by Robin Mahle
“Okay, okay, you’ve said your piece.” Lou stood. “I’ll go speak to him now. You know what, it’s getting late in the afternoon already. Why don’t you knock off early and I’ll take it from here?”
Was this the moment he was going to open his mouth and point his finger? Because it sure felt like she was on the wrong side of this. “Fine. Thank you for hearing me out.” Allison left and returned to her desk.
Charlie caught sight of her and quickly approached. “What happened?”
Allison grabbed her bag. “I’m being sent home.”
“What? Why?”
“Probably because I just ruffled some very important feathers. Look, I’ll call you later when I hear something, okay? I’ll be all right.”
Allison hovered over her stove, stirring a pot of spaghetti when her phone rang. She set down her spoon and grabbed her phone from the kitchen counter. “Lou, thanks for calling. So, what’s the good news?”
She wore a smile assuming that vindication was coming her way and that Davis Cantrell wasn’t going to win. But as she listened to her boss, his words stumbled as though he couldn’t quite say what he’d wanted to say. “Lou, what are you telling me?”
“Allison, I’m afraid we’re going to have to let you go. I’m happy to give you a glowing letter of reference.”
The smile faded from her lips. The pot of spaghetti boiled over, splattering onto the stovetop behind her. “I can’t believe this. I was doing my job.”
“I know you were, Allison, but Davis says you haven’t been doing the job you were hired to do.”
“And you believe him? Lou, I’ve worked for you for almost 5 years. Are you serious?”
“If you have any questions, you’ll need to direct them to HR. I’m so sorry, Allison. It really has been a pleasure.” The line went dead.
Everyone had an agenda.
The leftovers had been put away and Allison was already in her pajamas. It was 7 o’clock in the evening and the sun was just beginning to set. She held the phone to her ear and listened as Charlie ranted.
“So you’re giving up? Just like that? Without a fight? I’ve never known you to be a quitter, Alli.”
Allison inhaled a deep breath. “There’s no coming back from this, Charlie. Lou, well, I don’t know how Davis got to him, but he did. It’s over. I’ll find something else. It’ll all work out somehow.”
“You know you’ll have to go to Leo for help, at least in the short term,” Charlie replied. “I know how much you don’t want to have to do that.”
“I have some savings. I’ll figure it out. I can’t un-ring this bell. But I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll get to the bottom of Davis Cantrell, that I can promise you.”
“And in the meantime?”
“I have friends,” Allison replied.
“Like me?” Charlie quipped.
“Well, yes, but in the business, I mean.”
“You mean like Shane or Milo?”
“Why not? They know people. Shane’s a cop. Milo’s a prosecutor. They’re bound to have contacts in our industry.”
Charlie was quiet for a moment. “Maybe. I hadn’t thought about that. You know, with your background, it would make sense for you to transition into something like a private investigator.”
“A private eye? Me? Not a chance. I’ve come across enough of those guys to know they’re all money-grubbers who prey on people’s insecurities. Get them to foot the bill for tracking down cheating spouses. No thanks.”
“That’s not all they do, you know. You should think about it. Seriously.”
2
Allison was curled on her sofa reading when the doorbell chimed. She set down her paperback and peered through the living room window. “I was wondering when you would turn up.” It was 9 pm and late by Allison’s standards. The person at her door now was not unexpected, just uninvited. She shuffled to the foyer and gripped the door handle, mentally preparing for her guest. “Well, hello there. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Oh wait, let me guess, Charlie called you.”
“She was worried about you and so am I.” Leo Hart, Allison’s ex-husband, stood under the porch light. Just shy of 6 feet, Leo had an average build but had grown a slight paunch in his middle age. His dark brown hair had begun to thin at the crown, yet his face maintained a youthful glow with only mild crow’s feet which deepened as he scrutinized her. “Are you going to let me in or am I going to keep sweating my balls off out here?”
“Did you get permission from her?” Allison stepped aside. “Wouldn’t want to cause a rift between you two lovebirds.”
“You mean, Jenny? She knows I’m here.”
“Then by all means, come in.” She closed the door behind him. “You want a beer or something a little stronger?”
“You know what I like.” He set down his car keys on the side table just like he used to when this was his home.
“I thought I did.” Allison walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of gin and two glasses. “Maybe I’ll join you.”
“So Charlie says you quit today.” Leo pulled out a stool at the kitchen counter. “Care to tell me what happened?”
Allison poured the drinks and slid one across the white quartz countertop toward him. “That’s not exactly what happened. I was let go and she’s mad that I’m not going to fight it.”
“You? Not fighting? That doesn’t sound right.” He tossed back a swig of the gin and tonic.
She regarded this man to whom she’d been married for twenty years. Leo had lied to her and had betrayed her, but time had passed and they had evolved since the divorce. Dare she admit they could be considered friends now? Maybe so, but Allison didn’t care for Jenny, Leo’s latest squeeze. She was young, too young, but that was who Leo was now, a middle-aged man who needed a younger woman to feel virile again, she assumed. Still, it wasn’t her concern anymore.
