"Good morning, Mrs. Erksberg," she said sweetly. "And how can I help you at this early hour?"
The woman outside stared and took a hesitant step back, before she wiped a hand over her lips and cast frosty eyes over Courtney. "You're the girl from the cave," she said in a controlled voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Not what you think."
Angry eyes linked before Nikki continued. "I need to see, Lem," she ordered and stepped towards the door.
However, the security chain was still attached and the youngster was not about to be intimidated by this overbearing woman. "I'll see if he's awake or wants to see you," she retorted and closed the door.
The master bedroom was dark and silent. Courtney waited, wondering whether to wake Lem up but decided against it. She glanced at a wall clock, waited a moment and went back to the door.
"He doesn't want to see you," she said through the gap in the door.
Nikki's response was unexpected. Instead of yelling as Courtney expected, the woman's face drained of color and her chin shook. "Please," she said in a whisper. "I must speak with him. It's important."
Courtney responded in a gentler tone. "You'd better come in," she said and unlatched the chain.
"Thank you," Nikki replied softly.
At that moment, Lem walked into the living room. "It's okay, Courtney." He turned to his wife. "Have you been drinking again, Nikki?"
The woman shook her head but Courtney realized Lem's observation was correct. There was a distinct smell of stale gin in the air and she noticed that Nikki's voice was slightly slurred. The woman sat on the edge of the couch. Her eyes apprehensive, she stared at her husband's uncompromising face. "Your jacket, Lem. I must have it."
"What's important about my jacket?"
"You don't understand." Nikki said. "It's the only place it can be. Can you get your hiking jacket? You know, the one I bought you for your birthday."
Lem frowned. "Yes, I know the jacket you mentioned but I can't give it to you, I'm afraid."
"Why?" The frantic woman sobbed.
"It's lost," Lem replied. "I was wearing it in the cave. It's probably buried under tons of rock."
Nikki stared at Lem. "It can't be anywhere else," she whimpered. "I searched everywhere. It was a terrible night, I remember and I grabbed your jacket. I must have put it in one of those pockets."
Lem raised his eyebrows at Courtney. "What are you talking about, Nikki?" he asked in a more compassionate voice.
"Something of mine I put there," Nikki cried. "That's all."
"I'll get some breakfast cooked," Courtney muttered and made a hasty departure.
"I think we need to take Nikki home. Can you get Renee for me, please?"
"You don't understand," Nikki replied.
Lem turned. "You need help, Nikki. I told you months ago. If you are not prepared to help yourself, there is little I can do."
A faint cough interrupted the trio and Courtney looked up see Renee standing in her dressing gown at the door.
"Hello, Nikki," Renee said softly.
"Oh, you're here," Nikki retorted. The tears were replaced by aggression as she swung back to Lem. "Forget about everything. I should have known better than to expect sympathy from you."
"We'll drive you home," Lem said in a resolute voice. "You're in no fit state to drive."
"I got here, so I can get home."
Lem turned to Renee. "Can you come, please?"
Courtney sized up the situation and noticed Renee nod as she replied. "Of course. Just give me a moment to get dressed."
Lem turned to Courtney. "Can you follow us in Renee's car? I really think it is better if Renee comes with me."
"Sure, Lem."
****
The drive across Seattle was completed in almost complete silence. Nikki sat in the back and could have been asleep if it wasn't for the odd cynical remark she uttered whenever opportunity arose. Renee studied Lem's body language. He acted grim but she sensed sadness in his poise as if he'd been through it all before. Their gazes held and he smiled slightly.
"It's not too far now," he said.
They were in a suburb Renee didn't know. Large modern houses were everywhere. After another five minutes Lem turned into a large home set behind a row of mature trees. A brown tiled roof with attic windows curved in three levels above a cedar wood exterior, long veranda and bay windows. The yard sloped downhill with a view of Puget Sound and the mountains of Olympic National Park on the distant horizon.
"Lem," Renee whispered. "What a wonderful view. Is this your place?"
