No Way Out

by Fern Michaels

  “You were in the yard?” Jeanne was incredulous.

  Colleen leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. “Yes. I. Was.” She smiled.

  Jeanne leaned in as if Colleen had a big secret to reveal. “Whoa. How did that happen?”

  “Jackson went over there yesterday morning. It was really early. He’d had a nightmare and was restless, so he got up and walked over to Ellie’s to see if Jackson was out. She must have woken up early, too, because she called me at seven to check that it was OK for Jackson to go in the back.”

  “Wait. She called you? As, like, on the phone?” Jeanne was intrigued.

  “Yes, she did.”

  Jeanne turned to Frank. “We were gone a month, and look at all the things we missed.”

  “He was there all morning. Ellie noticed he had fallen asleep on the bench swing and called me around lunchtime. She didn’t think he could hear her over the intercom, so she suggested I come over and get him.”

  “Wow. This is incredible.” Jeanne was dumbstruck.

  “I know, right?” Colleen continued. “So she told me to ring the buzzer on the side gate, and she would let me in. I walked over, rang the buzzer, and she let me in.” She took a breath. “I was blown away. The trees and the perennials are just gorgeous. And there is a garden area in the back where she has a swinging bench, two Adirondack chairs, and a fountain.” Colleen exclaimed, “It’s stunning.”

  “Too bad she can’t enjoy it,” Jeanne said. “So what else have you discovered about our secret neighbor?”

  “Not much. She seems so normal when you talk to her.” Colleen shrugged. “She’s a computer whiz is all I know.”

  “Very interesting.” Jeanne thought a moment. “Do you think she’s agoraphobic? Afraid to leave the house?”

  “I have no idea. I’m just glad Jackson has something that makes him happy. I don’t know what I would do if he freaked out on me.”

  “Jackson is a good kid.” Frank got up and helped himself to another beer and another frosted mug. “You ladies want a refill?”

  “No, thank you. I really must get back.”

  “Like I said, honey. You just let us know if you need anything.”

  “I will. And thank you for listening and your understanding.”

  “Thank you for making sure we didn’t go hungry.” Jeanne smiled.

  “Or thirsty!” Frank raised the mug in Colleen’s direction.

  Jeanne got up and gave Colleen a big hug. “Thanks, sweetie. You take care.”

  Frank walked over and gave her one of his famous bear hugs.

  “Remember, we are here for you.”

  Colleen whispered, “Thank you, Frank.”

  After Colleen left, Frank turned to Jeanne. “I told you something was going to happen. That Mitchel was going off the rails.”

  “Take it easy, Frank. We don’t know what was really going on with him. Maybe it’s a phase.”

  Frank grunted. “Men don’t go through phases, Jeanne. They’re either on the bus or under the bus, as far as I’m concerned.”

  Jeanne reached over and patted him on his butt. “You’re such a macho dude. That’s why I love you so much.”

  Frank gave her a kiss on the top of her head. “As I said, he better keep his distance, or he’ll have some shrapnel in his ass.”

  Chapter Twenty-three

  It was just about dinnertime, and Mitchel wanted Greg and Elaine to have a quiet evening together, so he headed to the bowling alley. When he got there, he spotted Clay’s truck in its usual spot. “Jeez, doesn’t that guy have a home?” Mitchel muttered under his breath.

  Clay actually had a home, but it was the kind you could hitch to the back of a truck. It was more like a camper, with a two-burner propane stove, a small toilet area, and a small sofa bed. What Clay did about showering was a mystery. Although there were plenty of times when it was obvious he hadn’t had one in a few days. He’d been thrown out of the bowling alley more than once for “stinkin’ up the joint,” as the manager proclaimed as he showed Clay the door.

  Mitchel figured he’d grab something at the food vendor, whose menu ranged from hot dogs and hamburgers to the ever-popular nachos. Pete ran the junk-food part of the place, which also served beer in wax-coated paper cups. He was wiping down the counter as Mitchel approached. “Pete. What’s up?” Mitchel greeted him.

