by Sharon Hays
. She sang along with Elton John on the way to Joan’s office, where she was anxious to let her friend in on the good news. Maryanne pulled into the parking lot and hurried up the stairs, bursting through the door with a look of pure joy.
“Joan, I have it! The title to the Valencia! Can you even believe it? It is actually in my name. Look!” She took it out of the envelope and held it up proudly in front of her.
Joan’s eyes were red and swollen and she had a mark on her face. She had been crying.
“What on earth is wrong with you and why are you crying, Joan?” Maryanne questioned.
“I didn’t want to tell anyone but since you caught me like this, I guess I can tell you now, but please don’t tell anyone. I am not sure what I’m going to do yet.” Maryanne went to the kitchen and quickly brought back a cold washcloth patting it on her face, then handing it to her.
“Tell me, Joan, what happened?”
“It’s Steve, Maryanne. He has a violent temper and we had another fight. This time he used physical force. Beat me up and walked out about an hour ago. I thought about calling the police, but I was afraid to do anything right then. He warned me not to say anything. Said he would be back in awhile, and that he was sorry he lost his temper.” Joan began to cry and Maryanne comforted her.
“You said this happened before?”
“Yes, but not the physical violence. He has pushed me a few times, but nothing like this. He has a bad temper and that’s why we broke up a few times. I always went back though. I do love him, and it was hard to say no when he came back and begged me to forgive him. He has even cried about how violent he gets and I feel badly, and then forgive him. I don’t think I can do it again. I’m afraid though, that he could get very angry and do something serious if I don’t.”
“You have to report him, Joan. There’s no question about it. He must be turned in and dealt with. This is serious stuff. It doesn’t go away. He isn’t going to change. I’ve read enough and heard enough about this to know that and you should too.”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds. What am I going to do? This is awful and I love him so much. I know he could hurt me again and I know it’s the right thing to do if I turn him in. I just don’t know if I can, yet. I’ll think about it tonight and call you tomorrow. I’m very tired and I’m going to bed soon.”
“I wish you would have told me this before. I would have been here for you, Joan.”
Joan sobbed, hurtfully, not knowing what to do. “I know that, Maryanne. I was embarrassed. He hadn’t hit me then, either. It had only gone as far as pushing and shoving a few times, and I didn’t think it would go this far.”
“Please turn him in, Joan. You can stay with me until they arrest him. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know you won’t, but just let me sleep on it and call you tomorrow. Thanks for being concerned.” Maryanne gave her a comforting hug and started for the door.
“Please call me if he comes and anything starts up. I’ll call the police right away. That way he won’t know it’s you. Promise me, Joan.”
“I promise.” She held the washcloth to her face and Maryanne knew she was in extreme emotional pain. Maryanne walked out the door.
“Be sure to lock this, Joan.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll call you.” She locked the door behind Maryanne and went to the bedroom, falling across the bed crying.
Maryanne didn’t want to leave, but had an important appointment. Maryanne was shocked at the news and didn’t know whether to call the police or wait. Who would have thought Steve would be violent? He seemed like the sweetest kind of man. She decided to wait, and hoped nothing happened, meanwhile. She also decided to wait to inform Joan about the title being transferred to her. She didn’t feel that any kind of news would help Joan right now. Maryanne paced the floor for an hour before she could relax enough to finish a contract before retiring to her bed. She called Joan to check in before she did, and Joan was feeling much better. Finally she drifted off to sleep.
Moments later her phone rang. It was Mario. “Hope I didn’t wake you. I know it’s a little late but you’re usually still up.”
“It’s fine Mario; I just went to bed awhile ago. I can talk to you. I was exhausted and lay down for a moment and must have dozed off. I wanted to talk to you, but knew you were on a case, so waited for you to call. Actually I have some good news, and some bad news. The only thing is, I can’t tell you the bad news yet, until I know the full story, so I’ll give you the good news. Today, I got an official title to the Valencia Manor. Lock, stock and barrel, if you’ll pardon the expression.”
