David’s muscles tighten because he recognized the voice.
Heather Young appeared in the doorway wearing a brown leather skirt, a white turtleneck, and a long white fur coat.
Mrs. Hinkle stood up. “Good morning, may I help you?”
“Good morning, hon,” she said sweetly. “I was hoping to get a minute or two with David.”
Mrs. Hinkle looked at David whose face had turned to stone. “It’s okay, Mrs. Hinkle. Close the door on your way out.”
“Yes, sir,” Mrs. Hinkle said and started to walk out of the room.
“Thanks, hon. And that color is adorable on you.”
Mrs. Hinkle stopped. “Thank you, miss?”
“Young. Heather Young.”
“Thank you, Ms. Young,” Mrs. Hinkle said politely. She closed the door when she left the room.
David leaned back in his chair. “I thought you went back to New York.”
Heather walked over to the desk. “I did. I came back.” She sat down in one of the chairs and crossed her legs.
“Why?”
“You know why, sugar. I don’t give up that easily. We had something special before, and we can again, but this time it will be better.”
David straightened in his chair. “I made it clear to you that I’ve moved on. There’s nothing to fight for.”
“Oh? Where’s Patricia? Obviously, it didn’t work out.”
“Her position was temporary. My regular secretary was on medical leave.”
“So, you don’t see her anymore?” Heather fished.
David started to become irritated. “Whether I do or I don’t is none of your concern and has no barring in my decision regarding going back to you.”
A slow smile spread across her lips as she shook her head up and down. “You’re dating her. Is her divorce final, yet?”
“Heather, that is none of your business.”
“Oh, I forgot. You protect your clients’ privacy no matter how innocent the information is. No big deal. I can find out myself some other way, if I want. It can’t be that hard to find out gossip in a city this small.”
“Heather, don’t you go near her,” he said practically through gritted teeth.
“Relax. I won’t have, too. She’s smart enough to see the light on her own, soon enough.”
“What do you mean?”
Heather rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, David. Surely, you don’t think you have a future with her. Yes, she’s very pretty and sexy, even smart, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s black. You two grew up in totally different cultures. And the biggest obstacle will be your career. Some clients look down their noses at interracial couples. How could you consider being seen with her on your arm at public functions?” she asked with snobbishness.
A slight shade of red rose in his jaws. “Get out of my office and take your bigoted attitude with you.”
“I resent that! I’m not a bigot. I’m a realist. I’m not unreasonable, David. I don’t mind you sleeping with her every once in a while - just be discrete. If you and Patricia are comfortable, I would like to join you. Like I said, she is extremely desirable.”
David wanted to throw Heather and the chair she was sitting in through the window. “If you were a man, I’d break your neck for that.” He wasn’t sharing Trish with anyone - man or woman - especially Heather. This woman was insane.
“You’re blowing this completely out of proportion. When did you become so sensitive?”
Mrs. Hinkle burst into the office. “Mrs. Young, it’s time for you to leave.”
David’s eyebrow arched up. He glanced down at the phone. The intercom was on.
Heather stood up. “Who are you to order me anywhere?’
“A woman. You see, he’s a gentleman. He wouldn’t dare manhandle a woman – even one as vile as you. However, I don’t have that problem.”
Heather laughed. “An old frail thing like you? Please.”
Mrs. Hinkle marched to Heather and slapped her across the face.
David’s eyes widened as Heather’s head was rocked to the side.
“Now tell me, how old and frail was that?” Mrs. Hinkle asked with controlled anger.
David whirled around the desk at lightning speed.
“Why you old bat!” Heather was about to strike Mrs. Hinkle back when David grabbed her arm.
“Get out of here, now,” he said in a deep voice.
Heather was incredulous. She glared at David. “You’re going to let her get away with doing this to me? To me! Fire her, David!” she demanded in a high shrill.
“Fire her? I’m thinking about giving her a raise,” he said and let go of her arm. “Leave. And if you come near me or anyone associated with me ever again, I’ll file a restraining order. That won’t look good to your high society friends in New York. And you better believe I’ll make sure they’ll hear about it.”
“Damn you! You’ll regret the day you ever laid eyes on me, David Shaw,” she said with venom and started heading to the door.
“I’ve regretted laying eyes on you for the past two years!” he yelled in her direction.
She twirled around staring daggers at him. After a moment, she left without another word. When the front door slammed, Mrs. Hinkle said, “She is unbelievable.”
“Yes, I know that now,” David said and ran his hand through his hair.
Chapter 34
New Year’s was a time of resolutions, hope, and a fresh start. That was David’s attitude walking into the New Year’s Eve ECTV Ball with Trish on his arm.
David’s parents reserved a table. Trish, Darlene, Phillip, and the Shaws were talking and drinking.
“Isn’t this wonderful?” Mrs. Shaw said. “I just wish Teddy would have come along.”
“Now, dear, you know Teddy would rather be dead than attend a ball,” Dr. Shaw said and patted her hand.
“Oh, I know, but family should be together on the holidays. What if he’s all alone?” Mrs. Shaw asked sadly.
