by William Cain
At their next break, Madison excuses herself, explaining she wants to stretch her legs. Nancy offers to go with her, and the two women set out.
“I’d like to see what lies behind your fence, Nancy.”
“Come on, then,” Nancy says, pulling her to a small gate in the rear.
As they walk through it, Madison knows where she’s headed. Still, to hide her intentions, she takes a circuitous route. When she arrives at the spot she believes the person was standing in, she stops.
“What a view!” Madison exclaims. As Nancy surveys the lands beyond, Madison looks down, finding what she expects.
The underbrush was trampled. It confirms to her that someone was there.
Damn.
9
Women love us for our defects. If we have enough of them, they will forgive us everything, even our gigantic intellects. Oscar Wilde
“Hi Roger, this is Captain Henson, Gen’s friend,” Addie says in greeting. She hopes he remembers her. They last spoke a couple of weeks or so ago, but he’s a busy guy and their conversation was brief.
“Of course, Captain. Did you get your man?” he answers, referring to Madison. He used her cell phone to find her in Las Cruces, the techno-nerd that he is. He has a lot of resources and friends, and digging deep is his way of life.
Addie is embarrassed when she answers, “Yes, but they got away.”
“Ouch. That must have hurt,” he adds.
“You said it. Now I need to find them again.”
“Triangulation? I would assume she figured out how we did it and she’ll be spoofing her number going forward,” he warns.
“Not this time. This time someone will lead me to her,” Addie tells him, her mind clicking away. Her plans are formulating on the go and she needs Roger’s help. She has other ways, but this way is best.
“What are you thinking?” he asks.
“In a day or two, a certain someone will be fed enough information to find them. I need to know where he goes. You, and your friends, I’ll treat as private investigators. How you track him is up to you. The whole operation should last less than a week.”
“Piece of cake, captain. Who is he and where is he?”
“His name is John Paulson and he’s being held in our jail here in Asheville. His inmate number is 7638958.”
“Consider it done.”
“You’ll check in with me every day? That’s the way I want it. And I want to pay you myself this time,” she tells him.
“Sure. I use bitcoin. Do you want to know how we’ll do it?” He asks.
There is a short pause. “You’re breaking up,” she lies. “Thanks Roger. Later,” and she closes the call.
◆◆◆
When John Paulson looks up, he sees Captain Henson standing before him, chart in hand. He assumes she’s there to interrogate him again. She sure has a lot of questions. He knows she’s concerned about him reconnecting with his son Frank after all these years. What she’s been doing with these surprise question and answer sessions is making it clear that she doesn’t want him around. She’s going to try and put him away. He’s still incarcerated in Asheville. It’s called the Tombs, and it feels dark and damp, a musty smell lingering inside. He can’t wait to get out – if he does get out.
There’s no sense in trying to be her friend. She doesn’t like him. His past is catching up with him now, and it’s not pretty. He was abusive for much of his adult life, which explains why Reggi took the kids away from him and fled four decades ago. The two of them fought all the time.
Despondently, he greets Addie, knowing he’s in for another long Q&A meeting with Addie driving her points home. Her terse look scares him a little. She’s in control, unafraid, and not intimidated. He’s lost the will to fight back anyway. He’s old and tired and just wants a quiet life, what he has left of it. He’d like to be Frank’s dad again and he thinks Frank wants that, too. But he can’t fight her for him, and she won’t let him in easily.
It's what she says first that makes his eyes widen. Behind those eyes lie a small spark of the good in him he still has. He’s been cultivating a new way of life for some time now, far from the man he used to be. He hopes she sees it.
He's greatly surprised to hear what she came for. She came for him.
“John Paulson. You are being released today. Get your things and I’ll be back in ten.”
