Rhi nodded seriously. "Okay, and what are my duties?"
Marika was silent for a moment, until her assistant regarded her curiously. Then she sighed and admitted, "To tell you the truth, most of your work was done when we prepared the case. I'd originally planned to bring Marian along both as a reward for her hard work and as a training exercise. I think it's easier, when you're doing the research I need, if you have a clearer idea of what the end results are."
Her companion nodded slowly. "So, normally, I wouldn't have come?"
"No, normally only the lawyer goes, but when the hearing was first scheduled, I'd gotten permission for Marian to accompany me, so as her replacement you get the same consideration."
"Hmm," Rhi said, "are you sure it's okay with the firm?"
"Definitely," Marika reassured her. "I talked to Daniel myself."
Rhiannon nodded at the mention of one of the Calgary based senior partners, Daniel Cohen. "I guess it's all right then." She added with a smile, "Remind me to bring something home for Marian's baby."
The lawyer chuckled. "Yeah, the baby's timing was your gain, for sure...and mine."
Rhi glanced up sharply, then as quickly looked away. Marika realized what she'd said, and hoped that her assistant hadn't taken it the wrong way. Their friendship had been growing stronger, but she'd been concerned---especially since the night they'd gone dancing---that her companion not worry about her boss ever trying to take advantage of her. When Rhi had stayed the night with her, she clamped firmly down on any impulse to offer to share her bed with the young woman. She'd quietly made up the day bed for her guest and bid her goodnight before going to her own room.
Marika couldn't deny that her thoughts drifted more and more often these days to the young woman, and that her feelings for her assistant were deepening. However, quite apart from the impropriety of getting involved with her subordinate, given the lawyer's track record, she didn't want to endanger what was becoming a valuable friendship with romantic overtures.
Occasionally the lawyer caught Rhi watching her with a confused look in her eyes, as if the young woman was trying to comprehend something foreign to her. She suspected that if she were to make an advance, it wouldn't be immediately repulsed, but that made her all the more determined to keep their relationship platonic. Marika was sure that Rhiannon would never make the first move, so all she had to do was control her own impulses and all would be fine between them.
Deciding to interject a bit of professionalism to defuse any tension, she asked casually, "Do you think you have a good grasp on our case?"
Rhi nodded. "I think so. I spent quite a bit of time on the file last week."
"Okay, run through the high points for me."
Her assistant thought for a moment and then in a firm voice, began to lay out the case. "Tsang Ah-zhen was a doctor in southeastern China, and because he had seen countless infants he had newly delivered being murdered by regional family planning officers, he was well aware of the penalty for exceeding the official one child policy. When his wife, Wen Li, became pregnant for the second time, they tried to hide her at her mother's home in the country. Someone who saw Wen Li with her daughter while obviously pregnant turned her in, and she was forced to undergo a late term abortion. A year later, she became pregnant again, and this time she hid out in their home, never going out once she started to show. Wen Li was about six months along when Dr. Tsang was tipped off that not only did the authorities know of the illegal pregnancy, but because of his social status as a doctor, they planned to make a very public example of both of them once the child was born. With the help of relatives, they immediately fled to Hong Kong, and from there flew to Canada. They then went to Calgary where Wen Li's brother helped them get established and file a petition for refugee status through you. The hearing was transferred to Vancouver when they moved here eight months ago."
Marika nodded her approval of Rhi's precise recitation. "Good. Now what are the strongest points of our case?"
"Their very real fear of prosecution should they be returned, with the possibility that their younger daughter, who was born in Canada, would be subjected to persecution as an 'illegal birth'; the fact that as a physician, Dr. Tsang is a 'desirable' immigrant according to established government guidelines and has already begun steps to get Canadian medical certification while employed as an orderly at Vancouver General; the fact that they have a strong support system already in place and haven't drawn on Canadian social assistance programs." Rhi stopped and cocked her head curiously. "Will it be enough do you think?"
