Chapter Twelve
At five O'clock Samantha left for the airport. Amanda was in the front passenger seat. Hallie, Annie, Spencer, Cindy and Craig were in the back of the van. Julian, Todd, Becky, Susan and Kristina had followed Samantha in Julian's Jeep Liberty.
An hour later Samantha parked her car at the far side of the airport's parking lot. Julian parked his vehicle right beside Samantha's van.
As everyone was leaving their vehicles, Mack was walking to his car and saw Annie and Hallie. He then passed up his car and continued walking towards them. As he was walking up to Annie and Hallie he noticed Samantha and Amanda.
As Mack walked up he said, "This can't be good."
Hallie looked at Mack in a curious manner and asked, "Who are you?"
The others gathered around.
"Hallie, this is Tobias' father," said Annie.
"So it was your son that saw Scott's plane being tampered with?" asked Hallie.
"That's correct," said Mack. "Tobias told me about it that night, but he has this habit of making up wild stories, so I didn't take him serious. If I would have listened to Tobias things might have been different."
"I'm not blaming you," said Hallie.
"So Hallie; Annie, what are you and your friends doing here?" asked Mack.
"I sent the person I believe is responsible for Scott's murder a letter to meet me here," said Annie. "When he gets here I'm going to get him to confess what he did."
"We have a few recording devices and surveillance devices to get his confession on tape," said Cindy.
"What you're planning sounds dangerous," said Mack.
"We have a plan," said Hallie.
"That I'm sure of, but if your plan fails someone can get killed or at the very least you won't get the confession," said Mack.
"We are going to try anyway," said Cindy.
"Then I insist that I join you," said Mack. "I know every inch of this airport and I know where you can set your trap and surveillance equipment."
"We except your offer," said Annie.
"Good. Now first of all, we have to hide your vehicles," said Mack. "If this guy sees them, your plan will fail before it gets started."
"And where am I supposed to put my van?" asked Samantha.
"Everyone get back into your vehicles and follow me," said Mack.
A few minutes later Mack, Samantha and Julian were parking their vehicles in an empty hanger.
After getting out of their vehicles Mack walked up to Annie and Hallie, and said, "I need to hear your plan, so I know where to set up the trap."
After hearing the plan he led everyone to another hanger to lay the trap. Julian, Spencer and Craig carried the equipment. Todd and Craig also had binoculars hanging off their necks. Hallie helped Annie to carry a good size case with the resuscitating dummy. The hanger had one small Cessna. Large boxes and cans were neatly located off to the side.
After reaching the hanger, Annie and Hallie pulled out a fully dressed dummy from the case and placed it in the cockpit of the Cessna. A video tape along with a note was placed in the dummy's lap. Julian, Spencer, Craig and Todd concealed a listening device within the Cessna. Mack drew a rough diagram of the airport. Cindy, Becky, Susan and Kristina created a small hideaway within the hanger to conceal the camera by using the boxes and cans. Samantha made chalk-outlines of Amanda's footsteps from the gate entrance of the parking lot to the hanger with the Cessna. After the speaker and listening devices were tested, Mack pointed out the best stakeout positions on the map to everyone.
After the airport closed at seven Spencer, Todd and Craig took up a position to where they could see when someone would approach the airport. Julian took a position next to the camera. Each one had a walkie-talkie with the same frequency.
Annie wrote two messages in big letters on two good size pieces of cardboard and attached one of them to the gate entrance. A walkie-talkie of a different frequency from what Todd, Spencer, Julian and Craig were using and a flashlight with weak batteries were placed on the ground just below the sign. The other sign was attached to the door outside the hanger where the trap is set up.
After everything was setup everyone went back to the first hanger. The side doors to the van were open. Samantha sat in the driver's seat of her van. Amanda sat in the front passenger seat. Annie and Hallie sat in the back holding the two walkie-talkies. One of the walkie-talkies was used to talk to their friends as they stand guard. The other will be use to talk to Michael. Cindy, Becky, Susan, Kristina and Mack stood outside the van. Everyone talked in a light chatter and waited patiently for Michael to walk into their trap.
