After Dark (3 page)

She checked the staff roster and was happy and relieved to see that her best friend, Barbara, would be arriving for the morning shift. Some words of wisdom from Barbara was just the thing she needed.

The staff soon began to arrive and
Pause for Men
was open for business. It never ceased to amaze Elizabeth how many well-to-do men had so much free time in the middle of the day. Barbara breezed in, all smiles and full of energy.

“You sure look happy,” Elizabeth greeted as Barbara tucked her knapsack beneath the registration desk.

“Life is good and Wil is even better.” She flashed a wicked wink.

Everyone thought that, Michael, Barbara's young NBA star boyfriend turned ex-fiancé, had put a pep in Barbara's step, but there was no doubt that Wil was the fuel that fired up her tank.

“How are you doing?” Barbara asked, still beaming.

“Not bad. Sort of had a day off yesterday.”

“What do you mean, ‘sort of'?”

Elizabeth recapped her interrupted day.

“Girl, you need to turn off your phone when you're off. Period.” She planted her hand on her hip. “How long has Carmen been here?”

“A couple of months.”

“She should know how to run this place on her own, by now. That's why we hired her.”

“Same thing Ron said.”

“I take it he didn't appreciate the interruptions.”

“That's an understatement.” She paused. “I need to run something by you.”

“Sure.” Barbara hopped up on the stool.

Elizabeth told Barbara about the message from Matt.

“Wow. Well, did you call him back?”

“No. Ron found the note.”

“Ouch. What did he say?”

“He wanted to know the same thing you did and why Matt would have the nerve to call me after everything he put me through. To make a long story short, he didn't spend the night.”

“You need to handle it. And you need to ask yourself why you will or won't call Matt back. It could be anything.”

“Or it could just be another of his ploys to get me back.”

“Would that bother you? I mean, you're in love with Ron, right? He asked you to marry him. It's over with you and Matt so it shouldn't matter. Right?”

“Right.” She looked at her bare hand. The ring was coming, she told herself.

“So, what's the problem?”

Elizabeth sighed. “Twenty-five years is a long time. We shared a lot, good and bad.”

Barbara's voice softened. “Do you still have feelings for Matt?”

“When I push all the anger and hurt out of the way…I remember, ya know?”

Barbara squeezed her shoulder. “Then call him and set your mind and your feelings to rest.”

She looked at Barbara with a soft smile. “Thanks. I think I will.”

“Good. Now, in the meantime, let's see how we can assist some of these fine-ass men up in here.”

They both giggled and began their day.

FBI Offices, 26 Federal Plaza, NYC, NY

A
gent Brian Jennings sat in front of his computer in his cramped office, scanning the list of names and affiliations that had been added to the “watch list.” He felt really uncomfortable spying on U.S. citizens but, according to Homeland Security, there were just as many threats from within as from without.

Jennings's job was to trace all activists, dating as far back as the sixties, from a dizzying array of groups and to see if any names matched current residents of New York City.

This whole operation brought to his mind the dark stories of the Hoover and McCarthy era, where citizens were targeted, blacklisted, harassed, jailed and spied on. Careers and lives were ruined. The country was demoralized. It was an ugly time in American history and it appeared that those times were being revisited.

The screen flashed “Match.” He clicked on the icon and a picture and all relevant data appeared on the screen.

Ronald Powers, age 56, West 132nd Street, former Black Panther member, Atlanta Georgia. Owner of Powers Construction.

Brian went over all of the information, including Powers's arrest record during a melee on Grove Street in Atlanta. He'd been clean ever since. However, he was now involved in construction and had access to shipments and, from what was on the screen, his shipments of materials came from a supplier in Philadelphia. That supplier was already on the watch list because of his relations in the Middle East.

“Damn,” Brian murmured. He printed out the data. He'd have to turn the information over to his supervisor. As much as Brian figured there was nothing to it but coincidence, Special Agent Luke Hargrove—better known as Hard-ass—wouldn't feel the same way. He'd want Brian to dig until he reached China.

Reluctantly, he put the info together for the meeting that was scheduled in the next ten minutes. He'd be expected to make a presentation.

“Hey, Brian, how's it going?” Adam Collins, his sometimes partner, asked.

Brian barely looked up. He'd been saddled with Adam for the past two months. And, to say that Adam was a stickler for the rule book was an understatement. If one were to look up
brown nose
in the dictionary, Adam's picture would be right under the definition.

