“You’ve been working so hard. I made you a cup of coffee,” she says, setting it on the glass top desk.
“Awww. Thanks, Babe. You okay?”
“Just a little tired. You?” she asks, sitting at the chair across from me.
“I’m good… I read your file. I’m really sorry.”
She looks at me, and there’s still sorrow in her eyes. I know she’s still hurting from this.
“Great. Now you know every nasty detail of my breakup… and I don’t even have to tell you myself.”
“I did sort of hear it from you. I listened to the recording of you and my dad.”
“Was it difficult for you to hear his voice?”
“A little. It was more difficult for me to hear the pain and the fear in yours.”
“It was scary… it still is, and it’s so far from being over.”
“The FBI will get to the bottom of it. They have evidence of laws being broken, but up until now, they haven’t been able to find out who is behind this. At a time when jurors expect cases to be like what they might watch on CSI, if they can’t see and understand what’s going on, it may mean a weak case.”
“They can get away with this?”
“Highly unlikely. We don’t have to prove motive in a case, but jurors like to see it. That’s the reason the FBI haven’t pulled the plug or made an arrest yet. They’re hoping to discover who the king pin is.”
“Do they have any idea who it might be?”
“No. But until they find out why Richard was making those large payments to the Chief of Police, Senator Rice, and these other characters, or who he was making these payments for, we won’t have the full picture.”
“Let’s not talk about it anymore… Are you done working?”
“I could be. Why?”
“I thought I could take you to dinner. We could celebrate your new job.”
“We can go anywhere you want, on the condition I pay the bill.”
“What’s the problem, Counselor, you like controlling the finances too?”
“I thought I was compromising.”
She laughs. “Fine. Have it your way. I found this marvelous new place on the water under the bridge. It looks awesome. The reviews are great.”
“So no secret rendezvous?”
“I didn’t think we were intentionally hiding anything.”
“Well, we’ve neither confirmed nor denied any questions about us being in a relationship.”
I hate to admit it, but I’m testing the waters here. Maybe I’ll get a clue as to whether or not I should even entertain asking her.
“Well, I’ve never had to do that in the past. I never announced any of my relationships to anyone. Then again, I’ve never been in a relationship with a public figure either. That being the case, I leave those details for you to decide.”
Somehow, I didn’t see that working out this way, but the conversation is over, and I’m still no closer to making a decision.
* * *
We arrive at the restaurant located near the Bay Bridge. The lights of the bridge reflect against the midnight blue waters. The space is elegant, with limestone walls and palm plants that kiss the tall ceilings. A fireplace roars through in the center of the space, setting a romantic mood.
“Nice find, Babe,” he says, pulling my chair as we are ushered to the table located by an oversized window.
“I’m happy you like. Let’s hope the food is great.”
We place our order moments later and sip on champagne while we await our food.
“Excited about returning to the firm tomorrow?”
“Yes. There’s no shortage of work to do. Dad was working on lots of cases when he died. The first few weeks will be crazy.”
Perhaps this is my opportunity to settle his insecurities about Charles.
“Your dad would be proud of your decision.”
“I suppose…” he replies unconvincingly.
“Johnny,” I whisper, placing my hand on his. Slowly, his eyes meet mine.
“Your father told me you were his pride and joy.”
“I think you’re trying to make me feel better about that fight.”
“I am. But I’m not making this up. He told me that the proudest day of his life was when his son turned down a two million dollar football contract and chose to finish school because he wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
“He did?”
“Yes.”
He sighs, like he’s relieved.
“I wanted to tell you the other day, but you didn’t seem like you were ready to hear it.”
“Perhaps you were right. Now that I know all the details of your case, I understand why he was so protective of you.”
“That morning, no matter what he might have said to you, it was completely out of love for you, and his apparent desire to protect me. He was grateful that you were with me. He told me that he felt better about me being stuck in Lake Tahoe because he knew you would keep me safe.”
He smiles, but remains quiet.
“Do you think you can let this go?” I ask.
“I have a little, thanks to you…”
I sense a but coming.
“I suppose, it’s just that…” He pauses, and I realize this is difficult.
“You would have preferred if it ended on a pleasant note?”
“Yeah…” he whispers. “We usually ended our conversations with I love you. And that day…”
His mind drifts. I can tell he’s remembering.
“That day, I thought he was treating me like a child. I told him that I was old enough and smart enough to make my own decisions, and I got off the phone. There was no ‘I love you’… and no goodbye. I regret that.”
“I understand, but he knew. And just because you had words that day, your father would have never thought that you loved him any less.”
“I guess if I’m being realistic, I know that, but if I had known that within hours he’d be dead, things would have ended differently.”
