Evidence of Darkness Page 7

  She shook her head. “I never attend those things. Not my cup of tea.”

  “Oh, come on, they’re usually fun. There’s always a lot of good food, too. This year it’s in the Oak Room at Gotham Hall. Peterson doesn’t spare a dime at these things. Besides, it would be a good opportunity for you to drum up more business.” Then he burst out laughing.

  “You’re awful. Do you know that? I’ll see you later, Mike. Have a nice afternoon.”

  Reesa entered the courtroom smiling. She didn’t know why, but his charm and recent attentiveness towards her was starting to provoke feelings she had neither the time, nor the emotional energy to deal with. She immediately shook it off. Going to the firm Christmas party was the very last thing she needed to do!

  5

  A GHOST FROM CHRISTMAS PAST

  Reesa’s wrongful death case concluded early Friday afternoon. The trial had consumed every waking thought for the entire week. Now that it was finished, she was attempting to return to reality. After totally neglecting everything else, she now faced the arduous task of tying up the loose ends from the cases she had ignored for the past week.

  Upon returning to her office, she had just begun sifting through her dozens of emails when Mike popped his head into her office. He knocked on the opened door to get her attention. When she looked up, he had a huge grin on his face. “Is it over?”

  She took a deep breath and sighed. “Yes, finally.”

  “Good. How do you feel it went?”

  “Fairly well, I think. Ask me tomorrow after I’ve relived every minute of it in my head and I may give you a different answer.”

  “I know the feeling. When do you expect a verdict?”

  “Who knows. If we don’t have one by the end of the day tomorrow, the jury will have to break for Christmas.”

  “That would be a rough one to swallow – not only for you, but for Melissa as well.”

  “Yes. All we can do is hope for the best.”

  “Why don’t you come to the Christmas party tonight? It might help you get your mind off the trial.”

  “I really need to spend some time with Jade. I feel like I’ve ignored her all week, along with everything else. I just need to mellow out a little. Sorry, Mike.”

  “No apology necessary. I understand completely. But, if you would happen to change your mind, let me know and I’d be happy to pick you up. And yes, I would actually drive my car.”

  Reesa chuckled. “Geez, you have a car?’

  He smiled. “Yes, I do. I just find it much easier to take a cab.”

  “Thanks again for the invitation, but I’ll pass.”

  “Okay. I hope you have a nice weekend. We need to set aside some time next week to discuss our trip to St. Louis.”

  “Sounds good. Have fun at the party, Mike.”

  After he left, Reesa wondered why he kept asking her to go to the party. Surely, he had several women friends he could ask. They had discussed very little about their private lives, so she was uncertain if he had a significant other or not. Then she wondered why he assumed she didn’t? She shrugged it off and redirected her attention to her work.

  An hour later, exhausted and overwhelmed from the stacks of files on her cluttered desk, she left the office early. She knew she really should complete the firm’s monotonous trial report on the verdict and settlement in the Renfrow case, but vowed to tackle it first thing Monday morning.

  Driving home, Reesa smiled as she contemplated spending a quiet evening at home. She had spent very little time with Jade the past week and looked forward to catching up on what was happening in her life.

  As soon as she opened the door to her apartment, Jade walked up to her. “You’re home a little early, Mom.” She smiled apprehensively. “Is your trial finished? Please tell me it is.”

  Reesa grinned. “Yes, it’s over, thank God. We’re just waiting on a verdict now.”

  “Yeah! Hey, Mom, I know we were going to spend some time together tonight, but can we do it tomorrow? Please? Charlotte asked me to go to “The Lion King” with them tonight. They have an extra ticket because her brother is sick. Can I go? It’s supposed to be really cool and I really want to see it.” Jade looked at her with pleading eyes, waiting for an answer.

  Reesa sensed her excitement and knew she’d been wanting to see the play. She hung her coat in the closet and set her cell phone on the table. “Of course you can, sweetie. You don’t have to stay home and entertain me. I’ve got plenty of work I can catch up on.”

