50 Harbor Street (23 page)

I
t was Saturday afternoon. Allison Cox walked out of the JCPenney store in the Silverdale Mall with two of her best friends, Kaci and Alicia. The St. Patrick’s Day displays were still up and the entire mall was decorated with an Irish theme. She was joking and laughing with her friends, having a good time, when she heard her name.

“Hey, Allison.”

She stopped abruptly when she saw Anson, shocked that he’d spoken to her. He wore the same long black coat, noticeably shabbier now. His hair was messy and his boots untied. He didn’t look good. And normally he worked on Saturdays. Why was he here?

Without a word to her friends, Allison joined him. She knew something was terribly wrong even before he spoke.

“Ditch your friends,” he said, eyeing Kaci and Alicia, who were a few paces behind her.

She sucked in a breath. “I can’t do that.”

“Fine.” He turned and walked away.

“It’s all right,” Kaci said, hugging Allison briefly. “Go. Meet us at Waldenbooks at three.”

Allison nodded gratefully and hurried after Anson. He was walking through the mall at such speed that she had to run in order to catch up with him.

“Anson, stop!” she called.

He turned around but didn’t smile when he saw her.

“What happened?” she asked. Clearly something had, otherwise he would never have spoken to her. He’d kept his word to her father. “Why are you here?”

“To see you. Eddie told me you’d gone to the mall. I took the bus.” He looked past her, his eyes hard as flint. “I lost my job.”

“The Lighthouse laid you off?” That didn’t make sense. Her father had checked on how he was doing, and Seth Gunderson had said Anson was conscientious and diligent in his work habits. There was even talk of promoting him from dishwasher to working as a prep cook. Her father seemed pleased that his faith in Anson had been well placed.

“Does this have anything to do with Tony?”

Anson frowned. “Who told you about him and me?”

“My dad. Mr. Gunderson mentioned that the two of you weren’t getting along. Is he involved in…in getting you fired?”

“Probably.”

“Did they give you a reason?” she said, her hand on his sleeve. Anson was so cold and angry and with his whole Goth regalia, including the heavy pewter cross he wore around his neck, people obviously found him menacing. Shoppers gave them a wide berth as they stood outside the food court.

Anson refused to meet her gaze. “They said it was reduction in force.”

“Maybe business slacked off,” she said, thinking quickly. “That happens, you know.”

“It was an excuse.” His eyes narrowed as he spoke.

“Do you think there was another reason?” she asked softly, her hand still on his arm.

For the first time he looked directly at her. But this boy wasn’t the Anson she knew. He was irate and resentful, and she felt as though every bit of his fury was directed at her. Allison nearly dropped her hand and stepped back.

“Mr. Gunderson thinks I took something that didn’t belong to me. He thinks I took cash out of his office.”

Allison had the sudden urge to sit down. She walked over to an empty table and pulled out a chair. Anson followed.

“You didn’t do that.” She refused to believe Anson was guilty of such a thing.

Pain flashed from his eyes but was immediately shielded. “That’s not what Seth Gunderson believes.”

“He talked to you?”

Anson nodded. “He talked to everyone.”

“Did he have any proof?”

“How could he?” Anson asked hotly. “I didn’t do it.”

Allison reached for his hand, curling her fingers around his. She needed to touch him, to reassure him. At first he resisted and tried to pull away. Then he entwined their fingers, holding onto her as if she were the only solid thing in a world that was crumbling. Allison didn’t know what to say that could make this better.

“What can I do?” she asked after a while.

“Nothing,” he said and swore. “I wouldn’t go back there if they begged me to. I worked my butt off for that restaurant and then they treat me like—”

He didn’t finish. He didn’t need to; Allison knew what he intended to say.

“I’ll talk to my dad,” she suggested. Her father had been willing to help Anson before. Once she explained the situation, he would again. She hoped.

