Paper-Thin Walls

by Melanie Jones Brownrigg

  From the video, Ryan watched his face turn into a deep scowl. “No way. My presentation for the Clark Anders Development Center is spot on. It’s probably the best design this company has ever come up with. I’ve put a ton of work into researching accommodations for special needs students, including ease of access. My design focuses on preferential seating and spaces with minimal distractions, including testing areas for group settings, as well as private test sites. I’ve taken special lighting and acoustics into consideration and even constructed a 3D model to show off some of the more intricate details. Overall, I don’t think I’ve left anything out. It’s going to knock the socks off Mr. Campbell and it’s going to get me that promotion. And besides, by the time you gave me credit for the Luxury Towers, the promotion will have already been decided. I’m not doing it. Sorry about your plans falling in the pool, but I’ve got to look out for my family. This promotion is far too important.”

  Jason had pleaded with Ryan for a while longer. Eventually Jeff had tired of the extended discussion and walked on with Trent, leaving Ryan behind. Watching the video play out prompted Ryan to recall the discussion almost verbatim, and he badly wished they would have been seated at the other end of the long table, close enough for Mr. Campbell to have noticed Jason’s prolonged begging, or better yet, heard him. But what it boiled down to was, Jason was lying to him when he said Ryan had agreed to trade the plans.

  Ryan followed the camera recordings as he made his exit and began walking back to his car, alone, which was now outside the scope of the interior cameras of the Bottles Up Distillery.

  But while the recordings solidified Jason being a sleazebag, it didn’t explain how Ryan ended up at Shannon Lowry’s place.

  ***

  Ryan checked the time on the recording, noting he had left Bottles Up Distillery at precisely eight-thirty. He’d told Hailey he’d be home somewhere around nine, maybe earlier he’d told her if he could get away. Ryan’s departure was within the timeframe he’d estimated and so it was no wonder he hadn’t called Hailey. Heck, he should’ve been home within the next fifteen minutes or so, depending on traffic lights.

  Though the recording only proved Ryan left the establishment walking a straight line, Martin was kind enough to make a copy for Ryan to take with him. After thanking Martin, Ryan zigzagged his way through the crowded bar area and back out onto the street. He followed the same path back to his car as he had taken that night. He remembered crossing the street and Shannon calling out to him.

  “Hey, Ryan, wait up. I don’t want to walk alone.”

  “Sure thing.”

  She crossed the street to catch up to him. Ryan remembered his focus was on her four-inch heels and how gracefully she handled her stride.

  “Thanks,” she said, catching up to him. “A girl can’t be too careful these days.”

  “That’s for sure,” Ryan said as they began the return walk.

  Ryan recalled a bit of talk about the party, but then things quieted down as they approached the lower level of the parking garage where all employees within the Engineering Building routinely parked in their assigned parking spaces on Level Three. Each morning when Ryan entered the structure and parked, he would then take a parking garage elevator to the skybridge and walk over the street below. From there, he took another elevator to his floor at Premier Designs. But the night of the party, he and Shannon had walked straight into the garage as if they were driving in because this path was closer to their cars, as opposed to entering back through the Engineering Building and working over to the skybridge.

  Following the same path was helping Ryan remember the events of that night more clearly. In fact, Ryan remembered everything up to this point. Tonight, he entered the garage elevator and rode it upward, just as he and Shannon had that night. Now that he was on the lift, he remembered punching Level 3 and as the elevator jerked in takeoff, he recalled Shannon losing her balance in her stilettoes. She caught herself on Ryan and he helped to balance her.

  “Sorry, I’m such a klutz,” she had apologized.

  At the time, Ryan thought he had bumped his upper arm into something sharp in the process of stabilizing Shannon. But now, as Ryan relived the event, he felt certain Shannon had stabbed him with something, perhaps a needle.

  When the doors parted and he stepped off, his memory of that night flashed back to him. He had only taken a few steps away from the lift when he suddenly felt woozy. He remembered stumbling and everything was out of focus.

