Less than a mile, yes, but to her mind there was a huge difference between the comfortable family house on the edge of town, surrounded by fields, woods and Amish farms, and the cool, elegant mansion on the hill.
Her father-in-laws chair scraped back as he rose, standing rigid to look down at her for a long moment. Im sorry you cant see the sense of my offer, Deidre. It would be easier all around if you did.
He turned, stalking without haste from the room, down the hall and toward the front door. Deidre, hurrying after him, reached the door in time to have it close sharply in her face.
Well. Her hands were cold and trembling, and she clasped them together, needing something to hold on to. Surely she must be imagining what seemed to be a threat in the judges final words. Hadnt she?
Mommy? Kevin scurried down the stairs, waving a sheet of construction paper. Grandfather left without the card I made.
Im sorry, sweetheart. I guess he forgot.
Deidre put her arm around her son to draw him close, taking comfort from his sturdy little body. She held the picture he was waving so she could see it. Kevin had drawn himself, holding a handful of flowers in all sorts of unlikely shades of crayon. Hed printed his name at the top in uncertain letters.
But my picture... He clouded up. I made it especially for Grandma.
Well put it in an envelope and mail it to her right now, okay?
That restored his sunny smile, and Kevin ran to the drop-front desk in the corner of the living room. Ill get an envelope.
Good job, Kev. I know this will make Grandma feel better.
She hoped. A report that Sylvia was ill usually meant that shed gotten hold of something to drink. Once started, she couldnt seem to stop. Much as Deidre grieved for Sylvia, she didnt mean to expose Kevin to the difficulties inherent in living with her.
That was one more reason why the judges plan was impossible. She just wished she could get rid of the sinking feeling that Judge Franklin Morris didnt give up on anything until he had what he wanted.
* * *
JASON GLASSMAN HAD been in Echo Falls, Pennsylvania, for less than twenty-four hours, and already he was wondering what he was doing here. Hed elected to walk the few blocks from his new apartment to the offices of Morris, Morris and Alter, Attorneys-at-Law, so he could get a close-up look at the town that was supposed to be home from now on.
Small, that was one word. Hed imagined, given that Echo Falls was the county seat, that thered be a bit more to it. It was attractive enough, he supposed. Tree-shaded streets, buildings that had stood where they were for over a hundred years and would look good for a hundred more, a central square whose fountain was surrounded with red tulips on this May day.
He passed a bookshop and spotted the law practice sign ahead of him. Morris, Morris and Alter would, if all went as planned, be changing its name to Morris, Alter and Glassman before long. He should be grateful. He was grateful, given that the alternative would have been practicing storefront law in a city where everyone knew hed escaped disbarment by the skin of his teeth and where disgrace dogged him closer than his shadow.
He didnt often let the memories flood back, keeping them away by sheer force of will. Now he let them comea reminder of all he had left behind in Philadelphia.
Hed gone to the office unsuspecting that morning, kissing Leslie goodbye in the apartment building lobby as they headed toward their separate jobshe at the prosecutors office, she at a small, struggling law firm.
And hed walked into a firestorm. The materials that had been so painfully collected as a major part of the prosecution of George W. Whitney for insider trading and racketeering had unaccountably been compromised. Someone had given away their source, who was now swearing himself blue in the face that hed never been in touch with Jason Glassman, that the records had been altered, presumably by Glassman and that the whole case was a put-up job designed to vilify a valuable and civic-minded citizen.
The case lay in shreds at their feet. All the hours of tedious work, all the manpower that had been poured into it, were wasted. The district attorney had needed to find someone to blame, and he hadnt gone far. Jason had found himself out of a job and lucky to escape arrest.
Disappear, the district attorney had said. Dont give statements to the press, dont try to defend yourself, and we wont pursue criminal charges or disbarment.
A devils agreement, hed thought it, but he hadnt had a choice. Hed left the office, driven around in a daze, had a few drinks, which hadnt helped, and finally headed for home, trying to think of how to explain all this to Leslie.
But Leslie hadnt been there. All of her belongings had vanished, and she hadnt bothered leaving a note. Clearly shed heard and decided it was too dangerous to her career to continue an association with him.
