Larry saw her life slipping away.
What was he supposed to do now?
Chapter 68
Jonny woke up with a huge hangover. An empty bottle of rum lay next to him. Butterscotch coated popcorn was scattered on the couch and floor. Groggily, he rubbed his eyes and checked the clock.
It was ten a.m.
Shit. His meeting was at eleven. He needed to get to the station and fast. He pulled himself from the couch, his body heavy from the night before, and jumped in the shower. In a minute he was out, drying off and slipping on dress pants and a button down shirt. He needed to look nice and respectable. He walked by Dana’s room. In his drunkenness, he never heard her come home. Her door was open, bed neatly made. Had she gone to the station already? She’s working too hard, he thought, making a mental note to tell her to take it easy when he saw her.
Jonny drove over to the station arriving at ten forty-five. It was good that he was early. It would show Ted how serious he was.
Jonny weaved through the sales cubicles and up to the second floor. He stopped by Dana’s office to fill her in and see how her weekend went, but her door was locked, lights out. That’s weird, he thought, unless Dana didn’t come home last night. He smiled at the thought of Dana taking an extra day to spend with Cody. And here he was thinking of telling her to stop working so hard. Obviously, she had.
He retreated to his office and took in his surroundings. Gold albums of bands they played hung on the walls. On his desk stood the complete collection of the Super Friends action figure series. They were lined up across the top in different poses. In what other line of work would this be acceptable? he thought, realizing his days in radio were probably numbered. Next to the figures was a picture of Jill and himself taken last year over the holidays. They looked so happy. She looked so pretty.
And now everything had changed.
The magnitude of what was happening at this very moment scared him. Everything he had was slipping through his fingers.
“Stop acting like the victim!” he could hear Dana say. “You brought this on yourself!”
And she’d be right. He wrecked his marriage and his career in one single swoop. An affair with Heather, some loose girl who wanted to be a radio star. She used him and he let himself be used, deluding himself with the idea that she was attracted to him and not what he could do for her. When would he learn? Jonny Rock was Jonathan Roeker and would always be Jonathan Roeker. Awkward, insecure and alone.
He put his head in his hands and sighed. Waiting for Ted’s phone call was torture. Pure torture.
With that the phone rang. Jonny’s heart skipped two beats. “Hello,” he answered, sweat beading on his forehead.
“Hey Jonny, it’s Sharon.”
“Oh, hey,” he said, angry with her for calling and freaking him out that way. “What is it?”
“I was just getting things together for the promotion you have this weekend.”
If I’m still working here, Jonny thought. “Yeah. It’s the surf shop thing, right?”
“Yep, that’s the one. Nick’s been on me to confirm that you’re locked in for this one.”
“That’s Nick.”
“Cool. I’ll tell him it’s a go. By the way, did Dana tell you about the great time we had this weekend?”
“I didn’t see Dana. I don’t think she came home last night…I figured she decided to stay an extra night…”
“No,” Sharon responded, confused, “I flew home with Dana. Cody was going back home, of that I’m certain. He told us all that at our goodbye lunch. In fact, he sent a limo for Dana when we got back to the airport.”
“Oh. That’s weird,” he said distractedly.
“Yeah…did you try her cell?”
“Uh, no, good thought, I’ll do that.”
“Let me know what happens…I’ll feel better knowing Dana’s okay.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Jonny hung up the phone confused. He pulled out his phone list and searched for Dana’s cell number.
His phone rang.
“Jonny, it’s Ted, we need you in the GM’s office now.”
Jonny sprang from his chair, nearly sprinting to the office. He walked in and saw a grim faced Ted and Heather sitting across from GM, Bill Fox.
“Jonny, have a seat,” Bill said, motioning to the empty chair next to Ted.
He silently lowered himself into the chair.
“Jonny, this is a very unfortunate situation. Two people partaking in this kind of relationship.” He pounded his fist on his desk like a gavel and gave Jonny his concerned look. “But I understand this relationship was consensual. Heather has signed an agreement stating that. We need you to do the same.”
Okay, good, she signed the paper. No lawsuit.
“Sure,” he said picking up a pen from the GM’s desk. Bill pushed the paper towards him. He scanned it briefly. The wording was simple. Each was acknowledging they had a consensual relationship with each other. He signed quickly.
“Very good,” Bill said. “Don’t go anywhere.”
He buzzed his secretary, Kim, to come in and photocopy the document. The three sat in silence. Kim returned moments later. Bill took one copy and handed it to Heather.
“This is for you,” he said, “and best of luck on Long Island.”
“Thank you,” Heather said, taking the copy. She peeked at Jonny out of the corner of her eye. He was staring blankly straight ahead, completely unaware of her. Oh well, she thought, he served his purpose. She was a disc jockey now. She didn’t need him anymore. And with that final thought, she left the office.
As soon as the door closed, Bill began speaking. “Jonny, this is quite a mess you got yourself into and I’m not quite sure what to do with you.”
“Sir, I’m sorry.”
