by Taylor Lee
Taking in the group, Jake signaled they were through for the night.
“Get some sleep, everyone. It’s almost morning as it is.” His eyes were hard, intent, but his excitement was palpable. “We’re almost there, folks. I can feel it in my bones. Like Lexie, my damned neck is itching so bad, I need three more hands to scratch it. I gotta warn you, these next few days are critical. We’re going to be busier than a cat buryin’ shit on a marble floor. We need to be relentless. On top of every potential clue. But if anyone can crack it, we can. Mr. E. and his minions are dead meat. They’re not going to know what hit them.”
~~~
“Thank you, again, Cynthia, for arranging the meeting yesterday. I appreciate it. I especially appreciate your generous pledge—and of course, Margaret’s.”
Cynthia laughed. “I’m surprised Margaret didn’t pledge the moon. Not that she couldn’t afford to. Her family fortune is enormous. My contribution is pitiful in comparison, but I’m glad that I was able to convince Margaret to pony up. I also think it was a good idea to meet at the restaurant. Nothing like two bottles of whisky to open both of our checkbooks!”
Lexie laughed in response.
“Yes, Tiffany and I were a little woozy ourselves. Although I was so excited about your generous pledges that I didn’t need alcohol to be flying high. I’m just glad you changed the location for our meeting. What inspired you?”
“I wish I could claim clairvoyance but Tom called to tell me that Major Anderson was with you. I decided it would be more fun to have a ‘girls’ afternoon out’ rather than a stuffy business meeting in the foundation office.” Her tinkling laughter filled the anteroom. “I made the right call, don’t you think?”
Lexie thought to herself that was an understatement if she’d ever heard one and nodded in agreement to her friend.
They both startled when a shout came from the dojo followed by shrieks that sounded more like pain than laughter.
Cynthia’s face blanched. “Oh God. I think that’s Samantha!”
Lexie rushed to the doorway followed by Cynthia. She was shocked to see Sammie and Donny Roberts rolling on the ground. From their shrieks it was clear that they were fighting not sparring. Sammie had a handful of Donny’s hair and was yanking on it. With her other hand she was pummeling her brother as hard as she could. Two other little girls were crouched beside them crying. It wasn’t hard to see from their disheveled appearance that they had been party to the melee.
Cynthia cried out, “Samantha, stop it! Now!”
She rushed to the children sprawling on the floor and tried to pull them apart. Lexie came up behind her and eased her out of the way.
“I’ll handle this, Cynthia. Please. Step away.”
Reluctance clear on her face, Cynthia moved back but not before she hissed, “Good God, Samantha, what has gotten into you? Are you possessed?”
Lexie’s voice was crisp, authoritative.
“Sammie, Donny. Stop immediately.”
The children rose unsteadily to their feet. Tears streamed down Donny’s pudgy face and he couldn’t control his choking sobs. In contrast, Sammie’s face was flushed but her body was rigid and her eyes were blazing with anger.
Without singling out either of them, Lexie was firm.
“Please go to my office and wait there for me there. But before you go, please bow to one another.”
Gulping down his sobs, Donny gave his sister a shaky bow. Sammie just shook her head and glared straight ahead. Cynthia’s gasp was echoed by the other students who stood in an awed circle staring at Sammie.
Lexie looked from one to the other. She pointed to the wall.
“Please sit there, Donny, until you are ready to practice. Sammie, wait for me in my office.”
Lexie put her arm around Cynthia’s shoulder and walked with her to the doorway.
Huffing a sigh, she looked at the horrified mother.
“Cynthia, I know this is hard, but I need to handle it. This isn’t the first time Sammie has acted out like this. Monday I had to pull her away from the Chang twins. She could have hurt them if I hadn’t been there. I might have excused her behavior as simply aggressive sparring. But it was more than that and we both knew it. Ji-Hun was waiting to bring them home so I decided I would wait until today to talk with her. Obviously, something is wrong.”
Cynthia was still pale, and clearly upset.
