CHAPTER 11.
"Good to see you Ray," said Fraser.
"I got your messages…eventually," replied Ray. "Sorry it took me so long."
Fraser waved his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it," he said. "You're here now."
"Saw that, er, that horse outside," said Ray, pointing towards the window with his thumb. "Figured it was yours."
"I borrowed her," Fraser explained. "She has a wonderfully calm manner, extremely focussed."
"Greatness," replied Ray.
"And she was very responsive to my physical commands," Fraser continued. "It was a very efficient ride."
"Don't horses freak out if some strange guy they've never met before jumps on their back?" asked Ray.
"Not necessarily, Ray," replied Fraser.
"Even a strange Canadian guy?" added Ray.
Fraser frowned, but ignored Ray's jibe. "Actually, it is the responsibility of the rider to adapt to the needs of the animal. I have become quite accustomed to this method over the years."
"Will you guys shut the hell up?" Darren Akintola had been observing the exchange in utter disbelief. "I have a gun pointed at your head, or had you forgotten?"
Of course Ray and Fraser had not been exchanging pleasantries for no reason. They were deliberately stalling, allowing Ray time to make an assessment of the situation he'd just walked into. They'd also hoped that their conversation would unnerve Akintola and it seemed to have worked.
"Yeah, that's my gun," Ray pointed out. "And I want it back."
Before Akintola knew what was happening, Ray spun round and knocked the gun from his hand. It clattered to the floor and spun across the room. Instantly, Fraser grabbed one of his arms and Ray grabbed the other and they pushed him against the wall.
"You're under arrest," said Ray with a satisfied grin.
"No!"
Fraser and Ray both turned at the scream which had come from Carrie-Ann.
"It's alright," Fraser said reassuringly. "It's over. It's all over now, you're safe."
Carrie-Ann shook her head. "No…no…no…" she repeated over and over and the head shaking became more vigorous.
Akintola started to struggle and Fraser had to fight to keep him contained while Ray brought out his handcuffs.
"No!" screamed Carrie-Ann again.
Ray snapped the handcuffs around one of his prisoner's wrists. "It's OK, we got him," he said without turning round.
"Er, Ray," began Fraser.
"What?" Ray's head turned again. Then, "Oh…"
Carrie-Ann had Ray's gun in her hand and was aiming it straight at them. "Let him go," she half whispered.
"What?" said Ray in astonishment. "This guy killed your grandmother."
"She knows, Ray," said Fraser calmly and he released his grip on Akintola.
"Please, Ray," begged Carrie-Ann. Her outstretched hand started to shake and she lifted her other hand to help steady the gun.
Ray realised he had no choice but to let go of Akintola.
"Thanks, babe," grinned the man and he pushed past Ray to get to Carrie-Ann.
"I'm not your babe," she hissed at him.
"Just being friendly," he replied. He unwrapped a packet of mints and put one in his mouth before offering one to Carrie-Ann.
"Yeah, well, we're not friends either," she replied, refusing a mint. She was still pointing the gun at Ray and it was taking all her strength to keep the gun raised.
"Nope, just business associates," shrugged Akintola. "Employer and employee."
Ray glanced at Fraser. He was starting to piece things together in his head, but he didn't want to believe what he was thinking.
"Give me the gun," Ray said, more abruptly than he'd intended. "Don't, er, don't make things worse for yourself."
Carrie-Ann shook her head and refused to move.
Akintola threw his head back with laughter. "This girl paid me to kill her old granny," he said. "Don't think things could get much worse for her, do you?"
Ray clenched his fists tightly as the reality of what Akintola had just said began to sink in.
"No!" screamed Carrie-Ann. "That's not how it was…you're twisting things." Now she was visibly fighting with her emotions and the gun started shaking in her hand.
Fraser stepped forward, his arm outstretched. "Please put the gun down," he said. "I promise I will help you however I can, but we need to talk about this. Please."
Tears started rolling down Carrie-Ann's cheeks, but she still refused to surrender the weapon.
"You don't have to give it to me," continued Fraser. "Just place it on the bench. I know you don't want to hurt anybody."
