Bang, Bang - Part 4
Five years after the incident
Miranda opened the door and smiled. “Nigel, come in. To what do I owe the pleasure?” She stepped back so that Nigel could enter.
“A little bird told me that you were bored.” Nigel handed a familiar blue porcelain flagon to Miranda before shrugging off his coat and hanging it in the closet.
“Andrea.” Miranda chuckled and handed the bottle back. “I would have survived. She’ll be back late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Besides, boredom doesn’t merit such a fine bottle of scotch whisky.”
Nigel linked arms with Miranda as they ambled down the hall to the sitting room. “The bottle is to commemorate the success of Runway and Men’s Runway. I thought a little celebration was in order.”
Miranda waved Nigel toward the loveseat while she retrieved glasses from the top of the liquor cabinet. She set the heavy crystal tumblers on the coffee table before making herself comfortable in the wingback chair. Miranda gave Nigel a slight nod when she accepted the filled glass from her friend.
“How are the girls? Are they enjoying their senior year?” Nigel took a sip and closed his eyes as he savored the smooth taste. Miranda took a delicate sip and relaxed in her chair as she watched Nigel open his eyes.
“Yes, they’re supposedly working on a senior project at a friend’s house.” Miranda smiled and gazed down at the glass cradled in her hands. “I think it was just an excuse to listen to loud music and eat junk food.”
Nigel chuckled. “You’re probably right. Have they decided on colleges yet?” he asked while gazing at Miranda over the top of his glass.
“They’ve been accepted at several schools. Cassidy would like to go to Yale or Northwestern. Caroline waffles between UC Irvine and Boston University.” Miranda grimaced. “I’m still hoping they decide on Columbia. It has a strong English department for Caroline and the School of the Arts would suit Cassidy.”
“Plus Columbia is so much closer than all the others.” Nigel said with an irritating smirk. “Think of all the money you could save on room and board.”
Miranda sniffed. “You’re as bad as Andrea.” She looked up at the series of pictures decorating the mantel. One of her favorites was taken just a few months ago. It showed Andrea with her arms around Miranda’s seventeen-year-old daughters. They were all laughing at the camera. Miranda remembered they had gone to Central Park just to walk around. She had taken Cassidy’s camera and captured the moment.
Nigel followed Miranda’s gaze to the display on the mantle. “You have a beautiful family, Miranda.”
Miranda hummed in agreement. “It’s all thanks to Andrea. She saved us all.”
“She is a remarkable woman,” Nigel agreed.
“More than you know.” Miranda sighed. “More than you know.” Her thoughts drifted to what might have been. “I never told you about that night,” she whispered as she continued to stare at the pictures.
Nigel turned his attention to the woman. “No, you didn’t.” He tilted his head as he considered his friend.
“I couldn’t.” Miranda swallowed the last of the fine scotch whiskey in her glass. “Andrea said it would be better if I never spoke of it again.”
Nigel raised an eyebrow and waited. He leaned forward and poured a bit more into his glass and Miranda’s when she slid it across the coffee table.
“I’ve abided by her wishes for five years. I think it is time for someone else to know the truth of that night.” Miranda pursed her lips as she picked up her glass and leaned back in her chair.
“The girls were with their father, so I was in no hurry to go home to an empty house. I was working on the Book in my office, and Andrea was at her desk working on my monthly expense account when Irv barged in.” Miranda reached up and fiddled with her necklace.
“But?” Nigel sat up straight. Miranda could tell he was shocked by that detail. “Andy said she was in your office. She was standing right next to you.”
Miranda sighed and took a small sip. “That was only the first lie told that night.”
The night of the incident
It was close to 10:00 p.m. and Miranda and Andrea were working late. Since Miranda’s twin daughters were with their father this week and the townhouse was empty, Miranda decided to review the Book at the office. Andrea was working to reconcile her monthly expense report.
Truth be told, Miranda enjoyed the quiet, late nights. Andrea’s competent presence was comforting. One day soon they needed to sit down and have that talk they had been putting off for the last few months. Andrea needed to move on, preferably to another publication. She would miss seeing Andrea sitting in the first assistant’s desk, but it was time. Besides, nothing could develop between the two of them until then.
