Wrong Turn Read online

  ‘Jessica, if Charley Spencer did not do what the police said she did, you have to tell me. It’s not right to punish her for what someone else did. How would you feel if you were blamed for something you didn’t do?’

  ‘Man, Missus Stovall,’ Jessica whined. ‘OK. I know who did it. It wasn’t Charley Spencer, but please don’t make me tell you who it was.’

  ‘I won’t ask you that, Jessica. You can go back to class now. Get a hall pass at the front counter before you leave.’

  ‘Yes, Missus Stovall. Thank you.’

  When she’d gone, the principal said, ‘She’s tight with Madison and Ashley right now. She has to be covering up for them. She follows them around, begging for crumbs.’

  ‘I suspect she’s also covering up for her brother, too.’

  ‘Really? We never had any problems with him when he was at this school. That is surprising.’

  ‘Well, maybe he’s just a follower, like his sister.’ Jake rose to his feet and shook the principal’s hand. ‘Thank you. That bit of information will give the investigators sufficient reason to bring all three girls in for questioning.’

  ‘Do me a favor, Agent Lovett. Try to get what you need from Madison and Ashley before you drag Jessica into the situation any further.’

  ‘I’ll do what I can, Ms Stovall, but it probably won’t be my decision to make.’

  TWENTY-TWO

  ‘Jake, are you finished at the middle school?’ Lucinda spoke into her cellphone as she drove down the highway.

  ‘Sure am. And it looks good for Charley. You done at the prison?’

  ‘Yes, although my ego’s a little battered from the experience. Where do you want to meet up?’

  ‘I’m at my office. You want to swing by here?’

  ‘OK. But meet me in the parking lot. I don’t want to go inside.’

  ‘Afraid you’ll catch some Feeb cooties?’

  ‘I believe that I am the one who invited you to tag along.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. I’ll meet you out front. Do you want me to drive?’

  ‘Once again, Jake, who invited whom?’

  ‘All right. You’re driving. Don’t know why I bothered to ask.’

  ‘Do you want me to tell you – again – why I’m driving?’

  ‘Nope. Got that one down pat. I’m a man. My driving sucks. But really, I do have a cooler car.’

  ‘Remind me of that when I am suicidal and want you to drive me into a concrete wall. See you in twenty,’ Lucinda said, disconnecting the call. A smile stole across her face. She really loved working with him. Loved talking with him. Loved doing nothing with him. Loved – whoa, she told herself, uncomfortable with the trajectory of her thoughts.

  When Lucinda pulled into the lot, Jake was waiting with his thumb stuck out in the air. She rolled down the passenger window and shouted, ‘Hey, buddy, want a lift?’

  Jake climbed into the car and she added, ‘Didn’t your mama tell you not to take rides from strangers?’

  ‘I don’t think my mother would find you all that strange, Lucinda. In fact, I’m pretty sure she’d like you a lot.’

  ‘I doubt that,’ Lucinda said. ‘OK, fill me in on your middle school visit.’

  Jake detailed his meeting with the principal and his conversation with Jessica. ‘I’d say that is sufficient grounds to pick up all three of the girls.’

  ‘Hopefully, one of them will confess.’

  ‘Jessica’s close to it but I don’t think she was there so we really do need one of the other two to take responsibility. Or maybe one of the high school boys involved. Do you know who they are?’

  ‘I know one of them is Jessica’s brother but Charley only knew the others by their first names.’

  ‘Well, maybe one of the girls will give them up. So what happened at the prison?’

  Lucinda ran through the conversation with Martha Sherman and laid out her plan to move everything forward.

  ‘You’re staging a confrontation with Martha’s attorney in your office? Are you nuts?’

  ‘I probably am nuts but it was the best thing that came to my mind.’

  ‘You’re playing with fire, Lucinda.’

  ‘If no one ever played with fire, we’d all still be gnawing raw, bloody meat off of bones.’

  ‘I don’t know. It seems awfully risky.’

  ‘I know that, Jake. But I am willing to pay any price, even the loss of my job, to make sure justice is done for Martha Sherman. Ah, here’s the street.’

  ‘The names? What are the names of Trevor Phillips’ grandparents?’

