Indemnity: Book Two: Covenant of Trust Series (33 page)

Thursday, October 4

Tracy shuffled and sorted papers, and restacked folders, clearing her desk to go home for the night. Well, not straight home. There was a bourbon and Coke with her name on it somewhere between here and home. Keeping up appearances, she dropped two folders into her briefcase, knowing that she wouldn’t be working on anything tonight. Out of habit, she checked her email before shutting her computer down for the night.

“
New partner? What?” A joint message from Rod Penner and Allen Hewitt, the founding partners, announced a new partner. Colin. Colin Janssen had been made a full partner in the firm. This was wrong. So wrong.

She charged down the hall to his office, his much smaller office. He could not get away with this. When she slammed his door, he looked up and smiled. “I guess you heard the news.”

“
You don’t deserve this.”

“
And you think you do? Is that it?”

“
I’ve been doing this for fifteen years. I’ve worked in every sector of law—”

“
But Tracy, you sleep around. That shows very poor judgment. A character risk, really.” Colin pushed back from his desk. “You know, Rod hit the roof when he found out you were sleeping with me.”

“
It takes two to tango, Colin.”

“
Oh, I know, but Allen is still smarting over that Jaguar he had to buy his wife because of you. He took it a little personally when you moved on to somebody else in his firm.”

“
You little ...”

“
Yeah, it was the combination that did you in. Honestly, I think you’re probably finished here at Penner Hewitt. You might want to get a résumé together.”

“
You set me up.” She wasn’t using him at all. He beat her at her own game. “You sucked up to the partners, found out who stood in your way, and you knifed me.”

“
No, you have some serious character deficiencies that I used to my advantage. I didn’t have to set anything up. You sabotaged yourself.”

“
Enjoy yourself while you can, Colin.”

“
Are you threatening me? After all we meant to each other?”

With one sweeping motion, Tracy cleared everything from the top of his desk, and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Friday, October 5

With the sun shining brightly, and unseasonably warm temperatures, Bobbi enjoyed playground duty this week. Right now, she focused on a group of kids on the jungle gym, positive that at least one of them would end up in the nurse’s office before recess was over. However, as she did a quick scan of the playground, she noticed one child, a little boy, sitting up against the school building. As she walked closer, she recognized Jack. “Do you feel okay, Jack?” she asked.

“
I’m not sick.” He never looked up and hugged his knees tightly.

“
But you don’t feel good?” Bobbi knelt down, and felt his forehead. No fever. “Did you have a good breakfast?”

“
I didn’t eat breakfast today.” He laid his head on his knees, and stared blankly across the playground.

“
Did you feel bad this morning too?”

“
Yes.”

“
Did you tell your mom you felt bad?”

“
No.”

“
Honey, why not?”

“
My mom felt worse.”

“
Was she sick today?”

“
She’s not sick.”

“
Jack, look at me,” Bobbi said, growing frustrated with trying to drag information out of him. He sighed deeply, and slowly rolled his eyes toward her. “Did something happen to make you feel bad?”

“
Yes.”

“
Did your mom get mad about something?”

“
Yes.”

“
Jack, tell me the truth now. Did your mom hurt you somehow?” Her throat tightened, anticipating the answer.

“
She didn’t hit me if that’s what you mean. My mom never even spanks me.”

“
But she was angry and she scared you?”

“
Yes.”

Bobbi’s heart broke for him. Chuck summarily dismissed her concerns about Tracy, but she’d been right after all.

“
Did she yell at you?” Instead of answering, Jack looked away again. “Whatever she was mad about, it wasn’t your fault,” Bobbi said gently.

“
It felt like my fault,” Jack whispered as tears began to form.

Bobbi took him in her arms, fighting tears herself. “I know it did.” She let go of him, smoothed his hair, and then ventured a little farther. “Does your mother have a glass of water, or a Coke or something else to drink when you get home at night?”

“
Brown stuff.”

