THE CHASE
Chapter 40
By the middle of that afternoon Adam was at the point of screaming with frustration. No matter which way he turned, the process of obtaining the warrant to arrest Albrecht was being stalled, either by incompetence or by the right people not being available. He wasn't exactly sure why, but he was filled with a sense of urgency, that time was running out so he sent Mike, John, and Dylan to watch the brownstone. The three men would take turns watching and reporting in while he and Nate cooled their heels waiting outside various official offices at the courthouse.
They had finally reached the last step - obtaining a judge's signature - and Adam was pacing impatiently outside. Both men turned when Dylan rushed in. He must have run the whole way to the courthouse and up the five flights of stairs because he had to take a moment and bend over with his hands braced on his knees to try and catch his breath. Adam was trying to be patient, but was not succeeding very well so his deputy tried his best to speak.
"Albrecht...visitor..." Dylan gasped, "followed....reporter....activity at house..." He breathed deeply a few times, then finished in a rush, "Wethinkhe'sgoingtorun." He waited for his boss to explode. He didn't. Adam merely turned around, knocked on the judge's office door and opened it at the same time. The door shut and his two deputies could hear his deep voice speaking low, but forcefully. Strangely, no answering voice was heard, and seconds later Adam came out with the signed document in his hand.
"Let's go," he said and was already on his way down the stairs by the time Dylan and Nate managed to catch up to him. The coach was waiting for them outside and the three men piled in after Adam shouted, "Albrecht's house!" to the driver. When they pulled up in front of the brownstone John was standing there alone. He ran up to open the coach door.
"He's gone," John was saying as Adam jumped out. He nodded at John in passing, ran up the steps to the front door, and pounded on it. The butler opened it and Adam just brushed past him. He was back and running down the steps in a few moments.
"David!" he called up to the driver, "get us to the docks as fast as you can!" Then he practically threw John into the coach and dove in after him. The coach took off at top speed.
They were just entering the street that was parallel with the waterfront when the driver spotted Mike and managed to pull the horses up and stopped. Mike didn't stop for explanations; he just climbed up next to the driver and started to give him directions.
When the coach skidded to a stop Adam was the first one out and his four deputies winced when they heard his shout of fury. The ship was already on its way and their boss was at the very edge of the dock staring intently and seething with hatred. Albrecht was standing at the rail, directly across from them and waving mockingly. Adam didn't move a muscle as his deputies came to stand two on either side of him. He just continued to stare at the man while waves of rage they could all almost feel washed over them. A voice speaking behind them broke the thick silence.
"Mr. Cartwright? I have Mr. Albrecht's statement about the arson investigation. Would you care to counter with your own?"
Adam stiffened and slowly turned around. When the short, stocky young man standing there saw his expression his blue eyes widened and he took a step back.
"That's him, the reporter I told you about," Dylan said tightly.
The next thing the young man knew Adam had moved forward, grabbed him by the front of his suit coat, and lifted him off the dock.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HIM?" Adam growled in a harsh voice, his face right in the smaller man's.
"Hey!" the reporter instinctively protested but then began to shake with fear as he looked into the other man's hostile eyes. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat and answer, but all that came out was a whine. Adam gave him a shake.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" he barked.
The young man desperately tried to think - what had he said? "I asked him if he thought there was any truth to the rumors that he was going to be arrested soon!" He blurted out, hoping that answering the question would appease the furious man.
Adam closed his eyes for a moment and just stood there, still holding the reporter off the dock. As the seconds ticked by, his deputies glanced at each other, unsure of what to do, but were quick to move aside when Adam turned, strode to the edge of the dock, and threw the young man over. His shriek of surprise seemed to last an unbelievably long time and they were all watching when he hit the water. He disappeared in a huge splash, then bobbed to the surface and started toward the nearest ladder.
"Oh good, the imbecile can swim," Adam said calmly as his deputies looked at him in disbelief. "When he gets up here, use the coach to take him to the station and have him put in holding."
Nate cleared his throat. "Uh...on what charge?"
"Obstruction of justice - he tipped that monster off," his boss answered then turned and walked away.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours later Adam returned to the hotel after finally making the visit to the orphanage he had intended to make that morning. His deputies were assembled in the sitting room, all wearing long faces. They were badly disappointed that Albrecht had gotten away and were feeling as though they had failed.