Hallie would radio Spencer, Todd or Craig every fifteen minutes.
Annie looked at her watch the fourth time Hallie radioed them. She then said, "Hal, will you please be patient. They know to radio us if they see someone approach. Besides it's not even nine O'clock yet."
"In a few minutes it will be nine. If I was this guy, I would have gotten here early."
"So would I, but I might not have given him much of a chance to get here early or on time."
"Annie, since the time is almost upon us can you tell me who killed Scott?"
Annie thought for a second. She then said, "Hal, you must promise me that you will control your anger if I tell you."
"Annie, the person who killed Scott is most likely on his way here. Once I get word that he is approaching I will act the same way if you tell me his name or not."
"And how will you act?"
"I won't do anything to jeopardize this trap. More than likely I want this guy imprison more than you do."
"That statement is what I wanted to here."
"I'm not going to take revenge on this guy. A few weeks ago I might have considered it, but not now."
"I believe you. Hallie, Michael Bowman was the one who tampered with Scott's plane."
"Annie, when you discovered Michael as being the killer, did you find out what the motive was. I mean, Scott and I knew Michael was angry at Scott, but we couldn't figure out why."
"Michael was being paid off to lose football games and in the last minutes of one of those games, Scott made the winning touchdown."
"I know the game you are talking about. If I'm thinking correctly Michael was in an accident that night after the game."
"Michael was injured, but it was no accident. The guy who paid Michael off took retribution."
"Everything is making sense to me now."
"Humpty-dumpty to Mother-Goose," Todd radioed.
Hallie and Annie looked at each other in a puzzling manner. Hallie then radioed, "Todd, you are having too much fun."
"A car is approaching the parking lot," Todd radioed.
"Acknowledge," said Hallie. "Hey Julian, start the camera recording and get out of there."
Mack started shutting the hanger doors to conceal their presence. Everyone else gathered around the van to hear.
"I'm already on it," Julian radioed.
"Hal, let me have the radio," said Annie. Hallie handed over the radio. "Todd; Craig let me know if the person is Michael."
"I will know in a bit," Todd radioed. "He's about ready to park his car." Everything was quiet. After shutting the hanger doors Mack walked up to the van, so he could hear. "And the big bad wolf is… he is Michael; I'll repeat, he is Michael."
Annie spoke into the radio, "Okay everyone, keep out of sight."
"Hey, he just stuck a pistol behind his back," Craig radioed.
"I was scared something like this would happen," said Mack.
"Mack, I have already imagined that as one possibility," said Annie. "Everything is still going as planned."
Mack pulled out a cell phone and said, "Well before someone gets hurt I'm calling the cops."
"Mack, wait a few minutes," said Annie. "Give us a chance to get his confession."
"This guy is planning to shoot someone," said Mack.
"And right now the only target is the dummy which is why the dummy was place there," said Annie.
"Mack, he killed my boyfriend, and if there is a chance to get his confession I want to take it," said Hallie. "Please let me take this chance."
"My good judgment is telling me to call the police right now," said Mack. "I just hope I don't regret going against my judgment." Mack put his phone away.
"Thank you," said Hallie.
"If I see things getting more dangerous, I'm calling the cops," said Mack.
"Hello," Michael radioed.
"Okay everyone, quiet," said Annie as she picked up the walkie-talkie to that frequency. Annie then used the voice changer as she spoke into the radio. "Michael, I have been expecting you."
"Well I'm here, so you can come out from where ever you are," Michael radioed.
"You will come to me," Annie radioed. "You will find me by following the footprints on the ground."
"So who are you?" Michael radioed.
"I told you what you can call me in the letter," Annie radioed.
"No matter, I will find out in a few minutes," Michael radioed. "So nighthawk, what do you want to keep quiet?"
"I will let you know that when you join me," Annie radioed.
Everything was quiet for a few minutes. The silence was broken by sounds over the speaker of the listening device. A short time later everyone heard four gun shots.
