Chapter 9
'Ain't no bread from heavenly skies…'
"Have you had the appointment with Dr. Messinger?"
Evangeline noted Kelly's agitated state the moment she and Dawn entered La Boulaie. Dorian and David tried to run interference, but Evangeline didn't allow it. Although Dorian might be footing the bills and sincerely cared for Kelly's well-being, Evangeline represented Kelly. It was Evangeline's responsibility to present the best case possible. If Kelly was as unstable as Evangeline sensed, Kevin's attorney would jump on it and do his best to break her on the stand.
Kelly shook her head and averted her eyes. "It's tomorrow. I don't see how speaking with her will help. Kevin could find out and use it against me."
"We have to be prepared for anything," Evangeline said. "Kevin's attorney is infamous for not playing by the rules. He wouldn't stop at trying to ruin your credibility on the stand. Kevin's going for an unfit parent ruling. We have to prove him wrong."
Kelly stood and went to the bar. Water sloshed onto the counter as she poured a glass. Dawn took the pitcher from her and filled the tumbler. After she handed it to Kelly, she turned her back and went to the patio doors.
Evangeline watched her paralegal for just a moment. Then, Kelly spoke again.
"I can't lose my baby. He means everything to me."
"Good."
"But Evangeline… A psychiatrist?" She ran a hand through her golden locks. "You know my mother is in a mental hospital. Kevin knows this. He will use it against me. You don't know him."
"Just because your mother has had some difficulty doesn't mean you will, too," Evangeline said. "But it's better to be sure that you can handle the court room interrogation. Now, we're only having a discussion and you're shaking like a leaf. I'm beginning to wonder if there's something you're not telling me. Is there?"
"I-I don't know what you mean," Kelly stammered. "Kevin wants to take my baby away from me."
"Because Ace isn't his son--"
"Yes!" Kelly swallowed hard. "That's it and he's angry because I had an affair with Todd. He hates Todd and is angry with me because I was with him."
Kelly's eyes darted around the room as if she was searching for a safety net. The sense that something was off nagged at Evangeline. She glanced at Dawn to see if her paralegal noticed the same. Dawn seemed to feel her gaze and moved to face her. Dawn's composure looked shaken. Her face tightened and she nodded and mouthed, "Keep going."
"I know all of that," Evangeline said. "There's more. Tell me now. Anything we discuss is protected by attorney-client confidentiality."
"I can step outside," Dawn said, "if that will help."
"That's not necessary," Kelly said, "because that's all there is. Now, if you don't mind, I'm tired. Can we continue this tomorrow after my appointment with the doctor?"
Evangeline longed to press her, but Kelly's fragile state couldn't be ignored. She nodded and gathered her briefcase. A few minutes later, she and Dawn were inside Evangeline's sleek BMW and headed back to the office.
As they drove across Llanview, Evangeline wondered about Dawn's silence. During the drive, they'd had a fun discussion about likes and dislikes and family. Like her, Dawn's parents divorced. Her father lived in Los Angeles while her mother remarried and lived in Port Charles. Dawn shared a good relationship with her parents and Evangeline realized it had been ages since she'd last spoken to her mother. Maybe after the case, she'd take a drive to Baltimore to catch up.
But first, she wanted to make sure her paralegal was okay. "What's wrong?"
"What?" Dawn shifted on the passenger seat. "What do you mean?"
"You're quiet. This is our first day together, but I'm a good judge of people. You're a fairly open person. Yet, back there you shut down for a little while. Would you prefer not to work on this case?"
"No, of course not. I'm your assistant. I don't expect special favors from anyone," Dawn said. "I'm okay. It's nothing. Definitely, nothing that will effect my job."
"Well, I don't want to pry," Evangeline said, unconvinced.
Dawn gave her a half smile. "Thanks."
The remainder of the drive happened in silence. Evangeline planned her strategy for Kelly's case while the occasional thought drifted to her new employee. There was definitely more to Dawn Jensen than met the eye.
"I don't like it."
Jason closed his eyes and imagined the firm set to Emily's jaw and the defiance in her brown eyes. His younger sister melted his heart. He hated causing her turmoil, but some things couldn't be helped. "I like Llanview. I needed a change. This is it."
"But you're all alone there."
The brief conversations with Keesha came to mind. An automatic smile crossed his lips. Tension left his body. He spread his legs across the twin bed and released a deep breath. "No, I'm not."
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, and I'm not alone."
"I feel like I'm talking in circles with you," she complained. "I don't want to argue. I'm calling with wonderful news."
"Oh, really? What has Nikolas done now?"
"He asked me to marry him and I said--"
"Let me guess. You told him to shove it."
Her laughter burst through the telephone receiver. "No! We're not having a long engagement. I want you here for the wedding."
