Chapter 50
Sunday would be a busy day. House had driven Cuddy to the airport earlier and headed to his appointment with Stevenson. He was welcomed by James Marton, the governor private Secretary. This one asked House to follow him to Stevenson's office. It was a vast room with large windows with view on a park.
"Dr. House, nice to meet you." Stevenson said and held one hand to House.
"Governor Stevenson, thanks for meeting me."
The two men stared at each other, gaging each other. "Please, Dr. House, have a seat" Stevenson said and showed House a couch and two armchairs. Once they sat, Stevenson kept on: "I heard a lot about you, Dr. House. You're a celebrity."
"I would have been disappointed if you hadn't made some research about me."
"Of course I did and beside your "special method", if I may say, it's your talent and genius that are brought out. You're the last chance of desperate cases."
"I just do my job" House replied staring at Stevenson. This one held his gaze.
"So you say you can help me to win the election, may I know how? And why?"
"Mr. Stevenson, I'm sure that you'll be interested in my offer."
"I listen to you, but I warn you, Dr. House, I won't admit anything illegal or defamatory words. Honesty, integrity and transparency are leading words for my campaign and I won't tolerate that they'll get tarnished. Am I clear?"
House looked at Stevenson and smiled. "Of course"
Then House began and explained his plan to Stevenson and Marton. He told them about Jay's implication in Davis' murder and about Tritter's friends, about their intention to lift the veil on this murder and on Jay's role in the case, but he didn't mention Cuddy. About half an hour later, he had ended his explanation and answered Stevenson's questions.
"All we have to do is to start over the investigation about Davis'murder and to prove that Jay was the man behind the scene and ordered the murder of the journalist to protect his business and his reputation."
"Well, Dr. House, all you told us is really interesting and will be a good help for us. What do you expect from me?"
"First I'd like you to help me and Detective Tritter to investigate about the journalist's death."
"What do you mean by help?"
"You know Jay, and you know that he's well informed, so I suppose that sooner or later he will hear of our investigation and "
"And try to throw you a wrench in the gears" Stevenson ended House's sentence.
"Yes. And then I count on you to support us. I hope you can convince the head of the police precinct to authorize Tritter to investigate and that he'll get all the information and the help he could need. No matter what Jay can say or do."
"Okay, I will call my friend at the police precinct and explain him the situation. But I have to warn you: try to be as discreet as possible, I don't want any scandal about this case. It goes without saying that it's not in your interest to draw Jay's attention on the fact that you investigate on him."
House nodded.
"Is there anything else that you want?"
"If my information is right, the Judge and the District Attorney are close friends of you…" House replied staring at Stevenson.
"Yes."
"So I'd like to be sure that Mr. Jay will be behind bars for a long time, a very long time. Which means no procedural flaw, no indulgence, and no backhander. And I'd like you to murmur a few words in their ear so Jay will get the maximum prison term at the end of the trial."
"That's all?"
"Yes."
Stevenson exchanged a look with Marton. "Dr. House, would you mind waiting a few minutes here? I'd like to talk about your proposition with my Secretary."
House nodded. Stevenson and Marton went out the office. House smiled, he knew that Stevenson had no other choice than to accept his offer. If he rejected it, he would have too much to lose. About fifteen minutes later, Stevenson was back, without Marton.
"Okay, Dr. House. It's a deal!"
"Nice to hear, Governor Stevenson. With Jay out of the election, you're assured to win."
"It's a pleasure to work with you, Dr. House, but…"
"But?" House asked suspicious.
"Now that we're alone, you can tell me the real reason of this deal." As House didn't reply, Stevenson went on: "I don't think that politics passionate you, neither that you're a fan of me, so why? Why do you want to see Jay behind bars? What's your motivation? What did Jay do to you?"
House stared at Stevenson but didn't say a word.
"I don't know you, Dr. House, but as I told you, I've heard a lot about you, and you seem to be a man who rarely does something without a good reason. And to attack Jay is no easy task. You are well determined to put Jay out of action, but why? I don't think that you want to apologize to Detective Tritter for this old story in Princeton, so why? Tell me. I swear I won't tell anyone about it. But I need to know why I should trust you."
"You probably know that Jay is a womanizer…"
"Yes, it's common knowledge."
"Jay is obsessed by my girlfriend and he threatened her… that's why I want to destroy Jay."
"Dr. Cuddy?"
"Yes."
"I understand, that's a very good reason. Thank you for telling me, House. And good luck for your investigation. If you need something, call me."
"Thanks"
Oooooo
Cuddy had landed in New York and was now sitting in a cab to join Susan Malone. On the way to the café where she was going to meet Jay's ex-wife, she thought of what she was going to tell her. She decided with House that she had to tug at Susan's heart-strings, she had to move her so she wouldn't be able to refuse to help them. Without talking about the revenge Susan could take on Jay. They made some research about the lawyer and she was well-known for being a great lawyer, straight, fair and persevering. She often defended women for harassment. Susan knew Jay, she was married with him for five years, she knew his weakness and flaws and it could be a great help in the fight against this guy. Cuddy didn't really agree to talk about her children but House thought that it was on the contrary a good argument because Susan had a small daughter, she would understand why Cuddy felt so bad and so scared, why she felt lost and didn't know what to do, why she almost gave in Jay's desire. House and Cuddy were convinced that Susan would have made research about Cuddy, that she would know for her tumultuous love story with House. What they didn't know was what Susan would think of it. Finally the taxi stopped in front of a café. Cuddy felt a little nervous, she knew how much important this meeting was. She went in and immediately noticed Susan. She was a beautiful woman, she had short blond hair and wore black pants with a white top. When she saw Cuddy, she smiled at her.
