“What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing,” Riley said.
“You should talk to someone….”
Riley interrupted. “I don’t need to talk to anyone. I haven’t done anything wrong. And you can’t tell anyone.” He stood up. “I’m going to class.”
“Riley,” Sabre pleaded, as he bolted out the door.
“That little punk!” JP said after Riley left. “He’s sick.”
“He needs psychiatric help and he needs it quickly,” Sabre said. “And I still have the same dilemma. Riley’s right, I can’t tell anyone.”
“Do you believe him, about not killing his father?”
Sabre shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Chapter 53
Sabre left Riley’s school and had driven about ten minutes in the direction of the courthouse when she remembered the last drawing Riley did of the family. It contained two women and a boy, and then she thought of the accident Riley drew. That was it, she thought.
She pulled off the road before she entered the freeway and called Frank. He didn’t answer his cell or the home phone. She started back toward Frank’s house, which was only a few blocks from Riley’s school.
Sabre called JP. “I think Riley tried to kill Frank and Marcus.”
“Because?”
“The last picture of the family has two women and a boy. If that boy is Riley, which I expect it is, the women must be his mom and grandma.”
“And there is no Frank in the picture, and I bet he drives a Jaguar.”
“The car accident Riley drew was of a Jaguar and there were two bodies on the ground: one child and one adult male,” Sabre said. “And you should have seen the look on Riley’s face when Frank came home last night. I don’t think he expected him to return.”
“And remember Riley said, ‘it won’t be long now.’ He must have something else planned.”
“We need to warn Frank.”
“I called and left a message telling him not to drive his car. I’m heading over there right now before he takes Marcus to school. It’s about that time. And I’m calling Klakken.”
“Are you sure?” JP asked.
“This is a future crime, not something he’s already done. It doesn’t fall under any privilege,” Sabre said. “I have to go. I’m almost there. I’ll call you when I leave Frank’s house. Oh, and could you try to call Frank again?”
“Sure.”
Sabre hung up and just before she pulled into the Davis’ driveway, she called the cell number Klakken had given her and left a message. “This is Attorney Sabre Brown. I have some information on Foreman’s murder. I also have reason to believe that Frank Davis may be in danger. I’m going there now. Please call me as soon as possible.”
As Sabre pulled into the circular driveway she noticed the garage door was open. Two cars were parked inside: a cream color Cadillac and a silver Jaguar. She breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t too late. She walked quickly up to the front door and rang the bell. The door opened and suddenly Sabre was yanked inside, a gun to her head.
***
JP tried calling Frank a couple of times but no one answered. Then he tried Sabre again and when she didn’t answer he exited the next off ramp and reentered the freeway, heading back the way he came. He called the school and discovered Riley had not shown up for class this morning. JP broke the speed limit as he moved rapidly north on Interstate 5 until he exited onto the La Jolla Parkway off ramp. He followed it until it dumped into Torrey Pines Rd. He was only a few blocks away from Frank’s house.
***
Riley’s eyes combined hate and fear as he held an unsteady 9 mm gun near Sabre’s face. Frank, Celia, and Marcus were lined up on the green designer sofa in the living room. A young man around eighteen or nineteen years old held them in place with a shotgun. Sabre didn’t recognize him.
“Sit down,” Riley said, nodding toward a green chair near the sofa.
Sabre looked at the group of hostages as she sat down. Marcus’ face was white with fear. Celia looked as if she were about to pass out. Frank looked like a caged tiger ready to pounce at first chance. He was always in control, always the one calling the shots; Sabre feared he would do something foolish and they may all be killed.
“Watch them, or kill them, or whatever you’re going to do,” the older boy said. “No. Don’t kill them yet. We need to leave as soon as the shots are fired and I need to finish getting the stuff out of the safe.” He picked up a bag from the floor near his feet. “Let’s take the Jaguar. I’ve always wanted a Jag.”
Riley looked at him, dumbfounded. “We can’t take the Jag, you idiot.”
