Good Woman Blues (36 page)

“She’s cute, but—”

“Janie can’t walk. I feed her through a tube
in her stomach. She has seizures, not as many as she used to
though.” Alison continued to gaze at the child with love and
sadness. “My husband left us. He got tired of the endless trips to
the hospital, operations, fighting to get services.”

Erikka looked at the photo, then away. “I’m
really sorry.”

“Jeff said I didn’t have room in my life for
him anymore. I can’t put her in an institution,” Alison Ray said
fiercely. She held the photo up again as though compelling Erikka
to look.

“Ms. Ray, I—” Erikka could not bring herself
to use the words she knew Nadine would. “I’ll do what I can to find
out more about Layton’s figures. I can’t promise anything,” she
added, when hope lit the woman’s eyes.

“Anything at all would be more than what we
know now. Thank you so much.” Alison Ray carefully tucked her
precious photo back into a pocket of her purse. She grabbed one of
Erikka’s hands with both hers. “You can help us, I know you can.
Good-bye.”

Erikka started to repeat that she had no
guarantees, but the woman was gone. Feeling sapped of energy,
Erikka slumped into the chair behind her desk. She wiped her brow
with a shaky hand. After a soft knock Jarvis, Laurie, and Misty
came in.

“You okay?” Misty blinked at her with wide
eyes.

“Somebody should have called my cell phone to
freakin’ warn me,” Erikka snapped. She squinted at all three of her
colleagues.

“Sorry, but they took us by surprise,” Jarvis
said. “I thought at least one of the partners would handle their
business.”

“Well, where the hell are they?” Erikka
glanced around angrily.

“They all had meetings away from the office,”
Misty said.

“Yeah, right.” Erikka grabbed a bottle of
spring water on her desk and wet her scratchy throat.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but my
updated resume is circulating,” Laurie said.

“What do you mean?” Misty asked.

“Once the SEC and the US Attorney start
digging, this firm will be covered with dirt. They’re gonna want
somebody to do time. I’m out of here,” Laurie said bluntly. “If you
two are smart, you’ll be right behind me.”

Misty started to cry. “I didn’t do anything
against the law.”

“Don’t listen to her, kiddo,” Jarvis said
quickly. He scowled at Laurie before going on. “Accusations have to
be proven. And we’re a long way from that.”

“You keep living in that fool’s paradise.
Meanwhile, not one of our bosses is in the office today. Now what
does that tell you?” Laurie walked toward the door. “I have
interviews before this ship goes down.”

Once she was gone, Misty looked at Erikka.
“Laurie is wrong, isn’t she, Erikka?”

Erikka pulled it together and smiled. The
effort stretched her tense facial muscles to the limit “Laurie is
exaggerating, Misty. You know how she likes drama.” “Yeah. She is
always trying to stir the pot. You go back and answer the phones.
Roni cleared the lobby.” Jarvis gave Misty a pat on the back to
further reassure her. He turned to Erikka when they were alone.

“Nice speech. Did you believe what you were
saying?” Erikka gazed up at the lanky man. Large wet circles
stained his light blue shirt under both arms.

“Misty is just a sweet kid caught up in
something. She really didn’t do anything.”

“Unlike me, you mean.” Erikka spun her chair
until her back was to him. She had a small window that looked out
at the building across the street.

Jarvis walked over and sat on the edge of her
desk. “Have you looked over their figures again? If they used you,
then don’t feel like you have to protect anybody.” “Right. Thanks.
I’ve got a lot of work to do.” Erikka turned back and tapped her
password into the computer.

His self-righteous tone grated. She decided
to head off a looming “I told you so” kind of speech.

“If you need help—”

“No, I don’t,” Erikka said sharply, without
looking at him.

“Okay.” His exit was confirmed by the soft
thud of her door closing.

Erikka ground her teeth together. Laurie
wanted her to fail, and Jarvis wanted to be right. Erikka planned
to disappoint them both. She pulled out the information on Layton,
Inc. she’d compiled. Her work for them had not crossed the line.
She’d helped them restructure to avoid a layoff. Like any
accountant, she knew a dozen ways to prepare the same report
depending on what a client needed. She had given them options and
ways to present statements of income that were true. Maybe the
projections on future earnings were optimistic, but with cost-
cutting measures, Layton’s overall profits could increase
dramatically. Erikka hadn’t done anything that violated the law or
the accounting code of professional conduct. No matter what
happened, it wasn’t her responsibility. Those words and others like
them bounced around in her head for hours, until she felt
better.

