CHAPTER 29
Colin
While Lily headed back to her place at the beach, Colin rode with Evan first to Walmart—a place that was always open and had everything he needed—and then to Shallotte, where Evan parked behind the Camaro. Colin popped open the hood and began to loosen the battery clamps.
“Why do you think it’s the battery? Your car’s had trouble starting for a long time.”
“I don’t know what else it could be. I’ve changed out the ignition switch and the alternator.”
“Shouldn’t you have tried changing the battery first?”
“I did,” Colin said. “I put a new one in a few months ago. Maybe it’s a lemon.”
“Just so you know, I’m not driving you back out here tomorrow if this doesn’t work. I’m going to Lily’s, and the two of us are going to spend all day tomorrow in bed. I want to see how well this whole me-being-a-hero thing works out. I’m thinking she’ll find me even more attractive than she already does.”
Colin smiled as he loosened the clamps, then slid the old battery out and popped the new one in.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Evan continued. “And remember, this is coming from someone who’s seen you do a lot of dumb things. But today? I have no idea how you were able to even get to Lester in the first place. From the lawn? Over the railings? Going airborne like you did? And meanwhile, he’s aiming the gun, and just so you know, it sort of makes me question your sanity. What on earth were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t thinking.”
“That’s what I figured. That’s just one of your many problems. You really should start thinking before you act. I told you beforehand not to go in the first place.”
Colin looked up. “Your point is?”
“My point is that despite your stupidity and possible insanity, I was actually kind of proud of you today. And not just because you ended up saving Margolis’s life.”
“Why?”
“Because you didn’t kill Lester when you had the chance. You could have smashed him into pieces or choked the life out of him. But you didn’t.”
Colin finished tightening the clamps. “You’re saying that you’re proud of me because I didn’t kill him?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Evan said. “Especially since you probably could have gotten away with it. He’d shot a cop. He was armed and dangerous. I can’t see anyone bringing you up on charges if you’d gotten a little too carried away. So my question to you is why didn’t you kill him?”
Colin thought about it before finally shaking his head. “I don’t know.”
“Well, when you do know, let me know. For me, the answer’s obvious, since I’d never kill anyone. It’s not in my nature. I wouldn’t be able to do it, but you’re different. And if you’re curious, I also have to tell you that I respect this version of Colin a whole lot more than I did the old one.”
“You’ve always respected me.”
“I’ve always liked you, but I’ve always been a little afraid of you, too,” Evan said. “There’s a difference.” He pointed to the battery, wanting to drop the subject. “Ready to give it a whirl?”
Colin rounded the car and climbed behind the wheel. He wasn’t sure what to expect and was surprised when the Camaro fired up with the first turn of the key. At that moment he found his eyes drawn to the bungalow, noting that half the yard was circled with police tape, as was the porch.
“And there it is,” Evan said. “You know it’ll probably break down on your way to Maria’s. Just to spite you. And try to stay out of trouble, okay? It seems to be following you around lately.”
Colin didn’t answer; instead he continued to stare at the bungalow, and it took him a few seconds to realize that something had changed since he’d left. Or rather, something was missing. It was possible, he thought, that the police had impounded it because it was evidence. Maybe there’d been blood splatters, or maybe one of the shots had hit it and the police needed the bullet for ballistics testing…
“Are you listening to me?” Evan asked.
“No.”
“What are you staring at?”
“You know those questions that Serena was asking?” Colin said, avoiding the question. “The ones about whether Atkinson is part of this?”
“I remember. Why?”
“I think there’s a strong possibility that he is.”
“Because his car was near the park? And Lester couldn’t have slashed her tires?”
“Not just for those reasons. I’m thinking about the car I saw earlier, the one in the bungalow driveway.”
Evan turned, then took a step backward, improving his angle. “What car?” he finally asked.
“Exactly,” Colin said, continuing to ponder it. “It’s gone.”
Colin returned to the Sanchez place a few minutes before midnight. Maria was sitting with her parents in the living room, and Colin watched as she stood. She said something in Spanish to her mom—most likely that she’d be back soon—and walked with Colin out to the car.
“Where’s Serena?”
“She went to bed.”
“She’s staying here, too?”
“Just for tonight. My parents told me to tell you that you’re welcome to stay, too. Of course, since you’d have to sleep on the couch, I told them you’d probably rather go home.”
“You could join me.”
“It’s tempting,” she said. “But…”
“No worries,” he said. When they reached his car, he opened the door for her.
“What was wrong with your car, by the way?” she asked as she slid in.
“The battery,” he said.
“So I was right, huh? I guess that means you should listen to me more often.”
“Okay.”
As they were driving to her condo, Colin told her about the missing car.
“Maybe the police took it.”
“Maybe.”
“Do you think Atkinson came back for it?”
“I don’t know. I figure I’ll call Detective Wright tomorrow. They may not tell me, but considering that I kept Margolis alive until the ambulance came, I hope they will. Either way, they should know.”
She turned toward the window as they navigated the largely empty roads. “I still can’t believe that Lester shot him.”
“If you were there, you’d believe it. He was out of control. Like he snapped.”
“Do you think they’ll get any answers from him?”
Colin considered it. “Yes. Once he’s lucid again. I have no idea how long that will take, though.”
