The Wrong Side of Midnight (3 page)

“So, like your ex has called me twice looking for you. Did you even call Edmund?”

“Yes, I called him. I tried to explain and was even direct about ending things, but he wouldn’t listen to what I was saying. I’m totally done with him. But there’s something interesting that’s happened, and if I don’t come home, I’ve been killed in Detroit.”

“You’re in
Detroit
?!?!” Becky gasped loudly.

“Yeah, I was driving around, got lost, and then ran into that roofer’s pickup truck at some dive bar. His name is Matthew, and he’s—“

“Are you crazy?!”

“Well, I lied to him.” Chloe cringed.

“Okay, spill it.”

“Becky, I told him that was your house, and I was an out-of-town guest for a few days. I also said I was looking for an apartment and….
a job
.”

“Chloe, what were you thinking? What kind of job do you think you’re going to get? You never worked a day in your life.”

“I’m going to be a cleaning lady.”

“Oh. My.
God.”

“Becky, please! I’ve never done anything a little risky or fun in my life. I’m tired of just
existing
! All I am is guaranteed employment for some of the staff.”

“You’re in Detroit…”

Okay, we’re here. I have to go. I’ll call you as soon as I can. Becky, please
cover
for me, and don’t say anything to anyone. Tell the staff I have a bad headache and fell asleep at your house.”

“I won’t rat you out. I don’t agree with what you’re doing, but damn, I kind of envy you. I love you, and please stay safe.”

I hope he’s not a serial killer.
Chloe took a deep breath as Matthew walked over and opened her door for her.

“Well, this is it. Nothing fancy, but it keeps us warm.”

Us?
What the hell does ‘us’ mean? If he’s married I’m going to lie in the road.

“You’re married?”

“No way.
I live with my father and help take care of him.”

“That’s so sweet, Matthew.”
You’re a great guy just for that!

Matthew smiled but didn’t comment on the compliment. “Let’s hop inside and see Sherry.”

The apartments were red brick, definitely in need of some upkeep. At least the place didn't have bums
and prostitutes walking around it. Chloe followed Matthew to the entrance, where he stopped and held the door open for her. She stepped into the hallway, and ten thousand different cooking smells, mixed with smoke, smacked her in the face.
What the heck is that smell?
The carpet was semi-clean in the hall, but stained. Chloe walked behind him to an apartment. The living room had been converted into an office, and sitting behind the counter was a slender, fragile looking woman in her sixties with dyed black hair. She was stubbing out a cigarette into an overflowing ashtray.

“Matthew! It’s wonderful to see you, sweetheart. How’s your dad?”
Sherry stood up and turned off the television.

“He has his ups and downs. I stopped in to see if you were still looking for a housekeeper.”

“Yep, I sure am. Do you know someone?”

“This is Chloe. She’s interested in the job, and she’s also looking for an apartment to rent.”

“Well, you can come right over here, dear. I’ll need you to fill out an application, and then we can chat a little bit.” Sherry smiled widely, displaying smudges of lipstick on her teeth.

Chloe walked over to the dingy chair and tried to sit only on the edge of it. The stains on the fabric were from God knows what
.

“Thank you so much, Matthew.” Sherry got up and gave him a hug.

He hugged the delicate woman back and then turned to Chloe before walking out the door. “Do you think you can find your way back out of here? If not, follow me and I’ll take you to your neighborhood. This area isn’t safe for you, especially at night.”

“No, it’s okay. Thank you so much for everything, and it was a pleasure to meet you.”
So, I’m getting an actual job, and he’s just going to leave? How do I get out of this one?

“Likewise,” he replied, as he winked at Chloe and then went out the door.

Matthew was right; Sherry was such a sweet lady. Chloe really liked her. Her voice was warm, grandmotherly, and her eyes were so gentle. She ended up staying and talking with the older woman for over two hours. Time just seemed to fly by. She got the job and was given a one bedroom apartment to live in. It hadn’t been rented in a long time, and Sherry seemed happy to have someone she perceived as decent living there.

“I’ll have to go back to my friend’s place and get my things together. Do you need me right away, or is a week okay?”

