Chapter 8: When It Rains - The Broken Road

Kadyn and I settled into a comfortable routine. We took turns cooking dinner for each other, and we didn’t part ways until midnight on weeknights. Kadyn started sleeping at my place on the weekends, which was making sex increasingly more difficult to resist. Still, Kadyn was patient. He seemed determined to build my trust and desire while slowly coaxing me for more. His restraint was unlike anything I’d ever known, and it made me want him even more.

It was a Wednesday night in mid-November. Kadyn and I were peeling open our own individual pints of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Kadyn with his Strawberry Cheesecake and me with my Chocolate Therapy. We were just settling in to watch the latest release of Fast and Furious when my house phone rang.

“Hello?” I answered around a mouthful of chocolate ice cream.

“Hi, Kri. This is Patrick. I’m really sorry, but I need you to meet me at Rockefeller’s office. He just finished reviewing the materials we pulled together for the Homeless Health Improvement Act, and he doesn’t feel prepared enough to introduce the bill tomorrow. I know it’s late, but can you meet me at the office and help me pull together some more information for him?”

I glanced at the clock on my DVR. It was just after eight o’clock. I had heard stories about how Senator Rockefeller would make these late night demands of his staffers, but I had never been subjected to one before. Still, this bill was important to me. I glanced over at Kadyn.

He stopped eating his ice cream. He was now studying me with both eyebrows raised questioningly.

I forced my attention back to the phone. “Are you serious?”

“….as a heart attack. I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ll bring Starbucks...” he offered enticingly.

“I’m pretty sure that qualifies as a government bribe,” I responded sarcastically. I sighed loudly as I resigned to the fact that my quiet evening at home, snuggled up on the couch with Kadyn, was not going to happen. “All right. As long as you’re taking orders, I want a grande... no, make that a venti, toffee nut latte, extra hot, with an extra shot of caffeine.”

He didn’t even scoff at the order. “You got it. See you there!”

I rolled my eyes as I hung up the phone. Patrick sounded entirely too excited about working late at night. The guy seriously needed to get a life. I eyed my ice cream and wondered how bad it would look if I tried to take it with me.

Kadyn was still studying me. “So, what was that all about?”

I perched on the arm of the couch. “I have to go into the office. Rockefeller needs us to pull together some more research so he’s better prepared to introduce the Homeless Health Improvement Act tomorrow. Evidently, these late night requests aren’t all that unusual. The guy doesn’t sleep… like ever. Patrick is meeting me at the office. I'm really sorry, but you’re going to have to watch the movie without me. I’ll try to be quick about it, but this could take a few hours.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Kadyn asked with a concerned look on his face.

I shook my head. I was quite certain that schlepping into DC was the last thing he wanted to do. “No. That’s okay. I'm not sure they’d let anyone who didn’t have a Senate ID into the building this late at night. Patrick will be there, and they have security guards all over that place. I’ll be fine.” I smiled reassuringly.

“Okay,” he conceded hesitantly. “I’ll walk Cade for you. Do you mind if I stay here until you get back? Mason and Gabi are over at my place, and I got the distinct impression they were looking forward to some alone time, if you know what I mean.” He waggled his eyebrows at me.

I nearly choked on my ice cream. I licked the chocolate off my mouth, then kissed Kadyn lightly on the lips. “I would love it if you were here when I got back home.”

Kadyn pulled me into his lap. “Don’t work too late,” he murmured. His lips met mine in a kiss that tasted of chocolate covered strawberries.

I touched my fingers to my lips. “Wow. That’s really good.” I stood in front of the couch, feeling thoroughly conflicted. It really sucked going into the office at this time of night. I grabbed my spoon and my tub of ice cream and headed for the door. No way was I getting through this without Chocolate Therapy.

* * *

Patrick smiled knowingly as he approached me in the lobby of the Senate Hart Building. “The commute is a lot different this time of night, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “How is it that a fifteen minute drive takes an hour or more in rush hour traffic?” I couldn’t resist whining about the commute. It had become a rite of passage.

