Binding Arbitration (27 page)

“Can I ask you how much you copped the feel for?” Libby asked.

“Your bosom was feeling up my finances.”

“Very funny, how much?”

“Don’t worry. I have plenty more. I have enough to take care of us for the rest of our lives.”

She rolled her eyes. “All I want to know is how much?”

“Fifty.”

“Big spender.”

“Fifty grand, Libby.”

She sputtered through the bubbles of her Champagne. “Fifty thousand dollars? That’s not sensible.”

“This coming from the woman who gave away the dress off her back… and her bra.”

“Those I can replace.”

“God, I wish you wouldn’t.”

“Pay attention, this is important.” She slapped my arm. “You want to end up like, like, oh-I-don’t-know, some broken down old destitute baseball players?”

I drew a hand to my ear. “I’m sorry, did you have a name to go with the speech, because I’m not following along so well.”

“You know what? I’m wasting my breath. Why should I speak reason to a man who sleeps with girls named Candy and Chocolate. Whose ex-girlfriend needs vaginal rejuv, rejuvena…”

“Rejuvenation,” I said pouring more champagne.

“Rejuvenation. Thank you. A man who gives his money away, who breaks old men’s records, and who’s trying to break my heart?” She quickly pulled her glass to her mouth to cover her gaff. “I didn’t mean that.”

“Yes, you did. Let’s finish this in the car, so when I take you apart there won’t be any witnesses.”

The crowd was wrapped around the stage, so it was easier going out than it had been coming in.

I’d almost reached the elevators, when I ran into Fletch. I stopped, and Libby plowed into me. I twisted her along my side.

“I thought you were moving up in the world.” Fletch looked from Libby’s wild hair to her red glittered stilettos and smirked. “There are hookers better dressed on Rush Street.”

Libby took a menacing step in Fletch’s direction. “You better fucking watch your mouth, Cyrus.”

“I should have washed your mouth out the first time you swore at me, but I lost my head thinking it was kind of sexy.”

“Fletch, don’t say ‘sexy’ to Libby. Where’s Tricia anyway?”

“The ladies room, where she has been spending a considerable amount of time.”

I gave him the questioning eyebrow.

“Morning sickness.”

“It’s the night.”

“I know, dumb ass. Don’t you know anything about pregnant women?” He asked bristly before giving Libby a direct look.

“You’re surly as hell. What’s your problem?” I asked.

“My wife is sick and unhappy, therefore I am unhappy.”

“Should’ve considered that before you knocked her up.”

“Did you give it any thought before you knocked her up?”

Libby swayed as she stepped in between us. “Stay away from each other until you feel better.”

“As soon as my wife can stop barfing long enough for me to get her horizontal, I’ll be as good as new.”

“You have officially cemented my image of you as a complete asshole.” Libby pushed the button for the elevator.

Tricia came around the corner, looking green except for her bloodshot eyes. Fletch rushed toward her, “How you feeling?”

“I want to go home, I don’t think there’s anything left, but I want to get off these clothes.”

“I’m your man,” he smiled and winked at her.

I held the elevator door open and the four of us descended. Libby pulled open her purse again and handed Trisha a sealed peppermint. Trisha looked up at her.

“I keep them in case my son gets an upset stomach.”

“Thank you, Libby. I didn’t know you had a son.”

“If you have a few crackers as soon as you wake up, it might help.” Libby smiled. “Fresh air will help, too. Don’t worry, it won’t last forever.”

We got off the elevator and went to the coat check. Fletch helped Trisha into her wrap, while I got Libby’s. “You keep the sports coat on.” I said to her.

“My coat will be warmer, plus you need your jacket.”

“I’m warm enough.”

“The doctor said you need to stay absolutely healthy.” She slipped off my sports coat and handed it to me.

I tried to stop, but I gaped at her. “We’re out of here.” I smiled. “Good night, Wretch.”

“Don’t be late for our luncheon meeting tomorrow, Romeo,” Fletch said. “And make sure Juliette’s with you. I need to witness her signature.”

Libby was ignoring him, but continuing her conversation with me. “I’m not going to risk you catching cold. Do you expect me to put up with you forever?” She asked, tying her belt.

