Suspicious, he called her. When she said she was shopping, he knew something was wrong.
That evening, he listened to her false story about shopping, feeling sick but deciding not to jump to conclusions. He observed her for another week while on a business trip, tracking her car through three states to Blake’s house from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. She lied about being home the entire night.
The confirmation of her infidelity devastated him. When he returned, he considered destruction.
He knew Blake was a ladies’ man but never thought he’d pursue Lisa. Her betrayal broke his heart.
That night, he visited the elderly widow next door under the pretense of borrowing a wrench. He retrieved a hidden revolver from her late husband’s toolbox.
Mark intended to use it to eliminate Blake and Lisa, then himself. He decided to wait until he caught them together.
He ordered his own tracking device to return the one he was evaluating. Luckily, Lisa and Blake didn’t meet for another week, giving Mark time to rethink.
In those days, he devised a better plan to frame them for homicide. He spent a week planning and gathering supplies.
When ready, he claimed a weekend business trip, knowing they’d meet while he was away. When his wife went to Blake’s, he set his plan in motion, creating a paper trail suggesting he was divorcing her.
He almost forgot to send a crucial email to his lawyer that would implicate Lisa and Blake. Before leaving, he fired a bullet into his car’s passenger seat and another into a wooden block, muffling the shots with a blanket in the garage. This step felt like a relief, marking the start of his revenge.
You should look for archived newspaper articles online. Mark followed the trial daily and said most of the story was documented by court reporters. He thinks a complete review of the court transcript will clarify everything.
First, he drove his car to a park near Blake’s house and found a secluded spot. He had a large gym bag with all the materials for his plan. He spread everything out on a picnic table, covering it with an old blanket.
He unloaded firewood, plastic sheeting, and a spare tire, creating a drag trail to the paved road. Then he returned the tire to the trunk and spread the firewood around.
Using a small flashlight, he did all this and then sat quietly to see if anyone noticed.
Mark drew blood from his hand using a needle, collecting nearly two pints, which he diluted with distilled water. He sprayed this blood in patterns to mimic an arterial jet and smeared it on the car seat and ground to suggest significant blood loss.
He filled bullet holes in the firewood and car upholstery with more blood. After finishing, he packed everything in his gym bag and left the park, reaching an old car he had bought for the purpose.
Dizzy from blood loss, he rested until nearly 6:00 a.m., then drove to Blake’s house to finish his plan.
Lisa’s car was still at Blake’s house and unlocked, so he put a couple of drops of blood on the gas pedal. He also smeared blood on Blake’s car but got scared when he saw a light on in Blake’s bedroom.
He quickly left, went to a pay phone, and used a voice changer to report his car in the park, pretending to be a woman. He then disposed of two shovels and the revolver in the river.
Exhausted, he stayed in a motel for two days, taking supplements and eating energy bars. He made another call with the voice changer, this time as an old man, which helped the police find the revolver.
Mark told me this whole story because he wants to leave his past as Mark Evans behind. He now uses a different identity, which my son and I know him by, and wants to keep it.
He asked me to send this information to help overturn the convictions of Lisa Evans and Blake Moore.
Tomorrow, I’ll pick up a copy of The New York Times and an inkwell. We’ll use part of the front page to put all of Mark’s fingerprints in a blood stain, which will match the DNA from the park, proving he’s alive. This should be enough to free them from jail.”
At the end of the letter, there was a handwritten note:
“Mark came out of surgery in good condition. He wants me to fly to Seattle tomorrow to send this package. I hate to leave him, but it will ease his mind. We’re expecting twins in about three months.”
Tony Kelly turned the last page to check for any additional notes, but it was blank. He put his feet down from the desk and examined the other items in the package.
The DVD was labeled “Photos Taken in George Washington Park,” and the black plastic envelope was marked “Fingerprints and DNA.”
He reviewed the printed pages again for any extra notes and then called a senior attorney. This was beyond his ability to handle alone.
It didn’t take long to confirm that the DNA belonged to Mark Evans, and the fingerprints matched those from his car found in the park, proving he was still alive.
With undeniable evidence that two people were convicted of a homicide that never happened, the state attorney general and governor expedited their release.
A week later, they returned to the courtroom with Basil Smith, Lisa’s parents, and even District Attorney Jeff Bagden, with some state representatives present.
The state attorney general apologized for the wrongful conviction. He blamed Mark Evans for misleading the justice system and announced efforts to find him and hold him accountable for the financial costs incurred.
When asked where they would start looking for Mark, he could only shake his head.
Blake Moore seemed changed, no longer arrogant but more inclined to compromise. He apologized to Lisa for the events leading to their imprisonment.
Lisa appeared indifferent, longing only to leave with her parents.
Both Basil Smith and the district attorney apologized, acknowledging they had been misled by Mark Evans. They vowed to be more diligent in future cases.
Although the state found no liability, Lisa and Blake received $50,000 each in compensation.
Blake, whose business went bankrupt and whose house was sold for legal fees, left town. He commented to Lisa that Mark had severely wronged them and the check was a mere fraction of what he lost.
Lisa, visibly worn from her ordeal, simply said they deserved it and left without saying goodbye.
Two weeks after tabloids reported their release, a large envelope arrived at Basil Smith’s office. Inside was a note for the attorney and a sealed envelope for Lisa.
Basil delivered the letter to Lisa at her apartment. After a brief conversation, he left her with the envelope, which she opened with apprehension.
Recognizing Mark’s handwriting, she read the letter.
“Lisa,
I apologize for the time you spent in jail. Your betrayal with Blake drove me nearly insane. My new life and happiness have shown me that freeing you both was necessary for my own freedom.
I know authorities will search for me, but I am confident in my new life with my new family.
Good luck and goodbye.
Mark.”
The letter slipped from her hand, shattering any remaining hope of reconciliation with Mark.