Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Derek was happier than he would have thought possible with Sonja. She was everything he wanted in a submissive, Little girl, and partner. She was bright, open to life, accepted punishment when she misbehaved, and had just enough sass to keep him on his toes. Some days, he wondered if he was dreaming. His only concern was Angie.
He hadn’t heard anything from her since the night of the munch, and it wasn’t like her to give up so easily. Jackson had offered to investigate Angie’s affairs, but he hadn’t heard anything back from him yet. In the meantime, he had work to do.
His afternoon appointment was something of a mystery. His message said that the meeting was with a woman named Ellen Martinez, who had child sexual abuse to report. The note said it was allegedly about someone important in the community and that Ms. Martinez had proof. He didn’t know anything about the woman beyond her name. She hadn’t even left a phone number. He wasn’t sure why she had chosen him as the recipient of this potentially explosive information, but the unit receptionist said the woman had insisted she would only speak to Derek. He hoped it wasn’t some crackpot. They could be challenging to shut down. His phone rang. “Kiriakis.”
“Ms. Martinez is here. What do you want me to do with her?” It was Ann, the receptionist.
“If I asked you to throw her out, would you?” Derek asked facetiously.
“Only for you, handsome,” Ann responded.
“I guess I’ll have to settle for seeing her. Are any of the interview rooms open?”
“I’ll put her in number three. It’s got a panic button in case she throws herself at you. She looks the type.”
“Swell. Thanks, Ann. Tell her I’ll be right with her.” Derek lingered over his desk for a few more minutes. He didn’t know why he wanted to see her in an interview room, but his instinct was strong.
Derek picked up his laptop for notetaking and headed through the rabbit warren of cubicles and offices to the interview rooms. When he arrived, he glanced through the window but could only see the back of the woman’s head. She had red hair and was wearing a hat. He opened the door and entered. “Good afternoon Ms. Mart—” He stopped short when the woman turned around and he recognized Angie in a wig and glasses.
“Daddy!” Angie stood up but didn’t come to him. “I had to talk to you again. You weren’t very nice to me at the munch.”
Her lower lip came out in what she likely assumed was an attractive pout. Derek had seen it too many times to be taken in by it again.
“I think everything has been said, Angie. We broke up over a year ago. If you insist on continuing this, I need to record the meeting.” He followed the statement by flipping a switch on the wall before moving to the other side of the table from her. “Why are you here?”
“I don’t care what you do as long as you listen to me, Daddy, uh, Derek. I know I came on too strong at the munch, and I’m sorry I fibbed to get this appointment, but there are things I need to tell you. Please, can we talk like rational adults?”
Angie sounded reasonable enough. Maybe he should hear her out. It might save trouble later.
“Sit down, Angie. I’ll listen to what you have to say.” He took the chair across from her.
“Okay. Thank you, Daddy. I mean, Derek.” Angie drew a deep breath and folded her hands together. “I did a lot of soul-searching when you left St. Louis. I know some of my behavior was inappropriate, and I started therapy. I’m learning a lot. When I heard that you were in Kansas City, I had to come and show you how much better I am. I’m afraid I scared you at the munch. I was just so excited to see you.”
“I’m happy to hear you’re getting help. Therapy can help you get a better perspective on your life.” Derek was cautious about how much he encouraged her. “What have you learned?”
“Um, well, I’ve learned that I have to pay more attention to what my partner wants and not to overwhelm him with my needs.”
“Anything else?” Derek was skeptical. Her insights sounded like someone who had been watching Dr. Phil , rather than seeing a competent therapist.
“Yeah, there’s other stuff, but that’s the most important part, I think.” She twisted her hands together repeatedly, telling Derek there was something wrong with her story.
“Thank you for telling me. I’m glad to know you’re getting the help you need.” He hoped he sounded positive about her getting help without being encouraging about their relationship.
“Great. So, we can get back together then? I can move down here really easily.”
The look on her face was so hopeful, he almost hated what he had to say next. “No, Angie, we’re not getting back together. I’ve told you multiple times, our relationship was over a long time ago. I’ve moved on, and so should you.”
“B-but, but, Daddy.”
The tears were welling in her eyes. They were genuine, but he suspected they came more from building hysteria than real sorrow.
“Daddy, I love you, and you love me.”
Time for the hard truth. “I don’t love you. I don’t know if I ever loved you, Angie. I loved the idea of us, but the reality was not what I had hoped. I said I’ve moved on. I mean it. I have a new woman in my life, and I love her.” He paused, and when she stayed silent, he continued. “Angie, I don’t believe you really love me or ever did love me. I think you wanted a father figure, and I was there, but that doesn’t make it love. You have problems. I suggest you go back to St. Louis and do more therapy. A lot more.”
“You’ve found someone else?” Tears streamed down Angie’s face now.
“Yes, I have.” Derek struggled to remain calm. He needed to stay rational, no matter what Angie did or said. Recording the meeting would be pointless otherwise.
