Character Witness (25 page)

Kathleen refrained from rolling her eyes. She'd caught on. Gerry was about as much an invalid as she was. He had her number and dialed it often, but Kathleen knew she was just about on the verge of making it unlisted. She grinned at him nonetheless and then improved on it when she took Michael's hand. She talked to Gerry, she looked at Michael.

''
It was hard to describe Mr. Crawford. I wouldn't have wanted to do him an injustice.'' Kathleen settled herself. Michael half-stood, put his hand on the back of her chair and said hello.

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Isn't that just like you,'' Gerry chuckled. ''Mr. Crawford, indeed. After all the wonderful things he had to say about you, I would have thought you were on a first name basis.''

Kathleen shifted. The twinkle in his eye was downright embarrassing; the interest in Michael's completely welcome.

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We've spent some time together. But it was purely professional.'' Kathleen was flirting. She knew it. It felt great.

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Yes, yes, yes,'' Gerry nodded, with a wink at Michael. ''A sail on the sea is always a good way to depose someone. Did I ever tell you I tried my hand at boating, Kathleen? Michael, perhaps I could impose one day. . .''

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It would be a pleasure, Gerry.''

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All right,'' Kathleen interjected. ''I give up. You two have obviously been at this for a while. I can't imagine you came all this way to tell my uncle what a great guest I was on your boat.''

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You're right, of course.'' Gerry still smiled but Kathleen, now used to the signs, understood they had done more than talk about the boat. ''Niceties aside, I'm afraid Michael does have some news that's very interesting, Kathleen. Very interesting, indeed. In fact, it might create a bit of a problem when you argue for Louise.''

Kathleen's butterflies now took a different and more ominous turn. She stopped focusing on Michael's lips and paid attention to what was coming out of them.

''
I finally spoke with Lionel's previous supervisor, Jules Porter. He toes the company line like ninety-nine percent of Tysco employees, but this guy believes the chapter and verse. He was wired tight. I'm beginning to think Lionel was either crazy or a saint to work in a department headed by that guy. Ten years, no less.'' Michael shook his head as if Lionel's feat was more heroic than his own.

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What did he say?''

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Lionel was upset specifically with Porter. Seems that Lionel had received a misdirected interdepartmental envelope and, instead of sending it on, Lionel took a really good look.'' Michael spoke to Gerry. ''Lionel was one of those very smart guys. He had an almost photographic memory. He took one look and the numbers were analyzed instantly.'' His head swiveled again. Kathleen was all ears and motion. She's taken a pad of paper from Gerry's desk to jot notes. ''So, he didn't send it on because he had instantly determined that the information didn't add up. He took a closer look then brought the whole kit and caboodle to Porter. Porter took one look at the departmental designation and told Lionel to get back to work and not waste his time. It wasn't any of their business.''

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Wouldn't that kind of support make you want to do your best for the company?'' Gerry mumbled.

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Incredible incentive,'' Kathleen agreed wryly.

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The whole thing seemed incredibly urgent to Lionel, but Porter didn't want to be bothered. He had his agenda; Lionel was asking him to deviate. And it wasn't just the time that concerned Porter. Believe me I talked to him long enough today to figure him out. He's a guy who chalks up ten percent of product to loss so if there was a discrepancy in the billing he'd rather see it go through the system than rectify it.''

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Just gives you a lot of faith in the people who are making our bombs, doesn't it?'' Kathleen muttered.

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They make toilette paper, too.'' Michael chuckled. ''I suppose, in a way, Porter has a point. I mean, what do we care about the paperwork as long as the damn things don't explode before they get where they're going?''

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So,'' Gerry pushed them along. ''Lionel was very unhappy with what he'd found and received no satisfaction from his supervisor when he tried to rectify the matter. How long was it before Mr. Porter left the department and you came in?''

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About three weeks, maybe a month. Lionel had discovered the problem at least a month earlier. Porter says he lost track of the whole mess. He couldn't even remember the specifics. A guy like him wouldn't have remembered what Lionel looked like the day after they talked.''

