Читать книгу Texas Pride - Gerry Bartlett - Страница 12

Chapter 5

“Happy Birthday, sis.”

Shannon threw her ugly tennis shoes across the living room at the shadowy figure sitting in the dark. “Ethan! You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing lurking like that?”

“Couldn’t sleep. I came down here for a night cap. Want one?” He got up and walked over to the built-in bar next to the bookcase and snapped on a light. Ethan had her father’s dark hair and stocky build. The youngest of the Calhoun kids, he was handsome and should have looked relaxed at this time of night. Instead, she saw worry lines between his dark brows.

“What?” Shannon realized her mouth was watering. Oh, God, did she have a drinking problem after all? “No, just water. I have to get up early and go to work tomorrow. So do you.”

“Yeah. How’d your first day go?” Her brother poured water into a crystal tumbler and handed it to her then splashed some bourbon into his own glass before settling into his chair again. “Sit. Tell your little bro all about it.”

“I survived.” Shannon studied him. Was he all right? Maybe he was just as bummed about working as she was. Except he got to use his computer skills, something he was really into. “My feet hurt and my new boss clearly resents having to take on a Calhoun. How about you?”

“The same. Except at least I didn’t feel the need to put on high heels.” He laughed and sipped his drink. “Believe it or not, my boss Amanda is hot. She’s older, of course, has been with the company for years, but a real brain. I think I can learn a thing or two from her. We were actually getting along until Cass barged in and hit her with the news that I was on a ‘special project’ for the family and couldn’t do anything else. That didn’t go over well. Now Amanda treats me like I have leprosy.”

“Tough luck. But she can’t know what you’re doing for us. You have to find all those people our daddy defrauded and keep it a secret, or we’ll be sunk before we can even try to make things right.” Shannon drank her water—ugh, it had no taste or zing—and fell into a chair across from him. Flats tomorrow. “How’s it going?”

“Too well. So far I’ve found eighty-five people or their descendants who we owe a ton of money. It’ll be up to your pal Billy Pagan to figure out how to get them to sign off on a settlement that won’t put us into bankruptcy. That was him I saw riding away on a hog a few minutes ago, wasn’t it? I didn’t take him for the biker type.”

“You’d be surprised.” Shannon leaned back. “He took me to a carnival. We rode a roller coaster.” She sighed. “I love those things.”

“You and Daddy. I never got it, wanting to be scared until you screamed or barfed.” Ethan stood and stretched. “After midnight, sis, so now you’re thirty. Ancient.” He laughed and walked over to kiss her cheek. “Big plans for tonight? With the company in trouble I’m afraid those awesome birthday party days are over.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” She got up and gave him a hug. “It’s really bad, isn’t it?”

“Millions of dollars so far and I hit a real pothole today in my research.” He rubbed his forehead and, for a moment, Shannon wondered if he was going to cry. “Shan, you know where the Patagi Indian reservation is located?”

“Vaguely. Is it in Louisiana?” What fresh hell was this? Surely their daddy hadn’t cheated them too.

“No. Livingston. East Texas. There’s oil around there, of course. East Texas is full of it.” He ran his hand through his hair, making it stand on end. “I swear to God, if Daddy were here now, I’d knock him on his ass. Why did he pull this fraud crap when there were good, honest ways to make a buck in the early days of wildcatting? There were plenty of decent leases available without having to forge signatures, lie to folks, do all the underhanded things Daddy did to take advantage of people who didn’t understand what in the hell they were giving away when they signed his bogus contracts.”

“There have been a lot of problems lately in other parts of the country with pipelines crossing Tribal lands. None in Texas that I know of. You sure we even found oil there?” Shannon looked longingly at the bar. A drink would relax this coil of tension that was beginning to knot at the base of her neck. No wonder Ethan couldn’t sleep. No, she’d made it this far tonight without drinking. It would be stupid to cave into a craving now. She’d show Billy Pagan she could resist the call. But Ethan. She worried about her brother as he polished off his drink and headed back to the bar.

