Catalyst (25 page)

"Do you think she will welcome you with open arms in
her house?" Lem asked.

"She doesn't live in a house," Courtney retorted.
"It's a semi-detached bungalow."

"And do you know what that is?"

"Well, no," Courtney replied. "A big house like this
one, I guess."

Lem frowned. "A semi-detached bungalow is a line of
houses all joined together. Often they go straight onto the street.
England is a crowded country not a lot bigger than Washington
State." Now he had the girl's attention he continued to press his
point, explaining how she could be cut off from everyone and if
things went wrong, could be isolated in a foreign country.

Renee watched Courtney's face as Lem talked. It
appeared he was beginning to convince her.

"So all we say is to weigh everything up," Lem
concluded. "Talk to Ken and Linda. Phone your Grandma and talk to
her. It's not true that we're trying to hold you here and you know
that, don't you?"

Renee noticed his eyes bore into Courtney who nodded.
"I didn't mean it that way. I thought you'd be as thrilled as I was
but now…" She glanced up and saw Renee's face. "I don't want to
hurt you, Renee."

"That's okay. When does your dad want you to make up
your mind, Courtney?"

"He's going home at the end of next week and wants me
to go with him."

"Would you mind if we spoke to your dad about
it?"

"Why?" Courtney's voice jumped to the defensive.

"To discuss your choices. Nothing secret. You can be
there, too, if you wish."

"I suppose."

"And talk to Ken," Lem added. "How do you think he'll
feel if you go away? You've done so much for him. Think what would
happen if you left him."

"He'll get another girlfriend," Courtney said in an
unconvincing voice. "Perhaps Linda. I reckon she's sweet on
him."

Renee caught Lem's eyes but his concerned expressions
did not change. She knew they had made Courtney stop and think. If
they pushed more it could be counterproductive.

"The decision is yours, Courtney," Lem said. "We can
advise and help you but remember, everything we said is because we
care for you. Think about that, won't you?"

The girl nodded. "Yeah, okay." Then she left the
room.

"I think we handled it the right way. If we'd told
her what her father's real motives are I don't think she'd believe
us," Lem said.

"The trouble is I think the next time she sees her
father, he'll make her forget any doubts we've planted in her
mind."

"Then I'll speak to him first," Lem replied grimly.
"Perhaps he needs to be told a few home truths."

Renee grimaced. "Okay but be diplomatic."

"Oh, I will but it's more than he deserves," Lem
retorted.

****

The Grand Pacific International
was a
high-rise hotel that catered to the business community, a perfect
place for someone of Hank Howlett's standing but the decor didn't
impress Lem. Though he could afford this type of place as easy as
Howlett, he preferred more family-type accommodation.

As soon as he walked into the main foyer, uniformed
staff attended to Lem. Perhaps it was the Cadillac that attracted
their attention. He grinned and wondered whether the reception
would have been as prompt if he had arrived in Ken's old
Mustang.

"Mr. Howlett is in the games room, Mr. Erksberg.
Shall I page him for you?" An immaculately dressed man behind the
reception desk responded to Lem's inquiry.

"No, point me in the right direction," Lem replied in
a cold voice. Snobbery did not impress him one bit.

"As you wish." The man sniffed. "You will require a
visitor's pass." He handed Lem a small gold card. "We usually wear
a tie in the games room." He glanced at Lem's polo neck jersey.

Lem stared at the man with ice-cold eyes. "I am not
impressed by your attitude…" He dropped his gaze to the man's
nametag… "Mr. Buenom, I do not have time to worry about your dress
code. Either show me where this Games Room is or direct me to the
manager's office where I will file a complaint about your lack of
courtesy."

Two minutes later he was standing beside a pool table
where Hank had finished playing a game.

"Lem," Hank said. "What a pleasant surprise."

"We need to talk," Lem replied in a monotone. "About
Courtney."

Hank was about to say something but hesitated. "She
told you about my offer, I guess. Come to the bar. The Blue Room is
private and we won't be disturbed."

After a minimal amount of small talk Lem stared into
Hank's eyes. "Have you any idea what your daughter has gone though
in the last year?"

