Chapter Twelve: "Faultless Flight"
The streets along Jefferson and Fourth looked significantly different in the light of day. The only pedestrians were men in suits making their way either to or from work. Parking was more accessible as well.
"I'm all out of change," Dunn told me after he'd parked. There was free parking just around the corner, but I decided not to say anything.
"I've got it." I pulled some change from my pocket and plugged the machine. One nickel would give us plenty of time.
"You take the lead since you're familiar with these people and this place."
"I can do that," I said confidently as I approached the door. Immediately upon entering, Cecelia saw me and floated over to greet me with a kiss she placed in the air next to my cheek.
"You've come back, I see. Too bad you didn't stay around last night. We had a successful evening. I also notice that you've brought along a friend. How nice. Is there anything I could show either of you today?"
"Thank you, but no, not really. We're here to see Lucas."
"I'm not sure he's around yet," Cecelia told us before turning her head. "Marlow? Have you seen Lucas this morning?"
"Well hello, my friends! It's so good to see you again. Ben Noble, isn't it?"
"Yes, and this is Police Chief Mason Dunn of the Third Precinct."
Mr. Dunn revealed his badge and the two gallery workers exchanged looks.
"I don't want any trouble with the police," Marlow was telling Cecelia. "I don't care how much rent he pays."
Cecelia looked disappointed but did as Mr. Abbott suggested. "He's in the back."
"Thank you, both," I told them gratefully while tipping my hat.
Chief Dunn and I made our way to the white door, quietly opened it, and crept down the dark hallway. Dunn had pulled out his revolver, although I didn't see the need for it. With a glance and a hand motion, he signaled that he wanted me to pull back the curtain to allow him a surprise entrance. I did as he asked and joined him in the studio immediately.
During that short length of time, he had Lucas in his sights and I noticed the young artist was shaking like a leaf.
"What's the meaning of this? Is this a robbery? I assure you I have no money, and my paintings aren't worth all that much. Take what you want!"
In his hand was a paintbrush, which I suppose Chief Dunn thought was harmless since he holstered his weapon.
I took a step closer to Lucas. "You know why I'm here. This is Chief of Police, Mason Dunn. He's prepared to take you into custody for the murder of not only Hank Solowsky, Jr., but of Mrs. Josephine Newman as well. Remember when I told you that if you gave yourself up, the judge may be lenient? Well, that deal has expired. A double homicide will buy you nothing but a death sentence."
While I spoke, Lucas turned pale, and by the time I'd finished, not only was he sweating, he was white as a sheet.
"There's nowhere for you to go, Lucas. It's all over."
By the time I could read his intentions, Lucas was already on his way to the back door. I'm certain his car was parked in the alley for a quick getaway. He was expecting us.
Dunn and I both ran after him, but Lucas had tried to block our path by knocking over easels, chairs, and even his own art. The hurdles slowed us down enough that Lucas had jumped inside his convertible before we'd managed to exit the building.
Lucas punched the gas pedal of his Ford Sunliner, spraying Dunn and me with dirt and gravel. He hit the asphalt with squealing tires and turned left.
"I'm driving!" I yelled back at Dunn who was doing his best to keep up with me. There was no way I was going to give up the chance of driving a squad car with the sirens on.
I slid inside and had to wait for Dunn, who was at least three seconds behind me. "Hurry up, old man!" I yelled just to irritate him.
"Don't you wreck my car! I just got it out of the shop last week."
I ignored his warning and held out my hand for the keys. "Hurry up! He's getting away!"
"I have a feeling I'm going to regret this," Dunn said. He was out of breath but I could feel the adrenaline pulsing through my bloodstream.
The squad car started easily and I sped off, swerving to avoid slower vehicles. Dunn managed to stay quiet, although I noticed his left hand was gripping the dash.
When I came to the exit for the highway, I took it without hesitation.
"How do you know this is the way he went?"
I smiled and sped up. "If I was in his shoes, I would be getting out of town. Or maybe going to the airport to catch a ride out of town."
When we topped the hill that brought us to the four-lane road, I caught sight of the convertible ahead of us.
"There he is!" I said, pointing toward his location.
"Please keep both hands on the wheel!"
I couldn't help but chuckle. Mr. Quinn had never been this nervous about my driving. "We've got him."
I sped up, even more, to close the distance between us and neared one-hundred miles per hour. At this speed, even I was getting nervous.