“Something might have happened today to trigger my current state of redundancy.” Allison picked up her drink and tossed back a large gulp.
“And now the truth comes out. Well, spill it.” Leo gestured with his fingers for her to give up the goods.
“You know I can get—mouthy—when I’m challenged…”
He rolled his eyes. “No, really?”
She returned a scathing glance. “Anyway, one of the assistant directors, a guy who I don’t even work for…well, I’m pretty sure he’s involved in a cover up or taking kickbacks. I don’t know.”
“Kickbacks?” Leo asked before downing another gulp.
“I can’t say for sure, but I was checking up on a claimant earlier today…”
“You mean, spying on him?” Leo asked.
“Do you want me to tell the story, or would you like to?”
“I’m sorry. Please, go on.”
“I saw this guy at the claimant’s home. I think he knew I’d be there. Long story short, the assistant director confronted me about it and essentially threatened me.”
Leo pulled upright on the stool and turned serious. “He threatened you?”
“Yes—sort of. I thought it was a threat to either keep quiet or lose my job. So, I went to my boss and guess what? My boss didn’t give a rat’s ass.” She threw back the last of her drink. “So there you go.”
“I see. What are you going to do now? What about Nolan?”
“If you think I’m going to ask you for money, don’t worry about it. I’ll get work. We don’t need a handout from you.”
“Alli, that’s not what I meant. Nolan is my son, too. He still lives here with you. School and his training, it takes a lot of money. We both know that. I’m here to help because he’s my son and because, well, because it’s you.”
“I’ve held down this job since we divorced. I made good money…”
“I know you did—you do…”
“If things get too tight, I’ll ask for help, okay? But until then, I know what I’m doing. We’ll be fine.”
Leo drank the last of his gin and tonic. “Where is
Nolan anyway? I didn’t see his car in the drive.”
“He’s at Joey’s house. Said he’d be home by midnight. The kid’s 18, I can’t tell him when to be home anymore.”
“Yeah, yeah. He just needs to remember to keep focused on his baseball. He has a real good chance of making Triple A.”
“Just like his dad,” Allison replied. “It’s getting late, you should go home to Jenny. I’m sure it can’t be a comforting thought knowing your boyfriend is hanging out with his ex-wife.”
“She’s not threatened by our relationship, just so you know.” Leo stood. “But I guess it is getting late.”
“Yep.” Allison led him to the door. “Thanks for coming over. I know you’re just checking in and I do appreciate it.”
Leo bent over to kiss her cheek. “Just because we aren’t together anymore doesn’t mean I don’t still care about you.” He walked out into the night and stepped into his sedan that was older than hers.
Allison watched him drive away. “Too bad it wasn’t quite enough.”
It was like the first day of summer when the alarm clock rang out yet there was no school. Allison was no longer employed. Getting out of bed early, or at all, was pointless. She wanted to pull the covers over her head and go back to sleep. Most of her adult life she had been a stay-at-home mom who drove her kids to gymnastics, baseball, and birthday parties. There was always a reason to get out of bed. Right now, Allison couldn’t think of one.
She drew up onto the edge of her bed with her long blonde hair pulled into a bun. A burst of laughter, which at this time of morning sounded more like a cackle, broke free.
“What are you laughing at?” Nolan meandered in the hall and peeked into her room.
She hadn’t closed her bedroom door since the divorce. “Nothing. What time did you get in last night?”
The young man with brown hair worn a little too long for her liking was as handsome as his father was—even more so. Leo had turned a lot of heads, especially in his twenties when he made it to the Triple A league. His idol had been the great pitcher Nolan Ryan, which was her son’s namesake.
“Does it matter what time I got in?” Nolan replied. “Haven’t we had this discussion, Mom?”
“We have, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still have to live by my rules when you live under my roof.”
He rolled his eyes so far into the back of his head, it appeared doubtful they would return. “1 o’clock, okay? I got in at 1. No big deal. I have to leave for school anyway. Aren’t you going to work? Are you sick or something?”
She remembered that he hadn’t known yet. “No, I’m not sick. Look Nolan, I’m not going back to that job anymore. I decided to look for something more fulfilling.”
His brow knitted. “Okay. Can we afford that? Should I ask for more hours at the Jack in the Box?”
“No, honey. You have enough to handle with baseball and school. We’ll be fine. I’ve already spoken to your father and he’ll do what he needs to do to keep your schooling on track.”
“But what about you?” He walked inside wearing a look of worry no parent would want to see.
“Don’t lose any sleep over this, Nolan. I told you, I’ll find something else. It won’t take long. Go on. You should go to school. I’ll see you tonight. Maybe for dinner?”
“Yeah, sure. That’d be great. I’ll see you tonight, Mom.” He kissed her cheek.
She smiled as he walked away, not sure how she got so lucky to have a son like Nolan. Both her kids were good kids. Always had been. They were the best thing to come from her marriage.
As it turned out, Allison found a reason to get out of bed. There were two people who had become important in her life and she was on a mission to pay each one a visit. When she arrived at the police station in downtown Tampa, Allison was about to check off the first name on her list. She dressed up for the occasion by wearing a modern grey pants suit with her hair pulled into a loose braid that rested against her back. This wasn’t a job interview, but it sort of felt that way. She approached the administration desk.