“I don’t know what to say, Alexis. Samantha has always been such an obedient child. She and I aren’t that close but she adores her father. She’s his little princess. But the last several weeks she has been rude to me and virtually ignores Tom. He hasn’t been able to figure out what’s wrong either. We’ve chalked it up to her age. She’s thirteen going on twenty-five!” She ran her hands distractedly through her stylish shoulder length bob.
“But… this… being violent. Fighting with her brother… this is beyond the bounds.”
Lexie didn’t hide her frown. Glancing at Samantha’s rigid frame as she stalked to Lexie’s office, she knew the young girl was angry, but Lexie had also seen her pain. Something was chewing at her and Lexie’s gut told her it was more than a spoiled child merely acting out.
“Cynthia, I’ll talk with her and then let her work out some of her frustration on the bag.” Lexie gave a soft grunt. “I wish I’d had the power of Kung Fu to help me face my issues when I was her age. Thirteen is a hard age for girls. You and I both know that. But Sammie has you and Tom, and all of us here to support her. Trust me. Whatever is upsetting her, we’ll help her work through it.”
“Thanks, Alexis. I hope you’re right. But if what I saw in the dojo continues, we’re going to have to get some serious psychological help. For God’s sake, I can’t have her fighting people. Really fighting. Making scenes. I don’t want to sound callous, but Tom and I have a reputation to uphold. He’s the police commissioner, for goodness sakes. He’s in charge of controlling violence. Imagine what people would say if word got out that his own daughter had anger issues.”
Lexie couldn’t hide her surprise. She’d always known that Cynthia basked in public approval, but that she seemed more concerned about appearances than what was bothering her young daughter troubled Lexie.
Cynthia leaned in closer and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “This is confidential, Alexis, but Tom is very close to throwing his hat in the ring for the governorship.”
Apparently not seeing Lexie’s shock, Cynthia continued, “Please keep this to yourself. Tom isn’t quite ready to announce. But you can see why our family has to be able to withstand the most withering public scrutiny.”
Cynthia pursed her lips, a frown marring her smooth brow. She mused aloud, “Perhaps, this is too violent a place for a young girl. This is nothing against you, Alexis. But… well, maybe, it is encouraging Samantha to act out aggressively rather than more… quietly, more lady-like.”
Cynthia’s frown deepened. “The other problem is your elite clientele. Good grief, the last thing Tom or I need is Jamie Franklin or Peter Holmes tattling to their parents. Can you imagine what Ceci Franklin would say about Tom and me if Sammie became known as a violent girl?”
Lexie stared at her friend, for the moment wondering why she considered her a friend. Then shaking her head she reminded herself that Cynthia had never hid her need for public praise. From some of the things Cynthia had said in the past, Lexie knew that Cynthia had a hard upbringing. Her family was poor and her father was a drunk and died in a barroom brawl. According to Cynthia, her mother had drowned her sorrows with a parade of men, never bothering to consider the effect on her young daughter.
Somehow Cynthia had made her way to college and met Tom Roberts. Tom was a catch by any standard. Handsome and wealthy, Tom was a member of every important social club in the City. No one was surprised when he was appointed police commissioner after only a short time on the force. In the time that she had spent with the couple, Lexie had always liked the engaging man. From what she’d seen, Cynthia was the
more ambitious of the two and the one who cared more about the façade of appearances. But to be so callous about her daughter? Troubling didn’t begin to describe it.
Lexie walked Cynthia to the door of the Center, deciding that anything she said now would only muddy the situation. Lexie watched Cynthia’s chauffeur hold open the door of their expensively appointed limousine and close it smartly behind her. Knowing that Tom might be involved in an indescribably evil empire, Lexie shook her head. She could only imagine how her social climbing friend would handle that disgrace. Given the importance Cynthia placed on appearances, it would no doubt destroy her.
After she’d ensured that Ming and Dewa, her two most advanced students, had taken over the class, Lexie squared her shoulders and headed into her office. She let go of her unsettling conversation with Cynthia when she saw Samantha sitting on the floor huddled in the corner of the room. Any annoyance Lexie might have felt given Sammie’s behavior in the dojo fled when she saw the fear on the girl’s face.