  ‘Henry and Marilyn Makowski.’

  Lucinda pulled up the driveway of a long, white brick ranch house set up on a hill. The large oaks and maples in the yard testified to the home’s vintage.

  ‘Looks like sixties construction,’ Jake said.

  ‘Yes, I believe the Makowski’s built this home early in the decade and have lived here ever since. They’re both retired. She used to do local television and radio shows and he worked as an engineer at Standard Electric.’

  ‘You’ve done your homework.’

  ‘Actually, I didn’t do any of the work. Lara Quivey in the research department dug up the information and prepared a background report. I just read what she wrote.’

  On the porch, Lucinda rang the doorbell and was greeted by Marilyn Makowski. A soft blonde shade covered up her gray with only a small indication of roots at the base of the scalp. Her make-up was subtle but obvious, particularly in the wrinkles around her mouth and eyes and the blush on her cheekbones. It was all accented by a deep rose lipstick. Lucinda estimated her height at five foot eight or maybe nine inches – tall for a woman, but definitely short next to Lucinda. ‘May I help you?’ Marilyn asked.

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ Lucinda said, holding up her badge. ‘I’m Lieutenant Pierce with the homicide division of the police department. And this is Agent Lovett with the FBI. We would like to talk to you and your husband about your grandson.’

  ‘I think I know you, lieutenant. Did we meet at Chris Phillips’ trial?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am, I believe we did. I am surprised you remember.’

  ‘There’s something different about you, though.’

  ‘The passage of time changes us all, ma’am,’ Lucinda said, hoping to deflect the conversation away from another rehash of her eye patch and scars.

  Marilyn narrowed her eyes, looking closely at Lucinda’s face. ‘I think it’s more than that, but, well, please come in.’ She opened the door wide, gesturing her welcome with a swing of her arm. She led them into the living room. ‘Please make yourselves comfortable. I’ll go get Henry – he’s tinkering in his shop. And I’ll grab the coffee pot.’

  ‘Don’t go to any trouble for us, ma’am,’ Jake said, as he and Lucinda sat down on a brocaded teal sofa.

  Marilyn smiled at him, ‘Oh no trouble, agent, actually it’s more for me than you to be honest. I just made a fresh pot and I’m dying for a cup. It’s been a rough morning.’ Without an explanation of the meaning of her last remark, she glided out of the room and out of sight.

  ‘So far, so good,’ Jake said.

  ‘Yeah, but Henry is a lot tougher than she is. We’ll see.’

  ‘I’ll follow your lead.’

  A tall bear of a man lumbered into the living room, wiping his hands on the legs of his pants. Jake and Lucinda stood and both shook his hand. ‘Please, please, make yourself at home. Marilyn will be back with the coffee in a moment.’ He sat down in a chair kitty-corner to the sofa.

  As if on cue, Marilyn walked into the room carrying a tray. Henry jumped back to his feet. ‘Here, Mother, let me get that.’ He took the burden from her hands and set it down on the coffee table. Marilyn filled cups, offering sugar and cream, and within two minutes they were all settled with a mug of coffee in their hands.

  ‘OK, detectives,’ Henry said. ‘I’m sure you did not come out here for coffee and idle conversation. What’s on your minds?’

  ‘Chris Phillips,�
�� Lucinda said.

  ‘Oh, dear,’ Marilyn choked and appeared as if she might cry.

  ‘Calm down, dear,’ Henry said. ‘It’s all going to work out.’ Turning to Lucinda and Jake, he said, ‘Marilyn’s a bit emotional right now. We just visited with our attorney about the child custody case that man filed. So, we know all about that – and so does our grandson.’

  ‘How’s Trevor taking the news, sir?’

  ‘Not too well, I’m afraid. He’s scared. He promised us he’d not stick around if the court ordered that he return to his father. He is certain that his dad will kill him next.’

  Marilyn sighed, ‘I told him that they would not give his dad custody while his criminal case was still pending. I didn’t tell him about the possibility that the prosecution might not take it to a second trial and it could all be resolved very quickly – he was upset enough as it was.’