“Meeting in a few minutes,” Brian muttered.

Adam leaned down, lowering his voice. “Hey, how's your list coming?”

Brian lifted his head to look into inquiring blue eyes. “Fine.” He picked up his folder and tucked it under his arm. He made show of checking his watch. “Gonna be late.” He headed off.

Luke Hargrove stood at the head of the long conference table with the projection screen behind him. Show and tell, Brian thought as he took a seat.

Hargrove got straight to the point of the meeting: Building the database of possible suspects for investigation. Each of the agents had a different territory to cover. The different areas were displayed on a large screen at the front of the room. Hargrove had the agents go around the table and detail the information they'd gathered, no matter how minute. Finally, it was Brian's turn.

“I've only come up with one lead that is even close to being worthwhile.” He detailed the information he had gathered on Ron Powers.

Luke glared at him the entire time he spoke. “You don't sound as if you think there is anything to this,” Luke said.

“It's so circumstantial—”

“Verdicts have been built and won on circumstances, Agent Jennings. It's not up to you to decide. It's your duty to follow up on each and every lead, even when
you
don't feel it's credible,” he said. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

Hargrove looked around the room. “If there's nothing else…”

The assembled agents looked at each other wanting nothing more than to get out of the room and away from the presence of Hargrove. They silently dared each other to make a question or a comment.

“Meeting adjourned.”

The agents filed out. Before Brian could scurry back to his office, Adam caught up with him.

“The info you gave Hargrove sounds pretty credible to me. We need to get on it.”

Brian cut him a look. The quicker they got this over with, the quicker he could move on to something that didn't turn his stomach. “Yeah, first thing in the a.m., we'll pay Mr. Powers a visit.”

If he didn't know better, he'd swear that Adam was licking his chops.

 

Ron was slow getting himself together the following morning. Normally, he wasn't a possessive or jealous guy. Most of the women he'd known and had been involved with had never reached a level where it'd mattered much what they did. Relationships weren't something that he'd been especially good at. He'd been accused of being cold, distant, a nonparticipant by one woman. Dee Martin was about as close as he'd come to having anything real. She'd lasted longer than most. The more he'd tried to push her away, the tighter she'd held on, until, one day, she just gave up and walked out of his life. That was more than fifteen years ago. After Dee, it was a stream of casual affairs. No one could put up with his lack of emotion.

But then he met Elizabeth and something inside of him woke up. It wasn't dark inside, anymore. He pulled on his work shirt and tucked it into his jeans. Maybe he was trying too hard to make up for lost time and maybe he should back off and give her some space to work out whatever it was she felt for her ex. He grabbed his backpack and headed out.

When he arrived at his storefront office, Ali was already there.

“Hey, man. How was your day off with lady love?”

Ron mumbled something incoherent.

“That good, huh?”

Ron tossed his bag on the table, went to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. He drank it black and hot.

Ali looked at him with a frown. “What's up? You all right?”

Ron blew out a breath and sat down on the edge of the weather-beaten wood desk.

Ron and Ali went way back as friends, having met each other in Atlanta years before. Ali was known as Melvin back then and, for some reason, he and Ron had connected. They'd protested together, marched together and bonded in a way Ron had not experienced before. When you got down to it, Ali was the only real male friend that Ron had and could trust.

“It's Ellie.”

“What about her? She isn't sick, is she?”

He shook his head. “No, nothing like that.”

“So, what is it?” Ali leaned against the wall and waited.

Ron told him about finding the note and Ellie's response.

“Man, you gotta remember, she was married to the man for twenty-five years. No matter what kinda mess he might have put her through, that's a lot of time and they have kids together.”

“I know all of that—” he tapped his temple with his finger “—in my head.”

“Hey, from what I can see, Ellie really digs you, man. And I know you care about her or you wouldn't have asked her to marry you. And that's something I never thought would happen.” He laughed lightly. “Let her work it out. It'll be all right. I can't see her going back to him, if that's what you're worried about.”

Ron looked up at Ali. “It has happened, you know.”

“Yeah, on TV.” He chuckled again. “You need to relax. Your problem my good brother is that you ain't really been in love before. It will truly mess with your natural mind.”

“What if he wants her back?”

“He probably does. What man wouldn't? But that's not your issue. You stay on your game and, however it plays out, that's what's gonna happen. Simple as that.” He moved toward the coffeepot. “When are you gonna get that woman a ring, anyway? Asking her is just a place holder.”

