Authors: R. J.; Torbert
“You look good,” Paul said. “I like your hair this way.” “Thank you,” Rachelle answered.
The dogs were still trying to get Paul's attention, and he was doing his best to give it to them. Deborah looked at Bud with an evil eye, trying to tell him through her facial expression that she hoped he had not set up this particularly awkward meeting. He shook his head at her as he tried to grab some gummy bears and she hit his hand hard to be sure he only took a few.
The meeting was so uncomfortable for everyone that Deborah told Bud they were going shopping and they were leaving the dogs with him for a couple hours.
“It was wonderful to see you, Paul,” Rachelle said. He moved in to kiss her good-bye and she adjusted her head so he could kiss her on the cheek when he hugged her. He hugged Deborah, but he could sense she was still a little upset with him.
They left the house as Paul turned around and looked at Bud, who threw his arms up in the air when he spoke.
“You came over unannounced after being away for six weeks. This is going to happen often, being you are my best friend and partner, so we all have to deal with it.”
Paul nodded as Bud looked at the dish that held the gummy bear packets. It was empty. Deborah had taken the packets so he wouldn't have too many while she was gone.
“I know they were not supposed to go shopping, Bud. You can call them in a few minutes and tell them I'm gone.”
“No,” Bud answered. “Just like you have to deal with this, we too have to deal with it as well. It's been a couple months, and when she is dating someone new, then we all have to adjust.”
“Wait,” Paul answered, “is she already dating?”
Bud looked at his partner with a surprised look.
“Paul, you haven't seen her in a couple of months and you sent her a few texts while you were gone. I would say that qualifies her to be dating someone.”
“You didn't answer my question,” Paul replied.
Bud hesitated for a few seconds before replying.
“Not yet, but Deborah wants her to move on, and she has been trying to set her up with one of the teachers at the school.”
“Oh,” Paul replied. “I see. OK, I will see you later. I need to get with Joey Z and get settled back in the apartment.”
Bud grabbed his arm as he reached the door. Paul looked at him as Bud spoke. “I suppose one day we are going to talk about what you have been up to the past couple of months.”
“Yes,” Paul replied. “We will.” He gave Bud a hug and walked down the stairs as he looked at his partner behind the screen door.
“When did the doctor say you can do one of your famous dances for us?”
Bud laughed as he told him, “Not till I'm ready to go back on duty.”
“OK,” Paul said. He looked at Bud for a few more seconds before speaking. “Thanks, Bud, for being my partner.”
“You're welcome,” Bud replied. “You are one lucky son of a bitch.”
Paul nodded as he turned to start the walk down the hill to East Main Street toward Z Pita.
FOUR WEEKS LATER
J
oey Z's restaurant was decked out for the Christmas season. The red-and-green tinsel with the floating snowman and Santa from the ceiling put the casual restaurant in the spirit of Christmas. Detective Sergeant Paul Powers and his Priority 1 Task Force had solved a cold case from three years prior that was a kidnapping that resulted in a murder. Detective O'Malley had proven to be an asset to the team, and Paul had agreed with Cronin that he should remain on the task force once Bud returned to duty. The task force had brought closure to a family, and it was very rewarding to them. Detective Ellyn Baker had now been in the Riverhead facility for almost three weeks and she was relaying important information to Lynagh and Healey, who were now working as correctional officers in the jail. Powers figured he would pull them all out within the week and decide the next course of action. Even Detective Lieutenant Cronin was back to his administrative ways. Paul had accepted that as long as things were moving along normally, Cronin would stay out of most of the decisions he made.
Officer Chapman was working with O'Malley on a recent cold case that was solved. Cronin threw a folder of another cold case in front of O'Malley from 1974. Kathleen Kolodziej from Ronkonkoma, NY, who was brutally murdered by multiple stab wounds in Upstate New York. The billboard showing the picture of the seventeen-year-old college student is still up on Route 7 West on Interstate 88 off of exit 22 in Richmondville, NY. “You will be working with the FBI on this,” Cronin said. “Her uncle is still alive on Long Island, and it would be nice if we can close the books on it.” Cronin continued as O'Malley went through the folder, “Crime Stoppers has a reward of $2,500 for anyone that leads to a conviction or closure on the case.”
