(See first part for disclaimer, notes, spoilers, etc.)
Pt 2: "598GR-704-1"
As she has done twice a month for the last four years, Olivia makes the four hour roundtrip journey north on the highway to the federal penitentiary to see Gregory. This weekend visit is no different from any of the other one's.
Bryan, the chauffeur, eases the Lincoln Towncar through traffic on the congested roadway. Olivia leans forward and adjusts the air conditioning vent before sitting back against the cool leather of the backseat.
"Good news, Mrs. Richards," Bryan says as he flips his cell phone shut. "The highway patrol just issued a bulletin saying that the accident causing all his traffic has been cleared. So, assuming we encounter no other disasters, we should be at the prison in just over an hour."
"Thank you, Bryan." Olivia's gaze shifts to the passing scenery that zips by as Bryan passes the accident site and increases his speed. She extends her finger and presses the button that raises the privacy divider. After it closes, she reaches into her purse and removes her cell phone. She enters in a long number and holds the phone to her ear.
"Bienvenue à Genève Royal Banque," the automated voice says pleasantly.
Olivia follows the voice prompts and keys in her ten-digit account number. She is transferred to an operator who only asks for the secure access codes. As she waits for the authorization to be verified, Olivia thinks back to the day that all this secrecy started…
January 31, 2000
"Mrs. Richards?"
Olivia looked up from the story she was reading to Trey. "What is it Rose?"
"A gentleman is waiting to speak with you downstairs. He says that he is one of the lawyers for Mr. Richards."
Olivia nodded and passed the half-asleep Trey to Rose. "Don't leave the pacifier with him," she instructed. "I'm determined to wean him off of it by his second birthday."
Rose nodded and sat down in the rocking chair with the toddler.
Olivia walked down stairs and over to the man who stood by the grand piano. The strange man must have heard her approach, for he turned around and extended his hand. She stared at his hand suspiciously and stated, "I know all of Gregory's lawyers…and you aren't one of them."
The man smiled pleasantly. "Excuse me for saying so, but you know his defense lawyers. I am an estate lawyer retained by Mr. Richards. My name is Jonas Alexandar."
Though still skeptical, Olivia shook the man's hand. "What can I do for you, Mr. Alexandar?"
"Please, call me 'Jonas'…and it isn't about what you can do for me. Rather, it's about what I can do for you." He gestured to the sofa. "May we sit?"
Olivia nodded and took a seat in the armchair next to the sofa. "What do you mean by what you can do for me?"
"Well," Jonas said as he unsnapped his briefcase and opened it, "as I said, I was retained by Mr. Richards shortly after he was taken into federal custody a month ago."
"I wasn't aware of that."
Jonas looked at Olivia briefly for a moment. "It was understood that my retainer would be held in the strictest of confidence. Other than Mr. Richards and myself, you are the only person who knows about it."
"I'm sorry," Olivia said as her eyebrow bent in confusion, "but I'm confused."
"Forgive me," Jonas said sincerely. "Mr. Richards requested I make this as easy as possible for you." He removed several manila folders stamped 'confidential' and 'eyes only'. "As I am sure you know, Mr. Richards' divorce from Annie Douglas became final last week. As stipulated by their prenuptial agreement, she receives a one-time payment of ten million dollars. Nothing more, but nothing less."
"Excuse me," Olivia interrupted, "but Gregory's assets were frozen after he was remanded to federal custody until the start of his trial because the courts think he is a flight risk. How does Annie expect the settlement to be paid out?"
"Oh, I doubt it will," Jonas said with a hint amusement. "Already she has instructed her lawyers to file briefs requesting the injunction be reversed. However, she won't get anywhere until the trial is over, if she's lucky. You, on the other hand," Jonas continued, "are much luckier."
"How so?"
"Much of what Mr. Richards did with his finances before he was apprehended is still a mystery. However, after speaking to him and reviewing the documentation he directed me to, some of it becomes clearer." He paused to confirm that Olivia still followed him and was pleased to see that she did. "Whether he anticipated his arrest or was attempting to flee again, I do not know. What I do know is that as 'Tobias', Mr. Richards began to direct large portions of his personal wealth and assets into several off-shore bank accounts."
"Isn't that…illegal?"
"Perhaps," Jonas said easily. "However, I believe in a little doctrine known as 'attorney-client privilege.' No one, other than the government, would benefit from freezing those accounts. I simply adhered to my client's wish that the accounts be kept secret."
"So," Olivia asked, "why tell me?"
Jonas paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "Mr. Richards wanted it made clear that other than his lawyers, you were the only person that he trusted. He also wanted me to inform you that despite what the law said, he still considered you his wife." Jonas paused again at Olivia's sharp intake of breath. "As such, he instructed me to condense all of the off-shore accounts into one large account…available only to you." He watched with concern as all of the color drained out Olivia's face and she gripped the arms of the chair. "Mrs. Richards? Are you alright?"