Ron snickered. “Yeah. Well, I'm working on it. I want it to be something special, ya know?”

“Don't wait too long.” He glanced toward the door. “Looks like we got company, the suit-and-tie kind.”

S
he'd debated enough. The longer she put it off, the longer she wouldn't be able to concentrate. She went downstairs to the office for some privacy and closed the door behind her. For a few minutes, she stared at the phone then finally gave in, picked it up and dialed Matt's number.

He answered on the second ring.

“It's Ellie. You left me a message to call you.”

“Thank you,” he began.

She came around the desk and sat down. “What did you want, Matthew?”

“I know I have no right to ask you anything…”

That's an understatement, she thought.

“But, I—I need you.”

“What! Look, I don't have time for this—”

“I'm sick, Ellie,” he said, cutting her off.

She flinched. “Sick? What do you mean?”

“I'm going in for a biopsy this morning.”

Her heart started to race. “A biopsy for what?”

He explained what the doctor'd told him, and she grew more alarmed by the moment. She knew his family history and what the risks were for him.

“Matt…I don't…I'm sorry.”

“I don't have anyone else, Ellie. The doc said I should have someone there after the…procedure. I was hoping that you would come.”

Her emotions and her thoughts got all tangled together until she couldn't separate one from the other. The emotional Ellie was ready to come to the rescue, as always. The rational Ellie, the one who'd been hurt and demoralized, had her feet stuck in cement.

“What hospital?” she finally asked.

“Sloane Kettering.”

Her eyes squeezed shut at the sound of the name. It was a world-renowned cancer-treatment center. “I…What time do you have to be there?”

“Eleven. I was getting ready to leave when you called.”

She thought about her responsibilities at the spa. But Barbara was there and Ann Marie was due to arrive midday. They could hold things down along with the rest of the staff.

“All right. I'll be there as soon as I can.”

“Thank you, Ellie,” he said, and it sounded to her as if his voice was breaking. “I really appreciate it.”

“I'll see you soon.” She hung up the phone.

She had a sick, sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. She'd wished a lot of things on her ex-husband. She'd wished that he would suffer and be hurt as much as she had. She'd devoted her life to him and their twin daughters and then, without warning, she'd been tossed to the curb like old shoes. She'd become a statistic, a cliché. Wife tossed aside for young secretary. How pitiful was that?

It had taken her months, and the support of Barbara, Stephanie and Ann Marie, to get her through the day-to-day without falling apart. Then she met Ron and took a big chance by allowing him into her life and her heart. But she did, and hadn't regretted a moment.

Yet, she hadn't told Ron about Matt's call and the question of “why not?” had plagued her all night long. Maybe there was no easy answer, she concluded as she finally got to her feet. But a hidden part of her knew that it wasn't that simple.

Barbara was at the front desk when Ellie came back upstairs.

“There you are. I was getting ready to go down to the massage room. My first client will be here—” She took a good look at Elizabeth's strained expression. “What's wrong?”

“I just got off the phone with Matt.”

“And?”

“He's going in the hospital for a biopsy. They think it might be cancer.”

“Oh, Ellie. I'm so sorry. How is he? I mean, mentally?”

“Scared. I could tell by his voice.” She looked at Barbara. “I've never heard him sound like that before, not in all the years of our marriage.”

“Of course he's scared. Who wouldn't be? Wow, I don't know what to say.”

“He wants me to come to the hospital. I told him I would.”

Barbara nodded. “How do you really feel about that?”

“Conflicted. But I said I would, so I'm going.”

“Sure. We can handle things around here.”

“What if…”

“Don't even go there. You don't know for sure.”

“Maybe I should call the girls.”

“Why don't you wait until you know something more definite. They'll only worry.”

“You're right.” She looked around, momentarily off balance. “I better get going.”

Barbara reached out and wrapped her in a hug. “It's going to be all right, whatever happens, and you know we're here for you, girl.”

She sniffed, suddenly feeling weepy. “Thanks.”

By the time she arrived at the hospital and found a parking space she was a nervous wreck. Maybe she should have called her daughters; at least, then someone would be there with her. She went through the main entrance and asked for directions to oncology at the information desk.

The ride up the elevator seemed to last forever. Finally, the doors slid open onto the floor. She looked left then right for the nursing station, then walked toward it.

“Excuse me. I'm Mrs. Lewis. My…husband is here for a biopsy.”

