Chapter 10, Phone Call
“Hello?”
A familiar voice rang in her ear, but it wasn’t a voice she expected. It was a voice from the past, a voice she never wanted to hear again. “Cathee.” He paused, as if relishing her fear through the phone lines. “You might as well walk over to the railing and throw yourself over. If you wait ’til I get you, you’ll feel pain in places you never knew you had.” Cathee dropped to the floor, sheer terror making it impossible to stand. She threw the phone across the room, not wanting to hear one more strain of that voice, then she covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
Garrett watched the phone fly and desperately wanted to grab it and unload on whoever had called, but he raced to Cathee’s side instead. Christina ran to grab the phone while Garrett wrapped his arms around Cathee. “What is it? Who called?”
“Turn it off. Turn it off.” Cathee hissed desperately.
Garrett quickly turned to Christina. “Turn the phone off, please.”
Christina looked desperate. “I don’t know how.”
Feeling torn by his desire to rip into the caller and please Cathee, his desire to please her won out. He reached for the phone and held down the ‘end call’ key until the phone went dark.
Cathee turned her tear-streaked face up to Garrett. She was visibly shaking, and terror was written on her face. She whispered hoarsely, “How did he know where I was? It was like he knew exactly where I was standing. Can people do that?”
“Do what? I don’t understand.”
Cathee covered her mouth and rocked back and forth, trying to keep herself together. The other tourists had quickly evacuated when they’d seen Cathee collapse and Garrett go to her. They didn’t want to be part of a domestic dispute. It was way too awkward.
Finally, Cathee stilled herself. She sat on her hands, an effort to keep them from shaking. “It was Juan. I don’t understand. I thought he was in jail. He...he told me to jump. How could he know where I was standing?”
Garrett’s face went white. He reached to pull Cathee up and then wrapped his arms around her. He whispered into her hair. “I’m so sorry. I should have told you this morning.”
Cathee pushed back and looked up into Garrett’s anguished eyes. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear out her confusion. “I don’t understand. What was it you should have told me?”
“There was an announcement on the newscast this morning about Juan’s escape.”
Cathee’s brows furrowed as she made the connection with his apprehensive appearance as they were approaching him that morning. “If you knew, why didn’t you tell me?”
Garrett reached to stroke her hair, an attempt to calm both of them. “I’m so sorry. I just didn’t want to worry you. I thought we could leave the worrying to the authorities, but, apparently, I was wrong.”
“I...I still don’t understand. How could he know where I was?”
“Maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe he was saying things that made you think he knew where you were.”
She shook her head vigorously. “No. He told me to throw myself over the railing. It was like he was right here, watching me.” She scanned the room frantically, desperately searching for a face she didn’t want to see.
“Cathee, Cathee.” Garrett gently held her face in his hands. “Look at me, please.”
She stopped her frantic search and looked into his eyes.
“Cathee. It is not physically possible for him to have made it to Kansas. He just escaped New York last night, and security is too tight in every airport for him to have flown.” He paused to make sure she was comprehending and could see the terror gradually recede. “He isn’t here. It’s physically impossible.”
Cathee’s voice was anguished. “Then how could he possibly know where I was standing, as if he was here with us?”
Garrett paused a moment, carefully thinking through the options. “What carrier do you have?”
“I don’t understand.”
“What cell phone carrier do you have?”
“Oh.” Her face cleared. “AT&T.”
“Anyone with an AT&T cell phone can track anyone else if they’ve paid for the service. You have to go in and physically click on an ‘opt-out’ key to keep people from tracking you. If he somehow got your number, he’d be able to tell where you were anytime your phone is on.”
Cathee gasped. “I had no idea. How would he get my number? I thought cell phones weren’t listed.”
“You can Google almost any name and number and have information show up. If you’ve ever listed your number in any publication, it will show up.”
Cathee groaned. “What can I do?”