“We found it all right. Nine wells are still pumping. Good, producing wells. But there’s something strange about the numbers. Like maybe he put in more wells than they know about or is doing slant drilling.” Ethan picked up the decanter. “You know this is new to me, Shan. I’m still learning the lingo. All I see are figures that don’t add up. Wouldn’t surprise me if Daddy didn’t pull a fast one. I did enough research to know that these Indians are very particular about the environment. I’m scared the extra wells Daddy authorized go against Tribal policy. We’re sending them royalties, but it’s not nearly enough as far as I can see. I’m surprised they haven’t snapped to it before now.” He started to refill his glass but Shannon slapped her hand over it.

“I hope you’re wrong. But it’s not our fault.” She couldn’t believe she was the one sliding the bourbon out of her brother’s reach. “We can’t clean up Daddy’s mess overnight, you know.” She hooked an arm through his. “Come on, bro. I’m tired and I’m sure you are too.”

“Tired.” He yawned and leaned against her. “Yeah. Staring at a computer screen all day when it’s not gaming is harder than I thought it would be.”

Shannon laid her head on his shoulder. “You’re doing great. I’m proud of you. Mason can help you if you need him. Or let Billy take a look at what you’ve found. He’s a genius at problem solving.”

“He’d better be.” Ethan let her take his empty glass and set it on the bar. “Thanks for listening, sis. It’s just that what we owe keeps getting bigger and there seems to be no end in sight. Talk to Cassidy. She actually gave out her email address in the letters she’s sent so far. Now she’s getting hate mail from those people.” He pushed away from her and looked her in the eyes. In the dim glow of the outside security light, she could barely make out his face.

“More threats?” She’d hoped they were done with that.

“Not how you mean. More like the kind that could cost us money. People are bitter. Wouldn’t you be if you’d been cheated like they were? Some of them were left to live in poverty while here we are in a fucking mansion, enjoying money they see as rightfully theirs.” His shoulders slumped. “No, we didn’t do it, Daddy did. But I still feel guilty as hell.”

“Stop it. We didn’t know about any of this.” Shannon grabbed him and shook him.

“Doesn’t matter.” He wobbled and held her hands. “Face it, Shan. We’re on the Titanic here. If Billy is willing to marry you, grab him. I know he’s loaded from the high-profile cases he’s won. He may be your life jacket.”

“Oh, please. Like I’d do that to him. Or give up on Calhoun Petroleum so easily.” She steered her brother, who was more than a little drunk, to the elevator. “This is the booze talking. You need to hang in there. Remember, we’ve got Cassidy and Megan to help with this. Just do your research and let’s see where we can go once we have all the facts.” She punched the button to open the elevator then got them both inside. Ethan fell against the back wall.

“You don’t sound like yourself. All serious and logical. What’s happened to you?” He stared at her and blinked. “You’re sober. And you’ve been with Billy Pagan. Hmm. Guess you got laid.” He wagged a finger in her face. “No wonder I’m depressed. Maybe I need a woman.”

“There you go. This weekend go out with your buddies and meet someone. Hook up and ease some of this tension.” Shannon grabbed his arm when the doors opened on the second floor and helped him to his room.

“Ah, the wisdom of old age.” He dodged her pop on his arm, then kissed her cheek before he staggered into his room. “Thanks, Shan.”

After he fell on his bed, she took pity, pulling off his shoes then throwing a cover over him before closing his door. She still felt a little wired after the night she’d had, but seven came early and she needed sleep. By the time she climbed into her own bed, she’d figured out one thing—she might resent Billy for his high-handed tactics, but he was there when she needed him, there for her family too. She didn’t doubt she could drop some of these problems, including the one with the Indians, into his lap and he’d help her deal with them.

She fell asleep wishing he were with her, his body warm against hers. Of course, then she wouldn’t be sleeping, would she?

The mental hospital where Shannon’s mother was staying by court order had strict rules, but her mother had managed to order a birthday present for Shannon—a beautiful red dress for the Ballet Ball. Shannon left her a thank you message and found out her mother was only allowed visitors once a month. It would be strictly supervised and there was a list of rules online. The next opportunity was weeks away.

It was a stark reminder that this was no fancy rich person’s facility but a mental hospital, her mother’s punishment for trying to kill Cassidy. Cass had agreed to drop charges as a favor to her new brother and sisters, but the judge had overruled the arrangement with the DA and insisted on a harsher punishment, years in the facility. Even the family had to admit it was more than fair.