Our shoes echoed as we crossed the lobby. Aside from the security guards, we appeared to be the only two people in the building. Patrick handed me the coffee as we approached the stairs. “Well, you could rent a place on the Hill and walk to work. I’ve been looking for a roommate since Deb moved out, and Jamie is insisting on another girl. You and Cade could move in with us. You could walk Cade during lunch and put an end to those long commutes…”

Patrick was a smart guy, but he had no clue how ludicrous that idea really was. “I’m so not renting a room in your party house. I value sleep entirely too much to room with a bunch of twenty-somethings.” The fact that Kadyn and I were both still twenty-somethings wasn’t entirely lost on me.

Patrick flipped on all of the lights as we entered Senator Rockefeller’s office. We made our way upstairs and settled into our respective desks, directly across from one another. Patrick booted up his computer. “Why don’t you add the list of co-sponsors at the beginning of his talking points; and I'll compile a list of hospitals, health care systems, and advocates who have expressed support for this bill?”

I flipped my computer on. “I want to look over those CBO estimates again. We need to make sure the senator is prepared to answer any funding questions.” I glanced at Patrick as I took a sip of coffee. “Are you still comfortable with this bill? Do you think we did the right thing by framing this as a pilot project?”

“I like how this bill awards startup funds to hospitals that want to deliver mobile medical services to homeless people, especially given how vulnerable that population is,” Patrick responded as he began typing on his computer.

“Me too,” I agreed, “but I seriously doubt this bill will pass Congress, given our current economic environment.”

“Rockefeller seems to think that it will,” Patrick rebutted confidently. “Look at all of the bi-partisan support it has received so far.”

I raised my coffee cup in the air. “Here’s hoping you’re right.”

He laughed as he leaned over and tapped his coffee cup against mine.

We slid into silence as we began pulling material together for the senator. It was nearly midnight when Patrick finally announced, “I think we’re done. Why don’t you head home? I'll lock things up here and run this over to Rockefeller’s house.”

I shut down my computer. “Thanks, Patrick. I really appreciate all the time you’ve poured into this bill. I can’t wait to see the senator introduce it tomorrow.”

Patrick nodded. “We’ll have to go out and celebrate afterwards.”

I gathered up my things and started down the hall. “Sounds good. Let’s go to Thunder Grill. I’ve been dying to have another mango margarita.”

Patrick laughed. “Thunder Grill it is, then. Drive safe. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I said goodnight to the guards as I walked out of the building. I pulled my coat tight as I made my way toward the Thurgood Marshall Building. I couldn’t believe how much the temperature had dropped. The cold, damp air chilled me to the bone.

I waved at the guard sitting at the security desk as I entered the lobby. I took the stairs to the parking garage. The parking garage was nearly empty, so it wasn’t difficult to find my jeep.

I stopped short when I noticed I had a flat tire. “Just great,” I mumbled as I questioned whether the tire still had enough air to drive home. Then I noticed that it wasn’t just one tire that was flat. All four tires were nearly resting on their rims. As I crouched down to inspect the tires, my skin crawled with what felt like a million ants. My tires were slashed.

There was no way I was waiting around for someone to tow my vehicle at this time of night, so I grudgingly made my way back up to the lobby. I couldn’t believe how calm Kadyn had been when his tires were slashed. I was furious it had happened to me. I headed straight for the security desk when I exited the stairwell.

“Forget something?” the security guard asked teasingly.

I shook my head, suddenly exhausted. “No. Someone slashed my tires. Is it okay if I leave my jeep here and have it towed in the morning?”

“Sure, but give me your name, phone number, and license plate number. I’ll send someone down there to take a look at it and file a report.” He hesitated as he glanced at his watch. “The metro at Union Station is already closed. Do you have a ride home?”

“I’ll just take a cab.” I scribbled my license plate number on the back of my business card and handed it to him. “Thanks for your help.”

“You’re welcome. Be safe,” he called as I headed out the main doors.

