“Hi, Cairo, I’m so glad to hear from you. I’m never too busy for you. Are you ok?”
“Yes, Jose. I’m fine.”
“Are you mad at me?”
“No, of course not, Jose.”
“Well, I haven’t heard from you since that night on the couch. I thought--”
“No, no, Jose. Believe me, it’s nothing that you have done. I got really busy at work and I guess I needed time to analyze how I felt about some things.” She sighed. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. I didn’t want to call and push you or anything. So I just waited for you to call me when you were ready.”
“I’m ready. I want to see you …tonight.”
“I’ll be there. What time?”
“Be there when I get there. I’ll see you then.”
She closed her phone and pulled into the parking lot of her building excited. Her smile vanished when she realized her office doors were open. Before she could inquire Keisha intercepted her.
“I know what you’re thinking, Cairo, but she did have an appointment and you know she has issue with the word no.”
“It’s ok, Keisha. I’ll handle it.” She walked into her office and closed the doors. “Hello, Ms. Davies.”
“You’re late, Cairo. I’ve been here almost two hours waiting to go over what will happen in court with you. Where were you? You do realize we have court in two more hours don’t you?” She bounced her leg and wrapped her arms around her chest.
“I apologize for my lateness. I was in another meeting that regrettably went over. It was out of my control.”
She sucked her teeth. “You couldn’t call?”
Cairo looked at her over her glasses and took a cleansing breath. “Let’s just get down to business, shall we? I have another meeting before I meet you in court after lunch.”
After her meeting with Kimberly Davies and hurried down the hall to conference room A. She stood in the doorway and addressed the four men inside.
“I apologize for my lateness, gentlemen. I’ve been running behind all morning.”
“No need for apologies, Ms. Ivory. Your assistant had already called to say you would be running a little late,” Mr. Franklin said.
“Oh, ok.” She made a mental note to get something really nice for Keisha for covering her tail.
“Besides there could hardly be a meeting without you,” he added and pulled a chair out for her.
“Thank you, sir.”
“May I call you Cairo?” he asked returning to his chair.
“Of course, sir.”
“Well, then, Cairo, we’ll get right to it then. Do you know why you’re here?”
“No, sir, I can’t say that I do. I assumed it was because of all that has happened in the last few weeks and the division of case loads.”
“Yes, that is unfortunate and you are correct to some extent.”
“Cairo, before the unfortunate death of our colleague, Mr. Townsend, we were in discussion over choosing another partner for the firm,” Mr. Berkeley began. “We knew of his unnatural, extramarital behavior and were contemplating his removal. We had asked him, only the week before, to step down and take an early retirement. Out of respect for Townsend we thought it best to ask him to step down as opposed to firing him and bring bad publicity to our firm. I believe it’s too late for that discretion now, under the circumstances.” He opened a folder on the desk in front of him. “Let’s talk about business shall we?”
Cairo nodded still confused and opened the folder they supplied for her.
“Cairo, Franklin and I have come to the conclusion that, although Michelson and Brentworth here have more experience than and seniority than you, you would be a better candidate for partner.”
“You’re here, Cairo, to talk about a business proposition,” Mr. Franklin said. “We want to offer you a position as partner.”
“Sir, Mr. Berkeley, I don’t know what to say,” she stumbled out looking at both Michelson and Brentworth. “Mr. Michelson and--”
“To be perfectly honest, Cairo, we can’t afford to hire either one of them for this position,” Mr. Berkeley explained. “We need someone who will hold the position long enough to take us in this new millennium. Michelson has another five years and he’s retiring. They looked at Mr. Michelson who nodded in agreement. “And Brentworth here has less than that. We need some new young blood, some hot go getters and we want to start with you. They will be around and long enough to mentor you.”
“You really were the obvious choice, Cairo,” Mr. Franklin said. “During your time here you have proven yourself time and time again. Your cases bring in top dollar for this firm and you’re a very versatile lawyer as well. We can use you for what ever is needed, accident, divorce, mal-practice, what ever is needed, that’s the type of lawyer we need as partner. Brentworth and Michelson understand that.”
“Cairo, we have a vision for this firm and its future. You fit that vision. Times have changed and we must change with them.” Mr. Berkeley said with finality.
“We want you as partner. Berkeley, Franklin and Ivory has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” Mr. Franklin added with a grin.
“I like it, how about you, Cairo?”
Cairo was stunned. This was the last thing she expected and had to force herself to reply. “Yes, it does have a nice ring to it.”
“Good. Here’s the proposal and other paperwork for you to look over. Take it home, talk it over with your significant other and digest the news. I know you have court this afternoon. You’ll have time for a quick lunch and make it to court if you leave now. I’ll expect your answer by weeks’ end. Will that suffice?”
