The Falwell House
Friday. July 2, 1982
A little after 11:00 AM
Shelley was glad to have her keys back, but of course she couldn’t use them yet. Her car was still at Gary’s house, so she had to continue being Felicia’s passenger for now. They were on their way to the house of the Falwell family, the same house where she and Felicia had witnessed the standoff between Mouse and the police the night before, culminating in Mouse’s arrest. They hadn’t been able to interview the family at the time, but they hoped to do so this morning. As Felicia had pointed out, Shelley and Lana Falwell had something in common: they’d both been kidnapped by Mouse. Shelley hoped that that common ground would work to their advantage in seeking an interview with the Falwells.
Shelley’s thoughts wandered back to the keys, and the red tape she’d had to go through to get them back. Not being a lawyer, Shelley wasn’t very familiar with the legal concept of the evidentiary chain of custody, but she supposed the fact that the police had found her keys on Mouse was pretty convincing evidence that he had stolen them, and also (if a little more indirectly) that he had been involved in her kidnapping. That led her to start thinking about Mouse’s court case, and what it would mean for her. She realized that at some point she was going to have to appear in court as a witness and give her testimony against Mouse and any of the others that were apprehended. She had kind of known all along in the back of her head that that would be the case, but she hadn’t really consciously thought about it until now. She was sure it was going to be an unpleasant experience and she wasn’t looking forward to it, but it was her duty, and she would do what was needed to help the prosecutors convict those who had victimized her and her friends. Did she need to worry about the other car thieves who were still on the loose trying to stop her from testifying? That was a worrisome idea.
A few minutes later they arrived at the Falwell house, and Felicia was able to park much closer now that the area around the house wasn’t barricaded off. When she and Felicia arrived at the front door, Shelley pressed the doorbell. After a few seconds they heard a male voice say “Who is it?” although the door didn’t open.
“Hi! My name is Shelley Higgins, and I’m here with Felicia Jackson. We’re with the Teal Cove Chronicle. You may have heard my name on the news lately; I’m the reporter who was held hostage a couple of nights ago by that car theft ring your attacker was part of, along with some of my friends. I was wondering if we could talk?”
*tags*
Friday. July 2, 1982
A little after 11:00 AM
Shelley was glad to have her keys back, but of course she couldn’t use them yet. Her car was still at Gary’s house, so she had to continue being Felicia’s passenger for now. They were on their way to the house of the Falwell family, the same house where she and Felicia had witnessed the standoff between Mouse and the police the night before, culminating in Mouse’s arrest. They hadn’t been able to interview the family at the time, but they hoped to do so this morning. As Felicia had pointed out, Shelley and Lana Falwell had something in common: they’d both been kidnapped by Mouse. Shelley hoped that that common ground would work to their advantage in seeking an interview with the Falwells.
Shelley’s thoughts wandered back to the keys, and the red tape she’d had to go through to get them back. Not being a lawyer, Shelley wasn’t very familiar with the legal concept of the evidentiary chain of custody, but she supposed the fact that the police had found her keys on Mouse was pretty convincing evidence that he had stolen them, and also (if a little more indirectly) that he had been involved in her kidnapping. That led her to start thinking about Mouse’s court case, and what it would mean for her. She realized that at some point she was going to have to appear in court as a witness and give her testimony against Mouse and any of the others that were apprehended. She had kind of known all along in the back of her head that that would be the case, but she hadn’t really consciously thought about it until now. She was sure it was going to be an unpleasant experience and she wasn’t looking forward to it, but it was her duty, and she would do what was needed to help the prosecutors convict those who had victimized her and her friends. Did she need to worry about the other car thieves who were still on the loose trying to stop her from testifying? That was a worrisome idea.
A few minutes later they arrived at the Falwell house, and Felicia was able to park much closer now that the area around the house wasn’t barricaded off. When she and Felicia arrived at the front door, Shelley pressed the doorbell. After a few seconds they heard a male voice say “Who is it?” although the door didn’t open.
“Hi! My name is Shelley Higgins, and I’m here with Felicia Jackson. We’re with the Teal Cove Chronicle. You may have heard my name on the news lately; I’m the reporter who was held hostage a couple of nights ago by that car theft ring your attacker was part of, along with some of my friends. I was wondering if we could talk?”
