She shook her head. Let Barrett tell it, Justice was the definition of a sexy man. “It figures. By the way, your logic makes absolutely no sense at all. You don’t wear bracelets for seafood allergies. It’s unlikely I will pass out and get a fish or shrimp stuck in my mouth for resuscitation. Besides, I bring my lunch.”
“I didn’t say it made sense. Does having a Closed sign on a cemetery make sense? The dead are not going anywhere. However, Dr. Joseph, you never know what you may get stuck in your mouth for resuscitation purposes, so have dinner with me tonight, and go dancing. Save your lunch for tomorrow. Come on. Can’t you loosen up a little? You’re not afraid of me, are you?” He imagined her tightening those shoulders and frowning.
“Me? Afraid of you? I absolutely am not.” She mused that Dr. Black’s flagrant behavior showed he was way too sure of himself in the charm department.
“Prove it.”
“I didn’t realize this was a contest. Aren’t you too old for games?”
“It depends on the prize.”
“There’s a little diner around the corner, Leo’s. We can meet there for lunch.” According to her clock, it was eighty thirty. She flipped through her appointment book; her next patient wasn’t scheduled until two forty-five. “How about eleven thirty?” She waited a few minutes before she gave him the bait. “If your manners are good, I’ll think about dinner and maybe dancing later. Good-bye.”
“Jeri, am I free until two thirty today?” What did she mean if my manners are good? Does she think I’ll eat with my fingers?
“Let me see. Do you have something urgent?”
“Yeah, lunch with a smart-mouthed doctor.”
Jeri laughed. “I’ll make it happen.”
“Why on earth did I do that? I am not meeting him. What was I thinking? I shouldn’t have let Justice goad me like that.” Kaitlyn stood, slid her hands into her pants pockets, and stared out the window. She couldn’t be callous and not show up. So deep in thought, she didn’t hear Wil call her name.
“Calling Gianna.” Wil was familiar with that distant look Kaitlyn would drift into when something weighed heavy on her mind. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Wil, I’ve gotten myself into a mess with Dr. Black. I let him goad me into having lunch with him today.”
“Goad? You let Justice goad you? How’s that possible, Gianna?” Wil relaxed with an inward smile and inquisitively moved closer. For as long as she had known her, Kaitlyn had never allowed anyone to goad her into anything.
“You know Dr. Black better than I do. Before I knew what had happened, the man had shoved his way onto me like a boulder rolling downhill, and I don’t know how to stop him.”
“You call him and cancel. Simple as that.”
“No, I can’t do that. I sort of didn’t give him a chance. I’m sure he’s cancelled his morning appointments for this.”
“Then I guess you’re stuck. Go.”
“Looks like it.” Resigned to her fate, Kaitlyn gave Wil a pitiful look.
“Sorry. No pity here. You got yourself into that.”
“Thanks, friend.”
“You’re welcome. Gianna, you remember Mrs. Evans. She called a few minutes ago upset. You’ve seen her once already.”
“Sure.” She remembered Malina’s complaint about her constant frustration with her youngest daughter’s teacher who wanted the child placed on medication. “You know, Wil, it has been nonstop for me since I hit the door a few days ago. I feel as if I’ve been here for months. It feels great.”
“It never slows up here. I knew you’d like it. I saw you were free and had Alice bring Malina in as a crisis this morning.” Wil looked at the clock. It was almost nine. “She should be hitting that door in ten minutes prompt.”
Exactly ten minutes later, Kaitlyn sat across her desk waiting for Malina to exhale, amazed at how long she could talk without a breather.
Malina rapidly tapped her manicured nails constantly on the edge of the desk. Kaitlyn understood her frustration. Malina, being a university professor, knew how the school system worked. The issue over medication had not been based on any evaluation, just the teacher’s opinion.
