The Double Cross

The Double-Cross

I bumped into a woman and her husband while in the bookstore. We ended our conversation and exchanged numbers.

“Thanks, Heather. Call me. Jim, it’s my fortune to meet you, too.”

“Yes, same. For sure I’ll call.”

#

Sandra whispered like the hiss of a snake as she leaned against the door and peered through the peephole. Detectives Dan Cruise and Drake Duff were getting closer to her home.

“Just give me a second,” Chet said, hiding, consumed by fear.

“Do it!” I urged, my voice full of urgency. “Out the fire escape. Someone must have let the cops in. I heard the elevator and their footsteps in the hallway. They were too loud and too close.” I tried to calm myself by breathing and keeping my hands still.

The police knocked on the door. I stood straight up; my heart raced. As I readied myself for the confrontation, I told myself, “Just act normal.” I had practiced my lines: “I haven’t seen him.” The truth would come out. Detectives Duff and Cruise, who worked for Lieutenant O’Hare, were the best at closing cases in Windsor. Today, Beverly asked her two detectives to pick up Charles Dare. “We need to know what he knows about the murders,” she said.

#

Chet exited the apartment via the fire escape. The police arrived, but his prior evasion of the law meant his absence did not surprise them. With my hand on the cold doorknob, sweat dripped from my fingers. The room felt like it closed in on me, and every creak reverberated in my ears as shadows grew around me. “Just breathe,” I whispered to myself. “Try to stay calm. Steady that jackhammer of a heart, girl.” The musty air and my sweaty hands on the rough door handle made my stomach turn.

I looked through the peephole. I heard Mama’s warnings: “Be careful. The tunnels hide monsters, just like people do.” I recalled her advice: “Watch yo back.” The tunnels were dark and full of whispers that sent shivers down my spine, even though the city’s air was hot. I pushed those thoughts aside and remembered Mama’s words: “Don’t yo show no fear; the popo be smellin’ it for fun.”

Deep down, I felt tremors of Mama’s past lessons that made me think my nerves were my weakness. I trembled as I reached for the door latch. “Be strong. Don’t let them see you shake,” I told myself, my voice matching the quaking of my body. “You took care of that gun under the sink, right?” Mama asked. That reminder brought me back to reality despite all the noise. I walked to the door, each step planned. I hid my shaking hands. I lifted the latch to open the door and put on my best face.

“Don’t be goin’ stupid now wit that look on yo face,” Mama warned. “Don’t go woryin’ bout no popo comin’ round; yo burnt everythin’ he kep here.” Her words gave me strength and helped me stay calm. I opened the door, smiled at the detectives, and moved aside to invite them in.

“Detectives, won’t you come in? Would you like something to drink?”

Cruise replied, “No, thank you.” Duff looked over the apartment after they were inside. Cruise asked to use the restroom while Duff sat.

I guided the short, mustached man to the restroom and joined the curly-haired detective in the living room. He bombarded me with a series of questions. Duff began in a calm and interested voice. “Do you remember Chet ever talking about any business deals here using names?”

“No, sorry, detective, I don’t,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I tried to ignore Chet’s business affairs.

“Did anything stand out to you? Do you have any names for us? Or hints of places he frequented?” Detective Duff asked,

“Only one. The name—Jimmy. He mentioned a guy named Jimmy before their last job.” The detectives exchanged glances as Duff nodded. “We’ll need a warrant to see your phone records.”

“Thanks, Sandra, for your cooperation,” Cruise said. He joined the conversation just in time to hear the conclusion. He handed me his card. “Please let us know if you see or hear from Chet.” His eyes pleaded with me. I deceived them—the poor bastards—and they were oblivious to my deceit. I found their seeking truth from me hilarious.

I nodded, smiled, walked them out, and locked the door behind them.

#

After they left, I sighed and headed to the fridge to grab my usual snack: celery and dip. With a sense of fear and disgust, the unsettling part of myself that fought Mama loomed in my mind. I sat down to watch a movie.

I tried to focus on the movie but failed. Tonight, I had to incinerate the remaining waste. Later, in the early morning, I'd find myself immersed in the chaos.

#

Sauerkraut brine, human flesh, and garbage burned together into something grotesque. As it dissolved and turned to ash, I could taste something metallic in my mouth. It made me gag. I held my stomach and tried to stop the wave of nausea that hit me.