"Oh for god's sake do what he says," exclaimed Akintola. "I hate those things anyway."
Carrie-Ann hesitated for a moment before finally lowering the weapon. She sat down on the bench and set it down beside her.
"Thank you," said Fraser with a smile. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Darren Akintola walk over to the lockers. He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked one of the doors. He produced a long, leather bag from the locker and placed it on the floor.
"Guns are nasty, brutal weapons," he said as he unzipped the bag. "Now this…" he pulled out a shiny bow. "…this is a real weapon."
Ray had been silent since Akintola's bombshell. He knew he should hear Carrie-Ann's side of the story before he made any judgements, but whatever excuses she had would not be enough for him. She had been involved in the killing of her own grandmother and she'd used him…somehow…and damn near broken his heart in the process.
This has got to be up there with the dumbest of your dumb moments, Kowalski…
Ray was too lost in his own thoughts to listen to Akintola who had walked over to Fraser.
"Now you look like a man who appreciates fine craftsmanship," he said. "Look at this." He held out the bow to Fraser. "I know the parts are machine made these days, but still…look at the lines, look at the curves. This is a work of art, not like a stupid gun. Guns are for morons. I'm a bowman now." Suddenly he pulled out an arrow and loaded his bow. Then he pointed it directly at Fraser.
Fraser, didn't flinch, much to Akintola's obvious disappointment. "Is this the weapon you used to murder Thelma Hoffman?" asked the Mountie, calmly.
Carrie-Ann let out a sob at Fraser's words. Part of Ray wanted to run to her and comfort her, but he had so many unanswered questions. He knew she had been involved in a terrible crime. He did not yet know how deeply, but it didn't matter and right now his anger was overwhelming.
"Yeah," Akintola said in answer to Fraser's question. "And the best part of it is, this beautiful weapon was handed to me by this city! What kind of idiot do-gooders thought they should give weapons to people like me?" He started laughing again and lowered the bow. "This is my rehabilitation, so they said, but I don't need their help. I've rehabilitated myself already!"
Irene, who had up until now, remained silent, suddenly got to her feet. "I never would have thought it was you," she said. "I thought you were a good man, Darren. A decent man."
Akintola turned to Irene. Fraser realised that he looked genuinely remorseful and he glanced at Ray to see if he'd noticed it too, but Ray's mind was clearly elsewhere.
"I…I am a decent man," Akintola insisted. "I only did this to help Carrie-Ann and my family."
"I don't understand," said Fraser.
Akintola sighed and looked at Carrie-Ann, who was staring at the floor. "Well, it doesn't look like we're gonna get much sense outta her. OK, let me tell you a story. Y'see, a few years ago I killed a girl. More than one, if we're gonna get picky about numbers, but they could only tie me in to this one stupid killing. I thought I was gonna get the needle for sure, but they pinned it on some other guy and all I had to admit to was selling him the blade." He stopped and shook his head. "Lawyers, huh? Dumbest bunch of assholes I ever encountered."
"Are you saying there was a miscarriage of justice?" asked Fraser.
"That's a fancy expression, Constable, but yeah," agreed Akintola. "Thing is, I'm a changed man now. Jail is…well, it does things to your head. So I figured when I got out I'd live my life differently. I have to start taking care of my family now. So if I see a girl crying one night down at the gym I'm gonna see if I can help her. Right, babe?"
They all looked at Carrie-Ann. Slowly she lifted her head and stared at him. "You didn't help me…you made it all worse and stop calling me babe!"
"You told me you wanted her dead," continued Akintola. "You gave me a key to her place."
"No…I didn't," insisted Carrie-Ann. "At least…I don't remember…I didn't want…I don't remember…"
"Jesus, you're crazy!" exclaimed Akintola. "You begged me to help you. If this is what the old lady did to your head I've done you a bigger favour than I realised."
"Is that true?" asked Ray, suddenly finding his voice.
"She was old and sick," protested Carrie-Ann.
"What?" exclaimed Ray. "So that makes it OK to have her killed?"
"No!" Carrie-Ann jumped to her feet. "That's not what I meant. You don't understand, Ray. I didn't…I mean, I don't know what I said that day. I don't know what I was thinking."
