The Wrong Side of Midnight (6 page)

"He's been sick for years. The roofing company was never able to afford medical insurance for anyone, so I have hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay in medical bills for him. I make monthly payments, but I'll never be able to get him the care he needs. On top of that, I pay all our
regular bills. I know you told me that material things don't matter to you, but I was serious when I said I'd never be able to provide you with anything." Matthew's cheeks reddened. "I just want to be honest with you before you get too attached to me."

"Matthew, I'm so sorry your father is ill. Don't be ashamed of not
having
things
or being able to give them. Your heart is what I want, and what you're doing for your father is the most precious, selfless act, ever."

"Chloe, my embarrassment isn't because of the things we lack or from being so far in the hole. It's because of his smoking. He has emphysema and smokes like a chimney, but the stress he feels over
the situation
it's
put me in makes him smoke even more. If you ask him, he'll tell you he's ready to die. But I'm not going to let that happen. Yes, it angers me to see him so sick with a cigarette in his mouth. I wanted more out of life while growing up, but it is what it is, right?"

"Things will work out, Matthew. I…can help you." Chloe knew it was time to tell the truth.

"No. It's not your debt, and I wouldn't accept it."

"But, sweetheart, there doesn't have to be any debt. I can take—"

"No! I won't budge on this!" Matthew got up and went to the door. "I'm sorry. I think I just need some sleep tonight. Good luck tomorrow on your first day of work.
Don't take this personally, Chloe. I love you, but my mind is a jumbled mess." He quietly closed the door behind him.

Chloe sat out on the balcony in the dark. The box of tissues was almost gone, and her heart was aching. She didn't know what to do. Picking up her phone, she called the only person she reached out to in times like this.

"Becky…"

"Honey, what's wrong with you? Are you hurt?"

Chloe let out a sob.

"Talk to me, love."

Taking a deep breath, she told Becky everything. She needed to
know the best way to disclose who she really is. There was no way she could continue to lie to someone she loved. If she was honest, maybe her help would be accepted.
God, how do I get myself out of this mess?

"Chloe, you'll know when it's the best time to tell him. Right now he isn't ready to listen."

In the morning, Chloe stopped by the office and had coffee with Sherry. She asked for another week before starting her job and handed her five hundred dollars in cash for her rent.

"Chloe, thank you very much, but you don't have to pay for your room. You won't be making enough
money to support yourself while working here."

"I insist. You've been more than kind, and besides, I saved up plenty of money. If I find myself unable to pay, I'll come to you.
Deal?"

With that, Sherry was pleased. But Chloe wasn't happy at all. The older woman, whom she was becoming so fond of, was just one more person being lied to.
I'll come clean, but first I have to help Matthew and Conner, even if it means I lose them. At least I'll know they'll be okay.

With her mind made up, Chloe headed for Matthew's apartment.

Chapter 5

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door and announced herself. Conner told Chloe the door was unlocked and to come on in. What she saw was very difficult to watch.

Conner had his checkbook out and was going through the enormous pile of bills. He rubbed his head frequently while he sorted through the ones he could pay and the ones he couldn't. A cloud of smoke floated above the kitchen, the oxygen hissing away.

"Damn bills. Have a seat, Chloe. It's good to see you again."

"I ordered us lunch. I hope you don't mind. There's a great Italian restaurant up the street. I bet you like lasagna."

"Lasagna?
I haven't had lasagna in so long." Conner was smiling from ear to ear. "I'll be done in just a minute, and we can chat. I'm so grateful that Sherry doesn't complain when the rent has to be a tad late."

Chloe stared at the pile of bills. "Would you like some help going through them?"

"No, there isn't much to do really. We pay what we can. I wish I wouldn't have gotten so sick."

"I'm sorry you don't feel very well, Conner."

"Smoking does that to you, so don't ever start. I had asthma growing up, and slowly it turned into a worse medical condition."

Chloe noticed the cigarette roller and bag of tobacco. Conner saw her looking at it.

"I didn't smoke until Matthew's mom walked out. But that's neither here nor there. I know my time is running out, so it's a little late to get on a health kick. I roll my own cigarettes or else I couldn't afford them."

The delivery man finally showed up with lunch, and Chloe could turn her attention on getting the food served. Conner was tall like Matthew but very underweight and frail. He only ate a little, saying a full
stomach made it harder for him to breathe.

