Identity (18 page)

“Pepper’s out…”

Tears welled in Shay’s eyes, then spilled over to cascade along her drawn cheeks. “No, Don,” she wailed. “No, don’t…”

Don pulled her close and buried her face in his neck. He held her as she sobbed. Liza, her own eyes moist, looked at Greg. He shrugged, portraying his feelings of helplessness. They waited. Liza fetched a nearby box of tissues and sat down next to Shay, setting aside the drink and pressing several tissues into her hand. She handed the box to Don.

“Okay,” she said finally. “What do we need to do?”

“Wait,” Shay interrupted, her voice muffled by tears. “I want to know how that bitch managed to get out.”

Don sat back, mopped his face with a tissue and then scrubbed at his face roughly with both hands. “You won’t even believe it. It was damned politics!”

Shay dabbed at her own face, then pierced him with a look of annoyance.

“Really, it’s insane. It seems Pepper is a Brit. She was born in the U.K. but has been in the U.S. so long that she has dual citizenship.”

Shay nodded. “I know about that, but my lawyer said that wouldn’t matter because she’d lived here so long. He investigated that!”

Don rose and moved to his briefcase which was resting against the leg of Shay’s desk. He fished through it while Liza wrapped a comforting arm about Shay’s shoulders and helped dry her face with the tissues folded in her free hand.

“Here,” he said, returning and handing her a small newspaper clipping. “Read this.”

Shay squinted at it, finally handing it to Liza. “Please?”

Liza smoothed the clipping and began to read aloud as Don mixed himself a drink at the bar.

Dorothy Presley Pope, a 32-year-old U.S. Government Navy Department supply clerk, who was convicted of aggravated assault with intent to commit bodily harm in 2005, has received a full pardon from Governor Timothy Robinson. The governor said in a statement that he decided to pardon Ms. Pope to prevent her from being deported to Britain, where Ms. Pope was born and lived until the age of thirteen.

Governor Robinson announced today that he has granted Dorothy Presley Pope a full but conditional pardon of her 2005 conviction in order to allow Pope to seek relief from deportation from the federal immigration courts.

Pope has not fully served the sentence imposed upon her for her convictions but has had an exemplary disciplinary record while in prison. In that time, she has participated in work release programs with youth outreach to counsel youth against violence and has become a symbol of rehabilitation for many young people.

Ms. Pope faces deportation under a federal statute that mandates the removal of a lawful resident alien upon conviction of an aggravated felony or a weapon offense. For certain offenses removal can be avoided by a governor’s pardon.

The governor’s decision was based on, among other things, the “unusual and outstanding equities” of this case.

Shay moaned. “You have got to be kidding me! What kind of justice is that? I wish she
had
been deported.”

Don nodded. “It seems she has everyone snowed, that’s for sure.”

“Maybe she has been rehabilitated, like the article says,” Greg said hopefully.

Liza studied the article. “When was this? There’s no date.”

“There isn’t?” Don took the paper from her hands. “Must’ve gotten lost when it was faxed. I asked the librarian for info from the past month so it’s no older than that.”

Shay studied Liza. “Do you think she’s here, El?”

Liza shrugged. “Honey, I’m just not qualified to make that judgment. I’ve never met her and can’t predict how she’d act. What do you think?”

“I think she won’t give up.” She lifted a pained expression to Liza, then looked at Don. “What am I going to do?” she whispered.

Liza stood and pulled Shay to her feet. She shook her once, hard, eliciting a gasp from both Don and Greg.

“You are going to pull yourself together, Shay. You’re going to fight this bitch with every ounce of your being. I know you’re scared, honey, we all are to some extent, but fear won’t help you now. I can’t believe you would allow this worthless piece of crap to dictate the rest of your life.”

“But…” Shay began, staring at Liza with tear-swollen, frightened eyes.

Liza shook her head firmly, her hands still holding Shay’s upper arms in a heavy grip. “No buts, Shay. Only you can decide whether you’ll be afraid. Don’t give in to it. Think of what your parents would want. Do it for them, honey. Be strong for Don. Do it for us, Shay,
us
. I want to build a life with you, but I can’t do it if Pepper is in the room with us all the time. Let the fear go, baby. I’m here for you. I’ll be here for you, Shay.”

