Murder at Desert Lakes Hoa

By Chuck Walko

“It isn’t often that I get to report a murder at a nice,
quiet community; especially, when it involves a candidate
for the House of Representatives.”

“Yes, Mr. Rice is our son-in-law; but he is married to our son,
not our daughter.”

“The first thing he would do is initiate legislation limiting
the Second Amendment and gun ownership.”

“Howard Hughes, Don Laughlin, Robert McCulloch, and Del Webb
all had private airplanes to explore their land.
All I’ll have is a rented four-wheel jeep.”

“Remind me to never live in a community with an HOA.”

“Surrogacy is an option for gay men and lesbians who want
to be biologically connected to their children.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665561020

Chuck Walko

Chuck has been a teacher, administrator, real estate appraiser and broker. He has taught students in grades seven through twelve in suburban and inner-city schools as well as private preparatory schools. He also has been an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities. “My students ‘real-life’ stories have always been my source of inspiration,” he says A native of New Jersey, he now lives in sunny Arizona. “My passions are life-long learning, reading, writing, travel, physical fitness, and, of course, Diamondback baseball.”

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2022 Chuck Walko. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/06/2022

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6101-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6102-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 1

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M elissa pulled the top of her overcoat closer and leaned her body into Jamie. Her shivering may have been because of the cold drizzle or the horror she had just experienced. February rains in the Arizona desert can be chilling to the bone and create a dense, eerie fog in the night.

Jamie and Mellissa Roberts watched in silence as the two bodies were placed in the ambulances. Four police cars still had their lights flashing. Steve Donavan of the Pinal County Sheriff’s office was still interviewing witnesses off to the side. Bob Graves of the Casa Grande Police, who had questioned Jamie, went back to his car and was busy on the phone. He had asked the couple if they wanted to keep warm in his vehicle because he didn’t want them to leave the scene in case he had any more questions while he called into his office, but they both wanted to be with the people who still lingered outside the community center. They wanted to assist those who had experienced the trauma of the evening. They wanted to know if their son-in-law, Donavan Rice, was alive or dead.

The couple headed to a small group that surrounded Santiago Montoya, the Buildings and Grounds Manager, and his wife Juanita to offer them some succor and at the same time get support for themselves.

All the conversation was about Donavan Rice. Would he be taken alive to the hospital or be placed in a bag as the other two victims of the shootings were? As soon as the police and paramedics arrived, they immediately cleared the auditorium and began working on Don, who was lying face-up on the floor in a pool of blood. Melissa was screaming and crying profusely and demanded that she stay with Don, but one of the men helped Jamie to forcefully drag her from the scene as more equipment was rushed in for his survival.

Bob Graves got out of the car and spoke rather solemnly to the Roberts. I’ve called Casa Grande Regional to send for another ambulance. It should be here within thirty minutes. The emergency room there will be ready to begin whatever surgery or care Mr. Rice needs. The medics inside have been in touch with the hospital. Your son-in-law has lost a lot of blood and still has a bullet stuck in his right arm which must be removed in emergency surgery. He is still unconscious, but the medics feel that he can make it to the Medical Center.

Melissa, who was still sobbing, grabbed her husband’s hand. Thank God! Wiping away tears, she looked at Jamie sadly and whispered, Should we call Robbie?

No, not yet. Let’s wait until we know for sure he’ll survive at the hospital and what his condition is before we try to contact Robbie. Besides, I don’t even know where Robbie might be. Last I spoke to him, he said he was flying a charter to Jamaica for the Mardi Gras there.

Okay. He told me also about going to Jamaica for a week. I don’t know when he’ll be back in Arizona. Oh, my God! Just when both boys are doing so well, this has to happen. In between sobs she uttered, Robbie will be devasted if Don dies. We all will! She paused to catch her breath. Can you imagine that crazy son-of-a-bitch killing Randy and … God forbid… our Don!

Jamie’s wife of more than thirty-five years broke down crying again. He had never seen Melissa so distraught. He held her tightly and fought back tears himself. He too felt her anguish and disgust at the meaningless loss that had occurred at their homeowners’ association meeting. For Don to be shot down at the prime of his successful law career was beyond comprehension. He knew that Melissa was right: Their son Robbie would have a complete breakdown if he lost his partner and the love of his life for over fifteen years.

I better call Cee Jay, he said, grabbing for his flip phone. He’s probably concerned about all the sirens and flashing lights."

Cee Jay picked up the phone on the first ring. His voice was tense.

Jamie, what’s going on down at the Club House?

I don’t know if you heard it yet, Cee Jay, but Maxwell shot Randy and Don…..

Cee Jay yelled before Jamie could continue. Don! There was a long silence as he tried to gain composure. How is he?

We don’t know yet if Don will survive. The medics are transporting him to Regional. After Maxwell shot Randy, he aimed at Don, but Don managed to fire a shot at him that killed him. Melissa and I will be following the ambulance to the hospital.

Give me three minutes to put on some clothes. I was just getting into bed when I heard all the sirens. Do you want me to meet you at the hospital?

No. We’ll swing by and pick you up. You can ride with Mellissa and me. Just be out front.

Jamie, does Robbie know yet?

"No. He’s in Jamaica with a charter. Melissa and I want to know if Don will make it before we try telling Robbie. Cee Jay, I see that they’re bringing the stretcher out now. Got to go!

Pick you up in three."

