Character Witness (30 page)

''
You sure?''

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Yeah. But I'll put it back there sometime. Then we'll see what happens when we go looking for it together.''

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Meanwhile, let's kick some butt. Whaddaya say? Think the two of us from the wrong side of the tracks can tackle whatever it is that did Mr. Booker in?''

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I haven't got a clue.'' She wriggled out of his arms almost sorry she hadn't taken him up on his offer. But when she did, it was going to be so fine. Kathleen held onto that thought and got the folder, checked herself in the mirror and reached for her red, red lipstick. Thinking twice, she chucked it back on the dresser. He didn't think she looked so bad without her 'face'.

His shirt was on and tucked in by the time she got back. She laid the folder on the coffee table and watched Michael slip into his shoes. He ran his hands through his hair, picked up the folder and started to work.

This was the instant, the moment, the millisecond in time that marked a turning point in her life. Time could be marked like that, and all the other marked minutes of her life were forgotten. When Michael looked up at her, Kathleen listened intently because these first words she heard, in this new part of her life, would be terribly, terribly important. She leaned forward anxious to drink in every sound, every nuance, every tone of his voice. He touched her hand and looked into her eyes. He asked:

''
Do you have Louise's number?''

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Come in, come in Kathleen.''

Gerry waved at her from behind his desk, coming toward her a second later. He held out his hand like Bert Parks to Miss America. Kathleen stood with the door held against her chest as she smiled at Carl Walsh and tried to figure a way to duck out.

''
No, you're busy. I'll come back. I didn't realize you had appointments today.''

Gerry was too quick. He had the door in his hand was pulling it open. ''Nonsense. Come in here and say hello to Carl. He's been asking about you.''

Carl Walsh stood up politely and nodded to her. He had a lovely, vote winning smile. She'd give him her vote if he would just sit down. She motioned him down but when he wouldn't go Kathleen walked slowly, and reluctantly, into the room. She was stiff from her roll in the dirt and both men took notice, but Carl covered up his surprise smoothly.

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I was hoping you're finding the Los Angeles area to your liking.'' She grinned gamely and limped. He kept going. ''It's always nice to get a new citizen's point of view.''

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I like it very much, thank you,'' Kathleen said eager to be done with the amenities and get on with the business of the day. Gerry had no idea what was waiting for him. She wasn't about to fill him in with Carl Walsh in the audience. She stopped and hoped she wouldn't have to walk any further. Of course Gerry insisted.

''
Kathleen, what on earth has happened to you?'' He was staring at her knee where the huge bandage bulged under her stocking when he took her by the arm. Carl Walsh was holding out a chair. ''Sit down. Sit down.''

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Hope that didn't happen on city property. ''If it did, I'll have to give O'Doul & Associates the case so you'd have a conflict of interest and wouldn't be able to sue us.''

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No, it's not really as bad as it looks, and it happened on private property. It's a long story.''

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One I'd like to hear.'' Gerry clucked paternally, deftly covering his anger. ''I thought you were off to see Sarah Booker last night and then to dinner with Michael. I wouldn't think that would lead you to bodily injury. Michael didn't have anything to do with this, did he? If he did, I'll sue Tysco for all their worth. Employing a dangerous man like that.''

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Gerry, please,'' Kathleen tried to hush him. ''Michael helped me. I'll tell you about it later. Mr. Walsh, I'm sorry. Sometimes my uncle forgets that I'm his employee and not his daughter.'' She stood up stiffly and smiled as best she could. ''It was great to see you but I have some people in my office.'' To Gerry. ''I'd appreciate it if you'd come over when you can, Gerry.''

Kathleen offered her hand. Carl Walsh shook it. Kathleen gritted her teeth knowing the next move was going to send that shooting pain up her back. Funny that she hadn't noticed all that this morning when Michael was offering kisses to make it better.

