Character Witness (33 page)

''
And you, Michael, what has pride changed in your life?''

''
Pride fooled me. Pride lulled me into thinking I had accomplished something when in fact I'd simply been hollering into a vacuum while the bad guys kept doing what they wanted to do.''

''
Very bad guys?'' Gerry asked.

''
Semi-bad. Immoral. Unethical. That kind of bad,'' Michael shrugged.

''
Then we'll toast the bad guys for sure their time is just about up, don't you think?''

''
I guess that depends on you. None of us are sure what to do. We'd fall apart without someone to lead us through the Lionel thing. Are you still in, even without Kathleen?''

Gerry opened the top drawer of his desk and took out two cigars. He handed one to Michael. They snipped the tips and lit them. The office filled with the aroma of fine tobacco. They sat that way for a bit.

''
I'll make some inquiries Michael, but I think I'll reserve committing myself just about now, if you don't mind.''

''
I don't mind. It will take me a while to figure out the paperwork. We'll just sort of agree to look into things.''

''
I think that's wise.'' Gerry puffed again and watched the cloud above his head take shape. At first he thought it looked like a woman in the gray smoke, and then he realized the thing looked like Richard Jacobsen. A little misshapen, so difficult to define, impossible to pin down. ''Yes, I think I'll be keeping my eye on a few things. I'd appreciate it if you'd do the same. Keep your eye on everything, Michael. Especially my Kathleen.''

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

''
So, Bob Morton's thinking it over?''

Kathleen stabbed at her Chinese Chicken Salad and came up with everything but chicken so she started all over again. Her appetite wasn't what it should be, so she let her fork rest and looked at her companions. Sarah in a floral dress looked pretty now that her bruise was gone and her eye was back to normal. Louise in lace and leather with Marilyn Monroe on her chartreuse nails was true to form. Gerry was spruced up in a new suit of beige linen. Only Michael was missing. Somebody had to work, she supposed. She sure as heck wasn't. At least not the kind of work she thought she'd be doing.

''
Well, he doesn't have much time to make up his mind, does he?'' She put on a brave smile, hoping they wouldn't see how much she wanted to know everything that they were doing. ''We're supposed to . . .I mean, you're supposed to be back in court next week, right?''

''
Hardly seems possible,'' Gerry was jovial. His good humor did nothing to relieve the pall that had settled over their luncheon table and his own private ire. They had come with such good intentions to celebrate her new job and show there were no hard feelings. Instead, they had found a Kathleen, beautiful as always, looking forlorn and trying to hide her frustration. He kept smiling and trying. ''So, then, that means that you've been gone from us for almost three weeks. How are you finding it there? Is Richard treating you well?''

''
Yes. Definitely. Yes, he stops in to see me so often. In fact, he even had a painting I admired transferred into my office from his personal conference room.'' Kathleen smiled too. She looked sick. ''You'll have to come up and see it. It's really beautiful. Really.''

Kathleen's enthusiasm was less than convincing but all the heads around the table nodded politely, Louise most heartily since she was the one who understood about keeping up appearances.

''
So, then, what are you doing in this new office of yours. Bet it's nothing as exciting as us, huh, Sarah?'' Louise gave her little friend a wink only to be rewarded with a true, but shy, smile. Kathleen thought she would cry except for the fact that Louise was looking at her expectantly.

''
I'm working on an environmental case. It's very important. If we successfully defend our client there might actually be sweeping legislation that will change the water pollution laws across the country. It's very, very exciting.''

''
Wow,'' Sarah breathed. ''Are you going to go to Washington when you win and make the laws?''

''
Well, no. I don't think they'd have me. . .''

''
Are we going to see you on TV? I watch that court TV thing all the time?'' Louise chimed in. ''That would be great to see you on TV, but you've got to wear something more colorful. I swear you've gotten dowdier since you flew the coop.''

''
Well, no, I'm not actually going to be doing the trial work.'' Kathleen colored and picked up her napkin. She couldn't look at Gerry. She didn't really want to look at any of them. ''It's kind of dry, actually. We're all specializing, you know.''