Shannon had just settled at her desk in the office with a list of more people to call when a delivery arrived. The woman set a beautiful cut crystal vase on the corner of her desk. “Shannon Calhoun?”

“Yes.” Shannon admired the cymbidium orchids and exquisite arrangement of lavender and pink calla lilies. There were other exotic flowers as well, dazzling her.

“Happy birthday.” The woman handed her a card, smiled, then hurried away toward the elevators.

Shannon opened the small envelope and stared down at the printed signature inside the birthday card. Dinner tonight? Yours always, Billy.” He hadn’t signed his name because he knew she wouldn’t be able to read it. She reached for the phone. His cell went straight to voice mail. Did that mean he was already in court? She called his office.

“He’s in a meeting in his office, Shannon. There’s yelling so I shouldn’t disturb him.” Mai sighed. “I guess you know what happened to Albert’s motorcycle.”

“Yes, I was there. Billy defended it, but he was outnumbered.” Shannon leaned over to smell the arrangement. It was like inhaling an island breeze.

“Albert is furious. But he’ll get over it.”

“Would you tell Billy I got his flowers? They’re absolutely gorgeous. I’ve never seen an arrangement like this before. Tell him yes, I can’t wait to see him tonight. I don’t know how he knew it was my birthday today.”

“So he didn’t send you roses? He did something different?” Mai sounded surprised. “I got red roses from Albert. Not that I’m complaining, but he could use some imagination.”

“I’ll text you a picture of these flowers. I can’t believe them. Oh, here comes my boss. I’ve got to go. Give me your cell number.” Shannon wrote it down, hung up, then took a quick picture and sent the text to Mai’s phone.

“What’s this? Special occasion?” Caroline Wilson leaned over to smell the arrangement. “You really rate with someone.”

“Guess so.” Shannon grinned. “It’s my birthday. Turning thirty.”

“I remember that birthday. It’s a tough one. This would take some pain out of it for me.” Caroline nodded. “Your sister called me. You need to figure out our phone system here, Shannon. Apparently she called you first and you didn’t pick up. Guess you were on the other line and didn’t see the flash that showed you had another call.”

“Oh.” Shannon glanced at the phone. Her brother would call it a dinosaur. Now she noticed there was a blinking light with message printed underneath it. “I had no idea.”

“Well, here’s her extension. Dial it. I don’t want to be used as a messenger, Shannon. So figure things out here.” She stomped back to her office.

“Great.” Shannon picked up the receiver and decided to see if she could listen to her message first. God, she had over a dozen in her mailbox and finally slammed down the receiver midway through the list. She needed a notepad if she was going to call back all those people. Hopefully she hadn’t erased any of them. She took a breath then dialed the four-digit extension on the paper. Nothing happened.

“Well, hell.” So she got up and took the elevator up to her sister’s office. Holly greeted her with a smile.

“Happy birthday. Cass has been trying to reach you.” Holly reached for her own phone.

“Wait! Holly, can you tell me how to call someone’s extension? I was going to return Cass’s call but when I dialed, nothing happened.” Shannon felt like such a fool.

Holly smiled and gestured for her to come around her desk. “I can’t believe no one has taken the time to explain our system. It’s archaic but we don’t have the money for an upgrade right now. Watch and learn.” She quickly went through a tutorial. Luckily she was great with simple explanations and Shannon knew she wouldn’t forget what to do.

“You’re a treasure. I hope my sister appreciates you.”

“She does.” Cass came out of her office and gave Shannon a hug. “I hope I can take you to lunch today. Happy birthday!”

“I’d love that. Thanks.” Shannon took a few moments to catch up on news. Cass was sporting a new engagement ring and planning her wedding to Mason MacKenzie.

Business came first though and Cass waved her away when Holly called her to the phone. Shannon headed back down to her office with a smile. Lunch at a fancy place, Cass had made that clear. And dinner tonight with Billy. Maybe turning thirty wasn’t going to be the depressing disaster she’d thought it would be.

* * * *

Billy let Albert rant and rave long enough to get it out of his system then he had to get ready to go to court.

