Facing Evil

by C L Hart

  “Good. You okay with contacts? If you need any, talk to Berelli; he knows everyone,” he said with a gesture at an older man snoozing in his chair. “Who’s next?”

  The meeting was interrupted by a sharp rap on the glass door, “What!”

  “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Gower.” The receptionist held out a piece of paper. “I just got a message for Sarah. It sounded important.”

  Bob Gower looked at her in annoyance. He hated having the dailies interrupted. “What’s the message?”

  The receptionist looked at Sarah. “Did you have a meeting scheduled for today?”

  Flipping quickly through her Day-Timer, Sarah shook her head. “No.”

  “Just give her the message,” Bob Gower said impatiently.

  The receptionist handed Sarah the small pink note. “They said to tell you they were waiting. I thought you had forgotten a meeting.”

  “No, I don’t think so, but thanks,” she said with confusion as she took the note.

  “Okay, back to business.”

  Sarah unfolded the note. I’m still waiting. She thought about the message for a moment and then placed the neatly handwritten note down on her pad. Looking around the table at her fellow reporters, she tried to get back into the flow of the discussion, but her eyes kept returning to the note. I’m still waiting. Who was still waiting, and waiting for what?

  “Sarah?”

  She looked at her boss, totally unaware of what he had asked. “Pardon?”

  “Are you with us here? I don’t have all the time in the world. I’ve a paper to put out...”

  His voice droned on. Sarah felt her heart skip a beat as she picked up the message. I’m still waiting. Her mind went to the only place it could.

  “Sarah! Where are you going?” Bob Gower demanded as she rose abruptly from her chair with the note in her hand.

  “I just... I have to check something...” She reached for the door and hurriedly left the meeting. Her heart was racing and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath.

  “Excuse me.” Sarah approached the receptionist. “This message — what else did they say?”

  “Nothing. They were very precise about what I was to write, but that was it.”

  “Did they leave a number?”

  “Nope, she just told me how to write the note and left.”

  Sarah put her hands on the counter. “Left?” She turned and looked at the doors that led to the elevators. “She was here?” Not waiting for an answer, Sarah rushed past the cubicles and pushed open both doors. She looked left and right in the vestibule; there was no one there.

  Stabbing at the down arrow for the elevator, she watched and waited, continuously tapping the pink note against her thigh. “Come on, come on, come on!” But the elevator car wasn’t moving fast enough. “Forget it,” she said impatiently as she took off for the stairwell.

  “Please...please...please,” she repeated on every step as she hurried down the stairs. There were several people milling around as she burst into the lobby, but none were Abby. Her eyes scanned back and forth…there was no sign of the dark black hair. Sarah entered the revolving doors that exited the building. Banging on the glass, Sarah pushed — but the harder she pushed the more resistance she got from the door. By the time she reached the sidewalk she realized she was too late. There was no sign of Abby anywhere. With sagging shoulders she turned back toward the newspaper building.

  Sarah took a deep breath as she squinted into the sun. Another day and another disappointment — maybe it wasn’t even Abby. She tried not to let her despondency show as she looked down at the note in her hand. Crumpling the paper, she walked over to a garbage can and threw it away. With a heavy heart, she entered the revolving door and left the outside world behind. She looked through the glass to the mirrored wall inside the lobby. In the reflection there she saw the world oblivious to her existence: people hustling down the sidewalk, cars impatiently threading their way through traffic, the green of the aspen trees in the park across the street...and a tall, dark-haired woman, leaning against one of the stone statues.

  Sarah spun around inside of the tiny enclosure of the revolving door. Though her line of vision was obstructed, she knew it was Abby. With both hands, she pushed harder on the door as she tried to look past all the obstacles blocking her view. When she was finally released back out onto the sidewalk, she stood and stared at the woman across the street.

  There she was. Dressed in jeans and a dark blazer, her long legs crossed at the ankle, she stood waiting.

  “Abby?” Looking both ways for traffic, she quickly darted across the street.

