Green Tea (18 page)

“Other than the fact that she is a client of Teagan’s company, we don’t know anything about her.”

“I think you would be smart to pick up your paperwork at her office tomorrow and see just what kind of establishment she works for. If it’s some little dive store front, that will tell us one thing, if it’s one of them big firms that will tell us something else.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll go first thing in the morning.”

AJ checked all the window locks and the maid lock on the door, twice, before we went to bed.

It didn’t dawn on us until after Steph left, that she’d told us something of what we needed to know. She reminded us that we have a restraining order against Jerkface, which means that she is telling us he is not in jail. If she knew he was locked up, there would be no reason for her to remind us about the restraining orders.

I really need to start paying more attention to the subtle things in life. Wasn’t all that long ago that I was always fussing at Teagan to pay attention to the subtleties. Funny how things come back to bite ya. My mom is always saying you are where you need to be to learn the lesson you need to learn. Wonder what the lesson in all of this is.

To say I didn’t sleep very well would be an understatement.

I was up before the sun. Had my first cup of tea, my shower done,
my
hair in hot rollers and was putting on eyeliner when AJ woke up.

I figured dark wash jeans, a nice blouse, and a blazer; with my super comfy gray boots would be a good outfit to go pick up paperwork from Steph. It wouldn’t matter if she was in a storefront place, or a nice building, I would be appropriately dressed in either. I also wanted to find the perfect gift for Morgan and Liam. I’d put it off about as long as I could. Not that I really put it off, I just haven’t found the right thing. I also need to pick up some kind of necklace to wear with my dress. Plus I should check in with Adeline.

AJ ate a bunch of junk food for breakfast. I had another cup of tea, after much discussion it was decided that we would drive to Old Town together, he would go to pick up the paperwork with me, at that time we would talk to Steph and find out what the risk level really is, and if I should be out there walking around by myself.

I called Steph as soon as we got to the studio; I wanted to make sure she was in the office, so that I wouldn’t be shuffled off to her assistant.

It’s time to get some answers. This is well beyond ridiculous.

Steph came on the line. “Cara, what time would you like to pick up the paperwork I mentioned last night, or would you prefer that I bring it to you?”

“I’ll be happy to pick it up Steph. What time is best for you?”

“Any time Cara, I’ll be in the office all day.”

“How about 5 minutes? I’m at the studio. I’ll just walk down there.”

“I’ll have Carmine come down and get you.”

“Do I need an escort?”

AJ’s eyebrows went up. His look even more intense than it has been for the last few days.

“Steph, is Jerkface in jail or not?”

“We’ll talk when you get here Cara.”

I printed out a quick note to Jovana, letting her know that AJ and I were down the street at Steph’s office, and that I expected to be back soon-
ish
if she had any projects for me today.

I had just enough time to go to the bathroom before Carmine showed up. It might be the better part of valor to make sure that you have taken care of your bladder when you don’t know just how long an important meeting is going to take, or just how scary it will be. Especially when you’ve already had multiple cups of tea. I can be practical when I need to be.

Carmine showed up just as I got back downstairs. He was not amused to be escorting us, and didn’t even pretend to be. I do give him credit, he was aware of every movement of every person around us on the walk back to the law offices. I felt pretty safe with him there.

When we walked into the offices of Magnar, Wyatt and Strong, I was more than a little intimidated. To that point, Steph was just a friend of Teagan’s that was nice enough to give us some free legal advice, but I really didn’t know anything else about her. I really didn’t envision her as a high-powered attorney, but seeing this place, jeez.

Walking into the law office not only made the whole thing a lot more real, but the office vibrated with power and influence.

The receptionist, an elegant woman of about my mom’s age, dressed in a stunning suit and jewelry that probably cost more than my car, smiled and asked if she could get us anything to make us more comfortable.

I couldn’t think of a single thing in life that would help me to be comfortable in these surroundings, so I politely declined.

Carmine escorted us through huge double doors that opened silently when we approached.

We walked down a hallway of expensive wood and muted lighting. Carmine slowed for no apparent reason, reached to his right, pushed a little doohickey I hadn’t noticed, and the wall slid open allowing us to walk into a huge conference room.

The table was outrageously large; around the table were expensive leather chairs, spaced at regular intervals.

Along the entire far wall was a beautiful wooden bookcase with leather-bound books I feel comfortable in assuming are legal books.

Along the wall to the right were beautifully carved wood panels, with bullet lights highlighting magnificent wood grain. The whole wall was so beautiful no artwork was required.

The wall to the left was glass with frosted stripes in an interesting pattern, horizontal on one panel, vertical on the next. Carmine flipped a switch and the entire wall went opaque. He explained, “We’ll have more privacy this way.”

