Pro Bono Romance

by Shirley Holder Platt

  His mother patted his arm.

  “You rest. We love you, darling,” she said. He didn’t open his eyes, but heard them close the door as they left. The next time he woke up, Rainy was sitting beside him, and it was still dark outside.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “I had to close tonight, or I would’ve been here sooner.” He noticed she had dark circles under her eyes.

  “Ah, you’ve been worried about me,” he said.

  “Don’t push your luck, Hart,” she said. “If you hadn’t been shot, I wouldn’t be talking to you. As it is, I feel guilty. That’s all.”

  “Uh huh,” he said. The drugs in his system had him floating, but he had enough snap to understand that the woman was worried sick about him.

  “Martin, huh?” he asked.

  “He must have followed you from my house. I told the cops he’d been stalking, but they didn’t believe me. I’m just glad you’re alive.”

  “You are?” He managed a smile that would probably upset her.

  “Well, yeah. Now, you have a better reason for trying to put the man behind bars.”

  “Oh, that’s the only reason?”

  “Of course. You’re an arrogant, self-centered, egotistical, lawyer.” She said lawyer like it was a four-letter word she needed to have her mouth washed out with soap for saying.

  “So, you like me, huh?”

  “Just shut up. They say you need rest.”

  “You care. I’m touched.” He couldn’t resist. He’d been sure she’d never speak to him again, but his hopes were up now. If she didn’t care, she wouldn’t be sitting beside his bed with an anxious look on her face. He wanted to banter with her, but found it almost impossible to hold his eyes open. When she didn’t say anything to defend herself against his last pronouncement, he drifted into sleep again. He was in the middle of a dream; Rainy had his shirt off and was running her nails up and down his back, when a nurse came in and flipped a light on in his eyes.

  In a cheery voice, she told him she was there to check his vitals. He looked over and darkness still filled the sky.

  “What time is it?”

  “Oh, honey, it’s three-thirty. Now take these.” She stepped on something and the head of the bed raised up. His arm burned when it moved. She held out a plastic container with two pills inside. In her other hand, she had a plastic cup with a bendable straw. He sipped from the straw and swallowed the pills.

  “Lay me back down,” he said.

  “Yes, sir.” And the next thing he knew sunlight shone through the window, and Zeke was sitting in the chair at the side of the bed reading a fishing magazine.

  “How long have you been here?” Gabe asked. It was the first time his voice sounded normal to his own ears since he’d been admitted.

  “Got here around seven.”

  Gabe searched the room for a clock and found one on the wall beside the mounted television. It was eight-thirty.

  “Shouldn’t you be out on the water?”

  “It’s Monday. No trips scheduled today.”

  “Oh. Guess I lost some days. Can you put this bed up where I can see you without straining my neck?”

  Zeke got up and adjusted the bed to Gabe’s liking.

  “Better?”

  “I’ll be better when I’m out of here.”

  “Doc says she’s releasing you today. The cop investigating the shooting should be by any minute, too. That’s why I’m here.” Zeke turned the page and started reading, but Gabe wanted to talk.

  “When did you see my doctor?”

  “She came by about thirty minutes ago. We tried to wake you, but you moaned and refused to wake up.”

  “Dang it. I wanted to talk to her. Did she say anything about my arm? Like how long I’ll be out of commission?” He noticed that someone had fitted him with a sling and the IV was gone.

  “Said you were young and strong. Probably need rehab, but I told her you would refuse to go into one of those rehab places. She said she’s writing up orders for some home therapy.”

  “Does that mean I have to clean the place up?” Gabe imagined what a therapist would think of the mess he lived in and closed his eyes at the mental image.

  “Sophie went over and straightened up for you. She said you live like a pig.” Zeke didn’t look up.

  “She’s right.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’ve been there.”

  “Do they still have Martin in county?”

  “Well, bond was posted by that skanky woman he hangs out with. She should’ve told the cops to keep him.” Zeke turned to the next page. “I hear Rainy came by.”

  Gabe knew when his brother was fishing for information, and this was one of those times.

  “She felt she owed me a visit, since she’s the one that got me mixed up with Martin.”

