The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer (21 page)

Sarah stifled a groan when she saw the frown line appear between her aunt's brows. “I know. I've already been chewed out.”

“I can't believe you dragged your sister into this.”

“She wanted to come.” Sarah shot Lacey a look that said ‘you can step in at any time.'

“That's not the story she told me,” her aunt replied, still in a huff.

“What story did she tell you?” Sarah asked, staring at Lacey.

“June,” Uncle Walt interrupted. “They're going to interrogate the criminals and Sarah wants to listen.”

“What?” Aunt June stared at Sarah with an angry expression.

Sarah nodded and looked at the floor as she spoke. “Yeah, I want to find out the whole story.”

“I don't think that's really app—.”

“Let her, June. She's worked hard to bring these criminals to justice.”

“Walt, I don't think it's appropriate.”

Uncle Walt sighed. “She's worked hard.”

“She broke the law.”

“I know.” Uncle Walt nodded and sighed again. “But, she didn't have a choice, Junie. I'll explain everything later.”

Aunt June opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. She clamped her lips together in a tight line. “All right, but you're still grounded.” She pulled her hair away from her face. “I've got patients to see in the morning, so I'm going home.”

“We can give the girls a ride home,” Officer Wilson said.

Uncle Walt sighed. “All right.” He looked at Sarah. “We'll talk more about this tomorrow.”

Sarah nodded as her lips twitched. She could barely hold back the smile that was trying to burst out on her face.

Uncle Walt put his arm around Aunt June and guided her to the door. Suddenly, he stopped and spun toward the girls. “Lacey, you can come home if you want to.”

Lacey shook her head. “No, I want to hear the story, too.”

Uncle Walt nodded and proceeded out the door.

Just then, Jackie bustled down the hall, followed by her parents.

“Hey, Beanpole, we're going to hear them interrogate Klonsky. Do you want to listen?” Sarah asked as a huge grin spread across her face.

Jackie nodded, sending her curls into a frenzy. She spun around and eyed her parents. “They're going to interrogate Klonsky. I want to hear the whole story.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her parents.

“I don't think so,” Jackie's mother responded.

“Oh come on!” Jackie pleaded.

“Let her go, Claire.” Jackie's father winked at his daughter.

“I can give the girls a ride home afterward,” Officer Wilson said.

Jackie's mother
shook her head.

“Mom, I can't believe you're not going to let me!” Jackie spun away and trounced toward the door.

“Claire, let her finish this.”

Jackie's mother glared at her father. “I've always got to be the bad guy.”
“Not if you let her.” Jackie's father winked at her mother.

“Oh, all right.” Her mother threw her hands up in the air and stomped out into the night.

“Thanks Mom!”

Jackie's father pivoted toward Officer Wilson. “You'll give the girls a ride home?”

“Absolutely.”

He nodded and followed Jackie's mother out to the car.

“Let's go kids.” Officer Wilson motioned for the girls to follow him.

The Super Spies traveled behind the officer toward the interrogation rooms. As they walked, weariness washed over Sarah's body. Her head still throbbed slightly, and the pain in her leg flared into a fiery rage every time she put weight on it.

“I just can't believe David Fedewa murdered his mother.” Lacey
frowned. Her hands found the hem of her T-shirt and she twisted it in her fingers.

“I know.” Sarah shook her head. “That part doesn't make any sense to me.” She winced as she hobbled down the hall.

“We'll find out the whole story in a few minutes,” Jackie said.

Sarah nodded. “You got that right.”

The Super Spies rounded the corner and continued to the interrogation room. They came to the viewing area right in front of interrogation room one.

Sarah peeked through the window and found Klonksy sitting in a chair. His eyes were red and puffy, but some of the swelling had gone down. He seemed agitated as he fidgeted and he looked uncomfortable.
Good.
Anger suddenly swirled through Sarah's body as she stared at her captor.
Who does he think he is? What right did he have to destroy the Fedewa family?

As Sarah stared into the room, she realized the big picture window in the middle of the wall was actually a two-way mirror. She could see Klonsky, but he couldn't see her. Breathing a sigh of relief, she realized her captor wouldn't even know she was there.

Sarah hobbled toward the interrogation room two. She found David Fedewa hunched in a chair, looking small and scared.

She pivoted toward Officer Wilson. “When are they going to start?”

“In a few minutes. Why don't you take a seat?” He pointed toward the folding chairs in front of the windows.

