Forever, Alabama

by Susan Sands

  Sabine looked around the mostly full establishment, and Ben noticed her go stock-still. Then, he observed a man rise from a seated position and lift his hand in greeting.

  Sabine muttered. “Oh, shit. There he is.”

  “Easy, now. I’m right here. Don’t move your mouth. We don’t want to tip him off. Smile and say hello like you don’t know he’s the world’s biggest dick.”

  Ben faded back toward the entrance. The help weren’t supposed to be introduced to their betters. “I’ll be right inside by the front door.”

  Sabine had thought she was prepared to face Richard again. But she’d not considered the rush of emotion that flooded through her when he took her hands and kissed her cheek.

  She’d thought she might feel a reminiscent affection or confused vestige of longing for her old life with him, but she hadn’t been prepared to get hit with an overwhelming urge to punch him in his handsome nose. Sabine didn’t despise Richard, she loathed him. She wanted to retch and cringe at his touch.

  “Sabine.” He pulled her close.

  It was all she could do not to physically resist. But she mustn’t.

  “Richard.” Her voice trembled—in sheer anger. Hopefully, he believed it was some other, less aggressive emotion.

  “You’re finally home. Oh, I’ve missed you.” He motioned for her to sit across from him at the table. “I ordered your favorite skinny latte, fat-free, sugar-free.”

  “Thanks, but I’d prefer a cafe au lait with two sugars, please.”

  “Some things have changed, haven’t they?” Richard laughed, though his expression clearly communicated disapproval. He held up his hand to get the approaching waiter’s attention.

  “A lot has changed, you’ll find, Richard. I hope we can get through this as amicably and quickly as possible. I know you want me to attend the ball with you, and I’m willing if you insist, but I plan on going home with a divorce agreement in hand.”

  Richard’s smile froze. “Home? This is home. How about you ask how I’ve been first? If I’m well. Inquire about my mother’s health, in fact. I don’t like that you think you can breeze in here and call the shots, darling. You abandoned me. I was grieving just as you were about losing our child.”

  It was all Sabine could do not to rake his eyes out with her nails. “As I recall, your way of grieving involved multiple hookers.”

  “You were shut off from me completely, and I needed you as much as you needed—I’m not sure what you needed, Sabine. But you’re here now, and I still need you.”

  Sabine froze. “I’m not staying here, Richard.”

  “Maybe I can persuade you, if you’ll give me the chance. Louisiana is a fault/no-fault state, is it not? I can claim that you abandoned me in my time of need.”

  “Richard, you’re a lawyer. You, of all people know that we’ve been living apart for nearly two years and we don’t have children together.”

  “Yes, but in a covenant marriage, the law is two years. If we reconcile, it’s like you never left.” There was a gleam in his eye that made Sabine go cold.

  “We aren’t going to reconcile.” She ground the words out.

  He ran a finger over her bare forearm and she recoiled before controlling the reaction. “You never know. Stranger things have happened. I remember a time when you couldn’t get enough.”

  “I’m here for a divorce, Richard, not reconciliation. Besides, I’ve got proof that you were unfaithful to me. That’s enough to undo the covenant marriage laws for divorce. You see, I’ve been reading up on the laws too. It doesn’t take an attorney to understand my rights. Draw up the paperwork, Richard.”

  “I know you want your cozy, life with your little damaged patients and your mommy over in Mayberry, RFD, Alabama, but I counsel you to reconsider making rash choices. I need you to stand beside me during this election cycle. Reelection is all that matters. Your threats to ruin my chances for that put me in a position to take actions that I’d rather not even consider.”

  Knowing that Ben was listening, and likely recording the conversation made Sabine bold. “What are you suggesting, Richard? Are you threatening to hurt me?”

  Richard’s expression became guarded. “Of course I’m not going to hurt you. You’re far too valuable to me. Plus, I love you, Sabine. You’re my wife.” He shifted in his chair. “I’m telling you that I can make your life in Alabama less pleasant than the one you have here. I’m certain your patients trust you. They share all their deepest, darkest secrets with you, don’t they? What if they found out you were a fraud? Not legally licensed to practice as a therapist?”

