View Park, page 14
“I should call her.”
Nikki shook her head. “She’s in classes until three today. Then she has some Spellman-Morehouse meet-and-greet thing. Beginning semester stuff.”
“I’ll call her tomorrow. What about Alex?”
Nikki rolled her eyes. “You should know that I’ve asked him not to come over.”
“Why did you do that?”
“You know how I feel about him.”
“He’s my fiancé, Mom.”
“If he was any good you two would be married by now.” Nikki could never put her finger on it, but Alex had always rubbed her the wrong way.
“That’s not all his fault.”
“You need to make some serious decisions about him,” Nikki said. “Not today, but soon. After three years with someone, you either get married or you break up.”
“Not now, Mom.”
“He called, too,” Nikki said after a short pause.
“Carter? Did you pick up?”
“You told me not to so I didn’t, and no, he didn’t leave a message. He’s determined to get to you. That tells me he’s guilty.”
Avery shrugged, looking down at her hands on her lap because she didn’t want her mother to read what she was really thinking. Just then, the phone rang and Avery looked at her mom who looked back at her.
“Let it ring, Mom. It’s Carter.”
Nikki couldn’t comprehend the look on Avery’s face and that troubled her. She knew her children like the back of her hand, but Avery was holding something back from her and she had never done that before.
“Are you afraid of him?”
If she couldn’t be honest with her own mother, who loved her more than anyone ever would, she couldn’t be honest with anyone. “I don’t know what I feel about him, Mom. I almost kissed him once.”
Nikki’s mouth fell open.
“I’d rather not get into it right now,” Avery responded. “I already feel guilty.”
They heard the door opening and keys jangling and knew it was Charlie. When he appeared in the dining room, he went straight to Avery.
“How you doing, lil’ bit?” He bent down, kissing her forehead. Charlie took a deep breath, taking a seat at the table. “I came to give you some updates.”
Avery was becoming obsessed with finding Craig. She had wanted to kill him, but after her own life coming so close to the wire, she wouldn’t think as lightly of the word.
“We haven’t found Craig yet, but we found his appointment book with an entry that said ‘meet Carter, plan bombing’ on it.”
Avery thought Alex would love this, certain the two of them had plotted together against her. “That’s a little too obvious.”
“We also found Craig’s cell phone,” Charlie continued. “It shows several outgoing calls to Carter, including one to Carter’s cell phone just minutes before the explosion.”
“It doesn’t make sense,” Avery pointed out. “Why did he try to save me if he wanted me dead?”
Charlie wondered if Avery was being absentminded or deliberately forgetting one of her most vivid memories from the incident.
“Why haven’t you arrested him?” Nikki asked.
“He’s a Chase.” Charlie stood up. “It’s not that simple. We have to have better evidence. I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll keep in touch.”
After he left, Nikki stared her daughter down. She didn’t want to attack Avery, but something was seriously wrong. “You have feelings for this man?”
“I…I…No. I used to hate him, but I don’t anymore.”
“I don’t want you to hate him,” she said, “but I want you to understand that he probably blew up your shop.”
“He could have been set up,” Avery said. “Besides, I just…It was the way he looked when he came into my room.”
“He’s trying to charm you.” Nikki walked to the phone. “Looks like he left a message this time. I want to know what he wants.”
Avery was determined not to make up her mind until they found Craig. He was at the center of all of this. That was the only thing in this world she was sure of.
“Avery.” Nikki lowered the phone, with a concerned look on her face. “It wasn’t Carter. It was the insurance company. They need to speak to you and it’s urgent.”
Sean parked his car behind the detectives watching Rudio’s massive Beverly Hills home from a half block away. He glanced at his watch. It was another hour before he was supposed to replace them and he wanted to show his gratitude by letting them off a little early. Gibbs and Rodriguez had been helping him out the entire weekend because staking Rudio out was the only option for now.
Sunday, the soon to be ex-congressman Flay agreed to lead him to the place where he and Haley had been. Almost a month since this all began, he was still being very difficult with the police. He had shipped his family off to his wife’s parents in New England and he himself was lawyering up and eluding the police with frequent trips to Washington, D.C. After what had happened to Haley, he was under tight security, but it didn’t seem like Rudio cared much about him.
When Jack called, his tone held acquiescence to it as he explained he would announce Monday he was stepping down from his office and wanted to help more where he could. Sean wanted to feel sorry for the guy. His career, which he had spent twenty years building, was gone, and the local papers reported his wife had filed for divorce, but none of that seemed to matter. Out on the water with Jack, all he wanted to do was toss the man overboard.
It was all about Haley. While Jack walked him through the boat, Sean couldn’t help but picture him and Haley on that bed going at it, and it filled him with jealousy. When they reached the spot and Sean directed the divers to check out the site, he knew they wouldn’t find anything. If any sign of Jorge had been floating around it would be long gone by now, and if it had been sunk the floor of the ocean here was too deep for the divers.
