Catalyst (13 page)

She kissed her father and reached for her cellphone.
She took Lem's business card from the fannypack wrapped around her
waist, found his home number and punched it in.

It was answered on the fifth ring.

"What do you want, now?" Lem's curt voice came over
the line.

Renee's heart lurched and she almost hung up without
talking. "Lem," she spluttered. "It's Renee. Have I rung at an
inconvenient time?"

The change in Lem's voice was immediate with anger
replaced by relief. "Renee. Oh God, am I glad to hear from you.
Where are you?"

Renee gave Lem a brief summary of her day.

"Oh Renee," Lem responded. "I've been thinking about
you all day and hoped you'd call."

"So why the snarl at the beginning?"

"Nikki," Lem replied. "The hysterical woman has rung
me three times and I'd just hung up on her five minutes ago. I
thought it was her again."

"Why? Couldn't you raise the money to buy her
out?"

"Oh yes, that went through okay." Lem laughed. "She
didn't like what she received. Reckoned I was swindling her. She's
going to serve a warrant out against me, take me to the Supreme
Court, petition the Governor and God knows what else."

"But why?"

Lem repeated his news, while Renee listened
intently.

"And did your accountant know this would happen?" she
asked.

"After the breakdown and rumors went around, he
guessed our shares would fall before rising but there was no way
that he could predict we'd have an equipment failure."

"And he never started the rumor?"

"No, My Dear Attorney."

Renee had to smile. "Okay, I know I slipped my
business cap on. It's just that if your wife could prove he
manipulated the situation to force the shares down, she may have a
case."

"I know." Lem's voice turned serious. "That's what
she swears she's going to do. If I don't give her another thirty
thousand, she's going to file a criminal charge against Ashley and
me. I told her to go ahead and hung up on her. That was two calls
back. She rang again, screamed abuse, so I hung up again."

"I see," Renee replied. "I'll forgive you for being
abrupt, then." She relaxed and switched the conversation back to
her father and herself with Lem providing the supporting ear.

They spoke for such a long time that the cellphone
beeped to indicate her card would soon expire. "I must go." Renee
said a quick goodbye and was about to click off when she heard Lem
talking.

"Can I take you out for supper on Thursday evening? I
hear there are good restaurants near your place."

"But we're sixty miles from Seattle."

"That's no problem," Lem replied with a chuckle.
"I'll find you. I'll be there at six. Okay?"

"It's a date," Renee said and tried to conceal a
tingling feeling inside.

"And Renee. Thank you for calling. It's the most
welcomed call I've had all day. Remember, I love you."

"I love you, too, Lem." Renee responded as the line
went dead. She turned to where Courtney had jammed herself beside
her and listened to her last comments. "Don't say a word, Courtney.
Not one word."

"I only..."

"Not one."

Courtney grinned, gave a shrug and shouted in
exasperation. "I just wanted to say, Grandma is taking us out for
supper but if you aren't interested…"

"I am." Renee laughed as she swung out with her
crutches. "I'd forgotten how hungry I am."

****

It still wasn't noon when the Blazer turned from I-90
into Spokane after a journey of just under four hours. However,
instead of stopping there as they had originally intended, the four
travelers continued. They headed onto Highway 2 that took a more
northerly course across Washington. It was a long but beautiful
journey with Courtney and her grandmother enraptured by the scenery
of high peaks and fir forests as the scenic highway wound through
the Cascade Mountain Range for over a hundred miles. By evening
they had reached the west coast and Jack took over the driving.
Fifty minutes later they turned inland, traveled the last few miles
along a valley and turned down a long drive between fields of
potatoes. At the end, surrounded by trees and a wide expansive
lawn, was a two story wooden farmhouse. The drive circled around to
the back where a traditional barn filled the backyard.

"It's lovely," Courtney whispered.

Renee, though, had her eyes on a brand new, pearl
white Cadillac parked in front of the barn. She frowned. "More
estate agents." she muttered as they pulled in behind the other
automobile.