Chapter 21

Two nights later, Erikka and Gabriel drove to
Roz s house for dinner. For the first time in weeks Erikka wouldn’t
have minded working late. She didn’t look forward to the evening at
all. Roz had let out a squeal of delight at finally meeting
Gabriel. Her mother announced that Craig had “come to his senses”
and moved back home. Jaci promised to make a special effort to show
up as well. Erikka sent up prayers for an uneventful gathering.
Boring would even be nice. Gabriel broke into her thoughts when he
patted her hand.

“You survived my family’s version of dinner
theater. I doubt your folks can top the drunken-brother
performance,” he joked with a grin.

“Don’t count on that, baby,” Erikka
retorted.

“Your folks are back together. So, there
shouldn’t be any problems on that score. They’re probably still in
a second honeymoon phase. This exit?”

“Yes, then go left and turn right at the
third traffic light.

I should just relax. You’re probably right
about my parents.” Erikka gazed ahead as they entered her parents’
neighborhood. “Lord in heaven please let him be right.”Ten minutes
later they parked behind Jaci’s blue Toyota Corolla. As they walked
along the redbrick path to the front door, Erikka took a deep
cleansing breath.

“Everything is going to go smooth as silk.
You’ll see,” Gabriel said. When Erikka gave him a weak smile, he
pressed the doorbell.

Moments later they were inside, and
introductions were made all around. Roz sparkled in her role as
hostess. She served appetizers and kept conversation flowing. Craig
seemed at ease as well. Erikka felt dizzy with relief at the lack
of tension. Jaci gave Erikka a wink of approval once Gabriel had
turned to talk to Craig about the coming football season. Roz
maneuvered her daughters into the kitchen on the pretense of
needing help.

“Bravo, Erikka. I have to admit reservations
on this one, but Gabriel is nice. I can tell,” Roz announced, with
a nod. She moved quickly to check on the chicken turning in a large
rotisserie oven.

“Agreed. You get the Jaci seal of approval on
this one, girl,” Jaci chimed in with a smile. “He’s style and
substance.”

“Well, that is a load off my mind,” Erikka
shot back with a laugh. “You know I wouldn’t keep dating any guy if
you two weren’t happy.”

“Such a smart mouth,” Roz said over her
shoulder, without pausing in her tasks. “You know what we
mean.”

“The success of any relationship improves if
the families are on board,” Jaci put in. “Research shows—”

“Thanks, Jaci. No lectures tonight, please,”
Erikka broke in.

“Couples whose families get along last longer
on average,” Jaci continued with a smirk. “That’s it. I won’t cite
statistics.”

“Hallelujah.” Erikka lifted both arms and
gazed up. She laughed again when Jaci playfully bumped into
her.

“Studies my aunt Fannie,” Roz said with a
snort. “Good old-fashioned common sense says a marriage does better
without family tension. Don’t get me started on Craig’s
mother.”

“No, we don’t want you started in on my sweet
grand- mama,” Jaci said with emphasis. “Not to mention how it sets
Daddy’s teeth on edge.”

“Roz, don’t start anything,” Erikka added.
Both of them gazed at their mother with frowns.

Roz turned around with a smile. “I would
never do anything to spoil dinner for our guest. Now, you two get
Gabriel settled in the dining room. Craig and I will bring in the
food. Send your daddy in to help me.”

“Fine with me.” Jaci scurried out. Kitchen
duty had always been her least favorite chore.

Erikka lingered. “Roz, I think it’s fabulous
that you and Daddy are together.”

“Thank you, sweetie. I knew Craig would
realize what a mistake he’d made. He thought no one would want me.
Well, I showed him.” Roz wore a satisfied grin.

“Making or breaking a marriage takes two,”
Erikka mumbled as she turned to leave.

“I didn’t hear you, baby.” Roz hummed a tune
as she took the chicken out of the rotisserie.

“Nothing. I’m happy for you both,” Erikka
said louder.

“The food smells wonderful. Amazing that your
mother is cooking. I was prepared to take us all out to eat.” Craig
rested an arm around Erikka’s shoulders.

