Escapee in Michigan (A Springvale Mystery Book 3)

By Pattie Zamen

Marisa Reynolds survived an attack by a serial killer thanks to a pizza delivery. She stayed safe thanks to FBI Agent Matt Porter. When the man who attacked her escapes from jail, Matt has to protect her again. As they travel through different areas of Michigan, they are continually pursued by the killer and his sister. Will Marisa be able to survive? Will the growing attraction she has for Matt have a chance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pattie Zamen
• Release date: Feb 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311278777

Pattie Zamen

Pattie Zamen was born and raised near Detroit, Michigan. She has a variety of hobbies, but the one constant is reading. She enjoys both Mysteries and Romance and loves to combine both in the books she writes. Presently she is living in Arkansas with her husband Ray.

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Escapee In Michigan

A Springvale Mystery

(Book Three)

By Pattie Zamen

This book is published by Pattie Zamen at Smashwords.

Copyright 2015 Patricia Zamen

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Prologue

The desk deputy looked up from his phone and saw the lady walking in. Taking in the mid-thigh dark green skirt suit, briefcase and purse in one hand, and a suit bag in the other, he thought to himself he would have to get her name in case he ever needed a lawyer himself. Her high heels tapping on the marble floor echoed against the marble walls. Passing through the metal detector, she picked up her personal items and drew closer to the front desk. Noticing the large bust and the top opened several buttons giving him a good view, his eyes trained on there and stayed there.

Deputy, I’m here to see my client, Christopher Watts.

And you are?

Naomi Johnson, Attorney-at-Law.

What’s in the suit bag?

It has a suit for my client to wear in court Monday.

I’m going to need to examine it, and confiscate any tie or belt. He can get those back right before he enters the courthouse. They will need to be confiscated again as soon as he leaves. Also, if the shoes have any laces, those will also need to be confiscated.

The shoes are slip-ons. Please make sure he gets the belt and tie Monday before he enters the courtroom. With a nod, she handed over the bag for inspection.

The deputy opened the bag and pulled out the cheap looking blue suit. Checking all over he couldn’t find anything in the pockets so he noted on his paperwork the same. Taking the belt and tie, he put them in a large manila envelope and wrote the prisoner’s name on it in large bold letters. Checking the shoes, he verified they were slip-ons on nothing was in them. A quick search of the bag showed nothing other than the pants, shirt, shoes and suit jacket all on plastic hangers. Zipping the bag back up, he handed it over.

I’ll also need to check your purse and briefcase.

Of course, she responded as she handed them over.

A quick perusal showed nothing out of the ordinary. Having already stepped through a metal detector as she entered the Sheriff’s Department, he knew she did not have any metal on her other than the car keys and cell phone she placed in the basket before walking through the machine.

The attorney conference room is down the hall and on the right. Mr. Watts will be escorted in within the next few minutes. Glancing at his watch he checked the time, As we’re coming up on a shift change, are you going to have any problems if it takes a little while to get him escorted back?

No problem at all. I’m sure I’ll be in there with him long past the shift change. Are the cameras and microphones off in there?

There are none in that room Ma’am.

Good. I would hate to have to start this case by filing a motion because of Attorney – Client privilege being broken. With a smile, she retrieved her purse, briefcase, and the garment bag before she nodded to the deputy, giving him a slight smile, licking her lips, and walked with a sashay down the hall well aware the deputy was still watching her.

Picking up a phone, he called for the prisoner to be brought to the room while he enjoyed the view he was seeing.

Several hours later and over thirty miles away, a cell phone rang.

Jeremy DeWitt.

Is this SAC DeWitt of the FBI? a voice came over the phone sounding like it was in a tin box.

Yes, this is SAC DeWitt of the FBI. And you are?

This is First Lieutenant Jackson. I was asked to verify the location of Specialist Christopher Watts. I have the Specialist here with me. Is there anything specific you need to ask him?

Wait a minute. You have him there with you, right now?

Yes Sir.

You are overseas?

Yes sir. Due to security reasons, I cannot tell you the actual location, but yes, we are over in the Middle East.

Can you hold on a moment? After receiving a positive response, Jeremy motioned to Matthew Porter, fellow agent, to hold the phone for him. Walking over to the desk phone he picked it up and called the County Sheriff Department. When the phone was answered, he asked for the prisoner section. After a quick transfer there, he identified himself and said, I’d like to verify a prisoner you have there, a Christopher Watts.