  “And that’s all?” Zeke turned another page.

  “That’s all. Why are you asking?”

  “No reason.”

  “Huh.” Gabe shut his eyes. If he ignored it, maybe the conversation would end. He didn’t know what he thought of Rainy, and he didn’t want to discuss her with his nosey brother. Before Zeke could ask more questions, the police arrived.

  Gabe told them all he remembered, but it wasn’t much. Mostly, he remembered blood. But the marine had apparently been a great witness. He described Martin perfectly and Gabe was able to confirm that he’d recognized him also.

  Chapter Thirteen – Rainy

  Rainy didn’t sleep well for thinking of Gabe in the hospital. The guilt she felt crippled her. The guy could have been killed, and it was all because she’d had a weak moment and let herself rely on a man. She knew better. She put extra strength into kneading the dough for the cheese bread she was making. If he’d died, she wouldn’t know what to do with herself. As it was, she could hardly wait for her shift to end, so she could go see him again. Olivia would be in at noon. Maybe Rainy would take the afternoon off. Customers would be arriving any minute. She needed to get her mind on business. She glanced at the clock on the wall. She’d been kneading the bread for fifteen minutes. It was time to let it rise, so she shaped it into a loaf and covered it with a cloth.

  She cleaned her hands and strode to the front door. She unlocked it and flipped the sign to open. As she walked away, movement caught her eye. She stopped, turned to greet the first customer of the day, but was surprised to see Martin coming in the door with a mean look on his face.

  “Finally. You’ve been avoiding me,” he said. He walked quickly toward her. Before she could think, he had her by the elbow and pulled her toward him. He kissed her hard, crushing her lip between their teeth.

  She shoved him and brought her hand up to her mouth. Blood covered her fingertips when she pulled them away. As she lifted her eyes to Martin, he laughed.

  “You deserved that and more. Now where’s my stash? I know you have it hidden here, since it isn’t anywhere in the house. I need that to pay off the guy I bought it from. If I don’t sell what I have, he’ll come for the money and kill me if I don’t have it. I’ll kill you before I let that happen.” He shoved her toward the kitchen. She tried to shake his grip, but he was strong and dug his fingers into her arm like claws.

  “I dumped it, Martin. As soon as you stormed out. Flushed it down the toilet where it belongs. Then I threw that scale in the dumpster behind the Circle K. I don’t have your stupid drugs. You never should have brought that stuff into my house.”

  He ignored her words, pulling her around as he opened canisters and emptied them onto the floor like he’d done at her house.

  “Stop. I’m telling you, the stuff’s gone. I didn’t want it in my house. What makes you think I’d bring it here?”

  “And I’m telling you, I need that cocaine.”

  “So, that’s what it was?”

  “What did you think it was, Tide laundry detergent? Ha ha, Rainy. Not so far off, since we were cutting it with Tide from your laundry room.”

  “That’s awfu
l. You could kill someone.”

  “Not my problem. If people want to snort, let ‘em. If it makes me money, all the better.” He found the bread dough she’d set aside to rise and dumped it on the floor.

  “You did that out of sheer meanness,” she said.

  “That’s not all I’ll do if you don’t tell me where you hid my merchandise.” He jerked her toward him until their bodies were pressed together. She could smell stale cigarettes on his breath. “I ought to take you right here,” he said.

  “Try it. I’ve got knives.”

  “And you can’t get to them.” He kissed her again, this time biting her bottom lip until it bled. His hand slid to the front of her blouse, and he began unbuttoning it. That seemed to take too long, so he was pulling it over her head when the bell on the front door tinkled. He stopped and muzzled her with his hand. With the other hand, he began pulling her toward the back door. She tried to dig her heels in, but there was nothing to hold onto, and he had her by the wrists. As someone at the front said, “Hello?” Martin pulled her outside. When he removed his hand, she tried to scream, but he slapped her, stunning her into momentary silence. When she found her voice, the heavy door was closed. Screaming would do her no good.

