Life Everlasting

by Robert Whitlow

  Alexia didn’t answer. She glanced at her watch as she backed out of her parking space. Less than three minutes passed before she sped up the Richardson’s driveway. When she got out of her car, she could see Rena peeking out one of the windows on the front side of the house. Alexia motioned for her to come outside. Rena hurried down the steps, glancing furtively toward the cottage.

  “I need you with me when I tell him to leave. This is your house, not mine.”

  “What if he tries to arrest me?”

  Alexia hadn’t considered that possibility. “Uh, just let me do the talking.”

  “I don’t want to see him.”

  “If you want him to leave now, you have no choice.”

  Alexia turned to avoid further argument and led the way to the cottage. Rena trailed a step behind. Alexia reached the door and opened it without knocking.

  The detective sat in a chair near Baxter’s head. His body blocked Alexia’s view of Baxter’s face, but Porter was leaning over with his head tilted as if listening to what the paralyzed man said. Alexia stepped forward. Rena stayed behind her at the threshold.

  “Detective Porter, you need to leave! Now!” Alexia commanded.

  Porter cut his eyes toward Alexia, but he didn’t move. A nurse came in from the kitchen and stopped in her tracks.

  “Mr. Richardson hasn’t asked me to leave,” he responded in an even tone. “And we’re having a nice talk. He’s doing much better than the last time I saw him.”

  “You are on private property, and unless you have a warrant, you have no right to be here.”

  Porter turned toward Baxter.

  “Baxter, do I have your permission to talk to you?”

  Alexia moved to the side so she could see Baxter’s face. The young man’s eyes were open, but he didn’t look in her direction. His mouth moved, but no words came out. The sight of the helpless man being interrogated by the detective infuriated Alexia.

  “Look! He’s in no shape to talk to you! Go now!”

  The detective remained impassive. “No guardian has been appointed for him, so I can assume that Baxter is mentally competent. If he is willing to talk with me, then you have no legal standing to order me to leave. Am I correct in assuming that this property is titled in both Baxter and Rena Richardson’s names? If so, he has just as much right to let me stay as your client has to ask me to leave.”

  Alexia glanced back at Rena, who shrank away from the door. Alexia came closer to the bed.

  “Baxter,” she said. “Please, look at me.”

  The young man’s eyes shifted slowly in her direction, but Alexia couldn’t tell if there was comprehension in his gaze.

  “I’m Rena’s lawyer,” Alexia began. “You don’t have to talk to this man if you don’t want to.”

  Baxter blinked his eyes but said nothing. Alexia felt ridiculous. It was like cross-examining a mannequin.

  “Do you want to talk to him?”

  Baxter’s expression shifted from bland to puzzled.

  “Who?” he managed.

  It was the first word Alexia had heard Baxter Richardson speak. Her eyes grew wide at the realization that the young man might really return from the living dead.

  “The detective,” she said in a softer tone. “Do you want him to stay or go?”

  Baxter closed his eyes. In a moment his breathing became even.

  “He’s asleep,” Porter said. “It happened earlier when I was here, so I left to give him a break.”

  “You were here earlier?” Alexia asked sharply. “Who gave you permission to come in?”

  Porter didn’t answer, but the nurse standing near the kitchen answered in a voice that trembled slightly. “I did. He showed me his badge and told me that he had helped Mr. Richardson after the accident. I thought it would be okay for him to see him.”

  Rena made an anguished noise behind Alexia, who ignored her and turned toward the nurse.

  “From now on, stick to the list. Detective Porter does not have permission to interrogate Mr. Richardson.”

  “Do you represent him?” Porter interjected. “You never informed me that Mr. Richardson was your client.”

  “He’s not. But his wife is the co-owner of this property, and as her attorney I’m telling you to leave. If Baxter wants to contact you, that’s his business. But don’t come back on any fishing expeditions.”

  Porter rubbed the top of his head and gently massaged the area around his scar. Alexia found it impossible not to watch the gesture.

