Paloma: A Laurent & Dove Mystery (17 page)

In front of her stood a woman with red hair and a cute, pixy face. An actress came to mind – Shirley MacLaine.

“I’m afraid I’m not feeling too well.” The woman wove to the side and reached for the sink. “Would you have some gum or candy?”

“No. Maybe you should sit down. There’s a place just outside.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Paloma put the magazine on the ledge of the sink and wrapped her arm around the woman’s waist. “This way,” she said, leading the woman out the door and into the main hall.                             Directly across the ladies’ room was a slatted bench. Paloma guided the woman to the spot and sat her down. “I’ll get help.”

“You’re coming back aren’t you?”

“Of course,” said Paloma. The information desk was steps away. “I’ll be right back.” 

Paloma walked over. “Excuse me. The lady sitting over there doesn’t feel well. She may need an ambulance.”

The librarian’s gaze slid past Paloma. She then picked up the phone and said, “Security needed.”

Paloma returned to the woman and sat down. “Someone’s coming.”

The red-haired woman nodded. “Thank you,” she said, glancing up and down the corridor.

Paloma saw fear in the woman’s face and patted her hand. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

***

Max stood half-hidden behind a column watching Lola and Agnes. At last, the coordinates had converged. He needed to step forward, but was soldered to the spot. His heart pounded as he struggled to steady his breathing. After fifteen years, the moment to face Agnes had arrived. His hands were sweating. Nerves. Suddenly, he was a school boy with a telephone in hand and a girl’s number to dial. Was there time to check himself in the mirror, comb his hair, throw some water on his face? No. 

He stepped forward.

Chapter Fifteen

The first one to notice him was Lola. After giving him a slight nod, she reached for Agnes’s hand, anchoring her to the spot. With Agnes seated and secured, he stepped closer. Would she recognize him? Points of reference in the physical world changed, became softened, hidden, translated. Hair turned gray, bodies slackened. Still, there remained the unalterable – the feelings inside. His heart pounded steadily. His peripheral vision blurred, as he focused on her face, the feathery lashes, the glowing dark eyes. With each step, he waited for the impact, the moment of recognition. 

Suddenly, her eyes met his and a spark flashed, dissolving the distance between them. But in a millisecond she looked away, disconnecting their tethered link.

At arm’s length he said, “Agnes?” 

She sat stalled, motionless, her eyes locked downward. Seconds later, she disengaged her hand from Lola’s, brought it to her head and patted her short hair.

“It’s me Max.”

Slowly, her face turned up. She looked at him blankly as if he were a stranger. “My name’s not Agnes.”

“So I’ve been told.”

She leveled a grim stare at him. “Get away from me.”

Had he heard correctly? “I’ve been looking for you –”

“Screw you.”

Hell. This wasn’t the reception he was hoping for. Max’s eyes darted to Lola.

Lola smiled brightly. “You two know each other?”

In unison, Max said yes, Agnes said no.

Lola seemed puzzled. “That’s odd.”

“Agnes, we have to talk.”  

She ignored him and said to Lola, “Someone should be here soon. Maybe I should check with the librarian again.”

“No, honey, please stay. I feel comfortable with you here.”

Agnes sat taller and looked in all directions. “Good, someone’s coming.”

Max turned. A security officer approached. “What seems to be the problem?”

Agnes’s words rushed out. “This woman isn’t feeling well. She may need an ambulance.”

The officer looked pointedly at Lola. “Ma’am, what’s wrong?”

“I was feeling a bit dizzy, but now I’m quite fine. It must have been my inner ear.”

“You sure?” the officer said.

“Yes.”

“Let’s stand you up,” he said.

Lola lifted herself off the bench and walked a little circle. “All better.”

Max smiled. “Lola, you had me worried for a minute.”

Lola gave Max a fearful look. Immediately, Max recognized his mistake.   

Agnes’s eyes flashed from Lola to Max. “You two know each other?”

Max froze.

Lola picked up the slack. “Honey, Buffalo’s a small town. I’ve known Max since he was a boy. Isn’t that right, Max?”

Max nodded.

The security officer said, “Ma’am, sure you’re okay?”

Lola said, “Yes, I’m sorry to have caused such alarm.”

“Good.” Agnes stood. “Got to go.”

Max reached for Agnes’s arm. “I need to speak to you.”

