One Strange Accident

by Kay Wyont

  “I don’t know. I’m not a shrink.”

  “Well, Higgins certainly is. Did you notice the Yale degree?”

  “I did. What is a Yale-graduated psychologist doing running a weight loss clinic in Texas? Shouldn’t he be in private practice someplace? I’m pretty sure he’d be making a lot more money than he is, since there wasn’t anyone waiting to see him. Although he did say he had a lot of clients.”

  “Beats me. To each his own, I guess. Regardless, I don’t think that accomplished anything, do you?” Randy asked.

  “No, other than finding you a good place to lose weight, I don’t think it did. Did you see those before and after pictures on the doctor’s wall?”

  “I did, and shut up about my weight. I especially liked that photo of the lady in the yellow muumuu. She looked like a school bus ‘before,’ but she was definitely hot ‘after.’”

  “I saw that one. She looked familiar, but I don’t know where I’ve seen her before.”

  “Maybe it was a TV ad for the clinic.”

  “No, I don’t think so—I hadn’t heard of them before today. Not that it matters any. It’s a hard picture to forget, though.”

  “So what now? Any brilliant ideas?”

  “No, not a one. Unless you want to stop and get a bite to eat. I’m starving.”

  “Me, too. How does Mexican sound?”

  “It sounds good. You can get a taco salad. Less calories.” Danny laughed at his joke.

  “Maybe there is something to all that psychobabble. Although I don’t need cognitive psychology to blame my eating on my idiot partner.” Randy punched him in the arm.

  SIX

  “You spent so much time last night bragging about how you got the chief interested in the case, you didn’t fill me in on the weight-loss clinic. How’d it go?” Margaret paused over her cup of coffee as Randy finished getting ready for work.

  “We didn’t get anything that would help. The only thing we accomplished was giving Danny another chance to harass me.”

  Margaret shot him a puzzled look. “What now?”

  “He said I’m gaining weight. I swear he can be a real pain.” Randy looked at his stomach and smoothed his shirt over the offending bulge. “Maybe he’s right. You’ll still love me if I get fat, won’t you?”

  “You mean more than you are now?”

  “Really, Margaret? Really? My ego takes enough of a bruising from Danny without you making matters worse.”

  “Why are you letting Danny get to you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Look, Randy, you know how he is. Danny likes to joke around and sometimes it’s not funny. Actually...most of the time it’s not funny. As long as he’s been your best friend, you should know that. He’s a big, ole doofus who thinks he’s being funny and never realizes the impact it might have on someone else. He’s a little dense, but he doesn’t mean any real harm. If he thought he hurt someone’s feelings, he’d be so down on himself it would be pathetic. He’s an idiot, but we love him. Right?”

  “Right.” Not sure I’m totally convinced.

  “And, besides which, Mr. Righteous Indignation...you don’t cut him any slack, so it’s a two-way street. As often as you call him an idiot, you deserve what you get.”

  “But he should know I’m just kidding.”

  “Should he?”

  “Yes. That’s what best friends do.”

  “The prosecution rests!”

  “Oh!” Randy gave a sheepish grin and hugged his wife.

  “Moving on...any news on Rick Caldwell? Is he still in a coma?”

  “We went by the hospital after we left the clinic, and he’s still out.”

  “It’s so sad he tried to kill himself. Although, I can certainly understand why he did. I don’t think I could live with myself, either, if I’d run into a crowd of people.”

  “I don’t think that’s anything you have to worry about, honey.” Randy gave his wife a peck on the cheek. “As slow as you drive, there’d be plenty of time for them to get out of your way.”

  “Very funny! A million comedians out of a job, et cetera.” Margaret poured coffee into Randy’s travel mug, but then pulled it away from his reaching hand. “I probably shouldn’t even give you this if you’re going to be so mean.”

  “Aw, you know I love you, Margaret. I just won’t ride anywhere with you. It’s not that you’re a terrible driver, I just want to get there sometime this century.”