Miranda sighed and pulled her focus back to the Book as she wrote another scathing comment on a post-it note. Before she could turn the page, the late-night silence was broken by heavy footsteps coming down the hall. Irv Ravitz barreled into her office in an obvious foul temper.
“What is the meaning of this?” Miranda stood, glaring at the chairman of the Elias-Clarke Publishing board of directors.
“I’m tired of this shit, Miranda. You’ve overrun your last budget. I want you gone,” Irv growled. “Leave or you will regret staying.”
“You’re insane. There is no way I’m leaving. Runway is successful because of me. I’m not going anywhere.” Miranda leaned forward with her hands braced on the desktop.
“I am giving you one last chance to resign. Just walk away and nothing will happen to you or your devil spawn,” Irv snarled.
“You are insane! How dare you threaten my girls!” Miranda seethed with a white-hot fury.
“Fine.” Irv said coldly before he raised his voice. “It'll be your fault when your daughters are kidnapped and raped. I know people, Miranda, and I'm going to enjoy hearing the full report of how they were raped over and over again. When they cry for their mommy, they’ll be told that you could have stopped it, but you didn’t. It will be your fault, and they will hate you for the rest of their lives because you wouldn’t protect them.”
Miranda could not stand hearing the depraved threats spewing from Irv's mouth. She always thought the term “seeing red” was just an exaggeration. However, at that moment all she could see was Irv’s face through a red haze. Then it was almost as if she stood outside of her body as she watched her hand open the desk drawer and withdraw the revolver. Without conscious thought, her hand pointed the gun at Irv’s chest, and her finger tightened on the trigger. In slow motion she watched Irv’s expression morph into shock as he collapsed to the floor. Horrified, Miranda stared at the spreading red stain on Irv’s chest. For a few seconds it almost looked like a flower opening its red petals.
Buzzing filled her ears, and her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. Faintly, someone was calling her name. Miranda ignored the voice and kept repeating, “What have I done? My God, what have I done?”
She heard the faint voice again. This time it said, “Miranda, give me the gun.” Another hand removed the gun from hers. Bang! The shot shocked her back to her senses.
“Andrea?” Confused, Miranda stared at Andrea as if seeing her for the first time. In a rush she tried to explain. “I didn’t mean to hurt him. He threatened the girls. I just wanted him to stop. What have I done?”
Andrea carefully set the gun on the desk. “Miranda, look at me.”
Miranda couldn’t tear her eyes away from the horror in front of her desk.
“Miranda, look at me!” Andrea said forcefully, grabbing Miranda’s shoulder and giving her a gentle shake. “Listen to me, Miranda. I shot Irv Ravitz. I shot Irv.”
Miranda’s mouth dropped open. “No, Andrea. No,” she whispered, horrified.
Andrea placed two fingers over Miranda’s lips. “Listen to me. The girls need you. I shot Irv.”
Miranda started shaking her head, and Andrea’s fingers slipped from her lips. “You can’t say that, Andrea. No, you can’t.” Miranda grabbed Andrea’s hand and stared into her warm brown eyes.
“Miranda, the girls need you. Jeremy is an idiot. Do you really want him to raise the twins? Think of Caroline and Cassidy,” Andrea whispered fervently as she squeezed Miranda's hand. “Don’t let Irv win. He wanted to take them away from you. Don’t let him.” Miranda stared into Andrea's eyes, noting her determination but unwilling to accept what Andrea was offering.
Wrenching her shoulder from Andrea's grip, Miranda felt her knees buckle and caught herself on the desk. She struggled to remain upright and placed her hands on her desktop to support herself. Taking several deep breaths, Miranda bowed her head. “You can’t do this. It isn’t some job requirement,” Miranda growled.
“No, this is a heart requirement!” Andrea roared as she slammed her hand over her heart. “We’ve danced around these feeling long enough. I love you, Miranda. I refuse to let this bastard ruin you.”
Turning her head, Miranda stared at Andrea in disbelief. How could this girl want to take on this burden? Didn’t Andrea understand that she wasn’t worth it? She could never be worthy of this brave, foolhardy young woman’s love.
“This is happening, Miranda, and we don’t have much time.” Andrea reached over and gently brushed a lock of hair behind Miranda’s ear.
