The Very Worst Man

by Laura Stapleton

  Alexandra swallowed hard, hoping to tamp down the rising anger. The idea of Hayden and Maxine as a couple kept playing over and over in her mind and she hated it. “Oh? He’s not too particular who he hands that out to, I guess. I even have one, so you know he’s desperate for a date.”

  “Alexandra Jo Bromley, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were being hateful on purpose. Saying Hayden is a man whore giving his card to all the ladies when I’m over here thinking I’m special and all.”

  That little tickle in the back of her throat began, warning her of how her words had been hurtful. She’d spoken before thinking, and now had probably trampled her friend’s feelings. “Oh my gosh, Max, that’s so not what I meant. I mean, he’d be lucky to date you. In fact, I meant he’s not good enough for you.”

  Maxine shrugged, giving a sly look to her friend. “He’s handsome enough in a rugged, I-like-to-be-outdoors way.”

  Not wanting to admit she agreed, Alexandra instead said, “Well, yeah, but looks don’t matter when you’re a stubborn butthead.”

  “He seems to really care about putting the guilty behind bars and letting the innocent go.”

  Glancing over at Maxine in the glow of a red traffic light, she at last saw the ornery gleam in her friend’s eyes. Alexandra had to throw her a retort. “He probably does let the innocent go unless they’re my brother.”

  She shrugged, a small grin giving away how she wasn’t so casual as her body language suggested. “He also had enough gumption to get through college and law school. I wonder how many times it took for him to pass the bar exam. No one passes it on the first try.”

  Alexandra laughed while accelerating through the green light. “Lots of people must, because he did.”

  “When did he tell you that?”

  Busted. How to admit she’d been scouring the web for dirt to use against him? She wasn’t ready to say out loud what an addiction Hayden had become to her. Feeling the seconds tick by as if they were physical, she decided to go with a half-truth. “He didn’t. I checked out his biography. It’s all there on his professional website. He likes to brag.”

  “Whoa! Brains and beauty? If I passed the bar first time, I’d be bragging too.”

  “You’re one to talk about being a gorgeous smart person.” Alexandra grinned at her friend’s return snort and had to admit to her oddly jealous heart that Hayden and her friend would make a great couple. She didn’t want to get used to the idea of them together, but they might not give her a choice. “It’s easy to believe you’re wonderful without your telling me on a website.”

  “But not easy to believe he is?”

  “No.” If she admitted Hayden was a great guy, the physical attraction might turn into emotional. Her brother would bust a gasket if she and his prosecuting attorney had a fling. There was only one way Stan would accept the other man as her anything and she finished the rest of her thought out loud: “Not unless he gets Stan free on a technicality.”

  “If it were possible, then Hayden could do it. Did you notice he had great table manners, even at the bar, and was polite to the wait staff? Think about how many men in suits act like the world owes them, and he didn’t do anything like that. I really like him.”

  “That’s nice.” Before her mind could stop her, Alexandra said, “You two should date.” She didn’t look at her friend, instead concentrating on the traffic ahead of them.

  “I almost would, except I can tell he’s crazy about someone else.”

  She heard the amusement in Maxine’s voice and tried not to smile. Suspecting she was being teased, she tried not to read more into her friend’s words than what was there. “Wells is probably gay and all this talk about you dating him is for nothing.”

  “He’s gorgeous enough to be, yeah, but no, he’s in love with some woman.”

  Deflated, Alexandra pushed aside her disappointment over this tidbit about his love life. She went over everything she could remember from the earlier conversation between the three of them. “You got all this from a conversation over appetizers? Which reminds me, I’m starving.”

  “Me too. Pizza buffet?”

  “Hells yeah.” She turned toward Pizza Joe’s. Maxine had always been the more perceptive of the two of them. Alexandra had to know how she’d learned about Hayden’s love life in such a short amount of time. “Who do you think he’s in love with?”

  Maxine laughed as they pulled into the parking lot. “You’re so funny.”

  “How am I funny? And that doesn’t answer the question. Do you know her?”

