Alex
Lola’s father rents a house that is big enough for me to stay in too. I help her get the kids settled and she follows me downstairs. I roll my eyes wondering if this conversation really needs to happen?
“What are the divorce papers for, Alex?” Lola asks me as I stop walking and turn around to look at her.
“The papers are for Adele. When I find her, I’ll have them both sign them and she’ll be done with him,” I tell Lola and she rolls her eyes at me.
“You can’t do that, Alex,” she protests.
“Why can’t I? Your father is a dirty judge. I am sure he has someone that can draw up the papers and I’ll just get the signatures,” I say. Lola crosses her arms and stares at me.
“You think Adele will like being bullied from one situation into another? When you find her, Alex, let her decide to leave him,” Lola suggests and walks away from me and I have to wonder if she’s right.
I have always wanted to visit New York and I am going to take full advantage of the city. I tell Lola that I am going out and to give me a call if she needs anything. I love New York city. I start to wonder if Adele would like it here? Maybe when I get her back, I can bring her here for a vacation. I grab a taxi and ask the driver to take me to Times Square. It’s just like what I have seen on TV. I am watching the big screen when I hear my cell phone ring. I can’t believe that Lola can’t handle her own kids for a few hours. I look at the caller ID and see that it’s Thomas.
“Hey, Thomas,” I answer as I stare at the big screen in Times Square.
“We found her,” he says and my heart starts to race. I close my eyes and drop my head thinking about my Adele.
“You found Adele?” I ask wanting to confirm what he just told me.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Alex. We didn’t find Adele, but I found the girl in the picture. Do you want me to pick her up and hold her until you get back?” Thomas asks and I shake my head knowing that’s the last thing I need now.
“No. Just follow her, Thomas. Make sure someone has eyes on her always. I’ll come home tonight.”
I hang out in Times Square for another hour and then I head back to the house, hoping that Lola doesn’t get pissed off when I tell her I am leaving. I did tell her and Frank that I would help with the kids. I guess if she has a problem with me leaving, I’ll just have to come back to town when she wants to come home.
“I hate to do this to you Lola, but I have to talk to this girl. She may be the key to me finding Adele,” I explain to Lola as I wait for my cab to arrive to take me to the airport.
“It’s fine, Alex. I understand. I am a little surprised that you’re leaving without the divorce papers, though.” Lola shakes her head as she gives me a small smile. I look at her and roll my eyes.
“I am taking your advice. I’ll find Adele and let her decide if she wants a divorce,” I say and Lola’s eyes widen and she dips her head, acknowledging my acceptance of her advice.
“You're taking my advice? Did you get hit on the head when you were in Times Square?” Lola laughs and for the first time ever, I laugh with her.
I take the private jet back to Chicago and realize that I owe Lola’s father big time. He didn’t have to send the jet for me to go back to Chicago, but he did it anyway. When I finally arrive back in Chicago, Frank picks me up from the airport. He looks me over when I get into the car and my first thought is that he’s pissed. I did promise to help with the kids.
“I’m sorry, Frank,” I tell him and he gapes in astonishment.
“You’re sorry? I don’t think I have ever heard you say those words before,” Frank says and I can hear the sarcasm in his voice. I roll my eyes and look out the passenger window.
“I won’t say it again... to you,” I tell him as I start to grind my teeth. He’s right. I don’t say it and I should admit, I don’t like saying it either.
“I helped find the girl that was in the picture with Adele. Her name is Mary Ann Day,” Frank informs me and I look back at him.
“Day? So, she’s Garth’s sister. I guess it makes sense that Adele would be close to her sister-in-law,” I say to Frank as I lay my head back on the headrest.
“That’s the best part, Alex. She shares Garth’s last name, but not because she’s his sister,” Frank tells me and I turn to look at him as he shakes his head.
“What are you talking about?” I ask him.
“Mary Ann Day is Garth’s other wife,” Frank tells me and I snap my head from the headrest.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I growl.
“Garth Day is married to Maryann and apparently he had anger issues with her too. She supposedly drowned a year before he married Adele.” Frank looks at me as I sit in stunned shock.
“She faked her own death to get away from him?” I chuckle in disbelief and rub my hand through my beard.
“That would be my guess. If you focus on the big picture, Alex, you do know what this means, don’t you?” Frank smirks at me as he shakes his head. When he stops for a red light. I suddenly realize what it really does mean.
“Adele isn’t legally married to that fucker.” I look out the window with a smile on my face. Now I only must find her.
Frank takes me back to my place and I immediately call Thomas to find out where the hell this Maryann person is. He gives me her address and lets me know that he is sitting down her street and she hasn’t come out in hours. I hop on my motorcycle and head to the address. Maryann lives on the border of Illinois and Indiana and I should wonder why she didn’t move to the other side of the country if she faked her own death. I nod at Thomas as I park my bike right in front of Maryann’s house. I walk up the sidewalk of the nice ranch style home and ring the doorbell.
A redhead with a short bob cut answers the door. She has blue eyes and freckles. She looks me over as she only opens the door slightly and I notice there is a chain attached. I narrow my eyes at her wondering if this is the same girl that was in the picture with Adele? That girl wasn’t a redhead, but maybe she changed her hair color? I guess it would make sense if you faked your own death to get a new hair style.
“Can I help you?” she practically whispers and I’m taken aback by her nervousness.
“I am hoping you can. Are you Maryann Day?” I ask her and I can see her tense up.
“I’m sorry you have the wrong house,” she denies as she tries to close the door on me. Before she can fully close the door, I stick my foot inside and she looks up at me and I can see the fear in her eyes.
“I’m not here to hurt you, Maryann. I need your help,” I plead with her as she moves out of sight behind the door so I can’t see her anymore.
“Please just go! I am not Maryann Day,” she yells and I look at the chain keeping me out.
“Maryann, if you don’t want to help me, please help Adele,” I plead with her and I notice her weight is no longer against the door. Maryann walks back to the small door opening and looks me in the eye.
“Adele? What does Adele have to do with anything?” Maryann asked me and I can see her eyes as they start to tear.
“Garth married her after you faked your death,” I tell her and she lowers her head and starts to cry.