“Surprised you in more ways than one in the
last few months,” Roz tossed back.

Craig’s genial expression stiffened. “Yes,
you did. And not all of them were pleasant surprises either.”

“Shock therapy can be effective,” Roz
replied. She glanced at him with one eyebrow lifted. “You take the
chicken out, and I’ll bring the other serving bowls.”

“I’ll get the rolls. They look delicious,
too.” Erikka chattered on to head off an argument. Her stepfather
sighed and walked out with the large platter.

The rest of dinner went just fine. Erikka
picked at her food as she kept an eye on her parents. Thankfully,
Jaci seemed unaware of the tension. She launched into a spirited
description of her thesis subject. For once Erikka didn’t complain.
Even a tedious discussion of Jaci’s research was a welcome
distraction. Roz continued to shine as she told funny stories.
Craig managed to join in the laughter. By dessert time Erikka would
have sworn that the hostile kitchen exchange between her parents
had never happened. When Craig suggested they go to the den, all
seemed well. Craig really loosened up when Gabriel complimented his
collection of vintage blues recordings. Roz recruited Jaci to help
her load the dishwasher. When they hadn’t returned after fifteen
minutes, Erikka went looking for them.

“All I’m saying is you shouldn’t have an
attitude with Daddy, Mother. You both made mistakes.” Jaci swiped
at the countertop with a damp cloth.

“I’m a grown-ass woman, Jaci. Don’t even try
to lecture me on men and how to handle my business,” Roz snipped at
her.

“You almost threw away twenty-two years for a
fling. Daddy was heartbroken,” Jaci lectured.

“Sure he was. Craig was so upset he probably
paused five seconds before he called his woman. Stay out of what
you don’t know about, Jaci,” Roz shot back.

“Roz, please. Just one more hour,” Erikka
pleaded. “Let me at least get Gabriel out of here. Then you can
create all the drama you want.”

“Me? Talk to your sister and Craig. Honestly,
I’m so sick of everyone placing all of the blame on me. Craig
doesn’t walk with the angels, my dears.” Roz wrapped the remaining
chicken neatly in plastic wrap and placed the platter in the
refrigerator.

“Thirty more minutes. That’s all I’m asking.
I’ll beg on my knees if that will help.” Erikka waved both
arms.

“Subject closed.” Roz wiped her hands on a
paper towel. “I didn’t bring it up anyway.”

“You have been shooting digs at Daddy since—”
Jaci stopped when Erikka scowled at her. “Let’s take the coffee in,
Erikka.”

Erikka and Gabriel ended up staying for
another two hours. Roz, Craig, and Jaci pulled off a masterful
performance as an idyllic family. Erikka glanced back at her
parents waving good-bye as they drove away.

“Whew. We got through without a scene,”
Erikka said, and sagged against the leather seat of her car.

Gabriel turned down Williams Boulevard toward
New Orleans. “You mean as opposed to my nightmare family
dinner.”

“Be glad you weren’t in the kitchen,” she
replied.

“Oh?” Gabriel gave her a curious look.

“The honeymoon is definitely over for those
two. Don’t be surprised if the cease-fire between Roz and Craig
breaks down soon. Roz is gloating that she made Craig realize he
was wrong. Craig thinks otherwise. The peace won’t hold much
longer.” Erikka rubbed her temples to massage away a headache.

Gabriel stopped at a red light and turned to
her. “Pretty bad back there, huh?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“They did a good job of covering it up. Hey,
maybe that’s just their way of working through the kinks.” Erikka
thought of how familiar the bitter tone between them sounded and
shook her head. “No, honey. Not much has changed, I’m afraid.”

‘Tell you what. Let’s go for a stroll on the
Riverwalk. That should end this night on a better note.” Gabriel
brushed her cheek with his hand, and then drove on when the light
turned green.

“Okay.” Erikka smiled at him. “In fact, I
have an idea myself. If you don’t mind driving home in the morning,
that is.”

Gabriel reached over and touched her face
again. “I don’t mind at all.”

They did take a stroll through the French
Quarter, then along the Mississippi River. Crowds of people had the
same idea. Gabriel made her laugh until Erikka stopped thinking
about Roz and Craig. Afterward, they found a room in a hotel on St.
Charles Avenue. The night ended on a much better note indeed, in
Gabriel’s arms.

***