"Okay, that's it," said Mack. "I'm calling the cops."
"Relax, Rosie is the only one who got shot," said Hallie.
Mack looked at Hallie in a curious manner. He then said, "I sure hope Rosie is the dummy… and I don't care." said Mack. He then dialed the police.
"Hallie, we still may have enough time to get his confession before the cops come," said Annie.
"I would like to congratulate you nighthawk," Michael radioed. "I didn't expect this."
"So did you get my note and the copy of the tape?" Annie radioed.
"I have them both in my hand right now," Michael radioed. "The only thing on this note is a bank account number. It doesn't say as to how much you want from me for your copy of the tape."
"Just keep adding to it and when I have enough I will send you my tape," Annie radioed.
"So that is all I have to do?" Michael radioed.
"Well I am curious about something," Annie radioed.
Hallie crossed her fingers.
"What are you curious about?" Michael radioed.
Hallie pressed the record-button on a tape recorder for a back-up source to get the confession.
"Who was the guy and why did you do it?" Annie radioed.
"You want to know why I killed Scott Knight." Michael radioed.
Hallie said just above a whisper, "Yes."
Annie looked at Hallie and grinned. She then radioed "Yes, I would like to know why you did it."
Mack was returning.
"He ruined my life, so I took his," Michael radioed. "You don't need to know anymore than that."
"Fair enough," Annie radioed. "Well, I will be in touch; nighthawk out." Annie continued to speak in the voice changer. "Mack, we did it." Annie realized she was speaking into the voice changer and turned it off. "Oh, sorry."
Hallie turned off the recorder.
"I'm glad to hear it," said Mack. "The cops are on their way as well."
"We should stay out of sight until the cops get here," said Hallie.
"Mother-Goose, the big bad wolf had just left the hanger," Todd radioed.
Hallie got on the walkie-talkie with Todd's frequency and said, "Hey, everyone the trap was sprung. Stay out of sight until he leaves."
"Affirmative," Todd radioed.
"Hey guys, I'm seeing headlights approaching," Spencer radioed.
"That might be the police," Hallie radioed. "Just stay out of sight, until we know for sure."
"Will do," Spencer radioed.
"What are we going to do if it is the police?" asked Samantha.
"We will turn ourselves in," said Annie.
"We will also give the cops the tape of Michael's confession," said Hallie.
"Mother-Goose, the big bad wolf has reached the parking lot and seem to be nervous of the car approaching," Todd radioed.
"The car is a police car," Craig radioed.
There was a brief silence.
"The big bad wolf has noticed the car as being a cop car and reentered the airport," Todd radioed.
"We need to get everyone in the van or the Liberty," said Annie.
Hallie handed Annie the walkie-talkie. She then stuck her head out of the van and said, "Hey everyone, in a quiet manner, get into the van or the Liberty. Michael is on the run somewhere in the airport and if he runs in here he might start shooting."
Everyone got into the vehicles.
"Annie, what should I do?" asked Samantha.
"Do nothing right now," said Annie. "The chances of Michael coming this way are low. Be prepared to start your engine on my mark though." Annie got on the walkie-talkie. "Todd, do you still have a sight on Michael?"
"Negative," Todd radioed.
"Hey, I saw a shadow ducking around the corner of the flight school towards the planes," Julian radioed.
"Julian, I hope you're out of sight," Annie radioed.
"I'm fine," Julian radioed.
"The cops are getting out of the car," Craig radioed.
Hallie looked at Mack and said, "The cops showing up are making matters worse. I hope they don't shoot Spencer, Craig, Julian or Todd thinking they were the shooter."
Annie got on the radio and said, "Hey guys, if the cops come near you drop everything in your hands and announce that you are giving yourself up. We don't need you guys getting shot."
"Will do," Todd radioed.
"Hey, two more cop cars are approaching," Craig radioed.
"Hey guys, the big bad wolf is back in my view," Todd radioed.
