Until Then

by McLaughlin, Heidi

Rennie chuckled at the thoughts that rolled around in her head. “You know, we could open a firm. I could take to trial the people who embezzle from your clients.”

  “I like the way you think, Ms. Wallace.”

  “Why, thank you, Mr. Wright. I do believe we could make a powerful team.”

  “And a team we will become. Listen, I have to get to the office, but I wanted to wish you good luck or whatever. I know you said things should go smoothly, but I wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you.”

  “Thank you, Theo.”

  “I love you, Renee.”

  “I love you too.” They hung up. Rennie held her phone in her hand and thought about everything she had said to Theo. Telling him she loved him had become an automatic response for her. They had dated for about four months when he told her he was in love with her. It had happened after they had made love. He had looked her in the eyes and said the three words women often longed to hear. Except, Rennie preferred not to hear them after sex. She felt the words meant more if they happened naturally and not spurred by other acts. Rennie returned the sentiment because at the time, she was in love, or at least that was what she thought. Since her frequent trips to Cape Harbor, she had started to question her feelings for Theo, which hadn’t made her very happy.

  Rennie dressed the same as she would for any other court hearing. She wore a navy-colored knee-length skirt with a matching blazer and a white blouse. She curled her hair, gave herself a natural look with her makeup, and dabbed on a light-pink-tinted lip gloss. When Rennie felt complete, she stood in the mirror and practiced the few words she would say today. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why she was so nervous.

  “It’s because it’s Graham,” she said aloud in her room.

  She grabbed her bag, then checked out of the hotel and made her way to her car. The drive to the courthouse was quick, as was getting through security. When she reached the courtroom, the Chamberlains were waiting. Johanna sat on a wooden bench, while Graham held up the wall beside her and George paced.

  “They took Grady out in cuffs.” George pointed his finger at Rennie.

  “Dad, knock it off. It’s not Rennie’s fault.”

  “She said they wouldn’t do that. It’s embarrassing.”

  Johanna stood and confronted her husband. “Our son is an embarrassment, George. It’s time you see him for what he is—an alcoholic and drug user. If these past two weeks haven’t proven this to you, I don’t know why you’re even here.”

  Graham and Rennie separated the married couple. George wouldn’t budge, but Johanna went back to the bench and wiped away her tears.

  “This type of arguing—it’s not good and can’t happen here,” Rennie told them. “Although cuffing Grady is excessive, they had the right to do it, and I think it’s because I asked for favors which benefitted Grady. Our country is fighting an opioid crisis right now, and if Grady hadn’t taken the drugs with the officer standing right there, he’d be facing a DUII charge only. He needs help, and that is what we’re going to get him today, but I need everyone on the same page. Okay?”

  George ignored Rennie and walked down the hall, away from his family. Graham said nothing and sat down next to his mother. Rennie understood the enormity of the situation in front of her. It was one thing to know and think a family member had an addiction, but it was something else entirely to be face to face with it—and with your hands tied.

  The bailiff opened the doors, and everyone waiting for court filed in. Rennie and the Chamberlains took a seat on the left side of the courtroom, and while Rennie waited for Grady’s case to be called, she went over her notes.

  “State v. Chamberlain is up next.”

  Rennie rose and walked to the defendant’s table. An officer of the court escorted Grady in, without cuffs, which pleased her.

  She introduced herself to the assistant district attorney, Kate Martell. “I’d like to talk to you about a plea, but I am requesting my client be remanded to the Port Angeles Rehab Center for at least ninety days.”

  “He could get help in jail,” Kate pointed out.

  “He could, but it’s a matter of life or death.” Rennie handed the ADA a letter from his doctor backing up her statement.

  Kate nodded. “No prelim?”

  “No, straight to trail and revisit for a plea?” Rennie pushed.

  “I can work with this.”