“I doubt that he’s alone, Mrs. Shaw. Your son is very….sociable,” Darlene said and gulped her drink like she was swallowing a bitter pill.
“Uh, I’m sure Ted is fine. He mentioned he was going by The Clover Club. That’s more his speed,” David chimed in.
Benjamin Manley Sr. approached the table. “Happy New Year,” he greeted with a smile.
“Happy New Year,” they all replied back.
“Thank you for coming, Dr. Shaw, Mrs. Shaw. And thank you for paying for a table. Did you know that fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the hospital?”
“No we didn’t, but that’s good to know,” Dr. Shaw said. “ECTVs contribution is very much appreciated.”
“Good. David, how have you been?”
“I’ve been great and thanks for the tickets. Have you met our guests?”
“Well, I remember Ms. Truman. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” Trish said happily.
“And who are these good-looking people with you?” Mr. Manley asked and looked at Phillip and Darlene.
“I’m Phillip Dunn and this is Darlene Jacobs,” he said and stood to shake Mr. Manley’s hand.
“Nice to meet you both. Are you enjoying the party?”
“Very much so,” Phillip said and sat back down.
“Oh, yes. It’s so wonderful and glamorous,” Darlene beamed.
Mr. Manley smiled at her. “I’m glad you’re having fun. Ms. Truman would you like to dance?”
“Oh ye-” she stopped and looked at David.
“It’s okay,” he said with a smile. He looked up at Mr. Manley. “Just bring her back.”
“I will,” he said with a smile and offered Trish his hand.
She took it, and they walked quietly to the dance floor. He held her hand and put one around her waist. Trish placed her free hand on his shoulder.
“I take it from the exchange that you and David had that you two are seeing each other.”
She smiled and shyly glanc
ed down. “Yes.”
“You two look happy.”
“We are.”
“Good. I knew he was smart. He scooped you right up. I wish I was quicker on the draw,” he teased.
She chuckled. “Oh, Mr. Manley. I’m sure you have women beating down your door.”
“Yes. Millionaires usually call them golddiggers.”
Trish smiled at his honesty. “Surely, not all.”
“Maybe not. It takes time to weed through the bushes to find the diamond in the rough.”
“I was happy to hear that your son won his custody case.”
“The whole family was ecstatic. The little one got to spend Christmas with us. My whole family is grateful to David.”
“That’s wonderful. Have you considered using David’s services in the future?”
“I have. Actually, my lawyer for the station is about to retire.”
“Sounds like you have him on retainer.”
“I do. I have considered a number of candidates who could possibly replace him.”
“I see. And you’re considering David as one of them?”
“Yes, but I’d like to know more about his experience as a lawyer. He only opened a practiced two years ago.”
“He practiced law in New York for a couple of years. I can’t remember how many. Perhaps you should set up an appointment with him. Ask him questions, like a job interview - if you don’t mind me saying.”
Mr. Manley smiled. “A woman who stands by her man.”
Trish smiled shyly again. “I didn’t mean to be pushy. I…please don’t let my lack of-”
“You weren’t pushy. Just a woman in love.”
She didn’t bother to deny it. It was written all over her face. The whole room probably knew she was totally and hopelessly in love.
“That’s very considerate of you.”
*******
It was two minutes before midnight. Trish stopped dancing with David to run and get them two glasses of champagne. Waiters were passing out party hats and noisemakers. He planned to tell Trish that he loved her tonight. He thought New Years was the perfect time. A whole new year- a whole new him. David loved her, and he didn’t care what anyone thought about it.
Not that he totally believed Heather was right about his career being affected if he was in an interracial relationship. However, he knew bigotry still existed. As far as he was concerned, those people could burn in hell. It was almost 1995, for crying out loud.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the crowd counting down. He looked around for Trish. She was wearing a red dress that showed off her lovely shoulders.
“Five, four, three, two, one -Happy New Year!” the partygoers yelled.
Auld Lang Syne started to play, and streamers and balloons fell from the ceiling. A hand was on his shoulder. Thinking it was Trish, David turned around with a smile.
It was Heather. Before he could react, Heather grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Heather’s lips pressed against his. The tip of her tongue poked at the opening of his mouth; urging him to participate. He grabbed her arms and pushed her away. “What the hell are you doing?” he asked.
“Just getting in one last kiss, sugar,” she yelled over the crowd.
As he wiped away her red lipstick with his hand, David spotted Trish a foot away. She stared at them with her mouth open. She had on a black party hat. When she realized David saw her, Trish dropped the champagne glasses. She turned and disappeared into the crowd.
“Uh oh,” Heather said and started laughing.
David brushed past Heather into the crowd.
*******
Trish rushed back to the table and grabbed her handbag and wrap. She went through a side door that led outside. She ran into the garden area of the ballroom. Pain shot through the balls of her feet, so she stopped to remove her heels. She carried them in her hand as she ran a half circle to the front the building. She stopped running and begun to walk when she saw a row of limos and town cars along the sidewalk of the building.