“The first thing we need to do is contact the authorities. They need to trace that number as soon as possible to locate Juan. Do you want me to call the police, or do you want to do it?”
Cathee shook her head vigorously, her face a mask of horror. “Can you imagine the swarm of reporters if we called the police from the State Capitol during a special session?” She shuddered. “I’d like to keep this as low key as possible.”
Garrett paused a moment, considering their options. “Would you feel better if we went directly to a police station, then?”
She nodded. “That would work.” She turned to Christina, whose face was streaked with tears. “Honey, are you ok?” Cathee asked in alarm.
Christina shook her head. “Mommy, I’m scared.”
“Sweetheart, it’s ok. We’re going to the police to tell them about it. We’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry, ok?” She hugged her daughter, then reached in her purse for a tissue. “Let’s clean up, then we need to go.”
Christina sniffled. “Ok, Mommy.”
They loaded into the public elevator, each of them too overwrought to consider stopping for a ride in the caged elevator.
They hurried to the car where Garrett turned on the air conditioner. He buckled up Christina while Cathee stood next to the car, shivering in the heat. Garrett tried to hide his concern, but he knew she could be heading for shock. She’d had too many emotional events in the past couple of days. He helped Cathee into the car, then reached for the towel protecting the back seat. He tucked it around Cathee. When she looked at him with questioning eyes, he said simply, “You seem to be cold. I thought this might help.”
“Th - thank you.”
“No problem.”
He pulled out his cell phone and searched for the nearest police station. In less than ten minutes, they could see the station. Cathee perked up. “Look. That’s the Overland Railroad Station just up the street.”
Garrett stared at her a moment, then blurted out, “Don’t tell me you’re still planning to visit the place.”
Cathee dropped her eyes in confusion. “I...I’m not sure what I’m going to do.” She met his eyes. “I can only take it one step at a time.”
Garrett nodded. “You’re right, of course. First things first. Let’s get the authorities involved.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Garrett was relieved to see her shivering had stopped. Hopefully, shock wouldn’t set in. It wouldn’t be safe to leave her alone if it did.
He stepped out into the heat and walked around the car to open the door for Cathee. She sat still with the door opened, so Garrett opened Christina’s door and released her from her booster seat. He turned to Cathee. “We need to get that number turned into the police.”
Cathee shuddered. “I know. I’m just...scared.” She looked up at Garrett with fear-filled eyes.
“It’ll be ok. If they can trace the number, it won’t be long before he’s caught.” Garrett reached a hand out to help Cathee up, and she took it gratefully. He reached an arm around her back to offer support while they moved up the sidewalk to the station doors. Christina beat them to the door and held the door open while they walked in. Cathee was grateful for the help. Fear gripped her, and she could hardly feel her legs.
Garrett led her to a worn black leather couch in the wa
iting area. Christina snuggled in next to her mother. He moved to the counter where bullet-proof glass divided the desk clerk from the waiting area. “I need to speak to an officer as soon as possible.”
The clerk behind the glass sounded bored. “You need to call on that black wall phone and talk to dispatch. They’ll send an officer.”
Garrett tried to hide his frustration. “You don’t understand. This is important. It’s about the escapee from New York.”
The clerk shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t contact the officers.”
“Aren’t there any in the building?”
She nodded. “There are, but I’m not allowed to contact them. You have to go through dispatch. I’m sorry.” She turned back to her paperwork, and Garrett picked up the phone, feeling frustrated.
“This is 911. What is your emergency?”
“I have information on finding Juan Ortiz, the escapee from New York.”
“What is your location?”
“I’m at the police station close to the Overland Railroad Station.”
“I’ll send out an officer right away.”
“Thanks.”
After he hung up, he suddenly remembered the 800 number listed on the morning news. He picked up his cell phone and dialed 1-800-GET-JUAN.
“Hello. How may I help you?”
“I have information on the location of Juan Ortiz.”