My heart raced, each beat loud and swift. My breaths came short and rough, making it difficult to remain calm and breathe. Anger surged through my mind. I tried to get rid of them like a scythe cuts through weeds.

The people I killed during my dark times, when I followed Mama's advice, haunt me. My memories flashed before my eyes, haunting me. The images were filled with gruesome details. I remembered the stench from when I burned them in the incinerator along with the cabbage and brine from the sauerkraut. Tears streamed down my face in an unending stream. Fear crept through every cell and nerve in my body. A heat wave washed over my skin with such intensity that it became near unbearable and threatened that I might vomit. The vile smell of charred flesh mixed with chemicals clung to my hair, my clothes, and my skin. Without anyone noticing, I made my way back to my apartment.

#

The following day, I called in sick. I was too exhausted to accomplish much. Folded papers were slipped under my apartment door. Right outside, someone dared to shove them into my apartment---just another thread in my complicated web I’d woven.

I stooped to pick up the papers as my hands shook. The rough state of the items suggested a deliberate act of discarding. After I read the notice, I learned it was a "Warrant to obtain phone records." My stomach felt sickened.

Detective Cruise knocked on the door fifteen minutes later; I let him in.

“Hi, may I sit?" I have one question for you. "I forgot to ask you this question the other day."

“Hi, detective, yes, of course.

"How long have you and your partner been dating?”

"Oh, that?” My voice was bitter as I answered. “I assumed his interest in me to be genuine, but he used me for a place to live and collect his information.” I paused. “Hey, where’s Detective Duff?”

“Oh, he’s following other leads.”

#

I knew I had to stay ahead of the investigators. I smiled and said, “That’s amazing. I hope he gains valuable information.”

“Well, I better get going. Thanks again, Sandra.” Duff stood and headed to the door. “I’ll see myself out.”

“Sure thing, detective.” After he closed the door, I ran to the bedroom.

In a panic, I gathered my belongings and devised a strategy to get away to a friend’s place. I left, and just like that, my constructed public image crumbled. Determined to make a fresh start, I closed my apartment door. I made my way out.

My heartbeat spiked and dropped as I left my place. I knew I had one stop to make that would cinch their convictions. I had to frame Chet and Jim. Would my story be enough to outsmart the police and the Crown Attorney? I wondered about my situation while walking to the precinct.

Fear gripped me, yet hope surged when I considered my freedom. I pushed myself to my limits with every step, since fear and hope moved through me like a bubbling brook leading me toward a light at the end of the tunnel—Barbados. The detectives didn't have crucial information yet that could affect Chet and Jimmy’s fate.

#

I entered the precinct despite my leg shaking. I asked to speak with either of the detectives working the Charles Dare case. I waited less than five minutes before I saw Detective Cruise come for me.

"Hey, Sandra, what can I do for you?"

"I remembered something I need to tell you. I'm sorry: My mind hasn't been my own since this case began."

"Hang on a moment while I get my partner, and then we can go in here together." Go ahead and take a seat, and we'll be right with you."

"Duff, Sandra came in and wants to tell us something she remembered."

"You don't say. Well, by all means. Let's go hear it."

"Yeah, she's in Room A."

The detectives came into the room, and I got a vibe of discontent. They were skeptical of what I was doing there, I thought.

"Now yo know these popos thin yo's lyin and makin dis all up." Mama said. "Yo shoent be here. "Big mistake."

“I remembered that Chet first told me about the tunnels on the west side after we dated for around six months. He never mentioned murders, though.” I paused. "I swear on my Mama's grave."

“Does Jim know these facts from being Chet's lawyer or from being his friend? What do you think?” Detective Duff said.

“Should I have informed you?” I said with a wide, doe-eyed gaze.

Captivated by her account, Duff and Drake bought it. Cruise left and gathered a squad to check the West Side Tunnels.

"I don't know. How could I know that?" I asked him with a scrunched face.

Duff posed a direct question then. “So, first, you accused Chet when I came to your house. And now you come here trying to involve Jim Montello, too?”

“Hey, wait a minute, detective. Let me be clear: I did no such thing. I'm just telling you what I know and when I knew it."

The detectives thanked me and sent me on my way. I wondered what they thought about me now.