"I think with the supporting documents that Dr. Tsang brought with him, it should be. He provided statements from women who saw their newborns' skulls injected with formaldehyde, one from a woman whose baby's head was smashed against a wall in front of her and others' whose babies simply disappeared from the delivery room. He also smuggled out official documentation he got from his contact in the regional planning office showing that because family planners receive bonuses for the lower they can keep their numbers, infanticide is built into the system. Add in the fact that it was only last year that President Jiang Zemin urged the Communist Party to continue to treat population control and family planning as a protracted war, citing stats of 300 million births successfully prevented in the last twenty years, and that will go a long way to substantiate his case. I expect a favourable result, but you don't always know how the board will rule. We just have to present the strongest case we can."
Rhi walked along quietly for a few moments and then half turned to Marika. Very seriously she said, "Thank you for bringing me along. I'm really looking forward to watching the hearing tomorrow." With a little grin she added warmly, "Not to mention that I've been having a blast playing tourist. You're a great guide."
"It's been my pleasure, Rhi. You're a good traveling companion," Marika said appreciatively. "I think you'll get a lot out the hearing too, and once the work is done, we can enjoy the evening."
"Sounds great."
The women strolled on, and Marika found that despite the light rain, she felt an inner glow keeping her warm, a glow, no matter how she might resist it, closely linked to the small figure walking beside her.
* * *
Marika stood and began to replace the papers in her briefcase. It had been a long day, but she'd been pleased with their presentation and felt optimistic for her client's chances. She smiled as Rhi took the briefcase from her to finish packing up the documents. Turning to the slight Oriental man and his wife sitting at the long table beside her, she offered her hand.
"I think it went well, Dr. Tsang. As soon as I get notification of the Board's decision, I'll contact you."
The man bowed his head slightly and smiled as he shook her hand. "Thank you, Ms. Havers. My wife and I are very grateful for your help. We will look forward to hearing from you."
The lawyer smiled at his shy wife, who lacked her husband's facility with English, and the couple made their departure. Turning to Rhi, who now had everything packed away, Marika said, "We just have to make a brief stop at the office, and then we're free for the evening, all right?"
"Okay. Maybe Mr. Owen will be back by now, too. I'd like to see him before we leave."
Marika knew that Rhi had been disappointed that her former boss had been out of the office when they'd stopped there that morning, and she too hoped Len was around. She was pretty sure that the man would be amazed at the change in his erstwhile assistant. There were times that the lawyer barely recognized the reserved, monosyllabic assistant Len had first foisted on her in the warm, amiable friend now walking at her side as they left the IRB. Marika was aware that the changes were mostly apparent when Rhi was with her, Lee and Dana, but even around others, much of the stark suspicion that had clung to the young woman like armour had melted. She doubted that even her fellow legal assistants still referred to her as Miss Ice.
A brisk ten-minute walk brought them to the doors of the firm's Vancouver branch, and after Marika left the pertinent
documents with the office manager, they made their way to the ninth floor to check if Len had returned. He had, and greeted them with unfeigned delight.
"Marika! Rhiannon! I was hoping you'd make it back before you left town," the burly man exclaimed as he stood and came around his desk. Hugging Marika, he offered his hand to Rhiannon, who beamed at him and shook it vigourously.
"Hi, Mr. Owen. It's really great to see you again."
Marika almost laughed as Len's eyebrow shot up in surprise at the effusiveness of the young woman's greeting. He recovered, and grinned. "Great to see you too, Rhiannon. Are you enjoying Vancouver?"
"Oh yeah, and that restaurant you recommended was great. We had a wonderful meal there last night, didn't we, Marika?" Rhi had turned to the lawyer for confirmation and missed seeing her previous boss' jaw literally drop.
Suppressing a smirk, Marika nodded her agreement. "It really was, Rhi, and hopefully we'll find a place just as good tonight."
Her assistant grinned widely. "No kidding!" Glancing at the lawyers, she said, "Um, if you'll excuse me for a minute, I just have to make a quick stop before we head back to the hotel."