Melissa and Jamie rushed over to get as close to the ambulance as possible. He was glad that Don’s face was attached to an oxygen mask as opposed to covered with a sheet. That meant that he was still alive. The ambulance siren and flashing lights lit up the night fog as soon as the doors were secured, and without hesitation, he grabbed her hand to lead her to their car. She was shivering.

He’s going to make it, honey was all he could say as he started the engine. Mellissa burst out in tears again.

How? she stammered through sobs. Why? Jamie, why did this have to happen?

Jamie leaned over and kissed her forehead. I don’t know, baby. Whatever happens to Don, it’s all part of God’s plan. We have to trust in God and be strong in that belief for Don, Robbie, Cee Jay, and ourselves. We can pray for Don, but must accept without any bitterness what the outcome of this night will be. He gazed into his wife’s loving eyes. At that moment his love for her seemed more than he could bear. They had been together for all but sixteen years of their lives, had two children, and two grandchildren. They had experienced great joy and many sorrows, but their love for one another grew greater every day. Jamie knew that he was truly blessed.

How did Cee Jay take it? Mellissa asked.

I think he was in a state of shock, but he’s going with us to the hospital.

As the car started, Mellissa wiped the tears from her face and eyes. Poor, Cee Jay. He loved Don as a father.

Yes, Don was really the son that Cee Jay never had. That bond started in high school but grew stronger over the years.

Cee Jay lived on the other side of the lake and on the main road leading out of the Desert Lakes community. He was already at the end of his driveway when Jamie drove in. Without speaking, he got into the back of the car. Melissa extended her hand to him which he grabbed. The three of them were lost in their own thoughts and sorrow to speak for most of the twenty-minute drive to the hospital.

When they got off the Interstate 10 at Florence Boulevard, Cee Jay broke the silence. I was thinking of the day that we drove Don and Robbie down to Rutgers. You know that’s when he started calling me Dad. I loved him like a son, and now… Cee Jay began crying profusely. Why? Oh, God, why?

Jamie parked near the emergency entrance. Turning off the ignition, he quickly got out of the vehicle. He opened the back door for Cee Jay and grabbed his arm to help him out. Melissa got out on her own and walked around the car to meet them.

I’m afraid to go in, Cee Jay cried. I don’t want to hear it.

Jamie put his arms around Cee Jay’s shoulders and Melissa put her arm around his waist. The automatic doors separated as they approached. The waiting room was empty except for two men who were huddling in a far corner. The group went directly to the receptionist.

May I help you? she asked with a warm smile.

We are the family of a man who was just brought in from Desert Lakes, Jamie said.

Yes, Mr. Donovan Rice is in surgery now.

What is his condition? Melissa asked.

I really don’t know yet, the nurse replied. Dr. Fernandez will meet with you after he comes from the OR. If you would like, you may be seated and wait.

Do we have any idea how long we will be here? Cee Jay inquired.

The receptionist smiled. I really have no idea, but I’ll inform Dr. Fernandez that you will be here. There are vending machines over there if you would like coffee and snacks. The two gentlemen over there are also waiting for the report on Mr. Rice’s condition.

Thank you, Jamie said to the nurse. He led Cee Jay and Melissa over to the seating area.

As soon as they were seated, the two men approached. They did not recognize either of the men. The taller and younger man extended his hand to Jamie. I assume you are Mr. Roberts.

Jamie stood and shook his hand. Yes. And you are?

"My name is Bill Gonzales. I’m a reporter for the Casa Grande Gazette."

"And I’m Guy Neville of the Tucson Star." He and Jamie also shook hands.

Tucson, huh? Don’t you have enough crime down there to fill your paper? Jamie sarcastically asked.

Well, this story is a bit unusual. It isn’t often that we’re called on to report a murder story at a homeowners’ association meeting. Especially, when it happens in a nice, quiet, model community of people such as those at Desert Lakes.

Guy Neville quickly interrupted. And especially when the crime involves a prospective candidate for the United States House of Representatives. He paused. Mr. Roberts, we know how upsetting this has been for you, but we would appreciate your answering a few questions. If it’s okay.

I know it’s your job, so I’ll be willing to tell you what I can. First off though, Jamie said, as for Don Rice running for the House, he has not yet announced his candidacy. He has just established an exploratory committee to test the water.

Yes, we know that, but the Democratic Party is prepared to give him the nod.

Bill Gonzales asked the next question. Will this incident tonight ruin Donavon Rice’s position? We understand that he did fire the gun that killed one of your residents?

The question was upsetting to Jamie. God damn it! The man is being operated on as we speak. I don’t even know if he’s going to live, and you guys want to know how this may affect his potential run for political office. Jesus Christ! Don shot and killed the man who shot him first. And that son-of-a-bitch shot and killed the president of our homeowners’ association. Don was acting in self-defense. If Don pulls through this, he will have to decide himself if he can run for the office. Jamie turned to the others. This is my wife Mellissa and this man is a long-time friend of the family, Dr. Cee Jay Seton. Dr. Seton was the first president of the Desert Lakes HOA. He has been Don Rice’s mentor since high school. Gonzales spoke next. Seton? Aren’t you a professor at CAC?

Cee Jay stood and shook his hand. Yes, but I am only an adjunct instructor at Central Arizona College. He also shook hands with Guy Neville from the Tucson paper. "I have to agree with Mr. Roberts. We