Miranda took a deep breath and let it out. She did this twice more, and she felt a blanket of calm settle over her. Andrea was right. Her girls needed her. Irv would win and everything she had done to protect her girls would be for naught.
“Repeat after me. Andrea shot Irv.” Miranda heard the steel in Andrea’s voice. She pushed herself up, but she kept her head bowed. She clutched a fist to her chest, not wanting to repeat Andrea's words. Can I do this? Can I allow Andrea to take the blame? This is my fault. My girls. I can’t lose my girls.
Andrea was relentless. “Miranda, you are a lousy liar. You have to believe this. Repeat after me. Andrea shot Irv! Damn it, think of the girls!”
Miranda swallowed and straightened her shoulders. She pulled her dragon lady persona from thin air and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Andrea shot Irv.” Although she only whispered the words, Miranda felt as if they reverberated throughout the office.
“We are going to tell the police that I was standing next to you when Irv barged in. You stood when he started shouting. You were shocked when I shot him. You shoved my hand away before I fired again.” Miranda listened closely, absorbing the fabrication, memorizing the lie, and locking away the truth. “Now tell me what happened.”
Miranda repeated the story twice more before Andrea was satisfied. She was surprised when she looked at the clock on her desk to see that only thirty minutes had passed since Irv had stormed into the office.
“Call 9-1-1 and security.” Andrea said, cupping Miranda’s cheek. She was not surprised to feel Andrea's thumb gently swipe away the single tear that escaped without permission. She could do little else but cry as Andrea continued, “Then you need to call Jeremy.”
Present
Miranda leaned forward and poured more whiskey into her glass. She waited for Nigel’s reaction. She waited for the censure, the accusations, the slurs, and the condemnation. Miranda wanted someone else to know the kind of woman Andrea truly was. Conversely, someone needed to know the kind of woman she was. It did not matter that billions were unaware of Andrea’s strength and nobility as long as one other person knew the truth.
Nigel looked dumbfounded by the revelations. He stared at Miranda for several moments before closing his jaw with a click. Draining his glass with one long pull, he reached for the bottle.
Miranda slid it closer and continued to wait as Nigel poured a good three fingers worth into his glass. She frowned as Nigel tossed back half his drink. The whiskey was too fine to be consumed as if it were soda. She held her tongue, though, and continued to wait.
“She never wavered. That’s why she didn’t want you to visit. She knew it would tear you up,” he whispered in disbelief.
“I tried to confess to Robert, but Andrea beat me to it.” Miranda bowed her head. “She told Robert my guilt would make me say things that were not true. Robert stopped me before I was able to say two words. He told me I would only make things worse for Andrea. The prosecutor might infer that Andrea and I were in it together. I could possibly cause the charges to go from manslaughter to murder.” Miranda paused to clear her throat. “May God forgive me. I didn’t pursue the matter any further. I said exactly what Andrea told me to say.” Miranda’s voice broke with the admission.
“She loves you, Miranda.” Nigel gave her a gentle smile.
“Can you forgive me?” Miranda stared into her drink. She had yet to forgive herself and doubted if she ever would.
“Forgive you? Of course.” Nigel said in an incredulous voice. “I know exactly how persuasive Six can be.” He smirked and raised his glass. “You never had a chance.”
Before they could continue, the front door slammed, and they heard, “Honey, I’m home.”
“Andrea’s home,” she whispered before hurrying out of the room. Miranda paused in the hallway just outside the sitting room. Andrea had dropped her overnight bag and was unwinding the scarf from her neck. Then she looked up, locking eyes with Miranda, and breaking into her megawatt smile. Before Miranda realized she had even started moving again, her arms were wrapped around Andrea’s neck and they were kissing as if they had been separated for months instead of two days.
When they finally came up for air, Miranda took a half-step back and helped Andrea remove her coat. “I’m so glad you’re home,” she whispered. She opened the closet and hung up the coat as Andrea moved her bag over by the staircase.
“Me too. My meeting ended before noon, so I was able to catch an earlier flight.” Andrea grabbed Miranda’s hand and pulled her in for another kiss.
When she got the chance, Miranda murmured, “Nigel’s in the sitting room.”