She headed out of the office, and Len turned to her in amazement. "What the hell did you do to my assistant!?"
Marika looked at him innocently. "Do? Whatever do you mean?"
The burly lawyer stared at her suspiciously. "In two years I couldn't get her to call me Len, and she sure as hell never went out for a meal with me. Did you do a personality transplant or something?"
"No, that's all her. I didn't do anything special, really." Marika smiled at the transparent disbelief in her colleague's eyes. Before he could grill her some more, a dapper man in his sixties stepped through the door.
"Ah, Marika. I'm glad I caught up with you before you left." He came towards them, holding his hand out.
"Harrison. It's nice to see you, as always," Marika said, politely greeting the Kurst segment of McGregor, Cohen and Kurst. They exchanged courteous chitchat on the disposition of her case and the latest news from the Calgary branch, before he turned to Owen.
"You'll be at the reception then, Len?"
The burly lawyer nodded. "Of course. In fact I was going to suggest that I walk over with Marika as she's staying in the Sandler Arms."
"Well, why don't you join us then, Marika? It's being held in one of their conference rooms at the top of the tower. Wonderful view of the city and the harbour from there."
Startled, Marika only knew that her planned evening with Rhiannon was slipping away. "Um, Harrison? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."
The senior partner smiled amiably. "Sorry, we did rather spring that on you, didn't we? But it would be an excellent idea to have a representative from the Calgary branch there too, and I can't think of anyone better than you. Right, it's settled then. I'll see you two over there." Leaving no opening for protests, he turned and strode out of the office, passing a silent Rhiannon who had slipped back in.
Marika turned on Len. "What the hell was that all about? I have plans for tonight, and I don't want to break them."
Len shrugged helplessly. "I'm sorry, Marika. I shouldn't have mentioned where you're staying. I never thought..."
The lawyer frowned angrily and crossed her arms. "So what is this stupid reception all about, and why is Harrison so keen on me being there?"
"It's just your basic suck-up assignment. Palmer DeAndre of DeAndre Shipping and Transport fame is one of the firm's biggest clients, and he and his wife Sandra put on this annual reception to thank the contributors to their charitable foundation. Attendance is pretty much mandatory for us since Kurst is on their board of directors, and a lot of McGregor, Cohen business is tied up with DeAndre Shipping." Len regarded Marika apologetically. "If it helps any, they do put on a terrific spread and it's an open bar."
"Don't care. I don't want to go," Marika gritted between her teeth, her eyes seeking out her quiet assistant who was watching the two lawyers.
Len shifted nervously. "Uh, I don't think it was a suggestion, Marika. Besides, all you have to do is make an appearance, schmooze for an hour and then you can slip out. Hell, there are usually over five hundred people there, so no one's going to notice. Just make sure that Kurst sees you a couple of times."
Rhiannon glided across the room, coming to a stop beside her irate boss. Turning to her ex-boss, she said politely, "Mr. Owen, would you excuse us for a moment?"
He looked at her gratefully and nodded, making a quick exit to leave the two women alone.
"Rika, it's okay."
"No, it's not!" the lawyer snapped. "I wanted to take you to Gastown."
The smaller woman laid a soothing hand on her friend's arm. "Look, we can do both. You go to the reception for an hour or so, and then come back and pick me up. We'll still have lots of time to go to Gastown. It's only 6:30 now, so even if we don't leave until eight or nine, the night will still be young."
Marika felt her agitation subsiding in the face of her assistant's calm logic. Sighing, she muttered, "This is not the way I pictured tonight."
Rhi smiled at her warmly. "I know, but sometimes you have to be flexible. He is a senior partner and he obviously expects you to be there, so go; and when you come back, we'll go out and have some fun, okay?"
The lawyer looked at her friend and shook her head in mild exasperation. "When did you get to be so darned persuasive?"
The smaller woman grinned. "Comes from hanging around lawyers so much."
