The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer (22 page)

“What happened next?” Dr. Stiles clasped his hands in front of him.

“I jumped in the car with Lon and his dad.”

“Then what?”

“Then we got to Lon's house, and I asked when my dad was gonna come git me.”

“What did Mr. Klonsky say?”

“He said there was still trouble at the mill. I had to stay with them for a week or two.”

“What happened when the two weeks were up?” Dr. Stiles leaned forward in his
seat and studied David.

“I asked Mr. Klonsky when my dad was gonna come git me, and he said my dad didn't want me anymore.” David choked back tears.

“I see. And you believed Mr. Klonsky?”

“Not at first, but my dad never came.”
David couldn't hold back his tears any longer. They rolled down his cheeks like fat raindrops. “I would sit on their porch just waitin' for my dad to show up, and he never came.” David put his face in the crook of his arm and wept.

A small cry escaped Sarah's lips as she listened to this story. Tears welled in her eyes and cascaded down her cheeks as she pictured a lonely boy sitting on a porch, watching as one car after another drove by.

“That poor kid,” she whispered to Jackie.

“I know,” Jackie said, never taking her gaze from David.

Sarah wiped her eyes and returned her focus to the interview. She didn't want to miss a thing.

“I bet that hurt,” Dr. Stiles said.
He gave David a compassionate pat on the arm.

David wiped his face on his sleeve. “Yeah, it did. I just couldn't believe my dad didn't want me. I was so grateful for Lon and his dad taking me in.”

“So, you just stayed with Lon and his dad?”

“Yep.”

“Why didn't you run away?”

“Where would I run to? My mom and dad didn't want me.” David choked back a sob.

“Okay, David. We're going to take a little break. Do you want another soda?”

“No, but I gotta pee.”

“All right, I'll have Officer Wilson take you to the bathroom.”

Dr. Stiles stood and walked out of the room. He met the chief in the viewing area.

“I think we've got enough to pick up John Klonsky, don't you?”

“We sure do.”

“Is he still alive?” Dr. Stiles asked, watching Wilson lead David down the hall.

“As far as I know. I'll send Michaels and his partner out with a warrant for his arrest.”

“David is definitely suffering from Stockholm's Syndrome. It's a textbook case.” Dr. Stiles sighed and shook his head.

“Doc, I need to find out what role he played in his mother's death and if he knew she was his mother. Do you think you can ask him about that night?”

“I'll give it a try.”

The chief and the doctor huddled together and spoke in low voices. Sarah could no longer hear the conversation. After a few minutes, David returned to his seat and Dr. Stiles went back into the interrogation room.

Sarah focused
her attention back on the interview. Tears welled in her eyes again as she thought about Mrs. Fedewa and her tragic life.

“David, I just have a few more questions for you,” Dr. Stiles said.

“Okay.”

David appeared relaxed. He put his elbows on the table and leaned on them, pushing the soda can between his hands.

“About a week ago a lady was murdered. Do you know anything about that?”

Sarah saw David grow rigid, and he didn't speak.

“David?”

David closed his eyes, and whispered, “She has the same last name as me.”

“Yes, she does.”

“Who was that lady?” David opened his eyes, and stared at the doctor.

“How do you know she has the same last name as you?”

“Cuz one of them kids said her name was Mrs. Fedewa…Who is she?”

Dr. Stiles glanced down at his hands. “David, before I answer, you need to tell me what happened to her.”

David squeezed his eyes shut. His hands dropped to his sides, and he clenched them. “I was there the night she was kilt.”

“What happened?”

David's eyes remained shut as he spoke. “Lon knocked on this lady's door. He jus kept knockin' and knockin'. It seemed like forever before a lady came to the door.
I could see her lookin' out the window at us. She looked kinda scared, and then she looked at me and started to cry. The lady tried to unlock the door, but she was havin' trouble, like she was in a hurry or somethin'.”

“What happened next?”

“I was wonderin' what she was cryin' about, then when she opened the door she said, ‘David,' like she knowed me. She was so happy, and I was confused. How did this lady know me?” David paused and tears started to leak from his eyes.

“Then what happened?” Dr. Stiles leaned forward in his seat.

“It happened fast.” David snuffled and wiped his face on his sleeve.

“What happened fast?”

“Lon pulled out this knife, and he stabbed the lady! She had this surprised look on her face, and there was blood!
I just wanted to get out of there!”

“Did you know what Lon was going to do before you got there?”

“No, I hadn' a clue!” David said. His eyes flew open, and he gestured frantically with his hands.

“Then what happened?”

“I kinda went crazy. I couldn't believe what Lon had done.”

“What happened next?”

“It took a while, but Lon calmed me down, then he had to change his shirt.”

“Lon had to change his shirt?” Dr. Stiles asked.

“Yeah, he got blood on it, and he wanted to change,” David said.

“Do you know why Lon wanted to kill her?” Dr. Stiles stared at David as he waited for his answer.

“He said she owed us money. That by killin' her, we would get our money.” David slumped in his seat, looking spent. “Now, Doc, tell me who she was.” His voice was low and insistent.

Dr. Stiles took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “She was your mother, David.”

Sarah watched as Dr. Stiles studied David, waiting for his reaction. She sat rigid in her chair, repulsed by what the K
lo
nskys had done to the Fedewa family.
All of a sudden a wave of nausea overwhelmed her; she gulped, keeping it at bay.

