The Flying Bandit Page 3

  When Janice finished school she got a job in a men’s hostel in Ottawa. Then she met Robert. Not long after that, they got married. A year ago, the two of them had come to Pembroke to live. At that time, Janice was pregnant and wanted to be near her mother when she had her baby. She also wanted her child to grow up in the wholesome environment of Pembroke where she could absorb the solid values of the smaller community.

  Once she had the baby, Janice found she was spending a lot of time at home by herself. Robert was often on the road. He worked for his father, who ran a financial investment business out of Calgary. He had to travel a great deal because, as a stocks and bonds courier and a security analyst, he was required to make calls all across Canada. Her husband was away almost every second week and in the two years that she had known him he had flown to almost every major city in the country. Janice wasn’t about to complain about his job because he made an excellent salary and was a very good provider. There were, however, other things about her husband that bothered her a great deal. Sometimes he drank too much and she wasn’t crazy about some of the friends he’d made in Ottawa. She was not pleased that some of them came out to Pembroke to visit. Occasionally, Robert went to Ottawa to see them.

  But, all in all, life with Robert was good. As long as they loved each other, Janice was convinced they could work out their problems. She felt they had a better chance of doing that in Pembroke. Things might not be perfect between them, but they were a lot better here than they had been in Ottawa.

  Janice was sitting beside the phone at home when it rang. She picked it up and said, “Hello.”

  “Hi,” Robert said, “it’s me. I’ll be home in about twenty minutes.”

  “Where are you?” Janice asked.

  “I’m calling from the sky on a chartered airplane. It’s the only way I could get home in time. Can you meet me at the airport?”

  “You’re flying on a charter?”

  “Yeah. What’s the big surprise? I’ve done it before.”

  “God, you are extravagant. I hope your dad’s paying for it.”

  “Why wouldn’t he? It’s all in a day’s work. Can you meet me at the airport?”

  “Yeah. When are you due in?”

  “In about twenty minutes.”

  “Alright. I’ll see you there.”

  “Bring the baby too, OK?”

  “Yeah, she’ll be excited to see you.”

  “Me too. Talk to you later.”

  Janice got Laura ready and carried her out to the car. Although their house was small and simple, their car was definitely the classiest automobile in that part of town, if not the entire city. It was a Chrysler 5th Avenue, black and sleek, and it looked great in their driveway. Many of Robert’s Ottawa friends drove cars just like it. They all bought them from the same Ottawa Chrysler dealer.

  As she settled the baby in her car seat, Chris, one of her neighbours, waved hello. He was standing on the roadway in front of the house.

  “Hi,” Janice said as she strapped Laura into her car seat.

  Chris came closer.

  “Where you off to? Going for a ride in the country?”

  “No, I have to pick up Robert at the airport.”

  “Went away again, did he?”

  “Yeah. Seems like he’s away more than he’s home.” Janice got in behind the steering wheel.

  “Where’s he been this time?”

  “London, I think. I’m pretty sure he said he was going to London.”

  “You mean in England?”

  “No, no, no. London, Ontario. He’s only been gone since yesterday afternoon.”

  “Sure gets around, doesn’t he?”

  “Yeah, he flies a lot.” Janice closed the door to the car. Not wanting to offend Chris, who was standing right beside her now, she immediately rolled down the car window.

  “Wish I had a job like that,” he said.

  “Oh, it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. There’s lots of times he doesn’t want to go. He doesn’t like being away from the baby ... or me.” She said the last part with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Well, I wouldn’t mind trying it for a year or two. Hell of a lot better than sticking around here all the time.”

  “The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, you know.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Well, I got to get going,” Janice said. She turned the key in the ignition. “I don’t want to be late. He called me from the airplane.”

  “He did what?” Chris’s eyes got bigger.

  “He called me from the plane. He does that some time.”

  “I’ll be damned. He sure lives the high life.”

  The baby started to squirm in her seat. Janice nudged the car backwards in the driveway.

  “Say hello to him for me,” Chris requested.

  “I will. Talk to you later.” Janice waved goodbye and pulled the car out into the street. It was only a ten-minute drive to the airport but she wanted to be there in time to watch his plane come in. So would the baby. Besides, when she drove Robert to the airport yesterday morning she had told him, in no uncertain terms, to be home today in time for supper. Janice was still steaming from his last trip when he flew to western Canada and, without telling her, stopped off in the United States to visit friends for a few days on the way back.

  This time he had kept his promise to be home for supper. The least she could do was be there when he arrived.

  As Janice drove west into the sun on the county road she glanced over at Laura. Just looking at the little girl filled Janice with pleasant feelings. Her chubby face was so beautiful. Her little hands were so perfect. Janice knew the new baby would be beautiful too. She liked the idea that there would be less than two years between them. That would work out well. They would grow up together and be best friends.

  Janice thought about how Laura loved playing with Robert. There was always so much laughter between them. He spent hours playing with her and caring for her. Robert might have his faults but he was wonderful with Laura. Janice was sure he would be the same with the new baby. When the new baby came, their family life would be even better than now, twice as much fun.