That got a chuckle, and Len warily poked his head back in the office. When both women smiled at him, he grinned in relief. "So everything's all right then?"
Marika nodded. "Yes, I'll go with you and play the stupid schmooze game...but not for long! And if Harrison has a problem with that, he can take it up with Daniel or Ian."
Len ignored the pugnacious tone and cheerfully grabbed his suit jacket. "Let's go then. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner you can leave."
As they left the office, Marika had an absurdly childish urge to drag her feet over the thick carpet, but a small grin from her assistant let her know her recalcitrance would not go unchallenged. She glared at Rhi, but twinkling blue eyes told her that her assistant wasn't in the least bit intimidated. Finally, with a deep sigh, she accepted that she was going to the reception and all she could do was make the best of it and duck out as soon as possible.
* * *
Marika had dropped her briefcase and purse off in her room, slipped her keycard into her pocket, and bid an envious farewell to her assistant, who'd already changed into jeans and a casual shirt. Reluctantly, she joined Len and the two made their way to the elevators to ascend to the twenty-first floor.
Not really interested, but feeling she should probably ask, Marika said, "So tell me about our hosts. What exactly is the reception about?"
Len leaned against the back wall and yawned. "Sorry, long day," he said apologetically. "Well, Palmer DeAndre has made billions from his shipping and transport empire, so he and his wife set up a charitable foundation to spread some of the wealth around. He has a couple of kids from a previous marriage, but they don't have any kids of their own, so maybe that's why they concentrate on children's charities. Anyway, she's the one who mostly administers the foundation, while he just keeps on making more billions. They're actually really low-key about it, tend not to seek out publicity or anything, and do most of their work behind the scenes. From what I understand, they've set up a number of foundation offices across North America and even into Europe and Asia. She does a lot of traveling on behalf of the DeAndre Foundation. They're a very highly respected couple in the city, and people clamour to work on their various projects. That's why you'll see the cream of Vancouver society here tonight."
The cream of Vancouver society paled in Marika's eyes beside one small assistant patiently waiting for her return, but as the elevator deposited them in a glittering foyer crowded with well dressed men and women, she reluctantly decided to make the be
st of it. She followed Len's lead, politely greeting and making small talk with people he knew as the two lawyers made their way through the foyer into the huge reception hall.
A long buffet table---done up with white linens, fresh flowers and heavy silver serving dishes---lined one wall, presided over by several men in tall chef's hats. A phalanx of black clad waiters circulated smoothly among the guests, offering hors d'oeuvres and drinks. The whole atmosphere was one of refined elegance, and the dignified, well-dressed crowd appeared right in their element.
Marika and Len snagged glasses of wine from a passing waiter and continued to circulate. Passing the floor to ceiling windows, Marika had to acknowledge that Kurst hadn't exaggerated the view. Outside, the sun still sparkled off the waters of English Bay, and white sails dotted the waves in profusion.
Quelling a desire to be out there, or anywhere but here, as long as it was with Rhi, she whispered to her companion, "Let's find Harrison so he knows we've made an appearance."
Len looked around, scanning the large and growing crowd. Finally he spotted their quarry. "Over there," he said, tipping his glass in the direction of a small stage at one end of the room. "In fact, he's talking to DeAndre himself, so maybe you'll be able to get this all over with at once. I have to corner Harrison on another matter myself, since I didn't get a chance to at the office."
"Good," Marika muttered. "Then lead on, Len!" Following in the burly man's wake, she soon found herself in front of the senior partner and a tall, attractive middle-aged man with bright blue eyes and thick, white hair. As they approached, Kurst broke off the lively conversation he'd been engaged in and smiled.
"Ah, good to see you two." Turning to the tall man, he said, "Palmer, I'd like you to meet two of our brightest associates. This is Marika Havers from our Calgary branch, and Len Owen from our Vancouver office. Marika, Len...this is Palmer DeAndre."
"It's nice to meet you," DeAndre said, extending his hand.
"Mr. DeAndre," Marika acknowledged politely as she took his hand.
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