Adam strode in and sat on the table while taking in their expressions. He got right to the point.
"Albrecht's escape is not your fault. You did everything you could to bring him down and YOU are not responsible. I am."
Four voices started to protest his statement. He raised a hand to silence them.
"It is my responsibility and I'll tell you why. I could have managed it - there are many ways to bring someone in without a warrant. But I did everything by the book because I was concerned that he would get off through a mistake in procedure. Bad choice on my part."
"But we HAVE to go by the book!" Dylan argued.
Adam chuckled, "You don't understand." He shook his head, "Most people are not aware that the law is fluid and constantly changing. Don't you realize that almost every time a judge writes a decision the law has been changed? The law is only just interpreted and is never clear-cut or black and white. In fact, a good trial lawyer can convince a jury that black IS white."
John spoke up, "He's absolutely right."
"Of course I'm right," Adam chuckled and his deputies smiled at his arrogant attitude, which they all admired as one of his best qualities.
Mike sighed, "Well, I guess this investigation is over and we'll be going home."
Adam hopped off the table and moved around it to sit in the desk chair. "We will be going home tomorrow, but this investigation is far from over." His friends glanced at each other then turned back to him for the explanation they knew was coming.
He leaned his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "You mark my words gentlemen, that man is going to come back and when he does we'll be ready for him. He won't get away again." He grinned at their varied expressions; John already believed, Mike was dubious, Nate plainly did not agree, and Dylan was keeping his opinion to himself. "Meanwhile," he continued, "I want you four to clear out of here, I'm sick of looking at you."
All four smiled and when John opened his mouth, Adam cut him off. "No, I'm not going with you again. I'll be having dinner with Wes, Dulcy, and Charlie. But I'm warning you. If you all can't get up in time in the morning I'm leaving you here and you can find your own way home!"
A chorus of "Yes sir's" was his answer as they quickly moved toward the door. Nate was the last and he paused with the door open.
"Are you sure?"
"Oh yes, very sure." Adam answered and Nate gave him a wide smile saying, "Be careful yourself."
"Yes mother," his boss said sarcastically and he laughed as he hurried after the other three.
Adam sighed and leaned back in his chair, looking forward to going home and thinking about what he had found at the orphanage. He had to decide just how much he was going to tell Thea.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When he returned from dinner with his friends Adam was surprised to see a tall man about to knock on the sitting room door.
"May I help you?" he called down the hall and the man jumped a bit as he turned. Adam's brows rose when he recognized the man as Albrecht's butler.
The man calmly waited and when Adam reached him he said, "May we speak privately, Mr. Cartwright?"
"Of course," was the answer and the two men went into the sitting room. Adam sat down behind the table and the butler took the chair directly opposite.
"First let me introduce myself. My name is Charles Atwood and I have worked for Mr. Albrecht for close to a year and I must say that was a year too long. I had no idea what type of man he was at first. None of us really did until young Katherine disappeared."
Adam nodded to him encouragingly.
"The rest of the staff who played a part in this evil farce and I have decided you deserve to know exactly what happened now that that heartless bastard is gone. We are aware of how hard you worked to put him behind bars where he belongs."
He paused to gauge Adam's reaction. He could see none so he took that as a good sign and continued. "When Katherine overheard a conversation that revealed the plans Albrecht was making to murder his children she immediately went to her best friend for help, the woman who eventually became the next nanny." Adam was about to ask him for the woman's name, but was interrupted.
"I must make clear to you that none of us knew the nanny's real name. Katherine only ever referred to her by a nickname - Fairy. We know absolutely nothing about her and we preferred to keep it that way. She came up with the plan and the house staff agreed to cooperate. Unfortunately, Katherine told someone she shouldn't have and disappeared a few days later. I believe, but have no proof, that the man responsible is the gardener, Ambrose Harte."
"No proof at all?"
"No, but I did become suspicious of the man suddenly showing an intense interest in her after they had worked together for years."
"I see...please continue."
"When the news of Katherine's disappearance became known, her friend appeared at the house a few days later when Albrecht was away. She told us she had come to take Katherine's place as the nanny because we could not be sure another would cooperate. So the plan continued."
"When did Albrecht ask for your help?"
"He didn't. We approached him and in effect extorted him."
"Very clever, he would naturally not be suspicious of what he would see as greed," Adam said.
