Where Is The Justice?

The first time I met Matt, his glassy eyes and constant sniffle got my attention. He was a man on a mission but I didn't realize how far he was willing to go.  Not then.

Jackie asked me to feed the horse while they were out of town and I was more than happy to split it with a joint friend who was covering the feeding on Friday.  The friend asked if I could feed and water the horse on Saturday.  I agreed.

A year later,  I had been visiting his wife and child when Matt arrived home.  He invited me to stay for dinner.  I hadn't planned on it, it was just a quick stop to say hello on my way home from work.

Matt couldn't do enough for me.  But he didn't eat a thing.

"C'mon, stay," he said as he prepared dinner.

"I'll be back late today and it is good that she is here," he said.

I couldn't put my lips together.  I mean drive over to Gatlinburg with the boys when your second baby is due in three days?  Give me a break! There was always something about his friends.  Sleazy. By 6 p.m. he was gone.

Jackie assured me she would be alright and I stayed a few hours and left about nine o'clock in the evening after helping with the clean up from dinner.  Matt still wasn't home.  

Over the next year I would visit often.  I was always invited to dinner.  Sometimes I stayed, sometimes I had things to take care of at my own home and there just wasn't time.  Besides, Matt made me uncomfortable.  He always had sketchy men around the house.

Jackie called me early one morning.

"We were robbed.  The pharmacy was.  Can you come over to see the video?"

I was a bit hesitant.  She insisted I meet her at the house and then drive over to the pharmacy which I did.

"There were two robbers.  One taller and one definitely female.  They descended into the pharmacy from the ceiling through the bathroom.

"It's an inside job," I told Jackie.

"No, couldn't be," she said.

Matt dropped his head and was silent.  Clearly, not concerned. He was on the phone with the insurance company and had already informed the state agencies about the disappearance of major street drugs.  The police were involved immediately.

Then there was the time Matt told Jackie there were in dire financial straits - ruin.  She couldn't understand it since he was buying pharmacies at record speed.  I recently learned one of the pharmacies with whom he had a partner, the pharmacy I used for a time, was also robbed.  

Over the years, there were nine robberies.  During this time, I learned that Matt had Jackie institutionalized. Drugged up.  I learned about this from her mother. and then her. 

Then he tried to convince everyone Jackie was schizophrenic.  He had the boys taken away from her and an order in place where she could not visit them.  It has been fourteen months since she has seen her children today.  She has not been allowed in the family home. 

To date, despite the divorce, she has received no alimony for the thirteen years of marriage, no marital assets from this millionaire man.  He remarried the day after the divorce was final.  His wife is twenty-one and pregnant with their daughter.  She is due any day. 

Thorough investigation by a private investigator has revealed he has several families, several homes, several social security numbers with names other than Jackie's on loans.  All of this was done during the marriage. 

On several occasions, Jackie has broken the restraining order to see her children.  She has been in jail, is out now and is still appealing the felonies in North Carolina. What mother wouldn't do this to see her children, to ensure they are safe?  It is said he has drug parties in the home, that the children are present and that he has had women in Jackie's bed. 

This is the short version of this convoluted man's escapades.  Where is the justice?

Into The Woods

The county police arrived within ten minutes. I was glad I captured a photo of the untouched van before the woman from the woods got to it.  To my surprise, she was also in the picture as she walked out from the wooded area in the foggy mist early that morning. 

Before I sent the photos to the police, I was sure to send it my young friend and reporter, Hollywood.  He would keep it safe in case it miraculously disappeared.  Hollywood was born and raised in the southern Appalachians with a high profile position. He was admired and trusted by everyone.

As several police cars rushed to the area, I found a comfortable log upon which to sit.  I knew I would be there quite a while answering questions. 

The Detective Sargent in charge stepped out of his police cruiser and walked determinedly toward the van.  Another officer had left the side door open.  Slowly he pealed the plastic away from the woman laying in the van.  She was face down with only socks on.  I turned away as I wouldn't do well seeing a lifeless person.  Especially in this uncanny situation.  

I couldn't sleep that night.  It was nearly midnight and one scenario after another kept playing in my head.  I decided to get out of bed and reached for my cell phone.  Somehow I recorded the woman walking into the woods and the camera  continued recording her coming out of it a few seconds later.  She opened the van door.  I could see legs move under the heavy plastic.  A live woman's legs.  I do not believe either of them knew of the recording.

Immediately I texted Hollywood and sent him the video. He had the high tech equipment to zero in closely.

"Oh, no! he exclaimed.

"Hold on, I am coming over and I will bring my equipment," he said.

My heart was beating outside my chest at that point.  On went every light inside and outside of the house.  I wanted to know if anyone was around.

His white sports car pulled into the driveway and into the garage.  I closed it after the car was safely inside.

"Know what I saw?" he said.

I was in shock from the events of the day and didn't respond.  I think my face was as white as his car.

"She had a Glock in her right hand as she walked into the woods," he said.

"Which she?" I asked.

Before I knew it, I had rolled over to the other side of bed.  Even bolted straight up.  I had never had a dream like that before.