She ran. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her legs ached. Her feet felt like they were burning. Sweat mixed with the drizzling rain plastered her hair to her head. She ignored the pain in her side. She ran to numb the pain but it didn't help. The ache she felt didn't go away as she ran across the Golden Gate Bridge. The view from the bridge that normally afforded her pleasure was lost. She kept her focus on straight ahead. The cars sped past like a blur. Cyclists' bells rang as they moved out of her way. Tourists took pictures. Life moved on.
/\\\\
"She went out for a run Harvey...but that was 2 hours ago. She should have been back by now, " Celia's mom said to him when he got to the houseboat.
"Which way did she go?"
"Over the bridge she said, " Teresa replied. "Do you have any news?"
"As a matter of fact I do," Harvey said. "I'd like to tell her myself. He put his hand on her shoulder. "It's complicated but it 'll be ok.
It had finally stopped raining and the sun was breaking through the clouds. Harvey looked out across the bay to the famous San Francisco skyline. As much as he loved the hustle and bustle of New York he had to admit that San Francisco was fast becoming one of his favourite cities. Louis had another meeting with Lucas Benson of Golden Gate Foods and it seemed like he was going to be playing hardball but Louis was the best man for the job. Harvey checked his watch and decided to go and see if there was any sign of Celia.
He saw her immediately when she reached the harbour road. She stopped when she saw him. Panting, out of breath she bent over to catch her breath.
"You're pushing your limit there. It's not a marathon you're running," Harvey said leading her over to a bench. "
"May as well be," she replied sitting on the bench. She took a gulp of water from her water bottle.
/\\\\
Harvey 's Flashback
"Phillip, you've had too much to drink. We're going back to the hotel room so you can sleep it off, " Harvey said as he and Louis helped him along the corridor to the suite.
"I don't want to lose her, " mumbled Phillip almost incoherently.
"She may be pissed with you but you're not going to lose her, " replied Harvey as they reached the hotel room. Louis took the key card from Phillip and opened the door.
"When she finds out what I've done she'll leave me. " Phillip sat down on the bed and put his head in his hands.
Harvey narrowed his eyes and a muscle in his jaw tensed as he stared at the man sitting on the bed. Louis glanced at Harvey and then at Phillip.
"What the hell did you do?" Harvey asked.
"I did it. Now it's all coming crashing down," mumbled Phillip.
"I swear to god if you did something to hurt her... " Harvey stepped closer to Phillip with clenched fists. "What did you do? "
"Phillip, we can probably help you get out of whatever it is , " Louis said sitting down beside him.
"It's too late. It's too late."
"Either you tell us now or I will beat the shit out of you, " Harvey said through gritted teeth.
Phillip looked up at the lawyer with bloodshot eyes. "I 'm going to be indicted for fraud and embezzlement. "
"What?" exclaimed Harvey. "You son of a bitch!" He grabbed the man by the collar and pushed him towards the wall.
"Harvey!" exclaimed Louis grabbing his arm.
"What the hell is going on here?"
The three turned to see Celia and Donna standing in the doorway with looks of shock on their faces.
Harvey let go of Phillip who looked like he was about to collapse on the floor. "Donna. Get her out of here. We are in the middle of something here. "
Celia shook her head as she entered the room. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on!" She glanced over at her husband who was straightening out his shirt. Donna followed her into the room and closed the door.
"Well?" Celia asked as she stood between her husband and Harvey.
"Sweetie. It's not what it looks like," Phillip said.
"I don't know what it's supposed to look like, " replied Celia folding her arms as she turned to look at Harvey. He had shoved his hands in his pockets and rolled his eyes.
"I think it's high time you told your WIFE what you just told us," replied Harvey.
"Told me what?"
"I needed money for the merger. I borrowed from the Golden Gate Foods account. I had every intention of paying it back but Lucas found out.."
Celia stared at her husband as he spoke. Her mouth slightly open as she tried to absorb what he was saying. "How much?"
Phillip swallowed as he looked at his wife. "$30 million. I was going to pay it back... "
"Jesus Christ." Celia's voice was barely audible. "How are you going to pay that back? How could you be so stupid? "
"Wait a minute," Louis interrupted. "If you were going to pay it back then how come you're being indicated? "
"Maybe you can work out a repayment arrangement, " Harvey said.
"Lucas has me dead to rights, " replied Phillip. "I can't pay it back. I invested the original amount into some stocks. They crashed. The money is gone. "
"Jesus! It just gets worse and worse! " exclaimed Celia pacing the room.
"Ok. No need to panic about this... " Louis started to say.
"Panic? He's about to go to prison! " Celia 's voice raised as she stopped pacing to look at Louis. "You can't fix this. He broke the law! "
"We can go to Sean Cahill at the SEC in the morning. He might be able to cut us a deal, " Harvey said.
"Sean Cahill won't cut any deals and you know that Harvey! " replied Celia. She refused to look at her husband who was sitting hunched over on a chair. "In fact I don't want anything to do with this."