For a moment Liza thought she was imagining it, but Shay’s back seemed to straighten, her jaw grow more firm. She remained silent for a long while. She looked at Greg. She looked at Don. She looked at Liza. Her temper flared.

“What kind of idiot governor would allow such a psycho to get out? Now I have to watch my back twenty-four/seven, all because of a stupid loophole and some bleeding heart asshole.”

She forcefully shoved Liza’s hands aside and stomped around the living room. Greg hastily moved out of her way, and Don watched her with wide eyes.

“I have just about had it with her. She’s a heartless…monster. But I don’t care. So what if she comes to Alabama? So what if she has my address? It’s only a post office box. There’s no way she could find me short of following me home from the post office.”

“And here, it’s wide open, easy to see if someone’s following you,” Don added.

Shay paused and turned on him vehemently, shaking an index finger toward him. “You’re right! That’s absolutely right! The roads are huge here, nothing like in DC,” she crowed.

“She won’t be able to get within a mile of you without you seeing her,” Greg chimed in, eager to help.

“She better not let me see her, because I’ll run her butt down if I see her first,” Shay declared.

Liza stood and pressed both palms toward Shay. “Okay, let’s calm down now.” She eyed Don angrily. “All of you. Let’s talk about this as reasonable adults. I said to be unafraid,
not
crazy.”

Shay smiled crookedly, clearly embarrassed. “I just hate the bitch so much, El. What she did to my life is unspeakable. How could she have killed Dr. Frye?”

“I know, honey, and we’ll deal with that over time. Just remember, strong baby steps. We’ll take things a day at a time and cross the Pepper bridge only when we absolutely have to.”

“I still say she better not let me see her following me,” Shay said defensively, wiping away new tears brought by thoughts of Rachel Frye.

“Now, Shay, we don’t want you in jail…” Don warned. “I agree with Liza. We need to take it easy and speaking of that, I’m turning in, I…I can’t deal with any more. It’s been a long day for us.”

Shay shook her head as if amazed at her own capacity for violence. “I’m sorry, guys; I’m just so pissed.”

Don rose and pressed a kiss to Shay’s forehead. “No one’s blaming you, sweet girl. I didn’t know how to tell you, hated to tell you, and Greg and I’ve been arguing about whether to tell you now or later, just before we leave. It was a tough decision.”

“I know, but thank you for coming in person. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, we did. And you have every right in the world to be upset,” he said. “Just don’t let fear get the upper hand. You’re a lot more powerful than you realize.”

Shay nodded and, after both men hugged Liza goodnight, she led the way toward the guest bedroom and helped the men settle in.

***

 “Do you really want to build a life with me?” Shay asked sometime later when she reentered the living room. Liza was sitting in an armchair, gently sloshing an iced amber liquid in her glass. She looked up at Shay, and Shay felt the look all the way to her toes.

“Stay here tonight,” Shay whispered. “Can you stay?”

“I’ll stay,” Liza said, rising and moving to stand with Shay. The electric current between them was all-encompassing. They kissed gently and Shay could taste the bourbon on Liza’s breath.

“I’ll lock up and be right in,” Shay told her. “Get the bed warm.”

“No problem there,” Liza said with a short laugh.

After Liza quit the room, Shay took a deep breath. Oddly enough, with a house full of people she felt more unafraid than she had in a long time.
My protectors
, she thought as she performed her nightly routine, securing the house. Now if only she could talk all of them into staying here with her forever.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The house was empty again after two days of rebonding. Don and Greg, having spent time with Shay
and
accomplishing their unpleasant mission, had flown back north to spend the holiday at the New York home of Don’s plump, sweet mother, Adelynn. Shay had met her once at Don’s house and fallen head over heels for her. They still e-mailed several times a week.

 Liza had gone with her to the airport to see Don and Greg off, but then, as soon as the two returned to Shay’s house, had apologetically hurried off, late for a New Life Mission board meeting. She had already called once to check on her and to apologize again for leaving Shay during such a difficult time.

