![]() Start at The Prologue - Paul Read Part 1 - Heidi “I don’t know what I was thinking at the time,” Heidi said, pausing mid-pace to look at the bed, “except I needed money, and my cards were locked up in the safe.” She sat on the foot of the bed after exhausting what nervous energy she had. “I knew he kept some cash in Metaphysics of Morals,” she continued quietly. Wade could see the exhaustion was setting in, taking a toll on her. It was no surprise since she spent the last twenty minutes on an emotional purge. “I just knew, so I went into his office, grabbed the book, and left,” she ran her hand through her hair and studied the floor. Wade watched silently, knowing she had more to say and knowing anything he had to say at the moment would be unhelpful. “I didn’t look to see how much was there; I just climbed back in the cab. I handed her a bill from the book, a fifty maybe, and asked her to drive--anywhere--and she did. I...” Heidi stood, frustrated. Wade could only guess at what; he didn’t have her talents. “...Next thing I know, we’re stopped at a bus station in Dickinson,” she laughed sardonically, “one minute I’m in Williston turning down a proposal, and the next I’m getting on a Greyhound headed south. That’s all I knew. South. And when the money ran out, I was in Amarillo with nothing but the clothes on my back.” Wade stood and walked to the mini-fridge, grabbed two bottles of water, and handed one to Heidi as he walked back to the couch. She thanked him; he grunted his response and sat down to guzzle the cold liquid. Perhaps it would cool his temper, he thought and decided to start at the least volatile part of her story. “So you and Geraldine were friends first; then you met Paul. After that, Geraldine’s attitude toward you changed.” “Well, it was a couple years after I met Paul...” Heidi started, but after a glance at Wade, “...yes.” Wade took a breath to align his thoughts before continuing, “Then one summer, while Paul was out of town, you met Caleb, became friends, and stayed friends, despite his and Paul’s strained relations.” “Yes, at least, until college when he stopped talking to me,” Heidi said, rubbing her face, “He never wrote or called.” “Hmm, who picked up your mail?” Wade asked, guessing the answer. “Paul did; he would meet me before afternoon…” Heidi stopped realizing what Wade was thinking, “...he wouldn’t.”
“Right,” Wade said, voice thick with doubt, “that aside, it’s this next part that pisses me off.” “Because Paul proposed,” Heidi said, not looking at Wade; instead, she played with the label of her water bottle. “No damn it. Heidi,” he said, nearly exploding, and Heidi’s reaction to his temper made it worse. Did she really just flinch? What happened to the strong, self-assured Heidi he knew? Where did this meek, frightened one come from? Reminding himself that she had a rough night and was exhausted, he took a deep calming breath before continuing. “Heidi, he pushed everyone you knew away from you. He isolated you. He forced you to rely on him by locking up your credit cards, passport, anything of worth, in a safe and refused to give you the passcode.” “He didn’t refuse to…” “Did he give you the passcode?” “No, he said…” “He may have dressed it up with pretty excuses and a smile, but he refused none the less,” he said, with a finality Heidi couldn’t refute. Wade sat down next to her. He wanted to be gentle, to lie to her, to protect her from reality, but he knew from experience that that would only delay the hurt. “Heidi, you were on the fast track to a controlling and abusive relationship,” he said as gently as he could, “These are the warning signs. The red flags.” Heidi looked at Wade, and he didn’t need her ability to know what she was thinking. Not me, that’s not me. You’re wrong. Even as she thought it, her eyes moistened; she swiped at her eyes as she turned away. Wade, knowing she wanted space, knowing she didn’t like being vulnerable, and knowing she had been just that since his arrival, said, “You look exhausted, get some rest,” he moved to get his bag from where he had dropped it, “What time do you need to get up?” “Eight. They’re doing some,” she made air quotes, “morning assembly thing at ten in the auditorium. It won’t take long to get there, but I’ll need time to get ready,” she pointed at her face, “to fix my face.” “Even with puffy eyes, you’re gorgeous,” Wade said, as he kissed her uplifted mouth, “Sleep will help, so get some. I’m going to unpack and take a shower. I’ll wake you up at eight.” She scrunched her face as she thought it over, agreeing only when Wade joked about her whole face swelling up from emotional overdose. He chuckled as she quickly readied herself for sleep. He sat on the couch and waited for the slow rhythmic sound of her snores before moving. Before letting himself think. He dumped the coffee he’d lost the taste for long before Heidi finished her story. He’d seen it countless times since joining the police force, more so since transferring to the domestic violence unit. Women, and men, so caught up in what a relationship had been or could be that they didn’t see it for what it was. Wade hoisted his bag onto the couch, making little noise, and began unpacking. Heidi reminded him of his mother; strong, independent, spoke her mind. It was his mom’s last serious boyfriend that he saw “that look” for the first time. He’d been eight, and his mother couldn’t seem to hear him when he asked why that man was allowed