Chapter 16
Thursday morning arrived.
Back at the hospital, Kent got a visit from Doctor Douglas Kennedy. He came into the room to give Kent another examination.
Back at the police station, Detective Chambers sat behind his desk drinking coffee and staring across the room in deep thought. His desk phone rang.
"Detective Chambers," he said, answering the call.
"Detective, it's Doctor Watson down at the morgue. I've finished my autopsy on that Abbott girl."
"And?"
"She was about two months pregnant."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Okay, thanks, Doctor Watson."
"You bet."
Detective Chambers hung up his phone and dreaded making this phone call. But he knew it had to be done. He dialed a phone number.
"Colonel Abbott," he said, answering the call.
Detective Chambers paused for a second. "Colonel, Detective Chambers. Ah, listen, I, ah," he said and paused. "I got a call from the doctor down at the morgue."
"And?" said Colonel Abbott interrupting him.
"Well, it appears your daughter was, in fact, two months pregnant."
There were a few seconds of silence. "FUCK!" yelled Colonel Abbott from the phone.
"I'm so sorry, sir," said Detective Chambers, but he knew that wouldn't help.
"Thank you for following up on this and getting back with me, Detective Chambers," said Colonel Abbott then he hung up his end of the call.
Detective Chambers hung up his phone.
Twenty minutes had passed, and Detective Chambers was still behind his desk, drinking his second cup of coffee and in deep thought about this case.
Henry entered the station after his initial patrol around town.
He headed over to the coffee pot when the desk phone of Detective Chambers rang. "Detective Chambers," he answered the call.
"Yes, Detective, I'm Nurse Julie Cleaver. Your prisoner, Kent Hollister, was just released by Doctor Kennedy. You can come down and pick him up."
"Thank you, Judy. We'll be right down," he said, then hung up the phone.
"Our guy is being released from the hospital. Let's go pick him up," said Detective Chambers to Henry.
"You bet," said Henry, then he set his coffee cup down at the coffee table.
Detective Chambers and Henry left the station, got in Henry's squad car and headed off to the hospital.
Ten minutes had passed and arrived in Kent's hospital room where he was still handcuffed to the bed.
Detective Chambers walked over and unlocked the handcuff and removed it from Kent's wrist. "Go get dressed."
Kent got out of bed and headed off to the bathroom where his clothes hung. He got out of the hospital gown and got dressed in his clothes.
He walked out of the bathroom and over to Detective Chambers and placed his hand behind his back.
"Oh, there's no need for that," said Detective Chambers while he shoved the handcuffs back in his suit pocket.
"There's no need for that?" said Kent and he looked a little confused.
"I found your movie camera and film cartridge," said Henry walking up to Kent. "I had it developed, and it showed you were innocent. Grant Bowers was arrested yesterday for murder and sits in our jail cell."
Kent looked at Henry is a little disbelief. He looked at Detective Chambers who nodded that Henry was correct. Kent walked to Henry and hugged him. "Thank you!"
While they hugged, Henry had this beautiful warm feeling that he was hugging his son. He couldn't understand that feeling but couldn't get rid of it either. And he didn't care since it was a beautifully warm, and loving feeling.
"Enough of this lovey doevy stuff. We have to go see Judge Toole later today," said Detective Chambers.
Henry and Kent separated from their hug, and the three left the hospital.
When they got to Henry's squad car, Henry let Kent sit upfront while Detective Chambers sat in the back.
Henry drove them back to the police station.
Once they got into the station, they took Kent straight into Chief Delaney's office.
Officer Peabody also bought Linus into the Chief's office.
Kent and Linus sat in the two wooden chairs in front of the Chief's desk while Henry and Detective stood by the door.
"Well, it appears that Mister Hollister filmed Miss Abbott being strangled by Mister Bowers. He's been arrested and charged with murder," said the Chief and he took a drink of coffee. "So where does that leave us now? Well, we need to show that film to Judge Toole, and I'm going to request that he drop the murder charges against you, Mister Hollister."