“Sure, sweetie.
Whenever you’re ready to
start,
just let me
know. I can be as flexible as I'd like to be. I own the building.”

“Thank you so much, Sherry.”

True to her nature, she squeezed Chloe's hands. “Any friend of Matthew’s is a friend of mine.”

I could probably count on both hands the number of times I had physical contact from my mother.

After a few wrong turns and breaking the speed limit,
Chloe found her way out of the bad neighborhood. When she drove through the gates at the estate, her heart sank. It was four in the morning when she arrived. The guards detained her for fifteen minutes, grilling her about where she'd been. Chloe told them she fell
asleep in the Jeep. They weren't happy but let her go. She was relieved they hadn't yelled about looking for her. But seeing Becky’s car in the driveway gave her the biggest relief.

“Chloe!
My God I was so worried about you!” Becky threw her arms around her friend.

“I like him, Beck. He seems really nice and humble. Matthew even takes care of his dad. I don't know much about him yet, but one thing's for sure. I want to see him again.”

“I love you, Chloe. But you’re out of your mind.”

“Maybe I am. But I’m going to get a new life. This may be tricky, but I’m definitely going to do it. I’m
not asking you to come to Detroit with me, just help me to the finish line, okay?”

“If the finish line was under the ocean, I’d find a way to help you cross it…even if you
are
crazy.”

Chapter 3

Chloe awoke to the steady sound of hammering. Springing out of bed, she ran down the hall to the large staircase and headed out the patio doors to the pool. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she quickly scanned her neighbor’s guesthouse for any signs of Matthew. Even though Chloe couldn’t see him, she knew he was up there. Her stomach had butterflies, her pulse quickened. Suddenly aware she was standing outside with her hair a mess and worn
pj’s
, she slipped inside the pool
house and put on her baby blue bikini and smoothed down her hair. When she was almost out the door, a thought occurred to her.
Why am I worried about how I look? I don’t want another Edmund.
Throwing her
pj’s
back on, Chloe ran back to her room and changed into a pair of old shorts and a plain t-shirt instead. Walking quickly back through the kitchen, a familiar voice made her jump.

“You didn’t even get your coffee, but I knew you’d need some. Here you go.”

“Thank you, Lois.” Chloe took the steaming cup and the two women stepped outside to the pool.

Lois Shepherd was the cook for the Burlington's. She was about the
same age as Chloe’s mother, though that was their only similarity. Lois was loving and kind, and had raised Chloe from infancy. She was the woman who put bandages on the little girl's knees and made sure she was kept warm and fed. There were nannies that stepped in after her shift ended, but they never bonded with the young heiress. Lois never married or had children of her own, but she always wanted a family. Even though her child bearing years were way behind her, it seemed natural for her to step in for the absent parents.

Lois hated the way Sylvia and Earl ignored their only child. She knew there’d be problems from the get go when the young mother barely
held baby Chloe. It wasn’t because Sylvia was mean or resentful. She was fearful, uncertain, and lacked knowledge. Lois always knew that Sylvia wasn’t raised with doting parents either. When conversations about mothering arose, Mrs. Burlington would inevitably fake an illness or walk off.

Watching Chloe grow up to become a fine, loving young woman made Lois smile. She was happy that, despite Sylvia's absence, Chloe still rose above.  Every time Sylvia or Earl called the house, Lois always asked if they wanted to talk to their daughter. By the time Chloe came running to the phone full of excitement, the call was disconnected. It got difficult coming
up with excuses as to why the call ended or why her parents stayed away. Eventually, Lois just held her while she cried. It was easier when she was a young child. Children believed whatever they were told. But when Chloe became a teenager, there was no hope in any cover-ups to protect the young girl’s heart. She bit her tongue through the years, no matter how hard it was to do. She knew how powerful the Burlington’s were, and they wouldn’t hesitate to fire her. If that happened, who could she trust to take care of Chloe? Hiding her anger was a difficult task to say the least.

Chloe knew that Lois had spotted her running through the house and only came outside to see
what all the excitement was. She looked up and saw Matthew standing on the rooftop waving at her.

