Catalyst

by Ross Richdale

  "If your father was so sexist why was I employed?"

  Annette glanced up. "You're a young attractive redhead. It was your good looks and curvy figure that got you the job." She sniffed back more tears. "I'm afraid my father was that way inclined."

  "Oh hell," Renee responded.

  "But you proved to be an excellent lawyer," Annette continued. "And I was jealous. I had managed to prove to Dad I was better than William and you came along and outperformed me in almost every way. That's why I've been so critical of you and outright nasty at times."

  "You have," Renee replied. "I've considered leaving but you're a good lawyer, Annette. I always knew that."

  "So will you stay with the firm? It's going to be a tough battle with William Junior in charge."

  "In charge?"

  "Probably." Annette sniffed. "Dad still owned fifty-one percent of the company shares. William and I have twenty percent each and the rest is owned by a handful of Doug's relations. Knowing Dad, I'm sure he'll leave his shares to William. Old traditions die hard, you know."

  "I see," Renee replied. "With William Junior in charge, I don't think I'll last long." She glanced up and smiled. "But I'll stay in the meantime. Okay?"

  "Thanks." Annette briefly touched Renee's arm and left.

  ****

  Defense Attorney Renee Bonnett looked as nervous as her client when the jury filed back into the courtroom that Thursday afternoon after only two hours deliberation.

  "This can be a good sign," she whispered to Rosa Escantia but they both knew it was probably the opposite.

  The jury took their seats and the foreperson, a middle-aged white woman, who throughout the trial had sat tight-lipped and listened to the evidence without any sign of emotion, stood up. It looked bad!

  Judge Rebecca Telles read the small piece of paper handed to her by the clerk and cast her eyes around the court. The mainly Hispanic spectators were seated in two distinct groups with Rosa's friends and relations on one side, while her late husband's relations filled the seats opposite.

  "When the verdict is read there will be no reaction from the gallery. All emotion and reactions will be restrained, or the court will be cleared before the verdict is given," the judge ordered and nodded to a young man beneath the bench. As he'd done throughout the trial, he translated her words into Spanish.

  The judge's eyes searched both sections of the crowd and took the nods and body language as an agreement. "Very well. Has the jury reached a verdict?"

  "We have, Your Honor."

  Renee's heart thumped in her rib cage.

  "To the charge of second degree murder, how do you find the defendant?"

  "Not guilty, Your Honor."

  Renee glanced at Rosa and saw her pale lips twitch ever so slightly as the woman riveted her eyes on the jury chairwoman. A faint murmur switched off as soon as the judge glanced across the gallery.

  "To the lesser charge of manslaughter, how do you find the defendant?"

  "We, the jury, find Rosa Elvia Escantia not guilty." The woman's words echoed through the silent room and were immediately translated into Spanish.

  "What does it mean?" Rosa blurted out.

  "You go home, Rosa," Renee replied. "You're free."

  Only then did Rosa burst into shuddering tears and plunge her face between her hands.

  "This case is dismissed," Judge Rebecca Telles said. "The defendant is free to go."

  "Thank you, Miss Bonnett," Rosa said through her tears. "I believe God was beside me when you were appointed as my attorney. God bless you, Renee."

  "We did it together, Rosa, " Renee replied and smiled to acknowledge the lifting of eyebrows from the district attorney across the room.

  Fifteen minutes later, Renee was surrounded by dozens of women from Rosa's extended family who wanted to shake her hand. Males, though, were conspicuous by their absence, except for one elderly man who pushed through the crowd and grasped Renee's right hand with both of his. His leathery face, calloused hands and bent body made him appear ancient before his time but his brown eyes were alert and clear.

  "Rosa is my youngest daughter," he said in heavily accented English. "If it was not for you..." His words changed to Spanish but Renee had some knowledge of the language and knew the old man was overwhelmed with emotion in his attempt to thank her.

  "Rosa was a victim," she said quietly. "When the jury realized that, they knew there was no crime to answer for."