Hed thought that was all it was, and that disappointment had been bad enough. It was three days before he learned that Leslie was now an associate at Bronson and Bronson, the very firm defending George W. Whitney.
So all those nights when he was working at home, when shed leaned over his shoulder looking at his progress, offering suggestions and support, had just been so much camouflage for an elaborate betrayal.
Hed been incensed. But when his first attempt to confront her had resulted in a protection-from-abuse order being filed against him, hed had just enough sense left to cut his losses. The last hed seen of her had been an elegant, expensively dressed back disappearing into the recesses of Bronson and Bronson while he was dragged away by security guards.
And here he was in Echo Falls, Pennsylvania.
Jase paused, hand on the door of the firms office. Franklin Morris had made a generous offer to his sons law school classmate, especially since Jason and Frank had never been close. But Jase knew perfectly well that Judge Morris wanted something in return.
The receptionist seated behind the desk in the spotless, expensively furnished outer office was fiftyish, plumpish and looked as if shed be more at home baking cookies than juggling the needs of a busy law practice, but the judge had said she knew more about the law than most young law school graduates. She greeted him with a smile and a nod of recognition. Word of his arrival had obviously preceded him.
Mr. Glassman, of course. Im Evelyn Lincoln. Welcome to Echo Falls. The judge is waiting for you. Not pausing for a reply, she led the way to a paneled oak door bearing Franklin Morriss name in gilt letters, tapped lightly and opened it. Mr. Glassman is here, Your Honor.
He followed her in, not sure what welcome to expect.
Jason, Im pleased to see you again. Morriss smile was polite but restrained, suggesting that it was up to Jase to be sure this was indeed a pleasure. Come in. Without rising from behind the massive cherry desk, he nodded to the leather clients seat.
Thanks. And thank you, as well, for lining up the apartment for me.
Judge Morris waved the gratitude away. Evelyn took care of all that. Youve met her already. Trey Alter, my associate, is out of the office today, dealing with another matter for one of our clients.
I look forward to meeting him. Hed been wondering how Alter would react to the judges hire.
Youll want to take some time to move into your office and get up-to-date on the cases we have in hand, he continued briskly. Trey will be relieved to have someone to share the load, since my judicial responsibilities keep me from taking a more active role.
I look forward to meeting him. Hed been wondering how Alter would react to the judges hire.
Youll want to take some time to move into your office and get up-to-date on the cases we have in hand, he continued briskly. Trey will be relieved to have someone to share the load, since my judicial responsibilities keep me from taking a more active role.
Jase nodded. Judge Morris couldnt be involved in anything that might conceivably appear before his court, but that still left plenty of work. It had been assumed that the judges son would take over, but his death had changed things. There was obviously a need here.
He just wasnt convinced that he was the right man to deal with it. He suppressed a grimace, thinking that old sayings became clichés because they were true most of the time. Beggars cant be choosers.
Ive gone over the case material Alter sent me, and Im ready to dive in right away. He hesitated, but it had to be said. As for the other matter we discussed, its not going to be easy to investigate your daughter-in-law in a town this size, not without making people suspicious.
Morriss jaw tightened. I dont expect you to mount a stakeout. Something a little subtler is required.
I see that, but Im not sure what you think I can do. Jason tried to keep his distaste for the strings that had been attached to the job offer from showing in his voice.
Swinging his chair around, the judge reached out to grasp a framed photo from the shelf behind him. He thrust it across the desk so that Jase could see it clearly. My son. And my grandson. The boy was hardly more than a toddler in the picture, face still round with babyhood curves. Frank hadnt changed much from law school, still a good-looking guy, attractive to women, but with an ominous weakness about his mouth and chin.
Judge Morris paused, emotion working behind the facade of his judicial face. Deidre was never good for Frank, never. He had a brilliant future here, could have become the youngest county court judge weve ever had. But she didnt encourage him. From the day they married, she tried to separate Frank from his family.
Not that unusual a story, was it? In-law relationships were notoriously dicey. Jase sought for a way to deliver an unpalatable truth. Even so, Im afraid thats not a basis to file for custody of your grandson...
