Last to die

by James Grippando

  “What did she tell you about her enemies-the heirs?”

  “Names, addresses, Social Security numbers. Except for Alan Sirap. For him, I just got a name. Sally promised to provide an address and a Social Security number, but she never got around to it. Frankly, with a healthy twenty-nine-year-old woman as a client, I wasn’t exactly hounding her every day to get it to me. The will was valid without it.”

  “From what you’re saying, I assume that you didn’t do a background check on any of the beneficiaries in Sally’s will.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “So you have no idea why my client was named as a beneficiary.”

  “Not really. Do you?”

  Jack got out the proverbial tap shoes, unable to tell her that Tatum was a hit man. “Based on what I’ve learned about the others, I can only surmise that Sally considered him an enemy.”

  “Sally didn’t explain in any great detail why she chose Tatum Knight or any of the others.”

  “That didn’t strike you as odd?”

  “If a client doesn’t want to lay out every dirty little detail about her chosen heirs, it’s frankly none of my business. It was Sally’s prerogative to leave her money to whomever she wished, even her enemies. Even if it meant disinheriting her own sister.”

  “Rene, right?” Jack had been meaning to follow up on Sally’s sister ever since her name had come up in the meeting with Sally’s bodyguard, but it wasn’t easy for a sole practitioner with other paying clients to jump right on top of every little lead.

  “Right. She’s Sally’s only surviving relative.”

  A busboy came by and refilled their water glasses. Jack waited for him to leave, then asked, “What do you know about her?”

  “I know that Sally worked side by side on a humanitarian mission with her sister for some time in Africa.”

  “When?”

  “Before Sally remarried.”

  “Did they have a falling out?”

  “Not that I know of. The only impression I ever gained from Sally was that she loved her sister dearly.”

  “But she left her nothing in her will.”

  “Go figure.”

  Jack glanced out the window. The passing cars on busy Coral Way were just a blur. “I guess vengeance can be sweet,” he said in a detached voice. “But why would a woman with no other family completely disinherit a sister whom she loved?”

  “I can’t answer that,” said Vivien.

  “There’s probably only one person alive who can. Does Rene still live in Africa?”

  “Yes. I sent her a notice of Sally’s death.”

  “So you have an exact address for her?”

  “At the office. She’s in Côte d’Ivoire.”

  Jack thought for a second. “I’ve always wanted to go to Africa.”

  “Now you’ve got an excuse to go.”

  The waiter returned to their table and asked, “Are you ready to order?”

  “I wonder if I should update my shots,” said Jack.

  The waiter shot an indignant look.

  “No, I’m sorry, I meant…Oh, never mind.”

  Twenty-eight

  I the spirit of China Grill, Smith amp; Wollensky, Joe Allen’s, and countless other successful New York eating establishments, Restaurant Nobu seemed to work even better with a Miami Beach suntan.

  Nobu was Jack’s choice for his first date with Kelsey, which seemed perfect: no-pressure Japanese dining, a lively atmosphere, and a typical South Beach crowd that made it impossible for two people to run out of things to talk about. For her part, Kelsey had also gone with a sure thing, wearing black on black with simple gold jewelry, a different look from the head-turning red dress she’d worn on their business sortie to Club Vertigo. Yet Jack found her even more captivating tonight, not because he hadn’t noticed how beautiful she was before, but because he no longer felt forced to overlook the little things that would bring a smile to his face long after the evening’s end. The way her hair caressed her neck. The little turn of her head whenever she smiled. Jack was still her employer, and she would always be the mother of his “Little Brother” Nate. But this was a real date, or at least a trial run, and he had to appreciate the way she was trying so hard to make it seem as though nothing else mattered.

  “I have a secret to tell you,” she said.

  It was 10:40 P.M. and they were back where they’d started three hours earlier, standing at her front door. “What?” asked Jack.

  “I have a fifteen-year-old baby-sitter.”

  “Why is that a secret?”

  “She has to be home at eleven, which is exactly why I hired her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She was my excuse, in case I had second thoughts. You might say let’s go get a drink somewhere, and this made it possible for me to look you in the eye and truthfully say I had to be home by eleven.”

  “Oh.”

  “Don’t look so glum. Now I wish I’d hired her older sister.”

  Jack smiled. “I’m glad you had a nice time. I did too.”

  “We still have a few minutes on the baby-sitter clock.” She glanced at the porch swing and said, “You want to sit for a few minutes?”

  “Sure.”

  Jack followed her across the porch. It was a small swing, probably built for her and Nate. They were seated side by side, looking out on the lawn, the palm trees and flower beds brightened by the moonlight. A gentle breeze stirred the oak leaves, and it sounded like the ocean.

  “I can’t remember the last time I was in one of these,” said Jack, putting a little oomph into his kick.

  “It’s a porch swing, not the space shuttle, Jack.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  She gently patted the back of his hand, and she didn’t pull back. The soft pads of her fingertips and the smooth palm of her hand were lying on top of his. With the slow turn of his wrist, their fingers interlaced. It was a little thing, but it felt like much more.

