Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given - Duane Dog Chapman [57]
Despite the abusive nature of their relationship, Lyssa eventually got back together with Volosin. My only concern was for my children’s well-being because I was well aware that their relationship was extremely violent. Twenty years had gone by without a single thought of that man. And then, sometime in 2008, I decided to reach out to him. My reason was an unusual one. As I’ve looked back on mistakes I’ve made in the past, my relationship with Lyssa is something that has haunted me. There’s so much bad blood between us. I wanted to understand where all of her anger comes from. Was it just me or did she treat other men in her life that way? Volosin and Lyssa had parted ways years ago, and I thought talking with him might shed some light on the subject. When I phoned his home, Volosin’s new wife answered. She was surprised to hear it was me on the other end.
“Dog, my husband made a terrible mistake twenty years ago and he is very sorry for what he’s done. Can you find it in your heart to forgive him like you do other guys in the back of your car?”
“Of course I can.” I didn’t really have a beef with him. Our paths hadn’t crossed much except for his relationship with my ex. Volosin and I spent about twenty minutes talking about life, Lyssa, and our kids. He told me about the son he’d had with my ex-wife, who she won’t allow him to see. I felt his pain as he spoke because I had gone through the same thing with Duane Lee and Leland. I knew what it felt like to not be able to see your children. I tried to assure him to not give up the fight.
“Our children are worth fighting for.”
No one should have the right to deprive a biological parent of the right to see their children. It’s cruel and hurtful to all parties involved. I hung up from that call understanding for the first time ever that I wasn’t the sole target of my ex-wife’s anger. It was a bittersweet realization. I find no comfort in knowing this, only sadness in my heart for Volosin, his son, and the countless other families out there who deal with this type of loss and separation every single day.
CHAPTER 11
(credit: Chaz)
Bounty hunting for Mary Ellen was never dull. Some of the greatest and most memorable hunts of my career in Denver were her jumps. Despite the fact that I always get my man, at the beginning Mary Ellen was always convinced they were gone and that we’d never get them. One day she called me about a big bond for a guy named Warren Halligan, who skipped. He was wanted on a $250,000 federal warrant. She was worried because losing him would have instantly put her out of business. I tried to reassure Mary Ellen that I’d find him, but my word alone wasn’t giving her the comfort she needed.
Right in the middle of our conversation, Mary Ellen abruptly pulled her car over to the side of the road.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“We’re going to pray, Dog. God will help us find this guy. I don’t deserve to lose everything I’ve worked for over this punk.”
I was blown away by her commitment and determination, but even more so by her faith in the Lord. I can’t say for sure when I began praying before bounty hunts, but I don’t remember ever doing it before that day.
As Mary Ellen bowed her head and began to pray, I reassured her once again, “I promise you, I will find this guy.”
Mary Ellen looked up with a crazed expression in her eyes. “Oh yeah? Let’s see what you’ve got, Dog. Let me see you go. Prove to me you’re the best.”
That challenge was all I needed to hear. “Take me to his old house.”
Mary Ellen stepped on the gas, spun her wheels in the gravel, and sped down the two-lane highway like a bat out of hell. When we got to the house, it was empty. The only things left inside were some random personal items, a couple of empty beer cans, and an old pizza box that was turned