  “I’ll put my driving record up against yours any day, mister. And let’s not even mention that accident.”

  “Not fair. That was in the police car, and I was chasing someone. Doesn’t count.”

  “It still counts. I’ve never had an accident.”

  “Again, I repeat. As slow as you drive, that’s not surprising at all.”

  “Oh, just get out of here! Don’t you have a bad guy to arrest or something?” Margaret shoved him toward the door. “Love you!”

  “You, too.” Randy kissed her again and opened the door to leave. “And, by the way. If you’re not doing anything important today, try and figure out why Caldwell did what he did. You know the chief only gave us a week and we’re running out of time.”

  “No, he gave you and Danny a week. Not me.”

  “Whatever. Just think about it, will ya? You know I rely on your insight.”

  “Just try to remember that if you’re ever thinking of divorcing me. Your solve record would go in the toilet.”

  “I’d never divorce you, honey,” Randy said, coming back to give her another kiss. “Besides, it’d take you a week to drive down to the court for the divorce proceedings. I’m way too busy to sit around waiting for you.” Chuckling, he ran out the door before Margaret could respond.

  “Jerk,” Margaret grumbled through her smile as the door closed after him.

  RANDY ARRIVED AT WORK to find a scowling Danny. “You don’t look too happy. What’s wrong?”

  “Veronica is at SAMMC.”

  “What for? I thought she was deployed. Didn’t she deploy last week? She hasn’t been at work.” Randy was justifiably upset. You’d think I’d know what’s going on with my detectives. I’m losing control! If I ever had it.

  “She’s supposed to leave on Tuesday, but she’s been at Camp Bullis with her unit for training prior to deployment.”

  “That’s right. I forgot. I remember her saying something about that. What happened?”

  “I’m not sure, but yesterday she got hurt out there.”

  “I hate to hear that. She’s a good kid. How bad is it?”

  “From what I was told, she’s going to be okay. She’s out of ICU. I guess she was in there most of yesterday.”

  “Why is this the first I’m hearing about it? You’d think they’d let me know what was going on in my department.”

  “Don’t go getting your feathers in an uproar. If you remember, we weren’t in the office much yesterday. Chief Sanchez called a little while ago to let you know, but you weren’t here yet.”

  “Is she allowed to have visitors?”

  “Yes. Want to go visit?”

  “Of course! Come on, I’ll drive,” Randy replied.

  “I’M GLAD WE BROUGHT the patrol car.” Giving up on finding an empty spot, Randy settled for a shady section of curb that only half-blocked the lane and turned off the engine. The San Antonio Military Medical Center was notorious for having bad parking.

  “Let’s hope they don’t give us a ticket. But they probably will.”

  “We’ll be okay,” Randy locked the doors and swung his keys around his finger. “Besides, I know a few of the cops out here. If they do ticket us, I’ll try and get it pulled. Beats the heck out of walking from out there in the back forty in this blasted heat.”

  “They do have a parking garage.”

  “Are you kidding me? That thing’s miles away. We’d have been just as good walking down here from the office.”

  “Exaggerate much? And when did you get so lazy? I’ve ne
ver noticed that before.”

  Automatic doors welcomed them into the blessed air conditioning. “Do you have any idea where she is?”

  “No, but we can ask.”

  “My guess is it’s on the other side of the hospital.”

  “Hang on, I'll find out.” Danny checked with the receptionist, then ushered Randy toward the hallway with a flourish. “You win. Another long walk.”

  “Figures.”

  “Oh, stop griping. The exercise will do us both good.”

  When they finally got to her room, they were surprised to see Frank Jenkins sitting beside Veronica’s bed and holding her hand. When he saw the detectives, he jumped up with a guilty look on his face. “Hi, guys.”

  “Fancy meeting you here, Frank. We didn’t even know you a few weeks ago, and now we can’t seem to avoid running into you. What are you doing here?” Randy asked.

  “Uh, I just came to visit Detective Watkins.”