  “Same old same old. How about you?” Pete anticipated Mitchel’s wanting a beer, so he poured some into a cup and set it down in front of him.

  “Not much,” Mitchel responded. “Thanks.” He took a swallow. “Man, are you ever going to get real mugs, cups, somethin’? These cups are disgusting. And didn’t they phase them out years ago?”

  “Yep. Sure did. I got myself a pallet’s worth for practically nothin’.”

  “I guess you get what you pay for.” Mitchel snickered.

  “What brings you here durin’ the week, and at dinnertime, no less?”

  “I wanted to give my brother a break. He and Elaine needed some private time.”

  “That was nice of you.” Pete almost sounded sarcastic.

  “Hey, they’ve been really good to me through all of this. I’m surprised Elaine hasn’t kicked my butt out the door by now. I have to admit, I haven’t been the best houseguest.”

  “Do tell.” Pete threw the towel over his shoulder.

  “Pete, you’ve known me a long time. I know I’ve been off a bit lately.”

  “You ain’t lyin’ about that.”

  “Yeah, yeah. But the other day, when I was with Jackson, I realized how important he was to me.”

  “You guys seemed to be having a good time. Even your mother. I can’t recollect the last time I seen her smilin’ like that.”

  “Believe me, we were all in shock. I don’t know what got into her, but I hope that whatever it is, it stays there.” Mitchel took a pull of his beer. “Cripes, this is disgusting. Come on, man, I know you have some other kind of container you can pour a beer into.”

  “It never bothered you before. When did you get so particular?” Pete reached under the counter and pulled out a white coffee mug.

  “Oooh . . . now that’s real fancy,” Mitchel snarked back at him.

  “No, seriously, man. What’s up with you?”

  “Nothin’. Just evaluating things, that’s all.” Mitchel poured the beer from the waxy paper cup into the mug and took a swig. “Ah. Much better. Thanks.”

  “So, what’s happening with you and your old lady?”

  “Man, I wish you wouldn’t call her that.” Mitchel reached for a napkin in the metal container sitting on the counter.

  “And fussy, too?” Pete gave him a shocked look. “Don’t tell me you started goin’ to church.”

  “Don’t be funny. Like I said, I’m evaluating things.”

  “Uh-huh.” Pete grunted. “Ya want somethin’ to eat?”

  “Got any specials?” Mitchel was kidding him.

  “Yeah. I got new corn chips for the nachos,” Pete retorted.

  “Perhaps I’ll try the mystery-meat sandwich,” Mitchel kept up.

  “One filet mignon comin’ up.” Pete chuckled and yelled into the window behind him. “Tony! Slap a burger on the grill for our friend here.” He turned back to Mitchel. “Would you like fries with that, sir? A pickle to tickle your fancy? And what about cheese?”

  Mitchel was in a funny mood. “Perhaps a fine Gruyère?”

  Pete burst out laughing. “You ain’t gonna find no gree-yare anywhere near this place! That’s fer sure.”

  “I guess whatever you have in the back that isn’t green will have to do,” Mitchel shot back.

  Pete wiped his hands and put the towel behind the bar. He took Mitch’s mug and gave him a refill. “On the house.”

  “What’s gotten into you, being all nice and stuff.”

  “Must be contagious,” Pete bellowed.

  Mitch gave him a wave of the mug. “Thanks, mate!”

  Pete leaned across the counter. “So,
tell me, what is going on with the missus.”

  “Huh. Well, it’s no secret we got into a thing a little over two weeks ago. It was bad. Really bad.” Mitchel started to explain, with as little detail as possible. He didn’t want people to think he was a wife beater, although a description of what had happened would eventually get into the local news outlets as soon as he had his hearing and there was an outcome. “We got into a fight. I was in a wild kind of mood and scared the heck out of Colleen. And Jackson. Then, if that wasn’t enough, I trashed the kitchen.” Mitchel looked forlorn. “She called the cops, and they cuffed me and dragged me out. I spent two nights in jail.”

  “Wow. Did she press charges?”

  “Why do you think I was in jail?” Mitchel gave him a “you dumbass” look.

