by Gail Bowen
She looked stricken. “More bad news?”
“Yes,” I said. “Georgie, why don’t you let me handle this? You’re getting married in four days, and you’re having a baby in seven months. You don’t need this stress. Take the rest of the afternoon off. Go home, have a bubble bath and take a nap.”
Georgie’s smile was weary. “You almost had me at ‘bubble bath,’ but that day when you were dyeing Easter eggs and I came to tell you about Roy’s breakdown, simply talking to you made me realize the truth of that old saw that a burden shared is a burden halved.” Georgie covered my hand with hers. “We’re in this together, Jo. So fill me in and halve your burden.”
As she listened to my account of Kyle’s relationship with Buzz Wells, Georgie’s grey eyes were troubled. When I finished, she said, “I’m with Stella on this. You have to tell Taylor everything we just learned and urge her to stay away from Kyle.”
“I’ll do what I can,” I said. “But Taylor is fiercely loyal to her friends, and Kyle is her friend. She’s already worried about him. I’m almost certain I won’t be able to convince her to walk away from him when he’s in trouble. If Stella’s right, Kyle is in deep waters already, but Buzz is desperate, and his desperation means more grief ahead for Kyle. Georgie, I’m almost certain that Kyle was responsible for giving Roy the hallucinogen or whatever he ingested that destroyed him. I don’t believe that Kyle was ever aware of what the drug might do. Roy’s emotional problems were well known. Buzz could have told Kyle he was concerned about Roy’s writers’ block and suggested LSD to get the creative juices flowing. It’s possible Buzz provided the drug himself. Kyle goes back and forth to New York periodically. I know from a case Zack had that LSD is the ultimate smuggleable drug — it has no smell, no taste, no colour and it is dosed in micrograms. Whether Kyle gave Roy a drug he’d requested and Buzz provided or slipped the acid into Roy’s water because Buzz said he wanted to help an old colleague is a moot point.
“What matters now is what Kyle does next. Our only hope is that he tells Ainsley that Buzz was behind the plan to give Roy the hallucinogen that led to Roy’s fatal heart attack. If Ainsley knows the truth, she’ll have Buzz on the next plane out, and our problems with him will be over.”
“But Kyle will be in a world of trouble. Joanne, we don’t know exactly what happened in that motel parking lot. If Kyle ran over that woman deliberately, he’ll be charged, and his life as he knows it will be over. Why would he open himself up to that?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do?”
“Dream on,” Georgie said. “Kyle is not a saint. He’s a human being and like most of us, he does what it takes to protect himself.”
“People aren’t always driven by self-interest,” I said. I thought of Cronus’s decision on the last day of his life. “Sometimes we’re able to see past ourselves and know what we have to do. I’ll talk to Zack and see if he can come up with a way around this.” I started straightening the papers in front of me on the table. “But I’m not telling anyone anything tonight. Taylor, Vale and Zack deserve a happy evening. I’ll make certain Taylor comes by the house tomorrow morning, so we can give her the full picture.”
Georgie reached over and squeezed my hand. “We’ll get through this, Jo.” The smile she gave me was endearingly crooked. “After all, we have an elegant yet intimate wedding to plan.”
* * *
Zack and I arrived at the apartment on Dewdney Avenue at five on the button, but the party was already in full swing. Vale met us at the door with a hug. “Say hi to everybody, and then it’s my turn to lead the tour,” she said.
“Madeleine and I can help,” Lena said. “We’ve already been on the tour three times.”
I turned to Mieka. “When did you get here?”
Mieka’s expression was sheepish. “Twenty minutes ago. The girls couldn’t wait to see the new place. Neither could I.” She bent to embrace Zack. “Happy Birthday,” she said. “You and Mum are in for a treat. This place is really something.”
“When Lena and I get our first apartment,” Madeleine said. “It will be like this — elegant but cutting edge.”
“Cutting edge, eh?” Zack gripped the handrims of his chair. “We’d better get started, Jo.”