  Sabine’s heart nearly dropped to her feet. “What are you talking about? Of course I’m licensed.”

  “Clerical errors happen all the time. I mean look at all the names you’ve gone by. If your license is a phony, for whatever reason, it’s not legal. Seeds of doubt are easily planted, especially when they all find out who you really are. Your father is a pariah. Everyone will know who he is, and what he’s done, even all the way over there. It’s a strong Christian community, is it not? A sinner is a sinner. A liar, is a liar. The townsfolk don’t take kindly to either one.”

  “The town knows me and they trust me.” Sabine hoped he was wrong.

  But a larger part of what Richard said rang loud and true in the back of her mind.

  “And Sabine, don’t even consider backing out of going to the ball. It’s the only way you’ll get your divorce without a hugely contested and nasty fight in court. I can and will drag this out. And neither of us wants that, do we?”

  She shivered at his smile.

  “Take a breath. I’m coming,” Sabine heard Ben whisper in her ear.

  “You’re a horrible liar, Sabine. I’m surprised they haven’t figured you out by now.”

  Sabine looked around the room, as if for a way out.

  “Excuse me, Dr. O’Connor, I found your sweater in the back of the car. I wondered if you might need it?” Ben held her sweater in front of her. He’d never looked so handsome, and so official.

  Richard frowned. “Who is this?”

  “This is Ben, my driver and personal security while I’m in town.”

  Ben nodded politely.

  “Could I get your last name, son?” Richard asked.

  “No, you may not. He works for me, Richard. It’s no longer your business whom I hire or what I do. I’m leaving now. Draw up the papers. I’ll sign them Saturday at the end of the evening. That’s all you’ll get from me. I’ll have my attorney back home handle the details.”

  “Ah, so you do have an attorney?” Richard’s voice was smooth, but angry.

  “Of course. Did you think I was stupid and trusting enough to let your attorneys see to my best interests? Everyone who divorces hires an attorney.”

  “I believed we could handle this between the two of us,” Richard said.

  “Clearly we cannot. I’m leaving.” Ben gave a quick nod and pulled out Sabine’s chair for her. He then coolly inclined his head at Richard. The split-second insult wasn’t lost on Richard.

  “I’ll pick you up at your hotel tomorrow. Send me the address,” Richard said.

  “I’ll meet you there,” Sabine answered. “Ben will drive me.”

  Richard reached down beside his chair and brought up a shopping bag. “Take this, Sabine. I like you in red,” Richard said.

  Ben stepped forward, taking the bag from Richard to carry.

  “I’ll wear what I choose.” She turned her back and Ben followed, the bag dangling from his fingertips.

  They were back in the car and Sabine’s breathing was near to hyperventilating. “How could I have ever married such a complete pile of shit?”

  “People change. Richard took a hard nosedive to the dark side. Buckle up and hang on because I’m going to do some pretty slick driving in case Richard’s people follow. He seemed pretty keen on finding out where you were staying, and considering his threatening tone, we can’t take the chance.”

  Sabine clic
ked her seat belt into place and settled in for a bumpy ride, understanding how many potholes they would hit moving fast. “Do you think he’s going to let me go without a fight? And what was all that about reconciling?”

  “Doesn’t sound like he’s in the mood to cooperate.” Ben hauled butt through a yellow light that was turning red.

  Hopefully, he wouldn’t get stopped by one of New Orleans’s finest. Those guys didn’t play when it came to meting out justice. “Watch for cops, okay? The last thing we need is for Richard to call in the cavalry to put you in jail so he can have more access to me.”

  Ben glanced back at her and his expression was fierce. “I didn’t think of that. Does he have that kind of pull?”

  Sabine rolled her eyes. “Of course he does. He can call in favors all over town. We should have checked in under aliases at the B&B.”