"I see him too," Spencer radioed. "He's walking in the open and back towards the cops."
"He must have ditched the gun," said Hallie.
"Hey after Michael gives up, all of us should do the same," Annie radioed.
"I agree," Todd radioed.
When Michael came into view by the police, he stuck his hands in the air.
"Hey guys, the big bad wolf has just given himself up," Todd radioed. "The cops are walking up to him now."
"Everyone, drop what you have in your hands and walk to the cops with your hands up," Annie radioed. "We'll do the same."
The cops were at the police car taking Michael's statement when Todd and Spencer were coming into the police's view. The three cops that arrived a moment earlier are walking up to the first two cops when they spot Todd and Spencer in the open.
"What the…" said the cop.
"Don't shoot," Spencer yelled out.
All the policemen turned to look. Julian and Craig entered the police's view as well.
"Smith, Reilly and Combs go round those four up," said Sgt. Swartz, the lead cop.
"Yes, Sir," said Reilly.
Sgt. Swartz looked at Michael's driving license and said, "So Michael… Bowmen, who are your friends?"
"I don't know who they are. I thought I was alone."
"Well, we will get this all straighten out at the station."
As Combs was walking towards Craig, he turned his head and saw the others as they were walking away from the hanger. Everyone had their arms away from their side. Combs then yelled out, "Hey Sgt. Swartz, you have better radio for a paddywagon. We have a large group here."
Sgt. Swartz reached for the button on is radio and said, "It sounds as though you guys were having yourself a good ole time." He then spoke into the radio. "Headquarters, this is Sgt. Swartz. I'm at the airport. We need additional back up and a paddywagon here."
"Affirmative," said the operator.
A brief moment later everyone was walking up to the police cars.
Hallie walked up to Michael and Sgt. Swartz. She then said, "Officers, a few months ago this man killed Scott Knight and we can prove it."
"I…" Michael did a double take when he saw Annie. Michael showed a puzzled expression on his face. "I didn't kill anyone."
"We have your confession on video and cassette tape after you shot Rosie," said Hallie.
"Wait, a minute," said Sgt. Swartz. "Someone got shot?"
"Oh, Rosie is a resuscitating dummy that we borrowed from Harvard," said Hallie.
"Where are the tapes and this dummy?" asked Sgt. Swartz.
"The chalk footprints will lead you there. The camera is hidden behind the stacked up boxes and cans. The cassette tape is in my back pocket."
Michael had a hatred expression on his face as he looked at Hallie.
"Reilly and Combs go check it out," said Sgt. Swartz.
"Yes, Sir," said Reilly.
"Okay, everyone here is under arrest for… at the very least for trespassing," said Sgt. Swartz. He then looked at Michael. "Additional charges could be pending. Kimble read everyone his or her rights."
"Yes, sir," said Kimble.
An hour later everyone was waiting at the police station. The noise of the chatter was more than normal.
Spencer was sitting next to Hallie and noticed she was acting a little distance from him. He then asked, "Hal, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," said Hallie.
"You're not acting fine."
"Spencer, I would understand if you change your mind about me."
"What do you mean?"
"I dragged you to the United States only to get you arrested and…"
"You didn't drag me anywhere. I'm here, by choice."
"Well still, you're probably thinking you can't wait to get back to England and far away from me."
"That's not what I'm thinking at all." Spencer then leaned over and kissed Hallie. Hallie grinned after the kiss ended.
"So what are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that being with you will never be boring and I can't wait for our first real date. Hal, I'm crazy about you and I have been since the day we met at the airport. That hasn't changed."
Hallie gave Spencer a kiss and a hug. She then said, "I'm falling for you as well."
Annie saw Capt. Wallace approaching them and said, "Hal, the captain is coming."
Hallie turned to look as he was stepping up.
"Annie James and Hallie Parker, I'm willing to bet that you two are the ring leaders behind this whole airport circus," said Capt. Wallace. Annie and Hallie looked at Capt. Wallace in a nervous manner. "I want you two to come with me."