Kent was relieved.
"And now what to do with you, Mister Bond, if that's your real name?"
Linus started to get nervous.
Chief Delaney looked at Linus while he tapped a few fingers on his desk thinking about that situation. This made Linus even more nervous. "What to do with you?" he said then opened up the folder on Linus' case. He glanced at Linus, making him nervous again. "I really don't want the FBI down in here snooping around my town, so, I'm going to forget about you playing FBI Agent. I know your heart was in the right place to help out a friend. And I respect that," he said then he removed the paperwork on Linus' arrest and tore up the arrest paperwork, the mug shot and Linus' fake FBI identification.
Linus sighed a sigh of relief.
"But I want you two to promise you'll never step foot in my town again. Do I make myself crystal clear?"
"Yes, sir, I'll never step foot in your town again," said Kent.
"I'll also never step foot in your town again," said Linus.
"Good, I trust you cause if I catch either one of you in my town again, I will arrest you, and I'll come up with some charges that will stick."
Kent and Linus nodded that they completely understood him.
"Good, now, Henry, get that projector and film, I've talked with Judge Toole, and he's ready to see us, said the Chief.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and Chief Delaney, Detective Chambers, Henry, and Kent sat in Judge Toole's chambers.
Henry had the projector set up with a screen that the courthouse provided.
The bailiff flicked off the lights.
Eight minutes had passed, and Judge Toole saw both reels of the film.
The bailiff flicked on the lights.
Judge Toole looked at Kent. "Well, it appears that you are in fact innocent, Mister Hollister. I wished this evidence was brought to me sooner," he said and gave Detective Chambers a glaring stare that he screwed up.
"I know sir, and I'm truly sorry," said Detective Chambers with a hint of embarrassment.
"Well, your honor, this evidence proves Mister Hollister is innocent; therefore, we request that the charges of murder against him be dropped," said the Chief.
Judge Toole looked at Kent then he glanced at the projector. "Mister Hollister, consider those charges against you dropped. You're free to go."
A huge smile grew on Kent's face as did on Henry's face.
"Now, about this matter with that Air Force officer. Where is he?"
"He's outside your courtroom ready to be arraigned," said the Chief.
Judge Toole looked at Kent. "I need you here as a witness."
"Ah," said Kent and he looked over at the Chief recalling his explicit orders this morning.
"Yes, your honor, he'll be here," said the Chief.
"But your honor, I really do need to get back home to Massachusetts. I mean, after what I've been through, being falsely accused of murder then in jail for a couple of days. I just want to go home and forget about all this. I think the film stands as your perfect witness," said Kent and silently prayed Judge Toole would agree with him.
Judge Toole thought about what Kent said for a few seconds. "Chief Delaney. Do you have a witness statement from Mister Hollister? A statement on what he witnessed?" said Judge Toole.
"No, your honor."
"Well get one. I don't want to proceed without something from him. But Mister Hollister is correct, that film has this Air Force officer dead to rights. So if Mister Hollister isn't here, that should be okay."
"Yes, your honor," said the Chief.
"Well, let's go arraign this guy," said Judge Toole. "Get him inside my courtroom."
Chief Delaney, Henry, Detective Chambers, and Kent all got up and left the Judge's chambers.
Three minutes had passed.
Grant stood in the courtroom next to Chief Delaney.
Detective Chambers, Henry, and Kent sat in the room. And in the back also sat Colonel Abbott.
"Mister Grant Bowers, you are here before me on the charge of murder. How do you plead, sir?" said Judge Toole.
"Not guilty," said Grant.
"As they all do," said Judge Toole quietly. "Okay sir, your trial date will be September ninth. No bail. You will remain in the custody of the Warner Robins jail until your trial," said Judge Toole then he hit that small wooden block with his gravel. "Get him out of my sight."