"I think I do," replied Ray.
Carrie-Ann turned to Akintola. "Why the dog?" she asked. "That little dog in the park. What the hell did you do that for?"
"I was trying to throw the cops off your tail," he answered. "Y'know something, this helping people game ain't so much fun if the people you try to help are so goddam ungrateful!" he exclaimed.
"You really think you're some kinda hero, don't you," said Ray in disbelief.
"I prefer vigilante," replied Akintola. Then his expression turned to a frown as something dawned on him and he turned to Carrie-Ann. "Wait a second…this is that cop, the one you told me about, isn't it?"
Carrie-Ann nodded sadly. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Ray," she said, pleadingly. "I didn't know that you would be so…so kind to me…so nice…"
"That's me, Mr Nice Guy," retorted Ray, sarcastically.
"The nice guys never get the girls," noted Akintola, dryly.
"You don't know what she was like, Ray," sobbed Carrie-Ann. "She changed when she got really sick. I loved her so much, but these past few months…" she trailed off and exchanged a glance with Fraser.
Ray immediately realised Fraser knew more than he did. "What?" he asked, glaring at his buddy.
Fraser looked to Carrie-Ann for permission. With sadness in her eyes she nodded and sat down again and Fraser explained to Ray about Thelma Hoffman's violent mood swings.
"I do believe the cause was the combination of her medications," he added.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ray asked her.
"I couldn't," she replied. "I couldn't risk you finding out about…" she trailed off.
"About you being an accessory to murder?" Ray finished her sentence for her, trying desperately not to allow his anger to boil over. Only the pangs of sympathy he still had for her stopped him from losing his temper. "About you taking out a contract on your own grandmother?"
"It wasn't like that," Carrie-Ann protested.
"Um, excuse me for butting in here," said Akintola, "but that's exactly what it was. You said there was money, lots of money, but where is it? I need that money for my family. I need it so I can disappear. I promised my sister I'd get money for the kids. I'm getting tired of waiting."
"I told you it will take me a while to get it," replied Carrie-Ann.
Ray's shoulders slumped. That was it. That was the final nail in her coffin. She had just admitted to offering Darren Akintola money to murder her own grandmother. The mitigating circumstances were no longer of interest to Ray. Let the lawyers deal with her tales of abuse, let Stella listen to her sob story, Ray didn't care about any of that.
"I don't have any more time," snapped Akintola. He picked up another arrow and spun it round in his hand before loading it into the bow. This time he aimed it at Irene. "I don't want to have to do this, but I will," he said. "I'm doing this for my family, for the kids. Now make a call and get me the money."
"I can't," sobbed Carrie-Ann.
"No excuses!" yelled Akintola. Then with a sigh of frustration, he threw the bow onto the floor. "I'm not a cold blooded killer," he insisted. "I'll do whatever it takes to help people, but that's different."
"That's very noble of you," noted Fraser.
Only Ray recognised the subtle sarcasm.
"Here's what I'm gonna do," said Akintola, picking up Ray's gun and tucking it into his jeans. "I am taking this girl to the bank. Then I'm walking away with my money."
He grabbed Carrie-Ann by the arm and dragged her to her feet. Then he took another arrow and pressed it to the side of her neck. Carrie-Ann looked terrified, but she couldn't make a sound.
"That's a good plan," nodded Fraser.
Akintola sneered at him and dragged Carrie-Ann towards the door.
"Unfortunately, you won't get very far," Fraser added.
"What are you talking about, Mountie?" asked Akintola. "Don't try anything, stupid now. I only have to push and this arrow head punctures an artery and she bleeds to death."
"That's true," agreed Fraser.
Ray glanced at the door.
Elaine must be out there by now…Fraser's stalling for time…
Ray had left her at the entrance to the park to meet the ambulance crew who had been on their way to take Charlie Williams to hospital and she would have realised Ray was in trouble when he hadn't come back.
Any moment now Elaine and Dief are gonna burst in and save the day…
"I thought you wanted to help people," continued Fraser.
Ray held his breath.
