by Berinn Rae
Her old Mercedes? If she mentioned she drove a van when she got pushed off road, they may book her into psych ward.
Amira reappeared next to her. “Ready?”
Olivia nodded. Their hands grabbed the board attached to her back and in a fluid motion pulled her out. The stretcher seemed to expand under her legs and in the next instant the four EMS personnel carried her to the road and placed her on a gurney. An oxygen mask lowered over her nose and mouth. Blankets were wrapped around her. The mobile bed was pushed at the back of the ambulance. The back door slammed shut and the vehicle drove off with blaring sirens.
“Please, can you notify my husband?” Olivia pleaded with Amira, but deep down she knew better.
“A constable will take your statement in the hospital.” Amira turned her head at the driver’s divider. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
The ambulance pulled up at the entrance. A morsel of Olivia’s worries chipped away. At least the pain in her neck and shoulders would be alleviated, and meds would knock her out cold. She craved the glorious oblivion.
The rear door popped open and Amira jumped out. “Thirty-five-year-old female with multiple contusions and abrasions, no obvious fractures, BP is one-ten over seventy, heart rate normal.” She placed the clipboard on Olivia’s legs and continued to shout her condition while the crew of two nurses and a doctor rolled her down the long corridor. When the gurney came to a stop in front of the double glass door, she squeezed Olivia’s shoulder. “You’re in good hands now. Take care.”
Olivia nodded and stared at Amira’s back, her black hair pulled in a thick braid bouncing against the white EMS letters of her deep navy jacket.
The rest of the day passed in examinations and x-ray rooms. The doctor couldn’t explain why her bruises were consistent to that of a deploying airbag, yet there had not been one in her car. They considered her very lucky for not sustaining serious injuries. At last, she was left alone in her room. As time passed she grew more anxious to get out of the hospital and return home. Before supper time, a police officer came to take her statement. She filed an accident report, describing the pickup truck, including the license plate.
“Have you notified my husband?” She handed the paper back to the uniformed officer.
The man tilted his head toward the tiled floor then leveled his eyes with hers. “Sorry, miss. We’re still looking. Thank you for your cooperation. Get yourself some rest.”
He replaced his cap and left her room.
Right, they’re still looking. They all must think her a total wacko, with her crying for a husband and children who didn’t exist. If she didn’t stop, they would send her to a shrink and she would never get out of here. What if her double was with Tom and he couldn’t tell the difference? Stop it. He said to trust him. Besides, you know there is no double. The meds kicked in and pulled her into a blissful sleep.
• • •
The next day, a nurse handed her the large, clear plastic bag with her belongings sealed inside. She shook them out of the sack onto the bed and shifted through them. The notebook where she’d written all the phone numbers and addresses came into focus. With a shaky hand she picked up the thin item and flipped through the pages. They were blank. All her efforts in the other life were useless. She threw the book onto the pile as tears stung her eyes. An item slid out of it. She clasped her hand over the shiny object to prevent it from falling off her bed. And exhaled a shaky breath at the sight of Tom’s tie pin, the one she’d given him at Christmas. Maybe he’d placed it in her notebook. If she could bring an object from the future perhaps that explained why had the license plate of the pickup remained on her arm.
“The doctor is discharging you today. You won’t need this anymore.” Her nurse removed her IV oblivious to Olivia’s astonishment. “Is there anyone who can take you home?”
“No.” She was alone again. Once that had suited her just fine, but now … she wouldn’t survive her solitude. Numbness gripped her and her will for living was dying, but she wouldn’t allow her memory for Tom and their children to wither.
An hour later, she left the hospital with a few prescriptions in her pocket. Strange, snow didn’t cover the ground and the grass had turned green. It was warm in the cab. She leaned toward the driver. “Would you mind turning the heat down?”
“Heat’s not on. Do you want some a/c back there?” He threw his question over his shoulder.
“Yes, please.” She leaned back and stared out the window. Spring.
