by Kelly Utt
“Mom…”
“Right now!” Marcheline yelled, louder than she had ever raised her voice around Sabine before.
Mother and daughter looked at each other hard and long, until finally, Sabine saw the truth in her mother’s eyes and became willing to cooperate.
“Ryan?”
“We will call him when we get on the road. Hurry!” Marcheline implored.
Together, they packed a bag for Sabine and a second bag for Amelie filled with first aid items, bottles, and a manual breast pump. When they were ready, they woke the baby from her nap and carried her to Marcheline’s Land Rover. The moment her car seat was securely attached and the straps were buckled, Marcheline put the vehicle in reverse and sped away, Sabine looking longingly at her home as it faded away from view.
“Where are we going?” Sabine asked.
“We’re leaving town,” Marcheline replied. “And we will stay away until we know it’s safe.”
Sabine had enjoyed a normal life until now. The dramatic circumstance she found herself in seemed more like something out of a movie or a TV drama than real life. “What about Limbo?” she asked, speaking quietly. “Who will take care of him? You can’t leave a dog alone for very long. And I don’t see a bag here for you. Did you pack anything?”
“I haven’t been to my house since I left for work this morning. I didn’t know we would need to get away like this. But I have a bag of necessities.”
Sabine nodded, seeing her mom’s demeanor and realizing the seriousness of the situation.
“I’ll ask Rande to get Limbo. We can’t risk going back to the house. It will have to be okay.”
“I hope so,” Sabine replied.
Marcheline reached her hand over and placed it on her daughters. “Darling, call Ryan. Ask him if he wants us to pick him up. If he stays, he should be safe here. But once we go, we must destroy our phones. It won’t be safe to contact him. And I don’t know when we’ll be back. Please, stress the urgency of the situation when you speak to him.”
“That’s an impossible predicament to put him in,” Sabine replied. “You know how big his extended family is and how close they all are. And his work! He loves his work. He won’t want to leave Rosemary Run.”
“I am sorry,” Marcheline said. “I know this is overwhelming. But you and I have to go. We don’t have any choice in the matter. It’s not safe for us here anymore. And it’s probably not safe for little Amelie. We can’t be too careful where she’s concerned. Call Ryan and ask him what he wants to do.”
Sabine began to cry as the weight of the situation settled down on her. “Mom,” she began. “Does this have anything to do with…?”
Marcheline immediately understood. “Yes, Sabine, it does. The letter.”
9
Ryan didn’t answer. Sabine had tried him five separate times, but he wasn’t picking up. She was getting frantic.
“Mom,” she pleaded. “What if something has happened to him? We need to go to his office and make sure he’s okay.”
“Stay calm,” Marcheline told her daughter. “Keep trying his number.”
Wishing to give her son-in-law a little more time, Marcheline pulled her Land Rover behind a tree line on a country road, then got out to check on her go bag. She walked to the back of the vehicle and accessed a hidden compartment near the spare tire. Everything was there, exactly where she had placed it. She checked and double checked. There was cash, burner phones, some items to help disguise her appearance, and a new California license plate. She removed the old plate using a screwdriver from her tool bag, then replaced it with the new one that would help them slip away undetected.
She knew this drill. she had gone over it countless times in her mind. She had hoped this day would never come. But since it had, at least she was prepared.
Marcheline pulled a ball cap out from her bag and placed it snugly on her head, tucking her long hair up underneath. She then pulled out a pair of aviator sunglasses and put them on. They differed from her usual style. She knew she needed to cut her hair and dye it for a more permanent change to her look, but the hat and glasses would have to do for now. Marcheline wouldn’t tell her daughter at this juncture, but Sabine would need to change her appearance as well.
“Get him yet?” Marcheline asked as she walked around to her daughter’s side of the vehicle. Sabine began to cry big, fat tears.
“He’s not answering his phone,” she said. “He’s probably in a meeting. But he could be tied up for all kinds of reasons. He doesn’t always answer right away. I know he’ll call back as soon as he’s able. But Mom, I can’t leave without my husband… Without Amelie’s dad.”
