Part 11 (2/2)
r Five hundred thousand of these were drop-s.h.i.+pped this morning.”
Joanie slipped past Tara, gave her a pat on the arm, and disappeared.
Tara closed the door to Woodrow's office and went to the sideboard.
They could both use a cup of coffee. Cream in his. Hers was black.
”Here,” she said, handing it to him while he keened over his misprinted mailers. She patted his back and stood for a silent minute.
”Tara, I don't know if I'm cut out for this. Running for district attorney was one thing, but a governor's slot, I don't know.” He shook his head, pushed up his tortoisesh.e.l.l-rimmed gla.s.ses, and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his winter-white pants. His bucks were white too. A blue-striped s.h.i.+rt, old school tie. She'd bet her bottom dollar there was a blue blazer hanging around somewhere.
Such a dapper guy. She loved Woodrow because he had style and he was smart and still there was something awfully vulnerable about him. It was a unique combination in an educated man.
”It's a huge leap, Woodrow. Maybe there was a stepping stone you should have taken before you went for the big one,” she commiserated.
He breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth. A word came with it.
”Maybe.”
He sounded so despondent, Tara felt terrible for even suggesting it.
”Hey, Woodrow, I wasn't thinking. The old gov himself is going to make mistakes, too. Besides, Charlotte called early this morning and said that you'd taken in more last night than you'd expected.”
Tara hoped this would brighten his mood a bit. She needed to have his complete attention.
”You really think this isn't a disaster?” He picked up the offending material and looked at it.
Tara slipped it out of his fingers.
”I know it isn't. Really. But it's not going to help if you keep it on your desk and look at it all day long.” She took it away and put it under a stack of papers on the credenza.
”Drink your coffee. It'll make you feel better.”
”I guess you're right. Oh, before I forget .. .”
Woodrow had coffee in hand. He headed for his chair, turned, and back stepped into it.
”Are you going to that tea Charlotte's giving for the Women Voters Coalition?”
”I don't know,” Tara said wearily.
”What if I just send a check? Couldn't I just do that?”
”Come on, Tara. You know that's not it. I don't want your money,” Woodrow insisted.
”I mean money's really appreciated, but it's you I want. You show up and the fact that a Limey's hanging around will really give me a boost. And boy, do I need a boost. Especially after last night and that thing with Strober Industries. Could you believe that? I've had Sandy trying to figure out who that woman was and who she worked for. I don't know what she's got but it was d.a.m.n scary, I'll tell you.”
”Any truth to it?” Tara asked, seating herself.
”I don't think so. I mean that investigation was so long ago. I swear, I really think the decisions made were a matter of expediency. I hadn't even decided to run yet. I'm going to review the file, of course, but as I recall, the civil division was overextended when that came across my desk. Inspectors had approved changes. The company paid some kind of fine. It was arbitrated.” He rubbed his eyes with his free hand.
”Boy, I'm tired. I don't know how Charlotte keeps up with all this. She's always fresh as a toothpaste ad and on to the next thing.” He let his gla.s.ses fall back on his nose and pushed them into place.
”Speaking of which, that tea isn't for a few months. And no, you don't have to go. I just appreciate all the support you do give me. I won't push it.” He chuckled affectionately.
”Won't make the same promise for Charlotte, though, so if you can't come, I suggest you lie low.”
”I'll try I will.”
” ”Preciate it.” He drank his coffee. She stared at hers. He studied her over the rim of his cup.
When Tara didn't speak, Woodrow took it upon himself.
”I guess you didn't come in to scream at me for a miserable evening last night.”
”When have you known me to scream?”
”Never. You're more formidable when you don't, actually. Always throws me when we're in court together, and you pull that righteous persona out of your hat. Hard, smart, sure of yourself. Meticulous.”
”That's how I am in court, huh?” Tara smiled and put her coffee aside.
”In court. Not now.” He c.o.c.ked his head.
”Something's on your mind. Charlotte get under your skin by setting you and Ben up last night?”
Tara bit her bottom lip. She looked away from him. He owed her for last night and a few other things so he remained patient. It was one of his best traits*and his worst. He'd patiently followed Tara around in high school, driving her crazy, until finally realizing Charlotte was the woman of his dreams. Funny how things worked out. Charlotte and Woodrow a steady item, she and Ben strangers.
But even Woodrow's patience had a limit.
”Earth to Tara.” She looked at him.
”I'm in a bind, Woodrow. I'm not happy about it. In fact, it's really thrown me for a loop. The good news is, I think I have a solution to my problem if you'll help.” Tara laced her hands together.
”Off the record?” Woodrow asked.
”Pretty much. I'm not going to give you much.
I don't want to compromise you, or myself, in any way.”
Woodrow nodded, sagely. Enough said. He was a good attorney, a dedicated attorney. She'd been up all night working this out and he would understand what she needed. There was no other way for Tara to discharge her duty as a sworn officer of the court, be faithful to her client, and keep Donna safe.
”Woodrow, I've taken on a new client. This person came to me for help. I believe he's mentally unstable, but lucid. He is very intelligent and knows exactly what he wants. This client has given me specific instructions as to the disposition of his problem.”
”Tara, you sound like you're giving an opening statement. It's me.
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