  “Right. So, now what? What about your boy? You guys seemed to be having a good time the other day.”

  “I have supervised custody until things get sorted out.”

  “Is that why your mother was here?”

  “Yep.”

  “I was wonderin’ what the heck she was doing here. I know she’s not the bowlin’ kind.”

  “She surely is not.”

  “But she was all smilin’ and stuff.”

  “Yeah. Like I said, we don’t know, and we ain’t asking.” Mitchel chuckled.

  “How often do you get to see your boy?” Pete seemed genuinely interested.

  “Just once a week. For now,” Mitchel said with resignation.

  “Where you gonna live?”

  “I have no idea. First, I gotta get a job.” Mitch nodded.

  “Got anything in mind?”

  “I don’t suppose they need someone to set up the pins?” Mitchel joked.

  “Now that’s funny.”

  “I am going to go to the shop and beg for my old job back.”

  “Well, you are the best mechanic in town. Everybody knows that.” Pete was trying to sound encouraging.

  “That’s probably the only thing I have going in my favor.”

  Tony hit the small dinner bell in the window. “Food’s up!”

  “I don’t know why he insists on ringing the damn bell. I’m standin’ right here.” Pete turned around, picked up the burger, and placed it in front of Mitchel. “Bon appetite.”

  Mitchel corrected him. “It’s bon appétit.”

  “Yes, sir. Mr. Fancy Pants.”

  “And I doubt there is anything bon about it,” Mitchel mocked back.

  Pete was reaching for Mitchel’s mug when Mitch stopped him. “Thanks, man, but I’m good.”

  Pete leaned in and peered into Mitchel’s eyes. “You all right, boy?”

  “Yeah. Fine. I’m already on the cops’ radar. I don’t want to get pulled over and get a DUI. I can’t afford it. Financially. Legally. And whatever. I need to behave until all this is over.”

  Pete nodded. “Makes sense. Finish your mystery meat. I’ve gotta go down to the basement and get a few bottles of gin. Keep an eye on things for me?”

  Mitchel had a mouthful of burger. He gave Pete a thumbs-up.

  Mitchel hoped he would be able to finish his burger in peace, without listening to Clay ramble on. He thought he was in the clear, but Clay spotted him and came lumbering across the alley.

  “Yo, man. What’s up?” Clay gave Mitchel such a slap, Mitchel thought he might choke on the food in his mouth.

  Mitch finished chewing and swallowed. “Man, never slap someone when they have food in their mouth.” But then Mitchel realized this was Clay he was talking to.

  “Sorry, man,” Clay cackled. “So, like what are you doing here?”

  “Trying to eat my burger.” Mitchel wiped his mouth with a napkin and pulled two more out of the dispenser.

  “Cool. Want to shoot a round of pool?”

  “Maybe.” Mitch took the last bite of his burger and shoved the leftover fries in Clay’s direction.

  Clay immediately attacked the fries as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks.

  Mitch took a good, long, hard look at him. I don’t want to be that guy. The one who can’t keep it together. The one who has no direction except down. No, I don’t wanna be him.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Ellie noticed Frank and Jeanne’s car pulling into their driveway and saw Colleen greet them. From what she knew, Frank and Jeanne were a solid couple. Retired, with a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson in Arizona. They traveled a lot and spent a good deal of time visiting the family in Tucson. Ellie knew that Frank had been in Special Ops in the military, so she felt well protected when he was around. She felt a pang of loneliness when she witnessed the big hugs Colleen got from the couple. Ellie could feel her desire for companionship growing. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Given the recent developments with Colleen and Mitchel, and a new family moving in, Ellie was yearning to have face-to-face human contact. In her previous life, her weekly planner was filled with art exhibits, concerts, plays, dinners, and fund-raisers. She knew she should be making better progress, but then decided not to be too hard on herself. At least, that’s what her therapist told her. The two words that kept playing in her head were “baby steps.” But she was getting restless and being torn in several directions, and she still had to figure out what had gotten her there in the first place. Some of it was obvious, at least to her. It was the stuff in the shadows that haunted her. If only she could figure it out.