"Correct. That was part of the plan from the beginning. The rest, I'm sure you have surmised. We all helped in setting the house on fire and substituting the dead bodies for the live children." He paused again, seemingly choosing his next words with care. "I also must tell you that I have no idea where the children were taken. We thought it best that only she should know since she could disappear without a trace and we could not."
Adam was watching Charles carefully as he said, "That doesn't matter - I know where the children are." He decided the other man's surprise and concern were genuine.
"Don't worry, they will be moved and placed under protective custody tomorrow."
Charles sighed in relief. "Good. I've always worried about them." He stood. "I've told you everything I know, Mr. Cartwright, so I believe I will be on my way."
Adam stood and came around the table to shake his hand. "I appreciate your taking the time to come see me and confirm what I had surmised."
Nodding, Charles turned toward the door, but Adam had not let go of his hand and now tightened his grip. "I just have two questions before you go." The other man waited silently, not resisting at all.
"I can see you are an intelligent man. Do you really expect me to believe that you know absolutely nothing about this young woman we've been trying to find?"
Charles smiled. "Perhaps I am also intelligent enough to make sure I did NOT learn anything about her."
"Very well said," Adam chuckled as he let go of the man's hand.
The two moved toward the door and Adam pulled it open.
Charles stopped before stepping out into the hallway. "And the other question?"
Adam looked at him narrowly. "You must know Albrecht reasonably well by now. Do you think he will return to San Francisco eventually?"
"Oh yes, yes he will return although I can't specifically say to San Francisco. He will return and you can be sure the first place he will show up is wherever YOU may be."
Smiling wolfishly Adam said, "Good. I'm glad you agree with me and quite frankly I'm looking forward to seeing him again."
The other man looked at that smile and had to smile himself. "I didn't think anyone would ever be able to bring that man down, but I now believe if anyone can, it will be you. But I will still wish you good luck."
"Thank you, and the same to you."
Charles gave Adam one last smile, shook his head, then stepped out in the hall and walked away.
Adam closed the door then moved into his bedroom to begin packing. His deputies may have thought he was joking, but he was serious. He was anxious to get home to his wife and children and would leave the four of them behind if necessary.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When someone came to take him out of the holding cell late that evening the reporter - Brett Bierce - had hoped he was going to be released. But he realized that was unlikely as he was being led further into the warren of rooms and cells.
They stopped in front of a door that had a square window set too high up for the shorter man to look in. The jailer knocked and a deep voice said, "Come in." Unhooking a ring of keys from his belt the jailer unlocked the door and opened it. The reporter took one step into the room, but when he saw who was waiting for him he tried to back up. The jailer gave him a hard shove and Brett stumbled up against the table that was placed in the center of the room.
"Sit down Brett," Adam said quietly and the young man quickly dropped into the chair on the opposite end of the table. He nervously clasped his hands together on the tabletop and stared at Adam with wary eyes. The tall, dark man was sitting in a chair set at an angle to the table and his casual posture belied the intensity of his gaze.
Adam was taking stock of the young man and considering what action he should take. Coming quickly to a decision, he leaned forward and pinned Brett with a cold stare. "You will no doubt be relieved to hear that I have decided to not press charges against you for obstruction of justice," he said, watching the young man relax somewhat.
"But you need to know that if you ever tip-off a suspect again, or interfere with an investigation in any way I will press charges and seek the highest penalty possible. Do you understand?"
Brett nodded quickly, his mouth gone dry and his heart thudding in his chest.
"Good," Adam stood and came around to lean over Brett with his hands braced on the table. "I'm letting you off this time because you are young, inexperienced, and obviously stupid." He leaned even further down to speak low into Brett's ear. "Never get in my way again."
He straightened up, moved to the door, and knocked. When the jailer unlocked and opened the door, "Release him." was all he said and then was gone.
Brett suddenly found he could breathe again. The jailer came in and took him by the arm to escort him out. As they walked through the halls, the reporter vowed to himself that he would find out everything he could about Adam Cartwright. The man was not only frightening, he was fascinating, and Brett could smell a story of epic proportions just waiting to be told. That is, if he could somehow manage to get the information he needed while staying out of Adam's way. Brett thought about how furious the man was going to be when he became nationally known, when the details of his life were printed in serial form. He smiled in anticipation as he left the police station and headed for his office to work on the story proposal he would turn in to his editor in the morning.