  “Docket number 20 1 0005 9, the State of Washington v. Grady Chamberlain. One count of driving under the influence of intoxicants, possession of a narcotic, driving without a valid driver’s license, registration, and insurance,” the bailiff read aloud.

  “Mr. Chamberlain, how do you plead?” the judge asked.

  “Renee Wallace for the defendant, Your Honor. We plead not guilty and request a trial date.”

  “No prelim?” the judge asked.

  “No, Your Honor.”

  “How’s the state feel, Ms. Martell?”

  “The state agrees to move to trial but requests Mr. Chamberlain be remanded to PAR for extensive rehabilitation as outlined by Dr. Field.” Kate handed her copy of the letter to the bailiff. Rennie was on pins and needles, anxious for the outcome they needed.

  “Ms. Wallace, I do believe this is your first time in my court. Welcome.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Your client is willing to enter rehab?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “Very well, ninety days at PAR. The court will set a trial date for then. Adjourned.”

  The escort returned for Grady. Rennie told him she would be up to see him soon and that they could speak over the phone if necessary. She went to Graham and his parents and suggested they go over to the center to be there when Grady arrived.

  Graham walked Rennie to her car. “I owe you,” he told her.

  Rennie smiled and set her bag down. “You don’t, and neither does your family. I’m happy I can help, and I’m so glad Grady is finally getting the medical attention he needs. I think this is going to be a good thing for you and your family.”

  His hand jutted out and rested on her hip, only for him to pull it back. Rennie wanted his hand to stay there and chided herself for wanting something from Graham when she had Theo to think about. “You’ve already made a difference in my family, Ren. My dad . . .” Graham paused and pulled Rennie into his arms. “He’s a better dad because of this, and you were instrumental in making my family stronger. Thank you.”

  “I’d do anything for you, Graham.” The words she spoke were true. There were very few people she would do anything for, and Graham was one of them.

  Once she was in her car, she headed toward the highway, eager to get back to the office. Traffic was going to be a nightmare, but she had already taken one day of personal time to be in Port Angeles and wasn’t keen on rocking the boat with Lex. Rennie phoned Ester as soon as she was out of town and asked her to set up a call with Kate Martell, to call the court and get a copy of the transcript, and to touch base with the rehab facility to make sure Grady settled in.

  By the time Rennie reached Seattle, it was close to the end of the day. She planned to put a couple hours of work in at the office before going home and crawling into bed. When Rennie reached her office, she found Ester putting dinner on her desk. “What’s this?” she asked as she set her bags down.

  “My way of making your day better.”

  “Oh, Ester, you’re a godsend. Thank you.” Rennie opened the to-go box, and her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten much of anything all day and was famished.

  “It’s not much,” Ester said.

  “It’s a delicious sandwich and perfect,” Rennie told her in between bites. “How did everything go yesterday?”

  “Great. No issues. Donna’s looking for you, though.”

  Rennie sighed heavily. She had suspected as much. Ester went back to her desk, only to ring Rennie’s intercom. “Donna’s on her way.”

  “Thanks for the warning.” She secretly loved how close t
he other assistants were with each other, although it backfired a time or two.

  “Knock, knock.” Even though Donna said the words, she knocked on the door as well. She entered and closed the door behind her. “We missed you yesterday—and today, for that matter.”

  “I took some personal time.”

  “Oh, aren’t you going on vacation soon?”

  In all her years at the firm, no one had ever questioned her time off until now, and Rennie didn’t like it. “What can I do for you?” Donna Pere was Rennie’s mentor. Rennie respected her, but the level of respect had gone down the past few weeks.

  Donna sat in the chair across from Rennie and smiled. It was evil, condescending, and Rennie expected something was about to be said that she wasn’t going to like. “How’s your pet project?”

  Rennie hated the term pet project. She felt it demeaned anything she or another lawyer chose to work on. Pro bono work wasn’t a project; it was helping people who needed a good attorney to represent them. Donna had taught her as much over the years.

  “It’s great, actually. We had court this morning; everything went as planned.”