"I don't think so," Courtney replied. "I can see
someone you can't."

Renee swung around, stared across her friend's
shoulder and broke into a smile. "It's Lem."

Renee was out of the Blazer and hobbling forward
without remembering to grab her crutches. Lem met her halfway
between the two vehicles and grabbed her in his arms.

"So this is the right place?" he said.

"Yes," Renee replied. She reached up and kissed him
on the cheek. "But how come you're here?"

"Well, I happened to be in the neighborhood and
thought I'd drop in."

"Sixty miles up the interstate." She gazed at the
Cadillac. "You didn't have to hire this flashy auto, though."

"It's not hired."

Renee was surprised. "It's yours?"

Lem nodded and flushed.

"Look," Courtney screamed from the Cadillac's door.
"It's all leather inside. Can I sit in it, Lem?"

"Sure. Take it for a drive, if you like."

"You mean it?"

"The key's inside."

Mere seconds later the Cadillac reversed and headed
down the drive, while Renee, with Lem's hand firmly in her own,
headed for the house. When they reached the back veranda, the
family dog came bounding up the drive with its tail thumping.

"Zona." Renee laughed and rubbed the dog's ears. "How
are you, boy?" She glanced at Lem, who stood near with a slight
smile. "This is Arizona but he's usually called Zona."

"Hi, Zona," Lem said and rubbed the dog's back.

Large brown eyes inspected him, looked across at
Renee and back. The tail that had stopped wagging began again when
it was obvious she approved of this stranger.

"Welcome home. Zona and I came over to feed the cat
but didn't expect you until tomorrow." A different voice
interrupted them.

Renee looked up to where a woman in her mid-forties
appeared. "Oh, hi Diane," she said and turned to Lem. "This is
Diane Ellis, our neighbor from across the road. Diane has been
looking after Zona and keeping an eye on the place."

"I recognize you from the TV news, Lem" Diane said.
"I saw your car here and came to check but a young girl drove it
out."

"I see you're a good neighbor," Lem replied and shook
the woman's hand. "I should have realized nothing can escape you
country folk."

"And Courtney just had to take the flashy auto for a
drive," Renee said.

The trio headed indoors where Diane was introduced to
Amy and invited to stay for coffee. Courtney arrived with a look of
achievement, tossed the car keys at Lem, said a quick hi to Diane
and rubbed Zona down. Again, the dog looked at his mistress with
intelligent eyes before accepting the newcomer.

Renee smiled at the familiar kitchen. It was good to
be home and to have Lem with her was a special bonus. However, she
noticed that when Zona glanced at Amy, his eyes turned from
excitement to apprehension and for a moment his tail stopped
wagging.

****

CHAPTER
12

The November day was cold, wet and depressing. Renee
pulled the cape over her damp hair, zipped her jacket and raced
from her Cavalier Sport Coupe through the puddles to the mall. It
was good to get away from the restraints of a plastered ankle and
to drive and do other normal things in life.

She reached the mall and brushed back her cape.
Courtney was to be here but was nowhere in sight. Oh well, Plan B.
Whenever they missed each other the agreement was to meet in a
nearby food court. She walked there with a slight limp, a legacy
from her accident, bought a coffee and small slice of pie and found
a vacant table.

As she sat gazing at the crowded tables, her mind
switched reviewed the last few months. Having Amy around was good
for her father but it did have its downside. Oh, she was genuine
enough.

She sighed, ripped open a packet of sugar and stirred
it in her coffee. Perhaps she should try harder. After all, it was
only little issues that were difficult, being tidy for example.
She'd always been one to relax at home and spread things around.
Since her dad's stroke the top floor had become her own. She used
one bedroom like an office and spread documents and papers
everywhere.

She grinned at the exasperation she had felt when she
arrived home one evening to find a new desk shifted in and the
place immaculate. Even potted plants and new curtains were placed
in the sunny bay window. It was lovely but she felt her privacy had
been violated and though she attempted to hide her disapproval, her
father knew how she felt. However, instead of backing her as he
usually did, he remained silent. By default, this gave Amy the go
ahead to make other changes. The place wasn't home any longer.