“I get that, but I’d hate to see that last conversation be the one that you choose to epitomize the entire relationship you had with your dad. I know you loved him, and he loved you. You just need to focus on that. Every time he spoke to me about you, he always had so much pride and admiration in his voice. He loved you all so much. I remember admiring the way he’d go on and on about his kids.”
“Thank you,” he murmurs, caressing my hand.
“For what?”
“Helping me put things in perspective. It’s been bothering me.”
“I know. I’ve been waiting for the right time to say something.”
“Enough about me. What about you? Are you going to return to work once you feel a hundred percent?”
“I suppose. I never really stopped working. I just did it from home via conference calls. Maybe… I’ve been afraid that my issues outside of work will affect my business. That’s why I’ve stayed away this long. It was my intention to slowly ease my way back into the office, but we know how that ended.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” I reply as our food arrives. “I guess I’ll always question if I should return now or wait till this is all over. Of late, I’ve been feeling very unsettled. I need my life to return to some sort of normalcy.”
“Do you have any other friends besides Koto?”
“I’d call them acquaintances. I have a few close friends, but they don’t live in the state. I could count on both hands the people I confide in, and two are out of my life. The other is my brother, then my friend Chelsea who’s back home, and then there was your dad, and now you.”
“Who were all these people invited to your wedding?”
“Mostly Richard’s friends and acquaintances. Out of all the people invited to my wedding, maybe fifteen to twenty were my family or friends. Everyone else was his.”
As we talk about Richard, I feel like we’re talking about some stranger. All these months later, this is still very surr
eal.
“What about you? Every time I saw you in Tahoe, you always seemed to be surrounded by lots of people.”
“I have a few close friends, many acquaintances, none that I see on a regular basis. I guess I spend most of my time with my family, and work. When you saw me at Lake Tahoe, I was with a good friend who was visiting from high school, his wife, and her siblings. There are a few I socialize with, but that’s about it. You’ve met most of the important people in my life.”
“You too. Maybe one day, when this is all over and I can leave this great state of California, I can take you back home and you can meet the rest of them.”
“I look forward to that.”
After dinner, we go for a stroll along the boardwalk. It’s a beautiful night, and the air is crisp and clean. Not too many people are out, but in the distance are the sounds of a jazz band. We cuddle on one of the benches and take in the views. My arms surround him, and my legs drape over his. I lay my head on his chest below his chin. I feel so much closer to him as he rakes his fingers through my hair.
“Thank you for being here… in my life,” I whisper.
“Thank you for allowing me in. I know it wasn’t easy.”
I kiss him gently on his cheek. I want him. I want to make love to him, the best way I can with a less than stellar body.
“Can we go home? I want you in bed.”
“Someone’s libido is back,” he says, kissing me on my cheek.
He stands then pulls me to my feet.
I lean towards him and kiss him lightly on his lips.
“Can you be gentle?”
“If that’s the way you want it.”
“I think that’s the only way my body can handle it.”
He chuckles and holds my hand as we walk to the car. We approach the vehicle, but something is off.
“It looks like we might have a flat tire,” he says.
We get closer to the car. Upon closer inspection, all four tires are slashed, and there is an icepick still in one of the tires, but pieces of paper are stuck to it. He is about to touch it, but he stops himself. He holds my hand and walks me back into the restaurant. I’m nervous and very uncomfortable. After some words with the manager, she escorts us to a private office where he calls Phillip. After a brief conversation, he ends the call.
“They’re on their way. Douglas is going to take you home while I sort things out with Phillip.”
“I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“I’m going to be fine,” he says, looking into my eyes then he holds me in his arms. “It’s not safe for you to be here. You’ll be safer at the penthouse.”
“What about you?”
“Babe, I’m going to be okay. As soon as I’m done here, I’ll go to pick up the Land Rover then I’ll come right over.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful. Please.”
His phone rings. Phillip’s arrived.
After thanking the manager, we leave. Two black SUVs with heavily tinted windows await us. A team of agents accompanies Phillip and Douglas, all wearing plain clothes and gloves as they inspect the vehicle. A small scene is starting to develop. Douglas and Jonathan walk me over to one of the SUVs.
“Please, be careful,” I whisper. I’m scared, and I hate leaving him here.
“I’ll be okay. Douglas is going to check the condo before he leaves. When he does, lock the foyer doors.”
“Please hurry back.”
“I will.”
He kisses me tenderly on my lips.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”
He closes the door and Douglas drives away. As we’re leaving, a flatbed wrecker approaches. I look in the mirror, and it occupies the space in front of Jonathan’s car. Soon, everything is out of view.
* * *
Before the car is uploaded onto the wrecker, it is photographed and covered. The icepick and papers are removed and sealed in separate bags for evidence. An agent hands Phillip several bags. He looks at it and hands it over to me. There are numerous pictures, most with Jada alone and a few with me, including one taken tonight.
“Someone’s after her.”