Chief Delaney grabbed Grant by his left arm and walked him to the rear doors of the courtroom. Detective Chambers, Henry, and Kent all followed behind. Grant avoided eye contact with them.
It was quiet in the squad car. Henry sat in the front with Kent, and Grant was in the rear in the middle between Detective Chambers and the Chief.
After they got to the station, Grant was placed back in his cell. He sat down on his bunk and knew that his life wouldn't last as long as he anticipated. He just prayed that he could get a superior attorney to bullshit him out of date with Old Sparky.
Chief Delaney had Kent and Linus in his office.
"Well, it appears that Judge Toole freed you to go," said the Chief. "Now, remember, I don't want to see you in my town or state again."
"Yes sir, I won't step foot in your town or state again," said Kent.
"Me neither," said Linus. "I promise."
"Good, now how can I get you out of my town?"
"We could use a ride to the Greyhound station in Macon," said Kent.
"I'd be happy to drive them up there," said Henry.
"I'll also tag along, you know, to make sure they get on the bus," said Detective Chambers.
"Well, it's the least we could do," said the Chief. "Go," he added and waved his hand to tell them to get out of his office.
Kent and Linus left the Chief's office with Henry and Detective Chambers.
They left the station and got in Henry's squad car with Kent upfront and Linus in the back with Detective Chambers.
"Oh, I need my suit and suitcase. It should be in my room at the Peach Tree Motor Court, said Kent, as he still wanted to wear that suit when he returned to the future.
"Okay," said Henry while he started up the Bel-Air.
Henry drove out the station parking lot and headed over to the Peach Tree Motor Court.
Henry went inside the office with Kent to tell the clerk to let him in his old room.
Henry waited outside the room while Kent changed into his suit and packed his suitcase.
After he was dressed in his suit and Fedora hat in hand, they got back in the Bel-Air and were on their way to Macon.
It was quiet in the Bel-Air while he rode to the Macon Greyhound Bus Station.
After the Bel-Air was parked, Henry and Detective Chambers went inside the Greyhound Bus Station with Kent and Linus. They stood by while they got their tickets to get them to Savannah and then to Boston. The bus to Savannah was leaving in thirty minutes.
Henry looked at Detective Chambers. "I trust they'll get on that bus."
Detective Chambers looked at Kent and Linus. "Yeah, I also trust they'll get on that bus."
"Well, I guess this is good-bye," said Henry and he stuck his hand out to Kent.
Kent shook it, and Henry again has that same strange feeling knew Kent like he was family.
"Ah, listen, I'm sorry about the way I treated you. I guess I get a little mad when a young girl is murdered," said Detective Chambers.
"That's alright," said Kent. "I understand."
"Well, we better get back to the station," said Henry at Detective Chambers.
"Yeah, we better."
Henry looked at Kent. "Maybe our paths will cross again. Hopefully, out of Georgia."
"Wouldn't be surprised if it did," said Kent.
"Come, we better go, Kent," said Linus.
Kent nodded in agreement, and they walked away.
Henry and Detective Chambers walked away and headed to the front doors of the station.
They went outside and got back in the Bel-Air.
"Now what do we do for excitement?" said Detective Chambers while Henry started up his Bel-Air.
"Make sure Grant gets the chair," said Henry while he backed the Bel-Air out of the parking spot.
"Yeah, we do need to do that," said Detective Chambers while Henry drove away through the parking lot.
Thirty minutes had passed, and Kent and Linus were on the Greyhound bus on their way to Savannah. The two sat quietly during that short trip.
An hour had passed, and Henry drove his Bel-Air around town for another patrol.
Detective Chambers sat at his desk, reviewing Angie's case file. He picked up Kent's driver's license and stared at it. He wondered what to do with it then he got an idea. He opened up his middle desk drawer and removed a pair of scissors, and he cut up the driver's license into a bunch of small pieces and let it rain into his trash can.
While he put his scissors away in his desk drawer, his desk phone rang. "Detective Chambers," he said, answering the call.