"Mine, Dearie," Nikki growled. "Don't think you can get your greedy little hands on it."
Lem ignored the oaths from the back seat, turned to Renee and nodded. "Yes. When we came here the whole area was raw hillside. Our house was one of the first. That's how we got the trees. I had a choice of lots and picked one with them."
"They're beautiful," Renee said. "The whole place is somehow just you, Lem."
"Yes. It was my hobby home, I guess…gave me something to think about."
His eyes met Renee's and again he appeared sad, almost haunted. She smiled and squeezed his leg.
"Come on, Nikki," Lem said like a schoolmaster with a naughty child. "We'll get you inside. Have you any food in the house?"
"Of course," Nikki retorted but hesitated. "Not a lot. I always eat out now, anyway."
They were interrupted when Courtney roared in, leaped out of the Cavalier and rushed across the drive. "Holy shit," she exclaimed as she took in the view with a swing of her blonde hair. "Is this your place, Lem?"
"Was," he said philosophically. "Let's get Nikki inside and I'll slip down to the market for some food." He turned to Nikki. "You don't mind if we have breakfast here, do you?"
"Why not?" Nikki responded and turned to Renee. "Want to have a look around?" She smiled.
The woman's sudden mood changes unnerved Renee. She glanced at Lem who grimaced but gave a discreet nod. "We'd love to see your gorgeous garden and home." She tugged her friend's wrist. "Won't we Courtney?"
Courtney caught her gaze. "Sure, I'd love to."
****
After a surprisingly pleasant breakfast, Nikki excused herself, left the kitchen and was found five minutes later, sound asleep in a small downstairs bedroom.
Lem sighed and walked outside. "Come on. Let's go home."
Renee objected. "Lem, you can't just leave her here. It's obvious something upset her and she's going to have a terrible hangover when she wakes up."
"I guess not." Lem relented. "It's just that…oh hell." He turned, walked back inside and sat at the kitchen table.
"It's all happened before, hasn't it?" Renee said quietly.
Lem nodded. "Nikki has been an alcoholic for years. We thought we had it conquered and she was dry for two years. Those were the good years but it didn't last." He switched his attention to Courtney who was taking in every word and smiled. "We all have problems, don't we?"
"I guess," the girl replied, "but why was she like that?"
Lem shrugged. "Why is anyone the way they are? When we were first married, I thought she was happy. Sure, she drank a little at social events but nothing to excess. One day I came home from work to find her out cold on the floor. Apparently, she had been secretly drinking for months but hid it well."
"But why did she have a relapse after so long?" Renee asked.
"She had a miscarriage and took it hard. Her personality changed, she began seeing other men and…well, our marriage went downhill. The rest you know about."
"But we still just can't leave her," Renee argued.
"I agree," Courtney said. "She seemed really upset about something to do with your jacket. You were pretty cold. I've never seen you so mad."
"I was thinking of Renee."
"Me?" Renee gasped. "What have I got to do with it?"
"You are the best thing that has happened to me," Lem whispered in a serious voice. "I don't want Nikki to come between us. Whe
n I saw her in the room, I just wanted to get rid of her, that's all."
"But you offered to drive her here and asked us along. Why?" Courtney chipped in.
"I couldn't let her drive in her condition and thought if I was alone with her she might make advances." Lem coughed. "Even if I rejected them she could still say I'd come on to her." He gazed at Renee. "She is quite capable of spinning any sort of story."
"And you thought I'd believe her?"
"Not really," Lem replied and broke into a smile, "but I didn't want to risk it."
"Oh, Lem," Renee replied. She walked over, placed her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips. "Thank you."
Lem kissed her back, grinned at Courtney and stood. "Look, I'll call Petra, that's her sister. How about that for a compromise?"
****
Petra Garity was an older rotund version of Nikki. She arrived half an hour later and greeted Renee and Courtney courteously but was, naturally enough, concerned about her sister. After seeing Nikki was asleep she returned to the kitchen and accepted an invitation to have coffee.
