No Mercy (34 page)

He started to walk away when Gina asked him if he was sure if that's all he wanted.

“No,” he answered, “I'm not, but I will get back to you.” Gina smiled as she picked up the phone.

J
anet Gates relieved John Bay and tried to stay at her location, but she couldn't. Her conflicted feeling on what she doing for Madison kept her from sleeping. She waited another five minutes and walked down to the cell and tried to keep a straight face when she saw Madison, but when she smiled at her, the correctional officer couldn't help but smile as well. In a trembling and unsteady voice, Janet began to speak, “Listen, I . . .”

Madison interrupted her before she could finish.

“It's OK, Janet, I understand you have a job that you can't lose. I don't know what is happening, but I want you to know I genuinely care about you. I'm sorry.”

The correctional officer nodded her head slightly as she spoke.

“I'm not sure if I'm sorry, and that is what scares me.”

She smiled as she walked back to her desk. Madison stood there not sure of what she just heard, but she too had a smile on her face as she prepared to get ready to turn in. The next day she would see the doctor again about her nightmares that were now only once a week instead of every other night. She looked forward to exercising again as well. Her thoughts turned to Janet as she put the blanket over her. She would never forget how kind she was to her during this time of having nightmares and risking her job for her. Madison was honest. It ached her when she told the petite guard that she really cared about her. She also knew that she did not want Janet to lose her job. Two things would happen. She would lose her job, and Madison would lose having her around almost every night.

She drifted off to sleep peacefully as Janet watched her from the monitor screen at her desk. It was a camera that did not record film but allowed the officers to be sure everything was going OK. The entire cell was on camera except for the small space where Madison would shower, use the toilet, and the back wall where Janet would sit with Madison. She kept shaking her head with her thoughts running wild.
You are a kind person, Madison. I can’t believe you could really kill all those people.
She shook her head again, hoping to get her thoughts under control.

Ken Anker, Kevin Sysco, and a new inmate that had just arrived at the precinct on a unrelated charge by the name of Rob McDonagh were all in the three holding cells at Priority 1. Normally Sysco would have been moved by now, but he never asked for an attorney, and Branca never sent a new one in. Cronin decided to keep him in the holding area in case he was needed. The big man never complained as long as they were feeding him. The three of them never spoke to each other in the holding cells until now.

Ken Anker broke the silence and spoke through the bars. “Whoever is shitting their pants, please stop.”

“Sorry,” Sysco replied. “It must be the food they serve here.” Rob finally chimed in, “Man, you need to see a fucking doctor, seriously, you have issues.”

“Sorry,” Sysco said again. “I can't help it.”

“Not normal, guy,” Anker said. “Passing gas is one thing, but it literally smells like you dropped a load. Just go on a fast.”

Officer Walsh, who was standing at the end of the hallway, came over to speak to the three jailed men. “What's all the fuss about, boys?”

Anker spoke first. “Tell monkey scratch ass over there to stop the shitting. I can't breathe.”

Walsh looked at Sysco. “He's got a point. Get it under control, or I'll have you hosed down.” Walsh walked back to his post, where he was met by a young African American officer. “What's up?”

“Nothing,” Walsh answered. “Tell the cook we need to serve Sysco bread and water for a while. Either that or we will have to drop a fumigation bomb in here.”

OCTOBER 15

P
aul was getting ready to be released from the hospital with his father by his side. Healey and Chapman were released the day before, and Baker was set to be released in a couple days. He asked to sit with Bud before leaving the hospital. The staff put him in a wheelchair and rolled him to his partner's room. He was still in a coma, and still Deborah Lance was in the chair near his bed reading the book
Intelligence for Your Life
. She got up and hugged Paul and pushed him closer to Bud Johnson's bedside. He touched his hand and looked up at Deborah. “Thank you for being here for him.”

She smiled at Paul and replied, “It's where I need to be.” “Have you seen Lindsey?” he asked.

“She's been here every night, Paul. She sits with him for an hour every night and prays over him.” Paul was touched by the information.

“That's really nice. I guess her parents are not thrilled, but it's really nice.” She looked up at Anthony Powers and grabbed his hand to say hello.

“I thought Rachelle was coming to be with you when you got out?” she said.

Paul looked over at Bud then back at Deborah.

“She has missed so much work. I told her to go to Z Pita so Joey Z could catch a break.”