I do know something about the law. Morriss tone was icy. Maybe he realized it, because he shook his head quickly. Of course not. My goal isnt to take Kevin away from Deidre. She is his mother, after all. But shes always been rather unstable, subject to irrational likes and dislikes, making quick decisions that end up hurting someone. If Frank were alive, he could serve as a balance to that...but hes not, and Im determined to do what I can to protect his son.
This was becoming more unpalatable every minute. But how did he say no to someone whod just given him his future back? If you dont intend to sue for custody, then what?
Leverage. Judge Morris pronounced the word heavily. I need leverage to convince Deidre that she and Kevin should move in with us. Once that happens, well be able to provide the stability and the good life the boy needs. Without a father, subject to his mothers whims... Well, Im concerned about what will become of him.
It sounded like the kind of messy, emotional case that had sent him into specializing in financial fraud, where the only emotion involved was greed. Naturally youre worried about your grandson. But Im not sure what I can do.
Deidre is having an affair with a married man. His expression was harsh with condemnation. At least, thats what my son thought. For all I know, that might have been what sent him speeding into a concrete wall. Find me proof, and Ill know what to do with it.
If youre sure of your facts... he began.
Judge Morris stood abruptly, the framed photo in his hands. He stood at the window, staring down at the photo and then setting it back on its shelf, centering it carefully.
In my position, I have to be careful. It wouldnt do for a county court judge to be seen as collecting evidence against his own daughter-in-law. I dont expect you to shadow her or sneak around taking photographs. Youre close to Deidre in age, living right next door. It shouldnt be hard to gain her confidence and keep an eye on the situation.
He caught Jases expression and gave a thin smile. It wasnt a coincidence that Evelyn rented the apartment in the old Moyer house for you. Deidres family home is the white colonial to the left as you face the house.
The place with the swing set in the backyard. He could hardly help noticing it. His bedroom windows overlooked the property. Obviously the judges staff work was excellent. Theres no guarantee that I can find anything to help you, he warned.
Judge Morris gave a curt nod. I accept that. Dont imagine that your position here is conditional on success. A muscle in his jaw worked. Deidre is a manipulative woman who betrayed my son. I have to keep her from damaging my grandson.
Manipulative. Betrayed. Did Judge Morris know that those words would strike fire in him? Maybe, maybe not, but it didnt really matter. He already knew what his answer had to be.
All right. Ill do my best. Now his jaw clenched. He didnt have a very good track record when it came to outwitting a manipulative woman. But this time, at least, he was forewarned.
* * *
DRESSED FOR HER evening meeting, Deidre peeked into Kevins room. Hed been determined to stay awake until the arrival of Dixie, her neighbor, whod offered to babysit tonight. But he was already sound asleep. She tiptoed to the sleigh bed that had been hers as a little girl and bent to kiss his smooth, rounded forehead. Kev slept with abandon, as always, one arm thrown over his head and his expression concentrated.
Sweet dreams, she whispered.
Shed told him that the bed, with its curved headboard and footboard like an old-fashioned sleigh, had always brought her good dreams. Maybe it worked for Kevin, too. Although he sometimes woke up in the middle of the night, he never seemed frightened, going back to sleep as quickly as hed wakened.
Leaving the door ajar so Dixie would hear him if he called out, Deidre hurried downstairs, glancing at her watch. This first meeting of the Echo Falls Bicentennial Committee would probably be a fractious one, with representatives of every segment of town life in attendance. Shed promised to arrive early at the library and start the coffeeone of the inevitable chores falling to the only person on the library board who was under seventy.
A tap on the front door heralded Dixies arrival, and she came in without waiting for Deidre to answer. Am I late?
She slung her jean jacket over the nearest chair and pushed her black hair over her shoulders with a characteristic gesture. She eyed Deidres tan slacks, blue shirt and camel sweater with disappointment. You look as if you expect this meeting to be boring. Why dont you spice things up a little?
Dixie herself wore a scarlet tank top that clung to every curve of her body. Her voluptuous body, Deidre amended. When theyd been kids together, and every other twelve-year-old girl had been straight as a board, Dixie had seemed to mature overnight into someone whod befuddled the boys in their class and even drawn covert looks from a few male teachers.
Even though Dixie had returned after years away, divorced and apparently ready to start over, some things hadnt changed. She still attracted males like a magnet. After all, single women their age were a rarity in Echo Falls.