Page 44 of Degrees of Control
“Sheldon, please take me to where they are holding Chase,” I request.
“Kate, I’m afraid I can’t do that. He’s asked me to keep you away from the police station and to avoid the reporters as best we can,” he says.
“Sheldon, we can’t just leave him there, he needs a lawyer,” I exclaim.
“Kate, Chase has the best lawyers money can buy. They were already working on the situation before it happened,” he says.
“Then why won’t you take me to him?” I demand.
“Kate, Chase asked me to help you pack and get you settled into your new condo on Park Street, before he returns,” he says gently.
“I don’t have a condo on Park Street, Sheldon,” I say.
“Chase purchased it for you so that you would be in a good neighborhood and not too far from work. I’m really sorry, Kate, but I have orders to take you there. Would you like to stop at the house to pack your belongings or would you prefer to have Gaby and housekeeping do it?” he asks kindly.
“Sheldon, I’m not going to a condo. Chase doesn’t think I believe he didn’t do the things that he was accused of,” I exclaim.
“Kate, Chase didn’t tell me much and it’s really not my business, but he did say that you were having a difficult time with all the violence that has happened recently, and he wanted to move you into a place that would keep you sheltered from it all,” he says.
“Sheldon, either you take me to see Chase, or as soon as you let me out of your sight, I will take the first taxi cab to the police station. I’m not sure what the hell Chase thinks he’s doing, but he’s got a hell of a lot more problems than the charges he faces right now,” I exclaim.
“Kate, he’s not going to be able to have visitors. He’s not even processed, yet. Let’s get you settled into the condo and then I’ll have someone pack your clothes and bring them over a little later,” he says, glancing at me.
My body feels cold and numb. It’s not long before we pull up in front of a high-rise, not far away from the condo that Chase has in town and within walking distance of Prestian Towers. The doorman recognizes Sheldon and waves us through, and Sheldon guides me to the elevator. “I’ve created a listing of all the passcodes you’ll need and have left them on the kitchen counter,” he says, entering a code into the panel.
I say nothing. The elevator does not stop until we reach the top floor and as soon as we exit it is apparent the penthouse condo is the only one on the entire floor.
Sheldon unlocks the door and gestures for me to go in first. The entire great room is a sea of windows overlooking the cityscape and winding river below. There are dual brick fireplaces in the living space and they are each softly burning with blue colored embers. I walk through the condo taking in the neutral colors throughout and the overwhelming starkness of the space. There are a total of four bathrooms and five bedrooms, along with an office. A Macintosh computer sits on the highly polished cherry desk with a wall-size monitor across from it. A large vase of calla lilies sits on the matching credenza and they are too much. I feel the warm hot tears flowing from my eyes, faster than I can wipe them.
I pretend to take in the room’s view, attempting to compose myself in the doorway, before turning to follow him down the hall. The master suite is just as hard, proudly boasting of tile steps leading up to a large corner whirlpool. All I can think about are the times we spent in a similar tub, completely nude, talking intimately and making love. I continue into the bathroom and there is a walk-in stone wrap around shower and all of my favorite brands are on the ledge. In one corner hangs a lone loofah sponge.
“Sheldon, is there a safe room?”
“No, Chase didn’t have them put in the normal safety precautions. He knows you hate them and… well, you know,” he says, trailing off.
“I know what, Sheldon?”
“I’m sorry, Kate. What I was going to say is that if you’re not in a relationship with Chase, you won’t need all of us constantly giving you grief,” he says.
“I see,” I say, swallowing as the reality sinks in. He would have never condoned me living in a home without a safe room.
“Are you getting an update on Jay?” I ask, as Sheldon reviews the screen of his cell.
“Yes, he’s doing as well as can be expected. He’s still in critical condition, but he’s got the best surgical team in Brazil caring for him,” he says.
“Does he have any family?”
“His dad and younger brother are still alive. Chase had both of them flown over and they’re with him right now,” he says.
“Good. I just got a text from my mom and my father is awake and seems to be holding his own. Sheldon, I need you to prepare the plane. I’m leaving for Brazil to be with Jay. He’ll know what to do for Chase. Would you also contact Chase’s lawyer and set up a conference call with me as soon as he is free?” I ask.
“Kate, I don’t have the authority to send you to Brazil on the company plane. Chase left extremely detailed instructions for your care and you are to stay in the condo,” he says, running his hand through his hair.
“Sheldon, if you don’t have permission or can’t get approval to have the plane readied, I will book my own flight. Also, two things you should be aware of since you’ve been given the unfortunate task of putting me up in this wonderful little apartment and keeping me safe. One, I wouldn’t accept this condo if it were the difference between sleeping in a warm bed or out on the cold city streets tonight. Two, if I can’t be with Chase, I am going to be with the person that saved his life. He is probably the only person in the world that knows what needs to done for Chase or how to get it done. Now, either tell me that we’ve got a plane ride or tell me goodbye so I can get things moving, Sheldon,” I say.
“Damn it, Kate, you’re not leaving me much choice here,” he says.
“Exactly the point, and Sheldon, you and I both know that Chase is still calling the shots. Get a message to his lawyer and let him know I am heading to Brazil,” I say.