“Oh, OK,” Deborah said in an awkward tone. Paul let go of Bud's hand and asked his father to push his chair instead of the nurse.

“Thank you again, Deborah,” he said. “You are very special to him.”

She smiled at him, but she sensed something was wrong. “What's happening, Paul?” she asked as she followed him to the hallway.

“All this,” he said as he pointed to himself. “All this killing and they get away. No one knows where they are, and for what? Revenge? Insurance money? What kind of world are we living in? Is it worth it?”

He started to push away again as his father stayed silent as Deborah spoke again.

“What about Bud? I love him, but it’s you he needs right now. What about Rachelle? I love her as well, but it's you she needs. As for me, I love you too, and I need you to not give up, because if you do, it will affect all of us.” Paul sat frozen for a few seconds as his father turned his head from his son to Deborah.

She continued to speak. “I don't know why, but we are in this together. We haven't given up on you. Please don't give up on us.” She turned around and returned to Bud's side. There continued to be silence as Paul and his father went to sign papers for his release.

OCTOBER 23

I
t was now October 23 in Key West, Florida, which has average temperatures between seventy-eight and eighty-six degrees during the month of October. It was relaxing and the perfect place for Linda Tangretti and Michael Branca to hide out in plain sight. The little home in which they were staying in the winter was a rental they paid cash for under the names of Betty and Joseph Thomas. She cut her hair short and dyed it black while Branca shed ten pounds, grew his hair longer, and wore glasses when he was out in public. They had escaped from Long Island ten days earlier and their lives had been a nonstop party of sex, alcohol, and leisure ever since they hit the Keys.

The first week was filled with nervous laughter that they got away with everything. From the beginning they were barely together yet planned it out so carefully that it worked. They had sex over twenty times the first week and were already down to four times a week by the beginning of their second week. The money that was hidden in the walls of the club from Simpson bounties, and what money they had from Simpson's bounties gave them over $3.5 million in cash that they could live comfortably on without having to show IDs the rest of their lives if they didn't get crazy.

The two of them were getting comfortable in their surroundings, and while it was fun and exciting the first couple weeks, Linda was getting bored. Branca knew it was time for something different, so he surprised her with a weekend trip to the Royal Coconut Palace Hotel and Spa. It was the newest hotel in the Keys and it had a main building with about twenty-five separate detached bungalows near the water. He couldn't wait to spice up their sex life on the beach. In addition he never forgot what she told him about her ultimate fantasy, which was to have sex with someone dressed up in a Halloween costume. He made the reservation for the weekend of October 31 to November 2. He was proud of himself as he entered their small little home on Peacock Circle.

Paul Powers was back at his apartment and was able to convince his father to return to Florida a few days before. He was still in pain from the shot he took to his pelvic bone, but he was getting restless for the job. He would be returning to the precinct on desk duty along with Ellyn Baker, who was now back at work on desk duty as well as Officer Healey. Chapman would be home for another week before returning.

Paul walked up the hill to Prospect Street, knocked on the door, and walked in to be greeted by Wes while Craven lay by Rachelle's feet. He walked over, gave her a kiss, and sat down. Rachelle was prepared for what was going to happen next but still wasn't sure if it would become a reality. Paul was different since the shooting at the mall and she wasn't sure why, but she had been thinking how ironic it had been that it was Deborah and Bud who grew apart before the shooting, and now after the shooting it was Paul who was withdrawing.

“Rachelle,” he said, “I think it's best if we have space for a bit.”

“You mean,” Rachelle shot back, “you're tired of having sex with me. Is that what you mean?” She was sarcastic in her tone because her heart was aching. She had realized Paul was becoming distant with her, but it was difficult to actually let go. Instead she fought back by being defensive.

Paul was startled by her comeback but replied, “I can't live with myself anymore knowing I put you in danger just by being a part of my life. Any time someone wants to get to me all they have to do is use you.”

“Oh,” Rachelle said, “that explains it. Now I understand. Just how selfish are you? I have been through hell and back with you because you mean the world to me. It's my choice how to live my life and who I'm with.” She shook her head and held back the tears. “But you are right. The last thing I want to do is be with someone who doesn't want me.”

“I want you to live,” Paul answered. “I can't deal with the chance that something may happen to you.”

Rachelle continued to shake her head as she spoke. “So the old cliché: it's not you it's me.”

