“So you’d like to be an attorney?” Olivia glanced down at the girl’s name on the sheet of paper. “Allison?” she added. Allison Cox. Cox. That name sounded vaguely familiar.
“Yes, Judge, I would,” Allison said, her back straight.
“Any particular reason?” Olivia asked.
The girl nervously flipped a strand of dark hair over her ear. “I’m hoping to learn how to use the law to help someone who doesn’t have a lot of options.”
Olivia nodded. It sounded as if the girl had a personal agenda; however, there wasn’t time to delve into that now. She needed to get to court. “I’ll be spending the morning in court, listening to a variety of cases. You can sit in the jury box near the court reporter. We’ll take a short break midmorning, and then stop for lunch around noon. I have a luncheon engagement with my mother. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like, and then we’ll return to court about one-thirty.” She smiled at the girl, who nodded. “Depending on the cases, I generally stop for the day at four. I stay a bit longer to read case files for the next day, but you’ll be free to go then.”
Allison made a notation on a yellow pad. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
“You’re welcome. Is there anything you’d like to ask me before we head into the courtroom?”
The girl offered her a tentative smile. “I…I asked the guidance counselor if I could be assigned to you specifically. You might not remember this, but about three years ago my parents were in your court. They were getting a divorce.”
That was why the name seemed familiar. Olivia did recall the couple and their situation.
“Mom and Dad had decided on joint custody of my brother and me. You said you didn’t like Eddie and me moving between houses every few days, so you gave us the house and had Mom and Dad move in and out.”
Olivia smiled. “I remember. But professional ethics prevents me from discussing any case if there’s a possibility the parties might come before me again.”
Allison nodded. “They remarried, you know.”
Olivia didn’t, and was pleased to hear it. “That’s wonderful.” Checking her watch, she stood and reached for her black robe. Pulling it on, she left her chambers. Allison followed and she introduced the girl to the court reporter, who escorted her to a seat near the bench.
The court cases on that morning’s schedule probably opened Allison’s eyes wider than anything she’d read or seen on television. The child custody cases always tore at Olivia’s heart. The state’s position was to leave the child with the primary residential parent, in most cases the mother, if at all possible, as long as the child’s welfare wasn’t in jeopardy. More times than she cared to admit, Olivia wanted to shake these young parents and ask them to take a hard look at what they were doing to themselves and their children. Too often, their minds were addled by drugs or alcohol. Sadly, she doubted anything she said would sink in. Of course she dealt with other cases, too, but these were the ones that stood out most prominently.
Olivia noticed Allison taking copious notes and could only imagine what the high-school senior must be thinking, looking at the ravaged lives of those who stood before her.
Shortly after court went into session, Charlotte Jefferson Rhodes slipped onto a bench at the back of the courtroom. Within about a minute, she’d taken out her knitting. Olivia smiled. Charlotte was an inveterate knitter. More than that, she was exceptional in every way, and Olivia’s admiration for her continued to grow.
Case in point, her mother and friends were responsible for the new medical clinic in town. It’d taken a senior citizens’ demonstration and an arrest to get the council to respond. Word of Charlotte’s arrest had spread faster than chicken pox through their small community. Not long afterward, the council had made some major concessions that allowed the establishment of a medical facility in town.
The irony of it was that this same medical center had saved Jack’s life. Olivia’s husband had suffered a heart attack the year before, and the EMTs had told her that if they’d had to drive him all the way to Bremerton, Jack wouldn’t have survived.
At the time of the demonstration, Olivia had been embarrassed by her mother. Now she’d be forever grateful that there was a medical clinic in Cedar Cove, and it was mostly due to Charlotte, her second husband, Ben, and their friends.
Olivia was accustomed to seeing her mother in court, although she didn’t come by as often as she used to. Since Ben Rhodes had entered her life, Charlotte had better things to do than sit and listen to Olivia.
At noon, the court broke for lunch. Allison and Charlotte met Olivia in her chambers, and Olivia made the introductions.