  “That’s nice,” he said.

  “It is, isn’t it?”

  The swing continued to rock, and they enjoyed each other’s company in silence. Finally, Jack said, “I don’t mean to talk shop-”

  “Then don’t.”

  “This is only part work-related. I’m actually excited about it. I’m going to Africa.”

  “Why?”

  “Sally’s sister lives there. I want to talk to her. But, mainly, I just want to go. I think it’ll be fun.”

  “Where?”

  “Côte d’Ivoire. That’s French for Ivory Coast.”

  “I know. I speak a little French.”

  “Great. Maybe you can teach me a few things. French is the official language there.”

  “Do you speak any at all?”

  “Not a word. Unless you count the lyrics to ‘Lady Marmalade,’ You know, that old Patti LaBelle song. Voulez-vous crochet avec moi?”

  Kelsey laughed. Jack asked, “What’s so funny?”

  “It’s coucher, not crochet. You just changed ‘Do you want to go to bed with me?’ to ‘Do you want to knit with me? ’”

  They laughed together. The silence that followed was not unpleasant, like an unspoken admission that each of them was giving serious thought to what it might be like to go “knitting” with the other. Their eyes met, and Jack felt his lips move slowly toward hers.

  A noise from the house startled them. They turned simultaneously, only to catch a brief glimpse of Nate’s face in the window, followed by the telling sway of vertical blinds.

  “Nathan, you had better not be awake,” said Kelsey.

  They could hear him giggling as he ran away. Kelsey smiled at Jack and said, “So, you actually want to date a single mom?”

  He hesitated. It felt right on one level, but he still had his reservations. “We have to think about Nate.”

  “You’re so good with him. I really like that.”

  “He’s a great kid.”

  “He is, but I’m
talking about you. I’ve met several Big Brother volunteers. Seems to me, some do it because it makes them feel good about themselves, like they’re giving back and doing their civic duty. But the best ones just really like kids.”

  “I’m probably in the latter group.”

  “That’s what has me wondering. Where does that come from?”

  “I’m not sure. My ex-wife and I never had kids, but it wasn’t because we didn’t want them.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for the question to become that personal.”

  “It’s okay. I’m not one of those guys who goes around thinking I’d still be married if only we’d brought children into our failing marriage.”

  “It doesn’t work. I can vouch for that.”

  “I do want kids someday, though.”

  She smiled and said, “Wondering what the world would be like with a Jack Junior in it?”

  “Actually…aw, skip it.”

  “Skip what?”

  “Well, this isn’t exactly an even trade for the little secret you told me about hiring a fifteen-year-old baby-sitter, but there already is a Jack Junior, so to speak.”

  “What?”

  “The woman I dated before I married Cindy gave up a baby for adoption. She says he was mine. I didn’t even know about him until about a year ago.”

  “She told you after you and Cindy were married?”

  “Long after.”

  “Wow. That’s quite an announcement. ‘Hi, I’m back, what have you been up to all these years, by the way I had your baby.’”

  “It was a definite surprise.”

  “Have you figured out how old the boy would be now?”

  “About Nate’s age, actually.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever meet him?”

  “I doubt it. But if ever I do, Nate has certainly been good practice.”

  She withdrew her hand. “Practice?”

  Jack saw the expression on her face and said, “That’s probably not the right word.”

  “No. In fact, I’d say it’s a pretty lousy word.”

  “I’m sorry. All I meant was that Nate’s a typical mischievous boy who has prepared me for just about anything.”

  “Which sounds a lot like practice.”

  “Kelsey, come on. You know how much Nate means to me.”

  She got off the swing and walked to the porch rail. Jack jumped down and went to her, but she didn’t turn around. “Hey,” he said, speaking to the back of her head. She kept looking toward the lawn, no response.

  “Nate is not practice,” he said.

  “Am I?”

  “What?”

  She turned and faced him. “Timing is so important in a relationship, don’t you think?”

  “Of course.”

  “Jack, be honest. How many women have you dated since your divorce?”

  “I’ve been fixed up a few times.”

  “So I’m the first woman you’ve really pursued?”

  “Pursued?” he said, his voice with a little more edge than intended. “In all fairness, Kelsey, this was really more your idea than mine.”

  “Well excuse me for putting a gun to your head.”

  “You didn’t-” he stopped in mid-sentence, then brought a hand to his forehead, confused. “What just happened here? One minute we’re sitting on the porch swing holding hands, the next-I don’t know what.”

  The front door opened just wide enough for the baby-sitter to stick her head out and say, “I’m really sorry, Kelsey, but if I’m not home by eleven-fifteen, my parents won’t let me sit for you anymore.”

  “Don’t apologize. If Mr. Swyteck leaves now, you’ll be home in plenty of time. You ready, Jack?”

  He’d agreed earlier to drop off the sitter on his way home. “I guess so.”

  The girl tiptoed past them and continued down the steps. Jack looked at Kelsey and said, “Can we talk more about this, please?”

  “I’ll call you.”

  “When?”

  “Soon.”