Olivia gasped for breath and said shakily, "I'm-, I'm fine. Please, continue."
Jonas nodded. "He's instructed me to tell you that you are free to use the money at your discretion."
"Why is he doing this?" Olivia asked softly after a moment as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"It is my impression," Jonas started, "that Mr. Richards wants to make sure that you are provided for. You, your children with Mr. Richards, and…your son." He reached into his inner suit pocket and passed Olivia a starched linen handkerchief embroidered with the initials "GR." As she gaped at the handkerchief with tears streaming down her face, Jonas said quietly, "He thought you would need this."
Olivia took the handkerchief and examined it, as if trying to detect some trace of Gregory from it. With her finger, she gently traced the curve of his initials emblazoned in navy blue silk on the white linen. "Did he say anything else?" she asked as she turned her pleading eyes on Jonas.
Out of the briefcase, he pulled a long and slim envelope. He passed it to Olivia and felt his heart break when she sobbed at the sight of her name written on the face of the envelope in Gregory's hand. "He asked that you read this after I leave."
Olivia nodded and took the envelope, leaving it in her lap.
"I know the last thing you want to hear is details about the Swiss bank account, but you need to reset all the security access codes." Jonas took the top manila folder and passed it to Olivia. "The account is issued through the private bank, Genève Royal Banque, and is protected by the 'Banking Act of 1934.' That means that the bank is prohibited from revealing any information about you, as their client, or the contents of your account. The account itself is anonymous and numbered. The bank only knows you as an account number." He passed Olivia several brochures in a folder. "These explain in greater detail the 'Banking Act of 1934', the information on the Genève Royal Banque, and the Swiss government's policy on anonymous accounts." He closed the briefcase and snapped it shut. He passed Olivia a small white business card from the pocket of his suit. "That card has a phone number for the Genève Royal Banque, the account number, and the default passwords. You MUST call within the hour to reset all access codes. After you do, burn that card." Jonas paused until Olivia nodded. "If you wish," he continued, "you can arrange for automatic monthly deposits from the Swiss account into your bank account here in Sunset Beach. The money will bounce through banks all over Europe and North America before it winds up in the Sunset Beach account. After all that, it will just look like dividend payments from stocks." He stood up and looked down at Olivia, who sat frozen on the armchair. "I know this is a lot to deal with today," he said softly as he passed her a second business card, "but I am here to help you. Please call me if there is anything you need."
"Thank you," Olivia said softly as she stood up and placed Jonas' business card with the stack of paperwork he left her.
Jonas held up his hand. "No, Mrs. Richards. I can show myself out. It was a pleasure finally meeting you but you need to call the bank…right now. Goodbye." He turned on his heel and strode out of the living room.
When she was sure the front door clicked shut, Olivia hurried into Gregory's study and sat down at his massive desk. She picked up the phone and dialed the international phone number for the Genève Royal Banque.
…After authorizing a small transfer from the Swiss account to her Sunset Beach account, Olivia snaps her cell phone shut and returns it to her purse. As she does, her finger grazes the worn edge of an envelope. With a small sigh, she pulls out the envelope that has yellowed slightly in the four years she's had it. She opens the flap and pulls out the letter. This is a cruel ritual I put myself through twice a month, Olivia reflects as she unfolds the letter and starts to read.
Olivia,
If you are reading this, Jonas Alexandar has just been to see you. I wish that it did not have to be this way, but circumstances require it to be so.
There are many things that I want to say to you. So many things I wanted to say when I saw you last. In the jail, you asked me if I had ever loved you. If you recall, my response was "more than life." What I should have added was "always and forever." Amo Olivia Aeternus.
Olivia puts the letter down and closes her eyes. She sighs deeply after several moments before continuing to read.
Liv, no one can (or will) ever replace you in my heart and I assure you I do have one.
You are the most precious person in my life and the only person I trust at this point. Yet, there were so many years when we did not trust each other. It was when I forgot to trust you and our love that things fell apart.
I loved you from the first moment I saw you. And I'll love you until the day I die. You-
"Mrs. Richards? We're here," Bryan says, lowering the privacy divider slightly.
Olivia quickly folds the letter back into the envelope and places it back in her purse. "Thank you. I'll be back in two hours."
The federal penitentiary enforces strict rules regarding prison visits. Each visitor, in addition to signing the logbook, must go through a metal detector and allow whatever belongings they bring with them to be thoroughly searched. The actual visit takes place in a covered outdoor patio, the perimeter of which is lined with both barbed wire and armed guards, who are trained to shoot first and ask questions later.
Each prisoner is allotted two two-hour visits twice a month, regardless of how many visitors they get. In the case of Gregory Richards, better known now as "Prisoner 598GR-704-1", Olivia has always occupied those visits.
Gregory shuffles into the visitor's bay in shackles and a prison issued orange jumpsuit. The guard directs Gregory to sit on the bench of the worn wooden picnic table. He removes the handcuffs from Gregory's wrists but chains his feet to the elevated iron ring on the ground beneath the table.
