Where Lies End

by Ruth Davidson

  After Diane had slipped into casual clothes and wiped some of the heavy makeup off her face, she stared at her reflection in the mirror a moment, her throat constricting with a bit of restrained emotion. It was partly the letdown she felt after the evening. Much had happened and suddenly she was safe. It was over. After weeks and weeks of intense inward turmoil, it was over. But that wasn’t the only thing affecting her. Her feelings toward Rick still troubled her. Some innate part of her still felt worried about her increasing vulnerability to him. It seemed strange, in some ways, that she would allow herself to feel this way. They hadn’t even talked on a personal level since they’d been together at his home but she suddenly felt like crying when she thought of him leaving again.

  Diane did her best to appear calm when she joined Liz and Rick in the front room. Rick was speaking to Liz as Diane sat near. “Before you write anything,” he was telling Liz, “make sure you check with Detective Thompson about what can be said. He doesn’t want anything interfering with the investigation and I promised him our complete cooperation.”

  “Of course,” Liz agreed. “But whatever we have will still be hot news—and in more places than here.” She glanced at Diane. “How does it feel to have everything over?”

  “I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” Diane answered, still partly dazed. “Thanks to you, Liz, we made it to this point. You realize I owe you everything.”

  “You don’t owe me one thing,” Liz said, shaking her head. “You’ve more than repaid me. Getting a story like this is the break I’ve always dreamed of.”

  Diane sighed. “Have at it. You’ve got complete access to it. I’m through with every sordid detail.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Liz responded sympathetically.

  Rick and Liz continued speaking with Rick filling in Liz further on the events of the evening. As he was speaking, Rick suddenly motioned for Diane to come sit beside him. She complied, becoming faintly surprised when he picked up one arm and placed it around her shoulders, bringing her close. Liz didn’t seem at all affected by their proximity and took it as easily and naturally as she had the resolution of the evening’s events.

  As Diane sat next to Rick, she felt that familiar vulnerability tugging at her insides. His voice reverberated against her as he spoke; she could even feel his warmth from their closeness. One of his hands came up and toyed abstractedly with a few strands of her hair, brushing now and again against her cheek. It was the way they’d often been together before. It was that moment which made Diane realize that her heart had decided long ago what her head had been unable to decide. No matter what, even if it meant getting hurt and devastated again, she could not let Rick go without giving their relationship another chance. Part of her still loved him—in fact, had never stopped. He would always hold a place in her heart. She could not give up on the chance that she might possibly still hold a place in his.

  Not until Liz and Rick had finished their discussion and Liz had left did Diane and Rick walk to the door to say their goodbyes. When Rick turned to her briefly before the door, Diane walked toward him. He pulled her against him, holding her close, his breathing deep and steady as he rested his chin on her head. “What a night,” he said.

  “Thank you for everything you did to help me through this,” Diane responded.

  “I’m glad it’s over,” he said.

  “I am, too,” she said. “Rick?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m not sure exactly how to say this but I think I’m ready to give the two of us another chance.”

  Rick let out a heavy sigh after her words, pulling her from him and looking directly into her eyes. “I almost felt sure you’d decided otherwise.”

  “No,” Diane said, shaking her head.

  “I’m relieved to know you feel that way,” Rick said before drawing her toward him and kissing her gently. “We’ll talk more but I need to let you get some sleep. It’s been a long day.”

  “It has been.”

  “Goodnight, Diane,” he said before reluctantly letting her go.

  “Goodnight.” Diane watched as he left a moment later, closing the door softly after him.

  Chapter Nine

  Diane sat in her car, staring in the early-morning light at the dilapidated house of her grandfather’s. Crazy shadows from the weathered shingles created crooked patterns on the sidewalk below, patterns she’d often let her eyes wander as a child. Diane knew her grandfather would be up. He got up early every morning to begin repairs on the cars that were still entrusted to his care after all the years he’d been working. Diane still felt doubtful on what her approach to him should be and she sat waiting. Her grandfather wouldn’t know what had happened yesterday and she had no idea what his reaction to her would be when he first saw her. She finally took in a fortifying breath before lifting the handle to open the door.

  Diane walked slowly toward the backyard gate and pushed it open. As she began walking down the well-worn path toward her grandfather’s workshop, she lifted her eyes to search for him and suddenly stopped. Her grandfather stood some distance away, his stooped form etched against a large van as he spoke to Rick. Diane watched them, confused. Rick had not mentioned he would be coming.

  Though it was a work day, Rick had dressed casually. Her grandfather had been concentrating on Rick’s words with rapt attention, his lips parted slightly in reluctant disbelief. Diane took a tentative step toward the two of them but then stopped once more, waiting for a break in their conversation. In the few moments that followed, her grandfather’s features changed from disbelief to amazement. He looked troubled but didn’t say anything further, only shaking his head occasionally in mute acknowledgement.

  Diane squared her shoulders before walking toward them. Both lifted startled eyes on her approach. Her grandfather stared at her while Rick focused his attention back onto her grandfather. Diane quickly covered the distance between them and hugged her grandfather tightly. “Hi, Grandpa,” she said.