Chapman, a man of few words spoke up. “It will take more than that for someone to speak up.”
O'Malley nodded. “yes, someone with a conscience. Well, we will see about that. Let's get to work.”
It was now 5:00 pm and Rachelle had come in early to cover for Joey Z, who had to leave early. She was always in the holiday spirit and she was not going to change. She had received a text a couple times from Paul to talk since they had seen each other at Bud's house, but Rachelle was strong. She politely answered that she needed more time to be “friends” with him. She noticed she could handle her life better when she was not around him during this transition of their lives. She had on her Santa hat that lit up, which the regulars always got a kick out of. She greeted Joey Z as he said good-bye, and he told her Paul was at his usual table for an early dinner.
“It's OK,” Rachelle said as she grabbed Joey Z's arm, “it's OK.” Joey left through the back kitchen as Rachelle walked to the front, then around to the other side, and saw Paul sitting with a very attractive woman who appeared to be about ten to twelve years older than him. Her heart sank as she went back to the front desk, but she quickly got angry and couldn't hold it in any longer.
She walked up to the table as Paul looked up at her with a smile, but it quickly disappeared as Rachelle spoke in a high-pitched voice for most to hear.
“It's one thing to move on for whatever reason you want to give. But to disrespect me by coming into my restaurant with a date while I'm here!”
Paul tried to stop her, but he had no chance as Rachelle continued to speak. “Thanks for showing me the kind of man you are. No romance unless it is about sex!” Paul stood up, trying to get her to calm down, but it was apparent the other customers were enjoying the show as Rachelle continued. “Be careful,” she said as she looked at the woman. “He will get tired of you in a year and then you will see him bring in another girl, God knows what her age will be.” The patrons were smiling and laughing at Rachelle's show, and Paul was mortified.
“Rachelle!” he said.
“Don't you ‘Rachelle' me,” she answered. “I'm not through talking yet.”
As she was beginning to start again, she saw Anthony Powers come out of the men's room, which was about six feet in back of the table, separated by a half wall to allow the walkway to the bathroom. The elder Powers walked up to Rachelle as she was silent and gave her a hug.
“It's so nice to see you, Rachelle. I would like to introduce you to my fiancée, Susan.”
Rachelle was clearly embarrassed as Paul moved his lips to try and keep from speaking.
Rachelle looked over at Susan and said, “I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding, Susan, but as you will soon find out there can be communication issues.”
Susan nodded and put out her hand.
“Nice to meet you, and please call me Sue.”
Rachelle smiled and hugged Anthony Powers again, saying, “I'm sorry.” She walked away without saying anything to Paul.
“Well,” Paul said, “nothing like first impressions. I think I need a drink.”
“Son,” his father said, “I think you need more than that.” There was a young boy who could be heard two tables away saying, “Just when it was getting good!”
“Shhh,” his mother said.
Rachelle was now on the other side of the restaurant and was shaking her head. She felt like such a fool that she did not go to the other side to check on the patrons until Paul, his father, and Susan left. Joey Z would have had a stroke if he had known about the episode. Deborah had invited Rachelle to spend the week before Christmas with her and her father in Belle Terre with the dogs because she did not want her best friend to wake up alone during the holidays. It was at this minute that Rachelle decided to take her up on it. She sent her a text that she would be over later that evening and would be staying until the 26
th
.
Even though the Pink Mansion was only five minutes away from Rachelle's house on Prospect Street, it was a world apart, and Rachelle needed the hideaway. She got to the house at 10:00 pm and Deborah was waiting for her with blankets and hot chocolate to watch TV by the fireplace.