“Oh my…”

“Lois!" Chloe laughed as her cheeks reddened. "Well, actually I don’t blame you for staring. He’s pretty cute, isn’t he?"

"I think I would’ve run like the wind too if that’s what I was off to look at.” Lois playfully elbowed her, chuckled, and turned to go back inside.

Chloe stood there staring at the neighbor's guesthouse roof, wishing she could just go up there and talk to him. Matthew was definitely easy on the eyes, and she loved the sound of his soothing, deep voice. But there
was something else about him.
Something…

Matthew wished the job was finished so he could just go down and talk to her.
Hell, dressed like this, I’d be lucky if the guards even opened the gates.
He woke up this morning looking forward to getting on the hot roof, which was totally not like him. His curiosity was growing.
Curiosity.
Yep, that’s all it is…

“Who are you waving to?” John asked as he walked over and stood beside Matthew.

“Just a friend I met.”

“Holy…” John began staring down at the cute blonde.

“Dude, do you mind? She can tell you’re staring at her.
Don't act
like a dog.” Matthew laughed but really didn’t want Chloe being gawked at.

“Matt, why is this lady just a friend? What’s wrong with you, man?”

“Let it rest.” Matthew got up to go get more shingles, and John was right behind him.

“Okay, if she’s just a friend, I think I’ll go next door and say hello during lunch. You wouldn’t mind that, would you?”

“And I think I’ll knock you off the roof if you go near her.” Matthew grinned evilly but knew his best friend would never step on his toes. “Even up close, she has a beautiful
face, bright green eyes, and isn’t any bigger than a doll. Hell, I’d probably snap her in half on accident. Besides, I’m not looking for a woman. Get over yourself.”

“Okay, whatever you say. But we’re going to be doing this roof forever if you don’t pitch in. Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you get to be a slack ass.” John knew Matthew worked harder than anyone.

When Matthew disappeared to the other side of the roof, Chloe felt no need to sit in the heat alone. She dumped what was left of her coffee in the sink and then reached in the fridge for some juice. She’d just get
showered and changed, and find something to do inside. Suddenly, Becky came strolling out of the guest room rubbing her eyes. Even though she just woke up, a stranger couldn’t even guess that she was fresh out of dreamland. Her short dark hair was super cute and looked styled even when it was messed up. Becky was beautiful and always carried herself gracefully. She loved acting the part of being a wealthy, young socialite, but her personality was very down to earth. Life was like a big acting class for her, and Chloe was often her audience. Becky could imitate her mother to the tee.

“What are you going to do today, now that you’ve gotten yourself in this big, delicious mess?”

“You envy me, I can tell.” Chloe laughed. “I have to enroll in some classes at the community college and buy some new clothes. Oh, and I need an old car.”

“Are you serious? You’re actually going to go through with this? He’s going to be pretty pissed off if he discovers you're lying.”

“Well, we’re not going to let him find out. When he gets to know me, none of it will matter to him. A guy like Edmund judges someone based on their wealth, looks, and prestige. Money doesn’t have to define who you are. I know there are rich people who cast the same judgment on those who have very little, so don't bother saying it. My
parents are a perfect example.”
God, I hope it won’t matter to him.

“This is true. When do you think you’ll see him again? I’m not letting you drive back out to Detroit like that. Why don’t you invite him over after work to go swimming?”

Chloe laughed loudly. “Could you just see the staff speed dialing my parents?”

“It’ll be easy. Just tell them he’s a friend of mine. They leave at five anyway, and the roofers will be working passed that. Security won’t bother you while Lois is gone. They’re lazy.”

“Becky, you fine friend of mine. That’s perfect! I want you to stay and meet him.”

Becky called her mom and let her know she’d be hanging out with Chloe to avoid untimely phone calls looking for her, and then the girls got the details and plans together. Chloe couldn’t help but feel saddened. She should be bringing a guy over to meet her mother. She should be picking out classes with her mother.
She should be able to talk to her mother
! Her father had been nothing more than a ghost all her life. One of the biggest blows was when her mother had asked her to call her by her first name when people were around.
She’s my mom for God's sake!
Chloe knew her parents were in Africa, nothing more specific than that though. Lois didn’t even know how to contact them other than
through the office, and was told to only do so for emergencies.