“You see, Dr. Joseph,” Malina started, “every day I deal with this teacher who tells my child to just be average in life. I pray every time I see that woman. Unlike the other three parents, I’m not taking my child out of her class. That damn woman is going to teach my child, or she’s the one who will be average somewhere else. I know you told me about my anger, but hearing that from that teacher, I am not taking it. So I sit in her class and evaluate her teaching abilities. So am I crazy for that too? My husband and I are so stressed that he tries pushing me into a fight over this.”
“Mrs. Evans, would you explain what you mean by your husband tries to push you into a fight?”
Malina’s mentioning her husband’s behavior was a new turn in her therapy. It had been only a matter of time before the pressure escalated between the couple.
“Terrance loves to argue. He likes having the last word, but I ignore him.” She looked at Kaitlyn with a curious expression. “Dr. Joseph, trust me. Terrance and I resolve our problems with negotiations, silence, and logical arguments but never violence. That’s not our marriage. I know domestic violence. I teach a class on it. There’s a nurse at the hospital that constantly has more bruises than any football player. She’s nice but there is no way I’d let a man do that to me. She’s a friend of the mayor’s wife, so no one says anything.”
Satisfied after a few more questions that domestice violence was not a problem, Kaitlyn said, “All right. Let’s you and I work on how to better work with that teacher.”
“Mavis, how’s the fundraising for the new golf club coming? Will it be set to open before the festival week?”
Tevis trusted his young wife’s instincts for new business ventures. She had a strong head for that, and people loved her. Together they would turn this town around and make it the most desirable place to live. At age thirty-five, she still had a youthful look. He didn’t fool himself; their marriage was one of convenience. At first he’d believed she’d learn to love him, but he could never rid her mind of the man she really wanted to be with. That was unfortunate. Whether she knew it or not, he’d never allow a divorce.
Mavis dabbed a bit of perfume behind her ears and smelled the fragance again. She had sent all the way to London for this bottle. “It’s coming along very well.” She watched her husband admire himself in the mirror while he stole glances at her.
“Putting on weight, aren’t you, Tevis?” She turned away. Their marriage was a joke. She was barely twelve when he convinced her parents he would educate and make her into a fine lady. What a laugh. She’d made herself into a lady. Not him. Family meant very little to him. She had her son and her charities, which made up for some of the losses she had in her life, her family and her youth. Marriage to Tevis had cost her that. Mavis had friends but not very many. She was well aware some of the women liked her simply because of Tevis.
Tevis frowned at her comment. “A few pounds. Not much.”
She changed the subject. It didn’t matter. “Our vice president is meeting with your friend to discuss the property. I’m sure he will be pleased. Thanks for making the arrangement with Mr. Cooper. No one in BrightTown could afford the price.” She was not worried about the buyer. Once he learned the value of the property, it would be a good deal for everyone. “You said he was an old college friend of yours?”
“Yes. We reconnected at a conference for mayors a couple of months ago.”
Mavis was aware of her husband’s conferences and the women packaged with them. As long as he didn’t pressure her for sex, she didn’t care. She’d recently discovered how far he had gone. His doctor’s nurse, Eunice Russell, had discreetly called the house about an antibiotic prescribed for his STD and suggested Mavis see her own doctor for treat
ment. Mavis was incensed, but that made it easy to refuse Tevis any further sexual contact, using his infidelity as a risk to her life. He’d punched the wall but hadn’t forced her. The woman he’d slept with was a local. Suddenly she’d disappeared. A short time later, by sheer circumstance, Mavis met Eunice at a domestic violence charity benefit. Eunice was older by five years, but they shared some of the same interests, and the two became close friends. Because of their schedules, they didn’t spend near as much time together as they’d liked.
Tevis watched his wife dress. She was indeed beautiful. “I have a meeting this afternoon with Justice Black to discuss the fire. He hasn’t come up with anything new that he is willing to share. Quite frankly, I’m beginning to worry about that. People are becoming anxious and questioning their safety with his leadership. The town hall meeting should prove interesting. His reputation of hard-line management style may be a problem. Black practically dismantled the entire WhiteFlower Sheriff’s Department, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Perhaps it needed to be. Besides, didn’t he find those missing children and the CEO of St. Sullivan? I’m sure everything will work out for the best, and you did say the construction company should bear the responsibility for the restaurant fire.”