The person on the other side of the line suddenly sounded interested. “How do you know it’s Juan?”
“He called...” Garrett paused, wondering what he should say. He didn’t want to give out Cathee’s name. Finally, he continued with the only phrase he thought would fit “my girlfriend.” Garrett tried not to watch Cathee’s surprised expression at the announcement. “She was a friend of his several years ago, so she recognized his voice.”
“Do you have the number he called from?”
Garrett turned to Cathee. “I need your cell phone, please.” She fumbled in her purse and handed over the phone.
He turned the phone on, scrolled to the last received number, then rattled off the phone number. “He called about 15 minutes ago.”
“Thanks for the information. We’ll put a tracer on it.”
“You’re welcome.” He paused, wondering if his request would fall on deaf ears. “Is there any way you can let us know where he’s at? My girlfriend” Garrett was surprised by how right the word felt, “is scared he’s coming after her. He was threatening her life.”
“I’ll do my best. Where can I reach you?”
Garrett told him his name and cell number, then carefully shut off Cathee’s phone. If Juan was tracing her through her phone, it was important to keep it off. He sat next to Cathee and put a comforting arm around her.
Cathee, Christina, and Garrett looked up as a uniformed officer entered the building. “Are you the ones with information on Juan Ortiz?”
They nodded. Garrett pulled his arm away from Cathee and stood to talk. He didn't feel comfortable discussing the events from the couch. He quickly informed the officer about the events in the Capitol Building. The officer nodded and scribbled into his notepad.
Cathee stood up to join Garrett, then reached into her purse and pulled out the paper she’d written the case number on. “Officer...” she peered at his badge, “Hansen?”
He nodded an acknowledgement.
“I was asked by a lawyer in New York, Alec Mills, to make a report on some events that had to do with Juan Ortiz. I was going to make the report in Wichita, where I live, but, since we’re here, can you take the report?”
Officer Hansen nodded. “I can take it, but it might be easier to make a report where the trial is taking place.”
“The trial will be in New York.”
“I don’t suppose it matters whether the report is made in Wichita or Topeka then. I’ll take it.”
Cathee handed the paper to Officer Hansen. “This is the case number.”
He took the paper, wrote down the number, then handed it back.
She stuffed the Mapquest page back into her purse, then glanced down at Christina, who had remained seated. “I’d rather not have my daughter involved in this. Is there somewhere private we can meet?”
“Of course. I have an office in the back of the building.”
Garrett was concerned. He’d seen her in meltdown mode too many times. “Will you be alright, Cathee?”
Cathee closed her eyes a moment and swallowed hard, then she caught Garrett’s eyes. “I’ll be fine. Can you watch Christina for me? I don’t think this will take long.” She directed a questioning glance at the officer.
“No, it shouldn’t take long.” He glanced at his watch, then looked up at Cathee. “I’m not sure what you need to say, but let’s aim for thirty minutes.”
She nodded, then followed Officer Hansen through a heavy metal door and down a narrow hall.
His office was sparsely furnished. The metal desk dominated the room with a worn dark green leather office chair settled behind it. A black laptop sat open on the desk, the cursor blinking sullenly at them. Off-white paint was peeling off the two metal folding chairs propped against the wall. Officer Hansen opened one and sat it in front of the desk.
He moved behind the desk, then settled into his chair. “I’m just going to turn on this recorder. I’ll type out the report later. Is that ok?”
Cathee nodded, her throat dry. She hadn’t ever told this story, and she hoped she’d get it right. Although she didn’t have her notes with her, she was grateful for the time she’d spent writing. It had clarified the events. This wasn’t going to be easy, but at least she had everything fresh in her mind.
He pressed the ‘record’ button, then rolled the chair forward so he could rest his elbows on the desk, his hands pressed together with his fingers pointing her direction, a subtle accusation she found discouraging. This was something she should have done six years before. Squaring her shoulders, she began her story...