CHAPTER 19 - GUN, AND A PARKING LOT
“Were the suspects tricked or forced into confessing out of fear because of Cromwell?” Gary repeats the question thoughtfully.
The idea puts an entirely different spin on the whole situation. Based on the behavior of Cromwell that Gary has been able to observe, this certainly seems like a plausible explanation. Such activity would not be a stretch of character for the vigilante detective.
Still, could this really be what is going on?
Gary is thinking hard and running scenarios in his mind. Ray has gone back to looking on the computer, clicking away with the mouse and frantically punching the keys. Ray is nervous and beginning to sweat.
The thoughts in Gary’s mind are racing.
If Cromwell has been a loose cannon this whole time terrorizing suspects until they confess, this situation may be a whole lot worse than they had realized. The newspaper articles had pretty much concluded that once Cromwell was on the case, the case was basically over, and that it would only be a matter of time.
If people were pushed hard enough and persistently enough, they might cave in.
Especially, with an insane and desperate detective breathing down their necks…
“Gary!” Ray gasps, “Look at this!”
Ray has pulled up an article about another murder that Cromwell had investigated. The article features a picture and name of the man who was convicted of the murder. However, he did not plead “Guilty.”
“I know this guy,” Ray begins. “We met in prison, and talked quite a few times before he was transferred. Gary, he told me he was innocent.”
Gary glances at Ray, with a furrowed brow.
“Isn’t that what they all say, Ray?”
“Sure, a lot of them do, but this guy said that he was set up.”
“Cromwell was the detective on that case, Ray, but the guy didn’t even confess. Did he say anything about Cromwell to you?”
“It was years ago, and I can’t really remember. I do remember his face and name, though, and that he persistently proclaimed his own innocence.”
“Did you see anything about any accusations being made against the detective?”
“Not yet. None of the articles or reports I saw that mentioned Cromwell said anything like that.”
“I think that we might need to think about this for a bit, and try to law low for now, Ray.”
“Gary! He put a GUN to your head! We have been laying low! He just keeps showing up!”
Ray’s words were spoken a little too loudly for library etiquette, and several patrons are now taking notice of the pair. Saying “gun” loudly and excitedly in a quiet room has that certain way of grabbing peoples’ attention.
Gary has to get back to work anyway, so the two take this as their cue to leave.
In the parking lot, Gary and Ray discuss a few last things before Gary departs.
“I’ll get through these last few hours of work as quickly as I can, and then I’ll head to your place. Monday you’ll start your job, but we’ve got all weekend to try to sort this out.”
“I’m not sure I want to head back to my place alone. He’s found me there before, Gary.”
“I understand that, and it’s not like he’s beyond making his rounds searching for us.”
“Gary?”
Ray pauses prior to continuing, making absolutely that he has his companions full attention.
Gary’s eyes are rolling back in forth in their sockets as he tries piece together memories and possibilities. Ray’s stare and the silence snap him out of it, and he faces his young friend again.
“What?”
“Umm, do you have a gun?”
“Ray, no. That’s not the way that we are called to operate in this world.”
“No,” Ray cuts in, “Not like that, just to level the playing field. To let Cromwell know that he can’t push us around and that he won’t be able to get away with anything.”
“What?!?!? Ray, you need to settle…”
“GARY!!!
Ray lunges into Gary and grabs his shoulders, knocking the both of them into the side of Gary’s car.
A black sedan has just crept into the far side of the library parking lot, and conveniently hides itself besides a large van.
Ray’s eyes are large and his nostrils have flared. Fear and panic have overtaken him, and Gary still doesn’t realize what has happened.
SLAM!
The door of the black car slams shut, and the driver begins to round the corner of van.
It’s fight or flight time for Ray, and he freezes.
Gary wonders at the frozen terror of his companion and follows the frightened gaze.
He pushes off of his car, righting himself, and looks towards the far end of the parking lot just in time to see the man emerge from behind the van and come towards them.
THE END OF CHAPTER 19
TO READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS, CLICK BELOW:
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: THE FUNERAL
CHAPTER 3: MONDAY, & FREEDOM
CHAPTER 4: TUESDAY
CHAPTER 5: INTERROGATION
CHAPTER 6: PROBATION
CHAPTER 7: RAY’S TURN
CHAPTER 8: ICE CREAM
CHAPTER 9: LATE NIGHT
CHAPTER 10: WRESTLING
CHAPTER 11: THURSDAY: MORE QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 12: WHAT HAPPENED?
CHAPTER 13: PHONE CALLS
CHAPTER 14: GAME OVER
CHAPTER 15: DRINKING & DARKNESS
CHAPTER 16: GOOD MORNING
CHAPTER 17: FRIDAY - THE CAPTAIN
CHAPTER 18: THE LIBRARY
MY NAME IN PEPPERS
(I didn't have any lights....)