Her house mocked her with empty and deadly silence. And worst of all, everything stood in its place. No toys lay scattered on the floor. No scents of Tom’s cooking wafted in the air. No blaring cartoons or Milo sprawled on the carpet in front of television. No sweet giggles of her beautiful baby girl.
Olivia’s arms ached to hold her children, to cover them in kisses, to tell them how much she loved them. Pain in her heart exploded and shattered her chest. She wanted her family life back, all of it. Even her weight gain.
“Tom. Milo. Rosie.” She stumbled through the house, calling their names, looking for any sign of their existence. The nursery once again served as storage for the boxes with her old junk. Tears streamed down her face.
“Give them back to me, they’re mine.” Her shouts echoed around empty walls. No answer. Anger flared in her. “Damn it, did you hear me? They’re mine.”
A speck of light twinkled in the darkness and expanded until the room filled with its glow. She flattened her back against the cold wall. The angel heard her.
“You’re seeing me in my purest form.” The light shimmered with angel’s voice. “Can you see it? Without love, there’s nothing. You want to give up this future for your career?”
“No, I choose love. Please, I’ll do anything you want,” Olivia uttered through her tight throat. The angel was testing her. A vision of Rosie’s baby fingers wrapped around hers flashed before her eyes. No money in the bank, no property or expensive car could measure up to what had been taken away from her. “Return them to me. They’re so little. They need me.”
“Your children have not been born. To see Tom your soul must enter Heaven.”
Her chin dropped and her quivering breath filled the silence. “I’d have to die to get there.”
“You said you’ll do anything. He’s waiting for you.”
She shook her head, her back slid down the wall. Her mind refused to accept the angel’s words. Yes, she’d agreed to do anything, but not to commit suicide. “No, he’s not dead. I know he’s not.”
Frustration forced her to raise her voice, but the light continued to intensify and the same daze settled over her. On her wobbly legs, she staggered to her bedroom and collapsed in the bed. With her face buried in the pillow, now devoid of Tom’s sea scent, she broke down and surrendered to sobs. Tom was out there, somewhere, probably searching for her. But just as her address book turned up blank, all the records about them could disappear. The angel had to have something to do with it.
“To hell with you.” She tossed the pillow at the fading light. “I’ll find Tom.”
Her eyelids drooped and she hovered between sleep and wakefulness for a few moments. The light shrunk and vanished, leaving her in darkness.
• • •
The sound of a phone ringing pierced through her sleep. She flipped to her side, but the shrill clangor reverberated in her head.
“Tom.” Her eyes snapped open. She closed them fast as the sunbeam piercing through open blinds fell across the bed.
She glued the receiver to her ear, hoping to hear his voice.
“Olivia?” Jess’s whisper came through.
Olivia’s heart sputtered, but hearing a familiar voice gave her some assurance that things weren’t hopeless. “Yes?”
“Mr. Hiltorn’s livid. You didn’t come to work or call or email again. Are you sick?”
Of course, in this life she worked, not lived a life of a stay-at-home mom on maternity leave. And Hiltorn was a free man. “I
was in a car accident. I spent almost two days in the hospital.”
“Oh my god,” Jess shrieked, then lowered her voice. “Are you okay?”
“Just bruised. My car is totaled, though.” She sat in bed and propped her head on her hand. If Hiltorn was livid with her, it could mean he was making everyone’s lives a living hell. No need for her co-workers to suffer because of her. She would dose up on pain killers and drag her sore body to work. “I’ll be there in a few.”
“Are you sure you want to come in?” Hiltorn’s growling drifted from Jess’s end and confirmed Olivia’s decision. Jess continued when boss’s barking ceased. “Not your Mercedes, I hope. You love that car.”
“Yeah, but was told I’ll get good money for parts. Tell Hiltorn I’ll be there.” She replaced the receiver and stepped in the shower. Warm water helped loosen up her stiff muscles and she wished she could stay under the spray forever. Her thoughts were constantly with her children and husband. Kids she never had and if she couldn’t find Tom, she wouldn’t have them. Sadness swept over her, tightening her ribcage. A long wail wrenched her body. No point dwelling on that. She needed to get her ass into gear and not stop until she accomplished her goal. The corporate world had taught her a tough life lesson she planned to use.
