by Karen Ward
"Sit tight and I'll see you at the arraignment. I've got to make some calls and I want to stop by Fred Tucker's office. I am going to ask for bail but honestly, I am doubtful they will allow it since you live out of state. Do you have any family here?"
"I have a younger sister but I haven't seen her in years. She was a friend of Elena's and took her side in the divorce. I doubt she would want me to stay with her. Her name is Evelyn Smith. The last I knew she lived at 305 Pecan, here in Amarillo."
"Remember don't answer any questions unless I am here. See you at the arraignment." Jacob stands and leaves the room headed out to make his calls.
******
Lying on the narrow bunk in his cell, Dylan lets his mind drift back to the mountains of Montana and how it felt to hold Skye in his arms while she slept. He doesn't ever remember enjoying holding a woman more. She fit perfectly against him. Then he remembers holding her after he had told her about Elena and his divorce. He felt cleansed that night, like a huge weight lifted from his soul. Then he remembers the night after the dinner honoring Bear and those wonderfully sweet kisses. His arms ache to hold her again. When he closes his eyes he can taste her on his lips and he longs for her deep in his soul.
A little while later a jailer comes to his cell door and asks, "Drake, you have a visitor. She says she's your sister. Do you want to talk to her?"
Surprised, Dylan says, "Sure, I guess."
Following the jailer into the visitation area, he sees Evelyn sitting at a table. She looks tired and sad, thinner than he remembers. Knowing they make recordings of everything that transpires between inmates and their visitors he is hesitant to say anything. Approaching the glass he says, "Evelyn?"
"Dylan? Are you ok? I just heard you are in jail. I didn't even know about Elena until this morning. Why Dylan? What happened?"
Staring at her with a blank look on his face he says, "I don't think I want to talk to you right now," and he stands and calls for the jailer. He is terribly disappointed. His sister seems to always think the worst about him, at least lately. Evidently nothing has changed. When he left Elena and filed for divorce, Elena had Evelyn some story about how it was his fault and she wouldn't even listen to him then. He doesn't know why he thought things might be different this time. His heart aches for the closeness they once shared.
Evelyn Smith walks out of the jail and back to her car. Sitting in the car she lets the tears fall. She loves her brother and she doesn't understand why they are always fighting these days. She longs for the days before he went away to the Marines. They were close then. She has to find a way to help him. Granted she had been mad at him when he left Elena, but that was before she learned the truth. She saw Elena with that scumbag Richard Thomas. They were disgusting making out in front of Damian and flaunting their relationship all over Amarillo for years. The man is married for goodness sake with three kids. Dylan doesn't even know her husband, Jack, left her alone with two kids and ran off with a waitress from the truck stop. Wiping her eyes, she heads back to the mall to her job.
******
Jacob Murray asks his private investigator, Tom Christensen to investigate Richard Thomas. He told him about Thomas being the man Dylan found his wife with the day he filed for divorce. He also subpoenaed Elena Drake's bank records for the past year. He checked with Child Protective Services to find out where Damian is staying and when he will be able to question the boy. They wouldn't give him any information. He contacted Dylan's Marine buddy and set up an interview with he and his son for this evening. When he heads back to the courthouse for the arraignment he stops by the law office of Fred Tucker. Since he is out, he leaves a card and asks him to call.
Dylan stands before the judge and listens to the charges against him as they are read by the clerk. When he is asked if he understands the charges against him, he says he does. Jacob requests bail which is set at one million dollars. He can't leave the state so unless he has a relative he can stay with bail will be denied.
Dropping his eyes, Dylan is just about to say he doesn't have anyone to stay with when Evelyn steps forward, "Your Honor, I am Evelyn Drake Smith. I am Dylan Drake's sister and I live here in Amarillo. He can stay with me."
"All right, Mr. Drake, post your bond and you can be released to your sister's home. I am going to require an ankle bracelet though. Agreed?"
Dylan agrees. Turning to Evelyn he says, "Thank you Evelyn."
