The Final Rule

By David Bailey

David Bailey, author of When The Forest Bleeds, has once again written another, "could not put down," riveting novel.

When Carmen Hopper woke up in the morning, it started as any other. Her husband, Dan, had gone to work early and she was about to start another boring day, but it would hardly end that way.

When the bank called asking where Dan was, it started a day that would change her life for eternity.

Love and life as she had known it would change not only in her life, but in the lives of her closest friends.

Her husband had done the unforgivable. He had broken a rule from which there was no redemption. His actions would affect people in an unimaginable, traumatic way. He had done the unforgivable, the unpardonable. He had broken The Final Rule.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 10, 2004
• ISBN: 9780595759491

David Bailey

When David and Charlotte Bailey fell in love with a Citroën H van they saw parked in Notting Hill, Wholefood Heaven was born. Having worked in many leading restaurants, including as the founding head chef of Saf, where he cooked with Chad Sarno, David followed his heart and hit the road. The ethos of Wholefood Heaven is simple: no matter where you are, you should be able to buy high-quality, nutritious, healthy, ethical and tasty fresh food. They won Best Main Dish at the 2011 British Street Food Awards for their Buddha Bowl.

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All Rights Reserved © 2004 by David Jordan Bailey

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

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ISBN: 0-595-31119-9

ISBN: 978-0-5957-5949-1 (ebook)

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

For my friends that are no longer here, to see that their words of encouragement, did not go unheard.

For every moment of truth in life, there is an alternate moment of deception

—P.E.

CHAPTER 1  

The rope felt coarse and heavy in his hands, as he descended the stairs into the basement. Dan Hopper’s life would have been considered by most, a very full and gratifying one. No one knew the loneliness and torment that gripped at his insides almost every day. Today he was to put an end to the pain. He felt sorry for his wife, as she would be the one to find him, and he quickly checked his pocket to make sure the note he had written her was still there. Making his way to the designated spot he had chosen for his self appointed death, his mind raced with visions of family and friends, and he wondered if any of them would understand. Slipping the rope through the eyebolt he had screwed into the beam last week, he remembered the reason he had given his wife, Carmen, for putting such an obtrusive object in her laundry room.

I thought maybe I would buy myself a heavy bag and try to get into shape, he had told her. She was always supportive of anything he wanted to try, and only put up a minor argument. Yes, he truly did feel sorry for the pain he was about to inflict on her, but he could no longer continue with his display of happiness, when everyday he dreaded opening his eyes in the morning. pulling down hard on the rope, he made sure that the knot he had tied would not slip. Forming a noose with the dangling end of the rope, he carefully tied a slipknot and then pulled the wood milk carton under the rope. Retrieving the letter from his pocket, he placed it to his lips, hoping the words inside would help Carmen understand and perhaps one day, even forgive him for what he was about to do. Climbing onto the carton, he placed the noose around his neck. The hairs of the rope seemed to instantly chafe at his skin. He had always tried to live life the way everyone expected him to. It suddenly seemed ironic to him, that his life had always been lived by rules, and now he was about to break the final rule.

Squinting her eyes against the morning sun, Carmen Hopper stretched her small, well-maintained body, and slowly pulled herself out from under the blanket. She was not a morning person and would try desperately to squeeze every second she could out of the morning before having to get up. Looking out the window, she was happy to see that the rain had finally stopped. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. There didn’t seem to be a cloud in the sky, and there was a thin mist over the grass as the morning sun began to warm the wet earth.

Looks like a good gardening day, she muttered to herself.

Heading downstairs to the kitchen, she anticipated the fresh pot of coffee that would be awaiting her. She liked it when Dan had to head into the office early, he always made a pot of coffee and placed an English muffin in the toaster for her. With coffee mug in hand, Carmen headed for the bathroom to perform her morning grooming routine. Passing by the window in the hallway she stopped, staring confused trying to figure out why Dan’s car was still in the driveway.

That’s odd. She shrugged and continued on her mission. As she stood under the showerhead, enjoying the massage the water was giving her, she couldn’t help but wonder why Dan hadn’t driven his car to work. If it didn’t start, why hadn’t he woken her up, she would have driven him to work. Maybe he had made arrangements to catch a ride with someone from the office, but she was sure he would have mentioned it. He was a compliance officer at one of the larger downtown banks. His job entailed monitoring the bank and its larger accounts to ensure that every thing was being conducted lawfully.