As the guard walks away, Gregory flexes his wrists and grimaces slightly as the bones pop. He folds his hands on the table and stares intently at the chain link gate that the visitors enter through.
The surface of the wooden table is rough beneath his hands. Behind him, another inmate coughs and a loud bell sounds overhead. A moment later, several guards materialize by the gate and begin the arduous task of unlocking it. Another guard steps through and gestures the visitors in.
Olivia stands out like a rose on a snow-covered hill. She has grown her hair out and it cascades over her bare shoulders and down her back. Her royal blue blouse and white skirt accent her golden tan and add intensity to her already blue eyes.
He watches her scan the crowd until she locates him and he sees her smile with relief. As she walks over to him, one of the other inmates openly leers at her until Gregory's cold glare forces him to turn around.
She's lost weight, Gregory thinks as she sits down across from him. But she's never looked lovelier. He offers a small smile as she reaches out and takes his hand.
"As always, you're a breath of fresh air in an otherwise unbearable situation," he says softly while taking in every inch of her up close. The sparkle in her eyes…The way her lips bend into a tender smile…The curve of her naked shoulder…The delicate rise and fall of her chest.
The color slowly rises in her neck and up to her cheeks as she squeezes his hand.
"Time stands still between your visits," he continues.
Olivia raises one eyebrow and tilts her head to the side slightly, causing her hair to slide off her shoulder. "Is that so?"
With his eyes, Gregory follows the line of her neck down to the base, where a sterling silver heart shaped pendant rests in the hollow of her throat. Her blouse rests off the shoulder and dips into a "v" at her cleavage.
As if realizing where his attention had drifted to, Olivia sits up straighter. Gregory grins sheepishly and locks eyes with her. With his thumb, he gently rubs the inside of her wrist. He sees her shift and he immediately removes his hands from her, folding them beneath his chin. He can smell her perfume on his thumb.
Olivia reaches out slowly and cups his cheek.
He closes his eyes and leans into her touch. Her palm is soft and cool. If we were anywhere else, Gregory notes, she'd be enveloped in my arms and... His eyes open as her hand gently retreats from his cheek and locks with his hand again.
Her face is gentle, but her eyes reveal the regret and pain she feels.
You never could hide your feelings, Liv…Your eyes give it all away, he thinks. His eyes fall on the hollow of her throat, where the heart pendant rests. He wishes it were his lips that got to claim that sensitive spot.
Her chest quivers as she takes a breath, causing the heart to move and glitter.
Gregory reaches out and traces the thin chain down her neck to the coveted spot. He toys with the pendant and gently pushes it aside. His index and middle finger rest in the shallow indentation. He feels the gentle throbbing of her veins and the vibration of her larynx as she moans softly.
"Gregory…," she whispers.
Behind them, an overly emotional visitor screams with joy at the sight of her boyfriend. Olivia whips around as the sound knifes through the relative quiet.
Gregory's fingers fall away from her throat and he folds his hands in front of him. Now or never, he thinks as Olivia turns back around to him. He leans forward as far as his feet restraints will allow and captures Olivia's mouth with his.
He hears Olivia gasp in surprise but after a moment, she rises and meets him. The kiss, that was once solely his a moment ago, becomes theirs.
Olivia braces her hands on Gregory's shoulders and invites him deeper.
His hands wrap around her neck and he pulls her closer to him. With delicate probing, he explores her warm and inviting mouth. Slowly and carefully, familiar feasting grounds are rediscovered.
She allows her fingers to trail up his neck and tease the soft lobe of his ear before her arms wrap around his neck. And after several moments, Olivia pulls back and gasps for air.
"I'm sorry," he whispers breathlessly.
Olivia waves him off and lowers her head into her hands. Her shoulders heave and shake as she struggles to get her breathing under control again.
Why do I do this to her?, he wonders. Put her through this torture twice a month and never being able to satisfy her the way she needs…Why do I do this to her? He sighs before following suit and lowering his head to his hands. He doesn't look up as he hears her rise from the table or the soft click of her heeled sandals walking away.
Gregory jumps when a small hand touches his shoulder and she slides onto the bench next to him.
She gathers him into her arms. The soft touch of her fingers on his back burns through the coarse material of his prison uniform and to the core of his soul. She crosses her leg over his and intertwines her foot with his shackled ones.
He eases his hands up her back and allows his fingers to dance across the silky skin of her shoulders. He sighs softly as she lowers her head to his shoulder.
Olivia feels Gregory bend his head to hers and after a moment, she feels him nuzzle her ear and place a soft kiss on her temple.
Few words have been spoken in the time since the visit started. But sometimes, words aren't necessary.
Sometimes, just the very presence of a person or their gentle touch is enough. Words tarnish and fade away as their echo recedes in a person's ear. But a touch…
A touch can last a lifetime.
