“Did you have sex?” Lily asked, sitting forward eagerly.
“No. But if there was one good thing about running into Caitlin, it was that it gave him an opening to tell me he had never gone the serious relationship route, but it wasn’t because he had baggage, but just because he hadn’t wanted to in the past.”
“He said ‘in the past’?” Jess asked excitedly.
“Yes.” I beamed and another cacophony of squeals erupted. “Anyway, he brought me home and we had this amazing conversation that lasted for hours. Then he asked me if it was date and he kissed me goodnight. He’s going to go with me to the fundraiser next weekend.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Gab broke in. “No pressure. And let’s talk about something besides men.” I loved my friends so much.
Monday 10:00 AM
I was sitting at my desk going over a grant proposal and trying to concentrate, but unfortunately, we had thin walls. The office noises didn’t bother me, but I would occasionally hear Mark’s voice coming from the hallway and I would get distracted. The figures in front of me would disappear into memories of how good Mark tasted. I was about ready to give up and take a break anyway when April, our receptionist, buzzed me.
“Hey Beth, there’s somebody here to see you, but she doesn’t have an appointment. She says you’ll see her though. Caitlin Reynolds?” I rolled my eyes. What in the hell did Caitlin want, and how did she know I wasn’t busy? I was tempted to make her wait, but I told myself to take the high road and have more class than that.
“Send her back please,” I answered, putting away my work. A moment later there was a knock on my door and Caitlin breezed in, without waiting for an invitation.
Knowing that she had hooked up with Mark made me look at her more critically. She was very attractive, I admitted, tall and blonde like me, but her hair color wasn’t natural. She also had style, and she was always dressed to the nines, but her skirts were just a little too tight.
I sighed, annoyed with myself for being jealous and catty. It probably wouldn’t be the last time I ran into someone who Mark had sex with. Between the three of them, my brother, Adam and Mark had probably hooked up with half the single women in Philadelphia.
“Hey Beth. I didn’t know you were a lawyer.”
“I’m not a lawyer. I’m the Director of Development. I’m in charge of fundraising, grant writing and public relations.”
“Oh, but you work for a law firm, so you must know a lot about the law.” She sat down and stared at me blankly. Caitlin wasn’t exactly an intellectual.
“No, actually, I know a lot about fundraising, grant writing and public relations. Did you just stop in to say hi?” I asked with a smile.
“No. Why would I do that?” She looked confused.
“So, why are you here?” I willed myself to be patient.
“I need to talk to you about something. But it has to be a secret, like attorney/ client privilege.”
“Caitlin, I just told you, I’m not an attorney.”
“But you work for a legal practice. Doesn’t that count?” I wanted to slam my head against my desk. On second thought, I wanted to slam Caitlin’s head against my desk.
“No, sorry, Caitlin, but attorney/client privilege is only between attorneys and clients. Hence the name.”
“That sucks,” she said, looking depressed. “Well, can’t you just put it in the vault, and like, promise not to tell?”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea Caitlin…”
“I know where my grandfather’s missing painting is,” she broke in and my mouth almost popped open. It was rumored that Caitlin’s grandfather had completed one last painting, one that he claimed was his best work. Before it had been exhibited anywhere, though, he died and it disappeared.
“Why don’t you tell the police?” I sat forward eagerly. This case was famous.
“I can’t.” She bit her cheek and fidgeted in her chair.
“Why not?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Uh huh.” I sat back again. “Well, that’s kind of vague, Caitlin. I don’t know what you want me to do. Have a fundraiser?”
“I need someone to help me get it back privately, without the cops getting involved. You know all about art at least.”
“Caitlin, although I know something about art, I don’t think…”
“Beth, he left it to me, and it would be the only thing I would have of my own that would be of any real value.” Her words made me grimace with disdain.
“So, what, you just want to sell it?”
“No! I swear. I would let them hang it in a museum or something. But it’s mine and it’s all I have. And I liked my grandfather.” She sat forward, and grabbed onto the edge of my desk. Why did I suddenly feel a little pang of sympathy?
“Even if I were a lawyer, we don’t handle those kinds of cases here,” I explained in a softer tone. “We defend people wrongly accused and convicted of crimes.” She looked so earnest that I almost wished I could help her, but what could I do?
“That’s it? That’s all you do here?”
“Some people consider that important,” I said, my skin prickling with indignation.
“Hey, is that Mike a lawyer?” Breathe, Beth.
“He is, but he works here with us. Helping innocent people seek justice. Sorry,” I said, glancing at my watch.
“Okay, whatever. I guess you can’t help it if that’s all you do.” She got up and walked to the door. “Will you be at Paul’s party next Saturday?”
“Yes, he’s raising money for the Gerard Foundation, and so I think I should be there to show support from our organization. You’re going?”
“Yeah, I usually go to his parties. He was a friend of my grandfather’s,” she said as she opened the door to leave. “Oh by the way, that Mike’s really got some mad sexy skills doesn’t he?” she asked in a conspiratorial tone, wiggling her eyebrows at me. “Hey, does he have any friends he could fix me up with for a night?”
“His closest friends are married,” I said smiling through gritted teeth.
“Oh well, it’s okay. Not like it’s hard to find a player.” She snorted and left.
The only thing that prevented me from leaping over my desk and slamming the door behind her, was the knowledge that she was just an idiot, rather than intentionally cruel. Well, that, and the fact that I don’t think I could actually leap over my desk. I took a deep cleansing breath, and pictured my happy place, a peaceful deserted beach on a tropical island. And look, there was Mark in a bathing suit…