Climbing out of the shower, Carmen decided she would give Dan’s office a call. First she had to get the load of laundry started. She went back up to the bedroom and stripped the bed. Carrying the bedding downstairs she threw it onto the laundry hamper with the other laundry that had been stacking up for the last week. Grabbing the laundry hamper, she headed for the stairs leading into the basement. As she passed the kitchen, the phone rang giving her a start.

Hello. She answered, placing the receiver on her shoulder and holding it in place with her chin, while she hung onto the hamper.

Hi, Carmen. Didn’t wake you up, I hope? It was Rob Trotter, the other compliance officer that worked at the bank with Dan, and one of their best friends.

I wish you would have. That would have meant I was still in bed sleeping, not getting ready to do laundry. She joked.

Listen can I talk to Dan? We were supposed to go over some accounts this morning to get them ready for an internal audit, and he knows how pissed off old man Jones can get when these things are late.

You mean he’s not there? Carmen asked slowly placing the hamper on the floor and grabbing the receiver in her hand.

No, and we’ve only got like a couple of hours to get this done.

That’s strange. His car is still in the driveway. I thought maybe he had caught a ride with someone from there?

Not that I know of. Rob replied.

Rob, I’ll have him call you as soon as I get in touch with him. Maybe he got carried away working on one of his projects in the garage. I’ll go check and then call you right back.

Ok, thanks. Tell him he better hurry up and get his ass down here. Talk to you later and have a great day.

Yeah, you too. She said as she placed the receiver back in its cradle. Standing motionless for a few seconds, her mind started racing with all type of scenarios. perhaps he had slipped and banged his head and was lying out in the driveway. That was ridiculous, she told herself, someone would have noticed him lying out there. Perhaps his car didn’t start and instead of waking her, he called a cab. That too seemed ridiculous, as he would have been at work by now. Leaving the laundry hamper sitting by the phone, Carmen headed outside to check the garage. Opening the garage door, she inhaled deeply. Ever since Dan decided to take up wood working, she loved to come out to the garage and experience the unique aromas that came from the different sawn and sanded woods. Turning on the light she glanced around the room. A wood lathe stood against the far wall, with what looked like a table leg suspended between the head stock center and the tail stock center. Standing in the middle of the room was a green colored table saw and band saw. Hanging on the far wall was an assortment of hand tools and smaller power tools. Clamped to a work table at the other end of the garage was a coffee table Dan had been working on for some friends. He enjoyed making things for other people, and seldom charged anything for his creations. The coffee table top was made from white and red cedar, with colonial style legs stained to match the red cedar. The outside edge of the table had been routered to give it a rounded edge. Looking at the table, Carmen thought that maybe she would ask Dan to make them a set of night stands for the bedroom out of the white cedar. Turning off the light she headed back outside and stood by Dan’s car. Looking inside the car and then up and down their block, she wasn’t sure what it was she

was even looking for. She started to feel lost. After a few minutes, she decided to go inside and phone the bank to see if he had shown up yet.

Hi, Rob. I was wondering if Dan has shown up yet?

Not yet. Isn’t he at home? he asked, sounding a bit irritated.

I can’t find him anywhere. This is odd. Where could he be? Carmen asked, more to herself than to Rob.

I wish I knew. There is no way I’m going to get this all ready for the audit myself. This just isn’t like him. Listen, when he does show up here, I’ll have him call you right away. I’m sure everything is fine. Hell, he’s been talking about getting into shape lately, maybe he decided to walk to work. Rob laughed, trying to set Carmen’s mind at ease.

Maybe he did. Carmen answered. He would have had to leave awfully early to get there on time. I wonder if I should take a drive to see if I can give him a ride?

Would you know which route he would have taken? Besides, if he did walk, he would have to almost be here by now.

Yeah, I suppose you’re right, but still, I think I will anyway. He should be there by the time I get there. I would think he probably walked along Seymour Street then turned onto Georgia. That would definitely be the shortest route.

Yeah, you’re right about that. Well good hunting and I’ll buy you a coffee when you get here.

Thanks, Rob. I’ll see you in a few.

Hanging up the phone, Carmen picked up the laundry hamper and headed for the basement stairs. Setting the hamper down on the floor, she decided to take care of the laundry when she got back. Besides, lugging the hamper down those stairs just seemed like it was going to take too much of an effort at this point.

Turning off Drake Street, Carmen headed up Seymour Street, keeping a watchful eye out. Constantly scanning the side streets and alleys for any sign of Dan. It would have been an eight-block walk to get to Georgia Street, then another six blocks to his office on Haro. Turning onto Georgia, Carmen slowly cruised along the busy street, watching the people scurrying along the sidewalk, past the elaborate storefronts. She loved coming downtown and would often find a bench to sit down on and look at the old stone and brick buildings from an earlier time, intermingled with their glass and steel counterparts of today. Today though the buildings were going unnoticed by her, as her concern for Dan continued to grow. As Carmen slowly drove along, a few times she thought she had noticed Dan, only to be disappointed when an unfamiliar face would turn to her.

