Distance of the Heart

by Agnes H Hagadus

  “Fingerprints?” Emily thought back. Was there any way her fingerprints could have been in the hotel room? Was it the same hotel room that she and Tabby had made love in the first time? Emily shook her head as she scanned the official document Rachael had handed her. It was the same hotel. But it was a different room. “I did stay at the hotel with Tabby the first time we made love. But we didn’t even go near the hotel when I drove back to the airport with Rick.”

  “I see.” Rachael wrote on her notepad. “Steve already had a preliminary investigation as soon as Tabby was informed of the possible charges against herself and you.” Emily sat back. “You didn’t know.” Rachael sighed. “I’m sorry Miss Smith didn’t inform you. She’s being charged with accessory to murder. You are being charged with first degree murder. If convicted, she can face some serious prison time. If you’re convicted…”

  Emily didn’t need it spelled out. If she were convicted, life in prison was a positive outcome. “I see.” Not knowing what to say or do, Emily picked up her now cold coffee. “Do you really think there’s a chance of conviction? I mean, I can prove when I was at the airport. I know time of death isn’t a precise measurement.” Not one to have been called to testify in many investigations, murder or otherwise, Emily wasn’t certain how things were to proceed from here.

  “You will make an ideal witness.” Rachael leaned back as her meal was delivered. She had skipped breakfast and didn’t eat anything on the airplane. She hated to eat in front of Emily, especially since she knew her client’s stomach had to be reeling from the overload of information. From what little she knew, Emily was already dealing with relationship issues. It was something she could relate to. Her relationship with Amanda was far from conventional.

  After consuming a small portion of her meal, Rachael sat back. “I know you were informed by Miss Smith that the district attorney and a detective could be on their way to California. While that’s true, normally it’s too great a cost to the government to make it worthy of them to fly out here. Unless…” Rachael trailed off. She was certain that her message had been received.

  Emily sat there, wondering. If they did come after her, who would be behind it? There was Anthony. He still had a bug up his ass about the fact Emily’s ex-boyfriend owed him so much in gambling. There had been Helen, but obviously she was the reason she was in this mess. Then there was Leslie. What had made her think of her? The madwoman was near Jenny Monroe levels. Meaning she would do anything and everything to gain vengeance. Even if that meant harming friends and family.

  “From your expression, there is a possibility that there is someone who wants to harm you.” Before Emily could say a word, Rachael was searching her notepad. “I’d forgotten about the connection with Anthony Denardo.” There was more scanning. “And Leslie Wilson.” Rachael took another bite of her meal before sitting back. She allowed her thoughts to refocus. Knowing there were mob connections out there, complicated things. But she was used to complicated. It was her life.

  Before Rachael could say anything more, Emily’s phone began ringing. When it was an unknown caller but from the area code for Middletown, Emily handed it to her lawyer. Rachael smiled. This was the part of the job she loved. That and breaking a witness who could destroy her case. There was also making the prosecution look bad. Didn’t matter which part of the trial.

  “Emily Dunst’s phone, this is her lawyer Rachael MacAdams speaking.” Rachael listened. Though her posture stiffened slightly, the smile never faded from her face. “I’m sorry you’ve made a trip for nothing, Mr. Roody. While Emily is here, she is unable to meet face to face with you. I’ll be taking a deposition. She has some family issues to attend to. She’ll be back on Monday. You can call my secretary to setup a time for us to meet and have a sit down.”

  Emily had to muffle the laughter that was attempting to escape her as Rachael held the phone from her ear. It was true what they said about lawyers. If nothing else, they were actors. They enjoyed attention. And they were intelligent. “I don’t appreciate the tone or the use of that kind of language. I suggest you use your frequent flyer miles and head back to Middletown. I’ll meet you there, as soon as I have taken that deposition. You have a great day.”

