by Ursula Dukes
Once she accepted the job offer, she contacted a realtor who was more than happy to show her some properties. Most had been way out of her price range. Even though Stephen wasn’t an agent, his job had allowed them to live quite comfortably.
They had been married for nine years and every day she could feel their marriage getting stronger and stronger. But that was all gone now, someone had taken that away. She knew now that with it being just her, she would have to get something much more cheaper, and with the job she just landed at the law firm as a file clerk, she knew that whatever she found was going to have to be something incredibly cheap.
Thanks to an online search, Dominique found a one bedroom brownstone for rent, and when the realtor showed her the brownstone in Boston’s south end, she was sure that Dominique would not find it to her liking and suggest seeing something more upscale. At first Dominique was taken aback by the small size and location of the place because for a moment she had forgotten that she was all alone now. The place would suit her just fine. She’d even gone ahead and filled out an application. “Don’t you want to see the other properties I have scheduled for us to look at?” The realtor was surprised at Dominique’s somewhat hasty decision.
“No, this will be just fine,” she said running her hand over the mantle of the fire place.
“Okay, but keep in mind that this is not the best of neighborhoods Mrs. Greenway.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that and it’s Miss Foster now, I’ve gone back to my maiden name,” Dominique shuddered and fought back tears as she realized it was the first time she had said it out loud.
It had been quite easy for Jonathan Caruso to find out about Dominique. He was after all a well-known attorney who had handled some very high profile cases in Boston. So when he asked his private investigator to do some digging it didn’t take long for him to find out that Dominique was now the widow of a gov’t employee. Her husband had worked for the Boston Division of the FBI At first Jonathan was alarmed at finding this out but his investigator put his mind at ease once he informed him that Stephen Greenway held a position as an intelligence analyst, a non-agent position. For almost two years Jonathan had her watched and for two years it’s been a walk in the park. Especially after the police all but gave up trying to find out who killed her husband and son.
“Now can I come back Dad?” his son Brandon had asked during one of their telephone conversations. Jonathan was hesitant at first, but after listening to Brandon beg and plead and tell him how he’s changed and things will be much better as he’d like to get into his father’s law firm and do good, Jonathan couldn't resist. He gave his son the okay to come home.
When Jonathan's investigator alerted him to the fact that Dominique had actually gone to his firm for a job interview, Jonathan made sure that she was hired for the clerical position, and no one dared question Attorney Caruso. This will be the perfect opportunity for me to keep a much closer eye on her, and since she's gone back to using her maiden name, no one will know who she really is. I don’t want to have to hurt her but I will if things get out of hand and she finds out. He thought to himself as he left his office for the day.
Dominique had spent all night packing, today was moving day and she did not want to forget a thing, I want no reason to have to come back here, she thought to herself as she made one last check around the house. She was leaving most of her furniture behind, and selling the house as is. She had told the realtor that once the house sold, she would conclude all business through fax or mail, she did not want to return to the house under any circumstances. “If I am starting a new I want to really start a new,” she told her good friend Pam as they were taping up boxes one night. She had packed a small box of photos and mementos’ to bring with her and everything else she had either donated or put in storage, “I'd rather pay a storage fee than deal with it all,” she told her friend.
The day was going to be a gorgeous one as the sun was already shining brightly on the September morning. By the time the movers arrived, Dominique was enjoying one last cup of coffee with Pam and Rob.
“Oh Dominique I hope you know what you’re doing, Boston isn’t the same as New Hampshire,” exclaimed Pam.
“I do know what I’m doing Pam and I’m counting on Boston being a hell of a lot different!” Dominique said without hesitation. “This is definitely going to be good for me Pam; I have to do this because you and I know that if I don't, and I stay here, I’ll go crazy.”
“But Dom, you won’t know a soul there; you’ll be all alone in that big city.”
“Well then, I guess you guys are going to have to come visit me often.” Dominique glanced at Robert while giving her friend a reassuring hug. “Trust me Pam, I need to do this and if for some strange reason, things don’t work out I can always come back right?”
“Absolutely,” cried Pam.
Dominique knew that she had only made that last comment to her friend solely for her benefit; she knew that there was no way, whether things worked out or not that she would return. She had told her boys that she was leaving during one of her trips to the cemetery. While she dug tiny holes and planted perennials, she told them that she had to leave; she couldn’t stand the memory of how much they must have suffered.
Even though she had gone through months of therapy, she could not stop thinking about those moments before and after the accident and what they must have gone through. She believed that the moment the accident happened was the same moment that she was mysteriously awakened from her deep sleep.
“You were passing over then weren’t you boys?” She whispered to the granite headstones. Although Dominique wasn’t sure if the bad memories would fade once she left New Hampshire, she was more than willing to give it a try. With her own parents having passed some eleven years ago, she had no other close family to speak of and Stephen's family had tried to keep in touch, but after a year, the phone calls became less and less. It seemed like she was the only one intent on finding her husband and son's killers.