“Yes, sir,” she said numbly.
With that Mr. Berkeley stood signifying the end to their meeting. The other gentlemen and Cairo stood too realizing they had been dismissed and the meeting was over. They filed out of the conference room and she headed out the door hurrying down to the county building. Her mind was in complete chaos. Excitement, fear, shock and so many other emotions she couldn’t pinpoint were assailing her all at once. She wanted to share her news and pulled out her phone.
“Come on, come on, pick up, and pick up.”
“Hi, this is Jose. I can’t come to the phone, but please--”
She closed her phone and entered the building. “Damn.” She hurried upstairs to court room 17 where Kimberley was already waiting impatiently for her.
“You’re just running late all day, aren’t you?”
“Let’s just go in. We still have another ten minutes before they start.”
They walked into the court room and only the bailiff and the stenographer were present.
“Where is Dr. Sanchez?”
“I saw him a little while ago. He was waiting for his lawyer, too.”
Cairo pulled all her paperwork from her briefcase and ignored the snippy tone Kimberly when she answered her question. “Anyway, like I was saying earlier his lawyer is prepared to fight for some of the things you have on this list. We have to be ready to negotiate or let some things go if you still want this to be over quickly.”
“Yes, yes, I remember. We’ll see.” The court room doors opened and Kimberly looked over her shoulder. “Here he comes now with his lawyer.”
Cairo turned to the doors and again shock and other emotions assailed for the second time today. Before she could utter a word the bailiff spoke in a loud clear voice.
“All rise! The honorable Judge Foxworth residing!”
“You may be seated,” the judge said as he sat. “So who do we have here?” He looked over the paperwork before him. “Dr. Sanchez and Ms. Davies are here because of some rings. Since Dr. Sanchez is the one pursuing this, we’ll start with you. Tell me what happened.”
“My client asked for the return of some rings that he had given to Ms. Davies during the course of their marriage. She had never shown interest in the rings until he asked for their return. She refused to remove them from her very lengthy list of wants and
has since refused to give them to him. We are here to get them back,” Dr Sanchez’s lawyer said as he stood.
“I see. Thank you, Mr. Phillips. Ms. Ivory, does your client have a reason why she withheld the rings from Dr. Sanchez?”
Cairo still sat in her chair stunned and unresponsive.
“Ms. Ivory,” the judge said in a louder tone.
Cairo jumped to her feet. “Yes, sir?”
“Does your client have a reason why she withheld the rings from Dr. Sanchez?”
“Yes, sir, she does. She claims it was on the list of demands that he agreed to, your honor.” She passed the list to the bailiff.
“It seems she has asked for a great deal of property here, Ms. Ivory, even that which was bought during the separation. Why is that, Ms. Ivory?”
Cairo still stood staring at Mr. Phillips and his client.
“Ms. Ivory!”
She jumped again. “Yes, sir. Your honor, I apologize. What was the question?”
“Are you okay, Ms. Ivory?”
Kimberly pulled on her arm. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she whispered urgently.
She pulled her arm away and addressed the judge. “I’m fine, sir, really. The question, again, please.”
“I was concerned with the property your client was asked for. I was about to ask why she would hold back on the one thing her ex-husband asked for when she was getting much more from this divorce? Your client agreed to this, Mr. Phillips?”
“My client was counseled against that, your honor, but he went against counsel advice and agreed anyway with the condition that she would return the rings to him which she did not.”
“Ms. Ivory, your client is adamant against not returning the rings unless court ordered?”
Cairo was stunned yet again as she looked back at the lawyer and his client, but snapped out of it when the judge said her name.
“Yes, your honor that’s true.”
He sighed. “Very well, let have all the paperwork and I’ll--”
Again the court room doors burst open.
“Your honor, I apologize for the intrusion, but we’re here on business.”
Cairo turned recognizing Detective Campbell’s voice.
“I’m Detective Campbell and this is my partner Detective Rabbitt.”
“This is uncommon, detectives. What business do you have in my courtroom?”
“We have a warrant for Kimberly Davies arrest, sir.”
Detective Rabbitt moved across the room to secure Kimberly before she could move as Detective Campbell spoke with the judge, stunning both lawyer and client.
“What? Arrest me? On what charge?” she screamed.
“Murder, the murder of Matthew Townsend.”
“That’s absurd. I didn’t kill him. I used to work for him.”
“This is unorthodox behavior, detective. Do you have the proof needed for this arrest?”
The doors to the court room opened again and handsome young man walked in and straight up to Kimberly Davies.”
“That’s her, detective. She killed my Teddy Boo,” he said pointing at her. “I hope they throw away the key, too. You send that thug of yours to kill me, but some good Samaritans were walking on the canal that night, too, and they rescued me. They called an ambulance and saved my life. Didn‘t expect that, huh?”
