Mind of a Madman Evil Unleashed: Mind of a Madman, #1

By Valerie Bowen

Caleb Talbot escaped from prison during a riot. After fleeing the facility, Caleb lived peacefully hidden away on a farm in Nebraska. Until law enforcement discovered the escapee that had been presumed dead, was very much alive.

Warden Hahn of the Kansas State Penitentiary enlisted the aid of Officer Michael Quincy and his canine partner to find the escapee and return him to prison where he belongs.

Caleb Talbot discovered law enforcement was on his tail, and quickly devised a plan to retain his freedom. The kidnapping of a woman was the beginning of Caleb's heartless murder spree.

Michael soon realized the man he had been hired to capture, had a disturbing past lined with brutality and bloodshed. He also knew Talbot had little regard for human life.

Can Michael and his canine partner Sasha bring the madman to justice? Or will they be just another name on Caleb's ever growing list of heinous murder victims?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Valerie Bowen
• Release date: Feb 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452407258

Valerie Bowen

About the author Valerie is originally from the beautiful state of Maine, where she lived until she was ten. Being young when she lived there she never appreciated the absolute beauty of the rocky coastline. Although she never live in Camden, she did have a very dear cousin that lived there and they would spend many hours in downtown Camden. When she decided to write For the Sake of Amelia she tried to imagine a great setting for the book. she thought of many places in Connecticut (where she reside now) but kept going back to her childhood and the many fond memories she held in her mind of Camden.

Book preview

In every walk of life there are both good and bad people. There are men who are kind and sweet, while there are others that are downright mean. Every so often a man is born that belongs in an entirely different category. A category where they belong secluded from the world. Those are the men that take evil to an entirely new level and are classified as psychotic killers.

Caleb and Kyle Talbot were identical twins; one twin was kind and sweet. He was a man everybody loved and wanted to be around. The other was a man filled with hatred and anger; he was the one that everyone hated. As they grew, Caleb had to have whatever Kyle loved, even if it meant he had to take it. Kyle lost many friends and girlfriends because Caleb believed he needed everything his brother possessed. He destroyed everything and everyone Kyle ever loved. As they aged, Kyle grew tired of Caleb’s destructive personality, so when he was old enough, he decided to leave their home in Caribou and move four hours away to Camden, Maine.

Kyle almost sensed the moment Caleb’s mind snapped. It all started when Caleb had been introduced to Kyle’s fiancée Amelia. He decided he wanted her for himself; Caleb kidnapped her and hid her away from his brother for three days. Kyle had been determined to rescue Amelia from the clutches of his spiteful brother. Although Amelia had been with him for a mere three days, he nearly destroyed her. He tried to force her to believe his brother had given her away. Amelia refused to remain with him, so he brutalized her. She bravely fought the man that terrified her to her very core.

Caleb had been captured, and sent to a secure hospital to be analyzed. That had been the first incident that started Caleb on his downward spiral and into a life of murder and destruction.

This is Caleb’s story

Caleb approached the truck stop just after sunset. He visually scanned the area in front of him for law enforcement. He stepped onto the asphalt pavement and was instantly on guard. He had come too far to be stopped at this point in the game. All he wanted to do was catch a ride to Nebraska, with no questions asked.

Caleb stood just out of reach of the bright parking lot lights. He leaned down and removed a wad of cash from his sock. He thought about the poor bastard he had stolen it from earlier that day. A grin crossed his lips as he remembered:

Cliff, the prison snitch, had been mopping the corridor floor when he was approached by Caleb. Cliff was always nervous whenever the big man was near him and today had been no exception. Caleb said in a calm tone, Hey Cliff, I thought I might interest you in a friendly game of cards.

Cliff smiled nervously, and said with a hint of excitement in his voice, Really, you want me to play cards with you?

Sure, and bring some cash. Caleb stared the little man in the eyes as he said, I don’t play pussy games, when I play I always play for cash.

Cliff started to tremble, he knew Caleb was up to something, but he just couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He asked with a nervous tone, How much are we talking about? I usually don’t gamble…I ah…

If you’re going to act like a fucking asshole…

No, no, I’ll play. I…ah was just wondering, how much cash I need to bring.

Caleb smiled brightly, and made Cliff’s tension ease. Just bring what you have. I’m sure we can work something out if it’s not enough. Caleb wrapped his hand around the mop handle and said, Go on, I’ll finish this. I’ve been itching to play for quite some time and now I’d really like it if we could get the game done and over with before supper.

Cliff bit his lip and released the mop. He asked sheepishly, Should I meet you in the rec. room?

Caleb placed a strong hand on Cliff’s shoulder, stared down at him, and explained, I don’t want anyone else in on this game…ah that is until I teach you all the ropes. He gazed into the nervous man’s eyes and asked, You’re not afraid of me are you?