Phillip looked up in shock as Celia headed towards the door. "Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving. You are on your own with this! "
Phillip go to his feet and made his way over to the blonde woman. He placed his hand on her shoulder."Celia? You can't do this . "
She shook her head and glanced back at the other three in the room. "I can. I am going home to my apartment. Do what you wish. "
She reached for the door handle but Phillip grabbed her hand. "Cece. Please."
She angrily shook her hand away and taking one last look at him she opened the door and left the room. Donna glanced at Harvey and then followed her out the door.
/\\\
Donna sighed as she stopped at the reception desk in front of the elevator lobby. She glanced at the Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams sign on the wall in front of her. So much had happened in the last few months. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with everything herself.
"Excuse me. Donna?" A deep male voice behind her startled her and she turned to see Thomas Kessler standing behind her.
"Thomas. It's good to see you again," she said as she put her hand out to shake his. He still had that firm handshake she noted.
"Likewise. I have a meeting with Katrina Bennett. Louis is out of town I believe, " he replied.
"Yes. The husband of a friend of ours died and he and Harvey are in California sorting everything out. He is hoping to be back in the next day or two however, " explained the redhead. "But Katrina has been briefed on your situation and she is the best person for this. Consumer goods is her specialty. "
"Sorry to hear about your friend," replied Thomas. "The situation as you so aptly described is a delicate matter and I need to know that it will be handled efficiently and effectively."
" it will be, " replied Donna with a smile. "You have my word on that. Let me show you the way to Katrina's office."
"You may lead the way, " replied Thomas with a smile.
/\\\\
Donna's Flashback
"How could he do this?" Celia paced the living room in her apartment.
"Harvey and Louis will get him out of this," Donna handing her friend a glass of wine. Celia was still dressed in her evening dress but her curly hair had fallen out of the style she had been wearing at the beginning of the evening.
"No Donna, they won't ," replied Celia. "He broke the law."
"Cece sometimes things aren't as black and white as they seem, " replied Donna.
"Don't give me that Donna... "
They were both interrupted by knocking on the door. Celia walked over to the window and looked back as Donna opened the door to find Harvey standing there. Donna stood back to let him in. He was still wearing his black tuxedo but without his bow tie.
"I just came over to let you know that we have a meeting with Sean Cahill in the morning. "
Celia didn't reply but continued to stare out the window.
"That's something at least, " replied Donna trying to sound optimistic.
"He wants you to be there," Harvey continued.
Celia shook her head slowly as she turned around. "No. I won't be there. "
Harvey and Donna glanced at each other. "Cece, whatever he has done he needs you right now. "
" Bullshit Harvey. He only needs me now because he's in trouble. I refuse to be a part of this, " replied Celia.
Harvey sighed but raised his arms and then dropped them again. "Ok but if you change your mind the meeting is at 9.30. "
"Why are you even helping him?" Celia asked .
"Cece. I detest what he has done as much as you do but I know that you love him," replied Harvey becoming aware of the look Donna was giving him.
Celia pursed her lips together and shook her head. "I won't be there," she said again.
"I think you should go Harvey. I'll make sure she is there tomorrow. I'm going to stay here tonight. "Donna said.
"You don't have to stay here Donna, " replied Celia.
"Yes I am Cece. Say no more about it!"
"I'll see you tomorrow," Harvey said as he walked forwards the door with Donna. The two locked eyes for a moment as she closed the door.
/\\\
Donna stared out the window of her office deep in thought. She had tried calling Celia a couple of times but there was no answer. She had texted Harvey but he only texted back to say that he would call her later. She really wanted to be there for Celia but the firm needed her while Harvey and Louis where out there.
"Donna?"
She turned to see Thomas standing at the door.
"Thomas. Did you get sorted out with Katrina?"
"Yes I did," he smiled at her. "You looked deep in thought there. Want to talk about it?"
Donna smiled back at him. "I was just thinking about my friend."
"Why don't I take you out to lunch? It might take your mind off it for a while."
"Um...I..." Donna started to say.
"Ok. Maybe another time when things have settled down, " replied Thomas. He tapped the door lightly and smiled. Donna nodded slowly as she watched him walk away.
/\\\
"So what's the news?" Celia asked as she and Harvey sat on the bench. Fog horns sounded out in the bay as the misty rain started to fall again.
"The police have dropped their investigation. The forensics team are satisfied that the brakes weren't tampered with on the Camero. "
"I could have told them that. What's the bad news?"
Harvey let out a sigh. "Lucas Benson is still calling in Phillip's debt. And as you are his spouse he is suing you for the full amount!"
Celia stared at him in shock and stood up. "What? I didn't have anything to do with THIS!"
"I know Cece. Believe me I know but Louis and I have come up with a plan. You won't like it but it's the only way out. "
"Unless it involves robbing a bank I don't see a way out of this, " replied Celia pushing her hand through her hair.
"No but it involves you declaring bankruptcy," replied Harvey. He sighed as he got to his feet.
Celia 's mouth opened and closed before she finally uttered a strangled word. "What?"
To be continued
