by Anna Burke
“No, her parents never mentioned it. It’s possible they didn’t know it, either, since I told them to cut off contact. Libby’s poor parents have been to hell and back with her, that’s for sure.” Jessica shook her head in sadness.
“Did you do what Libby said, Jessica? Grab her?” Tommy asked.
“It all happened so fast, I’m not sure. I was grabbing for her before we fell. I was trying to get her to follow me when she pushed me away. Dr. Carr was yanking at her too. I know I had her for a minute. Then, that shove sent me flying over the edge, backwards. If I snagged her again it might explain how my hand got wrecked. It’s more like a slice than a puncture wound. I could have grabbed a strap on the bag she was carrying or part of her clothing, who knows? So, I take it Libby has been too out of it to tell police what went on that afternoon?”
“Yeah as soon as they got her to the hospital they put her under. She’s still in an induced coma to limit damage from a head injury that caused a brain bleed. I’m not sure what else is wrong with her, but she has internal injuries and broken bones. She must have hit something on the way down. From the video coverage, she landed at an angle that had to have done some damage. Another foot to the left, though, and she would have continued bouncing off things before landing closer to her dead doctor.” It was Jerry’s turn to shake his head. “So what happened?” Jerry asked, taking a seat in a chair beside Jessica’s hospital bed.
“Yeah, give us the scoop, Jessica,” Tommy added, perching on the edge of her bed.
“It’s all still a little jumbled. Libby called me around noon. She sounded wound up and claimed she had information she needed to tell someone about Dr. Carr and Shannon Donnelly. If I wanted it, before there was another dead daughter, I should meet her, right away. When she told me she was at the top of the tramway, I agreed to go. It was a public place with lots of people around so it seemed safe to meet, but the location was an odd choice. I was spooked by the tone in her voice, or I might have blown her off. She’s tried a couple times to contact me in the past week, and I insisted she do it through her attorney. Anyway, I called Detective Hernandez to tell him where I was going and who I was meeting. Since he’s been investigating Shannon Donnelly's disappearance, I relayed the claim Libby made that she had news about her missing friend. I never can get that guy on the phone, so I left a voice mail message. I figured at least he’d know where to look for my body. Guess I figured right.”
Jessica gazed out the window again. She wished she was out in the breeze that caused the palms to shimmy. This time of year desert breezes carried the fragrance of flowers, planted in and around places like the hospital. The temperatures were sublime, chasing away memories of the heat. Full of forgiveness for the torments of summer, fall offered new hope, like spring in most other places. Too bad it wasn’t as easy to let go of all the other memories from summer.
“The fall I fell off a frigging mountain!’ I’ll just file that one away under ‘N’ for nightmares,” she babbled. The 2013 file drawer in her head overflowed with one-of-a-kind photo ops straight out of Agatha Christie novels or an episode of CSI. Except that they were real. More graphic and brutal than the mystery tales she had read, or those TV shows. Tommy and Jerry glanced at each other and then back at Jessica.
“You okay, Jessica?”
“Hell, no, where was I? Oh yeah, I hustled up to the top of the tramway. When I got to the visitor center Libby was waiting for me. She insisted someone was following her and claimed we had very little time. When I wanted to go sit down and have cocoa or coffee, she refused. So, I followed her outside the building and down the ramp to the hiking paths. I kept prodding her to tell me what was going on, with no luck. When we reached the bottom of that ramp I refused to go any farther. That’s when she stuck a gun in my ribs and we set out on the Desert View Trail.”
“She had a gun,” Tommy gasped.
“She did. While we walked that trail, she ranted. I tried to pay attention. That wasn't easy since I was scared she’d shoot me or some random stranger who looked at her the wrong way. Most of the rant was about ‘nobody will ever believe me even if I tell the truth.’ I couldn’t argue with that. She was mumbling, ‘it’s your fault, Libby’ and ‘you’ve done this to yourself so shut up.’ You know, like she was talking to herself and I just happened to be there?” Jessica trembled at the thought of how loose Libby had been while holding a lethal weapon in her hands.