Feeling Gerry's eyes on her, she chanced a glance at her uncle. She didn't hold his gaze long. He knew. She knew he knew. She was nothing at Shay, Sylvester & Harrington. Fourth seat is what she was on a huge convoluted case that may never see the light of day in a courtroom. She spent most of her time pouring over emission's records that had seemed like Greek for the first two weeks she was at the firm. The thought of years of this made Kathleen more than miserable. Gerry knew, all right, that she was nothing on this case. Worse than that, he pitied her when he should be proud of her. She changed the subject. She'd get through this lunch if it was the last thing she did.

''
So, what are you all up to besides getting ready to get Louise her money from All Life?''

''
Michael hasn't told you?''

Kathleen shook her head, ''It's been hard to see him. I have to bill so many hours a week I hardly have time to breathe. He's been busy, too, I hear.''

''
He's narrowed down those billing records. Gerry's been making phone calls all over the place.'' Louise leaned over, her substantial cleavage resting on the table like a forbidden desert. In his younger days Gerry might have enjoyed an eyeful. Now he just wanted to watch Kathleen and make sure the misery he saw on her face wasn't a trick of the light. He would never rejoice in her suffering, for certainly that's what it was, but he was curious about it and took exception to it and blamed Richard Jacobsen for it.

''
Louise, we shouldn't be talking about our little investigation,'' Gerry warned her.

''
Gerry,'' Sarah breathed, ''it's only Kathleen. She wouldn't tell anyone.''

''
Darn right she wouldn't,'' Louise intoned as a gesture of support for, rather than a threat to, Kathleen.

''
I don't have anyone to tell anyway. My work is pretty dry. Besides, no one would believe what you guys are doing. So tell me something exciting.'' Kathleen regrouped like a girl at a slumber party. ''I want every detail.''

''
There isn't much, Kathleen,'' Gerry interrupted. ''I've managed to find out a few little interesting details about the Coroner, that's all. Minor things that aren't worth talking about.''

One that was most interesting he would never share with her. Like the fact that it was an attorney who requested the Coroner be dispatched to autopsy Lionel Booker. It had been a lovely piece of work, Marlene talking with a friend who talked with a friend who tracked down someone else who remembered an offhanded comment made by the big man himself when he arrived for the dirty work. Lovely piece of work, indeed. Kathleen would have enjoyed it. Thankfully she didn't press for information he wasn't ready to share. Louise had her ear and was directing Kathleen to look under the table. Their heads were together like two inept spies.

''
Look, we got this great camera. Sarah and I are going to go out to Tysco and snap some photos. We're going to see who comes and goes and then try to see if Sarah can figure out if any of them kind of look like the guys who went out to her house.''

''
Louise, there are thousands of people who work out there. That's ridiculous.'' Louise lowered the tablecloth and stashed her bag. Kathleen sat back. Sarah hung her head, fidgeting with her napkin while she did so.

''
Well we don't have much choice. It's not like we've got a whole lot of help,'' she sniffed. ''Not like the back-up you've probably got: computers and things. Besides, we're not going to take pictures of the women so that cuts it down by half. And we're not going to bother with the people coming out of the manufacturing facilities.''

''
The men who came to my house wore suits, I know that,'' Sarah offered.

''
Yeah, so that means we've gotta concentrate on the suits. And we know they're big guys. . .'' Louise offered.

''
And we're especially going to watch out for Jules Porter. If Lionel was giving him a bad time then we should find out if he's doing anything weird outside the office that might have affected what was going on inside.'' That was Sarah talking and they all had to lean close to listen.

''
And does Michael know what you're doing?'' Kathleen missed all this. She laughed, grateful that they hadn't forgotten her. At O'Doul & Associates there were people to talk to, problems to solve and listening to these two made Kathleen wish for the good old days. At Shay, Sylvester & Harrington there were emissions report to sift through. Forms to fill out. Associates so concerned with their own status on the partnership track they were afraid to talk to Kathleen much less befriend her.