“Would you care to join us?” Olivia asked the teenager. She didn’t expect the girl to accept, and she was right. They agreed to meet again at one-thirty.
“What a lovely young lady,” Charlotte commented after Allison had excused herself.
“She is,” Olivia agreed. “Where would you like to have lunch?” Her favorite place had always been The Lighthouse. Olivia missed it even more than she would’ve thought.
“How about the Wok and Roll,” Charlotte said. “Grace tells me Maryellen likes their chicken hot sauce noodles, and I have a hankering to try that.”
“Sounds good to me.” Olivia was just grateful her mother didn’t suggest The Taco Shack, which happened to be Jack’s favorite. She’d had about all the tacos and enchiladas she could stand for a while.
“Speaking of Grace, have you seen her lately?” Charlotte asked as they walked through the courthouse and to the parking lot behind.
“She’s so busy, we haven’t talked all week. She’s had to temporarily give up her Wednesday night aerobics class.”
“My goodness, you two have been going to that class for years,” Charlotte exclaimed. “What’s happening? Is Cliff keeping her all to himself?”
“No.” Using her remote, Olivia unlocked the car doors and opened the passenger side for her mother. “Nothing like that. She’s helping Jon and Maryellen as much as she can. Kelly’s pregnant, too, you know.” Olivia slid into the driver’s seat. “Grace rented out the house on Rosewood Lane and you won’t believe who her tenants are. The Randalls! Do you remember them?” At her mother’s blank expression, Olivia elaborated. “You were in court the day I denied their divorce. A young navy couple. Apparently they have a baby now and were looking for a house to rent and Grace met them. She remembered the case. Then, while she was talking to Mrs. Randall, my name came up. That’s when Grace learned this was the very same couple. It’s a small world, isn’t it? Grace wanted me to know how well everything worked out.”
“That’s good news. And how’s Maryellen?” Charlotte asked, concerned about Grace’s oldest daughter.
“She’s doing well, especially now that Jon’s parents have arrived. They showed up last week and Grace told me it’s made a world of difference.”
“Where has Jon’s family been all this time?” Charlotte asked. “Well, never mind, they’re here now, and I know Maryellen and Jon must be thankful for the help. Some babies have a few problems coming into this world. That’s why God created grandparents.”
Olivia smiled at her mother as she pulled out of the parking lot and headed down Harbor Street toward the Chinese restaurant.
“And Jack? How’s he? I do hope he isn’t working himself into another heart attack,” Charlotte said next.
At the mention of her husband, Olivia had to smile. “He’s as cantankerous as ever. He’s also back at work full-time.”
Charlotte’s eyebrows shot up. “I thought you weren’t going to let that happen.”
As if Olivia had any real control over Jack. “I couldn’t stop him. He has an assistant editor now, and he’s home every night as close to five as he can manage. He’s lost thirty pounds, but I swear it was like chiseling it off an ounce at a time.”
“I think he might’ve cheated now and then,” Charlotte whispered.
That was an understatement if ever there
was one. Jack did cheat—but not as often anymore. The heart attack had frightened him off double cheese-burgers for life, thankfully. Still, there was the occasional bowl of ice cream and a few cookies, but overall, Jack’s self-control had been impressive.
“What about you and Ben?” Olivia asked as they drove into the parking lot at the Wok and Roll.
“I have news about David, Ben’s son,” Charlotte said as she climbed out of the car. “You remember him, don’t you?”
Olivia wasn’t likely to forget David Rhodes. Ben’s youngest son had asked her to fix a reckless driving ticket he’d gotten while visiting Cedar Cove. He hadn’t taken kindly to her refusal.
The conversation was halted by their arrival at the restaurant. Once they were seated and sipping tea they resumed talking. Their order for chicken hot sauce noodles was already in the kitchen.
“You mentioned David Rhodes,” Olivia said.