“When we got out on that overlook she tied my hands and made me sit down while she continued to rant. At first I said nothing while she continued to argue with herself. After a while, I wasn’t even sure she remembered I was there. I worked on untying the ropes while she kept asking herself questions: ‘how could I have been so stupid?’ and ‘how could there be another dead daughter because of me, like poor, pathetic Lela.’ Remember? That’s the name of her friend killed in that car accident with Libby at the wheel—drunk and stoned out of her mind?” Tommy and Jerry nodded yes.
“Anyway at least part of that time the argument she was having with herself was about me—whether I could be trusted or not. I kept working to get my hands free, figuring I might have to make a run for it. At some point, I became worried about what would happen if we were still out in the cold after sundown. I tried talking to her about that, but it did no good. She waved that gun around and almost danced on the boulders at the edge of the overlook.” Jessica paused and took a deep breath before reaching the end of her story.
“I was sitting on the ground, working to get my hands free, hoping someone would come along. I got my wish. Too bad our visitor turned out to be the late Dr. Carr. He had a gun, too. I’m not sure what Libby intended to do, since, at one point she talked about killing herself and me. Carr was clear, however. The bastard planned to shoot one or both of us, then shove us off the edge of that overlook.” Jessica shook all over.
“He ordered me to stand up. When I didn’t do it, he gave a good yank on the rope around my wrists to get me on my feet. That did it—the rope came loose, and I gave him a shove. His gun went flying, but Libby still had hers. That’s when I grabbed Libby by the hand and took off. Carr got back up on the rock and yanked at Libby. She either shoved me, or the momentum from their struggle sent me reeling. Anyway, we all went over the edge. I heard a shot, but I don’t know who fired the gun.”
“I’m so sorry, Jessica,” Jerry said.
“I thought I was dead this time for sure, you guys.”
“It’s okay, Jessica. You don’t have to tell us any more if you don’t want to,” Tommy said, reaching out to put a hand over hers. His eyes were watery, dulling the sparkles of gold that usually twinkled in them.
“I want to talk about it. Carr is dead, but I don’t think this is over.” Jerry handed Jessica a tissue from a box at her bedside.
“What does that mean, Jessica?” Jerry asked, his gorgeous brow furrowed. Jessica felt guilty. The man was beautiful to behold even under such unhappy circumstances. Chiseled features sat in perfect symmetry upon his handsome face. A dazzling smile set off twinkling green eyes when not overcome with foreboding by one of Jessica’s calamities.
“I’m not sure what it means. Libby was so out of it most of the time. But all that talk about Shannon Donnelly and ‘another dead daughter’ must mean something. Her friend may be dead, but I don’t think she killed her. Not this friend, anyway. Lela, the one who died as a passenger in her car: yes. Libby admitted that car crash was her doing and even claimed it was on purpose. I’m not sure what that means. Both girls were drunk as skunks that night and took turns driving the SUV on L.A. freeways, like speedway drivers, before the crash. Given she was making her last confession yesterday afternoon, I think Libby would have taken credit for killing Shannon if she had done it. She blamed herself for getting Shannon in trouble though and with 'them.' That included Dr. Dick, but she also said something about that ‘red devil’ being behind it all. Red devil sounds crazy, I know.”
“The whole situation qualifies as crazy,
Jessica. Given the state she was in for hours yesterday, it’s not far-fetched to believe she killed her friend in a fit of rage. Who knows? What if Libby was in a delusional state and Shannon became a red devil? Either circumstance might have resulted in Shannon Donnelly’s death at the hands of Libby Van Der Woert. If the Donnelly woman is dead, my money’s on Libby, although Carr put himself in the running, too,” Jerry said.
“My honey makes a good point. That red devil stuff sounds like she’s seeing things, don’t you think?” Tommy added. His head tilted, Tommy’s sweet face with its spray of freckles and a little dimple, had an even more elfish cast to it than usual. Despite the dire circumstances they were discussing, his love and admiration for Jerry made him doe eyed.
“I know what you’re saying. She is a disturbed and disturbing young woman. There was also a lot of drama though. It was almost like she was acting out some immature teenage psychodrama. Like a scene from a soap-opera or reenacting an episode of a crime show. She was in snotty mean girl mode, most of the time, unlike that cutthroat doctor. The whole scenario, starting with her phone call felt like some kind of test.”