  “Looks like you were doing more than visiting, Jenkins. Something you want to tell us?”

  “I agree,” Danny said. “Looks a little suspicious to me, too, Randy.”

  “No, no, it was just a friendly visit.” Frank waved his hands and moved toward the door. “In fact, I was just getting ready to leave. She’s all yours.”

  “Detective Beckman, I do believe we’re being lied to by our suspect. What do you think? Do you think he was just about to leave?”

  “No, and I’m pretty sure you’re correct, Detective Monroe. He looks about as guilty as they come.”

  “I suppose we could take him down to the station for questioning. Maybe administer a lie detector test. Or, there’s always the rubber hose. That’ll make him spill his guts. I’m pretty sure it’s against the law to lie to a police officer.”

  “If it’s not, it should be. Want to cuff him?” Danny pulled out his handcuffs.

  “What are you two talking about? I haven’t done anything wrong,” Frank’s hands balled into fists at his side and his eyebrows drew together. Turning to Veronica, he said, “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I may need you to call a lawyer.”

  “What’s going on is that they’re jerking your chain,” Veronica replied, laughing.

  “What?” Frank turned back to the chuckling detectives and a blush crept over his face. “I can’t believe I fell for that crap.”

  “We don’t care who you hold hands with, Frank,” Randy said. “Well, unless it’s me or Danny—we don’t want you holding our hands. But other than that, you’re on your own.”

  “You guys dating, Veronica, or is he just a really touchy-feely friend?”

  “No, we’re dating. What are you guys doing here?”

  “I wanted to check on my troop. But don’t expect us to go holding hands like your boyfriend was doing. Margaret would punch me in the head if she found out.”

  “No, that’s reserved for Frank. Not to worry,” Veronica replied. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Sit down, Frank,” Danny said. “You’re making me nervous. Relax.”

  “You’re probably safe, Danny. No need to be nervous. I’m pretty sure you’re not his type.” Randy suppressed a chuckle.

  Frank slumped back into his chair. “Will you ever let me live this down?”

  “Eventually, if you hang around long enough, we might,” Danny replied. “Of course, I’ve got it on my cell phone camera, so I’ll probably send out a global e-mail to everyone in the department when we get back, and of course they’ll want to see the video. But, I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. It’ll die down soon.”

  “What? When did you take it? I didn’t see a camera,” Frank replied, looking nervous.

  “Okay, Veronica, as one of your supervisors, I think you need to rethink this whole dating Frank thing,” Randy said. “He’s way too gullible. No way is he sharp enough for you.”

  “He might be a little naïve, boss, but he’s really a good guy. So, no, there’s no need to rethink anything.”

  “You mean there’s no video?” Frank still looked confused.

  “Okay, I take that back. There might be a reason to rethink it after all,” Veronica said.

  “Try to keep up, Frank,” Randy said, patting the officer on his shoulder. “So, Veronica, how are you feeling?”

  “Pretty good. They think I’ll be out of here in a few days.”

  Randy gratefully sank into one of the empty chairs. “What happened? Danny said you were at Camp Bullis and you got hurt? You fall off a truck?”

  “I wish. No, I got shot.”

  “What? The chief didn’t tell me that. How’d that happen?” Danny’s gaped in shock.

  “It was the strangest thing. We were getting convoy training, and we were going to a training site on the other side of the camp. There were two other trucks ahead of us packed with people. I was sitting in the bed of the last truck with two other teammates when one of them, Hank Hancock, just opened fire.”

  “Opened fire as in started shooting? You’re kidding!” Randy was incredulous.

  “I wish I was, Randy, but that’s exactly what he did. He shot me and Bob, and then shot through the wall, into the cab of the truck and hit the driver. Bob and the driver were both killed. Thank God the other trucks were full and there were only a few of us in the last one. I don’t even want to think about how bad it could have been.”

  “I heard about it on TV, but it never dawned on me you might be involved. That’s crazy,” Danny said.

