Nick answered, “No, you told him Exit 141.” Nick turned to face Nadine. “I’m sure you’ve heard this morning’s news about Sunrise Hospital? What you might not have heard is that Sunrise developed a software program that interrupted GPS Innocent people were directed to Exit 141 only to become kidnap victims. Their cars were dumped and their bodies ravaged for saleable organs at Sunrise.”
Nadine’s eyes fluttered and her face flushed. Hearing Nick’s description of the crimes was almost more than she could bear. The idea that someone had conceived such a diabolical plan was incomprehensible.
Nick softened his voice as he spoke directly to Nadine. “We’ve arrested almost all of the main players in this. You’ll be safe after today.”
Nadine nodded. “I’m most grateful to you both.”
Nick turned to look directly at Elizabeth. “We found twelve cars at the hijacking dump site used by Sunrise Hospital’s kidnapping team. All twelve of the vehicle owners have been reported missing. We believe they are all victims of Sunrise. Strangely, the only car at the dump site that didn’t use GPS directions to Exit 141, was Marvin’s.”
Elizabeth sat up straighter. “Are you saying that Marvin simply took a wrong exit and ended up murdered?” Elizabeth’s chin began to quiver, “Do you think I gave them the wrong directions by mistake?”
Elizabeth’s performance didn’t impress him.
Nick’s tone was flat. “How much money do you stand to inherit if something happens to your mother?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “What…what does that have to do with anything?” Elizabeth looked at Nadine. “Mother, say something! Do you realize what he is insinuating?”
Nadine clutched her hands together in her lap. “Did I mention that I received a call regarding my medical report from Dr. Ames, Elizabeth? It seems my heart is perfectly fine. There was trace evidence, however, of a chemical substance in my toxicity report. It seems around the time I had my ‘heart attack’ I’d been given a nearly lethal dose of something. They’re still doing tests.” Nadine coldly asked, “Wasn’t that the night you prepared my dinner?”
Elizabeth leaped up from the sofa. “Have you gone mad? Now you’re accusing me of poisoning you?”
Nick spoke before Nadine could respond. “I couldn’t figure out how having Marvin and his family disappear would help you. Without the bodies, you would have to wait seven years to have them declared dead. But then I realized if Nadine was dead, you would be in charge of all of the corporate assets, even if Marvin was simply missing. There was plenty of corporate money to steal without Marvin’s insurance money, wasn’t there?” Nick stood and faced Elizabeth. “Your boyfriend, Lucas Costellano, simply arranged to do you a favor, didn’t he?”
Elizabeth was fuming. “Who? You’ve gone completely mad. I don’t know anyone by that name.”
Nick pulled up a picture on his phone and showed Elizabeth. It was the selfie Lacey had sent him. In the background of the picture Elizabeth was touching Lucas’ cheek and smiling. “This guy.”
Elizabeth stared at the phone and went pale. “So what? You can’t prove any of this! This is just speculation.”
Nick said, “It’s over Elizabeth. We have Lucas. Dr. Anthony Scalla is cooperating with the D.A. We know everything.”
Nick took a step closer to Elizabeth. He was in her personal space and could sense her fear. He struggled to keep his voice steady. “The part that got to me was when the coroner called and told me they found D.N.A. on Marvin’s cheek. D.N.A. from a family member… saliva. Our tests will confirm it’s yours. You assumed the bodies would be cremated, not discovered, didn’t you? Dr. Scalla will testify that you insisted on seeing their bodies. You kissed Marvin’s cheek before you watched Dr. Scalla zip up the body bag.” Nick leaned in even closer. “You whispered ‘Gotcha’, didn’t you?”
Nadine gasped.
Elizabeth snarled, “You think you’re so damn smart. Nobody will believe Tony. Lucas knows people. He’ll walk, too! Your life will be in ruins. I’ll get the best lawyers money can buy and bury you!”
Nadine stood. “Not with a penny of my money. You’ll have a public defender and I’ll testify for the prosecution. When did you become so cold, Elizabeth?” Nadine’s quivering chin rose. Her voice was nearly a whisper. “The devil is waiting to kiss your cheek.”
