Sorry for the lack of updates. Summer was busy.
Title: Blessing in Disguise
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
An hour later the Chief's office was standing room only. Lonnie leaned against the wall between the Chief and Virgil's desks looking at the familiar group. Everybody looked tired but determined. He was grateful more than ever for their support and friendship.
"Things have moved very quickly since Sweet's attempted capture at the Daisy."Gillespie began as he sat on the front edge of his desk. "Virgil, why don't you catch everyone up to speed?"
"Of course."Tibbs acknowledged as he stood and walked to a large bulletin board that had been set up on wheels and was now on the right side of the room.
"Abbot's records from Kansas finally arrived a short time ago. They confirm Lonnie's theory that Colleen's killer was after something Abbott took in a robbery."Virgil began tapping a picture of Abbot on the board with a pen."Seven years ago Abbott was involved in a jewelry store robbery. I should correct that he was suspected in that robbery but it was never proven. He was eventually arrested on other charges and sent to prison. There were three others involved in that jewelry store robbery.
One is confirmed dead the other two are Pete Anderson age forty-two and Sebastian Lowell age thirty-three. Anderson's originally from Iowa City, Iowa and Lowell from Chicago. Anderson is still doing time in another Kansas prison and Lowell was recently paroled for time served."
"So Lowell is our guy."Sweet commented from the chair on the left side of Gillespie's desk his injured foot propped on a stool.
"Lowell and whoever else he recruited."Lonnie interjected grimly.
"Yes."Virgil replied with a nod. "Braxton gave names of who he was working with from Abbott's prison. We have APB's out on them now."
"But we're working against two groups so I want all of you to use extreme caution until this investigation is at an end."Gillespie ordered.
"Yes,Sir's."Circled the room.
"The folders on the table contain copies of Abbott's files and last known pictures of Lowell plus the names of Braxton's associates. Take one on your way out. Any questions?"Tibbs asked.
Silence filled the room and eyes turned to Gillespie.
"God speed."The Chief said quietly as he gestured towards the door.
The group dispersed and Lonnie crossed the room to where Sweet was hobbling to his feet.
"You okay?"Lonnie asked with concern.
"Just a scratch."Sweet replied with a shrug. "This would've been a lot easier if I'd caught the shooter."
"I know you want back out there."Gillespie interjected as he joined the two younger men. "But I want you to rest and not see you back here until tomorrow morning. Got it?"
Sweet opened his mouth to protest but closed it and nodded.
"Understood."Sweet acknowledged reluctantly as he turned and left.
Gillespie glanced at Virgil.
"Virgil, can you give us a minute?"The chief asked.
"Of course. I want to talk to LuAnn about a few things anyway."Tibbs replied as he left and shut the door behind him.
Lonnie waited as Gillespie walked behind his desk and sat down. The only sound was the clicking of the desk fan as it rotated.
"I know I'm not goin' to talk you out of finishing this out so I won't try."The chief began.
"I appreciate that."Lonnie replied quietly.
"I just want you to figure out if you're doin' this for."Gillespie continued solemnly. "And remember the little girl who's lost everything."
"She's why I'm doin' this."Lonnie vowed. "I want Melisa to have closure."
"I've seen too many men...too many friends face what you're facin'."The chief stated softly. "Some pulled themselves out of it some didn't."
Lonnie nodded and turned to leave but Gillespie's voice halted him.
"Every choice has a consequence. You may even think you know that; even understand that."Gillespie advised. "I won't get all preachy either but remember when your reach that spot. When you reach that decision between justice and revenge...that little girl isn't the only one who needs you around here."
Lonnie swallowed hard before continuing on his way out of the chief's office. He may not walk back through those doors a police officer. Gillespie was right it was his choice and he had to make the right one. Colleen would want him to have what made him happy. Problem was without her Lonnie was trying to figure out what that was.
The next few days in Sparta were quiet. No sightings of Abbott's former colleagues or the people working with Braxton. Dee, Bubba and Virgil had canvased all surrounding towns within thirty miles handing out fliers and alerting the local police. So far nothing had surfaced. Lonnie still had Bubba as a baby-sitter. However Skinner had let Lonnie go back to his apartment for a few hours a day. Both men knew it was a test. One that was grating on Lonnie's nerves. Hell the last forty-eight hours were giving Lonnie more than a headache. They'd been so close with getting all the pieces to the puzzle. Now they were back in a holding pattern.
It was now Saturday and mid-afternoon as Lonnie sat at his kitchen table. He had Colleen's murder literally spread out before him. Pictures, tire tracks, forensics evidence reports everything they had. They had hit Sweet because they were cornered. They weren't going to come out of hiding unless they had good reason.
With a frustrated sigh Lonnie tossed down the file folder he'd been flipping through and stood. He walked out to the small patio off his apartment and leaned against the glass door. The parking lot of the next building was the only view. That had never bothered Lonnie. He hadn't really been home long enough to care if there was a view. Now with Colleen's home burned to the ground Lonnie was back in a place he hadn't ever really called home and never expected to come back to once he and Colleen had gotten serious.
With the looming hearing on Melisa's future Lonnie had looked at several houses in Sparta. None had felt quite right. He knew that was because he was looking alone. Lonnie had lined up another appointment with the realtor on Monday to see a few more. He had to pick one and get he and Melisa settled. That was what Colleen would want.
Lonnie ran a weary hand over his face. He hadn't slept much since he'd been released from the hospital. He knew he had to keep better care of himself if he had any chance of hanging onto Melisa. The judge wouldn't give her to someone who looked like hell. Lonnie was pretty sure they wouldn't give custody to someone who couldn't ensure her safety either. They had to resolve this and soon.
Dee drove her squad car around the remains of Colleen's house. The chief had stepped up patrols even though it was clear there was nothing left for Abbott's boys or Braxton's to sift through. Still it had been all Colleen had in the world and with her being the link to Abbott it was something to look out for. It might be enough of a talisman for the robbers to return to a second time. A long shot Dee knew but with nothing else to go on she was following orders.
Pulling the car back into normal traffic Dee frowned as it started to rain. She rolled up her window and turned on the headlights and wipers. Dee reached a four way stop about a block from Colleen's. After waiting her turn Dee hit the gas to drive through the intersection. She was halfway when another vehicle entered the intersection from the right. The late model pickup was moving fast. Dee tried to move out of the way but it wasn't fast enough to avoid a collision. The last memories Dee had were of headlights, breaking glass and squealing tires.