“No.” His voice was harsh. “Not this time.” He laughed. “Your father can’t do a damn thing for me. I was the obvious suspect, you know. Mr. Gunderson knows I was responsible for setting the park shed on fire. If they were going to accuse anyone, it would be me—and why not? I’ve been in trouble. I was a convenient scapegoat.”

“But it’s not right!”

“Not everything is right, Allison. You live in this comfortable world where everything turns out perfectly. It isn’t like that for everyone. You’ve got parents who care about you. You’ve got a home and a future. Some of us don’t.”

“You have a future. We all do.” Her fingers tightened around his. “We each make our own.”

His eyes met hers as he digested her words. “I just don’t have the options you do.”

“Do you know who did it—stole the money, I mean?”

He hesitated. “No, but I have my suspicions.”

“Who? Tony?”

“Tony said I made everyone look bad because I worked hard and put in extra time. He was hired before me and then Mr. Gunderson talked to the chef about training me to be a prep cook. Tony didn’t think that was fair.”

She’d report this to her father and have him talk to Mr. Gunderson. “My dad and Mr. Gunderson are friends.”

Anson shook his head. “No. I’ll take care of this in my own way.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked, afraid of what he might do in this state of mind.

“I don’t know yet.”

He had a wild, disheveled look and she suspected he hadn’t slept in a long time. “Have you been home?”

He shook his head. “Mom’s brought home a new friend.” His lips curled in a half snarl. “We don’t get along. To put it mildly.”

Anson didn’t need to spell it out for her; his home life was dreadful. Allison frowned. His problems seemed huge, overwhelming. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“Yeah, right. Like I said, some of us were dealt a lousy hand.”

She wanted to take away his burdens. She knew that was impossible, and the ache in her heart increased.

Allison glanced at her watch. Kaci had to be to work by four and Allison didn’t want to make her late.

Anson stood abruptly and checked his watch, too. “I gotta go.”

“Where?”

He shrugged, his gaze focused elsewhere.

“When will I see you again?”

That, too, was answered with a shrug, as if he didn’t know. As if it didn’t matter.

Allison tried to brush aside her disappointment. “I need to know,” she insisted.

“Why do you care?”

“I care,” she whispered. “I care more than you’ll ever know.”

“Don’t,” he said starkly. “You’re wasting your time.”

“I’m not,” she told him. “Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Anything. Please, Anson, this is too important. Everything will work out in the end. I’m sure of it.”

He snickered as though he found her attitude amusing. “Things like this don’t work out for people like me. It’s time you learned that.”

He walked away without looking at her again.

She had a sick feeling in her stomach. But as much as she wanted to run after Anson, she couldn’t.

That evening, Allison could barely eat dinner. As soon as the meal was over, she escaped inside her room. Twice now, Anson had come to her bedroom window and she hoped he would again. They needed to talk.

Sitting on her bed, writing in her journal, Allison poured out everything that was in her heart. She was terrified for Anson and angry about what had happened. She wanted to help him. If she spoke to her father, he might be angry that they’d broken their word. And Anson didn’t want him to find out he’d been fired….

At nine her mother tapped on her door.

“Come in,” Allison said. She thrust her journal under a pillow and sat cross-legged.

Rosie Cox walked into the room and sat on the end of the bed. She touched Allison’s shoulder. “You’ve been very quiet this evening. Is something bothering you?”

Allison nodded and stared down at her pale-pink comforter. “It’s Anson,” she whispered.

“Are you sad because you two can’t see each other yet?”

She nodded rather than confess that she’d seen him and, more than that, spoken to him. All at once Anson’s burden became too much for her and silent tears began to course down her face.

Her mother held her close, murmuring soothing words, and Allison remembered that Anson had said some kids were dealt a better hand in life than others. He was right; she had been. Until she’d gotten to know Anson, she hadn’t realized how lucky she was to have two parents who loved her.

Her mother gently stroked her hair. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“You’ll be upset with me.”

“I’ll risk that,” her mother whispered softly.