  “We did. I mean, I asked Mrs. Bergeron to put us down in her book as Mr. And Mrs. Grey Harrison if anyone asks.”

  “You did?” Sabine somehow missed that exchange, but was secretly impressed by his secret agent preparedness.

  “I thought about it later.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She just winked and nodded. Said we weren’t the first couple staying at her place who didn’t want to be found. But she trusts Tanner, so she trusts us.”

  “Thank God for your buddy, Tanner, once again.”

  Ben nodded and briefly met her eyes in the rearview mirror as he squealed tires around another curve. “Not sure if that black sedan two cars back is one of Richard’s guys.”

  “Oh.” Sabine turned to try and get a visual of the possible tail. The windows of the car in pursuit were heavily tinted, which was pretty typical of Richard’s security detail. The car was nondescript, so no help there.

  “I’m going to try and lose them at the next light I can run. There’s still a car between us, so maybe I can shake them.”

  “Does Howard have any pull with the local authorities? Like from a higher authority? Maybe it would supersede any questionable, corrupted favor Richard might call in,” Sabine asked.

  “Worth a try.” He quickly pressed a button and tossed his phone back to her. “Howard’s number is in my top ten contacts. Give him a call and tell him what’s shaking. See if he can help.”

  Sabine took his phone and dialed Howard’s number. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Howard, this is Sabine. We’re at the corner of St. Charles Avenue and Jefferson Street uptown. We are pretty sure Richard’s guys are following us and that he has influence with the local police. Do you have any available resources to help us out?”

  “Are they just tailing you or are you in danger?” Howard asked, all business.

  “I don’t think we’re in danger at this point; I think Richard wants to find out where I’m staying, but I wouldn’t put it past him to have Ben stopped by police to get his information. Right now, we’d like to lose the tail.”

  “Got it. I’ll need the license plate number of the car you’re driving. It’s in the glove compartment. That way, the two of you won’t be bothered.”

  “Okay. Hang on while I get it.” She kicked her shoes off and proceeded to crawl over the front seat next to Ben. Her execution wasn’t exactly ladylike.

  Ben raised his brows when she landed in a heap beside him, legs in the air. His lips curled in amusement. “Well, hello.”

  She rolled her eyes at him, then set to work finding the information for Howard. “Okay, here it is.” She read off the car’s info from the registration.

  “Do you have a full tank of gas?” Howard asked.

  Sabine leaned over to see the fuel gauge. “Yes.”

  “Tell Ben to keep driving safely until you hear back from me. Then, head toward the nearest police station once I’ve established my connection with authorities. We’ll make sure your tail is detained after that so you can safely get to your hotel from there. What does the car behind you look like?”

  “Black four-door sedan with heavily tinted windows. That’s about all I can see.”

  “Okay. Should be easy to identify if they stick close.”

  “Thanks so much Howard,” Sabine said.

  “Of course. What’s an old spy to do with his golden years and security clearance if not help out his family?”

  “Thanks, Howard,” Ben spoke loudly enough from the driver’s side for Howard to hear on his end.

  “Tell my stepson to drive safely or his mother will worry, and I can’t have that.”

  “Yes, sir,” Sabine said and disconnected the call.

  “He said to keep driving safely until he calls back to confirm he’s made his connection with the authorities. We’re to head toward a police station and they’ll detain the car tailing us so we can get free of them.”

  “I’m so glad he’s my new dad,” Ben said. “I mean that in so many ways.”

  Sabine believed him. If one was going to acquire a new father at age thirty, it might as well be one as awesome as Howard.

  “Are they still following?”

  “They’re still a couple cars back.” Sabine was now in the front seat beside Ben. He’d slowed their speed down and the car behind them didn’t appear to be trying to move closer—only keep them in sight, which was a relief.

  They made their way toward the mighty Mississippi and took a left hand turn on Tchoupitoulas Street that meandered along the riverfront toward the French Quarter. “I’ll check to see where the nearest police station is.” She pulled up her GPS map and entered the New Orleans Police Department locations. “The Port of Orleans is on our right in about a mile and a half. It might be our best bet.”