The young man chuckled. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot. A person could get killed in that car.” He walked off hastily down the hallway.
“How did you get into the safe, Riley?” Frank asked.
“When I was little I would see Grandma open the safe. I guess you never changed the combination,” Riley said. Frank shot Celia an exasperated look, but she didn’t seem to notice.
***
JP parked at the bottom of the circular driveway and walked up the side of the yard closest to the garage. The shades were closed on the front window. Moving carefully through the garage he made his way to the door, gun in hand. He very slowly turned the handle, but the door was locked. He left the garage and walked around to the back and hoisted himself up onto the deck where he could inch his way along the wall to the partially open sliding glass door of the sunroom. Standing back where he couldn’t be seen, he peered around the corner. From there he could see the living room where Frank, Celia, and Marcus were huddled together on the green sofa and Sabre in the chair next to them. Standing in front of them, with his back to JP, was Riley with a gun pointed directly at Frank’s head. JP could hear most of what was being said.
“Riley, you don’t want to do this,” Sabre said.
“I have to,” Riley said. “You don’t understand.”
“But I do understand. I know you want to live in this house with your mother and your grandmother. You want life to be simple and you want to be loved. But you are loved by many people. You don’t have to do this.”
“My mom and grandma are the only ones who love me.”
“Then let your grandma go. You don’t want to hurt her. Look at her, Riley. She’s so frightened.” Riley glanced at his grandmother, who was trembling. “Your family won’t be complete without her. You better let her go before she’s accidentally hurt.”
“I can’t. She’ll call the cops.”
“Please, Riley,” Celia said, leaning forward toward Riley. “Let Marcus go.”
Sabre shook her head at Celia and said, “No, Celia.”
But Celia kept talking. “He’s just a little boy. Let him go.”
Riley’s face was red with anger as he whipped the gun toward Marcus and pointed it at his head. “No, Grandma. Don’t you try to protect him. He’s just trouble to you. I’m your good boy, not Marcus.”
Celia pulled back against the sofa, her hand tightly grabbing Marcus’ arm.
Sabre glanced around the room trying to figure out what to do. She knew the young man helping Riley would return soon. He could already be watching them since Sabre couldn’t see the hallway from where she sat. The doorbell rang just as she started to plead again with Riley.
“Who is that?” Riley said to no one in particular.
“It’s probably the police,” Frank said. “I expect the house is surrounded by now.”
Sabre wondered if he really believed that or if he was bluffing. Either way she wasn’t sure it was the right move. Riley was very fidgety and she was afraid he could do anything at this point.
“You lied to me,” Riley said, looking at Sabre. “You called the cops on your own client.”
“No, I didn’t, Riley. I haven’t told them anything. Look, I can still help you. Please let me help you.”
“You don’t want to help me.”
“Yes, I do. Riley, you don’
t need to do this. There are other ways.”
Riley ignored her and said to Celia. “Grandma, answer the door.” He yanked Marcus off the sofa and pointed the gun at the side of his head. “If it’s the cops, make them go away or I’ll kill Marcus.”
Sabre fixed her eyes on Marcus, trying to make him feel a little safer. He was trembling. She wanted so badly to get him out of Riley’s clutches. She wanted to trade places with Marcus, but she feared even the suggestion would set Riley off.
The doorbell rang again.
“Go,” Riley said to his grandma.
***
JP was about to back off the deck and call 9-1-1 when he heard the doorbell ring. He waited. When Celia stood up and walked to the door, JP inched the door open and slipped inside. He positioned himself behind a wicker armoire which blocked him only from Riley and Marcus as long as Riley’s back was turned. He caught Sabre’s eye and she quickly glanced away. Riley had his eyes on his grandma.
Celia opened the door.
“M…may I help you?”
“I’m Detective Shane Klakken, San Diego Homicide. Is Frank Davis home?”
JP spotted Riley’s accomplice, Chris McKenzie, standing in the hallway near the stairs. JP pointed his gun at Chris just as Chris raised his gun and aimed it at Klakken. JP yelled, “Klakken, watch out!” Chris fired his gun and so did JP. Klakken hit the ground, pulling Celia down with him.