*tags*
After talking to the cop at the front desk, Felicia and Shelley headed straight to the Falwell residence. There was no police presence and all of the crime scene tape and barricades had been removed. To Felicia's surprise, there were not any signs of any reporters swarming the house. It was if nothing had happened at all.
Felicia parked in front of the house and followed a few steps behind Miss Higgins as she approached the front door and rang the bell. Felicia tensed up for a moment. She expected the family to be upset at this invasion of their privacy. A voiced called through the door to them and Miss Higgins quickly explained who they were. Felicia braced as they door unlocked and opened, certain the doctor was going to yell at them to leave the family alone.
Instead, he invited the pair inside. "Yes, please come in," he said without hesitation.
"Who is it," A woman called from deeper in the house.
"Someone from The Chronicle is here to speak to us," Dr. Falwell replied. "Can you see if Lana is up to speaking with them?"
He directed the two reporters to the living room and invited them to take a seat. "Can I get you anything to drink," he inquired. Felicia shook her head no and glanced to Shelley.
A moment later, the mother and daughter appeared.
"You're one of the ones that was kidnapped by the car theft gang," Lana said immediately when she saw Shelley. "I saw you on the news the other night. Who knew the same thing would happen to me 24 hours by the same guy..."
Felicia parked in front of the house and followed a few steps behind Miss Higgins as she approached the front door and rang the bell. Felicia tensed up for a moment. She expected the family to be upset at this invasion of their privacy. A voiced called through the door to them and Miss Higgins quickly explained who they were. Felicia braced as they door unlocked and opened, certain the doctor was going to yell at them to leave the family alone.
Instead, he invited the pair inside. "Yes, please come in," he said without hesitation.
"Who is it," A woman called from deeper in the house.
"Someone from The Chronicle is here to speak to us," Dr. Falwell replied. "Can you see if Lana is up to speaking with them?"
He directed the two reporters to the living room and invited them to take a seat. "Can I get you anything to drink," he inquired. Felicia shook her head no and glanced to Shelley.
A moment later, the mother and daughter appeared.
"You're one of the ones that was kidnapped by the car theft gang," Lana said immediately when she saw Shelley. "I saw you on the news the other night. Who knew the same thing would happen to me 24 hours by the same guy..."
Shelley shared Felicia’s worry that Dr. Falwell would send them away. Instead, he invited the pair inside. "Yes, please come in," he said without hesitation.
"Who is it," A woman called from deeper in the house.
"Someone from The Chronicle is here to speak to us," Dr. Falwell replied. "Can you see if Lana is up to speaking with them?"
He directed the two reporters to the living room and invited them to take a seat. "Can I get you anything to drink," he inquired. Felicia shook her head no and glanced to Shelley.
“Oh, no, thank you,” Shelley said with a warm smile as she took a seat on the sofa. “I really appreciate you all giving us some of your time,” she said, taking care to avoid using the word “yinz”.
A moment later, the mother and daughter appeared.
"You're one of the ones that was kidnapped by the car theft gang," Lana said immediately when she saw Shelley. "I saw you on the news the other night. Who knew the same thing would happen to me 24 hours later by the same guy..."
“Yes, I am,” Shelley confirmed. She rose to her feet and extended a hand in greeting. As she did so, she realized the abrasions the rope had left on her wrist were still slightly visible, and she hoped the sight of them wouldn’t upset Lana. But the Falwells all seemed to be in fairly good spirits considering what had happened to them.
“My name is Shelley Higgins, but I guess you already know that,” she said, and then added, “You can just call me Shelley.” She wanted to keep things rather informal, feeling that their interaction with the Falwells would be most productive as a friendly conversation rather than a formal interview. “I wish this hadn’t happened to you. To any of us,” she added, making eye contact with Lana’s parents as well to let them know they were all included in that sentiment. Shelley motioned to Felicia and said, “This is my friend Felicia, who works with me at the Chronicle. She wasn’t one of the ones who got kidnapped, but she and I have been working together to cover the car theft ring and its aftermath.”
*Tags*
"Who is it," A woman called from deeper in the house.
"Someone from The Chronicle is here to speak to us," Dr. Falwell replied. "Can you see if Lana is up to speaking with them?"
