Chapter 35: November and December ‘00

Zoe answered the front door and ushered the two familiar faces into the library. Herbert motioned the men to have seats.

“William, Rein, good to see you,” said Herbert. Valerie, sitting beside her husband, smiled, nervously, and nodded her greeting.

“Drinks?” said Herbert.

“Whiskey,” said Rein. William nodded his “and me too” wish. The master of the house went to the wall cabinet across the room and poured the men their drinks; his was already on the table; Valerie wasn’t drinking.

Seated, Herbert looked questioningly at his wife. “You or me?” he said. She pointed to herself. Her husband nodded.

“Herb?” said Rein, noticing the obvious reticence of the couple.

“Rein, William, today you are going to learn something that Chase has forbidden any of us to mention, under any circumstances. And he means to anyone without his okay. That said, Valerie is about to be enlightening you anyway.”

The two visitors turned their attention to the woman of the house.

“You two gentlemen have been at the forefront of our longtime efforts to help Chase. And you have done a lot in that regard. But, you have also been kept in the dark about something that you will now be in the know about. And, I must caution you not to let Chase know that you are in the know. If you slip up, his reaction would very likely be thunderously catastrophic. The one promise to him that I have not broken, I’m about to break. Apart from myself and Herbert, only Jillian and Lilly and of late Sarah are in the know,” she said.

“Lilly?” said Rein.

“Yes, years ago, she was let in on the truth of what you are about to learn at Chase’s request, but with the codicil that she not tell anyone else, not even you, Rein. Sorry, but...”

“I see,” he said, interrupting her. “So this is the big biggee.”

“Yes,” she said.

For the next few moments, silence reigned.

Valerie folded her hands on the table in front of her and looked down, then up.

“Chase Benedict did not kill Devon Williams. I did. He took the fall for me,” she said.

The looks of the faces of the two visitors was comical.

“Huh?” said Rein.

“I knew it. Him killing anyone—I mean anyone—just didn’t track. I told him as much in my first or second meeting with him those years ago,” said William. “And you shot the man out of fear, right?”

“Yes. I’d brought Chase’s household gun with me when I met with Devon to tell him that I would call the police if he didn’t stop pressuring me to go back to work for him. He slapped me, hard, almost knocking me down. I pulled out the gun, really without thinking, and shot him.

“I called Chase, and well, you can guess the rest,” she said.

“My God,” said Rein. “Twenty-five years...”

“Yes,” said a now sobbing Valerie.

“He felt he had to do it, Rein,” said William. “Like I’ve heard him say one way or another many times: he had to protect his wife and child.”

“I guess,” said Rein. “I’ve heard him say that too.”

“Val, can I ask, why now?” said Rein.

Herb took up the reins. “Because, we are at a pivotal point in our relations with him. Now that he has a woman, and that because of the two of you, not just because of me; you need to know what the stakes are. We need, that’s need, to have him in the family: him and Sarah. But selling the man on that truth, well...”

“I see,” said Rein.

“So with us in the know, we are supposedly in a better position to deal with him as the need may arise. I got that right?” said William.

“Pretty much,” said Herb. “But the truth is that the need has already arisen. I’ve got to ask you two to help us get him on board, soonest,” said Herb.

“Suggestions?” said Rein. Herb smiled, Valerie did not.

“Christmas is in two weeks. We’ll be having it at your house. I mean if that’s all right with you and Lilly,” he said. Rein nodded, and now he was smiling.

“Reinhard,” I said, noting that the man who had identified Sarah for me was sidling up to the bar.

“Yes, so how are things?” said Rein.

“Good, and I’m keeping the goods,” I said.

“Figured you might. So things are going okay for the two of you.”

“They are. We’re a good fit. Oh, and didn’t I say? We’re in love.”

“Well, that’s good: good that you are in love with the goods.”

“You and Lilly?” I said.

“We’re in love too. Also a good fit.”

“Good, good, fittedness all around.”

“So Christmas?”

“Huh?”

“You know, Christmas dinner, get together, all of it,” he said. I stared at him for a long moment.

“At the Coopers?” I said, looking not especially interested.

“No, no, our place,” he said. “Oh, and we’ve got a really nice tree.”

“Your place? The Bach’s place?” I said.

“Yes. And yes, everyone will be there,” said Reinhard.

“Okay, sure. Never been to your place. Figured you didn’t want a con hanging around,” I said, and I did smirk.

“No, no, cons are welcome.”

“Well, good. I know my Sarah will be relieved to hear that,” I said. “So, Christmas Eve or Day?”