"Did you find the jacket for her, Lem?" she asked a few moments later as she stirred her half-filled mug for the third time.
"No but what is all the fuss about it, anyway?"
"I'm not sure," Petra replied. "All I know is that Nikki is in deep financial trouble. Do you know this Patrick McQuilkin?"
"Not personally."
"There's more to it than just an affair gone bad," Petra replied. "The man has some sort of hold over her and she's scared stiff. That's why she was so upset when she didn't receive as much as she thought in your settlement. She wasn't just vindictive towards you but needed the money."
"And she's drinking again," Lem said. "I guess it all goes together. As soon as any stress comes along, she turns to the bottle."
"But how will the jacket help?" Renee asked.
Petra looked up and shrugged. "As far as I can work out she put something valuable in the jacket pocket, or thinks she did. She's pretty confused, so chances are there's nothing there at all."
"What is it?" Courtney burst out.
"A necklace or bracelet Patrick McQuilkin gave her and now demands back."
"But if it was a gift it's her property," Renee replied.
"You tell her that," Petra responded. "I tried."
"I see," Lem replied. "If she won't tell you, Petra, she'll tell nobody. You've been her one stable influence over the years."
"You were too, you know," Petra said and switched her attention to Renee. "Lem couldn't have done more to try to save their marriage, you know. She's my sister but I was surprised he didn't walk out years ago. He's a good man."
"I know he is," Renee replied.
"Hi, cut out talking about me as if I'm not here," Lem protested and ruffled Renee's hair. He turned back to Petra. "Anyhow, thanks for coming over. We'll be off now. Courtney has an interview at ten."
"Oh, shit," the teenager glanced at her watch and gasped when she realized it was twenty to the hour in question. "I forgot how late it is."
"Don't worry," Lem replied. "The college is only a few blocks from here."
With their priorities changed, the three thanked Petra and made a hasty departure.
****
The community college was a buzz of activity with Saturday classes in full operation.
After they found a parking spot, Courtney said, "See you guys later."
Renee glanced at Lem and smiled. "Sometimes I feel so old and I mother her, while at other times she's like a kid sister giving me advice."
"Make it permanent, then," Lem whispered. He avoided Renee's eyes and watched Courtney, who had turned to wave before disappearing inside the building.
"What do you mean?" Renee replied.
"Move into my apartment and bring Courtney. I can't board her by myself." He flushed. "I'm still old fashioned, I guess."
"But my work? It's a long drive back to Mount Vernon everyday."
"Not impossible, though. Also, it will give your father a chance to work out his situation. I have a feeling he's torn between Amy and yourself. He would never ask you to leave but needs a life of his own."
"S'pose." Renee bit her bottom lip. "Oh Lem, I'd love to be with you all the time but can I think about it over Christmas? Courtney won't start here until January."
"Sure. All our lives are in a state of flux, aren't they?"
Renee smiled and leaned so her head was against his shoulder with his arm tucked around her. "All positive, Lem," she whispered.
****
Forty minutes later Courtney appeared and almost skipped across the car lot. "It's a go." She laughed. "But they want to see you inside."
"Who, Lem or me?" Renee asked.
"Both of you," Courtney said. "You don't mind, do you?"
"We're honored," Lem said in a serious voice. "Come on, Renee. Let's go and see the professor."
A woman met the pair, introduced herself as Doctor Dorothy Infield and showed them into a modest office refurnished in the 1930s style. Somehow, this enhanced the college as a place with character and personality.
"No doubt Courtney told you we are happy to accept her as a student," the dean began. "Thank you both for coming in." She reached for a folder. "There's a slight discrepancy here. Courtney told us her grandmother had agreed to pay her full tuition fees, so she won't need a student loan, yet she named you as her next of kin." She glanced up. "Are either of you related to her?"
Renee glanced at Lem. "No. We're just friends who care for her."
"We received an interesting report from Courtney's original school, a private girls' school, I believe. They hinted there were domestic problems but neither of you are mentioned in this information. Can you elaborate?"