The nurse looked at her chart then smiled benignly up at Elizabeth. “Yes, he's just gone in. It will be a little while. We have a lounge down the hall to your left. You can wait there if you wish and someone will come and get you when your husband is brought to recovery.”

“Thank you.” She felt light-headed, as if she was walking through someone else's reality. The hum of machines and the squish of thick-soled shoes, the clanging of metal carts all gave her a chill that went straight to her bones. Room after room was lined up with patients under various levels of care. Any one of them could be Matt.

Her stomach knotted. She had to think positively. The test would come back, everything would be fine and it would all be a big mistake. She found the lounge and took a seat in the far corner by the window, away from several others who sat vigil. She held on to her positive thoughts like a life raft for the next two hours. Then it was snatched out of her grip.

“Mrs. Lewis?”

The sick sensation rushed to her throat. She gripped her purse to her chest. “Yes.”

The doctor came forward. He extended his hand. She thought she shook it but she couldn't be sure.

“I'm Dr. Chavis. Why don't we go down to my office where we can talk in private.”

“Is Matthew all right?” she asked as he led her out.

“The biopsy went fine. But let's talk in my office.”

He opened the door to a small, cramped space. “Sorry about the mess.” The desk was loaded with file folders. “Please have a seat.”

Elizabeth sat down.

“I'll get right to the point, Mrs. Lewis, because there is never an easy way to put this. Your husband has cancer.”

The room shifted for a moment.

“But we believe we caught it early enough. He has several treatment options…”

He went on to explain the various procedures, from freezing the cells, to implanting radiation seeds to surgery.

She listened and wasn't listening at the same time. The Matt she saw in her head was the handsome knight who'd stood at the end of the aisle and had said “I Do.” He was the man who'd given her two beautiful, perfect girls, who'd worked hard to build a life and home for his family. He was the man she'd loved first and, she'd thought always, from the bottom of her heart. Matt was vibrant, healthy, strong and determined. That's the man she saw in her mind.

“He's going to need a lot of support during treatment, no matter what option he chooses,” the doctor was saying.

Elizabeth focused on Dr. Chavis. The man the doctor was describing wasn't the man she knew, but she also understood that she would get to know this Matt, as well. She nodded her head. “What now?” she was finally able to say.

“The two of you need to talk about what you want to do. And come to a decision as soon as possible. The earlier we get his treatment started, the better his chances will be.”

“Can I see him now?”

“I'll take you to the recovery room.”

When she walked into the room, Matt was on the bed with his eyes closed. Her heart jumped. She slowly approached.

He turned his head and opened his eyes. A look of relief washed over his face. “Hi.”

She came to the rail of the bed. “Hi. How are you feeling?”

“Tired. But okay, I guess. I have to wait about an hour and then I can go home.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I spoke with Dr. Chavis.”

“So he, uh, told you everything?”

“Yes. Matt, I'm so sorry.”

He drew in a breath. “Yeah, me, too.” He forced a laugh. “Life, huh?”

She was quiet, and looked around, not wanting him to see the fear in her eyes. He reached for her hand.

“Thank you for coming, Ell, really.”

“I told you I would.”

“I know, and you didn't have to, but that's the kind of woman you are.”

“Matt…don't.”

He turned away and looked up at the ceiling. “I made some mistakes, Ell.”

She pressed her lips together. She didn't want to hear this.

“I messed up, with you, the girls, everything. I got to thinking that maybe this was my punishment for hurting you.”

“Matt—”

“Just hear me out. I know I have no right to ask you anything, but I need you, Ell. Really need you. I know I can't get through this alone.”

Oh, how their roles had reversed, she thought. For years it had been her who'd depended on Matthew. Depended on him for everything, from finances to happiness. When he pulled the rug out from under her, she'd felt as if she'd been dropped into a bottomless pit and would never stop falling. Now it was Matt who needed her and she wasn't sure how to handle that.

“The doctor said you need to make some decisions about…your treatment as soon as possible.”

“I was hoping that we could do that together.”

“This is your life, Matt. Your decision.”

“It's
our
life. We may not be legally bound together, any longer, but you'll always be my wife, Ell. Always.”

She couldn't do this. She couldn't let him manipulate her emotions like this.

She lifted her chin. “Did you drive?”

“I took a car service.”

“I'll be in the waiting room. Have the nurse or someone come and get me when you're ready. I'll take you home.” She turned and walked out before he had a chance to say anything else. But, instead of going to the lounge, she went to the ladies' room, found an empty stall and wept.