Letters from Peaceful Lane (New Americana 3)

Burke’s office appeared untouched since the last time she’d seen it. Garrett motioned her to a seat at one end of the worn leather couch, then took his place at the other end.

“I can’t stay long,” Allison said. “I left Brianna with Burke. I promised I’d pick her up when she texted me.”

“So how’s Brianna taking this new chapter of her life?”

“As well as you could expect. She’s got a lawyer, and she’s waiting for a court date. She’s not happy about it, but at least she seems to be accepting responsibility.”

“And Burke? How’s he doing?”

“Better. He’s in rehab now. Haven’t you been to see him?”

“Things have become testy between us. I’m giving him a break for now, hoping he’ll come around—or that you can talk him into seeing things my way.”

Allison knew what he wanted to hear—something she wasn’t going to say—but she needed to dangle the bait a little longer. “Suppose I take you up on the job offer,” she said. “What would I be expected to do?”

He shrugged. “Whatever you like. Act as liaison with Burke until he’s ready to come back. Talk to clients and charm them into signing with us. Brainstorm new publicity ideas and carry them out. You’ll find plenty of work to keep you busy. But what about Burke? Won’t he need you at home?”

“Burke has made it clear that he doesn’t want me taking care of him. He’ll have help coming in, and Brianna will be around at least part of the time. So my working shouldn’t be a problem—in fact, it might even help keep me sane.”

“So it’s a yes?”

She forced herself to smile. “Yes, I suppose it is. But it’ll have to be part-time for now. And don’t expect me for a few more days, at least. Tomorrow I’ll be driving Brianna to Evanston to meet with the dean and pick up her things from the dorm. The court wouldn’t let her make the trip alone. We’ll be getting home on Friday, in time for the weekend. And we don’t know how soon Burke will be coming home. I’ll have to let you know when I’m coming in.” She glanced at her phone and stood. “I just got Brianna’s text. She’s waiting for me now.”

Garrett rose with her. “So welcome aboard. Let us know when you’ll be starting.” He caught her arm as she turned to leave. “If you’ll wait just one more minute, there’s somebody in my office I’d like you to meet. Come on. It won’t take long.” He tugged her out of the room, toward his own office down the hall.

Inside, a stocky, silver-haired man wearing tailored khakis and a black golf shirt rose from a chair.

“Allison,” Garrett said, “I’d like you to meet Joe Kaplan, one of the attorneys for the Edgeway Group. He’ll be here a lot. You’ll get to know him. Joe, this is Allison Caldwell, who needs no introduction.”

“Mrs. Caldwell.” Kaplan shook her hand. Up close, he smelled of expensive cigars. “I was very sorry to hear about your husband’s accident. I hope he’s doing all right.”

“He’s getting better, thank you.” Allison accepted the man’s smooth handshake. Everything about the man was smooth, from the palm of his hand to his thick, flawlessly coiffed hair.

“Allison’s just agreed to work with us,” Garrett said.

“Excellent. I hope we’ll become friends, Allison—if I may.”

“Of course,” Allison said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have someone waiting for a ride. It’s been nice meeting you.”

Turning, she headed for the door and down the hall toward the front office. Was Garrett going ahead with the Edgeway partnership on his own? Why else would their lawyer be here? And what were they doing to get around Burke? This was a frightening development—a dangerous development. But she couldn’t tell Burke while his health was at risk. Somehow, she would have to handle this on her own.

In the front office, Monica, the receptionist, was on the phone, chatting in an animated way that suggested the call wasn’t business related. As Allison passed the desk, the person on the other end of the call must’ve said something funny, because Monica chuckled, then broke into a distinctive, high-pitched giggle that matched Allison’s memory of Garrett’s late-night phone call.

Allison stifled a groan. This was like a scene from a badly written movie.

Eyes straight ahead, she strode out the front door and fled to her car. Her hand shook as she thrust the key into the ignition.

She had never been one to believe in coincidences. The switched key, the presence of the Edgeway lawyer, the new receptionist who was sleeping with Garrett—somehow they all had to be connected. It made sense that Monica was working for Edgeway, and that she was being paid to watch Garrett and find her way into his bed. But what about Garrett? Was he a naïve puppet, being manipulated by the Mob, or was he pulling some of the strings?

Her instincts told her to run from this situation before she found herself trapped in a web of lies and deceit. But that would mean leaving Burke unprotected at his most vulnerable time. Right now, whether he liked it or not, she was the only help he had. She needed to be here for him.

Heaven save her, what had she gotten herself into?

* * *

Early the next morning, Allison and Brianna left home for the day-long drive to Evanston. Barely awake, Brianna curled up in the back seat with a pillow and a blanket, closed her eyes, and went back to sleep. Not that Allison minded. Conversing with her stepdaughter still wasn’t easy. She much preferred the peace and quiet of solitary driving, which calmed her nerves and gave her time to think.

Last night, torn by doubts and fears, Allison had felt the need to read another of Kate’s letters. Burke’s first wife had faced the loss of her baby with so much strength. Allison needed to borrow from that strength. She’d come to depend on Kate’s words to help her face what she was facing now.