Murder and Chocolate Cake

by Meredith Potts

  While the forensics team went through the van, the K-9 unit arrived and began scouring the woods. That unit was joined by a number of deputies. As that was taking place, the police chief spoke with the local media and made a plea to the public for information. He urged the residents of Treasure Cove to call 9-1-1 if they spotted either of the escaped fugitives. Between that, and the all-points-bulletin that was out on Kyle and Wade, all the bases were covered.

  Now we just needed a little bit of luck on our side.

  ***

  Three hours later, we caught a break. The 9-1-1 operator received a call from a gas station clerk on Route 15. Wade Becker had been spotted stealing a green sedan from one of the gas station’s customers a few minutes ago. Apparently, while the customer was filling up his car, Wade came up behind him and decked him.

  The clerk rushed outside to try to stop Wade from taking the car, but by the time the clerk ran out to the pump, Wade was behind the wheel of the vehicle. Wade floored it and darted away from the scene. He was now heading south on Route 15.

  The pursuit of Wade was on. David and I headed over to Route 15, hoping to catch up with the fugitive. We weren’t alone. A number of squad cars joined us.

  In addition, the county’s police helicopter took to the sky to aid in the chase. That proved to be highly beneficial.

  Route 15 was a scarcely-traveled stretch of road, so a green sedan easily stood out when looked at from above. The helicopter spotted the sedan and radioed a number of deputies who were further down the road.

  Since Route 15 was a back road, deputies were able to put down a spike strip near Treasure Junction without the fear of other vehicles getting embroiled in this mess.

  When Wade’s stolen green sedan reached Treasure Junction a few minutes later, it tried to swerve away from the spike strip, but the car was going too fast to completely avoid the hazard. The sedan’s driver’s-side front and rear wheels went over the strip, and quickly deflated.

  A few seconds later, the car came to a stop. A swarm of police deputies then surrounded the sedan. One of the deputies demanded that Wade get out of the car.

  The driver’s-side door of the sedan opened.

  “Come out with your hands up,” the deputy yelled.

  Wade followed the deputy’s orders.

  Wade was then handcuffed and loaded into the back of a squad car.

  With Wade now safely back in police custody, I let out a sigh of relief. But I couldn’t completely breathe freely. Sure Wade had been apprehended, but there was no sign of Kyle anywhere.

  Chapter Twelve

  David and I approached the squad car where Wade was being held. The fifty-nine-year-old had stubble growing on his unshaven, angular face. His short brown hair was messy. But what struck me the most about him was the cold look in his eyes.

  David and I stood beside the squad car and questioned Wade.

  “What were your plans?” David said.

  Wade gritted his teeth. “You’re just as much of a pain as ever.”

  “This isn’t a joke—”

  “Don’t I know it,” Wade grumbled.

  “Answer my question,” David demanded.

  Wade remained calm. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”

  “Silence won’t do you any favors,” David said.

  Wade kept his mouth shut. When he didn’t reply for ten seconds, David spoke up.

  “You know, escaping prison isn’t the only charge on the table. There’s also the murder of that driver,” David said.

  Wade broke his silence. “I didn’t kill that guy.”

  “Let me guess. Lipinski did it,” David said.

  Wade nodded.

  “I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that you’d try to throw Kyle under the bus,” David said.

  “I’m telling you the truth,” Wade said.

  “I have a hard time believing that,” David said. “Let’s see what Kyle has to say when we catch him.”

  “When? You mean if?” Wade said.

  “Oh, we’ll catch him all right,” David said.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Wade said.

  “Why? Is he making a run for the border? Does he have a big head start on us?”

  “What makes you think I’d tell you that?”

  “Here’s a better question,” David said. “Why wouldn’t you tell us? You’re headed back to jail. So what reason would you have for keeping the details of Kyle’s plan from us?”

  “Maybe I want to see him get away,” Wade said. “Or perhaps I just want to see you suffer.”

  David shot Wade a glare. “You’re psychotic.”

  “Detective, I don’t know why you think insulting me is going to get you the information you want.”

  David narrowed his eyes. “Yeah? Well I don’t know why you think you can withhold information from me and get away with it.”

  “I don’t have to tell you anything.”

  “True. But you should.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because I can make your life even more miserable than it already is. How would you like to spend six months in solitary confinement?”

  “Is that a threat?” Wade asked.

  David shook his head. “No. It’s just the truth. You see, the district attorney and I are good friends. And the D.A. has a lot of pull with the warden at the penitentiary. So if you keep mouthing off to me, I can guarantee there will be some solitary confinement in your future. Now what was Kyle’s plan?”

  Wade grimaced, but did not respond.

  David pressed on. “Did you and Kyle always intend on splitting up?”