He raised a hand to his temple and rubbed. Since abandoning his assignment to nail Sonny, Jason hadn't given one thought to returning to his hometown. Reconnecting with Keesha consumed his thoughts. Now, he'd have to cast that aside and summon the energy required to go back. For anyone else, he wouldn't make the consideration. But Emily was his baby sister. Telling her no wasn't an option.
"I'll come. Give me the date."
Emily quickly relayed the necessary information. Her giddiness reminded him of the pleasure of love. Obviously, Emily's childhood crush on the Cassadine heir paid off. After their call ended, Jason wondered how far the news of the upcoming nuptials had traveled and if one person in particular had heard the details. And if so, would she want his shoulder to cry on or would she rather tough it out with a chip on her shoulder? In the end, he decided it would be better if she came to him.
"John?"
When the door opened, anticipation skyrocketed through him. Even though he and Evangeline said their goodbyes at dinner with plans to see each other later in the week, he still hoped. Then he looked into Jessica Buchanan's troubled eyes and his hopes vanished. He gave her a weak smile and waved her into his office.
"Jessica." He glanced at his watch. "It's late for you. If you're looking for Bo, he's gone for the night. I think Matthew was sleeping over."
"No, I wanted to see you." Her hand squeezed the doorknob. "Do you mind if I close this?"
Curiosity piqued. He shook his head. "No, go ahead."
She closed the door and then claimed the chair facing his desk.
"What's this about?" They'd had a few run-ins before. Mostly about Natalie and a few times about the circumstances of Cristian's death. He hoped that he wasn't in for more of the same. Jessica's youth prevented her from seeing the big picture of a lot of things. He wasn't in the mood to provide her education any more than he had been to do the same for her sister. Realizing that had been the best thing he'd done for himself in a long time.
"Antonio's involvement with the Santi case. I think it's changing him. Can't you reassign him?"
"What?" His eyebrows rose in shock. He could understand this conversation if it came from Keri, Antonio's wife, but from Jessica? Obviously, Keri's suspicions were right. Antonio needed to listen.
"He's spending a lot of time with Sonia. I rarely--I mean, his family rarely sees him. If this continues, Jamie won't recognize her own father."
"Jessica," he said gently as he leaned toward her, "Antonio's investigation of a case is none of your business."
"It is if it's dangerous," she retorted. "I thought you were his friend. That's why I came to you instead of my uncle. After the way you treated Natalie, I should have known you wouldn't understand."
"Once again, you're going out of bounds. I don't know what your sister told you and I don't want to know. But know this, whatever happened between us is none of your business."
She abruptly stood and stormed to the door. "Evangeline had better watch her back with you. There's a stone where your heart should be."
"Goodbye, Jessica."
His cell phone rang just as the door slammed behind her. He almost didn't answer, but then thought the incoming call couldn't be worst than what he just went through.
"McBain."
"I certainly hope so."
"Evangeline." He sighed. Comfort came with just the sound of her voice. "Is everything okay?"
"It's not bad," she said. "I was heading home and wondered what you were up to."
"I'm still at the office but halfway out the door." He smiled. "Why? Do you have something in mind?"
"Maybe a drink and a walk through the park."
"Sounds good." He detected a weary note in her tone. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm drained, I guess. The meeting didn't go as planned and I can't get it off my mind."
"So you want to use me as a distraction," he said.
She laughed. "Well, um… Do you mind?"
"Not at all. I'll swing by and pick you up."
"See you soon."
"Soon."
"…um, hello?" Keesha slowly opened her eyes and read the digital numbers on the bedside clock. The ringing phone woke her from a deep sleep. She thought she heard Evangeline come in, but at this point, she couldn't be sure. Interviewing the Love Crew proved to be exhausting. Crawling into bed had never felt so good.
"Keesha, you were asleep. I'm sorry. This is Ryan. Go back to sleep."
"No, I'm awake." A delicious thrill went through her. She visualized his handsome face and snuggled deeper under the covers. Hearing from him was an unexpected pleasure. "What's going on?"
"Not much. I look forward to returning to Llanview," he said. "How did your interviews go? I hoped you'd email the article to me, but my inbox was empty of you."
"The interviews were fine, but next time, I won't schedule so many in one day. Talk about information overload."
"Oh, yeah. I should have thought of that. Was it overwhelming?"
The concern in his voice warmed her. "It wasn't too bad. The kids were open and fairly friendly. I think it will really appeal to the college crowd, especially the ones who love The Real World."
"Your ideas have been great. Listen, I know you were sleeping and I'm sorry for waking you. We can discuss this when I return tomorrow. How about over dinner?"
Dinner?
She suppressed the temptation to give him a quick yes.After counting to ten, she said, "Sure, that would be great. I didn't realize you'd be back so soon."
"I've had my fill of Pine Valley. I may not get in until late afternoon. I'll call you as soon as my flight arrives."
"Sounds good. I look forward to hearing from you."
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