  “You had too much to drink,” Shannon had made a point of. “Let me drive you home.”

  Ryan hadn’t wanted her assistance. He imagined Hailey going ballistic if Shannon Lowry, of all people, was the one to show up at his doorstep with Ryan in tow. “No, I’ll call Hailey. She’ll come and get me,” he had slurred out, barely able to keep himself upright.

  Ryan now remembered he couldn’t walk a straight line and he was seeing two of everything, and both were blurry. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll call my wife,” he had muttered, thinking he was going to make it to his car.

  “Over here. My car’s closer,” Shannon had said, directing him to a tan Honda Civic. “Here, let me help you inside.”

  Ryan remembered beads of sweat across his forehead and the last few steps being all he could muster. He then slumped into the seat, thinking he was going to pass out. And he must have because the next thing he recalled was waking up naked, next to Shannon.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Hailey

  After driving past the house and discovering Ryan wasn’t home, I wasn’t sure what to think, but then I received a bank notification that Ryan had just withdrawn three hundred dollars from our joint bank account, and from all places, the Bottles Up Distillery. All I could think was that he was out partying … and on a weekday. What was he up to? Was he looking to score AGAIN! Or was he out having the time of his life with Shannon Lowry? Either way, I was furious. If Adam hadn’t been with me, I would’ve driven downtown and marched right into the Bottles Up Distillery and given Ryan a piece of my mind. In fact, I would do exactly that when I told him he could take that gift card and the reservations to The Terrace and shove them up his ass. Well, I’d probably keep the gift card. But no way in hell was I going on a date with him.

  Did he think I wouldn’t know about his extravagant night out on the town? That he’d slip it by me? Well, if he did, then he’d sorely underestimated me. He’d already made a big mistake with Shannon, and now he’d made another one. Good thing I did a drive by. And to think I was considering reconciliation. Well, fool me once, shame on you. But he wasn’t fooling me twice. This weekend I would be looking for a new place to live, one that didn’t include him.

  After pulling into the apartment complex and coming to a stop, I wanted to slam my car door to let out some of my frustration. But since Adam was with me, I sucked in my anger and helped him unbuckle the middle button on the child seat latch, then stepped aside while he crawled to the ground.

  Bill’s black Ford F-150 was parked next to a blue Mazda. The damp night air had left a blanket of moisture across his windshield. Taking Adam by the hand, I led us across the darkened parking lot and into the building. The rec room was filled with old people playing dominoes. Laughter mixed with the scent of Bengay filled the air as Adam and I headed up the stairs. Pausing on the landing, I looked around to see if Bill was lurking in the hallway, waiting for me. It seemed unlikely, but then again, he’d blindsided me once before.

  With everything quiet, I darted across the hallway and to my front door with the key poised and ready. In one swift move, I had us inside and the door triple locked, once with the knob, once with the deadbolt, and then the chain for whatever it was worth.

  “I’m hungry,” Adam immediately complained.

  Crud. Between the trip to the dumpster, my inordinately long shower, taking the suitcase to the police station and driving by the house, I hadn’t even thought of food.

  “Gosh, Adam, I’m sorry. I’ll find us something
to eat.” I wished he’d said something while we were out and about because a drive-thru would’ve been easier.

  After searching the kitchen, I heated up two bowls of SpaghettiOs. It was something Adam loved, but something I had to stomach. It did the trick though and soon enough I had him in the bath, getting ready for bed.

  Everything was quiet next door, giving me an eerie feeling. But after putting Adam to bed, I was relieved to go into my own bedroom and discover Bill was next door, already in his bed and sawing logs, his deep snore coming through the walls in repetitive breaths. Thank goodness, maybe I could get a good night’s rest myself.

  But as I tucked in under the cover, my thoughts drifted to Ryan, wondering what he had been up to tonight. It infuriated me to think he could so easily move on from me. My angry thoughts kept me awake for the better part of two hours before I finally fell into slumber.