While the divers were down, Sean watched Jack break down on the deck. The man was sobbing over how regretful he was and even though Sean was cursing him inside, all he could say was I understand, I understand. He didn’t understand. It was Sunday and he wondered if Jack had ever actually listened in whatever church it was he went to. No one was perfect, but it didn’t take perfection to keep your pants zipped. The man was just weak and that’s what he admitted to, but the way he did it only disgusted Sean. As if it wasn’t at all his fault. His weakness had done him in and he made no indication that there was anything he could do to keep his weakness from doing it again.
Sean didn’t even expect him to try. Still, he kept it together until Jack started talking about Haley and how the touch of her made him forget anything else in the world existed. Sean had to excuse himself at that moment and when he was alone, he was filled with rage. Not for Jack or for Haley, but for himself for wishing that he could touch Haley and feel that way.
“How’s it going?” Sean asked as he leaned into the driver’s side window.
“Nothing.” Rodriguez said a few words in Spanish to signify his boredom. “Five hours and nothing. How long we gonna do this, man?”
“Until we catch him doing something. He’s a drug dealer. He’ll do something soon.”
“We’re going to get him for drugs?”
“We’ll get him for anything we can,” Sean said. “Until we can get him for murdering Jorge or anyone else we’re sure he’s murdered.”
“Hey! Hey!” Gibbs was talking through a mouthful of sub sandwich as he hit Rodriguez in the shoulder.
“Give me the binoculars!” Sean reached down and grabbed them from Rodriguez.
The oxblood red Mercedes backed out of the underground garage and turned toward them. Sean looked closely. It wasn’t Rudio, but he had an idea that it was still important. A man like Rudio doesn’t do his own dirty work. He had men like Humongo, aka Armand, do it for him.
“You guys stay here.” He tossed the binoculars back in the car. “I’m gonna follow this guy.”
“Hey! What about relieving us?”
“You still have an hour.” He pointed at his watch. “I’ll be back.”
As Rodriguez and Gibbs leaned down in the seats, Sean rushed to his car. He followed Armand a few cars behind, his mind going over what had made this case more personal to him than most. He cared about every case he had. He had even been attracted to some of his witnesses, but never let it show. Haley had changed all of that.
He didn’t blame himself for being attracted to her. Even with her personality flaws, too many to mention, most men would want to go, but Sean had always thought himself stronger than most men. His life as a police officer and now as a detective meant a lot to him. The values his parents had instilled in him taught him there was virtue in denying yourself something you knew wasn’t good for you; especially when that something could hurt others.
As he followed Armand into a strip mall parking lot Sean thought of Jack, almost on his knees sobbing like a little girl over Haley, thinking he would rather shoot himself in the head than be brought to that by any woman. He could tell himself just to stay away from her, but he knew he wasn’t going to do that. He wanted her and he wasn’t going to rest until he had her.
Sean parked two aisles behind Armand, leaning back in his seat as he watched Armand swagger into the Carlson Travel Agency office. Was Rudio planning on going somewhere? He had family in Florida and Cuba, based on Sean’s records, but a man with drug money could go anywhere he wanted.
While he waited, Sean thought of the old stakeout days with his old partner, Luke Klane, who had left the force two months ago to join his father-in-law’s security business in San Diego. The salary was twice what he was paid as a detective. Sean missed him and wasn’t looking forward to a new partner coming soon.
After about twenty minutes, Armand left the travel agency and returned to his car. Sean decided to keep following him. His hour was running out and he knew he could check up on the travel agency after his shift was over.
Janet waved Leigh over to her table in the country club dining room. She ignored any nerves she felt at asking so much of her daughter.
The first thing she noticed as Leigh sat down was the dark circles beneath her eyes. “Are you hungry? You look like you haven’t eaten.”
“I’ll just have the usual.” Leigh accepted the menu Janet handed her. “You don’t look happy, Mom. What’s wrong?”
“Is that a serious question?” Janet almost laughed. “Things have been tough on all of us and I wish you were around more.”
“You know how busy I’ve been with the clinic,” Leigh said. “Which is why I wanted to talk to—”
“I’m going to spare you, Leigh.” Janet reached across the table, placing her hand over her daughter’s. She felt its trembling and it touched her heart. “Your father told me everything. I know why you’re here.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I know how going to Daddy first makes you feel. It’s just that—”
“You were encouraged by his interest after your problems with the insurance company, I know. Your father loves a challenge. Apparently, so do you.”
Leigh was a little confused at the veiled compliment. “I’m a Chase, right?”
“You certainly are.” Janet leaned back, adjusting the napkin on her lap. “I am truly, truly sorry about the clinic. You’re my baby and anything that hurts my baby, hurts me. You may not believe me, but—”
“I believe you, but I don’t want pity.”
“You’re definitely a Chase.” Janet was proud of her; pity was for the weak. “Trust me, I wasn’t even considering pitying you. I want to give you an apology.”
Leigh was completely confused now. Which way was this conversation going?
“An apology,” Janet continued, “for making you work harder than you should have to get this started. As much as I hate the idea of you down there—”
“We’re going to get a security system and hire a security guard.”
“Your father told me. He also told you that he would use his contacts to lean on the insurance company. You went along with that?”
