Chapter 9

The next morning, Don Flack was sitting at his desk thinking almost the same thing Mac was thinking: How can someone get away with something like this? He saw a young woman come into the precinct. She had long, light blond hair, and she looked very nervous and scared.

"Hey," Don said.

The girl looked at him and walked over to his desk. "Can I help you?" Don asked.

The girl looked at the newspaper in her hand. "I'm looking for Detective Mac Taylor," she said.

"I'm part of his team. I work with him. What's this about?"

The girl stared at Don a moment. "You can trust me," Don said. He showed her his badge. "You got something about the case Mac was talking about in the news?"

The girl nodded. "I saw them," she said.

"Saw who?"

Don looked around them at all the commotion. "Come on," he said. "We'll go in here where there's more privacy."

They went into an interrogation room. "You want some water?" Don asked.

"No thanks."

"There's no need to be nervous. Just tell me what you know."

They sat down at the table. "My name is Blanche Flowers," the girl said. "I went to college with Karen and Jason."

"And you saw something the night of these murders?"

"Yes."

Don took out a notepad and laid it in front of Blanche. "Write it down and tell me too," he said. He took out his own notepad. "Now, what did you see?"

"Well, I was with them at the bar that night," Blanche said. "I wasn't drinking like everyone else. I didn't have a date, so I was just mostly a tag-along because I was friends with Karen."

"So, you didn't leave with anyone?"

"I went with some of the others over to the Shack. We were just hanging out talking and being rowdy. There was a lot of noise, but while I was sitting there, I saw Tommy Ross and Karl Chandler drive up and walk to that motel room. Tommy knocked on the door, and when the door opened, they just barged in. I didn't hear the shots, but after a few minutes, Tommy and Karl came out and took their cars around behind the motel. I walked to the end of the building and peeped around the corner. I saw them climb in the window from back there, and I saw them load those bodies in their cars. They were wrapped in plastic or something."

Don stared at her a moment. He knew she was telling the truth because they had not disclosed that information about the bodies being wrapped in plastic. She could only know that if she saw it. "What next?" he asked.

"They drove away," Blanche said. "I don't know anymore."

"Write all that down just the way you told me," Don said, excitedly. "I'll be right back."

Don left the room and took his phone out to call Mac…

Mac had just turned in his rental car and had to walk all the way across the airport to the terminal. He thought that rental place could have been closer to the terminal. Just as he was about to go inside, his phone rang. "Taylor," he said.

"Mac, please tell me you are still in Georgia!" Don said.

"I'm just about to go into the airport. What's going on?"

"We've got him, Mac! I have an eye witness!"

Mac stopped and paused a moment. "Did you say an eye witness?" he asked.

"Yes, Mac! This girl saw the whole thing! I have her statement. She knows things that she couldn't know if she had not seen it."

Mac was shocked. He didn't know what to say for a moment. He looked back toward the car rental. He didn't want to go back over there to get the car back. He would just get a cab. "You fax that statement to the sheriff in Dahlonega and tell him that I am on my way back there," Mac said. "Tell him to get a warrant."

"I'm on it," Don said.

Mac put his phone away. He would have to get a car again because he couldn't get a cab all the way to Dahlonega. He called the airport and told them he needed to postpone his flight, and then he walked back to the car rental. He couldn't get the same car back, so he got a different one this time and headed for Dahlonega. He was feeling much better now. He couldn't wait to see the look on Tommy Ross's face when he saw him again.

When Mac arrived in Dahlonega, the sheriff was waiting for him. He smiled at Mac. "Looks like things worked out," Jim said. "I was beginning to think he would get away with it."

"Me too," Mac replied. "You got the warrant?"

"Not yet, but the judge has it."

"I want him released to go back to New York for trial too."

"I'm sure he will be."

When they had the warrant, Mac and the sheriff went to the Ross mansion. Jim rang the doorbell. Tommy Ross opened the door this time. He frowned when he saw them. "What are you doing back here?" he asked.

The sheriff showed him the warrant. "We're here to arrest you," he said. He thought he enjoyed saying that too much.

"For what?"

"Murder," Mac said. He moved closer to Tommy. "I told you there was something out there that would prove it. We found a witness."

"What witness? No one saw us…"

Mac almost laughed. "Get him out of here."

Mac was laughing to himself as he went back to his car. He thought that was too easy, but then again, he supposed he deserved something easy after what he had gone through to get this case solved. He took his phone out and texted Amanda to tell her that he would not be coming home today, so they would have to take a rain check on that dinner. He would explain later.