  "But the gringo jury, especially that head señora with her flashy clothes didn't care about us," the old man continued.

  "Whether she cared or not, didn't matter," Renee explained. "They were there to decide what the truth was and they did."

  "But without you, they would have never been told this truth. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Señorita Bonnett. Ricardo was an evil man who beat my Rosa many times and only laughed at me when I tried to stop him."

  He squeezed Renee's hand so hard it hurt, slipped an arm around his daughter and the pair walked out into the gray Washington day.

  "You can be proud, Sweetheart," A familiar voice said.

  Renee swung around and smiled. "Dad," she said. "I didn't realize you were here."

  "I've been here since Tuesday, Sweetheart," Jack replied. "How could I miss seeing one of the state's top attorneys in action?"

  Renee felt as if all her years of study had suddenly bore fruit. She was a professional who had won a major criminal case. "Oh Daddy, you're exaggerating again." She rushed across and hugged her father then took out her cellphone. "I have to tell Lem."

  "Oh, he's just arrived," Jack said. "He drove up from Seattle, picked up Courtney from Burlington and returned here."

  Renee smiled again. There was nobody in the world she would rather see than the great hulk of a man at the door and the blonde teenager beside him.

  "Hi, Big Time Attorney, are you still speaking to us plebs?" Courtney called out.

  "Have you an appointment?" Renee replied and laughed.

  "Several," Lem walked up, folded his arms around her and placed a firm kiss on her lips. "That was appointment one. Appointment two..."

  "Okay, I get the idea. I need to return to the office for a few moments. Perhaps you could all follow me there."

  ****

  The reception at the office was a complete antithesis of the warmth experienced earlier. Annette intercepted Renee in the foyer and abruptly guided her into a side interview room. Her face was like thunder and her hand shook as she held a document.

  "My God, Renee. I poured my heart out at you on Monday and you knew all along."

  "Knew what? I have no idea what you're talking about, Annette."

  "Dad's will," the woman almost screamed. "Don't say you didn't write it. It has your style over every page, the modern language, no indented paragraphs…everything!" She slapped the document on the small desk.

  Renee swallowed. "I have never seen nor had anything to do with your father's will. Look at the witness signatures if you don't believe me. Why would William Senior confide in me, anyway?"

  "Because you're a major beneficiary, that's why!" Annette stood with hands on her hips and eyes focused on Renee.

  With her own anger rising Renee could not stop the shocked expression that paled her face. She held the other woman's gaze, felt for a chair behind her and sat down. "I had no idea," she whispered.

  Annette never focused elsewhere. Her expression changed from outright hostility to curiosity to almost acceptance. For seconds she held Renee's gaze before she broke contact.

  "Oh Jesus," she swore and sat in the second chair. She pushed the will at Renee. "Read it," she whispered.

  "No, it's a family document," Renee replied. "Tell me about any sections that apply to me."

  "My brother is furious." Annette gave a thin smile. "He's going to the highest court in the land to have the will declared null and void."

  "But why?"

  "Dad left eleven percent of the company shares to you, Renee. You never k
new?"

  "No idea at all," Renee replied and switched to her lawyer mode. "I am honored, of course but that is hardly a controlling interest."

  "But it is. There's more. The remaining forty percent has been put in a frozen trust for five years. Only after that time will it be divided between my brother and me. The trustees are three old business friends of Dad's." Annette heaved in exasperation. "But you read Clause 27 B."

  Renee picked up the will and read the clause mentioned. In the course of the five years these shares are frozen, I name Miss Renee Bonnett as the sole owner of the proxy voting rights. She may use her majority voting rights to guide the firm in any direction she wishes, except to sell the company. At the end of five years, the shares and voting rights will revert to my two children. By that date, I hope they will have learned how a law firm should operate.

  "Somewhat sarcastic," Renee whispered and read several other relevant clauses before she looked up. "I knew absolutely nothing of this, Annette."

