Fallen Woman(65)

Peace doesn’t remain in my life. It’s a calm before a storm, the eye of a hurricane. There’s always something brewing, a typhoon building. The chime of the doorbell brought with it the destruction so familiar to my world. I didn’t know it, wouldn’t know it, but it would be catastrophic.

Trotting down the stairs, I reached the foyer on the second ring of the bell. Through the glass, I could see two uniformed officers standing on our front porch. Panic washed over me. I’d never been implicated in any of the charges brought against Ryan; I’d been questioned, but it had been clear I was clueless, and they had let me go. I couldn’t imagine why they’d be looking for me now, years later…when Ryan was dead.

With a trembling hand, I tucked my dark hair behind my ear, straightened my spine, and opened the door.

“Hey, guys. What can I do for you?” I faked the pleasantries, hoping they were collecting money for State Troopers or some other charity. I’d have given them my entire wallet if it meant they’d go away.

They both removed their hats and tucked them under their arms, almost as though it had been choreographed. The taller of the two spoke first. “We’re looking for Jase Lane. Is he home, ma’am?”

“No,” I stammered. Unsure why any officer would be searching for Jase. He wasn’t hard to find. “He took the kids to dinner. Can I help you?” I opened the door a little wider and let my hand drop to my side.

The other officer answered, “Do you know when he’ll be home?”

“I can call him and have him come home. They’re just down the street.” I had no idea what they wanted with Jase, but I wasn’t going to stand in anyone’s way. I learned a long time ago, if you answer their questions and cooperate, things go a lot smoother.

“We’d appreciate that. It would save us a lot of time and the kids some heartache.”

I had turned to get my phone but stopped and faced the officers again. “I’m sorry. Is there a problem?”

“If you could get him to come here, it would be better for everyone. Do you mind if we come in?” The taller one had a much more calming effect. His voice was warm, his approach much gentler than his partner’s.

“Oh, no. Not at all. I’m sorry. I don’t know where my manners went. Of course. Please, come in. Have a seat, and I’ll go call Jase.” I motioned to the sitting room off the foyer and scurried off to make a call.

He didn’t answer so I called back. Twice. On the third try, he finally picked up the phone. Out of breath. “Hey, baby. What’s up? You’re supposed to be relaxing.” The chatter and background noise made it difficult to hear him.

“Yeah. I was until the officers in the living room showed up and asked that you come home.” The lack of surprise on his end shocked me.

“Okay. I’ll gather the kids. Let them know I’ll be there in about ten minutes.” I was about to hang up when he spoke again. “Gia, babe. Don’t talk to them.” And he disconnected without a response.

I set the phone down on the counter and tried to compose myself, but since I had no inkling what I was dealing with, it was rather difficult. When I returned to the living room, they were sitting quietly. The way they stared out the window at nothing was eerie.

“Can I get you guys anything while we wait? Jase said he’d be here in about ten minutes.”

They declined, but I had to busy myself. With nothing to do, I returned to the kitchen and made lemonade and sliced up some cheese and put crackers on a serving tray. Just as I’d set the tray in front of them and they’d both taken glasses and snacks, Jase strolled in and told the kids to go to the playroom.

Once they were upstairs, he met me in the foyer. Looking past me and into the other room, he grinned at me before speaking. “Baby, I told you not to answer questions. How did that translate into cheese and crackers with lemonade?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry.”

He squeezed my shoulders and kissed my temple. “It’s okay, love. Come sit. I doubt this is going to go well.”

Completely confused by the men in the house, and Jase obviously knowing why they were here, I followed his lead. He sat casually on the couch across from the strangers, and I sat next to him, perched on the cushion, literally on the edge of my seat.

Neither of the officers rose when they begin to speak to Jase. It appeared as though this was a casual affair. I wanted to relax, but memories of my past flooded my brain faster than I could process them. The nicer guy did the majority of the talking. “Mr. Lane, I assume you know why we’re here?” he questioned.

“Pretty good guess, yes.”

“Do you want to come to the station for questioning or would you prefer to do it here?”

I panicked. My body turned toward his; my knees hit his thigh. “Jase, what are they talking about?”

Jase put his hand on mine but didn’t answer my question. “Is he pressing charges?”

“Yes, sir.” The little guy irritated me. I was the only one in the room who didn’t have a clue what was going on and no one bothered to fill me in. It was as if everyone decided to speak in code to intentionally keep me in the dark.

“Then I guess I need to contact my attorney and have him meet me at the station. Can we avoid the scene outside my house? I’m coming willingly but am not interested in having my neighbors witness anything, and my kids don’t need to see it, either.”