After being fitted with the ankle bracelet and having the bond transferred from his personal account to the clerk, he and Evelyn head toward her home.
CHAPTER 6
Jacob thankful Evelyn came through for Dylan. Nothing is more demoralizing than being locked in a jail cell for months. He hasn't really been introduced to Evelyn yet, but Dylan had seemed shocked when she stepped forward and offered to let him stay with her.
When they arrive at the house Dylan is surprised to see Evelyn no longer lives in the modern brick home in the upscale neighborhood where she lived when he left Amarillo. This is a small house in one of the poorer neighborhoods and he is ashamed that he didn't know. He asks, "Where's Jack? Why are you living here and not on Pecan?"
Evelyn looks at him with sad eyes and says, "A lot has changed since you left eight years ago Dylan. Jack and I are divorced. The kids and I live here now and I work at the mall."
"I'm sorry Evelyn, when did that happen?" asks Dylan.
"Jack left almost three years ago. He ran off with a waitress from the truck stop and left me with a pile of debt. I had to sell the house to pay off his debts. This is all I can afford on my salary. Janie and Jeff are ten and twelve now. You won't even recognize them."
They get out of the car and head inside with Jacob. They order pizza for dinner and are sitting around the living room discussing the case.
Jacob asks Evelyn, "What can you tell me about Richard Thomas?"
Frowning she says, "Besides the fact that he is a scumbag that runs around on his wife and three kids not a lot. He is a Vice-President at the First National Bank. He doesn't have a good reputation. Rumor has it that he has shafted more than one customer but so far no one has been able to prove anything. He and Elena had an affair for years. Dylan, I'm really sorry I didn't believe you when you and Elena split. I saw them together with my own eyes not too long after you left. It was disgusting."
Jacob asks, "Dylan told me you were friends with Elena. What kind of person was she?"
Frowning again Evelyn says, "Well, she was not the person I thought she was for years. She lied to me about everything. I know she would go out at night after Damian was in bed leaving him home alone. I saw her car at the local tavern on more than one occasion. We haven't been close for several years."
Jacob asks next, "Was she still seeing Richard Thomas?"
She answers, "No, they broke up about a year ago from what I heard. I know he was furious with her for some reason. I saw them fighting on more than one occasion as recently as last week at the mall."
"Do you know what they were fighting about? Where did you see them fighting?" asks Jacob.
She answers, "They were fighting in the middle of the mall by the game room in broad daylight in front of everybody. He was yelling at her and I heard him say 'You'll be sorry Elena. I promise you are going to pay for this."
"Did other people hear him say that?" asks Jacob.
"I'm sure they did, it was in the mall. Let me think, Francis Perkins was standing with me, Beth Williams, and Tim Franklin." I know they heard him. We were all standing right beside them when he said it."
"That's very helpful Evelyn. Did you by any chance see Richard at the mall this past Saturday? If so, where and what time?" asks Jacob.
"Yes, he was at the mall. He always drops his kids at the game room on Saturday afternoons. He usually meets one of his women and they go to the attached hotel. Last Saturday I saw him hanging around the game room for a while. I thought that was rather unusual. He disappeared for about thirty minutes then he came back and got his kids an
d left. That was about five I think."
"Thank you so much Evelyn. Oh, I better get going. I am supposed to meet with Bobby Feldman and his son at Denny's. Dylan, think good thoughts. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
******
After Jacob leaves, Dylan and Evelyn spend several hours catching up. Evelyn tells him the details about the end of her marriage and her divorce. She tells him about the kids, their interests and how they are doing in school. Dylan tells her about how he had come home and found Elena in bed with Richard Thomas. He tells her how Elena had not allowed him to see Damian since the divorce and how he and Bobby Feldman had been arranging the monthly visits at the mall. Evelyn is surprised that she hasn't seen Dylan at the mall any of the times he has been in town. She determined it must be because he never hangs around outside of the game room.