  “I can’t believe you, Mom! You’ve worked your butt off all week. Your trial is finally over. You should go out and celebrate. I’ll stay home if all you’re going to do is work if I leave. Can’t you call someone and go out for a change? You never do anything fun. You either work or hang out with me. It’s not healthy.”

  “Jade, I do what I want, all right? Don’t hassle me about it. I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll be out before you leave.”

  While Reesa was in the shower, her cell phone beeped. Wondering if it was information about the verdict, Jade walked over to the table, picked up the phone, and looked at the text message. It was from Mike. “About to leave for the party. Last chance – can I pick you up?”

  Amused, Jade started giggling. With an impish look on her face, her fingers immediately began texting a return message. “I’d love to go with you. I can be ready in 30 mins. 3 Lincoln Center, Apt. 30B. See you in a few!”

  She impulsively hit the send button, then panicked. Still holding the phone, she bit her bottom lip. “Uh-oh, Mom’s going to be very pissed off at me…but, probably not for long. She never is.” Then she smiled and headed for Reesa’s bedroom shouting, “Mom!”

  “I’m in here, honey,” Reesa called out from her bedroom closet.

  When Jade walked into the room, Reesa emerged from the closet wearing her flannel pajamas, holding Willow in her arms. “Look who I just found in my closet,” she said, smiling as she nuzzled his face.

  “I wondered where he was. I haven’t seen him all afternoon.” She set the cell phone on the nightstand and giggled as she took the cat from Reesa. “I’ll take him. You need to change your clothes. It looks like you won’t be staying home and working tonight after all.”

  Reesa’s looked at her cell phone sitting on the nightstand and her eyes opened wide. “Oh, my God, the verdict is in, isn’t it!” She ran to the phone and picked it up. When she read the text messages, she froze. She slowly glanced up at Jade and noticed mischievous look on her face. “Jade Marie! How could you do this!”

  Reesa frantically began composing a text message to Mike, cancelling his invitation.

  Jade snatched the phone from her hand before she could hit the send button.

  “Give it back, Jade. Right now. I mean it!”

  Jade tilted her head, begging, “Mom, please go to the party. For me? You always tell me you’d do anything for me. Just do this one thing. Please? Don’t be mad at me. You’ve only said nice things about Mike. You really should go to the party. Besides, what are you going to do when I go to college? You need other outlets besides me.”

  Reesa was furious. “I don’t have anything to wear, and there’s no way I’ll be ready in thirty minutes! Besides, I’m exhausted. Please give me my phone, Jade. I’m serious. I’m not up for this tonight.”

  “I know exactly what you can wear.” Jade set the cat down on Reesa’s bed and disappeared into her closet. She emerged seconds later holding up a red V-neck dress. It was gathered on the left side at the waist, and had a slit going up the leg adding a sexy appeal. “You can wear this. You bought it for Maddy’s wedding and you haven’t worn it since. It looked great on you. Come on, Mom, can’t you be adventurous for a change? Please go to the party. For me?”

  She had a pouty look on her face that melted Reesa’s heart. Out of excuses and worn down from Jade’s persistence, she replied, “Okay. I know I’m going to regret this. Give it here.” She reluctantly took the dress from her hand and retreated to th
e closet.

  Once she was dressed, Jade insisted on applying her makeup and styling her hair. Reesa hated wearing makeup and usually wore her hair up, but Jade was so enthusiastic she let her do what she wanted. When she was finished, she handed the mirror to Reesa.

  As she looked at her reflection, she wrinkled her nose. “No. This is way too much makeup. I look like a hooker. I’m taking it off.” She reached for a tissue just as a loud buzz pierced through the apartment.

  Willow scampered closely behind Jade as she ran to the intercom by the front door. She pressed the button on the wall, then talked into the speaker. “Yes?”

  A man’s voice crackled through the box. “Madam, there’s a gentleman here to see you. His name is Mike Jenkins. Should I send him up?”

  “Yep. Thanks, Ed.”