Sarah limped to a chair and sat down. Jackie and Lacey were close on her heels. All three girls waited for the questioning to begin.

Just then, Scott ambled over with Detective Swift. Traveling behind them was Scoop Davis.

“So I guess you heard that we found David Fedewa?” Sarah said.

“Yes, I heard. I just can't believe it.”
Detective Swift rubbed his eyes
.

“I'm finding it hard to believe he was involved with his mother's murder.” Sarah pur
sed her lips and shook her head
.

“Don't jump to any conclusions,” the detective warned. “We don't know what the Klonskys have been telling him all these years.”

“Are you here for the interrogation, too?”

“Yes, I am. I've been searching for that boy for thirty years. I want to hear his story.”

“How about you?” Sarah asked, cocking her head in Scoop's direction.

“Wouldn't miss it,” Scoop answered, smoothing his hair with his hands. “I thought I told you kids not to do anything until you heard from me?” He gave Sarah a reproachful
look.

“You did, but we couldn't wait,” Sarah said with a shrug.
What difference does it make now?
She brushed her hair from her face. “Did you find out anything?”

Scoop nodded. “I sure did.”

“Well…?”

Scoop pursed his lips again. “I found out there's no statute of limitations on an heir making a claim to an estate.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, speak English please,” Jackie piped up.

“It means David could reappear at any time and claim the Fedewa estate.”

Sarah slapped her forehead with her palm. “So that was Klonsky's plan.”

Scoop nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. Detective Swift sighed and shook his head, an expression of deep sorrow on his face.

“I feel so sorry for Mrs. Fedewa,” Sarah said as a lump rose in her throat.

“I do too,” Lacey chimed in.

“I wish we could have done more for her.”

Sarah choked back tears as she remembered the cruel rumors that had been circulated about Mrs. Fedewa. A deep sense of shame overwhelmed her when she thought about the circumstances surrounding the old woman's death and how her body had been found. The poor woman hadn't been a witch or crazy or anything like that. She had been overwhelmed by the loss of her son.

“I'm never going to make fun of a weird person again,” Sarah vowed. Her vo
ice sounded far away and high, a
s if her air supply were slowly being cut off.

“Me neither,” Jackie said, putting her arm around Sarah and giving her a quick squeeze.

“You just don't know what they've gone through.” Sarah glanced down at the floor and exhaled a ragged breath.

At that moment, Chief Johnson strode into the room. He was startled to see the Super Spies and he peered at Wilson with a disapproving frown. “What are these kids doing here?”

Officer Wilson stepped toward the chief. “You said they could listen, remember?”

The chief snorted in response, but didn't ask the Super Spies to leave. Instead he gestured and said,“Okay, Wilson, why don't you start with Klonsky first.”

“Yes, sir.” Officer Wilson walked into the first interrogation room where Lon Klonsky sat hunched in his chair.

 

The Super Spies walked a few steps to the right and sat in front of the first window.
Sarah peered into the room and examined the man who had terrified her the night before.

The swelling around his eyes had diminished, but they still watered occasionally and the scar by his eye was an angry red gash. Klonsky's rage erupte
d as he spewed curses and rants
.

“Wilson, what is going on?” he demanded.

“What do you mean?”

“I was put in a cell like a common criminal.”

“That's where we put murderers.”

“What are you talking about?” Klonsky made a fist and pounded the table.

“You've been arrested for the murder of Frieda Fedewa.”

“That's what they said earlier.” Klonsky shook his head.
“I just can't believe it.”

“It's true.”

“Come on, Wilson… you know I didn't murder anybody.”

“We've got eyewitness testimony and evidence.”

“You don't have any evidence,” Klonsky sneered.

“What makes you say that?”

“I was the lead investigator on the case. I know what you guys have. You got nothing.”

“That's not true, Lon.”

“You're bluffing.”

“We've got David Fedewa, and he's talking.”

Officer Wilson gave the dirty cop a withering look. A fearful expression danced across Klonsky's face, but he quickly recovered. He stared at the officer, daring him to push the envelope.

“It's not looking good for you.” Officer Wilson tapped his pencil on his notepad and eyed Klonsky.

“I want a lawyer.”

“Suit yourself.”

Officer Wilson stood and turned toward the door, then stopped. “There's nothing worse than a dirty cop.”

“Get out of here!” Klonsky screamed. He lunged across the table at Wilson.