Cliff pulled his eyes from Caleb’s cold glare and said with hesitation in his voice, No, I just don’t know about this one-on-one thing.

Caleb laughed out loud, One-on-one is the best way to learn. Once you’ve learned everything, we can take on a few more guys…soon enough we’ll be rolling in dough.

You mean it, you and me…we’ll be a team?

Caleb snickered, Yeah that’s exactly what I mean.

Cliff turned and quickly walked down the corridor toward his cell. Once he was out of ear shot, Caleb snapped the wooden mop handle across his knee and smiled. He tossed the mop end into an empty cell and slid the remaining portion up the sleeve of his orange prison uniform. He entered his cell, sat on the bed, and patiently waited for Cliff’s return.

Cliff entered Caleb’s cell about ten minutes later with a deck of cards in his hand. He said in a cheerful tone while waving the deck with his arm stretched out, I thought we could break in this new deck my father sent me. There isn’t anything better than a new deck of cards. Don’t you agree?

Caleb gritted his teeth but said calmly, Mommy and daddy send you stuff? What other things do they send you?

Cliff smiled, Oh they send me lots of things. Just last week they sent me these cards, and some of my favorite candy. They also send cash… He peered into Caleb’s crystal blue eyes, …I don’t tell people about the cash, because some of the guys in here would try to steal it from me.

Really? Caleb tried not to show his interest in the scrawny man’s money. He said softly, You don’t have to worry, I’ve got your back, and we’re ah…buddies. Caleb said those words with all the kindness he could muster. He had no intention of having Cliff’s back or anyone else’s for that matter.

Cliff smiled as he started to remove the plastic wrapper encasing the box that held the cards. Once the plastic had been removed, he pushed it into his pocket and opened the red and white box. He said softly, I can’t figure out why they encase the box in plastic, and then, just when you think you’ll be able to play cards, you have to remove the plastic from the deck itself."

Caleb lost his patience, he growled, What the fuck! How in the hell long does it take an imbecile to open a fucking deck of cards?

Cliff’s hands trembled when he heard the harsh words that were coming from Caleb’s mouth. He handed the deck to Caleb and said softly, I’m sorry, I guess my hands aren’t working very well today. Why don’t you open them?

Caleb grabbed the plastic encased cards from Cliff’s hand. He brought the deck to his mouth and tore at the plastic with his teeth. He spat a small bit of the plastic on the floor, and Cliff immediately jumped up to retrieve it.

What the fuck are you doing? Caleb growled, Just leave it there; I’ll pick the piece of shit up when I’m done.

Cliff sat back down and said apologetically, I’m sorry, it’s just… He rubbed his hands together nervously, and then clamped them between his knees. He continued, My mother always taught me to pick up after….

Caleb snapped, You’re a fucking mama’s boy? What the hell, how did you survive this fucking long in this hell hole? I’m very surprised someone hasn’t kicked your scrawny ass by now! Caleb understood by the terrified look on Cliff’s face that he had to calm down if he wanted his plan to succeed. He said in a calm even tone, Hey, hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just want you to toughen up. I won’t always be here to help you if you get into a jamb.

Cliff smiled nervously and explained, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come across as a mama’s boy, it’s just… old habits die hard. Mom always told me, just because we had a maid didn’t mean I had to be a slob.

Caleb’s eyes sparkled when he heard the word maid: he knew right then and there Cliff wasn’t the average inmate. Caleb grinned, Are we going to play cards or what? He shuffled the cards, and explained the rules of the game while he dealt the cards. They were playing five card stud. Caleb said, Ante up.

Cliff threw a ten into the space between them and said, I’ll take two.

Caleb handed him the two cards and said softly, Dealer takes one.

Cliff asked, Now what?

Caleb grinned, Now, you put in half of your cash and call.

Cliff scowled, Are you sure? I never thought a person would only be able to play two hands before they went broke. Now I don’t wonder why I’ve never gambled.

Just put it in and call!

Cliff counted out a thousand dollars and threw the cash onto the pile. He glanced up at Caleb and asked, When do you throw money in the pot?

Caleb thought for the briefest of moments, and replied, Oh…ah…I’m the dealer, and the dealer doesn’t have to bet.

You know Caleb; I don’t think this is how the game is supposed to be played. I think you’re just trying to take my money. He picked up his cash, and Caleb lost it.

I think you’d better just put that right back!

Or what, you’ll call the guard? Or maybe you’ll rough me up a little?

Caleb pulled the broken broom handle out of his sleeve where it had been hidden. He sprung to his feet and swung his makeshift weapon as hard as he could, hitting Cliff on the side of the head. Blood sprayed in every direction. Cliff’s body dropped to the floor with a loud thud. Caleb laughed as he watched the dark red liquid spill from the small man’s head and pool onto the grey painted concrete floor. He gave Cliff’s lifeless body a hard kick, just to be certain he wasn’t getting up anytime soon.