He directed the two reporters to the living room and invited them to take a seat. "Can I get you anything to drink," he inquired. Felicia shook her head no and glanced to Shelley.
“Oh, no, thank you,” Shelley said with a warm smile as she took a seat on the sofa. “I really appreciate you all giving us some of your time,” she said, taking care to avoid using the word “yinz”.
A moment later, the mother and daughter appeared.
"You're one of the ones that was kidnapped by the car theft gang," Lana said immediately when she saw Shelley. "I saw you on the news the other night. Who knew the same thing would happen to me 24 hours later by the same guy..."
“Yes, I am,” Shelley confirmed. She rose to her feet and extended a hand in greeting. As she did so, she realized the abrasions the rope had left on her wrist were still slightly visible, and she hoped the sight of them wouldn’t upset Lana. But the Falwells all seemed to be in fairly good spirits considering what had happened to them.
“My name is Shelley Higgins, but I guess you already know that,” she said, and then added, “You can just call me Shelley.” She wanted to keep things rather informal, feeling that their interaction with the Falwells would be most productive as a friendly conversation rather than a formal interview. “I wish this hadn’t happened to you. To any of us,” she added, making eye contact with Lana’s parents as well to let them know they were all included in that sentiment. Shelley motioned to Felicia and said, “This is my friend Felicia, who works with me at the Chronicle. She wasn’t one of the ones who got kidnapped, but she and I have been working together to cover the car theft ring and its aftermath.”
*Tags*
"You're one of the ones that was kidnapped by the car theft gang," Lana said immediately when she saw Shelley. "I saw you on the news the other night. Who knew the same thing would happen to me 24 hours later by the same guy..."
“Yes, I am,” Shelley confirmed. She rose to her feet and extended a hand in greeting. As she did so, she realized the abrasions the rope had left on her wrist were still slightly visible, and she hoped the sight of them wouldn’t upset Lana. But the Falwells all seemed to be in fairly good spirits considering what had happened to them.
Shelley noticed similar red marks around Lana’s wrists. It was mostly redness as opposed to bruising. Perhaps that was because Mouse had mainly used duct tape on her and her parents where Shelley and her friends had been bound with rope.
“My name is Shelley Higgins, but I guess you already know that,” she said, and then added, “You can just call me Shelley.” She wanted to keep things rather informal, feeling that their interaction with the Falwells would be most productive as a friendly conversation rather than a formal interview. “I wish this hadn’t happened to you. To any of us,” she added, making eye contact with Lana’s parents as well to let them know they were all included in that sentiment. Shelley motioned to Felicia and said, “This is my friend Felicia, who works with me at the Chronicle. She wasn’t one of the ones who got kidnapped, but she and I have been working together to cover the car theft ring and its aftermath.”
Felicia was surprised at the way Miss Higgins introduced her as ‘her friend’ as opposed to her colleague or as a fellow employee of the paper. Was this for show or did she really think they were friends? Perhaps it was trying to make it feel more like a conversation than a formal interview. Felicia hoped her face hadn’t shown any reaction.
Felicia nodded politely. “Mind if I tape this,” she asked. “We just want to make sure we get everything right and don’t misquote anyone.”
“No, not at all,” Lana said cutting her eyes to her parents.
“I’m fine with it,” her mother said.
“Me too,” The doctor added. “Did you want to speak to all of us or just Lana?”
Felicia set her tape recorder on the coffee table, pressing both play and record before looking back up at the Dr. Falwell.
“The whole family if you don’t mind,” Felicia answered quickly. It was more of a reaction than an attempt to underscore Shelley or to come off as taking charge. However, she cut her eyes to Shelley to let her take the lead on the questions. The fact these two had had similar experiences from the same man gave them a connection point. The girl was likely to trust Miss Higgins more. The family made themselves comfortable.
“So, do you go to the other high school,” Lana asked referring to Teal Cove High, the school the members of Threat of Invasion attended.
“I graduated from TC High last year,” Felicia offered. She glanced to Miss Higgins so she could answer the question for herself.
*Tag*
“Yes, I am,” Shelley confirmed. She rose to her feet and extended a hand in greeting. As she did so, she realized the abrasions the rope had left on her wrist were still slightly visible, and she hoped the sight of them wouldn’t upset Lana. But the Falwells all seemed to be in fairly good spirits considering what had happened to them.