  Wade groaned and then replied, “I wanted to get out of town as quickly as possible. To make a break for the Mexican border.”

  “And Lipinski?”

  “He had other plans,” Wade said.

  “As in?”

  Wade smirked. “You know, Lipinski used to talk about you two all the time.”

  “Answer my question,” David demanded.

  “I’m warning you,” Wade said. “You’re not going to like this.”

  “You don’t scare me,” David said.

  Wade laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” David asked.

  “How big of a fool you are,” Wade said.

  “What makes you say that?” David asked.

  “Because here you are talking a big game. But you should be terrified,” Wade said.

  “Why?” David replied.

  “Kyle was my cell mate for seventeen years. During that time, he talked about two things more than any other. First, how you two ruined his life. And second, how determined he was to get revenge,” Wade said.

  “Is that his plan?” David asked.

  “You’ll find out soon enough,” Wade said.

  “Tell me right now,” David said.

  Wade shook his head. “Like I said before, I don’t have to tell you anything.”

  David clenched his fists. “If you don’t tell me, and something happens—”

  “You’ll do what? I’m already going back to jail,” Wade said. “Now, if you were to give me some incentive to talk—”

  “Are you trying to make a deal?” David asked.

  “There’s no better time than now. And let me tell you, time is of the essence,” Wade said.

  A look of disgust came to David’s face. “I’m not making a deal with you.”

  “Then good luck.” Wade let out a maniacal laugh. “You’re going to need it.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  David and I walked away from the squad car. When we were safely out of Wade’s earshot, we vented our frustrations.

  “Can you believe that?” David asked.

  “I know. Wade is crazier than ever.” I took a deep breath. “But—”

  “Wait. What do you mean, but?”

  “Are you sure about not making a deal? I mean, the safety of our family could be at stake here,” I said.

  David nodded. “I know.”

&n
bsp; “So do you really think it’s wise to completely shut the door on making a deal?”

  “I can’t believe you’re suggesting that we bargain with that maniac.”

  “Look. I don’t like this anymore than you do. Nor am I implying that you should accept the first set of terms that he throws out. But given the circumstances, I think we should at least hear him out.”

  David gritted his teeth. “I think this is a terrible idea.”

  “You could be right. But what if you’re wrong? What if Wade has information that can lead us directly to Kyle?”

  “That’s a big if.”

  “Will you please reserve judgment until you hear what he has to say?” I asked. “It’s not like I’m suggesting that you let Wade go free. The psychopath deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail. But if he’s willing to give us the information we’re looking for without us having to sacrifice too much, then maybe some sort of a deal can be made.”

  “I can’t argue with that,” David said.

  “Fine. Then don’t argue with me,” I replied. “Just hear what Wade has to say.”

  ***

  David and I walked back over to the squad car and spoke with Wade again.

  “Say we were open to making a deal with you. What would be your terms?” David asked.

  “A reduced sentence. My own private cell. Extended time in the rec room every day—” Wade began to say.

  I scoffed. “You’re nuts.”

  “That’s what you say. But there’s one thing that’s not up for debate—you’re desperate, and I know it,” Wade said. “Face it, I have information that you need. And leverage is everything.”

  I turned around to walk away. “Forget this.”

  While I was ready to head back to David’s car, surprisingly, my husband didn’t move an inch.

  Instead, David continued to speak with Wade.

  “What you’re asking for—it’s never going to happen. The district attorney would laugh me right out of his office,” David said. “But if you’re willing to be a little more reasonable—”

  “I’ve laid out my terms. You either take them or leave them,” Wade said.

  David shook his head. “You’re a fool.”

  “Let’s see if you still believe that when you get really desperate,” Wade said.

  Chapter Fourteen

  David and I walked back toward his blue sedan. While I tried to keep a level head, David let his frustration spill out.

  “It’s just maddening,” David grumbled.

  I nodded. “I feel like screaming.”

  “Then why don’t you?”

  “I know it won’t do any good.”

  “It might help you blow off some steam.”

  “A few screams can only do so much,” I said. “I have more steam than I know what to do with.”

  “I’m sorry about that. But look, we’ll figure this out.”

  “Are you sure about that? I mean, I never thought I’d see the day when you considered making a deal with a convict.”

  “Hey, you’re the one who suggested that we hear Wade out.”

  “Because I wanted to protect our family. And because I thought he might be willing to listen to reason. Instead, it turns out he’s crazier than I ever imagined,” I said.

  David nodded. “He is a total nutcase.”

  “I never realized that a man who is headed back to jail could be so audacious.”

  “He probably figures he has nothing to lose.”

  “Those are the most dangerous people.”

  “Normally, I’d agree,” David said. “But right now, Kyle Lipinski seems infinitely more dangerous.”

  “True. That’s why we need to find him—as soon as possible,” I replied.