Pete came over. “I’m the bartender,” he said. “Your beverage of choice will be waiting when you return from the tour. What’s your pleasure?”
“It’s Zack’s birthday, and we no longer have a resident designated driver,” I said. “So I’ll have sparkling water.”
“And I will have a martini,” Zack said. “But make it a double so I can give my new designated driver a sip.”
Kyle and our daughter had worked magic on the formerly in-your-face red pleasure palace. The combination of Prussian blue walls, white oak floors and exposed warm red-brown brick in the living room was inspired, and Taylor and Kyle had stayed with shades of grey, blue and what Taylor called “greige” for the walls throughout the apartment. The guest bed and bathroom were a pale watery blue; Taylor and Vale’s bedroom and bathroom were in a shade called River Gorge Grey that I would not have chosen in a hundred years but was stunning. The windowless room where Cronus and his consenting partners enjoyed S&M was now a shared office with icy blue-grey walls and a new good-sized window.
“Putting that window in the brick wall must have been a major structural undertaking,” I said.
“I’m sure it was,” Vale said, “but everything was completed and ready when I arrived. All I had to do was love it, and I do.” She shook her head. “I really wish Kyle had come tonight. Taylor’s sending him pictures, but it’s not the same as being here.”
“No,” I agreed. “It’s not. Now I take it this room is your office.”
“Taylor got the idea from the office you and Granddad have,” Madeleine said. “That long table in the middle is so Vale and Taylor can be together when they work, the way you and Granddad are.”
“Mimi and I like the arrangement,” Zack said. “More time together.”
“That’s what Taylor and I are aiming for too,” Vale said. “I still can’t believe this place is really ours. My mother and I were in the same apartment for years, but I don’t remember us ever having it painted or even whether we had any pictures on the walls. It was okay but it was pretty much just a place to sleep and eat.”
“And this is a place to live,” I said.
“Yes,” Vale said. “This is a place to live.”
By the time we returned to the living room, the antipasto trays from Italian Star Deli had arrived and everybody was digging in. When Peter came over with our drinks, Taylor was with him. Her brown eyes, clear and unblinking, met mine and then Zack’s. “So, what’s the verdict?”
Zack grinned. “Madeleine pronounced the apartment ‘elegant and cutting edge,’ and in my opinion, she nailed it. You did a terrific job, Taylor.”
“Thanks, but I couldn’t have done it without Kyle and his crew. They worked in shifts, so there were people here 24/7, and of course, Kyle’s people are experts, so no wasted time and no disasters. Now that Vale and I have figured out how to entertain, we plan to have Kyle, the crew and their significant others over for dinner.”
“I’ll bet the significant others will leave here with renovations in mind,” Zack said.
“I’ve picked up a few ideas,” I said. “Taylor, you were so wise to choose neutral colours so the art would be the focus.”
“I knew you’d notice that,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of seriously great art — from Sally and from Des and some pieces that I’ve bought myself. I cherish everything on these walls, and I wanted every piece to have its moment.”
“And every piece does have its moment,” I said. “There’s such a good feeling about this apartment now — it’s serene and solid and beautiful. This is the perfect first home for you and Vale.”
Taylor swallowed hard and put
her arm around me. “Let’s get some of that antipasto before the Crawford-Kilbourns and the Kilbourn-Dowhanuiks start licking the trays.”
That night was the twins’ first meeting with lasagna, and it was love at first sight. Pete threw a plastic sheet over the white oak floor, set up Charlie and Colin in their portable booster chairs with trays, handed the boys their pasta and the photo taking began. After the boys had cleaned their plates for a second time, Pete and Charlie D took them to the guest bathroom to hose them down. The rest of us filled the dishwasher and brought out the cakes and presents. When I noticed Maisie taking darting glances at the door, I said, “Are you expecting someone else?”
“One of our associates mentioned he might drop by,” Maisie said.
“Fine with me,” Zack said, “but I thought we were keeping this family only.”
“He kind of invited himself,” Maisie said. “Anyway, it’s time for presents.”
