as two FBI agents led Alfred Cohen out of the building and into the first car. She turned the camera back in time to catch Chris Tucker being dragged unwillingly to the car, followed by Brian Butler, who was crying his eyes out. Finally, they brought out Scott Bailey, and Alice got a good, long shot of him as his car was only two cars in front of hers. He looked at her pleadingly.
“Get in the car!” Alice didn’t notice Agent Kelly come up to her until she spoke. “Follow them off campus.” Alice got back in her car, and was ready to go when she saw the sheriff strolling down the path, talking with the university dean. Alice opened her window and snapped a picture of them shaking hands, knowing it would make a great addition to her story. As soon as the sheriff got into his car, it took off. Alice, overcome with excitement, yelled out, “Wagons roll!”
She followed the convoy off campus, and just a few minutes down the road, two of the cars, and a black and white took a right turn. Alice continued following the car with Agent Campbell and the sheriff, and when they arrived at the precinct, she was rewarded with some more good photos. It was all over by 11:15 a.m. and she had to do some calling around if she was to catch the noon news on television.
By 11:55 a.m., Alice was at a diner, seated in front of the television. “Excuse me, miss, could you turn the TV up a bit?” The waitress gave Alice a funny look. “I might be on the noon news.” Alice couldn’t help grinning. “Thank you.”
“Good afternoon, San Diego … I’m Ed Lewis, and y
ou are watching the noon news with KCOP-TV. We’ve got breaking news from Alice Timberlake, one of our freelance journalists in the field. This is the footage, she just sent in, of four students at San Diego University, who were arrested for the alleged rape of Jessica Palmer, and three other young women. As you recall, we reported a few weeks ago the kidnapping of 16-year-old Jessica Palmer, who was raped and blinded during her ordeal. The names of the four students have not been released yet.”
Alice’s cell phone buzzed, and she answered it without taking her eyes from the television screen. It was one of the papers that Alice had phoned and told to watch the noon news, and, if they wanted to have an exclusive with the names of the four students, they were to make her an offer. She told them she’d get back to them. As soon as she hung up, her phone rang again; it was another newspaper wanting her story. The third paper she had contacted made the best offer. She pulled her laptop out, and sent them the story by email, signing it, Alice Timberlake, Freelance Journalist. Alice was thrilled everything had gone as she had hoped. With a big grin on her face, and tears of joy in her eyes, she ordered another cup of coffee before she left for home.
Chapter39
Joe was staying in his parents’ house and had watched the noon news. He was pleased for Alice—all the work they had done over the last few weeks had worked out for her. He
popped into Alice’s mind and was overcome by her happy mood. She had a cup of coffee in one hand and was tapping a merry tune on the lid of her laptop with the fingers of the other hand.
“Ding dong! How is my super-duper reporter doing?” Alice beamed. “You caught the news?”
“You’ve done good, girl, I’m proud of you.”
“You did all the work, Joe. Campbell will get all the
glory, of course—but, I got my story. And don’t worry—I’ll split my wages with you from my story; after all, I only got the scoop because of you.”
Get Out Of My Dreams (Joe the Magic Man Series Book 1) Page 26
