Zach glanced at his watch—9:00 a.m. The phone in his lawyer’s office rang only once.
“Spence Campbell.”
“Spence, it’s Zach.”
“Did you hear?”
“Yes. It’s hard to believe. I’m on my way over to Les’s house right now. I got your message when I called for my voice mail.”
“Under no circumstances are you to have any contact with Les Corrigan at this point.” Spence’s usual drawl was urgent.
“Why?”
“He completely exonerated you in the Pierce staircase collapse. We want to keep it that way.”
Annie came into the kitchen, dressed in a loose red-checked jumper with a blouse underneath. Automatically, Zach reached out and ran his hand down her hair.
“Zach, did you hear me?”
“Yes.” He stared into Annie’s eyes. When she’d left him, Les Corrigan had pulled him out of more than one bar in the early hours of the morning. “Les needs support now.” There was silence on the other end. “And Spence?”
“Yes?”
“I am innocent. I have nothing to lose by going over there.”
“As your lawyer, I still have to object.” Spence paused. “But as your friend, I understand what you’re saying.”
Zach hung up and shrugged into his jacket, feeling Annie’s eyes on him. Finally, she asked, “Spence doesn’t want you to see Les?”
“No. He thinks contact with him could still hurt me.”
She frowned. “Could it?”
“Truthfully?” There was a time when he would have kept this from her to protect her.
“Of course.”
“I don’t know. But we’re going anyway.”
Her smile, and the admiration in her eyes, made his heart swell.
On the drive over, Annie was silent for a long time. Then she asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Shocked. Disappointed. How about you?”
“I can’t believe it. Les wouldn’t hurt anyone for the world.”
“Maybe it was just a mistake,” Zach suggested as they pulled onto Corrigan’s street. “Damn.”
Reporters were parked in his driveway, staking out their turf, hovering for the kill. Zach drove down the block and swerved over to the curb. The Corrigans lived on the same street as they had five years ago, so Zach knew the lay of the land well. He and Annie left the car and took the bike path that led around the yards; they ended up at the Corrigans’ back door.
After several knocks, Marion answered. “Oh, my God, I didn’t expect...what are you...” Les’s wife fell into Annie’s arms, sobbing.
Annie held on to her. “It’s okay, Marion, we came to help.”
Sniffling and mumbling that she couldn’t believe they were here, Marion let them into the house. The kitchen still smelled of potpourri, Zach thought, remembering. Early-morning sun slanted in through the open curtains, bathing the room in golden light. Zach was swamped by memories of how many times he’d come to this house for solace.
Now it was his turn to give comfort.
He said to Marion, “I’m so sorry.”
Red-rimmed eyes stared up at him. “I...I don’t know what to say.”
“Where is he?” Zach asked.
“In the den.”
She led them to the other side of the house. The den was dim, and the blinds were half-drawn. Les stood at the window, staring out between the slats. His shoulders hunched like a man of sixty instead of thirty-five.
“Les.”
Les turned. His forehead creased when he saw them, then he swallowed hard. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Of course we should.” Zach crossed to him.
Les’s expression was pained. “You want to know what happened.”
“We want to help.”
“Sit down.” Les motioned to the couch. Zach sat.
Marion said, “I’ll get coffee.”
Glancing from Zach to Les, Annie followed her.
When the women were gone, Les leaned against the edge of his desk, facing Zach. “Don’t you want to deck me? I practically ruined your career.”
“My career is intact. I’m here as your friend.”
He stared at Zach, disbelief obvious in his tight features. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he shook his head. “Did you know Marion was on the verge of leaving me when we were doing the digging?”
“Annie told me.”
“I went off the wagon after one particularly bad fight.”
Zach settled against the cushions. “I didn’t know.”
“Just once. But it was the night before I supervised the excavation of the test pits.”
“And?”
“I was fuzzy the next day. I directed the shovel guys to various spots, but I didn’t do a test pit where the beams for the staircase would go in.”
“It was on the plans that you did.”
“I know. I changed the grid afterward.”
“Tell me the rest.”
Jamming his hands in his pockets, Les stared over Zach’s shoulder. “I didn’t realize my mistake until later. Since no subsoil condition was found anywhere else, I figured we were pretty safe.”
Mrs. Barton’s bloody body flashed into Zach’s mind.
“When we dug the foundation, they found a slight problem with the soil there.”
“And?”
“It was borderline.” His eyes pleaded with Zach. “It was a judgment call. I opted not to report it to Martin or to you.”
Zach shook his head. “Les, how could Mann be unaware of all this?”
Les shifted nervously. “I covered it up. I told the shovel guys it was a minute discrepancy and we had the go-ahead from the builder.”
“Why, Les? You made a mistake you could have corrected.”
“Because I was drinking, damn it.”
“But you weren’t drinking on the job.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“Then I don’t understand your reasoning.”
“When I did the first test, I was hungover from a binge the night before. Had that become known, I would have been ruined in the industry.”
Zach was still unconvinced.
