The Wife of a Lesser Man (LA Cops Series Book 1)

by Sandy Appleyard

  THE WIFE OF A LESSER MAN

  LA COPS SERIES

  By Sandy Appleyard

  http://www.sandyappleyard.com

  Copyright © 2013 Sandy Appleyard. All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental or used fictitiously.

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  chapter 1

  Present Day

  I stood and listened, waiting to hear anything that would tell me he was alive. I was standing in the vestibule between the waiting room and the emergency room. My ear was pressed up against the metal doors, which left only a small opening so that I could eavesdrop. My hands supported my weight; fingers spread out, knuckles white. My heart was racing, I felt like I would throw up at any second, and an incessant shiver coursed through my body. Yes, people were staring at me. But I was sure no one had just arrived with their husband showing no vital signs.

  “Nurse! Get the paddles! We’re losing him again!”

  “Clear!”

  A bang and a strange noise, then silence.

  “Again!” “Clear!” The same strange noise and more silence.

  My tears began to flow. More people stared at me.

  “Excuse me, Ma’am? Maybe you would be more comfortable waiting in the private room?” I heard her voice off in the distance, but I ignored it. I was waiting for the next words from the doctor.

  “Ma’am? Mrs. Tame?” I looked at her but her words didn’t register.

  She put her arm around my shoulder, like we were old high school chums. Her voice was comforting but firm, like when my mother used to know that I was sick and insisted I take my medicine. “Come with me, Mrs. Tame; you’ll be more comfortable in another room”. She took one step but I didn’t follow. My feet stayed firmly planted on the floor.

  “Please Ma’am, you shouldn’t be here. You need to come with me.” Her voice was unrelenting. Her hand grasped my side but I broke free.

  “No! You cannot take me away! I need to know!” I was yelling.

  “We will update you as soon as we hear anything Ma’am, I promise.” Her words became comforting again.

  “No! I’m staying right here! My husband is right in there! I’m not leaving this spot until I know!” I yelled, pointing at my feet. My tears and blubbering barely made my words understandable.

  The nurse’s name tag read “Lilly”. She was plump and looked like she could restrain me if I made trouble. Lilly looked around the room, duly noting all the faces staring at me. Her point proven, she attempted once more to remove me from the door. I relented.

  As we walked to the ‘private room’, Lilly picked up a tissue out of a nearby box and handed it to me. The one-ply tissue came apart the second I dabbed my eyes. Thank god I didn’t wipe my nose with it. I used the cuff of my jacket for that. The corridor that she led us down was a comforting reminder of the hospital where our kids were born. Jessica was born nineteen years ago, when I was just twenty years old. She was unexpected, or a ‘surprise’ as everyone called it. Mark and I were not engaged but we were living together and so in love.

  Jennifer, our baby, was another ‘surprise’, born just a year later. The hospital where I gave birth had a unique weave pattern on the wall covering, just like this one. I ran my fingers down it as I walked, feeling the texture. It brought me back to a place where we were all healthy and celebrating new beginnings. I realized just then how much I missed my kids; they were off at college. I was alone. The thought of being alone the rest of my life was terrifying.

  I willed myself not to think about it. Mark was still alive; he had to be. He was being pushed too hard down at the station; he was the police chief for his precinct over the last fifteen years and it was finally too much. The doctor had repeatedly warned him that his blood pressure and cholesterol were really high. The cardiologist put him on a strict diet and exercise program and insisted that he reduce his work hours. That was six months ago. But Mark has always been very devoted and loyal, and most of the time he spread himself too thin.

  Lilly opened the door to the private room, switched on the light and gestured I should take a seat. There was a comfortable looking three seated couch on one wall, and several other waiting room style chairs along the other walls. Right in the middle of the room stood a large coffee table lined with various magazines ranging from tabloids to medical journals. There was also a phone at the end of the table. Lilly indicated that I was welcome to use that phone if I needed to do so.

  I sat on the couch and immediately began chewing my nails.

  “Can I get you anything Mrs. Tame?” she asked, taking a small pad and pen out of her pocket.

  “Shelley,” I offered.

  “Sure. Can I call anyone for you Shelley?” She asked, leaning over me, placing her hand on my shoulder.

  I whispered “Um….no, I, I’m going to call my kids.”

  She nodded and was about to leave when I quickly raised my head “Just please let me know the minute you have any news of my husband,” I begged, unable to stop the tears.

  She nodded and closed the door behind her.

  For a moment I wished Lilly would return, so I wouldn’t be alone. I slowly rubbed my face and ran my fingers through my hair. I found a box of two-ply tissues underneath the coffee table. They give the better tissues to the people who really needed it, I thought to myself. I wiped my face and blew my nose then picked up the phone. My memory failed me; I couldn’t remember Jessica’s dorm room number. She had just received a new one the other day and I hadn’t recorded it in my cell phone. I knew Jennifer couldn’t handle what was happening to her father; she had just broken up with her first boyfriend, so I thought it best to wait.