“I’ll have the bike repaired. Tell me where to take it or you do it and send me the bill.”

“The fucking Cruisers should pay for it. Showing muscle like that. They didn’t hurt your girl, did they? I swear to God—” Albert’s face was red and he looked like he was about to hit the wall with his fist.

“Chill, Albert. I think she liked the excitement, if you want to know the truth. I was the one who was about to stroke out over it.” Billy gathered up the files he’d need. God, but he was tired. Was he going to be sharp enough to do his client any good? At least this was only a preliminary hearing. He hoped the evidence would be insufficient and he could demand the charges be dropped. If that didn’t work, a date would be set and then they’d have months to prepare because of a crowded docket. No big deal.

“Who was claiming my guy has gambling debts?” Albert paced the office, his bulk filling the place.

“He didn’t give a name but I’m sure you know him. The enforcer for the Skeleton Cruisers.” Billy handed Albert the business card with the club name on it then rubbed his eyes. He needed some drops or something. Mai usually had them in her first aid kit in her desk. He opened the outer door.

“I know the son of a bitch. What was he thinking coming to you with club business in public like that?” Albert followed him out and leaned against a corner of Mai’s desk.

“Eye drops?” Billy stuffed what he needed into his leather briefcase.

“Sure, boss. Get off my desk, Albert.” Mai pulled open a bottom drawer and found a squeeze bottle. “You need sleep, Billy.”

“Hah! Got lucky, didn’t you?” Albert had obeyed Mai instantly. “I have to jump through more hoops. Like those fucking acrobats we saw last night.”

“Language, Albert.”

“Excuse me, Mai. Like those motherfucking acrobats.” Albert grinned. “Someday you’ll realize you can’t change me completely, doll. It’s my edge you find so fascinating.”

She got up and stalked around the desk. “And it is my edge you find so sexy.” She had a ruler in her hand and whacked his arm. “Foul mouths don’t kiss these lips, mister.”

“Ow!”

Billy finished dousing his eyes with the drops and grabbed a tissue. Fascinating. He could feel the tension between these two from here.

“I think he’s sleeping where he stands. Maybe you should drive him over to the courthouse, Albert.” Mai’s soft hand touched his. “Billy, wake up.”

Billy shook himself and grabbed his suit jacket. “Good idea. Drive me over in my car, Al. I’ll take a cab back. You’re right. I shouldn’t drive. But I wasn’t up all night with Shannon. Don’t I wish. Aunt Sally caught a DUI, Mai. You’ll see her new charges on my desk. Put it with the rest of her file.”

“Oh, shit.” Mai covered her mouth with one hand.

“Did I just hear a bad word come out of that sweet pink mouth?” Albert hooted then took Billy’s car keys. “We will discuss this when I get back, woman. Come on, Bill, let’s go. I’ll pull the car around front.” He stomped out of the office ahead of Billy.

“I’m sorry about Aunt Sally.” Mai followed him to the door.

“Me too.” Billy leaned against the frame and tried to find some energy. “I hope this is the last time. I got her into Caruthers about seven this morning. The way the courts are backed up, I’m hoping to make a plea deal that will keep her out of jail. Caruthers is supposed to be excellent. Maybe this time they can get her off the booze for good.” He rubbed his eyes again. “She’s killing herself, Mai. Just like…” He couldn’t say it.

“Oh, Billy. You try so hard. This time, it will work. You’ll see.” She patted his back then handed him the briefcase he’d almost left on her desk.

“Oh, will you call and get Gran’s car out of impound? Pay the fee out of petty cash. Call one of Sean’s drivers to deliver it to her. You can bet she’s freaking out. What day is today? She may have a doctor’s appointment.” He blinked to clear his eyes. “I should call her.” He pulled out his cell and stared at it, then walked toward his office.

“I’ll do it. Leave Grandmother to me.” Mai steered him back to the door again.

“Thanks. I may owe you a raise.” He frowned at his cell, not sure why it was in his hand then stuck it in his pocket again.

“You do.” She smiled and gently kept pushing him to the elevator and hit the down button. “Focus. It takes thirty minutes to get to the courthouse. Take a power nap in the car. It will help.”