Lexie took a deep breath and then walked over and sunk to the floor beside the young girl. Sammie moved away, crouching further into the corner. Lexie gave her distance and was silent for several moments. When it was clear Sammie wasn’t going to speak, Lexie broke the silence.
“I can understand why you sometimes get frustrated with Donny. That happens with brothers and sisters. But you know, Sammie, one of the principles of Kung Fu is respect for your family, friends and fellow warriors. Even though your brother can be annoying, you owe Donny your respect.”
At Sammie’s silence, Lexie continued. “But, Donny isn’t the only person you are angry with, is he?” When Sammie still didn’t respond, Lexie said, “On Monday, I had to break up an altercation between you and the Chang twins. I told you then, that your behavior wasn’t acceptable. And now today you were beating—”
Sammie interrupted her. Her voice was sharp, “I hate them. All of them!”
“Who, Sammie? Who do you hate?”
Sammie’s eyes flashed. She was silent for a moment.
“Them. Koreans.”
Lexie managed to stifle her gasp.
“Hmm. That surprises me, Sammie. I thought you and Li were friends.”
Sammie’s lip trembled and she shook her head from side to side.
“No, we’re not. I hate him. I hate them all.”
Lexie put her arm around the young girl who was staring straight ahead, her face twisted with a mix of emotions that Lexie couldn’t decipher.
“Why, honey? Did they do something to hurt your feelings?”
Sammie whirled on her and fairly spit out the words.
“No! Because… because they’ll be just like… like… when they grow up, they will be…” Her voice broke and she shook her head.
“What, Sammie? They’ll be men, Korean men?”
When Sammie nodded, Lexie was silent, allowing her space to continue. When she didn’t, Lexie took a chance.
“Did someone hurt you, Sammie? A Korean man?”
Sammie put her head in her hands and didn’t resist when Lexie pulled her close to her.
“You can talk to me, honey. I’m a good listener. And I can help. Whatever it is, I can help you figure it out. Have you told your mom or your dad about this?”
Sammie shook her head fiercely. “No, you don’t understand. My dad… he… but I can’t tell him.”
“Hmm. How about your mom? Could you tell her?”
“No!”
Lexie put her arms around the trembling girl. “Sweetie, you can tell me. Did someone hurt you, some Korean man?”
“No. But he is bad. He does bad things and my dad is… I don’t think my dad knows how bad he is. I wish he did, but I’m afraid he’ll get mad at me if I tell him….”
Lexie was quiet for several minutes waiting for Sammie to continue. When it was clear she wouldn’t say anything else, Lexie persisted.
“Sammie, if anyone is hurting you, I need you to tell me. I can help you. I can keep them from hurting you.”
The young girl sighed. “You don’t understand.”
Lexie agreed. “No, right now I don’t. But I have an idea. How would you like to stay with me for a few days?”
“You mean here? I could stay here? I wouldn’t have to go home?”
Lexie nodded. “Eventually you would. But for a couple of days, you could stay with Ming in her quarters.”
“We could have a sleepover?”
Lexie smiled. “Yes, you could have a sleepover and you and Ming could get in some extra practice. Whatever is bothering you is affecting your practice. Maybe after a couple of days, you’ll be ready to talk to me about it. What do you think, Sammie? Does that sound like a good idea?”
The girl snuggled up next to her.
“Yes. I want to stay here. I… I don’t want to go home right now. Will you tell my dad that I’m not mad at him? That I just want to be with you for a little while?”
“Yes, honey. I will tell both your mom and dad that. Maybe in a few days you can tell me more and we can figure out what to do next. How does that sound?”
Sammie’s watery smile was all the confirmation Lexie needed. It was clear. No matter what, she was not sending this child home until she knew what the hell was going on with her father. Her gut told her Tom Roberts had serious explaining to do.
Chapter 19
“Are you suggesting she was abused?”