“Anson and I talked.” She waited a moment, fearing a re
action. Her mother didn’t comment, so Allison continued. “He got laid off from his job. Mr. Gunderson thinks Anson took some money, but he didn’t! He wouldn’t. He tried so hard to do everything right, and now he’s been treated unfairly. He’s so hurt and angry.” She swallowed hard. “I’m afraid of what he’s going to do.”

Her mother didn’t say anything for a long time. “Do you want your father to talk to him?”

“I don’t know. I suggested talking to Dad, but Anson wouldn’t hear of it. I tried to tell him everything’ll work out.” She lifted her head and looked at her mother. “He laughed at me. He said that wouldn’t happen for him. He won’t ask Dad for help because he doesn’t want Dad to be disappointed in him. Mom, he didn’t do it!”

“I’m so sorry,” her mother whispered.

“I don’t know how to help him.”

Her mother sighed. “Unfortunately I don’t either.”

“We have to do
something.
You can ground me, take away my computer privileges, not let me drive, do anything you want. I don’t care how you punish me—I’m talking to Anson.” Allison was willing to make any sacrifice. “He needs me, and he needs you and Dad, too.”

“Allison…”

“I’m serious. I…I love him. Go ahead and laugh if you want, but I mean it with every fiber of my being.”

Her mother sighed. She didn’t say Allison was being melodramatic, as she often did. Instead, she drew Allison close. “I know you have feelings for this young man. I’ll talk to your father and see if there’s anything we can do.”

Allison felt hope suddenly rise in her.

“I’m not making any promises,” her mother added.

Allison understood. But now, at least, Anson had someone who’d stand up for him.

O
livia, who’d finished court for the day, sat at her desk, finishing up some paperwork. She squinted at the computer screen and decided it was time to update the prescription for her reading glasses.

Jack phoned to tell her he was home from the office; he was working eight-hour days, with no overtime. He’d promised to make dinner, which should be interesting. He almost always got to the house before her these days and had taken an unexpected interest in cooking. He favored salads with lots of fresh vegetables and an occasional surprise such as dried cranberries or chopped pecans.

Grace and Cliff were married now and Olivia was delighted for her dearest friend. They’d snuck away without even hinting that they intended to elope. When she’d first heard the news, Olivia had been disappointed. Had she known, she would have found a way to join Grace in San Francisco. But given time, Olivia saw the wisdom of Grace and Cliff’s decision.

Her friend had moved in with Cliff, bringing Buttercup and Sherlock, who seemed to be adjusting nicely to their new quarters.

As she began to read her next brief, a knock sounded at her office door. It was Deputy Mike Lusk. “There’s a man asking to see you, name of David Rhodes. Says he’s your stepbrother. Should I bring him over?”

Olivia hesitated briefly, then said, “Please. Show him in.”

The deputy nodded. “I’ll wait outside until you’re through.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Soon, an attractive man, probably in his midforties, was escorted into her chambers. He smiled widely when he saw her. “Judge Olivia Griffin?” he asked, extending his hand.

She nodded and they exchanged brisk handshakes.

“I’m David Rhodes, Ben’s son. It appears we’re related!”

Olivia remembered hearing some story about David; however, whatever it was didn’t immediately come to mind. She did recall that her mother and Ben had joined him in Seattle for dinner. Her mother had raved about the restaurant and the wonderful meal they’d had. Olivia also had a vague memory of something Justine had said; apparently she’d met him, too.

“I was hoping for a few minutes of your time, if that would be possible.” He didn’t wait for a response but walked into her office and immediately sat down in the guest chair.

“Of course,” she said, her tone a little ironic. “Make yourself comfortable.” She glanced at her watch. “I told my husband I’d be home by five-forty-five, so we can talk for ten or fifteen minutes.”

“That’s fine.” He leaned back, crossing his legs, and surveyed the room. The cut of his suit told Olivia it was expensive, possibly cashmere. The polished loafers, the silk tie—this was a man who liked to spend money.

“What can I do for you?” she asked, getting directly to the point.

“Ah, a woman who prefers to skip the small talk.” He smiled approvingly. “I like a no-nonsense attitude.”