Wilson opened the door, walked out, and closed it behind him.

“Doesn't look like he's going to talk, does it?” Chief Johnson asked.

“No, it doesn't.” Wilson shook his head.

“Try your luck with David.”

“All right.” He walked up to the window and studied David for a few minutes. “I'm going to try a softer approach with him.”

The c
hief pursed his lips and nodded
. “All right. Give it a shot.”

Officer Wilson opened the door to David's room. Sarah shifted her position and the rest of the Super Spies followed her.

“Hello, David.”

Sarah watched— hoping David would answer. He didn't, he sat in his chair bouncing his legs.

She studied him as he cowered in his seat. His curly, dark hair was long and needed trimming. David's brown eyes flitted around the room, never fixing on one object at a time. He resembled a neglected child, wearing overalls and a dirty T-shirt.

“Hello, David.”

This time, the officer's voice registered.

“Where's Lon?” David squeaked.

The sound of David's voice surprised Sarah. It sounded childlike and innocent.

“Don't worry about Lon right now. He's all right. I would like to talk with you.”

“I need to talk to Lon.”

“We'll let you talk with him in a little bit,” Officer Wilson said. His voice sounded smooth as dark honey. “But right now we need to talk with you and hear your story.”

“I want to talk to Lon right now,” David said.

David's legs bounced faster. Sarah could tell his anxiety had turned up a notch.

“Okay, David. I'll go see if he's available. Would you like a soda while you wait?”

“Yeah.”

“Could you answer one question for me before I talk to Lon?”

“No.” David gazed down at the table, his legs still bouncing.

“Okay, I'll be right back.” Officer Wilson walked out of the room, and glanced at the chief. “We need to call the forensic psychologist in.”

Chief Johnson shifted his weight and nodded. “I agree.” He turned toward another officer. “Michaels, get Dr. Stiles here, ASAP.”

The officer left to follow his orders.

“He's got some mental issues, boss,” Wilson said as he studied David.

“Yes.” The chief rubbed his eyes and sighed. “Hopefully, Stiles will get his story out of him.”

Sarah groaned. “I hope this doesn't take too long.”

“I know what you mean,” Jackie said as she gave Sarah's arm a squeeze.

“Detective Swift, why are they calling a forensic psychologist?” Sarah asked.

“They've got to evaluate him, to find out if he's mentally competent.”

“Mentally competent?” Sarah pivoted in her seat and gazed at the detective.

“Yes, see if he can be questioned, if he knows right from wrong, if he can assist in his own defense, that kind of thing.”

“Oh.” Sarah stared at the floor, deep in thought.
Maybe David's mental state was the reason for his odd behavior.
She sighed and slumped in her chair; she hated waiting.

The Super Spies hung out in the viewing area waiting for the doctor to arrive. After what seemed like hours, he walked through the door with a confident stride.

“Chief, how are you?” Dr. Stiles asked.

He was a stocky man with a compassionate demeanor and a friendly, open face.

“You won't believe who we have in interrogation room two,” Chief Johnson said.

“Who?”

“David Fedewa.”

“Are you serious?” Dr. Stiles spun toward the interrogation room and studied David.

“As a heart attack.”

“This is unbelievable.” The doctor peered at David through the glass. “Isn't he the one who disappeared thirty years ago?”

“That's right.”

“I don't believe it.”

“We're all shocked. We need you to evaluate him and see if you can build a relationship with him. The only cop he wants to talk to is Lon.”

“Why can't he talk to Lon?”

“Because Lon is a suspect in his mother's murder.”

“Are you serious?” Dr. Stiles pivoted back and locked eyes with the chief.

“Absolutely. Can you give it a go?”

The psychologist nodded.

“Here” Officer Wilson handed him a soda. “He wanted this.”

“All right, let's give it a shot.” He walked toward the room and stepped through the door. Sarah's eyes were on the glass, anticipating the interaction about to take place.

“Hello, David. Here's your soda.”

“Ah, thanks. Who are you?” David grabbed the soda and eyed the doctor.

“I'm a doctor. I help the police sometimes.”

David took a long swig of the soda. “I ain't sick. I don't need a doc.”

“Well, I'm a different kind of doctor. I'm more of a doctor for your mind.”

“I ain't crazy, either.” His legs started their nervous bounce again.

“Oh, I know that. I'm here to help you. Everything is going to be all right.”

“Where's Lon?” David asked, sinking into his chair and staring at the Doctor.