Jeez, Fraser, don't push it…the guy's a head case…
"I do," agreed Akintola. "I'm trying to help my family right now. I earned that money and you can't keep me from getting my hands on it." He pressed the arrow head a little harder against Carrie-Ann's neck and she gasped.
"What about animals?" asked Fraser casually.
"What about them?" asked Akintola with a frown.
"You see, I've kept my wolf waiting for rather a long time and he's very hungry…" Fraser began and before Akintola had a chance to react, Fraser grabbed the door handle and flung the door open. Diefenbaker came bounding in, barking loudly.
Carrie-Ann screamed as the wolf snarled and bared his teeth in all their lupine glory. Fraser quickly grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away from Akintola who had been momentarily disorientated by the commotion. The arrow clattered to the floor as he stumbled backwards. Ray moved towards him, but Elaine was one step ahead.
She grasped his shoulder and spun him round, pushing him to his knees with a thud. She quickly pulled Ray's gun from Akintola's waistband and flung it across the floor out of his reach. Akintola easily shook himself free of her grip, but she wasn't going to let him get away that easily and with one swift move she had him face down on the floor with her knee in his back and her own gun at his head. "Freeze," she yelled, somewhat superfluously – he wasn't going to move a muscle.
"Nice," nodded Ray, approvingly and he threw her his handcuffs. "You may as well, er, wrap up the parcel," he added. Elaine deftly caught the handcuffs and tucked her gun into her trouser pocket.
"Hello Elaine," smiled Fraser. "It's good to see you."
"Hi Fraser," replied Elaine as she pulled Akintola's arms tightly behind his back and snapped the handcuffs around his wrists.
"I'm glad to see you back in action, so to speak," said Fraser, keeping a firm hold of Carrie-Ann as he spoke.
"I've been deputised," explained Elaine.
"Ah."
Satisfied that Elaine had Akintola contained, Ray retrieved his gun from the floor and crossed to Fraser and Carrie-Ann. He didn't know what to say to her, it would take time to process everything they'd learnt about her and what it meant.
"Ray," said Fraser in a low voice.
Ray knew what his buddy was getting at. He had to arrest Carrie-Ann, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Ray…Ray…you have to…" said Fraser, loosening his grip on her arm.
"OK!" snapped Ray. He pulled his spare set of handcuffs from his pocket and turned them over and over in his hands.
"Ray?" Carrie-Ann was suddenly scared. "What…what are you doing?"
"Carrie-Ann Webber," began Ray with sudden determination. "You're under arrest for conspiracy to murder…"
"No!" she exclaimed. "You don't understand. None of you understand."
She tried to dart towards the door, but Ray grabbed her by the wrist and spun her round.
"Ow!" she whimpered, but Ray refused to loosen his grip.
"Don't give me that," he snapped. "You're under arrest for…"
"You're hurting me, Ray," said Carrie-Ann, fighting back tears.
Ray stared at her in silence for a brief moment, before letting go of her and raising his hands in the air. "Jeez, I'm sorry…" he began. He hadn't meant to hurt her. Despite everything, it was the last thing he'd wanted to do. He knew she must have been desperate to do what she did and she seemed so confused
What am I doing…?
"I didn't mean for it to turn out this way," sniffed Carrie-Ann. "I just couldn't take any more and the more I thought about it the more I thought it didn't matter."
"Stop it," snapped Ray. "Stop talking." Now he was the one who couldn't take any more. He moved towards her again, but without warning she lurched away, almost stumbling to the floor as she did so.
Ray instinctively reached for his gun and Fraser stood back. He knew Ray needed to deal with this one on his own.
Carrie-Ann looked like a terrified animal trapped by a huge predator.
"No, Ray, no…I love you…" she said, desperately looking around for an escape route. Suddenly she saw a glimmer of hope. She grabbed Irene, who had sensibly kept herself out of the furor, and pulled her to her feet. Then she picked up the arrow which Akintola had dropped and pressed it to the elderly woman's neck, just as he had done to hers a few minutes earlier.
Ray raised his gun. This wasn't how he wanted this to end, but he knew that if there was any threat to Irene's life he would have to pull the trigger.
I am never dating anyone ever again…
"Carrie-Ann," said Fraser, calmly. "Please, let her go."
