Payback

by Jonnie Jacobs

  “It’s okay. I’ve got a minute. Is something wrong?”

  “I have a crisis,” Marta said.

  “One of our accounts?”

  “It’s personal.” Marta lowered her voice. “It concerns that little, uh, issue I have.”

  “Todd?”

  “Right. He was on campus today and just ‘happened’ to run into Gordon.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “No. They had lunch together.”

  “My God. Did he tell Gordon what happened between you two?”

  “I don’t think so. Not yet anyway.”

  “But you’re worried he might?”

  “Why else is he doing this? I’m sure it wasn’t a coincidence that he ran into Gordon. Just like it wasn’t by coincidence that he met Gordon in the first place. Pretending to be interested in buying the house down the street was just a ruse.”

  “There’s a chance it was legitimate.“

  “It’s not. Believe me. I don’t trust him. I don’t know exactly what he’s up to, but it’s not good.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I was hoping you’d have some advice. I don’t think a text message or email will be enough. I need to talk to him. Should I call him? Meet him face to face?”

  “He hasn’t taken no for an answer so far,” Carol pointed out.

  “That’s what worries me.”

  “Listen, Marta, this is too complicated to think through right now. Just don’t do anything rash tonight. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”

  Although she longed to get rid of Todd once and for all, she wasn’t eager to talk to him. With luck, maybe something would come to her in her sleep. “Thanks,” she said. “Enjoy your evening.”

  *****

  Gordon was in bed and already asleep by the time Marta joined him. He rolled onto his side, facing away from her, and began snoring lightly. She slid in next to him and cuddled close, craving the warmth and comfort of his presence. Together, just the two of them wrapped in the cloak of night, she felt safe. Todd couldn’t touch them.

  She pressed her face against Gordon’s back and silently apologized for bringing Todd into their life. And cursed herself again for being so stupid.

  She slept fitfully and awoke exhausted. Despite a seemingly endless stream of dreams, the solution to her problem was no clearer by morning than it had been the night before. And Gordon was only marginally less distant. He kept his nose in the paper over breakfast and left for campus early.

  Carol’s was the first truly friendly greeting Marta received all morning. But Carol hadn’t come up with any simple answers, either. In fact, Marta wasn’t sure she understood how serious the situation was.

  “Maybe you haven’t been clear enough with him,” Carol suggested as they brainstormed over coffee and scones.

  “I’ve tried.” But how hard had she really tried? She might wear her indignation on her sleeve, but had she made her point with conviction? When she was honest with herself, she had to admit that on some level she’d been flattered by Todd’s attention.

  Until he’d insinuated himself with Gordon, that is. That had knocked her right out of her fantasy world.

  “Whatever you’ve told him,” Carol said, sipping her coffee, “he’s not wanting to hear it. He’s been through a lot, remember.”

  “About his wife being murdered, you mean?”

  Carol nodded. “That would be enough to make anyone a little neurotic.”

  Marta agreed. That’s why she’d made an effort to be nice. “I feel bad about rejecting him, especially now that he again has . . . feelings for someone. I feel bad about the whole sorry mess. Nonetheless, creepy is creepy.”

  “Creepy? I thought you said he was cute.”

  “He is, but he’s acting creepy. It’s like he’s stalking me.”

  Carol laughed. “Oh, come on. That’s a bit extreme.”

  “Is it?”

  “He’s probably just lonely and misguided.”

  “And unwilling to take no for an answer.” Marta sighed. “Which brings us back to the situation at hand. How am I going to convince him to let go?”

  “Better not to script these things out ahead of time. Just remember, be clear and forceful.”

  “Easy to say.”

  “You can do it.”

  Marta took one last sip of coffee, then stepped outside for privacy. With a pounding heart, she placed the call. Todd’s phone rang five times before rolling over to voice mail. She hung up without leaving a message.

  Damn. Having worked herself up for the call, she wanted to get it over with.

  Just then, her phone rang. But it was her sister Cassie, not Todd.

  “Where have you been?” Marta asked, and then cringed at the sharpness of her tone. “I called and called. I was getting concerned.”

  “Sorry. There was a problem with my phone service.”

  “What happened?”

  “I forgot to pay my bill.”

  Typical Cassie. “How could you forget something like that?”

  “I’m not as organized as you, okay? But I got it fixed. Everything’s cool now.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Marta said tersely.

  “What’s your problem? You got ants in your pants or something?”

  “I’m at work. I’ve got things to do.”

  “Don’t be mad, Marta.”

  “So why’d you call?”

  “I wanted to say hello and see how things were going.”

  “Maybe you could throw in a thank you as well. I know you got the check I sent because you cashed it.”

  “And I wrote you a thank-you note.”

  “Funny, I never got it.”

  “Well, the post office isn’t perfect. Or maybe I forgot to put a stamp on it. Anyway, how are you doing? Anything new with Gordon’s job?”

  “We’re all good. Nothing new really.” Marta was relieved to hear from Cassie but she wasn’t about to discuss the current state of her marriage. And she certainly wasn’t going to mention Todd.

  “And how’s my favorite niece?”

  “Jamie seems happier these days. I’m keeping my fingers crossed it continues.”

