September Tango (11 page)

“Zoe,” he started calmly. “Take a slow breath. I don't think you are in any condition to drive.”

Her mouth turned up in a pathetic excuse for a smile. “No? Afraid you'll have to tow my broken body up from the bridge?”

“God damn it, that shit isn't funny.” He pulled the handle and grabbed her by the arm, giving her a firm shake. “Don't joke about that shit, Zoe Parker. I'll slap you six ways from Sunday.” He shook her again. “Do you understand me?”

“
I understand you better take your damn hands off me or I'll be in jail today.” Her voice was eerily calm, a total 180 from her appearance.

“
Is that so?” He snatched her out of the car and threw her over his shoulder, grunting under her weight.

“
Let me go! Let me GO!” She pummeled his back and kicked her feet, landing a good kick in his thigh.

“
I swear to God, if you don't stop moving, I am going to bust your ass, Zoe. I'm taking you down to the station and calling Calvin. He seems to be the only one who can deal with your kind of crazy.”

“
Go to fucking hell, you bastard. Let me down.” She struggled harder and he landed a hard slap across her ass.

“
Be still, damn it!” He threw the door open and tossed her unceremoniously in the back seat before slamming the door.

“
Oh hell no, it is not going down like this.” She grabbed the handle and jiggled it. “Let me out of this car, Tim Taylor.”

“
No. You are a danger to yourself and others. I am not letting you out on the street.” He calmly got in the front of the car and closed the door. “Zoe, I'm doing this for your own good.”

“
You are a bastard,” she whispered.

“
No, you'll thank me for this one day.” He flipped the siren on and she slunk down in the seat. He made a few turns and they were at the police station. It was slightly different from the bank, made from brown cut stone instead of grey. Another American flag fluttered in the breeze. He parked the car and looked at her. “You gonna get out of the car like a lady and behave yourself?”

“
Go to fucking hell, Tim Taylor. I want to go home, while I still have one left.” She spat.

“
I can see we are going to have to do this the hard way.” He got out of the car and threw her door open. She slunk to the other side of the car. She knew deep down she was being irrational and bordering on a whole lot of crazy, but she couldn't make it stop. “Zoe, get out of the car.”

“
I don't want to,” she whispered, tears starting up again.

He eased into the car and picked her up in his arms, cradling her. “Come on, honey. It's gonna be alright.” She buried her face into his polyester uniform and sobbed.

She kept her eyes squeezed shut, knowing people were watching from the sidewalk. “I want to die.”

“
No, we can't have that.” He carried her up the stairs and someone inside opened the door. “Thanks, Joe,” he said softly. She refused to open her eyes. He kept carrying her, and her skin prickled from the sudden drop in temperature.

“
I'm cold.”

“
You'll live.”

“
Asshole.”

“
Yeah, I am.” He dropped her suddenly and she squeaked, hitting a hard mattress. “You need to cool off and get yourself together, Zoe Parker.” He backed up fast and slammed the metal bars shut, locking it with a key attached to his key ring.

“
You're locking me up?” She screamed.

“
Yeah, till we can figure out what to do with you. I'll be damned if I see you dead.” He walked down the hall and she sat silently, all the fight deflating out of her like a balloon out of air. She slumped back on the bed, leaning against the cold concrete wall.

“
Fuck,” she whispered. The silence was endless. She curled up on her side and closed her eyes.

Chapter Fifteen
– Monday

Tim walked out to the front of the station and pulled out his cell phone. He scrolled through his contacts until he found Calvin. The phone rang and Calvin picked up. “Hello?”

“
It's Tim. Can you come down to the station? We have a situation.” He rubbed his forehead.
I'm getting too old for this shit.

“
A situation?” Calvin said carefully.

“
Yeah. Can you just get here?” A migraine was starting behind his left eye.

“
Is it Layla?” His voice rose in panic.

“
No, it's Zoe.”

“
What's wrong with her? I couldn't get her on her cell.”