  The one number I could recall was Sarah’s; my best friend since high school. She introduced Mark and me, and owned a small costume jewellery store downtown. Since it was only eight o’clock and I knew she would still be at the store, I tried her there.

  “Good evening Sarah’s,” she greeted cheerfully.

  “It’s me,” I said, trying to stifle a sniffle.

  Sarah’s voice turned serious “Hey….is everything okay?”

  “No, it’s Mark.” I began to cry again.

  I could hear keys jiggling in the background “Where are you?”

  “The hospital….in the private room.”

  “Jesus Christ. Sit tight, I’m on my way.”

  If only Mark had used our home library more in the past year, instead of cooping himself up in that office. Speaking from experience, I know that he could never get a moment’s peace in there. So many times I would call or even stop by on my way home from work, and he would be bombarded by handfuls of people constantly. It came to a point where I had to stop myself from visiting because it was unfair to him with all the pressure that he was under. He was considered a man of integrity and respect at the station, so nobody ever second guessed him and they always looked to him for direction. Mark was a strong leader at his precinct long before he made chief of police. The look on everyone’s faces told me that title was just a formality. He earned his loyalty after the shootout.

  God, I’d almost forgotten a
bout that. Mark is such a modest man that he never mentions it. It happened about ten years ago. His name was James Gruber, and he was a convicted rapist and murderer who had served his time and was free on parole. He escaped his parole officer’s watch one night and attacked an entire family. It was all over the news. Gruber was in the area of Mark’s precinct and so all hands were on deck to catch this monster. The 911 call came from a neighbour who heard screaming at 2am. Based on Gruber’s past, Mark knew he would go for the wife first. He was no pedophile, so rather than play Gruber’s game; Mark created a diversion and got the wife out first. As the rest of the team got in to free the remaining family, Mark took Gruber head on. Gruber was shot and Mark earned his rightful place shortly after as Chief of Police.

  He always took his role very seriously. Sometimes I wonder how he did it. Up until a year ago, Mark had no trouble balancing family and work. Myself, well, my teaching job quickly became permanent part time after the girls were born. My balancing act was never much of a challenge. Our children have always been such a blessing; they never gave us any trouble. There was the expected teenage drama but nothing else. It was easy for me to work part time and still look after the house and the kids. Mark’s salary and mine combined led us into what most would call a charmed life.

  Was this what my life would be now? Sitting alone in a room without my kids or my husband? My tears began to flow again when the door opened. It was Lilly, with Sarah in tow. Sarah came to me as Lily closed the door and left the room.

  I tried to stand but it was more of a stumble since my knees had turned to jelly.

  “Oh my god! What happened?” Sarah asked as she hugged me.

  “I don’t know. I was just on my way home from yoga when he called me.” I said, wiping my nose with my hand.

  “He sounded weird and said I better come home, that he wasn’t feeling well. And you know Mark, he never complains, so I knew it was bad.”

  “So did you make it home before the ambulance came?”

  “Well yeah. I mean I was already almost on our street. He hadn’t even called the ambulance yet. When I walked in he was on the floor”

  Sarah embraced me tenderly.

  “He wanted to call me first before the ambulance. I don’t know why. I guess he didn’t want me to worry if I got home and saw the scene without knowing. God! Why didn’t he just call the ambulance instead of waiting for me?” I stomped my foot in frustration as I let out a large sob.

  “Oh sweetie, if he wasn’t well, then he probably wasn’t thinking clearly. Was he fine when you left for yoga?”

  “Well, I didn’t see him before that. We spoke earlier and he said he had to work late again so I went straight to yoga after dinner. I didn’t wait to see him.” I said, thinking how selfish I was. I should have waited to see him before leaving. But how was I to know it might be the last time I would see him coherent?

  “Oh honey, honey, don’t blame yourself.” Sarah rubbed my back and shook her head.

  “You are not psychic. You had no idea this was going to happen. You said yourself; Mark never complains.”

  I nodded.

  “So what do the doctors say?”

  “I’ve no idea, I’m still waiting. I…I….kn..know his heart stop-“My sobbing wouldn’t allow me to finish my sentence. Sarah took me in her arms once again.

  “Do you need to call anyone?” Sarah asked.

  I sniffled and dabbed my eyes “Oh God, how am I going to tell the kids?”

  “You don’t have to do that. That’s why I’m here.”

  “Oh, I can’t let you do that. They should hear it from me.”

  “Well, let’s at least wait until we hear something. I mean, either way, you don’t want to spread panic.”

  “You’re right. I need some time to compose myself.”

  Suddenly, Lilly walked in with a blank expression on her face. My heart sank and I felt everything in my body let go. Sarah grabbed my arm before I hit the ground. The world went black.

  CHAPTER 2

  June, 1990

  Breathlessly he said “God that was good.” He grasped the sheets from under him, and pulled them toward his chest.

