The Voice - Part 19

Lance understood from experience what Bobby had gone through twice. “Chief, sorry I couldn’t get a good connection for you, but I do remember most of what happened. At least I think I do.”

“What do you mean no good connection? We have a perfect recording of all that happened right here. I couldn’t speak to you, but we were able to record the whole thing. Now we need to figure out what our next move will be. We still need to do something about Peter, but I guarantee you Marissa Powers and Tara Johnson will be prosecuted for their part in Peter’s attack.

“Chief,” Lance began. “I know we have to get Peter off the street. We know he has cocaine in his possession, at least at the time he commits the murders. Is there a way he could be arrested for possession of illegal drugs. I don’t think he’s aware of reality when he commits the crimes. If having him arrested on drug possession doesn’t work, could he be placed in a mental facility?”

“These are all areas we can look into, but we still have the fact that there’s no evidence he needs help since there’s no evidence at all to connect him to the murders.”

“Yes, we do, Chief. We have that perfect recording you were talking about.”

“Lance, I know it’s been a long night, but you forget . . . tonight hasn’t happened yet. It takes place thirteen years in the future. We’re done for tonight. All of you go home and get some rest. I wish I could give you another day off, but it won’t work this time. There’s too much to do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

A weak and exhausted Lance Fisher turned the corner on Dawson Street. He needed Margie’s support. The trip back to the past and into the future added emotional strain to what had already created extreme emotion. Lance understood what Bobby had gone through, but he didn’t understand how he was able to hold up as well as he did. Lance rang the doorbell.

“Hi Margie, can I come in?”

“You know the answer to that. Of course, you can. I’ll get the coffee going.”

How was your trip to the future? Were you able to make any sense of Peter’s actions?" In an effort to hide her pain, Margie sarcastically quipped,I guess I should ask – did he take any lives tonight?”

“The good news is Peter remembered a little bit about the night of his attack. Somehow we ended up in the past. I witnessed his first trial 13 years ago. That Kaylee Lynch railroaded him. Lied through her teeth, but as we know, the jury bought it hook, line, and sinker.

“But then something really strange happened. We went from the past to the future. Peter was on trial for the murders. The DA for his case will be Marissa Powers, aka Marissa Richards – Jeremy Richard’s daughter.”

“Oh, my, Lance. There will be a trial! I thought you said, he couldn’t be tried for these murders. How did this happen?”

“Margie I don’t know, I really don't know.”

“So what was the verdict?”

“We were sent back to the present before the jury reached their decision. I have no idea how it ended up. But don’t be too concerned. Like I said he can’t be tried for the murders because technically he didn’t commit them yet. I’m sure it turned out okay. We still do have to get him off the streets, though. He can’t be allowed to untechnically commit murder.

“Margie, look at me.” Margie sat with her head in her hands staring at the floor; her mind slipping into nothingness. Lance tried again, “Margie - look at me.”

She looked up startled. She heard Lance’s request, but she couldn’t respond. Her mind was in a daze as she saw flashes of her son being beaten in prison, malnourishment, filth, oh and Death Row.

“Margie, listen to me.” Lance tried again. “Margie, even if he goes to court, they’ll have to throw the case out. It’s illegal to charge someone with a crime that hasn’t been committed. Don’t worry about it.

“Oh, and Margie . . . I’d just like to say you’ve handled this with so much strength. I don’t think I could go through what you’ve gone through for the past several years. I’m very proud of you. I don’t know how you do it!”

“Oh yes, you do. You know very well. I would have fallen apart a long time ago if it wasn’t for the Lord.”

Lance sat back in the oversized recliner and put on his thinking face. “I know I have so much to learn about my new Christianity. Do you think, I’ll ever be able to have the kind of faith you have?”

“Lance, you’ve already grown so much in your new life. God will take you at His speed. All you have to do is just take your hands off the wheel, but I do know it’s easier said than done. He is my strength and He’ll be yours, too.”

Margie excused herself to get the coffee. Lance continued to meditate on the situation. He knew Margie accepted Christ. He knew he did. What about Peter? The thought had worked its way to the tip of his tongue by the time Margie came back to the room.

“Marge, What if . . . and this only a what if, what if Peter were to be sent to Death Row? Is he a Christian? Has he accepted Christ?”