“
I don't know, man. She's tore the hell up though. I pulled her over, she was going sixty-five in a twenty-five, she made a smart ass comment about driving off the bridge. I figured you'd be the only one to get through to her.”

“
God damn it.” He sighed. “I'll be there in a few minutes.” He disconnected the call and headed toward the police station.
Shit man... What the hell is going on?
He flipped his phone open again and dialed home. “Hello, Grams? Find out why Zoe is upset. I know all you old biddies know everything. Call me back.”

“
Alright boy, I'll get on it. Give me a few.” He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, impatiently waiting, trying to drive the speed limit. As he hit Main Street, his phone rang. He picked it up. It was Grams.

“
Yeah?”

“
She went to the bank. From what we know, her house is in foreclosure.” Grams said sadly.

“
Damn it! Sorry, Grams, I'll call you back later.” He pulled in front of the bank and threw the car into park. He opened the door and walked with military precision to the front door of the bank. He opened the glass door and walked in, surveying the room. He spotted exactly who to talk to. He had to be the manager. Round as he was tall, pasty, with a nasty sweating problem. He ignored the teller and stalked back to the man. His eyes went wide and he went pale.

“
Hello, sir, can I help you?”

“
You're damn right you can. Office. You. Me. Now.” His eyes flashed.

“
What seems to be the problem sir?” The man's hands shook.

“
I need to know why Zoe Parker left here so torn up she threatened suicide.” He leaned closer.

“
I'm afraid I can't discuss confidential information.” He looked back down at the paperwork he held in his hands.

“
I guess it would truly be a shame for Zoe to recover and sue for emotional distress. I would imagine your little bank can't handle a lawsuit, can it?”

The little man coughed and flushed. “I'll see you in my office... Mr...?”

“Calvin Hall. Staff Sergeant Calvin Hall of the US Army.” He stood up tall.

“
Oh, um. Well. Yes, Mr. Hall, please. Come back to my office.” He coughed and nervously fiddled with his tie.

“
I thought you'd change your mind.” He followed the man to a dingy grey office and sat down in the chair provided. He felt like a prick using his position to get what he wanted, but this was for Zoe, damn it.

The little man sat down, unbuttoning his suit coat. “Well, Miss Parker's home is in foreclosure. Unfortunately, her father has not paid the mortgage. Also, her checking account is in the negative.”

“Is her name on the house?” Calvin queried.

The man shook his head and his florid jowls wiggled. “No, but it is on the bank account.”

“What will be the process for taking the home?” He leaned forward and put his elbow on the pressed wood table.

“
Um, well. Basically in fifteen days we will take possession of the house and all possessions.” He leaned back in the chair, away from Calvin's fierce gaze.

“
All possessions?”

“
Vehicle, furniture. The only things she will be allowed to keep will be her clothing items. The mortgage is severely outstanding, you see.” He put his hands over his stomach.

Calvin shook his head. “No, that's not going to work.”

He sputtered, “What do you mean it's not going to work?”

“
Well, sir, you will not be taking her car. Also she will be allowed to take whatever possessions she desires. The girl lost her mother, and I am sure there are some of her things she would want. I will pay the balance of the checking account, with the understanding that it is closed.” He pulled his wallet from his hip pocket.

The man sputtered again, “I can't promise that we won't take her vehicle.”

“Yes, sir, you can, and you will. Draw up the paperwork or I'm calling JAG, right now.” He tapped his wallet on the table. “Now.”

The man went scarlet then paled. “Fine. You will pay the balance on the checking account?” He typed furiously at the computer.

“Yes, but I want proof that the account is closed.” He pulled his card out of his pocket. He wasn't worried about paying this for her. He'd been saving every dollar for the last five years; this was just a drop in the bucket. A few minutes later, he walked out with a stack of papers. He didn't bother moving the car, just walked a few blocks down to the police station. He ran up the steps and came in the door. The jail was cool and the temperature change was enough to cause goose bumps to come up on his skin. Tim looked up from where he sat at the desk. He stood up and came around the old brown desk. “Man, I'm glad you are here. Where have you been?”

