From bad to Worse

Lucas hands me the tissue box and doesn't ask questions. He's been driving me for years now and probably thinks this is another failed pregnancy problem.

He dropped me off and I walked in with blurry eyes, the tears didn't stop falling.

"Miss, how may we help?" A young lady in the black police uniform walked up to me, her hand immediately going on my shoulder.

"I.. I need to report a threat to my life."

"Please sit down, Officer Dan will attend to you."

I managed to sit without falling over myself and I gradually got the tears under control.

In the dimly lit room, I told them everything I'd heard, the plans, why he was doing this to me.

"Can we have the names of the suspects?" Officer Dan asked, his pen rolling in his hand.

"Jason Whitlock."

His pen stops moving.

"Wait," he looks at the other page of his notes, "you're Mrs Whitlock? Of the Whitlock Architecture Company?"

"Yes, I built it and made him the face of it and now he —"

"Ma'am, this is a hefty accusation. You can't just throw that around without proper proof."

"Proof? I heard them! I was standing at the door while they discussed how to kill me! You need to arrest him immediately. My life is in danger!"

"Yes but without solid proof, we can't make any arrests."

"So what now? I'm lying?"

"That's not what I'm saying but you have to understand how these things work. Without proper evidence, we can't nab a man of upright standing in society just because his disgruntled wife said so."

Oh my God, is this actually happening?

"I'm supposed to just go back and what? Wait for him to kill me?"

He sighed, "look, I'm sure there's a misunderstanding somewhere. Just wait here; I'll get our Captain to look at the case."

He walked out before I could say anything, and a wave of helplessness and utter despair rested on my shoulders.

The longer I waited there, the more I realised how right he was.

I didn't have any evidence. There were no cameras in his office and I had stupidly forgotten to record the conversation so how were they supposed to do anything?

But what can I do?

Run away and let him have everything I've suffered to build for half a decade?

"Mrs Whitlock," another man, older with dark and grey beard, walked into the small office, "please come with me."

"Am I in trouble?" I asked as I headed after him.

"No you're not. I just need to have a word with you."

"You don't need to," I sighed, "I get it. I need to get evidence of the crime. Maybe I'll put some secret cameras in his office or something."

He grabbed my hand instead of responding and dragged me up the stairs and into his office and then he locked it.

"What.. what is happening?" I stuttered, my heart beating against my ribcage.

Does he want to kill me?

"Relax, I'm not the enemy here but if you are not careful, someone will actually hurt you."

"What do you mean?"

"Please sit, this is important."

Swallowing hard, I dragged the chair out and sat down.

"What's happening?"

"My name is Officer Dylan and I've been at this job for twenty years. So trust me when I say I've seen many women in your position and this advice is the only thing I have. Run."

"What did you say?"

"Isn't your husband the owner of Whitlock Architecture Company?"

"He's the CEO, I'm the owner."

"The CEO has access to money. Money that he's paying at least twenty of my officers. He's also in my boss's golf group. He goes to the same diner with the Governor of the state. The Mayor was on the high table at his birthday party, his —"

"I get it, I get it," I cut him off with a trembling hand held up, "he's widely connected but should that matter where the law is concerned? If I get enough evidence, doesn't that change things?"

"It might put him in jail but it doesn't guarantee your safety. He won't even stay there for too long. That's why I'm telling you, find a way to disappear. Give him what he's asking for and run."

"You're not making any sense. Jason isn't some kingpin that'll send hired killers after me when he's in jail. In fact, all I need is for you guys to shake him up so he'll stop conniving with his mistress."

"So you plan on staying in the marriage still?" He asked, his face full of disgust.

My mouth dried.

Was I?

I don't know anymore.

I've built my life around him, so I don't know who I am without him. Even when he beat me, he always apologised.

When he cheated, he spent months sending flowers and cooking breakfast by himself for me until I forgave him.

I'm sure he can change.

Or can he?

"Mrs Whitlock.."

"Carmen. Call me Carmen."

"Good. You have to face the reality here. That marriage is over. You have to pick what's left of you and run for your life. And don't tell anyone about this again. If he finds out you know his plans, you'll be done with before you can pack a bag."

"T-thank you sir. I'll take my leave."

When I got downstairs, Officer Dan stopped me.

"Has it been resolved?"

"Yes, I thought I heard something but it's all in my head," The lie slipped out, "I'll go to the mental hospital tomorrow."

"Good. I'll withdraw the case for you."

"Thanks."

When I got out, I told Lucas to go home. I needed to walk.

I only swapped my heels for a pair of flats and began walking the streets of New York, my head heavy and my heart in shattered pieces.

We were going to be the happiest couple ever, he'd made thousands of promises to me.

Why is he doing this?

My phone suddenly buzzed.

It was a text from him.

{Darling, Mum is coming over. Be back early so you can make her favourite. I have an important announcement, don't be late.}

I was tempted to throw away the phone but I didn't. I slipped it back in my pocket and continued walking until it got dark.

My foot got tired and I found a pavement to sit on for a bit.

That's when I realised I'd walked far away from the centre and was somewhere too sketchy for someone like me.

Before I could run back, I heard a grunt.

I was on my feet in an instant, running towards the sound. Someone needed help.

When I got to the alley, my feet halted instantly.

Then I rushed to the side, away from the view of the men before me.

Because right there were five masked men with guns in their hands and one on his knees begging for his life.

I'd stumbled into a Mafia operation.