Chapter Seven

Day 7

Tuesday, April 25

9 AM

Alex checks Mickey Bonner's name in the police database. Michael David Bonner is 37 years old. He is a small time offender, mostly petty theft, illegal gambling and one bust for possession of drugs. He has been married twice, no children but he does like to gamble. His last known address is in the Bronx.

The three detectives arrive at his apartment by 11 am. Alex knocks on the door. They do not announce themselves, no answer. The elevator door opens and a fifty something woman exits.

"Excuse me Ma'am," Alex says. "Do you know Mickey Bonner?"

"Sure."

"Have you seen him recently?"

"I think the last time I saw him might have been Sunday, I'm not sure."

"Any idea where he might have gone?"

"No, I just know his name to say hello in the hall, nothing more."

"Thank you."

"Goodbye."

They stand in silence until Carolyn says. "Maybe he's spending his money."

Mike says. "I'll go back to the station and put the word out in Atlantic City and Connecticut, but somebody has to stay here."

"Not a problem. I'll stay."

"I'll stay with you Alex."

"Keep me posted, I'll be back in a few hours to relive one of you." Mike says as he walks down the hallway.

Alex and Carolyn get into the SUV and park it where they can keep an eye on the front door. Alex says. "There's a deli, I could go for a coffee."

"Coffee sounds good,"

"Do you want anything to eat?"

"No thanks. Not now."

"I'll be right back."

Alex returns with two large coffees. "Thanks Alex."

"Oh that tastes good. I haven't done this in awhile."

"Me either, good thing it's a nice day."

They stay silent for a while. Carolyn looks over at Alex and she can see the fear and anger in her face. "Don't worry we'll find him, he'll be alright."

"He hasn't called since this morning, I'm worried, he sounded so weak and tired the last time we spoke and I keep thinking that maybe she's poisoned him."

"He's done everything that he can do, in his condition. Now it's our turn, hell even Logan is ready to kick some ass."

"Then why did he act the way he did at Bobby's house that morning?'

"That's his way of saying to you. Hey Alex there's nothing to worry about everything is gonna be fine."

Alex smiles. "He's been my partner longer than any other I've had, in the beginning I didn't think I'd last two months with this guy, it was hard, but then I realized what a great guy he is, he just has his own way of looking at things. I've learned a lot from him, and I think I've taught him a thing or two."

"He certainly isn't your typical cop, but when we all worked together last year. I was impressed with his insight. He sees more than just the evidence; it's like he gets into their heads and almost sees and feels what they do."

"Now Mike he's a good cop, hell I think he's calmed down a bit since we partnered together. People look at him, I must admit I did too, and think what an arrogant, insensitive clod, but looks are deceiving, he's nothing like that, he's just a very emotional guy and never lets anything simmer to long. If he's pissed he lets you know it."

"You know Carolyn in a way their a lot alike."

"They're both tall and you know what that means." They laugh like two teenage girls at a slumber party.

"Nice looking."

"Intelligent."

"Bobby is a gentlemen, he's sweet and charming, like a big ole teddy bear."

Mike has a certain degree of charm, but sweet, I think it's there but he doesn't show it."

"Alex, that reminds me of the first time I was introduced to Bobby, he stood up, put his hand out and said, it's very nice to meet you, then he flashed one of the sweetest smiles I have ever seen and when I looked up I saw those warm brown eyes looking at me and I thought WOW. Mike on the other hand said, and I quote, Hey how ya doing."

They both laugh as Alex says. "Damn I knew I shouldn't have gotten such a big coffee, now I have to pee."

"You had to mention peeing; now I have to go."

"I can't hold it, I'll be right back."

She heads for the deli where she bought the coffee, when she returns Carolyn exits the vehicle and says. "My turn."

Around 4 pm, Mike returns, and Mickey shows up at almost the same time. Mike says. "I'll go around back, you two follow him in." The two women follow Mickey inside and wait until he puts the key into the lock, before announcing who they are. "Mickey Bonner."

"Yeah."

"Police, turn around and put your hands against the wall, you're under arrest."

"For what?"

"Kidnapping."

Mike walks down the hallway and stands in front of Mickey; he puts his arm around Mickey's shoulders. "Come on Mickey, let's take a walk."

Alex walks over to Logan and whispers. "No Mike not here, lets get him to the station, we have to do this right."

Mike looks over to his partner and then toward Alex, getting nods from both women.

"Sure, Ok." Mike escorts Mickey to the SUV.

One Police Plaza

5 PM

Captain Deakins sees his detectives walking through the squad room with a short, black curly haired man.

"Is this the mutt?"

"Yes it is."

"I'll call Carver."