“I just think… I don’t know, Jake. But I don’t want to send her home until I know more. Jake, we may be on to something and Tom is in the middle of it.” Lexie put her cell phone on speaker to finish getting dressed.
“What about Cynthia? Damn, Lexie, you know as well as I do if there is abuse going on, the mother often knows it. She either ignores it or refuses to admit it. Think Cynthia could be in denial?”
“It’s a possibility. And yes, Cynthia said some things today that were upsetting. None of which implied that she was concerned about Sammie. No, at base, she was concerned about how her daughter’s behavior might affect their social standing. She even suggested that she might have to take her out of the Jai Li center because Sammie’s behavior might reflect badly on her and Tom.”
“What?” Jake’s voice was incredulous.
Lexie snapped, “She actually said that we have ‘high class’ clientele here. She implied that she wouldn’t want our elite clients getting the wrong impression of their family because of Sammie’s behavior. Wonder if she knows that many of the students in my adult classes are prostitutes or abused women who come from decidedly ‘low class’ or no class backgrounds.” She added derisively, “Oh, and I’m not supposed to tell anyone, but Tom Roberts is considering running for governor.”
Jake whistled. “Damn, are you sure? Or is that an ambitious wife’s dream?”
“I don’t know either of them well enough to decide. But imagine the fireworks, Jake, if Tom is our target and Cynthia has him packaged, at least in her mind, as the next Governor of California.”
“Phew! Yeah, that could set off a few bombs. One thing for sure, Cynthia wouldn’t have to worry about her young daughter’s behavior spoiling their family’s good name. But that doesn’t ring true to me, Lexie. If Tom is Mr. E. and I gotta say there are some strong indications that he may be, the last thing he would want to do is run for office. Hell, the scrutiny would be fierce.”
Lexie agreed. “Which makes the ‘I wanna be the wife of the Governor’ the more likely scenario. You know, Jake, I always knew that Cynthia was a social climber, that money and power mattered to her, but I never realized how icy, how callous she is. She never once indicated that she was concerned for Sammie. It was all about appearances and the effect it would have on the family. She didn’t so much as say goodbye to Sammie or Donny, for that matter. Just took off in that big limo of hers worrying about a political campaign. When I called her to see if Sammie could stay for a few days, she was relieved. Said she thought it would do all of them good.”
“Jesus, Lexie. It�
��s a good thing you pulled that kid out of there. Something is clearly wrong at that house. Go back to the abuse issue. If anyone knows the signs of abuse, it’s you, Lexie. What does your gut say about Sammie?”
“I’m trying to work that out in my mind, Jake. On one level it doesn’t add up. If her father or one of her father’s friends was abusing her, Sammie would be angry at Tom. Or she’d show signs that she feared him. I can pick up on those kinds of behaviors. Typically a victim will try to hide what is happening, either by pretending that nothing is wrong or choosing other ways to act out. Which may be what Sammie is doing. But it was weird. Sammie seemed more concerned about Tom than she was for herself. And she’s a kid, you know? So there’s no artifice, no conning. It was as though she was afraid the Korean man would hurt her father. She kept saying that her father didn’t know how bad the man was.”
“I’m glad you caught me, Lexie. Peter and I’ve arrived at the Government Center. We’re having breakfast with Spellman in the executive dining room. But, this is important information. We’re meeting with Roberts at ten a.m. I won’t let on that I know what Sammie said, only that she is staying with us for a couple of days. Will that be okay?”
“Yes, Jake, you definitely you should tell Tom that Sammie is staying with us. It will be interesting to see how he reacts, if he acts surprised. Unfortunately if it is abuse, the abuser is usually such an accomplished liar that it’s hard to pick up on. But then, I forgot who’ll be doing the interrogating. Damn, Jake, between you and Peter, the guy doesn’t stand a chance.”
Jake’s soft laugh was audible.
“The only person who could be more accomplished is you, Darlin’. But dammit, Lexie. Let’s face it. Whoever the son of a bitch is who’s running this evil empire, he’s conscience-free. Abusing his daughter or allowing her to be abused wouldn’t register at zero on his nonexistent shame meter.”