“It could turn out to be very dangerous for you Dominique, but I believe that if you tell only those that you need to tell who you really are, then you can pull this off,” Rob had told her one night in private when she was over for dinner. Neither one wanted Pam to know what was going on. “The less she knows the better,” Rob had told Dominique and she had agreed.
“Thanks for your concern Rob but things can only get dangerous for those who have something to lose and we both know that I have absolutely nothing to lose and I’m not afraid.”
“Trucks all loaded and ready to go ma’am,” said the husky mover wiping sweat off of his face.
“Great, I’ll be right with you gentleman,” she said as she handed them bottled water.
“Well I guess this is it,” Dominique said turning to her friends and taking each one’s hand in hers.
“You have my new address and my cell hasn’t changed so feel free to call or text or come on down to visit anytime you like. Now no tears Pam, we promised, it’s just too much here for me now so let’s just say see ya and leave it at that, I’m not ready for a goodbye and you shouldn't be either.”
Pam swallowed her tears as she hugged and kissed her friend.
“See ya Dominique and call us when you get there!” They both chimed in.
“See ya, I will,” said Dominique as she climbed into the packed Volvo. And after taking one last look at her friends standing in front of the house that she, Stephen and Teddy shared, put the car in reverse and backed slowly out of the driveway.
As he got onto the elevator and made his way to the penthouse that his family called home for ten months out of the year, Adam was anxious to see his older brother Brandon. It had been years since he’d seen his brother. Adam had taken the trip to Italy a year ago, not only to check on his brother but to have a short vacation as well.
They had a wonderful time spending most of it with family and old friends. Now Brandon was on his way home, and Adam hoped that the relationship between
Brandon and his father would be less strained given the amount of time they had spent apart. He knew that his father, Jonathan Caruso, did not accept the fact that Brandon was not at all interested in pursuing a career in law.
Brandon chose to be on the law alright, but it just so happened that it was on the wrong side of it and he made sure that no matter what wrong thing he did, he told those who caught him exactly who his father was and that pretty much earned him a free walk.
Adam often wondered exactly what his brother did that warranted him a two year sabbatical in Italy. Neither Brandon nor his father would tell him when he asked about the strange circumstances surrounding his brother’s two year hiatus. Especially since Brandon was not only the most undeserving of a trip to Italy, but he also hated it and had no issues saying so. Had to have been something that would tarnish the family name, thought Adam as he headed into the family room.
Adam greeted his mother and father while pouring a drink and settled down beside his mother on the sofa. Adam decided again to ask his father why he sent his brother away so hastily.
“So tell me again Dad why was it that you sent Brandon away in the first place?”
Jonathan looked at his son sternly before replying.
“I sent him away because he asked me to son, now why do you keep pressing the issue? Why not just drop it?”
“What difference does it make anyway? He’s on his way home and that’s all that matters,” said Muriel as she got up and began pacing the room. There was no denying the fact that she was excited to see her oldest son.
Not wanting to upset his mother on this happy occasion, Adam decided to keep his mouth shut. The first chance they were alone, he was going to press his brother for more answers. Something is going on and I have every intention of finding out what it is, he thought to himself as he noticed his father averting his glare.
Almost three hours after they had left her home in New Hampshire, Dominique and the movers arrived at her new brownstone in Boston. Dominique had to admit that she was a bit excited at the prospect of moving into a new place and starting a new job. It took me almost two years to get here but I’m here, she thought as she unlocked the door to her new home.
Brandon felt good as he got off the plane and into the car his father had sent for him. Although he was glad for the car and driver, he couldn’t wait to get home and get behind his own set of wheels. His father had gotten rid of the Escalade the very night that Brandon had killed Stephen and Teddy. He claimed that it held too much evidence. When Brandon protested, Jonathan angrily replied, “Unless you want to drive it to the police station and explain to them how you got into a little fender bender and took the lives of a father and son, I suggest you learn to live without it.” Brandon knew that getting rid of the car was the right thing to do and besides, his father had recently purchased a brand new Cadillac sedan for him.
“You kill anyone else son and you’re on your own.” Was the only comment his father had told him during their conversation before his flight back to the states. Brandon told his father that he had changed, that he wanted in on the family business. He knew he couldn’t be a lawyer without a law degree, but his dad had assured him that he would find something at the firm for him to do, something legal, something that would keep him out of trouble.
Brandon knew it wouldn’t last long, he’d work at the firm for a while but sooner or later the urge to run with Nick and his old crowd of gangsters would get the better of him and he’d slip into his old ways. I’ll just have to be more careful, he thought to himself as the driver pulled up in front of the penthouse.
The cost of moving had turned out to be a very expensive one as Dominique handed out cash tips to the three movers. But it will all be worth it in the end, she told herself. She already felt a weight off of her shoulders while she began to unpack. A few hours later, her bedroom was furnished and decorated; the living room however was still loaded with boxes and bags strewn about. “Time for a break,” she said as she grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
Chapter Six
The South end of Boston was buzzing with people and noises, both were something Dominique was not used to. Directly across the street from her new home, was a beautiful green surrounded by a wrought iron fence. Several benches lined the area which seemed to stretch the entire block. The full trees where just beginning to turn into vibrant colors of yellow, red and orange. Fall was still her favorite time of year, even though it meant the anniversary of her boy’s death would soon be upon her, she couldn’t help but marvel at the way mother nature seemed to shove beauty in her face no matter how much she tried to ignore it.