Marcheline placed one hand against the roof of her Land Rover as she thought about what to do. Ryan would understand, she reasoned. He would never want to jeopardize his wife and daughter’s safety. But at the same time, he wouldn’t want to be separated from them if he could help it.
“Okay,” Marcheline said when she had made her decision. “We will go to Rande. I need to do that, anyway. He’ll be able to get a message to Ryan.”
“And I’ll keep calling him!” Sabine added. “Maybe he’ll pick up with just a little more time. If he looks at his phone, he’ll see all the missed calls from me and know it’s important.”
“Yes,” Marcheline said. “I hope so, my darling. I really do.”
Sabine hadn’t mentioned Marcheline’s disguised appearance. She had been too preoccupied to say anything. Maybe she hadn’t noticed. Her sole focus was on her husband. Marcheline understood. Even though she had never experienced a relationship like Sabine and Ryan’s, she saw what it meant to her daughter. Beyond that, she knew what it meant for Amelie. Marcheline understood the importance of growing up with a father. Her own father had a profound influence on her. It had been one of the greatest tragedies of Marcheline‘s life that Sabine hadn’t enjoyed the same.
Climbing back into the driver’s seat, Marcheline texted Rande and instructed him to meet at their designated spot. The two of them had planned for this contingency. Rande would know what to do. She put the car back in gear.
“Where are we going?” Sabine asked, glancing back to check on Amelie. So far, the baby was staying calm and quiet. She was still in that period after her nap where her needs were all met and she was happy to simply observe everything happening around her with wide eyes. “Are we going to Ryan’s office? Because I think that’s a good idea. I can run in and try to find him. It won’t take me long. I’ve been to his building lots of times, and I know exactly where to go.”
“No, that’s too dangerous. They might look for us there.”
“Look for us?” Sabine asked, baffled. “Mom, you’ve got to tell me what exactly is going on. I’m on board. I’m cooperating. But I deserve to know.”
Still on the dirt road, Marcheline slowed the Land Rover down as she turned to her daughter. She looked her in the eye. “You’re right, Sabine. I owe you an explanation. And I intend to give you one.”
“It’s about time,” Sabine said.
“Here is my promise to you, my darling. By the time we go to sleep tonight, I will tell you what this is all about. You have my word. But first, we have to get somewhere safe. There’s much to do. Please, sit quietly and do as I ask. All will be revealed soon enough.”
Sabine shook her head and stared out the window blankly. It was a lot to process, Marcheline he knew that. She thought perhaps she should have warned her daughter. Maybe she had made a mistake by keeping it from her. It was one thing to keep it from Sabine when she was a child, but perhaps Marcheline should have told her at least some of the story once she reached adulthood. Doing so would have made today much easier for Sabine to grapple with. Every thought Marcheline had about the situation seemed to have a flip side that was equally compelling. If she had told Sabine, for instance, that might have created a dread and anxiety that would have been worse than the shock the young woman was experiencing right now. It was a difficult situation no matter how
it unfolded.
Before Sabine could answer, Rande replied to Marcheline’s text confirming that he’d be there. He didn’t ask questions. He knew what this meant. Rande was a good friend, like no other. Marcheline said a silent prayer of thanks for him. He would help her get through this. She just hoped that in doing so, he wouldn’t put his own young family in danger.
10
By the time Marcheline pulled up at the county’s waste management facility, Rande was already there waiting for her. They got out of their cars at the recycling station and walked side-by-side to a compactor, the sound of which would prevent others from overhearing what they were about to say. Rande had two bags filled with glass bottles. He handed one to Marcheline, then they stood, bottles in hand while the compactor ran behind them, and began to discuss specifics.
“I like the hat and glasses, Ma’am,” Rande said in his usual jovial voice. It was a relief for Marcheline, who had spent the past hour barely breathing.
