by Jenna Harte
He made his way to the door and then stopped as if something had occurred to him. He slowly turned. "How do you know all this?"
Tess' stomach dropped. "I ah…"
"Because she's working for Mr. Valentine," she heard a female voice say. Tess turned to see Helen standing in the doorway. The accusation and heat in her eyes verified every fear Tess had regarding the woman she loved as a mother.
"What?" the Senator asked his head whipping to give her the same hard stare.
"She's the lawyer representing Mr. Valentine."
"Is that true?" he asked again. "Is that why you're here? Interrogating me about past employees?"
"No sir," Tess answered. "I'm here to see Helen." It was the truth even if she did use the opportunity to talk to him.
"Why? To interrogate her?"
"No. I'm here-"
"We have nothing to say to you," he said moving to Helen. He put his hand on her elbow to lead her out of the room. "You don't need to talk to her. I'll have Walter show her out."
In that moment, all the rejection Tess had ever experienced – the indifference of her parents, the betrayal by Brad - bore down on her. But for once her first reaction wasn't to crawl away and hide. Instead she felt the need to confront them.
"No! I want to hear what she has to say for herself." Helen pulled away from her father.
"Well I don't," he said stalking from the room.
"I'm surprised, Tess. I thought you had more sense than to sleep with your client."
Tess knew that Helen was protective of her family, but she wouldn't have ever guessed she could be so catty.
"Tom does it all the time," Tess said releasing her inner cattiness as well, and yet regretting it. She was only going to make the chasm between them wider.
"That's different, I'm married to him."
"It's not that different. You're suggesting that there's a conflict of interest. If you're married to your lawyer, the argument could be made for a conflict of interest. Just like Daniel's interrogation of Jack and myself this morning over his father's attack is a conflict of interest."
Helen's eyes narrowed to slits, "So we're both calling the pot black."
"So it seems." Tess answered. "But my actions won't affect whether or not Asa's murderer and Tom's attacker are found and brought to justice."
The chasm widened. So wide that Tess knew that no bridge would ever be able to span it.
"You don't think much of Daniel's skills, do you?"
"I think he's a very good detective, except in this case. He's letting his personal feelings get in the way."
"His feelings being those you think he has for you." Tess wanted to remind her that all of Jefferson Tavern believed they were an item. "That's a little self-centered Tess."
Tess took a deep breath that did nothing to help center her. There was more she could say to try to convince Helen that there was more to the case, and that Daniel was missing it. But she also knew it wouldn't help. Helen was a mother figure, but not her mother. Her loyalties would always be with Daniel first regardless of his actions.
"I didn't stop by to get into a discussion about Daniel or this situation. I only wanted to check on how Tom is doing. Despite what you apparently believe, I do care about him, about all of you."
"Sleeping with the enemy is an interesting way to show how much you care."
Tess bit back a defensive remark. Instead she opted to cut her losses. She'd learned what she'd come to find out; Helen had been avoiding her. Tess looked to Helen hoping to see some sign of the woman who'd been such a good friend. All she saw was anger and disappointment.
"I can see that this was a bad idea. I hope you'll give Tom my best when you see him."
Helen didn't reply. Tess took the hint and left the room.
"Ms. Madison," Walter said in a tone reminiscent to how he spoke to Asa as he opened the front door. Even he was against her.
She gave him a nod and a quiet thank you as she stepped outside. She stood on the front porch wondering how her life could have gotten so off track in a matter of days. She should be enjoying the warmth of new love, but instead she was feeling as alone as she felt the day she found Brad with another man. She couldn't help but wonder if Jack was worth all the sadness and suspicion that was now around her.
~~~~
Regina was sitting at her desk when Tess entered the office.
“Good morning,” Tess said.
“Good morning,” Regina said pulling together several pink slips of paper. “Legal Aid called and wanted to know if you'd be able to help on a deadbeat dad case. And a girl from Smokey Ridge called. She's unexpectedly pregnant and is thinking about adoption.”
Tess took the papers. "Any calls from Mr. Snyder and Mr. Tanner?”
“No,” Regina said. “But Mr. Valentine is waiting in your office.”
Tess entered her office to find Jack sitting comfortably on her couch tapping on his iPhone.
“Working hard?” she asked.
He looked up and smiled. It amazed her at how much joy he showed at seeing her. She wondered how long something like that would last. Longer than this case?
He stood, pocketing his phone as he moved to her. He studied her a moment before placing a hand on her cheek and leaned in for a kiss. “How'd it go?”
“About as I feared. Worse actually.”
His eyes were sympathetic as they looked down on her. “I'm sorry. Want to talk about it?”
Tess shrugged. “She bought Daniel's version of events.”
“Did you explain things to her?”
“She came at me with claws and I responded in kind. I'm afraid I've ruined any chance to fix things.”
“Tess,” he said as his hands rubbed her arms. “I'm sorry.”
“It gets worse. While I was waiting for Walter to get her, the Senator walked in. I took the opportunity to ask him about Delia.”