  Reesa overheard the conversation and became flustered. “Jade! I don’t even have shoes to wear with this. I’m going to change real quick.”

  Jade ran into her own bedroom and came out holding a pair of red stiletto pumps that she wore in the Christmas play, and a pair of dangling rhinestone earrings. “Here, put these on,” she said, handing the earrings to Reesa.

  She put the earrings on while Jade slipped the shoes on her feet. At that moment, Reesa didn’t know if she was grateful they wore the same shoe size, or not.

  Stepping back, Jade looked her over quickly from head to toe. “There. You look gorgeous, Mom. Mike’s going to keel over when he sees you.”

  Reesa felt like she might cry and shook her head. “Jade, I just can’t do this. When he comes up, please tell him something…anything.” She was still standing there sheepishly when they heard a knock on the front door.

  When Jade ran to the foyer and flung the door open to greet Mike, Willow bolted out of the apartment.

  Mike saw the flash of orange and white scurry out the door and down the hall, and he immediately took off after him.

  Jade stood in shock for a moment, then stepped out of the apartment just as Mike turned around, holding Willow in his arms. He was smiling as he approached her. “That was a close one!”

  “I’m so sorry! Mom’s going to be so mad at me. She keeps telling me to be careful when I open the door so he doesn’t escape.”

  “You should listen to her. Your mother is a very smart woman,” he replied, handing Willow to Jade.

  They entered the apartment to find Reesa walking down the hallway toward them. She felt apprehensive when she saw Mike handsomely dressed for the occasion in a black suit, a black dress shirt, and a black tie with thin diagonal silver stripes. She could hardly walk in the shoes Jade gave her, and she felt utterly ridiculous in the dress. The makeup made her feel self-conscious, and most of all, she hated giving Mike the wrong impression. She feared he might think she was trying to impress him, and that was the very last thing she wanted to do.

  Before her mother could scold her for letting Willow out, Jade quickly grabbed her coat from the closet. “I’m heading to Charlotte’s now. I should be back before eleven.” She gave Reesa a quick squeeze and whispered in her ear, “He’s hot!” Just before she left the apartment, she said, “Have fun, you guys!”

  After the door slammed shut, Reesa could feel Mike’s eyes staring at her, and felt even more uncomfortable. She had butterflies in her stomach and began wishing she would have eaten lunch.

  “You look stunning, Reesa.”

  She looked down at the floor unable to meet his gaze and commented softly, “I’m so sorry, Mike. I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

  He looked at her questioningly. “Are you okay? Do feel all right?”

  “Yes, it’s not that, it’s just…well, I really didn’t send you that text message. I’m sorry, but it seems I’m the victim of Jade’s guilt. We were going to hang out together tonight, but one of the neighbors invited her to see “The Lion King.” I think she felt bad for abandoning me and when she read your message on my phone, she thought perhaps that might get her off the hook for ditching me.”

  He smiled and chuckled. “Sounds like something one of my daughters would have done.” He paused a moment, then said, “Well, you appear to be dressed for the occasion, so we might as well go.”

  “I think you’d probably have more fun without me. I’m not sure I’m in the mood to socialize.”

  “It’s only one evening. Come on, it will be fun. We don’t have to stay long. Whenever you want to leave, just say the word.”

  When Reesa finally looked up at him, her eyes settled on the mass of orange and white fur affixed to the front and sleeves of his black jacket. She tried to keep from smiling, but couldn’t. Then, nerves got the best of her and she burst out laughing, unable to keep from staring at him.

  He looked at her, smiling. “What’s wrong? Do I look funny or something?”

  Still laughing, she shook her head and pointed to the fur on his jacket.

  He finally looked down and chuckled while attempting to brush the hair off his jacket with his hand.

  “Let me get something,” she finally said, still giggling as she walked down the hallway to her bedroom.

  She returned with a lint brush and handed it to him. “Here, this might help.”

  He took the brush from her hand and ran it over mass of hair. Then he held his hands out. “There, do I look presentable now?”

  “Yes, much better,” she replied, finally feeling more at ease.

