One Strange Accident

by Kay Wyont

  “I know that, Gloria, but it’s nice to hear, so thank you. Of course, if you had to work with them every day, you might change your opinion.”

  “Is he always this mean to you?” Gloria asked.

  “Normally. Okay, we’re out of here. If you get bored, you can always stop by the station and say hi. Just because Dr. Higgins is in jail doesn’t mean we don’t want to see you anymore, because we do,” Randy said.

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Before we go, Gloria, I’d like to shake your hand.” Chief Sanchez extended his hand.

  They shook, then Gloria looked at her hand in surprise. “Well, that was sneaky. What is this?”

  “It’s a challenge coin. They’re steeped in tradition, especially with the military. That’s a special version I had made, and as you can see, it says Chief of Police on one side. Since I’ve been in the position, I’ve only given away three, but I can honestly say no one deserves it more than you. Randy and Danny were right when they said you were special. Thank you from the police department and from the citizens of San Antonio. You’ve done us all a great service.”

  “Thank you, Chief,” Gloria said, tearing up. “Do you suppose it would be okay if I gave you a hug?”

  “Absolutely,” he replied, hugging her. “Just so you know, Gloria, we really are tough cops, contrary to how it might look,” Chief Sanchez said. “Okay, guys, let’s get back to work.”

  At the door, Danny turned to Gloria. “Do you know how to read lips?”

  “Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do. Why?”

  “No reason. Just winning a bet.”

  “You bet on me?” Gloria laughed. “What did you win?”

  “Nothing. The cowards wouldn’t bet. But I won on principle.”

  MORE LAPTOP FILES WERE ready when they got back to the chief’s office. They skimmed through the horror show as Hancock, Carter, and others endured the same strange torment inflicted on Caldwell. Higgins sometimes appeared, speaking low tones into the ears of his victims as grisly slideshows warped their minds. Articles and news coverage of the “accidents” his victims caused were also collected and saved, along with survivor interviews, in folders that formed a meticulous, digital scrapbook of sorts—destroyed lives and heartbreak chronicled and preserved for Higgins’ future enjoyment.

  “Is the DA going to go for the death penalty?” Randy asked as Chief Sanchez turned off the last video.

  “I don’t know, but I think he will. Especially after he sees the rest of these. He’s got all the proof he needs that Higgins was the reason behind all those strange accidents. Not only did he induce his victims to kill all those people, all but two of the victims died in the process. He’s taken serial killing to a whole new level. Thank God it’s over.”

  They fell silent. That one human could be so deranged was not new to them, but that didn’t make the suffering any easier to understand.

  Randy took a deep breath and stood. “I guess we’ll start writing up reports. It’ll take a full day to get all this down.”

  The chief stood, too, and laid a hand on each man’s shoulder. “That can wait until tomorrow. In the meantime, why don’t you go brief the Caldwells? That’ll be one less thing for them to worry about. Then go home. As a matter of fact, let that paperwork wait a little longer. Take tomorrow off. You two have earned it.”

  “Thanks, Chief. The Caldwells should be at the hospital. I don’t think they’ve left since Rick was admitted.” Maybe I’ll actually get home at a decent time tonight, Randy thought.

  “Okay, go on. Get out of here.” Chief Sanchez motioned toward the door. “Take Jenkins with you. He should get a chance to see the good side of this job. That’ll be his last official duty before going back to patrol. Day after tomorrow for him, too. Let him know.”

  When they got to Randy’s desk, Frank was there, along with Lloyd Carter and a woman who could only be Lloyd’s mother.

  Randy hurried to the young man. “Lloyd, what are you doing here? I’d think you’ve had enough of police stations by now.

  “I wanted to thank all of you.” Lloyd stood and shook the detectives’ hands eagerly. “I know I’m only out because of you guys. I still can’t believe it.”

  Danny grinned and clapped Lloyd’s shoulder. “Don’t thank us yet. You’ll still have to testify.”

  “I’m not worried about it. That’ll be easy compared to what I’ve been through. Oh, this is my mom, Beverly. Mom, that’s Detective Monroe and that’s Detective Beckman.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Randy said, extending his hand.

  “Oh, no, you don’t. Come here.” She pulled Randy into a hug, then turned and inflicted the same on Danny. “Thank you both for everything. I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”

  “You’re welcome.” Danny’s cheeks were red as he extricated himself from Beverly’s crushing embrace. “So Lloyd, did you get your spaghetti yet?”

  “No,” Beverly replied. “That’s the other reason we’re here. We're having a welcome home party for him on Thursday, and we’d love for the three of you to come. Unless you don’t like spaghetti.”