Agnes pulled away. “Officer, this man is harassing me. Tell him to leave me alone.”

“Agnes, I’m here to help you.”

“Sir,” the officer said to Max, “the lady says to leave her alone.”

Lola whispered into the officer’s ear. “It’s a lover’s quarrel. We should stay out of it.”

Agnes glared at Lola. “What did you say?”

Lola gave a devilish grin. “Honey, let Max talk. He really cares for you.”

Without warning, Agnes turned on her heels and began to march away. Max blocked her progress. She parried right, then left. “Agnes, one hour, give me an hour. We’ll go for coffee.”

Through clenched teeth, Agnes said, “Don’t make me do this.”

“Do what?”

Agnes faced Lola and the security officer. “This man raped me,” she yelled pointing to Max.

The officer’s eyes darted between Max and Agnes. 

Max shook his head. “That’s ridiculous.”

 “No woman’s safe here.” Her voice became louder, more insistent. “He’s a madman. Arrest him.”

The officer raised his hands. “Calm down.”

Max stood stunned. “Arrest me? For trying to save your life.”

She yelled louder, “He tied me to a tree –”

“Agnes, lay off.”

“Lay off? After what you did to me?” Her voice became hysterical. “When did they let you out of prison? You’re violating an order of protection –”

Max looked at the officer, Lola. They both seemed shocked. “Stop it,” he told Agnes. “This is absurd.”

Agnes stepped back with flashing eyes. “Don’t try and stop me, I’ll tell the truth to them and to anyone who’ll listen.”

Max grabbed her arm.

She shrieked, “He’s assaulting me!”

The officer cut between them. “Let go, sir.”

Max, now livid, held on tight. “I can handle this.”

“You have to let go and step back,” said the officer forcibly.

Max refused to comply. “Damn it Agnes, I’m here to help you.”

“Let go!” Agnes cried.

The officer yelled over to the information desk. “Get back-up.” 

Agnes tried to squirm out of Max’s grasp. He clamped down harder. 

Lola grabbed Max’s arm. “Honey, calm down. Let her go. We’ll talk.”

The officer threw himself into the fray, prying off Max’s hold. Agnes let out a harrowing scream.

Suddenly, an even louder voice halted the frenzy. “What’s going on here!”

Max recognized the voice and stopped. Things couldn’t get much worse, but somehow did. He loosened his hold on Agnes’s arm and turned – Cindy.

Agnes took a hurried step to leave. 

Cindy blocked her. “Stay right where you are.”

A hollow silence echoed in the hall. No one moved. 

“This is a library,” Cindy said in a controlled voice. “A place to think and read and expand your mind.”

Her penetrating glance fell on Max. “What’s this all about?”

“I can explain everything,” he said.

“Then do it,” she said turning her attention to Agnes, eyeing her up and down.

“This may not be the best time.”

Her gaze reverted back to him. “The library is not a dating service.”

The officer spoke up. “Mrs. Kovacs, this woman says that she was raped by this guy.”

Cindy smirked. “Really?”

“Should I contact the police?”

“Officer Carmine that’s an excellent idea. Call for back-up. We’ll have to detain all of them until the police arrive. I’ll take this man into my office. You stay with the women in the first-floor conference room.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” the officer said. He began to corral Lola and Agnes.

Agnes pulled back and mumbled, “That won’t be necessary.”

Cindy gave Agnes a cool stare. “What did you say?”

In a voice barely audible, Agnes said, “He didn’t rape me. I lied.”

Max sighed. Maybe now they could get somewhere.

Agnes pleaded to Cindy. “Just get him away from me.”

Another shot of adrenaline pulsed through Max. “Get away from you? But –”

“Quiet! Show the women out, Officer,” Cindy said. “Max, I need to speak with you privately.”

“I’m afraid this isn’t –”

Cindy’s face hardened. “You’re coming to my office.” She turned to Agnes. “How many lives do you expect to ruin?”

A perplexed look clouded Agnes’s face as she and Lola were ushered down the hall.

***

Leaning against Officer Carmine, having his body close and supportive, was the only way Paloma could walk. Her legs felt weak, unsteady. Each step against the hard, unrelenting floor vibrated through her, jangling her joints, her thoughts. Ruined lives? What had that woman meant? Paloma swallowed hard. The only life she’d ruined was her own. Certainly, others had been spared. Weren’t they? And Max. Damn him. What the hell did he want from her?    

