As Shad spoke those last few words he was inundated with the urge to hurl the table over and grab Wally by the throat before pounding his head into the drywall. But this public setting was as much to help Shad maintain control as it was for his safety. The lines in Wally’s brow furrowed even deeper.
“Sorry about your wife, but I don’t have any idea what –”
“Shove it. I’ve already had an interesting conversation with the sheriff. You see, the spouse is always the prime suspect in this sort of scenario. Naturally they wanted to search everything I have, even my computer. But my computer is the one thing I didn’t let them search, which naturally raised their interest in it so they’ve obtained a search warrant by now to seize it. So yesterday I skipped town, which naturally will make them even more interested in catching up to me. And I came here, Wally, so I could be closer to you.”
Wally kept a pretty good poker face, but Shad was certain that wouldn’t last much longer.
Shad continued. “I figured since they’re gonna search my computer anyway, I might as well give them something to look at. So last night I hacked into your computer, and I found files and internet data which I saved and backed up all for the benefit of the police. The twist here is that the evidence I obtained illegally will be discovered by them in a legal manner, and they’ll be very interested in talking to you – especially after I’ve sang like a canary about our recent history.”
Wally visibly swallowed and glanced around the room before he spoke. “You can’t threaten me. This is all a bluff.”
“I never bluff.”
“You’ve got to be. I keep all the security on my computer updated. You couldn’t hack in there in one night.”
“Well yeah, you’re right.” Shad smiled even as he envisioned landing a good right punch on Wally’s nose. “But you seem to have forgotten I’ve had several days to set up for my invasion last night. How else would I find out about your little organization? Part of the beauty of this scenario is that all your cronies with the children’s rights advocacy group will go down as well. Many children across the state will finally be safe.” He locked his gaze with Wally’s. “Especially Tyler.”
Wally actually looked worried enough for Shad to notice it. “Then why are we having this meeting? Why are you letting me in on your plan?”
Shad continued to smile. He hadn’t expected to actually experience some enjoyment from this conversation. Maybe this was what it had been like for Quaid as he conned swindlers on his stream boat voyages. “Because it’s one thing to sacrifice myself and another to take a flying leap into the lions’ den. You just heard plan A, the one with the bitter end where you wind up in prison because I see to it the prosecuting attorney slams you with maximum everything. And I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about what the other prisoners do to child molesters.
“But I’m giving you the option to choose plan B. You turn yourself in for attempted murder. And beg to go into psychotherapy. And I’ll not only keep the prosecuting attorney on a leash, I’ll help you to secure the very finest counsel money can buy. You can get a lighter sentence, maybe get to spend time protected in a psyche ward. Then you can get out and basically be left alone as long as you don’t try to live too close to school yards.”
Wally studied him for a few seconds before replying. “I’d rather take plan C.”
Shad anticipated this. “Illuminate me.”
“Turning myself in won’t get you off the hook. I’ll tell them about your hacking. I’ll take you down with me.”
Shad smiled. “Remember the sheriff’s warrant? I’ve already figured I’ll be disbarred before this is all over with. But I’ve come to appreciate that I’m a man of many talents. I’ll just get myself a less stressful job and move on with my life while in the meantime yours just rots.”
“I can even get creative with what I tell the police about you.” Wally looked determined. “Once they know about our distant history it’ll be a cinch to insinuate there’s even more they’ll need to investigate you for. Going after youth-lovers is like a witch hunt in this country. Think about what your family will go through.”
Wally did have some ammunition there, and Shad flinched inwardly for a second. But he thought of Dulsie on the hospital bed and remembered he was here to atone for that.
“You don’t get it, do you? I don’t care what happens to me. And you’ve already done the worst you can to my family.” Shad’s urge to simply knock the table over on top of Wally and begin a stomp dance was getting harder to keep reined in. His voice started to get gruffer. “I’m already a man with nothing to lose. If you try to screw with me anymore I’ll rip your head off in front of a mirror so you can watch me do it.”
“Are you threatening me?” Wally’s own tone was serious.
“Freedom of speech, baby. Now which is it gonna be? Do I hold your hand down to the police station or do I get to start tenderizing your face with my fists so that the police come here?”
Wally’s eyes widened slightly. “You wouldn’t.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Don’t forget I learned from the masters.”
“You’ll be the one hauled in by the police if you assault me.”
“Did you forget the police are already looking for me and my computer?” Shad leaned forward. “I promise I’ll try to give you such a thrashing you’ll need to go to the hospital, which will make it harder for you to make a run for it. And even if you do, you’ll be forever looking over your shoulder because you’ll finally be on their radar. And I’ll never give up looking for you. I’ve found you once, Wally. I’ll find you again.”
Wally regarded him for a while, then drew a deep breath and lowered his head into his hands so that his fingers raked through his hair.
“You really don’t give me any choice, do you?” Wally muttered to the table top before he looked back up at Shad. “Then we’ll go to the police station. But be assured –”
“Squeal all you want. You’d disappoint them if you didn’t. In the meantime I’ll arrange our transportation.”
With his hands still clasped to the sides of his head, Wally stared almost blankly at Shad while the younger man pulled his cell phone from his shorts pocket. While still keeping one eye on Wally, Shad noticed that Eliot had returned his call, but because Shad put the phone on silent to keep his conversation with Wally uninterrupted, his necessary conversation with Eliot was going to have to wait a little longer. Shad called the cab company while maintaining a close watch on Wally. When Shad was done arranging to have a taxi pick them up, Wally lowered his hands to the table.
“Can I at least get something to drink while we wait?”
Shad immediately suspected his motivation and almost snapped back “No.” But his desire to wring Wally’s neck convinced Shad to respond otherwise. “I’ll go with you.”
He followed Wally very closely as the man ambled to the counter and approached the coffee pot. As Shad watched him pour a cup of the steaming beverage his wariness and readiness increased.
Fascinating, he felt so alive at this moment. All of Shad’s senses were on high alert, and he believed he could dodge an airborne stream of scalding coffee while simultaneously tackling Wally to pummel any more such notions right out of his head. Was this the kind of power trip that made the cycle of abuse so addictive to those who joined sub-humanity? Was his brain experiencing the same neurochemical wash that created people who became predators? It was an alluring sensation, tantalizing, and Shad knew he could grow to like it even as a small voice in his conscience whispered caution.
Wally half-turned and his gaze met Shad’s. In that couple of seconds Shad actually believed he saw a flicker of fright in the man’s eyes before he looked away and shuffled back to the table. Almost disappointed, Shad tailed him back, and as he did so realized how aware of the room he was. The family with a couple of chatty school-age kids seemed unaware of them, but the elderly couple at another table and the three young women at the last table would occasionally cast a furtive glance their way.