“Are you?” Bill folded his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair causing the chair to squeak. Bill was a very large man with a very large ego. “Tell me why I shouldn’t fire you right now.” He also was on a very big power trip and loved the idea of holding someone’s fate in his hands.
“As you know I am a very hard worker. I put a lot into my shifts…”
“Ted told me you were voice tracking to go sleep with Heather. Is that putting a lot into your shift?” He raised his eyebrows.
“No, sir.” Jonny answered realizing at this point contrition was probably the only way out.
“So what are you worth to me? As far as I can see you’re a loose cannon who is extremely full of himself.”
“I can change, believe me, this was a hard earned lesson. My wife left me.”
“She should have.”
The words stung. “I know.”
“Well, I’ve made my decision.” In fact, Bill had made his decision before Jonny even opened his mouth, he just wanted to see the little bastard sweat.
“Okay,” Jonny said, his mouth dry.
“I won’t fire you, but you will be suspended for two weeks without pay, plus you will lose your bonus and your raise for this year.”
“But…” The suspension without pay he could understand, but denying him his raise? He needed the money. They were attacking his livelihood.
“But, what? If you don’t like it you don’t have to stay.”
Jonny was cornered. He did need them more than they needed him. If he left, where would he go? They certainly wouldn’t give him a glowing recommendation. Besides, here he was known in the community. He was Jonny Rock. He was a star. He had no choice.
“I’ll take the deal.”
“Good,” Bill said, folding his hands. “Now, you don’t discuss this with anyone. No one at all. And keep your pants on.”
Jonny nodded.
“You’re dismissed.” Jonny rose silently from his seat, head down.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Ted, the silent witness said as if to show Jonny that he had power too.
Jonny left and trudged back to his office.
He slumped into his chair.
And cried.
Chapter 69
Cody woke up at his house in Gainesville still reeling from the night before. His father had been living off the money he was earning. His mother let him back in her life, her house and presumably, her bed.
After everything his dad had done.
Cody was angry beyond words. He was livid. He picked up the phone to call Dana. He didn’t get a chance to phone her last night because he got home too late. He hoped she wasn’t mad. He really needed her right now.
He dialed her at home and got her answering machine. Disappointed, he left a message, then tried her at work. Again, he got her machine.
“Oh, Dana…where are you?” he muttered.
Cody felt completely alone and again it was because of his father. He plodded out of bed and into the kitchen. Bobby and Harper were gathered around the kitchen table, eating cereal, talking in low voices.
“Hey…Cody Blue, welcome back,” Bobby said with a wave.
“Good to see you man,” he said shaking his hand.
“You too, buddy.” Harper stuck his hand out.
“It’s good to be home,” Cody said, and it was. He was in the house he’d really grown up in – the house from his college years – with the only real family he had ever known. The band decided to stay living together in their house in Gainesville until they really hit it big. The money they’d received so far they were saving. They didn’t want to buy an okay house when their rock star mansion was only a top ten song away.
Cody took a bowl from the cupboard and poured himself some cereal to join the group.
“So what have I missed? How were your days off?”
“Relaxing.”
“Interesting. And yours?”
“Incredible,” Cody said with a smile, thinking of Dana.
Bobby caught his grin. “So things are good with the deejay.”
“You could say that.”
“I’m happy for you man,” Harper said, “and jealous. But seriously, it’s good to see one of us in a good relationship.” He stopped eating. “Have you talked to Alex, yet?”
Cody spooned a bowl of sweet flakes into his mouth. “No, what’s up with him?”
Bobby and Harper exchanged knowing glances.
“What’s up?” Cody repeated.
Bobby started, “Alex is marrying Kylie.”
“What?”
“And he’s quitting the band.”
Cody dropped his spoon in his cereal. Milk and flakes flew everywhere. “What?!?”
“Seems on his short little break he met Kylie’s dad, the preacher, and found religion.”
“Where’d he find it, under the couch?”
Bobby and Harper laughed. “No man,” Bobby continued, “her dad had some big talk with him and he decided to become a religious man and marry Kylie and raise a family.”
“Okay…I can see that, but what about the band?”
“Devil music.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
They grew somber. The normally quiet Harper spoke up. “Naw, dude, it’s true. Bobby and I were just talking about what we’re gonna do.”
Cody breathed heavily. Everything was changing. Again. “Find a new guitar player?”
“Yeah…we gotta talk to Eric. I don’t know, without Alex it’s not gonna be the same. We were the original three.” Harper put down his spoon.
“So?” Cody said incredulously. Success was so close…they couldn’t give up now.
“The party’s over guys. It was a good ride though,” Bobby resigned.
“It’s not over,” Cody said adamantly, “not by a long shot.” He got up from the table and pushed his chair in anger against the table.
He went to his room and grabbed his suitcase. Fortunately he had not unpacked so leaving was easy. He threw a few items into his bag. Bobby followed him.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“What does it look like? I’m leaving.” The past two days were too much. He needed time and space.
“I know you’re disappointed but, c’mon man, don’t do something so rash.”
Cody zipped up his suitcase. “I’m not. Alex had his flip out…this is mine.” He began walking to the front door.
“Where are you going?” Bobby asked.