  The two studied each other silently, wallowing in remembrances, taking in all they’d forgotten.

  Looking longingly into Sarah’s eyes, Abby finally found her voice. “I didn’t know how much longer I was supposed to wait,” she said with a sheepish grin. Sarah choked out a sobbing laugh as she brought her hand up to cover her mouth. There was no response, but all Abby had to do was to open her arms and without hesitation, Sarah fell into her embrace.

  “Sarah, I am so sorry, I know—”

  “Shhh.” Sarah put her fingers to Abby’s lips. “It’s all been said, one way or another, by one of us or both of us.”

  “But I want you to know—”

  “I do know. No more secrets, Abby. You’ve spent your life hiding and running.” Abby lifted her head to look away, but Sarah wouldn’t let her. “I think it’s time for you to stop.” Sarah saw the tears shimmering on the brink.

  “I have stopped,” Abby whispered as she reached into the pocket of her jeans. She pulled out a small object and placed it into Sarah’s hand.

  Sarah’s face turned serious as she looked down at the plastic token. The number ninety was inscribed on both sides. “Ninety?”

  “Days sober. I’m not hiding inside of a bottle anymore.”

  There was a long, hard silence as Sarah studied the token and took in what it meant. She clasped her fingers around it and then looked into Abby’s eyes. Only then did Sarah realize what looked so different. It wasn’t that the pain was gone, but the clarity of what remained.

  “I don’t want to run and I don’t want to hide, Sarah. There is so much that I have missed because I was afraid, but I have nothing to be afraid of anymore, except losing you. I need you in my life.” A tear spilt over and ran down Abby’s cheek. “I want you in my life.”

  “We said a lot of things,” Sarah said as she brushed away the tear.

  “I’m not saying it will be easy, I’m just asking for you to give us a chance. We have something, Sarah, and I don’t want to let that go. Sarah, I need you to forgive me.”

  Sarah closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the woman she loved. “I already have, Abby; I already have.” She melted into Abby's embrace, it was a comfortable feeling that she had missed, "I love you, Abby,"

  "I love you, too," she whispered into her red hair, "Can I take you home now?"

  "I’d like nothing better."

  Epilogue

  Many Months Later

  “Would you stop fussing? The place looks great,” Abby said to Sarah as she scurried around the log home.

  “I want everything to look perfect,” she answered over her shoulder. “Not everyone’s seen the place, you know.”

  “It’s a housewarming, Sarah, not dinner with the President.”

  Coming up behind her, Sarah slid her arms around Abby’s waist. “I’d like to think that it’s more than just a housewarming,” she said as she looked down at the sparkling diamond newly placed on her finger.

  Turning around to face her, Abby smiled down. “Do you like it? I mean, really like it, because we can go and exchange it for whatever you want.”

  Taking Abby’s face into her hands, she repeated once more, “I love it.”

  “I’m glad.” Abby leaned down and kissed the side of Sarah’s cheek as her hand slid further down.

  “Hey, stop that!” Sarah playfully slapped her hand away.
<
br />   “No one’s due here for another half-hour,” Abby said in her own defense.

  “I know, but I want to make sure everything is perfect. It seems so long since I’ve seen Lincoln and Carla. I mean, I’m not the one who hops into the helicopter and goes into the city for coffee like it’s a ride to Flanagan’s.”

  Abby shot her a playful scowl as she walked over to the window. “Come here,” she said with an outstretched hand. Pulling Sarah in front of her, Abby wrapped her long arms around her and they snuggled into each other. “Are you happy?” Abby whispered into her ear.

  Sarah turned around and lifted her hand to Abby’s cheek. “Like in a dream.” She looked into dark eyes that sparkled with the magic of love. “Are you?”

  “How could I not be?” Abby responded with a smile as she leaned down and kissed her gently on the mouth. The warmth of her lips brought a surge of desire through her tall body. She wanted more as her hands played over Sarah’s body. They parted, but the wanting was still there. “They’re going to be here when?” she asked with a sly wink.

  “Would you stop?” Sarah asked, blushing.

