Crime Doesn’t Pay

Joe was sitting in his cell, waiting for the guard to take him to the main gate. Today was the day of his release. It had been three years since he’d seen Joanne, and he’d never seen John, his eight year old son. Joe had said that he was too young, that prison was no place to bring a small boy, Joanne had agreed. It was also a long trip, over hundred kilometres. Joe had told Joanne that the trip was too long for her to make every week, and not to come up anymore, they had argued and Joanne had walked out and not been back since. Just then his eyes caught two flies they seemed to be having a race up the wall. Is thoughts were interrupted just then with the sound of the guard saying that he had come to escort him down to the main gate.1

“Okay, Sharp, time to go.”2

Joe picked up his gear and followed him out of the cell and down the long corridor to the main gates. Joe was tall slimly build man with red hair, brown eyes; he also had a scare running down the left side of his face from just under his eye to the corner of his mouth. He also had a beard and a limp that was caused by a bullet eight years earlier. Once out side he boarded the bus that would take him home. He had not let Joanne know that he was being released. Two hours later found him walking along Maple Street, towards the house he had shared with Joanne before he went to prison. Standing outside the house he had no idea what he was going to say to her, he put his hand on the gate, open it and walked down the path beside the house to the back yard where he sore a young boy playing with a black Labrador. The dog looked up as Joe round the corner and came running up to him and jumped up, putting his front paws on his chest.3

“Hello boy how are you long time no see.”4

The dog barked and just at that minute Joanne walked out of the back door to see what all the noise was about. Before she could say anything John jump up turned around and was surprise to see Blackie greet a stranger like that.5

“Who are you?”6

Joe did not get the chance to answer him as Joanne was beside him in an instead, with tears in her eyes she though her arms around his neck and all Joe could do was hold her tight and though the sobbing he could hear.7

“I am so sorry for walking out on you that day but you got me so mad that I could not think of anything to say to you.”8

“I know I am sorry too, I must have been mad to say that, but you have not been out of my throughs for one day since. I only said that because I loved you so much and I didn’t want you wasting time or your life on me and that trip up there was so long I could not bear the thought of you on that bus for two hours there and two back.”9

“Don’t you think that was my choice to make I was the one who had to make it, not you.” 10

“I am sorry Jo I suppose it was up to you and I hope you can forgive me and let us start over, I love you very much.”11

“When did they release you?” 12

“This morning I just got off the bus fifteen minutes ago … came straight here to see you and John.”13

“Mum who is this?” asked John.14

“This is your father sweetheart, he has come home.”15

His mother had talked to him often about his father so John was happy to have at last met him. Jo picked him up and gave him a big hug and they all walked back into the house. Joe had been in jail armed robbery but the money was never found, Joe had always sworn he didn’t know where the money was, but the evidence was stacked against him. He was sentenced to ten years and has served eight with two years off for good behaviour.16

On the other side of town there was a meeting of a group of men; they were talking about Joe and the money because they, along with the police never believed Joe didn’t know its whereabouts, they wanted the money to, they had waited for eight years for Joe. They had heard that he had been released that morning.17

Meanwhile back at the house the family had eaten dinner and had just put John to bed and were settling down on the lounge. Just then the phone rang. Joanne picked it up and said.18

“Hello.” But there was no answer.19

“Hello.” She repeated. Still no answer so Joe took the receiver from her and said.20

“This is Joe Sharp here who is this and what do you want?”21

“Well! Well! Well! Joe heard you were out the voice on the other end of the line said.”22

“What do you want Baxter.” Joe had recognised his voice even though it had been eight years.23

“Now Joe is that anyway to talk, all I want is the money, is that to much to ask.”24

“It is when I don’t know where it is, I don’t have it.”25

“Well I say you do, and if you don’t want anything to happen to your family then you had better meet me tomorrow in front of the Zoo at eleven don’t be late.”26

“I don’t have it.”27

“Shape I am getting sick and tide of hearing that, just be there if you know what is good for you.” With that the line went dead.28

Replacing the receiver in the cradle Joe looked at Joanne.29

“What is it Joe?”30

“Nothing, don’t you worry about it sweetheart.”31

“Baxter, I remember that name you talked about him before you went down.”32

Joe was silent, he was sitting there staring into space, and Jo pleaded with him.33

“Joe what does he want with you please I don’t want you to go back to jail I just got you back after eight years please Joe don’t get involved with him again please.”34