Vale and Taylor were both pink with excitement as they unwrapped their housewarming gifts: vibrant blue kitchenware from the Crawford-Kilbourns and the Kilbourn-Dowhanuiks and a gift certificate for Pawsitively Purrfect from Taylor’s cats. Vale cooed appropriately over our gift — matching super-plush bath sheets from Portugal, snowy white, embossed with the number 42 in slate grey — but it was clear the number puzzled her. Taylor picked up on her girlfriend’s confusion. “In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life,” she said. “Also somebody who can stay in control of virtually any situation is somebody who is said to know where her towel is.” Taylor put her arm around Vale’s shoulders. “So as long as you and I know where these glorious towels are, we’re golden.”
When there was a beep from downstairs, Taylor leapt to her feet and pressed the button that allowed the caller to enter.
“I guess the mystery associate decided to come after all,” Zack said. He wheeled toward the door and opened it. Our son Angus was standing on the threshold. He’d come from Calgary for the big day. “I heard some legal superstar was having a birthday,” he said. “I’m here to touch the hem of his barrister’s robe.”
The next few minutes were a crazy chorus of laughter and half sentences. When the dust settled and we were finally ready for cake, some facts had been established. Angus was staying for at least six weeks and perhaps longer. Maisie had made all the arrangements with the Calgary office of Falconer Shreve. There had been friction between Maisie and the associate with whom she’d been working on the new and very high-profile case, but Maisie and Angus had worked successfully together before. They had talked, and he had agreed to come.
Zack could not stop smiling. He loved Peter and Mieka, but he and Angus had always had a special affinity, and as Zack blew out the candles on his cake I thought I’d never seen a happier man. When Lena asked him what he had wished for, Zack said, “Nothing. Everything I want is right in this room.”
Taylor stepped forward. “Dad, you may not have wishes for this, but there’s one more gift. It’s from all your kids and grandkids and we’re not taking it back. Close your eyes and we’ll tell you when to open them.”
She and Mieka and their brothers left and when they came back Taylor brought in an easel, which she positioned in front of Zack, and Mieka, Peter and Angus balanced the very large and striking woodcarving that they were carrying on the easel.
Madeleine and Lena were watching their mother and when she nodded, they said, “Okay, Granddad you can open your eyes.” Lena was holding an index card from which she began to read. “The renowned Haida artist Don Yeoman created this work. It’s called Supernatural Eagle, and it’s hand-carved on red cedar and painted in part with acrylics. Price $10,000.” Lena’s hand flew to her mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to read the part, was I?”
“No, but it’s okay,” Madeleine said, and then she began to read from her own index card. “For the Haida people, Eagle is a symbol of both power and prestige as well as a harbinger of peace and friendship. Eagle is one of the two main crests of the Haida. It symbolizes courage and bringing to light. Eagle also has a strong connection to harmony.” Madeleine smiled at Zack. “We chose this carving because Elder Pelletier suggested it. I know you and he had worked together on Racette-Hunter and the campaign and it made us think of you, Granddad.”
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning, the dogs and I had just stopped to watch the duck family out for a leisurely swim when my phone rang. It was Georgie, and she was seething. “Have you checked your messages this morning?”
“No,” I said.
“Check them.”
“I can’t. I’m talking to you.”
Georgie groaned. “I thought pregnancy brain wasn’t supposed to kick in till the third trimester. Anyway, there’s a message from Rumpel — Jo, his attack on Sisters and Strangers just moved into high gear. There are two pieces of information that will curdle your blood: Number one, Ainsley has agreed to let him act as her surrogate in dealing with any problems that arise with you about the direction of the production. Number two, Ainsley has asked Buzz to serve as executive producer. Fawn Tootoosis has been demoted to her previous position as production manager.”
“Buzz is desperate,” I said. “Charlie D told me last night that Buzz’s investors in At the Algonquin are growing restive, and Buzz has promised to have everything in place by the end of the month.”
“So he needs money, and this is his last kick at the can.”
