Before the comforting resolve faded, he picked up the phone and dialed.
Roberto answered on the third ring. “Well, whatdaya know, ” Devon drawled. “I didn’t think the feds ever let their crack prosecutors spend Saturdays at home. Shouldn’t you be out busting terrorists or something ?” An ageless chuckle filtered through the line. “It’s been a slow week, mi herma no Besides, the NBA playoff is on cable” “Ah, that explains it. I wouldn’t want you to miss the Bullsjust to keep the streets safe. ” “A man’s got to keep his priorities straight, ” Roberto agreed. “So how’s your dad doing? “
“He’ll be coming home on Monday. “
“That’s great. Must be a load off your mind. ” “Yeah. A big one. ” Devon hooked a hand behind his neck, realizing how much he’d missed hearing his friend’s voice. “So, what’s Larkin up to these days? Last time I saw him, he’d just hung a shingle with some Beverly Hills psychiatric group. ” “That didn’t last long, ” Roberto said. “The money was good but he wasn’t happy being a star shrink, so he opened a practice in Baldwin Park where he can serve-and I’m quoting now-” the people who need him most. “
“Do I detect a hint of wry ness Roberto muttered a frustrated oath.
“Come on, man. People in the barrio don’t give a bleep about repressed childhood memories or sagging self-esteem. All they want is to work a decent job, have enough food on the table and get through the day without stopping a bullet. ” “It’s tough out there, ” Devon agreed. “Maybe Larkin wants to help people deal with the violence and take control of their lives. ” A silent moment was punctuated with a long-suffering sigh. “Larkin doesn’t know what he wants. It’s been four years since the divorce, time for him to hoist up his shorts and get on with his own life. ” A lump rose in Devon’s chest. After all the yean, none of them had changed much. Roberto was still charging headlong into life, muscling through obstacles without fear of consequence. And he was still angry. Devon knew that Roberto wasn’t unsympathetic to Larkin’s plight, but he was obviously frustrated at his inability to help.
Unfortunately, no one could help Larkin, not even his best friends.
After years of punishing himself for his parents ‘ divorce, the breakup of his own marriage had nearly pushed Larkin over the edge. That was, Devon thought, yet another solid argument on why intimate relationships should be avoided like the plague. Roberto’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Lark has always listened to you.
Maybe you could talk to him. How long are you going to be in town? “
Devon’s mouth was suddenly dry enough to spit cotton. “I’m not sure. “
“Think you’ll be around next Thursday? “
It took a moment to cough out the words. “Yeah. I’ll be around. ” A heavy silence fell over the line. Finally Roberto said, “Thursday’s Tommy’s birthday. ” “I know. ” Devon massaged his forehead, needing no reminder of the significant occasion. Twenty years ago, the three surviving roommates had huddled in the dorm, pricked their fingers and sworn a solemn oath to honor their lost friend every year for as long as they lived. “Lark and I usually meet at the Steer ” N’ Stein on La Cienega, ” Roberto said. ” We can go somewhere else if you’d rather-”
“No. That’s fine. ” Devon cleared his throat. “I’ll be there. “
“See you then, ” Roberto said. “Yeah. See you. ” Devon hung up the phone. So far, so good. He’d committed to the meeting. Now all he had to do was find the guts to actually get through it. For two decades Tommy’s birthday had been commemorated by the Brotherhood to celebrate their fallen comrade’s life and honor his friendship. Each man shared the moment, no matter where he was or what he was doing. Last year, in fact, Devon had been dodging mortars in a Sudanese village when the appointed time had arrived. Hunching behind a stone wall, he’d lifted his canteen in silent salute knowing that thousands of miles away, his buddies were doing exactly the same thing. Now for the first time in years the Blackthorn Brotherhood could raise their glasses together. It would be a bittersweet reunion. Guilt was such a powerful sword.
Chapter Four.