Then he spends time talking to his niece and nephew and just getting reacquainted. If nothing else good comes from this ordeal, he is pleased that he and Evelyn are working out their differences and looks forward to spending more time with her and the children, Janie and Jeff. Evelyn is the only family besides Damian that he has left and he is thankful for this time with her.
******
After his last meeting is complete Jacob calls Barry to give him an update. Jacob is relieved that this is not as cut and dried as it had first appeared. He has a theory and all he has to do is prove it to free Dylan. He knows without even asking that Dylan is innocent. He is too disciplined and he is just not the kind of person to kill someone in anger. This is a prime example of a rush to judgment by the police in Amarillo Texas.
******
After talking to Jacob, Barry sits down with the other members of the Drake Security team and me to tell us what he has learned. He explains that Jacob is sure he knows who the real killer is and has a plan to prove it. He has a private investigator checking on several leads and he has asked for their assistance in gathering information and following up on leads. He explains that Dylan has been released on bail and is staying with his younger sister in Amarillo. He gives them a phone number where they can reach Dylan at his sister's house since the police confiscated his cell phone as evidence.
After the others have gone back to their quarters, I ask Barry, "What do you think, Barry? Is this attorney going to be able to get him off?"
Smiling confidently Barry answers, "I know he will. Dylan is innocent and Jacob will prove it. He's good Skye and Tom Christensen, the PI is the best. Have faith in them."
Relieved, I reply, "I hope so Barry. Dylan is special to me. I think I could love him given a little time and a lot of counseling."
Smiling again, Barry says, "I'm glad Skye. Dylan is a good man and he seems to care about you too."
I retire to my room and pick up my cell phone trying to decide whether or not to call Dylan. After several minutes I finally dial the number Barry gave us. When a woman answers, I hesitate briefly then ask, "Could I please speak to Dylan Drake?"
Evelyn says, "Sure, one minute. Dylan! Telephone!" Whispering to Dylan she says, "It's a woman."
Heart pounding with anticipation Dylan says, "Hello?"
"Dylan, it's Skye. Are you all right?"
A feeling of warmth flows through Dylan at the sound of her voice, "Skye, I am so glad you called. I'm all right. It's been a trying day but Jacob seems optimistic. At least one good thing has come out of this mess. My sister and I have cleared up our differences. We've been estranged for years."
"I'm glad. You should never waste time carrying grudges against your family. They are too precious and you never know when they will be taken from you. How is your shoulder? You don't have any sign of infection do you?"
"No, my shoulder is fine. I miss you Skye. I constantly think about holding you in my arms, kissing you. When I close my eyes I can almost feel you curled up against me like in Montana. I can taste you on my lips."
Tears flood my eyes, "I miss you too Dylan." I brush the tears off my face and take a deep breath, "Oh, I had my first counseling session today and I think it went really well. I was able to tell her some things about that night. Don't give up on me Dylan, please?"
"I'm not going to give up on you. Don't give up on me Skye. I'm innocent, I didn't kill Elena," he pleads.
"I know you didn't. I never for one minute thought you did. Good night Dylan."
"Good night Skye."
******
When Stump and Bear arrive in Phoenix, Stump's mother, Jesse is at the airport to meet them. Stump called her from the ranch the night before to let her know they would be coming.
Bear spent a lot of time at the ranch cleaning up. He shaved off his heavy beard and cut off his long pony tail so that his hair now just brushes the collar on his shirt. Without the beard, it is amazing how much Stump resembles him.
Jesse feels like she is dreaming. The only man she has ever loved, Clarence Kincaid is coming to Phoenix to see her. She has loved him for so many years and now she is going to get to hold him again. She is so excited she didn't sleep at all last night. Sometime around dawn the worry started. What if he doesn't love her anymore? What if he can't get past his flashbacks? What if he doesn't want to be with her? Will she be able to bear it?