  He stood there for awhile, his body trembling from scarcely controlled emotion. “You’re home.”

  “I’m home,” she answered. “Did Rick…”

  “He told me everything. He told me what happened. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you told me the truth. I…”

  Diane shook her head, cutting him off. “It’s over. You don’t need to be sorry anymore. I’m just glad it’s over.”

  The grandfather she knew quickly patted her shoulder. “Yes, yes. It’s over. Thank goodness it’s over. Come in now, both of you. Come in and get some breakfast. We need more time to talk.”

  Diane could tell Rick was about to decline interrupting their private time so she quickly turned to him. “Please join us,” she said.

  Rick hesitated only a second as he glanced over at her. “Are you sure?”

  “Please,” Diane pleaded.

  “I’d like that,” Rick answered.

  The three of them turned and walked toward her grandfather’s home, something Diane had not foreseen ever happening again.

  Three hours later, Rick drove with Diane toward police headquarters to see Detective Thompson. The time with her grandfather had gone better than Diane had hoped. With Rick’s help, they were able to unfold the story of the past few months without making her grandfather feel unduly guilty about his mistrust. They had left him with an open offer for Diane to stay there until she could find another place to live. Diane had initially been alarmed at the evidence of lazy disorganization about his small home but she had left feeling better. Her grandfather had assured her of his intent to clean up before she came back.

  Diane turned toward Rick. “Thanks for going to see my grandfather this morning. I’m not sure how he would have reacted to seeing me had he not known the charges had been dropped.”

  “I had the same concern,” Rick said. “I knew you’d want to see him today and I wanted to forewarn him.” Rick glanced at her sideways. “He’s been traumatized by this whole experience. He see
ms to have aged more the last little while than I’ve ever seen.”

  Diane rubbed her forehead in concern. “He did seem feeble, didn’t he? I’m relieved that I could come to him now before he gets worse. Maybe if he’s not so concerned about me...” Her words dropped off.

  Rick eyed her carefully, aware that she could not verbalize her innermost concerns. Her grandfather, she could sense, wouldn’t be around much longer. She could not yet handle the implications of it. “Are you nervous about approaching your boss and asking for your job back?” Rick asked, changing the subject.

  “Not so much worried as unsure what he’ll decide,” Diane told him. “I planned on calling him today but I don’t know if he’ll want me back. If he does, it’ll only be because of the increase in circulation my presence might create.”

  “You might consider working at the R & J,” Rick said.

  Diane whipped her head toward his. “The R & J?”

  “You’d be an asset while we’re trying to get back on track. Would you consider it?” He mentioned a salary that raised Diane’s brows in reaction.

  “What are your plans?” Diane asked. “Will you be staying or are you going back to the other office?”

  Rick had pulled into the parking lot but he didn’t immediately exit. “That’s something I wanted to speak to you about. I have to go back to the other branch for awhile. I planned on leaving tomorrow and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

  Diane immediately dropped her eyes, not willing to look at him. She couldn’t be sure of her reaction if she did.

  “There are some business matters that have come up,” Rick explained, “besides the fact that I might want some personnel over there to come here and help clean up this fiasco.”

  “You don’t have to explain your reasoning,” Diane said soberly. “We’re not to that point yet, are we?”

  Rick let out a deep breath after her reaction, his brows furrowing. “I had hoped we were. That’s why I’m telling you this. I know it’s a bad time for us personally but I need to go. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not stopping you from doing what you need to do,” Diane countered hollowly.

  “No, but will you trust me when I say I didn’t want to do this right now, especially with the way things are between us?” Rick said.

  Diane couldn’t answer. She wanted to trust him but she could not get the image of his other female interest out of her mind. “You’ve got to do whatever you’ve got to do,” she finally stated.

  Diane could tell Rick wasn’t exactly satisfied with her response but they didn’t have time to speak further. Detective Thompson would be waiting for them inside. They were sitting across from Detective Thompson’s desk a few minutes later. “I think we found Mrs. Mills’ accomplice,” Detective Thompson explained as Mason Trent sat nearby. “Mrs. Mills has a daughter-in-law working in one of the departments. It seems this daughter-in-law did most of the dirty work, tampering with the files, setting up fraudulent accounts and so forth. She’s been brought in and questioned but will be doing some plea bargaining—a lighter sentence in exchange for her testimony.”

  Rick looked contemplative after the news. “Do you think she’s the only other one involved?”

  “Despite what we heard last night, yes. I sincerely doubt any other parties are involved. We’re discovering more in-depth fraud than what we initially uncovered, however, now that Mrs. Mills and Mr. Keaton are talking openly about each other’s involvement. There are some false claims that have been filed. I have a list for you.” Detective Thompson handed Rick a page of scratchy notes. “I’d appreciate it if you’d pull these files for me. I’d like to see how much money has been taken.”

  Rick sighed heavily, his features drawn and tired. “I’ll get them as soon as I can.”

  “It seems your company’s profits will expand tremendously after we get these two behind bars,” Detective Thompson said. “I doubt any amounts we can recover will be significant.”

  “I wasn’t planning on anything,” Rick said. Although he sounded discouraged, Diane could tell he felt determined to move ahead.