  “Only if you want me to.” Abby dipped her head enough to look at Sarah with inviting eyes.

  “Abby...” She giggled out the name as the tall dark-haired woman pulled her backwards toward the sofa.

  “What?” She was placing tender kisses and soft caresses as they intertwined. Moans mixed with giggles, and sighs turned to wanting desire as Sarah found herself lying on top of Abby. Abby’s eyes traveled down Sarah’s face, but they stopped at the scar on her neck. With a slow hand, she reached out and fingered the fading red line. Sarah said nothing as she watched Abby’s eyes.

  “Does it hurt anymore?”

  “No,” she whispered as she watched Abby’s eyes. “Don’t do it,” she warned softly.

  Abby lifted her gaze to look at her. “Do what?”

  “Don’t start the what ifs. We both know what the therapist said.” Sarah referred to the psychiatrist they were seeing to help them deal with the past. “Go forward, Abby, and leave the past where it belongs.” Sarah watched her. With help, Abby’s nightmares were becoming more and more infrequent, but every once in a while, Sarah still saw the pain and heard the memories. “Look to the future. We have a resort to run, and by spring, Carla and Lincoln will be making you a godmother.”

  “Making us,” Abby corrected. “What about you? What about your wishes?”

  “I’ve got everything I could ever have wished for.” The corner of her mouth lifted in a smile. “I’ve a home that you built with your own two hands, and friends around me who care.” Then she added with a smile, “And a diamond ring from the woman I love.”

  They shared a kiss, a moment in time when all else was forgotten. Then there was the distant sound of a motor, and the two parted.

  “Must be them.”

  Quickly they pulled on boots and jackets, then hand-in-hand, they waited as the first set of headlights from one of the resort vehicles came into view.

  “Excited?”

  “Of course I’m excited, it’s a party,” Sarah said with a twinkle in her eye.

  “No, there’s something more than that.”

  “Maybe,” she answered with a mischievous grin as the vehicle came to a halt in their driveway.

  “It’s Nathan,” Abby said into Sarah’s ear. “He’s looking good.” The trial and the truth had taken a heavy toll on him, and at one point Abby had been gravely concerned about his health, but looking at him now, she knew that he too was learning to live again. With a quick wave, she turned to collect some firewood.

  “Uh, Abby, he’s not alone,” Sarah quickly whispered over her shoulder.

  The comment caught Abby by surprise and she turned back to see Nathan helping Mary Banks out of the car. “Well, son of a...”

  “You go, Nathan,” Sarah said, just loud enough for Abby’s ears. “Does this make her Aunt Mary?”

  Abby shot her a glance that was a weak attempt at a glare.

  ♥

  The log home was bustling with company; sounds of laughter were floating over the snowdrifts. Every time Abby’s eyes went in search of Sarah, she found the young redhead huddled next to Carla, and it didn’t take a detective to know the two were up to something.

  “Everyone, if I can have your attention, please.” Lincoln clinked a spoon on his glass. It took several moments, but the noise in the room finally hushed. “I would like to make a toast.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Abby saw Sarah come back into the room. “Where did you go?”

  “Nowhere.”

  Sarah smiled so innocently that Abby knew she was guilty of something. “I saw—”

  “Shhh, they’re toasting you,” Sarah whispered with a nudge.

  “Toasting me or roasting me?” Abby muttered.

  “It's taken a while to get everyone together and to put this past year behind us. I want to say first off, to Abby: Believe it or not, we do miss that surly attitude and sharp wicked tongue of yours in the big city. However, I do believe this country living is good for you. To fresh air and freedom... to Abby,” Lincoln said with a raised glass and the room followed suit.

  The attention was more than Abby wanted to deal with, but Sarah’s arm around her waist kept her in the center of the room.

  “And to Nathan Holoman, still one of the best damned lawyers out there,” Lincoln continued, and the room echoed his toast. “And the second best boss I’ve ever had.”

  The chuckles rippled through the room as Mary and Nathan slyly grinned at each other.