“Yes, and it’s ours too,” I said. “Our only way out is if Kyle tells Ainsley that Buzz was behind what happened to Roy. If we approach her, Ainsley will dismiss our accusation as groundless — and it will be groundless. We have no proof. All we have is Stella Delacroix’s account, and Buzz will brush that off by saying Stella is simply a disgruntled ex-employee with a grudge. No, Ainsley will believe Kyle for the very reason you and I talked about yesterday. Kyle is putting himself in jeopardy if he tells her about the role Buzz played in Roy’s tragic death. If Kyle steps up and tells the truth, Buzz will be gone, and we’ll be free to make Sisters and Strangers the series we want it to be.”
“And if we can’t convince Kyle to open up, it’s game over.”
“Pretty much,” I said. “But I think Kyle can be convinced. He’s miserable, Georgie. He’s a good person, and after the last table meeting, he told me he’d made a terrible mistake. I’ll see what Zack says about the possibility of getting Kyle out of this mess relatively unscathed and then I’m going to do what I can to convince Taylor that Kyle’s only option is to tell the truth.”
When the dogs and I got home, Zack, dressed for the day, was in our bedroom, sitting in front of the easel, wholly absorbed in his new carving. He gave me a brief smile and gestured for me to join him. “Look at this: a few swirls of red acrylic, a few swirls of black acrylic, some grooves carved into red cedar and it’s all there — the power and the spirit of the eagle.” He took my hand. “I can’t stop marvelling at this, and I can’t stop thinking about those speeches our granddaughters made.”
“It was an unforgettable evening,” I agreed. “But this is today, and I need your help. The situation with Buzz Wells is coming to a head, and unless some painful facts are brought into the open, Sisters and Strangers is in serious trouble.”
Zack turned his chair to face me. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Good. Now here’s what we know. Kyle Daly and Buzz share a history. Hal Dupuis’s sister, Stella Delacroix, worked with Buzz and Kyle on a series she’d created. I talked to Stella yesterday and her story about an accident that occurred during the shooting of the series is troubling.”
Zack’s expression remained impassive as I described the circumstances leading up to Heather Hurworth’s death, and when I finished, his appraisal of the situation was crisp. “So Buzz is threatening to recant his story of what happened in the motel parking lot if Kyle doesn’t do as he’s told.”
“
Right,” I said. “And this is where you come in. We don’t know what happened in that parking lot, but we do know that Kyle Daly has nothing to gain from sabotaging Sisters and Strangers, and Buzz Wells does. His creditors are closing in on him, and he’s cornered. Blackmailing Kyle into doing his dirty work has offered Buzz a way out.”
Zack’s dark eyes were grave. “Jo, no matter what happened in that parking lot, Kyle is in trouble. He’ll be confessing to giving Roy Brodnitz a substance that, albeit indirectly, led to his death. The role Buzz Wells played in facilitating that action will be key. If Kyle acted unknowingly, a good lawyer might be able to cut a deal with the Crown. But there’s no grey area with arson. If Kyle set that fire, he’ll have to plead guilty.”
“If he was your client, what would you advise him to do?”
“I’d advise him to come clean,” Zack said. “When Kyle ran out of our house the night we watched the rough cut, he was falling apart. If he were my client, I’d advise him to tell the truth because keeping what he’s done secret is killing him. What he started to say to you after the meeting shows that he wants to confess. I think if he knows we’re on his side, he’ll open up.”
“Good. Will you call Taylor and say what you just said to me? She and Kyle are close, and she’ll do what she can to help him.”
“I’ll do that, but first, I’m going to call Ainsley Blair and in my capacity as Living Skies’ lawyer, I’ll point out that a contractor cannot simply hand off her rights to a surrogate.”
“So no surrogacy for Buzz.”
“No, and it’s time to up the ante. I’m going to advise Ainsley that I’ve learned of a threat to Sisters and Strangers that needs to be investigated, and she should shut down the production until further notice. A lockout will slow Buzz’s momentum and give Ainsley a chance to clarify her thinking.”