She shut the water and stepped out. Wrapped in a towel, she opened her closet and found all her business suits hanging. Her girly, fun wardrobe she’d come to adore was gone. No amount of makeup would cover the bruises. And why hide them? Let the employees see Hiltorn forced her to show her face at work so soon after the accident.
Her convertible two-seater sat in the garage, its key hanging on the rack by the door. Everything was in the same place, as if she’d never left this life.
At the office people’s eyes widened and many turned their faces away at her approach. Some asked if she was okay, others wanted to know what happened. But it was the genuine concern in their voices and eyes that touched her. Wasn’t she the corporate slut?
Jess’s crumpled face met her at the door. “He wants to see you in his office. Right away.”
Olivia put her purse on the desk in her office and squeezed Jess’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s all right.”
“It doesn’t look good. You don’t look good.”
“Looks worse than it is.” A long sigh filled her with calm and she stepped into Hiltorn’s office. “You wanted to see me?”
“Owen, close the door and sit.” Without looking at her, he flicked his hand toward a chair across from his desk. She took a seat, but he kept his eyes glued to the computer screen. If he did this for fear effect, it was wasted on her. To think how much she had respected him not so long ago.
He swiveled his chair, facing her, his forearms flat on the desk. “I have had enough of your tardiness. For the past three months, I’ve been watching you drag your sorry ass around here, when you granted us with your presence. You are, or were, the best of the best so I figured you’d snap out of whatever gripped you.” He paused and leaned back in his leather high back recliner. “I’ve fired people for less. No. Wait. I had you fire them for me. But I can’t have you fire yourself, so consider me dismissing you a privilege.”
“Yes, I’m honored you extended me the courtesy.” She couldn’t hide the sarcasm in her voice. Not that she tried.
Deep creases formed around his mouth with his frown. “How dare you show such impertinence?”
She stood, slowly and ground her molars. “How dare you kick me to the curb after I did your dirty business for years?”
He slapped his hands on the desk and pushed to his feet, leaning over the table. “I never asked you to spread your legs for any of my business clients, but who am I to meddle in your stuff? Helped me score a few deals and got you a promotion or two. Now clean out your office. You could’ve been a part of something special.”
She dug her nails in her palms. Those days were nothing to be proud of, but at least she had cast her promiscuity away now and wouldn’t go back. Her hand almost flew to his cheek, but she had to show him she was better than that. He probably wanted her to slap him so later he could accuse her of an assault. After five years, she was ordinary and unimportant. Just as the countless employees she’d dismissed whose hard work and dedication to the company went up in smoke.
“No, you can’t fire me. Because I quit. And I am a part of something special.” At least she would be once she reunited with Tom. She stepped to the door.
“One more thing.” Hiltorn’s irate voice stopped her on her way out. “The gun I gave you is company property.”
Holding onto the knob, she snapped her head toward him. Of course, the gun. In her misery she’d forgotten about the pistol in her closet. “You can’t expect me to bring it here. I can’t be caught in public with a concealed weapon.”
“Didn’t bother you when you took it home.” He grabbed the pen from the holder on his desk.
Okay, he had a point there. Still she would be dammed to let him have that gun.
He scribbled on a sticky page and handed her the neon note. “Take it to this pawn shop. Ask for Steve. Say I sent you.”
She flicked an eyebrow. So this was how she ended up pawning the gun. “Should this shop be buying illegal weapons?”
“My … acquaintance will take care of it.” Hiltorn straightened and shoved his hands inside his trouser pockets. She gave him a once over. His smug expression confirmed her suspicion. He was putting the blocks in place for shooting Mr. Baldwin. Her heart sped, but she maintained her current appearance.