“I can't watch TV tonight,” Rachelle said as she began to tell Deborah what happened in the restaurant.
Deborah tried to keep from laughing as Rachelle explained to her what transpired in the restaurant. “Listen,” Deborah said. “You'll feel better after watching your favorite, Suze Orman.”
“No,” Rachelle said “I just want to go to bed.”
Deborah grabbed her shoulders. “Rachelle, you are going to watch Suze Orman with me.”
Rachelle was startled by her insistence. “OK, gee whiz, OK.” They snuggled under the blankets as Deborah's father, William Lance, kissed them good night. Rachelle wasn't sure about Deborah's insistence on watching the show because it appeared they were having conversation through most of the show. Finally, Deborah said, “Shhh, this is my favorite part.” She made the television louder.
Suze Orman began to speak. “Tonight I'm going to end my show differently. I've been asked to do this before, but I had refused until I got this particular note. I made a phone call to the person who seemed to have connections to get this in my hands and to verify the information.”
Orman continued, “Dear Rachelle. . .”
Deborah looked at her friend as she sat up when she heard her name being spoken by Suze Orman.
“There are so many things I need to say to you, yet for reasons I understand, you have been hesitant. My life has been filled with so much good and so much bad that all I could think about was how I would feel if this happened or that happened. My judgment about you or us did not have clarity because of my lack of confidence in you believing in me. My insecurities have made my personal life something that means nothing if you are not part of it. I miss you, and everything you are, whether funny or sad, angry or happy. You told me once, quote, ‘I believe in you.' You believed in me more than anyone, and yet I believe I let you down.”
Rachelle had tears in her eyes as Deborah held her hand while Suze Orman continued to read.
“I let you down because I was so busy worrying about how I would be if something happened to you that I was willing to experience the journey without you. There would be no journey worth it if it was not shared with you. Therefore, Rachelle Robinson, I am asking you to share the journey with me, to believe in me again, and to marry me and be my wife and be the mother of my children. I promise to give you everything I have to show you how much you mean to me. I promise to be there and always be by your side when you need me. I promise to be a better man. I promise to make you believe in me again. Love Always, Paul.”
Suze Orman put the letter down, looked at the camera, and spoke. “If that isn't romantic, I don't know what is.” Then she signed off with her famous sign-off, “People first, money second, things third.”
Rachelle put her hands in front of her face and cried as Deborah held her.
“Why are you crying?” Deborah asked as she held her tightly.
Rachelle looked at her as she spoke. “I made an ass of myself at Z Pita tonight. He must have made this arrangement a week ago.”
“It was three weeks ago,” Deborah said. “You wouldn't let him speak to you, so he went this route. Thank God my father has connections.”
Rachelle put her head on Deborah's shoulder as tears flowed from her as well. She ran her fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head. She let a minute of silence go by before she spoke to Rachelle. “Well? What are you going to say?”
There was silence as Deborah leaned her head forward. Rachelle was sleeping. It was the first time since the breakup that she has seen Rachelle fall asleep so fast. She sent Bud a text asking him if he had seen the show, to which he replied
Yes
.
He also sent a text to Paul that read,
I’m proud of you, Detective Powers
. His message was answered,
Thanks, Detective Johnson. Sleep tight with the ghosts tonight
. Bud smiled as he put the phone down and said to himself, “The ghost can kiss my ass tonight; it's a great night.”
I
t was 8:00 pm the next night when Paul got out of his vehicle and started to go up the stairs to his apartment. He reached the fourth step when the door behind him was opened by someone who had a key. He turned around and it was Rachelle. She shut the door and leaned against it with her arms folded. Paul stood on the fourth step, not sure what to do or say, but the silence was getting awkward.
Finally Rachelle spoke. “Thank you for the romantic proposal.” The detective was a little taken aback by her words but let her continue. “I need to know where you were these past six weeks and what you were doing.”