  “You’re funny in how you don’t see how he’s in love with you.”

  “No!” Her front wheels hit the front parking curb with a jolt. “No, he’s not. He can’t be. He thinks my brother is a murderer.”

  “He doesn’t think you are, and despite his certainty about Stan, he still wants to help you.” Maxine hopped out of the car.

  “Oh, yeah. Probably because he has a hero complex,” said Alexandra while clicking her car’s lock.

  Maxine gave her friend a hard stare. “You can’t believe it, can you? You can’t imagine where a guy like Hayden could fall for you.”

  She thought about it, tried to picture him giving her flowers, jewelry, changing her flat tire, and the only image she could conjure up was the one where he didn’t look happy after Stan was found guilty. He’d not smiled, cheered like Sheila’s family had, and didn’t leave the courtroom in a good mood. She put the keys in her purse and glanced at her cell phone’s time. It was too late in the evening to call him and ask why no celebration at putting a guilty man behind bars.

  “You must be imagining something, sweetie, to be so lost in thought.”

  “No, not really, just checking the time. Stan has me scheduled to visit him tomorrow, and I don’t want to stay out too late tonight.” Alexandra looked over and saw Maxine’s shame on her face like a thick layer of makeup.

  “I understand and need to apologize for teasing you about Hayden. Being an outsider, I can see there’s something going on with you two. It looks like attraction, but what do I know?” She put an arm around Alexandra in a hug. “I can see why he couldn’t resist you; you’re really the best friend and best sister ever. He probably sees that and can’t help but love you.”

  “Thank you, Max.” She leaned into the hug before walking into the pizza place. “If he wants to date you, I’ll approve and know he’s a very smart man.”

  Maxine gave her a mysterious grin. “We’ll see what happens.”

  The next morning, her two-hour drive wasn’t as tedious as the music she listened to on the way to Rawlins. Alexandra ran a hand through her hair, frustrated at how her mixed CD consisted of just love songs. “No one has ever written an ‘I hate him because he put my brother away’ ballad?” she said and shook her head at how silly talking to herself was. Stan would have something to say about it, for sure. Like how only the insane did that and had she skipped her meds today. He was kidding, of course, but she didn’t care for him saying it.

  She didn’t want to be angry with him now. Better to work on why Maxine and Hayden’s instant friendship bothered her so much. Alex had bitten her tongue a few times last night to keep from saying anything about how Hayden hadn’t put Max’s brother behind bars or she’d be singing a different tune. If Max had had a brother, of course, she admitted and shifted in her seat. Being an only child would have its benefits.

  As soon as the thought hit, she regretted it. Poor Stan. He’d had a rough life, lost Sheila, and was imprisoned. He needed her support, not blame. She rubbed a sweaty palm on her pants. The car’s GPS gave a turn left direction. She did, going down a dirt road until approaching a couple of buildings with guard posts beside them. Rolling down the window, the dry air parched her lungs. “Hello.”

  “Good afternoon. ID, please.”

  “Here it is, and do I give you my visitor’s for—”

  “No.” He scribbled her information down from the license to a clipboard before handing b
ack the ID. “Keep left to the end. Good day, ma’am.”

  Still irritated at being interrupted, she nodded, put the paper and ID in her purse, and did as he instructed. A dust cloud rose up behind her. The dry landscape stretched out flat in all directions until interrupted by low mountains. She found a parking spot a little far from what looked to be the front door and parked. Once outside the car, cold air raised goose bumps until the sun’s warmth soaked in, absorbed by her black shirt. She hurried to the doors, slipping inside.

  The building looked like a modern school with security on steroids. Everything echoed, and she wondered if the cells had any sort of sound dampeners. She’d have to reread the visitors’ rules to see if she could give Stan a set of earplugs. Otherwise, he’d never sleep again. The waiting room was full. Children played and whined, already bored. The adults and teenagers had the same wearied but patient look on all their faces. Not seeing any open seating, she went to where a woman sat behind the glass in an office. “Hello, ma’am.”