  “Who is it, if you don’t mind me asking?” Donna kept her ankles crossed and leaned onto the armrest. The red suit she wore was a designer label, no doubt Ralph Lauren or someone equally as talented.

  She had nothing to hide. “Grady Chamberlain. We grew up together.”

  “Chamberlain . . . sounds familiar,” Donna said.

  “Doubt it. Family from up north, Cape Harbor.”

  Donna snapped her fingers and pointed. “That’s right—Cape Harbor. Graham Chamberlain, right? He owns some whale bar?”

  “Uh-huh.” Rennie was on edge. She didn’t like where Donna was going with this. Rennie had never brought Graham up to her, not even when they lived in California and not since she’d been in contact with him.

  “You have to drop the case.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “No biggie . . . just that in my civil suit, they’re suing Graham.” Donna dropped the bombshell, as if it was an everyday occurrence for Graham to get sued.

  “I’m sorry, what?” Renee could barely get the words out without choking.

  “Oh, I thought you knew. Graham served alcohol to a minor, let her leave the bar without a ride, and now she’s paralyzed. We discussed it last month.”

  “No,” Renee said sharply. “You told us about the case, not who you were suing. How come Graham doesn’t know this?”

  “We haven’t filed yet, but now that we know his brother is an alcoholic, it bolsters our case. Clearly, your friend has a penchant for serving alcohol when he shouldn’t.”

  Renee couldn’t believe her ears. “You can’t use what you learned in our conference room against my client.”

  Donna’s laughter stopped, and she turned stone cold. “Drop your case, Renee. It’s in direct conflict, and I will use it.”

  “I’m not dropping my case, Donna. Graham is my client and has been for years. I’m sorry, but your civil suit has to go elsewhere.” In the trash was where Rennie wanted to tell her to put it.

  Donna stood, straightened her skirt, and set her hands down onto Renee’s desk. Her mentor’s gaze was menacing, terrifying. “Lex agrees—drop the case.”

  “I won’t,” Renee fired back.

  The senior partner smirked as she stood and walked out of the room. Even though she hadn’t slammed the office door, Renee still jumped nonetheless. A lawsuit was the last thing Graham needed right now.

  Rennie called Ester into her office. “Hey, can you get me a copy of Donna’s case, the one involving the paralyzed teenager?”

  “Of course.”

  As soon as Ester left her office, Rennie began to pace. Deep in the recesses of her bag, her cell phone rang. She searched for it and answered without looking at the caller identification. “What?”

  “I’m not sure how to respond.”

  Shit. Theo hated rudeness. Rennie closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and counted to ten. “I’m sorry. Long day.”

  “I was calling to see how court went.”

  Rennie smiled. “It went really well. My clients are happy. How was your day?”

  “Busy. I have to go to San Diego for a couple of days and wanted to see if you wanted to go with me?”

  She did. She wanted to go sit on the beach and bask in the warm sun. Work plagued her, though. Rennie had to talk to Graham about this other lawsuit, and there was a lingering suspicion that something was off at work. “Oh, Theo, I would love to, but I’m so busy right now.”

  “I see.” She sensed disappointment in Theo’s tone, which angered her.

  “No, I don’t think you do. It’s a great luxury you have, being able to travel. I can’t. My clients need me, and I already have a vacation booked this month. I can’t drop everything on a whim and leave, Theo. You know this.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you? Because right now I feel like you don’t.”

  “Believe me, Renee. I do. I just wanted to offer because I know how much you enjoy the coast.”

  He made her feel like an ass. She slumped over and rested her head on her desk. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly into the phone. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I feel like we have this disconnect, and I want nothing more than to go with you.”

  “I know, love. Soon, we’ll be together for a nice long week. Nothing will interrupt us.”

  His words brought a smile to her face. “I can’t wait.”

  “Excuse me, Ms. Wallace?”