  “Oh that was rich.” Emily gladly took her cellphone back. “I can see why you are such a powerhouse as a lawyer. I’m glad you were able to put bad feelings aside.” Before Rachael could say anything, Emily quickly continued. “I know I was quite rude when you and your wife appeared in Middletown. I know there were past circumstances, but I should have at least waited to see what you and your wife wanted with my best friend.”

  “I don’t hold grudges.” Rachael took a moment to finish off her now cold coffee. “If I did, Amanda and I wouldn’t have even made an attempt at a relationship once again. But she had changed. I could see it in her eyes.” Rachael leaned forward. “It’s not the same as what happened between us, but you see what I’m getting at. We all make snap judgments. We all do or say things we regret. It’s called being a human being.”

  Just like that, a lightbulb went off in Emily’s heart. She knew what she had to do. “Can we do the deposition thing a little later? It’s just that my mother is in the hospital. I have to let her know that I forgive her.” Rachael’s smile faded quickly. “She confided something in me and I didn’t know how to handle it. With what you just said, I now do. I know this deposition is fundamental in starting a defense but…”

  “Go. I have some phone calls I can make.” Rachael stood. She left three twenties on the table. “My treat. I can write it off as a business expense. Get yourself a coffee or something for the road. Again, my treat.” Before Emily could say anything, Rachael was already halfway to the door. She turned around and winked at the leggy blonde. A wave was given before the brown-haired woman made her way into the heat of the afternoon.

  Emily took Rachael’s advice. Instead of yet another coffee, she decided to counteract the grease and caffeine by ordering a pineapple-mango smoothie. Not her favorite thing in the world, it would travel and be cool. Slowly, she made her way into the afternoon heat. Slowly, she made her way across town. With traffic, it took nearly forty-five minutes to make it to the hospital.

  The elevator ride was quiet. Emily took the time to text Tabby a brief message informing her of the arrival of Rachael. She didn’t want to get her soulmate’s hopes up, but she mentioned the possibility that she could be home sooner than they had planned. It was a longshot, but it was still a very real possibility. They both needed hope. They both needed something they could look forward to.

  There was activity the moment Emily stepped off the elevator. Her inner nurse knew exactly what was happening. Not even bothering to discover if she was right or not, Emily was texting her brother and uncle. She pulled out the business card that had been attached to the paperwork. Another text was sent to Rachael informing her that she would be busy the rest of the day.

  Deliberately, Emily made her way to her mother’s room. There was the nurse from the first day she had visited both her parents. The look in those eyes. The eerie quietness that could be heard beneath the hustling of bodies. Already the blood pressure monitor had been turned off. Already the oxygen had been turned off. It was as simple as that. A life was lost and all the machines that were helping to keep it alive were turned off. If only the life could be turned back on as easily as those machines.

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  The news that Emily might return home sooner than thought was good news indeed. It was something they both needed, but it was especially something Tabby needed. There was a twist in the investigation that their joint lawyer had yet to be informed of. It was one she was just learning about now. It would lead to a motive. One she didn’t want to have anything to do with.

  Tabby sat upon the bench by the lake. Whether it was because of the love behind the gift or if it was the calming of the waters, Tabby found herself drawn to this place. Even with the freshness of Nicky’s behavior in this very
lake, there was still something that instilled a calmness in her. There was something that gifted her with the ability to think. And there were the fantasies she wanted to act out, once she and Emily were hopefully free to be a couple once again.

  There was much to ponder. While she and Emily felt like they were becoming more solid each day, even with the distance between their hearts, there was always worry that one or both might not be strong enough to overcome what they needed to survive. More than survive. They needed one another like they needed oxygen to breathe. Yes, it was that cheesy of a line. But it was more than true.

  There was how Nicky had been behaving. Part of Tabby could understand. There had been less time spent with her son since Emily had entered their lives. Tabby had been under the illusion that had been accepted. That the time Nicky had spent with the Walker children had been because he wanted to be around children his age. It had never occurred to her that he was distancing himself from Emily. Attempting to avoid becoming attached and setting himself up for further heartbreak.