His mouth falls open, watching her walk away on the other side of the bars, which are now open. She came for him herself. Maybe things will be different. A glimmer of hope renews his energy and hopes for the future. Maybe things will begin to fall his way, and he reminds himself to be on his best behavior should that begin to happen. No mistakes this time. He also reminds himself to hide his eagerness, since he doesn’t want to appear wanting or full of expectations.
He hurriedly gathers his personal belongings, which don’t amount to much since most were confiscated when he arrived. But he has his personal medications and glasses, and a couple of books Frank brought him. He was even visited by his daughter Charlotte, but not by Megan. Charlotte’s still afraid of him, and he understands. Megan won’t forgive him, or just doesn’t want to be bothered. He doesn’t know which. And he doesn’t know which hurts more.
Within minutes he’s ready, waiting patiently for Addie’s return. He hears footsteps. He’s a good observer. Having watched how Addie walks, he knows the approaching footfalls are hers and she reappears.
“Ready? Let’s walk over to the property clerk so you can retrieve your things. I’ll bet you’re itching to get out of that jumpsuit and into your clothes. Bring your voucher, please.”
He nods and finds it odd that she’s here to release him herself. He’s naturally suspicious but walks side by side with her as they leave the complex down under, arriving at the clerk’s office. Having received his belongings, it’s a short trip to a changing room and he emerges a new man. Ready for what’s next. He’s unsure as they leave the building through the heavy doors, into the sunny day. The air is fresh, and he breathes deeply.
Addie is standing with him. They look at each other, under the blue, blue sky above. Addie, in her casual departmental fatigues, and John with his polo shirt and baggy pants. He opens his mouth to speak, to break this awkward moment, unsure of what to say. Addie stops him.
“I regret having arrested you, John. I thought you were my man. DNA has cleared you as I knew it would. I’m sorry.”
John is touched and he reaches for Addie’s shoulder, pulling her to him. “Thank you, Addie.”
It’s all he says. It’s all he has to say. The two of them remain like that for a moment or two, and she doesn’t pull away. Maybe everything will get better, he thinks. It’s about time something went my way.
When they separate, Addie looks the other way, toward her stationhouse, and away from John. She doesn’t want him to see the welling tears in her eyes. She decided to stop being a hard-ass with Frank’s father. It’s what Frank wants, and John didn’t commit any crime anyway. Maybe Frank’s right, that he’s not the man he once was.
After a while, when she’s regained her composure, she turns back and asks, “Will you come with me? I need to stop inside my stationhouse. Then I can take you home. Frank will be surprised to see you. We have an extra room at home. It’s for you while you’re here.”
She leads him across the street, and they enter the departmental building, heading upstairs. She offers to use the elevators, but he wants the exercise, and they take the stairs. She shows him to her office, gesturing to a seat beside her desk while she makes a couple of calls.
She remembers the ‘rope’ she referred to when speaking with the commissioner. It’s time. Her last call is in-house. After making small talk, she tells John there’s a short meeting, and to make himself at home. It won’t be long. Leaving, the door remains open, with John watching her walk away between desks of busy officers. None are looking at him as he takes in the belongings in her office. His eyes fall onto a folder on her desk. I
t’s labeled ‘Case File Madison Bouknight’.
His desire to find Madison and Reggi is too strong to resist. He needs to return to his ‘mission’ to protect the women. It’s his last hurrah before the sickness eats away the remainder of his life. If it’s the last thing he ever does, he wants to leave this world having done good, to make up for all the bad. If he can do his best to keep them safe, he can die a happy man.
Casually glancing at the officers outside Addie’s door, he finds himself alone. No one is paying attention to him. He flips the folder open. On top, where Addie left it the other day, is a grainy photo. The image is a close-up of a man, his face perfectly framed. Below it is written: ‘Greg, Madison’s handler in the Underground, women’s shelter, Asheville, Atlanta’.
John has what he needs. If he can find this man ‘Greg’ he knows he’ll find the women. His work will go on. He studies the image and the caption, forcing himself to remember every detail of the profile of the man. Once he closes the folder, he’ll need to remember. This is a one-time deal. This is his one chance. He won’t get another. Satisfied that he is ready, he closes the folder and waits for Addie’s return.