“I am so happy it’s done and the whole scenario is over with. You have had nothing but a nightmare since you first laid eyes the Manor. Now you can continue with your dream of renovating it, to a historical masterpiece. It should be easy to get a bank loan since you have a clear title. When you’re finished, the place will be worth a small fortune.” Mario congratulated her.
Maryanne sighed. “It seems so unreal right now. I’ll get used to it, but it will take a couple of days for it to soak in. Oh, I wanted to tell you what my attorney said about the Dirkshire case, but you probably already know this. He said the court date was set for the Irene Dirkshire murder case. Thomas said that Harold Arnold finally confessed, but he said it was accidental. He told them that he was trying to get at the title for the Valencia, away from Mrs. Dirkshire, and they got into an argument. He was trying to take some papers from her, which he said John Farthington had altered, taking his name off his share of the property. Said he accidentally pushed her, causing her to fall, and then she struck her head against the table. The papers he took were not the right ones, so he did it all for nothing. Then, after all, he finally confessed to giving John Farthington his share of the Manor because he owed him so much money. At least I don’t have to feel guilty about that, either now. He has no ownership at all in the Valencia. It is amazing to actually own such a piece of history. ‘The Valencia Manor.’ I still feel as if it were more of a dream than a reality.”
“Yes, I had heard most of it today from Chief Olson. Glad it’s done and over with for sure.” I know you will feel better now that the dilemma has passed and you can go on to a regular routine, or I should say a new routine. One that is exciting and what you love to do. Well,
I’m working tonight, so I’m going to take off now and I’ll talk to you in the morning. Sleep tight, love and I’ll see you for lunch tomorrow?”
“Sounds good, Mario. I’ll call you in the morning. Love you sweetie.”
“Love you too.”
Morning came too soon but Maryanne got ready early and left for Joan’s to check how she was doing. Joan was at work, and Maryanne opened the door hoping she was in good spirits.”
Joan rushed up to her, and embraced her. “Maryanne, thanks for coming. I feel a little better than I did yesterday. I haven’t made up my mind what I’m going to do about Steve yet. I told him I needed a little time. He said he was going to get some counseling, which I am thankful. Maryanne, it’s so hard when you love someone and have to make a tough hard decision. I hope I make the right one, when the time comes. So tell me, how are you and what happened at the title office? Did it go through? Did you get the title to the Valencia?”
“Yes, Joan I got it yesterday but I knew you were upset, and didn’t want to bring it up. Otherwise I would have told you. It’s all done and complete. I’m officially the owner of Valencia Manor. Can you believe it? I can hardly believe it, yet. I don’t think it’s sunk in.”
“We’ll have to go to dinner this weekend to celebrate your acquisition. Maybe the four of us could go: Mario, you, Steve, and me. Oops. I mean the three of us. I guess I’ll have to get used to being a single for awhile until I see how things turn out. We can go to dinner and then go dancing, and whatever else comes up.” She giggled.
“Did I just say that? I didn’t mean it the way it sounded, honestly. Nonetheless, I could use a night out. How
about you?”
“Yes, I am ready for a night out too. It’s been a very trying time for all of us. We should get out and try to forget the old and on with the new, am I making sense?” She laughed.
“I get the feeling that you and Mario are getting along very well. Am I right?”
“Yes, we are, only we haven’t had enough time together in the last month to be a serious couple, but that is all going to change now that the investigation is over.”
Maryanne picked up her briefcase and smiled widely.
“I have to go. I’m still going to stop and visit the woman who was captured at the Valencia. She is getting checked out at Boulder Hospital. I have no idea what her name is, but I am working on finding out. I’m going to do some research on this. Hopefully she has some family or someone out there. I thought about perhaps running a picture of her in the local newspaper to see if anyone knows who she is. Someone has to know something about her. She didn’t just come out of nowhere. On second thought, from what has happened so far, she actually could have come out of nowhere.” She laughed quietly as she started to walk out of Joan’s office.