It was still dark when Devon pulled into Jessica’s condominium complex so he was surprised to find her bundled in a thick ski jacket and waiting beside the parking garage gate. He pulled up, letting the engine idle as he exited the car and took a brown grocery bag from her arms. “I told you I’d take care of lunch. “
“Yes, but you didn’t mention breakfast. “
“Breakfast? ” Devon’s stomach growled hungrily as he peered into the bag. “
“Is that thermos by any chance filled with coffee? “
“Uh-huh. ” She slid into the passenger seat and reached out for the bag, which she set on the floor between her feet. “Andl hope you like apple fritters. There’s a little shop around the corner that makes the best in the world. ” The thought made his mouth water. “No wonder my father hired you, ” he murmured, settling into the driver’s seat. “You think of everything. “
She laughed happily. “
“I try. ” Devon pulled out of the parking lot, merging into thick traffic that clogged Century Boulevard regardless of the hour. He slid a quick glance to his right as Jessica shrugged out of the oversize jacket, which was evidently too warm for the car’s toasty interior. “Just toss that in back, ” he said. When she twisted around to comply, she spotted the lunch basket on the rear seat. “Gracious, it looks like Gunda outdid herself. ” “Gunda had nothing to do with it, ” he replied indignantly. “i’ll have you know that I prepared everything in that basket with my own hands. ” “Really? ” She dropped the jacket and resettled herself in the Mercedes’s plush bucket seat, absently smoothing a plaid scarf that was draped around the scalloped neck of her casual knit top. “So, how many peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches did you fix? “
He smiled. “
“Four. “
“Great. Peanut butter is my favorite. “
“There’s also a fine selection of chips and cheese puffs for madam’s dining pleasure. ” “Umm. I can hardly wait. But meanwhile…” She rooted through the bag for the thermos, then set two mugs in the dashboard’s retractable cup holder and filled them with steaming coffee. ” Do you take cream or sugar? “
“Don’t tell me you have a quart of cream and a sugar bowl in there, too.
“Not real cream, I’m afraid. Just little packets of the dry stuff. ” She looked up in alarm. “That’s all right, isn’t it? “
“If it’s all right with you, iys all right with me. I don’t use it. “
“How about sugar? “
“Nope. I drink coffee straight. “
A stoplight gave him the opportunity to watch her reach back into the bag and pull out a wad of napkins, one of which she spread across his lap as if she were a fussy waiter. She wrapped another napkin around the fattest fritter Devon had ever seen and offered it to him, only to yank it back when he eagerly reached out. “Are you sure you can drive with one hand? ” That seemed a ludicrous question in Los Angeles, where freeways were crowded by drivers known to shave, gargle and squirm into panty hose during rush hour commutes. “Of course I can. ” ‘ Eyes twinkling with mischief, she wiggled the glazed treat just beyond reach. “But doesn’t the vehicle code state that all drivers must have both hands on the wheel at all times? ” The bakery-fresh aroma of tart apples and pungent cinnamon was about to drive him wild. “I don’t know what the damn code says. I do know, however, that if you don’t give me that fritter in five seconds tlat, I’m going to pull over and take it by force. “
“You wouldn’t!”
He sighed. “No, I wouldn’t. But I might fall to my knees and beg. “
“That’s so demeaning. I’d much prefer a manly grovel. “
**skip**“You’re a cruel woman. ” “So I’ve been told. ” With an impish grin, she handed him the fritter. ” Bon appetit. ” Since maintaining dignity was now a moot point, he flashed a grateful smile and grabbed the sticky confection before she changed her mind. Over the next twenty minutes, conversation was limited while they enjoyed their breakfast. When the final fritter had been reduced to crumbly rubble, Jessica tossed the gooey napkins into the bag and shook the thermos. “It sounds like there’s another cup left. “
“You go ahead. I’ve had enough. “
“Me, too. ” She put the thermos away and leaned back with a contented sigh. ” This was a good idea. Thank you for inviting me. “
“You act like the day is over. It’s just beginning. “
“I know. ” She idly watched the city blur beyond the freeway railing. ” It’s just been such a long time since I’ve gone anywhere fun. ” ’”
“Why’s that? “
“Lack of time, I suppose. ” He glanced over and noticed that the bluish tinge beneath her eyes had faded but was still visible. “My father works you too hard. ” “Crandall doesn’t expect anything from others that he doesn’t also expect from himself. “
“Is that supposed to be a defense? “
She considered that for a moment. “You’re very angry with him, aren’t you? ” Devon tightened his grip on the leather-bound steering wheel without answering. They drove in silence for a few minutes before Jessica spoke again. ” “I guess you have a right to be upset, ” she said quietly. ” Crandall told me how he interfered with your career. “
He skimmed her a skeptical glance. “Did he? “
“Yes. He regrets it, of course. “
“The only thing he regrets is that it didn’t work. “
“That’s an awful thing to say. ” Pulling one knee onto the seat, Jessica turned sideways to face him. “I know that Crandall can be difficult at times, but he’s the only father you have. The man loves you, for goodness’ sake, and despite your who-gives-a-damn attitude, I think you love him, too. “
That was true enough, although Devon had no intention of admitting it.
