Redress of Grievances (10 page)

"Maybe
it's because Parker is a politician, but there's something behind all that
charm and good looks that I don't completely trust," Alex said.
"Guess I'm being a jumpy, over-protective, much older sister."

"Does
Paige know Sharon Taggart?"

"Better
than I do. They both worked on Parker's last campaign. Sharon's an expert on
demographics and wrote most of Parker's speeches for him. He's the one who
faces the TV cameras, but she's the brains behind what he's saying."

"Is
there anyone who might think they can get to him by going through his
sister?"

"That
could be an angle, I suppose. You know how politics is."

"There's
a good restaurant up ahead. Not too pricey and the food's good," Harriett
said. "You up for some lunch?"

"I
skipped breakfast, so I guess I could stand something."

Harriett
changed lanes and exited the interstate at Salado. Pulling into the parking lot
of the Stagecoach Inn, she hopped out of the truck and stretched her legs. Huge
pecan trees surrounded the historic two-story building, and the parking lot was
two-thirds full.

Alex
followed her as she walked through a white picket fence gate and up the steps
to the front porch of the restaurant. A waitress seated them at a table
overlooking a creek running next to the building. A few children ran around on
the bank of the creek, while others held bamboo fishing poles, hoping for
something to pass by.

"Do
you still fish?" Harriett asked as she watched the scene below them.

"No.
You still make your pilgrimages to the lake?"

"I
sold the cabin to Wayne Graham a few years ago. It was too far to drive from
Austin."

"I'm
sorry to hear that. You loved the cabin."

Harriett
shrugged. "Wayne takes good care of it, and he left me an open invitation to
use it any time I want. If he ever decides to sell, he has to give me first
shot at it."

They
ordered grilled trout with a side salad. It was dark in the dining room of the
Inn, the only lighting the sunlight coming through the windows around the
building.

"This
is a great place, Harriett."

"I
stopped here a few years ago on my way back to Austin and try to come up here
when I can. It's so peaceful. They stock trout in the creek down there every
spring. I thought about building a place here once, but the traffic is too
heavy for a commute."

Alex
was looking at Harriett and smiling.

"What?"
Harriett asked.

"Nothing.
You just sounded like you used to."

Harriett
picked up a glass of tea and continued looking at the creek.

"You
haven't said anything about my split with Gwen," Alex said.

"It's
none of my business, Alex."

"I
don't talk about it very often. I suppose that's because it makes me look like
a fool. The only time I was ever unfaithful to her was when you and I were together.
But it turned out that she had been through a string of lovers over the
years."

Harriett
couldn't think of anything to say even though she knew that her partner's
affairs must have hurt Alex.

"I
was furious when I found out. She claimed that I was too busy building my
career to be concerned about her needs. She knew about you and me, by the way,
but she'd already had two or three lovers before we met."

"I'm
sorry, Alex. Really."

The
look on Alex's face changed and frown lines creased her forehead.

"What
about you? Anyone significant in your life these days?"

Harriett
sipped her tea and shook her head. "Between raising Lacey and building the
practice, there hasn't been much time to cultivate any serious relationships. I
have a comfortable and uncomplicated life." Or at least I did until you
walked into my office, she thought.

BY
THREE-THIRTY, Harriett was cruising down the LBJ Freeway heading toward the
exit to downtown Dallas, and the offices of Winston and Dunne. She pulled into
a visitor's parking slot in the parking garage next to the building where the
offices were located. She was nervous as she and Alex rode the elevator to the
eleventh floor, wondering how much things had changed since her resignation.
Alex held the door open for her as she looked around the interior of the
offices. Surprisingly little seemed different from her memories.

"I'll
let Doug know you're here," Alex said quietly, as she turned down the main
hallway.

As
they approached Doug Winston's office, Harriett saw a familiar figure sitting
at the desk outside Doug's office. Eleanor glanced up as Alex passed her desk
and then saw Harriett. In a flash, Eleanor moved from behind her desk to where
she was standing and looked at her for a second before embracing her in a hug
that had been waiting eleven years.

"You
look wonderful, Ms. Markham," Eleanor beamed.

"Thank
you, Eleanor. And surely you can call me Harriett considering how long we've
known each other."

"Where
are you now? Can I get you a cup of coffee?"

"I
have a practice in Austin, and yes, I'd love some coffee. It was a long
drive."

Alex
stuck her head out of Doug's office and motioned to Harriett.

"I'll
bring your coffee into the office in a second," Eleanor said, patting
Harriett on the back.

Harriett
was decidedly underdressed for the offices of Winston and Dunne, but she
couldn't have cared less. The ability to dress casually was the best part of
her practice in Austin. The moment she entered Doug's office, he swept her into
his huge arms and she had difficulty breathing.

"Damn,
girl, you look some kind of good," Doug said. "And a helluva lot more
comfortable than I am. Have a seat."

"You're
looking well, Doug. How is your family?" Harriett asked.

"Writing
checks faster than I can put money in the account. But they're all great.
David's an associate here now. It's nepotism, but hell, when it's your firm,
who's gonna complain?" he chuckled.

"Ownership
does have its advantages," Harriett smiled as she glanced around for a
chair.

"Alex
tells me you've got a good practice going down in Austin now," Doug said
as he returned to a beaten up, tired looking leather chair behind his desk.

"We've
got enough to keep us busy," Harriett said.

"You
have a partner then?"

"Nick
Lazslo joined me about five years ago."