  “I brought the fish earlier in the day.”

  “What?” Alexia asked.

  Porter continued. “I’ll take any and all steps I consider necessary in my investigation of this matter.” The detective looked past Alexia toward Rena. “Today has been very enlightening.”

  Rena didn’t answer. Alexia moved sideways and blocked the detective’s line of sight. She heard footsteps and turned in time to see Rena running back toward the house. Alexia spoke.

  “Are you finished with your juvenile games, or do I have to call our local police to escort you from the property?”

  Porter stood up and faced Alexia. His dark eyes were glinting.

  “Let me tell you something, Ms. Lindale. You can ask me to leave, but you’re not going to keep me from doing my job. I’ll be back and finish what I’ve started. You can count on it.”

  The detective brushed past her. Alexia watched him from the doorway to make sure he wasn’t going to the house to arrest Rena, but he got in his car and left. Alexia took a deep breath and realized that her heart was pounding. The nurse had joined her at the door.

  “Uh, I’m sorry,” the nurse began. “I didn’t mean to cause problems.”

  “I’ll ask Rena not to report what happened to the agency,” Alexia replied. “I can imagine what he told you. He’s a clever manipulator.”

  “His concern seemed genuine. After he’d been here for a while he said something about a criminal investigation but didn’t tell me any details.”

  “Did you hear what he asked Baxter?”

  “No, I was preparing the medication tray the first time he came, and when he came back he asked to be alone with Mr. Richardson for a few minutes. Since he’s a detective, I thought it would be okay.”

  “How long was he here?”

  “Five or ten minutes the first time, and then he left for an hour.” The nurse looked at her watch. “He was here longer this time. Maybe twenty minutes.”

  “And you don’t know anything that was discussed?”

  The nurse shook her head. “No, but I doubt it was much. Mr. Richardson hasn’t communicated with anyone beyond simple yes and no responses.”

  “In a legal proceeding, a few words can have a big impact,” Alexia replied soberly.

  Alexia returned to the main house and knocked on the door. Rena peered at her through one of the sidelights and then opened the door.

  “Is he gone?”

  “Yes, for now.”

  Rena was wringing her hands. “This is another reason why I’ve got to divorce Baxter and leave Santee.”

  Her response provided an opening for Alexia to deliver her decision to withdraw from further representation. Things were happening on so many fronts that the sooner Rena made the transition to a new legal team, the better. Alexia looked at Rena’s face and searched for the perfect words.

  “Rena,” she began then stopped. “Can you come back with me to my office? I’d rather talk there.”

  “Yeah, I need to get away from here.”

  Alexia glanced in the rearview mirror at Rena’s vehicle. In the amplified stress of the moment, she’d not had the heart to cut Rena loose. She hoped the short drive and change of scene from the house to Alexia’s office would allow her to communicate in a calm, professional manner. She parked behind the building. Rena pulled in beside her.

  “We’ll go through the rear door,” Alexia said as they got out of their cars.

  Alexia led the way into her office and closed the door
. The documents Gwen copied sat conspicuously on the front right corner of Alexia’s desk. She assumed a professional posture by leaning forward with her arms resting lightly on the desk.

  “Rena, I told you yesterday that I’m not a criminal-defense attorney.”

  “I thought you did fine just now,” Rena interjected. “There’s no way I could have ordered the detective around the way you did.”

  “Which doesn’t mean anything if criminal charges are filed against you either in Charleston or Mitchell County. Porter is after you, and if the Charleston solicitor gets a copy of the video, you may face charges related to Deputy Dixon’s death. You need someone advising you now, not after an indictment, and I’m not the person to do it. Also, the impact the criminal investigations may have on your domestic situation with Baxter is something a new lawyer should review. I’ve done all I can do for you.”

  Her argument that Rena needed a whole new set of lawyers due to the interrelationship of potential criminal charges and a divorce proceeding lacked logic, but she made it anyway. Rena’s eyes showed a mixture of hurt and fear.

