"I've always found your impressions about people to be pretty accurate, Alex. But I'll keep an open mind when I speak to the family. Not to change the subject, but how are you planning to get your plane back to Dallas?"
"Paige said she would fly it up later today. She got her pilot's license a couple of years ago."
"She's a very attractive young woman, by the way. She looks like you."
"She reminds me of you sometimes. Pig-headed, straight ahead, no holds barred."
"Is that a compliment or a complaint?"
"The former. She studied advertising in college, you know."
"Really?"
"She's wildly talented, and I tried to convince her to go to New York. We have a few clients who could have helped her get a job with an agency there, but she decided on a different route."
"When she met Senator Collins?"
"She designed campaign materials as a proposal while she was an intern with Stern and Craft. He fell in love with the material she developed, and then he fell in love with her. At least that's what he says happened."
"You don't believe him?"
"I don't know," Alex said, leaning her head against the back of the seat. "I've never tried to influence Paige in any way about whom she saw or what she did, but I think she's too young for Parker. He's twelve years older than she."
"You're twelve years older than I, Alex, and you didn't think I was too young," Harriett said looking at Alex.
"You were already established in your career, Harriett. Paige isn't as mature as you were."
Harriett didn't respond, keeping her eyes on the road ahead.
"Maybe it's because Parker is a politician, but there's something behind all that charm and good looks that I don't completely trust," Alex said. "Guess I'm being a jumpy, over-protective, much older sister."
"Does Paige know Sharon Taggart?"
"Better than I do. They both worked on Parker's last campaign. Sharon's an expert on demographics and wrote most of Parker's speeches for him. He's the one who faces the TV cameras, but she's the brains behind what he's saying."
"Is there anyone who might think they can get to him by going through his sister?"
"That could be an angle, I suppose. You know how politics is."
"There's a good restaurant up ahead. Not too pricey and the food's good," Harriett said. "You up for some lunch?"
"I skipped breakfast, so I guess I could stand something."
Harriett changed lanes and exited the interstate at Salado. Pulling into the parking lot of the Stagecoach Inn, she hopped out of the truck and stretched her legs. Huge pecan trees surrounded the historic two-story building, and the parking lot was two-thirds full.
Alex followed her as she walked through a white picket fence gate and up the steps to the front porch of the restaurant. A waitress seated them at a table overlooking a creek running next to the building. A few children ran around on the bank of the creek, while others held bamboo fishing poles, hoping for something to pass by.
"Do you still fish?" Harriett asked as she watched the scene below them.
"No. You still make your pilgrimages to the lake?"
"I sold the cabin to Wayne Graham a few years ago. It was too far to drive from Austin."
"I'm sorry to hear that. You loved the cabin."
Harriett shrugged. "Wayne takes good care of it, and he left me an open invitation to use it any time I want. If he ever decides to sell, he has to give me first shot at it."
They ordered grilled trout with a side salad. It was dark in the dining room of the Inn, the only lighting the sunlight coming through the windows around the building.
"This is a great place, Harriett."
"I stopped here a few years ago on my way back to Austin and try to come up here when I can. It's so peaceful. They stock trout in the creek down there every spring. I thought about building a place here once, but the traffic is too heavy for a commute."
Alex was looking at Harriett and smiling.
"What?" Harriett asked.
"Nothing. You just sounded like you used to."
Harriett picked up a glass of tea and continued looking at the creek.
"You haven't said anything about my split with Gwen," Alex said.
"It's none of my business, Alex."
"I don't talk about it very often. I suppose that's because it makes me look like a fool. The only time I was ever unfaithful to her was when you and I were together. But it turned out that she had been through a string of lovers over the years."
Harriett couldn't think of anything to say even though she knew that her partner's affairs must have hurt Alex.
"I was furious when I found out. She claimed that I was too busy building my career to be concerned about her needs. She knew about you and me, by the way, but she'd already had two or three lovers before we met."
"I'm sorry, Alex. Really."
The look on Alex's face changed and frown lines creased her forehead.
"What about you? Anyone significant in your life these days?"
Harriett sipped her tea and shook her head. "Between raising Lacey and building the practice, there hasn't been much time to cultivate any serious relationships. I have a comfortable and uncomplicated life." Or at least I did until you walked into my office, she thought.
BY THREE-THIRTY, Harriett was cruising down the LBJ Freeway heading toward the exit to downtown Dallas, and the offices of Winston and Dunne. She pulled into a visitor's parking slot in the parking garage next to the building where the offices were located. She was nervous as she and Alex rode the elevator to the eleventh floor, wondering how much things had changed since her resignation. Alex held the door open for her as she looked around the interior of the offices. Surprisingly little seemed different from her memories.
"I'll let Doug know you're here," Alex said quietly, as she turned down the main hallway.
As they approached Doug Winston's office, Harriett saw a familiar figure sitting at the desk outside Doug's office. Eleanor glanced up as Alex passed her desk and then saw Harriett. In a flash, Eleanor moved from behind her desk to where she was standing and looked at her for a second before embracing her in a hug that had been waiting eleven years.
"You look wonderful, Ms. Markham," Eleanor beamed.
