Desi leaned her head over the side of the bed as far as she could so Rachel could wash her hair in the plastic tub. They hadn’t really spoken after Rachel had gotten back until she took the supplies out of the bag she’d brought. It wasn’t hard to sense the disgust Rachel was feeling.
“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but what happened?”
“Nothing special—you know it never is. He was screaming about his father, and he’d headed to the casino after work.” She closed her eyes as Rachel rinsed the shampoo out and shivered at the memory of Byron coming through the door.
Years with him had taught her the signs when he wasn’t in control. Those lessons had been numerous in their time together, but at times there would be long stretches of only verbal abuse. That’s when she knew he’d found someone else to spend time with and would only come home for clean clothes and food. Each reprieve always felt like a godsend, and each time she’d hoped he’d find someone he wanted to leave her for. He never did.
“I had dinner ready, but I forgot his beer. He started in on me, and my scream from this”—she pointed to her face—“got one of the neighbors to call for help.” She rubbed the area where the stitches were starting to itch. Her lip was still too tender to touch.
“How did he break your leg? The officer said something about a bat.” Rachel worked in the conditioner and it felt heavenly.
“They stopped him from hitting me in the head with the bat, but my leg was from a kick with his boot.” These conversations always made her despondent. Their talks should be about their kids and spouses, and not how she’d survived one more assault. “It’s hard to believe I’m still here.”
“Maybe this is the universe’s way of telling you that you’re running out of chances, and it’s time to go.” The conditioner rinsed out, and Rachel very gently towel-dried her hair. “This doesn’t have to be your life.”
After lying in bed staring at the ceiling, she’d come to the same terrifying conclusion. “I know I should leave, but where am I going to go? I have a high school diploma and no job experience. And I’m thirty-three—no one’s going to hire me.” She swallowed the lump of despair. “And he could still come after me. Us.”
Rachel combed her hair out and took some more things out of her bag. This was a routine they’d run through plenty of times over the years.
“Let’s worry about getting you healthy before we find you a new career.” Rachel tilted her head back again and put some moisturizer on her face and some balm on her chapped lips. “Come in,” Rachel said when they heard the light knock.
“Good morning, Mrs. Simoneaux,” the man said as he took a small notepad out of his coat pocket. “I’m Detective Roger Landry, and if you’re up to it, I’d like to ask you some questions. I spoke to your sister last night, but your statement is important going forward.”
“This is the first time a detective has cared anything about all this.” The police had come out to the house over the years, beat cops who stared at her in shock when she’d refused to press charges.
“The brutality this time rises to attempted murder.” Roger didn’t get too close but came in and closed the door. “Your cooperation is crucial if we’re going to make a case stick.”
“It’s good to know you’re not here to tell us how hard it is to hold Byron, so we should let it go. That’s happened before,” Rachel said.
He shook his head. “My partner and I are going to work hard to make sure Simoneaux does some serious time for this. If you’ll feel more comfortable with a female detective, that can be arranged.”
Desi spoke in a monotone, trying to remember everything Byron had done before the pain made her shut down. “He was out of control and kept screaming for me to shut up when the police arrived. All the flashing lights in the front yard made him nuts.”
“Dr. Basantes’s testimony about the extent of your injuries combined with the fact that he was about to strike you in the head with the bat will put him away for a very long time.” Roger closed the notebook and rested his hand against his side. “But we can’t do that without your cooperation.”
“Would he ever get out?” Caging Byron like an animal would seal her fate when they released him.
“Hopefully, not for years.” He reached out his hand slowly and took hers. “Help us put him away. After seeing your home and knowing what he did, it’s easy to see that you won’t survive another attack like that.”
“Who’s going to believe me? I’ve never pressed charges before, and that will make people think I probably deserved it.” She wanted to forget about everything and be left alone, but this time that wasn’t going to happen. What Roger and everyone else didn’t understand was it didn’t matter whether Byron was locked up or not. Unless his brother and father went with him, nothing was going to change. She and Rachel wouldn’t be safe.
“It’s going to be hard not to believe you once the court sees you. Is this the first time he’s put you in the hospital?”
“Hell no.” Rachel gave Roger a list that wasn’t complete. Desi flinched at the oral history.
“That shows a pattern of abuse,” Roger said. “We have your medical records, your neighbors’ recollections, and the list of times units were sent to your home. With your testimony, we think we have enough to convict this bastard.”
“Can you promise Rachel will be safe from the Simoneaux family?”
“We’ll get you both a restraining order today. Simoneaux’s father posted bail, so that’s the first order of business. We’ve placed officers outside your door to make certain he can’t get anywhere near you. If you’re concerned about his family, I’ll get them on the no-fly list too.”
“Okay,” she said after a long pause. “I’ll press charges.” The idea of taking this forward was terrifying, but the thought of going back to the chaos of her life was sickening. Everyone was right. Something had to change.
“Can we take our stuff out of the house?” Rachel asked. “We don’t need much, but we’re not going back there, ever. I’ll get a new place set up while Desi is recovering here.”