“I’m glad,” Marcheline replied. “But I must say, this wasn’t how I expected to spend my afternoon. Thanks for being there for me, Rande. You’re a good friend.”
“Somebody has to look after you,” he replied. “How is Sabine taking it?”
“So far, not well. I don’t blame her though. I promised I would explain things before we go to sleep tonight.”
“I think that’s wise. She deserves an explanation. Where are you headed?”
“For now, I’ll follow Plan A,” Marcheline said. Rande knew exactly which destination she was talking about.
“You’ll need to ditch that vehicle,” he added. Marcheline nodded. “There’s a truck stop in a little town called Kingman. It’s south of Vegas on the way to Phoenix. It’s out of your way, but was the closest I could get to your route. It won’t cost you much extra time. Go inside the diner and ask for a man named Carl Lowery. I’ll let him know to expect you. He’ll have transportation ready.”
“Thank you, Rande.”
“You have enough cash?”
“I do. I’m good in that regard. I’ve been stashing bags of it for so long now that I might have gone overboard. I should have enough cash to live on for several years if we need to.”
The two of them stood quietly as the impact of that statement sunk in.
“I brought the paperwork,” Rande said. “Are you ready to sign it?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Marcheline replied. “It breaks my heart. But I knew all along things might turn out this way.”
Rande pulled the paperwork out of his bag and a pen out of his pocket. With a few quick scrolls, Marcheline signed ownership of Maison du Vin over to him.
“You know, Ma’am,” he added. “This is just a formality. Just paper. That’s your business and it always will be. You let me know when you’re ready and I will sign it right back over to you. My word is my bond. You know that.”
“I know, Rande. But I can’t imagine coming back. It’s just too big of a risk. Like when your house is on fire, you know. The first thing you do is you get your family out safe. Everything else is just material. You don’t run back into the flames. I can begin with a new identity. I can build a new business. It may never be as big as Maison du Vin. I might never be as successful or as wealthy as I would have otherwise been. But as long as I get my family out safely, that’s what matters.”
“I hear you,” Rande added. “You have your house keys?”
“Right here,” Marcheline said she reached into her pocket. She took the Land Rover key off the ring and handed the rest over to Rande, complete with her Maison du Vin wine-bottle key chain they'd made for promotional purposes not long after Rande joined her team. “I trust you’ll take care of Limbo for me?”
“You know it. My girls will get a kick out of having a dog. They’ve been begging for one.”
A tear formed in Marcheline’s eye. She loved her dog. She’d even thought about taking him with her. Rande put his arm around his friend’s shoulders.
“Forgive me,” Marcheline said. “I’m trying to do this without getting emotional. But I love that old hound.”
“I know you do, Ma’am,” Rande added. “He’ll be a guest in our home and we will treat him like family. But if you ever come back or if you want to send for him, he’s your boy and I’ll be sure he gets to you.”
Marcheline sniffled. “Leave it to me to get choked up over the dog.”
“You’re a tough broad who is a softy at heart,” Rande said with a chuckle.
Marcheline smiled back. “Ryan needs dealt with,” she said, moving on. “I offered to pick him up and take him with us, but he isn’t answering his phone. Sabine is freaked out. Can you get a message to him?”
“Of course,” Rande replied. “What do you want me to say?”
“That’s precarious, because I don’t want to keep him from his wife and daughter. But people might be watching and listening, and we can’t endanger them. Ryan wouldn’t want that.”
“I agree.”
“Please, get word to him that we had to go away, and explain that it was life or death circumstances. Please impress upon him the need for discretion in this matter. Tell him just enough so he understands the gravity, but not too much. I don’t want him and his extended family getting tangled up in our mess.”
“Good thing I only know just enough,” Rande said.
“Rande…” Marcheline replied, tilting her head to the side as she looked at him. “I would tell you, but…”
“I understand,” he replied. “Don’t give it another thought. It was just an offhand remark. I know you want to protect me and my family as well.”
“I do. Absolutely, I do.”