"I can't let you send me to jail!" she exclaimed.
"She already killed on old lady," sneered Akintola. "Number two is a piece of cake."
"Shut it," snapped Elaine.
Carrie-Ann started to breathe heavily and sweat poured down her face. Ray and Fraser glanced at each other, they knew they needed to calm the situation down before someone got hurt, but even Fraser was having difficulty anticipating her next move.
However, no one could have predicted Irene's next move. Before anyone could react, she reached up with both hands and grabbed hold of the hanging rail which ran across the changing benches. Then she swung her legs up in a near perfect pike position, knocking Carrie-Ann's arm and taking her completely by surprise.
In an instant Ray moved in and within seconds Carrie-Ann was on her knees with her wrists in handcuffs. At the same time Fraser leaped forward and plucked Irene from the air before she could fall to the ground.
"Oh, Constable…" she whimpered as he gently sat her down on the bench. "I haven't done that in such a long, long time."
Fraser couldn't help but smile at her. "That was very brave," he noted. "And very agile, for someone…if you don't mind me saying…someone of your age."
Irene laughed. "Thank you," she said. "All those years of gymnastics training finally came in useful for something other than winning medals…but I won't be doing it again in a hurry. I think I've pulled a muscle…or several muscles."
xXxXxXx
"So...so it was a mercy killing, right?" Ray stared across the table in the interrogation room and tried to read Carrie-Ann's face. He desperately hoped to see some kind of remorse, or something that would indicate that Darren Akintola had manipulated her, but he saw nothing except vacant coldness.
"I...I don't think so, Ray," replied Carrie-Ann. "I just wanted her dead. I didn't think about the details. I didn't care, I just wanted her to stop...to stop..." she trailed off and took a deep breath to compose herself.
Fraser stood in the adjacent room observing throu gh the two-way mirror with Elaine. They both knew Ray should not be carrying out this interview, but they also knew he needed the chance to speak to Carrie-Ann one last time. Any minute now Welsh would put a stop to it and hand her over to the Duck Boys, but for now this was Ray's opportunity to get answers.
"I was a mess that day in the gym," continued Carrie-Ann. "Darren offered to help and I gave him my key. I thought it was my only way out. That's all I remember. Next thing I knew he was walking me home and I thought I'd never see him again."
"Did he threaten you?" asked Ray.
Carrie-Ann shook her head. "No, we just had a conversation, that's all. I told him everything, all about losing Mom and what had happened to Gran. I showed him my scars. Everything. I guess it was like therapy."
"And the money?" prompted Ray.
Carrie-Ann shrugged. "I guess I told him there was money available," she said. "I don't remember. It was dumb, but I was desperate. I can't get my hands on that money. It's all in long term accounts. I don't even know where it is, to be honest."
"But you knew it existed," sighed Ray. She'd lied to Fraser about that too and not many people were able to fool the Mountie. Carrie-Ann did not reply. "And me?" prompted Ray. "Where, er, where did I fit into this scheme of yours?"
"It wasn't a scheme," she insisted. "It was...it was...oh God, I don't know what it was. I just knew I needed a way out. I can't think straight any more, Ray."
"Answer the question," Ray insisted forcefully. "Was I part of your plan from the start?"
"I guess," admitted Carrie-Ann. "I knew there was a cop living in the building so I figured...oh I don't know, I guess I figured if I got close to you you'd back me up."
Ray slapped his hand hard on the table and leapt to his feet. He couldn't look at her any more.
"Ray, please!" she begged. "It all changed when I got to know you. Everything became so complicated when I...when I fell in love with you."
Ray turned round suddenly and stared at her. "In love...?" he repeated incredulously. "Jeez, we barely know each other!"
"I thought you felt the same way, Ray," replied Carrie-Ann, tears streaming down her face. "I love you! Help me, Ray!"
Before Ray could answer the door burst open and Fraser stood in the doorway. "Lieutenant Welsh is coming," he said, raising his eyebrows to indicate the u rgency of the situation.
Ray let out a long slow sigh and without another word, or even a glance at Carrie-Ann he walked out of the room.
