The Color of Love (Part 6) | 20 October 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2531 | Prompt: lack of credibility

Part 5:

Leaving Jackson's office, Frederick assumed from their heated conversation that their partnership had ended.

But it wasn't. A partnership agreement was in place that would freeze his assets in case of dissolution. Other provisions he hadn't analyzed, so he didn't fully understand his future liability. But he trusted Jackson.

Frederick returned home to find Anita rushing to pack her luggage.

"Where are you going? You just returned from a trip!" Puzzled, Frederick grabbed her arm, then tossed the suitcase off the bed. Anita tumbled over the luggage. Her heel caught in the handle and took her down where she sat staring up at Frederick with a frightened look. Her hands shook, and her hair fell disheveled.

It was then that it dawned on him Jackson's side of the story was true about his wife.

"Come with me, baby," Anita pleaded. She hurriedly informed him that rrangements were already in place. Either you're with me or not. Choose now before it's too late." her eyes begged.

The harsh look and frown slammed the door on Anita pleading her case. She stood there staring into his eyes and waited.

"Too late for what?" was the only question he finally asked in a harsh and condemning tone gauging the urgency in his wife's voice and frightened look as he vacillated between his partner's accusations of her illegal activities and her previous explanation.

"Let me explain," Anita stammered.

"There's truly nothing to explain," Frederick replied in a calm, stern tone reiterating that he'd already read the reports and that Jackson had threatened to alert the authorities.* The evidence came flooding back as he remembered the files on her laptop exposing evidence of her criminals activity.

"Jackson's playing you, don't you see? But I've got evidence." Anita tried to reason.*

"It appears you are too, because Jackson also produced evidence against you," Frederick quipped.

A standoff as each stared at the other when suddenly the phone rang, but didn't move to answer. Anita eventually looked away, then downward, while Frederick took the call.

"I know we parted not on good terms, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up, Frederick."

*Jackson swung around in his chair and laughed heartily. The next moment, Jackson's second phone rang. "He took the bait. It won't be long now," Jackson purred into the speaker.

A man's voice on the other end relayed the message, then returned. "Mr. Ometzi said you have two days. No more."

Now, Part 6:

"Thanks, I appreciate it." Frederick ended the call, not divulging the identify of the caller, then shot a knowing glance at Anita. True to his word, Jackson had alerted the authorities with details on them both.

Frederick shoved his hands deep within his pockets, then walked deliberately toward their second story bedroom window. He stared out at the storm passing through the dark night. Rain pounded the pane in tune with the veins on his neck. How appropriate the gloom.

After a long moment, he turned and stared at Anita, his mind fixed on the decision he already knew he would make.

They'll say he was a hard-core criminal. On the softer side, they'll say we was merely a scapegoat. Still others will label him as a coward and weak, easily manipulated. The truth was that on his return from Jackson's office, Jackson would gladly take on all the labels attached to him.

The reason he admitted: he loved his wife. So with a steely countenance, he turned to face her.

"You should go. There's not much time." Frederick retrieved the suitcase from the floor, then quickly grabbed Anita's remaining clothes from the closet.

She watched in silence as he pounded the suitcase shut, then organized her briefcase, ensuring the laptops were included. Frowning, she spun around holding her head in her hands, then plopped down on the bed, and hung her head low. She took no time at all in responding to his frantic behavior.

"No, I can't!"* she shouted, then unlatched the suitcase and began unpacking.

"What the hell are you doing? Don't you know what this means if you're caught?" Frederick paused, then continued, "look, Jackson threatened to name me as a conspirator, but he didn't," he lied, then continued, "I'm not worried about me. You need to save yourself."

Anita rose from the bed and headed toward the kitchen. She poured herself a tall shot of vodka, then calmly sat on their couch. Leaning her head back, she stared at the ceiling. With a quietness in her voice, the words trickled out as wearily as her half-closed eyes.

"I'm tired, Frederick. Dead tired of cheating my way through life and hiding. If I make it out of this place, they'll hunt me from the other side. I've too much information. I've known it for a while now."

Frederick's shoe print carved a path in the shag. Pausing, he frowned. "Show me the evidence you gathered on Jackson." He didn't explain how or when he would use the information, but he figured it may be the only way to push back on Jackson.

Anita produced the encrypted files and videos of Jackson meeting with a businessman. Frederick's eyes widened upon hearing his name mentioned frequently during conversations. "Replace him, he's getting too close" rang out loud and clear.

So it was true, to an extent.

Angry tears fell. He didn't know whom he hated the most, Jackson or Anita. All Frederick did know was that both used him to benefit themselves. But something he detected in Jackson's voice sent shivers down his spine as the intent in the conversation became clearer.

Anita watched as Frederick reached over and shut off the recording. He almost ran to the bedroom, yelling for her to follow him. There, he packed his own luggage, grabbed Anita's suitcase, scooped up important papers, then yelled for her to do the same.

Within thirty minutes, the apartment was empty of not only the evidence, but their existence. He'd tend to other matters later. The door slammed as they rushed from the apartment.

Opting to drive his car, they sped away in the night, rain accompanying them ax they headed out of town.

Frederick had no plan. He refused to look backward, focused on putting distance between himself and Jackson. He had no idea where they were going or how they'd evade the authorities.

He just loved his wife, he reminded himself.

[to be continued]

For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the @daily.prompt's publishing of 20 october 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2531: lack of credibility.