“Test or not, Libby is immature and out of control, a thirty-year-old, teenage drama queen. Who knows what impulse might have driven her to kill you, or anyone else, like Shannon Donnelly? And I’m with Tommy that the red devil thing is more likely a part of her mental illness than anything to do with reality. A mania or drug-induced hallucination is way more believable than Carr having a red devil as a co-conspirator.”
“I know, Jerry. There’s more, I’m sure. Other stuff she said about being betrayed and set up by Carr. We sure were right in suspecting that guy was up to no good. That’s clear based on his own words, not Libby’s. Carr admitted he was using screwed up young women for his own ends. Libby laid part of that out for me before he showed up. She claims they had a sexual relationship and she can prove it. And, at least some of the trouble she’s caused for her parents was his doing. He put her up to extort money from her parents in return for keeping her allegations about them to herself. My head is hurting too much to sort this all out right now. I need another nap. Then, I need to get home—although that will be weird, with both Mom and Dad at home, speaking of psychodramas. There’s one under way in my family. I just can’t figure out what it is yet.”
“What does that mean, Jessica?” Tommy looked distraught.
“Tommy, if I knew, I’d tell you. I’ve had the something’s-up heebie-jeebies ever since I came home way back in July and found Mom standing in the kitchen. It’s her kitchen, so she has every right in the world to be there, but why? At first I thought it was strictly about reaching the end of the line with another man. Now I’m not so sure. Maybe it’s the thought of Dad being back in the house, too, but I’m having this wave of déjà vu that just won’t quit.”
“Why not ask Bernadette? She’ll tell you.”
“Are you kidding? She’s an impenetrable wall when it comes to answering questions about my parents. All I’ve ever gotten is her reassurance they love me, thank you very much, and some kind of vague statement about ‘it’s complicated.’ You think? I was ready to corner Mom, but now I feel guilty about putting her through this terror at the top of the tram episode. They all looked terrible after pulling all-nighters, thanks to me. Don’t worry, Tommy, could be it’s nothing more than my hyperactive something-bad-is-about-to-happen radar detection system.”
“Jerry has that too. Good thing since I don’t worry about half the things I should.” Jerry reached out and gave Tommy’s auburn locks a reassuring tousle that left them standing up on end. As Tommy smoothed his hair down, Jerry spoke.
“It’s an occupational hazard. A P.I. who can’t imagine all the worst case scenarios misses out on a lot during an investigation. God knows, Tommy, you’re working on becoming more vigilant. Stick with me, Baby, and I’ll turn you into a professional caliber worrier in no time.” Jerry’s tone of voice was laced with a hint of Bogart. He beamed that dashing smile of his at Tommy who went all goo-goo-eyed again.
“I’m not going anywhere, Jerry. And you know what a fast learner I am.” That little dimple reappeared in Tommy’s cheek as he returned Jerry’s smile with a wicked grin of his own. He winked, making Jerry blush. Jessica rolled her eyes, grateful to find parts of her anatomy that didn’t hurt.
“Okay, you guys, enough of this sappy love banter. In my weakened condition I can't handle much sentimentality without bursting into tears or heaving my guts out. My plan is to stall as long as I can before I have to give the police a formal statement. That’s more for her parents’ sake than for Libby’s. They’ve got plenty to worry about before charges pile on. I’m talking about illegal possession of a weapon, kidnapping, assault, and manslaughter or murder, and who knows what else? There could be a law against using a public tramway for illicit purposes or defiling Mother Nature by dropping in on pristine wilderness. All of those rescue efforts you described couldn’t have been good for that area and I can’t imagine what a search and rescue effort like that cost. Ay yi yi,” Jessica’s head hurt worse and worse.
“How can her parents go through this and stay sane themselves? I’m rambling, but my point is it’s good Libby and I haven’t spoken to authorities. Before that slime ball Carr showed up it occurred to me that Libby staged the whole stunt to get her parents to reengage with her. Odd that she confessed to me, her parents’ lawyer, that she had fabricated the allegations toward her father and uncle.” Jessica leaned back against the pillow once again. Her mind and her body ached, making it hard to trust her judgment about anything.
“Anyway, let the investigators from the Palm Springs Police Department ask me whatever they want. I’m pleading confusion for the moment while I try to sort out what Libby was saying and what happened. Detective Hernandez will be on my case, too, but I can deal with him. You two find out what you can about where they are with the police investigation into what occurred on Mt. San Jacinto. Did they find a gun—two guns? Was Carr already dead when he fell? If not, would the gunshot have killed Carr even if he hadn’t fallen? Tommy, if you can, get a copy of the preliminary autopsy and police reports from Uncle Don, okay?”