Chapter 40
By the middle of that afternoon Adam was at the point of screaming with frustration. No matter which way he turned, the process of obtaining the warrant to arrest Albrecht was being stalled, either by incompetence or by the right people not being available. He wasn't exactly sure why, but he was filled with a sense of urgency, that time was running out so he sent Mike, John, and Dylan to watch the brownstone. The three men would take turns watching and reporting in while he and Nate cooled their heels waiting outside various official offices at the courthouse.
They had finally reached the last step - obtaining a judge's signature - and Adam was pacing impatiently outside. Both men turned when Dylan rushed in. He must have run the whole way to the courthouse and up the five flights of stairs because he had to take a moment and bend over with his hands braced on his knees to try and catch his breath. Adam was trying to be patient, but was not succeeding very well so his deputy tried his best to speak.
"Albrecht...visitor..." Dylan gasped, "followed....reporter....activity at house..." He breathed deeply a few times, then finished in a rush, "Wethinkhe'sgoingtorun." He waited for his boss to explode. He didn't. Adam merely turned around, knocked on the judge's office door and opened it at the same time. The door shut and his two deputies could hear his deep voice speaking low, but forcefully. Strangely, no answering voice was heard, and seconds later Adam came out with the signed document in his hand.
"Let's go," he said and was already on his way down the stairs by the time Dylan and Nate managed to catch up to him. The coach was waiting for them outside and the three men piled in after Adam shouted, "Albrecht's house!" to the driver. When they pulled up in front of the brownstone John was standing there alone. He ran up to open the coach door.
"He's gone," John was saying as Adam jumped out. He nodded at John in passing, ran up the steps to the front door, and pounded on it. The butler opened it and Adam just brushed past him. He was back and running down the steps in a few moments.
"David!" he called up to the driver, "get us to the docks as fast as you can!" Then he practically threw John into the coach and dove in after him. The coach took off at top speed.
They were just entering the street that was parallel with the waterfront when the driver spotted Mike and managed to pull the horses up and stopped. Mike didn't stop for explanations; he just climbed up next to the driver and started to give him directions.
When the coach skidded to a stop Adam was the first one out and his four deputies winced when they heard his shout of fury. The ship was already on its way and their boss was at the very edge of the dock staring intently and seething with hatred. Albrecht was standing at the rail, directly across from them and waving mockingly. Adam didn't move a muscle as his deputies came to stand two on either side of him. He just continued to stare at the man while waves of rage they could all almost feel washed over them. A voice speaking behind them broke the thick silence.
"Mr. Cartwright? I have Mr. Albrecht's statement about the arson investigation. Would you care to counter with your own?"
Adam stiffened and slowly turned around. When the short, stocky young man standing there saw his expression his blue eyes widened and he took a step back.
"That's him, the reporter I told you about," Dylan said tightly.
The next thing the young man knew Adam had moved forward, grabbed him by the front of his suit coat, and lifted him off the dock.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HIM?" Adam growled in a harsh voice, his face right in the smaller man's.
"Hey!" the reporter instinctively protested but then began to shake with fear as he looked into the other man's hostile eyes. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat and answer, but all that came out was a whine. Adam gave him a shake.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" he barked.
The young man desperately tried to think - what had he said? "I asked him if he thought there was any truth to the rumors that he was going to be arrested soon!" He blurted out, hoping that answering the question would appease the furious man.
Adam closed his eyes for a moment and just stood there, still holding the reporter off the dock. As the seconds ticked by, his deputies glanced at each other, unsure of what to do, but were quick to move aside when Adam turned, strode to the edge of the dock, and threw the young man over. His shriek of surprise seemed to last an unbelievably long time and they were all watching when he hit the water. He disappeared in a huge splash, then bobbed to the surface and started toward the nearest ladder.
"Oh good, the imbecile can swim," Adam said calmly as his deputies looked at him in disbelief. "When he gets up here, use the coach to take him to the station and have him put in holding."
Nate cleared his throat. "Uh...on what charge?"
"Obstruction of justice - he tipped that monster off," his boss answered then turned and walked away.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours later Adam returned to the hotel after finally making the visit to the orphanage he had intended to make that morning. His deputies were assembled in the sitting room, all wearing long faces. They were badly disappointed that Albrecht had gotten away and were feeling as though they had failed.