After I gave my statement, I left the police station satisfied. I headed to the bookstore across the street and purchased the latest Mary Higgins Clark novel. I left the store and stopped for a coffee. I anticipated reading it while I enjoyed my coffee. Then I called my girlfriend to see if she was home and ready for me. When she didn’t answer, I went home and thought I'd go to her house when she got home.

#

At home, Jim was inside my flat. He asked where I’d been. I showed him the book I bought to prove where I’d been. I mentioned other books I considered before choosing the one I held. For now, the information placated him.

While he spoke of his powerful connections, I asked for his help with an essay before he condemned me based on Chet’s opinions. Unbeknownst to Jim, I recorded the conversation on my phone. Unaware they surveilled me, I monitored my day’s events. My credibility grew with each passing second.

While he spoke of his powerful connections, I asked for his help with an essay before he condemned me based on Chet’s opinions. Unbeknownst to Jim, I recorded the conversation on my phone. I was unaware of the surveillance team watching me. I monitored my day’s events. My credibility grew with each passing second.

His chilling gaze during our last night at “The Cook Shop” gave me goosebumps.

I did my best to maintain the charade, pretending love maintained our relationship, when deceit spurred him on. He leaned in, his voice full of confidence. We’ve made progress.

We held hands, a complicated mix of genuine affection and planned deception. For a moment, he believed that I loved him as much as he loved me. I convinced myself of this until the next dangerous move in our game.

“Did you forget? What seems to trouble you?” he asked.

“What?” I said with a raised voice. “Now, my dear? Why would something trouble me when we have plans to visit Barbados once Chet’s behind bars for good?” I said.

“I think you’re right, baby. I regret any misunderstanding. I find it perplexing that despite the evidence against Chet, after his court hearing ended, they’re still dragging their feet.”

“Jim, it might be wise for you to not visit anymore. We cannot be certain.

"Who might be watching us? Can we leave now?" Jim agreed and then left.

“Is it possible they investigated another person?” He attempted to convince himself rather than me.

I contacted the homicide police and informed them of this new information. I had recorded Jim admitting that he and Chet worked together. Drake and Duff came to my apartment to duplicate the video and ask questions.

"Thank you for the call, but may I ask why Jim Montello was at your apartment?" Detective Duff said.

"You know, detective. I wondered that, too. When I got home, he was inside my apartment. I thought Chet gave him his keys."

Since my story aligned with the findings of the undercover surveillance team, I gained credibility. The forensic team called the detectives to report that they had discovered evidence just as I had described it. They found Chet's and Jim Montello's fingerprints, with Chet's already on file.

The detectives arrested Jim and witnessed his transformation from colleague to criminal.

I appeared in court on the trial date. I testified for the Crown Attorney, who asked me questions that diverted suspicion away from me and toward Chet and his accomplice, Jim.

Chet identified Jim as his accomplice for a plea bargain of a reduced sentence, and acknowledgment of the time served. However, he maintained his innocence. The judge sentenced Chet to 20 years to life for his involvement in the killings and mishandling of a dead body.

Jim Montello had helped Chet harm two more people. The prevalence of blood spatter and patterns at the crime scene showed violence before the victims’ deaths. Chet divulged details about Jim’s use of gloves during the first two murders and his instructions for Chet’s subsequent actions.

At court proceedings, Montello’s wife hid her face behind her hands. The Crown Attorney’s office contacted Jim and requested his testimony for the next stage of the legal process.

During Heather’s testimony, she testified that her husband’s working hours were because of cases, or so she thought. Given Jim's nature, Heather struggled to understand how he could have engaged in torture.. Heather now understood Jim to be a torturous murderer.

She said, “I wonder how I didn’t know such a thing after 25 years,” as she shook her head and buried her face in her hands.

But her testimony divided opinion in the courthouse. People perceived it as genuine, while others saw it as vengeance. Regardless of differing opinions, one undeniable truth emerged: the evidence was incriminating. When the two women encountered each other in court, they appeared as strangers. The jury found her guilty of all charges after she testified.

Jim Montello received a life sentence in prison.

I discovered how resilient I could be while my plan unfolded. Meeting Heather answered my prayers; the plan would've been incomplete without her.

We had one carry-on each full of books and bikinis.