  “That’s a lot easier said than done.”

  “It sure is. But it’s not impossible.”

  David stared into my eyes. “What are you thinking right now?”

  “That Wade let an important clue slip without realizing it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Wade said that Kyle desperately wants revenge.”

  “So?”

  “So he can’t really get revenge on us if he leaves town or makes a break for the border.”

  “I suppose not,” David said. “So where do you think he is then?”

  “Here in Treasure Cove,” I said.

  David’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  I nodded. “I think he’s hiding out in town somewhere, plotting how to get revenge on us.”

  “You could be right.”

  “Unfortunately.” I took a deep breath. “I really hope I’m wrong, though. For our sake, it would be better if he made a break for it. Then someone else could track him down…or stop him at the border.”

  “Yeah. I don’t like the idea that there’s a target on my back.”

  “Yet there probably is,” I said.

  David and I shared a moment of awkward silence. I couldn’t help but think about what a tough spot we were in. But feeling bad for myself wasn’t going to get us anywhere.

  I gritted my teeth. “Now isn’t the time for a pity party. We need to get to work.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Now, let’s try to put ourselves in Kyle’s place. He just broke out of jail. If he’s going to get revenge, the odds are, he won’t be able to do it himself. Most likely, he’s going to need some help.”

  David held his pointer finger up. “And what better place to turn to for help than family?”

  “Exactly,” I said.

  Chapter Fifteen

  David and I took a drive over to George Lipinski’s place. George was Kyle’s father. He was also potentially the key to breaking this case wide open—if we could get him to talk to us. Whether George would give us anything useful to work with was still yet to be determined.

  Before I could devote my time and attention to the upcoming George Lipinski interview, there was another pressing matter to deal with. It all had to do with what I saw in the rearview mirror. While I tried to make sense of what I was seeing, David’s face filled with concern as he sat in the driver’s seat of his car.

  “Are you going to be okay?” David asked.

  “That depends,” I said.

  “On what?”

  I grimaced. “We have a problem.”

  “There’s an understatement for you. Kyle Lipinski being on the loose is more than just a problem. It’s a crisis—”

  “That isn’t what I meant,” I said.

  David’s nose scrunched. “I’m confused then. What are you talking about?”

  I pointed at the rearview mirror. “I think we’re being followed.”

  “By who?”

  “You see that blue sedan?” I said.

  “The one that is behind the red pickup truck?” he asked.

  I nodded. “That’s the one.”

  David squinted as he stared in the rearview mirror. “It’s just far enough back that I can’t see who is behind the wheel.”

  “Neither can I. But I know this. It has been following us for about twenty blocks.”

  David held his pointer finger up. “Just because it has been behind us doesn’t mean it’s following us. Oakhurst Boulevard is one of the busiest streets in Treasure Cove.”

  “What if I’m right and we are being followed?”

  “There’s an easy way to find out if you’re correct.”

  David kept a close eye on the blue sedan.

  The car remained on our tail for a few more blocks.

  The longer it was behind us, the tenser I became.

  But when David made a right turn on Webster Drive, the blue sedan kept going straight on Oakhurst Boulevard.

  With the sedan no longer behind us, I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “So much for us being followed,” David said. “Do you feel better now?”

  I nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier about being wrong in my entire life.”

  “That certainly cou
ld have turned out a lot different. That said, let’s hope your instincts are nothing but spot-on for the rest of the case,” David replied.

  I crossed my fingers.

  Chapter Sixteen

  David and I arrived at George Lipinski’s light-green, Victorian-era house a few minutes later. While there were many restored Victorian homes around town, George’s was not one of them. His house looked like it was quickly falling into disrepair. That was a real shame. With a little work, this home could be a real gem.

  When George opened his front door, it became clear that his house wasn’t the only thing that was falling apart. Time had not been kind to the seventy-four-year-old. His body was rotund. His face was puffy. His hair was in short supply. And there was a worn down look in his brown eyes.

  “Is he here?” David asked.

  George squinted. “Is who here?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Lipinski,” David said. “Your son, Kyle. If he’s here, he has two choices. He can either come out with his hands up, or I will have no choice but to apprehend him with extreme prejudice.”

  A look of confusion was on George’s face. “Wait a minute. Why would Kyle be here?”

  “Don’t try to put one over on me. If you are harboring a known fugitive, you could be arrested for aiding and abetting,” David said.

  George put his hands up. “Back up a minute. Harboring a fugitive? Will you please explain to me what is going on right now?”

  David stared George down. “Are you really going to stand here and tell me that you don’t know why I’m here?”

  George shrugged. “I have no clue.”

  “So you haven’t heard the news?” David said.

  George had a blank expression on his face. “What news?”

  “Your son broke out of jail last night,” David said.