“
Sorry it took me so long, I had to handle business. I figured out why she was so upset. Bank said she was going to lose her house and her Dad took every penny they had, put her in the hole twenty-five hundred dollars. I had to threaten the manager to get him to waive taking her vehicle and all of her possessions. I paid off the account.” He ground his teeth together. “I knew she was safe here.”

“
Yeah, Man, she's asleep. Damn brother, you are one hell of a man to handle her. She's a ball of spitfire. She came
this
close to kicking my balls. I would like to have kids one day.” He pinched his fingers together to show how close she'd come to his manhood.

Calvin snorted. “She's one of a kind, there's no doubt about that.”

“Man, she's nuts.” He shook his head.

Calvin held out his hand. “Thank you, man. Can I get her?”

Tim shook his hand and pulled him in for a hug. “Damn right, man. Take care of her. She needs some love, poor kid.”

Calvin nodded. “She's been dealt a shit hand.”

“That's kind of putting it mild. Hell I would have been in the same frame of mind.” Tim shook his head. “Come on, let me take you back.” They walked down a cool concrete hall. Tim paused in front of a cell. He saw her curled up on the bed and his heart clenched. She looked so vulnerable and innocent. Her eyes flicked open as Tim turned the key in the lock. She sat up and her eyes went wide.

“
Calvin!” She rasped out, her voice rough from sleep.

“
Hey, Baby.” He stepped in the cell and held his arms out. She stood up with a sob and fell into them.

Tim coughed delicately. “I'll be out front.”

Calvin wrapped her up in his arms and she sobbed into his shoulder. “It's been a horrible day,” she cried.

“
I know,” he murmured into her neck. He soothed a hand up and down her back. She gentled in his embrace, her sobs slowing.

“
The bank is taking the house, and I'm broke,” she croaked out.

“
I know.” He kept rubbing her back. She pulled back and gave him a funny look.

“
What do you mean, you know?” Her dark brow rose.

“
I... I found out after Tim brought you here.” He said simply.

She noticed the stack of papers in his hand. “What's that?”

“What?” He tucked them behind his back.

“
The papers you are hiding.”

“
What papers?” He coughed.

She crossed her arms. “Calvin Hall.”

“Zoe Parker. How about we talk about you threatening to run off the bridge.” He put a hand on his hip and waited patiently.

“
Calvin Hall, stop dodging my question. I wouldn't really do it.” She huffed.

He frowned. “That shit isn't funny, Zoe.”

“I know that, Calvin. I just needed to cool off. If Tim hadn't made me come here I would have gone home and calmed down just fine.” She stepped forward and reached around him for the papers. “What are those papers?”

“
You are pushy.” He stepped back, finding his back against the wall. “I went to the bank,” he started slowly.

“
You went to the bank.” She stepped back and put her hands on her hips.

“
I talked to the manager.” He swallowed. Her eyes flashed.

“
You talked to the manager.”

“
Yeah.”

“
And? What did the manager tell you?” She took a slow breath.

“
Tell you what. Come with me for a ride. Let's get out of here. I'll explain it to you in a few minutes.” He walked out of the cell and down the hall, knowing she'd follow. She stomped down the hall behind him. “Tim, man. Thank you.” He shook Tim's hand. Zoe ignored them both, flouncing out of the police station.

Tim shook his head. “Man, you have your hands full.”

Calvin sighed, rubbing his head. “I'm afraid she's about to get even more mad.”

Tim smirked. “You'll have to get her nerves under control.” He wiggled his eyebrows and thrust his hips suggestively.

He face palmed and groaned. “Man. Really? Jesus. I'll see you later.”

“
Hopefully much later.” He wiggled his brows again.

“
You have never grown up, have you?” Calvin asked at the door.

“
Nope.”

Calvin laughed as he went out the door, only to be faced with his own little tempest standing on the sidewalk. Her eyes were stormy and she was spoiling for a fight. “Hey, Babe. It's a beautiful day for a small walk up the way to the car. Shall we?”

She ignored his arm and walked toward the car, the silence stretching between them.