  “How come he didn’t kill you?” Randy asked.

  “Well, you don’t have to sound so disappointed.”

  Randy’s cheeks grew warm as he realized how he must have sounded.

  Veronica chuckled and hastily added, “Hey, I’m just kidding. I know what you meant. And to answer your question, I was lucky.”

  “He doesn’t believe in luck, Veronica,” Danny said. “And, in this case, I think I might agree with him.”

  “No, I don’t, and I’m sorry that came out so horribly wrong. Did he say anything before he opened fire?” Randy asked.

  “The three of us had been joking around and laughing, but we hadn’t said anything for about five minutes. Bob and I were looking the other way, watching a rabbit run across the field when Hank just started firing. I was hit in the lower abdomen first, and I fell off the bench onto the bed of the truck. Bob took one in the chest. The force of the impact threw him back, but he slumped forward and fell right on top of me. I remembered that training class you taught last year, and I played dead. That was actually pretty hard. I wanted to get my weapon and shoot him.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “There wasn’t time. It happened so fast. There was no way I could get Bob off me, get my weapon out of the holster, and shoot Hank before he shot me again.”

  “I’m proud of you for remembering your training in the middle of all that chaos. When all else fails, save yourself. It’s a great concept. And if there ever was a case where that’s exactly what you should do, this is most certainly it. Good job!”

  “Thanks, boss.”

  “And, by the way, that proves my point. It’s never luck. It’s either God or training. In this case, I think it was a little bit of both,” Randy said.

  “Yeah, and you better believe I was doing some serious praying.”

  “What happened to the shooter?”

  “After the driver got hit, the truck veered off the road and slammed into a tree. It threw Hank forward and he was still wobbly when he tried to jump off the truck. He lost his footing and fell to the ground. That gave me enough time to get my sidearm. He stood up and grabbed his rifle, and it looked like he was going to run after the other trucks, so I shot him.”

  “Nicely done!” Randy said.

  “Well, I really didn’t want to, but I was afraid if I didn’t he’d go after someone else. Hank was such a nice guy. I’m not sure what got into him. He joined our unit about two years ago, so I’ve known him for a while. I guess that’s why this is so shocking...and why
I feel a little guilty for killing the man who shot me and murdered my friend. I thought he was a friend, too.” Veronica laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. “I don’t even know the driver’s name. He was from another unit and unlucky enough to be assigned driving detail. You know his friends are hurting, too.” Veronica quickly wiped the tear that escaped. “So much devastation.”

  “First of all, young lady, you get those guilt thoughts right out of your head. Don’t look at the life you took, look at the lives you probably saved,” Randy said. “There’s no telling what else he might have done. You had no choice.”

  Veronica sighed and looked at Randy. “I’ve thought about that. And I’ve wondered if I had to kill him. Maybe I could have just wounded him.”

  “Yes, and maybe you could have been shot again. You know the rule...if they’re shooting at you, forget finesse and aim for center mass. Don’t second guess yourself. The sad truth is that sometimes you must shoot to kill, whether you want to or not. In this case, you did exactly what you should have done. He’d already killed two people and tried to kill you. You can’t take chances in a situation like that. Like I said, I’m proud of you.” Randy patted her leg. “Thank God you weren’t killed, too. It wouldn’t be the same around the station without you.”

  Veronica nodded, and Frank took her hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “So, I guess you won’t be deploying, huh?” Danny asked.

  “No. My unit leaves on Tuesday.”

  “Good!” Randy said. “I’ll make sure you’re overloaded with cases, so you’ll be kept busy when you get back to work. I’m pretty sure we can dump quite a few on you.”

  “I’ve got at least three I can give her, Randy,” Danny offered.

  “Maybe I should ask them if I can just arrive late,” Veronica said. “A deployment sounds like so much more fun than what you two are planning.”

  “Maybe, but at least you’ll have Frank here to keep you company. He might not be the brightest crayon in the box, but he’s probably better than Afghanistan.”