to speak to her that way. It wasn’t until that man hit Wade that his mom seemed to wake up long enough to get them out, but she never trusted herself to date after that. Three months ago, when Heidi first spoke of Paul, she had “that look.” It’s why he fought to get the time off to come to her reunion. He was afraid she would come here and disappear from his life. When he saw her in the hallway talking to Paul… When he saw his strong, sarcastic woman look at him with determined fear… Heidi stirred in bed, and Wade reigned in his raw emotions. She needed her rest, not his fury. Once his bag was empty, he grabbed his shaving kit and fresh clothes, then headed to the bathroom. He set everything on the counter and, looking at her “beauty altar,” smiled at her familiar quirks. Wade believed fully that she had the ability to sense other’s emotions. He may have convinced everyone at the precinct that it was her almost master’s in psychology, but that’s because the department doesn’t hire psychics. He’s told her repeatedly that he believed she had gifts, but she would always chalk it up to him humoring her. Wade got into the shower as he shook his head with self-lamentation of dealing with difficult women. At a quarter to eight, Wade began the task of waking up Heidi. He approached it like the Game of Risk because every strategic attempt he made to wake her humanely was countered. He tickled a foot that was left sticking out; she retreated it safely under the covers. He lightly brushed her temple while calling her name; she groaned out a plea for five more minutes before hiding under the pillows. Five minutes later, he ripped the covers off of her. “What the…” Heidi shrieked, locking her eyes on him, “Wade!” she growled out. “I gave you five minutes. It’s eight o’clock,” he said calmly, accustomed to her morning temper. She rolled out of bed while making those angry sounds only women make. The ones that men find fascinating, endearing, and adorable--not that any intelligent man these days would say that out loud. Heidi stomped up to him and looked him right in the eye, “I can feel you laughing.” “I didn’t say a word,” Wade said, fighting a grin. She was like a hissing kitten. He really wanted to pick her up and bury his face in her, but even a kitten’s claws could scratch and teeth pierce skin. “You!” she growled out before turning on her heels to storm into the bathroom. When the door snapped shut, Wade smiled; the nap had done her some good. “What are you so worried about?” Wade asked as they stood in the elevator headed for the lobby. Heidi looked up from her phone that she checked for the third time and said, “You don’t understand. That lobby is cursed.” Wade snorted, “Cursed?” He laughed louder as the doors opened on the ground floor. Heidi was busy making faces at Wade and didn’t see the man getting on the elevator as she stepped off. Wade wasn’t able to save her from colliding with the short stalky man. “Oh, excuse me. I’m…” she said as she caught her balance and focused on the man, “...Caleb! I’m so sorry; I didn’t see you; I wasn’t paying attention.” She rambled as Caleb scowled at her. “Heidi, grow a backbone. I obviously ran into you,” Wade’s whole body came to attention as he moved towards Heidi and the man, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m in a hurry,” Caleb finished, as he attempted to move past the two. Wade blocked his way. “Hold on-Caleb was it-how about you try that again,” he said as the elevator closed behind them. “And who are you?” Caleb asked-agitated. Wade had a feeling it was due more to missing the elevator than anything else. “Caleb, this is Wade, my boyfriend,” Heidi said, gesturing between them, “Wade-Caleb.” “Boyfriend,” Caleb said as if testing the word. “Yes,” Heidi and Wade said together, with a veritable range of annoyance. Caleb looked between them then at Wade, giving him a thorough once over. He grinned then said, “You’re a cop, aren’t you?” “Detective,” Wade clarified, curious by the change in attitude. “I’m an investigative reporter,” Caleb said, “I freelance mostly, traveling around the states following stories: protests, rallies, police brutality,” he said, a smile of smug self-satisfaction crawling across his mouth, “I’m pretty good at spotting cops.” “I see,” Wade said, clipping off the words. “Oh please,” Heidi said, rolling her eyes, “I don’t know who’s worse.” Caleb laughed and offered Wade his hand, “You’re one of the good ones; I can also see that.” Wade shook it, “What’s your byline? I’ll have to read a few of your articles; see if I can say the same.” Caleb, still smiling, said, “I see why Heidi likes you,” then to Heidi, “it’s about time you find someone worth your time. Does Paul know?” “They met this morning,” she replied. Something passed over Caleb’s face that triggered Wade’s instincts, a warning. The feeling sharpened when Caleb said, “It’s good you’re not here alone.” “What does that mean?” “Is that why you were so upset to see me yesterday?” Heidi asked over Wade. “Yes and no,” Caleb said. Before he could elaborate, the elevator opened, letting out an older couple. He stepped passed Heidi and Wade when they moved out of the couple’s way and, standing in the elevator, said, “I need to head up, meet Geraldine and Paul-” a pause, “-it’s your choice if you want to be down here when we come down.” The elevator doors closed before anything else could be said.
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