Shelley noticed similar red marks around Lana’s wrists. It was mostly redness as opposed to bruising. Perhaps that was because Mouse had mainly used duct tape on her and her parents where Shelley and her friends had been bound with rope.
“My name is Shelley Higgins, but I guess you already know that,” she said, and then added, “You can just call me Shelley.” She wanted to keep things rather informal, feeling that their interaction with the Falwells would be most productive as a friendly conversation rather than a formal interview. “I wish this hadn’t happened to you. To any of us,” she added, making eye contact with Lana’s parents as well to let them know they were all included in that sentiment. Shelley motioned to Felicia and said, “This is my friend Felicia, who works with me at the Chronicle. She wasn’t one of the ones who got kidnapped, but she and I have been working together to cover the car theft ring and its aftermath.”
Felicia was surprised at the way Miss Higgins introduced her as ‘her friend’ as opposed to her colleague or as a fellow employee of the paper. Was this for show or did she really think they were friends? Perhaps it was trying to make it feel more like a conversation than a formal interview. Felicia hoped her face hadn’t shown any reaction.
Felicia nodded politely. “Mind if I tape this,” she asked. “We just want to make sure we get everything right and don’t misquote anyone.”
“No, not at all,” Lana said cutting her eyes to her parents.
“I’m fine with it,” her mother said.
“Me too,” The doctor added. “Did you want to speak to all of us or just Lana?”
Felicia set her tape recorder on the coffee table, pressing both play and record before looking back up at the Dr. Falwell.
“The whole family if you don’t mind,” Felicia answered quickly. It was more of a reaction than an attempt to underscore Shelley or to come off as taking charge. However, she cut her eyes to Shelley to let her take the lead on the questions. The fact these two had had similar experiences from the same man gave them a connection point. The girl was likely to trust Miss Higgins more. The family made themselves comfortable.
“So, do you go to the other high school,” Lana asked referring to Teal Cove High, the school the members of Threat of Invasion attended.
“I graduated from TC High last year,” Felicia offered. She glanced to Miss Higgins so she could answer the question for herself.
*Tag*
Shelley wasn’t sure, but she thought she sensed a bit of surprise in Felicia when she referred to her as a friend. The two of them weren’t actually friends at this point, but for this interview Shelley wanted to foster an atmosphere of friendliness and openness, and calling Felicia a friend seemed like a good step in that direction. Besides, the two of them were cooperating on this story and would probably work together on other stories in the future, so she wanted to try to thaw the ice between them if she could. And she felt the tension between them had lessened in the last day or two, at least a little, though there was still a long way to go. She just hoped Felicia didn’t speak up to contradict her on the claim that they were friends; that would make things real awkward real fast.
Felicia nodded politely. “Mind if I tape this,” she asked. “We just want to make sure we get everything right and don’t misquote anyone.” Shelley was relieved that there was no contradiction.
“No, not at all,” Lana said cutting her eyes to her parents.
“I’m fine with it,” her mother said.
“Me too,” The doctor added. “Did you want to speak to all of us or just Lana?”
Felicia set her tape recorder on the coffee table, pressing both play and record before looking back up at the Dr. Falwell.
“The whole family if you don’t mind,” Felicia answered quickly. It was more of a reaction than an attempt to underscore Shelley or to come off as taking charge. However, she cut her eyes to Shelley to let her take the lead on the questions. The fact these two had had similar experiences from the same man gave them a connection point. The girl was likely to trust Miss Higgins more. The family made themselves comfortable.
Shelley nodded in agreement. “Yes, you were all victims, so I’d like to hear what happened from the point of view of each of you.”
“So, do you go to the other high school,” Lana asked referring to Teal Cove High, the school the members of Threat of Invasion attended.
“I graduated from TC High last year,” Felicia offered. She glanced to Miss Higgins so she could answer the question for herself.
“I just graduated from high school a couple of months ago, but not from Teal Cove,” said Shelley. “I just moved into the area a few weeks ago, from back East. Pennsylvania, actually. Now my other friends who were kidnapped along with me, they’re a little younger, and they are all students at Teal Cove. One’s going to be a senior in the upcoming year, two will be juniors, and the youngest will be a sophomore. I understand you’re a student at Renier High School, right?”