“Besides, Zach, I thought it would be all right. I wouldn’t have let it go if I thought there was a real problem.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make. I’m still confused about why you believed it was.”
Les looked surprised by Zach’s tenacity. “Maybe my logic was faulty, but that’s how I felt then.”
“And you’re sure Martin Mann knew nothing about this?”
Easing off the desk, Les crossed to the windows again. His back to Zach, he said, “Mann knew nothing. Just like you. I put that in writing when I went to OSHA. You’re both cleared.”
Zach stared at Les. Was it guilt that made his friend’s shoulders hunch? Was it strain that caused his fists to clench and unclench?
Or was it something else?
o0o
“Something else is going on here,” Marion told Annie as they watched the coffee drip into the glass carafe. She’d given Annie a capsulized version of her husband’s story when they’d reached the kitchen.
Annie leaned against a bar stool. “What do you mean?”
“Les is hiding something from me.”
“How can you tell?”
Marion faced her. “Can’t you tell with Zach?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“He’s been nervous and preoccupied for weeks. I know you said everyone was, but it was more than that. I told you last week that there was a problem.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Since then, there have been phone calls, at odd hours. Les wouldn’t tell me who it was, what the discussions were about, but I think it was Martin Mann.”
“Martin Mann?”
Marion nodded.
“Do you think he’s involved?” Annie asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Have you asked Les?”
“Of course. I asked him how Mann wouldn’t know about the soil problems.” She looked at Annie directly. “And Zach, too.”
Annie gripped her elbows to refrain from coming to Zach’s defense. She knew in her heart there was nothing to defend. “What did Les say?”
“That the architect isn’t responsible for overseeing the soil conditions.”
“But the builder is.” Annie knew that to be true.
“Les said Mann had dental surgery so Les did the supervising alone, but...” Marion bit her lip and didn’t finish her thought.
“But?”
Turning, Marion took cups out of the cupboard. She drew a heavy breath as she pivoted back to Annie. “Look, I believe Zach is innocent. He’s a stickler for safety. When Zach was at Belton’s, Les always picked on him about overbuilding. If there was even a hint of a subsoil condition, Zach would have insisted topsoil be brought in.”
“Yes, he would have.”
“And it would have been the builder’s expense anyway. Zach would have had nothing to lose.”
“He would have done it anyway, Marion.”
“I know.” She threaded a shaky hand through her hair. “I’m sorry. I’ve been up all night. I don’t mean to say anything bad about Zach.” After fixing the tray, she carried it to the table. “But I’m not so sure Mann isn’t involved.”
“Why would Les take the blame, then?” Annie asked, seating herself at the table. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Marion sighed. “To me, neither.”
o0o
Zach pulled the Jag into Annie’s driveway and shut off the engine. They hadn’t said much on the ride home. After talking with the Corrigans for a few hours, they’d left the same way they’d arrived.
“Want to come in?” Annie asked.
“No, I have a meeting at the office. I’m going to run home first to change.” He reached out and rested his hand on her neck. “You know, you’ve never been to my house.”
“I know.”
“I don’t like that.”
“Why?”
“Probably something to do with not accepting me—as I am today.” He sighed heavily. “Why does everything have to get so convoluted? Why can’t anything be simple?”
“Let’s simplify this. Invite me for dinner tonight. You cook. At your house.”
He smiled, wrapping her hair around his fist. “You’re on, babe.” Firmly he pulled her to him for a solid kiss.
Annie drew back, a little breathless. “Do you have a minute to talk?”
“Sure.”
“What’s going to happen with Les?”
“My guess is he’s in legal, as well as professional, trouble.”
“How are they doing financially?”
“I don’t know. Not well, I think.”
“Zach, we should help him out with money.”
“All right.”
Shifting restlessly, Annie stared out the window. “Let’s use that account you set up for me, after the divorce was finalized.”
Familiar frustration welled inside him...
I don’t want your money. It’s blood money, so you’ll feel less guilty.
It’s your money too. I sold everything we had together and included half of our savings.
I don’t want any of it. I don’t want anything to do with you or our life together.
“I can barely think about that money,” he told her. “I was so angry you wouldn’t take it.”
“I know. But I couldn’t.”
“You’ll use it now?”
“Yes. Les and Marion are more important than my pride.”
“I love you,” he said suddenly. “I love the person you are.”
Tenderly, Annie kissed him on the cheek. “I love the person you are, too. That’s why I’m going to tell you this.”
Zach closed his eyes. He was too wiped out to do battle with her again, and he knew one was coming. “Tell me what?”
“Marion thinks Les isn’t revealing the whole story.”
Zach thought about his friend’s edginess, the holes in his story, the kind of man he knew Les Corrigan to be. Damn, why couldn’t Zach believe that Les was at fault? Why couldn’t this whole nightmare just be over?
Annie eyed Zach warily. She knew him so well, knew what he was thinking sometimes. “You agree, don’t you?”
“Why would Les take responsibility for something he didn’t do?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Are you saying you disagree with Marion?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
Surprised at his curt tone, Annie drew back.