“Yes, it was quite their fault,” he assured her.
As Mavis prepared for her daily charity tours, he thought that with her influence and popularity, he could run for governor. After all, if people liked the candidate’s wife, they’d make exception for the man’s flaws. Before he took over the town, it hadn’t grown much. Now BrightTown was known for the elaborate festivals and, pretty soon, horse racing. It was anybody’s guess how far he could take the town.
“I am considering asking the new psychologist Dr. Adeena Joseph to speak at the children’s camp fundraiser,” Mavis said.
“Oh yes, I heard about Eastermann enlarging her practice. If you need influence, let me know.”
“Influence from you? I think not,” Mavis scoffed. “I can handle this alone.”
chapter
TWENTY-FIVE
Tevis glared at Genevieve. She refused to let him speak. It wasn’t his fault some idiot had broadcasted the city’s plans to enlarge the Halloween festival to include a car race.
“Genevieve, tell me about this festival, other than it brings in money.” Justice glanced toward Mayor Tevis. “What’s behind it?”
Genevieve’s excitement bubbled over. This was her pet project.
“My grandfather started it as a small festival for the schoolchildren—with popcorn, clown acts, and pony rides. Soon it grew into a yearly town event. It was Barrett and I who managed to get all the schools involved by building floats for a parade. I convinced the local farmers to sell their produce at the festival, and soon neighboring towns participated with tractor pulls, and I added corn-husking events and quilting contests.”
“It’s a big turnout?”
“Oh yes. Politicians find it the perfect environment for their campaigns. Tourists from as far as Canada come for the festival. The money the city takes in is worth the effort.”
“Thanks, Genevieve. I’ll get in touch with you and the mayor if I need anything else. Jeri will call you.” He needed to hurry. He had an important lunch appointment with Dr. Joseph.
Kaitlyn spotted Justice as soon as she walked into Leo’s. As usual, as he stood, his hands were in his pockets. He was waiting for her. Nice, he had chosen a window view of the outside fountains. Normally she’d come early to get a good table for that reason, except this morning everything was off schedule.
“I thought you’d chickened out and stood me up.”
“Now why would I do that?” She took the seat he held for her, not yet looking at him in case he’d see her guilt of thinking to do just that.
“Wild thought.” What he wanted to say was that if they hadn’t shared the same office, she would’ve stood him up. He sensed a streak of meanness. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“No. I never drink.” She found a certain spot on Leo’s new triton fountain to focus on rather than Justice. It didn’t matter; she felt his eyes on her anyway.
“I see.” The animal-control call was lie number one. Her not liking seafood was lie number two. This was lie number three. “Barrett said you liked wine.”
She ignored the comment. “I’ll take hot tea.”
Kaitlyn liked Leo’s. The atmosphere was cozy, and jazz softly played in the background. The menu was mostly salads, pasta, vegetarian dishes, and hearty sandwiches for quick lunches. Most of the crowds were retired university professors, the health-conscious generation, and a sprinkling of nuns. Leo himself did some of the cooking.
“Would you like regular, decaf, or herbal?”
“Barrett didn’t tell you which? I’ll take herbal.”
“I didn’t ask. They have several flavors. You have to choose.”
Goodness, he was pushing it. “I’ll take any flavor.” With that she had no choice except to look at him, and as expected, he smiled.
“That’s much better.”
“Pushy, aren’t you, Dr. Black?”
“Yes, when I need to be.”
She was relieved when the waiter came and took their orders of two decaf green teas and shrimp Alfredo. Neither commented about the shrimp.