This seemed like a good time to get some background information on the interviewees. Shelley went on to ask Lana what year she was, whether she was involved in any sports or activities at the school, and if she’d made any career plans. She asked the parents for some background info as well, asking them if they’d been raised in Teal Cove or if not how long they’d lived there, what they did for a living, etc. “Oh, you breed Yorkies? They’re so cute!” Shelley exclaimed when Mrs. Falwell told her about her occupation. She already knew Dr. Falwell was a physician of some sort, but she asked for details. “Are you a general practitioner, or a specialist of some kind?” It occurred to Shelley that, being new in town, she should probably she find a doctor she could go to for any medical needs.
The conversation then became a discussion of what they had each experienced at the hands of the criminals. Shelley went first, starting with Matt’s van breaking down. As she had done while being questioned by other reporters, she remained vague about why they had been in that area to begin with, focusing instead on the more exciting and scary events that followed. She told them about how she had been tied to a chair, and pointed out the abrasions still slightly visible on her wrists and ankles. She showed them the more visible bruising on her upper arms that she had suffered when Speedy Chicken had hit her and knocked the chair over, crushing her upper arms between the chair back and the floor. She told them about Mouse leaving with her keys to go steal her car, then about the car thieves getting the police report about the break-in attempt at Doreen’s house, the gang abandoning the farm, and finally her and her friends’ escape and rescue by the police. “When Mouse left with my keys, that was the last I saw of him until here last night, when he was holding you hostage in the standoff with the police,” Shelley said to Lana. She then invited each of the Falwells to talk about their own experiences with Mouse.
“Oh, by the way, can we exchange phone numbers?” Shelley asked. “Um, I don’t have any business cards yet since I just recently started working with the Chronicle, but I can write my number down on a page from my notepad,” she said. She hoped they would be willing to give her their number as well. She also made a note in her notepad to remind her to ask Mike and Cindy about getting business cards and/or a press pass. Those seemed like things she would need as a reporter for the Chronicle.
Felicia nodded politely. “Mind if I tape this,” she asked. “We just want to make sure we get everything right and don’t misquote anyone.” Shelley was relieved that there was no contradiction.
“No, not at all,” Lana said cutting her eyes to her parents.
“I’m fine with it,” her mother said.
“Me too,” The doctor added. “Did you want to speak to all of us or just Lana?”
Felicia set her tape recorder on the coffee table, pressing both play and record before looking back up at the Dr. Falwell.
“The whole family if you don’t mind,” Felicia answered quickly. It was more of a reaction than an attempt to underscore Shelley or to come off as taking charge. However, she cut her eyes to Shelley to let her take the lead on the questions. The fact these two had had similar experiences from the same man gave them a connection point. The girl was likely to trust Miss Higgins more. The family made themselves comfortable.
Shelley nodded in agreement. “Yes, you were all victims, so I’d like to hear what happened from the point of view of each of you.”
“So, do you go to the other high school,” Lana asked referring to Teal Cove High, the school the members of Threat of Invasion attended.
“I graduated from TC High last year,” Felicia offered. She glanced to Miss Higgins so she could answer the question for herself.
“I just graduated from high school a couple of months ago, but not from Teal Cove,” said Shelley. “I just moved into the area a few weeks ago, from back East. Pennsylvania, actually. Now my other friends who were kidnapped along with me, they’re a little younger, and they are all students at Teal Cove. One’s going to be a senior in the upcoming year, two will be juniors, and the youngest will be a sophomore. I understand you’re a student at Renier High School, right?”
This seemed like a good time to get some background information on the interviewees. Shelley went on to ask Lana what year she was, whether she was involved in any sports or activities at the school, and if she’d made any career plans. She asked the parents for some background info as well, asking them if they’d been raised in Teal Cove or if not how long they’d lived there, what they did for a living, etc. “Oh, you breed Yorkies? They’re so cute!” Shelley exclaimed when Mrs. Falwell told her about her occupation. She already knew Dr. Falwell was a physician of some sort, but she asked for details. “Are you a general practitioner, or a specialist of some kind?” It occurred to Shelley that, being new in town, she should probably she find a doctor she could go to for any medical needs.