“He wants the money but I don’t have it and I don’t know what to do.”35

“What else did he want?”36

“He wants to meet me at the Zoo tomorrow at eleven.”37

“You’re not going are you?”38

“I am scared for you and John if I don’t he knows the phone number so he will also know the address.”39

“Oh Joe I’m frightened.” With that she hugged him.40

The next morning found Baxter at the Zoo. He had two of his henchmen with him. Joe arrived at two minutes to eleven; saw the two henchmen standing away from Baxter, a thick set man with greying hair, about five feet eight. Baxter saw him and walked over.41

“Okay Baxter let’s get this talk over with and leave.”42

“Now Joe don’t be like that, all I want is the money been waiting eight years.”43

“I told you last night that I don’t have it.”44

“I thought you might say that, so you might want to look over there.”45

Joe turned to look where Baxter had indicated; there in the car with two more henchmen was John.46

“If you, hurt him you, bastard you will answer to me.”47

“Now Joe if you want him back safely and sound all you have to do is give me the money by six tomorrow night.”48

“I don’t have the money how can I give what I don’t have.” pleaded Joe.49

“Six tomorrow night; Shape or you won’t see your son again.” With that Baxter turns and walked towards the car followed by the henchmen. Baxter shopped and turned.50

“Oh by the way Joe don’t go to the police or the boy will be dead; do you hear me DEAD.”51

When Joe returned home a little while later there was a car out the front of the house. When he went inside there were two men there with Joanne; the school had called and said that John had not shown up and asked if he was sick when she had said no she panic and called the police. She has been worry after what Joe had said the night before.52

“What’s going on here?” 53

“Joe; John is missing he didn’t turn up at school.”54

“I know John is all right for the moment.” 55

“What do you mean?” one of the men asked.56

“Who are you?” said Joe.57

“I am Detective Sergeant Ross Booth your wife called just after the school called her.”58

“Well my son is fine for now but if they get wind that the police are here he may not be.”59

“Joe what’s happen?” Asked Joanne60

“He is fine for now.”61

“What do you mean Mr Sharp; where is your son?”62

“A man by the name of Baxter has him. He also said that if the police were called he would be dead.”63

“Oh Joe no.” cried Joanne64

“But Joe you don’t have what he wants.” Joanne sobbed.65

Joe puts his arm around his wife shoulder.66

“I know I told him that but he does not believe me and has given me until six tomorrow night to hand it over.”67

He had forgotten that the police were still there, until Detective Sergeant Booth asked.68

“What does he want form you?”69

“Tell him please Joe.” Joanne pleaded still sobbing.70

“Okay honey calm down.” He turn to Booth.71

“He thinks I still have the money I supposedly took eight years ago in an armed robbery.”72

“The money you haven’t got it?”73

“Then why does he think that you do still have it.”74

“Well you had better sit down and I will start from the beginning it is a long story, if you have the time?”75

“Yes Mr Sharp, I have time, we have been after Baxter for years for one thing or another, oh yeah I have the time. I will only be to glad to help you get your son back.”76

“Well it all started about eight and a half years ago. There were three of us, Daley, Parker and me. Baxter had planned the robbery but we were to carry it out. He ran this gambling place for the mafia and one night there was about two hundred thousand dollars on hand and he planned to steal it but of cause he was not going to get his hand dirty so he hirer us to do it for him. Anyway the day came, the robbery took place, and Parker was killed by one of the guards, and Daley was wounded he died later in hospital that left me I was shot in the leg. The police found me unconscious in the car, but of course no money. I thought that Baxter’s men had knocked me out, but they would have killed me. I did a lot of thinking while I was in jail, there had to be someone else involved that I had no idea about because I don’t really know where the money is and that is the truth. I have done my time and all I want to do is get on with my life and get to know my son and wife all over again. Baxter thinks that I stashed it somewhere before I was found in the car.”77

“Baxter, we have been after him for years, but he has been too slippery for us to catch, but if you let us help then we can at least get him on charges for kidnapping.” Booth said.78

“No that’s my sons he has, not yours besides he said no police.”79

“We know Mr Sharp and you have paid your debt, but if you go along with him, what makes you think that he will let you or your son go he has too much to lose and what have you to offer for your son, you said you don’t have the money, this way we can try for your son and get Baxter at the same time.”80

“He is only eight years old, Detective Booth.” Joanne said. “What if something goes wrong?”81

“I know that Mrs Sharp I know, but if there is no money what are you going to use to get him back?”82