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And Lionel never brought it up to you?''

Michael raised a hand and rested his chin on it. ''Nope. He never approached me about anything. Not that I can blame him. If one guy tells you it doesn't matter, why would he think the next one to take the chair would think any differently. Even if he went over Porter's head he probably got the same reaction. Remember, Lionel had been there ten years. He knew what was what.''

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But whatever he saw made him - what? - angry enough to buck the system?''

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I don't know. Porter wasn't great with adjectives. Basically he said Lionel was a pain in the ass.''

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I'm sorry to hear that.'' Kathleen tapped her pen on the pad of paper. Her notes consisted of circles in which she'd written Porter and Booker. ''Well, what do you think we've got with this bit of information?''

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I think you have a problem with your theory, Kathleen. If Michael's Mr. Porter is called to testify, and gives the same impression to a jury that he has given to Michael, that jury might see justification for Lionel taking his own life.''

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Because he was dissuaded from bringing up a billing discrepancy?'' Kathleen scoffed. ''I don't think so.''

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Because his job might have been jeopardized,'' Michael filled in and Gerry nodded in agreement, beaming at the younger man.

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I see. What you're saying is, with a supervisor like Porter, Lionel might have felt threatened.''

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Exactly,'' Gerry agreed, opening his hands in a Papal and inclusive gesture to show his delight. ''That's a powerful motive for suicide. Look at what you know about Lionel.''

Kathleen ticked off the list. ''He was conscientious.''

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Not a good thing in corporation like Tysco where rules are sacrosanct,'' Michael offered.

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He was spiritual, gentle.''

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Could be interpreted as high strung, delusional.'' Gerry added his two cents.

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He was honorable.''

Both men thought for a moment and it was Michael who commented.

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He might be viewed as a man with a conservative complex. Sort of a born again type. His version of right was the only one.''

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And therefore, Lionel would be highly distressed if he felt the entire twelve thousand employees of Tysco thought nothing of the problems he'd found,'' Gerry added.

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He had a goal. To own a farm and live a quiet life with his wife,'' Kathleen offered.

Michael countered, ''He believed his dream wouldn't be unattainable if he lost his job.''

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He was consistent, a ten year work record,'' Kathleen shot back, hoping to salvage anything from this.

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He was unemployable elsewhere,'' Gerry pointed out. ''Paranoid and afraid to leave, yet feeling himself above the rabble at Tysco. He was between a rock and a hard place. Many would become homicidal in that instance. Look at the postal workers. Gentle, mystical Lionel possibly became suicidal.''

Gerry ended with a flourish, the old skill still intact. If Kathleen had been on a jury, she might buy into the argument that Lionel Booker was a paranoid rascal with a personal agenda.

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Oh, Lord,'' Kathleen sighed. Defeat made itself comfortable in her lap. It was a heavy child.

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Kathleen.'' Gerry let his head hang as he stood up and came 'round his desk. Leaning against it, he raised his hand. For a moment Kathleen thought he was going to pat her head the way he used to when she was small. But he let his hand fall, along with the tenor of his voice. ''Are you going to give up so easily, my girl?''

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I don't know what else to do.''

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Why not ask yourself the question you'd ask a jury?''

Kathleen raised her eyes, but not her head. Michael was sitting quietly, watching Gerry intently. There was a deeply thoughtful look on his face - almost too personal.

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What question?''

Gerry let his eyes linger on Kathleen an instant longer before looking over his shoulder at Michael.

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Why would they believe that about Lionel?'' He looked back to Kathleen. ''Aren't they good people themselves? People who understand that honor and truth and empathy are the most valuable qualities in the world. Isn't a jury made up of people who have been mistreated by employers, companies and associations too? Aren't they folks who have been misunderstood because of their very pure motives? How many times have words been put in their mouths and their efforts to do the right thing been foiled?''

