Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (19 page)

"She's fine," Clara said. "She didn't give me one bit of trouble. Did you have a nice time with Dr. Holden?"

"I did." Kate bent down and took Gaby from Clara. "Have you fed her yet?"

"Yes," Clara said. "I gave her a bottle about thirty minutes ago, and changed her diaper. I was just getting ready to put her down for a nap."

"I'll do it." Kate carried Gaby to the crib. "Mommy missed you, sweetheart," she whispered. She brushed her lips across the baby's forehead. "After you take your nap, we'll spend some time together." She placed Gaby in the crib and covered her with a blanket.

"Katelyn."

Kate stiffened. Her breath catching in her throat, she slowly turned around and faced Edward. "Y-yes?"

"I believe you're forgetting something," he said, smirking.

Kate looked into his eyes. "I haven't forgotten, Edward."

"Then why are you in here?"

"I wanted to check on Gaby."

"You checked on her," Edward said. "Now get in the closet."

"Mr. Lewis," Clara said, rising from the rocker. "Please don't-"

"Shut your mouth," Edward snarled at Clara. "This is none of your business. Go scrub a toilet or something."

"Don't you talk to her like that," Kate snapped.

In three short strides Edward reached Kate. He grabbed her by the arm and squeezed painfully. "I'll talk to her, however, I want. I sign her paychecks."

"She deserves to be treated with respect," Kate said with tears in her eyes.

"Keep talking, Katelyn," Edward said. "I'll make you stay in the closet for two hours instead of one."

The thought of spending two hours in a dark cramped space made Kate feel ill. "I'm sorry."

"Let's go." Edward dragged Kate into the hallway, jerked open the closet door, and shoved her inside. Grinning, he slammed the door shut and locked it. Engulfed in darkness, Kate sank to the floor and called upon her memories of Nathan.

Nathan was surprised to see Mr. Miller sitting on the porch swing when he arrived home. Wondering why the older man was there, he got out of the car and strolled toward the porch. "Hello, Ted."

"Nathan," Mr. Miller said.

"I hope you haven't been waiting long," Nathan said. He climbed the steps and joined Mr. Miller on the swing.

"I haven't," Mr. Miller said. "Where were you?"

"I was with your daughter," Nathan said. "We had lunch with Steve and Jill."

"What does Edward think about you and Katie spending so much time together?" Mr. Miller asked.

"I don't give a damn what that son of bitch thinks," Nathan growled.

Mr. Miller raised an eyebrow. "Has something happened between you and Edward?"

Nathan ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Ted, there's no easy way to tell you this, but Edward has been abusing Katie ever since they got married. She confided in Jill, who told me." He paused as he gathered his thoughts. "Jill has tried to get Katie to leave with her, but she won't. She told Jill that Edward threatened to kill her if she ever tried to leave him."

"I had a feeling something wasn't right," Mr. Miller said softly. "I should have done something."

"What's done is done, Ted," Nathan said gently. "The important thing is we know for certain Edward is hurting her. It's not too late to do something about it."

"Let's take this conversation inside," Mr. Miller said, standing. "I have to get off this swing while I can still move."

Nathan stood and unlocked the door. "Would you like something to drink?" He asked as he led the way inside.

"Thank you, but no."

Nathan placed his keys on the hook by the door. "Let's go to the living room."

"I'm surprised you're calm about this," Mr. Miller said, following Nathan to the living room. "Why haven't you gone after Edward?"

Nathan snorted. "I want to, believe me the thought has crossed my mind. The only thing holding me back is Katie, and prison."

"Don't worry about prison," Mr. Miller said, taking a seat on the sofa. "I would do everything in my power to make sure you didn't go. Martin Lewis isn't the only one with money and connections." He smiled coldly. "I know people too."

"Oh I don't doubt that for one minute," Nathan said. He sat down across from Mr. Miller and cleared his throat. "We need to find a way to get Katie away from Edward. It's not going to be easy. Edward isn't going to hand her over to us without a fight. Katie's safety, and Gaby's are my main concern."

"Mine too," Mr. Miller said. "Katie won't leave him, so there's no point in trying to reason with her. Have you thought of kidnapping her?"

"No," Nathan said. "Do you think it would work?"

"It might." Mr. Miller scratched his jaw. "It would take some careful planning."

"I would feel better if we had something to use against Edward," Nathan muttered. "Something that would ruin him if it ever came to light. If we had something like that we'd have a better chance of getting Katie away from him."

