Lost in La La Land(31)

The cab rides across the towns, hopping out of one and into another at a slightly different location, felt so unnecessary.

But as we hurried down the empty road in the second town, I noticed a car following us.

My insides clenched as I turned to the driver. “Can you pull over at the library instead? I think I might get some books.”

“Sure.” He pulled over a moment later, and as the car behind us slowed down, I saw his face. My throat dried and my hands began to sweat. Marshall Delacroix’s eyes met mine through an open window.

I paid the cabbie and hurried into the library. Hiding behind the shelves of the travel section, I watched from between the books as he entered, reminding me of a mobster as always. As he drew nearer I saw the wear of Lana’s disappearance in his face.

“Dr. Hartley, let’s not do this cat and mouse game. I need to speak with you.”

I turned on my phone and texted 911 to the number. When it delivered, I turned the phone off again, slipping it into the back of my skirt, in my underwear. The code meant she needed to turn the phone off and hide everything. She wouldn't even unlock the gate until I messaged her again, even if I showed up on the doorstep, she wouldn't let me in, not without the code to tell her it was safe to. She knew this meant that I’d been recognized.

“What do you want?” I asked as I slipped from behind the shelves, eyeing up the librarian who parted her lips to tell us to stop talking. She changed her mind when she saw the other men with the frightening-looking man staring at me with daggers.

“I want my wife.”

“Your divorce will be final the moment you sign it. She doesn't want to be with you.” I stood my ground, acting unafraid but lying.

“She has been brainwashed by you and that contraption of yours.” His eyes narrowed.

“Haven’t you heard, it’s not mine anymore. I sold it.” I wanted so badly to be smug but I couldn't. My hands were pools and the threat of urinating in the travel section was real.

“You think selling your plans and patent changes anything? I have doctors who will claim that you warped my wife’s mind and altered her. Specialists.”

“There was a clause I added to the purchase agreement. Any lawsuits became the sole responsibility of the purchaser. I am no longer liable for anything that occurred from inception of the machinery to this moment now or fifty years down the road.” A little smugness escaped.

“What!” His eyes widened and the violent man he was masking, lashed out. “You deceitful bitch!” He rushed at me, lunging to grab me by the arms and shake me like he had before.

“Call the police!” I shouted at the librarian as he raged.

“You lying bitch! You’re coming with me!” He dragged me to the doors but I fought.

The other men grabbed at me as I screamed. “Call the police!”

“Unhand her!” The librarian jumped up, shouting as well, as I scratched and bit, earning a slap across the face from someone. Stars took my gaze as I spun and slumped into the arms of the person grabbing at me. I shook my head to clear it and started kicking again, fighting.

The mayor grunted and clawed at me, hitting the librarian as she reached for him.

“Stop!” a new voice shouted. I couldn't see who it belonged to as my face was covered by a large hand.

“This is none of your concern. This woman is being taken into custody—”

“Let her go and back away, now!” the man shouted.

“I will have your job. Do you know who I am?” Marshall barked as I struggled free, excited to see a policeman with a gun drawn on us.

“I don't give half a shit who you are. You don't come into my town and start manhandling and abusing women. Now back up.” The police officer waved his gun at the men.

“Thank you.” I started to cry, sobbing with relief. “Thank you.” I covered my mouth and sobbed harder.

The librarian, sporting a bleeding lip, crawled to me, grasping my bleeding arm. “You’re hurt.”

I hadn’t noticed my forearm was gushing blood. I didn't know where the wound had come from. I felt the cold phone, safe in my underwear—that was all that mattered.

“You two go to the hospital. It’s only a block over.” His eyes met mine. “I’ll have Stacey, one of our deputies, come and get a statement from you both.” The police officer nodded at us as he reached one hand up and touched the radio on his chest, while continuing to hold the gun on the three men. “I have a situation at the library. I need all units.”

“You’re making a big mistake,” the mayor muttered, his eyes making attempts to murder me with his stare as he spoke to all of us. The librarian and I moved slowly, getting more and more distance from the three men with their hands up.

“I need the newspapers as well. Send Andy over. We got the mayor of New York City sexually and physically abusing women in the library.” The police officer grinned as he let go of the radio. “Almost didn't recognize you, Your Honor.”

The mayor growled as the librarian and I got up, attempting to straighten our clothes and leave with some semblance of dignity. No wonder the police thought it was sexual abuse. My skirt was torn and my blouse was ripped open. I clung to my clothes with trembling fingers, visibly shaken.

I wanted it to all go away. I wanted to pretend it didn't happen. I wanted to get in another cab and go home, but this had to stop.