  ‘Phillips filed an emergency motion for visitation,’ Henry added. ‘You’d think he actually cared about the boy the way it was worded: “deprived of the affection of” and “denied the comfort of the presence of his son” for all these years. What a pile of horse pucky! A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow so we got an appointment for Trevor to see his psychologist today after school.’

  ‘He was doing so well,’ Marilyn said. ‘He only had to visit her twice last year – more like a mental check-up than anything else. But she is so kind. She worked him into her schedule very quickly. She’s concerned his father’s release from prison is going to shatter his stability.’

  ‘Is there anything else you need from us?’ Henry asked.

  ‘Actually, sir, we haven’t touched on why we are here. We are hoping to interview Trevor.’

  ‘What?’ Henry said and exchanged a worried look with his wife. ‘Whatever for?’

  ‘Like you, Mr Makowski, I want the district attorney to pursue a second trial of Chris Phillips. I want his case to be as solid as possible. I want Phillips back in prison as much as you do.’

  ‘What does Trevor have to do with that?’

  ‘We have reason to believe that he saw his father push his second wife down the stairs. We want to know about that and if he saw anything suspicious when Phillips’ third wife died.’

  ‘Trevor has never said anything about seeing anything,’ Marilyn objected. ‘You’ll traumatize him again, and for nothing.’

  ‘Ms Makowski, I would have a CASA volunteer at the interview as well as the department psychiatrist. We will be very gentle with him. If he’s kept something bottled up all these years, it could help him to get it all out.’

  ‘I don’t know. I just don’t know,’ Marilyn said. ‘It could open old wounds. I couldn’t bear for him to be hurt again.’

  ‘I really hate to say this, ma’am. But being returned to his father could cause even more pain,’ Lucinda said.

  Marilyn gasped. ‘I know. I know. I just want what’s best for Trevor. This is a nightmare.’

  Henry rose and walked to Marilyn’s chair and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. ‘If you two will excuse us for a moment,’ he said. Leaning down to his wife, he added, ‘C’mon, Mother. Let’s go and talk this over.’ Henry kept his arm in place as he led her out of the room.

  ‘Oh, Jeez, this is as bad as waiting while the jury is out,’ Lucinda said.

  ‘What do you think the verdict will be?’ Jake asked.

  ‘I don’t know. I don’t think it looks good. I don’t want to force the issue and I don’t know if I’d be successful with a judge if I did.’

  They both sighed and sat quietly lost in the turmoil of their thoughts. The wait felt interminable but it was only five minutes before Henry returned.

  ‘Marilyn is making a phone call. We’ll continue this conversation when she returns.’

  The three sat in uncomfortable silence until Jake spoke. ‘You said Trevor is doing well. How are his grades in school?’

  A smile crossed Henry’s face. ‘He’s . . .’ Henry began. ‘No. No. I’m not going to discuss my grandson until Marilyn finishes her phone call.’

  ‘Is she talking to your lawyer?’ Jake asked.

  ‘Right now, that’s none of your business, young man,’ Henry snapped.

  Again, an awkward quiet descended, broken, this time, by Lucinda. ‘You have a lovely home, Mr Makowski.’

  Henry smiled again. ‘That’s all on Mother – uh, Marilyn. She has such a great eye for color. When she wanted to buy that sofa, I told her it’s just too loud. But look at it. It brightens the room just like she said it would. She pulled it all together so well. She even had my mother’s old rocker reupholstered to coordinate with the rest of the furniture. She’s some woman.’

  ‘Yes, she certainly did a lovely job,’ Lucinda said.

  After a pause, she elbowed Jake.

  ‘Oh, yes,’ he said, ‘just lovely. I wish I had a room like this.’

  Lucinda rolled her eye. Yeah, right, as if he’d ever tolerate a room in his home with ruffled curtains and embroidered, fringed throw pillows. ‘How long have you two been married?’

  ‘It will be fifty years in December,’ he said and cocked his head toward the hallway. ‘She’s still on the phone. Good. Listen, don’t tell her but I’ve arranged a surprise cruise to celebrate our anniversary.’

  ‘When will you let her know?’ Lucinda asked.