"Detective, Agent Williamson with the FBI up here in Boston."
"Yes, Agent Williamson."
"I'm calling about that guy pretending to be a fake FBI Agent."
"Oh, he's long gone. Snuck away in the middle of the night. We don't know where he is or could be heading."
"Ah, I see. Well, we'll inform our other field offices to be on the lookout for a guy pretending to be an FBI Agent." "We'll catch him, and we won't let him slip away," he said in a sarcastic tone.
"Understand. Thanks for calling," said Detective Chambers. "We'll catch him and won't let him slip away," he said mocking Agent Williamson while he hung up his phone. "Dumb clam chowder eating G-man."
Three hours had passed, and Kent and Linus were on another Greyhound bus leaving the Savannah station and heading north.
Back at the Warner Robins police station, Detective Chambers' eyes widened when he remembered something. He got up from his desk and rushed over to the Chief's office.
"Chief," he said while he entered his office.
"Yeah, Chuck."
"We have that Linus' smashed Rambler in the backyard, what should we do with it?"
Chief Delaney thought about that for a few seconds. "Have the scrap yard pick it up. Less paperwork."
"Yes sir," said Detective Chambers, and he left the Chief's office and headed back to his desk. He called Rocky's Salvage Yard located at the southern part of town to come to pick up the Rambler.
The rest of the day was quiet in Warner Robins.
At three that afternoon, Henry and Detective Chambers watched while Rocky came and picked up Linus' smashed Rambler and hauled it away.
When Henry got home after work, he took his son Kent out into their backyard, and they had a catch. Life was good.
Friday was uneventful in Warner Robins.
Kent and Linus were on the Greyhound heading north to Boston. They slept most of the trip, yet they were still completely exhausted.
It was now Saturday night around eight, and a Greyhound bus pulled into the Boston Greyhound Bus Station.
Linus and Kent got off the bus.
After he retrieved his suitcase from the bottom of the bus, they headed off into the station.
Way down in Warner Robins, Rocky had just finished removing all the right parts from Linus' Rambler. He knew he could make a few bucks off this car from his parts store. He was grateful for the police department letting him keep this car for free.
Back in Boston, Linus and Kent, with his suitcase in hand, they took their time while they walked through the streets of Boston to get over to young Linus' home.
Hours had passed, and Linus and Kent arrived at Linus' home at two seven on Sunday morning.
They walked down Linus' street, and when they got close to the house, they saw young Linus. He was on the front porch in his rocking chair with his double-barrel shotgun in hand.
They looked at the barn and saw the barn door was cracked opened.
"What do we do?" said Kent.
Linus thought about it for a few seconds. "Guess we'll just have to wait and hopefully, I, or I mean, he'll fall asleep soon."
Linus and Kent waited in the darkness.
After ten minutes, Linus started to get a little nervous while he looked at his watch and glanced at the front porch of his house. "Why won't he go to sleep?"
"What's the hurry?"
"The machine will be back in two minutes. If we don't get there at the precise time, we'll lose our ride home forever and will be stuck here in fifty-seven for another twenty-four hours."
Kent looked at Linus then glanced at young Linus sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch. "No way I'm staying here," said Kent and he bolted off toward the barn.
It took Linus a few seconds to realize that Kent was bolting off to the barn. He sprinted off after Kent.
Kent reached the barn door before Linus, and the second he placed his hand on the handle of the barn door, there was the blast of a shotgun that filled the air. The sound of shotgun pellets pelting the wall of the barn scared Kent and Linus and caused them to hit the dirt. Kent's suitcase went flying off and landed by the wall of the barn.
"Aliens! You stole my car! I want it back!" yelled out young Linus from the front porch of the house.
Kent and Linus hugged the dirt fearful of being killed by the young Linus.
The humming sound filled the air inside the barn.
Linus glanced back at the house and saw young Linus reloading his double-barrel shotgun. "It's coming back now! We'll have to chance getting shot!" said Linus and he jumped up from the dirt, grabbed the barn door and slammed it opened. He rushed inside the barn.
