Good Woman Blues

by Emery, Lynn

  “Let Darlene work through it her way, honey.” Gabriel put a hand on Erikka’s thigh.

  “I feel bad going off to play when she’s so miserable.” Erikka continued to stare at the house.

  “Darlene made it clear she doesn’t need a babysitter. I can understand her wanting to work. Making it right is probably good therapy for her right now,” Gabriel said, the voice of reason.

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way. Guess you’ve got a good point. Sure you’re not moonlighting as a psychiatrist in your spare time?” Erikka teased.

  “No way,” he smiled back then grew serious again. “While I lived in Texas, I did a lot of work with at-risk kids. I didn’t want Ricky’s death to be my one and only legacy on this earth.”

  “It won’t be.” Erikka covered his hand with hers.

  “Let her do what she’s gotta do, Erikka,” Gabriel urged.

  “You know what, I’m going to let her do what she’s gotta do. Just came to me outta nowhere.” Erikka grinned at him.

  “Well said,” Gabriel replied, with a laugh. “Ready for our Sunday road trip?”

  Erikka fastened her seat belt and put on her sunglasses. “Drive on, sweet thang.”

  Gabriel backed out of the driveway. “Now we’re talkin’.”

  He turned on the truck radio. Zydeco music played on a local station. Erikka tapped her feet against the floorboards in time with the rhythm. She even tried singing along in French. Gabriel laughed at her attempts. Several miles down the highway he turned down the volume.

  “Is that a commentary on my singing, my Creole French, or both?” Erikka joked.

  “I refuse to answer on the grounds that you might hurt me,” he joked back. “No, I wanted us to talk.”

  “Okay.” Erikka wasn’t sure at all that a talk was okay, not from the way he said it.

  ‘Tell me what’s going on at the office. And don’t try to play it off as nothing,” Gabriel added, as a preemptive strike to a denial.

  Erikka relaxed. This she could handle. “I don’t know, Gabriel. Maybe I just can’t believe it’s this easy.”

  “What?” He steered the truck right taking the turn toward New Iberia.

  “Getting my life in order. I went from being flat on my face to back in stride again.”

  “That’s a good thing, right?” Gabriel glanced at her then back at the road.

  “Yeah, but down deep it feels too good to be true. I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall. Nadine gave me this big account. At first I was all happy, walking around with my company mug. I’m in the game. Meeting with big dogs, having lunch with uptown movers, hanging with my girls after work. The whole nine, ya know?”

  “Sounds pretty much like a perfect world,” Gabriel said.

  “Not even close. Now when you show up, that’s a different story.” Erikka slid close to him.

  “Good answer. Go on.” Gabriel seemed pleased by her words.

  “I don’t know. Like I said last night, they either cut benefits or jobs. Nadine wants me to recommend they do both. On paper it makes good business sense, but the employees aren’t happy, and I don’t blame them.” Erikka remembered her talk with Nadine.

  “You make the recommendation, but the company execs make the decision. You could suggest ways they can avoid both,” Gabriel said, cutting into her thoughts.

  “I tried finding other ways in those figures they gave me, and they just weren’t there.” Erikka shook her head.

  “Then you’ll help save at least some jobs by showing them how to stay in business. A bankrupt company can’t pay anybody, honey. You’re doing the best you can,” Gabriel said, and patted her on the thigh.

  “You’re a very smart man. Cute, too.” Erikka lifted his hand and kissed the back of it.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” he said, with a grin.

  Erikka gazed out at the sun-splashed landscape. Trees draped with Spanish moss lined the highway. Every few miles they passed a house. Otherwise, there were only grass, trees, and marshy land. Distance from New Orleans made her feel as though she’d been paranoid. Of course Nadine had given her a big account that turned tricky. She probably needed to know Erikka could handle the stress. Getting paranoid about it would not reassure Nadine one bit. The more she examined the situation through the filter of a breathtaking day, the better she felt. Erikka turned the music up again.

  “Feeling all right now?” Gabriel glanced at her.

  “I’m feeling more than all right.” Erikka stretched her arms out, one landing around his shoulders. “Oh yeah.”