After they book him, they lead him to the interrogation room. ADA Ron Carver and Captain Deakins enter the observation room to listen. Alex starts the questioning. "We have evidence to prove that you and two of your associates kidnapped a friend of mine."

Mickey says nothing. Alex shows Mickey a photo of Bobby, "Where is he Mickey?" He just looks at the photo and keeps quite. "We have a witness who can place you on the street talking with Detective Goren the morning he disappeared, so since we found you, the other two guys are gravy, we have enough to put this all on you."

Mickey is starting to get scared. Alex looks over at Mike, he gets up from his seat and picks up a chair and sets it next to Mickey, in a voice barley above a whisper. "When my two partners," Pointing in the direction of Carolyn and Alex. "Followed you into the building, I went around to the back, you know it's dark back there, no windows, no witnesses, just brick walls that can do nasty things to someone's head."

In a scared and excited voice, he blurts out. "It was that psycho English bitch, it was her idea, we just had to get him there, that's all, she never told us what she was going to do."

Alex says. "We already know about Nicole, where did you take him?"

"It's a little house up in the woods, in upstate NY; it takes over four hours to get there."

"What's the name of the town?"

"Hanker--Hawker, I don't remember," Looking at Mike. "I swear, but I know how to get there."

Within the hour, the three detectives along with Captain Deakins escort Mickey to a waiting vehicle. Following them are two police cruisers. They pass the entering Hawkinsville sign around 10 PM. Mike is driving and Alex and Carolyn have fallen asleep, Mickey's voice wakes them up."This is the town."

"Mike do you see any houses?"

"No, Captain."

"It's up there."

Deakins asks him. "Where?"

Mickey points to the mountain. "Up there."

Mike gives Mickey a look of total disgust. "Terrific."

"I've never been up here at night."

Mike says. "So."

Alex taps his shoulder. "What are you trying to say?"

"I don't think I can find the house in the dark."

Alex screams. "What!"

"Let me pull over." Mike parks in the grocery store parking lot. Mickey sits very still while four sets of eyes are staring at him.

"We're waiting." Alex says.

"You can't see the house from the main road that goes through the mountain, there's this little dirt road that leads to the house. Can't you see how dark it is up there?"

Carolyn, pointing toward the store, "Maybe the owners of this store know where she lives."

Alex and Carolyn get out of the car and knock on the Allen's door. Tom answers. "Yes. May I help you?"

"We're very sorry to bother you sir, but we're trying to find a friend of ours." Alex takes out a photo of Nicole.

"Elizabeth."

Alex looks at Carolyn. "Do you know where she lives?"

"Sure." He points. "Up there."

"Do you know which house?"

"No, I've never been up there, only two houses up there, and you can't see them from the road. The people who live up there, that's the way, they want it."

"Aren't there any landmarks or mailboxes?"

"No, they all pick up their mail right here, the only way to find the house is to find the dirt road leading to it, unless you know exactly where you're going, I don't think you'll find it in the dark."

"Thank you. Is there any place around here that we could stay for the night?"

"Sure, just go back that way and you'll see the Monroe Motel."

"Thank you sir, Goodnight."

"Goodnight.

Alex turns quickly and heads back to the SUV. "I don't believe this, leave it to that bitch to have a house in the middle of fucking nowhere, goddamn her!"

"You." She points at Mickey. "You fucking moron didn't you realize it was going to be dark when we got up here." She runs over to the passenger side door and opens it. "Get out. Get out of the car!" She grabs his arm and pulls him as hard as she can. He falls to the ground and she starts to kick him. "Goddamn you, you son of a bitch!"

Mike runs over and grabs Alex from behind. "Alex, stop it!" She struggles to get free. "Alex stop! Calm down!" She stops struggling and Mike lets her go. She never lifts her head up as she gets into the back of the vehicle. Carolyn follows her. She sits next to Alex, puts her arm around her shoulder, and holds her as she cries.

Mike walks over to Deakins. "I think we should take a ride up there, we'll use one of the cruisers floodlights."

"Yeah let's give it a shot."

"Get up you slime, we're going for a ride."

The Captain opens Alex's door and tells her the plan. She nods her head and the two women get into the police cruiser. Mike does the driving as Mickey sits in the front seat. They follow the one lane road up the mountain. Mike is driving very slowly; the road is narrow and windy. "It's major dark up here. I can't believe people actually live up here."

"I told you it would be too dark to see."

"Shut up, the only words I want to here from your mouth is, there's the road." Mickey is not able to find the road. "Alex should we try again?"

"Yes, let's go again." They drive up the dark mountain road once more with no success.

"Alex?"

"No, tomorrow, let's find that motel."

TBC