There were a number of cars and taxis sitting outside Union Station. A surprising number of people were still milling around. The saxophone player was sitting at the base of the Columbus Fountain, polishing his sax. He looked tired, but he smiled when his eyes met mine. I was saddened by the thought that he might sleep there, so I walked over and dropped ten dollars into his case.

“Thanks,” he said as I turned to walk away.

I was surprised by the sound of his voice, so I turned back around. It was the first time he’d ever spoken to me. I met his gaze. “I should thank you. I love listening to you play. Are you calling it a night?”

His smile widened, showcasing charmingly crooked teeth. “Yes.”

My eyes softened. “I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

A light rain began to fall as I turned toward the cabs that lined the street. I noticed Habib standing by one of the blue top cabs. He was staring right at me.

“Habib!” I called out as I walked toward him. “Talk about being in the right place at the right time!” My smile widened when I reached his cab. “You are truly a sight for sore eyes.”

Habib smiled back tightly. “I was just picking up my brother, Abdul. Do you need a ride?”

I laughed. “Do I ever! I had to work late tonight, and when I went to get in my jeep, I discovered my tires were flat. I was just looking for a cab to take me home, and here you are! Your timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

Habib frowned. “I’m sorry to hear about your jeep. I'm officially off duty, but I would be happy to give you a ride home.”

“Thanks, Habib. You are a lifesaver.” I smiled as he opened the front passenger door for me. He clearly remembered my affinity for riding shotgun.

I turned to introduce myself to Abdul, who was already sitting in the back seat. “Hi. I’m Habib’s friend, Kristine.”

His only response was a rather ugly scowl.

I was shocked by his rudeness. I couldn’t believe he was related to Habib. I didn’t breathe another word as I turned back around.

Habib settled into the driver’s seat. Then he eased into traffic.

I tried to make small talk, but Habib was not his normal talkative self. He seemed stressed. His brother was outright hostile, so I could certainly understand why Habib wasn’t feeling chatty. I wondered whether the two of them had been in an argument before I arrived.

Habib and his brother began talking in low tones in what I could only assume was Pashto, since Habib had told me that was his native language. Exhaustion got the best of me as I curled my right leg under my left and relaxed against the door. I closed my eyes, trusting that Habib still remembered his way to my apartment.

Abdul and Habib’s deeply melodic voices must have lulled me to sleep, because I woke with a start. My eyes narrowed as I tried to focus on the landmarks we were driving by. Nothing looked familiar. I wondered how long I’d been asleep. “Habib, this doesn’t look like the way to my apartment,” I suggested uncertainly.

Habib glanced at me. “It’s not.”

I sat up straight. Every single one of my neurons fired at once. “Are we taking your brother home first?”

“No.”

I suddenly felt scared. There was something about Habib’s behavior that didn’t feel right. “Habib, where are we going?”

“I’m taking you to see your fiancé,” he responded through clenched teeth.

“My fiancé? What do you mean my fiancé? Habib, I don’t have a fiancé.” My voice was three octaves higher than normal. My heart was beating erratically, which made it difficult to speak. “Habib, who are you taking me to see?”

Habib refused to look at me. “He has my sister.”

“What?” I exclaimed, thoroughly alarmed. “Someone has Diwa?” I reached for Habib’s arm. “Please, Habib. Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Stop! Do not touch him,” Abdul demanded from the back seat.

I gritted my teeth as I turned to face him. “Then why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

“Shut up,” Abdul responded, glaring at me.

I turned back around and studied the road in front of me. Nothing looked familiar. We were driving on a four lane highway. Habib was driving fast, too fast for me to jump out of the car.

I narrowed my eyes as I peered out the windshield. Is that a toll booth? If that was a toll booth, then Habib would have to slow down. Every fiber in my body was screaming for me to get out of that car. I could jump. I could jump from a moving car, couldn’t I? The toll booth loomed up ahead. I glanced nervously at Habib.

He was still refusing to look at me.