“I know he can’t get to me, but…”
Maria stopped short of saying Atkinson’s name, but then again, she didn’t have to. Colin wasn’t taking any chances. He took a circuitous route back to Maria’s condo, alert to any suspicious cars. Maria knew what he was doing and made no objection.
It was just after midnight when they pulled into a space reserved for visitors at her condo complex. Colin stayed alert to any movement, but all was quiet as they climbed the steps to her door.
There, however, Colin and Maria froze.
They both saw in the same instant that the doorknob had been broken off, and that the door stood partly ajar.
Her place had been trashed.
As Colin watched Maria wander around in a daze, crying nonstop and surveying the damage, his own outrage continued to grow.
Couches, chairs, and pillows slashed open. The dining room table overturned. Dining room chairs tilted on broken legs. Lamps shattered. Photographs torn. The contents of the refrigerator splattered and smeared throughout the kitchen. Her things. Her home. Violated. Shredded. Ruined.
In the bedroom, her mattress had been torn open, the bureau knocked over and drawers broken, another lamp shattered. Empty cans of red spray paint littered the floor and virtually every piece of clothing in her closet had been marked by the paint.
This, Colin thought, was what rage looked like. Whoever did this was as out of control as Lester, maybe more so, and the fury Colin felt was getting difficult to control. He wanted to hurt the guy, kill the guy…
Beside him, Maria gasped, her sobs becoming even more hysterical, and Colin put his arms around her when he spotted the words that had been painted on the bedroom wall.
You will know how it feels.
Colin called 911, then Detective Wright. He hadn’t expected an answer, but Wright answered on the second ring. After Colin told him what had happened, Wright said he’d head right over, that he wanted to see the damage for himself.
At Maria’s request, Colin also called her parents, and while they insisted they would come over, Maria kept shaking her head. Colin understood. Here and now, Maria couldn’t deal with their fears and worries, not on top of all this. She was barely holding it together as it was. He told her parents that she needed to talk to the police, and let them know that he’d keep her safe.
Two officers arrived within a few minutes and took Maria’s statement, which wasn’t much. There was more luck, though, with one of the neighbors who’d come out to see what was going on. Colin listened as the guy who lived next door said that he’d returned to his place only a couple of hours earlier, and was certain that the door hadn’t been ajar. He would have seen the lights. No, he said, he hadn’t heard anything, other than music, which he noted had been turned up loud. He’d considered coming over to ask that it be turned down, but it had stopped soon after that.
After Maria had regained a semblance of composure, Wright reviewed her and the neighbor’s statements with the officers; he then spoke with Maria and Colin. Maria had trouble keeping her thoughts straight. Colin rehashed most of what he’d told Wright earlier in Shallotte, all the while fighting the urge to hit something.
Colin wanted to find Atkinson, even more than he’d wanted to find Lester.
And he wanted to kill him.
It was almost two a.m. when Wright said they could go, and he walked with them to Colin’s car. Maria, Colin knew, wasn’t in any shape to drive, and she didn’t argue. When they reached the car, Wright held up his hand. He stared at Colin in much the same way Margolis did.
“Hold on,” he said. “I don’t know why I didn’t realize it earlier, but I finally figured out who you are,” he said.
“Who am I?”
“You’re the guy Pete thinks should be in prison. The guy who gets in all those fights. Beats the crap out of people.”
“Not anymore.”
“Lester Manning might have a different opinion about that. Not that I give a crap what Lester Manning thinks.”
“Do you know when the police will be done in there?” Maria asked. “And when I can get back in?”
“Aside from vandalism, it’s not otherwise a crime scene,” Wright answered. “But the forensics guys take their time. I’d guess that you won’t be able to get back in until midmorning tomorrow at the earliest. I’ll let you know for sure when you can, okay?”
Maria nodded. Colin wished there were something more he could do for her, but still…
“Do you know if they impounded the car that was at the bungalow?” he asked. “The one where Margolis was shot?”
Wright frowned. “I have no idea. Why?”
Colin told him.
Wright shrugged. “Seems likely that they would impound it. I’ll see what I can find out, though.” He turned toward Maria, then back to Colin. “I know you’re both exhausted and I know you want to get out of here, but do you happen to know the name of the detective in Charlotte that Pete was working with?”
“No,” Colin said. “He didn’t mention his name.”
“That’s okay. I’ll do some digging. It won’t be hard to find the answer. One last question: Where do you intend to go tonight?”
“To my parents’,” Maria answered. “Why?”
“I figured,” Wright said. “That’s why I wanted to ask. After something like this happens, people usually go to a friend’s place, or to their family. If you want my opinion, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because right now, I don’t know what this guy Atkinson is capable of doing, and it makes me nervous. He’s clearly got it out for you, and from what I saw inside, he’s not only dangerous but angry and on the rampage. You might consider going someplace else tonight.”
“Like where?”
“How about somewhere like the Hilton? I know some people there and I’m sure I can get you a room, along with police protection. Even if it’s only for tonight. It’s been quite a day and both of you need to try to get some rest. I’m not saying anything will happen, but best to be cautious, you know?”
Maria’s voice was quiet. “Margolis said that they weren’t able to offer police protection.”
“I was talking about me. I’ll watch your room tonight. I’m off the clock, so no big deal.”
“Why would you do that?” Colin asked.
Wright turned toward Colin and said simply, “Because you saved my friend’s life.”