  And Nicky was attempting to protect his mother from the same fate. Yet Tabby had shown again and again that she was more than willing to accept that fate. That Emily had proven to her that was unlikely to happen. Emerald eyes closed at some of the things her soulmate had already done to prove her love and commitment. If only Nicky could see what Emily was doing. And would continue to do.

  Tabby sighed. Life had once been simple. When she was only a child. Before she had realized she was gay. Before she had graduated. Before she had decided on nursing school. Before there was a little person that relied on her for everything. And yet, it wasn’t the same. It wasn’t as fulfilling. Being carefree was amazing. But helping people heal and guiding a young life into adulthood were what made her heart soar, outside of Emily.

  And now there were murder charges against Emily and accessory charges against herself. Would anyone else be implicated in Helen’s murder? How had she been murdered? Could it have been suicide and an elaborate setup to cause Tabby and Emily pain? Or was there someone else that wanted to cause either of the soulmates pain. Being connected to Sierra, Sam and Abby made anyone a target, even if the biggest threat had been neutralized.

  The fact Helen had left her vast estate to Tabby and a small trust fund for Nicky caused the two soulmates to appear even guiltier. The amount had shocked Tabby as much as the fact she was even mentioned in her ex’s will. Twenty-two million dollars was something the nurse couldn’t even fathom to know how to handle or how to spend.

  There was the house she and Emily had dreamed of. There was Nicky being able to attend whichever university he chose, though Sierra and Desiree had already seen to that. What about the Walker children? They could setup trust funds for each of them. They could setup a general scholarship for the children of Middletown. They could donate to the numerous LGBT foundations across the United States, but also other countries.

  Right now, if they could use the money, they could actually pay Rachael a fee. It was noble that she was representing them for free. And yet, Tabby was a proud woman. She hated to take anything for free. Even working for Jenny had come at a steep cost. It wasn’t the things she had had to do, though those would forever haunt her. It was the damage it had done repeatedly to her soul.

  The sound of soft footfalls didn’t surprise her. Tabby knew eventually someone would come looking for her. Most likely it would be Melissa. The matriarch wasn’t happy unless everyone she cared for was happy. It was a full-time task with the way the Walkers were stubborn people. And the way it seemed trouble always followed Sam and Abby like a lost little puppy needing a new home.

  “Is this seat taken?” When Tabby glanced up and saw a familiar looking face, she jumped. Though Jackie was slightly older and had just a tad more weight, when one first glanced at her she could and often was mistaken for Samantha Walker. Once she was able to recover, the nurse patted the seat next to her. “I’m sorry to disturb your attempt at solitude and inner musings, but I thought you could use someone to talk to. Someone that isn’t that close to the situation.”

  Was there anyone that wasn’t close to the situation? Jackie was more of an outsider than anyone in some ways. She was Steve’s wife. In New York City, there had been little to no real interaction with Sam and Abby. When Steve had come to the rescue, the families had become extremely close. Yet, there had been no real interaction between Tabby and Jackie.

  So it was true that Jackie wasn’t so close to the situation. While she was friends with Sam and Abby, it didn’t necessarily make her friends with Emily. Tabby stared into azure eyes. They were a slightly lighter shade than those that graced Sam. And yet, there was a caring and honesty in those eyes. It was…Tabby smiled shyly as she knew she had been caught studying the other woman.

  What was more, Jackie didn’t seem to mind that she had been being studied. Perhaps as a police officer’s wife, she was accustomed to the scrutiny. “I’ve been avoiding everyone. I don’t know how to deal with Nicky. As a mother, that pisses me off.” Jackie chuckled at the wording. “And now, I’m being accused of accessory to murder, while my soulmate is accused of murder. Before you say anything, it gets worse.” Without a word, Tabby handed the letter informing her of her inheritance.