Renee sighed and sipped her coffee.

"Okay, what is it that keeps you oblivious to
everything around, Grandma, work, or your last romp with Lem?"

Renee jumped in fright. "Courtney. I wish you'd stop
that terrible habit of sneaking up."

"Sneaking. I've been standing here patiently for five
minutes. You were in a trance. If I didn't know better I'd swear
you were on the downside of an Ecstasy pill."

"Thanks."

"Well?" Courtney repeated. She placed a tray of food
on the table and pulled out a chair. "Is it me?"

"Of course not. Remember when you said you wished we
were still down in the cave in our own little world, just us and
nobody else."

Courtney nodded.

"I feel a little like that now."

"Just you and Lem?"

"You, too. It wouldn't be the same if you weren't
there."

"But no Grandma or those pains at work."

"Exactly." Renee flushed and regretted her honesty.
"I'm sorry. Amy is a great person and I think Daddy loves her."

"I know." Courtney sighed. "I've noticed the tension
and I guess I don't help. It's happened before, you know."

"What?"

"Grandma. She starts off being loving and oh so
kind." Courtney rolled her eyes. "Then she takes over. There was
another old guy back in Michigan she moved in with. It lasted
almost a year before his family intervened. They accused her of
being after his money and…" She shrugged. "Anyhow, Maurice, that
was the guy's name, followed his family's advice and booted her
out."

"You do explain things beautifully, Courtney," Renee
replied with a chuckle.

"Well, he did," the girl growled. "Mind you, Grandma
was better off without him. I was trying to show she's no angel,
that's all."

"I think Dad and her get on okay," Renee added. "It's
my relationship with her. I don't want to hurt him."

"You haven't. That, I'm sure."

Renee stared earnestly at her companion. Their bond
filled a vacuum from her earlier life. They were real friends,
something she hadn't experienced since high school days.

"Oh, hell." Courtney interrupted her thoughts. "Here
you go again."

****

On Friday the office problems were put in
perspective. Even Annette Usborne's constant complaints could be
tolerated. The elder William was still in charge and it was only
his friendship and support that kept Renee at Usborne, Usborne and
Westendarp and of course, the more interesting workload. She spent
much of her time on civil cases with her success rate in court
noted by the increase in approaches to the firm for
representation.

"So you'll be in court on Tuesday?" Annette asked as
the women filed the last documents.

"Yes," Renee replied. "The Escantia case. Rosa
Escantia just snapped after years of abuse." She shrugged. "A
manslaughter charge is totally unfair, let alone second degree
murder."

This was Renee's first major criminal defense case.
The firm had been appointed by the court to defend a Hispanic
migrant worker accused of killing her husband. There was no doubt
she had stabbed the man but when Renee sifted through the evidence
and with some difficulty obtained the woman's confidence, a violent
history of wife abuse was uncovered.

"And you have nothing to pull out of the hat?"

"Not really. We will stress the abuse she suffered
for a decade and why she reacted after her husband thrashed her
because his supper was cold. Unfortunately, she is still in a
highly emotional state. If the DA gets her rattled I'm afraid her
chances of an acquittal are slim."

"And you've briefed her on this?"

Renee bristled. "I have. She realizes the importance
to remain calm."

"Okay." Annette smiled for first time. "I know you're
doing everything possible to help the poor woman. Thank you."

Renee glanced up but the compliment seemed genuine.
"Thanks Annette," she said. "It is difficult to stay detached in
this case but that is the only way we can help Rosa."

"See you on Monday, then?"

"Sure. 'Bye."

She gathered up her inevitable briefcase and took the
elevator to the basement car lot. Thoughts of another weekend with
Lem made the downpour outside almost seem exciting.

****

The storm buffeted the Cavalier as soon as she turned
onto the street. The traffic was heavy, driving at a snail's pace
and motorists had headlights on. Renee pressed the radio button to
an easy listening station and grinned. It was always classical
music that played at home now.