"Yes Sir," Annie and Hallie said together.
Capt. Wallace led Annie and Hallie through a hall and into an interrogation room. Annie and Hallie were quiet as they were walking into the room.
"Have a seat you two," said Capt. Wallace.
As Annie and Hallie were taking their seats Annie said, "Captain…"
Capt. Wallace interrupted, "Stop talking. Before either of you say another word I would like to ask both of you a question. Why are you two busting up my marriage?"
Hallie and Annie looked at Capt. Wallace in a confused manner. Annie then said, "I don't know what you mean."
"First of all, which one of you is Hallie and which one of you is Annie?"
Hallie raised her hand and said, "I'm Hallie,"
"And I'm Annie."
"Hallie; Annie, just guess what I was doing before I received a call from the duty sergeant to return to the station."
"You were having a relaxing day with your wife," said Hallie.
"I wish. Five minutes before receiving the phone call to return here I was promising my wife that I wouldn't run out the door every time the station called. During that phone call I was in the middle of telling the duty sergeant to handle the situation himself, but lo and behold I was inform that two… not one, but two sets of identical twins were arrested. I knew when he told me that, that one set of those twins were you two."
"Captain…" said Hallie.
Capt. Wallace gestured for her to be silent and said, "Oh, I'm not done yet. Now do either one of you want to guess what I might find when I return home."
"I wouldn't know," said Annie.
Capt. Wallace pulled out his keys from his pocket and held them up. He then said, "Unfortunately neither do I. There's a good chance that my house key won't work anymore."
"Capt. Wallace, we are sorry," said Annie.
"You're sorry?"
"We did get Michael's confession on tape," said Hallie. "That was all we were trying to do."
"And you exposed yourselves as being an extortionists," said Capt. Wallace.
"That was just a bluff," said Annie. "The bank account number we gave Michael was made up and the tape has a "Bewitch" marathon on it."
"Well that bank account number you made up is an active account."
"You're kidding." said Annie.
"No, I'm not. The person with that account lives in Atlanta Georgia. Do either of you know anyone who lives in Atlanta?"
"Not at all," said Annie. Hallie just shook her head. "Capt. Wallace, I was just picking out random numbers from my head and tried to make the number look like a bank account number. If I knew it was an active account I would have never used it."
"Well you made the number look too real; however, I do believe that you never meant to use a real bank account number for a few reasons. That tape you gave Michael is one of the reasons."
"What's going to happen to us?" asked Hallie.
"Well, after reviewing the video tape of the dummy's assassination and Michael's confession, Michael is being book on killing Scott Knight along with additional charges. As for you two and your cohorts I have a good mind to bring all of you up on charges; however, if I can get promises from all of you I will drop the charges and give all you written warnings."
"What kind of promises?" asked Annie.
"Everyone is to return to Harvard University… well Oxford University for two of you. I want all of your promises to remain there and no more sting operations like you had pulled tonight. All of you are to leave police businesses to the police."
"Of course, Capt. Wallace," said Hallie. "I promise."
"I promise too," said Annie.
"I also what the promises of your friends," said Capt. Wallace.
"I don't see that as a problem," said Annie.
"Good. Now speaking off the record, I would like to say that I can use police officers with imaginations like the two of you have on catching criminals." Annie and Hallie smiled. "Oh and I will deny ever saying that."
"Oh, of course," said Hallie.
"So are we free to leave?" asked Annie.
"As soon as all of you receive your written warnings you may leave."
"Yes, Sir," said Hallie.
"Capt. Wallace, would I be asking too much for my video camera back?" asked Annie.
"Since all I need is the tape, you can have your camera and your walkie-talkies back."
"Thank you," said Annie.
"You're welcome; however, the dummy is evidence, so that won't be returned."
"I need to buy Harvard a new Rosie anyway," said Hallie. "I think bullet holes in the resuscitating dummy would raise too many questions."
"Well that is between you and Harvard. Okay, you two are free to rejoin your friends."
