Uncorked

by Rebecca Rohman

  Mitch’s cellphone rang.

  Both tried to ignore it, but as Mitch glanced at the number, the urgency in his body stalled.

  “Sweetheart, I have to get this. It’s Detective Carter.”

  “Why would he be calling at this time?”

  “That’s what I need to find out.” He answered his phone. “Detective. Yes, we’re home. What’s wrong? We’ll be there.”

  “What’s wrong?” Chella asked as he ended the call.

  “I don’t know. He says there’s a development in the case he needs to talk to us about. He prefers to do it in person.”

  “What do you think it is?”

  “No clue. I told him we’d meet him downstairs in five minutes.”

  “Did he sound serious?”

  “He did. Come on. Let’s go throw on some clothes.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this, Mitch. I’m getting a sick feeling in my stomach.”

  “Try not to worry. Let’s hear what he has to say first.”

  Minutes later, they met Detective Carter in the lobby.

  “How are you both?” he asked politely.

  “Much better, thanks.” Chella replied while shaking his hand. “Let’s go have a seat in the clubroom. We’ll have more privacy there.”

  They found a corner window table in the empty room. As they settled in, Mitch asked, “What’s going on?”

  “I’m sorry to tell you, but there was an incident this evening.”

  “What kind of an incident?” Chella asked, twiddling her thumbs.

  “Mr. Stewart was being transferred to the county jail this evening from the hospital. I’m so sorry, Ms. Noon. He evaded custody.”

  “Evaded custody?” Chella said.

  “He escaped?” Mitch said, nearly simultaneous to Chella’s question. “How could this happen?”

  “He tricked the officers who were escorting him. The details are under investigation.”

  “So you’re telling me he’s out there again, and he might come after me and possibly Mitch?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening,” Chella said, raising her hands in the air in frustration.

  “I have some more bad news,” added Detective Carter.

  “How could this possibly get worse?”

  “We searched his apartment and found a journal detailing his intent to kill both of you. The photoshopped images that were in the package that he sent you were on his computer, as well.”

  Chella’s stomach lurched. “I feel sick.”

  “I understand. The good news is this allows us to bring him up on additional charges, apart from what Ms. Marlow spoke to you about.”

  “What good are those charges if he’s out on the street, Detective?”

  “Ms. Noon, we have a warrant out for his arrest.”

  “I hope you have a crystal ball, too, because next time, we’ll be dead and it’ll be because of the police department’s negligence.” She was shaking, her fists clenched and sweaty. She knew it wasn’t Detective Carter’s fault, but he was there, across the table, his hands clenched around keys that would take him back to his safe home and safe family and she had none of that.

  “I promise, we’re doing everything we can. I’m one hundred percent committed to your case. I’m going to try my hardest to get him back behind bars as soon as possible.

  “What do you suggest we do next? Stay locked up in our homes forever?”

  “We’d like to offer you a safe house until we can make an arrest.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks,” said Mitch. “I’d rather stay here where I have complete control over our safety.”

  “If you change your mind, the offer is open,” Detective Carter replied.

  “We can’t continue like this. I have a job, and Mitch has a business to run.”

  “Have you found his accomplices?” Mitch asked.

  “No, he’s lawyered up and he’s not talking. We’re still checking your SUV for DNA evidence that might have been left behind.”

  “So there are other people out there who might try to kill us? I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry I have to go.”

  Chella thought she could handle anything Detective Carter was going to tell her, but this she was not prepared for. Silent, she left and returned to the penthouse.

  Mitch stayed with Detective Carter.

  “Mr. Mariani, I’m really sorry about this.

  “We just want to get back to some sort of normal life. Chella’s hasn’t had that in years. Yesterday, she was looking to buy her first place or sign a long-term lease—things you and I take for granted that she’s never experienced. She’s also scared. I hope you understand why she lashed out at you like that.

  “You know why I became a cop?”

  Mitch shook his head.

  “Because some jerk did to my sister what this man is doing to Ms. Noon. The only difference is that he succeeded in killing her.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thanks. Trust me when I tell you I’m committed to this case.”

  “I believe you are. Thank you.”

  “I had some other news, but under the circumstances, I wasn’t sure I should tell Ms. Noon tonight.”

  “What is it?”

  “I took a look at her parent’s accident file, and it had me suspicious. The lead detective on the case was Aaron Stewart’s older brother. Dead now. But there are things that didn’t add up, procedures that weren’t followed. I’ll try to get the case reopened, but before I can even go to my superiors with this, I have to do some digging. I need evidence to back up my suspicions.”

  “How soon do you think it will be before you get more information?”

  “Hopefully, sometime next week. I’m trying to work on both cases simultaneously.”

  “What’s the plan to recapture Aaron Stewart?”

  “It’s going to be on all the news networks for the next few nights. We’re hoping to pick him up before then. We have his old place and the homes of all known relatives and friends under surveillance, as well. Please be careful over the next few days.”