Jack stilled.
“I didn't reveal anything you wouldn't want revealed. I just wanted to see his reaction to knowing Asa had information on her.”
“And?”
“I don't know. His first reaction had me thinking he knew about Delia and you. But as we talked on, I don't know... I think he was curious about how I knew about Delia. And he seemed genuinely sad about her death and the baby's death.”
“Did he admit he had an affair with her?”
Tess couldn't tell which answer he wanted. It didn't matter, she didn't know. “No.”
“So it's worse because you didn't get any information out of him?”
“No. It's worse because when Helen arrived she told him I worked for you and he thought I was there to interrogate him. In the course of the week I've made enemies of Daniel, Helen and the Senator. Even Walter seemed mad.”
Jack gathered her close. “I'm sorry, Tess.”
“Yeah, well...” It was par for the course. “You know what was really weird? Everyone is pointing a finger at you for Asa's murder, but I think Daniel is the only person who really believes it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think the Senator and Helen are hoping you're the murderer because the alternative is something they can't handle.”
“So they're talking themselves into thinking it was me?”
“Yes.”
“Well that's something.”
“Nothing that constitutes proof or can be used in court. But it is interesting. Even if it meant betraying my friends.”
“Would it help if I said you could bill me double for your time there?”
“Not much.” She said pulling away. Thankfully Jack let her go.
“What do you have planned for today?”
“I need to work.” Tess wondered what it was like to have the kind of success that Jack had that allowed him to play hooky from work whenever he wanted. “How about you?”
“I was thinking of visiting Philip Worthington. I hear he's back at work...at the helm actually.”
That got Tess' attention. “For what rea
son?”
“I want to know what kind of business project Asa had in mind."
“And you think Philip will tell you?” She said as she sat down at her desk.
Jack shook his head. “I doubt he even knows.”
“So why bother?”
“I was thinking I could find a way to segue into why he's lying about the night Asa died.” Jack rested a hip on the edge of her desk.
“And you think he'll tell you that?”
Jack shrugged. “I can be persuasive when I want to be.”
Didn't she know it. “You shouldn't go without your lawyer.”
“I thought you'd say that. It's why I'm here. But after this morning...”
“I'm your lawyer. Besides they've probably already called him about my visit. It's unlikely we'll be allowed to see him.” Tess wondered how many other people the Worthingtons had called. She had the most influential family in town against her. She wondered if they could be behind the recent drop in her business.
"Why don't we pay him a visit and find out?"
Chapter Thirty-Two
The Worthington family had lived in the Jefferson Tavern area for over two-hundred years. James Worthington founded the Jefferson Tavern Gazette in the early 1800's. Over the years it changed names, but the Worthington family continued to own and run it. Since its small early beginnings, the family business bought other newspapers and eventually radio and television stations. As large as the company was, it still held its base of operation in Jefferson Tavern. The Worthington Media Corporation had expanded from a small retail space in the historic downtown to a building that took up most of the block. Tess and Jack entered the historic building and much to Tess' surprise, they had no problem being admitted to Philip's office.
“He needs a new gatekeeper,” Jack commented as they sat in Philip's office.
“How much do you think he really does?” Tess said in a low voice so as not to be overheard. “It's probably harder to see the executives.”
“Maybe. But he's the figure head now. If the company is going to survive, especially in this economy, he's going to need to prove his importance.”
“I haven't heard of any paper's closing,” Tess said.
“That's Asa's doing. He's been able to incorporate the Internet to help. But they've laid off a lot of people.”
“Tess!” Philip said as he entered the room. Tess and Jack stood.
“Philip. Thank you for seeing us. You remember Mr. Valentine?”
“Yes, how are you?” Philip said with forced pleasantry and a handshake
“I have to tell you that if you're here to question me about dad's murder, I can't help you. You've made a few enemies, Tess. But I always liked you. I think you're good for Daniel, so I agreed to see you.”
Tess glanced at Jack who seemed equally as surprised by Philip's friendliness considering his family's animosity to her. “Thank you. Actually we're here about the business Asa had with Mr. Valentine.”
“What business is that?” Philip said unbuttoning his coat and sitting behind his desk.
“That's what we were hoping you'll be able to tell us,” Tess said.
Philip's brows drew together. “You don't know what business you had with my father?”
“He was supposed to outline it for me the night he died,” Jack said.
“We were thinking that a business project involving Worthington Media Corporation and Jack's company would have the involvement of other executives. Mr. Valentine is unsure if he should consider the project off in light of Asa's death or if Worthington Media Corporation still intended to make its presentation.”
Philip looked at both of them before answering. Tess got the feeling he was trying to come up with an answer that didn't make him sound like he was out of the loop or inept. “You know my father often planned projects and didn't let others know about it until later. I'm afraid this may be one of those projects as I haven't heard anything about it and none of the other executives have mentioned it.”
“Don't you have any ideas?” Jack pressed. “As the next in line he must have said something to you. He made a big deal about it the night of the party.”
