Bittersweet Revenge (9 page)

Charla went to her apartment and did the same routine, looking around, checking and double checking. She called for a taxi to the airport as she had a midnight flight to Zurich. 

Charla had no trouble falling asleep shortly after the plane took off. She had boarded at 11:50 pm and the plane took off shortly after midnight. They were due to land at approximately 7 am. She was ready.

A flight attendant woke her, having been trying for a few minutes. They had landed. Charla got herself together and was ready to depart with the other passengers, all smiles.

She went to the block where her bank is located and slipped into the restroom of a book store several doors from the bank. She changed her contact lenses and looked at herself in the mirror, hazel eyes again, no blue. She removed the wig and patted herself on the back emotionally for how she took care of her hair all those months of wearing a wig. Each night she brushed her hair and used lotion from the John Frieda collection. Rubbing it into her head helped the hair stay fresh. She had two wigs, alternating every day so that the perspiration would dry and she would feel fresh. She had a grocery bag from Wal Mart and wrapped the wigs into the bag. It had to appear as if it was something nasty so that no one would open it looking for a goodie. She brushed her jacket so that any remaining hairs would fall to the floor, looked in the mirror to see her old self looking back at her, and she reached for the door to exit the restroom as she pulled the sanitary gloves from her hands.

At that moment, the fire alarm went off in the building and everyone ran for the exits, scrambling to protect themselves from whatever it was. Alison, now her adjustment complete to her realty, ran with the others and it made it even more important for everyone to just get out. She was bumped and jostled but finally managed to get out. Once she was out, she headed for her bank. 

Alison realized that it was almost closing time, but she was able to do her transaction. She had the key to her secure safe box, gave the clerk the box number, and together they headed for the wall that held her box. Within a few minutes, she had her regular passport, driver’s license and the $10,000 she’d left, as well as her cell phone – all in her purse. She put the other identification into the safe deposit box, locked it up, said goodbye to the clerk and thanked her for such a beautiful country. The clerk was so happy to hear that news. Alison was ready to go home, however, to her beautiful country. 

While in her room that evening, she searched the Boston Globe on line and found nothing having to do with Rick. Soon enough, she thought. And then she had the best night’s sleep in months.

The next morning she took her phone, which had been fully charged, and went out for breakfast on the patio - coffee and croissants. She craved fresh air, as if she had not been outside for months. The trees were full and blooming things Alison had never seen before. One tree in particular was like a willow and brought back many memories of the farm where she grew up. Of course, it was not the kind of farm one might think of; it was quite fancy, owned by her family, long time horse breeders.

She finished her coffee and dialed her mother’s number. The length of time made Alison’s eyes well up in sadness. She missed her family. Her mother was thrilled to hear her voice, talking so fast that Alison could hardly understand her. As they both calmed down, it was clear that a reunion was in order so Alison decided that rather than going directly back to San Fran, she would fly to Phoenix and see her folks. It’s not as if she had anything to do.

They couldn’t wait to hear all about her trip, the things she had done, the places she had seen. “Oh, dear family, how do I tell you? Hmmm.”

Alison told her mother she would get a flight from Zurich to New York, call her mother from there depending on whether she wanted to spend a day shopping in New York. Then she would fly to their home in Scottsdale.

Alison’s father got on the line and had the same sense of excitement, looking forward to seeing her. He said he understood her need to shop for a day in New York. “After all, you’ve only been in the most fashionable part of Europe for a year.”

“Yes, daddy, you are so right. That’s probably why I didn’t buy anything. It was too too, if you get what I mean.” I did not spend $100 on myself.” She feigned the shock she was passing on to her father and they both giggled. They said goodbye, with the knowledge they would see each other in a few days.

Alison spent two days in Zurich, then boarded a flight to New York. She was always comfortable on a “red eye” as she could sleep and then have the whole day ahead of her to play. They landed in New York at 7:20 a.m., and Alison swung by the newspaper stand on her way to a taxi. She saved reviewing the paper until she got into her hotel room. 

Chapter Seventeen

There it was:

Richard Westman, a prominent attorney from Back Bay Boston was sentenced today to ten years in Massachusetts state prison. Westman, a sole practitioner and elocutioner of top cases was convicted of co-mingling the funds of his clients to the extent of ten million dollars funneling through his personal accounts. He did not return phone calls from clients and they were met with empty accounts when they tried to check on their funds. They were unable to communicate with Rick personally, always with his secretary.

He was adamant that his secretary was responsible for what was happening but police could find no trace of her. She had left a note for Rick advising him that her mother was ill and she was going back to Texas where she was from. There was not a trace of her. He had never bothered to get any of her personal information. He claimed that he maintained an exemplary office and bookkeeping. There was no money missing from Rick’s trust account. It was all mingled into his personal accounts, which he claimed to be unaware of. His wife and children knew nothing of office events. Where was his secretary, that tall blonde?

Alison had a great sense of accomplishment that spread across her face when she read the article. She was thrilled that he had gotten what was coming to him. The Massachusetts State Bar Association had not only negated his membership but had taken away his license and he was not to have anything to do with anyone as to legal association. He would be out in a couple of years anyway as that’s how the system worked.

She knew he would never mess with a woman again because she really felt that deep inside he had to have known that he was caught in the middle of a web of his own doing. Some of his television interviews after sentencing led her to believe it but he couldn’t stop it from happening.

His wife said that she would stand by him but his children don’t put much in her statements. There did not seem to be much people could do, including his attorney.