“No, not yet. I keep praying, but he feels this religious thing is only for older people. I’m assuming he sees me as an older people, whatever that may be in his eyes. We’ve talked about it many times, and he’ll listen. Just never asks any questions, never agrees nor disagrees. He’s just politely not interested.”

“That would bother me more than worrying about him going to prison – which he won’t so stay calm.”

“It most certainly bothers me, Lance, but I also know the Judge of all the earth will do right by me, and by Peter. I just have to leave these things with the Lord. He’ll deal with all the troublesome areas of life.”

“Would you mind if I talked to him about it when I get a chance?”

“Oh my! Not at all. Do what you need to do. Maybe he’d even respond to you. He thinks of you as the father he never had – and that’s a good thing.”

“One more thing. How ‘bout a Sebastian's late night?”

“Lance, we don’t even have reservations!”

“Not a problem. You don’t need them after midnight. Let’s go.”

The day was late, but one more impromptu meeting was put in place. Chief, Marx, Fisher, Shields, along with Amy Bauer were patiently waiting for the reason for the meeting to appear. Unknown to Marx, Fisher, and Shields that reason was Alex Barto.

At approximately 4:40 p.m. Mr. Barto walked through the door. Lance’s jaw dropped not knowing what to expect. Alex took a chair next to Lance and sat down.

Lance couldn’t hold back any longer. “Okay, Okay, Okay! What’s going on?”

Chief cut in. “Men, meet Alex Barto thirteen years ago.”

Bobby looked confused. The rookie shook his head. Lance just wanted answers.

It was clear that both Chief and Amy knew what was going on. “Men, please allow our visitor o introduce himself.”

Lance’s thoughts were swirling. “Introduce himself? We all know who he is.”

“Gentlemen, Ms. Bauer – I am special agent FBI Ronald Thompson. I’ve traveled back to your present some thirteen years to help in the Peter McClanahan case. The FBI has spent much time and money developing time portal technology. The Peter McClanahan case is a prime example of what the technology can do and what it is used for.

“More than future events, the portals were assembled to enter the past. We have the ability to look for more clues and evidence by going back in time before the crime takes place. It is a piece of sheer genius, the way it works, but I’m not here to explain that to you.

“Unfortunately, Peter McClanahan stumbled upon the portal by accident. He didn’t know how to negotiate his way through and ended up in the future instead of the past. Once he made the mistake, he continued the same way – always heading into the future.

“I’m here to let you know there is a way you can get McClanahan off the streets here in Lafayette now. The crimes have been committed in the future. He must be arrested in the future. Rain is in your forecast for Friday night. I’ve been watching Peter. No doubt he’ll make his way to the portal that evening. I’ll be waiting on the other side, and as soon as he makes his entrance, he’ll be put under arrest.

“We believe Peter has some major problems to work through from his attack years ago. He won’t be jailed. We have special agents capable of helping him maneuver through the difficulties he now faces. He’ll be well taken care of.

“Simply put, Peter will be in good hands, and the crime spree will end here in Lafayette. We’ll need to coordinate our efforts, but I believe it will all go smoothly. This reign of terror has to stop . . . Friday night. Are there any questions?”

Lance struggled to process it all. “Barto – I mean Thompson, will Peter ever be able to re-enter this time period? If he were jailed here in Lafayette, at least his mother could visit him. Could she travel to your time to see him? I know it’s going to be very hard for her.”

“No, once he enters, there’s no coming back. And after he enters the time portal will be destroyed from the other side. It’s served its purpose, and there’s too much risk to let it open. Peter got bumped into the future. He was a fortunate one. Most often, someone entering without the knowledge of how these portals work would be lost forever in time. I wish I could give you a different answer, but I can’t.

“Well, if there are no more questions I need to be going. Oh, and Lance, I’m sorry for my crude behavior at the airport. Just part of my cover, you know.”

The group was dismissed. Lance knew it would be a long night. He began to ponder the new information as he discussed it with himself. “Roger McClanahan – Alex Barto – Ronald Thompson –FBI agent? I guess he was telling me the truth. What a way to throw me off track! Peter permanently entering the future, with no visits from Margie? I just told her last night he couldn’t be legally prosecuted. What’s next?”