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I've really got to be going.'' Carl said, suddenly anxious to be out of the office. Not that she could blame him. Between her and Gerry this place must seem like a nursing home. ''Gerry, you go ahead with Kathleen. I'll see myself out. It sounds like she's got her hands full on some front.'' He shook Gerry's hand too, holding it longer than was necessary. Kathleen limped away and disappeared behind the closed door of her office. Carl watched until she was safely away before walking to the door with the old man. ''Tysco business, Gerry? You're doing better than I realized if you're handling that. ''

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Sure, don't I wish that were the case? Tysco is only a small part of a problem we're handling for Mrs. Booker. Though even I must admit it gets more interesting by the moment.''

Carl Walsh nodded and the two men parted. Gerry gave Becky's desk a knock as he passed and stole a chocolate kiss from the pile in front of her before opening the door to Kathleen's office. He stood right there and cocked his head.

''
Well, 'tis a party, I see.'' He smiled grimly. Stone faced Louise, Sarah, Michael and Kathleen looked at him. ''I can't wait to hear what the occasion is.''

Carl Walsh hadn't intended to go back downtown. In fact, he had intended to pick up a game of racquetball, sweat a little and check out the action. If there wasn't any he was going to give one of his little black book stand-by's a call for dinner. There was always a photographer hanging around the gym and a photo of him looking fit as a fiddle with a lovely woman on his arm wouldn't hurt. Huey and Dewy, the body guards, were off for the day, not that he needed them when there wasn't a crush around or special business to take care of. Now his plans had changed and the change threw him off the roll he'd been on.

Instead of enjoying his one afternoon off, away from a planned event, fund raiser or campaign speech, he was driving back toward Shay, Sylvester & Harrington chewing on his lip and cursing the street lights. More than once he picked up the mobile phone to just make a call but finally he decided against it. Mobile technology just wasn't up to snuff when it came to privacy.

Sweating lightly by the time he pulled into the underground garage, Carl parked in a handicapped space and walked quickly toward the elevator banks ignoring the curious looks of people who thought they'd seen him some place before. The last thing he wanted to have a little talk with a voter. He could feel a blue mood coming on fast, but he kept it at bay until the elevator deposited him at the offices of Shay, Sylvester & Harrington.

''
Richard.''

He bypassed the receptionist with one word. She was on the phone fast to warn the man in the big corner office. Richard took the news well. He was smiling when Carl walked through the door. Carl was not. There would be no chatting this time.

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I paid a courtesy call on Gerry O'Doul. He'd been calling the office. I thought it would get him off my back. Damn. Damn. I'm glad I stopped by. Damn.'' Carl was pacing like a rabid dog in a cage. He pointed at Richard with a long finger and waggled it. ''You won't believe it.''

Richard handed him a drink. Carl grabbed it but it took him a minute to notice Richard was standing behind a chair waiting for him to sit. He shook his head and his free hand.

''
Not this time, Richard. I'm not going to let you calm me down with one of your little talks about you taking care of everything. You've been taking care of everything, and I will admit you've done a hell of a job 'till now, but, Richard, it's going to fall apart. I am not kidding you.''

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All right, Carl. Fine. Let's talk. I'll sit. You walk if it makes you feel any better.'' Richard sat. It made him feel better. He didn't like being around tall men.

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That niece of his, she comes in and what does she talk about? Some supervisor at Tysco and Booker. Sarah Booker. I can't believe it. I'll never forget that name as long as I live. That idiot's wife. That blond was talking about the one guy I thought we didn't have to worry about anymore. That tall -'' Carl spun toward Richard. ''What's her damn name? Jesus!''

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Kathleen Cotter.'' Richard filled in the blank softly.

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Who cares.'' Carl took a swig of his drink. ''I swear, I can't believe it. This isn't good, Richard. This isn't good at all. What in the hell do you think they're doing? Christ. This is incredible. First the boys can't find the billing and now this. Thank God I went over there.'' He stopped. He drained his glass. His hands were shaking. ''What in the heck do you think they're up to? That damn old man. I should have known something was up. Bumping into me that way. Calling the office. Damn old man's trying to make a name for himself on my back.''

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He's not up to anything, Carl. I suggest you relax.'''' Richard soothed him patiently, his look cool. It infuriated Carl almost as much as his condescending words.