A few minutes past, and Caleb realized Cliff hadn’t moved. He knelt on the floor beside him and glanced down at the lifeless man. He touched the side of Cliff’s neck, and smiled devilishly. He said out loud, Guess mama never told you not to trust other inmates. He rose to his feet, removed the blanket from his bunk and wrapped Cliff’s lifeless body as if it were a baby. He lifted him off the floor, and placed the bundle on the bunk, being mindful to hide the face. He cleaned the puddle of blood with his bed sheet, and rinsed the blood stained fabric in his cell’s small hand sink. He continued with his task while he whistled Hotel California by the Eagles. When he was satisfied all the blood had been cleaned from the floor, he placed the wad of cash under the mattress. He walked to the shower room and took a shower with his clothes on, taking the utmost care to wash away all the blood stains.

Chapter One

Caleb Talbot had been sentenced to the Kansas State Penitentiary for the kidnapping and attempted murder of two women. While awaiting his sentencing he became very frustrated. In his mind he believed he had the right to ‘discipline’ the women. He held them against their will, until the woman his identical twin brother Kyle had stolen had been delivered to him. Although the courts sided with his supposed ‘victims’, he still believed he had done nothing wrong, and the entire state of Kansas conspired against him. He had grown tired of living like a rat in a cage and decided he had to do whatever it took to gain his freedom.

It took him weeks to devise the ultimate plan, and to set everything in motion. He planted a seed in the mind of the prison snitch. He knew the seed would blossom into an out-and-out war between the two vicious prison gangs. All Caleb had to do was, wait for the war to break out, and then he would make his move. When his plan unfolded, as he suspected it would, he had been ready for action.

Caleb hid in the shadows as he waited for his opportunity to slip out of the cell block undetected. He knew as soon as the riot broke out, the guards would be too involved with halting the riot to worry about an escape. He watched as a flurry of guards scurried past him with their automatic rifles in their hands and bullet proof vests on their chests. He noticed their face shields they wore to protect their faces. Caleb smiled as he stepped from the shadows and quickly scurried through the impenetrable corridor just before the heavy metal security gate slid closed with a loud metallic bang. The prison had been locked down. Adrenaline flowed through his system, and he grinned as the sweet thought of freedom flooded his brain.

He stood stalk still for a brief moment, not daring to even breathe: he needed to be sure the clattering footsteps were moving deeper into the prison. Satisfied there were no sounds coming from the corridor in front of him, he quickly put his plan of escape into motion. Quietly he rushed toward the shipping and receiving doors that were located on the north end of the prison. He knew the guard who watched that area wasn’t observant. He hoped he could slip past him without being detected. He also knew the guard who watched the north gate cared more about the money he earned than the job he had been paid to perform. Caleb also knew the loading dock’s parking lot was rarely used, relatively secluded, unlike the heavily guarded south entrance where the visitors enter the prison. In the distance he heard the guard’s muffled voices from deep within the prison walls as they shouted orders from their bull horns. He imagined the prison guards had finally made their way to the cafeteria where the riot had first erupted.

Caleb paused at the door leading to the exterior of the building: he grasped the metal push bar and wiped his sweaty brow with his shoulder just before he eased the heavy door open. He inhaled deeply; the fresh air smelled better than he had remembered. He heard the sound of his own heartbeat as he stood staring at the fence line. The anticipation of his impending freedom was nearly more than he could stand. Caleb knew he had to calm down and relax before he did something stupid and called attention to himself. He wasn’t willing to take any chances. He wanted his freedom more than he had ever wanted anything in his life.

He scanned the area between him and the gate. He spied the guard’s catwalk that had been erected a few feet above the ground. He realized the floor had been constructed with steel bar grating allowing the guards to see the area directly below from where they stood. He also noticed the small guard shack that had chest-high metal walls with bullet-proof glass going all the way to the ceiling. He eyed the unsuspecting guard standing with his back to the facility. Caleb surmised by the loud murmurs he had heard that the guard was arguing on the phone. He appeared to be completely engrossed in his heated conversation. He knew the guard wasn’t paying attention to the area he had been hired to defend.

With great caution he eased the door open just far enough for him to squeeze his muscular body through. He wouldn’t allow the guard to notice any movement that would cause the man to turn around and investigate the loading dock area. Once outside Caleb eased the door closed and quickly laid down on the concrete platform. He hid himself in the late afternoon shadow of the roof. He made himself virtually undetectable to the guard should he decide to turn and face the facility. His hands started to sweat while he lay motionless on the cool concrete loading dock floor for what seemed like hours.