  When the morning arrived, I was pleased to find that, after a few routine noises, Bill left for work. I hoped Detective Sutton would be able to FaceTime today with Kenna and I could put this whole sordid mess behind me. Tomorrow was Saturday and I planned to begin searching for a safer place to live. Away from Kenna. Away from Bill. And sadly, away from Ryan.

  After dropping Adam at preschool, I headed into work, arriving at the same time as Carter, sharing an elevator with him, along with four other people I didn’t know.

  “How are you liking your job?” Carter asked, making small talk.

  “I’m loving it,” I admitted.

  “Yeah, I like it here, too … now that all the drama has simmered down.”

  Carter held the main door open for my entrance and we continued friendly chatting on the way down the hall and into our office. I was fitting in well with my coworkers. It was good to be back in the workforce.

  Sometime around mid-afternoon, a fourth delivery of roses came from Ryan. I took them, along with the ones from yesterday and chunked them in the trash.

  James widened his eyes behind his thick, black-framed glasses, but went straight back to his computer screen without saying a word. Carter whistled low and shook his head. Sarah dropped her jaw, leaving her mouth hanging open. She, too, didn’t say anything … at least not until the afternoon break.

  “What’s with binning the flowers?” Sarah asked the first chance she got.

  “Ryan was out catting around last night to the tune of a three-hundred-dollar cash withdrawal at the Bottles Up Distillery. He’s blown his chances. Tomorrow I’m looking for a new place of my own.”

  “Oh Hailey, I’m so sorry. I thought Shannon was a one-time deal.”

  She gave me a hug. I teared up and couldn’t stop the flow. “I just hate it. I really do. I thought he was trying … and I was wavering. And of course, Adam desperately wants his father. I thought it would be best for all of us if we reunited.” I sucked in a snot bubble. “But now he’s gone and done this. What a two-faced piece of shit he is. We’re done.”

  After a fifteen-minute cryfest, I cleaned myself up in the ladies’ room and went back to work, wishing the workday would be over. But then what? Home, next door to Bill? And then tomorrow starting over again, alone. It was more than my heart could take.

  When five o’clock finally rolled around, Sarah and I left at the same time. “Would you like for me to keep Adam tomorrow while you search for a new place?”

  “No. Thank you, though. Either Ryan can take him, or my parents will. I hadn’t planned on dragging him around.”

  “Well, if you need me, give me a call.”

  “I will. Thanks again,” I said as we parted ways.

  After swinging by and getting Adam, we went home. After making sure we were locked inside, I zapped some of the leftover pizza in the microwave for supper. It was the weekend and Adam wanted to watch a Netflix movie. He picked out Lady and the Tramp and became one with the TV. With him entranced in front of the boob tube, my time was spent searching the Internet for a safer apartment complex.

  Because my job in reimbursements now included payroll, I had paid myself today, along with all the other employees at Harrington Oil & Gas. My check didn’t even cover a full two weeks. It wasn’t much of a job history, but it was paycheck, and the paystub would prove I was working. Hopefully, it would be enough for a gated community.

  This time, I didn’t want to feel so rushed. If a suitable place couldn’t be found right away, I wanted to keep searching. Bill’s threat circled my brain like a vulture. Would he really kill me if I didn’t move out this weekend? Surely, he would realize I’d have to find a place before moving. I planned on laying low in the meantime. If he didn’t see me as a nosy neighbor, I should be okay. And if need be, I’d tell him I spoke with the detective, and he’d assured me everything was okay with Kenna. Heck, I’d even apologize and tell him I was sorry for jumping to conclusions. It should buy me some time, if needed. I hoped.

  Two hours later, I had an organized list, beginning with my number one choice and ending with opportunity number ten. It was mapped out and color-coded with Adam’s crayons as to best amenities, proximity either to Adam’s preschool or my work, and best location for nearby grocery stores, gas stations and fast-food places. If I couldn’t get into one of these places, I wasn’t going back to the drawing board with lesser housing options. Whatever it took, I wasn’t obligating myself to anything less.