“Look, Annie, have you thought about the fact that this whole thing could be settled now? I’m completely exonerated and business will pick up again.”
“At Les’s expense.”
“Les confessed.”
“You know, I could accept all this better if I didn’t feel deep down that you agreed with Marion.”
“Truthfully, I don’t know what to think.”
“So you do have some suspicions.”
“Annie, you promised me last night you’d lay off.” His eyes gleamed with sexual intensity. “In more ways than one, you promised me.”
“Everything’s changed since last night.”
“Yes, I’m cleared.”
“You’re really not going to pursue this? You’re just going to let your friend hang?”
Zach sighed. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Annie’s impulse was to storm out of the car. To tell him she wasn’t coming to his house tonight. Then she remembered the hurt in his eyes last night.
The old Annie would have left the car. The old Annie who’d lost Zach. Instead, this Annie reached over and took his hand. She placed it on her belly and closed her eyes.
Finally she said, “Hi, Lily. It’s Mommy. Your daddy and I haven’t been seeing eye to eye lately. Sometimes that happens, sweetheart, but don’t let it bother you. I really want things to work out for all of us so we can live together as a family.” She risked a glance at Zach. Holding his gaze, she said, “Daddy’s a good man. He’ll do the right thing, I know he will. Mommy’s got to let him decide what that is...and she’s trying.” Softer, Annie whispered, “She’ll try harder, sweetie. She promises.”
A look of gratitude came over Zach’s face, so profound that Annie felt tears well. She hadn’t realized how much she’d let him down in the past. “I love you, Lily,” she said, her throat tight. “And I love your daddy. Don’t worry, sweetheart, things will be okay.”
o0o
Zach’s office had been a zoo all day. Since he’d gotten in at two, he’d dodged reporters, refused phone calls and met with his staff, outlining how Les’s confession was going to affect Sloan Associates. The atmosphere had been cautiously optimistic. During it all, Zach could still see Les Corrigan nervously pacing his den, having to think twice before he answered Zach’s pointed questions. He also replayed Marion’s doubts.
Alone now at seven o’clock at night—he’d sent everyone home at six—Zach sat at his desk and stared out the window of his darkened office at the Lansing skyline. Annie would be at his house in an hour. He should leave. Pick up some steaks. She liked croissants—he might still be able to stop at the bakery. A door creaked somewhere down the hall. Swiveling, he looked into his outer offices. Was it Devon? No, he had a date tonight and had said goodbye before he left. Mrs. Farnum and all the others were gone, too, Zach was sure of it.
Chills tickled his neck. He tried to tell himself it could be anyone—a janitor, a deliveryman. Zach started to rise from the desk when a large figure appeared in the doorway. Silhouetted against the half light, Zach couldn’t make out the face. Slowly, he reached over to switch on a light.
“No, don’t.” The voice was familiar.
Zach sat back down. “You into horror-movie ambience, Gumby?”
The newsman came farther into the room. “There’s a building across the way. I don’t want anyone to see us talk.”
“And why is that?”
Gumby looked at a chair. “May I?”
Zach nodded. “This is your show.” When the reporter was seated, Zach sat too. “Care to fill me in?”
“You celebratin’ tonight?”
“Celebrating what?”
“You’re cleared.”
“I was never accused.”
“Like hell you weren’t.”
“What’s your point?”
“You know,” Gumby began, taking out a handkerchief and wiping his forehead. “This is so convenient. Corrigan coming forward. Swearing you and Mann had nothing to do with the museum disaster. A little too convenient, if you ask me.”
“Why?”
“Saves your ass. And Mann’s.” When Zach didn’t take the bait, Gumby asked, “Yours need savin’?”
“I just told you it didn’t.”
“I think Mann’s does.”
“Why?”
“A hunch.”
Zach sat back and folded his arms over his chest. He said nothing, trying instead to remember something about Jonathan Gumby before this mess with the museum. He couldn’t recall anything negative. Hadn’t there even been a few accolades?
“I got a question for you,” Gumby said.
“Shoot.”
“Know any way this can be checked?”
“Checked? What do you mean?”
“That Corrigan was in this alone? Hard for me to believe the structural engineer took on so much responsibility.”
For me, too.
“If you know some way, I’ll do the legwork.”
Zach thought long and hard. He could hear the traffic outside and the clock tick on the wall. Finally, he said, “Mann was having dental surgery at the time the foundation was dug—when the test pits were done.”
“Again, convenient.”
Zach saw Mann’s sweaty face at the gym the other night. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
“Easy enough to check. If I had the dates the test pits were done.”
Daddy’s a good man. He’ll do the right thing, I know he will.
Zach could be opening a can of worms. If it got out he helped Gumby, all hell would break loose.
Mommy’s got to let him decide what that is...she’s got to trust him.
Shoving back his chair, Zach rose and crossed to the file cabinets on the opposite wall. Opening one, he pulled out a folder. After a quick trek to the copy machine, Zach returned. Crossing to Gumby, he dropped some papers into the reporter’s lap.
Without a word, Gumby got up and left the office.