“I don’t know I wish I had not come back none of this would be happening I am so sorry Joanne.”83

“Don’t blame yourself Joe you didn’t know this could happen.”84

“No but I should have know that he would know when I was released.” He paused for a moment then went on. “Well! Detective what do we do now, do you have a suggestion.”85

“Well let me talk to my boss and see what he has to say.”86

“I only have until six tomorrow night.”87

“Okay I will go and talk to him now.” With that he walked out the front door follow by his colleague.88

Meanwhile across town in an empty warehouse two men were holding the boy he was tied, gagged and blindfolded. Baxter just walked in and one of the men shut the door to the room John was in. 89

“Is everything alright here?” Said Baxter90

“Yes sir fine.”91

“Is everything alright boss?” asked Jacko92

“Yes all according to plan.”93

“Good! Jacko is going to stay here while I go for some food, alright with you?” said Mac94

“Yea alright I will stay until you get back, but don’t go to same place twice just in case.”95

“Okay.” And with that he left the warehouse.96

Twenty minutes later he was back with some hamburgers and some chip for John. 97

“Okay I will go now and see you in the morning.” With that Baxter walked out of the warehouse.98

Next day at about two pm Detective Booth arrived back at the Sharps house with the okay from his boss for the money and they also put a tap on the phone. The time seemed to drag on and on until it was five to six all of a sudden the silence was broken by the shrill ring of the phone, Joanne jump and put her hands to her mouth. Joe pick up the phone.99

“Hello.”100

“You missing your son yet.”101

“Yes you bastard I am is he alright?”102

“For the moment what about the money have you got any fresh ideas?”103

“Yea alright you win Baxter the money for my son but you will have to give me till noon tomorrow to get it, will John be okay until then?”104

“Yes he’ll be fine. You have until noon tomorrow you get the money and meet me at the Oak Street Park I will be there with the boy and come alone or he dies.”105

“Okay Baxter but I want to speak to my son now?”106

“Daddy.”107

“It is alright son I will get you soon.”108

“I am scared.” 109

“I know but just be a brave boy a little longer can you do that for?”110

“Yes.”111

“I loved you son.”112

“I love you too.”113

“Tomorrow Joe twelve.” With that Baxter put down the phone.114

Joe replaced the receiver and turn to Joanne.115

“He’s okay sweetheart I have till twelve tomorrow.”116

It was going to be a long night, the longest in the lives of Joe and Joanne.117

Back at the warehouse Baxter was talking to his right hand man Jacko.118

“Joe is going to hand over the money I knew he would it was only a matter of time.” 119

“That great boss.” But Jacko didn’t sound convinced.120

The next morning the police prepared for the stake out they were all around the park posing as gardeners and ground keepers, and there were others out of sight by eleven forty five and all they had to do was wait for Baxter to show up. At five minutes to twelve Joe walked in the park with a briefcase in his hand. Baxter watched him from a park car he had been there for five minutes so had not seen the police arrive. Joe sat on the bench and waited, at twelve sharp Baxter got out of the car with the boy and started to walk over to where Joe was sitting. John was about to run to his father but Baxter put his hand on the boys shoulder to stop him. Baxter was now standing about six feet in front of Joe.121

“Hello Joe I am glad you seen some sense I knew you could not hold out on me.”122

“John you okay?”123

“Yes I want mummy.”124

“Yes I know you do.”125

“Here’s the money now let him go. I hope I never see you again.”126

“You won’t Joe.” And with that he took a gun from out beneath his coat and pointed it at Joe.127

At that moment Booth had moved from where he had been hiding and grabbed Baxter’s arm and as he did the gun went off a Joe was shot in the arm. Baxter and Booth struggled for a few minutes and Booth relieved him of the gun.128

“Right Baxter you are under arrest for kidnapping and attempted murder.”129

“I’ll get you for this if it’s the last thing I ever do.” Baxter yelled as he was lead away by the police. 130

“Lewis read that man his rights then charge him.”131

Joe was taken to the hospital and later released and went home under police protection. Later that night the sharp family was moved to a safe house. Then after the trial they would be given a new identity and a new life. The rest of Baxter’s men were rounded up and charged. Baxter received twenty to thirty years in jail. They also found out that the fourth man behind the robbery eight years ago was Jacko. He was the one who knocked Joe out and left him to take the rap for the robbery he received twenty five years for kidnapping and another ten for the armed robbery.132