  Chapter 19

  “Have you seen the newspapers?” Laurie came into Erikka’s office. She beamed as though Monday was her favorite day of the week.

  Erikka knew something was up. Laurie had been downright friendly when she’d greeted her earlier. Now she seemed downright euphoric. “I haven’t had a chance. Why?”

  “Local Company Target of Probe,” Laurie read a headline from the newspaper she held.

  “What?” Erikka frowned at her.

  “A group of Layton, Inc. employees accuse CEO Kent Transome of mismanagement of company funds, and claim he should be investigated for securities fraud,” Laurie read on. “Made page one of the business section. Once questions were raised about proposed changes in the pension plan a big can of worms popped open.”

  “Let me see that.” Erikka got up.

  “You had no clue, huh? Hmm, Nadine will be wondering how you missed that.” Laurie’s ice-blue eyes sparkled with glee as she handed her the paper.

  “I dealt with the numbers they gave me,” Erikka muttered, then went back to reading.

  “Meaning you didn’t see past the smoke and mirrors. Not good. Not good at all.” Laurie clicked her tongue like a teacher scolding a child.

  Nadine stood in the door frowning. “You seem to get some satisfaction out of the headlines today, Laurie. Want to tell me why?”

  Laurie’s smirk disappeared before she turned around. “I came to offer Erikka help reviewing their files.”

  “Your team spirit is appreciated, but Erikka is doing fine. The St. Martin audit should keep you busy for a while,” Nadine said crisply.

  “Right. I should be through by next Tuesday.” Laurie hurried out without glancing at Erikka again.

  Nadine shut the door when she was gone. She swept a hand at the newspaper Erikka still held. “I was just coming to tell you about Layton. Anyone can sling wild accusations. We’re on top of it.”

  “Any chance Transome gave us bad figures? You’ve known him for a while.” Erikka did a quick mental review of the background on Layton, Inc.

  “Kent is a tough businessman and a good friend. He’d slice into an artery before hurting that company.” Nadine picked up the paper and read for several minutes. She gave a hiss of disgust. “Reporters take rumors and build a story. Thank God our legal system requires real evidence.”

  “You think this might get to court?” Erikka’s stomach did a sickening flip at the thought.

  “Of course not. I just said there is nothing in their records or ours that can be used to build a fraud case.” Na-dine glanced at her gold watch. “Get the file and come to my office. Might as well look it over.”

  “Okay. Give me a few minutes.” Erikka tapped the keyboard of her desktop.

  “No rush. I’m going to get some coffee, go through my mail, and make a phone call. Let’s say around nine-thirty?” Nadine looked at ease, as though this were a normal Monday at the office.

  Erikka smiled and nodded as she studied her. “Sure. I’ll have a second cup myself.”

  Nadine allowed a brief tight smile to flicker before she left. Erikka’s smile vanished the second Nadine was gone. She used the time to comb through every fact she had on Layton. Erikka went online to research the company. As she hastily sent out queries, Erikka tried not to examine why she didn’t believe Nadine’s reassurances.

  ***

  Later at Hope’s place, Karin and Hope sat in the kitchen while Erikka gr
illed fish sprinkled with parsley and lemon butter. Hope sipped a frozen daiquiri. While they talked, Erikka tried to work out her anxiety by concentrating on the meal. She fluffed wild rice in a cooker. As she cut up slices of French bread, she worked through her own day as they talked about theirs.

  “Girl, my day was a bitch. Some of our sisters act like they haven’t heard of sistahood. Know what I mean?” Hope complained.

  “That new coworker is still giving you the blues?” Karin shook her head in sympathy. “Hmmph, that’s a shame.”

  “See it? The knife is still in my damn back.” Hope jerked a thumb over her shoulder to make the point. “She’s determined to get ahead over my dead body.”

  “You can handle up on her,” Karin replied.

  “Yeah, but it takes time away from important stuff. Now I’ve got to stop my career climb and swat another fly. Damn.” Hope took a long sip of her drink.

  ‘Try having a boss without a clue. I have dreams of slapping common sense into that man. He screws up every five minutes.” Karin glared as though she could see her boss. “I’m tired of saving his behind.”

