[flipflop]

At the wheel of the van was Michael Carpenter. Carpenter was a twice convicted robber who (five years earlier) had completed a 17 year prison sentence for the armed robbery of a K-mart pharmacy, across the river in Minneapolis.

Abducting people off the street was not part of his criminal profile, even though a great deal of money could be obtained through ransom. But money was not the motive behind this crime. What drove him to progress to a more serious felony like kidnapping was a desire for revenge!

It was a revenge fueled by 17 years in a maximum security prison. 17 years of misdirected blame towards the person whom Carpenter erroneously felt was responsible for him being there in the first place. That person was Liz's husband, Dave.

Twenty two years earlier, Dave was a police officer in Minneapolis. On the night that Carpenter and three associates committed an armed robbery at the K-mart pharmacy, Dave was on duty.

While responding to assist at the robbery scene, Dave observed the getaway vehicle fleeing in the opposite direction.

Turning to give chase, Dave caught up with the vehicle and pulled it over at gunpoint. Carpenter then fled the scene on foot, leading Dave on a lengthy foot chase, but Dave stayed with him and eventually apprehended him.

The end result? A commendation for Dave and a 17 year prison sentence for Carpenter.

He promised he'd get even with the cop who arrested him and he stewed over it for the entire time he was in prison. And while he was serious about wanting revenge, he never actually thought he'd get the chance. That was...until five weeks ago.

It had been 10 years since Dave had retired from law enforcement, to pursue other career interests. So by the time Carpenter was released, Dave was 'in the wind'.

After spending the time since his release, trying to find him, without success, Carpenter had for all practical purposes, given up on his vendetta. Then, five weeks ago, by pure coincidence, Dave fell right into his lap!

On that fateful day, Dave had come to the college to meet Liz for lunch. Carpenter, on the other hand (at the insistence if his parole officer) had enrolled in to classes at the same college.

While Dave was standing at the lobby information desk, waiting for Liz and talking with the receptionist (who was a family friend) Carpenter walked by on his way to his class.

As he passed Dave, he instantly detected a hint of familiarity. Balot of time had passed since the last time he saw Dave in that courtroom.

And while Dave looked different in a t-shirt and shorts, than he did in a police uniform, he still had that "cop look" about him. And while Dave had added some grey hair since the last time Carpenter had seen him, he hadn't really changed all that much.

Carpenter on the other hand, had changed a great deal. He had bulked up, for one thing. Hours upon hours in the prison weight room tended to do that.

In addition to his increased body mass, Carpenter sported a full beard now and had added a fair amount of his own grey hair, since that day, all those years ago. So while Carpenter looked nothing like he did on that day when Dave arrested him, Dave hadn't changed all that much. But still, Carpenter needed to be sure.

Plopping himself down in one of the lobby chairs, he made himself comfortable and watched Dave as he spoke with the receptionist.

Several minutes later, Dave was joined by a nice looking, middle-aged, blonde woman. As they stood and talked with the receptionist for a few more minutes, Carpenter watched Dave leave with the blonde.

Quickly standing up, Carpenter walked to the desk and spoke with the receptionist. "Sorry to bother you, but do you know that man who just left with the blonde woman? He looks just like an old friend of mine who I haven't seen in over 20 years. His name isn't John Michaels, is it?"

Smiling, the receptionist said, "I'm afraid not. His name is Dave Miller." Smiling at her he said, "oops, guess I was wrong. Thanks anyway."

As Carpenter walked away from the desk, he smiled and said to himself, "nice to see you again...Officer Miller!"