Andrea sighed and dropped one last peck on Miranda’s lips. “Okay. But later,” Andrea wiggled her eyebrows and Miranda chuckled at the absurd expression.
Grabbing Andrea’s hand, Miranda led her to the sitting room. Nigel was standing, waiting for the couple. When Andrea stepped forward to greet him, Nigel swooped in and gathered her into a full-body hug lifting her off her feet. Andrea’s startled gasp and ringing laughter reflected her surprise at the over the top greeting. Miranda saw Nigel whisper into Andrea’s ear before grinning and releasing her.
Andrea gave him a suspicious look before turning her attention to Miranda. “You told him?” she guessed. After all, there was only one reason for Nigel to behave this way.
“I’m sorry, darling.” Miranda came up behind Andrea and wrapped her arms around the young woman’s middle while peering over her shoulder at Nigel.
“Nigel, you can never tell.” Andrea leaned into Miranda’s embrace, her expression somber.
“I know, Six. I’ll take it to my grave. I swear.” Nigel put his hand over his heart.
“How was your trip?” Miranda decided they needed to break the serious mood. She pushed her wife toward the loveseat and pointed Nigel to the wingback chair. She retrieved another glass before making herself comfortable next to Andrea. Miranda poured some whiskey into the clean glass and handed it to the younger woman.
Andrea took a sip, and her eyes popped open. “Oh, wow. Smooth.” She took another sip before telling Nigel and Miranda about her meetings with the governor and his staff. Miranda asked a few questions as Nigel remained silent.
“It looks like we’ll be able to expand the private/public partnership after the first of the year,” Andrea said as she lifted her glass in a silent toast.
“Congratulations, Six.” Nigel raised his glass to her. When he finished his drink, he set the empty glass on the coffee table. “I can’t quite wrap my mind around what you did.” He tilted his head and studied his friend. “What made you think you could pull it off?”
Shrugging, Andrea seemed uncomfortable with the subject. “Have you heard athletes describe being in the zone?” She waited for Nigel’s slow nod before continuing. “When I stepped into the office and saw Irv on the floor with Miranda holding the gun, it was like time stopped. I considered and discarded half a dozen scenarios before I reached Miranda’s desk.” She sighed. “I always heard that if you are going to tell a lie, keep it simple. There was only one lie that would work, and I had to protect Miranda.”
Miranda reached over and took Andy’s hand. “I would have survived, darling,” she said softly.
“Maybe, but at what price? I was serious that night. The girls needed you.” She set her glass down and turned, pulling one leg up as she faced her wife. “If you had been arrested, the DA would have gone nuts. Charging you would have earned him major political points. If you had been found guilty, there’s no telling how many years you could have been sentenced to prison.”
“She’s right,” Nigel sighed. “At least Andy got off relatively light.”
Miranda pursed her lips and stared at the hand she still clasped. “Light?” Miranda spat out. She raised her head and glared at Nigel and Andrea. “Because of me, she’s a convicted felon. She gave up her dreams for me. That seems to be a rather heavy price to pay.”
Andrea lifted Miranda’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “I will always protect you, sweetheart.”
“Even from myself?” Miranda huffed.
“Especially from yourself,” Andrea said as she squeezed Miranda’s fingers. “Besides, dreams change. I think I’m doing good work with the foundation. A lot of women are getting help, and that’s changing their lives.” Andrea reached up and ran a finger along Miranda’s cheek. “I have you, so my dreams came true after all,” she whispered.
Miranda’s glare dissolved, and a gentle smile took its place.
“I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I call a cab,” Nigel said, flashing a fond grin as he pulled out his phone and placed the call. He stood and paused. “Andy, may I ask one question? I promise I’ll never bring it up again.”
Andrea tilted her head as she considered his request. “Sure.”
Nigel rubbed his chin. “Why did you shoot into the carpet?”
Raising an eyebrow, Andrea gazed at Nigel with a curious expression on her face. “GSR.”
At his confused look, she elaborated. “Gunshot residue. I wasn’t sure if they would even test me, but I wanted to make sure there was some on my hand and clothing. I didn’t know how thorough an investigation the detectives would perform. After all, they had a confession.”
“So did they?” Nigel arched an eyebrow.