AJ and I were invited to sit, just as a gentle chime sounded, and the wall opened again, a beautiful woman standing in the center of the opening. “Mr. Canfield, I am sorry to interrupt. Mr. Magnar asked me to advise you that Ms. Walker is on a conference call in his office, she will be with you shortly.”

“Thank you Bonnie.”

Moments later, the chime sounded again, the wall opened and Steph scurried in.

“Hi. Sorry I’m late.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I have the paperwork here. If Officer Branden is within the distance stated, call 911. There’s identical paperwork for each of your immediate family members, Morgan, AJ and Jessie. There is also a document for Jordan’s school, for Rory’s superiors if he wants it and for Rory’s wife and their daycare.”

AJ started to ask a question; I gave him a look not to say a word.

“Is there anything else I can do for you Cara?”

“Is Jerkface in jail or not?”

“At this time, we do not have enough evidence to charge him with a crime.”

“We?”

“Figure of speech.”

“It wasn’t a crime to break into my apartment?”

“Did you report him to the police?”

“No. It wasn’t a crime when the chief of police showed up when he was waving a gun around in my parking lot?”

“Cara, I appreciate your frustration, but I can’t give you all the answers that you’re looking for. I can tell you that we have put measures in place to assure the safety of you and your family. As soon as possible, I will answer every question you ask me. On an aside, the questions you asked last night were very helpful. If you happen to have any more, please give me a call.”

“I’ll do that.”

I looked at AJ, he stood, and we left without shaking hands or anything. Maybe not the classiest move I’ve ever made, but I don’t trust this woman, or this situation, as far as I could throw an elephant in a small room.
 
Suffice it to say that Carmine didn’t bother to walk us back to the studio.

As we were walking I snapped at AJ, “I know it’s stupid and immature, but I don’t trust that woman, and I don’t even want to talk out loud anywhere that she has been. I feel like every place she has been has been invaded, and probably bugged. Teagan and I were really kind of careful not to bring the whole family into this thing, and she has paperwork for everybody, and knows them well enough to list off their names? Why does she know so much about my family? There’s something going on and it’s a whole lot bigger than we know about and I don’t want anybody talking about my family any more.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I know, I’m just explaining why I’m cranky. I thought I was supposed to do that so you didn’t take it personally.”

“Good to know.”

“I’m going to drop this paperwork off at my mom’s house, everybody can pick up their own copy from there. I’m gonna call Morgan and tell her we might be smart to pay for more security at the wedding, maybe armed guards instead of bar bouncers, and since it’s pretty much my fault, and they are on a fixed budget, I’m going to pay for it.”

AJ was smart enough not to say a word.

“I have to go check on Adeline.”

I stomped into the studio. Jovana’s cheerful voice sang out from the office upstairs. “What have you two been up to? I was beginning to worry.”

AJ ran across the street to the diner to get something for us to eat, while I filled Jovana in on the details of my totally screwed-up life. I made it all the way to the fact that I’ve had almost nothing to do with helping to plan and prepare for my own brother’s wedding, before I broke into monster tears.

“Well, Lovely, we can take care of that. I volunteered you to help me make some centerpieces and the little gift boxes for the door prizes or whatever they call them now. I got it all set up in the studio.”

We walked into the cavernous area, tables set up right down the center, with everything set up in assembly line fashion.

“Your sisters and momma will be here shortly. Morgan went to pick Jordan up at school. They have some teacher thing and they have the afternoon off. Why don’t we tuck into whatever it is that handsome man of yours is fetchin' for us for lunch,
then
we’ll be all set. Oh, and I already checked on Adeline for the day. When we get all this done, I got about a dozen other little projects for you.”

“Thanks.”

“And Darlin’ your momma and me, we got a bit of a surprise for Morgan. Do you want to know about it now, or do you want to be just as surprised as the rest of the family.”

“I hate surprises, but I don’t want to know before everyone else, so I guess I’ll be surprised.”

Jovana chuckled. “Darlin’ you are in worse shape than I thought. I know this has been scary and frustratin’ and unfair, but when you take a step back and look at the big picture, Cara, you have nothing to complain about. Everybody is healthy and happy and there is going to be a beautiful wedding in just a couple of days. You got a man that loves you, a family that supports you, and honey, whatever this is that is driving you crazy, don’t give it the power to mess up this time in your life.”

“Yes ma’am. You sound just like my mom. Thanks.”

I gave Jovana a big hug just as AJ walked in the door. He had two trays stacked in one hand and carried a tray in the other.

“I promised I’d bring the trays back. Jenny said if I didn’t have them back in an hour, she’d come get them herself.”

I tried not to sound clingy or like one of
those
girlfriends, “Really? Just which one is Jenny?”

“Darlin’ Jenny is the one that drools every time that boy walks in the door over there. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to give him a double servin’ of anything he asks for.”