Gerry pushed himself off the desk and stepped around Kathleen so that his hands were on the back of her chair. With him came an energy that pulled Kathleen up straight as if he was tugging at her puppet strings. He leaned close but spoke in a voice that commanded attention.

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Make it personal, Kathleen. Point to the lovely widow Sarah - if she'll come to the proceedings as proof that Lionel was a good and loving man. Find out how he lived. Did he pay his bills on time? He was saving for a farm for goodness sake. The great American dream. Put Mr. Douglas on the stand. Paint them a picture of your Lionel, Kathleen. The Lionel you believe existed and Sarah believe existed and even Louise believe existed''

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Yes. Yes, that's exactly what I need to do. That will work, won't it?'' Kathleen sat forward in her chair and asked the question first of Michael, then of Gerry.

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Who knows?'' Gerry laughed, and Kathleen's face fell. Reaching out he touched her chin, lifted it up and spoke only to her. ''But, if you believe, then you'll be able to convince them. Everything is in that heart of yours, Kathleen. When you translate that and speak it loud and clear there's every chance you'll win.''

Kathleen covered his hand with hers, sure he was right. Then he dropped his hand and Kathleen looked at Michael and the hole in her heartfelt confidence opened a bit. There was always a chance that she'd speak her heart and mind and lose. It happened to good people like him. She just didn't want it to happen to her. Not now, not when someone like Richard Jacobsen was watching and someone like Lionel Booker was waiting for vindication.

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If it helps,'' Michael leaned over and touched her shoulder. Kathleen came out of her reverie, putting away her ridiculous thoughts. She could be in worse company if she lost.

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What?''

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If it helps, I went through Lionel's records. He was a whiz when it came to his records. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary. If he'd been upset I imagine he got over it and sent the docket back where it belonged. I'm no lawyer, but I'd imagine without the documents it's your word against Jules Porter's about how upset Lionel was.''

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Guess I'll have to have a talk with Mr. Porter, huh?''

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It'll be tough. I don't think he's at his desk longer than fifteen minutes at a time.''

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Then I'll go where he is. Think you could arrange that?''

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No, I don't think I was Mr. Porter's favorite visitor, but I could sneak you up to his office and let you see how far you can get on your own. It will have to wait until tomorrow.'' Michael stood up and put his hand out to Gerry. When the old man took it Michael covered it with his other hand and moved closer. ''Gerry. It's been a pleasure. If I come back for Kathleen at five-thirty do you think the day's work will be done? She promised me if I delivered I could take her to dinner.''

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You don't need my permission.'' Gerry beamed. ''But if you can't convince her, then I'll step in. I'll order her to go as my associate.''

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You better watch what you promise, Gerry.'' Kathleen said, standing shoulder to shoulder with Michael. ''It seems I have another professional admirer, and if you don't treat me right I'll just have to pay a little more attention to him.''

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Oh, ho,'' Gerry grinned from ear to ear, still holding onto Michael's hand. ''There's competition. I knew it wouldn't be long before the word got out that she was an enterprising young woman.'' He dropped Michael's hand.

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I hope I don't have the same problem when it comes to her social life.''

Michael held out a hand. Kathleen walked into the gesture and they both went to the door.

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I'll see you about five thirty.''

Kathleen followed him out the door.

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Kathleen,'' Gerry called. She stopped. She turned and held onto the open door. ''Just so I know what I'm up against, who is it that's nipping at your heels.''

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Richard Jacobsen. Shay, Sylvester & Harrington, Gerry. He came to watch me in court today. How's that for hitting the big time?''

Kathleen looked at the old man knowing the minute the words left her mouth that she had meant to wound her uncle just a bit. In that instant she thought she paid him back for the years of silence and the disappointment of finding out life wouldn't be what she imagined. She hated herself for it especially since there was the element of a lie in it. Richard Jacobsen had made no offer, he had done nothing more than inquire about her status.