Bear is a nervous wreck. He has loved Jesse for more than half his life and he is worried that she will be disappointed when she sees him again. When the helicopter lands it takes all of his willpower just to step out onto the tarmac. Just riding in the bird again brought back horrible memories of Vietnam and he is afraid the dreams will be back in full force again. Sometimes he thinks he is losing his mind.
When he sees Jesse emerging from the airfield office his heart stops, then starts back at a slow pounding rate. She is so beautiful, just like he remembered. With tears in his eyes and his hands shaking he walks toward her. As he gets closer he can see the tears streaming down her face and he opens his arms to her. She flies into his arms and he wraps her securely in his embrace and the tears run freely down his face.
"Oh Jesse! I can't believe you are here in my arms again! I have dreamed of this moment for so long."
"My Clarence, I love you so. Please don't ever leave me again," begs Jesse tears streaming down her face.
Watching from the sidelines, Stump's heart pounds heavily and his eyes fill with tears when he sees the joy on his parent's faces. He is so happy he was able to bring them together again after so many years. He sees his half brother Johnny coming out of the office and he smiles. Johnny was five when Bear left for boot camp and he remembers things about Bear that Stump never had the opportunity to know. The recording of the bedtime story Bear left for him was played over and over for the boys as they grew up. In fact, his mother had paid to duplicate it at least twice to preserve it for them and so each one could have a copy of his own.
When Jesse realizes Johnny has arrived she says, "Clarence, this is Johnny."
Opening his arms he encloses both boys in his big bear hug.
From the airport they all head to Jesse's house where they spend the afternoon getting reacquainted. Bear tells Jesse why he didn't come home and asks her to help him get enrolled in the program for PTSD so he can overcome his flashbacks. He tells her he wants to get past them so he can spend the rest of his life with her.
Two days later Stump calls Goose to come and pick him up. His father is settled in the inpatient facility undergoing treatment for PTSD and his mother and father are well on their way to reconciliation. He is happy. Finding and getting to know his father has been the best experience of his life.
Now it's time to go help the guys investigate the murder that Dylan has been accused of. It all sounds very fishy to him. He knows Dylan could not have killed the woman. If he had been going to kill her he would have done it eight years ago when he caught her in bed with another man.
******
When Goose picks him up he is surprised to see Pinky on board and they head straight for Texas. After landing they go to the hotel where Jacob has made reservations for the group
. Jacob has called a planning meeting for one o'clock in his suite and they are going to be just in time. When they walk into the suite, they are happy to see Dylan and spend a few minutes greeting him with slaps on the back and assurances they will support him no matter what. Tom Christensen, the private investigator and Jason Murray, Jacob's twin brother are also present.
Jacob stands and says, "Okay guys, we have a lot to cover so let's get started. The facts according to the prosecution are as follows, the police received a tip about an unresponsive woman in a car at the mall at six o'clock on Saturday night. Flight records indicate that Dylan had already taken off from the airport before the tip was received.
"During the police investigation a witness, one Richard Thomas, came forward and swears he saw Dylan in the car with Elena around five o'clock. That witness just happens to be the same man Dylan found in bed with Elena eight years ago that caused him to file for divorce. He is well known in Amarillo since he is the Vice President of the First National Bank. He is generally not well liked and rumors are circulating he cheated several of the bank's customers over the years. He and Elena Drake had an open affair after the divorce even though Thomas is a married man. The affair lasted until sometime last year. Elena met him at the bank where she was employed at the time of the divorce.
"Dylan's sister who works at the mall saw Richard Thomas leave the area of the game room around five on the day Elena was killed. He was gone approximately thirty minutes at which time he returned to the game room, picked up his three children and left. We need to canvass all of the mall employees around the game room and see if anyone else can testify to seeing him leave the area and verify what time he returned to the area.
"Also, Dylan's sister witnessed a fight between Richard Thomas and Elena Drake the previous weekend here in the mall. She heard Thomas threaten Elena. We need to find anyone else that might have witnessed that argument. It happened right in front of the game room. I am not going to be able to call Evelyn as a witness since she is Dylan's sister.