“Yes, boss, anything you say,” she smirked then pulled the door open and bolted out of Hiltorn’s office.
Cleaning her space took no time. There were no family pictures or any personal items. She stowed her framed diploma under her arm and grabbed her purse. Jess stood in the doorway, her brows knitted. At least she granted her silence.
“I’m out of here.” Olivia flung her purse over her shoulder.
“What are you going to do?” Jess’s voice quivered and her chin trembled. Her assistant should rejoice to see her go. She had made the poor girl’s life miserable with her demands. But her actions in the past were mimicked by her boss’s. The corporate world was cold and unforgiving. For five years, she fooled herself that she belonged here in that cut-throat environment.
“I’ll think of something.” Olivia gave an exhausted laugh. “Strange, but I’m actually relieved. This place is no longer my problem.”
Jess’s shoulders rose with her long inhale. She nodded. “I know what I have to do.”
Olivia took a moment to scan the walls of her office that doubled for her second home. How many days had she worked here from early mornings to late evenings, oblivious to the world outside? No more. She closed the door and left. Her legs couldn’t carry her out fast enough, making her heels click on the polished stairs. She peeked at the reception, where Beatrice swung her chair around, stretching the telephone cord attached to her earpiece connecting her to the switchboard. The woman’s motherly face dropped. “Olivia, good Lord. I heard you’ve been in an accident. How are you doing, dear?”
“As to be expected.” Olivia attempted a smile.
“Good grief, I cannot believe you still made it in to work. If only our boss would value your dedication. Are you going out for lunch?” Beatrice scanned the telephone lines through her thick glasses.
Olivia ceased buttoning her jacket. The receptionist didn’t know she was no longer an employee. Should she try to explain or let it go?
“I haven’t had my break since I came in. You know how it is. I will lose my job if I left the reception unattended. Would you mind filling in for just a few minutes while I run to the ladies’ room?”
“Sure.” Olivia set her purse on the desk, her eyes already searching the off limits monitor button on the board. “Take your time.”
“Bless you.” Beatrice removed her earpiece and scurried away.
Olivia fitted the earphone on and studied the lines. Hiltorn’s
extension lit up. She found the forbidden button and pressed it. His voice came through. “You get the trollop who bewitched your husband to pick the piece from the pawn and we’re good to go.”
Mrs. Baldwin replied with her sugar-laced voice. “Are you sure your ex-employee will comply?”
Hiltorn snorted. “She did everything I asked of her for five years. I’d say she’s conditioned to obey.”
Olivia’s chin dropped. Their plan was further along than she suspected. She turned to the computer and punched in her login info. The blue circle spun and she doubted her login was valid, but the screen filled up with icons. Her high security clearance allowed her access to systems and she opened the switchboard logs. There she found the log for the monitor button and deleted the record. Beatrice rounded the corner, a grin on her face and toilet paper stuck on her heel, dragging on the shiny floor.
“Thank you for this.” She skirted the desk just as Olivia logged off.
“You’re welcome.” Olivia removed the earpiece, her hands still shaky. For a moment she contemplated whether to tell the woman she should look into an early retirement, but decided it wasn’t her place to meddle in everyone’s lives.
She picked up her purse and left Intelcorp for good. Hiltorn’s phone conversation bugged her. With her knowledge, she couldn’t let an innocent man get shot and a naïve girl get arrested. If she changed the course of the events, would she get to see Tom again?
“Olivia,” Jess’s call reached her on her way to her car. “Olivia, wait up.”
She halted and pivoted in her direction. Jess’s bag and curls bounced with her strides and a big grin matched her smiling eyes. “You’re right, quitting is liberating.” She heaved. “And there’s a line forming in front of Hiltorn’s office.”
CHAPTER 20
Wind blew hair across her face. Olivia snagged an annoying lock and shoved it behind her ear. The June breeze rippled Jess’s shirt, sending her flaxen strands in all direction. She slid her arm through the strap of her purse, the smile on her lips confirming her decision to quit made her happy.