“Oh, yes.” Charlotte reached for her purse and took out a linen hankie, dabbing at the corner of her mouth. “Sad to say, Ben’s son is an embarrassment to him. He felt sick at heart when he learned David had approached you about the traffic ticket. He was mortified by that.”
In Olivia’s view that was the least of David’s sins. She wasn’t about to forget or forgive the fact that he’d attempted to swindle her mother out of thousands of dollars. If not for Justine’s quick thinking, he would’ve gotten away with it. After some fast talking on David’s part, her mother had written him a check. They’d met for lunch at The Lighthouse, just the two of them, but Justine had been on the alert. Much to David’s chagrin, she’d swiped it right out of his hand. That was the same afternoon he’d picked up the reckless driving ticket. He probably should’ve been charged with driving under the influence, too, Olivia thought.
“David does have his problems,” Charlotte said, “but I feel he’s genuinely trying.”
Olivia would believe that when she saw it.
“Ben got a check from David this week for a thousand dollars toward a loan he received from his father several years ago.”
This was promising news. Perhaps David Rhodes had learned his lesson. Although Olivia took a rather jaundiced view of that possibility.
“Ben didn’t say much, but I could tell he was pleased.” Charlotte beamed. “It distresses me to see Ben estranged from his son. I know it bothers him, although he won’t talk about it.”
“David’s a grown man, Mom. He isn’t going to change. He is who he is, and that’s who he’ll remain—unless something drastic happens.”
Her mother sipped her tea. Then casually, as if discussing the weather, she said, “Your brother’s his own person, too, and he isn’t likely to change, either.”
A chill went down Olivia’s back. So her mother knew. Will lived in the Atlanta area with his wife. They’d never had children, and while outwardly the marriage appeared stable, Olivia knew there were problems. Problems she suspected were due to her brother’s infidelity. She’d never discussed with her mother what she’d recently learned about Will. How could she? But it seemed Charlotte was well aware of her son’s weaknesses.
Olivia had been disillusioned by Will. Shortly after Grace discovered that her first husband, Dan, had committed suicide, Will had contacted her. Before long, Grace and Will were involved in an e-mail relationship. Will had misled her friend, lied to Grace and said he was getting divorced. While not completely blameless, Grace had been vulnerable to his undeniable charms and naive about his motives. She’d trusted him—and nearly lost Cliff because of Will’s selfish lies.
“Will isn’t a good husband,” Charlotte murmured. “It pains me to say so. Georgia wrote and said she’d had enough. Will was involved with someone at work. Georgia has decided to file for divorce.”
The fact that he’d had an affair didn’t come as any shock to Olivia. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I called Will and spoke to him,” Charlotte continued. “Georgia’s moved out, but he seems to think she’ll change her mind. Apparently she has in the past.”
The waitress came with their order and two bowls. Steam rose from the noodles bathed in their seasoned chili sauce, topped with broccoli and slices of chicken. Although it smelled heavenly, Olivia found her appetite was gone.
“Georgia isn’t going to change her mind this time,” Charlotte said calmly. “I spoke to her, too, and heard the determination in her voice. It’s over and frankly, I don’t blame her.”
Olivia was saddened to learn that her brother had destroyed his marriage. She remained angry with him for what he’d done to Grace. He’d apparently thought Olivia would never learn of his deception but she had, and she’d let him know how upset she was. He’d brushed off her chastisement, with the implication that she was overstepping her bounds. In Will’s opinion, this wasn’t any of her business. But it was, and Olivia refused to forget what Will had done to her best friend.
Once they were off the subject of incorrigible sons—David and Will—Charlotte and Olivia made Easter plans. Everyone was coming to Olivia’s for dinner, but Charlotte had planned brunch for Easter morning, following church services. She was baking her cinnamon rolls, which were Jack and Ben’s favorite.
Charlotte and Olivia chatted about some of Charlotte’s knitting friends as they finished lunch. Then Olivia paid for their meal and they returned to the courthouse.