“
Tea?”

“
No, it burns.”

“
You’ve tasted it?” Surely Tracy wasn’t that irresponsible.

“
No, just smelled it.”

“
Does she drink that stuff a lot or just every once in a while?”

“
I think about every day.”

“
Did she drink it last night?”

“
I didn’t see her, but she smelled like it.”

Tracy was liquored up before she even got Jack home last night. “Let’s get you inside and get you a snack. That may help you feel a little better.” She glanced around behind her then smiled at Jack. “I’ll even take you to the pop machine in the teachers’ lounge.”

“
Really?” Jack’s eyes grew wide and he broke into a grin.

“
Shhh,” Bobbi whispered. “If word gets out ...”

“
Right,” Jack whispered and winked. Bobbi let one of the other teachers know she was taking Jack inside, and then she escorted him through the office, to the teachers’ lounge. How was she going to get out of this quandary? Any charge or suspicion about Tracy would come across as bitter vindictiveness. Even with Chuck. Maybe Jack would be okay today. He would only see his mother for an hour or so before Chuck picked him up for the weekend. Maybe. Or maybe not.

“
Jack, would you do something for me?” Bobbi asked him as she got him a Coke and a bag of chips. “Well, two things.”

“
Sure,” he said, settling into a chair.

“
First, don’t tell anybody about this. Chips and pop, not nutritious at all.”

“
Don’t worry. I’m a good secret keeper.”

“
Second, and this is the important one. Tell your dad about how you felt today, okay? Even about your mom being mad. If anybody can help your mom, he can.”

Chuck smiled when he checked the caller ID on his cell phone. Bobbi. “Hey, honey. How’d you know I needed a break?”

“
I wish that’s all it was.”

“
What’s wrong? What happened?”

“
Now, don’t say anything until I finish. Tracy lost it. She didn’t hit Jack, but she went off and she scared him. He didn’t eat breakfast this morning, and he wouldn’t play at recess today. I know you think I’m unreasonable and paranoid where Tracy is concerned, but if you won’t do something to protect this little boy, then I will.”

Tracy ... went off?
“I’ll see what I can find out.”

“
Really? No lecture? No ‘now Bobbi’?”

“
No. I’ll call you after school.”

“
Thank you, Chuck. Thank you for taking me seriously.”

“
I’m slow, but I catch on,” he said. “Thank you for caring about Jack.” Chuck dialed Penner Hewitt first. When the receptionist answered, he said, “This is Chuck Molinsky with Benton, Davis & Molinsky. I need to speak with Tracy Ravenna.”

“
Ms. Ravenna is not in today. Can I leave a message for her?”

“
Thanks, but I’ll have what I need by Monday anyway.” Chuck laid the receiver on his shoulder, and pushed the cradle switch. It’s just as well that she wasn’t in. He had no idea what he was he going to say to her when she answered. ‘Tracy, Bobbi thinks you abused Jack last night. Wanna confess?’ That would be effective.

Laurie. Maybe Laurie knew something. He quickly found the daycare phone number and dialed. Moments later, his pastor’s wife was on the line. “Chuck, is something wrong?”

“
That’s what I’m trying to find out. Did you talk to Tracy this morning?”

“
No, she was in and out before I knew it. Why?”

“
I’m not sure, yet. What about last night?”

“
Well, Thursdays she works late, but ...”

“
Works late?”

“
Chuck,” Laurie hedged. “Can I be real honest?”

“
Of course.”

“
She stops at a bar after work on Mondays and Thursdays. Working late is just a ruse.”

“
Was she drunk last night?” He didn’t have time for Laurie’s delicate sensibilities.

“
Not any more than usual, I guess.”

“
Did she seem angry or upset?”

“
She didn’t say too much at all.”

“
How was Jack this morning?”

“
Tired. He said he didn’t sleep last night.”

“
He didn’t act sad or afraid or anything like that?”