Hank frowned but his attempt to look angry or be in
command of the conversation failed dismally. "I know she ran away,
got lost in a cave and was taken under your wing. I appreciate the
help you have given her but…"

"She was violently raped and on the verge of suicide
when we, as you put it, took her under our wing," Lem replied in a
curt voice.

"Rubbish," Howlett retorted but his eyes avoided
Lem's. "Courtney always did have a vivid imagination."

Lem glared at his adversary, reached for the
briefcase he had with him and brought out a pile of documents. He
found one and placed it on the small coffee table in front of their
armchairs. "A patient report from the clinic Courtney visited in
Florida."

Hank picked up the document and read it silently for
several moments. "Oh Jesus. I didn't know."

"The only family member who came to her assistance
was your mother-in-law. We have cared for your daughter and your
wife's partner paid her college fees."

"Thank you for that," Hank replied. "If you need any
financial reimbursement for Courtney's care…"

"That will not be necessary."

"But that does not change the offer I made to
Courtney. I am giving her a chance that will help make up for the
terrible things she suffered."

"You weren't there when she needed you the most,
Hank," Lem said. "When two complete strangers provide the love and
care her parents neglected to give her…"

"Now see here," Howlett interrupted.

Whether the anger was genuine or feigned, Lem didn't
know but he was too annoyed to care. "We know about your affair
with a Lady Jane Hunter-Browne, your application for a new British
work permit and the fact that Courtney is already enrolled at
Cambridge."

Howlett's face darkened. "How?"

"Renee is a lawyer with considerable means at her
disposal." Lem held up another document. "A private investigator's
report."

"How dare you. I've a good mind to…"

"This is confidential and known to nobody except
Renee, me and now, you. I believe the contents are true but if you
wish to file a complaint with the proper authorities, you are
within your rights."

"That isn't necessary," Hank replied in a quiet
voice. "Okay, I neglected seeing Courtney but I was in Britain,
Lem. I didn't know where she was until Amy contacted me."

"When was that?"

Hank looked as if he was about to make another angry
retort but stopped. "Okay but the offer to Courtney was genuine. It
still stands."

"Tell me," Lem continued. "How did you enroll
Courtney without her signature? She is legally an adult now, in
England as well as here, so she would need to sign the form."

Howlett glowered but said nothing.

"We have told Courtney nothing about this, Hank, nor
do we want to. However, if you continue to push her to go back with
you, we shall have to reconsider our position. I'm sure the
university wouldn't be too pleased to hear the circumstances
involving her enrollment."

"That's blackmail."

"Is it?" Lem replied. "I call it helping a young
woman beginning to cope with her life. She has a bright future,
Hank. Don't spoil it for her."

"I wasn't going to."

"For God's sake, man." Lem retorted with his anger
rising. "Think of your daughter for a change and not some social
standing you may aspire to in a foreign country." He stood and
placed his glass down. "Thank you for the drink." Without a
backward glance, he stalked out.

****

Courtney looked across the Mustang at Ken, who stared
straight ahead even though the vehicle was parked at the curb of a
city street.

"Well, aren't you glad for me?" she asked.

Ken turned toward her. "I don't want you to go,
Courtney," he said and stared out the windshield again. "I know
it's mean but that's how I feel."

Courtney pouted. It was turning out wrong. First
Renee and Lem were cold on the idea, Linda went further and told
her she was a stupid idiot giving up everything and now Ken.

"It's not definite," she said and placed a hand on
Ken's leg.

Ken turned, placed both hands on her cheeks and
kissed her on the lips. Then, without another word he climbed out
of the car and walked up the sidewalk.

Courtney followed but it took several moments before
she caught up with him. She grabbed his arm and stopped him. He
turned and Courtney saw his face was awash with tears.

"I love you, Courtney," he said. "Without you, I am a
nobody but you won't be interested in a big cry baby will you?"

Courtney felt a pang of emotion grip her as she
stared at the silent tears running down her friend's cheeks. He was
crying for her. He needed her. She realized the reverse was also
true and the idea of going across the world and leaving him, Renee,
Lem and even Jack, Diane and Linda, lost its appeal. She had more
friends now than anytime in her life. She couldn't leave them.