Elizabeth threw her head back and laughed. “Ha! You should know what ‘cold’ is mother. Always favoring Marvin and keeping me on some meager allowance, like a child. You didn’t love us. We were your disappointing spawn that you wanted to keep hidden.” She glared at Nadine and her voice became louder. “Why wouldn’t I want you dead? You’re useless. Nobody loves you. They love your money. My money! Face it mother; if you want to protect your precious reputation, you have to protect me. I’m all you have left.”
Nadine closed her eyes and slowly shook her head. When she opened her eyes again, tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. After your father passed I saw my role as the family protector. I thought I was teaching you character and love. Obviously, I have failed you.”
Nadine looked at Nick. “Do you have enough now?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as Nick pulled a recorder from his pocket and clicked it to stop. “Yes, I do.”
Elizabeth lunged toward Nadine, her hands extended like claws. Nick grabbed her and twisted her arm behind her back. Elizabeth screamed, “You bitch! You’re helping them? I don’t believe this!”
Jen tapped her cell phone and said, “Come get her.”
Jen was shaking with hatred. She forced herself to calm down.
The elevator doors opened and two patrol officers walked straight to Elizabeth.
Nick said, “You’re under arrest for the murder of Marvin, Carla and Allison Schultz and the attempted murder of Nadine Schultz.” He turned to the officers, “Get her out of here and make sure she understands her rights.”
Nick leaned in close to Elizabeth’s ear. “Gotcha.”
Nick and Jen exchanged glances.
Nick turned to Nadine. “I’m sorry this happened to your family.”
Nadine opened the palm of her hand and showed Nick a tiny picture of Allison that was cupped there. “When you called me for my help, I truly believed you were mistaken. I know my daughter. I can tell when she’s guilty. My Allison gave me the strength to help you, Detective Stryker. My little angel, Allison.” She dabbed a tear from her cheek. “I know Elizabeth expects I will save her in spite of it all.”
Nadine took a step back and lowered herself on to her chair. She straightened her shoulders and said, “May she rot in hell.”
___________________________________
Author note to reader:
We would like to thank you for purchasing and reading ‘Wrong Exit’. If you enjoyed our story we would appreciate a brief review on this book’s product page on Amazon. Reader reviews are extremely important to a book’s success. A full list of our other books follows the ‘List of Characters’. Thank you again and happy reading!
List of Characters
Police:
Nick Stryker
Chicago Homicide Detective 107th precinct
Jen Taylor
Chicago Homicide Detective 107th precinct
Wayne Dunfee
Chicago Homicide Detective 107th precinct
Sam Flores
Chicago Homicide Detective 107th precinct
Steven Phillips
FBI Agent, assigned to Chicago field office, organized crime
General Characters:
J.T. Barrimore
Owner of Global Securities, part-time hit man for Chicago mob
Matt
Programmer that works for J.T. Barrimore
Dr. Derrick Sanford
Cynthia Bronson
Confessed to murdering Nick, local artist
Dolly Weston
Confessed to murdering Nick, Librarian
Darla
Turner
Dolly’s best friend
Peter Jarvis
Confessed to murdering Nick, stock broker, Kevin’s brother
Kevin Morris
Reporter for Chicago Tribune
Sharon Perez
Works with Kevin, reporter wanna-be
Jack Dugan
Copy editor for Chicago Tribune
Jason Little
Partner and assistant to Dr. Sanford
Dr. Tony Scalla
Sunrise Specialty Hospital Administrator
Lucas Costellano
Mob man head of ‘organ’ business
Kidnap team
John, Vince and Juan
‘family victims’
Marvin, Carla and Allison Schultz (Found at brewery)
Elizabeth Hull
Sister of ‘family victims’
Owner: Schultz Energy/Mother: Elizabeth Hull, Marvin Schultz.
Sirus Corn
Homeless man
Gill Mackey
Hypnotized assassin, lawyer
Sal Cutler
Mobster works for Lucas
The New Orleans Series
Alcohol Was Not Involved
Book One of Trilogy
Extreme Heat Warning
Book Two of Trilogy
Silent Crickets
Book Three of Trilogy
Catahoula
Book Four of Series
*****
The Nick Stryker Series
Cusp of Crazy, Book One
Twisted, Book Two
Zero Margin, Book Three
Wrong Exit, Book Four