“Hey, Allison, how are you?” A hefty woman in uniform and slicked back hair stood behind the counter. “You must be here to see Sully.”
“Is he taking visitors today?” Allison began. “I don’t have the required gold engraved invitation.”
“Today’s your lucky day. He’s at his desk. You can go on back.” Her smile was warm and friendly.
“Appreciate it.” Allison headed into the station’s bullpen in search of her long-time friend and sometimes partner, Shane “Sully” Sullivan. “Morning. I took a shot you were in and here you are.”
“Allison Hart. What are you doing here? Did we have a date I didn’t know about?” Shane leaned back in his chair, cool and calm, like nothing ever stuck to him. Of course, nothing ever did.
“Not today. Do you have a minute?” she asked.
“For you? Always. Sit down. What’s on your mind?” Shane was an uncompromising bachelor who had just made it to 40. No kids; never wanted them. He was a newly minted detective in the demanding police station and worked mostly minor crimes, petty theft, etc. It took time to get the big cases like robbery or homicide. And he had always been there for Allison since the day they met.
She sat down on the hard plastic chair across from him. “Hey, um, I was wondering if I could ask you a favor?”
“Shoot.” He cocked his head, which highlighted his striking jawline.
“I’m looking for a new place to hang my hat,” she replied.
“A job? What happened to the one you had?”
“It’s a long story that I won’t tire you with. Point is, I know you have a lot of contacts and with my background, I thought maybe you might know somebody who could use someone like me.” Allison hated asking for favors. She hated asking anyone for anything, but Shane did have connections.
He gazed up at the ceiling, narrowing his brown eyes and rubbing his smooth chin. “Hmm. Someone who might need a fraud investigator.” He looked at her again and nodded. “I could make some calls. I know a couple of guys who always need an extra pair of hands. I did meet a chick—sorry—a woman who works for an insurance company. I bet they need fraud people like you too.”
“Thanks, Shane. I’d really appreciate you putting in a good word for me if someone’s looking.”
“Anything for you Allison, you know that. You and me go way back, right?”
“Sure.” They went back about four years. “I won’t take up any more of your time. I know how busy you detectives can be.” She prepared to leave.
Shane stood up, his toned physique on full display. “Hold on a sec. I’ll show you out. I’m still a gentleman.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Of course I do.” He gestured. “After you, ma’am.”
“Now you’re making me feel old.” Allison smiled.
“Well, you sure don’t look old and that’s a cold hard fact,” he replied.
Shane was a player and Allison had figured out that within about ten minutes of their initial meeting. It didn’t make him an asshole, it just made him a flirt.
“Thanks for showing me out and thanks for offering to help too.”
He led her to the double doors. “I’ll get in touch with you just as soon as I hear anything, you got that?”
“I got it. See you later, Shane.”
“See you later, Allison.”
She could feel his stare while walking away. “Stop staring at my ass, Shane.”
“What? Never!”
Allison smiled but refused to turn back and pushed through the doors. “Goodbye.”
Number two on her list that was in no particular order, was Milo Nash. He was a special assistant attorney in the Fraud and Corruption Unit of the D.A.’s office. That was how Allison came to know him. Some of her cases were sent up the ladder and fell into his lap.
He appeared from the hall of the Tampa District Attorney’s Office wearing his signature suspenders. Not e
veryone could pull off that look, but Milo Nash was born to wear them.
“Allison, what are you doing here? Please don’t tell me we had an appointment.” Milo checked his watch.
“We did not. I hope it’s okay that I popped in.” She greeted Milo with a friendly hug. Her arms struggled to reach around him. “Can you spare a couple of minutes? I could come back another time.”
“That’s not necessary. I always have time for my friends.”
“Since when does a senior prosecutor for the District Attorney’s office have any time to spare?” She replied. “I won’t keep you. I just wanted to bend your ear about something.”
“Of course. Come back to my office.” He turned to the receptionist. “Can you hold my calls for a few minutes?”
The young woman looked to be a lawyer in training and replied, “Sure, no problem.”
He led the way to his office and waited for Allison to enter. “Take a seat. Tell me what’s on your mind. You’re looking well.” He dropped into his desk chair.
“And you, Milo. Listen, I’m looking for work.” She raised a preemptive hand. “And before you ask, I quit my job and that’s all I’m willing to say on the matter.”
“Okay. We’ll leave it at that then. What kind of work are you looking for? Something along the lines of what you were doing?”
“Yeah, maybe. I think I’m pretty good at what I do.” She crossed her long legs and leaned back in the chair.
“And don’t you ever doubt it,” Milo replied.
He was a few years older than Allison, just over 50, but time hadn’t been all that kind to him. The round mid-section and thinning hair gave away his age more than anything else. His eyes were kind, which for a lawyer was an anomaly.
“Well, I could ask around,” he continued. “Anyone would be lucky to have you on their team.”
“I would appreciate that, Milo, I really would. It’s a good time for a change, you know?”
