This idea was requested by a follower of mine...
***
"Fuck." Alexis stared at the ATM screen. "How can there be no money in the account?" She retrieved her card from the slot, ignored the honks of the cars behind her and slowly pulled away from the machine. She pulled over to the side of the parking lot and dialed her bank.
After going through multiple automated messages that didn't seem to get her any further towards finding out what was happening with her bank account, she finally reached a real person. She verified her account number and address and waited for the representative to tell her that it was all a big mistake.
"I'm sorry Ms. Johnson, but that account is closed."
"Closed, how can it be closed? There had to be $40,000 in that checking account."
"I'm sorry Ma'am. It seems that it was closed this morning at 10:30 am, by a William Johnson."
"How about the savings account?" Alexis read off the account number.
"Sorry, Ma'am, that account is closed as well."
"What the fuck, Bill? What have you done." She hung up without another word to the rep and dialed her husband.
"I'm sorry, that number has been disconnected," the automated voice chimed in her ear.
Alexis started to panic. She opened the door and stepped out into the chilly autumn air. She wrapped her sweater around herself. At 5'3", her breasts seemed too large for her petite body, but she was proud of her 36 Cs. She had a classic hourglass shape that seemed more appropriate for pin up girl days, topped off by a long mane of curly brunette hair. She was used to people, both men and women, stopping to stare when she entered a room. The wind whipped her hair around her face and she felt her nipples harden in the chill.
"He's got to be at home," she thought, getting back in the car.
She drove through the upper class neighborhood on the north side of the city. Their house, that they had purchased shortly after their marriage 4 years ago, sat in a cul-de-sac. Over 4,000 square feet, with a 4 car garage, pool, hot tub and in law quarters in the back.
There was a unfamiliar van in the driveway. She stormed out of the car towards the front door. A man, a working man, was at the door, fiddling with the locks.
"What do you think you're doing?" Alexis demanded.
"I'm just changing the locks, Ma'am."
"Changing the locks? This is my house. I didn't ask you to change the locks." She pushed past the man, into the house. The foyer was the same, as were the den and living room. All of her things that she had so meticulously picked out to fit into the high society that her marriage to Bill provided her, were there. "What the fuck!" she shouted, "Bill!"
She ran up the stairs. There was still a bed in the master bedroom, but her closets were empty. All of her clothes were gone. Bill didn't answer.
She ran back downstairs. The man was waiting by the door.
"I really don't know anything Ma'am. I was just told to give you this and to make sure that I lock the doors and that you aren't inside when I do." He held out an envelope.
Alexis grabbed it from his hand and stormed down the walkway. She got into her Lexus LC500 and turned up the heat before tearing open the envelope.
"Alexis:
I'm sure that you have some questions, but let's suffice to say that I'm tired of your attitude. I have been planning this for months. All our financial accounts are closed, the house has been sold and I'm sure that your car will be repossessed any day. You came into this marriage with nothing and that is what you will leave with. Don't try to contact lawyers. I assure you that while what has been done might not be exactly legal, no one will ever be able to trace me or the money.
However, I'm not a cold heartless person. You won't be out on the streets. Call this number-xxx-xxxx. Simply tell the person who answers your name and they will take care of the rest.
Bill"
"What the fuck? What the fuck am I supposed to do?" Her first thought was to call their lawyers, but she realized that their lawyers were really Bill's lawyers. She dialed the number, waiting while it rang.
"Hello, this is Alexis Johnson."
"Yes, Ms. Johnson, we've been expecting your call. What is your exact location right now?
"I'm in front of my house."
"You don't have a house, Alexis. The voice was female, cold, formal.
"You know where I am," she screamed into the phone. "Hello? Hello?" The woman had hung up.
She dialed again. The woman answered, "I hope that you won't be so disrespectful again."
'I..I...I'm sorry. I don't know what's happening here."
"You will sit in the driveway. My employer will arrive in 15 minutes to explain the situation to you."
"Hello? Hello? What do you mean?" The phone was silent.
Alexis dug around in the glove box and found an old pack of cigarettes. She pulled a bent cigarette from the pack, realized that she didn't have a lighter and crushed it between her fingers. "Fuck."
20 minutes later a sedan pulled in behind her. She watched as a tall man with salt and pepper hair and stylish beard got out of the car. He walked towards her and stood beside the Lexus, waiting. Alexis rolled the window down a bit. "Yes?"
"Get out of the car Alexis. I don't have time to fuck around here."
No one ever spoke to her in that manner, but she found herself opening the door. The man towered over her, making her feel smaller than she already was.