Lola edged forward, bobbing in front of the officer. “Isn’t it nice to have an escort, so young and handsome?” she said to Paloma.

The woman was crazy. The officer wasn’t an escort, they were being thrown out of the library. Paloma didn’t respond. Nearing the front doors, the threesome approached a seated guard.

Officer Carmine called out. “These ladies will be leaving. Make sure they don’t return.”

The security guard nodded.

Lola stopped dead. “What? We’re banned from the library? Is that legal? What have we done?”

Officer Carmine’s grasp tightened on Paloma’s arm. “Let’s keep moving.”

But Lola stood fast. “This is an outrage. I’m calling my senator.”

“Call whoever you like,” he said tugging at Lola’s arm. “But you must leave.”

“Not until I see my lawyer.” 

The officer leaned close to Lola and said in a conspiratorial tone, “Listen lady, Mrs. Kovacs calls the shots. I have to do what she tells me or I’ll be out of a job.”

Lola said to the officer, “That woman’s hyper.” Then turning to Paloma, she added, “Sweetie, let’s sit here and protest.”

Paloma purposefully moved toward the exit. This woman was certifiable. “Officer, I’ll gladly leave.”

“Listen to your friend, Ma’am. Be sensible.”

Lola nodded to Paloma. “Sweetie, maybe you’re right. Let’s go for coffee.”

“That’s a great idea,” said the officer. “The two of you need to relax, have some lunch.”

Paloma wanted to scream. She didn’t know this woman and any further involvement beyond the front entrance wasn’t going to happen. Still, she kept her mouth shut. A few more yards, she’d be long gone.   

The entry door folded open. “Have a nice day, ladies,” said the officer as he planted them outside. 

Paloma bolted.

“Hey, where you going, sweetie?”

Without turning around, Paloma yelled, “Good-bye.”

The sidewalk to the library had a downward slant. With the quick pace, Paloma felt an unsteady stride take over. It was as if she were running downhill and gravity was pulling her faster than her legs could manage. If she didn’t slow down, she’d fall.

“Wait,” Lola said behind her. “Aren’t we going for coffee?”

Paloma pretended not to hear. What were her options? The bus terminal was a short block away, but she’d be a sitting duck if she had to wait for boarding. She looked around. There were a couple of hotels with multiple entrances. She spirited across Washington Street and into the busy square.

It was lunch hour and people were outside enjoying the warm weather. Some sat clustered on benches with their lunches, others in business suits and sneakers were walking. Paloma wove among them. Her heart pounded. A blinding anger was coming to a boil. He had touched her! As if he had rights, ownership. And those empty words of concern, as if she remained the gullible girl of twenty-two. She now saw right through him. How he used people, orchestrating events to suit himself, feed his ego. She stopped at a traffic light. Damn, she should have given him the business. Told his sorry ass off. 

Out of nowhere a voice called out. “We really need to talk.”

Paloma spun around. Nobody.

“Over here,” said the woman.

In a waiting cab, Lola’s red head poked out.

Paloma could backtrack or cross the busy street. She sprang into oncoming traffic. Car horns blew, brakes squealed. In the melee, Paloma heard a car door slam. Threading through traffic, Paloma sensed she was being followed. She stopped and turned. Panting, the puffing redhead nipped at her heels.

“What’s with you lady?” Paloma said. “Leave me alone.”

“I can’t.”

A truck driver yelled, “Dumb broads.”

“Yo’ motha,” Lola shouted.

Paloma kept walking and stepped onto the curb. Relentless footsteps followed.

“Sweetie listen, we both got bum legs. Let’s take it easy. We must look ridiculous trying to run, both of us limping like fools.”

Furious, Paloma stopped and glared at her.

“I got a peg leg. See?” She lifted up her pant leg. “This thing is starting to throb.”

“Then stop following me.”

“I will, but just give me a few minutes.”

“For what? I don’t know you.”

“That’s true. But I know you very well.”

“You know me? How’s that possible?”

“We need to talk.”

“You’ll call Max.”

“No, I won’t. I promise.”

“How did you get a hold of him from the library?”

“He just showed up.”

“Like hell. You set me up.”

Lola nodded. “Okay, guilty as charged.”

“He was behind it, wasn’t he?”

“Who?”

“Laurent!”

“You want to know?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll answer it and more, if we can sit for a minute.”