Part 41
Just a few short hours after falling asleep in each other’s arms, Howie woke to the ringing of the phone. He reached across Sarah to answer it.
Growling sleepily, "This had better be good, you clowns."
Howie thought it was the guys calling to harass them but was shocked to hear Billy’s voice. "Howard, you need to get back to Orlando….NOW!"
"What’s up, Billy?"
"That piece of evidence the cops have…its Sarah’s journal."
Howie sat up suddenly, alarmed by what Billy had said. "What journal?"
"The one where she wrote what she’d done."
The phone ringing and Howie’s sudden movements were more than enough to wake Sarah. She heard his last words and a cold chill passed through her. She put her hand on Howie’s back and asked softly, "Who is it?"
Looking over his shoulder at her, he mouthed ‘Billy’ and then said, "Have they taken out a warrant?"
"Not yet. Steven is on it but we don’t know any details. He DID say for you two to get back here though."
"It’s gonna take us a while."
"Steven wants you here in town by noon."
Howie looked at his watch…nine. "That’s impossible if we drive. We haven’t even gotten up yet and it’s a four-hour drive. Not to mention…it’s our honeymoon."
"I’m sorry, man. You’ll have to catch a flight. Call me when you have the details so we can meet you. So far, none of this has gotten to the press yet and I’d like to make sure it doesn’t."
"Thanks, Billy. I’ll call you back as soon as I figure something out. What about the others?"
"Kevin, AJ, and Brian are headed back today and Nick’s not coming in for a while. He wouldn’t give me any details."
"Do me a favor? Don’t tell them about this."
"It’s your call. I’ll talk to you later."
As Howie hung up, Sarah asked, "What’s going on?"
Howie looked at Sarah, "The evidence they have is your journal."
"That’s impossible," said Sarah in disbelief.
"Why do you say that?"
"BOTH of our journals are locked in the safe at the club and you and I are the only two who know the combination. How could they have gotten it?"
"Are you sure they’re there?"
"That’s where I put them. It’s the only place I knew that we’re the only one’s who have access."
"Okay…then let’s get back to Orlando and clear this up. I’ve gotta get us back by noon."
"How are you gonna manage that?"
"I don’t know. I’m gonna check the airlines first."
"I’ll get ready then."
Sarah started to get up but Howie stopped her. He pulled her to him and kissed her. "I’m sorry, Angel."
"For what? This is my fault. I should have burned the damn things. I don’t know why I kept them in the first place."
"I promise, I’ll take you on a REAL honeymoon, wherever you want to go as soon as the tour is over."
"It’s not necessary. Just being married is enough and I’ll be traveling with you…I hope. Now find us a way home. I want to find out what’s going on and get it cleared up…one way or another."
Howie watched Sarah go to the bathroom as his mind raced. If they had Sarah’s journal, they knew the truth and it was only a matter of time before they pressed charges. But why were they dragging their feet? Billy had said they’d had it for over a week now. And how did they get it if it was locked in the safe at the club? God, will this nightmare EVER go away?
Howie spent the next twenty minutes trying to find a flight back to Orlando. All the flights were either too late or they’d never be able to make it to the airport in time. Finally, as Sarah was coming in to get dressed, Howie called to see where the Foundation’s jet was. It was in Miami getting ready to head back to Orlando so Howie told the pilot to wait for him. Then he called Billy to let him know the plans and to have Steven meet them at the club.
After getting off the phone, Howie went to get ready too and they headed to the airport. On the ride over, Sarah played absentmindedly with her rings as she stared out at nothing in particular. She was thinking about what was about to happen and she was scared. The truth was possibly about to be revealed and if it were, Howie’s career would be destroyed. She was also about to lose the life she had just begun with him as well and both thoughts terrified her.
Tears rolled down her cheeks falling onto Howie’s hands as he took Sarah’s hand in his. He knew what she was thinking and he wanted to let her know he was scared too. She looked at him as he kissed her hand. He didn’t have to say a word…Sarah could see the fear in his eyes as well. She leaned to him and rested her head on his shoulder for the rest of the way to the airport.