by Dee Dawning
I shifted in my seat and shrugged. "That's pretty close to what happened."
Cami leaned forward, wide eyed. "Was it really? Tell me more."
Remembering the Hot Spot, a flash of anger surged through me. "It seems Lamar is dumping me for a blonde bimbo, nude dancer, named Caviar."
Cami's mouth opened wide. "Oh, this is better, or is it worse than I thought. I'm so sorry."
I decided to try the white, Pinot Grigio wine. "Don't write my obituary yet. I think I'm going to land on my feet."
Elbows on the table, Cami rested her chin on entwined fingers and raised a solo eyebrow. "Oh? Is that what the weekend in the mountains was all about?"
I set my wineglass down. "Yes. Do you remember my friend Daniel Westbrook?"
Cami snapped her fingers. "The dreamy white boy from college."
"That's him."
She arched her brow. "You spent all weekend alone with him, up at that lake we went to years ago?"
I couldn't help but waggle my eyebrows. "Two very sexy days."
She dipped her head to the side and lifted her wineglass in a mock toast. "Well, that'll cushion your fall all right. I remember he had a big crush on you, but you wouldn't go out with him." Resting her chin on her joined fingers again, she gazed straight at me with a devious grin on her face. "So how was he?"
I spun my wine glass. Lifting my chin, I glanced around the room and returned my gaze to my friend. "Better than I imagined possible." I leaned forward and giggled. "Oh, Cami, I could kick myself for refusing to go out with him and wasting nine years, seven of which I spent with an undeserving asshole. Cami, I think I might love him."
Catching Cami in the middle of a sip of wine, she leaned forward and coughed. After she'd stopped coughing she wiped her tears away with a napkin. "I'm sorry. Did you say, you might love him?"
I laid my hand over hers. "Ah-huh. I want to be with him all the time and be the best lover he's ever had—the only lover he'll ever need.
"I foolishly thought I loved Mr. pretentious, but now I realize I probably loved Danny all along. That's probably why we remained close friends." I leaned closer. "I've never said this before, but I was green with envy when he became engaged to that Karen woman.
"I could tell. But girl, this is all happening so fast it's making my head spin. It's too soon to be in love. You should take your time and smell the flowers."
I bit of annoyance struck me. "Cami, I already wasted nine years. I already know Daniel is the man for me!"
She seemed thoughtful, "Yes but…never mind. How did you happen to hook up with Mr. Wonderful so fast?"
I laughed. "That's the funny part. He's Lamar's lawyer. He served me the divorce petition."
Cami's hand went to her mouth. "That's so funny. Tell me, what's next for Lila Patterson?"
"Lila Landers. I'll be taking my maiden name back. Danny says he wants to spend every available moment with me, but we really can't be seen together until the divorce is final, since he's Lamar's lawyer. So I guess we'll be spending a lot of time here and in the cabin."
"What about money? Are you all right. I could help out if you need it."
"Thanks, but I think I'll be all right. Lamar is supposed to cover my living expenses for now. Nevertheless, I want to find a job. I'll start looking tomorrow. I'm also trying to retain a lawyer to represent me. "
"Anyone, I know of."
"I don't know. I've been trying to get ahold of someone named Letta Storm."
"God, yes. I've heard she's a one woman wrecking crew."
I couldn't help but smile. "That's good to know. I want to get this over as soon as possible."
"Six months is the quickest from what I hear."
I cringed. "That long?"
Cami nodded. "That's what I hear."
"Well, I can't wait to start my life anew."
Chapter Six – Letta Storm
Tuesday morning, my charging cell phone rattled my nerves at seven-forty-five. I disconnected the wire and answered, "Hello."
An electronically altered voice jangled my mind, "Lila Patterson?"
"Yes. Who's this?"
"Your attorney. Meet me at the Jack in the Box on Colorado and Hill across the street from Pasadena City College at eight-thirty."
"How will I know…" I realized the line had disconnected. "…You?" I was to meet her twenty-five minutes away in forty minutes. I jumped out of bed and padded into the kitchen to make coffee. While the coffee brewed, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Skipping make-up except for lip gloss, I threw on jeans and a blouse pinned my hair back and headed to the kitchen, where I poured my coffee into a travel mug and headed out the door.
I pulled into the Jack in the Box parking lot at eight-thirty-one. I eased into the space closest to the entrance. My passenger door opened and a rather poorly dressed, but pleasant looking sister with bright red, straightened hair slid in.
As I turned to see who my intruder might be, her Cheshire cat grin beamed at me. "You really ought to keep your doors locked. You never know who might pop in."
I squeaked, "Letta Storm?"
She offered her hand. "The original. You were expecting maybe Sarah Palin?"
I shook the offered hand and tittered. "Of course not, I just expected you to be inside."
"Sorry for all the cloak and dagger crap, but when you take millions from wealthy, influential scumbags and give it to their spouses, you tend to make enemies. Why don't you start your big fancy car and drive before you draw attention to us."