Shay’s thoughts meandered to the previous night. Liza had loved her with such gentleness. Though Shay sensed she was filled with avid need, she had restrained it and loved Shay.
Loved
her.With spirit and soul as well as body.

Difficult time.

Shay moved to the bulletin board and studied it. Fear nibbled at the outer corners of her psyche and it was a mighty fight to keep it at bay. Sorrow was prominent as she realized anew the loss of Dr. Frye. She hadn’t known, hadn’t even been able to go to the funeral. A good thing as Pepper had probably been watching and waiting for her.

Pondering her condition, she realized she felt much stronger than before. Having Liza in her life had changed her somehow. Her total love and acceptance had proven to her that these things were there for her still. During that awful time with Pepper, she had begun to feel alienated from all that was good and whole in life. Losing her parents so quickly after the abuse had further embedded that feeling because the two people who had always loved her that way were abruptly gone. Shay’s mindset had become one of isolation, further hemmed in by the ever-present fear of Pepper.

Shay sighed and turned from the bulletin board. She moved to the French doors and imagined she could see the new dog run out back. It was time she rebuilt her life. It was unlikely that she would seek out the prestigious position she’d held in DC and that was okay. She’d been nationally acclaimed as one of the best trainers in the Mid-Atlantic region, an easy title since she
got
dogs and dogs seemed to
get
her. She spoke their language, if one could call it that, a gift she’d possessed since early childhood. The gift was still there and surely she could put it to good use here in the South. She lived simply and had a good financial cushion at the moment, but she would need to go back to work someday. Wanted to go back to work.

Forcing herself to look ahead and not study the surrounding landscape for any sign of intrusion, Shay unlocked the heavy glass doors and the iron cage just outside. She stepped into midday heat bearing the heavy, sultry smells of greenery and nearby water. A blue-black grackle called to her from a tree at the edge of the forested area and she peered into the branches, enjoying the beauty of his dark, iridescent show.

She realized her mind was made up. No longer would she allow Pepper to invade her life. That time was through. She had become a person she no longer recognized: jumpy, irritable, paranoid. She longed for the fun-loving person she’d once been. She knew she could get there again if she grew brave and powerful.

Yet even as this thought passed through her mind, movement to one side caused her heart to lurch and begin racing. She quickly realized it was only the elderly woman who lived next door. The woman stood on her veranda looking out over the landscape. Her white hair was piled high and a dark blue apron covered her housedress. Her features were blurred from this distance, but Shay knew when the woman turned to look her way. Shay could almost pick out her smile as the woman lifted one arm and waved enthusiastically. This was the first time they’d communicated in any way, and Shay’s heart thrilled a little at the new connection. She lifted her own arm and waved back.

Brave and powerful. It would take baby steps but she would get there.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Liza was down at the far end of the garden when her cell phone rang. She checked the caller ID and was thrilled to see Mindy’s name.

“Mindy! Are you okay?” she asked immediately.

“Hey, I’m good. Ro said you were looking for me. Why didn’t you just call me?”

“Fear. I was worried it would be bad news about you and Woodpecker. Is everything okay?” Liza braced herself.

Mindy laughed and Liza’s heart grew wings. “Much better. I guess I should have called. I’m sorry. We’ve just been so busy. After Arlie met with you, she came home and we talked all that night and some of the next day. I had no idea she was having the feelings that she was.”

“Right, like not being good enough?”

“Umhmm. So now she’s seeing a therapist every week over at the clinic to deal with her self-esteem issues. On top of that, we go together for couples counseling over at the MCC in Mobile. It’s really helping us deal with some things we didn’t even realize were a problem.”

Liza breathed a big sigh of relief. “I am so glad.”

“So have you seen that little redhead lately?”

“You mean Shay?”

“How many redheads are you seeing?” Mindy laughed.

“Smart-ass. Yes, we’re doing better than fine, by the way.” She couldn’t help the happy note of smugness that crept into her tone.

“Oh, ho! Well, I’m glad Liza. You’ve been alone way too long as far as I’m concerned.”