“Home,” Cody said. “I’m going home.”
*
Three hours later Cody was cruising down the highway to Dana. She was his home.
It was hard to process the past two days. His mother had been lying to him and his band was breaking up. The people the closest to him had disappointed him the most. He stepped on the gas thinking about it, trying to put as many miles between his past and his future as possible.
Cody picked up his cell phone and tried calling Dana again. There was still no answer at home or at work. He called the station back and asked to speak with Sharon.
“Hi, promotions, this is Sharon.”
“Hey, Sharon, it’s Cody.”
She brightened. “Cody…what’s up? It was so much fun this weekend.”
“It was. It was. Hey, maybe you can help me out. I’m trying to reach Dana, have you seen her today?”
“No, not yet, but I have to tell you that was really cool what you did for her when she got back.”
“The flowers?” Cody asked.
“No, silly, the limousine. She was so impressed.”
“What limousine?”
“The limo you sent to take her home from the airport. Very rock star.”
“Sharon, I didn’t send her a limo,” Cody said, suddenly scared.
“You didn’t? Then who did?”
“Who the hell did Dana go with, Sharon?”
“Oh God, what are you thinking…?”
“Sharon, I think you need to try to find her. See if anyone’s seen her…isn’t that guy Jonny staying with her?”
“Yeah.”
“Call him now. I’ll hold the line. See if she came home last night.”
“Okay,” Sharon said, suddenly panicked. She put Cody on hold and buzzed Jonny.
“Jonny Rock.”
“Jonny, it’s Sharon.”
Again she was calling. “Sharon, look I told you I’d do the remote…”
“No, no, that’s not why I’m calling. Are you sure Dana didn’t come home last night?”
He thought of her perfectly made bed, no suitcases and then to his promise to try her cell. In all his personal turmoil, he’d forgotten. “Sharon…I don’t think she did. Why?”
“I have Cody on the line looking for her…he never sent her the limo I saw her get into yesterday.”
Jonny flew forward in his chair. “What?”
“Hold on let me tell Cody.”
“I’m coming down to your office,” Jonny said, then hung up and raced downstairs.
“Cody, Jonny said Dana never came home last night.”
Cody’s blood ran cold. “Call the police. I’m on my way.”
Chapter 70
Larry was in shock. He’d never seen so much blood in his life. He ran to the bathroom and brought back wet towels. With great care, he lifted Dana’s head and began wrapping it in the towels. Apply pressure, he thought as he wrapped, then tried to figure out what to do next. He sat next to Dana, his hand pressed firmly on her head and waited for the bleeding to stop. This wasn’t how his plan was supposed to go.
You’re a loser, Larry.
What a waste.
You can’t do anything right.
The words of others reverberated in his brain. They were true. He couldn’t even make his perfect plan work out…he couldn’t keep his true love safe. He was a failure and always would be.
He checked Dana’s head again. The bleeding had started to subside. He dragged her body from the spot of the fall and left her momentarily on the floor. She was still bound, so he didn’t worry about her going anywhere. Then, he began to clean up the mess. A large red stain marred his beige carpet. He applied bleach and began scrubbing.
This would take hours.
The phone rang. He jumped. Startled. No, calm down Larry, no one knows anything. Act natural, act normal.
“Hello,” he said calmly.
“Larry, it’s Fern at the bookstore. Wondering if you were planning on coming in to work today?”
“Oh, Fern,” he thought fast, “I’ve had a family emergency.” Not untrue. “I was so caught up with everything I didn’t get the chance to call you. I’m sorry.”
“It’s always something with you lately, maybe your job won’t be here next time.”
“I know, I’m sorry, really.” He tapped his foot impatiently. Didn’t she realize he had a lot to do?
“Fine, but shape up.”
“Bye Fern.” He replaced the hook. These women were all alike. Nagging, nosy and no good. He hated them all. All except Dana.
And now he’d destroyed her too.
Chapter 71
Sharon called the police – Jonny listened in.
“911 emergency.”
“I need to report a possible kidnapping.” Sharon was breathless.
“What is the name of the person missing?”
“Dana Drew…”
“Dana Hill,” Jonny corrected.
“Dana Hill,” Sharon repeated back into the phone.
“How long has she been gone?”
“Since yesterday, she got in a limo she thought her boyfriend sent and no one has seen her since.”
“And you are?”
“Sharon, her co-worker. Please send somebody, please help.”
“Where are you m’am.”
“I’m at WORR – the radio station on Biscayne Boulevard.”
“I have an officer on the way.”
Sharon hung up the phone in tears. “Jonny, what’s happened to her?”
Jonny himself was stunned and afraid. He put his arms around Sharon for himself as much as for her. “Let’s think this through,” he said. “Who would do this to her?”
Sharon wiped her eyes. “Whoever it was knew that she was away, obviously.”
“Yeah, well that narrows it down to the entire listening audience. We broadcast the trip.”
“Oh, yeah,” Sharon said, embarrassed at her stupidity.
“But this was someone that was specifically targeting her, right? I mean how did Dana know the limo was for her?”
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