One moment please, was the response before he was put on hold.

Matthew asked, What’s going on?

It’s what I’m trying to find out. On the phone you have, is a First Lieutenant Jackson and a Specialist Christopher Watts somewhere over in the Middle East. The Caller ID did show an out of country phone call. Turning back to the desk phone he said, Yes I’m still here.

There seems to be a problem. Christopher Watts was taken into a room to meet with his attorneys about three hours ago, just before shift change. We can’t seem to locate either him, or the person who remembers taking him back to his cell.

Are his attorneys still there?

No, they left about two hours ago, a Naomi Johnson and Fred Majors.

Ok block off the room they were in, and pull any security tapes, my team will be over there shortly. Hanging up the phone he took the cell phone back from Matthew. Specialist Watts, how long have you been over in the Middle East?

Over five months now, Sir.

First Lieutenant, you can confirm this?

Yes Sir.

When was the last time you were home on R & R?

Right after I graduated from Basic, Sir. Just before I was shipped here.

Where is home?

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Sir.

Specialist Watts do the names Naomi Johnson or Fred Majors mean anything to you?

I went through basic training with a Fred Majors. I think he has a sister Naomi, Sir.

Can you describe him?

Sir, I think so. He was medium height, dark hair.

Was he slim, chubby?

I would say slim, Sir. He worked out a lot so he was strong, Sir.

Did you ever have the occasion to see his sister, or a picture of her?

He showed me a picture once, Sir. She was in the picture with him. She’s a little shorter, and blonde. I’m sorry, Sir, but that’s about all I remember about them.

That’s ok Specialist. Is Fred still in the military?

No, Sir. He was discharged before basic ended.

Do you know why?

We were not given the details, Sir.

Can you hazard a guess why?

It would not be proper, Sir.

Specialist, First Lieutenant, I understand, but I am working a on a multiple murder case, I need the information ASAP.

Sir, I don’t know the reason he was discharged, but I can tell you he was crazy. He had a lot of rage. He wanted to get into the Rangers and didn’t want to wait to finish basic.

When were you in basic?

I graduated just over six months ago, Sir.

Do you remember how long ago he was discharged?

About half way through basic training, this would be about seven months or so ago, Sir. I’m sorry I don’t recall the exact date, Sir.

Ok Specialist and First Lieutenant, thank you for calling to provide me with the location status. Will I be able to contact either of you again in the next few days if necessary?

I should be available Sir, but the Specialist may not be. If you need any further information from him I should be able to get ahold of him and get you the response.

Ok, how can I contact you? After writing down the information, Jeremy concluded the call and disconnected. Turning to Matt he said, Well it seems like our murderer is not Christopher Watts, but possibly a Fred Majors. And, he’s out and probably going after Marisa. You need to get her to some place safe now. He’s got a two hour head start on us so he could be in the area. Get her out of town and get back to the safe house, then call me. I’ll have Mark and Jason head now to check out the house. Then they’ll be out to join you as soon as we’re done checking out the scene and verifying he’s not in the immediate area.

Grabbing the overnight bag he set on a table in the conference room they use when he came in the station, Matt picked it up and verified his gun was at this side. Nodding his head he took out his cell phone as he headed out of the conference room door. Placing a call he listened as the phone rang and rang.

Just when he was about to give up the soft female voice came on the line. Hello?

Marisa? It’s Matt. You need to get some clothes together now. I’m on the way to pick you up.

What’s going on?

I’ll explain more after I get there, but it appears the man who killed your husband and left you for dead escaped from jail.

Chapter One

Matt raced in the black Ford Expedition back to the house he had dropped Marisa off at earlier. Knowing he might have a tail, he didn’t care at this point. Once she was safe in the vehicle with him, he would take precautions to shake it before heading back to the safe house. Leaving the town of Springvale, Michigan behind them once again was going to be hard on her. Pulling up in the driveway of the red brick house, he threw the vehicle in park and was at the door knocking when he hit the remote, locking the doors. The flowers he had noticed before when he dropped her off were lost on him now. She had explained to him how she had lovingly planted the rose bushes two years earlier, their blooms still filling the air with the soft sweet fragrance, tickling his nose as he stood on the porch and waited. The snapdragons she added every year, the marigolds, geraniums, and sweet pea growing massively over a fence.