Kent jumped up from the dirt and bolted inside the barn. He left his suitcase in the dirt by the wall of the barn.
Once they got inside the barn, there was an explosion of cyan light at the ring in the dirt.
There was a counterclockwise swirl of bright cyan light emitting from that ring. The swirl suddenly broke up into green and blue beams of light in a swirling counterclockwise rotation.
There was the faint sighting of the spinning time machine within those swirling rotating beams of green and blue rays of light from the base and from the rear saucer.
The beams of light faded away, and the time machine spun counterclockwise. There was a loud, humming sound.
The spinning of the time machine slowed down, and the humming sound started to get quiet.
The spinning time machine slowed down, and the humming stopped.
The time machine was ready for departure again.
Linus and Kent ran over to the time machine from the barn door.
Linus opened up the door, Kent sat inside then Linus sat inside, and he slammed the door shut.
They both strapped themselves snuggly to the seat with the harnesses.
Way off by the barn door stood young Linus with his shotgun aimed at this strange contraption. He wanted to shoot at the Aliens, but the sight of old Linus and Kent stopped him. There was this strong familiar feeling that he knew the older Alien. But that contraption was just like the sketch he had drawn on notebook paper two weeks ago. So he just stood there in disbelief and watched the show.
Inside the time machine, old Linus flipped the "Power" toggle switch and the circular light illuminated green. A low hum was heard.
He flipped the "Door" toggle switch. The circular light illuminated green, and the door clicked in the locked position.
He flipped the "Travel Dates" toggle switch and the three circular lights illuminated green. The three large digital panels lit up, and all the digital readouts were an orange zero.
He reached over to the "Now" panel and dialed in 8,18, 1957, and 0230.
He reached over to the "Travel To" panel and dialed in 11, 8, 1981, and 0230.
He reached over to the "Pick-up" panel and pressed a small button in the lower-left corner. That panel powered off.
He reached over and flipped the "Engine" toggle switch. The circular light below that switch illuminated green at the same second the sound of the engine started a strange louder humming sound. The peg on the engine gauge moved off the peg a little.
Linus flipped the "Adventure in Time" toggle switch for a few seconds.
The engine whined louder and louder.
Hundreds of beams of bright blue lights shot out horizontally from the rear. These beams started to rotate counterclockwise while the rear saucer started spinning.
Beams of bright green lights shot up horizontally from the base. These beams of green lights start spinning while the bottom began to rotate the machine clockwise.
The needle in the engine gauge moved into the middle of the green pie then moved to the yellow then to the red.
The machine spun faster and faster and made a strange whirling sound with the blue and green lights starting to mix together and turned to a soothing cyan color.
The cyan light exploded, and it was pure white for a split second and vanished.
Young Linus fell back on his butt, and his double-barrel shotgun discharged pelting the ceiling of the barn with pellets.
"What the hell was that?" he said and then for some strange reason he realized it wasn't evil Aliens. They were friendly.
He stood in the barn for another ten minutes eying the spot where that strange contraption once stood. After he realized that contraption wasn't coming back, he left the barn.
While he closed the barn doors, he spotted Kent's suitcase up against the wall of the barn.
He walked over to it and reached down and touched the suitcase. It didn't sting or burn him. He touched it again and again. He felt it was safe, so he opened up the suitcase and saw it had a pair of jeans, a shirt, and black Converse sneakers. "Maybe those weren't Aliens," he said then he closed the suitcase, picked it up by the handle and locked the barn door.
He walked off to his house with that suitcase in hand.
He stopped and glanced back at the barn then recalled his sketch. "Time machine?" he said then walked off to his house with the suitcase and a smile. "Was that a time machine?"
Back in Warner Robins, Henry, Brenda, and Kent ate supper at Henry's parent's farm. Henry's dad informed him that they were moving to Cedar Rapids.