''
Not to worry, Kathleen, if these ladies get in trouble I'll defend them with my last breath.'' Gerry grinned at all of them with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Kathleen saw it and answered his sympathy with a simulated smile of her own. ''But I'm afraid we all have things we must do. Kathleen, we wouldn't want to keep you from your work. So important, those billing hours. I'm glad I'm old and infirmed,'' he said with a commiserating wink. ''Sure, I couldn't keep track of such mathematics anymore. Shall we, ladies?''

Chairs went back, napkins were put on the table, skirts were smoothed and little things said all around as they trooped out of Maple Drive, onto the street and across it to Shay, Sylvester & Harrington. Louise and Sarah left them in the lobby of the building.

''
We're going to take off, Gerry.'' Louise leaned into him for a kiss on her cheek. He kissed the air instead and patted her shoulder - if indeed there was a shoulder under the incredible pads in her jacket. She looked a bit like a packing box. Satisfied, she did the same to Kathleen. ''We want to get down to Tysco and stake out before the four o'clock shift leaves. We'll pop in and see Michael, too. Anybody have any messages for him?''

Sarah and Louise looked at Kathleen. Gerry answered.

''
Ask him if he'd mind postponing dinner this evening. Tell him I'll call him tomorrow.''

''
Okay, Mr. O'Doul.'' Sarah stuck out her hand. He shook it gently, bowing over it slightly.

''
You were going to have dinner with Michael?'' Kathleen asked, trying to sound casual as they headed to her office.

''
He says he asked you, but you pleaded work. I was second choice, don't you know.''

The elevator called for them. Kathleen went in. It was late. She'd have to make up the extra hour that evening. She was all alone. Then Gerry joined her.

''
You don't have to come up, Uncle Gerry.''

''
Nonsense. I've been so patient waiting for an invitation to see your new place of business, but I've not had one. So now I'm now taking matters into my own hands. I'll just pop in and say hello to Richard while I'm here.''

Kathleen punched the number sixteen. The elevator shot up. Her stomach fell to the floor.

''
He's awfully busy, Gerry. I don't know that you should just walk in on him. There's a definite protocol in this place.''

''
Yes, yes, I know.'' Gerry patted her arm, his tone filled with a lifetime of experience that told her there weren't many places you couldn't go if you acted like you belonged there. ''But it's really not as daunting as it seems, Kathleen. I promise you it isn't.'' Gerry O'Doul stopped the elevator. He pressed a little button that had a warning to press only in the case of emergency. Kathleen's mouth dropped. He had pushed it as if he were ringing a doorbell. This wasn't a little three story building on South Beverly. This was a towering high-rise in the heart of Beverly Hills. This wasn't the place for a heart-to-heart, but Gerry didn't seem to think the rules applied to him. She supposed he never did.

''
Kathleen, these are just people. They are a little scared like you, a little daunted by the fact they are working on problems that affect the country, not just a widow who lives in a canyon with her rabbits. It's all right to be nervous as long as you're doing your best. But, Kathleen, if you're unhappy here, that's another matter. Don't be afraid to stay and work like the dickens, but don't be afraid to leave either. It wouldn't be a failure, it would be a choice. Choose the kind of life you want, and if it's not the kind Richard leads, then my door is open or I will help you find the right door.''

Kathleen met his gaze head on and was proud of that. She was touched by what he said, but more than that she was embarrassed by her own idiocy and that she would never admit. Besides, he didn't need her. Nor did Louise or Sarah. They had everything under control.

''
Thank you, Gerry, but I think it's all going to work out fine here. I've just got to remember things take a little longer in a place like this. Mr. Jacobsen wouldn't have offered me the job if he didn't think I had what it took.''

''
No,'' Gerry answered, ''No he wouldn't.''

He pushed the button and they were off again. A moment later they were walking through the lobby where they had partied not so long ago. They went down the long halls, past secretaries and paralegals and big offices with windows that didn't open for a breath of fresh air. They passed an enormous library, a production office where reams of paper were printed and copied and stapled for court appearances, internal distribution and storage. They passed offices of junior partners and finally they came to Kathleen's where Gerry made noises of appreciation over her Mathis oil work and tried to ignore the closet-like dimensions of the place she called her own. Stacks of reports waited for her attention and there was a grid of some sort pulsating on her computer screen. When Gerry was finished with his admiring sounds, he kissed her cheek.