“
Not that I noticed, but Chuck, I just said good morning to him. I didn’t really have a conversation.”

“
Thanks for talking with me. I’ll let you get back to your kids, Laurie.”

“
You’re welcome, but I don’t feel like I did much to help.”

“
Just pray for Tracy. Something may be going on.” Chuck hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. She took Jack to daycare, but didn’t go to work. Where was she? What was she doing? Where was the line between genuine concern and meddling interference? For Jack’s sake, he decided to err on the side of meddling. He shut his office down, locked up, and then stopped at Christine’s desk. “I probably won’t be back this afternoon. If Tracy calls, page me.”

“
Tracy?” Christine raised her eyebrows.

“
Yeah,” Chuck muttered. “I think I know what I’m doing.” He strode out to his car, pulling his cell phone off his belt. His wife was in class and wouldn’t answer, but he left a message. “Bobbi, she dropped Jack off this morning, but didn’t go in to work. I’m going to her house. I’m getting Glen to go with me. For now, let Jack go on to daycare like normal. Call you as soon as I can. Love you.”

Now to track Glen down. Granted, he probably should have called his pastor before leaving the message, but he was making this up as he went. No answer at the church. Glen wasn’t home either. Finally, Chuck got him on his cell phone. “Hey, I need some help. Where are you?”

“
Driving back from a meeting downtown. What can I do for you?”

“
Can you meet me at Tracy’s? Something’s up with her. She didn’t go in to work, and Bobbi called me from school saying Jack was upset after she got angry last night.”

“
Sure thing,” Glen said. “I’ll see you there.”

When Chuck saw Tracy’s car in her driveway, he whispered a prayer of relief. She was home, but what state she might be in was a different story. He wiped his sweaty palms on his slacks, surprised by how worried he was. What would make Tracy lose it in front of Jack? Her father. It had to be. He checked his watch, then his rearview mirror.
Come on, Glen.

He glanced up and recognized his pastor’s car turning onto the street. Finally.

“
Do you think she’ll let us in?” Glen asked once he caught up with Chuck.

“
Who knows?”

“
Let’s pray real quick,” Glen said, then bowed his head. “Father, You alone know what’s going on with this woman. Help us have the right words, and help her be ready to listen. In Jesus’ name.”

Chuck took the porch steps two at a time, and then rang the bell. There was no movement, not a sound from inside. He rang the bell again, and then he knocked loudly. “Tracy! It’s Chuck! Are you okay?” Still no answer. Chuck turned to Glen. “You ever break down a door?”

“
Not lately, no, but I’ll admit, that’s probably a skill a pastor should have,” Glen said with a grin.

Chuck grasped the doorknob firmly and shook the door, watching the gap between door and frame. He knocked across the door lightly. “This is solid. I’ll tear up the frame if I break it down.”

“
I’m not even gonna ask why you know how to break down a door.”

“
My dad was an MP before he went to law school. Taught me all sorts of stuff.” Chuck leaned closer, listening for any sounds inside the house. “Tracy! Can you answer the door? You can let me in or I can have the cops break your door down. I’m not going away.” Several minutes passed, and then the porch light came on. “She doesn’t know what she’s doing,” Chuck whispered, shaking his head.

He heard the deadbolt turn, but she didn’t open the door. Chuck glanced at Glen, then carefully turned the knob, and walked in. “Tracy? You okay?” She wasn’t in the living room, but an afghan lay draped halfway across the sofa. Maybe she’d slept there. Glen motioned that he would stay in the hallway for now.

“
In the kitchen,” Tracy said just loud enough to be heard. Chuck found her sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen counter, holding her head in her hands. She was dressed for work even though she hadn’t gone in. Papers, legal papers it appeared, were strewn across the floor, along with several pieces of broken glass. An empty bottle of bourbon lay in the floor by the refrigerator, and a half-empty one sat on the counter within arm’s reach of Tracy. “I’m ruined, Chuck. He stabbed me in the back.”