The Fleeing Felon

3. Fight

3 FIGHT SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

Same Morning

2:30 a.m.

Caitlin unconsciously rolled over on the full-size mattress but did not bump into Fredrick like she normally did during the middle of the night. Fredrick would typically moan at the disturbance but that was always a form of reassurance for Caitlin. She welcomed Fredrick sleeping with her again after having missed his presence during the past two years. This time, the lack of any resistance mysteriously woke her up. Her eyes blinked as they tried to focus in the dark.

She reached over and touched the cold, empty sheets on his side of the bed.

“Freddie?”

Caitlin sat up anticipating his response. None was forthcoming. She looked towards the bedroom door and saw that it was wide open. That puzzled her. Fredrick always insisted on sleeping with the door closed.

“Maybe he’s getting a late-night snack,” she reassured herself.

Caitlin tried going back to bed. But she was worried that Fredrick may have had difficulty sleeping again. Nightmares about being in prison still haunted him even though he had been free for the past few months.

After not seeing a light in the distance through the doorway, Caitlin rose from the bed and walked towards the kitchen. She put on a robe so that the chilly air wouldn’t encompass her body. She stepped quietly, concerned that any sudden noise may unnecessarily startle Fredrick and possibly set him off.

Fredrick’s parents, Joseph and Patricia Prato, encouraged him to get the holistic counseling that the tribe offered to members who were struggling with issues, but Fredrick refused. He dreaded sharing his feelings with strangers even if they were tribal members. It reminded him too much of the mainly “useless” meetings at the prison when the inmates were encouraged to discuss their crimes and how they had learned from their mistakes. Most inmates feigned remorse hoping that it would do them some good before the parole board. Fredrick hated all of the theatrics and refused to meaningfully participate. He desperately wanted to forget those days and put them behind him even if his unconscious mind wouldn’t let him.

“Fredrick?”

Caitlin turned on the kitchen light and noticed that there was no sign of him. No dirty dishes or silverware. No tribal newsletters were strewn on the countertop, which he read simply to pass the time during his insomnia. Everything was completely silent. Not even the television was on with the late-night shows Fredrick sometimes watched when he couldn’t sleep.

Caitlin became alarmed. She walked into the empty living room. Then she remembered how Fredrick would sometimes sleep in Maleah’s room if she had a restless night. Her daddy’s presence comforted her and allowed her to sleep through the night. The thought of Fredrick sleeping with Maleah briefly comforted Caitlin.

As she entered Maleah’s room, she could see her daughter sleeping comfortably. A teddy bear clenched tightly in her arms. However, Fredrick was not lying beside her. Caitlin did not call out his name again for fear of waking her daughter.

She glanced around the tiny room hoping that he was on the floor or in the corner stealthily watching Maleah. Instead, she saw a red motorcycle helmet at the foot of the bed. Her heart sank. Caitlin realized that Fredrick must have said goodbye to Maleah before he departed their apartment in Mesa, Arizona. She surmised that he left his helmet by mistake.

She wondered where he was.

Frantically walking back to the master bedroom in the small apartment, Caitlin picked up her iPhone to check if Fredrick texted her about his whereabouts. There was no text from him, but a text from work asking if Caitlin could come in a few hours early. One of the nurses had to leave early because he became sick during the shift. The hospital needed additional coverage.

Caitlin was about to text a response to the nurse manager when she stopped herself. She realized that someone would have to watch Maleah before she could decide whether to pick up a few extra hours.

Surely, we need the extra money. It doesn’t look like Fredrick will be getting a job any time soon, she thought. Where is he?

She dialed his number. After four rings, it went to voice mail. Caitlin called back.

Answer, Freddie.

She became more anxious after multiple attempts and the minutes quickly passed.

The phone finally answered after the fourth ring.

“Who’s this?”

The sound of music and noise emanated through the phone. Fredrick couldn't drown it out when he spoke.

“Who’s this? It’s me, Caitlin. Why didn’t you answer my first two calls?”

Her voice was more angry than concerned.

“Hey, babe.”

Fredrick was surprised and anxious at the same time. Sweat began to bead down his forehead. He walked back towards the banquet table to avoid the commotion.

“Where are you?” She listened more attentively. “Are you at a party?”

“Babe, I’m at Roger’s birthday party. You remember Roger. Don’t you?”

“Roger? You mean that guy from Florence?”

Caitlin became even more concerned wondering if Fredrick got back with his old prison pals.

“No, not that Roger. Remember Roger from the... the place in... from Arcadia. You know the guy from your high school. He’s twenty-one today.”

“That Roger. I thought you agreed not to go to his birthday party. You don’t even know him that well.”

“Well, I never agreed not to go. I-I… You told me not to go.”

“I did and you agreed not to go,” Caitlin said. “Didn’t you?”

“Well, I-I didn’t want to upset you.”

“You promised no more late nights. You need to go out looking for a job tomorrow. Not partying all night. You won’t look for a job if you’re tired. We talked about this,” Caitlin said with a sigh. “Besides, I need you to take care of Maleah right now. She needs you. I need you. I have to go to work early.”

Fredrick winced when he heard the request.

“I-I-I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t? I need you to come home now.” Her voice became forceful.

“I’m busy.”

“Busy? Partying isn’t being busy. You promised me that you wanted to be a family together... a father to Maleah.”

“I know. I know. But I can’t. I mean I can’t right now.”

“Does that party mean more to you than me? Than Maleah? You got to be kidding me. I left my parent’s house to move in with you, Freddie.”

“I know. I appreciate that but..but..”

“But what, Freddie?”

A young man quickly approached Fredrick. His companion lurked several feet behind. The man stated, “Hey man, I need a bud. I heard you were selling them tonight. You have anything else?”

“No,” Fredrick snapped. “I’m busy. You see me on the phone. Don’t you?” Fredrick quickly turned around in a vain attempt to have some privacy and also to show his dismay.

“Okay man, you don’t need to be so....” The young man trailed off, despondently walking back to the party with his companion.

“Caitlin, I’m so sorry—”

“This is ridiculous,” she interrupted. “You’re selling drugs again? Aren’t you, Freddie? I can’t believe this. I didn’t sign up for this. You promised.” Tears began welling up in her eyes as well as pent-up anger and frustration.

“I don’t, Caitlin. Honey, I don’t have time for this right now. I have to get back to work.”

“Work?”

Fredrick abruptly hung up the phone to her dismay.

He hurriedly walked back to the party and towards the young man who had approached him earlier.

“Hey man. You still need a bud?”