  “I hate Mondays,” Hope said, and took a deep sip of her drink.

  “Me, too,” Karin declared. The doorbell rang, and she left. Moments later she came back with Terri right be-hind her.

  Hope cocked an eyebrow at Terri. “Erikka’s doing fine. I’m wondering if you’re okay.”

  “Following doctor’s orders,” Terri replied, with a good-natured smiled. She did seem much less twitchy than she had a few weeks before. “I’m cool. You okay, Erikka?”

  “You obviously read the paper today,” Erikka said as she faced them all. When Terri nodded, Erikka sighed.

  “What’s up?” Hope put down her drink for the first time.

  “Remember that big client I was so thrilled about getting? They are in the news, and it’s not good news either.”

  Erikka gave them a quick summary of what she knew and how her day had gone. What bothered her even more was the meeting with Nadine. The other partners had shown up as well. Their meeting took on the feel of a dress rehearsal for a press conference, one in which they could deny complicity in whatever Layton, Inc. had done.

  “Mr. Calder said ‘Nadine had them sign that they gave us complete records.’ Brinkhaus would break in every few seconds with ‘We adhered to acceptable accounting practices.’ ” Erikka grimaced at the memory.

  “They mentioned your firm twice in the article. Sugar, take my advice and get lawyered up,” Terri said. She unbuttoned her jacket, and then sat down.

  “Oh shit,” Hope muttered.

  “How are the bosses acting?” Terri rubbed her hands together.

  “Like they don’t think it’s a problem. We had this meeting. Nadine asked me a dozen questions on how I handled the figures, how much I looked past the surface.”

  “And?”

  Erikka went to the stove. “Let’s eat, or this fish is going to be like rubber.”

  “Okay. I’m going to wash up.” Terri went down the hallway.

  “You grab the green beans and bread.” Erikka pointed to Hope. “Karin, get the rice.”

  “Sure,” Hope replied. For once she made no smart remark.

  “I’ll follow orders, but you have to talk to Terri about this.” Karin crossed her arms.

  “I know you’re not seriously suggesting she hire Terri. That woman is two steps from the fun house,” Hope whispered fiercely, looking over her shoulder.

  “She’s making a lot of sense tonight. And Erikka didn’t answer her last question.” Karin switched her hard stare from Hope to Erikka.

  “Chill. Let’s talk over dinner.” Erikka got busy stacking dinner plates on a tray with silverware.

  “Can’t stay too long. Gotta get back to the office. One of my cases goes to trial Thursday, and my client is in deep poo-poo.” Terri took off her jacket and draped it on a chair.

  “You’re going to trial?” Hope did not have to roll her eyes. Her tone dripped skepticism.

  “Last year I won two million dollars in civil judgments and got acquittals for three white-collar defendants.” Terri stood with her legs apart. She looked every bit the tough defense attorney.

  “Any more questions, Hope?” Erikka smirked at her friend.

  “Yeah, how do you do it? I mean with your, uh, issues. I don’t see how you made it through law school.” Hope was not one to back down.

  “When I’m flying high I can stay up for days at a time. I speed-read. In short, I was the perfect law student.” Terri nodded sharply, causing her strawberry blond ponytail to bounce.

  “You go, girl. I’m on board,” Karin replied, and snapped her fingers twice in the air. She looked at Hope with a smirk.

  “Damn. Who knew bipolar disorder could be a good thing,” Hope wisecracked.

  “Erikka, be honest. Do you have anything to worry about?” Terri sat down at the dinner table.

  “I did what any accountant would do under the circumstances. Nadine wanted me to help them trim the fat, and I did. I showed them alternatives based on the profit and loss statements. I also showed them ways to present earnings in the most favorable light to possible investors. But I didn’t tell them to lie. If they did, then that’s on them.” Erikka tried to calm her nervous stomach. “Let’s eat.”

  Terri shook her head slowly. “Girl, you—”

  “I don’t need an attorney. Whatever Layton did has nothing to do with me. Eat your vegetables or no chocolate fudge swirl cheesecake,” she said with a grin to lighten the mood.

