A Tale of Deception

By the time the second day dawned for Peter Lawrence, he was on his way to Florida.

  Around 1:30 that night, he lay listening to Sabine as she slept soundly next to him, snoring softly. Getting up, he crept across the carpeted floor, entering his walk-in closet. Sabine had one just like it nearby. Closing the door, he turned on the light, and pulled his suitcases down. He was going to take all he could.

  His heart was beating with the fear of waking her. How could he explain his leaving?

  You idiot, just tell her the same thing you told Ralph.

  Still, he tried to pack without disturbing her.

  Opening his top drawer, he took out his collection of Rolodex watches, diamond, ruby and emerald rings, and all his valuables. He placed them in the pocket of his suitcase. Looking around, he made sure he had everything he wanted.

  I can always replace what I can’t take with me, once I’m safe and settled into my new life.

  Turning off the light in the closet, he opened the door cautiously. Sabine still slept. Wheeling the suitcases over the soft carpet, he put them out in the hallway.

  Then returning to the room, he went into their bathroom and closed the door gently, turning on the lights, and made sure he had everything he wanted from there, as well.

  Taking out his leather kit bag, he filled it up with his toiletries, then he spied Sabine’s wedding ring, and some of her jewelry in a crystal dish on the counter. Into his bag they went. Looking into her drawers, he found more of her things and tossed them in, too.

  She’ll kill me if she catches me doing this! But if I can get out of here and the country, I’m going to need them.

  Turning off the light, he opened the door and walked soundlessly to her side of the bed. Looking down at his wife, peacefully sleeping, a twinge of regret stirred.

  She sure was a lot of fun. It was a good life while it lasted. Good-bye Sabine, and with that, he left the room and her life for the last time.

  With the suitcases in the BMW, he returned to the house and opened their wall-safe, taking out the contents, and putting it into his briefcase. He looked around the room to make sure he had everything he wanted. Then he closed and locked the safe. Without a backward glance, he picked up his briefcase and walked out of the house, leaving behind the life he had always dreamed of.

  By 2:00 that morning, Peter had parked his BMW at the Kingston Building, in downtown Spokane. Upon entering the company offices, he went to the safe and took the bearer bonds and the cash.

  Smiling, he thought, this is turning out to be quite a haul. This is almost as good as being with Sabine… this excitement has my adrenaline going full speed.

  Smiling he called a taxi, speculating that by leaving his car, he would slow the hunt for him, when the time came.

  Within twenty minutes, he was standing at the company hanger, waiting to leave the Pacific Northwest and his current life. The jet, prepped and fueled, was ready to go.

  Looking around, he tried not to think about the police, or the FBI lurking out there, watching him. The fear of being caught was constantly on his mind and he worried, Will I have time to get out of here… out of the country? I should have time. But, Sabine’s going to flip when she wakes up this morning and can’t find her wedding ring. Maybe she’ll think she misplaced it, but it won’t take her long to call the police. I should have left it! Now they’ll be looking for me sooner, than latter, you fool… you greedy fool.

  But nothing happened. His luggage was loaded, and he sat down comfortably in his lush seat, looking out the window. Shortly, the jet was taxing down the runway, waiting for its turn to fly.

  Roaring into the sky, he was on his way to Miami. In five and a half hours he’d be in the southern tip of Florida, ready to change his name, and who he was, into a new man. One who could do what he wanted, with the wealth he had amassed.

  Maybe with his new identity, he could become a better person - one who didn’t have to steal or hurt others - one who could have a happy life at last, and do good in this world. As he flew south, he dreamed of the future he wanted. He envisioned a respectable man, one who deserved to be loved.

  Reflecting, he thought back to the night before.

  I’m not going there! It’s in the past. I won’t leave her there to die. I’ll call and let them know where she is as soon as I’m out of the country, and safe. It’ll be alright. I don’t want to think about it!

  With determination, Peter tried returning to happier thoughts, blocking out the cruel deeds of that night. Exhausted he slept, while unpleasant and nightmarish dreams continued to plague him.

  Landing in Miami at 11:30 in the morning, he descended the jet to the tarmac. The summer weather was hot, humid, and suffocating, drenching him in sweat.

  As soon as he got his luggage off the jet, he turned to Ralph and Stan, in their smart uniforms and said, “Thanks for getting me here on time. I hope this compensates for any inconvenience this may have caused,” he told them, handing them a cash bonus.

  “Thank you, Mr. Lawrence. Do you want us to wait here for you?” Mr. Walters asked.

  “No, I’ll be here for a few days. Go ahead and take the jet back to Spokane. I’ll make other arrangements for my return.”

  “Very good, Mr. Lawrence. Good-bye then,” the pilot said.

  Turning, Peter thought, yes indeed its good-bye. Good-bye to Peter Lawrence and all that he was.

  Peter was now walking away from his former life.

  Now, to rent a plane for San Juan, Puerto Rico… my last stop in the US before disappearing completely. I’d better change my appearance first, though. I must become Phillip Lewis before I go.

  Taking a taxi, he was dropped off at the Regency Hotel. Registering as Peter Lawrence, one more time, he placed his belongs in the room.

  Once in the bathroom, he changed his sandy hair to dark brown, and shaved both sides of his head, above the ears. Taking some gel, he spiked his hair on top of his head, trying to look like a want-a-be punk rocker. Then he pasted the mustache on and put in the contacts.

  Changing into a light cotton shirt with palm fronds and flowers, Bermuda shorts and sandals, he looked in the mirror. He was pleased with the drastic change. Putting on a baseball cap and sunglasses, he picked up his belongings and exited the hotel as Phillip Lewis.

  At the taxi stand he asked to be taken to the “Blackthorn Airplane Rental” at the airport. Arriving there, he was informed the Cessna 400 Corvalis TTx wouldn’t be available until tomorrow.

  I need that plane to get to Puerto Rico, alone… no witnesses. It’s one of the few single engine planes which I can fly, and has the range I need. Now what?

  “Do you know of anywhere else I can rent one?” he asked.

  “Not really. This is our busiest season. Most places are booked up. We’re bringing in your Cessna from Texas. We’ll get it serviced, and checked out by tomorrow morning. It should be ready for you by 11 o’clock,” the agent told him.

  “Fine. I’ll take it,” he said reluctantly.

  What am I going to do for the rest of the day?

  He gave the agent his phony passport, new driver’s license and counterfeit pilot’s license. Signing the papers, he took out rental insurance and told the agent he’d give him a call this afternoon to check on the plane.

  Phillip left, concerned about staying in Florida longer than he’d planned, but he should be safe.

  After all, I’m a new man and the police have no reason to be looking for me. I’ll find a cheap hotel, and stay low until I can get out of here.

  Taking his suitcases and briefcase, he found a taxi and asked for the best, cheapest hotel in the area. The driver looked at him in bewilderment, wondering what he was up to, but shrugged his shoulders, and then took him downtown.

  At an old hotel, in downtown Miami, Phillip found a dingy room, with an old TV. He mused that before too long, he would never have to stay in a place like this again.

 

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