I started the car and backed out.
"I wasn't going to take you at first, you know?"
I headed north on Hill Avenue. "No?"
"No, you are too pretty and young. It's tough for awhile, but women like you end up all right. Nevertheless, your case interests me. Why is your husband dumping a woman like you?"
"He has a girlfriend."
"The bimbo, nude dancer? There's that, but there must be something else. It'll cost you, but when I find out, it'll cost him. I'm never wrong."
"How did you find out about her?"
"I ran a preliminary check on you and him."
"You found that out in a preliminary check?
"Yes, and I afraid she wasn't the only one."
I shifted my gaze to her for an instant. "She wasn't?"
"I'm afraid not. I found affairs going back six years."
I grit my teeth as the heat from this added betrayal built in me. "He's been running—"
"Ah-huh. Which makes me wonder, why now? Something has pushed him into action, now and I'm going to find out what."
I felt like a fool. "He's been running around for six years? Christ, we've only been married seven."
"The wife's always the last to know. Who referred me to you by the way?"
"A friend."
"Was it Daniel Westbrook, the man you spent the weekend with? He could get in deep trouble if your hubby finds out, you know."
I pulled over to the curb. I was so stunned I was dizzy. "How could you possibly know?"
"Research. I may be a bit eccentric and not look like much, but I'm resourceful, intuitive and smart. Remember Columbo?"
"Not really."
"Well, he didn't look like much, but he was effective. That's why you're going to write me a check for ten thousand dollars as a retainer."
I coughed and choked. Ten thousand, I don't have that much. "I'm sorry."
She pulled down the visor and looked in the mirror. "Don't worry about it. It's not the first time it's happened at the mention of my retainer. It may sound high, but most of that money will go toward investigating your husband. Where I make my money is the ten percent I take of the settlement."
"But what if you get me no more than he's offering?"
She lowered the visor mirror pulled a tube of lipstick out of her purse and applied it. "Then I work for nothing."
"I don't have that much money to give you."
Dropping her lipstick back in her bag, she gazed at me with a ti
ght-lipped smile. "Just give me what you have for now. We'll worry about the rest later."
I wrote a check for four of the five thousand I had in my account and handed it to her.
She smiled. "Good. I'll make up an agreement and email it to you. I want you to scan the petition the plaintiff served you and whatever tax returns you have, then email them to me.
"I'll be checking out your lover, Westbrook, too. I want to make sure he's a stand-up guy and not just looking for a little action on the side."
"If he wasn't sincere, why would he send me to you?"
"I do-no. Maybe he knows something about his client, he can't disclose and hopes I'll find it."
"You're pretty cynical. I've known Danny for nine years. We're good friends and he loves me."
"Hmm. Sounds like you married the wrong man."
"It does, doesn't it? You get me out of this mess and I'll rectify the situation."
"There ya go girl. I wish you love, wealth and happiness. You can take me back to J.I.B. now?"
"J.I.B.?"
"Jack in the Box."
When I got back home, I scanned the divorce papers into my computer, and sent them off to Letta. Wasn't she something? She gave me a feeling of confidence I didn't have before.
While I was on the computer, I checked several sites for employment opportunities. The most promising thing I found was emergency room nurse at a local hospital, so I made an appointment with the human resources department for that afternoon. Afterward, I changed into my swimsuit and picked up my normal routine.
* * * *
I picked up the handset and pushed the flashing intercom button. "Yes Marilyn."
"There's a Ms. Storm on line one."
"Thank you." I pushed line one. "Hello. This is Daniel Westbrook."
"Good morning, sir. My name is Letta Storm, and I have been retained by Lila Patterson, the wife of one of your clients, one Lamar Patterson."
"Yes, Ms. Storm. What can I do for you?"
"Call me Letta, please."
"And you may call me Daniel."
"Thank you. I called because I wanted you to know I represent her. Also, that we will be declining the paltry sum your client offered as settlement for seven loyal years of marriage several of which were spent putting him through college."
Way to go Letta. Smiling, I leaned back in my chair. "Thank you Letta. Is there anything else?"
"You bet. While your client remains in the couple's four million dollar home, he moved her into a two hundred thousand dollar condo. Hardly equitable."
"It was a matter of convenience."
"I see. It must be convenient to offer the princely sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for her fifty percent of net assets which in my estimation exceed ten million dollars, and to give her a two thousand dollar monthly stipend when the good doctor pays three thousand a month on maid and janitorial service alone."
Boy, she is thorough. "That is the amount she took from the medical practice when she worked there. Let's not forget her housing and utilities are totally paid for."
"Last year, Hollywood Cosmetic Treatment Center grossed six point two million dollars. The year before, it was four point eight million. That's a growth of one point four million in a bad economy.
"If your client wants to get her out of that cash cow, he's going to pay big time or my client will hold onto her half."
If Letta would have been there, I'd have kissed her. "I will pass this on to the good doctor."