  “You won’t get away with this,” she said, but she knew she was in trouble. Her phone was on the counter in the kitchen. Leon, the line cook would come in the next few minutes and find the mess and her gone, but who knew where Martin would have taken her by then. Her mind raced with the things she’d learned in her one kick boxing class, but panic made everything muffled. A tear ran down her cheek from the slap. Martin pushed her into the car he had parked in the back. She tried to get out as he ran to the driver’s side, but he caught her and pulled her back in.

  “Stop fighting. You’ll only make things worse. You’re not going anywhere until you pay me for what you stole. I’m taking you to the teller, and you’re withdrawing what you owe me.”

  “I don’t have my purse.”

  “Damn it, Rainy. Can’t you do anything right?” He stomped on the brakes, and Rainy almost hit the windshield. “Put your damned seat belt on.” He reached across her and pulled the belt, making sure his hands raked her chest.

  “Get your hands off me,” she cried. She tried to scratch at his eyes, but the seat belt kept her away.

  “You always were a hell-cat of a woman. Try that one more time, and you’ll see what my hands can do to you.” He shoved her toward the door, and her head hit the window. She couldn’t see it, but was sure there’d be a good-sized bump on her forehead soon.

  “Where are you taking me.”

  “Just shut up.”

  “You know I don’t have money or the drugs. What good will kidnapping me do you?” Her mind raced, but she still had no plan of escape.

  “You’ve got jewelry, and I know you have something in that little safe you have hidden in your closet. What’s in there?” He drove fast and erratically. Her only hope was that the police would think he was drunk and would pull him over.

  “It’s a fire-safe. All that’s in there are my insurance papers and my passport.”

  “Yeah. Right.” He snarled at her as he turned onto her street.

  “It’s true.” At this point, she wished it weren’t. If she had money, she’d gladly give it to Martin in exchange for letting her go.

  “We’ll see.” He pulled into the driveway. A beat-up Toyota sat at the curb, and a woman got out as Martin pulled Rainy out of the passenger seat.

  “Give me your keys.” Martin held his hand out.

  “In my purse.” Rainy’s hands were fisted at her sides. If she could get one good swing…

  “Where’s her purse?” the woman said.

  “At the café,” Rainy and Martin said together.

  “Well, damn that.” The woman walked to the back door. She wrapped her hand with the end of her blouse and broke the window. She knocked the glass out, stuck her hand inside, and turned the lock. As she pushed the door open, Delilah jumped and tried to bite her. She kicked the dog. Rainy heard the painful squeal of her beloved pet and wanted to kick Martin and this hateful woman as hard as she could, but Martin was pulling her inside. She was doing good to keep her balance.

  The alarm blared, but the neighborhood was empty this time of day. Rainy hoped the woman across the street had her hearing aids in. The speaker on the wall erupted with the voice of the person on the other end of the alarm. Martin twisted Rainy’s arm behind her back until she thought it would pop out of the socket and told her to get the alarm company off his back. She did as he asked, and he manhandled her up the stairs to her bedroom. He pushed her to the floor in front of the safe.

  “Open it.”

  With trembling hands, she turned the tumbler. It took her three tries, but she got it open. As she had said, nothing of value to anyone but her was inside. Martin swore and pulled her to her feet. She stared into his eyes and saw nothing of the man she’d once dated. He was crazed. She knew she’d never be able to reason with him.

  “What drugs are you on?” she demanded.

  “None of your damned business,” he said. The woman was in the bedroom with them, looking through drawers.

  “Find anything?” Martin asked.

  “Just this,” she swung a necklace by her forefinger.

  Rainy’s eyes widened. It was her grandmother’s necklace. The only thing she had from the woman she’d loved like a mother.

  “That’s not worth anything. Please don’t take it. Martin, tell her to leave it. It was my grandmother’s.”

  “Toni, put the damned necklace away and help me,” Martin said.

  I should have known this was the woman Martin had been seeing on the sly, Rainy thought. She tried to make conversation with the woman; maybe appeal to the fact that she was another woman who probably had precious memories associated with something from a mom or grandmother.

  “Toni? Cute name? Is it short for Antonia or something?”