"Dr. Cuddy, I guess" she said and held one hand to Cuddy.
"Yes, nice to meet you, Mrs. Malone" Cuddy replied and shook Susan's hand.
"I'm starving, what about ordering something to eat?"
"Yes. What can you recommend to me?"
Susan gave a look at Cuddy, thought a few seconds and said: "The chief salad, I'm sure you'll like it."
"Okay. I'll take that and some water" Cuddy told the waiter who was standing next to their table.
"Me too" Susan added.
Once the waiter was gone with their order, Susan looked at Cuddy straight in the eyes and said: "Dr. Cuddy, now that I see you, I understand why Jay has a crush on you. You're exactly his type of woman, except that usually he dates younger women and with less intelligence. But you have to know something about Jay: he's a spoiled child. And he behaves so."
"I know. That's why I hope you'll accept to help me."
"Are you really determined to get rid of him?"
Cuddy stared at Susan and replied: "Yes, I am. I have absolutely no intention to give in his advances. Never."
After a while, Susan said: "Okay."
The waiter came back with their salad and they stopped talking while he was around them. Then Susan went on: "Dr. Cuddy, I"
"Call me Lisa"
"Okay, Lisa. You have to understand that I hesitate to help you. Indeed, I have a new life here in New York now, I've got a daughter and a new man by my sides. So"
"Why would you help a stranger to fight against your ex-husband, a dangerous businessman who always gets what he wants? Why would you risk your tranquility?" Cuddy said looking at Susan.
This one nodded. "I see that you understand my position."
"Of course I do. But this guy is a dangerous psychopath; he threatens to lash at my kids if I don't do what he wants, if I don't accept to sleep with him. But I have a boyfriend that I love, I have kids and I don't want them to think that her mother is weak, that she's a whore. Do you understand?"
Susan looked away, she couldn't stand Cuddy's look. She had seen it so many times, this look of desperate women who were nevertheless determined to fight for their rights as women, who didn't want to give up in the face of adversity. But Susan also knew how much hurt such women were and that they sometimes were drove to do extreme act. She fought by their sides since many years. And yet, she still felt moved by them and hurt by the cruelty of the life.
"Susan, look at me, please. I need you, I need your help, I need you as Jay's ex-wife of course, but I need you too as a woman who was hurt, who suffered, a woman who could empathize with another woman for being harassed by a maniac. I need you as lawyer too, every day you meet women who were rapped or who gave in to men just to escape from the sexual harassment they endure every day at work. You know what I'm talking about, you often defend such women. So please, help me to put an end to Jay's power."
Susan felt moved by Cuddy's speech. She knew that Cuddy was right.
"Dr. Cuddy, if – and I say if – if I accept to help you, you have to know that I can't represent you if there is a lawsuit, there would be conflict of interest."
"I know."
"But I know a great lawyer, Ms. Long, she's a friend of mine, she can be your lawyer if we go to the court."
"Susan, the story is much more complicated as you think. Or maybe easier."
"What do you mean?"
"Jay harasses me, but he's also involved in the murder of a journalist. People are investigating on this case and we hope that Jay will be sentenced and sent in jail. If it's the case, then I … "
"You won't need to sue him for sexual harassment and threat at your children."
"I hope so."
"So why did you want to see me?"
"Because we need to know the maximum of information about Jay. And if the police don't manage to prove Jay's implication in the murder, I will have to sue him. Please, help us to take Jay out of the picture so he won't be able to lash at women anymore."
Susan looked at Cuddy. She agreed with her, Jay was a psychopath who had to be behind bars. "Okay, I'm gonna help you to corner Jay. But you have to promise me that my name won't be mentioned while the trial."
Cuddy smiled, she was relieved. "I promise, thank you, Susan."
"Well, what about going at my place to talk about our case?"
"Okay."
And Susan drove Cuddy to her flat. They talked about Jay, Cuddy explained to Susan what he did, how he behaved, she talked about the ultimatum he gave her in Miami, about the kiss on the terrace, about everything he did, Cuddy also told her how bad and ashamed she felt after Miami. Susan was very understanding and outraged. She knew Jay was a bad guy, but she never imagined he could go that far just to satisfy his desire. Susan promised to do all she could to help Cuddy and they agreed that Susan would piece together a file against Jay for sexual harassment. If they had to sue him, Susan would then give the file to her friend Ms. Long. Susan also promised to mail to Cuddy some information they could use against Jay.
It was already 5.00 pm when Susan let Cuddy at the airport. During the flight that drove her back to Chicago, Cuddy thought about Susan, about what she told her about Jay. Susan wanted Cuddy to understand that Jay was a formidable opponent, which wouldn't let them meddle in his business and wouldn't hesitate to resort to illegal means if needed to avoid justice and scandal. Cuddy already knew this, Susan just confirmed this impression. However, Susan confided some flaws and weakness of Jay to Cuddy. One was particularly interesting and could be a good asset. Cuddy was tired, she just wanted to be home, to be with House, to feel his arms around her, to feel his body against hers, she needed his touch and his kiss. And she needed a warm shower. With a smile, she thought of a shower with House. It's been a long time they didn't share one together. Thinking of House's hands going slowly up and down on her body, thinking of his lips on her neck, on her shoulders, thinking of his tongue fighting passionately with hers in her mouth, Cuddy felt hot and closed her eyes. Exhausted and dreaming of House, she finally fell asleep.