Philip shifted. “I'm sorry. My father could be ... secretive at times. I wasn't aware of a business announcement that night. I didn't know what the party was about. But after, when we heard about his health, I thought that's what he was going to tell us.”
Tess nodded. “We think so too. But we're baffled by why he invited Mr. Valentine if he was going to tell his family about his cancer. Mr. Valentine isn't family.”
“He told me he had a business proposal,” Jack added.
Philip lifted his hands indicating he was a loss. “I don't have any answers for you.”
“I know it was a difficult night,” Jack said. “Sometimes it's hard to be clear on what really happened.”
When Philip looked perplexed, Jack continued. "Under that kind of stress and grief, it's hard to remember the order of events. For example, I'm sure you met me in the foyer without Shelby and yet your statement is different.”
“I said I was with Shelby.”
“Oh. Right,” Jack said. “Except you entered from the dining room and Shelby came from upstairs.” His voice was matter of fact, not challenging.
“As you said, sometimes the memory is foggy in a traumatic event. I was with Shelby, but came down before her.”
“Was she sick then?” Tess asked.
“What?”
“Maybe she didn't mention it. But I ran into her yesterday at her girl's night out. She looked sick. I offered to call you, but she said she was feeling fine. I was wondering if maybe she was sick the night Asa died.”
For the first time since she'd met Philip, he didn't have facial expression that made him look like he was one step behind everyone else. His eyes darkened. “She doesn't like to bother me when she's not well.”
“Is she sick a lot?” Tess asked.
“Not anymore,” he said.
Tess wondered what that meant.“So she didn't go upstairs that night because she wasn't feeling well?”
Philips eyes narrowed. “You are interrogating me.”
“Not at all,” Tess said. “We're not law enforcement. We're simply people who were at a party in which a tragic event occurred.”
“In any case, I'll need to ask you to leave.”
“I hope I didn't get her trouble. She did ask me not to call you. But she looked pretty bad when I first saw her.”
“Why would she be in trouble?” Philip asked in a voice that sounded like she was indeed in trouble.
“If it were me, I'd want to know when a loved one wasn't well,” Tess said.
“She's fine.” The finality in his tone told Tess that the visit was done.
~~~~
By the time Jack dropped her off at her office, Tess had had enough of the Worthington's to last a lifetime.
"Tess!" hissed Regina as she jumped from her chair behind the desk and ran towards her.
"Something wrong?" Tess asked wondering if Regina was going to run her over.
Regina moved in nearly nose to nose. "Detective Showalter is here," she whispered. She glanced over her shoulder towards Tess' office. Tess followed her gaze but didn't see anything. "He's really ticked off."
No doubt he'd talked to his family, Tess thought.
"I mean like murderously mad. I'd call the authorities, but he is the authorities. Is Mr. Valentine coming in? He could protect you."
"I'm sure I can handle it," Tess said. "Besides, you're a witness. He won't hurt me."
Regina's face blanched. "If he hurt you, then he'd have to hurt me."
"Then why don't you take a break. Have you had lunch yet?"
"Do you think that it's safe?"
"Don't worry," Tess reassured her. "I'll be fine."
Tess was glad for the warning. It gave her time to prepare for whatever was about to come. She'd never known Daniel to get "murderously mad" until that morning. There was no doubt
that Helen and the Senator had told him about her visit, which likely fueled his anger.
She had a quick look at him pacing in her office before he realized she was there.
"How dare you!"
"Daniel." Tess said as she made her way to her desk.
"What were you thinking interrogating my mother and my grandfather?"
Tess took off her coat and hung it on the rack. "I wasn't interro-"
"The hell you weren't. What are you doing asking him about a long gone assistant? Insinuating impropriety." His hands slammed down on her desk as she'd finally made her way behind it.
"Whoa, wait. I didn't insinuate anything."
"I should arrest you for hindering an investigation."
"Oh come on Daniel." She sat in her chair glad to have her weight off her shaky legs. She didn't really think he'd hurt her, but she'd never seen him so angry or animated. "Are you here to yell at me or are you interested in knowing my side of things?"
"I want to know why you were there in the first place." He leaned over her desk putting his face into hers.
His attempt at intimidation hurt more than scared her. She'd known him since she was sixteen years old and had been good friends with him for the last three years. How quickly he and Helen were able to discard her without any thought to her side of the story. Of course, she wasn't totally blameless. She had crossed the line on more than one occasion. But her goal was to get to the truth, a truth that no one in Daniel's family seemed to want to know.
She leaned back in her chair, hoping it conveyed indifference to his outburst. "I was there because Helen wasn't returning my calls. I was worried about her and wanted to know about your dad."
"So you interrogated my grandfather?"
"The Senator came in the room while I was waiting. By the way, does he always have liquor early in the morning?"
"That's none of your damn business." He pushed off from her desk and paced again.
"We started talking. That's all."
"That's not how he tells it." He stopped, stared down at her. She got the impression that he felt like he didn't know her anymore. The feeling was mutual. She didn’t know him either.
"I can't help that."