Riley pushed Marcus down and turned his gun on Sabre.
“You liar! You called the police!” His hand trembled as he waved the gun at her.
“No, I didn’t,” Sabre said firmly.
Chris lay at the bottom of the stairs in a pool of blood. JP kicked Chris’ gun away as he passed him. JP and Klakken moved swiftly across the floor toward Riley, guns drawn. They both stopped when Riley yelled, “Stop or I’ll shoot her.” His gun pointed at Sabre’s head.
Klakken stood several steps behind the chair where Sabre was seated. JP stood to his left. Riley was only a few feet from Sabre and Frank.
“Put the gun down, son,” Klakken said. “It’s over.”
“No. It’s not over. Someone has to die for hurting my mother. They all hurt my mother.”
“Someone has already died,” Klakken said. “Your father is dead. Isn’t that enough?”
Riley started to cry. A blend of raging man and little boy emerged as the sadness and anger spread through his voice. “I didn’t mean to kill him. I was so mad and when he laughed at me and called my mom a ‘stupid bitch’ I just picked up the hourglass and hit him. Then Chris said….”
JP slowly moved closer to Riley as he spoke.
“Riley,” Sabre said, as she slowly stood up. She could hear sirens. Help was on the way. “Don’t say anything more. Let me help you.”
He looked at her with pleading eyes.
“I can help you. Your father’s death was an accident. It’s not too late if you stop this right now.”
“I didn’t kill my father,” Riley said. A sudden rage crept back into his eyes. He started to move the gun away from Sabre but still held it at the same level.
Klakken took a step closer. “That’s it, son. Put the gun down.”
But Riley’s hand stopped when the gun reached Frank, but he didn’t look at him. Keeping his eyes on JP and Klakken, Riley said, “Tell them, Frank. I didn’t kill my father, did I?”
JP inched his way closer to Riley. He was within about three feet when Riley yelled, “Stop!” Then Riley turned abruptly back to Frank. “Tell them, Frank.”
“Come on, son. Put it down,” Klakken said. “Listen to your attorney. She can help you. Hear the sirens. This place will be filled with cops in a minute. There’s no way out.”
For several seconds no one said anything. The only sound was Marcus softly whimpering on the floor and the sirens getting closer.
“Tell them what you did,” Riley yelled at Frank.
Frank’s brow wrinkled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, yes you do. Tell them.” Riley shook the gun at him.
“What’s he talking about?” Klakken asked. “Frank, do you know who killed Foreman?”
“He did.” Frank nodded his head toward Riley. “He just said he did and that he didn’t mean to. He’s talking crazy now.” A stern look came over Frank’s face. “Riley, put the gun down before someone else gets hurt. I’ll help you through this. Everything will be alright. I can help you.”
“Just like you helped my mom,” Riley said bitterly.
Sabre could hear the police vehicles pulling up to the house.
“Riley,” Frank said in a softer voice. “Please, put the gun down. The police are surrounding the house. It’s over.”
“I killed George alright, but I didn’t kill my father,” Riley said, accentuating the last word and furiously looking at Klakken. “Foreman wasn’t my father.” He swung his head back toward Frank. “Tell them, Frank. Tell them.” The gun shook as he aimed it lower on Frank’s body. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid of your own son, Frank?”
Frank remained calm. “Riley, listen to your attorney. We’ll both help you. It’s over.”
Riley glared at him for one second and then said, “You’re right. It’s over.” In one swift move Riley aimed at Frank’s crotch and pulled the trigger. JP lunged at Riley and pushed him to the floor. The gun fell from Riley’s hand and clanged as it hit the tile.
Frank yelped and doubled up. Blood flowed from his body onto the expensive green sofa. Police rushed in and with Klakken giving directions, they handcuffed Riley. JP swooped Marcus up off the floor where he lay whimpering. Then with Marcus in one arm, JP wrapped his free arm around Sabre and escorted them both outside.