Becky saw her friend’s mood change, and was afraid she was thinking about her parents. The last thing she was going to do was watch her fall apart again. “Let’s go shopping! We have time, so get ready.”

Chloe looked up and smiled gratefully. “What would I do without you?”

“Like I’m ever going to let you find that out.”

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

The girls decided to take Chloe’s Jeep, because driving up to a used car lot would be painful in Becky’s Jaguar. Becky threw her keys in her Prada bag and climbed in the passenger seat. Before looking in the mirror to apply some lipstick, she glanced at her friend's face to make sure the sadness was gone. It was.

Chloe told the guards she was going to Becky’s. As she drove off the estate, she looked down the street at Matthew’s truck. “The car has to be a beater.”

“What about
your
Jeep? You’re not trading it in are you? What’s a beater?”

“Becky, I love you, but you should let me do the talking on this project.”

Pulling up to the dealership, a man dressed in a cheap blue suit and tie approached them.

“Hello, ladies. My name’s Bob. Can I help you find your special car today?” he said while he let his eyes roam up and down the young women.

“That would be great,
Bob
.” Chloe shook her head at Becky.

“What’s your price range?”

Millions.

“I’m not really sure.”

“What kind of money do you make? I can see what kind of financing you can get.”

I don’t make money. It just shows up.

“I might be able to just pay cash for it. I’ve been saving for a long time.”

“Do you want a car or truck?”

“I think I should get an older car.”

“Do you want something sporty?”

God, I feel like I’m joining the military.

“Bob, how about you just take me over to the cars and let me have a look.”

Bob talked nonstop, and Becky was on the verge of telling him to shut up. Chloe could tell by her snarl. Finally, after what seemed like a five mile walk, they arrived at the back of the lot where the older cars were parked.

“How about that one over there?”
Chloe pointed. Becky gasped. It was a small, very used and rusted brown car. One of the tires was flat.

“That one doesn’t run right now. We just got it in.
How about something like this?”
Bob led the girls to a used Taurus. Chloe and Becky peered inside. It was dirty and had cigarette burns on the seats.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” Becky blurted.

“Can you give us a few minutes to look around? If we see something we like, we’ll come and get you.” Bob stared the girls up and down a little bit more before asking them their first names. Finally, he left them in peace.

Becky grabbed hold of Chloe’s arm when her friend wandered towards a car that had holes on the doors and a mirror hanging off. “There are some rules, Chloe. Have some dignity!”

“I can’t find a car in here. There’re a hundred of them at least. I want a beater, not something that’ll give me a disease when I drive it.”

“Let’s go get a paper and look up some vehicles. I don’t like Bob. I want to kill Bob.”

“Get in the Jeep.”

Sitting in a small coffee shop, Chloe circled a car in the paper with a pen. “This one looks like a strong possibility. It’s pretty old but not in
horrible shape.
Ready to head over there?”

“What if the guy’s a whack job? No one will know where we are. We have to have a plan, Chloe.”

“A plan.
Okay, here it is. If they come at us, I’ll throw a wad of cash on the ground. That’ll stop them.” Laughing, the girls drove off.

Becky couldn’t believe the change in her friend. Her spirits were brighter, she was determined, and her laughter was real.  She couldn’t figure out if Chloe was doing this to get closer to Matthew, or doing it for
herself
. But at this point, it really didn’t matter. She wasn’t going to let anyone ruin this for her.

The girls parked in front of the small, beige sided house, and stared at the front of it. On the porch were geraniums in planters, a Big Wheel, and a collection of assorted toys.

“This is the car, the one with the sign in the window. It looks great on the outside."

“This isn’t so bad, Chloe. I mean, I wouldn’t be caught dead in it, but it’s the best beater I’ve seen. Do you think it has enough rust? I don’t see any dents either. Maybe it’s too good.” Becky looked concerned.