"I see what you're saying," Mr. Miller said. "We get the dirt on him, we take it to him and tell him if he doesn't want anyone to know about it he'll let Katie go."

"Exactly," Nathan said.

"Let me call my friend, Mike," Mr. Miller said. "He's a private investigator in Chicago. He's the best there is in his field." He took his cell phone out of his pocket. "I'll put it on speaker so you can hear our conversation."

"Thanks," Nathan said. He leaned forward and watched as Mr. Miller dialed a number. A minute later a man answered.

"Mike Fleming."

"Mike, it's Ted Miller."

"Ted, it's been awhile. How are you?"

"Good," Mr. Miller said. "How are you?"

"I'm well. What can I do for you?"

"I need you to do a little digging for me," Mr. Miller said.

"Let me get a pad and a pen," Mike said. "Okay. I'm listening."

"I need you to find out all you can about an Edward Gregory Lewis. Date of birth is 7/20/1976. His father is Martin Lewis, owner of Lewis Industries."

"I've heard of Martin Lewis," Mike said. "What's your connection with his son?"

"He's my son in law," Mr. Miller said. "Soon to be ex-son in law."

"What has he done?"

"He's abusing my daughter," Mr. Miller said. "I want you to dig up some dirt for me. I want to know just what kind of man, he really is. Just name your price. Whatever it is I'll pay it."

"You've helped me through some tough times," Mike said. "This one is on me."

"I appreciate it," Mr. Miller said. "This takes top priority, Mike. My daughter's life may depend on what you find."

"Thanks for putting on the pressure," Mike said. "I'll get on it right away."

"Thank you," Mr. Miller said. "You have my number. Call me with any questions and when you have something."

"I will," Mike said.

Mr. Miller ended the call and put his phone back in his pocket. "Now comes the part I hate, the waiting."

"Yes, but I feel better knowing something is being done," Nathan said. "How long do you think it will take for him to get back to us?"

"I don't know," Mr. Miller said. "It can take awhile. In the meantime, we keep a close eye on Katie."

"About the whole kidnapping thing," Nathan said.

Mr. Miller smiled. "Let's wait on that one. If Mike doesn't find anything we'll talk more about it."

"He should find something," Nathan said. "Edward has to have a closet full of skeletons."

"Let's hope so." Mr. Miller checked his watch. "I should be going."

"What brought you by?" Nathan asked.

"I was in the neighborhood," Mr. Miller said. "I thought I would stop by and visit."

"Do you have to go so soon?"

"I'm afraid so." His eyes twinkling, Mr. Miller said, "It's past my nap time."

Nathan showed Mr. Miller to his car. Once the older man was gone, he headed back inside. As he shut the door behind him, he prayed Mike was as good as Mr. Miller said he was.

Chapter 1
6

A week went by without any news from Mr. Miller's friend, Mike. With each day that passed Nathan grew increasingly impatient and anxious. He kept busy during the day. It was the long nights that were the worst. When he wasn't thinking about Kate, and doing away with Edward, he thought about Connie and the way things were between them. They hadn't spoke since she stormed out of his house. Nathan knew they needed to talk, to come to some kind of decision. So with mixed feelings, he asked her to meet him by the fountain in Forsyth Park. She was sitting on a bench staring at the fountain when Nathan showed up.

"I wasn't sure I was going to hear from you again," she said as Nathan sat down beside her.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I've had a lot on my mind lately."

"Have I been on your mind?" Connie asked softly.

"Yes," Nathan answered. He shifted on the bench and looked at her. She had dark circles under her eyes, and he knew it was his fault they were there. "Connie, I-" He cleared his throat. "I know I've caused you pain, and for that I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

"I know that," Connie said, "and I never meant to hurt you."

Nathan frowned. "You haven't done anything wrong."

Connie lowered her head. "Yes, I have. After our argument, I was upset and wasn't thinking clearly. I turned to someone for comfort. Nathan, I cheated on you. I know it was wrong, but I was so lonely. I was-"

"Don't say anymore," Nathan said quietly. He reached for Connie's hand and held it between both of his. "I forgive you."

"How can you?" Connie asked with tears in her eyes.

"I've cheated too," Nathan muttered. "I kissed Katie."

"You're in love with her," Connie said. "Admit it."

"I'm in love with Katie," Nathan said. "You were right all along. I think, deep down, I've always loved her."

"What about me?"

"I love you, too, Connie," Nathan said, squeezing her hand.

"Not enough to marry me," Connie whispered. "If she was single would you marry her?"