  Lloyd dropped his arm around his mother’s shoulders. “If they don’t, it’s only because they haven’t eaten yours.”

  At the mention of dinner, Randy’s stomach rumbled. Will I ever get home in time for dinner again? “We appreciate the offer, but until Dr. Higgins goes to trial, we’ll have to take a rain check on the world’s best spaghetti. There’s a slight chance his lawyer could try to use fraternizing with the police to get Lloyd’s testimony thrown out. I don’t want to risk it.”

  “Oh! I didn’t think of that. Well, we can throw another spaghetti party after that man is convicted. Or maybe I’ll sneak an anonymous batch into the station.”

  “I think waiting is fine, Beverly. We’ll be there. We’re just glad it all worked out.”

  “Not as much as we are. Thank you, again.”

  Danny sighed as they left the room. “Now all I can think about is spaghetti.”

  “Maybe we can all get together and go to dinner at some Italian place. It probably won’t be as good as hers, though, if that’s what people in jail are missing.”

  “Good idea. I’ll talk to Mary and see what’s going on. Check with Margaret, and ask Veronica, Frank.”

  “You mean I’m invited, too?”

  “Of course,” Randy replied. “Speaking of invitations, do you want to go to the hospital with us and give Rick’s parents the good news?”

  “Absolutely!”

  “Come on then, Junior. We don’t have all day. Let’s go surprise a family.”

  When they arrived at the hospital, they found a surprise waiting for them. Rick Caldwell was awake.

  He was propped up in bed and his parents sat in the chairs beside him. When the officers came in, Rick gave a weak smile. “Hello, detectives.”

  “Hello, yourself,” Randy replied. “Welcome back. How are you feeling?”

  “Physically fine. I guess I botched that, too. I can’t even kill myself right. Luckily, there wasn’t any permanent damage. If I’ve gotta live, I don’t want to be a vegetable. My parents have enough to worry about.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing you botched it,” Randy said.

  Rick’s father stood up. “Now that he’s awake, will they move him to jail?”

  “Nope.” Randy smiled at Rick. “They’re dropping the charges.”

  Rather than relief, the expression on Rick’s face changed to anger. “What? Why? I killed all those people. I deserve to go to jail forever.”

  “It wasn’t your fault, Rick,” Danny replied.

  “It has to be. I was the one driving the car.”

  “There were extenuating circumstances. We believe Dr. Higgins may have used a combination of LSD, brainwashing, and hypnosis on you and other patients of Eternal Weight Loss to cause all this mayhem.” Randy filled them in on as many of the sordid details as he could. “Bottom line, you’re not responsible for wh
at you did.”

  Rick and his parents stared at Randy, dumbfounded.

  After a few moments of silence, Mrs. Caldwell spoke up. “Detective, that’s ludicrous. It sounds like the plot of some old spy movie, not real life.”

  Danny chuckled. “In this case, it’s a bit of both. The important thing is, the reason Rick couldn’t come to grips with his actions was because, deep down, they weren’t truly his.”

  Rick’s forehead creased in a frown. “Is that why I had a hard time remembering what went on at some of the appointments? I didn’t think it was strange before. I just thought it’s what happened with hypnosis. Dr. Higgins said it would help me focus on my problem.”

  “Did he ever give you anything to eat or drink?” Randy prodded.

  “He always gave me juice when I’d be there for a long time. He said hydration is the first step to health. I never thought about it before, but I hardly remember anything from those longer sessions. I think I sat in an uncomfortable chair and watched movies. About eating habits, I guess, but I don’t really remember any of them now."

  Randy put a hand on the young man’s shoulder.

  Mrs. Caldwell leaned forward and squeezed her son’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell us any of this?”

  “I was going to.” He squeezed his eyes shut, as if struggling to recall a memory. “I mentioned it to Dr. Higgins. He told me... He said it wasn’t a good idea because some people wouldn’t accept hypnosis. After that first time, I’d always get a feeling I shouldn’t tell anyone.”

  “That was probably part of the post-hypnotic suggestion to forget everything. I know you don’t feel this way, but you’re a lucky young man. Most of his other victims died. The more you can try to remember, and the more you can tell, the better. Once he goes to trial, you’re going to have to testify to everything that happened at the clinic. Only one other victim, Lloyd Carter, survived his accident, and he’ll testify, as well.”

  Mrs. Caldwell looked like she was going to be sick.

  “So, it’s really not my fault? He made me do all of it?” Rick asked.