When she opened the refrigerator to put the leftovers away, the contents shocked her; they hardly had food. "Conner, I can go to the store and pick you up some things. I know you can't get out, so I'd love to help." Her eyes were beginning to water.

"We don't eat much." Conner smiled, knowing Chloe wouldn't believe a word of it.

"Excuse me for a minute. I have to use the bathroom, and then I think I should rest a bit." Conner avoided eye contact after she looked inside the refrigerator.

When she heard the bathroom door close, Chloe worked as fast as
she could to write down numbers, bank account information, and the hospital they owed money to. The balance in the checkbook was only thirty-seven dollars. There were three bills on the table in sealed envelopes with stamps, but Chloe didn't dare open them. She was able to finish and get the table back the way Conner had left it.

He was coughing and gasping when he returned, and with some guidance, Chloe was able to get him a breathing treatment started. When he was doing better, she said goodbye, closed the door, and then ran down the hall.

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

Matthew and Conner had a joint account. There was no savings, just the checking account with very little money. The first thing that had to be done was fill that up some. Chloe hopped in her car and went to their bank.

While sitting in a chair waiting for the bank manager to be available, Chloe began filling out a deposit slip. When her name was called, she walked into the small office and closed the door.

A well dressed, middle-aged woman stood up and shook Chloe's hand. "How can I help you today? Were you interested in opening an account with us?"

"No, thank you. I'm here to deposit money into a friend's account. I have to remain anonymous if possible, and I need the money available to them today."

"I see. We need the account information to make the deposit."

"I have the necessary information, but please, you can't say a word."

"The only way to make funds available to him today would be by a cash deposit."

"I'll be right back then. Thank you."

Chloe drove to her personal bank about five miles from Berkshire Estates. After having a chat with the flirty old bank manager while she
filled out the paperwork and waited for her money, she drove back to the other bank. When the manager saw her, she waved for her to come in.

"Here's the account information. I want to deposit fifty thousand." Chloe reached in her large bag and pulled out the five banded stacks of hundred dollar bills.

"I'm really sorry, but I had no idea the amount of the deposit was going to be so large. You'll have to fill out some papers for us, and I'll have to verify your identification. The government tracks large deposits, especially if they're cash."

Panic filled her but only momentarily.
Regardless of the outcome, at least I know Matthew and his father will be okay.
Chloe
followed her through a locked door and into a small room equipped with a camera. After the money was counted twice, the bills checked and cleared, the transaction was completed. Chloe received proof of the deposit and then quickly left for the hospital. She had to hurry before Matthew found out the truth. If he checked his account, her ability to help him would end.

Sylvia and John Burlington were large contributors to Saint John's Hospital, but Chloe didn't want to risk using her name. Walking to the billing office, her mind was trying to come up with creative ways to handle this. Chloe turned back
around and went to the elevator. On the top floor, she found the administrator's office and signed in.
This place is pretty plush. Nice furniture, new carpet…yet people are suffering and losing everything while trying to pay their medical bills.
By the time the administrator could see her, she was angry and jumped right to the point. She wanted to spend as little time as possible with Mr. Big Hair.

"I have a friend with huge medical bills. I'm here to pay them off and want to do so anonymously."

"This can be handled in the billing office." Big Hair looked at her with annoyance.

"No, I'm going to do it through a private donation. As a donator, I can
designate where I want the money to go."

"We really appreciate donations. We're trying to expand our South wing." His mood suddenly elevated.

"I want the entire amount to cover his medical bills, and the remainder to be designated for any future care like his ongoing oxygen service."

"I just need a name."

Chloe gave him the billing information and waited patiently for his secretary to bring in an itemization of his charges.

"This is quite a large sum of money. I see he's had several trips to the ER and multiple extended stays in our Intensive Care Unit. Pulmonary specialist…The balance
is almost four hundred thousand dollars. It says he's uninsured. I do see we have him on a payment plan which has been consistently paid."

"I'm going to make a private donation to the hospital for five hundred thousand. I am to remain anonymous, and I mean that. I want proof that his bills were covered in full and that the rest is for his future care." Chloe made the check out and handed it to him

"Oh, Miss Burlington!
Why didn't you say so?"

"Why does it matter who I am? If you don't do as I ask, I can assure you that the large contributions from our family will cease. You are to tell no one who I am or disclose what I look like. I signed in as Mandy.
When I leave, I'll still be Mandy. I might be young, but I'm far from ignorant. Where this money came from will forever stay between the two of us. I realize you'll need to document the donation for your books, but that's as far as my name will go. I will forever remain an anonymous donor. Conner's bills will be paid by an
anonymous donation
."