Tricia looked at Libby and I, and then exchanged a raised eyebrow at Fletch.

I pulled Libby’s belt tighter, and turned up her lapel before pushing her through the revolving door ahead of me. “Forever and ever, Amen.”

Fletch’s groaned reverberated through the swirling glass.

22

COLLABORATING WITNESSES

Lawyers spend a great deal of their time shoveling smoke. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Libby

We cruised through the tree-lined neighborhood, and the sunlight dappled through the graying branches. There were kids walking hand in hand with parents, older boys on bikes with backpacks, and gossiping girls twittering about.

I started to get out of the car, when Cass stopped me. “Mister Pole-ow-ski will take me in.” He gave me a kiss and went to his door, where Aidan picked him up and carried him on his shoulders toward the building. Several people greeted them, and a blonde woman slid alongside them, chattering away.

Aidan reappeared on the sidewalk, walking with Steve Dubrowski. Once they got to the car, they shook hands. Steve waved to me, as Aidan got in Tank.

“What was that all about?” I nodded in Steve’s direction.

“He’s going to pick up Cass today after school, and take him home with Madi, and I’m returning the favor next week.”

“And when, pray tell, did the two of you become so chummy?”

“Cass introduced us. We had coffee after drop-off on Monday.” He pulled back into traffic.

“You had coffee together? How metro-sexual.”

He cocked his head and raised the angry eyebrow. “He’s a nice guy. He gave me some insight on Cass, and we talked.”

I turned in my seat examining at his perfect profile. The faint lines around his eyes crinkled in a smile.

“That’s the part that concerns me.”

“He already figured I’m Cass’ father. Besides, I wanted to know what his intentions were.”

“You didn’t!” My head was still banging, and with this news, I felt my stomach was going to lurch. How many Tylenol could you take in a four-hour period?

“I asked about the guy, and you gave me nothing.”

“I told you we were friends.”

“I wanted to hear it from him, and make sure he knows where I’m coming from.”

“It would be nice, if you told me where you’re coming from first.” I sighed and cradled my head in my hand. “Are you going to invade every part of my life?”

“Pretty much.” He brushed my hair away, so he could look at me. “I just wanted Steve to know I was going to take care of you, and I hoped that he could understand that.”

“What did he say?”

“He said he loved you as a friend, that you didn’t want any other relationship with him. He also mentioned he didn’t know of any other relationships you’ve had.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Arrrrgh.” I stared out the window, as we drove down Sheridan Road. “You never told me why we’re meeting Fletch.”

“Financial business.”

“What?” I choked out.

“Dr. Seuss said I should have all my personal business in order, in case something goes wrong on Friday.”

“You never said anything could go wrong.”

“It’s just a precaution. You know that the recipient is in much more danger than the donor. I just want everything in order before Cass starts chemo next week.”

“There aren’t any other dangers than the doctor told us about?”

We pulled up at my office; the plum marble gleamed, and the revolving door never ceased carouselling bodies.

“Don’t worry. There are only about three deaths linked to donation in 60,000 procedures worldwide.” He looked away. “I’ll live.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’d do anything for him.” He watched the pedestrians for a moment, before he looked me in the eye. “Or you.”

I don’t know why but I kissed his chiseled jaw; when he turned his head our mouths collided. The corners of his mouth turned up into a relieved smile. “I’ll be back at lunch. Check your calendar for tomorrow night. My parents want to have dinner and meet Cass.”

I fumbled with the door handle, all nerves after that kiss. “Any more bombs you want to drop on me?”

“My parents want to be here, if I’m having surgery.”

“Of course, I should have thought of that.”

“Let me help you with the door.” He leaned over me to reach the handle and placed his face in my breasts.

A truck laying on his horn deafened any opportunity for a tongue lashing, and as I exited the car, I breathed in the bustling city air to reestablish my self control.

I’d barely reached Vicki’s desk when she spoke. “You didn’t fink-tattle-tale, while you were blitzed did you?”

“How do you know I was blitzed?”

“It’s almost nine-fifteen and you’ve never been late.”

Again the woman without a watch had better sense of time than a clock. My head throbbed. “I had two wines, a scotch on the rocks, a martini, and…oh yeah, half a bottle of bubbly. It was overkill.”