Mac got in his car and they went back to the sheriff's office. As he expected, Ross's lawyers showed up again. "You can advise him all you want," Mac said. "He's not going anywhere this time, except back to New York to face murder charges. We have an eyewitness. Nothing you can say will get him off this time."

That evening, Mac found out that Tommy Ross would be before a judge in the morning. He would have to present his evidence to convince the judge to extradite Ross to New York. Mac would be ready. He, the sheriff, and the deputy had also heard him make an incriminating remark. Mac also had the sworn statement from Blanche Flowers. He would get this guy back to New York after all.

Mac talked to the Prosecutor and let him know all the evidence. "He doesn't need to be released on bail," Mac said.

"We'll try to avoid that," the Prosecutor said. "But he may get it anyway."

"He's already fled all the way down here from New York. He's a flight risk. He should be held until his extradition to New York."

"I agree. I'm sure the judge will give that great consideration."

"Thanks."

Mac felt like he didn't have anything to do now. He supposed he could go and get another hotel room and rest. He couldn't call Amanda because she was in that business meeting. He went back to the same hotel since it was a comfortable, clean hotel. He got a room and went to his room. He yawned as he walked in. Mac didn't think he had slept much last night. He had tossed and turned all night thinking that Tommy Ross was going to get away with three murders and there was nothing he could do about it. He also thought about Amanda a lot.

Mac lay down on the bed. He knew Amanda was a lonely woman. What if he gave in to her desires and later she thought he had taken advantage of her? He was lonely too. He didn't want to keep living alone, but he didn't want them to just live together. He wanted to develop a relationship that would last forever and would be real love. He had already tried that frivolous thing and look how that turned out.

Mac turned the TV on. They were expecting snow in these mountains tomorrow. He hoped it wouldn't keep him from getting out of here with that prisoner. He wanted to go back to New York and see Amanda. He didn't know if he would get the prisoner tomorrow or the next day. He would have to wait and see.

That night, Amanda called Mac. "I was looking forward to that dinner," Mac said.

"So was I," Amanda replied. "I was looking forward to after dinner too."

"What were we doing?"

"I guess you'll just have to wait until you get back now. I'll tell you this: it would have been exciting."

"The suspect has to go to court in the morning and then I don't know how long it will be before I get out of here with him."

"Just call me."

"I will. Don't worry."

The next morning, Mac testified at Tommy Ross's preliminary hearing. He explained his evidence and why he wanted Ross to be extradited back to New York. The judge denied bail and declared Ross a flight risk. He would be released for transport the next day. Mac would have to spend another night there. It was snowing in the mountains today. He could see it falling up there, and there was some falling in the town.

Mac looked at his watch. It was almost lunchtime, so he went to a seafood restaurant for lunch. He wondered what there was to do in this town. He thought he saw a game room down the street. He supposed he could go there after lunch. He wasn't much of a game player, but he supposed he could bowl or play pool. He used to be pretty good at Pool when he was in the Marines. He had not played in years though. He thought he had let his life become boring. He just stopped doing everything when Claire died. She had been his life and he felt dead when she died. He knew she would not want him to be this way though.

When Mac was done eating, he went down to the game room there on Main Street. When he walked in, there weren't many people in there. He supposed that was because the young people were in school right now. He went over to the video games. He didn't even know how to play most of these, but he supposed he could try.

The next morning, Mac headed for the airport. The sheriff brought Tommy Ross to the airport in handcuffs. Mac would have to take him on the flight, but there was an Air Marshall on this flight and he would take care of Ross while they were in flight. Mac was glad. He didn't want to have to watch that prisoner the whole way. Besides that, he might get sick again. He shouldn't have eaten breakfast that morning, but he was hungry. He hoped maybe he would be fine this time. He didn't always get sick on flights. His worst moments were usually when the plane took off and leveled off. If he could make it through that, he would be fine.

As Mac landed in New York, he was relieved. He had not been fine on that flight. He felt miserable, but he was glad he had that suspect. Don Flack was waiting at the airport for Mac. "Hey, Mac," Don said. "Good to have you back."

"Good to be back," Mac replied. He gave his luggage to Don.

"Bad flight?"

"Don't ask."

Don put Mac's luggage in the trunk of the car while Mac got into the car. Then Don put the suspect into the back seat. Mac leaned back on the seat. He dreaded this car ride too. Don got in and started back to the precinct. Mac felt terrible. He was starting to wonder if he was sick instead of just having motion sickness. He leaned on his hand on the door.