  Rennie’s head popped up at the sound of Ester’s voice. She had papers in her hand, which Rennie believed to be the complaint against Graham. “Theo, I have to call you back. Love you,” she said and hung up.

  Ester came forward. “I don’t know what’s going on, but some of us have noticed Ms. Pere acting weird, especially around you, and when you asked for this case, it’s clear there’s a conflict with the parties involved.” She handed the documents to Rennie. “I printed it out instead of emailing.”

  “You’re smart, Ester. Thank you.” Ester turned and walked toward the door. “Hey, if you don’t mind, can you keep your ears open but nose clean?”

  Ester smiled. “Already on it.”

  Rennie read the complaint and wished she had taken her criminal law classes more seriously. She understood the jargon but not how Graham could be responsible. She looked at the clock and calculated the time it would take her to get to Cape Harbor. To go now or wait—the decision weighed heavily on her mind. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. Rennie was tired, exhausted from the drive, and needed to go home. Cape Harbor would have to wait.

  FOURTEEN

  For the first time in a long time, Graham was back to work, and he was happy. Ecstatic. The Whale Spout gave him a sense of purpose, belonging, even though running a family-owned business, especially a bar, in a tourist town was the last thing he’d ever wanted for a career. However, he loved it. He loved the regulars who frequented the bar, the groups of people, from the fishermen to the locals—who for generations made the Whale Spout their only watering hole—and he adored the tourists. They were what made living and working in a small town enjoyable. And, it took Grady almost dying for Graham to figure out it was time for him to move on. The only question that plagued him was, “What does it mean to move on?” He didn’t have the answer, and he was certain he wasn’t going to find it scrawled in messy handwriting on the bathroom stall door. It was Rennie who brought about this sudden change in him. He’d lain awake the previous night, staring at his ceiling—which, as of late, was a common occurrence for him—and thought about how his life could’ve been different.

  Graham pulled in front of the house he shared in the wee hours of the morning. He had driven straight from Cape Harbor, surviving on convenience store coffee, fast food, and chips. Graham was long past the point of exhaustion, mentally and physically drained. His life altered in ways he’d never thought possible. Graham was too young to lo
se one of his closest friends, and knowing he would never see or speak to Austin again hurt. The pain cut him deeply.

  It had been two weeks, maybe even three—Graham had lost count since he had last been in California. He’d also lost his job, in the sense he’d been demoted back to entry level, a position he hadn’t even had coming out of college. It was the most his employer was willing to offer since he had exhausted all his vacation and sick time. They were angry, and while he understood, none of it made sense to Graham. His best friend went missing, was declared dead, and all Graham had waiting for him back in California was a demotion and a pay cut to go with it. He, too, felt like he’d lost everything.

  And then there was Grady.

  His brother drank himself into a stupor every single night. The first couple of nights, Graham and Bowie were right there with Grady, matching drink for drink. They’d close the bar down and make their way down to the docks, where they’d yell for Austin until the sun came up or the police took them home. The next night, they’d start all over again. It was their way of coping, of helping Grady get through an unbearable time. They had all lost Austin, but Grady took it the hardest. He’d been there and had been unable to save his best friend and business partner.

  After the funeral, it was time to get back to life. Only, life as Graham knew it was never going to be the same. He had to make a decision, one he never thought he would have to make at the age of twenty-two. Stay in California and work two jobs until he could get back to where he’d been, or go home. Home meant he’d be with his friends, his brother, and his parents. Home meant Rennie would still be there because of Brooklyn. But what about Monica? Did he love her?

  He did.

  Graham opened the front door of his house as quietly as possible. He tiptoed down the hall and opened his door. He flipped his light switch on and gasped loudly. There was someone in his bed, but who? His heart raced, pounded forcefully with each step he took toward his bed. Graham leaned over the covered lump to peer at their face. His body relaxed when he saw it was Monica. He sat down on the edge of his bed and sighed heavily. Graham hoped to slow his beating heart and not to wake his girlfriend.