Justice for All (11 page)

Kay decided she needed a partner for the New Year’s Eve party, and Tamara was more than a little excited about the invite. When they walked into the hotel ballroom, the woman’s mouth dropped open in wonder, and she twirled in circles to take it all in. This wasn’t the first of these parties Kay had attended, so she wasn’t nearly as impressed.

“Geez, Kay. This is like, wow. Awesome. This has got to be a corporate sponsored thing. I mean, people don’t do this, do they?”

Kay dropped her head to the side and grinned. “People like Thomas do. Or rather, his parents do to keep people like Thomas happy.”

“He must be loaded,” Tamara breathed.

“I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it. Here he comes now.”

Thomas stalked over to them, head high and cocky. He looked nice, dressed in a black tuxedo, his hair slicked back. When he got to them, he leaned in to hug her, pecking her on the cheek.

“This is my friend, Tamara. She’s been anxious to meet you.” Kay put her hand to the other woman’s elbow and motioned her forward to meet him.

“A pleasure,” he said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips in an exaggerated show of chivalry. “Now c’mon, ladies. Got a table just for you right this way.”

Kay let them go ahead of her, then she scoped out the nearest restroom. Tamara glanced over her shoulder at her, and as women do, they made hand motions to signal their intentions. As soon as she got into the bathroom, Kay fished her phone out of her clutch and tapped to retrieve a message that had come through just as Thomas was being introduced.

Remind me to tell you about Mom’s premonition about you. Have a good time tonight, even if you are with him.

She chuckled and rolled her eyes, blood rushing in her ears with excitement like a school-girl getting a note from her boyfriend.

I brought Tamara to distract Thomas. Have fun with Mom. Can’t wait to hear about the premonition.

By the time she’d finished her business and was washing her hands, the phone vibrated again.

I miss you. The taste of you. The feel of you.

A shiver of delight moved down her spin, heat centering between her legs at the mere suggestion of their lovemaking. She clenched that spot tight as she squeezed her legs together.

Don’t make me too desperate. There are a lot of eligible men here who might want to take me home.

Sitting down in one of the plush chairs just past the bathroom stalls, she waited for his response, repeatedly hitting the button to keep the screen awake.

You are a tease, Miss Rawley. If you go home with any of them I’ll find out. Remember, Tamara works for me.

Before she could tap a response, a second message popped up.

Have a good time. I’ll see you soon.

When she got back to the party, Tamara rushed her with flushed cheeks. “They have goodie bags. This is real Tiffany!” she held up a little silver bracelet with a heart on it. “My sister is gonna freak!”

Kay looped her arm through Tamara’s and walked her toward the door prize table. “Tell you what, let’s get my bag, and you can give her my bracelet.”

“No!” she objected, though there was a glint of excitement in her eyes. “I couldn’t do that.”

Chuckling, Kay grabbed one of the bags. “Remember, I come to these things every year. It’s no biggie for me.”

Tamara took the offering and clutched it to her chest like a prized possession. “Thanks, Kay. I really appreciate it. Trisha’s just gonna die when I tell her.”

They made their way to the table Thomas had shown Tamara and ordered a few drinks. While they waited, her friend took out her cell phone and snapped a few pictures, texting them to her sibling.

“Hey, you gorgeous gals, no sitting down. The bass is thumping, and it’s time to start dancing.” Thomas approached the table, gyrating his hips with a swaggering grin.

Tamara practically leaped from her seat, while Kay carefully put her hand to the table and lifted herself up. She let the other two go ahead onto the dance floor, following a ways back. Giving into the beat of the music, she began to dance. Tamara seemed to be taking a definite interest in Thomas, which made it easy for Kay not to find herself in the awkward position of gyrating too close to him. When a slow song began to play, she quickly exited the dance floor and hoped he would take Tamara into his arms.

By the time she reached the table and grabbed up her drink, the other two were moving back and forth gracefully. She watched Tamara’s head tilt back as she laughed, and Kay smiled, hopeful. The couple came back to the table a few minutes later, chatting amicably.

“Need another drink, Kay?” Thomas asked, snapping his fingers at a passing waiter.

It did no good to protest. Kay nodded but chugged a glass of water so she could be sure she wouldn’t drink too much. By the way Thomas was beginning to talk louder and louder, she figured he had already had several.

“Oooh,” he cried out, putting out his hands, palms up, and motioning all of his fingers to Kay. “Another smooth one. Your turn.”

Tamara nodded. “Yeah, you two get out there next. I’m gonna nurse this glass of wine before I dance another.”

And before she knew it she was in his arms. The dance started innocently enough, a good six inches of space between them as they moved. She didn’t want to tell him about her budding relationship with Van, which would have been the easiest way to halt any subtle pursuit he might still make. Keeping a friendly distance was for now the best option, but before long his hands began to wander to places she didn’t feel comfortable with. “Thomas… “

He rolled his eyes and moved in closer to her ear. “Just being friendly, babe. You know me.”