“Why don’t you like me?” He relaxed and patiently leaned back in his chair. He was sure Dr. Joseph was a chameleon and struggled to maintain self-control so as not to reveal anything personal. Anyone who swore in two languages as she did at his door that early morning, he believed definitely had another interesting side, and he bet that side was wild. “Is it my clothes? I shower every day and even change my socks.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like you.”
“Then that means you like me.”
He got the smile she fought so hard to hold.
“What is this, some schoolboy lunch? What difference does it make if I like you or not?”
“Temper. All I asked was a simple question; surely you aren’t begrudging me that?”
“I beg your pardon. I’m not begrudging you anything.”
“Sure you are. It’s written in your eyes: ‘Piss me off, and I’ll begrudge you until Jesus Christ comes.’”
“You know, if you believed that, why did you ask me out for lunch?”
“I asked you out for dinner and dancing. You”—he pointed to her—“did the lunch thing.”
She was quiet. He was right. She’d never run into anyone like Justice Black. It was hard to get around him. She was so grateful the waiter brought their lunches, saving her from any more of his questions. She left a big tip.
Justice thrummed his fingers on the table, studying her mood. She hadn’t spoken in five minutes.
“You have nice taste. I would have suggested this place too.”
“Thank you.” She felt she was interviewing for a dating service. She really could enjoy the food if he didn’t watch every bite she took.
“You think you’ll get what you need from the interviews?”
She relaxed; he saw it was all about work.
“I don’t think I’ll have a problem. I usually get what I want.” She stiffened. Those words sounded too loaded even for her.
Either he didn’t hear it or ignored it; she was relieved there was no comeback on his part.
“What brought you to BrightTown?”
“Dr. Black, do you ever stay on task?”
“Sure. I’m on it now.”
She smiled. “Well, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with Wil, and I checked out BrightTown. I like the abundance of trees and the quietness. I may eventually move to Castleview. It’s only forty-five minutes away. I like the country setting.”
Justice watched her excitement in describing everything. She was real. No pretenses. There was a
simple style there he admired.
“Dr. Joseph, how long have you played the sax?”
“For some time.”
“So what about the dinner and dance? Is it a go or not?”
“Dr. Black, you just met me. How do you know I’m not a serial killer in disguise?”
“You’d get arrested. What about the dinner and dance?”
“I can’t dance.”
“Then I’ll teach you.” He smiled.
“You know, Dr. Black, I have a rule not to mix business with pleasure. It’s a standard I live by and find professionally safe.”
“It’s my standard as well. We’ll talk business and make it as pleasurable as possible considering the current circumstances.”
Considering the current circumstances. Kaitlyn watched and listened to Justice. She was aware of the news questioning his leadership ability, and the hearing, and couldn’t help wondering how everything must weigh on him. When in the office, she sometimes heard him swear with frustration when a lead on the restaurant fire didn’t pan out. Then there were the times she left the office late and he’d remained. He’d come home around midnight or later.
“Well?” he pushed.
It was useless. “Dr. Black, I’ll take you up on that. What about Ricky’s at seven next Friday night? I’ll reserve a table and meet you there. But,” she added, “you’ll have to let me get some sleep.”
“Ricky’s at seven it is,” he agreed with a smile. “And I’ll do my best on the other.”
chapter
TWENTY-SIX
The BrightTown town hall meeting
He was paid well and admired himself in his new car.
He’d always wanted a Jaguar. The car made him look distinguished. He laughed. He could barely see the old Ed. He’d gotten a new wardrobe, neatly shaved, waxed, and a manicure. He’d transformed into a new Ed. He admitted money had its perks. Now all he need was a woman to make things look normal; next as a gift he’d purchase a house for his woman. He shrugged. In twenty minutes he’d meet with the vice president of the mayor’s wife’s charity organization. He’d hoped to meet the wife. They say she’s was a looker. Not to worry. He took the photo of Eunice Russell from his coat pocket. The Russell woman wasn’t so bad looking.
Justice Black: The Game Never Ends Page 11