“Sure Jessica,” Tommy smiled, always so happy when Jessica depended on him to help.
“I won't dismiss your concern about Libby’s use of the term ‘them’ regarding Shannon Donnelly's disappearance, even if I have my doubts,” Jerry said.
“Okay, Jerry, you keep digging, like you have been, into Carr’s background, and see if a red devil turns up. Perhaps it’s a reference to a bar or a club or something like that, rather than a person. Could you also chat with your friend in the Cat City police department about what’s up with their investigation? I’m not ready to talk to Hernandez yet, or I’d do it myself. Somehow, it's my fault that Donnelly’s abandoned car turned up in his jurisdiction. He about blew a gasket when he showed up to ask questions of the Van Der Woerts about their daughter’s relationship with Shannon and found me there as legal counsel. He will not like my involvement in another incident with his prime suspect in an ongoing investigation—even though I called before trouble started. That ‘angel heiress’ nonsense will irritate him, too.” Jessica rubbed her temple with the fingers exposed on her bandaged hand. She was out of gas, her mind losing focus and her voice sagging.
“When I get home I’ll go back through the material about Libby and Carr that you already pulled together. You guys find out about this new report of a shoplifting incident. I’d also like to know more about her recent activities if you can track anyone down who knows what she’s been doing out here in the desert. I know you have a lot to do, Jerry, since you’re still splitting your time between the Los Angeles office and the one in Palm Desert. Get Tommy and Kim Reed to help you gather info. I’ll run all of this by Paul, since only some of this relates to our clients, the Van Der Woerts. I’m also happy to pick up the tab, though, to get to the bottom of this mess. I presume once either the Cat City or Palm Springs aut
horities bring criminal charges against Libby she'll need a better lawyer than any of the bottom feeders she’s been using to threaten her parents. It would be a sick irony if her poor parents ended up footing the bill to get her off a murder charge after all the allegations and threats she's made toward them. Life’s too strange.”
“Jessica, you know I’m more than happy to do this. Tommy will be a big help and Kim Reed, too. But please, you’ve been through an enormous shock. You have got to take it easy. For a few days, at least,” Jerry said, pleading in his voice and on his face.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Jessica looked up at Detective Frank Fontana, who spoke those words as he walked into the room.
5 Game On
“Are you kidding me? That Van Der Woert woman is still alive! How is that possible? Not both of them? Carr breaks his neck and the women up there with him survive! How is that possible?” Eric Conroy paced, back and forth, with his cell phone pressed to his ear. His face, flushed with exasperation, was almost as red as the hair on his head. He chewed on the end of an expensive cigar in his mouth. The ember had gone out minutes before, but he hadn’t noticed.
As if on cue, one of the television screens in his office replayed a scene of the helicopter rescue for the umpteenth time. He turned up the volume to hear what the news reporter had to say. Media film crews had flocked to the area as soon as word got out that this was no ordinary rescue. Several hikers, finishing up a late afternoon trek around the Desert View Trail, had heard or seen part of what happened. They were eager to share their stories about what went on, or what they thought went on, as soon as they disembarked from the tram.
“This is film from the dramatic rescue of Jessica Huntington and Elizabeth Van Der Woert. As you can see, the rescue team faced quite a challenge once they found the women. That both of them are alive is nothing short of miraculous. This was no ordinary rescue from the Pacific Crest Trail or some other part of the Mt. San Jacinto wilderness. Hikers nearby reported a gunshot and heard screams as people fell. That sight, one horrified hiker says, is one he will not soon forget. Several hikers went immediately to the closest ranger station and reported trouble on the trail. Deploying helicopters and the rescue team while there was still a shred of daylight, may have been the difference between life and death for these two very lucky women. Once rescuers located the women they still had their work cut out for them, as you can see from the careful way in which rescuers moved to the locations where they found the women. Getting them out of there was no small task either. A helicopter airlifted both women to a trauma center nearby. Doctors report they are stable, although Elizabeth Van Der Woert remains heavily sedated, with a serious head injury.