  “Okay. This traffic’s crawling, so we’re not in any danger. There isn’t any place to go.” Ben’s phone rang then. “Hello? Hey Howard. We’re on Tchoupitoulas about a mile and a quarter from the Port of Orleans on the river. Okay.” Ben listened for a couple seconds. “Makes sense. Great. Thanks again. We’ll check in when we get back to our hotel.”

  “What did he say?” Sabine asked.

  “Howard says to be looking for a police presence in a few minutes. Not sure how they’ll manage it, but there’ll be a tie-up just long enough for us to get loose and for the cops to detain the car following us.”

  Sure enough, as they approached the port authority, blue lights appeared on all sides. The officer asked to see Ben’s identification and then waved them through without so much as a flicker of recognition. These guys were good.

  However, as Ben and Sabine stared into their side-view mirrors, they noticed the driver of the black car on their tail wasn’t so lucky. He’d been made to step out of the car by the officers.

  “Whew. Glad that’s over. It looks like they’re letting everyone else go by now. It’s still likely to tie up traffic until they move the car. I feel awful about that. Most of these people are on vacation,” Sabine said.

  Having lived in the city, she understood how terrible traffic could bottleneck in this area.

  “They’ll get them moving quickly now that they’ve got their guys. I’m sure they’ll just run a quick driver’s license background check for unpaid parking tickets and fines and let them go. By then, we’ll be well on our way,” Ben said.

  “Richard will be so angry his guys were detained, but it happens all the time here to ordinary citizens. I doubt he’ll think anything was amiss. Just dumb luck. And it’s likely his guys have some outstanding unpaid fines or tickets, so it will come out as their own fault in the end,” Sabine said.

  “True. I find it unlikely they’re fine, upstanding citizens who pay their fees and fines in a timely fashion, or always park in an approved zone, for that matter,” Ben agreed. “Then again, if the police constantly ignore their transgressions because they are Richard’s minions, they may turn up squeaky clean.”

  “I kind of doubt they maintain that same deference in their personal lives. Richard wouldn’t excuse or allow any bad behavior to stain his reputation if any of his people went around using
his name in vain without him there,” Sabine mused.

  “You have a point. Their personal records could be a mess. These are guys who go around every day at work behaving like the rules don’t apply to them. It’s unlikely they switch that behavior off when they clock out at the end of the day.”

  When Ben got near the bed and breakfast, Sabine noticed that he checked his mirrors carefully. He passed the driveway and went a block, making certain they weren’t being followed. “I know it seems like I’m behaving overly cautiously, but I really don’t want Richard having the upper hand by knowing where you’re staying.”

  Sabine nodded. “I understand. I don’t want him to know either. He creeped me out this morning. I’m surprised you didn’t pounce on him the minute he started insulting me. Good job on your self-control.”

  “I hope you realize that I wanted to rip that skeezy bastard to shreds within a minute of your stepping inside that coffee shop. But I was recording his words in case he let anything slip. I know I can’t use them in court without his knowledge of being recorded, but the more information we have, the better our chances of getting you unhitched from him quickly and without complications. It’s a low and dirty way of handling things, but Richard is proving to be as low and dirty as they come.”

  “I wasn’t being passive-aggressive. I know you wanted to step in and take him out. You’re a hero-type and a gentleman. I could feel your protective streak kick in. I know how hard it was for you to do nothing and wait it out. Plus, I could hear you cursing under your breath in my ear and calling him names. And it kept me from tearing his eyes out with my bare hands. I was afraid when I saw him I would feel something. But this black cloud of anger overtook me and it was a struggle to even speak in a civil tone to him.”

  “I could hear it in your voice. Here I thought you’d play the good cop and make him feel like you were putty in his hands. That’s why I came in with the sweater when I did. I couldn’t handle any more, and I could tell you were at your limit. I was trying not to make sounds in your earpiece so you wouldn’t react and make him suspect anything was off.”