She began to shiver uncontrollably because of the cold as the feet of her stockings were damp from running in the snow. Tears of hurt and anger ran down her face. She was getting close to the building entrance.
The doorman must have seen her from the lobby, because he came running out the glass and brass lined doors and jogged to her on the sidewalk. “Miss. Miss. Are you all right? What happened to you?”
She sucked in a breath and spoke in a broken sob, “No, I’m not all right. I’m a fool. I just want to get out of here.”
“There are cabs on standby - our way of preventing drunk driving during an event. I’ll be happy to walk you to one.”
Trish started putting her shoes back on. “No. Just tell me where they are. I can get there on my own.”
“Please. Let me at least run and get one for you. I’ll have him pull up to the entrance. That way you don’t have to walk anymore.”
Trish nodded her head in agreement.
******
“Mom, are you sure you didn’t see her leave?” David asked her frantically.
“I’m positive,” she said.
“Maybe you should check the ladies room again?” his father suggested to his mother.
“I checked twice.”
“She could have lifted her feet up in the stall,” his father said.
“Or went to another bathroom in the building,” David said as he frantically looked around the crowded ballroom.
Darlene and Phillip approached them. “Thank, God,” Darlene said like she was out of breath. “I thought we’d never get to you in this crowd.”
“Yeah, is it me or did the people multiply instantly after midnight?” Phillip said.
“Have you guys seen, Trish?” David asked.
“That’s why we were trying to get to you,” Darlene said struggling to catch her breath. “We saw the whole thing from the balcony,” she said as she tilted her head upwards and to the left. “Trish ran outside through the back door.”
David was about to go to the back door when Phillip grabbed his arm. “Wait, she’s not out there anymore.”
David’s eyes were wild. “Then where did she go?”
Phillip let go of David’s arm. “We went outside. By the time we got to the front door, a cab drove by with her in the back. We called after the cab, but it just kept going.”
“She must be going home,” David said.
“You better go then, son. This shouldn’t wait until the morning,” his father said.
David nodded to his father and left. He rushed through the crowd as fast as he could. Once he got his coat from the clerk, he burst outside.
“You have your ticket, sir,” the doorman asked.
“I didn’t use valet, but did you see a woman in a long red dress get into a cab?”
“Yes, sir. I put her in the cab myself.”
“Did she say where she was going?
“She mumbled something about going home.”
“Thanks,” David said and ran across the parking lot. He could see his breath in the cold. After another minute of jogging, he finally reached his car. When he started digging in his pocket for his keys a sharp pain hit him in the back of the head. He grabbed the spot where the pain came from.
His vision became blurred. Then, a cloth was slammed over his nose and mouth. Chloroform! He tried to fight the effects, but he blacked out within moments.
Chapter 35
Trish lay in her bed with tears streaming down her face. When she got home, Trish tore her dress off and crawled under the covers. She didn’t even bother to wash the tear-stained makeup off her face. She had almost cried herself to sleep until she heard Darlene shouting her name. Trish remained silent hoping that Darlene would go away. She should have gone to a hotel for the night.
“Trish,” Darlene said and she rushed into the bedroom. “Oh, Trish,” she moaned as she climbed in the bed next to her. “Look at me.”
Trish didn’
t move.
“Trish, things didn’t happen the way you think. Phillip and I saw the whole thing from the balcony. Didn’t David explain that to you?”
Trish remained silent.
“You wouldn’t let him?”
“No one came and what is there to explain?”
“I don’t understand. When we told David you left the ball he was coming after you. Are you saying he didn’t show up?”
“Yes,” Trish spat out.
“Well, Daddy is in bed and if you came straight down here you wouldn’t have heard him knock. Then again, he could have come to your back entrance.”
“Darlene, no one has come by the house since I’ve been here. And what is there to explain. I know what it was all about now.”
“What are you talking about?”
Trish finally sat up and turned to Darlene to look at her. Darlene’s eyebrows rose at the sight of Trish’s runny mascara and smeared lipstick. “It was a game to him, Darlene. In L.A., I heard dozens of stories of divorce attorneys seducing their female clients. It’s a sport for them. Take all you can get from the sleaze bag husband, get a hefty fee, and some pussy on the side.”
Darlene’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t believe that. This is not L.A.”
“No, but David was a New York attorney. You don’t think they do the same thing up there?”
“Trish, if you would have seen him after you ran off tonight-”
“He had to make it look good, Darlene. He doesn’t want to look like a sleaze bag in front of his parents and potential clients.”
“Something must have happened to him. Where is he? He should have been here by now.”
“Yeah, something happened all right. He got what he wanted and now he’s going to move on with the woman he loves.”
“Trish-”
“Darlene, I don’t want to talk about this anymore and I mean it!” Trish shouted. “Now, will you please leave me the hell alone?”
“All right. All right,” Darlene said and scrambled off the bed. She left the bedroom.
*******
Darlene entered the living room, and Phillip stood up when she came in. “Well? Is everything okay?”
The Lawyer Page 21