  “She’s a great kid,” Cassie said. “Don’t forget, neither one of us was exactly bouncing with happiness when we were her age. She’s going to be just fine.”

  Marta found it ironic that Cassie, who had never been able to get her own life in order, was confident that Jamie would. She was forever cautioning Marta to step back and let Jamie be her own person.

  “So how are you doing?” Marta asked.

  “Great. I think I might have a job.”

  “That’s wonderful! Tell me more.”

  “Well, I met this guy who’s going to be looking for a receptionist soon.”

  “Soon?” Marta’s initial elation gave way to caution.

  “He needs to finalize the lease.”

  “But he’s actually found office space?”

  “Yeah. It needs some work, though.”

  Which could entail months. “What kind of business is it?”

  “You know, general business. I think they sell plumbing or something. All I have to do is answer the phone and take messages and stuff.”

  Marta cringed, thinking about the sort of messages Cassie might take. Her sister was not good with details. “But the job,” she asked, “it’s a real job? With a paycheck?”

  “Of course it is. Why do you always doubt me?”

  Maybe because history proved Marta right more often than not. Still, she hated that she so often sounded critical. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I’m just a little frazzled at the moment. Can we talk later?”

  “Sure. Anytime.” Cassie’s tone was short. “Give me a call.”

  Marta closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temples. Another person she’d managed to tick off. She should probably call Cassie back right now and apologize. She never intended to give her sister a hard time, but it always seemed to h
appen. She really had to learn to lighten up.

  She was caught up in mentally chastising herself when the phone rang again.

  “You called?” Todd said without preamble.

  “Yes, I . . . I want to tell you something.” Marta took a breath to fortify herself.

  “Great,” he replied. “I’m right outside. Come on out and we’ll talk.”

  “I’m not interested in talking, Todd. I just want to tell you that—”

  “I’ll be waiting.” He disconnected before she could say another word.

  Marta’s heart pounded. You can do this, she told herself. Clear and forceful. No hemming and hawing. No empathy. No smiles.

  She headed for the door before she could lose her nerve.

  *****

  He was parked on the street, half a block from her office, leaning casually against his car. His face lit up when he saw her. “Come on, get in,” he said.

  Marta shook her head. “I’m not here to socialize, Todd. I’m here to say you need to stop this . . . this obsession of yours. I am not interested in you or any kind of relationship with you. My husband is not your friend.”

  She was speaking rapidly and her voice sounded tight. She made an effort to slow down. Clear and forceful, she reminded herself. “No way do I think you just happened to run into Gordon on campus any more than you happened to strike up a conversation with him in our garage. You need to stay away from me, and stay away from my husband.”

  “I need to, do I?” Todd smiled.

  “Yes, you do.” Somehow the words didn’t sound as forceful as she intended.

  “You can’t fool me, Marta. You say one thing, but I know you’re attracted to me. I know that deep down you want to be with me.”

  “No, Todd, I don’t.”

  He traced the line of her chin lightly with his thumb. “Marta. Sweetheart.”

  She swatted his hand away and stepped back. “Why are you doing this?”

  “If you would just let yourself be who you really are. If you’d listen to the woman inside you—”

  “Stop it! The woman inside me is the same one who’s standing here trying to make you understand. I don’t want to see you again. Ever.”

  Todd looked amused. “Don’t do this, Marta.”

  “I just did.” She turned to go, but Todd grabbed her arm.

  “Tell you what. Spend the day with me. One day. You’ll see. We’re meant to be together.”

  “NO!” Marta realized she was yelling and lowered her voice, but not by much. “Don’t you get it? I’m not interested in you. Stay the fuck away from me.”

  A gray-haired man walking his dog crossed the street from the other side and cautiously approached her. “You okay, ma’am? You want me to call someone?”

  She shook her head, embarrassed. “I’m fine.”

  The man looked warily at Todd and back to Marta. “You’re sure?”

  She nodded. “Thank you, but I’m fine. Really. I’m sorry about the language.”

  “No need to apologize.” He again looked from one to the other, then chuckled. “I understand how a lover’s spat can sometimes get a bit heated.”

  When the man was out of earshot, Todd grinned. “See. We were having a lover’s spat. Can we get to the making-up part now?”

  “You really don’t get it, do you?” Marta said slowly. “There is no we. There is no anything when it comes to you and me. I don’t even like you. You’re nobody to me.”

  Todd stared at her. “You can’t mean that.”

  “I do. Stay away, you hear me? I’ll get a restraining order if that’s what it takes.”

  His eyes narrowed and grew dark. “You don’t want to do this, Marta. You really don’t.”

  Carol was wrong. Todd wasn’t simply lonely. He was unbalanced.

  And more than a little frightening.

  Chapter 16

  “We need to leave as soon as school gets out,” Alyssa told Jamie at the end of fifth-period English.

  “Okay.”

  “I mean really quick. My mom needs me home to babysit because she’s got a hair appointment.”

  “You told me that this morning.”

  “I don’t want you to forget. You tend to dilly-dally.”

  “I do not. And nobody says dilly-dally these days. Sometimes you’re just plain weird, Alyssa.”