“Noooo!” David moaned and squeezed his eyes closed.

“Yes, I'm afraid so, David. She never stopped looking for you.”

“Looking for me? She knew I was with the Klonskys.”

“No, she didn't. The Klonskys lied to her.” The doctor reached across the table and touched David's arm.

David pulled away from the doctor's touch. “No, I don't believe that. They took me in and took care of me.”

“The Klonskys lied to you, too.”

David shook his head. “No way, Lon and his dad took care of me.”

“I know this is a lot of information to digest. Why don't we take a little break? I'll be right back.”

Poor David Fedewa,
Sarah cried silently. She wanted to comfort him. He looked like a train had struck him. He slumped in his chair like he was in physical pain. His face turned white, accentuating the dark circles under his eyes.

As Sarah watched, David struggled with the information Dr. Stiles had given him. A lump rose in her throat, choking her. She let out a strangled sob and tears fell from her eyes; she couldn't stop them. It was like a dam bursting.

Sarah felt an arm pull her close; she realized it was Jackie when she smelled her flowery perfume. She knew Jackie meant to comfort her, but it just made her cry harder as she realized David had never had anyone comfort him. Sobbing, Sarah cried for the lonely little boy, who never knew his mother, and for the mother who never got over the loss of her son.

“Klonsky used him as bait,” Sarah wept.

“I know, Sarah,” Jackie said in a soothing tone. “But we got him.”

Sarah nodded and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her T-shirt. “Yes, we did. We stopped him.”

“You stopped him, Sarah. Lacey and I just went along for the ride.”

“You guys helped, Jackie.”

“Yes, but it was your guts that kept us going. Lacey and I wouldn't have done anything if it hadn't been for your stubbornness.”

“That is so true,” Lacey said.

“I'm glad you guys are here.” Sarah sniffled. “I keep thinking about that poor little boy sitting on the porch waiting for his dad.”

New tears filled Sarah's eyes, and she swung away trying to compose herself. She took several deep breaths. She felt spent, like she'd cried herself empty. Sighing, she spun around and faced the interrogation room.

She found Dr. Stiles and the chief speaking in hushed tones right outside the interview room. Sarah watched as they came to a decision. The doctor quickly walked back into the room. Concern was written on his face, and she leaned forward to hear the rest of the interview.

“I don't unnerstand,” David said.

“I know, I don't quite understand it myself, but what you need to focus on is the fact your mother loved you very much.”

Sarah watched the doctor as he walked around the table and sat in a chair next to David. He put his arm around the man-child, attempting to console him.

“Lon was my friend.” David's face contorted with the pain of betrayal.

“David, he wasn't your friend. I know it's hard to believe, but he lied to you and your family.”

“I just can't believe the Klonskys lied.”

“It was very cruel, but let's focus on moving forward. I'm going to have an officer escort you back to your ce—uh, your room, and I want you to lie down for a while.”

David suddenly broke out in a sweat. “I'm going to be sick.”

Dr. Stiles jumped up and grabbed a wastebasket.
He quickly placed it in front of David.

He vomited and then wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Can I have a piece of gum?”

“Certainly.” Dr. Stiles handed him a piece of gum.

“Is it bubble gum?” David asked.

Sarah noticed his voice became child-like, and he seemed to act like a five-year-old.

“I'm afraid not.”

David sighed and grudgingly took the gum.

The doctor pursed his lips. “Do you feel better?”

“Better.”

“Okay, David, I think it's time for you to lie down.”

“Okay.”

Dr. Stiles walked out of the room. “We need to put David on suicide watch.”

“I agree.” Chief Johnson
motioned for Officer Wilson. “Wilson, take him back to his cell. Stay with him. We want him watched.”

“Yes sir.”

Sarah's heart lurched in her chest.
Suicide watch! Poor David Fedewa; he never had a real life t
o begin with, and now everyone's afraid he'll
try to end it.
She glanced at Jackie and saw the compassion in her friend's eyes. Tears filled Sarah's eyes once again. Shaking her head, she twisted away, hoping to get her emotions under control.

Her tears dried up as soon as she thought about Klonsky.
What a worm!
A total loser!
Anger coursed through her
body and she clenched her hands
. Once again, she felt Jackie's arm around her. She took some deep breaths to calm down and then swung back to face the others.

The chief sighed. “I think it's time to get something to eat. Stiles, why don't we head over to Hinkle's?” He dipped his head
toward the retired detective and the reporter. “Do you two want to come along?”

Sarah saw the weariness in the chief's face and realized the emotional interview had drained him.

“Sounds good to me,” Detective Swift said.

Scoop shook his head.“
I've got another appointment.”

“Dad, can we come?” Scott asked.

“I suppose,” his father sighed.

Sarah watched as Officer Wilson led David away. He sagged against the cop as if he had no strength left in his body. David looked like he had just been beaten.

“I don't unnerstand,” he mumbled over and over.

Officer Wilson whispered encouraging words to him to keep him moving forward.

Jackie nudged Sarah. “Is this enough to put Klonsky away?”

“I think so; we'll ask at Hinkle's.” Sarah wiped her eyes and took another deep breath.

“Let's get going,” Jackie said.