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Right. That's what you told me last time when we found out Booker was asking questions.''

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And everything was fine, wasn't it?''

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Yeah, if you call suicide a solution.'' Carl snorted. Actually, it was a solution he had considered in his darkest moods. Thankfully, he was a coward.

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We were lucky. The man was imbalanced,'' Richard answered evenly. He picked up a trinket from his desk. It had been an award for something or other. He didn't remember where he'd gotten it, or from whom, but it felt good and heavy in his hand. He would like to use it to knock some sense and confidence into Carl Walsh.

''
Well I don't think we can count on Gerry O'Doul doing the same thing. The guy is relentless. He'll have his niece on our tail until they find out whatever they want to find out. Would you figure that someone who looked like her would even have the brains to ask the right questions?''

''
As a matter of fact, Ms. Cotter is quite competent. As to Gerry, let him be.'' Richard put the thing down. If he didn't, he might throw it at Carl. With his luck he'd kill him and they'd have to find another candidate. ''There's nothing to worry about. This is a small problem. Kathleen Cotter is representing Booker's ex-wife against the estate and the insurance company. It's no more sinister than that. It's a civil matter. It will run its course.''

Carl stopped cold and stared indignantly at Richard Jacobsen.

''
You know about this? You know that those two fools have been sniffing around Tysco? You invited them to the party knowing that, and you didn't tell me about it?''

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It's wise to keep your enemies close, Carl. These two barely qualify, but. . .'' He raised his lovely hands as if to ask 'what could they do?'.

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Then I must be a hell of a smart guy, Richard, because I practically live with you.'' Carl started pacing again.

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Thank goodness you don't,'' Richard drawled. ''I prefer my world to be a little more ordered than yours.''

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Come on, come on. Cut the crap. This is not the end of the world. It's an annoyance. That's what you're telling me?'' Carl put his glass on the desk, hitting it a little too hard. Richard gave him a look. It was enough. Carl crumpled into a chair.

Richard leaned forward. Carl had never seen Richard nervous He probably had no nerves. He was like a human calendar, ticking off projects, adding new ones to replace those he'd successfully completed. The indirect lighting caught his glasses and reflected the light so that it appeared there were no eyes behind the lenses.

''
Carl,'' Richard said patiently, ''the business arrangements you and I have with one another, and the arrangements we both have with Tysco among others, are simply that - business arrangements. I want you to remember that. Because, if you don't remember that now, you will have a difficult time dealing with the future. I can't imagine these histrionics when we must accomplish as much in Washington.'' Richard moved less than an inch but Carl could now see one myopic eye watching him. Carl shifted, too, trying to find the spot where Richard's eyes were hidden behind the reflection. It didn't work. Richard continued unaware that he was giving Carl the heebie-jeebies.

''
What is happening here is just a dry run. There is nothing to worry about. I have covered all our bases. Worst case scenario, we end up in court. If we do, a defense is at the ready. Our arrangement is nothing that hasn't been done before. The only thing that sets us apart is the scope of our project. Remember that. We have almost four years invested at this level. We hope to have a lifetime investment once you hit Washington. Now pull yourself together. Let me monitor the situation with Gerry O'Doul and his lovely niece. You make the speeches. I'll manage the rest. If it makes you feel any better, I know a simple way to diffuse the whole thing.''

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You better, Richard, or I'm out of here.'' Carl shot up, unfolding himself to a glorious height. ''I mean it. I'll just go it on my own - win or lose. If I hear one more word from Gerry O'Doul, if that niece of his shows up on my doorstep asking questions, if whoever they're dealing with at Tysco starts sending me memos, then I'm cutting myself out of this picture.''

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I wouldn't advise that, Carl. I have a great deal invested. We all do,'' Richard reminded him quietly.

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Yeah, well I've got a whole life wrapped up in this, a reputation, not just money. Money means nothing.''

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Oh yes, money means something,'' Richard said, but he was talking to the mayor's back. That in and of itself was surprising. Carl Walsh had never turned his back on Richard before. If Richard had his way, he never would again.