Chapter 54
Sabre and JP waited until Riley was ushered into the police car and hauled away. Then she called Marla, the social worker, and gave an accounting of the events that had just taken place.
“I’ll be right there. Should I plan on picking up Marcus?” Marla said.
“You may have to. He should probably go to Polinsky for the night. His grandma said he could sleep downstairs in the guest bedroom next to her room tonight and she assured me she’d keep an eye on him, but she’s not in very good shape herself.”
“And you don’t think he’s at risk for suicide?”
“He never tried to commit suicide,” Sabre informed her. “Riley made him do it.”
“How?”
“Marcus told me he was very afraid of his brother. Riley would threaten him all the time and he always came through with his threats. This time he told him he wanted to draw him hanging for a school assignment. When Marcus refused, Riley said he’d kill his grandma if he didn’t do it. He also assured Marcus that he wouldn’t get hurt. He just wanted to see what it looked like and it would only be for a second. Then he’d save him. He promised he wouldn’t let him die.”
“That’s horrible. But why did Riley want Marcus dead?” Marla said. “Was he jealous of Marcus? That doesn’t really make sense because Riley appeared to get way more attention than Marcus did. It annoyed me the way Dana would refer to Riley as her ‘good son.’”
“I think Riley wanted anyone out of the way that hurt his mother. That meant Frank, George, and Marcus all had to go. His mind has gotten pretty twisted. I’m just hoping the psychiatrists can sort it out and help him.”
“Me, too. Thanks for calling, Sabre. I’ll see that Marcus is safe tonight.”
Sabre hung up just as Klakken walked up to JP. Klakken extended his hand to JP, who reached out and shook it. “Thanks for saving my life,” Klakken said.
“I’m glad I was here,” JP said. Klakken let go of JP’s hand and started to turn away when JP spoke. “I’m sorry, Shane. I’m really sorry for everything.”
Klakken looked back at him, nodded his head, and walked away.
JP’s face showed sorrow and anguish as he watched Klakken leave. Sabre could see as he choked back the words that he wanted to say more, but he eithe
r couldn’t find the right words to say or there just weren’t any.
He put his arm around Sabre’s shoulder and led her toward their cars. “Let’s go. I’m taking you home. I’ll pick up your car later and bring it to you.”
“I have to go to court. And I’m okay to drive.”
“I’d rather you didn’t. Look at you. You’re trembling. I have to give you this: You were steady as a rock while Riley held that gun on you, but now you’re about as frazzled as a cow’s hide under a branding iron. Please, let me drive you.”
Sabre started to acquiesce but changed her mind. “Really, I’m okay. I need my car this morning, but could you please call Jerry Leahy and tell him what happened? Maybe he can get a hearing set today and get Bob’s charges dropped.”
“Sure.” He turned and stepped toward his car.
“JP?” Sabre called after him.
He looked back. “Yes.”
“Can I buy you a drink tonight?”
“You bet.”
***
Sabre hurried back to court, where she completed her morning calendar as well as Bob’s. She was still pretty shaken by the events, but she was feeling much better by the time her calendar was concluded. Then she set up a special hearing for later that day on the Foreman case to inform the court of what had happened and to be relieved as Riley’s counsel. The court could decide whether or not to have her continue representing Marcus.
Sabre called the other attorneys on the case to let them know about the special she had set and then drove to Pho’s to get an order to go. With her order of rice paper rolls and a number 124 she drove to the courthouse downtown for Bob’s hearing. She received a call from JP just as she parked her car.
“All charges were dropped,” JP said. “They’re working on his release right now. It won’t be long.”
“I’ll meet you out front in a few minutes.”
Sabre walked to the front steps of the courthouse and sat down on a concrete wall. She set her take-out order on the wall next to her and she waited. It was finally over. Bob would get his life back. But her heart went out to both Riley and Marcus. Their lives were forever changed. She could only hope that Dana would get her life together and make a home for Marcus and that Riley would get the help he needed to make him whole again.
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