“You just got there. They’re letting you use the phone already?”
“Not technically. I was able to convince them to let me use the phone sooner than I was supposed to.”
If Damita questioned how she could have been so easily fooled by Neal, it was conversations like this one that reminded her. He was a charmer. When they were dating it was appealing and fascinating to watch. Now, it was one more mark of the characteristics of a sociopath.
“How is it going in there?” she asked.
“It’s going fine. I should be home before you know it.”
“Is that what they’re saying at the facility?”
“No. That’s my own assessment.”
“Oh.”
“Neal, I had my office messenger over some files so I could work at home. He’s downstairs,” she lied.
“Okay, I’ll let you go. Damita, how long is Carmella staying?”
“She’ll probably leave as soon as she gets dressed.”
“I’m sure it goes without saying, but our problems should remain between the two of us. There’s no reason to get your friends and family involved in our issues. Am I right?”
“Absolutely,” she agreed.
After hanging up the phone, Damita looked upward and exhaled heavily before lying back down on the bed. Carmella sat down on the bed next to her.
“What did he have to say? Is he really in rehab?” Carmella asked.
“He says that’s where he is.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know what to believe. He tells me he’s in rehab, but he’s already phoning. From what I’ve heard about rehab, the people there are not allowed to use the phone as soon as they arrive.”
“You’re right. I’ve known a few people who have gone to drug and alcohol rehab and typically phones are not allowed right away.” She paused. “He might be lying. He probably said he would go to keep you from leaving.”
“You might be right.”
“Damita, after everything that’s happened, do you still believe him?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“Damita, please pack a bag and come with me right now.”
“I’m not going to leave, but there is something you can do for me. Call your friend.”
“You mean Derrick?”
“He might be able to help. He probably has access to information most people don’t. If I could talk to him, off the record, maybe I could get some answers.”
“What do you mean by off the record?”
“I don’t want to go to the police and file a report or anything; at least not yet. But it would be nice to get an idea of what I’m dealing with, if I can.”
“I don’t know how much help Derrick can be or if he’ll agree to help you off the record, but I’ll talk to him.”
“It’s best if I talk to him on my own.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“I’ll call him now.”
“Do me a favor, Carmella, and don’t call until you’ve left.”
“Do I have time to take a shower or is the man of the house going to come busting in?”
“The rehab facility is in New Jersey.”
“That’s if he’s really there.”
“I can check that right now.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Star sixty-nine,” Damita said.
She quickly hung up.
“Is he where he said he is?” Carmella asked.
“Yes. It’s a place called Sunlight Village.”
“Did I hear you right when you were on the phone earlier? Are you really expecting some files so you can work at home?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you think you should be resting?”
“Under the circumstances, I need to do all I can to make sure I have a job when all of this is over. Somehow, I don’t think Neal and I are going to live happily ever after. The last thing I need is to be divorced and unemployed.”
“I know that’s right. I’m going to take a quick shower and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
As Carmella turned and walked away, Damita realized she wasn’t alone and was glad she had been honest with Carmella.
“Carmella?”
Carmella turned around.
“Thank you,” Damita said.
“No problem. You know I got your back.”
“Yes, I know.”
• • •
About an hour after Carmella had left, the messenger showed up with Damita’s files. She opened up the box and inside was a get-well card, signed by everyone in the office. She wondered what they would all think if they knew what had really happened to her.