Lem glanced at Renee. "Do you want the full story, Doctor?" he said.
"Please," Doctor Infield replied. "The students who come here are often extremely bright but for one reason or another, have had problems in their lives. If we know their history, it can help us to help them. Courtney appears to come into this category. Anything you say will, of course, be completely confidential."
"Okay," Lem replied. "We were complete strangers until…" With Renee's help, he told the dean Courtney's story.
"So when we came home, she came too," Renee concluded. "I guess we've given her the security she needs. She didn't want to tell her grandmother about the attack and her mother cannot be found. I guess that's why she named us on her application form."
Doctor Infield nodded. "It's a story far too common, I'm afraid. She is a fortunate young lady to have met you both. You don't mind being her next of kin on our records, then, I take it."
"No," Renee said and Lem nodded.
They shook hands with the dean and returned to an impatient Courtney sitting in the car. "God, you were ages. What kept you?"
"Mainly waiting." Renee lied and handed the girl a copy of the registration. "You're now an official high school senior at Northside Community College. I must say I'm impressed with the place."
"Yeah, it's cool," Courtney replied and turned her blue eyes to Renee. "So are you going to move in with Lem and give me the spare room?"
" Cheeky." Renee laughed. "We'll see."
"Lem, tell her," Courtney pleaded. "She doesn't get on with Grandma, anyhow."
"Women," Lem retorted. "You sort out what you want and I'll go along with it."
"Fair enough." Courtney turned to Renee. "Well, my girl. You'd better get your A into G, hadn't you?"
"We'll see," Renee repeated and gazed out the windshield deep in thought as she drove to Lem's apartment.
****
CHAPTER 14
Monday morning was the usual rush. Renee dropped Courtney off at the supermarket where she worked and headed for the office. Even though it was eight-thirty, the place was empty. Nobody was in the front office and the lights were off.
Renee frowned and headed through the empty room. Again, everything was quiet with the computers b
lank and silent. It was like a Sunday, not Monday morning. She reached her own office and was about to walk in when she heard a cough and turned.
A pale and drawn Annette Usborne stood at the door. "I tried to text you, Renee," she said in a soft voice, "then sent you an email. Didn't you get the message?"
Renee could see something was wrong. "What is it, Annette? I've been in Seattle all weekend and my father never bothers to use the computer to get email messages."
"It's Dad," Annette said and her lips quivered.
"Is he ill?"
"Worse than that. He had a heart attack yesterday morning and died. We've closed the business today. I guessed you may have missed my message and came down here, just in case."
"Oh, my God," Renee responded. "I'm so sorry, Annette. Is there anything I can do?"
"We have an answering phone switched on but perhaps you could stay for an hour in case anyone arrives. As you can see, all the office staff has been told not to come in."
"And your Dad's funeral."
"Thursday. Can you carry on with Rosa Escantia's case tomorrow?"
"Sure."
"Thanks," Annette said and burst into tears. "There was no warning. Dad was only sixty-four. I thought he'd have another twenty years."
Renee grimaced. Death at any time was tragic but when it arrived without warning... She placed an arm around the weeping woman and guided her to a seat. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do?"
"Please stay," Annette whispered.
"I can stay all day if you wish Annette."
"No." She took a handkerchief out and dabbed her eyes. "I know we haven't got on very well and even Dad realized at the end that my brother is a chauvinistic slob with no skills, whatsoever." She glanced up. "He told me you were an asset to the firm and made me so annoyed."
"Why?" said Renee in a whisper.
"Dad was the old school. You know, you have a son to follow in your footsteps, take over the firm and become yourself for the next generation. He never discouraged me when I decided to become a lawyer but never encouraged me either." She stopped and cried quiet tears. "Poor Dad. I think he realized years ago William wasn't suited to be a lawyer. That's why he gave us equal shares in the firm after he bought out old Doug Westendarp. He had to support his son but acknowledged me, too. Then you were employed, so keen, qualified and…"
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