The conversation then became a discussion of what they had each experienced at the hands of the criminals. Shelley went first, starting with Matt’s van breaking down. As she had done while being questioned by other reporters, she remained vague about why they had been in that area to begin with, focusing instead on the more exciting and scary events that followed. She told them about how she had been tied to a chair, and pointed out the abrasions still slightly visible on her wrists and ankles. She showed them the more visible bruising on her upper arms that she had suffered when Speedy Chicken had hit her and knocked the chair over, crushing her upper arms between the chair back and the floor. She told them about Mouse leaving with her keys to go steal her car, then about the car thieves getting the police report about the break-in attempt at Doreen’s house, the gang abandoning the farm, and finally her and her friends’ escape and rescue by the police. “When Mouse left with my keys, that was the last I saw of him until here last night, when he was holding you hostage in the standoff with the police,” Shelley said to Lana. She then invited each of the Falwells to talk about their own experiences with Mouse.
“Oh, by the way, can we exchange phone numbers?” Shelley asked. “Um, I don’t have any business cards yet since I just recently started working with the Chronicle, but I can write my number down on a page from my notepad,” she said. She hoped they would be willing to give her their number as well. She also made a note in her notepad to remind her to ask Mike and Cindy about getting business cards and/or a press pass. Those seemed like things she would need as a reporter for the Chronicle.
The interview felt like a relaxed conversation as opposed to a reporter talking to a victim. In this instance, that seemed to help things given the traumatic nature of what the family had endured. Miss Higgins seemed to bond with the Falwells naturally. It was immediately obvious that her having not only experienced the same thing, but the fact that it had been the same man helped them to click.
It was for that reason that Felicia decided to hang back and just listen. On one hand, the interview made Miss Higgins and her friends' story seem more plausible, but then again, there were a few too many coincidences tied to the timing of her arrival that still bothered Felicia. She was still torn on the verdict of whether Shelley was who and what she claimed to be.
As the interview continued, the family focused on the feeling of being cut off from each other, time and their captor. It was hard to tell how much time had passed and what was going on. The television and radio had been used by Mouse to get updates on what was going on outside. That was, until the power was cut.
The hardest part of the ordeal besides the fear and uncertainty seemed to be how uncomfortable things got without the AC. The lack of air flow made it feel sweltering in the house and the sticky tape made it all the more unpleasant.
Lana finally recalled being pulled to her feet and being disoriented and having difficulty balancing or knowing which way was forward which lead to Mouse ripping the tape loose around her eyes. She also wondered aloud that perhaps allowing her to see all of the police with their guns might make her think twice about doing anything foolish.
She knew her captor had a gun pressed to her head and guided her by yanking her by the hair. He kept a tight grip on it as he forced her outside using a shield. Lana said that she had no concept of time, everything was in slow motion and she wasn't sure if things happened in seconds or minutes.
Lana also spoke about being grabbed and rushed to safety while still bound and gagged. She remembered a gun shot, hitting the ground, being grabbed again but not knowing by whom and pulled to her feet and and rushed while in almost a headlock behind some cars. The officer pressed her into a squatting position and kept his hands on her shoulders so she wouldn't pop up.
Lana had been unable to see anything because she was behind a squad car and didn't know what was happening. It was several minutes before anyone removed the tape from her mouth and several more minutes before her hands were freed. She recalled, the cop unwrapping the tape from her mouth and firmly moving her to an ambulance out of sight of the crowd. The paramedics had to spend several minutes to get her hands free of the tape cocoon they were trapped in.
From the moment Lana was able to speak again, she kept asking about her parents and no one could give her any solid answers. Once completely untied, the paramedics did a quick assessment before more or less forcing her onto a stretcher. The ambulance sat there for several more minutes before departing. It wasn't until Lana was at the hospital and in a room in the ER that she was reunited with her parents.
Dr. and Mrs. Falwell shared the fear when they heard shots being fired outside. They recalled the sounds of officers rushing in and shouting. It was several moments before someone yelled 'clear' and anyone attempted to help them up and untie them.