“You’ve found someone else?” The room temperature seemed to drop twenty degrees. Derek nodded.
“Who is she?”
“I don’t think telling you would be a good idea, and it’s certainly none of your business.”
“Who is she?” Now, Angie went from cold to boiling, and she practically screamed the question.
“It’s not your concern. Calm down, Angie.”
“You can’t find someone else! You love me!” Angie jumped up and looked like she might climb over the table toward him.
Derek hit the panic button beneath the table edge then backed away. “You need to calm down, Angie. I’ve called for security to come.”
Angie didn’t seem to hear him but kept screaming and trying to get to him, but Derek managed to keep the table between them. They circled several times while Angie alternated between shouting obscenities at his new lover and swearing her love for Derek. It took almost five minutes before two security guards entered the room.
“Please step out of the room, Mr. Kiriakis. It will be easier for us to calm her down.”
“Yes, George. Her name is Angie Mendoza. I’m going to call the police. I don’t think she’ll leave peacefully, and I need a record of this.”
He got out to Ann’s desk and asked her to call the mental health unit of the police department. He didn’t want Angie locked up, but she needed help. They would be able to start proceedings to place her on a ninety-six-hour hold at the Center for Behavioral Medicine. Next, he stopped by the room where the technician controlled the recording equipment and asked for copies of the meeting. He went back to the interview room area after taking another moment to call Jackson Cagney.
Damn. Voicemail . Jackson needed to know that Angie had become a problem. He left a detailed message and hoped he would get back to him soon.
By the time the specially trained behavioral health unit of the police arrived, Angie had calmed down considerably. Sergeant Withers and his partner were reluctant to take Angie until the security guards described her behavior and what she had been saying.
“She was swearing a blue streak and threatening Mr. Kiriakis’ new girlfriend. Then she said she would kill herself if Mr. Kiriakis didn’t take her back. I think a hold is warranted until you can get this before a judge,” George concluded.
“I have the entire meeting recorded, Sergeant. And you can check with Detective Jackson Cagney for more information. Ms. Mendoza stalked me when I lived in St. Louis and threatened suicide on several occasions,” Derek said.
“Okay, we’ll take her to the center and see what they think. Do you have a copy of the recording, and did she know she was being recorded?”
“Yes, and yes. Here you are, and here’s my card.” Derek handed both items to the sergeant and turned to Angie, who had gotten restless during all the talk. “I’m sorry about this, Angie, but I think a few days in the hospital will give you time to think about things, consider your options.”
Her voice filled with venom, Angie said, “Derek, you motherfucker, how dare you? I love you, dammit! If I get my hands on you, I’ll kill you and your new girlfriend.”
“Calm down, Ms. Mendoza,” Sergeant Withers said. “Don’t make things any worse for yourself.”
The officers took Angie from the building with the security guards trailing behind. Derek returned to his office and considered his options. Did he have enough grounds for a restraining order now? Would the St. Louis police have the evidence from his previous application? He forced himself back to his files. Jackson would call when he knew something.
An hour later, he was immersed in the details of an abused child now up for adoption when his phone rang. “Kiriakis.”
“Hi, Daddy,” Sonja said. “Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?”
Derek was thrown for a moment at being addressed as Daddy. It made him think of Angie for a second. “Babygirl! I thought I wasn’t going to see you until Friday.”
“I know, but we had pork chops for the special today, and the chef overestimated demand, so anyone who wants is taking extras home. I’m in the mood to cook, and it’s no fun doing it just for me.”
“I would be delighted to join you then. The last thing I want to do is spoil your fun, precious. What time?”
“Why don’t you come as soon as you get off work?”
“Sure thing. I’ll see you in about an hour, then.”
“Great. Bye, Daddy.”
“Bye, precious.” Derek hung up the phone to realize he had another problem stemming from Angie’s visit—what, when, and how much to tell Sonja? He would have to inform her, but he didn’t want to worry her unnecessarily. He hadn’t even heard back from Jackson yet. Damn! This whole situation had become messier.
He struggled to focus on the report he was writing and had nearly succeeded when the phone rang again. “Kiriakis,” he practically growled.
“Whoa, tiger. It’s Jackson. Sorry to take so long to get back to you, but I’ve had a crazy day.”
“I’m sorry. My day has been busy, too, and the mess keeps growing.” Derek ran his hands through his hair. “What have you got?”
“First of all, recording your meeting was a great move. I talked to Sergeant Withers, and he says the doc at the center’s ER had no trouble agreeing to keep your friend, Angie. It’s calendared with Judge Edinger for tomorrow afternoon, to see if she gets the whole ninety-six hours. I got a tip that she’s called a lawyer from St. Louis to represent her.”
“Name of Madison?”
“Yes. How did you”—he paused—“you’ve dealt with him, I take it?”
“When I tried to get a restraining order against her in St. Louis. Her family has money, and they keep him on retainer.” He knew he sounded frustrated. “I guess I’d better call in the big guns, too.”