"You alright?" Don asked, noticing how pale Mac looked.

"Let's just get there," Mac said.

Finally, they arrived at the precinct. Mac let Don get the suspect out. He just left his luggage in the car and went inside. He headed straight for the bathroom. Don felt sorry for Mac, but he had to take care of the suspect. He took him to booking and got him processed and then took him to the interrogation room. Don read the suspect his rights after he got him into the room. "You understand these rights?" Don asked.

Ross glared at him. "Yeah," he replied.

"Good."

Don left the room. Mac was coming that way with his evidence folder. Don thought Mac looked like he should be in bed. "You want me to do this?" Don asked.

Mac looked at him. "Yes," he said.

Don took the folder. "I'll get it done."

Mac watched Don go into the interrogation room. He had wanted to do this himself, but he didn't think he could last through it. He watched through the window while Don explained all the evidence to Tommy Ross, who didn't seem to care a bit. Mac supposed he thought he would get off with a light sentence, but Mac was going to do everything he could to make sure the guy got the harshest sentence he could get out of the judge.

When the interrogation was over, Ross was taken to lockup. Mac went up to his office to write his report. Danny, Lindsey, and Sheldon were in the lab. They wanted to know what happened. "Just give me time," Mac said.

"You don't look too good," Sheldon said. "You feeling alright?"

"No. I thought I was just having motion sickness, but I think it's more than that."

Sheldon got his doctor's kit and sat down in a chair beside Mac. "How do you feel?" Sheldon asked as he was pumping up the blood pressure cuff.

"Rotten," Mac answered. "I hope I didn't eat any bad food. I ate seafood last night."

Sheldon finished the blood pressure. "Your blood pressure is a little low. Maybe you should go to the emergency room."

"I don't want to."

"Mac, sometimes you need to. If you ate some bad seafood, it could kill you."

Mac dropped his pen on the desk and rubbed his face. Sheldon stuck a thermometer in his mouth. Mac shook his head. He couldn't believe this was happening. This was no time to be sick. But he didn't have to worry; the case was already solved. His team would take care of everything, except he would have to testify to what happened over in Georgia. Then again, he had not accomplished anything there except getting Ross back to New York. "You have some fever," Sheldon said.

"Fine," Mac said. "Take me to the emergency room."

Sheldon looked at Danny and Lindsey. "I'll drive him," Sheldon said.

"We'll hold down the fort," Danny said.

Mac put his coat on. He felt even worse now as they went to the elevator. His legs felt like they couldn't hold him up much longer. They went down to the Avalanche and headed for the hospital. Mac moaned quietly with his stomach. He hoped he didn't have food poisoning, but he was afraid that was what it was.

When they got to the hospital, Sheldon stopped at the emergency room door. "Sheldon, I don't think I can walk in there," Mac said.

Sheldon didn't think he had ever seen Mac look so pale. "I'll get them to come and get you in a wheelchair," he said, as he got out of the truck.

Mac sat there waiting. He could tell he had a fever now. He stared out the window and watched for Sheldon to come back. Soon, Sheldon and a hospital ambassador came out to get him. Mac just sat there when Sheldon opened the door of the truck. He thought Mac must have a serious case of this. He took the seatbelt off and they got Mac into the wheelchair. The ambassador took Mac in while Sheldon went to park the truck. He was worried about Mac. He knew he had eaten seafood the night before, and if he had gotten some bad seafood, it could be fatal.

Mac was carried straight into a room. He was starting to feel lethargic…

The next thing Mac knew, he was in a hospital room and he had IVs in both arms. There was no one else in the room. He turned over on his side. He thought he felt a little better. He had no idea what had happened. He didn't remember getting undressed, but he was in a hospital gown now, so someone undressed him. He was soon asleep again.

Tommy Ross was going for his second preliminary hearing that afternoon. Don Flack was getting ready to go to that trial to help the prosecutor, although today's trial would only be the decision whether Ross would stay in jail or be released on bail. Don wanted to make sure that didn't happen. He wanted that guy to stay behind bars. He had run once, so it was likely that he would run again. Don was sure the judge would not let the guy out because he was a flight risk.

When the trial time came, Don was in the courtroom with the prosecutor. He listened to the case the prosecutor had against Ross, and he also listened to the defense. Don couldn't believe some of the things that defense attorneys would say to try and get their client off. However, the judge held Ross without bail, pending trial. Don was relieved. He knew how rich people got around sometimes.