She tucked her arms through Ken's and hugged him
close. "Oh Ken. I feel so proud that you care." She kissed him
softly on the lips. "Come on. Let's go home. Perhaps the letters
from Washington State have arrived."

They drove home and into the drive to find Linda
waiting for them. "They're here," the girl screamed. "I got
in."

She held two large yellow envelopes out to her
friends and Courtney could see the Washington State University's
icon printed across the top left corner.

She felt another rush of adrenaline. Her nervous
fingers could barely open the envelope but she managed and withdrew
a thick wad of literature. The slim white front page grabbed her
attention.

"Dear Miss Howlett," it began. "We have great
pleasure in advising you…"

"I got in!"

"Me too," Ken replied. A slow grin swept across his
face, he tucked his arms around both girls and kissed them each on
the cheek.

Linda chuckled, then turned serious. "But what about
your father's offer?"

"Oh that," Courtney said with a casual shrug. "Who
wants to go to England, anyway?"

****

Renee never heard what was said but Cambridge wasn't
mentioned again and Hank returned to England early. Courtney was on
a new high but this time it was about how her friends and her were
going to fit into the huge Washington State campus. On Saturday
afternoon, Renee, Lem and Courtney drove Hank to SeaTac
International Airport, said all the correct things and watched as
he walked out of their lives.

"We have an hour and a half wait," Lem said. "Let's
go and have a meal together. It's on me."

Courtney blew her nose and turned away from the
departure doors where her father had disappeared. "Why are we
waiting?"

"I agreed to pick up a colleague," Lem replied. "You
aren't in a hurry, are you?"

"No," Courtney said and smiled. "You know, when I was
about twelve I had screaming sessions with Daddy all the time. I
think that's why he sent me off to Miss Shelton's Academy. Mind
you, Mom and him weren't getting on too well at the time."

"Nobody's perfect," Renee replied, caught Lem's eye
and glanced at an overhead monitor that showed the flight they were
waiting for had arrived.

Mere seconds later a familiar voice called out. "Hi
there, Honey. Are you going to give your Grandma a welcoming
kiss?"

Courtney, who had her head engrossed in a glossy
magazine, jumped in fright. "Grandma!" she exclaimed and leapt to
her feet.

She ran towards her grandmother but stopped
mid-stride and gasped. A slim brunette woman in her late thirties
stood beside Amy with an apprehensive smile.

"Mom," Courtney whispered.

Her hesitant step turned into a run.

"Oh Mom," the girl cried in delight. "Come and meet
Renee and Lem. I'm so thrilled to see you." She turned. "You too,
Grandma."

"Courtney," Lizzie Howlett replied as she held her
daughter. "I swear you've grown two inches and I love the way
you've got your hair. When Renee phoned Mom and invited her over, I
had to come too. I hope you don't mind."

"Mind," Courtney screamed. "My God, Mom, of course
not. I've got so much to tell you. Wait until you see Lem and
Renee's house. It's so cool and…"

Renee squeezed Lem's hand. Everything was working
out.

Unlike Hank, Lizzie and Amy stayed at Lem's place.
Amy appeared no different and even asked about Jack and Diane,
while Lizzie became as popular with Linda and Ken as she was with
Courtney. They visited the university together, looked through
Lem's factory, took in some markets on the waterfront, visited the
Seattle Needle Tower, went on a night ferry cruise and even took a
seaplane flight over the city.

Five days later, the pair departed with a promise
never to stay out of touch again and an assurance by Courtney she
would visit her mother before the summer was over.

"Well, one of our extended family is sorted out,"
Renee said to Lem that evening. "Two actually. Ken seems content.
There's only Linda now."

"She's a resourceful young lady," Lem replied. "And
with her top notch lawyer, I'm sure she'll come out a winner."

"I hope so."

Lem smiled. "Oh, I forgot to tell you that Pat
McQuilkin wrote me a letter. It seems he is still trying to find
that necklace and is offering a reward if we can find it for
him."