Marisa Schuyler Reynolds opened the door, startled at his manner. This was not the same man she had spent the last few days with in a safe house. His black hair was mussed where he had been running his fingers through it and his blue eyes were even more electric in color. He had a frown on his face that had a firm jaw and a day’s worth of stubble. Stepping back to let his six foot plus muscled frame inside, she closed the door behind him.

Are you sure he’s out? she asked, her voice still hoarse from where the killer had tried to strangle her. Large green eyes in her oval shaped face, reflecting her fear as she played with her long dark brown hair.

Yes, they can’t find him at the jail and we just found out he was using someone else’s name. Do you have a bag ready?

Almost, I tossed a few things in. I was just about to get my brush and vitamins and put them in. Do you think we should bring the blood pressure stuff too? she asked softly, struggling to get all the words out.

No, you were doing ok yesterday. You might be a little high again today, but I’m sure once I’ve got you safe again you’ll be fine.

Rubbing her belly where her husband’s child was growing in her, she nodded her head and led him to the bag. Tossing the brush and package of pre-natal vitamins in, as well as a few other items of clothes she stepped back letting Matt zip up the bag and sling it over a shoulder.

Taking his gun out, he motioned her back as he opened the heavy oak front door. He wished she had a peep hole to look out, but as with most houses, she didn’t have one. With no windows on the side of the doors, he was working blind. Cracking the door slightly while standing to the side, he didn’t see any movement. Stepping out cautiously, he scanned the area. Paying special attention to the evergreen bushes the neighbor on her right side had next to the driveway, he checked each bush individually for anything that seemed out of place. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary in the typical quiet neighborhood, he took the remote and unlocked the doors. Taking Marisa by the arm after she locked the door behind them, he escorted her to the passenger door and secured her inside. Having her lock the doors, he walked around the front of the car and used the key on the driver’s door. Entering the driver’s seat he tossed her bag in the back seat. Sitting in his seat he locked the doors and set his gun back in the quick release holster he wore. Putting the SUV in reverse, he backed away from the happy house, its bright flowers giving a splash of color against the dark red brick.

Heading out of the mid-sized city back up towards Jackson and the small farm type house they had shared for several days Matt kept turning at various points and headed to his final destination in a zig zag and sometimes back tracking route. Pulling out his phone he dialed fellow agents Mark Schmidt and Jason Hall.

Have you made it there yet?

Yes, and no I wasn’t followed and it’s still all secure here. Jason and I are going to back off and watch the place until you get here. If there’s any problem I’ll give you a call.

"Ok, we’re about fifteen minutes away.

Pulling back up at the non-descript wood-sided house they had spent several days together in, Matt pressed the remote for the garage and drove in. Shutting the door behind him since he had received an all clear from Mark, Matt exited the vehicle and opened the door into the house. Checking the place out was easy as there were only a few rooms. Two bedrooms and a bathroom were the only rooms with a door. The remainder of the house was an open set up for the kitchen, living room and laundry area. The trees and brush were well cleared back from the house, making it difficult for anyone to sneak up. Satisfied no one was there Matt went back out to the garage and helped Marisa in. Grabbing both their bags, he went and deposited one in each bedroom.

Well here we are again.

Nodding her head and giving a brief smile, Marisa looked around the room. She had been here for a few days and was happy to hear Watts had been arrested, that she could go home. Now, he was out again, and here she was, back in the middle of nowhere. At least Matt was nice. Walking over to the kitchen area, she checked the fridge. There was still some milk left from before, and she saw a fresh gallon as well. Frowning slightly as she knew that wasn’t there when they had left only hours ago, she searched out Matt with her eyes. Trying to save her voice, she waved him over then motioned to the milk.

Matt walked over and checked out the milk in the fridge Marisa was pointing at. Frowning, he pulled out his cell and called Mark. Hey, did you buy fresh milk and put it in the fridge?

No, we came straight from the station, just a few turns to make sure we weren’t followed. Someone put more milk in?

Yes, and it looks like it’s been opened. It’s a different brand too.

Ok we’re on our way back. Jason will call in to Jeremy and have him check on that, but get ready to leave.

Sighing, Marisa heard the conversation and went to get her bag from the bedroom she had used the last several nights. The drab walls were boring, the whole house was boring beige, but at least she had felt somewhat safe here and the bed was reasonably comfortable. Now it looked like the place may have been compromised, and they would have to find someplace else to hide. Grabbing the pad of paper