I reached for the door handle as Habib merged into the express lane. Just then, an ominous metallic click sounded from the back seat. I froze.

“Do not touch that door,” Abdul growled. “Habib may consider you a friend, but I do not.”

I slowly turned to look at Abdul. He did, in fact, have a handgun; and it was pointed directly at me. I turned back around and slumped down in my seat. I was determined to make myself as small as possible as I resigned myself to my fate. There would be no talking my way out of this. No jumping from the car. I hugged myself tightly. Take a deep breath,” Charlie’s voice echoed through my mind. “You are not alone. You are never alone.” A single tear slid slowly down my cheek. I closed my eyes and silently began to pray.

I tried to make sense of the large green signs that dotted the side of the road. None of the street names looked familiar. I sat upright as we passed a sign for the Leesburg Airport.

Habib eased his car onto the exit ramp.

“Oh God, please, not the airport,” I pleaded silently. If I was forced onto a plane, I would never be found.

Habib drove past the small executive airport. He turned into an entrance at the far end. This part of the airport was poorly lit, and it was pitch black outside. Tiny drops of rain dotted the windshield. I could just barely make out a row of hangars on our left. Habib drove his car to the far end of the hangars before turning the car around. He parked in front of an open hangar.

My eyes flitted between the hangar and Habib.

He just sat there with the car idling, staring grimly over my shoulder at the hangar.

I watched in horror as Diwa appeared in the entrance of the hangar. A tall man, who was wearing a full ski mask and dressed entirely in black, was roughly shoving her forward while keeping a firm grasp on her arm. Diwa struggled against him, but she stilled as he pressed a gun to her temple.

I tore my eyes away from her to look at Habib. An apologetic look flashed across his face. Then his eyes hardened. Habib and his brother got out of the car as one, both on the driver’s side, which was angled opposite the hangar.

Abdul trained his gun on the man who held Diwa. “We did everything you said. She’s in the car. Now hand Diwa over!” he shouted over the top of the car.

“Get her out of the car first. If she runs, your sister dies.”

My heart clenched. He’s going to kill Diwa if I try to get away.

Abdul walked to my side of the car with his gun still trained on the man holding Diwa. He opened the front passenger door and grabbed me by the arm. “You heard him. Get out,” he snarled at me.

My heart slammed against my chest. I didn’t want anyone getting shot, but I didn’t want to leave the car. I didn’t want to end up with the man holding Diwa. I opened my mouth to speak, but Abdul cut me off. He yanked me from the car, then shoved me forward… hard.

I stumbled forward, then fell to my knees. I felt Diwa running past me as I was jerked back up to my feet. Within seconds, my back was pulled firmly against the man who had been holding Diwa. He now had his gun trained on Abdul.

Abdul was standing on the other side of the car. His gun was pointed directly at me.

I was so terrified, I couldn’t breathe.

Diwa was sitting crumpled on the ground in front of the car. She was sobbing in Habib’s arms. The two of them were illuminated by the headlights in the misty rain. Habib stared, completely horrified, at me.

The man jerked me back against his chest. He tucked the gun into the back of his pants, then shoved a small vial toward my lips.

“Drink this or your friends die,” he gritted out. His lips were pressed against my ear. His warm breath sent an insidious chill through my trembling body.

Convinced they would die either way, I sealed my lips closed and tried to resist the vial that was cutting into my mouth. My eyes sought Abdul’s. I bit back tears as I willed him to shoot the man. Why won’t he shoot him?

The man wrenched my head back. His fingers ripped through my hair. The bitter liquid slid past my lips as I opened my mouth to scream. A gloved hand slammed my jaw shut, forcing the liquid down my throat.

“Why?” I choked through tears. I could already feel the poison racing through my blood. It felt almost pleasurable until everything went numb. Within seconds my body fell slack against the man who was still holding me in his arms.

With an odd sense of detachment, I wondered when the rain had turned to snow. Habib, Diwa, and the car blurred. Then everything faded to black.