  “No weirder than you.”

  They bumped shoulders and in unison said, “That’s why we’re such good friends.”

  It was a silly routine they’d started months ago at a sleepover. Jamie didn’t mind it much when the two of them were alone, but here, in the middle of the school day, she could only hope no one overheard them. She wouldn’t normally have played along except that Alyssa was already annoyed with her for even suggesting they cover for Harmony last weekend.

  “I’ll get there as fast as I can,” Jamie promised. “If you need to, go ahead without me. I’ll walk home.”

  And maybe Todd will happen to pass by again.

  Not likely, but it was an enticing fantasy. And about the only good thing happening in Jamie’s life these days was in her imagination.

  When the final bell rang at the end of sixth period, she made a beeline for her locker and actually beat Alyssa to their usual meeting place at the flagpole.

  So who was the dilly-dallier now? She was mentally framing some clever way to tease Alyssa when she caught sight of a familiar blue car in the oval and her heart jumped.

  It couldn’t be.

  Lots of people drove blue Nissans. How pathetic was she, letting her fantasies run wild like that? She was glad no one could read her thoughts.

  Then the driver stepped out of the car and waved at her. It actually was him. Jamie about wet her pants.

  “You want a ride?” Todd called over the din of student chatter.

  “I, uh . . . sure.” Jamie’s heart was pounding.

  Todd had come to school to give her a ride? And then her heart sank. Had her parents asked him to pick her up? Probably. Her mom must have talked to Alyssa’s mom and learned that Alyssa needed to get right home. Her mom was big on not inconveniencing people.

  But her mom didn’t like Todd. She would never ask him for a favor. And her dad couldn’t possibly know about Alyssa’s tight schedule.

  Alyssa breezed past. “Come on, let’s go.”

  “Uh, actually, I’ve got another ride.”

  “What?” She followed Jamie’s gaze. “Who’s he?”

  “His name is Todd.”

  “You know him?”

  “Of course I know him. He’s a . . . a family friend.” A bit of a stretch but she had a feeling Alyssa would ask too many questions otherwise.

  “He doesn’t look like a family friend.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “He’s cute. Cool. Not like someone our parents would hang out with.”

  “I didn’t say they hung out.”

  Alyssa gave her a curious look. “Well, I’ve got to run. If you’re sure . . .”

  “Yeah, no point in your going out of your way to drop me off, especially since your mom needs you home.”

  “Okay. See you tomorrow.” Alyssa took off toward the student parking lot.

  Jamie crossed to the curb. Why couldn’t she have worn something besides her baggy old jeans today?

  “Thanks for the ride,” she said, opening the passenger-side door. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  “I was in the neighborhood. I figured it was about the time school got out.”

  She settled into the front seat and set her backpack on the floor. “So you came here? Just to give me a ride home?”

  Todd grinned and pulled away from the curb. “You sound surprised.”

  “I am.”

  “I can count on one hand the number of people I know in town, and you’re one of them. Sometimes it’s nice to see a friendly face.”

  Jamie laughed because she didn’t know what else to do.

  Todd turned on the radio. �
�Pick a station,” he said. “Show me what kind of music you like.”

  Jamie punched in her favorite pop station. “There’s not a lot of choice,” she explained. “Reception is bad around here.”

  “I like this kind of music. And country. You into country?”

  “Some of it,” Jamie said. “But not the stuff that’s off key.”

  “No, I don’t like that kind either.” Todd glanced over at her. “Do you have to get right home?”

  Jamie felt short of breath. “No, not really.”

  “You want to get something to eat first?”

  Chapter 17

  Marta looked around the bustling restaurant, which was one of her favorites. DeeDee’s Cafe wasn’t fancy, but the food was good and the ambiance about as classy as it got in Sterling. The old brick building had been renovated so that the interior had an open, airy feel. The tables were a sleek design of polyurethane-coated wood and bronze, and the walls were hung with artwork by local artists. Marta was always glad for an excuse to eat here.

  She raised her wine glass to Carol’s and offered a toast. “Here’s to one year of success.”

  “May there be many, many more,” Carol added. “Starting with Tim Whitaker and his anonymous organization.”

  Marta rarely drank wine during the day, especially a workday, but she and Carol were in a celebratory mood. The stated reason for lunch was the first-year anniversary of their partnership. But Carol had learned they were among the finalists under consideration by the organization Whitaker represented, and they were both heady with thoughts about their future.

  Marta had her own reasons for feeling upbeat, too. It was now almost two weeks since she’d seen or heard from Todd. What’s more, she and Gordon seemed to have moved beyond the rough spot of the past few months. Even Jamie had been cheerful of late. When Marta thought about her “indiscretion” in Minneapolis, which she did less and less often, she was no longer fearful, simply grateful to put it behind her.

  “I wish we knew what organization he’s scouting for,” Carol said. “I’ve tried to weasel it out of him, but he insists he’s sworn to secrecy.”

  They had Googled Tim’s name, with no useful results. “Well, we know it has to do with children’s health,” Marta said. “That’s something we could get behind. I mean, it’s not like we’d be spearheading a campaign to encourage smoking or legalize dog fighting.”