  It didn’t take long for Jackie to scan the letter. As a secretary and mother, she was used to making the most of time. That meant being able to speed read and gather the facts. Her eyes grew wide when she realized the full implications of the letter. “Does the district attorney know about this?” Tabby shrugged. “You can bet it won’t be long before he does find out. We have to tell Sam…”

  Jackie’s words were cut off by a gentle squeezing of her arm. “While Sam is the official head of the security agency, there are others. Your husband is good, in his unique way. Jarod would gladly help.” She wanted to say that if Sierra wasn’t still undercover, she would be more than glad to help as well. “And this involves his niece, so Mitch would want to know about it. Sam and Abby need their time. Though knowing them, trouble will follow them across the globe.”

  They both took a moment to laugh. It was true. If the two soulmates hadn’t proven they could handle nearly everything life had to throw at them, it wouldn’t be a laughing matter. Still, there was always a first for everything. One couldn’t always win, could they? It was a sobering thought, especially with the piece of evidence that Jackie still held in her hand.

  “Well, we should take this little bit of information to Steve then. We should definitely tell your attorney. There’s no hiding it.” Jackie thought back to one of her previous employers. She had been a topnotch lawyer, not unlike Rachael. Though things could harm your case, one didn’t attempt to hide evidence. It made the defendant appear even guiltier. “I’ll call my husband if you’d like. He’s doing fine, thanks to you.”

  Tabby wanted to tell Jackie that it was a superficial wound. It was one that nearly anyone could handle. Had it helped she was a nurse? Probably. It always helped having that extra knowledge. Tabby was grateful when Jackie stood and walked towards the tree. It was a special tree. The one Sam had carved a heart in and added her and Abby’s names.

  It was a brief conversation. Tabby knew it would be. She was to send a copy, not the original, to the district attorney via fax. She knew Jackie would aid her in sending the information to both the district attorney and Rachael. There wasn’t much else she could do. All she could do was hope that the information wouldn’t hurt Emily or herself. That they would somehow be able to once again be able to simply live life.

  Had Tabby ever been able to do that? Yes, in her youth and even just after nursing school. It had been when she had met Helen that her life had changed. Already she had chosen to have Nicky by herself. Helen had supposedly been accepting of the little boy as her own. Yet, there always seemed to be a distance between them.

  The supposed financial burden Nicky’s illness had brought to them was secondary. It was the fact Helen’s feelings were never as strong as Tabby�
�s that had failed their relationship. That was one thing some people didn’t seem to understand. Just how one-sided a relationship could be. And how much it hurt when the one who didn’t care as much chose someone else and walked away.

  The tears were threatening, but Tabby would be damned if she allowed them to fall. Not this time she wouldn’t. This was the time to believe. Believe in a justice system that seemed to favor the rich and the political elite. Believe in friends and family. Most importantly, it was time to believe in soulmates. In the kind of love that everyone dreams of, but very few actually discover.

  “Let’s get to the office. Steve said he’d be waiting for us.” Tabby merely nodded as she stood. While her resolve to remain strong was firm, she knew she could easily fall to pieces. “Do you want me to drive?” Tabby nearly burst into laughter. Had it been that obvious she was not in an emotional state to drive? Or was it Jackie placing herself in Tabby’s shoes?

  “Thanks. I think that’s for the best.” Tabby winked at her new friend. Something told her that Jackie was indeed her friend. While Tabby and Nicky had been easily accepted into the Walker clan, they were still technically strangers, if not outsiders. While Jackie was married to Steve and was now the secretary of the security agency, she too remained an outsider.

  The drive was made in silence. There were still so many things running through Tabby’s mind. Her focus was torn. Who would the latest allegations affect more? Her soulmate or her son? As they pulled into the parking lot, she was feeling more than sick. In fact, Tabby made a mad dash to the restroom. Jackie was close on her heels, but found herself locked outside.

  Tabby stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot. There was perspiration. Hastily, the nurse wetted a paper towel. The coolness of the moisture felt good on her overheated forehead. It was all becoming too much. The distance. The way Nicky was acting. The possibility of spending time in jail.