  “We will. I should get back to Chella.”

  “Let her know we’re giving this our all.”

  Mitch slightly smiled. “Do you have a family?”

  “Yes. I have a wife and a seven-year-old daughter.”

  “Thanks for coming by so late. Go. Spend some time with them.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Mariani.”

  “Does the indictment go on as planned?”

  “Sure does. See you tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Detective. Have a good night.”

  Mitch found Chella on the veranda.

  Circling his arms around her from behind, he said, “Sweetheart, I promise you, I won’t let him get near you. Ever.”

  “Just when I thought I could breathe, this happens. I can’t believe they let him escape.”

  “Chella, try not to worry.”

  “It’s so much more than me now. It’s you and your family, too. He made it clear to me you weren’t off limits.”

  “I’ll take measures to make sure they’re safe. Try not to worry.”

  “Can you imagine what you mother will say when she finds out about this?”

  “I have no intention of telling her anything. I’ll have guards monitor them from a distance. I don’t want them knowing about this any more than you do.”

  “I’m sorry I brought all this into your life.”

  “I’m not. I want you in my life. I want to help you through this. Don’t apologize for any of this.”

  “I don’t know if you will ever understand how this makes me feel.”

  “I understand how you feel. We’re just beyond that.”

  “So what happens next?”

  “The story and his face will be on the news the next couple of nights and the homes of his family and friends are under surveillance. They’re hoping that he either shows up, or they get a tip from the new
s.”

  “I’m just so tired of this,” she said sighing, turning around to face him.

  “I know, Sweetheart, but Detective Carter is going to get this sorted out.”

  “I was too hard on him, wasn’t I?”

  “A little, but he understands.”

  “I should call him to apologize.”

  “You’ll see him tomorrow.”

  Two hours after the grand jury indictment, Samantha Marlow called to give them the news: Aaron Stewart had been indicted on all counts. Now, they just needed to find him and put him behind bars for good.

  Chella awoke from an afternoon nap and entered Mitch’s great room. She heard Mitch talking on the phone in his study. She took a quick peek and observed him as he sat, chair turned away from the door, phone to his ear. His hair was wet, he had just showered. Chella lifted her hand to knock.

  “Tell her I’m not interested. I can’t have this situation come back up, especially now that Chella’s in my life.”

  Chella’s hand stalled before it made contact with the door. Her fingers clenched into a fist. She had no clue what he was talking about, but a secret from her could not be good. She thought they were beyond this, especially since her finding out about Emily. Now this. After he had promised her he would not keep secrets from her, the words she had just heard left her very displeased.

  “Things are complicated enough as it is. I have no interest in these women complicating things further for me.”

  Chapter Seven

  “What women?” Chella asked after Mitch had put down the phone.

  “Chella, it’s nothing you need to worry about.”

  “You’re keeping something from me that involve other women, and it’s nothing? I specifically asked you when we started seeing each other if there were any women in your life I needed to be concerned about, and you said no.”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “Why don’t you enlighten me?”

  He sighed, his glare piercing then stood and brushed past her.

  “This is not something I can talk to you about right now.”

  “Why? According to you it would complicate things for us, but you don’t want to tell me what it is,” she said, following him into the kitchen.

  “It would complicate things for me, not us.”

  “You’re smarter than that. Whatever affects you affects me and vice-versa.”

  “This involves other people and things I can’t talk about yet.”

  “I get it. This trust thing between us is one-sided. I’m supposed to share with you my deepest fears and thoughts, but you get to keep everything to yourself.”

  “That’s not how it is.”

  “Really? First you lie to me about other women in your life, and then you tell me you can’t trust me.”

  “I never lied to you about anything.”

  “Mitch if things in this relationship are one-sided then what’s the point?”

  He stopped what he was doing in the kitchen and walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Chella, I’m asking you to please trust me.”

  “Mitch, how do you think it makes me feel to know we’re in a relationship and you don’t trust me?”

  “I do trust you. This involves very sensitive information about other people, and I have to think carefully about how I handle things first before I say anything. Trust me, please.”

  “The last time someone said that to me, we all know how that ended,” she said, pulling away from him.

  “Don’t you dare compare me to that psychotic bastard.”

  “Fine. I guess I have no choice, do I? I’m going to get some work done.” She walked into the guest room and slammed the door behind her.

  So much of this relationship business was new to Chella. Was this normal? Did she have the right to be upset? Should she just do as he asked and trust him? All she knew was how awful it felt, and she wasn’t sure what would fix it.

  She preoccupied her mind with work. Her meeting with the bands’ managers the following Monday would be a problem if Aaron was still MIA. She worked past darkness. When she finally glanced at her watch, she realized it was nearly eleven o’clock. She couldn’t believe how much time had gone by. In the great room, Mitch lay asleep on the couch. The TV was still flickering.