  "Why did Dad suddenly back you up on everything in the last few months, then?" Annette's tone was still suspicious.

  "My Dad." Renee explained how her father and William Senior had become friends at the club.

  "Oh, I see," Annette replied in a more reconciliatory tone.

  "If your brother appeals this will, everything will be frozen until the outcome is decided. It could be tied up for years."

  "Dad thought of that, too," Annette said in a resigned voice. "He anticipated this action and had it covered. Look a Clause 49."

  "Tell me."

  "Basically, it says the trustees of the will are directed to hand the management of this company over to you until all appeals are decided."

  "And if I turn down the offer?"

  "The trustees become a managing committee. In either case, William and I are frozen out for five years or until the will is nullified. Dad knew the law. I'll give him that much."

  "I never wanted this. I'll have to think about the implications."

  "Well, it's better than I thought," Annette confessed. "If William had taken over we'd be insolvent within a year, I can just about guarantee that."

  "And what about everything else? Your dad's home and personal things?"

  "I misjudged him, Renee. It's split down the middle. William and I get half each, so I did better than expected. My pride was pricked when I thought you knew what Dad did." She smiled. "But even you couldn't fake that look of surprise when you heard the news."

  "Well, I'm sure we can work together and we can tackle William from a point of strength, can't we?" Renee added.

  ****

  William Junior's reaction to the news was different than Renee expected. He walked into her office on Friday and glowered.

  "I suppose the firm is now Bonnett, Usborne and Usborne," he said sarcastically and sat down. "No doubt my sister told you all the exciting news."

  "She did," Renee replied. "However, I see little reason for anything to change."

  "But it will. You can bitch over everything as much as you like, Renee but you won't have me to kick around." He laughed sarcastically. "Didn't Nixon say something like that when he resigned?"

  Renee studied the man and saw someone stone sober. That, in itself, was unexpected. He had a resolute expression with a jaw that protruded, his hands folded formally across his crisp new suit.

  "Go on, William."

  "I'm getting out. I'm selling my share of the firm, Dad's house and going east."

  "But you can't," Renee protested. "Your father's will restricted sale of shares."

  "Dad's bit for sure," William corrected. "But you forget that I own twenty percent of the company outright. I can do whatever I like with that and I choose to sell. You and my pathetic sister can squander what's left to your heart's content. I know you had it sorted out between you, anyway. You rolled your eyes at the old man and he was putty in your hands." He lowered his eyes to gaze at her bosom. "Or did you let him bed you a few times to get his attention?"

  If the comment was aimed at making Renee annoyed, it worked. She flushed a bright red, stood and pulled her suit jacket closed, so her blouse beneath was covered. Her eyes turned ice cold and she fixed them on the man.

  "Have you finished?"

  William smiled. "Well, actually no. I know all about women like you who ooze sex and use their bodies…"

  "Get out!" A high-pitched voice from behind the pair interrupted. "Sell your shares and good riddance to you, I say. You're damn lucky to get anything from Dad. You deserved nothing."

  Renee was angry but nothing compared with Annette Usborne who stood at the door with her face contorted in rage. "You're a dirty-minded playboy who thinks everything is done with that corrupt organ between your legs. We aren't all like that, William, so just get."

  William attempted to make another rude innuendo but failed. Instead, he glanced back at Renee and shrugged. "Stupid bitches," he muttered and walked out.

  "I heard everything," Annette said. "I'm sorry, Renee. He's a real bastard, isn't he?"

  "Yes," Renee whispered. "I feel so sorry for his wife."

  "Me too," Annette confessed. "But he's solved our problem, hasn't he?"

  "What's that?"

  "Saves you firing him, doesn't it? We could never have worked with him. He did little enough with Dad keeping his eye on him. With that influence gone he would have been impossible."

  Renee nodded. "So we can build the firm, together, can't we?"

  "I hope so," Annette replied. "If you want to try, I am prepared to meet you halfway."

  "No bosses, just partners," Renee added. "Those are my conditions. It would have been impossible to operate like that with William Junior but I think we can work well together."