  “That’s right. It’s not your fault,” Randy assured him.

  Rick let out a ragged sigh and stared at his bandaged wrists. “It doesn’t bring those people back. Their families will still blame me.”

  “Once the full story comes out, they’ll know who the monster is, and it’s not you. You just concentrate on getting well so you can go home.”

  “Home. That sounds so nice.”

  “We’ll be so glad to have you back, son,” Mr. Caldwell said.

  “ARE YOU GUYS AS TIRED as I am?” Danny asked on the way back to the car.

  “You couldn’t possibly be more tired than me,” Randy said. “Thank God the chief said not to come in tomorrow.”

  “Is he always like that?” Frank asked.

  “No. In fact, I don’t remember him ever giving us the day off. I hope it’s not because he knows there’s another serial killer running around the city and we’ll be swamped when we get back to work.” Please no, Randy thought. I don’t think I can take much more.

  Frank stopped dead. “Do you really think there’s another one?”

  Danny shook his head at the gullible young officer. “You’re never going to learn, are you, Frank? Use your head. If there was another serial killer, the chief would have us working on it instead of napping in front of the TV at home.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. But, if you do get another one, call me. I learned a lot on this case.”

  Randy barked out a staccato laugh. “If we get another one, I’m quitting. I’m too old for this crap.”

  Randy was silent most of the way back to the station. He listened to Danny and Frank trading barbs, occasionally smiling, but his mind was in turmoil.

  Two major cases, two convictions. Someone else was pulling the strings on this one. What if someone was pulling the strings on the last one? Is it over?

  He stole a glance at Danny.

  How do I tell him I can’t shake the feeling our first case isn’t over? What if Higgins isn’t the only puppet master in town? Could there really be two? What if... STOP!

  He was being ridiculous. The streets of Alamo City were a little safer now that Higgins was behind bars. And he had a whole day off to look forward to, including a relaxing dinner with his wife that he absolutely wouldn’t miss. It was a time to celebrate, not try to find trouble.

  He just hoped trouble didn’t find him.

  THE END

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kay Wyont is a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, who spent an additional 19+ years working for the Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command. A Mensa life member, she has authored novels in The Misadventures of Miss Write series (under the name Gena Webb) and Alamo City Mysteries, all published by Journey Fiction. A firm believer that God’s many blessings should be shared, she has been recognized for her numerous charitable contributions. She currently resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband and too many cats. Visit her website at www.genawebb.com.

  The following is an excerpt from

  The Write Decision

  The Misadventures of Miss Write: Book 2

  Prologue

  Officer Martin raced down the shadowy street, desperate to close the gap before the fleeing suspect disappeared. In the semi-rural neighborhood, he could easily outmaneuver her. A cloud passed in front of the moon, obscuring her main source of light, and the man’s dark clothing blended with the night.

  Martin panicked. I lost him!

  Movement in the glow from the next porch light rallied her shot nerves, and she gave silent thanks. But thanks turned to frustration as the burglar dropped his haul and sprinted away.

  “Police! Stop!” Martin pursued, heart pounding. The trees in the yards cast deep shadows over the cars parked along the curb. He’ll leave the houses soon. Then what?

  The blazing flash of a bullet cracking from a gun was quickly followed by the scream of metal on metal as a bullet tore through the car in front of Martin. Her patrol car.

  Damn! She fired back as she ducked behind the vehicle, then peeked around in time to catch sight of him rounding the corner. He disappeared down Chavaneaux Road. Martin briefly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I have to follow. Whether I want to or not. Steeling herself, she crouched low and continued the pursuit.

  Pick up your ebook or print copy of

  The Write Decision

  today!

  Don’t forget the books that started it all

  Finding Miss Write

  The Misadventures of Miss Write, Book 1

  WHEN SUSPENSE NOVELIST Carla Williams is accused of planning an actual murder, her life takes on more plot twists than one of her books. Sure, her life's in danger, but she's also caught the attention of handsome detective, Roger Graf, so that kind of evens things out. As Carla nears the end of her novel, it's up to Roger to catch the killer, or it might be the end of Carla's life story as well.

  One Inner Voice

  Alamo City Mysteries, Book 1

  San Antonio Police Detectives Randy Monroe and Danny Beckman know two things: a serial killer is on the loose, and they don’t have enough clues to catch him. Surely the fact that the victims are murdered elsewhere and the bodies moved and dumped at churches means something, but what? With every new incident, Randy and Danny become more obsessed with unraveling the facts. But the closer they get to the truth, the more it looks like it might take a miracle to bring the killer to justice.

 

 

 
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