Paul pet Wes before speaking again. “I'm going to take time off. I'm not sure about my life anymore. I just want to make sure Bud is OK before I leave. I'm not sure what I will be doing or where I will go, but I need to do this.” He got up and went over to kiss her before he left, but she moved her head. He hesitated for a moment before turning away and leaving the house. Rachelle burst out with a loud cry as she covered her face. Her dogs knew something was wrong as they stood up trying to get her attention. It was over an hour before she could even get herself up. She was so worn out by all the crying that she fell on her bed and cried herself to sleep.

Deborah was reading her book when Bud opened his eyes and touched her hand. She dropped her book and touched his face as the heart monitor indicated to the nurses' station that there was a change. Nurse Lorin came in and notified the doctor on staff to get to his room.

“Welcome back to the world, Bud Johnson,” Nurse Lorin said. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

Bud tried to speak but seemed groggy and unable to finish his sentences. One of his sentences involved the words
gummy bears
, which brought a smile to Deborah's face. Nurse Lorin looked over at Deborah and told her not to worry, that it was common for patients to appear “out of it” when waking from a coma. Just as Nurse Lorin turned her head back to Bud, he attempted to pull his tubes out, but she prevented him. Deborah stood up as she began to get nervous.

“Listen, Bud,” Nurse Lorin spoke. “You are OK. You are in Stony Brook Hospital. You are going to be OK, but you need to leave your tubes in. Do you understand?”

Bud nodded his head as the nurse continued to speak with him while Deborah held his hand. Bud looked over at Deborah, who was standing beside the nurse. He grabbed her hand as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Don't cry,” he said. “I'm . . .” he stopped and struggled to finish with the word “here.”

She smiled as she replied, “Yes, you are.” She sent Rachelle, Paul, and her father a text that Bud had awakened.

Bud looked around, still seeming out of it, but managed to take sixty seconds to ask how long he had been there.

“It's been almost two weeks,” Nurse Lorin said. “You had periods of wakefulness and you opened your eyes at times, but you never fully woke up till now.” Doctor Ng came into the room and asked for privacy for a few minutes with Bud. As they went into the hallway Deborah questioned Nurse Lorin about Bud's periods of wakefulness.

“I didn't know that,” she said. “No one told me.”

“It's quite common,” Nurse Lorin replied. “Except . . .”

“Except what?” Deborah asked.

“It was unusual that it happened the same time every night the past ten days. From 6:00 to 8:00 usually.”

“Are you sure?” Deborah asked.

“Honey, when it comes to my patients, I'm sure of everything.” Nurse Lorin had been a nurse for twenty-six years. An attractive woman who was very strong-willed when it came to looking after her patients. Blond, single, and always wondering why there were so few “hot” male patients over the years.

Deborah looked back at Bud trying to talk to the doctor, but her thoughts were of Lindsey Wilkerson. It was 7:00 to 8:00 at night when the young girl would visit Bud and pray over him. She covered her mouth and kept thinking to herself,
Lindsey, Lindsey, sweet Lindsey. Who are you, my dear sweet child
?

It was another hour when William Lance came to the room for a visit. Detectives Baker and O'Malley stopped by as well as Officer Lynagh. Doctor Ng finally put a limit on the visitors and asked Deborah to limit his visitors to only one person after 6:00 pm for the next couple days. She wrote on the pad for Nurse Lorin the one person would be Lindsey Wilkerson.

“Excuse me for asking,” the nurse said to Deborah. “I can't help but ask since Bud Johnson has had so many visitors and friends. I noticed no blood relatives have been by. Does he not have family?”

Deborah hesitated for a moment and spoke. “He lost his mother a few years ago and his father before that from his abuse of alcohol. His older brother and he had a falling out and don't keep in touch.”

The nurse reached out her hand to Deborah. “So you are his family.”

The woman who you could tell shed many tears over the previous two weeks smiled with nervousness at Nurse Lorin and said, “Yes, I am his family as well as his friend. His blood family doesn't know what they are missing from this kind and gentle soul.”

Doctor Ng came out to the hallway and told Deborah if things went well, Bud would be out of the hospital within the following seven to nine days. He began to walk away as he stopped and called to Nurse Lorin, “Oh, and see if we can get some gummy bears, the . . .”

He was interrupted by the nurse, “I know, I know the Haribo kind. He is a gummy bear himself.” She walked down the hall waving her arms.

Deborah laughed as she went back to the room. She stared at Bud as he spoke slowly. “I guess you missed me.” Bud drifted off to sleep.