"Thank you, Eleanor. And surely you can call me Harriett considering how long we've known each other."
"Where are you now? Can I get you a cup of coffee?"
"I have a practice in Austin, and yes, I'd love some coffee. It was a long drive."
Alex stuck her head out of Doug's office and motioned to Harriett.
"I'll bring your coffee into the office in a second," Eleanor said, patting Harriett on the back.
Harriett was decidedly underdressed for the offices of Winston and Dunne, but she couldn't have cared less. The ability to dress casually was the best part of her practice in Austin. The moment she entered Doug's office, he swept her into his huge arms and she had difficulty breathing.
"Damn, girl, you look some kind of good," Doug said. "And a helluva lot more comfortable than I am. Have a seat."
"You're looking well, Doug. How is your family?" Harriett asked.
"Writing checks faster than I can put money in the account. But they're all great. David's an associate here now. It's nepotism, but hell, when it's your firm, who's gonna complain?" he chuckled.
"Ownership does have its advantages," Harriett smiled as she glanced around for a chair.
"Alex tells me you've got a good practice going down in Austin now," Doug said as he returned to a beaten up, tired looking leather chair behind his desk.
"We've got enough to keep us busy," Harriett said.
"You have a partner then?"
"Nick Lazslo joined me about five years ago."
"Lazslo. Lazslo. I know that name from somewhere."
"He was teaching law at Virginia before he came to Austin."
"Isn't he a past president of the American Bar Association?"
&n
bsp; "Vice-president."
"Right," Doug said, snapping his fingers. "I've read some of his articles in law journals. Sounds like a smart guy."
"He's an excellent attorney."
"How'd he wind up in Austin after UVA?" Doug asked.
"Nick and I attended Yale together. I ran into him at an ABA meeting a few years ago, and he was looking for a change of scenery. Besides, Doug, Austin's not exactly the ass end of the world."
Doug laughed loudly. "Point taken."
A knock at Doug's door announced the arrival of Harriett's coffee, accompanied by cups for Doug and Alex.
"Just the way you always liked it, Harriett," Eleanor said as she handed her a cup.
"Thanks, Eleanor. I forgot to ask about your family"
"Healthy as horses," Eleanor smiled. "I'm a grandmother now, twice."
"Congratulations. Be sure to show me all your grandmother pictures while I'm here," Harriett smiled.
"How is little Lacey?"
"Not little anymore, I'm afraid. I'll talk to you later, and we can trade stories."
After Eleanor left the office, Doug rested his elbows on his desk. "I guess Alex has filled you in on the Taggart case."
"Some. But all I've agreed to do is speak to Mrs. Taggart in a preliminary interview. Nothing more. If this looks like it might be a long, protracted case, I won't be able to leave my clients in Austin to devote months to it."
"I've already told Sharon's parents that. However, we feel relatively certain that you'll be able to win a change of venue on this one. There's been some publicity already, and if you decide to take the case, there's bound to be more, considering the nature of the crimes."
"And my prior handling of the Wilkes case. The press is bound to drag that up," Harriett added quietly.
"I'm not as genteel as Alex is when I speak, Harriett. But from what I've seen, I think you might be looking at exactly the same plea as in the Wilkes case."
"Meaning you think Sharon Taggart is insane?"
"I think it's a distinct possibility."
"You know how tough that defense is, Doug. I'd like to avoid it if possible."
"I'm sure you would, but her family has been talking it around, and the press has gotten a whiff of the rumors already. And despite our warnings, your name has been leaked to the press."
Doug picked up a copy of the Dallas Morning News and handed it across the desk to Harriett.
"It's not the lead story, but it did make the front page," Doug said as Harriett glanced over a short article on page one.
"This is just preliminary guessing," Harriett said. "And at least it's below the fold."
"When will you see Sharon?" Doug asked.
"Later this afternoon would probably be the best time. I want to get in and out unnoticed if possible."
"I'll go with you," Alex said. "I can go in the front and run interference while you enter through the back."
Harriett nodded. "I'd like to freshen up before I meet with Mrs. Taggart. After I speak to her, I'll want to meet with her husband and family members."
"When?" Doug asked.
"The sooner the better. Either tonight or first thing in the morning. I'll want to speak to them separately about thirty minutes apart. I assume I can use your conference room here?"
"I promised you the full resources of Winston and Dunne," Alex said.
Harriett looked at Doug and Alex and cleared her throat.
"I appreciate that," Harriett said. "But if I take this case, you'll have to back away. Winston and Dunne will not be calling the shots. I'll handle this like any other referral. I won't have my client's family running to you if they don't agree with what I'm doing. No matter who's paying the fee, Sharon Taggart would be my only client, and I can't be worried about whose toes I step on."
The bluntness of her statement seemed to surprise Alex, but Doug smiled broadly. "Well, Alex, it looks like our little girl has grown up and left home. You'll have complete and unfettered autonomy in handling the Taggart case, if you decide to take it. You have my personal guarantee, Harriett."
"That's good enough for me, Doug." Harriett said as she stood up, "I think I'll check into my hotel before I visit Mrs. Taggart. When do you want to run your interference, Alex?"