“I’ll call you after I deal with Simoneaux and give you an escort over there.” Roger said to Rachel, as he squeezed Desi’s hand before stepping back. “I’ll be there for you, no matter the time. Don’t forget that.”
“Thank you,” Desi said, having a hard time breathing. The fear of the future was almost scarier than the fear of Byron.
“It’s good that neither of you are going back to the house. Wherever you go, I’ll need a contact number, but I promise to keep it out of the report as a precaution. I’ll keep you posted on everything—you have my word.”
It was real now, and it didn’t seem like there was any way to go back. Her problem wasn’t letting go, but where to go from here. Her heart knew exactly what its choice was, but Harry was never going to forgive her, much less consider what they’d once had. She was so tired of fate taking the things that mattered to her most, but in this case, she deserved the pain. All of Harry’s animosity, aloofness, and bitterness was well earned.
She might finally find her way to freedom, but the cost had been far too high.
* * *
Harry stood at the nurses’ station with her residents around her when she noticed the detective from the night before leaving Desi’s room. The guy seemed to be in a constant wrinkled condition. He’d changed clothes, but he didn’t look any neater.
“Good morning,” she said when she shook hands with him.
“Hey, got a few minutes?”
“Take a coffee break, everyone, and I’ll page when we’re ready to continue,” she said to her people. “Let’s take one of the consultation rooms,” she said to Landry and pointed the way.
“She’s willing to press charges, which will be a way of keeping her alive,” he said as a starter. “Once the time comes, I’ll need you to testify to her injuries.”
“That’s not a problem—I’ve done that a few times.” She stared at him and guessed there was plenty more he wanted to say. “Anything else?” she prodded him.
“Her sister Rachel mentioned last night that you knew them.”
“We were friends in grade school, but I haven’t seen either of them in years. Actually, yesterday in the emergency room was the first time since our high school graduation that I’ve run into Desi.” She twirled her pen through her fingers to keep them limber. It was a habit she’d picked up from her father.
“I don’t have a right to ask, but neither of those girls looks like they can afford a place to go once Desi makes it out of the hospital. Rachel says she’ll find a place, but it’s not likely it will be something secure. All I can do is put them in a shelter, but that’s not a long-term solution. Putting them in protective custody isn’t an option because it’s a domestic abuse case, and I won’t get the okay for something like that because he’s not a high value criminal.”
“I’m not sure I know where you’re going with this.” The thought of Desi and Rachel in a shelter, especially in Desi’s condition, was awful.
“They need a place where it won’t be easy for Simoneaux to track them down, and that might be with you. If you have room for them, would you consider letting them stay?”
“Nope.” Even if this guy didn’t know their complete history, this was a lot to ask someone. “We didn’t end on good terms.”
“Was it bad enough that you’re planning to beat the shit out of her?” Landry asked and seemed totally serious.
“What? No,” she said indignantly.
“If you decide she isn’t worth your time or care, that’s exactly what’s going to happen to her if this guy or his family find her. This isn’t something I can force on you, obviously, but please think about it.”
“There’s got to be someone else,” she said, not ready to give in.
“They have no family, and if it’s a friend they have now it’ll be only a matter of time before Simoneaux finds her. And next time, it might be Rachel in his crosshairs too.”
She laughed as she shook her head. “You’re almost as good as my mother in laying on the guilt, Detective.”
“These girls have been through enough. I think they deserve every break they have coming. If you can think of anywhere else they’d be as safe as they’d probably be with you, then I’m all ears.”
She thought quickly, searching for an option, and came up blank. Damn it all. “Okay, I can’t imagine they’ll want to stay very long, but I have room.”
“You’re one of the good ones, Doc. Do you have any parking tickets or anything I can help you with to return the favor?” He grinned and his shoulders dropped slightly.
“I’m one of the law-abiding citizens you don’t have to worry about, but thanks.”
“Then maybe I’ll stop by and get my knee fixed to give you some business.”
“That I can help you with.”
“How long does she need to be here? I want to have the legalities clamped down before she’s discharged, and it would be good to have her in a monitored location until I can get him back in jail.”
“It’s going to be at least another week or so, but I’ll call you when I know more,” she said, taking one of her cards out. “Here’s my information if you need to get in touch.”
He flicked the card and shook her hand again before leaving. How in the hell she’d gotten herself into this she’d have to unpack later, but there was no going back now.
“Hey,” she said when Rachel opened Desi’s door for her. “I wanted to let you know that I won’t be transferring your case to my colleague, and I talked to the detective. He says you need a place to stay.”
“Yes,” Rachel said quickly, as if trying to shut Desi down before she said otherwise.
“We’ll think of something, but thanks,” Desi said, glaring at Rachel.
