Tempting Fate
Trudging into his sparsely furnished cabin, Antonio tosses his keys on the coffee table as he collapses on his worn brown couch.
"What a day, he grumbles, remembering what the past twelve hellious hours had been like. Hopefully, this will help, he thinks, powering up Abby's phone.
Antonio starts to click on her contacts when he notices a Life 360 icon at the bottom of the page.
"My nephew has that same app on his phone." He tries to recall what the boy said. "Of course, Abby owns a smartwatch, seeing she's into fitness, healthy eating, and that natural remedy crap."
Antonia then recalls his nephew complaining about how his mom used the app to track him the day he tried to skip school.
"I bet I can find her too." Antonio smiles, clicking on the icon. A few seconds later, a map appears. He then sees a small red dot flashing on the screen. I could've saved a lot of time if I checked here first. Scooping up his keys, Antonio heads out the door.
***
The morning sun shines relentlessly through the van's windows. Abby's body is lying across the steering wheel, sobbing. An officer is watching her through the driver's side glass.
"Why can't I get a break? Why?" Abby cries.
Her life has been a continual uphill battle. It's been her against the world for most of her life.
The foster system shuffled her from one home to another for years. It seemed she'd start to get comfortable, make a few new friends, and they would move her again.
When she finally did find a long-term home, the foster dad expected favors in exchange for her stay.
She tries telling the social worker what's happening, but being deemed a troubled child, they assumed she was making it up, possibly as payback for being grounded for skipping school.
She ran from that horrible situation straight into an abusive drunk's arm. She miscarried and then lost her husband shortly after. Fleeing from that, she lived on the streets for years until Thelma took her in.
The officer knocks on the window again.
I can either lay here and feel sorry for myself, stall the inevitable, or face what's coming my way.
Abby sees the keys are still in the ignition when she dries her face.
I could try to flee. Abby glances at the intruder and then the keys again. She then pictures the likely outcome. They'll have roadblocks set up before I make it out of town.
The officer pounds on the barrier again.
Abby trembles as her window rolls down. Taking a big breath of courage, she anxiously asks, "Can... Can I help you, officer?"
"I hate to bother you during your time of grief, but I'm afraid I can't allow you to park here." He points to a metal sign and adds, "I'll lose my job if I allow you to stay."
Abby glances at the sign and then at him. " I'm ... I'm sorry, I didn't see the sign, being as upset as I was."
The officer nods. "I understand, but I still need to ask you to move."
"I will, officer, thank you." She sniffles, starting the van.
"God, be with you in your time of need."
"Thank you." Abby solemnly replies. Rolling up the window, she pulls away. She gazes back to find him crossing the lot.
What a sweet man, nice looking, too. A lewd thought flashes through her mind. Now is not the time to be thinking about things like that. She scolds.
Abby's last date was right before she fled to this state. A dinner she now realizes was out of pity. A wealthy man saw her begging for food and asked her out. When the meal was over, he sent her on her way, promising to stay in touch, but she never saw him again.
She looks at the gorgeous eye candy one last time."Maybe someday I'll meet the man of my dreams." she sighs, pulling onto the highway.
Tires squeal behind her. Abby discovers a red sports car on her tail when she glances back.
The lady pulls beside her, yells something, and then flips the bird.
"I... I didn't see you."
The woman yells a few more obscenities and speeds away.
Someone needs to take a chill pill, Abby thinks, readjusting herself in the seat.
She travels a little further down to find the same red car on the shoulder of the road.
I didn't hit her, did I? Abby replays the events in her mind. I don't remember hearing a crash or feeling a jar of any kind.
Sirens wail behind her. Abby looks in the mirror to find a squad car heading her way.
"She called the cops on me ?"
Beads of sweat pop out across her forehead. Abby's heart races in her chest, and her throat constricts, making it difficult to breathe. Clenching the steering wheel, Abby gasps for much-needed air.
"I can't let them catch me; I just can't." She pushes the pedal down more.
Abby suddenly remembers a police chase on TV and how the driver ended up dead.
I'd much rather serve my time than take my chances with fate.
Slowing down, Abby turns on her signal.
I've met a lot of sweet people these past few years. I've helped some darling kids, too.
Abby wipes a fresh stream of tears away.
"This won't be a permanent thing, four or five years tops. Then I'll be free to help those kids again."
She starts to pull over when a harrowing thought comes to mind.
The initial time has probably tripled now that I've run. Abby quickly calculates the time in her head. I'll be an old lady by the time I'm free.
She then recalls a few of the women prisoners she saw on TV.
"If I manage to survive, that is." Abby shivers.
She sees an off-ramp a few feet away. She glances behind her to find the cop is closing in and then the off-ramp again.
I'd rather take a chance with fate than prison."Squaring herself in her seat, Abby floors the gas.
***
Chaos continues all around them. The sergeant is giving her long-distance what-for to the Chicago PD. Jerry is listening to her side of the conversation, chuckling as he shakes his head.
Hanging up, Rachel turns towards her detective, a perplexed look on her face.
"Did they tell you anything?"
"The officer said Troy lawyered up. With him being a career criminal, I imagine he knows the statute of limitations expires on the charge soon, so he's planning on waiting it out." Gazing toward the ceiling, Rachel asks, "I wonder if she knows too?"
"I doubt it, seeing she's not a career criminal like him."
"I suppose you're right, Jerr."
"The captain and I watched her initial interrogation, and she seemed clueless. Their DA claims it was an act, but Joe and I aren't so sure."
"After what her friends said, I doubt that the drugs were hers."
"Hopefully, we can find a way to prove it." Jerry taps a few keys; another search comes up on the screen.
Joe walks over to the detectives with a big grin on his face. "You'll never believe what just happened."
Jerry glances up. "What, boss?"
"The Chicago PD just called and said that the DA has dropped the drug charge.
A solemn look crosses the Sergeant's face. "I wish we could tell her she's free."
"Maybe her friends can give her the news. You know, that one who supposedly never speaks to her, Thelma something or other."
Rachel laughs. "I know the person you're talking about. Great idea, Jerry, thanks." She grabs a piece of paper and scans the list.
Thelma Hastings claims she hasn't seen or spoken to Abby since she moved, but Abby's call log shows they talk daily for hours." She starts to dial her number when another thought comes to mind. "Guess I should pull surveillance off her house, too."
Crossing his arms, Jerry leans back, smiles, and says, "We may not have caught our burglar, boss, but at least we've helped an innocent person go free."
"The day is still young." Smiling, Kirk sets a laptop in front of them.
"Did you get into the computer?"
"I did more than that; I found the file you were looking for, and you'll never believe what's on it."
He clicks on an icon. The captain and his detectives scan the document.
"This could put Romero and his crew away for life."
Hearing the exclaim, Diego glances over to find Abby's computer sitting on the sergeant's desk. I've got to let Romero know they found the file. Shoving his chair back, he springs out of his seat.
The captain looks over to find the rookie making a mad dash out the door. An officer he believes to be a mole. "Go see what he's up to, Jerry."
He smiles. "My pleasure, boss."