"By the end of the week, your friend will have a statement showing a zero balance. If you give me a few minutes, I'll have my secretary type something out for you."

As soon as Chloe put her car in gear, her phone rang.

"Babe, I'm trying to get supplies delivered and my truck died and needs a jump."

"Give me directions and I'll be there right away. Besides, I would never pass up an opportunity to jump you."

Matthew smiled and felt enormous relief. He was hoping Chloe wasn't mad at him for getting so angry the night before. He wished he could have stopped by her apartment this morning to apologize, but he was already running forty-five minutes late for work. "Does that mean you'll talk dirty to get me in the car?"

Chloe laughed and told him she loved him. Even though he was being flirty, her mind stayed focused
on her next plan. She knew her time was running out.

Finding Matthew wasn't difficult, and after jumping his truck, she headed to the dealership. She'd definitely need someone who'd do anything for a few bucks.
Bob.

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

Chloe scanned the used car lot until she spotted Bob. He was wearing the same suit, only a bit more wrinkled. He was eyeing a young mother up and down while she looked inside of an old car.
For God sakes, she's carrying a baby! You're such a pig, Bob.
Chloe
watched as the young mother shook her head no and walked away. His eyes were glued to her backside. Chloe got out of her car and waved at him. She really wanted to slap him but refrained.

"I remember you! Did you decide to come and buy that gem we looked at?"

"What gem, Bob?"

"Uh, I can't remember, but I show everyone good cars."

"Look, I know you wouldn't mind making some cash on the side, so I'm going to offer you the deal of a lifetime. Can you sell new cars as well?"

"I don't get to work over there that often, but I can. What did you have in mind?"

The pig was all winks and smiles while Chloe gave him the details. He stared at her chest the whole time. She'd feel sorry for Bob if he wasn't such a creeper.

"Let me get this straight. You want me to make up a fake contest, and you're going to buy a truck and this Matthew guy will win it?"

"Yes. You'll still get your commission, and I get to help the guy out. You have to promise to keep this secret. Make up a fake entry form and fake congratulations letter on dealership stationary."

"And I get cash on the side?"

"I'll give you a grand, Bob."

"How about a grand and a little…well you know."

"Do you want a thousand dollars plus commission or not? I'm never touching you…ever."

Chloe sat at Bob's desk while he took off to find leftover entry forms from previous contests. The forms didn't announce the prizes, which was a good thing. He came back twenty minutes later and sold her a brand new Chevy Silverado 2500 HD in Victory Red. Chloe had it fully insured for five years and made sure she had the best warranty. The truck was loaded.

"When do I get my money?"

"You'll get it when the
truck's
delivered.
You're
going to be the one to deliver it." Chloe wrote down
'Matthew Sharp' on a piece of paper, along with his address. "Here's my number too. You call when the truck comes in."

Chloe picked up the entry form and went back to the apartment. Hopefully Matthew wouldn't learn about his bank account balance before he got his new truck. His old Chevy was a deathtrap, and the last thing she wanted was to have him stranded in this neighborhood. The old truck didn't even have heat, which definitely wasn't good for driving in Michigan winters.

Matthew didn't show up until almost nine that night. He was totally exhausted. Chloe could tell he was
struggling to keep his eyes open, but Matthew wanted to thank her.

"That lasagna dinner was great, babe, we really enjoyed it. Thank you so much. I haven't had a meal like that in a long time. Mario's is a fabulous restaurant, but they're very expensive. You didn't need to spend your money like that."

"I just wanted to do something nice." Chloe reached in her purse and pulled out the entry form. "Look what I grabbed at the grocery store. It's an entry form for a contest. You could win a huge truck!"

"What kind? You should enter it yourself, Chloe. You could use a new vehicle too, and besides, I never win anything." Matthew laughed.

"There's no way I'm driving that big of a pickup."

"Damn, I could use a new one of those. I guess it wouldn't hurt to fill it out. Where do I drop the form off at?"

"I forgot to grab something while I was out, so I'll turn it in tomorrow for you."

Matthew took a pen from his front pocket and filled it out. "Could you imagine if I won? They'd hear me howling all the way to Texas. I'm not sure if I could afford to insure it though."