  Then Janice’s mind strayed to the most exciting news of all. She and Laura would be heading for the Caribbean sometime in the future. Robert and her cousin Mick were flying out next week to look for a business to buy in the islands. Robert had met Mick in England on one of his trips overseas. The two of them had taken an instant liking for one another and thought they would like to be partners in running a bar or a restaurant. Once they found a business that looked feasible, Janice and the baby would fly down to be with them. If she liked it there, they all might stay – permanently. Robert was tired of his job travelling for his father. It was too demanding, too hard on his nerves. He wanted to open a small bar in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Robert had done a lot of reading and checked it out. There were thousands of tourists on those islands, and a little business like he had in mind could work out well.

  He and Janice had talked about the move very thoroughly. Maybe they wouldn’t make as much money as they did right now but they wouldn’t need a lot of money. Living down there would be much cheaper. Almost everything was less expensive – housing, no heating bills, less clothing. The bottom line was that Robert would be happier and that was important because he had become difficult to live with lately. He seemed constantly on edge, easily irritated.

  Robert’s trip with Mick was all set. He had already booked his flight through Bennett Travel in Pembroke. They were leaving next Tuesday, June 16.

  By the time Janice turned onto the Airport Road, she was talking to herself out loud.

  “I will definitely come back and have the baby in Pembroke but Robert can go down and get the business started. Then as soon as I’m strong enough, we can go down and join him.”

  “It’ll be great, Laura,” she said to the baby beside her. “Swimming whenever we want and playing all day in the sand.” Janice�
��s happiness was infectious; the baby clapped her hands as if applauding.

  Janice didn’t know where this idea about the Turks and Caicos Islands would lead but it was exciting to think about. That was the one great thing about being married to Robert Whiteman. There was always something new and exciting happening, something to look forward to. She never knew what was going to happen next.

  Janice turned right off the Airport Road and headed down the driveway towards the terminal. As she pulled into the large paved parking lot adjacent to the modern brown brick building, Janice took no notice of two men sitting in a grey Pontiac that was parked near the entrance. There were only four other cars in the lot. With plenty of open spaces to choose from she pulled to a stop in a space about forty feet from the entrance doors. After lifting Laura from her car seat she stood for a minute checking the sky. It was overcast with a layer of dark grey clouds. The flag hung limp from its standard.

  “Not such a nice day for Daddy to fly,” she said to her little girl. “Oh, well, he probably talked the whole way anyway and never noticed it.”

  Inside the terminal, Janice carried Laura across the waiting room to the huge windows that looked out on the long runway. The lounge area was almost empty. There were two business men with briefcases sitting in the row of chairs closest to the window. A woman with papers in her hand walked into the hallway leading to the administrative offices across from the lounge.

  While Janice and the baby waited in the lounge the supervisor in the traffic office was giving the incoming pilot, Grant Milburn, the wind speed and direction. The airport traffic had been so quiet today she was pleased to have a little business to transact. In standard air controller’s jargon she cleared the plane for landing.

  Janice scanned the horizon and spotted a lone twin engine plane approaching over the trees in the distance. It was coming from the southwest.

  “That must be it,” she said to the baby. Pointing to the plane, Janice whispered, “Here he comes. Here comes Daddy.” Laura, imitating her mother, pointed her little finger in the general direction of the incoming aircraft.

  The plane landed and taxied towards them. Moments later it was roaring its engines in front of the terminal building. Janice watched carefully, and as soon as the engines were cut, she saw Robert appear in the plane’s doorway holding his briefcase and a leather jacket.

  “I think Daddy’s bought a new coat,” she whispered to Laura.

  As much as Robert had enjoyed the flight, he was glad to be on the ground again. The sight of Janice and the baby in the window of the terminal made him feel good and brought a smile to his face. He started down the stairs.

  One of the pilots, Grant Milburn, carrying Robert’s garment bag, followed him. The two men advanced briskly towards the terminal, chatting as they walked.

  When Robert entered the lounge he went directly to Janice and the baby.

  “Hi,” he said and kissed them both. He gently stroked Laura’s cheek and made a fuss over her. She responded with delight and reached out to touch him back.

  Janice said, “You’ve been drinking.”

  “Yeah, I’ve had a few drinks.” Her comment irritated him. He felt she could have at least said hello first. It was discouraging. “Let’s go. I’m kind of tired,” he said.

  Then Robert remembered his garment bag. The pilot had been standing back so as not to interfere with the intimacy of their meeting. Robert turned to him and took the bag.

  “Thanks for the flight,” he said. “It was great.”

  “Our pleasure,” Milburn replied, “It was fun. I hope you call us again some time.”

  “Yeah, maybe I will. See you later.”

  Milburn said goodbye and headed back to his aircraft. The two business men sitting in the front row chairs didn’t seem to notice Robert’s arrival or Milburn’s departure. They sat face-to-face and continued their intense conversation.