  “Now, before I let you all loose to continue this party, I do have one more thing I would like to add.” Lincoln grew serious. “In everything that’s happened over this last year, we didn’t have time to honor one of our own.” A different mood came over the room with a subtle murmur. “We were taught by him how to preserve a crime scene and we were lectured by him when it was forgotten.” There was a mumble of agreement. “Many of our cases were won, or lost, because of him, so I ask you to raise your glass to one of our own — to Hyme, the best witness on the stand. May your prints be clear and your powder dry.”

  “To Hyme,” they all said.

  Abby leaned over and pecked a quick kiss on the top of Sarah’s head, then slowly pulled her arm away. Abby moved to stand alone, waiting for their guests to quiet down. She was a little uncomfortable, but Sarah gave her a smile that told her she could do just about anything.

  “I have a few things to add myself. I promise it won’t take long, but...” As she looked around the room, she found comfort in the friendly faces and it settled her nerves enough to continue. “Needless to say, this year has been very difficult and very stressful for all those around me. I know, for the most part, I didn’t help any. In fact I...I know I added to the strain of it all, and for that I apologize to everyone.” Her gaze drifted downward to the hardwood floor, but she pulled herself together and continued. “Without the help and guidance of a few of you, I would not be who I am or where I am today. Lieutenant Banks, Mary, you put your job on the line for me. That was a pretty big gamble, and I thank you.”

  Nathan gave Mary Banks a squeeze around the waist as she nodded in acknowledgment.

  “Uncle Nathan, you mean the world to me, and I’m sorry you had to come out of retirement to save my ass, but I’m very glad you did.”

  “Hear, hear,” Sarah echoed as Abby raised her glass of mineral water to her uncle. He gave his niece a wink and a smile.

  “And I’m also sorry that I punched you in the nose.”

  Several people chuckled and a few looked around in shock at the admission.

  “Lincoln,” she said with a sigh, “I really don’t know what to say that hasn’t already been said. You quit your job to defend me, and you stood by my side even when I didn’t deserve it...” Abby’s normally strong voice cracked with emotion, and she paused to collect herself.

  Lincoln had heard enough. “That’s what partners d
o — they cover your back, even when you’re not looking.” Their eyes met and their communication was silent, but heard. “No thanks necessary. I would do it again if I had to.”

  “Believe me, you won’t have to.” The friends nodded and Abby turned to Lincoln’s very pregnant wife. “And Carla, I don’t know how to thank you for putting up with the both of us.”

  “Baby-sit — often,” Carla answered with a chuckle that was echoed by many.

  Turning away from her guests, Abby raised her glass to Sarah. “And to the woman who stole my heart one afternoon on a sunny dock,” Abby’s eyes sparkled as Sarah’s eyes began to tear. “Your strength and courage never cease to amaze me, and your compassion leaves me in awe. What happened to you—” She stopped when Sarah shook her head, warning her not to go there. Abby swallowed the lump that was quickly forming in her throat as she knew she needed to finish. “I love you beyond my own comprehension. And I look forward to waking up next to you for the next fifty years. I don’t know what else I can say to thank you for being in my life.”

  With a radiant smile and shimmering eyes, Sarah’s arms encircled Abby. “You just did,” she whispered.

  The room erupted in applause, and there were even a few hoots when Abby leaned down for a passionate kiss. “I love you,” she said as they parted.

  “I love you too, Abby,” Sarah said as she wiped away tears.

  They separated, and together turned to face their guests.

  “I don’t want you to start getting all maudlin on me, Abby. I’m not sure I can handle it.” Sarah smiled. “Besides, everybody knows that I’m only after your money.”

  Everyone laughed at that, and Lincoln couldn’t help adding, “Geez, Abby, I thought you said she was after your body.”

  When the laughter died away, people began to mill around, talking amongst themselves and enjoying the hospitality. Sarah quickly excused herself, and Abby was about to follow to see what she was up to when Lincoln’s somber face drew her attention. He had moved away from the center of the room and was looking out the front window.