When she makes her appearance, later, she rounds up John and his belongings. “Let’s go, John. I’m famished and I know Frank will want to see you.”
Happily, John stands and they begin walking through the desks toward the elevator bank. Addie sees an officer to her right and slightly behind holding the thumbs-up sign. It’s what she’s expecting.
Now she knows John has enough, has what he needs to find the girls. He’s been given his ‘rope’. Roger should have done his part. If so, Addie will capture the women within a week. She’s beaming. John notices it and it lightens his mood even more, thinking she’s happy to be with him.
Oddly, she is happy to have him with her. He’s Frank’s long, lost father.
And, he’s going to help her find the girls.
What a guy.
10
Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues. Napoleon Bonaparte
Addie can hear the two men talking in the other room. She could eavesdrop, but doesn’t. This is Frank’s time with his father – his natural father. Frank only knew one man as his dad. That would be Joe, Reggi’s deceased husband. Joe raised the three kids after marrying Reggi. John Paulson was no longer involved, having lost his parental rights. Joe adopted the three children, and that brought John’s story as a dad to an unpleasant end.
Now, Paulson is back, and Frank wants to know him better. From what she can hear, muffled as it is, there are no moments of silence, no gaps to fill, as each carries on with excited banter. Both men like talking about their past, bringing the other up to date. Sounds legitimate to Addie, so she resumes preparing dinner, humming to herself and drinking chardonnay. She has to be careful. Frank told her that he could always tell how much she drank by how salty the food was. He’s a cad, that one she muses, taking a sip or two.
As the men’s conversation continues, Addie’s wondering if she should feel bad about using John to find the women. Then, as if a light has been turned on, she realizes she doesn’t. John wants to find them. She gave him plenty of inside info to do just that. She’ll follow John and do the same. He wins, she wins. And Reggi loses. Madison is misguided. If she doesn’t think Reggi is seriously ill, mentally, then she is fooling herself. Madison will end up doing some time, probably in a minimum-security prison. No good deed goes unpunished, and Addie, with her new task force, will make sure punishment is served in heaps.
If Addie could, she’d also find a way to bring pain to the Underworld, the Battered Women’s Network. They’ve gotten in the way for the last time. Her reluctance to bring damage to their door is a selfish one, though. They do good for so many people. The problem with fighting the Underground is their mission – to help. No one person in the Network knows too much. Two members of the Underground could pass each other on the street and never know it. Making the Underground suffer is last on Addie’s list. She just doesn’t know what to do with them. But, if there is an Almighty, then one day her opportunity will arrive, and the undertaking will be made clear. Right now, she must focus on Madison and Reggi.
She looks at her wine glass and holds it up higher, examining its contents. It’s nearly empty. She hopes the food’s not too salty as she makes her finishing touches, planning to call the men to the table soon.
In the living room, Frank retakes his seat beside John, holding a photo album. It must be forty years old, and he begins to go through it. John is seated next to him and tells him, “I remember a lot of this. Like that one, there. Your graduation from high school.”
When John sees Frank’s quizzical look, he explains, “Frank, you three were my children. I know I lost you, but I wanted to see you grow up. I knew where the three of you lived. I knew where you moved to as you grew older and were doing better, getting bigger homes, buying nicer cars. I wasn’t there all the time, but I saw a lot. After I stopped drinking, I started a business and it went pretty well.”
He can see Frank doesn’t believe him. “I almost laughed out loud when you tripped walking up the stairs to get your diploma.”
Now Frank does believe. His expression softens and he’s silent for a moment. Then he looks up and asks, “Why haven’t you called or written?”
“You had a new Dad. Reggi didn’t want me around. Listen, I’m sorry for all those years. I was drunk a lot, and pretty much abused your mom. I knew I was going to begin abusing you kids, too.”