  Hearing about Rick and finding her old sneakers had triggered something in her memory. It had also triggered a migraine, but she was able to shake it off more easily than before. That had to be a sign she was getting better. The situation with Rick vexed her. She was determined to peel that onion, even if it was only one layer at a time.

  She poured herself a glass of water and dived into her search engines. She didn’t necessarily want to jump in headfirst, but she resigned herself to do a deep dive into Rick’s whereabouts. The notion that he needed money for a start-up sounded like some of the bull-pucky he was known to throw around. It was the idea that he had to resort to asking an old friend for money that sent up a red flag. Surely, with all of his connections, he could find someone who had beaucoup bucks to toss him a few grand. Then it struck her. Maybe it was his way of trying to find her. That would be very bad for Ellie, which is why she had made up the story about a government contract and having to move about frequently. There should be no way that he could locate her. If he did, it could be disastrous. For both of them.

  Ellie took a deep breath and looked at Buddy and Percy. “Wish me luck, guys!” She turned to her keyboards and began delving into the deep, dark corners of the World Wide Web.

  After a few minutes, she was logged in to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website. It wasn’t the site people used to renew their license, file paperwork, or pay fines. No, this one was where all the important data was kept, all the information about everyone who had a driver’s license in the state. She wanted to find out if his license had been renewed or if he had filed a change of address. She shuddered when his face popped up on the screen. It was the same photo from when they had dated, and the address was the same. Where is he? She decided to call Kara and see if she could get Christian to find out. Ellie felt something flicker in the back of her mind.

  Ellie pulled out the burner phone and dialed. Pretending Buddy and Percy could understand sign language, she put her finger to her lips to indicate that they shouldn’t make a sound. She shook her head at her silliness. As if, she said to herself. But at that moment, she didn’t care. She didn’t care if she had to tell Kara another made-up story. She needed to speak to her. Now.

  “Hey!” Kara answered on the third ring. “Everything all right?”

  “Yes. Kinda. Sorta,” Ellie sputtered.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I need Christian to find out where Rick is.” There was a moment of silence before Kara answered.

  “Because?” she asked suspiciously.

  “Because I think it
will help me.”

  “Help you what?” Kara asked.

  “Help me figure out a few things.” Ellie was nervous but resolute.

  “Like what?”

  “Like what happened the night I ended up in the hospital,” Ellie declared.

  “Girlfriend, do you really want to go there?”

  “I need to go there. I have to go there. I have to go to the place where all of this began.”

  “I know you don’t mean that literally.” Kara paused. “Do you?”

  “Maybe at some point. But no, not now. I have to start putting the pieces together; otherwise . . .” Ellie stopped. She was on a slippery slope. She could reveal what she thought she knew, but then she would have to reveal where she was.

  “Otherwise what?” Kara’s concern was obvious. “Are you sure you’re OK?”

  “Yes. And I want to get better. In order for me to get better, I need more information.”

  “Ellie, when you took this job, everyone thought it was good for you to get away and have time to regroup. But now I wonder if it was the best thing for you. You don’t have a support group.”

  “I have a therapist I talk to.”

  “Really?” Kara was dubious. “And how often is that?”

  “As often as I need.”

  “And how often is that?” Kara repeated herself.

  “Kara. I need to know if you are going to help me or not.” Ellie was getting adamant.

  “OK. OK. Let’s think about this.” Kara paused. “Of course I am not going to agree to let Christian lend him the money.”

  “Rick asked for him to deposit it into a PayPal account, correct?” Ellie asked.

  “Yes. That was the first red flag. Actually, I suppose, the phone call was the first. Rick hadn’t been in touch for two years; and then, out of the blue, he calls asking for $5,000. Second red flag was asking for it to be deposited in a PayPal account. Third, the idea that he was involved in some kind of start-up was also odd.”

  “Exactly,” Ellie agreed. “What if Christian tells him that in order to get him the money, it has to be in the form of a check. Then the question would be where should he mail the check?”

  “Brilliant,” Kara exclaimed. “But then again, you always were.”