Allison Cox met her outside her chambers, waiting as Olivia flipped through her phone messages, something she hadn’t had a chance to do before leaving with her mother. The one on top made her smile. It was from Grace, and it said she’d see her at aerobics class that evening.
Ten
Allison was convinced of two things: Anson would be back before graduation and she’d hear from him by Easter. The more she thought about it, the stronger the idea became. Anson would call her by Easter. She knew it. She felt it. She lived on that hope.
Her day in court with Judge Lockhart Griffin had been revealing, to say the least. People did stupid things and seemed shocked when they were held accountable in a court of law.
Anson wasn’t like the people who stood before the judge. He’d been working hard to do the right thing, and then it seemed everything had blown up in his face. No one believed he was innocent. Yes, he was angry and disillusioned with the Gundersons—understandably because they’d laid him off—but that didn’t mean he’d started the fire.
She sat on her bed and studied her notes from the day in court. The phone rang in the distance and she left it for Eddie to answer, since he considered it his duty to check all incoming calls. He was okay as brothers went, she supposed, but sometimes he could be a real pest.
“Allison!” he shouted as if she were deaf. “It’s for you.”
“Who is it?” she demanded.
“Some guy. He didn’t give his name.”
Only half interested, Allison reached for the receiver in her room. She paused. “Hang up, Eddie.” When she heard the click, she said, “Hi,” in an indifferent voice.
“Allison.”
Her heart stopped. It was Anson.
“Where are you?” she asked, gripping the phone with both hands.
“I can’t tell you.”
“Are you okay?”
“Sort of.”
She wasn’t sure what to make of that.
“I needed to hear your voice,” he said. “I know what happened at The Lighthouse. Everyone thinks I did it, don’t they?”
She couldn’t lie to him. “Yes.”
He didn’t respond for a moment. “I swear to you, Allison, it wasn’t me.”
“I believe you.” It was hard to speak past the lump in her throat. In her joy at hearing from him, she nearly floated off the bed. “How did you get past Eddie?” That was a crazy question when so many others were far more important.
“I had a friend of mine call. I’m using a throw-away cell phone. No one’ll be able to trace it. I don’t want to get you into trouble.”
“Do you need anythin
g?”
“No…just the sound of your voice. I knew if I heard it I’d be okay.”
“I will be, too,” she said breathlessly. She longed to tell him how desperately she missed him and how difficult it was to go to school every day and defend him. Anson didn’t need to hear any of that. His troubles far outweighed hers.
“Has it been bad for you?” he asked. “Did the sheriff question you?”
“Yes. I…told them about you coming to my window that night.”
“That’s okay—you had to tell the truth.”
“You…you smelled of smoke. I was too upset to realize it right away…. I—I didn’t say anything to the sheriff.”
He didn’t comment or explain. Instead, he asked. “Is there a warrant out for my arrest?”
“No.” She lowered her voice on the off-chance Eddie was listening. “But the sheriff says you’re a…a person of interest.”
He seemed relieved to hear that. “No matter what anyone tells you, Allison, I swear I didn’t do it.”
“I know.” She closed her eyes and held her breath, as if to keep him close. Then she wondered if he had a specific reason for reaching out to her, if he needed her help. “Should I send you some money?”
“No. I’m fine.”
Her heart pounded so hard that her pulse echoed in her ears. The money box had been taken from the office the night of the fire. Allison had heard the sheriff mention it to her father.
Anson hadn’t been able to save any money because everything he’d earned as a dishwasher and later as a prep cook had gone toward restitution for the fire he’d set in the park. If he left Cedar Cove with money, it hadn’t come from his employment. She wanted to ask what he was living on, but she was afraid of the answer, afraid of the truth.
“Come back, Anson,” she pleaded softly. “My dad will help you.”
“He can’t,” he returned, “not this time. I appreciate everything he did, but this is bigger. I’m eighteen now, Allison. This isn’t going to be handled in juvie. I’d be tried as an adult and I can’t risk that.”