  “Better than last time?” I asked, finding my favourite post coital spot on his chest.

  He looked at me like it was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever said to him.

  “What? In the shower? You know that’s my favourite place.”

  “Mine too.” Our lips touched briefly as he rubbed my back for a moment.

  “If I didn’t have to rush and shower now I’d suggest a replay,” he said, climbing out of the bed.

  “You working late tonight?” I called after him, opening up my dresser drawer, selecting my denim shorts and favourite red tank top.

  “I don’t think so, but if you thought about dropping by like yesterday you’d better call first. I’ve got a meeting just before lunch.” The shower was on and I heard the glass enclosure close.

  “I’ve got a meeting at the school today. Preparation for September. It’s only five weeks away you know.”

  I heard the shower door open slightly “So you won’t be bringing me a gourmet lunch today?” Looking over, I saw the pout on his lips. Feeling guilty, I got up and sensuously waltzed over to him, still naked, and joined him in the shower. My hands caressed his arms and travelled all the way up to his neck. Our bodies met and we kissed passionately. Unsure if he had sufficient time, I let him lead the way. His hardness told me he would make time.

  A few minutes later, he let out a blissful moan and said, “Now THAT was better than last time.”

  “Does that make up for lunch?”

  “Indeed,” he commented, grabbing the soap and quickly lathering himself, and then he handed the soap to me.

  …

  “I don’t have time for coffee, love; I’ll grab one on the way in.” Mark called to me as I was dressing.

  “Jesus, do you think they’ll make an exception if you’re twenty minutes late? You worked so late last night.”

  “Normally, yes they would, but we’re just about to crack a case and all eyes are on me for my input this morning.”

  “Oh shit! Mark!” I called after him, running down the stairs with my hand in front of my mouth, half laughing.

  He looked at me puzzled, but noticed my comical expression. “What is it?”

  “You left the bathroom window open again,” I said with a knowing look.

  “Oh shit,” he commented, looking out the window to see if our neighbour’s car was in the driveway.

  “Well, Mabel got another ear full,” he said, blushing.

  “As if we don’t get enough looks from her already. You know she’s a Mormon?” I asked.

  “Shit. Well, I guess we’re demons then, seeing as we’re living in sin and all. That explains the garlic she has hanging off her front porch.”

  I playfully smacked him “Those are tulip bulbs…or decoration. I’m not really sure. I never got close enough to look. She scares me.”

  “That makes two of us. Better give kisses inside this morning.”

  “Imagine. You? A big shot cop afraid of little old Mabel,” I said, putting my arms around him and kissing him softly.

  “I’ll have you know it’s the quiet little innocent ones that have the cats in the cauldron and their son in laws hanging dead in the basement.”

  “Remind me never to eat or play cards over at Mabel’s,” I joked, opening the door for him. Standing next to his car, I watched him drive off, relishing the afterglow I still felt all over. Walking back into the house where we had lived together for more than two years, my hand depressed the door handle and opened it. Suddenly I felt a whoosh and ran straight for the bathroom. My hand went to my mouth as I felt the bile come up from my stomach. Feelings of nausea mixed with confusion entered my head as I knelt down and vomited.

  …

  “So, how was the grind today?” I asked as he entered the door.

  “It was good…..missed you though.�
��

  He kissed me tenderly on the head.

  “I was expecting to see you at some point today. The guys didn’t get to steal any of my leftovers at lunch time.”

  “Sorry baby, next time. I told you I had a meeting at the school.”

  His arms embraced me as I leaned on the stove, waiting for the pasta noodles to boil. I put my arms around him and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

  “Don’t get too used to this. Remember, summer vacation is over in five weeks,” I said, as I teased his bottom lip with a finger full of pasta sauce. He playfully opened his mouth and sampled it from my finger, like he had stolen the finger from the child.

  “Mmmmm; what is that? Alfredo?”

  “Yup. From scratch.”

  His brows lifted as if to say ‘really?’

  “It’s delicious…..the guys will like it too. Did you make lots?” He had taken the spoon from me and was stirring it.

  “Tons. I got the recipe from some book for people who prepare meals for armies or something. I didn’t realize the yield was for ten people until after I put it all together.” I said, eyes rolling.

  He laughed. “No complaints here, baby. I’ll eat it all week.” He said, sampling another spoonful

  The plates and forks were being put on the table when I felt another whoosh. One of my mother’s expensive plates hit the floor with a smash and broke into a million pieces. I paid no mind as I ran to the bathroom. Mark stood for a moment in shock and concern, and then ran after me. He knelt down beside me on the floor and rubbed my back as I vomited up what little food I had actually kept down through the day.

  “Hey, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

  My eyes met his with such despair; I did not want to tell him this way. My plan was to serve him up a tantalizing dinner and then ad hoc my way through it after his belly was full and he was all nice and relaxed.

  The tears ran down my face, and as he wiped them off with a tissue he gave me a look that I had never seen before.