Of course, they immediately had concerns about their daughter. Once they heard she was safe, they were told the intruder was in custody and they were allowed to go and see Lana. They spent several hours in the ER and it was the middle of the night before they finally were able to return home.
The family felt unsafe and were still badly shaken and unable to sleep from all of the excitement.
“Oh, by the way, can we exchange phone numbers?” Shelley asked. “Um, I don’t have any business cards yet since I just recently started working with the Chronicle, but I can write my number down on a page from my notepad,” she said. She hoped they would be willing to give her their number as well. She also made a note in her notepad to remind her to ask Mike and Cindy about getting business cards and/or a press pass. Those seemed like things she would need as a reporter for the Chronicle.
Ironically, Felicia was thinking the same thing about business cards. When Shelley began to exchange numbers, Felicia interjected. "Give them the main number to our office," she instructed and recited it from her memory.
After a brief wrap up and thanking the family for their time, Felicia and Shelley and headed back to her car.
It was for that reason that Felicia decided to hang back and just listen. On one hand, the interview made Miss Higgins and her friends' story seem more plausible, but then again, there were a few too many coincidences tied to the timing of her arrival that still bothered Felicia. She was still torn on the verdict of whether Shelley was who and what she claimed to be.
As the interview continued, the family focused on the feeling of being cut off from each other, time and their captor. It was hard to tell how much time had passed and what was going on. The television and radio had been used by Mouse to get updates on what was going on outside. That was, until the power was cut.
The hardest part of the ordeal besides the fear and uncertainty seemed to be how uncomfortable things got without the AC. The lack of air flow made it feel sweltering in the house and the sticky tape made it all the more unpleasant.
Lana finally recalled being pulled to her feet and being disoriented and having difficulty balancing or knowing which way was forward which lead to Mouse ripping the tape loose around her eyes. She also wondered aloud that perhaps allowing her to see all of the police with their guns might make her think twice about doing anything foolish.
She knew her captor had a gun pressed to her head and guided her by yanking her by the hair. He kept a tight grip on it as he forced her outside using a shield. Lana said that she had no concept of time, everything was in slow motion and she wasn't sure if things happened in seconds or minutes.
Lana also spoke about being grabbed and rushed to safety while still bound and gagged. She remembered a gun shot, hitting the ground, being grabbed again but not knowing by whom and pulled to her feet and and rushed while in almost a headlock behind some cars. The officer pressed her into a squatting position and kept his hands on her shoulders so she wouldn't pop up.
Lana had been unable to see anything because she was behind a squad car and didn't know what was happening. It was several minutes before anyone removed the tape from her mouth and several more minutes before her hands were freed. She recalled, the cop unwrapping the tape from her mouth and firmly moving her to an ambulance out of sight of the crowd. The paramedics had to spend several minutes to get her hands free of the tape cocoon they were trapped in.
From the moment Lana was able to speak again, she kept asking about her parents and no one could give her any solid answers. Once completely untied, the paramedics did a quick assessment before more or less forcing her onto a stretcher. The ambulance sat there for several more minutes before departing. It wasn't until Lana was at the hospital and in a room in the ER that she was reunited with her parents.
Dr. and Mrs. Falwell shared the fear when they heard shots being fired outside. They recalled the sounds of officers rushing in and shouting. It was several moments before someone yelled 'clear' and anyone attempted to help them up and untie them.
Of course, they immediately had concerns about their daughter. Once they heard she was safe, they were told the intruder was in custody and they were allowed to go and see Lana. They spent several hours in the ER and it was the middle of the night before they finally were able to return home.
The family felt unsafe and were still badly shaken and unable to sleep from all of the excitement.
“Oh, by the way, can we exchange phone numbers?” Shelley asked. “Um, I don’t have any business cards yet since I just recently started working with the Chronicle, but I can write my number down on a page from my notepad,” she said. She hoped they would be willing to give her their number as well. She also made a note in her notepad to remind her to ask Mike and Cindy about getting business cards and/or a press pass. Those seemed like things she would need as a reporter for the Chronicle.
Ironically, Felicia was thinking the same thing about business cards. When Shelley began to exchange numbers, Felicia interjected. "Give them the main number to our office," she instructed and recited it from her memory.
After a brief wrap up and thanking the family for their time, Felicia and Shelley and headed back to her car.
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