  We were coming up on seven-thirty when my cell phone let out a default ring from the side pouch of my purse. I fished it out and answered. “Hello.”

  “I’m trying to get in touch with Hailey Sinclair.”

  “This is Hailey.”

  “Hailey, this is Detective Tanner Sutton with the Fort Worth Police Department. I was calling about Kenna.”

  For sure, I thought we were going to switch to FaceTime, and I was going to lay eyes on her. A feeling of anxiety grabbed hold of my emotions, expecting to see her battered face but with her contrasting voice telling me she was perfectly fine.

  “Yes, is she okay?” I asked.

  “No … I mean I don’t know. I’ve tried dozens of times today to get hold of her. Her mother-in-law isn’t answering the phone. It could be that she doesn’t want to speak to me again and simply isn’t answering. But I’d like to know for sure.”

  “What if I attempt to call her?” I suggested. “She won’t recognize my number and she might answer.” I already had her contact info after hearing it through the wall.

  “I suppose we can try that. But most people don’t answer unknown calls.”

  “Well, let me at least try and I’ll call you back.”

  We disconnected from each other, and I dialed the number three separate times, but no one answered. After letting it ring and ring and ring each time, I called the detective back.

  “No answer.” My gut had told me all along that something was wrong and right now, it was screaming. “I’m going down to Hillsboro tomorrow and beating Bill’s mother’s door down until someone answers.”

  “No, you are not!” he barked. “Do not put yourself in the middle of this. I’ll go myself. From what you’ve said about Bill, if he got wind that you were down there, all hell would break loose.”

  “No, I’m going. I want to see Kenna for myself. I have to positively know for sure that she’s okay.”

  The loudest sigh I’d ever heard came through the line and into my ear. “Then ride with me. But you’re staying in my truck while I handle it. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll be glad to do it your way.”

  “Fine,” he grunted, not sounding the least bit pleased about our upcoming road trip. “I’ll pick you up at ten o’clock, okay?” He paused for a moment. “You live to the north of Bill and Kenna, correct?”

  “Yes, and I’ll be ready.”

  After tucking Adam in bed and reading him three stories, I watched the nightly news. When a report came on about a dead body being found along the Trinity River, I thought for sure it was going to be Kenna. It turned out to be Elena Johnson, a surgical n
urse, whose car must have skidded off the road in the recent torrential rains.

  Flipping off the TV, I crawled into bed, anxious about what tomorrow would bring. While I wanted to find Kenna safe and sound with a baby on the way, something told me a can of worms was about to be opened.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Hailey

  After texting Ryan about taking Adam for the day, I cruised over to the house. Adam was anxious to see his father, but a bit disappointed that I wasn’t staying.

  “Why are you only dropping me off,” he pouted. “I thought you were going to play mini-golf with me and Daddy. How come you’re not?”

  “I have an errand to run today. I’m going down to Hillsboro to see Kenna.”

  “The funny-looking girl?”

  “Yes, I’m going to see her with the detective.”

  “The man from last night who took the suitcase?”

  “Yes, we’re going to make sure Kenna’s okay. We have to watch out for our friends, right?”

  He frowned, which I’d noticed he was doing a lot lately. “Yeah, I guess so. But I wish we could move back home with Daddy. I don’t like that we’re not living together, and I miss my room.”

  The guilt trip Adam had just piled on my shoulders felt heavy. I didn’t like it either. But Ryan was the one to blame, not me. I wasn’t staying married to a disloyal man. I just wasn’t.

  “I’m sure you’ll have fun today even if I’m not there. You’ll be fine.”

  When I pulled into the driveway, Ryan stepped out onto the porch and smiled. I barreled out of the car and undid Adam’s safety restraint. As soon as my son’s feet hit the ground, I hugged and kissed him. “You be good. Mama’s running late. I’ll see you later.”