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Melanie threw her things on the sofa and headed to the kitchen. She pulled out two rocks glasses and handed them to Gilmour. “Two fingers, please.” She smiled.
Chapter Ten
Tying Up Loose Ends
It had been several months since the harrowing incident with Howell. Melanie recounted her ordeal several times to various agents, lawyers, and prosecutors. Howell was charged with five counts of murder, five counts of sexual assault, five counts of kidnapping, and one count of assaulting and abducting a federal agent.
It was almost a full year before the case went to trial, but it was quick. He had a court-appointed attorney who did his job trying to defend his client, but he knew it was futile. Not even a non compos mentis defense was possible, although some would argue a serial killer is insane. The judge immediately ruled it out. There was no defense for Wayne Howell’s actions, and the government had an ironclad case against him.
Melanie and members of the families of the victims sat through the excruciating details of the crimes. Weeks later, Howell was convicted of all charges. Yells and cheers filled the courtroom. The judge didn’t bother to quiet them down. It was probably the only relief those in the courtroom were able to feel. Justice was served. The families cried and hugged Melanie after the verdict. Their thanks were bittersweet. Ten days later, Howell was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, at ADX Florence, a maximum-security prison in Colorado, designed for criminals who were too dangerous to be in the general population of felons. He would never see the outside of the gray concrete walls again.
* * *
Not long after her ordeal with Howell, Melanie signed up for two psychology classes at Georgetown. Her plan was to continue working until after the trial and study for her master’s at night. Once the trial was over, she put in her papers for an early retirement. The past fifteen years had kicked the tar out of her, with this last incident pushing her over the top. She was now convinced she had to start at the beginning. The years when children’s moral compasses are formed. Giving children guidance was where she thought she belonged, and where she could really make a difference.
During her tenure at OSI, her parents had been supportive, but never thrilled. The work was dangerous and draining. They believed Melanie had other talents she could employ doing other meaningful work. They were overjoyed when she told them about her plans for the next chapter of her life.
* * *
Patterson, Gilmour, and several others took Melanie for a farewell dinner at Le Diplomate, a French brasserie with shiny red booths and a bustling atmosphere. She was going to miss her compadres, and as with every parting, all promised to keep in touch. Everyone knows that doesn’t really happen. Maybe one or two would stay in contact, but for the most part, when you leave your job, you close the door. But her relationship with Patterson and Gilmour would persist, and they’d meet once a month for drinks or a quick lunch. They were truly the only friends she had. In the OSI, it was difficult trying to establish relationships, including romantic ones. Most of the time you couldn’t talk about your work, or you were away at work. Melanie knew she’d cut herself off socially for most of her adult life. Things would be different moving forward.
Melanie was feeling optimistic about her future, but first she had to get that degree. Then get the job. Then the house. Then a dog. She was very focused on the dog part and knew before that could happen, she had to check the first three things off her list.
PART THREE
The Next Chapter
Chapter Eleven
Settling In
After Melanie left OSI, she enrolled full time at Georgetown. The sooner she could get through school, the sooner she could start the next phase. Even though her tuition was covered, thanks to the deal she’d made with Patterson, she would still have overhead such as rent, food, car, gas. Her folks suggested Melanie should move back home until she finished her studies; otherwise, she would have to take a part-time job to pay rent. That wasn’t going to cut it. She had to focus on her studies. By living at home, she’d be able to save some money, finish her degree, find a job, and buy a house. This was her third round of moving back with her parents. Déjà vu all over again. She insisted on pitching in so she wouldn’t feel like a slacker and took care of the grocery bills, even paid for maid service for the house, despite her parents’ protests.
* * *
The two years blew by, and she received her degree with honors. Naturally. Melanie wouldn’t have it any other way. Now she not only had book smarts, but she had also gained a lot of street smarts. She wished she could have skipped some of those lessons. She chose to stash them as far back in her mind as possible, hoping never to find herself in similar situations again.
* * *
A few months before she finished her classes, she began to check school systems for guidance counselor positions. She didn’t want to move too far away from her family.
Her brother Justin had been stationed at Langley for the past several years. He’d met a lovely woman named Shannon who worked as a VIP concierge for foreign dignitaries. She arranged transportation, hospitality, dinners, lunch, whatever their spoiled little hearts desired. Melanie once joked that if Shannon could deal with those people, Justin would be a piece of cake. They’d married and planned to have a family in a couple of years. Melanie wanted to be around to influence her nieces and nephews. Teach them magic tricks. Read them stories.
Family was important to her. She still had no significant other, but she wasn’t averse to it, either. She figured when she met the right guy, he would be the right guy. So far, none of them was the right guy.
* * *
Melanie was grateful to Patterson for assisting her with the paperwork for her tuition, and to Gilmour, who’d taught her how to separate reality from rumor. Too often, misinformation would spread, and agents had to decipher what was real, and what was a distraction. That particular talent helped her on and off the job. She phoned her former colleagues and invited them for a dinner celebration. Gilmour was single. Divorced. The job could do that to a relationship if you had time to develop one. She invited Patterson’s wife. His second or third. She wasn’t sure. The job could do that to a marriage, or two, or was it three?
Melanie made a reservation at Le Diplomate. She thought it would be fitting to return to the last place where they’d shared a celebratory meal.
They greeted each other with warm hugs. Melanie realized how much she enjoyed their companionship. Things were going to change. From now on, she was going to put some balance in her life.
* * *
There was a job opening near Falls Church, at Jesse Moorer Elementary School. While she was filling out the application, she was stunned by one question in particular: Do you know how to use a firearm? As she continued to read through the guidelines, she discovered there was a monthly “Active Shooter” drill. It was disheartening to realize little kids had to go through such horrendous preparation. Children were no longer allowed to wear shoes with flashing lights. Melanie sighed. How did we get to this point? In her mind, the only upside was that she knew how to react. Anyone in her custody might have a fighting chance. She understood a Code Yellow meant there was a threat outside of the school building. Classes could remain ongoing, but no one was allowed to enter or leave the building. Code Red meant imminent danger. Classrooms were to be locked from the inside, lights turned off, and the children were to huddle together as far away from the door as possible. She prayed she would never be in either situation.
After she filed her paperwork and went through the numerous interviews with the principal, the board of education, and an advisory panel, she was given the job. With the start of the new school year, Melanie Drake, former OSI agent, would now be Melanie Drake, Jesse Moorer Elementary School Guidance Counselor.