  As they were heading down the elevator, she glanced at Mike. “And why, exactly, were you so persistent about my attending this stupid party anyway? You asked me three times.”

  He chuckled. “I didn’t know you were counting. Um, they’re usually fun. It’s not a bad thing to socialize with the people you work with occasionally.” He grinned and looked up at the ceiling, rocking on his heels. “One can get the reputation of being a little, ah, uppity.”

  Reesa smiled at him. “Are you implying that I have a reputation at the office for being stuck up?”

  “No…no, I’m not saying that at all. I’m just saying it’s nice to get to know your coworkers a little better. It helps them to see you in a different light. That’s all,” he said, chuckling.

  Once they were in the car heading to Gotham Hall, Reesa was glad she had decided to go. She really did enjoy Mike’s company, and she at least hoped there would be some good food at the party.

  He glanced over at her. “It was nice to meet Jade. She seems like a very nice young lady. She bears an uncanny resemblance to her mother.”

  Reesa smiled. “Yes, she does. People comment on that all the time.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I would have guessed you two were sisters.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.”

  “You must have had her when you were young. How old were you anyway? Twelve?” he asked, jokingly.

  “I was pretty young,” she replied, hoping he wouldn’t ask her any further details on the subject.

  “Emily and I had our daughter’s when we were young, too. We got married right out of high school, then we had Julie a year later. Two years later, Samantha came along. It sure made it tough to get through college. Em quit to take care of the girls. I didn’t even attend law school until a few years after my undergraduate studies. Once I had my bachelor’s degree, I had to go to work.”

  “College is definitely not easy to do when you have children. That’s for sure.”

  “You’ve never mentioned Jade’s father. Was he in the picture when you attended college?”

  Reesa looked out the window. This was exactly why she didn’t like to socialize. Her life was her business. She didn’t like to discuss it. Trying to be nonchalant, she answered, “No, he passed away before Jade was born.” Her mind briefly drifted back to the discussion she had with her Aunt Wanda when they decided they would tell Jade that her father had died. From that moment on, Bryan was dead to all of them. In her mind, she buried him on that day, along with the rape.

  “Wow, I’m so sorry. That must have been very diff
icult.”

  “I got through it.”

  “I know from experience that it’s very difficult to lose a spouse.”

  Reesa looked at him and said angrily, “We weren’t married!” She regretted saying it the instant it flew out of her mouth, but what could she say? That she hated Jade’s father’s guts and hoped he really was dead? Somehow, she felt like she had to defend her slip of the tongue. She would have never married that piece of scum. Even the mere thought of it made her feel ill.

  “Oh,” was all Mike said as he pulled into the parking garage.

  After they parked, they walked a block to the venue. Reesa began feeling uneasy again. Social situations were unsettling to her. In the courtroom, she had power and confidence. She knew exactly what to say, and what to do – she was in control. In social situations, however, she felt inept and vulnerable. She was once again wishing she had sent the text message and declined the invitation.

  As soon as they entered the building, Mike checked their coats and they entered the Oak Room. It had stately oak walls and a majestic fireplace reminiscent of the historic glamour of old Manhattan. The holiday decorations were extravagant, and a string quartette was performing Christmas music in the corner of the cavernous room. Reesa instantly became nervous as she glanced around the crowded room filled with coworkers and their significant others.

  “Can I get you a drink?” Mike asked politely.

  “I think I’ll take a ginger ale with lemon. Thanks.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want something stronger? Wine perhaps? I’m having a glass of cabernet.”

  “No, thank you. Ginger ale is fine.”

  When Mike left to head up to the bar, Reesa saw Dave Peterson approaching her from across the room. She cringed. Dave was one of the senior partners at the firm. He was a stickler for strict compliance to his methodical accountability procedures for everything from intricate, time wasting billable hour code reports, to extensive daily narratives on all trial activities. Having failed to complete her summary report for the Renfrow trial before leaving the office that afternoon, she feared he would instruct her to immediately return to the office and complete his precious report.