Paul started walking down toward the bottom of the stairs as he replied, “I was sent on a confidential assignment to track down Barbara Sherman. Then I took time to spend with my father and his fiancée in Florida.” He let out a half smile as he tried to continue, “You know the woman you confronted in the . . .”
Rachelle held out her hand and interrupted him, “Yes, I know who she is.” She turned her head, looking for more to say, and finally said, “Did you get done with what you had to?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“Did you hurt anyone?”
“I'm a cop, Rachelle.”
“Did you abuse your authority?”
“What's this about, Rachelle?”
“I want to know for sure what kind of man you are.”
“I will do anything to protect what I love.”
“That was my sister as well; she is in jail. Am I going to lose you also because you would do anything?”
“No,” he replied. “No,” he repeated to himself.
“Did you sleep with anyone during the past six weeks?” He moved closer to her as he replied with a half smile, “Rachelle, I . . .”
She interrupted him again, “What are you smiling about? I need to know if you would ever betray me. Did you sleep with anyone while you were away from me?” She continued to stare at him, looking for his answer.
He slowly shook his head side to side as he tried to touch her, but she moved her arms to avoid contact.
“I would never betray you, Rachelle,” he answered.
She had learned from a detective, so she pushed further. “So the answer is ‘No'?”
“No,” he replied. “I didn't sleep with anyone.”
Rachelle was satisfied but not yet ready to forgive. She smiled and spoke. “I will see you soon.”
She opened the door and shut it behind her as Paul stood there and realized she never accepted his proposal. The dampness in the back of his head was starting again, which was a sign he needed to get upstairs and calm himself down. He didn't understand what had just happened, but he was depressed she didn't fall into his arms. The past two years had made Rachelle a stronger woman. She was, after all, the centerpiece of the Face of Fear. From the original notes of,
who do you love?
It was about her, Madison's actions, his indecisiveness, and the repercussions of her writings to draw out the kidnappers, to the attempts on her life. He sat down on the bed and recalled the night both he and Bud arrested Madison and took her to the precinct. When they got there, he asked Bud for a couple minutes alone with her. The conversation was imprinted in his mind forever.
“Why, Madison?” as he stared at her crying in the backseat of the car.
“Why?” he asked.
She answered, “You tell me, Paul,” through her cries. “Who do you love?” It was obvious the answer to the question was Rachelle. Everything she had done was out of love for her sister, and he was doing the same for the woman he loved. It seemed to always come back to Rachelle. He wanted to call her back and go downstairs, but he decided to take a shower instead.
Things were suddenly becoming very clear as to what was truly important. It was another forty minutes when Paul walked down the back stairs, cut through the alley to Main Street in the village, and took a walk in the cool, brisk air. Paul passed Starbucks on the corner of Main and Arden and continued past the Gap, Pindar Wine, and Kimi Japanese restaurant. He stopped at Tommy's Place, which had been Timothy's Bar and Grill during the Face of Fear Investigation. He started walking again past Vincenzo's Pizza and came to the famous corner where people still look at the ladder going up to the roof of what was now called the Frigate. Even the Ocean City Café was now called the Steam Room.
Life goes on
, he thought as he turned right on East Broadway. He looked at the cars coming off the ferry and was happy to see K-9 dogs waiting to check cars before boarding to go back to Connecticut. He walked to the dock at Danfords and remembered how much he enjoyed holding Rachelle's hand as they looked at the names of the boats in the marina. It was always his most favorite thing to do when it came to walking the marina dock at Danfords.
Reel Therapy
,
Luna Sea
, and
Irish Wake
were his favorites in tonight's walk, but the one that made him laugh was
Broke but Afloat
.
He left the dock to cross the street to the Fifth Season restaurant parking lot and went by the back of what once was Best Bargain Bookstore to Trader Cove's parking lot to get back to his apartment. The one constant that did not change in this beautiful village was the parking space problem. No one seemed to know what the answer was, but it was a detriment when Paul wanted to have dinner with friends who needed a vehicle. The walk was just what he needed to clear his head.