  “But you’re the only one who knows everything,” she said in a pleading voice. “I can’t imagine starting all over with someone I don’t trust. Would you give me a chance—”

  Rena was stopped by a knock at the door.

  “Come in!” Alexia called in irritation.

  The door opened, and Gwen tentatively poked her head around the corner.

  “Sorry, I knew you were in a conference, but while you were gone, a lawyer named Sean Pruitt called twice. He asked me to let you know as soon as you returned. He said he has some news that affects Ms. Richardson.”

  Alexia stared across her desk at Gwen without focusing. Possible reasons for the call scrolled through her mind. Gwen held out a slip of paper.

  “Here’s his number.”

  Rena put her head in her hands. “No! This can’t be happening!” she wailed.

  The sound of Rena’s voice summoned Alexia back to the immediate situation.

  Sitting up straight, she said to Gwen, “There’s no use putting it off.”

  Gwen glanced sideways at Rena and retreated from the room. Alexia started to punch in the numbers, then stopped. She looked at Rena, who had taken her head from her hands to watch. Alexia held out the slip of paper.

  “Rena, here’s the number. Take it home and call Pruitt from there. I’m withdrawing from representation, and you’re going to have to take care of this on your own.”

  Rena didn’t scream. Instead, two large tears suddenly appeared and rolled down her cheeks. She reached out with a trembling hand and took the slip of paper.

  “Uh, what am I supposed to say?”

  “Just ask why he called me.”

  “Could you at least find out what’s going on? Then I promise to leave.”

  Alexia paused. Abandoning a woman in distress had never been her modus operandi. “Okay,” she said with resignation.

  Taking back the slip of paper, she dialed. As the call went through, she activated her speakerphone so Rena could hear both sides of the conversation.

  “Good afternoon. Attorney Sean Pruitt’s office,” a pleasant female voice answered.

  “Alexia Lindale returning his call.”

  “Just a minute, please.”

  The receptionist placed them on hold. As they waited, the sounds of Schubert’s Wanderer-Fantasie came through the tiny speaker. Alexia wondered what Henry Quinton thought about listening to Schubert while on hold from the Charleston County jail. The pianist transitioned from the adagio to presto sections.

  “What’s wrong?” Rena asked anxiously. “Do you think he’s not there, and the receptionist forgot—”

  Sean Pruitt’s distinctive voice cut off Rena’s question.

  “Ms. Lindale. Thanks for returning my call.”

  “We’re on a speakerphone,” Alexia responded. “Rena Richardson is in my office listening to the conversation.”

  The Charleston lawyer immediately adopted the more formal tone he used at the time of his initial contact with Alexia.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Richardson,” Pruitt said. “I’m glad you’re present.”

  “Hello,” Rena answered in a soft voice.

  Pruitt continued. “I had a long meeting this morning with Joe Graham, the assistant solicitor assigned to the Quinton case. I laid out the information proving that my client could not have been involved in the death of Officer Dixon. Graham was skeptical, of course, and I suggested he call one of my alibi witnesses.” Pruitt paused. “A police officer in Savannah.”

  “A police officer?” Alexia asked. “Quinton was hanging out with a policeman in Savannah?”

  “Policewoman,” Pruitt corrected. “And it wasn’t voluntarily. She stopped him for failing to yield the right of way at an intersection. Quinton received a traffic warning, not a ticket, but the incident happened less than thirty minutes after Dixon’s death. The officer confirmed everything to the solicitor, and I could see a distinct waning in prosecutorial zeal. The murder and theft charges should be gone by next week.”

  “Did you mention the videotape?” Rena asked nervously.

  “Not directly. I referred to additional evidence not yet in my possession but didn’t give any details. Frankly, I don’t think it will be necessary.”

  Both Alexia and Rena sighed with relief at the same time.

  “Did he ask you to explain the presence of Quinton’s fingerprints on the door handle?” Alexia asked.

  “Yes.”