Instead, he listened in rapt fascination as Jessica continued to plead his father’s case with perplexing vigor. “I’m not condoning Crandall’s actions, ” she said. “But it’s not unusual for parents to hope their children will follow in their own footsteps. My stepfather, for example, is a successful cardiologist. He’s a wonderful man and I love him dearly, but he was so disappointed when I pursued an M. B. A. instead of an M. D. that he sent a condolence card for my graduation. “
“That must have ticked you off. “
“Not really. ” She leaned back, smiling. “He meant it as a joke and that’s how I took it. The point is that your father’s feelings are perfectly normal even though his methods may be a bit, well, extreme. Extreme. Yes, that was probably an apt description of the man who’d abandoned his biological son to a juvenile prison so that his emotional child, the Company, would not be inconvenienced. That painful memory, and countless others, had wedged a barrier of mistrust between them, a wall that Devon feared could never be breached. Jessica’s soft voice broke into his thoughts. “You still haven’t forgiven him, have you? “
“Why do you say that? “
She sighed. “Because your jaw is twitching and you’re squeezing the wheel so hard your knuckles are white. ” At that moment his fingers started to ache. He loosened the strangling grip. ” “What’s done is done, ” Devon replied tightly. “My father and I both want to put the past behind us. ” That was certainly true, although he doubted that either of them knew exactly how to accomplish such a daunting task. Jessica regarded him intently. “I’m pleased to hear that. ” ‘ The caution in her voice didn’t escape his notice. It seemed a depressing affirmation that she, too, doubted that reconciliation was a viable option.
“Why do you care? ” he asked suddenly.
She blinked, taken aback by his brusque tone. “Excuse me? ” “You seem inordinately interested in repairing relationships Did you minor in psychology or is dime-store counseling just a hobby? ” The moment he saw-qher crushed expression he wished that he could yank back the words and swallow them whole. “Look… I didn’t mean that. ” “Yes, you did. ” She managed a thin smile. “It’s annoying to have an outsider poking a snoopy nose into one’s private affain, even if said outsider believes that she has a good reason to do so. “
“Do you have a good reason? “
She shrugged. “That depends on one’s perspective, I imagine. Crandall has been a good friend to me. I admire him and care about his happiness.
“And you think that patching things up between us will make him happy? “
“I know it will. ” Devon slid a quick glance toward Jessica, who was staring thoughtfully at her own lap. Suddenly she looked up, her eyes filled with the most extraordinary sadness. “Life is so short, ” she whispered. “In the blink of an eye, those we love can be taken away. The worst grief in the world is the memory of apologies that can never be heard and regrets that are never laid to rest. ” Something in her quivering voice touched a chord deep inside him. “It almost sounds like you’re speaking from experience. ” She turned away, gazing out the window as though engrossed in passing scenery. After several moments she spoke again. “My father-my real father-was the kindest, most gentle man in the world. Every day, rain or shine, he’d take my hand and walk me to school. In the afternoon, he was always waiting with this huge smile, ready to escort me home. I adored him and never realized that he was… different. Then when I was about eight, my friends started taunting me, calling my father Elephant Man. ” She glanced over her shoulder. ” His weight hovered between three and four hundred pounds. ” When Devon accepted the explanation with a nod, she returned her gaze to the window and was silent for a long moment. “Shame is such an insidious thing, ” she said finally. “It creeps in slowly, month after month, until it permeates every cell, every fiber of your being. You’re not the same person anymore. You become cruel, ugly, blinded by the bigotry of others. “
Devon’s heart went out to her. “Is that what happened to you? “
“Yes. The more my friends mocked him, the more humiliated I became. Eventually, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I begged my mother to make Daddy stay home, so the other kids wouldn’t see him. Of course, he overheard. “
Devon exhaled slowly. “That must have been tough on you both. “
“He was very hurt, although he never let me know that. He simply flashed that bright smile of his, told me that I was a big girl now and big girls should walk to school with their friends. I was too relieved to give his feelings a second thought. ” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.