Snorting and shaking her head. “I know you and I know you’d better keep your hands in check. No touchy, feely.”

“Damn, always a party pooper.” He motioned his chin towards Tamara. “Your friend’s cool. Glad you brought her along.”

“Yeah, she is, isn’t she?” Kay jumped in, glad for the subject change. “She works at the office. I’m sure I’ve talked to you about her before. She’s going to school for accounting. You’d probably have a lot in common.”

“Hey! Are you trying to set me up with your co-worker? When I only have eyes for you?” He laughed, shaking the arm holding her hand with playful affection.

“Me? You think I would try to set you up?”

When they made it back to their table, Kay noticed some of the hotel staff taking places close to the ropes for the balloon and confetti drop. She knew that meant midnight was approaching. Grabbing her clutch she headed towards the bathrooms again. Her phone showed just a few minutes before the New Year, so she found a quiet space and tapped out a message to Van.

Happy New Year, Mr. Van Buren. Even if I have to wait a few days for it, yours will be the first lips I kiss this year.

Then, smiling like the Cheshire Cat, she waited with her thumb over the send button. As soon as the balloons and glittered confetti began to fall, she pressed the key.

Distracted by the warm thoughts of her lover, she didn’t realize someone had come up behind her. Before she could react, Thomas spun her around and grabbed her to him. His lips bruised hers and his body crushed her into a pillar. She could taste the whiskey on him as he tried to force her lips open with his tongue, ignoring her groans of protest.

“Thom … Thomas…” She pushed against his chest, “What are you doing?”

“C’mon, babe. We’ve played enough of these games. You know I love you.  It’s a new year, so don’t keep holding out on me. You look so fucking hot tonight…”

“No, Thomas!” She shoved hard with both hands, and when he didn’t release her, she squatted down to slip out of his arms. “What the hell are you doing, Thomas? Are you that drunk that you really thought this was okay?”

His expression was stricken, eyes wide and mouth open. Then white-hot anger welled up in his eyes, and she watched his hands tighten into fists at his sides. Kay took two steps away from him, her eyes darting back and forth, looking for rescue.

“You’re a real bitch, Kay. A real bitch for leading me on, and I’m not going to forget this. You’ll be sorry you did this to me.”

Kay rubbed her temples and groaned, leaning back in her chair. She’d been conducting research for a case for at least a few hours, and her eyes were getting blurry. She closed the book on top and set it aside, then turned her attention back to her computer screen. With her chin in her hand, she bit her lip while scrolling through case law.

“Need a break?”

Her tired eyes lit up when she heard Van’s voice. She looked up to see him standing in the doorway with a cock-eyed smile.

“Sure, why not? Might even save my eyesight to be able to look at something besides this screen for a bit.” Wagging her eyebrow at him while he approached her, she waited until he was within whispering distance and said softly, “And you’re certainly easier on these eyes.”

Van’s half-grin turned into a full smile. “Careful, Miss Rawley. I’ll close the door and show you just how easy I can be.”

Her cheeks blushed, but she laughed and sat up straight. “Glad you’re back. I left a few things in your chair. One of them is a new divorce, probably uncontested, but he wanted to speak to you as soon as possible. I’m not sure he trusts women altogether, and since I happen to be one, I think he wanted to be sure you would get things taken care of.”

“Well,” Van said, a serious expression on his face as he sat down. “I can attest to the fact that you happen to be a woman.”

Kay’s eyes widened in warning, and she quickly looked to the door to be sure no one was in ear-shot. “You know, for someone who made a big production of warning about the need to keep this relationship between us, you’re definitely pushing the envelope.”

“I think it was the text about the New Year’s kiss that did it. I’ve been anticipating that for days.”

She inhaled a deep breath, thoughts turning to the incident with Thomas. She hadn’t spoken to him since New Year’s Eve. She and Tamara had left immediately after the episode. They’d gone back to Kay’s apartment so she could pack some things and she’d spent the last few nights sleeping on her co-worker’s couch.

“Something wrong?”

Shaking her head, Kay forced a smile. She would tell him all about it later, but now wasn’t the time to dig up that unpleasantness. “No, nothing. I’m glad to see you. Wish I could show you how glad, but for now telling will have to do.”

“On that subject, if you don’t have plans tonight…”

“My only plans involved seeing you. Where are we going?”

Their voices were both lower so that no prying ears might catch the conversation. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees and hands crossed in front. “My house. Does six sound okay?”

“Your house?” she whispered loudly, glancing in the hallway again like a nervous teenager. In truth, the need for secrecy was a little bit exciting and sexy. “I thought you wanted to take me on a real date.”

“I do, and I will. But I don’t think I can wait that long to have you again, so meeting somewhere with a bed handy seemed more appropriate.”