  “Hello. Are you visiting an inmate?” At Alexandra’s nod, she continued, “I’ll need your ID and visitor’s paper.”

  She slid the items into the little drawer and glanced around to see if anyone stood behind her. The room seemed like a barren convenience store with the clerk behind glass.

  “Ma’am? You’re here too early.”

  Looking at her watch then the clock behind the woman, Alexandra said, “I am, by a minute or so. Is that wrong?”

  “I suppose not. It’s close enough, but next time make sure you’re not here too early or you’ll have to wait like all these people. Understand?” When Alex nodded, she slid the items back to her in the little drawer. “Here you are. Put on your visitor’s badge and wear it at all times, no exception. Next?”

  A door to her left buzzed first then opened. She stepped in a wide hallway. At the end were metal detectors with a couple of guards standing by. One was a tall male, the other, a shorter female. Alexandra stepped forward, glad that if there had to be a strip search, a woman would be the one performing it.

  “Step through the detector. Lay your purse and shoes on the conveyer just like the airport. Let’s go.”

  Glad she’d put on ballet slippers, she kicked them off and put shoes and purse into a plastic tub. She went through the metal detectors at the same time her belongings were x-rayed. Nothing beeped and she stifled a sigh of relief.

  “You’re clear. First time? Thought so. Lockers are to the right and left. Leave everything but your pass and acceptance letter. Once your purse is secure, go to the end of the hall. Someone there will make sure you see the inmate.”

  Alex hopped into her shoes. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She did as she was asked, glad she took the time to read all the visitors’ rules posted online. Putting her purse in the locker, she took a combination lock from the side pocket before closing the door. A quick check of the other locker doors showed others had had the same idea. She snapped the lock shut and turned the wheel a couple of times. Swallowing, she paused, afraid of what state she’d find Stan in. Noises behind her indicated others followed, so she had to get moving. Alexandra opened the last door.

  Without speaking, a tall guard took her paper and scanned it. “He’s over there,” the man said, pointing to where Stan sat.

  “Thank you.” She hurried to him, pausing to give him a hug but he didn’t stand up for her to do so. “Stan, how are you? It’s so good to see you.” Uncomfortable, Alexandra sat.

  He crossed his arms. “What’s with all the black? Who died?”

  The question stunned her, and she stopped just short of blurting out, “Sheila did.” Instead, Alexandra replied, “No one. I just wanted to wear something plain.”

  “Ok.” He leaned back. “You know you’re late enough that they almost took me back to my cell.”

  His statement took her by surprise at first. Hadn’t the woman out front said she was too early? Alex almost wanted to argue the point but said, “It took a while to check in, but I think I got here in plenty of time.”

  Shrugging, he stared at the table between them. “Yeah, just try to get here on time for the next visit. It’s a lot of work to get the form filled out and let you know when to be here just to have you blow off visitation.”

  She bit back a retort, instead focusing on who had freedom and who didn’t. “All right. I promise to never be so late you’re sent back without us seeing each other.”

  “Good.”

  She gritted her teeth, going through all the reasons he could be cranky with her. There were a lot of solid reasons for him to be rude, she had to admit. Still, she didn’t come out here on a whim or to inconvenience him. Not wanting to start a fight, Alexandra went through different subjects to talk about with him and discarded every one. Frustrated, she tried to be nice. “You look better now than in the county jail.”

  He tightened up an arm, making his bicep pop. Grinning at the muscle he said, “Yeah, I’m working out so that no one kicks my ass in here.”

  “Is it as bad as all the movies?”

  “In some ways, yes. In other ways, it’s all Hollywood.”

  Alexandra wanted to ask exactly how. No one she’d ever known had been to the pen. There were shows on television, but none showed the inside of Rawlings. At least none she’d ever watched.

  Leaning forward, he said in a quiet voice, “Did you put any money in my account here?”

  She echoed his movements. “No, I didn’t know you wanted me to.”