“No,” she answered with wry smile. “But I had no idea what was going to happen that night.” Miranda watched Andrea stand and offer her a hand. Grasping it, Miranda rose from her chair and did not release it as they followed Nigel down the hallway.
“I suppose I’ll see the two of you on Friday at the party,” Nigel said.
Andrea’s eyes widened. “Ahh, I wasn’t planning on attending.” She grimaced as Miranda pursed her lips. “I was going to offer to babysit Isabella,” she whined.
“Andrea, we discussed this. I would like you to attend with me.” Miranda said, her voice turning frosty.
“Miranda, sweetie, think about it. It wouldn’t be right. I don’t want to take away from your big night.” Andrea looked to Nigel to back her up.
“Don’t look at me.” Nigel raised his hands. “I think you of all people should be there.”
“Huh?” Confused, Andrea swung her gaze from Nigel to Miranda and back.
“Six, as far as everyone at Runway is concerned, you saved Miranda.” Nigel reached into the closet and pulled out his coat. “By saving Miranda, you saved Runway and Men’s Runway.”
When Andrea continued to look baffled, Nigel continued. “If Irv had driven Miranda away, Runway would have folded within a year. Men’s Runway would not have seen the light of day.”
“But you,” Andrea began.
“No.” Nigel frowned. “I was never Irv or the board’s choice for editor-in-chief. In fact, anyone with close ties to Miranda would have been gone. That means me, Emily, Serena, Jocelyn, and quite a few others.” He started to pull on his coat and paused. “If Miranda had been arrested, the results would have been the same. The board would have run the magazine into the ground.”
Nigel finished pulling on his coat and pointed at Andrea. “You are a Runway legend. Everyone I’ve ever spoken to believes you did the right thing. I can just imagine the number of heads that would explode if they knew the whole truth.” He chuckled.
“Darling, you made it possible for me to retire. I want you at my retirement celebration with me. You deserve to be there.” Miranda lifted Andrea’s hand and kissed it.
“I wanted to see Isabella. Besides, I don’t have anything to wear,” Andrea complained.
“Really, Andrea,” Miranda scoffed. “There is a dress waiting for you in your closet. Serena and Emily have made arrangements with their nanny to watch Isabella the night of the party. We will see her on Saturday when we celebrate her first birthday.”
“Fine. I guess I’ll see you Friday, Nigel,” Andrea sighed.
“Wonderful.” Nigel hugged Andrea and kissed Miranda’s cheek before leaving.
They watched from the doorway as Nigel got into the cab and sped away.
After closing the door Miranda pulled Andrea into her arms. “You gave up so much for me. I can never repay you.”
Andrea returned the embrace and laid her head on Miranda’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, it’s not about being in debt to each other. I would die for you. Or more importantly, I would live for you. Just as I did in prison.”
Miranda sighed. “You never talk about your time there,” she said sadly.
“There’s not much to tell. I endured.” Pulling back, Andrea shrugged.
Tilting her head, Miranda looked at Andrea as sadness washed through her. She reached up and moved a lock of hair behind Andrea’s ear.
Andrea gave her a gentle smile. “Every day I woke up, I was one day closer to you. I did whatever I was told: swept floors, washed dishes, helped women with their reading. I kept busy so that the day would fly by. Then I’d go to bed, and the next morning I was another day closer.”
Miranda closed her eyes, and Andrea gently cupped her cheek. “And now?” Miranda whispered.
Miranda smiled when Andrea pulled her into a hug. “Now I get up in the morning grateful that we are together. I savor every moment with you. If I could, I would grab time and slow it down so that I could experience each moment longer with you.”
“I’m so much older, darling.” Miranda pulled back to look into Andrea’s eyes. “I won’t always be here.”
“You don’t know that,” Andrea said as she shook her head. “I may go first.” Before Miranda could protest, Andrea held up a finger. “But if you do pass before me, I will endure. I’ll rush through my day, and each morning when I get up, I’ll be one day closer to you.”
Miranda rolled her eyes. “You are excruciatingly romantic.”
“I know.” Andrea smirked before kissing Miranda’s cheek. “It’s a gift.”
“Take me to bed, Andrea,” Miranda whispered. She felt her wife lead her toward the staircase as she had so many times before.
“Yes, Miranda,” Andrea whispered.
To Part 5