"Lazslo.
Lazslo. I know that name from somewhere."

"He
was teaching law at Virginia before he came to Austin."

"Isn't
he a past president of the American Bar Association?"

"Vice-president."

"Right,"
Doug said, snapping his fingers. "I've read some of his articles in law
journals. Sounds like a smart guy."

"He's
an excellent attorney."

"How'd
he wind up in Austin after UVA?" Doug asked.

"Nick
and I attended Yale together. I ran into him at an ABA meeting a few years ago,
and he was looking for a change of scenery. Besides, Doug, Austin's not exactly
the ass end of the world."

Doug
laughed loudly. "Point taken."

A
knock at Doug's door announced the arrival of Harriett's coffee, accompanied by
cups for Doug and Alex.

"Just
the way you always liked it, Harriett," Eleanor said as she handed her a
cup.

"Thanks,
Eleanor. I forgot to ask about your family"

"Healthy
as horses," Eleanor smiled. "I'm a grandmother now, twice."

"Congratulations.
Be sure to show me all your grandmother pictures while I'm here," Harriett
smiled.

"How
is little Lacey?"

"Not
little anymore, I'm afraid. I'll talk to you later, and we can trade
stories."

After
Eleanor left the office, Doug rested his elbows on his desk. "I guess Alex
has filled you in on the Taggart case."

"Some.
But all I've agreed to do is speak to Mrs. Taggart in a preliminary interview.
Nothing more. If this looks like it might be a long, protracted case, I won't
be able to leave my clients in Austin to devote months to it."

"I've
already told Sharon's parents that. However, we feel relatively certain that
you'll be able to win a change of venue on this one. There's been some
publicity already, and if you decide to take the case, there's bound to be
more, considering the nature of the crimes."

"And
my prior handling of the Wilkes case. The press is bound to drag that up,"
Harriett added quietly.

"I'm
not as genteel as Alex is when I speak, Harriett. But from what I've seen, I
think you might be looking at exactly the same plea as in the Wilkes
case."

"Meaning
you think Sharon Taggart is insane?"

"I
think it's a distinct possibility."

"You
know how tough that defense is, Doug. I'd like to avoid it if possible."

"I'm
sure you would, but her family has been talking it around, and the press has
gotten a whiff of the rumors already. And despite our warnings, your name has
been leaked to the press."

Doug
picked up a copy of the Dallas Morning News and handed it across the desk to
Harriett.

"It's
not the lead story, but it did make the front page," Doug said as Harriett
glanced over a short article on page one.

"This
is just preliminary guessing," Harriett said. "And at least it's
below the fold."

"When
will you see Sharon?" Doug asked.

"Later
this afternoon would probably be the best time. I want to get in and out
unnoticed if possible."

"I'll
go with you," Alex said. "I can go in the front and run interference
while you enter through the back."

Harriett
nodded. "I'd like to freshen up before I meet with Mrs. Taggart. After I
speak to her, I'll want to meet with her husband and family members."

"When?"
Doug asked.

"The
sooner the better. Either tonight or first thing in the morning. I'll want to
speak to them separately about thirty minutes apart. I assume I can use your
conference room here?"

"I
promised you the full resources of Winston and Dunne," Alex said.

Harriett
looked at Doug and Alex and cleared her throat.

"I
appreciate that," Harriett said. "But if I take this case, you'll
have to back away. Winston and Dunne will not be calling the shots. I'll handle
this like any other referral. I won't have my client's family running to you if
they don't agree with what I'm doing. No matter who's paying the fee, Sharon
Taggart would be my only client, and I can't be worried about whose toes I step
on."

The
bluntness of her statement seemed to surprise Alex, but Doug smiled broadly.
"Well, Alex, it looks like our little girl has grown up and left home.
You'll have complete and unfettered autonomy in handling the Taggart case, if
you decide to take it. You have my personal guarantee, Harriett."

"That's
good enough for me, Doug." Harriett said as she stood up, "I think
I'll check into my hotel before I visit Mrs. Taggart. When do you want to run
your interference, Alex?"

"How
about six-thirty? That way you can grab some dinner before you go. You can
follow me to central booking. No one will notice your vehicle if I park in
front."

Harriett
left the office after agreeing to meet Alex in front of the Hyatt at
six-fifteen. Doug leaned back in his chair and regarded his partner of thirty
years.

"You
should've snagged that gal when you had the chance, Alex," Doug said
bluntly.

Alex
stood looking stoically out Doug's office window and turned to look at her old
friend. "I know."

"She
still single?"

"Yes."

"Then
maybe you should turn on that famous charm of yours."

"It's
too late, Doug. Too much time has passed. We're not the same people we were
eleven years ago."

"I'd
give a lot to see you happy again, Alex. And I know you haven't been since
Harriett left."

"I
appreciate your concern, Doug, but I'm fine."

"Alice
wants you to come over for dinner this weekend."

"I'll
let you know."

Chapter
Ten

IT WAS
NEARLY dark when Harriett went through the revolving door of the Hyatt and saw
Alex parked next to her truck in a parking lot across the street. The only
addition to her attire was a suede jacket.

"Is
your room all right?" Alex asked when Harriett reached her vehicle.

"Very
nice."

"Have
you had dinner?"

"No.
I took a short nap instead. I'll order up something later."

"Doug
set up this interview schedule with the family for you in the morning,"
Alex said, passing her a five-by-seven-inch slip of paper. "You
ready?"