“Lilly says Eve. Told me to advise everyone that 4:00 p.m. will be the welcoming hour. Oh, and she specifically told me to tell you not to be late. Oh, and if you didn’t know, it’s on a Tuesday: two weeks hence. So, your work schedule?”

“Okay, good,” I said. “And we’re closed on Christmas Eve and Day, so no problem there. And we promise to be on time.” He handed me a card: the Bach address and phone number were embossed thereon, and it was in Phoenix, not Scottsdale. I nodded my thanks.

Oddly, in all the time I’d dealt with Rein and Lilly Bach I’d never even thought of going to their place. After the fact, of his invitation, I had to believe that Herbert Cooper had had a hand in choosing the venue, but maybe not. Sarah and I would be having a lot to talk about.

“So Christmas at mister Bach’s house,” said Sarah.

“Yes, well, Christmas Eve; and I am certain that he would prefer that you call him Rein,” I said. My wife snorted.

“Okay, it’s just kinda hard to get used to referring to those people by their first names.”

“No, I understand, but I’m certain in what I say.”

“Even the Coopers?” she said.

“Yes, them too.”

“Okay,” she said, and shrugged her agreeability.

Zoe answered the door and ushered the tall, handsome, and solemn PI into the library where the lady of the house was waiting.

“Rein, good to see you,” said Valerie.

“You too,” he said.

“So, is he coming?”

“Yes, well, ‘they’re’ coming. I know that’s what you meant to say,” said Rein.

“Yes, yes, obviously. I hope you didn’t say anything to them about the New Year’s soiree?”

“No, no, of course not. But are you sure you don’t want them coming to that too?” he said.

“Yes, and no. There’s going to be politicians and money men and church people and if they...”

“Find out that there are convicted felons on the guest list that might be a problem,” he said. She looked down.

“Yes. I’m ashamed to say it, but yes,” said Valerie. “That said, the Christmas gifts being set up for his friends from Winslow should soften the blow when he finds out that he, they, were left out. I mean it’s gonna be a really big do, and leaving them out ... I mean what do you think?”

“You’re probably right to leave them off the list. I don’t think he’d give a damn either way if it was just him, but he is very protective of her. Chase is one of those guys who is almost obsessed with taking care of his women. I mean you know.”

“Do yuh think! Oh yeah I do know. We’re intending to offer him the same deal as Frank and Hector. He won’t take it; I’m sure of that. But well...” she said.

“Maybe if you phrased the offer not as a gift for him, but rather as something to protect his Sarah, I mean in case,” said Rein. She gave her friend a sideways look.

“Yes, that might work. Yes, we will do it that way. Yes, that is very good idea,” said Valerie. “I’ll talk to Herb about it tonight when he gets home.”

“Yes,” said Rein.

I’d kinda wandered off to the far side of the patio; it was cool out but not too bad. Dinner was over and the two dozen or so guests were wandering every whichwhere gabbing about nothing and everything; it was a nice party. My wife was hanging with Ellen and Lorena.

“So, how yuh doin’,” said Rein, coming up to me.

“Good. You got a nice place. Wish I could afford one like it, you know for Sarah’s sake. But yeah we’re doing good,” I said.

“Frank and Hector seem real happy,” said Rein.

“Yes, Frank told me that Herbert set him and Ellen up with a retirement package. So yeah, he is really happy. I haven’t heard anything from Hector, but it’s a sure bet he’ll be getting a similar deal.”

“Hmm, yes, and I’d bet the same right along with yuh,” said Rein. “But, how about you?”

“He’s not said anything to me; I mean Herbert. But he knows I wouldn’t take it if he did offer it. That’s my one hard line in the sand: no money. I’ll take my Sarah; I mean he did take my first wife, and my kid, away from me. He owes me that, but no money. We’ll be getting by. Rich? No, not that, but we’ll be eatin’ regular, and she and I are used to a lot worse, you can trust me on that one.”

“Yeah, I’m aware,” said Rein.

“Hi guys, hope you liked the food,” said Valerie coming up to us. “Jillian’s to blame if you didn’t; she rode shotgun in the kitchen helping out Cassandra. Rein here recruited them to do the work.” We all laughed.

“No, the food was great,” I said.

“Ditto that for me,” said Rein. “Actually, Evan told me that Jillian is a pretty good cook on her own account.”

“Well, she should be. Ever since she was little she’s been helping Cassie out whenever she got a chance,” said Valerie. I nodded.

I didn’t say anything, but, her saying what she said, reminded me that that was just one more thing I missed while my daughter was growing up.

My thought processes were interrupted by Herbert coming up to us.

“Well, and good evening to everyone. Conspiring are you?”

