I Love You, Goodbye. Prentiss Sr. Grant
while Harrison maneuvered himself inside her. She placed her hands around him down to the small of his back, her fingers resting on his buttocks. She loved how with each movement she could feel his cheeks tighten. While Harrison was an older man he was in shape. Not the same shape as some men her age but she had learned experience has its benefits over physique. Nevertheless, the feeling of his muscles contracting excited her.
The rhythm of their bodies continued and Harrison’s heartbeat could be felt against her breast. She focused on the beats as they began to increase. A single bead of sweat rolled off his neck and dripped on her shoulder. Looking up at Harrison his hair was soaked and his face red. His heart beat so forcefully it was as if it was in her chest. For the first time she became aware of his age. The thought of his having a heart attack during their lovemaking panicked her. What would she do? How could she explain their being together? No story she thought of seemed plausible.
Before she could stop Harrison, she felt his body spasm. The convulsion was intense and followed by his body going limp atop her. Her first instinct was fear until she felt his heartbeat again and the warmness between her legs. Harrison lifted himself off her slightly so he could look into her face. “God that was amazing! I actually thought I was going to pass out.” His face showed a warmth and vulnerability she had not seen before. It was that face she saw in her mind now. She yearned to be with him in his time of need. However she was completely aware that no matter how much she wanted to be with Harrison, there was no way it could happen now. Too much attention was on the current situation and discovery of their relationship would be disastrous.
How did she allow herself to become a part of such a relationship? She knew Harrison was married from the start. Hell, everybody knew. Every article in every financial publication ever written about Harrison mentioned the benevolent Mary Michaels. Mary even had articles written solely about her. The magazines always portrayed the Michaels as the perfect couple. But this she knew wasn’t so. She had learned this before their relationship developed. It wasn’t hard to tell Harrison was dissatisfied in his marriage. If you watched Harrison you could tell he was not truly happy. He attended the charity events, standing there beside her as she rallied the elite for a genuinely worthy cause. Mary was zealous in her efforts with the charities for which she worked and Harrison was proud of her efforts and accomplishments. It was obvious Harrison loved Mary, but to the trained eye, one knew he was not in love with her.
In any event she just could not help the way she felt about Harrison. The more she learned about him the more she loved him. And this was love. No one would place herself in such a perilous position if it weren’t love. It hadn’t been easy to achieve her position at work. It might not seem like much to some people but it required a lot of skill and dedication. It was true there were more significant people involved with her business but that did not diminish the importance of her work. Added to this was the complete secrecy of her life, not being able to tell anyone about her relationship with Harrison. She had to endure the endless questions about why she didn’t have a boyfriend. And worst of all were the lonely nights she spent wondering what he was doing and wishing he was lying next to her.
And now, with the death of his wife, their relationship was suddenly unsettled. With all he was going through, would he feel the same about her when this was over or would he realize his true love was Mary and break it off with her? If so she would have nothing. She had not thought of this possibility before. Did she miscalculate the depth of his love for her? Why would she jeopardize everything she worked so hard for just to be with Harrison Michaels. Love, pure and simple. And she would do anything to secure her place with Harrison. Harrison surely knew the depth of her love. Everything would be all right between them. He would understand her actions and come to love her all the more for them.
Chapter 3: Elizabeth’s Arrest
Harrison’s mind reeled as he drove toward downtown. Who was the suspect and what did the police know? He picked up his cellular phone and dialed information for the number to the home of Jeffrey Taylor. Certainly he was not at his office this time of night. But wherever Mr. Taylor was he had some questions to answer. Harrison was infuriated when he was informed the number was unlisted. While attempting to remain calm Harrison requested the number to the police station. Waiting for the telephone to be answered, Harrison mumbled to himself: “Don’t worry Mr. Michaels, I will keep you informed.’ Informed, my ass! I teach that little bastard what informed means!” Harrison’s mumbling had now turned into shouting although there was no one to direct it at personally. Officer Philip Jackson answered Harrison’s call to the station. Harrison told the officer who he was and demanded the District Attorney’s home number. Officer Jackson stated he could not give out that information but Mr. Taylor was currently at the station. “Tell that son-of-a-bitch he had better be there when I arrive.” As he hung up the telephone Harrison’s foot pressed harder on the accelerator.
Jeffrey Taylor was standing outside the front door of the station when Harrison arrived. There were two uniformed officers standing behind him pretending to be on a smoke break but by the way Jeffrey glanced at them when Harrison exited his car they were there for protection. Harrison had parked in a spot in front of the doors normally reserved for the police chief and was heading up the steps outside the station. His face was beet red and his eyes were locked on the District Attorney. “Mr. Michaels, how are you doing sir?” “Don’t give me that shit you son-of-a-bitch. You said you would keep me informed and I have to find out about this from the television!” Harrison was taking the steps two at a time and for a second Jeffrey wondered if he was going to stop. As the two officers moved to each side of him, the District Attorney held his hands up in front of himself. “Whoa Mr. Michaels, I had every intention of contacting you once I had more information. We haven’t even had the opportunity to interrogate Ms. Blaine.”
“Ms. Blaine? Elizabeth Blaine?” Harrison shouted. “Yes sir, Elizabeth Blaine. Your secretary, if I’m not mistaken.” Jeffrey’s hands were still reached out in front of him to stop Harrison’s assent. Harrison stopped at the top of the steps. This information clearly stunned him and the district attorney took full advantage of it. Placing his hand on Harrison’s back he turned to escort him into the station. Jeffrey smiled slightly to the officers who stepped away and allowed Harrison to pass. “We have her in interrogation room 2 down the hall,” he said as he pointed toward the other end of the building. “Why don’t we go in the chief’s office and sit down for a moment,” Jeffrey said, as he led Harrison away from the interrogation rooms. Harrison silently obeyed, all the while staring back toward the small sign hanging over a door which read “INTERROGATION 2”. His eyes remained fixed on the sign until the two entered the cluttered old office belonging to the police chief. The district attorney allowed Harrison to sit down before he began to explain the situation.
“We received an anonymous tip that a car was taken to a repair shop for damage to the right front fender. While this would normally not be considered priority, we are checking all leads in this case. Anyway, an investigator went to the shop and found Ms. Blaine’s car with what appears to be blue colored paint on the front fender. The paint is being tested to see if it matches the paint on your wife’s car.” Jeffrey paused at this moment to allow Harrison to adjust to this revelation. Harrison just sat there motionless, what little strength he had was gone. Harrison’s head dropped and he let out a sigh. “Do you know where the tip came from?” Harrison raised his head and was looking directly at Mr. Taylor. Jeffrey explained the police traced the call to a pay telephone across the street from Elizabeth’s apartment complex. The police figured it was one of Elizabeth’s neighbors but hadn’t had the opportunity to verify it yet. Harrison sat quietly for a few moments not knowing exactly what to think. Jeffrey allowed Harrison another moment before asking his question. “Do you know any reason Ms. Blaine would have for wanting your wife dead?” The question sounded inquisitive but Harrison quickly realized it was investigatory.
“What did you say? Do I know of any reason? Am I under investigation now, Jeffrey?” Harrison’s face had turned red by this point and he stood and pointed a finger in the District Attorney’s face. “Look you bastard, I’ve had about all of you I’m going to take.” “Now wait a minute Mr. Michaels, I didn’t mean…” Jeffrey had sunk as far back in his chair as