“That‘s enough, you. Let‘s go, Ms. Davies,” Detective Rabbitt said securing the handcuffs on her wrist.
“Your honor we have enough to bring her to trial,” Detective Campbell said.
The judge closed the folder in front of him. “It would seem so. Under the circumstances I can’t stand it the way of this investigation. A murder, of course, supersedes a case where you’re being sued.”
“What? This is outrageous!” Kimberly screamed.
“You honor--”
“Ms. Ivory, I think it best that you advise your client to get a good lawyer or to rehire you for her counsel to represent her in this more pressing matter,” the judge said interrupting her. “Mr. Phillips, it seems your client has been shown a stroke of luck of some sort. It is my advice to you to advise him to bide his time and he will have his rings back.”
“Yes, sir, your honor, I will.”
The judge banged his gavel. “Court is adjourned.”
“All rise!”
“What? This is ludicrous! Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?”
“Don’t make me add resisting arrest to your already mounting list of charges. You have the right to remain silent, please use that right,” Detective Rabbitt said as he walked her through the door.
Detective Campbell waited for the judge to leave before his walked over and addressed Cairo.
“So, Ms. Ivory, Cairo, now that this is case officially closed I was wondering if I could by you a drink and we could talk?”
Cairo sent another look to Mr. Phillips and Dr. Sanchez and sighed. “Can I get back to you, Detective Campbell?”
He followed her gaze watching Dr. Sanchez talk to his lawyer. “Oh, sure. You know where to find me…if you change your mind.” He went the doors with one last look at her over his shoulder.
“Can you give us a minute?”
“Sure thing, Doc, I’ll be in touch.”
He walked over to Cairo as she stuffed her briefcase without looking at him. “Why didn’t you tell me, Jose?”
“I swear I didn’t know until five minutes before we walked into the court room. My lawyer said that Kim had a really good lawyer, one that hardly ever lost a case and then he mentioned your name.”
“You never mentioned your wife, I mean ex-wife by name.”
“She was a lawyer, you’re a lawyer, I had a feeling even if you didn’t know her you knew of her. I thought my situation was complicated enough without compromising the proceedings or going into a deep explanation about how my wife she left me without really leaving me. How she moved me out and used me until she thought I had nothing else to use and then threw me away like trash she no longer needed. Yeah, as embarrassing as all that was to live through repeating it is ten times worse.”
“Why tell me now, Jose? If that’s your real name. Kimberly said her ex-husband’s name was Dr. Ricardo Sanchez. She called him Rick.”
“Yes, she does call me Rick. My name is Ricardo Jose Sanchez Jr. I told you before I was named for my father. Every one calls him Rickey. My father had issue with calling me little Ricky because he knew my mother liked Ricky Ricardo. Kim thought calling me by my middle name was stupid so she never did, she just called me Rick.
She shook her head. “She’s unbelievable. That woman is a nightmare.”
“You have no idea.”
She looked at him as all the things he had told her about his wife and what Kim told her about her husband came flooding back to her memory. “Oh, my God,” she whispered. “That woman really is a nightmare.”
“Cairo I know as her lawyer she shared with you how our life together was. That wasn’t a marriage. We haven’t been together in over two years and haven’t slept together in longer than that and we‘ve been divorced for over 6 months.”
“Jose--”
“No, please, hear me out. Cairo, I want to be with you. I want what I have with you to last.”
“Jose, I don’t--”
“Cairo, listen to me, please. What we have is real.” He stepped closer to her. “I know it, I feel it in my soul and I know you feel it, too.”
“I don’t know what to feel, Jose.” She stepped back. “I’m confused, mixed up, surprised… I don’t know what to think.” She turned and continued stuffing her briefcase with papers and folders.
He grabbed her hand stopping her and pulled her into his embrace. “Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me that what you showed me means nothing. I can’t believe you opened me to something so incredible just to snatch it away from me. Something special has happened between us, beyond the amazing sex you showed me. If you can honestly say to me that you don’t feel the same way about me, the way I
feel about you and you don’t want this between us, then I will walk out that door and you’ll never have to be bothered again with me.”
He stared into her eyes for a long time before he lifted her face to his kissing her and leaving an electric current behind when he released her. He left that searing mark on her soul with his kiss again and as usual, looking into his eyes she found herself lost in the beauty she found there.
“Say something,” he whispered against her lips.
She smiled and said the first thing that came to her mind. “Do you want to leave, Jose?”
He smiled pulling her even closer. “No, I never want to leave.”
“Then don’t.” She slipped her arms around his neck and a few giggles slipped out. “I have so much more to show you.”
THE END
The Sun Rose over Cairo Page 10