Pulling into the bank parking lot, Carmen found Dan’s parking stall and backed the minivan in. After making sure the doors were locked, she headed for the main entrance. Showing her badge to the security guard, Carmen made her way to the elevators and up to the main offices on the seventh floor. As the elevator doors opened, an attractive young receptionist seated behind a large oak desk greeted her. A wide framed painting of the original bank, hung on the wall behind the receptionist. The painting was illuminated by a brass picture lamp that projected from the wall by a gooseneck stem, and was covered by a green lampshade to help direct the light onto the painting.

May I help you? The receptionist asked Carmen, in a perky voice.

Yes, I’m here to see my husband, Mr. Hopper.

One moment and I’ll ring his office, to let him know you’re here.

Carmen let out a sigh of relief. Good, he had made it. Unable to get an answer, the receptionist asked Carmen to wait while she tried to locate Mr. Hopper. Carmen looked around the reception area, and thought how decadent the room looked, with its green patterned fabric wall coverings and mahogany borders with gold inlay designs. Each wall had a feature painting similar to the one behind the receptionist’s desk, but on a less grand scale. Each painting had the same picture lamp illuminating their faces. There was a sitting area, with two large brown leather chairs and a matching sofa. Situated in front of the sofa and chairs was a black granite coffee table perched on a massive swirling wood burl. Between the chairs and to one side of the sofa, stood elegant brass floor lamps, with green fabric lampshades that cast a soft soothing light.

Mrs. Hopper, would you follow me please? The receptionist’s voice immediately drew Carmen’s attention away from the room. As they headed down a hallway with offices running the full length, she saw Rob standing outside one of the offices waiting for her.

Good to see you. He said as he gave her a welcoming kiss on the cheek. Would you like a coffee or something?

No thanks, had my fill this morning already. She answered with a smile.

Looking at the receptionist, Rob gave her a nod and she immediately turned and headed down the hall. Rob directed Carmen into the office he had been standing outside of. Closing the door behind them, Rob pulled a chair out and Carmen sat down.

Has he showed up yet? Carmen asked concerned.

No, not yet. I take it you didn’t see him on your drive.

No, and I’m really starting to get concerned. Carmen’s hands were clenched tightly on her lap.

Well. I’m sure he’s fine. I’ve had a stay of execution here. I convinced the powers to be that I needed more time to get these accounts ready for the audit. Listen, we’re about half an hour from lunch. There’s a deli around the corner where Dan and I like to go to grab a quick bite, if he doesn’t show up at the office by then, we’ll head over to the deli and maybe he’ll show up there.

I am thinking that maybe I should go to the police. Carmen’s voice couldn’t hide the concern any longer.

Let’s give it till after lunch. If he doesn’t show up at the deli, then we’ll go to the police. Ok? Rob looked at her, hoping his face wasn’t showing the anxiety that was building in him. Besides, from what I understand, there has to be a certain period of time before the police will do anything about a missing person.

Yes, I suppose you’re right.

Carmen got up and said she was going to walk around downtown for a bit, and would meet Rob at the deli in half an hour. There was some shopping she wanted to get done, and seeing as how she was downtown there was no better time to do it. Besides, it would teach Dan a lesson for disappearing like this, when he got the credit card bill. Rob walked her to the elevator doors and reassured her that everything was going to be all right.

Stepping out of the bank and onto the street, Carmen stood scanning the faces of people coming toward her, hoping to see Dan’s familiar warm smile. As people bumped into her, she slowly started walking down Georgia Street looking in shop windows, but not really seeing what was being displayed. For the most part her attention was past the displays and focused on the interior of the shops, hoping to see Dan. The sun had warmed the air, and for most people, it would be a beautiful, good feeling, kind of day. For Carmen, today was turning into a somber, passionless day. She stood infront of a high-end clothing store, with mannequins wearing designer summer dresses in the display windows. Wrapping her arms around her shoulders, she tried to keep the chill she was feeling at bay. Crossing the street, she found herself in the small park that led from the street to the vast front steps of City Hall. The massive stone and granite structure dwarfed the little park. The city hall was a symbol of the city’s early architectural greatness. The hall’s elaborate wooden doors’ lock plates, were made with solid bronze and bore the city’s coat of arms. The large brass doorknobs had monograms showing the