  “You’ve got all three of my numbers. Something changes, call me. My last word,” Terri added quickly when Erikka shot a glance at her.

  “I’m going to be okay,” Erikka insisted, ignoring the way her three friends exchanged meaningful glances.

  “Men,” Hope said immediately, around a mouthful of bread.

  “Oh God, no,” Terri wailed. She took a small bite of fish and washed it down with cola.

  “Dumped again I take it.” Hope looked at her.

  “Hope, that’s awful. What is wrong with you?” Karin slapped her arm.

  “Hey, she’s not alone. Ouch.” Hope hit her back. “A little compassion for me, too. I finally find a guy who knows the true meaning of foreplay. Heaven, right?”

  ‘Totally,” Erikka said, with a grin.

  “Let’s clone him,” Terri put in.

  “Wrong. Turns out Damon is fast on his feet’.’ Hope tried for humor, but her glassy eyes gave it away.

  “Jerk.” Terri gave her a look of sympathy.

  “When?” Erikka asked.

  “Over lunch today. Things got too intense too fast he said. Maybe I shouldn’t have spent that weekend with him.” Hope pushed green beans around on her plate.

  “I say he was looking for an excuse. He did you a favor, honey. Better now than at the wedding,” Terri said, with a grunt for punctuation.

  “You got a different way of looking at things,” Hope said. “Twisted. I like that.”

  “Thanks.” Terri grinned. They tapped their glasses together in a toast and laughed.

  Karin laughed with them then looked at Erikka. “How goes it with Mr. Right?”

  “Our romantic dinner turned into the Saturday Night Smackdown. His brother came over, and they had a fight.” Erikka shook her head.

  “As in fists-flying fight?” Terri’s eyes sparkled with interest.

  “Vince was drunk, which didn’t help. A reminder of what alcohol does to your good sense.” Erikka shot Hope a look just as she drained the last of her daiquiri.

  “I’m cool. Never had good sense according to my mother,” Hope retorted.

  “I don’t know, Erikka. Maybe your aunt was right about you being careful with him. I mean he came close to hitting his own brother.” Karin wore a prim disapproving expression.

  “I’m behind. There’s something about this guy that makes him dangerous?” Terri looked at Karin for details.

  “Murder,” Ho
pe said, before Karin could answer.

  “He pleaded to negligent injury,” Erikka said defensively. “Back in the day Gabriel got into a fight with a friend. The dude died from head injuries later.”

  “Emotions run high in a small town,” Terri said, with a nod. “Either nobody liked the victim, or the defendant had money and influence.”

  “From what Erikka says, the Cormiers have both,” Hope put in.

  “Gabriel made some serious mistakes. We can all relate,” Erikka said pointedly as she looked around.

  “You’re right, Erikka. I’m all about not judging a person by his past.” Karin gave her a smile of support.

  “Okay. Love conquers all.” Hope ate the rest of her fish.

  They all finished dinner. Their conversation went from men to current events in New Orleans. Erikka enjoyed being with her friends more than ever. She needed their chatter to drown out her thoughts about work. Later, as she loaded the dishwasher, Terri left the other two in the living room to join her in the kitchen.

  “Good food. Thanks for inviting me.” Terri put covered plastic bowls of leftovers in the refrigerator to help.

  Erikka suppressed a smile. Terri usually dropped obvious hints about dinner. How could she refuse? Even Hope seemed to accept that Terri had adopted them as her buddies.

  “No problem,” Erikka said.

  “Are you really cool with this Layton, Inc. situation?” Terri cut and wrapped up a piece of cheesecake in foil without asking.

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.” Erikka leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. “I helped them write off a lot of expenses. Made their earnings look a bit brighter.” “Isn’t that illegal these days?” Terri licked a crumb of cheesecake from one finger. “Those Enron accountants helped them sweeten their annual reports.”

  “No. They were legitimate expenses. None of the financial reports they gave me looked overtly suspect,” Erikka said. Though she hadn’t closely examined those expenses either. “Hell, I sound like my boss now.”

  “Don’t knock it, sugar. Those are exactly the kinds of statements I would advise a client to make when asked,” Terri replied with a wink.