Adam strode in and sat on the table while taking in their expressions. He got right to the point.
"Albrecht's escape is not your fault. You did everything you could to bring him down and YOU are not responsible. I am."
Four voices started to protest his statement. He raised a hand to silence them.
"It is my responsibility and I'll tell you why. I could have managed it - there are many ways to bring someone in without a warrant. But I did everything by the book because I was concerned that he would get off through a mistake in procedure. Bad choice on my part."
"But we HAVE to go by the book!" Dylan argued.
Adam chuckled, "You don't understand." He shook his head, "Most people are not aware that the law is fluid and constantly changing. Don't you realize that almost every time a judge writes a decision the law has been changed? The law is only just interpreted and is never clear-cut or black and white. In fact, a good trial lawyer can convince a jury that black IS white."
John spoke up, "He's absolutely right."
"Of course I'm right," Adam chuckled and his deputies smiled at his arrogant attitude, which they all admired as one of his best qualities.
Mike sighed, "Well, I guess this investigation is over and we'll be going home."
Adam hopped off the table and moved around it to sit in the desk chair. "We will be going home tomorrow, but this investigation is far from over." His friends glanced at each other then turned back to him for the explanation they knew was coming.
He leaned his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "You mark my words gentlemen, that man is going to come back and when he does we'll be ready for him. He won't get away again." He grinned at their varied expressions; John already believed, Mike was dubious, Nate plainly did not agree, and Dylan was keeping his opinion to himself. "Meanwhile," he continued, "I want you four to clear out of here, I'm sick of looking at you."
All four smiled and when John opened his mouth, Adam cut him off. "No, I'm not going with you again. I'll be having dinner with Wes, Dulcy, and Charlie. But I'm warning you. If you all can't get up in time in the morning I'm leaving you here and you can find your own way home!"
A chorus of "Yes sir's" was his answer as they quickly moved toward the door. Nate was the last and he paused with the door open.
"Are you sure?"
"Oh yes, very sure." Adam answered and Nate gave him a wide smile saying, "Be careful yourself."
"Yes mother," his boss said sarcastically and he laughed as he hurried after the other three.
Adam sighed and leaned back in his chair, looking forward to going home and thinking about what he had found at the orphanage. He had to decide just how much he was going to tell Thea.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When he returned from dinner with his friends Adam was surprised to see a tall man about to knock on the sitting room door.
"May I help you?" he called down the hall and the man jumped a bit as he turned. Adam's brows rose when he recognized the man as Albrecht's butler.
The man calmly waited and when Adam reached him he said, "May we speak privately, Mr. Cartwright?"
"Of course," was the answer and the two men went into the sitting room. Adam sat down behind the table and the butler took the chair directly opposite.
"First let me introduce myself. My name is Charles Atwood and I have worked for Mr. Albrecht for close to a year and I must say that was a year too long. I had no idea what type of man he was at first. None of us really did until young Katherine disappeared."
Adam nodded to him encouragingly.
"The rest of the staff who played a part in this evil farce and I have decided you deserve to know exactly what happened now that that heartless bastard is gone. We are aware of how hard you worked to put him behind bars where he belongs."
He paused to gauge Adam's reaction. He could see none so he took that as a good sign and continued. "When Katherine overheard a conversation that revealed the plans Albrecht was making to murder his children she immediately went to her best friend for help, the woman who eventually became the next nanny." Adam was about to ask him for the woman's name, but was interrupted.
"I must make clear to you that none of us knew the nanny's real name. Katherine only ever referred to her by a nickname - Fairy. We know absolutely nothing about her and we preferred to keep it that way. She came up with the plan and the house staff agreed to cooperate. Unfortunately, Katherine told someone she shouldn't have and disappeared a few days later. I believe, but have no proof, that the man responsible is the gardener, Ambrose Harte."
"No proof at all?"
"No, but I did become suspicious of the man suddenly showing an intense interest in her after they had worked together for years."
"I see...please continue."
"When the news of Katherine's disappearance became known, her friend appeared at the house a few days later when Albrecht was away. She told us she had come to take Katherine's place as the nanny because we could not be sure another would cooperate. So the plan continued."
"When did Albrecht ask for your help?"
"He didn't. We approached him and in effect extorted him."
"Very clever, he would naturally not be suspicious of what he would see as greed," Adam said.