“We did pretty well the first time without a bed, but I agree that throwing me on the table at a fine restaurant would be slightly inappropriate.”

“Good, then my house at six.”

Her desk phone beeped, and she jumped, heart thudding as if someone had caught them in the act.

“Kay,” Tamara spoke via the intercom. “Are you in there?”

“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m here.”

“Mrs. Faucett is on line four for you.”

“She asked for me?”

“Yes, she specifically asked to speak with you.”

Van stood up but didn’t leave the room. Her eyes immediately went to him, searching. “Do you want me to put it on speaker?”

His head moved back in forth. “Nope. I trust you. Try not to chase her off. Six o’clock.” And with that he left her office.

Kay took a moment to recover her faculties, then grabbed a clean notebook and a pen and picked up the phone. “This is Kay Rawley.”

“Miss Rawley, this is Charise Faucett. Do you have a moment?”

“Of course, Charise.” It might have been presumptuous to use the woman’s given name, but on instinct Kay decided their client would welcome a more informal discussion.

“I’ve been giving that last meeting I had in your office a lot of thought. And I’m … I’m not certain that my husband can change. That he can do the right thing for us, but I have to try.” The woman’s voice sounded small, uncertainty evident in the slow pace of her words.

“Charise, you don’t owe me anything. An apology or otherwise. I’m the one who needs to apologize to you. I had no right to speak to you that way. I had no right to say those things.”

There was silence, and for a minute Kay doubted her choice of words. She repeated them in her head, wondering what she should have said and what she could do to turn the conversation. But then Mrs. Faucett took a deep shaky breath and another thought occurred to her. “Has something happened? Are you in danger, Charise?”

“No, no, I don’t think so. Nothing’s happened. We’re safe, but I just have a feeling he can’t do it. And I’m not sure what to do, but I have to try.”

“I see. Is there something you need for us to do?”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said. And about how you talked about the boys. Junior likes you a lot. He felt comfortable talking to you. So, what I’m calling to ask is if you could be their attorney. I mean, I’m their mom, and I want to do the right thing, but maybe I can’t do that. Maybe they need someone else to intervene.”

“Oh…”

Kay considered that a few moments, at once honored by the woman’s assurance that she could advocate for her boys and also concerned by the suggestion that things might turn bad at the Faucett household again. “When a child or children need an attorney in this sort of situation, the Court will generally appoint an ad litem. It’s not something you can choose, or at least you can’t choose who’s appointed. It would need to be a third party unrelated to the case. Would you like to have someone appointed for the boys? We could request that in the divorce action.”

Charise hesitated, and Kay heard movement as she fumbled around with her phone, probably switching it around to a more comfortable position. “I’m not sure. Do you think that’s what I should do?”

What would Van say?
Kay asked herself before answering. “Sometimes it’s easier for children to have someone else speak for them. They love both of you, Charise. I could see that clearly. If you think they would do better with a third party to help them voice their wants and wishes, then we’ll petition the court for one.”

She inhaled and exhaled. “Yes, I think that’s best. That’s what I want.”

A weight she hadn’t even realized she was carrying melted away from Kay, and she dropped her forehead into her hand in relief. “I’ll let Mr. Van Buren know your wishes. He’ll call you if he has any questions, and otherwise you know you can always contact us.”

“Kay, thank you for understanding. I really wish you could be the boys’ ad whatever…”

“Ad litem.”

“… but I appreciate you listening after all that happened.”

By the time she left the office, Kay was on cloud nine. All negative thoughts were pushed away. She replayed her conversation with Mrs. Faucett in her mind, and she felt vindicated by the woman’s words. And of course seeing Van was enough to make any hot-blooded woman happy. After gathering her things from Tamara’s place, she got in her car and prepared to head to his house.

Need me to bring anything?

She passed the time waiting for his reply scrolling through her music playlists.

Maybe wine. I don’t have any white in the house.

She grinned as she tapped out her response.

Wine it is. Gentil is my favorite. If you have an objection, speak now. Or text now.

When she arrived at Van’s home, Kay sat the wine in the driver’s seat while she reached for the button beside her seat to pop the trunk. Bottle under one arm, she opened the back and was just slinging her duffel bag over her shoulder when her phone dinged.

A warm smile spread over her face. “Aha, too late to speak. Already got the wine.”

But when she glanced at the phone and saw the message, her entire body went cold.

I know what you’re doing you two-timing bitch. Gentil? That’s our wine, and you’re taking it to that lawyer-prick. I’m watching you, and you’re going to be sorry.

A second message popped up.

I’m going to make you pay, bitch.

The screeching of tires sounded behind her, but she was slow to react. When she turned, a car with its bright lights on careened towards the driveway where she stood. At the last moment it veered away but it came so close that she stumbled back against her own vehicle. The wine bottle slipped from her grasp and she cried out when it exploded on impact with the pavement.