  They were both quiet when Rick dropped Diane off at her grandfather’s a short time later. “I’ll be in touch,” Rick told her as he pulled in front of the house. “I’ve got to pull those files for Detective Thompson.”

  “All right,” Diane said, her tone distant.

  Rick looked at her with some concern. “I know we need to settle the personal issues between the two of us and we will,” Rick said to her, looking directly into her eyes.

  Will we? she wanted to ask. Instead she said, “Okay.”

  “I’ll talk to you soon,” Rick said.

  Diane only nodded. After that, she turned from him, concentrating on the uneven walkway beneath her as she tried to fight the tugging dejection that had arisen, unbidden, inside her.

  The story regarding Diane and what had happened at the R & J came out the following day. Various pictures of her, Rick, Mrs. Mills and Mr. Keaton accompanied the intense story line. Liz had done a good job, Diane decided as she read it. Liz had been effectively able to redeem Diane’s soured reputation, for which Diane felt immensely grateful.

  It seemed strange to Diane that her grandfather refused to read the story. He claimed brusquely that he’d heard it from the best sources already and then had dropped the matter. It wasn’t hard for Diane to see that his disinterest came from wanting to put that part of the past behind him.

  Liz called Diane later that morning. “We’ve created a furor as much as you can in a place like this,” Liz said. “We’re getting emails and texts already and unending requests to run this story elsewhere. You can imagine how Carl is reacting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him as excited in my life.”

  “You did a great job,” Diane told her. “Thanks for your help.”

  “Just to let you know, I heard from Carl today that he’s re-hiring you. Not that we should suspect our boss of pandering, but I’m sure it’s partly because of what it’ll do for publicity. You’re coming back to work here, aren’t you?”

  “Most likely,” Diane said. She didn’t mention Rick’s offer.

  “Have you heard from Rick at all?” Liz asked. “How does he like the story?”

  “Rick had to leave out of town early this morning,” Diane informed her. “I’m not sure when he’ll get back.”

  “Oh,” Liz said, sounding surprised. “Keep me apprised about your plans about coming back to work, will you?”

  “I will,” Diane promised before hanging up.

  A short time later, Diane caught her grandfather’s eyes on her as she busied herself in the kitchen. “Are you feeling okay, Diane?” he asked.

  Diane forced herself to look at him. “I’m fine. I guess I’m still adjusting to getting my life back on track. I’m still feeling a little unsettled, but I’m fine.”

  “I heard you say that Rick left town,” he said, his keen eyes on hers.

  “He did,” Diane replied, trying to act nonchalant about it. “He’s not sure when he’ll be returning.”

  Her grandfather suddenly stepped toward her, his features serious. “I want you to know something. You should go with Rick if the opportunity ever presents itself. I want you to give me your word that you will.”

  Diane stared at her grandfather, surprised. How had he so easily read into her feelings? “It’s not to that point yet, Grandpa. I don’t know if it ever will be.”

  Her grandfather looked away. “Just so you know. You go with him if you have the chance.”

  Diane nodded, not wanting to upset him. “Thank you. I know you care about me.”

  “I do. I want you to be happy.”

  “I know. That’s why I love you so much,” Diane said. She went to him and hugged him tightly. They both fell silent afterward, neither one comfortable with continuing the subject.

  Rick finally got in touch with Diane a few days later. “I wanted to call you earlier but I’ve been extremely busy,” he explained
after her greeting. “I was calling partly to find out if you’re considering taking the position I offered at the office. If you were, it would be best if…”

  “I’m getting my job at the paper back,” Diane cut in. “I’ll be starting next week.”

  There was a short pause. “Would you be open to a change later on?” Rick asked. “We could really use your help right now.”

  “I think it best that I stay away from the R & J altogether,” Diane countered.

  “Why?” Rick questioned.

  “Are you asking as a boss or as a friend?” Diane asked.

  Rick hesitated after her question. “As both.”

  Diane let out a slow breath. “As a boss, let me just say I’d like my job with the paper back. As a friend, it would be best for me personally if I stayed away from the R & J right now.”

  “I don’t have to guess that the reason would lie with me,” Rick said, his tone ragged and tired. “Listen, Diane. I can tell you’re upset but please don’t pull away from me right now. I would have been in touch sooner but I’ve been hectically busy trying to reorganize the branch out here. I haven’t had any spare time.”

  “I understand,” Diane responded crisply.

  “Promise me one thing,” Rick said, not backing down.

  “What’s that?”

  “Promise me you’ll see me and talk to me when I get back,” Rick said.

  Diane gulped unsteadily, feeling torn. He planned on returning? “We’ll talk,” she replied.

  “I’m holding you to that,” Rick said before he said his final farewell and hung up the phone.

  Diane walked in at the end of a humid, hot Saturday, having worked long and hard in her grandfather’s yard. She wiped the perspiration from her forehead with a dirty, grimy hand. Her grandfather smiled after noticing her dirt-stained features. “Thanks for tackling the yard today. I haven’t had much time or energy to face it.”

  “You’re welcome, Grandpa,” Diane said. “I’m glad I could.”