"Correct. That was part of the plan from the beginning. The rest, I'm sure you have surmised. We all helped in setting the house on fire and substituting the dead bodies for the live children." He paused again, seemingly choosing his next words with care. "I also must tell you that I have no idea where the children were taken. We thought it best that only she should know since she could disappear without a trace and we could not."
Adam was watching Charles carefully as he said, "That doesn't matter - I know where the children are." He decided the other man's surprise and concern were genuine.
"Don't worry, they will be moved and placed under protective custody tomorrow."
Charles sighed in relief. "Good. I've always worried about them." He stood. "I've told you everything I know, Mr. Cartwright, so I believe I will be on my way."
Adam stood and came around the table to shake his hand. "I appreciate your taking the time to come see me and confirm what I had surmised."
Nodding, Charles turned toward the door, but Adam had not let go of his hand and now tightened his grip. "I just have two questions before you go." The other man waited silently, not resisting at all.
"I can see you are an intelligent man. Do you really expect me to believe that you know absolutely nothing about this young woman we've been trying to find?"
Charles smiled. "Perhaps I am also intelligent enough to make sure I did NOT learn anything about her."
"Very well said," Adam chuckled as he let go of the man's hand.
The two moved toward the door and Adam pulled it open.
Charles stopped before stepping out into the hallway. "And the other question?"
Adam looked at him narrowly. "You must know Albrecht reasonably well by now. Do you think he will return to San Francisco eventually?"
"Oh yes, yes he will return although I can't specifically say to San Francisco. He will return and you can be sure the first place he will show up is wherever YOU may be."
Smiling wolfishly Adam said, "Good. I'm glad you agree with me and quite frankly I'm looking forward to seeing him again."
The other man looked at that smile and had to smile himself. "I didn't think anyone would ever be able to bring that man down, but I now believe if anyone can, it will be you. But I will still wish you good luck."
"Thank you, and the same to you."
Charles gave Adam one last smile, shook his head, then stepped out in the hall and walked away.
Adam closed the door then moved into his bedroom to begin packing. His deputies may have thought he was joking, but he was serious. He was anxious to get home to his wife and children and would leave the four of them behind if necessary.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When someone came to take him out of the holding cell late that evening the reporter - Brett Bierce - had hoped he was going to be released. But he realized that was unlikely as he was being led further into the warren of rooms and cells.
They stopped in front of a door that had a square window set too high up for the shorter man to look in. The jailer knocked and a deep voice said, "Come in." Unhooking a ring of keys from his belt the jailer unlocked the door and opened it. The reporter took one step into the room, but when he saw who was waiting for him he tried to back up. The jailer gave him a hard shove and Brett stumbled up against the table that was placed in the center of the room.
"Sit down Brett," Adam said quietly and the young man quickly dropped into the chair on the opposite end of the table. He nervously clasped his hands together on the tabletop and stared at Adam with wary eyes. The tall, dark man was sitting in a chair set at an angle to the table and his casual posture belied the intensity of his gaze.
Adam was taking stock of the young man and considering what action he should take. Coming quickly to a decision, he leaned forward and pinned Brett with a cold stare. "You will no doubt be relieved to hear that I have decided to not press charges against you for obstruction of justice," he said, watching the young man relax somewhat.
"But you need to know that if you ever tip-off a suspect again, or interfere with an investigation in any way I will press charges and seek the highest penalty possible. Do you understand?"
Brett nodded quickly, his mouth gone dry and his heart thudding in his chest.
"Good," Adam stood and came around to lean over Brett with his hands braced on the table. "I'm letting you off this time because you are young, inexperienced, and obviously stupid." He leaned even further down to speak low into Brett's ear. "Never get in my way again."
He straightened up, moved to the door, and knocked. When the jailer unlocked and opened the door, "Release him." was all he said and then was gone.
Brett suddenly found he could breathe again. The jailer came in and took him by the arm to escort him out. As they walked through the halls, the reporter vowed to himself that he would find out everything he could about Adam Cartwright. The man was not only frightening, he was fascinating, and Brett could smell a story of epic proportions just waiting to be told. That is, if he could somehow manage to get the information he needed while staying out of Adam's way. Brett thought about how furious the man was going to be when he became nationally known, when the details of his life were printed in serial form. He smiled in anticipation as he left the police station and headed for his office to work on the story proposal he would turn in to his editor in the morning.