Caleb knew he had to remove the bright orange prison uniform in an attempt to make himself less conspicuous. Images of being caught developed in the depths of his mind, which caused him to panic once again. Finally, he decided he would find proper clothing once he had procured his freedom. He scanned the loading dock’s platform and noticed a pile of what he had imagined to be moving blankets at the far corner of the platform. A concrete block wall jutted out at a ninety degree angle which concealed the bay doors from public view and supported the roof. Adjacent to that wall was a three foot long wall which also supported the roof and housed a set of concrete steps that led to the pavement below.

Slowly he crept toward the pile of blankets while he kept his eyes continuously glued to the guard station on the catwalk. When he reached the far corner of the loading dock, he rose to his feet and stood in the corner behind the concrete wall that housed the stairs. Caleb realized the pile of what he had thought were blankets were actually soiled laundry. He quickly rummaged through the pile of dirty laundry in search of items that would fit his muscular six foot six frame. Finally, he found a pair of black guard’s pants and a matching button-down shirt. He quickly pulled on the pants and slid into the shirt. The pants were a bit larger in the waist than he was used to, but he decided he had little time to waste before the guards inside the prison realized he was missing. He decided the clothes he had on would have to do. He refused to hesitate any longer; he knew he had to make his move before more valuable time had slipped away. After removing his identification number with his teeth, he hid the orange inmate’s uniform under the soiled laundry pile. He slowly eased himself down the stairs, scanned the immediate area, and took a few deep breaths in preparation to proceed with his plan.

Crouching down as low as he possibly could, Caleb dashed across the asphalt pavement toward the north gate of the prison yard. He panicked when he spied the guards in the distance running toward the building in formation. When he finally arrived in front of the fence, he noticed a line of patrol vehicles approaching from the opposite side of the gated prison yard. His heart started to pound erratically, and sweat oozed from every pore on his forehead. He thought about hiding in the shadows of the catwalk but quickly realized it was far too late, the occupants within the vehicles had already noticed him as the cars neared the gate. He heard the guard’s voice above him, still in the heated conversation on the phone. Panic washed through his body. He thought for certain he was going to be hauled back inside the cold prison walls he had just emerged from. He stood at attention, as if he had been a guard ordered to assist the oncoming cruisers.

He heard the guard’s movements above him when he mindlessly punched the button to activate the gates. Caleb peered up and watched as the guard walked to the opposite end of the guard shack to hide the fact he was on the phone. The gates creaked as if in protest of the movement, as they slowly slid open. The lead car passed through the open gate and stopped alongside Caleb. The officer asked in a rather rushed tone, Is this the gate where the back-up officers are supposed to gather?

Caleb cleared his throat, and said with tension in his tone, Ah…yeah, you have to park over there then go in through the door located on the loading dock. You can wait in the corridor for a guard to join you.

The officer tipped his hat and thanked him. Caleb slyly stepped to the opposite side of the gate, glancing at the cruisers as they drove past him. He waited until the last patrol car passed through gates while listening to the arguing going on above him. He watched as the gates slowly slid closed and snapped into place. He was on the outside, staring at the prison walls. Caleb released the breath he had been holding and wiped his brow with his stolen shirt sleeve. He couldn’t believe how unbelievably lucky he had been. He glanced up at the guard on the catwalk, and realized he was still engrossed in his conversation. The guard faced the facility, and paid no attention to the ground below him. Caleb turned and raced toward the tree line. He had no idea where he was headed, all he knew was he needed to get as far away from the prison as humanly possible.

Chapter Two

Caleb stood breathless in the shadows of the trees; he had run for what seemed like miles before he dared to take the opportunity to rest. Tired and breathless, he thought he may have truly escaped from the prison hell where he had lived for more than a year. The taste of freedom was far sweeter than he had imagined. He had been thankful the guard in charge of the north gate was more engrossed with his heated conversation than the job he had been paid perform. He also realized a more observant guard would have noticed him as soon as he entered the loading dock area. He scoffed when he said out loud, I wonder how long that fool will keep his job once they realize I escaped? He smiled as he answered his own question, Not too long I’m sure.

Caleb sat down on the cool damp soil and rested his back against the thick trunk of a tall willow tree. His feet were flat on the ground and he rested his forearms on his knees. He leaned his head against the tree and closed his eyes for a brief moment. He smiled as he thought about the great accomplishment he had achieved. He felt mildly secure for the moment because he knew if he couldn’t see passing vehicles then the passengers in those same vehicles couldn’t see him either. He scrubbed his hands over his sweaty face and thought about what he could do for food and water. He knew without a doubt, judging by the quantity of sweat that seeped from his pores, he would require water shortly. He recalled the location of the prison and he tried to remember if he had seen a body of water the time he had been transported from Lansing to Colby for his trial. A smile crossed his face when a thought entered his mind, I don’t need a body of water: all I require is a public restroom.

Once he emerged from the safety of the