“No, just talking about the food. The boys think it was very good,” said Valerie.

“Well, it was. Val, Rein, can I have a secret word with Chase for a moment?” said Herb. He got nods from the both of them; they wandered off. Herbert pulled me off to the side.

“I guess you’ve already heard about the Christmas gifts Frank and Hector got,” said Herb.

“Partly, Frank told me that he got something,” I said.

“So did Hector. And now there’s you,” he said.

“No, no money. I mean it,” I said. “My Sarah’s enough. She’s all I need.”

“And what about your Sarah? She’s younger than you. I mean...” he said.

“I already got me an insurance policy for that,” I said. “I don’t need a retirement package. I’m gonna work for the duration no matter what. Taking care of her is on me not you or Valerie or anybody else. I mean it Herb. Please don’t press me. Okay!”

“Okay, okay, I’m not pressing you, just offering. We owe you a lot, and well...” he said.

“Okay then,” I said. We talked a bit longer then he wandered off and Jillian took his place, sort of; she brought me my drink. I’d left my glass on the dining room table and she’d noticed. She really was Cassandra sidekick on this night.

The party waxed long and we all had a ton of fun, especially my wife. Jillian did offer that she’d be coming over to our place in the morning to monitor our hangovers. Sarah and I both laughed. Like I say, a good party for sure.

“Jillian! I mean really...” I said.

“Yes, I was literally in the neighborhood, and it is Christmas Day, so I thought I’d stop by like I said I was going to,” she said.

“That’s right, I remember now. But you should’ve called anyway; Sarah’s shopping, yes even on Christmas Day. The grocery store is open and not likely to be all that crowded. So...”

“So she decided to do some strategic thinking and beat the New Year’s rush.”

“Yes, actually. That was her thinking.”

“Well, anyway. No hangover?” she said.

“A tiny one, but no big deal.”

“Well, Evan’s feeling it. He doesn’t drink much so yesterday was kind of a challenge.”

“Hmm, well, and he did seem to be enjoying himself.”

“Yes,” she said. “So, New Year’s Eve?”

“No, no plans,” I said.

“Huh?” she said.

“What?” I said.

“You’re not going to the party at mom and dad’s place?”

“Party?”

“Yes.”

“Uh, we weren’t invited to any party. Didn’t know there was going to be one.” My faux-daughter’s face said it all.

“You weren’t? I know mom and dad plan to invite you kind of automatically whenever they have a do of any kind. I’m sure your invite just got lost in the mail, so to speak.”

“Maybe,” I said.

“Well, I’m going over there later this morning. I’ll remind them.” I just shrugged.

“Whatever,” I said.

We talked about a bunch of stuff for quite a while, and then she was gone.

My daughter dropping by was a big surprise in spite of her saying she intended to the night before. She hadn’t done it much for sure. And her referring to the other guy as “dad” as she did, even though I’d let her know that I was good with her doing so, did still sting a little even so. It was still humiliating that I was but a second class citizen when it came to my daughter, but time was passing and nothing was ever going to change; I was sure of that. I knew she saw me as a good guy, but not as her father, not really; and well, it was what it was.

And the Cooper New Year’s Eve party? I wondered if Sarah and I not getting an invite was indeed accidental, or if we had been left off the invitee list intentionally for some reason. With Jillian checking on things, I guess I’d be finding out pretty quick; New Year’s Eve was but six days off.

“Hi Mom,” said Jillian, walking in on her very surprised mother.

“Jillian!”

“Yes. Had a talk with daddy Chase this morning, a long talk.”

“Okay. That’s good. He needs to see you more often,” said Valerie Cooper.

“Yes, like maybe at the New Year’s Eve party next Friday.”

“Huh?”

“I mentioned to him that I was looking forward to seeing him at the party, and he told he that he’d not heard anything about it,” said Jillian.

“Oh my God!” said Valerie. “You told him. Oh my God!”

“Yes, I just told him you would for sure be calling him as soon as you realized you’d forgotten to.”

“Jillian, he’d, they’d, not been invited for a reason, a good reason. Oh boy, now I have to go see him and explain. I hope he’s in a good mood. I really hope he’s in a good mood.”

“Mom?”

“Look, never mind. I’ll take care of it. I’ll take care of it today. I do not want him having a chance to be thinking too much about this. Oh yes, today—now!” she said. “Look, make yourself something to eat and kick back. I should be back in an hour or so.”

“But?”

“Later, Jill. We’ll talk when I get back.” With that Valerie Cooper grabbed her sweater and purse from the credenza, and left her daughter standing there with her mouth hanging open.