  ‘Well, I wanted it to be a surprise until we arrived at the dock to set sail. But then I realized that would mean I would have to pack for her and I knew I couldn’t handle that without forgetting something important. So here’s my plan,’ he said, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. ‘Two days before we depart, I’m going to go down on one knee and ask her to marry me all over again – I bought her a new wedding band, one with three diamonds on it, to replace the plain one that she’s just about wore clear down to nothing. Then, I’ll tell her the honeymoon has all been arranged – she just needs to pack for fun in the sun.’

  ‘What if she says no to the proposal or the trip?’ Jake asked.

  Lucinda jabbed an elbow into Jake’s side again.

  Henry laughed. ‘I know my Marilyn, there’s no chance—’

  ‘Sssh!’ Lucinda said. ‘I think I heard her hang up.’

  Marilyn walked back into the room, holding a pad of paper. She looked suspiciously at Henry whose face had turned a startling shade of red. She paused as if she was about to ask him what was going on; then shook her head. ‘I just got off the telephone with Dr Craig. She said she would approve of the interview if you will agree to her conditions.’

  ‘What are they, ma’am?’ Lucinda asked.

  ‘She said that Henry and I would be witnesses to your agreement and if you go back on your word, legal action will be taken immediately.’

  ‘We understand, don’t we, Jake?’ Lucinda said.

  Jake nodded. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  ‘I wrote them all down,’ Marilyn said. ‘First of all, she must be free to talk to Trevor this afternoon about the possible interview and you must not try to talk to him before then.’

  ‘OK,’ Lucinda said.

  ‘She will not advocate for this interview, she will merely go over the pros and cons with Trevor and allow him to make his own decision. If he decides not to go through with it or if she decides it would not be in his best interests, you will drop the matter entirely and not attempt to maneuver around that decision in any manner.’

  Lucinda winced. She did not want to slam the door shut but saw no other choice. ‘OK.’

  ‘Tomorrow, after school, she will escort Trevor to the Justice Center, where you will arrange the interview to take place in a comfortable room with windows, not in some shabby, airless cubicle.’

  ‘I’m not sure I can comply with that.’

  ‘Well, then . . .’ Marilyn began.

  ‘And why not?’ Henry asked.

  ‘I don’t think we have a room that would fit that description. We’re kind of bare bones and utilitarian.’

  ‘Mother, why ca
n’t she meet with Trevor in Dr Craig’s office? Wouldn’t that be better anyway?’

  ‘I can ask Dr Craig about that,’ Marilyn said. ‘Would you be willing to go to Dr Craig’s office, lieutenant, if she agrees?’

  ‘I certainly would,’ Lucinda said with a nod.

  Marilyn looked back down at her list of conditions. ‘OK. Where were we? Ah, yes. You may make an audio recording of the conversation but no video.’

  ‘That’s fine.’

  ‘If at the end of the interview, Dr Craig decides it is not in Trevor’s best interest for you to have that tape, you will turn it over to her without question.’

  Lucinda swallowed hard; another difficult concession. ‘No appeal on her decision?’

  Marilyn’s soft eyes turned steely. ‘No, lieutenant. In this family, we are not overly fond of appeals.’

  Lucinda ducked her head. ‘Yes, ma’am. I agree to turn over the tape if Dr Craig requests it.’

  Marilyn continued. ‘If at any point, Dr Craig chooses to terminate the interview, you will comply without objection.’

  Lucinda looked away, shook her head and then turned back to face Marilyn. ‘Yes, ma’am, will do.’

  ‘Finally, only one member of law enforcement can be present for the interview.’

  ‘OK. No problem.’

  ‘If you agreed to that, she told me to tell you that it would be best if it was a woman; Trevor does have issues with men in positions of authority.’

  Lucinda glanced at Jake; he shrugged. ‘I’ll handle the interview myself, Mrs Makowski.’

  ‘Fine, lieutenant, I’ll check with the doctor on the change of location and if it’s OK with her, I’ll confirm the appointment for tomorrow afternoon.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Lucinda said.

  ‘But I want to warn you, lieutenant: I don’t care if this all turns out for the best in the long run if Trevor is damaged in the process. If that happens, I will hold you personally responsible.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am, I have no problem with that,’ Lucinda said, rising to her feet.

  ‘Good,’ Marilyn said with a big smile, as she shifted back into good hostess mode. ‘Would you like another cup of coffee?’