Beatrice didn’t even seem to notice. She was so wrapped up in her screaming rant, she couldn’t even process I was saying something. The ire of the woman was intense even for her. It was a relief when I heard a car pull up, and the sound of doors slamming stopped the older woman midsentence. She turned to look over her shoulder and saw the two officers coming toward her. A look of shock crossed her face.
“The police?” she asked through gritted teeth. “You are involving the police in a private matter?”
“You’re right, Beatrice. This is a private matter. One you shouldn’t be butting into. Did you seriously think I was just going to let you come to my home and scream at me and not do anything?” I asked.
“What’s going on here?” one of the officers asked.
“Nothing, Officer,” she said. “This is a private situation.”
Her tone was nothing short of dismissive. It was clear she thought he would just immediately turn and walk away based on her instructions. Instead, he looked at me.
“Did you call?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said. “I am in a custody battle with this woman’s son. She came here this morning to try to intimidate me. I’m sure my neighbors can attest to her motivations and behavior. She is quite loud.”
“As we noticed,” the other officer said.
“There’s no need to be rude,” Beatrice admonished.
“Making a statement of fact doesn’t make him rude,” I said.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on here,” the first officer said.
“I was sleeping. I own a bar and tend to get home extremely late. Beatrice woke me up by pounding on my front door, then started screaming at me. Beatrice came here to criticize, insult, and threaten me because she is unhappy that I am contesting her son’s ridiculous custody agreement.”
“These actions are outrageous,” Beatrice said. “It is clear to anyone that Remy should not—”
The second officer held up a hand and shook his head, closing his eyes briefly. “Ma’am, we don’t need to hear about it. That isn’t any of our concern right now. We are here because of your behavior this morning. We received several calls regarding your disruption of everyone’s morning.”
I pulled my bathrobe closer around me and listened as the cop tried to clear up the situation. When he was finished talking, I made my statement, then went with him as he spoke to two of my neighbors. Both corroborated what I said and offered more details of their own. Beatrice was clearly shocked by how this was unfolding and watched everything through narrowed, flashing eyes.
After gathering statements, the first officer walked up to me again. “Obviously, it’s up to you in this situation. But if I could make my suggestion, I recommend it ends here. Miss Trewes, you have the right to press charges against her. I shook my head and looked her in the eyes. “No need. But I will let my lawyer know about this.”
Beatrice sputtered with rage, and I looked over at the officers, seeing one give me a slight commiserating nod. Both escorted Beatrice off the front step and brought her back over to her own car. I stood exactly where I was, wanting to watch her leave. I was able to hold it together until the cars were gone, then felt myself drop down to the ground. My neighbor stopped beside me and put her arm around my shoulders to comfort me. But she wasn’t enough. My heart was searching for someone else.17VinceThe trip was going well enough, and I was just sitting down for lunch at the hotel restaurant when my phone rang. I took it out and answered it immediately when I saw Lindsey’s name across the screen.
“Lindsey?” I answered. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m sorry to call you,” she said. “I know you’re busy with your work trip and everything. But I thought you should know.”
“Calm down,” I said. “I can barely understand you. What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I mean, physically, I’m fine.”
A waitress walked up to the table, but I was already standing up out of my seat. I shook my head and mouthed I was sorry to her, then rushed out of the restaurant.
“Lindsey, tell me what’s going on. What happened? Are you safe right now?”
“Yes,” she said. “I thought I should tell you what happened. Just so you would know. Maybe I should tell Charlie. I don’t know.”
“Go on,” I said as I got on the elevator to head back to my room.
There were a few hours before I needed to be at the track again, and I felt more comfortable having this conversation with Lindsey in my own space rather than out in public.
“I woke up this morning to somebody pounding on my front door,” she said.
My heart gave a hard pound in the center of my chest.