His charm left her cold, although she could see why some people were swayed by it. David Rhodes was probably an experienced manipulator who relied on good looks and superficial wiles. “As I explained, I have an appointment.”

“But it’s with your husband.”

He sounded as if he thought she didn’t need to worry, since it was only Jack. Olivia was almost sure she didn’t like Ben’s son and tried to remember what she’d heard. With Jack’s heart attack, she’d missed a lot of details during the last two months.

“I’ve been to Cedar Cove twice now,” David said conversationally. “This is a tight community, isn’t it? People know people, neighbors talk to neighbors. It’s that sort of town.”

“We think of ourselves as the kind of place anyone would like to call home.”

He nodded. “A good PR line,” he said, but before she could respond to his cynicism, he forged ahead. “I imagine you know the other judges fairly well.”

“Yes…” she said hesitantly.

“The sheriff, too.”

“We’re proud of our low crime rate.” Cedar Cove had its share of crime; no community was immune. But Olivia liked to think she didn’t need to lock her door when she left for the day. As a matter of habit she did, but often wondered if it was necessary.

David clasped his hands loosely together. “I can understand why Dad enjoys life in Cedar Cove as much as he does. We had no connections to this town when he moved here, so my brother and I were both surprised. We assumed he’d want to live in Seattle, but Cedar Cove seems to have all the benefits of the big city.”

“We’re only a ferry ride away.” It was the best of both worlds, in Olivia’s opinion. She enjoyed small-town life and
yet she could take advantage of the cultural opportunities Seattle provided.

“Dad has certainly fallen for Cedar Cove—and your mother,” David said.

“We love your father. He’s given my mother a new lease on life,” Olivia murmured.

David gestured toward her. “That brings up another matter,” he said, grinning. “My father married your mother, which makes the two of us stepbrother and sister, right?”

“I guess it does.” Olivia wished he’d get to the point. She’d worked with enough attorneys to recognize that this wasn’t a social visit. David Rhodes wanted something.

“I’ve never had a sister before,” he said, and there was a quality of wonderment in his voice that got on her nerves. This guy should be in community theater.

“You’ll meet Steve later on,” he told her.

“I’m sure I will.” She glanced at her watch again, hoping he’d take the hint.

“I was thinking we should all get together for Easter,” David suggested. “It’s too late to arrange a full family gathering this year,” he added quickly. “But maybe next year. We could invite both sides, get to know each other.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” Olivia was fast losing her patience. “Is there something I can do for you?” she asked pointedly.

David took an audible breath. “As it happens, there is,” he said in a confidential tone. “I was in town a few weeks back and due to a misunderstanding—well, it’s not important to discuss the details.” He shook his head, implying that he found all of this distressing. “I ended up leaving in a rush, and I’m afraid I was driving above the speed limit.” He laughed, as though embarrassed to trouble her. “I was pulled over by a deputy. Unfortunately I must’ve given him the wrong impression.”

That meant his problem was more than a speeding offense. “What happened?” Olivia asked.

“The officer—now, I’m sure he was only doing what he thought was his duty—”

“He gave you a ticket.” She’d leave him to fill in the blank. At least now she knew what this was about. David Rhodes wanted her to fix the mess he’d gotten himself into.

“Actually, this must’ve been one of your junior officers,” David said. “He was a little too eager to get his quota, if you know what I mean.”

“We don’t have ticket quotas in Cedar Cove.” She didn’t work in traffic court, but she knew the system.

“The officer apparently took a dislike to me, I’m sorry to say. I didn’t help matters, I suppose,” David admitted with a look of chagrin. “I thought he had a bad attitude. Anyhow, one thing led to another—and now it’s a bit of a disaster.”

“What was the ticket for?” Olivia asked, tired of having to ferret out each kernel of information.

“Speeding—but I wasn’t speeding,” David insisted. “I have a signed statement here from a mechanic that states my speedometer was faulty.” He extracted a folded sheet of paper from inside his jacket and held it out.