“That might be true, but there’s no evidence to prove that they’re not after you too,” Phillip responds.
“This photo was taken from inside the restaurant. They were within feet of us. They may still be nearby.”
“Hopefully, there are surveillance cameras. We can pick up some more information from them. They might have even been stupid enough to buy a drink or something and paid with a credit card.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it. We need to find who is doing this. Soon. I won’t be responsible for what I do if they come near her.”
“Johnny, I know you’re frustrated, but keep your cool. We’re working round the clock on this. Right now, we technically have two separate cases that we’re working on, and of the two, we’re not certain who is responsible for this or which case this is linked to. The car will be processed, and hopefully, we’ll be able to pick up some more evidence from that. In the meantime, let me give you a ride home.”
“Take me to my place, please. I need to pick up my SUV.”
A while later, we arrive at the house. The guest bedroom light is on—a light I didn’t leave on.
Chapter 14
Someone’s inside,” I say. “The only light that I leave on is the one in the foyer.”
“You have your firearm?”
“No. It’s locked in the safe in the house. I was going to get it.”
“Let me go in first.”
“Why didn’t the alarm go off?”
“I don’t know. I’ll go in through the front. Do you have a back entrance?”
“Several. Four upstairs and four downstairs.”
“That’s a lot to cover. Let me call for backup first.”
As Phillip says that, the light goes off, and I see a shadow in the foyer light.
“It looks like they’re trying to leave.”
“I’m going in. Wait here.”
He carefully approaches the house. While he does, I call Douglas. Within minutes of making an entrance, I hear glass shatter. I run out of the vehicle, cautiously venturing towards the house. Through the glass windows, I see Phillip chasing a figure through the shattered glass kitchen door. I carefully go to my room to get my weapon out of the safe. I don’t want to assume that this person is alone. After loading the gun, I carefully check the house. It appears that no one else is here.
Four black SUVs are outside the house shortly after. Agents scatter throughout and around the house. Would Chris Hostin really go this far? Or is this somehow related to Jada? I should call her to make sure she’s all right.
“Hi. How come you’re not here yet?” she asks.
I hear the anxiety in her voice.
“I had to pick up some extra things at the house. I was checking to make sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”
“Babe, I’m okay. Why don’t you go to bed? Try to get some rest. I’ll be home soon.”
“What’s going on? What’s taking so long?”
I don’t want her to worry or be scared. I’ll tell her when I return.
“It’s nothing. They’re making sure everything is processed properly.”
“Hurry back. I’m waiting up for you. Besides, now that the foyer doors are locked, you won’t be able to get in.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Please be careful.”
“I will, Sweetheart. See you soon.”
I end the call and the agents all return. Phillip is bleeding on his shoulder.
“What happened?” I grab a clean towel from the bathroom and hand it to him.
“They fired a shot at me.”
“Shit. We need to get you to a hospital.”
“No. I’m fine. It grazed my shoulder.”
“I looked around a bit. I’m not sure why they were here or what they’re looking for
.”
“It’s possible they were waiting here to harm you.”
“Then why turn on the light like they’re searching for something?”
“I don’t know, but there was a silencer on that gun they were carrying. We’ll look around and see if we spot anything.”
“I don’t understand why the alarm didn’t sound. I’m going to call the security company.”
“We’ll get to work over here. Let us check your vehicle before you leave.”
“Sure.”
“If I were you, I’d get rid of any opened food in here. You don’t want to take any chances; they might have tainted something.”
I end the call with the security company. It appears the alarm was deactivated on Friday morning, and Floria forgot to reactivate it when she left for the day. I call her and she apologizes profusely. I’m pissed, but she rarely ever screws up, so I let her go with a warning. My phone rings. Jada is calling. It looks like I’m going to have to tell her what’s going on, because the FBI is far from finished here.
“Hey, Babe.”
“There’s something you’re not telling me. What is it?”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine. I wanted to tell you when I got home, but I’ll be a while. Someone was in the house when I got here. They ran out before Phillip could get to them.”
“Why were they there? Was anything stolen?”
“It doesn’t look so, but I can’t be certain.”
“How did they get through the alarm?”
“Floria forgot to activate it before she left on Friday.”
“Shoot. Why is this happening?”
“I don’t know. But I intend to find out.”
“How much longer do you think you’ll be?”
“I don’t know. Turn the ringer up on your phone and go to bed. I’ll call you when I’m on my way up.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep until you’re here. Please, be careful.”
* * *
It’s close to one in the morning when my phone rings. I’m thankful Jonathan’s arrived. When we finally see each other, he holds me in his arms forever and a day… or a night in this case.
“Can I get you anything? Maybe some tea?”
“No thanks. First things first, I need a shower. How are you?” he says.
Love, Lies & The D.A. Page 33