“Thanks so much Joan, for stopping by. See you this week-end.”
Maryanne was on her way to the hospital, when Mario drove by waving. He yelled out from his truck window. “Meet me for lunch at Dalia’s. I want to talk to you.”
Her cell rang, and it was him. “Did you get that, sweetie?”
“Yes Mario, I’m going to Boulder Hospital to visit the woman from the Valencia Manor, and then I’ll meet you at twelve thirty for lunch. I have to go now. See you later” Click!
She checked in at the nurse’s station before going into her room. The woman had improved so much since they had taken her out of the Manor, and Maryanne was very surprised when she saw her. She stayed with the patient for about an hour before the nurse told her she had to leave, so they could bathe her and feed her lunch. She was much calmer than yesterday, although she had been receiving sedatives. Maryanne said good-bye after the brief visit and left the hospital.
Maryanne arrived at Dalia’s, right on time to see Mario sitting in a corner booth, looking very happy.
“Hi sweetie! So glad you’re here. We can actually sit and talk normally, and not business as usual.” He smiled, and his deep, brown eyes sparkled.
She was obviously delighted to see him. When she approached the booth, they embraced and she gave him a long-awaited kiss.
“Wow. What brought that on?”
“I’m feeling so good today, and things are looking up.” She didn’t have to tell him, he could tell in the way her face radiated as she spoke.
Mario grinned. “Sit down, Maryanne. I am happy you were able to join me. Let’s order first, and then catch up. I’ll order. What’s your pleasure?”
Maryanne skimmed over the menu, and then looked up at Mario. “I’m usually a creature of habit, but today I’m going to break the mold. I’m having a cheeseburger. I’ll have chicken noodle soup to go with it. They caught up on the latest personal business, and then near the finish of their lunch Mario received a call from headquarters.
“I have to leave right now. There’s an emergency. Congratulations again, on your acquisition of the Valencia. Talk to you when I get off. I would like to stop by, if you wouldn’t mind putting up with me tonight.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried off.
“I’ll be waiting!” she called out and thinking; I can hardly wait.
Later on that day, Maryanne was doing research to find the unknown woman’s family or any possible acquaintances. There had to be someone out there who missed her. The doctor called Maryanne to inform her that they would be transferring the woman to a psychiatric hospital in Denver for a few months to do a further evaluation and continue therapy. He said there was an excellent doctor there who had done wonders in a similar case. Hopefully the results would be the same. She would be leaving in two days, so Maryanne would spend the next two days researching and visiting with her, hoping to make her feel wanted and cared for. She wanted to gain her trust and at least give her someone to connect with, like family.
Mario ended his shift, and the only thing on his mind was Maryanne. He was standing at her door within fifteen minutes of leaving the station. “I’m here!” Mario called through the door.
Maryanne anxiously opened the door, embracing him and holding him for several seconds. Then she kissed him and took his hand as they walked into the dining room. She had prepared a delicious dinner, and set candles on the dining room table. The wine and cheese were ready for the beginning of a romantic evening with Mario. He stood looking in amazement at the beautiful display.
“You are incredible, Maryanne.” He smiled and winked as she headed into the kitchen to get the pot roast and vegetables to the table.
“By the way, may I tell you that you look incredible tonight?”
“Thank you Mario. Before we go any further,” she smiled, “we are going to have a glass of my best wine and talk for awhile. Sit down, and I’ll be right there.” She brought two stemmed glasses, a bottle of Frey organic Merlot, and a plate of cheese and crackers. They were both so happy to finally be together with nothing to disturb them. They drank wine, laughed, and had good conversation and a wonderful meal.
The night ended in her bedroom with a heated, passionate evening that she would never forget. They were definitely in love, and she was positive it was the real thing. In her heart, she knew this would be a lifetime commitment.