As she strolled down Columbus ave. Dominique could not help but follow the wonderful scents that seemed to be flowing from every direction. Scents that made her feel as if she were in a far more exotic place than Boston. A foreign country maybe, but not Boston. I think I am going to enjoy living here, she thought to herself as she took in the sites.
Hunger over took her as she got a wonderful whiff of something delicious, she wasn’t sure if it was pizza or Chinese food but she wanted either as she realized she hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Following the smell, she found herself at an outdoor bistro and grabbed a seat. She was not disappointed when the waiter informed her that they neither served pizza or Chinese food.
Instead she ordered a bistro burger and sweet potato fries. While she waited for her food, Dominique sipped her glass of wine and took in the views of the city. From where she was sitting she had a wonderful view of the many shops and homes that surrounded her. It seemed that everything she needed was well within walking distance and if the traffic proved to be too much, she might very well leave her car in a parking garage and take the bus to work.
Dominique was no stranger to eating alone but for some reason she felt as if she weren’t alone, it was as if she was surrounded by people. Of course she was, but this was a different kind of feeling, a feeling like she belonged and she liked it. Yes, this all seems to be just what I needed, she thought to herself as she drank wine and ate her meal.
“Now that I’ve got you alone Brandon, I was wondering if we could have a little talk?”
Adam said, as he casually led them to privacy out onto the balcony.
“What’s up?” Brandon asked, while lighting a cigarette.
Brandon, something has been bothering me for a long time now and I was hoping that maybe you could help clear it up.”
“I’ll try my best little brother,” said Brandon taking a long drag of his cigarette.
Moving closer to his brother, Adam came out with his question.
“Brandon just what exactly did you do to make dad send you to Italy for almost two years?”
Chuckling nervously, Brandon tried to think of a reasonable excuse, an excuse that would satisfy his brother and make him stop asking questions, questions that he knew would get them both into trouble.
“Well goddamn Adam, you jealous that dad finally paid some attention to me? Don’t worry, dad loves you more, he always has. Sounds like you’re bored Adam, maybe you need to get back together with your girlfriend huh? What was her name again? Oh Renee, that's right. Renee needs to keep you occupied!”
“It has nothing to do with that Brandon and you know it! I want to know why dad choose to send you away, far away and for not one, but two years. I mean you don’t even like Italy so why in god’s name did he send you there huh? What is it Brandon, did you kill somebody or did you witness some kind of horrific crime?” He asked staring intently at him.
“Adam, that’s enough! His father interrupted and stood between his two sons.
“Now I sent Brandon to Italy simply because I was worried about your grandparents, we don’t get out there much to see them and you and I are too busy with work so sending Brandon seemed to be the likely alternative. Now I don’t want you pestering your brother about it any longer, do you hear me? Now come into the family room, your mother’s had dessert brought in from Mistral’s.” Ada
m was no more satisfied with that answer as he was with the explanation that his brother had so obviously fished around for. I’m going to find out what my brother did, Adam thought to himself as he headed inside.
Dominique spent Sunday unpacking and getting ready for the first day at her new job. The more she unpacked, the more she warmed up to the brownstone with its cozy fireplace, hardwood floors, and large private deck that she was sure would turn out to be her favorite spot. I should go and buy some plants to decorate it she told herself, but not tonight, it’s getting late and I want to take a nice hot bath before bed.
As she lay in the hot tub soaking, a Yankee candle filled the room with the scent of warm vanilla. Its shadows danced upon the ceramic walls while Andréa Bocelli played softly in the back ground. Dominique let her thoughts take her to the last time that Stephen had made love to her, it was a few days before he was killed, and it had been so spontaneous and wild, it made her head spin. “Two years and I still miss your kisses,” she said to the dancing shadows as she caressed her skin. “The way you used to touch me,” she said. “Like I was the most precious thing in the world to you.” Dominique’s body went into spasms as she let the tears fall from her eyes. Even though the steam was still rising from the tub, it did nothing to soothe her body. She sat in the tub soaking and sobbing until it turned cold.
“Great, just great Dominique, your first day of work at a new job and you decide to have a nervous breakdown in the bathtub all night and now wake up looking like something from dawn of the dead,” she said to herself as she looked into the mirror. “Oh well nothing I can do but squirt some visine into my eyes and hope for the best.” She murmured to herself.
Dominique wanted to look her very best for her first day at the law firm. She was lucky that Rob had landed her the job. She had to admit, she was excited to be working among lawyers and the like, plus she would get her own office. “All those lawyers running around dressed in their suits looking sexy, you’ll have them all chasing you around Dominique, of this I am sure,” Pam had told her. Pam thought it was time for Dominique to find a love interest, “At least have some hot sex!” She’d told her one night when they had too much wine.