  “Ain’t none of your business.” Toni stuffed the necklace into her pocket. “Everything else looks like costume jewelry. You sure she hasn’t got the drugs up here?”

  “I told you, I already looked.” Martin pushed Rainy toward the stairs. She dug in, but couldn’t stop his momentum.

  “Just leave. I won’t call the cops. I won’t press charges.”

  “Sure, and I’m Elvis Presley and she’s Dolly Parton.” He shoved her. She would have fallen down the stairs if he hadn’t been holding her arms from behind.

  “Let’s go,” the woman said. She brushed past both Rainy and Martin.

  “I got a plan,” Martin said as he shoved Rainy into a chair at the kitchen table.

  “Better be good. Levi will be wanting his money tonight.” The woman, who Rainy still did not know, took out a pack of cigarettes and tapped it on the table before pulling one out and lighting it with a cheap lighter. She puffed the smoke into Rainy’s face.

  Martin paced around the small kitchen. “We’ll go to the café. You go in and tell them that you’re there to pick up Rainy’s purse. Tell ‘em she’s at the hospital with that damned lawyer who’s too stupid to die when he gets shot.”

  “You think they’ll buy that?” She took a deep drag and blew the smoke toward the ceiling.

  “Why not? They’re stupid, just like she is.”

  “Come up with another plan, one where you take the risk. If I go in there, they’ll slap me in jail faster than green grass through a goose.”

  “I’m thinking,” Martin said.

  “Don’t hurt yourself.” That earned Rainy a slap across the mouth.

  Chapter Fourteen – Gabe

  Zeke didn’t try to hold back the laughter. His brother was giving the male nurse a hard time about getting into a wheelchair to be released.

  “I got shot in the arm, not the leg,” Gabe said.

  “Hospital policy. I roll you out, or you stay. Your choice.” The big man crossed his arms and tapped his right foot.

  �
�You can’t keep me here. It’s not a prison.”

  “Try me.” Clearly, this nurse had dealt with similar patients before.

  “Get in the damned chair,” Zeke said. “I don’t have time for your whining. Just be glad you have your own clothes on now. When you went to the bathroom last night, you mooned me big time.”

  Gabe’s eyes could have cut holes in his brother. He grumbled loudly, but succumbed to the pressure and got into the chair. Zeke threw a bag full of the items that had accumulated during Gabe’s stay into his brother’s lap.

  Gabe caught the bundle with his good arm, barely.

  “Did you get my razor?”

  “I got all your stuff.”

  “It’s an expensive razor. I don’t want to lose it.”

  “It’s not a Zafirro, dude,” Zeke said with a smirk.

  The nurse pushed the chair out into the hallway. The brothers continued their banter as they waited for the elevator. When the door opened, Lauren, one of Zeke’s past conquests, stepped out. She glared at Zeke, then her gaze fell upon Gabe. She made a nasty remark, saying it was about time some woman cut the legs out from under one of the Hart brothers, snorted, and walked briskly past them both.

  “One of your fans?” the nurse asked.

  “It’s a long story,” Zeke said.

  “I’ll bet.” The nurse nodded. “She looked like someone I’d avoid at all costs.

  “You and me both.”

  The nurse laughed as he pushed Gabe into the elevator and they all rode down to the first floor. From the grin on his face, Zeke seemed to think the situation was hilarious, too. Gabe glared at both of them in the mirrored walls of the elevator, but they ignored his foul mood.

  “This is exactly why I didn’t want to ride in this contraption,” Gabe said over the laughter, which only made the two guys laugh harder.

  He ignored Zeke on the ride home. So caught up in his own problems, Gabe had no thought for anyone else. When he got settled in his house, he tried to open a can of soup with his electric can opener. Using one hand proved impossible. He couldn’t hold the can and push the button to start the blade at the same time. After fumbling several attempts, he threw the can against the wall. It made a dent in the sheetrock and rolled back toward his foot. He kicked it and swore. After his toe stopped hurting and his anger cooled, he settled on a cold cheese sandwich, which tasted awful. The bread was stale and the cheese was old. He was deep into the pity zone when his phone rang.