"How about six-thirty? That way you can grab some dinner before you go. You can follow me to central booking. No one will notice your vehicle if I park in front."
Harriett left the office after agreeing to meet Alex in front of the Hyatt at six-fifteen. Doug leaned back in his chair and regarded his partner of thirty years.
"You should've snagged that gal when you had the chance, Alex," Doug said bluntly.
Alex stood looking stoically out Doug's office window and turned to look at her old friend. "I know."
"She still single?"
"Yes."
"Then maybe you should turn on that famous charm of yours."
"It's too late, Doug. Too much time has passed. We're not the same people we were eleven years ago."
"I'd give a lot to see you happy again, Alex. And I know you haven't been since Harriett left."
"I appreciate your concern, Doug, but I'm fine."
"Alice wants you to come over for dinner this weekend."
"I'll let you know."
Chapter Ten
IT WAS NEARLY dark when Harriett went through the revolving door of the Hyatt and saw Alex parked next to her truck in a parking lot across the street. The only addition to her attire was a suede jacket.
"Is your room all right?" Alex asked when Harriett reached her vehicle.
"Very nice."
"Have you had dinner?"
"No. I took a short nap instead. I'll order up something later."
"Doug set up this interview schedule with the family for you in the morning," Alex said, passing her a five-by-seven-inch slip of paper. "You ready?"
Harriett nodded and climbed into her truck as Alex swung her Mercedes sportster out of its parking space. As she fell in behind Alex's vehicle, she had to smile. One good hit on the accelerator of her truck, and she could squash the sportster like an insect. One of the things she enjoyed most about driving the truck was the feeling of power it gave her, being able to look down on other drivers as she passed them. Two blocks from the George Allen Center in downtown Dallas, Harriett slowed to let the Mercedes get farther ahead of her. As Alex turned in front of the building, Harriett turned down a back driveway and parked near the entrance to central booking. A few seconds later, she was standing in front of the same desk she had stopped at for the Wilkes case. A black officer searched her briefcase and punched a button that admitted her into the interview area.
Interview Room Nine looked pretty much the same as she remembered, a table and two chairs and not much else. The door to the room opened, and she stood to get her first glimpse of her potential client. Although she had seen hundreds of clients in similar circumstances, Sharon Taggart's appearance was somehow different. Her short brown hair was parted down the middle and strands of it fell onto her forehead. Her dark eyes seemed to dart around the room as a female jailer removed her handcuffs and leg restraints. It was almost an instinctive reaction when Sharon rubbed her wrists. The jailer said something to Sharon, and she nodded as she turned to face Harriett for the first time. It was almost as if she had only that moment realized there was another person in the room.
"Mrs. Taggart. My name is Harriett Markham, and I'm an attorney. Your brother has asked me to speak to you," Harriett said.
Sharon looked at her for a moment. "How is Parker?"
"He seemed fine when I saw him. Why don't you have a seat?"
Sharon lifted a chair to move it away from the table, and it seemed to Harriett that she did it to prevent the chair from scraping against the concrete floor and making unnecessary noise in the otherwise quiet room.
"Do you smoke, Mrs. Taggart?"
"Yes, but I shouldn't. It's not good for your health, you know."
"So I hear. But I won't tell anyo
ne if you'd like to smoke."
Sharon shook her head slightly. "That's okay."
"Do you know why you're here, Mrs. Taggart?"
"Uh, they said I killed someone, but I don't know whom. They told me, but I didn't recognize the name."
"Actually they think you killed four people."
There was a question in Sharon's eyes as she frowned.
"Did I know them?"
"I don't know that yet. According to the police report, they found a rifle they believe was used in the commission of the crimes at your home. Was that your rifle?"
"We have a Browning rifle in our house. It's Frank's."
"Have you ever fired it?"
"Yes."
"I understand you're quite a marksman."
"I used to be. Just target shooting. I don't like having the rifle in the house because of Kevin and Laurel, though."
"Are they your children?"
"Yes. They're so curious that I'm afraid they might find the rifle and get hurt."
"The report says the police found it in a garage cabinet."
"I had Frank store it there."
"What about ammunition for it?"
"I'm not sure where that is. Maybe in the attic storage area."
"Could it have been in your car?"
"There might have been some in the trunk, but I don't look in the trunk very often."
"Do you know where you were on Friday, January eighteenth?"
"I'm not sure. I could check my calendar at home."
"You're a teacher, aren't you?"
"Yes, at Highland Park."
"Do you do anything special after school on Fridays?"
"I have to pick up Kevin and Laurel by five. Sometimes we stop by the grocery store for pizza on the way home, or I rent a couple of videos for the kids. The weather was pretty bad in January, so I don't think I did anything out of the ordinary."
"Did you and your husband go out for the evening?"
"We don't go out. Frank and I don't socialize much outside of our family."
"Did you kill Leonard Kaufmann on January eighteenth?"
"No," Sharon answered, her voice flat.
"To be honest with you, Mrs. Taggart, the police seem to have some pretty compelling evidence against you. The warrant to search your home was in order, and you don't seem to be able to explain your whereabouts that night. Will your husband be able to say you were home?"
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