“Good idea. I’ll tell Slash you ordered it.” He grinned and kissed her cheek, feeling a little loopy. “You ever going to put him out of his misery?”

“Maybe. I know him well enough to realize he doesn’t appreciate anything he doesn’t have to work for. Sound familiar?” She raised a dark eyebrow.

“Seriously? I have to endure a little analysis this morning on top of everything else?” But Billy did think about it on his way to the car. Yeah, maybe that was part of Shannon’s appeal. She had never been easy. Fun. When had he just relaxed and enjoyed an evening like he had with Shannon last night? Thanks to her housekeeper, he’d found out her birthday was today too. So tonight he’d see her again. A bright spot to look forward to. It was almost enough to give him a second wind. Almost.

Once in the courthouse, things went from bad to worse. He couldn’t concentrate and his client was pissed. Billingsley was paying him an outrageous sum. So far it had kept him out of lockup. Now it was supposed to get the charges dismissed at this preliminary hearing. The prosecution had circumstantial evidence and, if Billy had been on top of his game, he might have had some of it thrown out then and there. But he had to admit, a thirty-minute power nap had done nothing to sharpen his wits.

The housekeeper’s testimony was hearsay, but the judge liked it and allowed it. More witnesses to what amounted to gossip made an impression on the judge and Rupert Billingsley was painted as a man who’d been abused until no one was surprised that he’d “snapped.”

“What the hell’s the matter with you, Pagan?” The man collared him next to the elevator. “You didn’t even cross-examine that lying old bat.”

“Which one, Rupert?” Billy knew he’d made a mistake the minute the words came out of his mouth.

Rupert looked around then shoved Billy into the men’s room. “What the fuck are you trying to pull? Did her kids get to you? Are they paying you to tank this defense?”

“Why ask me that? You think Evelyn’s kids will get her estate if you’re found guilty of her murder?” Billy pushed back, not liking Rupert’s hands on him. He also didn’t like that he’d blown it in the courtroom.

“Of course I do. You need to bring that in. I wouldn’t put it past either Dinah or Sherman to have hired a hitman and then pinned this on me for that very reason. They aren’t exactly loving children.”

“Let me look at her will. I thought she left them a portion of her estate.” Billy walked over to the sink and washed his face. He had been about to apologize, but now he realized he should just keep his trap shut and listen.

Rupert was checking to make sure they were alone, going from stall to stall. It was something Billy should have done immediately.

“Yeah, why didn’t you already look at it? And she was changing her will. They were going to be left out in the new one. Sound like motive to you?” He grabbed Billy’s tie and yanked him closer. “Don’t fuck with me again, Pagan, or you’ll be sorry.” He let Billy go, then left the bathroom, the door slamming behind him.

Billy took a steadying breath. He’d been so sure that Rupert was a victim himself. This was the first time he’d seen a violent side of a man he’d been convinced had been abused by a domineering wife. The murder had looked like a robbery gone bad. Rupert had claimed to have been tied up in a bathroom while Evelyn had been shot to death in front of her safe where her jewels were kept.

Detectives hadn’t bought his story. The gun, registered to Rupert, was found at the scene and had been wiped clean of fingerprints. He claimed the intruder must have found it, used it, then dropped it beside the body. Details like the disarmed alarm and the fact that Rupert hadn’t called for help had convinced the district attorney of his guilt. Now Billy was seeing what he’d failed to see before. Shit. Could he have agreed to defend a guilty man? He prided himself on only taking cases where he was on the right side of the law. Yes, he made deals for his aunt, but that was the only exception. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake the hold she had on him—especially when he hadn’t been able to help his mother. But more than anything, he wanted to use the law to help the innocent. Make sure mistakes were corrected. The Calhoun mess was complicated, but he’d be helping people on both sides of that issue—the people Conrad had robbed would get restitution, and the many employees and stockholders depending on the company would come out with something. Those were his goals. He’d have to be on his toes to manage both.

He picked up his briefcase from the floor and ran his hand through his hair. Rupert’s threat didn’t bother him. He could take care of himself. But he’d be damned if he’d help a murderer walk free. He needed more information and he knew just who to call.