My smile grew with everything she said, until. "Good. Oh, by the way, thanks for the referral."
"She told you?"
"No. I figured it out from things I already knew and what she told me. But you don't have to worry, I'm treating this as lawyer/client privilege."
Thank God! I breathed a sigh of relief. "I will pass on what you said to my client. I think I can get the alimony raised, but I warn you, if Mrs. Patterson receives a larger settlement, we will ask that alimony be waved."
"Understandable. You speak with your client and I'll begin my investigation."
"Investigation. Begin? You've given me the impression you've already investigated."
"That was only preliminary. Your client has a history of infidelity so it's odd that he would seek 'dissolution of marriage' now. Something is up and I aim to find out what."
I bit my lip to keep from chuckling.
"How do I get in touch with you?"
"I don't accept phone calls. You can email me anytime. [email protected]. Let me know what your boy says about the alimony. Tata."
After hanging up, I punched my fist into the air and thought about dancing. "Yes!" I shouted. Letta Storm is everything I'd heard.
My secretary, Marilyn, barged in and glanced around. "Is everything all right? I thought I heard you yell."
"Sorry. Everything is perfect."
* * * *
The job interview went okay, but the position was part time, twelve hours, midnight to noon, two days a week. I said I would think about it.
When I got home it was four o'clock—time to start dinner. I went into the kitchen and checked the pork roast I'd taken from the freezer tossed it in the oven, and checked my emails.
There was one from Letta Storm.
Dear Lila,
Please find our contract and a receipt for your retainer attached. Print the contract and if everything is agreeable sign it.
Mail it to L. Storm esq. at PO Box 681, Capri, CA
I spoke with Daniel Westbrook. You'll be glad to know my intuition tells me he's a good guy. I'm seldom wrong, but we'll see. That said, I would be remiss of I didn't point out how dangerous it is for you to be seen with Daniel.
You're not going to like this and I'm sure you'll ignore me, but my advice is to stop seeing Daniel until your divorce is finalized. Continuing to see him could jeopardize the whole divorce proceedings. If you cannot live without seeing each other, try to hold it to weekly liaisons and do it in private at your condo or his place in Sherman Oaks. Do not, I repeat, do not go out in public. Also do not let your personal vehicles be seen by neighbors. Other locations such as the homes of relatives or close friends may be propitious as well, but please run them by me, first.
Meanwhile, I've requested increased monthly payments. With a little luck we'll get three to five thousand a month. For now, I'm going forward with my investigation.
I'll keep you informed
Regards, L
After downloading the items from Letta, I started the rest of dinner, then went into the bedroom to change into a dress and make pretty.
At five minutes to seven, the doorbell rang. He's early. He couldn't wait to see me. You'd think I hadn't seen him for a month, I was so nervous. I opened the door and…the nerve of the son of a bitch! "What the fuck do you want…asshole?"
Chapter Seven – Dinner with Danny
"You look very nice, Lila." Lamar raised his eyebrows. "Is that any way to talk to your husband?"
Oh my, what am I going to do? Danny is going to be here in five…make it four minutes. "That's the most courteous tone you deserve. You want to hear what I'd really like to say?"
He laughed and raised his hands as if surrendering. "No, no. Your courteous tone is fine. May I come in?"
"That depends on your answer to my question."
"Question?"
Three minutes. I'm down to three minutes. Think of something, you idiot. "I asked, what the fuck do you want, asshole? Remember?"
He nodded. "Oh yes, sorry. I came here to sort of apologize for the way you were treated last Friday. I was nervous, and I felt a little guilty. I guess I wanted to get it over with. In hindsight I acted like an ass."
"Hole."
"What?"
Two minutes. Two stinking minutes until Danny-o shows. "Hole. You acted like an asshole!"
"Oh." I guess I did and I want to make up for it. Bear with me for a second, I have something for you." He reached in his jacket pocket and drew out a cushioned ring case.
>
Just then, my phone, which sat on the kitchen counter, rang. "Excuse me." Thankful for the break, I jogged into the kitchen. "Hello?"
"Baby. I'm around the corner. Tell me that isn't Lamar standing at your door."
"Hi, Cami, so nice of you to call."
"What does that mean?"
"Oh, girl, you know I'd like to hear all about it, but Lamar just dropped in."
"He's there because I told him what your attorney demanded."
"Uh-huh. He wanted to apologize for his boorish behavior and even admitted he was an asshole. That's why I can't talk. He's about to give me a guilt gift of some sort."
"Don't take any gifts. Tell him it's money you need, and a job. I'm gonna leave. Call me when the coast is clear."
"Okay. Good luck. I'll call back when I get time."
"I love you."
I frowned at my phone. I hope he means it. "I love you too, Cami."
Ending the call, I headed back to the snake.
"That was Cami."
"I heard." He handed the jewelry box to me.
"I can't accept a present from you when there are so many questions about the insufficiency of your settlement offer.