“Then I’ll tell him just enough. How else can I help, Ma’am? You name it, and it’s done.”
“At this point, I don’t know. I might reach out to you if I can figure out anything else. Do you remember the code word?”
“I do. I’ll await your signal,” Rande confirmed. “Do you remember my code name, for when you meet with Carl?”
“I do.”
“Good girl.”
“Then I guess this is it,” Marcheline said, choking back tears as her voice broke. “Time for a new name, a new look… A new city...”
“A new everything,” Rande said, finishing her sentence for her. “Which means, a new lease on life. A new freedom. You did it once. You can do it again. And Sabine is stronger than you give her credit for. After all, she was raised by you, Ma’am. She’s going to be okay.”
“I hope so.”
“What do you want me to tell that pair of boys?”
“Oh yeah,” Marcheline said. “Is it bad that I almost forgot about the two of them?”
Rande laughed. “I guess it says a little something about the status of your relationships. But none of that matters now.”
“Tell them what you want. Just be sure to emphasize that it wasn’t them. You know the old cliché about how it’s me, not you.”
“That might work.”
“It’s funny,” Marcheline added. “Jim wanted me to go away with him. On a road trip west to the beach. I told him I couldn’t possibly leave the company because I had so much important stuff to do. And here I am... Going on a road trip, but not one of my choosing. Southeast. Life can sure be ironic at times.”
“Agreed. I’ll let them down easy. But that begs the question. What do you want me to tell people about where you went? If they think you’re missing, police will come calling. They may fear you’re in harm’s way. We need some type of cover story to keep that from happening.”
“Well, yeah,” Marcheline replied. “We’ve talked about this before. Just pick an option. Whatever you think is best. Truly, Rande. I have so much to think about going forward. At this point, talk of my cover story and Rosemary Run feel like going backward.”
“I’ve got it,” he said, raising a finger. “I’ll tell people you went off grid to care for an ailing relative. That should cover all the bases. That way they don’t t
hink something is wrong with you. And they’ll understand the need for such a sabbatical. Hopefully, they will feel sympathetic towards you rather than angry that you left.”
“Yes, that’s good, Rande. You’re good at all this lying and scheming. You sure you’re not some kind of superspy in disguise?”
They laughed together some more. It felt good to break the tension.
An old black pickup truck pulled in beside the Land Rover and a man got out with his bags of recycling. Marcheline didn’t want to be seen here with Rande, so she tilted her head down low as she threw her bag of glass bottles into the bin. Rande turned towards her, his back shielding her from the other man’s view. Marcheline leaned hard against her friend’s chest and they embraced each other, even though they kept their arms at their sides. Rande was a true gift to Marcheline. She told herself that whenever she doubted her ability to have healthy relationships, she should think back to her friendship with Rande. What they had was real, and it was enduring. She only hoped they’d be able to reunite someday and continue their friendship in person.
“You take good care, Ma’am,” he said as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the top of Marcheline’s head.
“You too, Rande, my darling. I’ll be forever grateful to you for what you’re doing. And for who you are. You’re a gift to me. A gift in my life. I sure am going to miss you.”
With that, Marcheline walked back to the Land Rover, climbed in, and drove away.
11
Marcheline drove south out of town with her daughter and granddaughter in tow. Sabine had protested when Marcheline destroyed both of their phones and threw them out in a gas station trash can on the outskirts of Rosemary Run, but she was coping. Marcheline wasn’t sure whether it was a case of shock or a display of strength, but it was encouraging.
The trio was heading for Tucson, Arizona, not far from the US-Mexico border. Marcheline had a friend from college who was a Mexican national. They had dated briefly, and during their time together Marcheline had told Guillermo Martinez a portion of her story. He had promised on the spot to provide safe haven for her if she ever needed it, regardless of how many years in the future her need came to pass. He had grown up in Tucson, but had family across the border just sixty miles away in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Guillermo guaranteed he could keep Marcheline hidden in both places.