Harry ignored the warning bells going off in her head and plunged forward. “You don’t have to say yes, but I can’t let you out of here if there’s a chance you’ll end up coming back in worse shape…or dead. Forget about our past, and think about your future, Desi. No matter what I did to make you change your mind about us,” she said, dropping her crossed arms so she didn’t appear confrontational, “don’t let it cloud your judgment.”
“I screwed up, but you don’t need to take on my problems. If something happened to you…” Desi clamped her mouth shut and her eyes got watery.
“Let me worry about Byron, and let me take care of you until you can do it for yourself. You’re in no condition to be able to defend yourself, and Landry thinks it would be good for you to be someplace Byron won’t think to look. With someone who knows you.” She couldn’t bring herself to say with a friend.
“Are you sure?” Desi’s voice was barely audible.
She wasn’t in the least bit sure, but they didn’t need to know that. “Rachel, I’ll leave you directions to the house, and you can help get it ready for your sister.” She smiled at Rachel’s excitement and turned to Desi. “The rest we’ll figure out as we go, but at least you’ll be safe.”
“Do you still live around here?” Rachel asked.
“I bought a place close to where Mom and Dad used to be. They’re retired and living in Florida. There’s plenty of room, and it’s almost finished. Tony’s been helping me redecorate.”
“Tony Martin from high school?” Rachel asked.
“It’s Tony Reynolds now, but one and the same.”
“He made my prom dress in the tenth grade, and no one would’ve figured it didn’t come from one of those boutiques on Magazine Street,” Rachel said, coming closer to her. “Is he a decorator?”
“He’s actually a nurse, but he’s happier with a paintbrush in his hand. It’s something he started when you two took those classes in high school. He married Kenneth Reynolds, and Kenny gives him the freedom to do whatever makes him happy.”
“Wow, they’re still together?” Rachel asked, putting her hand on her arm. “What a great love story.”
“It’s one he loves to tell, so don’t ask if you don’t really want to know,” she said, glancing at her watch. She didn’t want to talk about love stories from high school. “I’ll stop by later and drop off a key and the codes to the gate.”
“If I’m not here, leave it with Desi. The detective offered to give me a ride to the house so I can pack.”
“Be careful, and make sure you wait for him. Anything either of you need before I go?”
“Will I see you again today?” Desi asked timidly.
Harry opened her mouth to refuse, but Rachel was staring at her with a pleading expression. Damn it. “How about in an hour? I have to finish my rounds, but then I’ll stop by for another milkshake since the nurse told me you hardly ate anything. Do you want chocolate or vanilla?”
“Vanilla,” Desi said and smiled.
The smile, though, looked forced and scared. That beautiful girl she once knew had been buried under the fears and scars of the woman cowering on the bed, who seemed afraid that any misstep would end with the worst of punishments. It was heartbreaking.
“Vanilla it is.” She left before she backslid another inch. Not that there was much further to go. She felt marginally better when she saw Tony waiting.
“Did you think you could hide from me forever?” Tony asked. He was standing by the elevator with his hands on his hips and a tapping foot. She’d known him long enough to recognize his annoyed-with-the-world posture.
“Rounds isn’t hiding from you, sunshine.” She had to finish with her patients so she could head back to University Medical and do the same over there. “Want to wait a few minutes and ride with me to meet Kenneth?”
“No, I know what’s happening with Kenneth. He’s bitching about a new washing machine. I want to know what’s going on in here.” He tapped the side of her head.
“Once I figure it out, I’ll be happy to lie on your crushed velvet couch and talk about it.” She walked into an empty patient room so the whole hospital didn’t overhear everything about her personal life.
“What’s got you so mad? And don’t deny it. I saw your hands clenched.”
“The detective talked me into letting Desi and Rachel stay with me. They aren’t safe to go home, and while I understand that—”
“You don’t want them in your house,” he finished for her.
“That makes me sound so heartless, but yes. Everyone should be able to forget first loves and high school crushes as soon as they start college and leave all that shit in the past.” She was such a fucking idiot for wasting this much emotional angst on a woman who hadn’t given her a second thought.
“I’ve prayed you would—forget, I mean—and move on. Desi Thompson made you skittish about commitment, but that’s understandable. That connection you made lasted a lot of years, honey, and the years that followed came with no explanations.” Tony hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I know you’re pissed, but you’ve got a good heart. Maybe this is what you need.”
“Thanks, but I’m not sure about the good heart.”
“I am, so tell me what I can do.”
“Keep that velvet couch on hold, and tell me if my guest rooms are ready. The only room I’ve been in upstairs is mine.” She glanced out the door and spotted Rachel waiting for her.
“Rachel,” Tony said, holding out his hand. “How’d you like to go shopping? Dr. Harry needs new bedding, and you might as well like what I pick. It sounds like you’re staying for a while.”
After a quick hug, Rachel agreed, and Harry shook her head at the ease with which Tony navigated socially awkward situations. She might not get any answers anytime soon, but she’d bet everything she owned he’d have the whole story before they got to the pillowcase section of the store. As much as she wanted that story herself, that would mean opening up again, and that wasn’t something she was prepared to do.