Shattered 18
Last call was announced. The crowd at Manny's Place had dwindled to a dozen, typical for this time of night-- or morning. The couple in the corner, laughing and apparently drunk, settled their tab and bumped their way toward the door. Three or four solitary customers at the bar nodded acknowledgment for last call and someone else ordered 'one for the road' The bartender shouted his goodnights to 'Pete' and 'George' as they left with friends.
One of the new faces that came in that evening was still in a sociable mood. He leaned on the bar and eyed the barmaid as she cleaned the empty glasses and tips from the tables. Four a.m. never came fast enough for her. The stranger tossed another few bucks on her tray as she passed by and then turned his attention to the TV on the front wall.
"Christ. What a scumbag."
Behind the bar Mike Fagan was setting up for tomorrow, and stopped to refresh the stranger's glass when asked. He craned his neck to see the special edition news flickering on the screen.
"Want me to change it?"
"No, no, no, turn it up."
Mike shrugged and popped the volume up a couple notches. It was the same 'hot news flash' that had been regurgitated all night. Another local boy gets his 10 minutes of fame and his neighbor gets dead.
"Can you believe that?" the stranger snorted. "That bastard kills a dozen people or more, and yet here he is, out on the same streets as you and me."
Mike stopped his routine long enough to watch. This customer had been free with his money all night, and it would be nice if he became a regular. A little schmooze time might help.
"I heard about him." Mike nodded. "I got family up in Fairvale. I remember that business a few years ago. How the hell do you let someone like that walk?"
"Some asshole doctors playing God. If they say someone's no longer a threat, after some slime attorney cops him an insanity plea, they're turned loose. What a racket."
"He looks like a weasel. Who'd he kill?"
"Some defenseless old broad. Sliced her six ways to Sunday. Oughta take the sack of shit out and put a bullet in his friggin' head now and save the tax payers' money."
"Well, at least they got him."
"Yeh." The stranger emptied his glass. "Guess we'll all sleep easier tonight."
"Whenever you're ready, Norman." Dr. Feldman waited patiently for the former suspect to compose himself. He went through several tissues, still without raising his head.
"Are they r-really going to let me g-go?"
"They need to locate your friend first. Once she gives a statement that verifies you were elsewhere, they'll have no reason to detain you."
"Detain." It sounded funny to Norman. He peered out from dark tousles of hair and held his wrists in demonstration. "Is th-that what they c-call this?"
"I'm not sure why they've left them on. I'll have them removed. Do you want anything to drink?"
"Water w-would be nice, th-thank you."
She glanced back at the mirror.
"Could we have a couple bottles of water, and someone to take off the cuffs?" Then she looked back at Norman. "It'll just be a moment."
Again he found some amusement.
"You talk to a m-mirror and get your wish. I talk to a mirror and t-they say I'm crazy."
"You feeling more relaxed?"
"I'm not st-stuttering as much, if that's what you mean."
An officer came in with the two requested bottles, unlocked Norman's cuffs, and took them away with him. Once they were alone again, Norman sighed and shook his head.
"I didn't hurt Mrs. Harrison. I would n-never do that."
"I believe you. And once your friend Ms. O'Donnell gives a statement…."
Those dark, troubled eyes betrayed his fear.
"Do they have to? Do they need to bother her now?"
"I'm sure she's heard about it on the news, and she's probably worried. She'll want to help you, don't you think?"
He nodded dumbly, then sighed and sat back, as some of the tension left him. Laney would want to help, he was sure of it.
"Doctor, am I a bad person? Do you think it's wrong that I don't seem concerned about C-Connie?"
"I'm not here to judge you, Norman. Are you worried about her?"
"No. Or the baby. It's like that was all a bad dream and I woke up."
"It's probably best that you move on, then."
"Yes. I think so. She was my doctor, a psychologist, like you. In the hospital. I thought we were in love. I thought she could love me for me."
"What changed?"
"She tricked me. She just wanted to have a baby. She even agreed before we married, that there would be no kids. I would never have married her otherwise."