Leigh’s head lowered. “I don’t think it’s right, but…”
“That’s where you go wrong, Leigh. Having power isn’t just good for helping others. It’s also good for getting what you want for those that you love. I don’t always agree with your father’s tactics, but it is what it is.”
“Insurance companies are powerful.”
“So is your father,” Janet said. “He’ll do what he can, but the Chase Foundation is mine.”
“That’s what he told me and that’s why I’m here.”
Janet could see that Leigh was close to tears and she had cried enough herself over the past weeks. “I’m going to help you, Leigh.”
Leigh’s eyes widened, wondering if she’d just heard what she wanted to hear. “You’re…What?”
“The Foundation will help the Hope Clinic. I’ll set up a quick fund-raising dinner for start-up and secure operations funding for the next six months.”
“Are you kidding me?” Leigh was crying and laughing at the same time.
“I may be crazy,” Janet said, “but I’m not kidding. I can only give you six months because that’s what we always promise start-up charities.”
Leigh was no fool and as Janet dismissed the waiter who came for their orders, she leaned in and studied her mother’s demure smile. “What’s going on? You can’t tell me you suddenly believe in what I’m doing.”
“I’ve always believed in everything you’ve ever done, Leigh.” Janet watched as Leigh’s face softened and her lips turned up in a proud smile. “You’re the most incredible person in this family and that’s why I’ve chosen to do this for you. I know you’ll understand what I’m asking.”
Leigh swallowed, her shoulders lowering a bit. It didn’t matter, really. She was going to do anything and she couldn’t wait to tell Richard and Alicia. “What?”
“I need you to make more of a commitment to this family. Leigh, you’re like a ghost and you were that way well before you left for Africa. It’s as if you’re embarrassed by your name. There are societal responsibilities attached to it.”
Leigh always felt the entire system was set up to make a few feel better by excluding most. No one was ever good enough. What put the Chase family on top was Janet’s bloodline and Steven’s power and money. No one could match both. Not in L.A. Some had the family names but only middle- or upper-class economic status. Those who had all the money but no name might as well be homeless ex-cons.
When Janet spoke of societal responsibilities she meant events, mostly masquerading as charity. They were all about trivializing their privileges, degrading those who didn’t have them and figuring out the best way to separate themselves from everyone. Most people, black or white, didn’t meet their standards and for a person like Leigh, who wanted to bring people together, it was nothing short of sickening.
“You should be proud of who you are.”
“I am,” Leigh said honestly.
“You aren’t. You don’t see it, but you wear shame on your face for being blessed. You’re embarrassed that you’ve been given so much only because everyone else hasn’t. You don’t realize what it means to be a Chase and how embracing that could do more for your people than you’d ever believe.”
Leigh didn’t really want to hear this. “I know how important our family is to the community, Mom. What do you want me to do?”
“I’ve always asked all of you the same thing,” Janet said. “Educate yourselves as much as possible, reach for the highest goals, and never compromise your principles and your civility. Understanding how simply the way you live your life is the greatest contribution you can give to society.”
“I’ve tried to do that.”
“And you’ve done it the best, Leigh. That’s why I need you to help me represent our family right now. Carter has his own problems and I can’t count on your father and Michael right now with the mess Chase Beauty is in. That doesn’t change our obligations and I need your help. The press can’t possibly write anything bad about you.”
“So you’re pimping me for good press for the family.” Leigh regretted it as soon as it came out.
“Your little sister’s vocabulary has been rubbing off on you.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Leigh had to remember this wasn’t about her. “I understand and I can do whatever is needed.”
“You understand this will take you away from your time at the clinic?” Janet asked. Leigh nodded, making her feel like a bully. She knew she was doing this for the right reasons. She glanced down at her watch, realizing she didn’t have any more time left. “What are your plans today?”
“I have to stop by County Hospital at two. They’re donating some supplies. I need to store them at home, if that’s okay?”
“Fine. I’ll be working at the foundation offices today, so come by and we’ll work everything out.”
“Mother, I can’t begin to thank you for all you’re doing. It just means so much to so many people.”
“I only care what it means to you,” Janet said, “but spending more time on this family is not all I’m asking.”
Inside, Leigh screamed at herself not to protest. Even if it was unbearable, she had to do this. It meant too much. “What else?”
“I’m setting you up on a blind date and you must—”
“Mother!” Leigh held her hand up. She hadn’t told her about Richard yet, but only because spreading news about her love life hadn’t seemed appropriate with everything that was going on. “I never like the guys you set me up with. They’re always snobs.”
“This one is an exception.” Janet halted her protest. “Listen to me. I’m just asking that you spend some time with him. A few dates maybe with some of your friends along. I know you’ll like him. I’ve met him and he’s not like any of the other men I’ve set you up with.”
Leigh was still shaking her head.
“It’s all I’m asking,” Janet said, “but…well, I’m asking it all. I’m already going to get flack for contributing to my child’s venture when there is a line of charities waiting. This is how it will happen. I mean, it’s not like you’re seeing anyone.”