After Don got his part of that done, he went to the hospital to let Mac know what was going on. He knocked on Mac's room door, but there was no answer. He opened the door and walked in. Mac was sleeping. He looked like he was resting well. Don had seen how Mac looked when he got off that plane that morning. He walked over to his bed and just then Mac's cell phone rang. Mac was startled. "Hey," Don said. "It's just me."

Mac looked at him. Then he looked for the phone. "I'll get it," Don said. He found the phone in his pants pocket. "Amanda."

Mac reached for the phone. He didn't answer in time and when he looked at the phone, he had four missed calls. "Oh, no," he almost whispered. "She's been trying to call me."

"You feeling better?" Don asked.

Mac nodded. "Just weak and sleepy, but not nauseous now."

"The judge held Tommy Ross without bail. I wanted to let you know that."

Mac nodded. "Thanks."

Don looked at Mac a moment. He didn't think he was acting just right, but maybe he was just tired. "I'll let you rest," Don said.

"Does he have a trial date yet?" Mac asked.

"Not yet, but it will be set tomorrow."

"Good."

"I'll see you later."

"Okay."

Don left the room. Mac looked at his phone. He pressed the talk button to call Amanda. "Mac!" she said when she answered. "I have been worried about you."

"I'm sorry," Mac said.

"Are you okay? You don't sound well."

"I'm in the hospital."

"Why?"

"I had a bout with food poisoning. I got pretty bad sick today, but I'm better now."

"I wish I had known. I've been trying to call you. I saw on the news where the suspect was in court, so I knew you must be back."

"I'm sorry. I have been asleep ever since I got here, I think. I don't remember getting undressed, but somehow I got into a hospital gown."

"I'll come and see you after I get off work," Amanda said.
"That might just cure me right up," Mac said.

"You charmer."

Mac smiled. "I missed you while I was gone."

"And I missed you. I have to get all this work done so I can get off a little early."

"Okay. I'll see you then."

Mac ended the call and turned on his side toward the window. He stared out the window at the falling snow until he fell asleep again…

By the time Amanda came to see Mac that evening, he was awake and feeling even better. Amanda knocked on the door. "Come in," Mac called.

Amanda opened the door and peeped around. "May I come in?" she asked, with a smile.

"Of course."

Amanda went over to his bed. "You don't look too sick to me," she said.

Mac leaned back on the pillow. "I could have been dead," he said. "I ate some bad seafood."

Amanda sat on the side of the bed and touched his face. "You better not die on me."

"I don't plan to. I intend to be a thorn in your side for a long time."

Amanda smiled and kissed him. "If you're a thorn, I like thorns."

"I might be pretty annoying sometimes with my bachelor ways."

"We'll just have to see what we can do about that."

Mac chuckled as Amanda kissed him again. Just then, the nurse came in. Amanda had to smile at Mac's shyness. She supposed that nurse had seen people kiss before. "Good evening," the nurse said. "Looks like you are feeling better." She put the blood pressure cuff on his arm and stuck a thermometer in his mouth, while she checked his pulse. "Hmmm, that pulse is a little fast."

Mac rolled his eyes and looked out the window. Amanda couldn't help but snicker. The nurse smiled. "He might not even need our services anymore," she said.

Mac looked at her. "Why do people always want to pick on men?" he asked around the thermometer. "They never pick on women like this."

The nurse took the thermometer. "Well, you don't have any fever," she said. "We pick on men because it is more fun, especially when they're shy."

Soon, the nurse was done with her check. "You may get out tomorrow," she said. "Do you need anything? Are you feeling comfortable?"

"Yes, I feel fine," Mac said. "I don't need anything. Although I do still feel a little dizzy when I sit up."

"That should clear up in no time."

The nurse left. Amanda sat back down on the bed. "Bad seafood, huh?" she asked.

"Yes," Mac said. "Or maybe it just wasn't cooked good enough."

Amanda rubbed his hair. "I promise we won't have seafood for our dinner," she said.

"Good. I don't think I'll be able to eat anything like that for a long time."

"I'm sure you won't."

"At least that case is over. That guy will be going away for a long time."

"Won't he get the death penalty?"

"I don't know. He could."

Amanda spent the evening with Mac, and they talked and laughed together. Mac thought this relationship was getting better all the time. He hated it when she had to go. He stared out the window. He promised himself that he would not run from this relationship and be lonely again. He thought maybe he had found his soul mate this time.