  He smacked the table with a loud whack, almost yelling when he said, “Are you kidding? You came over here and didn’t bring me any money?”

  Two guards appeared on either side of him. The one without a neck asked, “What’s going on here? Ma’am, if you can’t get along with Bromley, you’ll need to come with us.”

  Stan laughed, shaking his head as if amused by all the fuss. “Sorry guys. You know how brothers and sisters fight. It’s all good. Thanks for the quick response. You guys are the best, and I mean that.” He gave them a sheepish grin and they went back to their posts. Loud enough so they could here, he added, “Those are the best guards you’d ever want to meet. Good as gold.” As soon as their attentions were focused somewhere else, he scowled. “I sent you the information on how to add to my funds.”

  She took a deep breath to keep calm and not lose her temper with him, especially not here. “I’ll see what I can do. It may not be much this month.”

  He slumped in his chair like an exhausted prizefighter. Shaking his head, he said, “Oh, well, if it’ll put you in a hardship, then don’t bother.” He shrugged with a sigh as if having the heaviest shoulders in the world. “I’ve gone this long without anything, I can go until you can afford to help me.”

  His melodrama infuriated her. She’d changed her lifestyle a lot to accommodate his expenses, and for what? To be chewed out for not handing over more money on his demand? Clenching her shaking hands, she said, “Stan, I am helping you. I’m helping you a lot.” She leaned forward so he’d hear without her needing to raise her voice. “I’m paying for all your legal fees, going out and checking on your place every other day or so, and I’m still trying to find anything that will clear you out of here. Whatever time I have after work is spent on doing something related to or benefiting you. So you don’t need to give me attitude on why I can’t afford to fork over any extra cash I don’t have, all right?”

  He sat still, staring off in the distance, barely even blinking. His body gave off tension like a tightly coiled spring ready to go. At last he ran his hand over his mouth as if caressing a moustache. Stan leaned in, matching Alexandra’s posture. “Let me tell you how it’s going to go down. You’re going to go home, write a check, and mail it here to my account. I know what veterinarians make, and you’re not hurting at all unless you suck as a vet and that’s probably the case. Still, considering your fancy house and car and I assume you still have them?” She nodded and he continued, �
��So I know you can afford to send me whatever I want and still pay all your little bills. In fact, you owe me. Where would you be if I’d not taken care of you for all those years after Mom and Dad died? Not here telling me how you can’t help, that’s for sure. You’ve been nothing but a selfish, whiney little bitch since this whole thing with Sheila and I’m tired of you playing the martyr. Quit feeling sorry for yourself and help me.”

  Chapter 6

  Hayden’s cell buzzed, rattling on his desk. Checking the caller ID he grinned and accepted. “What now?” he said, loving the shocked gasp from Maxine.

  “Jerk! I need a favor.”

  Settling in for a good long session of antagonizing, he asked, “From whom?”

  “Whom? Ha! From you, dork.”

  He chuckled at how easily riled up she was. “Ah, such love. How can I resist?” Not giving her a chance to reply, he added, “Like this. Click.”

  “Hey. You didn’t really hang up. Come on, this is something of an emergency.”

  “A likely story. Did you call 911?”

  “No, but if you don’t help me, I might have to.”

  The panicked edge to her voice broke through to him and he sat up in his chair. “All right, you have my attention. What do you need?”

  “Well, it’s Ax. I’ve not heard from her in a while. She doesn’t answer her cell, and her office says she’s been out of the office every time I’ve called. They won’t tell me anything more, and I’m starting to get worried.”

  The list of reasons why Alexandra wouldn’t answer a phone call from him ran as long as he was tall, but from Maxine? Judging from the uneasy tone in her voice, he knew the answer before he asked. “How many hours or days is a while, exactly, and has she ever done this sort of thing before now?”

  “I’ve counted back and it began right after she saw Stan on Sunday. That’s when she stopped picking up her phone. It goes straight to voicemail. She’s never done this disappearing act, not even when their parents died and she needed time alone to grieve.”