  They were standing just a few feet apart, but neither one moved, as if it now seemed awkward that just moments earlier they’d been headed toward a good night kiss. Kelsey gave him a tight smile and said simply, “Good night, Jack.”

  She went inside, and Jack waited for her to look back, catch his eye, and telegraph some sign of encouragement. It didn’t come. He turned away as the door closed, then caught up with the baby-sitter in the driveway, who was peering out impishly from beneath her bangs.

  “Sorry I spoiled your moment, Mr. Swyteck.”

  He scratched his head with the car key as he glanced back at Kesley’s house. “Don’t worry. About the only thing I’m sure of is that it wasn’t you who spoiled it.”

  Twenty-nine

  I’m going to Africa with you,” said Theo.

  Jack had taken a detour after dropping off the baby-sitter. Theo and his band were playing their Friday night gig at a jazz club on Washington Avenue. Jack caught him on his midnight break seated at the end of a long bar, though he’d almost walked right by him in the dim lighting. It was the perfect ambience for the after-midnight crowd, scores of flickering candles in a variety of shapes and sizes in one elaborate candelabra after another. Theo was picking at a blob of wax that had dripped and hardened onto the bar top.

  “You are not coming to Africa,” said Jack.

  “Look, you’re a hopelessly white lawyer headed for a country of sixteen million Africans whose average weekly wage wouldn’t pay for the bowl of peanuts I just finished. You should be jumping up and down to have a guy like me at your side.”

  “All right. We’ll talk about it.”

  “That’s what you said yesterday. It’s done. If you go, I go.” He raised his glass in a toast, and after several long moments of consideration, Jack reciprocated with his beer bottle.

  “But I’m not paying for your plane ticket,” said Jack.

  “Got that covered for both of us. Friend of a friend flies a company jet for oil executives twice a month. It’s never more than half full. We leave this Tuesday. All you have to do is pay for our tickets to Houston.”

  “What kind of plane we talking about?” Jack asked with obvious skepticism.

  “Jack, really. Would I treat you like anything less than the rock star you are?”

  “That’s what they told Buddy Holly.”

  Jack’s cell phone rang, and he recognized the incoming number as Kelsey’s. “Be right back,” he told Theo, and then he hurried across the crowded bar to a relatively quiet spot near the back staircase.

  “Hi.” He had the phone on one ear and his finger pressed to the other to drown out the drone of nightclub noises from the next room.

  “I’m sorry about the way I overreacted,” she replied.

  “It’s okay. I’m glad you called.”

  “Nate loves you so much. He’s never had anyone like you in his life. His father and I divorced when he was three.”

  “Like I said before. He’s the best.”

  “That’s why I’m just not sure about us.”

  Jack stopped pacing. “That’s what I told you in my car when you suggested we have dinner.”

  “I know, and we should have listened to your instincts, not mine.”

  “Why the sudden reversal?”

  “When you and I were sitting on the porch swing, and I looked back and saw Nate’s little face in the window, my heart sank. He was so happy to see us together. But then another image flashed in my head, one of me a month or three months from now trying to explain to him why Jack doesn’t come around anymore.”

  “But you said it yourself at the beginning. You were tired of living your life preparing for the worst-case scenario.”

  “Sometimes I do get tired of it.”

  “It’s like my friend Theo always says. There’s two kinds of people in this world, risk takers and-” He stopped himself. Risk takers and shit takers sounded okay when belting back beers with Theo, but it seemed a little crude here
. “And not risk takers,” he said, grimacing at the lack of poetry in his improvisation. “Anyway, you know what I’m saying.”

  “Yes. But I’m Nate’s mother. I have to be careful about the risks I take.”

  “I can’t disagree with that.”

  “Then you understand?”

  “I do. And I don’t. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I wasn’t expecting to have such a great time with you tonight.”

  “It’s complicated, I know.”

  “Until things went sour on your front porch, I was actually starting to think you had the right idea. I’ve been fixed up with two women since my divorce. Both had middle-schoolers who frankly scared the hell out of me. If I’m going to be dating single moms, why not date the one with the world’s greatest kid?”

  “There’s definitely two sides to this, but-”

  “But now you think my first instinct was right. Leave it to a couple of advocates,” he said, scoffing. “We’ve persuaded each other to reverse roles.”

  “Look, we’re not going to resolve this tonight. Maybe it’s a good thing you’re going to Africa. It gives us time to think.”

  “Right. A little time is a good thing.”

  “So we’re agreed? We just put things on hold for a while, go back to normal.”

  Jack had the frustrating feeling that the right words were floating out there somewhere between them, but damned if he could find them. “Okay. Normal it is.”

  “Thank you. Have a safe trip, okay?”

  “I will.”

  “Good night.”

  “Good night.” He flipped the cell phone shut and sat on the step, alone. Already, he didn’t like the feeling of “normal.”

  Thirty

  The urinal in the men’s room was busted again, and two guys were busily gratifying each other in the only stall, so Theo took the back exit into the alley behind the club. He found a dark, suitable spot between two parked cars, only to find that someone had found the very same spot minutes before he had.