“Lincoln Andrews?” Lincoln was one of their fellow club members. And while the man was deeply submissive to his husband, Henry Cole, he was a shark in a suit when it came to defending his clients.
“Of course. If Lincoln can’t take it himself, he’ll send me to someone who can. Do you think I have enough for a restraining order?”
“That’s a tough call. That last threat from her should help, but most of her threats are against Sonja. Why did you tell her you have a new girlfriend?” He heard a chair creak as the detective shifted.
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess I hoped that if Angie knew there was someone else, it might help her accept that there wasn’t anything between us anymore. Clearly, a mistake on my part.” He sighed deeply.
“Talk to Lincoln, and see what he says. I haven’t been able to get much out of my sources in St. Louis yet, but I’ll keep trying. I have to go now.”
“Thanks, I’d really like to know what she’s been doing since I left town. Let me know when you find out more. Bye.”
Derek scrolled through the contacts on his phone, looking for Lincoln Andrews’ number. He always got a chuckle out of the name because Jackson had told him once that his parents were history nuts and had named their children accordingly. He was named after the sixteenth president of the United States. The phone rang three times, and Derek was mentally preparing his message when he heard, “Lincoln Andrews, attorney-at-law.”
“Lincoln, it’s Derek Kiriakis. How are you?”
“Fine, thanks, but you surely didn’t call to ask that.”
“Right to the point. I need someone to represent me to get a restraining order against my old girlfriend. Any chance you have time?”
“Possibly. Tell me what’s happening.”
Derek asked, “Do you want the long version or the short?”
“I’m stuck in traffic. I’ll take all the entertainment I can get.”
Derek made a rude noise. “It’s not funny.”
“Let me be the judge of that,” the lawyer said. The anticipation of a good story was evident in his voice.
Derek started his tale with his and Angie’s initial meeting in St. Louis and the speed at which the relationship had developed. “I should have realized something was off. She kept pushing for more from me, and every time I tried to slow things down, some crisis would happen that she needed my help. Before I knew it, she was thoroughly enmeshed in my life.”
“What kind of crises?”
“Her car wouldn’t start one morning. Then she had a mysterious break-in at her apartment and was too scared to stay alone. It felt off, because nothing was taken, and the damage was minor, but I let her stay with me.”
Derek drew a deep breath. “The first time I tried to break up with her, she threatened suicide. I know I should have gotten out then. Emotional blackmail is no basis for a relationship, but she laid on the guilt. I got her to slow things down, and the tires on her car were slashed. There were multiple episodes of these things happening, but she couldn’t point to any possible culprit, and she didn’t want to go to the police. When I finally broke up with her, she did overdose, but not seriously.”
He paused before going on with the rest of the story. “After that, she started stalking me. She would be waiting for me after work or outside my apartment building. She sent me emails, she texted me, she sent regular mail. I saved it all. I went to the police in St. Louis, but they didn’t take it seriously. They looked at who should be afraid of whom—this small woman or me. Even when the tires on my car got slashed, and I had a mysterious break-in, I couldn’t get any help. I heard that the Kansas City Office of the Department of Children was hiring, so I put in for a transfer.” He swallowed, feeling hollow. “I’d been wanting to be closer to my mother and the rest of the family. I stayed out of the kink scene here for almost a year, because I was afraid she might get word of where I was that way. She has a lot of friends in St. Louis, and she comes from money, which probably accounts for a fair number of her friends. I can’t help but think she might have found me because I joined Club Indigo and got back into the scene.”
“That would be difficult to track,” Lincoln said. “Lots of people go to larger events. St. Louis has the ‘Beat me in St. Louis’ group that hosts some great parties. If it did happen that way, it was probably innocent. So, what do you want me to do? You can’t get a restraining order just because she’s come to KC.”
“I know that, but here’s what happened today.”
When Derek finished his account, Jackson gave a low whistle. “A psych hold. Well, that’s a start, but you have no standing in that hearing. That’s strictly between her, the doctors, and the court. Her threats help your case, as does the recording you made, but I doubt if it’s enough, even with the St. Louis pattern. If a judge will even look at the old evidence. Does she know where you live?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Keep it that way. Vary your routes to and from work. Keep an eye out for her when you leave work. Document every contact, and try to keep her from finding Sonja. Since Angie knows she exists, she’s a target once Angie finds her. Why did you tell her anyway?”
“I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Derek said ruefully. “I know it was a doofus move. It’s too late to take it back, though.”
“Okay. Here’s the game plan. I want you to gather all the material you have and bring it to me, preferably while your ex is still locked up. I’ll send a clerk to her commitment hearing. You stay away. It will only encourage her if you show up. I’ll call you when I know something.”
“Thanks. I’ll get the stuff to your office first thing in the morning.”
“Good deal. I’ll call you after Angie’s hearing.”
Once he was through with the call, Derek grabbed his things and headed out for the night.