Morning always comes to quickly, she thought. Mario was sleeping so peacefully, but she had to wake him. He could not afford to be late for work. She kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, “It’s time to get up.” She kissed him again, and he opened his eyes.
“I wish it were Sunday. I would keep you in here all morning, but as usual, duty calls and ruins everything.” He laughed as he got up and went to the shower. “You’re coming too, my dear. You don’t get off that easy. Get in here. We’ve got a few minutes left for fun before I have to get dressed.”
Maryanne joined him in the shower, and their bodies come together in intimate bliss.
Life couldn’t get any better than this. I must be one of the luckiest women in the world. Maryanne sat at the kitchen table thinking with serious anticipation about her future and life with Mario.
EPILOGUE
Marshall Hanover and Jonathon Livingston formed a business, searching out and clearing houses of bad energy and poltergeist activity. They named the business ‘Ghost Eliminators.’ A book was in progress, concerning specific cases they had been involved with. Marshall and Jonathon were not in it for the money. They were both very well off, and philanthropy fit in well with their lifestyle. Trying to help people eliminate negative energy was a service to humanity, in their viewpoint. They enjoyed dabbling in the psychic adventures with Vivian Gilbreth as their clairvoyant for more of a hobby than a lucrative enterprise.
Early on a Monday morning after a fabulous weekend, Maryanne received a call from her attorney, Thomas Deleon. He informed her that the chief psychiatrist at the Denver Psychiatric Hospital gave the unknown woman the name Hanna Michelle Smith, so they could legalize documents and get her into a school in a few months. He explained that she had regained many of her repressed memories and was speaking again, quite well.
She admitted her responsibility for Irma Brindle’s death. She explained that she had been hungry and was going inside Mrs. Brindle’s house, through the tunnel, to get food at least once a week. That afternoon, she thought Mrs. Brindle was out, but unfortunately she was napping. Hanna came into her house, gathering a few items of food to sustain her for awhile, when Mrs. Brindle came out of her bedroom after hearing noises in the basement. Hanna said Mrs. Brindle was looking down the basement, because she had left the door open and when she heard Hanna, she lost her balance. Hanna tried to grab her arm and pull her back, but it was too late and she lost her grip on the woman’s arm. Mrs. Brindle fell down the stairs. She said
she felt very badly about it, but in her current state, she didn’t know what to do. She was apparently in a state of long-term shock and could not react normally. She told the story as she remembered it, which seemed to fit the conclusion at the crime scene the police had investigated. That also explained the bruises on Mrs. Brindle’s wrist.
Since the Chief of Psychiatry had given her the new legal name, they were planning to let her out of the facility, and set her up in a training position at a trade school in Denver. When she finished, she would be on a probationary period, where she would be able to live alone and work, but still under their guidance and supervision. If she needed any help psychologically, they would be available. They asked Maryanne if she would like to visit Hanna before she was released. Of course Maryanne was delighted things were going well for her, and planned a visit the following Thursday.
Maryanne had done extensive work attempting to find the identity of the woman whom they had since named Hanna Michelle Smith. Maryanne asked Chief Olson if they should run an ad in the newspaper, now that she was recovering. She suggested putting her picture in the paper, asking anyone to come forward who knew her and possibly someone could shed light on her identity. The chief was considering it and would let Maryanne know by the following week. Meanwhile, Maryanne planned a visit to see her again. Mario had the day off and took Maryanne to Denver Thursday morning. He picked her up with his favorite transportation, the Rumble Bee. He explained to her that his ‘Rumble Bee’ needed a good run. After stopping for a quiet breakfast, they left for the city. Maryanne wanted to visit Hanna Michelle alone, and she asked Mario to wait for her in the sitting room. Hanna was not familiar with Mario. Maryanne had been visiting her almost every two weeks, since she was admitted, and had become a little more close to her. She had only spoken a few times when Maryanne was present. Her improved speech was a recent breakthrough, along with her memories. She was anxious to see her. She signed in at the main desk, and then waited in a visitors’ lounge. Mario waited up front