  Alexia waited, but Pruitt didn’t continue.

  “What did you say?” she asked.

  “Nothing that implicated your client.”

  “How about Rena’s interview with Detective Devereaux?”

  “After he realized his case against Quinton was going to crash and burn, Graham mentioned Rena’s report of the theft.”

  “What do you think he’s going to do?”

  “I think there will be another round of questioning.”

  Rena groaned softly. Alexia glanced at the stack of Rena’s files on the corner of her desk and had an idea.

  “Would you be willing to represent Rena?” Alexia asked.

  Rena opened her eyes wide and vigorously nodded her head.

  Alexia continued, “Your knowledge of the videotape would then be protected by attorney-client privilege. I’m not a criminal-defense attorney, and Rena needs someone who can protect her as this situation unfolds.”

  “It’s doubtful anything will be done,” Pruitt responded. “Mrs. Richardson didn’t accuse Quinton; she just falsely reported a stolen car. And as you know, criminal law is not my specialty either. I never get involved in a case unless charges have been filed or there is an imminent threat of prosecution.”

  “But you said the police are going to question Rena again.”

  “Maybe.”

  “What is she going to do about it? She can’t lie and tell the same story.”

  There was another pause.

  Alexia addressed another possible hurdle. “Money isn’t a problem, is it Rena?” she asked.

  “No,” Rena said loudly.

  “Sean, please hold on for a minute.” Alexia pushed the mute button on the phone and spoke rapidly to Rena. “Can I ask him to help you deal with Giles Porter? I’ll need to tell him about Baxter and what happened at the waterfall.”

  Rena nodded. “Yes. I like him.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  Alexia took the phone off mute and spoke. “And there is an unrelated investigation that involves a potential threat of prosecution.”

  “What is it?”

  “Can we consider this phone call a consultation with a view toward possible representation?”

  “Yes.”

  Alexia began by summarizing what had happened with Porter since she first met Rena at the hospital in Greenville. Pruitt asked Alexia a few questions and then quizzed Rena for almost an hour. Alexia could sens
e the Charleston lawyer’s interest level rising.

  “Ms. Lindale?” he asked.

  “Call me Alexia.”

  “Okay. I’ll be willing to represent Rena if you’ll agree to remain as cocounsel. I assume you’re going to handle the divorce, since that’s your area of expertise, but it will be beneficial for me to keep you involved as a contact in Santee. We may also need to find an attorney in Mitchell County who can help.”

  Alexia glanced at the files stacked on the corner of her desk. Moving all of them, not part, out of her office had been her goal.

  “Rena and I were discussing my total withdrawal from representation just before we called you,” she said. “I believe she needs to put together a new legal team. Another divorce lawyer can help her and work with you as well as I can.”

  Pruitt’s drawl took on a tinge of firmness. “My willingness to assume responsibility for the criminal issues is contingent on your continuing involvement. If I take on this aspect of the situation, it will leave you with what you know best, the domestic issues.”

  Alexia felt cornered.

  “Please,” Rena interjected. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a headache.”

  Alexia shook her head in resignation. “Well—” she began.

  “It makes sense,” Pruitt said.

  Alexia hesitated a few moments then raised her hands in surrender. Perhaps getting rid of everything outside her legal comfort zone was the next best thing to total withdrawal.

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll do it.”

  23

  Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards.

  SONG OF SONGS 2:15

  Alexia hung up the phone. Rena, looking like a naive high-school girl, sat on her hands with a hopeful expression on her face.

  “Thanks, Alexia,” she said. “I know you’re mad at me for not telling you the truth, but I was so scared that I made a mistake. I’m very sorry and appreciate you changing your mind about representing me.”

  “In a divorce case only. I’m not going to file any lawsuits against your father-in-law.”

  “Yes. I know I’ll have to talk to Sean about all the other stuff.”

  Alexia stood up. “I’ll send the extra copy of your records to him this afternoon. He should have it tomorrow.”