John sees that Frank is hurt; his head hung in thought about the lost years. “It was the right thing to do, Frank. Hey, I hear Addie calling us. It’s dinnertime.”
◆◆◆
The next morning, Frank and Addie find John in the living room, his small bag packed. Frank is disappointed, but understands they all have their own lives to lead.
John doesn’t want to lie to Frank or Addie, so he tells them both, “I have some things to do. But I promise to return soon. Maybe I’ll rent a small apartment nearby and we can get to know each other more and more. Time marches on, and I promise to come back in a week or two.”
Frank begins to protest, “We’d like you to stay here. This is your home, too.”
Addie doesn’t stop Frank, and is OK with having John around, but she’s relieved to hear John’s response.
“It’s best if we have our own separate spaces, Frank. Now, I’m very grateful how everything has turned out. And, Addie, I hope you find Reggi and Madison safe, and that you bring them back. I really do.”
He kisses Addie on her cheek as he makes his goodbyes. She’s smiling and inwardly thinking, Oh, I’ll find them alright.
Shaking Frank’s hand, followed by a brief hug between the two men, John opens the door and steps out to a waiting car. Turning, he waves, takes his seat inside, and they drive off. Frank watches the car fade into the distance, turn a corner, and disappear.
Addie is looking at him. When he notices, he smiles and asks, “What? Can’t a guy see his old man off?”
Addie returns his sheepish grin. “Sure.”
Turning, they place their arms around each other and step inside the apartment, closing the front door.
Addie is expecting a call from Roger within a few days. Then she’ll know where John is, close to the girls. The task force will receive its marching orders and within forty-eight hours the arrests will have been made.
Looking over to her husband, Addie knows she can’t tell Frank any of this. She’s not sure if she ever can. If she could, she would. She doesn’t think he’d object, and his opinions do matter. But he’s a civilian. Divulging operational movements and intentions is a no-no.
She thinks back to John again.
He’s her golden key.
◆◆◆
The driver pulls up to a Marriott Residence Inn and Paulson steps out. When he begins walking to the entrance, the driver pulls away. At the front desk, his reservation is ready, and h
e heads to his room. He’s glad Frank or Addie didn’t press him about where he was going. He’s made a cardinal rule out of not lying to people he cares about, and if they did press him … well, he’d have to say he doesn’t want to tell them. That sounds a little cagy and paints him poorly. He’s glad it didn’t get to that.
It's early yet, and he mentally prepares himself. The grainy image of Greg is burned into his brain. He remembers the writing on the image of the women’s shelter’s two locations. One in Asheville, one in Atlanta. He hopes he doesn’t have to go to Atlanta to find Greg. John knows he himself isn’t a poor man, but also knows it can be draining trying to find someone. He’s hoping to catch a break or two. He finds the address of the women’s shelter nearby and tucks it away. He’ll start there.
As for the Underground, that was a shock. So, this is who’s helping Madison and Reggi, he reflects. That must have ticked Addie off, big time. To Paulson, though, it makes his life easier. Without it, there would be no ‘Greg’. The girls would be near impossible to find.
He returns to the lobby in a short while. Over a light breakfast, he looks at his watch and decides it’s time. Using his cell, he requests rental car service. His new ride is delivered shortly, and he receives notification of it. After paying for his meal, he walks outside where a sunny day is developing. A nondescript Camry is waiting next to a man holding keys. Thanking the young fellow, John slides into the driver’s seat and pulls away.
He has his travel bag with him. He doesn’t know what his plans are. They depend on Greg. If he finds Greg and Greg heads for the airport, then he needs to go with him. He’s sure Greg will return to the girls. It’s what he’s gambling on. He knows Greg has met Madison face to face and betting that he wants more of it. He’s not exactly sure how the Underground works, but he knows people. If Greg met his granddaughter, then he’s going back to wherever she is.