“Lon's in the next room. He's pretty busy now. He told me to tell you it was okay to talk with me.”

“He did, huh?”

“Yes, we need to figure out this puzzle.”

“Puzzle?”

“Yeah, you know, you've been gone for a long time. The police have been looking for you for thirty years,” Dr. Stiles said with a reassuring smile. “We just want to know where you've been, and if you're all right.”

“I've been with Lon and his dad.” David's body relaxed and his legs stopped dancing.

Dr. Stiles pointed to the chair opposite David. “May I?”

David shrugged. “I guess.”

The doctor sat down and gave David another paternal smile. “So you've been with Lon and his dad the whole time?”

“Yep.” David nodded.

“Did you go to school?”

“No, we was homeschooled by Lon's dad.”

“Home schooled, huh?”

“Yep.”

He took another drink of his soda and burped. He glanced at the doctor and laughed just like a five-year-old would.

Doctor Stiles gave
David another disarming smile
. “David, do you know who the president is?”

David gave the doctor a hesitant grin. “The president?”

“Yeah, you know, the man who runs the country?”

“Nope. Lon told me I didn't need ta know that stuff.”

“I see.” Dr. Stiles frowned. “Do you know the capital of this state?”

“Dunno.” David shook his head and pushed his soda can between his hands.

“Do you remember the day you went to live with Lon?”

“Where is Lon?”

“He's in another room. You're not in trouble here, David. Everything is going to be all right. We just want to hear your story.”

“What story?”

“The story about when you went to live with Lon.”

“I'm not supposed to tell that story,” David whispered.

Sarah saw a shadow of grief flit across his features.

“It's okay. Everything is going to be all right. Lon said it was okay to tell it now,” the doctor leaned forward and whispered.

“Could I get another pop?”

“Sure, I'll be right back.”

Doctor Stiles stood and walked through the door into the viewing area.

The chief rushed up to him. “What do you think?”

“It appears David has some developmental issues and is probably suffering from Stockholm's Syndrome.”
The doctor rubbed his forehead
.

“Stockholm's Syndrome, huh?” Chief Johnson frowned. “How can you tell? You haven't asked him many questions.”

“Because of his total dependence on Lon. Of course, I would need to do an extensive evaluation to be sure.”

“Ah, I see.” The chief tapped his chin with his fingertips, deep in thought.

Sarah tugged on Detective Swift's sleeve. “What's Stockholm's Syndrome?”

“It's where a kidnap victim identifies with his captors. He's dependent on them for his survival.”

“Dependent?” Sarah cocked her head and studied him.

“Yes, he depended on the Klonskys' to take care of him.”

“Is that why David didn't run away?”

“Yes, it is.” He pointed at Dr. Stiles. “They're going to continue the interview.”

Sarah focused her attention back on the doctor for a moment and then studied David. He seemed more at ease than he had earlier.

“He wants another soda.” Dr. Stiles told the chief as he glanced at David.

“Yeah, I sent Michaels to get one for y
ou.”

“I'm going to find out about the day he was kidnapped. He's dropped his guard. I think he'll spill it.”

“All right. I want you to wear an ear piece, so I can feed you questions.” Chief Johnson motioned for Detective Wilson.

“Sure.”

“Wilson, go get one of our ear pieces for the doctor.”

“Sure, boss.”

Wilson disappeared and reappeared within minutes. He handed the earpiece to the doctor. Sarah strained in her seat to see it. It resembled a hearing aid.

“It's not uncomfortable,” Wilson said.

The doctor nodded. “Where's that soda?” He fumbled with the tiny instrument, trying to put it in his ear.

“Right here.” Michaels trotted up.

“I'm back at it.” Dr. Stiles walked back into the interrogation room and handed David his drink. “So, David, can you tell me about the day you went to live with Lon?” He sat back down in his chair.

“Are you sure Lon said it was okay to talk to you?”

Dr. Stiles smiled. “Yes, he said it was okay.”

“All right. We was at the pool with my dad, then Lon says, ‘hey, let's get some ice cream.' I says, ‘okay.'”

“So you went to get ice cream?”

“Yeah.”

“You didn't think to tell your dad?”

David shrugged. “We was gonna be back before he got out of the bathroom.”

The doctor nodded and pursed his lips. “I see.”

“So, then Lon's dad pulls up and says there's trouble at the mill.
I need to go home with them.”