  Robert and Janice didn’t talk as they left the lounge. He was still stinging from her opening rebuke; she wasn’t happy that he’d been drinking so early in the day. Janice carried the baby. Robert had his garment bag in one hand and his briefcase in the other. His new jacket was tucked under his left arm. They stepped out into the parking lot.

  Janice broke the brittle silence between them. “Not a real great day,” she said. “What was the flight like?”

  “It was OK, but I’m glad it’s over.”

  “Is it good to be home?” she asked with a slight touch of sarcasm in her voice.

  “It’s great to be home,” he said earnestly. Then he gave the baby a joyous, wide-eyed smile which she returned with glee, tossing her head against her mother’s shoulder.

  As the little family headed to their car they paid no heed to the two men in casual clothes who got out of the grey Pontiac in the parking lot, and began walking towards them.

  Although Robert Whiteman, the consummate bank robber, was clever and cunning, he had no reason to suspect that the police had been closing in on him for weeks. He had no idea how close they had come to capturing him earlier that day, no notion that just hours ago an inspector with the Ontario Provincial Police had called London City Police to warn them that Robert Whiteman was in their city to rob a bank. He was totally unaware that Inspector MacCharles’s phone call had come just a whisker too late.

  At this moment, all Robert Whiteman was thinking about was how good it was to be home. He was tired and hungry and looking forward to having a bite to eat, flopping in his chair and putting his feet up for the rest of the evening.

  Of course, he would make time to have some fun with the baby. He was never too tired for that. She was the best thing that had ever happened in his entire life. He had never really known pure love until Laura came along. Just her smile could melt his heart.

  As they walked, without any prompting, she gave him that beautiful smile again. She was the centre of the satisfying little world that Robert now enjoyed. It was a world that he had taken him a long painful journey to find.

  It was hard for him to believe that his troubled life had turned out so well. Here he was with a family of his own, living comfortably in a quaint little city in a tranquil country far from his angry roots. He was well aware that no life can be perfect, but this must be close, considering the utter misery he’d left behind.

  CHAPTER 3

  Crossing the Line

  Robert Whiteman had been in trouble with the law since he was a young boy. He was born Gilbert William Galvan Jr. in Los Angeles, California on July 20, 1957, and raised in an impoverished family of four sisters, one brother and a half brother. His father, Gilbert Sr., was a lawless, abusive drunk who liked to fight and chase women. His mother, Delores, was a mean and miserable woman who offered her husband very little to like. The two of them fought constantly and argued bitterly, establishing a volcanic atmosphere in the house that kept the children in constant fear and scarred them all irreparably.

  Gilbert, the father, had black, slick-backed hair and the dark skin tone associated in southern California with the people from south of the border. A machinist by trade, he was a rodeo fan and participant who liked to enter competitions at small fairs as a bronco rider. Constantly in trouble with the law, he had a lengthy police record. Since he spent much of his time hiding from the authorities, the older Galvan carried phoney identification in the name of Gilbert Cisneros. It was a legacy of deceit he would leave to his son.

  The father caused problems at home too. It was not uncommon for him to get fired from his job then spend his welfare cheque on booze, get drunk and not come home for days. When he did come home he would fight with Delores or beat the kids.

  He was a terrible role model for his children. One time at Christmas, when Gilbert Jr. was very young, he and his dad were riding in the family car when the police tried to pull them over. But his father wouldn’t stop and the police cruiser chased them for miles at high speed with its siren wailing. Other cruisers joined in the chase and when they finally stopped the Galvan car
Gilbert Sr. was put in handcuffs and taken away. Little Gilbert, badly shaken by the experience, was delivered home in another police car. The father spent the holidays in jail.

  When Gilbert was seven his parents finally split up. His brother went to live with his father in Milwaukee and the rest of the family went with Delores to live in a house in the country outside Chicago. But there was still no stability in the home. The children were sent back and forth between mother and father several times. Every time one of the parents needed a break from familial responsibility the kids would be shifted to the other parent. When Gilbert Sr. had them, he would sometimes take them to their grandparents’ place in Texas and leave them there on a “holiday” for weeks while he went on a drunk.

  It was while young Gilbert stayed in Texas, with his father’s side of the family, that he experienced true poverty. Living conditions were wretched in the primitive house. Money was scarce, food was simple, clothes were tattered, and there was nothing to play with. Worst of all, there was an overwhelming attitude of despair. It was there that Gilbert resolved to have a better life for himself. And he planned to get it by the easiest and quickest route. If doing so meant he had to turn to crime, that was fine with him.

  Gilbert’s mother was as irresponsible as his father. When Gilbert and the other children went to stay with his mother it was not unusual for her to go off and leave them with a babysitter for days at a time. Although her house was better appointed than the grandparents’, it had few amenities either.

  Tired of being tossed from one parent to the other, Gilbert began to rebel. As he got bigger and stronger his behaviour became more and more difficult for either parent to handle. Before long young Gilbert was repeatedly being dragged in and out of police stations for stealing and other acts of juvenile delinquency. Gilbert showed no respect for anyone in a position of authority, neither the police nor school personnel.