"It wasn't an accident? The pregnancy, I mean."
"No, no. She did it deliberately. She told me so. She said she had to lie to me, that there was no other way."
"Then I think you are certainly making the right choice by leaving. It was very unfair of her. But tell me about Laney. Do you think you'd like to marry her?"
"Oh yes!" His eyes lit up at the thought. "If she'll have me now. If I haven't ruined her life." That's silly! She loves you--
There was a knock at the door, and a young woman stuck her head into the room.
"Detective Warman wanted me to get you. Mr. Bates has a phone call."
Norman couldn't remember how he got to the phone-- he didn't care. All he knew was that at 4 am he was being ushered into another small room to use a wall phone. Could it be Connie? Had she gotten him a lawyer? There was no furniture in the room, except a narrow table on the far wall, and a metal chair near the phone, for his use. He was directed toward this, and then given some privacy.
"Hello?"
"Norman?"
It was Laney.
"Oh my God, Laney!" Norman's knees buckled and he folded to the floor, knocking against the chair and ending up sitting against the wall. The detectives were listening in on another line, and were surprised by the noise.
"Norman? Are you alright?" Laney heard it, too.
"Oh Laney! I didn't want them to call you-- "
"They didn't call me, I called them-- I saw it on the news when they picked you up-- oh, are you alright?"
"Laney, I'm so afraid you'll get in trouble." Your career could be ruined just for knowing me!
"I'm coming, sweetheart."
"What?"
"I've promised them I would be there tomorrow and make a full statement in person. Already shifted my schedule so don't you dare say no."
"Laney!" Norman's tears started welling up again, as he cradled his head on his knees. "I love you so much!"
It was almost more than the investigators could stomach. They persisted in monitoring the call in case anything was suggested that would impugn the case. Couldn't have Bates prompting his lover with a 'story' she should agree to tell. They didn't really have to worry-- Bates wasn't about to endanger his lover and have her lie. It wasn't necessary, apparently.
"I love you too, angel. I've spoken with a detective Warman already. They want to keep you there until I arrive. Can you wait for me?"
"I can wait. For you I'll wait 30 years."
Ackley was seriously hoping it would be a lot sooner than that.
"If you need a lawyer, I have two ready to call-- "
"You. I need you. I don't need a lawyer, Laney. Just you,"
"I even have the name of the two policemen last night-- and the security guard. In case they need more eye witnesses."
"Oh my God. I didn't tell them about that!"
"We won't, if we don't have to. But be brave, angel. I'm on my way."
"How did I ever live without you? Be careful-- travel safe-- oh just to hear your voice, Laney. I love you!"
"Me, too! Oh, I miss you!"
"I don't want to ever be without you---"
The phone started to crackle.
"The battery on my cell! It took me so long to get through-- they kept asking questions--- Norman?"
"I'm here. I'm always here for you."
"Better go before we're---"
But the reception was cut off.
"Laney? Laney?"
Warman disconnected their end of the line. All those in the room were relieved to have it over, but disappointed that their prime suspect did not pan out.
"So we cut him loose?" Ackley asked. Dr. Feldman shook her head.
"He's still in an emotionally unstable state." she advised. "Find him a couch or even an empty cell. Let him sleep for awhile. Don't lock him up, just let him sleep."
"Why should we keep him?" Warman wasn't convinced. "He's not our problem now."
"Actually, he is." she explained. "You dragged him in here, after a highway stop that shook him up. He was accused of murder, and now the woman he thinks is his only hope is coming directly here tomorrow. Sending him home to an empty house, his neighbors probably ready to shun him, his closest neighbor dead and her house a crime scene. His wife's in the hospital-- not that it's an issue, but being home will remind him of some guilt-- he's still in a fragile state, and for his own well being I would advise he be kept here for the night."
The matter was settled, and blankets were brought to a cot in an empty cell. Norman was assured he was not under arrest, but should at least lie down and get a little sleep while he could. Warman and Ackley had by then turned their backs on the scene and headed off to continue the investigation elsewhere.