Alison spent two days shopping, totally focused on herself by replenishing lingerie and night ware, a couple of dress outfits, several pairs of shoes, and, her weakness, costume jewelry. Not junk but high end costume jewelry. She still had quite a bit of the money from her grandmother and she wouldn’t shop again for several years, so she decided to go for it.

She texted Emil to let him know she was back, going to her mother’s, and did they find a place to live. He got right back to her, said they did have an apartment, not too far from her, and they were ready to move into it. And all is well in her place, nothing happened over the year she was gone that required attention. He noted that they did have a cleaning person come in and dust everything, vacuum, clean the bathrooms, and all is in good order. They agreed to meet for lunch the following week for Emil to return the keys. He noted that he had put all the mail in a cardboard box and left it in her den. She knew all the bills were paid as she’d done that ahead of time and would notify all service companies to begin regular billings again.

Emil commented again how grateful he and Lisa were for the opportunity, how much money they’d been able to save, and it was nice to not have to worry about how they would pay for something.

“And don’t stop for any groceries on the way home. I got some of your favorites and you will be fine for a week.”

Alison laughed. “I knew you would do that. We are so much alike. Thank you. Give Lisa my love and I’ll talk with you very soon.” They hung up and both felt satisfaction in knowing all was well. Alison suspected that Emil had still never told Lisa about the $10,000, which he had safely put away.

Oh, well, Alison thought. It’s his money to do as he wishes. 

The flight to Phoenix was uneventful and her parents were waiting for her in the terminal. For once, Alison was glad to not have to go through customs.

She was happy to see her parents. They looked fantastic, as if they had been on a cruise in the Mediterranean. They both hugged and kissed her passionately, not wanting to let go.

“How much luggage do you have? We should let it all settle down before we go to the carousals.”

“Mom, this is it, just my carry on. I sent my purchases right on to San Francisco as I didn’t want to get bogged down in a luggage pickup. I had enough with customs, etc. So we can get out of here.”

“That’s terrific. Good thinking, honey.” Her father was exuberant. 

They got to the car and he handed Alison the keys.

“Here, get back in the groove.”

She had no problem doing that as her father had a new Mercedes. She knew he was showing off with her and she just decided to do as he wished and gave accolades to him throughout the trip for his purchase.  They arrived home within an hour and had coffee and pastries that Alison brought. This was always one of their favorite things to do.

Her parents asked lots of questions about her travels and she was fully prepared to answer or comment. There was nothing unexpected as Alison had been a traveler for a long time and went through the same routine each time.

She finally begged off and headed to bed, the usual spot in the guest room which had been made up for her. She was tired, not only of the questions, but of her mother and father in general, and she hadn’t been with them that long.

Chapter Eighteen

Alison tossed and turned all night. She felt actually sick to her stomach, but she knew it was not something she’d eaten. Just like she knew when she was pregnant, in spite of a test telling her she wasn’t, she knew exactly what the problem was.

She was guilt ridden over what she’d done to Rick. She despised him so much that it had never occurred to her that she might actually regret what she had done. She knew she was going to have to find a way to live with it. And during that time, Rick would be in prison.

The next day, Alison spent some time with her parents, but that was because they were out in the new car and also getting in a few rounds of golf. By dinner time, she had reached her limit and told her folks she would leave the next morning. She decided to take the shuttle bus in spite of the arguments put forth from her parents.

She looked back and waved as the van pulled away from the home of her parents. Both were outside waving goodbye. Alison always felt such a tug at her heart. Would she see her parents a next time? She always wondered if they would live longer.

Finally Alison took a deep breath and stretched her legs in front of her. She felt free, finally, and could not wait to get home.

Her flight landed on time and she moved quickly through the line to get out of the gate, then searching for the shuttle she had arranged for. 

In a very short time, Alison was home – in her own home in San Francisco. She locked the door and took a very deep breath, realizing how much her own home meant to her. There was no hint of Emil and Lisa and Alison was relieved. She walked into her guest room to see the stacks of things she’d sent from Europe and New York, as well as things Emil had clearly added. It would take her a couple of days to go through everything, which she would enjoy. 

She picked up her phone and put in a call to her parents. They were out and she left a message to let them know she was safely home. She also told them she was going to resign from everything for a couple of days, to sleep in her own bed and to unpack stacks of goodies. She just didn’t want any more inquisition and let them know she would be busy.

As evening came, Alison acknowledged being hungry so headed for the fridge, mindful of Emil’s words, that there was plenty to eat. Yes, there was. So much so that Alison stood with the door open for several minutes, trying to decide what she felt like eating.

When the phone rang an hour later, Alison realized she’d finished an entire bowl of chicken salad, two croissants, and a half pitcher of iced coffee. She started to answer the phone but decided she wasn’t quite ready yet. She stood motionless as she heard the message. It was Rick.

“Alison, this is Rick Waterman. Maybe I‘m glad you didn’t answer as it makes it easier for me. I’m calling to apologize to you for what I did to you three years ago. I only have five minutes to leave this message and you can’t call me back. You’d have no way of knowing, but something happened and I’m in prison. I have been so troubled by what I did to you and I have to apologize. Alison, I meant it when I said I love you. I just couldn’t get out of what was happening in my life. I am so sorry for hurting you and hope you are okay. Bye.”

She was frozen in her space and could not move for several minutes. At the same time, she knew a text had come through on her cell phone. She checked it and was happy it was from Brenda. She texted back that she had just walked in and was planning to call her but was dead tired, so how about tomorrow. She also texted Emil to let him know she was home.