  Chella regretted comparing him to Aaron. She knew he didn’t deserve that, but she was hurt he didn’t trust enough to tell her what was going on. For the first time, she realized how her secrets must have impacted everyone in her life all these years. She was getting a dose of her own medicine.

  She sat before him on the thick plush rug. A few locks of hair draped over his forehead, and she gently pushed them away. She was thankful for him. She appreciated him. No one in her adult life had been as many things to her as he had. If he asked her to trust him, perhaps she would. For now, she had some making-up to do. She traced her finger along his profile until he opened his eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He slowly sat up and glanced at his watch. “How long have you been sitting there?”

  “A few minutes. I wanted to tell you I’m sorry. I know better than to compare you to him.”

  He blinked the sleep from his eyes. “Why did you say it?”

  “It hurts me that you won’t talk to me about what’s going on. I was angry because the unknown scares me. Mitch, you know everything about me. You not confiding in me really bothers me.”

  “I’ll tell you, just not now. Trust me.”

  “Fine. I will,” she replied quietly.

  “What changed your mind?”

  “You’ve been there for me like no one ever has.”

  He smiled softly.

  “So am I forgiven?” she asked, batting her eyes.

  “I can’t stay mad at you.”

  She crawled into his lap and straddled him as he sat on the couch.

  “I like you,” she said, looking into his green eyes then kissing his neck.

  “I like you, too,” he replied and kissed her lightly on the lips.

  The following Saturday, after a lazy morning in bed watching television, Mitch said, “I’ve been meaning to tell you something, but it’s been crazy the last few days.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s highly possible your parent’s case will be reopened.”

  “Really? How do you know?”

  “Detective Carter told me the last time he visited. He found discrepancies. Aaron’s older brother was the lead detective on the case.”

  “What? I didn’t know his brother was a police officer,” Chella exclaimed, massaging the throbbing in her forehead with her thumb and index fingers. “Just the thought of this is giving me a headache.”

  “His brother is dead now, but he didn’t follow procedure, and there are enough holes in the case to make Detective Carter suspicious. He’s looking for evidence before he takes it to his superiors.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Keep your fingers crossed that you’ll get the answers you’re looking for.”

  “How soon?”

  “Next week, maybe? Hopefully, he’ll get the case reopened by then.”

  “That’s unbelievable. All these years I thought my parents died as a result of a normal car cash. Bad judgment on the part of some man. More and more, it’s looking like Aaron had something to do with their deaths.”

  Mitch and Chella spent the rest of the weekend at the penthouse—not that they had much choice. There was no shortage of work for either of them to do. After finishing her proposal late Saturday afternoon, she helped Mitch unpack the rest of the things from his move. It was a nice opportunity for him to show her pictures of Emily and a few with other family and friends.

  “I’m trying to figure out what to do tomorrow,” said Chella. “I have a meeting with these two band managers. I’m not sure if I should head to the office or meet them at a restaurant. What do you think?”

  “Have them over here. Meet
them in the clubroom.”

  “You don’t think that’s a little too close to home?”

  “I prefer it to alternative. I have no control over the elements out there.”

  “Okay. I’ll have Jade arrange to have them meet me at this address. I won’t even let her know that’s where we live.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’m more comfortable with that than you heading out.”

  When Chella returned upstairs from her meeting Monday afternoon, Mitch looked at her and smiled.

  “Not that I’m complaining, but what’s with the big smile?” she asked.

  “Detective Carter called while you were in your meeting. Aaron has been arrested.”

  “Really?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “It’s all over the news. He was found trying to cross the border into Mexico.”

  “Is he in jail?”

  “Yes. He’s being held in a maximum-security detention center until the trial. It’s over, Sweetheart.”

  “So we can go to work now? And go for drives and walks again?”

  “Yep.”

  “You have no idea how relieved I am.”

  “Oh, yes I do. Slip into something sexy. I’m dying to get out of this place and take you to dinner.”

  A couple of weeks later, after her weekly meeting with her promotions managers, Chella decided to take the rest of the day off to go shopping. She wanted to do something special for Mitch, to thank him for his understanding while she was working on the promotion and his immense support over the past few months.

  After a long search, she settled on a silver pocket compass from Tiffany’s and had his initials engraved on it. She stopped at a pastry shop and picked up drinks and an array of goodies for a picnic she wanted to surprise Mitch with at his office.

  She had never been inside the building before, aside from the night Aaron vandalized the entrance. When the receptionist greeted her by name, Chella was surprised she knew who she was and immediately allowed her to go to his office on the second floor. The office was professionally decorated with sleek, contemporary lines in slate blues and a few rust-colored accents.

  An older woman in her mid-fifties greeted Chella at the top of the steps, introducing herself as Greta, Mitch’s secretary. Chella had frequently spoken to her on the phone, but they had never met in person.