  "Yes," Annette said in a quiet voice. "The best law firm in the Northwest."

  The obnoxious Usborne son was forgotten as the two lawyers kicked off their shoes, relaxed and discussed their future together.

  ****

  CHAPTER 15

  The weekend had arrived, a cold blustery December evening with rain thrashing windowpanes of the Bonnett farmhouse. Inside, the central heating worked efficiently and the occupants were snug and warm. Jack stood in the bedroom and waited in anticipation. He heard the shower turn off and knew what would happen. Every Friday it did.

  Amy walked in the room with a towel wrapped around her body, while she used a second towel to rub her damp hair dry. She glanced at Jack standing by the bed and without a word dropped the bottom towel. Nude and still red from the hot shower she stepped into Jack's arms and kissed him frantically on the lips.

  Seconds later the two were on the bed and forty years poured from Jack's life as the woman aroused him more than he thought possible. "Oh, Jack," moaned Amy as his thrusts reached a climax.

  But at the height of passion, Jack's mind saw Sally smiling at him. His dear wife and Renee's mother clung to him and kissed him softly.

  "You're my man, Jack," she whispered and held him close for a few tender moments of intimacy before she sprung out of bed.

  But this heaving, desperate woman in the last stages of her own climax was not Sally but Amy. She smiled into Jack's face, gave him a quick peck on the cheek and disappeared from the room.

  A moment later she returned dressed in a shapeless nightgown and slipped back in bed. "Night, Jack," she said, rolled over and fell asleep.

  It was over. That was the trouble. Amy was his lover; he was sexually attracted to her but that was it. He did not love the woman.

  Many of her habits annoyed him. He had told this to nobody, not even Renee.

  "What is it, Jack?" Amy's voice interrupted his thoughts.

  "I'm just thinking about us," he replied.

  Amy jerked up, switched on the side lamp and swung to face him. "What has your daughter been saying, Jack?" she said in a cold voice.

  "Nothing."

  "You've spoilt her. My God, I guarantee she hasn't even thanked you for thinking of selling the farm and investing
in her firm."

  "No, she never said a word."

  "There you are."

  "Because I never told her, Amy. She doesn't know anything about it. Anyhow, William Usborne's shares haven't been placed on the market yet."

  Amy stared at him. In the dull light, she did not look the sexy woman of a few moments earlier but a wrinkled, demanding lady.

  "Is that so?" she muttered. "You're a fool if you pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into a failed business to prop your daughter up. Her boyfriend is practically a millionaire, anyhow. She doesn't need the money."

  "And you do?" Jack interrupted.

  Amy stopped and glowered. "What do you mean, Jack?"

  "I think you know," Jack continued. "It's not working out, Amy. It's nothing to do with Renee, Courtney, or anybody else. It's us."

  Amy shivered and a faint gasp came from her lips. "After the sex we've just had?"

  "That is marvelous, Amy. Making love to you is the most wonderful thing that's happened to me for a decade." He stopped, saw the hurt eyes but decided he had to continue. "But that's it, Amy. Our sex life is what keeps us together. You're a fine woman who has helped me through a difficult time of my life."

  "But?"

  Jack gulped. "I respect and like you, Amy. I appreciate everything you've done for me and how you've helped Courtney." He hesitated. "It's just physical attraction, I'm afraid. I like having sex with you. You're a dynamic woman."

  "An object of your lust."

  "It's not just that. I like having you here, your company, the wonderful changes you've brought into my lonely life."

  "But you don't love me," Amy whispered.

  "That's about it. And I don't believe you love me either."

  "But who does love at our age, Jack?" Amy's voice changed to a plea. "You can't live on memories. You have to live for the moment or shrivel up and die."

  Jack glanced away but remained silent.

  "It's Renee. She's a little vixen sucking you dry, Jack."

  "And Courtney is a little angel?" Jack felt anger surge through him. "All you do is scream at each other."