"There's the exit to the airport," I mentioned, though did not point this time. At this speed, the squad car was pulling to the left and I had to use both hands to keep the thing straight.
We were about two-hundred yards away from Lucas when I noticed he passed the airport turnoff.
"There goes your theory," Dunn said to me.
"Looks like he's trying to get out of town. He's probably going to take Purgatory Pass." I knew this because that's exactly what I'd do.
"Why in the hell would he take that road? It's called that for a reason, you know. The city council has been trying to close that road for the last ten years."
"Because there's less traffic, winding roads to slow us down, and passes he can disappear into. If he makes it that far, it's an open road and he'll soon be out of the state."
I considered myself a good driver, but in all my years of driving, I'd avoided Purgatory Pass. There were sheer cliff faces on either side of the two-lane road. The one on the left went straight up and the one on the right, straight down to the ocean. Rockslides were common and in certain places, there were no guard rails. Large boulders had carried them down to the sea, and the city had yet to replace them.
Lucas seemed to not be able to make up his mind on which way to go and barely made the turn to go down Purgatory Pass. Once he had, his convertible, with the slightly bigger engine than ours started leaving us behind. I was determined to catch him, but I also didn't wish to lose my life in the process. I slowed down just a little, determined to speed up once we'd cleared the cliffs.
Fate, it seems, had other plans.
As we pursued Lucas, we helplessly watched as he attempted to pass a slower driver on a curve and was hit by an oncoming car. His convertible fishtailed and then slid onto the shoulder, off the cliff, and out of sight. I hurried to the scene, slammed on the brakes, and jumped out of the squad car. Dunn was right behind me.
Below, we could see the wreckage of the vehicle crumpled upon the boulders that had fallen into the sea. There was no way anyone could've survived that.
"I'll radio in for an ambulance," Chief Dunn told me.
"Wait," I said. "See that smoke? It's leaking gas." Right after I said that the car erupted in flames and then the gas tank blew, sending fire and debris in several directions. "I don't think we need an ambulance."
"You appear to be correct, Detective Noble. About many things. I'm sorry I doubted you. I'll be sure to tell Quinn what a fine job you did on this case. I honestly didn't see this coming…"
Neither did I, but I wasn't going to say anything. I was too busy lapping up all the compliments Dunn was dishing out. It was a rare thing indeed, and might not ever happen again. However, my enjoyment was interrupted by the sound of a car coming to a screeching halt on the road behind us. Then, none other than Lucas' mother, Wilma Solowsky, stepped out of the car and came running toward us. She was screaming the entire time and fell to the ground at the edge of the cliff where Lucas' car went off.
"No! No! Not my Lucas! Anyone but him! Me! Take me! Don't take my boy!"
She was yelling toward the sky and had her hands desperately clasped together. Was she actually praying? I was pretty sure Lazarus wasn't the one in that wreck below us.
"Forgive me, Lord! I know I've sinned, but please don't take my boy! It was me, you see."
Her attention had turned from the skies to us. Tears were streaming down her face and she was frantic with grief and guilt.
"I was the one who shot Hank Jr. I was also the one who killed Mrs. Newman. I couldn't let her testify against my boy, you see? And I couldn't allow Hank Jr. to grow up and be like his father. Hank is a cruel man and Hank Jr. was turning out to be just like him. Poor Ashley. I tried to warn her, but she didn't listen to me. I couldn't allow Hank Jr. to treat his future wife like his father has treated me. I just couldn't.
"Hank Jr. didn't deserve all that his father bestowed upon him. Lucas deserved everything and much more than I could give him. He is…was so talented and kind. There wasn't a cruel bone in his body. So, it was up to me, you see? I had to be the one to help Lucas, to pay for his studio and his art supplies. He was going to be the next Van Gogh! He was going to be somebody special!"
Dunn and I stood there speechless while we listened to Wilma Solowsky's confession. I was completely dumbfounded. I hadn't seen this coming.
Was I ever going to get this right?
Chief Dunn finally moved toward Wilma and helped her to stand. I was glad he didn't cuff her. Instead, he escorted her with gentle persuasion to the squad car, opened the back door for her, and helped her inside.
I walked over to him. "I'll take Mrs. Solowsky's car to the police station," I told him.
"That's fine. Just fine," Dunn replied flatly.
Apparently, we were both in shock over the unexpected events of the day and went our separate ways with nothing more to say. I waited for the Chief to pull out and I followed.
My mind was numb. All I wanted to do was find Ami and hold her in my arms for a good long while.