“In your alcohol-induced fog, did you read today’s paper?” She examined me under heavy purple eyelids.

“No, why? What’s wrong?”

She trailed me into my office; her bracelets sang as she shut the door. I stripped off my trench coat, before she thrust the entertainment section in my face. “Twice in one week. You just might become a celebrity yourself.”

There was a photo of Aidan kissing my hand along with other photos of last night’s party. I scanned the article stopping on the highlighted message: ‘Surprise Performance by New Diva Enthralled All’.

I examined the pictures. Luckily the one of Evita was in profile and grainy; unfortunately, mine was crystal clear.

“This reporter must know about the Cass/Palowski connection?”

“His first article identified us in Lincoln Park, and Cass was with us. Wonder why he hasn’t broken the story?”

“Maybe he wants a comment. He called twice this morning.”

“What? Why didn’t you say that right away?”

Vicki picked up the paper, nonplussed by my outburst. “That’s a very romantic photo of you and Band-Aid. Do dish.” It was her turn to smile, and then frown. “Are you sure you can take what you need from him without giving anything back? Are you sure you even want it to play out that way?”

“I know what I’m doing, Vicki.” I moved legal pads and file folders around my desk searching for my to-do list. “It’s not like I’m liable to fall in love with him again.”

“The problem is I don’t think you fell out of love the first time. You’re an all-or-nothing kind of girl. There’s been a lot of nothing for way too long.”

“You’ve been reading your crystal ball rather than your computer screen, and typing on an Ouija board instead of a keyboard.” I sighed. “Once Cass is healthy, things will go back to the way they were, and Aidan will go to spring training.”

“You’re trying to con yourself.”

“I’m just making the best decisions I can.”

“What’s best for everyone might not be what’s best for you, Libby. What do you want for just you?”

I put my head on my arms on my desk, willing myself not to cry. “I have no earthly idea.” I said without looking up.

Vicki came over and ran her hand over my hair. “That’s what you need to think about. If you want him, you can have him.”

“How would I be able to trust him?”

“Maybe this wouldn’t have stretched out so long between the two of you, if you had gone to him. You never told him how you felt about him, and you never let him tell you how he felt about you.”

“Now you’re on charm boy’s side, too?”

“Libby, I’m on your and Cass’ side, always. But I’m wise enough to know there’s a reason you haven’t wanted anyone else in your life. Maybe he’s the only one for you.”

I stared at her like aliens had replaced her with some wide-eyed synthetic monster. “Those are the most romantically idiotic words you’ve ever spoken.”

“I’m an emotional watershed right now.” Vicki kissed my head. “Just think it over. Do you want me to get this Winslow guy on the phone for you?”

“Give me a couple of minutes to clear my head.”

When Vicki couldn’t reach the mystifying Winslow O’Leary, I spent some time reviewing the contract for Evita, putting in the figures, before I had Mohawk Messenger service deliver it.

I made a brief phone call to Evita before I left for the Daley center. I didn’t see Accardo until I reached the double wood doors of the chamber. “Mr. Accardo,” I said in greeting.

“Don’t you Mr. Accardo me! That contract was ridiculous. I won’t pay that kind of money for a pain in the cohunes.” He tilted his head like he thought I was his witness. “You didn’t tell me she had a kid.”

“I fail to see the relevance.” I nodded toward the bailiff, before taking the defense table.

“Don’t use lawyer-speak on me. You didn’t tell me Espinoza wants his kid back. I need to keep an eye on both of them.”

“You’re intelligent. I figured you’d manage things the way you expect me to.” I eyed the District Attorney.

He furrowed his brow, examining the courtroom. When his eyes collided with Eve Moore’s he leaned toward me. “I do find out the most interesting things when I do a little research.”

“I have that uncanny ability myself.” I glanced at Eve and back at Tony again. “When you give me so many visual clues, I know where to start digging.” I slammed his file down on the table. “You seem more concerned about an entertainment contract than you do about the felony charges we’re here to face today.”

Tony gave me a wry smile, before Judge Foreman entered the courtroom, slipping into his robe. He rubbed his balding head and pushed his gold framed glasses up his spindly nose. We rose when the gavel dropped, the bailiff read the case number and the stenographer started typing.