As Hallie and Annie were standing up Hallie said, "Yes, Sir."
A minute later, Capt. Wallace, Annie and Hallie were walking up to the others. Capt. Wallace spoke out. "Okay, everyone who is involved with Annie and Hallie listen up. The desk sergeant will be giving all of you a written warning. Once you receive this warning you are free to leave; however, I have better not see any of you back in here again. Is that clear?"
"Yes, officer," said Todd followed by everyone else.
"Capt. Wallace, our vehicles are still at the airport," said Mack.
"There are too many of you to be shuttled back to your vehicles," said Capt. Wallace. "However, I will have one of my officers drive the drivers to those vehicles. The drivers can then return here and pick up the others."
"Fair enough," said Samantha.
"Sergeant, start giving them their warnings," said Capt. Wallace.
"Yes, Captain," said the sergeant.
Capt. Wallace looked at Hallie and Annie. He then said, "Now, I'm going to return home and see if I still have a home."
"Good luck," said Hallie.
Capt. Wallace just gave a Hallie a distasteful look. He then walked away.
Spencer walked up to Hallie and asked, "Hal, what was with that look he gave you?"
"It was nothing important," said Hallie.
Fifteen minutes later Julian, Samantha and Mack were being driven back to the airport for their vehicles. Everyone else waited outside the police station.
Spencer noticed Hallie as if she was in deep thought. He then asked, "So what are you thinking about, Hal?"
Hallie looked at Spencer and said, "Spencer, eventually Annie and I will have to go to our correct universities, which means you and I will be attending different universities. I don't know about you, but I'm not good with a long distance relationship."
"Hallie, what are you saying?"
"Oh, I'm not ending what we got started. For next semester, I'm thinking about switching to Oxford, so we can be with each other."
"You don't have to do that."
"I know I don't, but I want to."
"No I mean I was actually accepted to Harvard, Yale, Oxford and a few other universities. Although I wanted to attend Oxford, it was my grandma's idea to send out the application to the other universities. It's probably too late this semester to attend Harvard, but I think I can next semester."
"So you were thinking about switching universities.
"I was going to surprise you and show up at Harvard, but I couldn't do that if you switched university," said Spencer. Hallie smiled and gave Spencer a hug. "So you won't change university?"
"I will wait and see if you can't. If you can't, I can."
"You got yourself a deal." Spencer then started kissing Hallie.
Cindy walked up and interrupted Hallie and Spencer.
"Hey Hal," said Cindy.
Hallie and Spencer ended the kiss. Hallie then asked, "What's up?"
"I just remembered something I think you should know," said Cindy. Cindy then gave Spencer an uncertain look.
"Should I leave and let you two talk?" asked Spencer.
"Please," said Cindy. "This won't take too long and you two can get back to what you were doing."
Spencer pointed and said, "I'll be over there." He then walked away.
"So Cindy, what's up?" asked Hallie.
"The weekend when Scott was killed, Scott had planned to ask you to fly to New York with him for you to meet Aunt Ruth… his mom."
"Why do you want me to know this?"
"Hallie, if you had gotten on that plane you would have been killed also."
"Wow; that is… wow. I'm not sure how I should react to what you told me."
"Hallie, I just wanted you to know that. Well I will let you and Spencer get back to what you were doing before I interrupted."
Hallie grinned.
The following morning Spencer helped Annie and Hallie to make Kristina believe that Annie is the sister who was leaving for London.
As the weeks passed Kristina never caught on that Annie was the one who was attending Harvard.
In London Hallie and Spencer relationship grew more serious. Spencer was also able to sign up for the spring semester at Harvard with Nick and Elizabeth's influences.
Michael pleaded guilty to a reduce charge of murder for his cooperation of putting the man responsible for the football scandal behind bars. Michael was sentenced to twenty years in prison along with having to see a psychiatrist. A day after being admitted to the state penitentiary Michael hung pictures of everyone who was involved in the trap. Once the pictures were hung he writes "Black-thirteen. Our paths are connected until death do us part."
– The End –