“David,” she warned, “put that away. I don’t want to see it. Just tell me what else you were charged with.”

He heaved a sigh. “Negligent driving,” he confessed. “It was a simple misunderstanding that got out of hand. I can’t even begin to tell you what this’ll do to my car insurance rates. Normally I’d just pay for the ticket and be done with it. But it’s going to be more difficult than that. My insurance company is threatening to cancel my policy and then I’ll have to find another one, and my rates will skyrocket.”

“You haven’t paid the ticket?”

“No. You see, I’m experiencing a bit of a cash flow prob
lem at the moment. I figured it’d be fifty bucks or so and if it was, I’d pay it and write off the entire matter. Unfortunately, the fine is more than three hundred dollars—and then there’s this dilemma with my insurance company. I need this whole thing to go away. The best way to make that happen is to throw myself on the mercy of the court.” He laughed lightly. “Then I learned that my very own sister is an influential member of the Kitsap County Court.”

“I see.” Boy, did she.

David shook his head, as though embarrassed to trouble her with anything this trivial. “I was hoping you’d help me out. A brief conversation with the Traffic Court judges…”

Olivia relaxed in her chair and crossed her arms. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that.”

“You just said you were friendly with the other judges.”

“Yes—on a social basis. It doesn’t mean I can or will involve myself in any situation that would contravene the law. My relationship with my fellow judges can’t help you.”

“Of course it can,” he argued. “You talk to them, and my little issue with the Cedar Cove sheriff’s department will go away.” He leaned close and lowered his voice to a whisper. “All you have to do is snap your fingers.”

“No. I can’t do it.” She spoke slowly, deliberately. Olivia couldn’t make her position any plainer than that.

His jaw tightened. “In other words, you
won’t
help me.”

“There’s no
other words
about it. I don’t know how the judicial system works wherever you live, but we don’t fix traffic tickets here in Cedar Cove. If you broke the law, I suggest you step forward and deal with the consequences of your actions.”

Olivia found her stepbrother to be a decidedly unpleasant man, despite his glib and rather overstated charm. Then it
clicked. “Just a minute here,” she said, bolting to her feet. “
You’re
the one my daughter was telling me about.”

“Hey, hey,” he said, raising both hands. “I haven’t dated any women in this town—and definitely not your daughter. Who is she, anyway?”

“Justine Gunderson. You were at her restaurant.”

His smile faded. “Your daughter owns The Lighthouse?”

“My daughter and son-in-law.”

David’s eyes went hard with a look that set Olivia’s heart pounding. “Your daughter took that check right out of my hand,” he said from between gritted teeth. “She interfered in something that was none of her damned business.”

She suddenly remembered exactly what she’d heard about David Rhodes. She rose from her chair. “You were trying to cheat my mother out of five thousand dollars.”

David leapt to his feet. “It was a
loan,
” he insisted, his eyes on fire. “I fully intended to pay her back in two or three weeks. She’s a lovely woman, kindhearted and generous. Apparently none of those traits were handed down to anyone else in the family.”

Olivia wasn’t going to allow him to insult her in her own office. “I think it’s time you left, Mr. Rhodes.” She walked around her desk and opened the door. “Officer Lusk,” she called.

Mike Lusk walked purposefully in her direction. “Would you kindly escort Mr. Rhodes out of this building?”

Mike stepped forward and planted his hands on his wide belt. “This way, Mr. Rhodes.”

“Hell of a way to start off our relationship,” David snarled as he moved past her.

“I sincerely hope, Mr. Rhodes, that we never have a relationship. Now kindly leave me and my family alone.”

“You’re going to regret this.”

Olivia smiled. “You know what? I doubt it. Oh, a word of warning—if you show up in my office or my courtroom again, I’m going to throw the book at you.”

Mike’s eyes widened and Olivia realized she’d probably divulged too much. “Thank you, Officer Lusk,” she said formally.

Olivia shut down her computer and reached for her coat and purse. Once she got home—late—she’d tell Jack everything that had happened.