Character Witness by Rebecca Forster Read Free Book Online Page B

champagne. ''You understand? Now it seems he didn't even have any character either. I was duped.'' She lowered her lashes and patted Kathleen's forearm. ''That means taken advantage of, honey.'' She didn't wait for Kathleen to indicate she understood. ''Oh, he was wily. All that sweetness and accommodating crap. The man planned and schemed and did it on purpose just to spite me. He killed himself on purpose and I want justice.''
    '' Kathleen, please?''
    Gerry motioned for the letter. It passed between them. Gerry pulled out his glasses and looked again as Kathleen watched. Concentrating on business, Gerry dropped the solicitous attitude and checked out the document. When he looked up, that sweet, sweet smile was in place.
    '' Louise, I would be doing you a disservice if I told you the insurance company wasn't within their rights. Had you read the policy, my girl?''
    '' Don't be ridiculous,'' Louise sniffed and crossed her legs. Her toenails winked pink. Elvis looked up her skirt from her big toe.
    '' Well, the insurance company knows what's in their documents. There is twenty-four month exclusion, Louise. If Lionel did himself in within twenty-four months of the issuance of the policy, the policy became null and void. They owe you nothing.'' He shook his head and passed the letter back. Louise ignored it.
    '' Well, la-de-da. What do they know? This isn't a situation like in the policy. I mean that's talking about a crazy person, and, believe me, I know Lionel wasn't crazy. What I didn't know was how mad he was at me. He planned this, Gerry, down to the last minute of his life. Lionel was the smartest man I know. He read everything. He knew everything. He understood this policy, and he waited until the right time. This was like a big joke.
    '' I tell you, Gerry, he knew about this thing - this exclusion deal - and he killed himself just before we made it over the hump. One lousy day to go. And I admired that twerp long enough to marry him. I thought if nothing, else he was on the up-and-up. Now I see he was just like every other man. Selfish. Selfish. Selfish.''
    Kathleen opened her mouth, raised a finger then thought twice about adding her two cents. Who was she to point out that Louise was the one who had married the man in the first place? Who was she in any of this except someone who wanted to leave in the worst way? So she said:
    '' I think I should just come back some other time.''
    '' Louise,'' Gerry chuckled.
    '' Gerry.'' She talked over him but glared at Kathleen who sat back down rather than disturb Louise further. ''I don't want to hear about it. I don't want any double talk, and I sure as heck don't want to sit here and chat. I just want to go to court.''
    '' I have no double talk for you, Louise, but I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that you don't have a leg to stand on, dear. The agreement is very clear. I tell you that in front of a witness. I would be hard pressed to take your money fighting a cause like this.'' He gave Kathleen a look filled to bursting with such embarrassing affection she thought she'd die.
    '' Money, schmoney,'' Louise scoffed. ''It's the principle of the thing. I want what's mine. I want it if it takes forever. Honey,'' she poked Kathleen with the pads of her fingers for fear of breaking a nail. ''You watch. I'll get what's mine. You take note. Now, let's get the ball rolling.''
    '' Well, if you insist.'' Gerry stood up and gave Louise a little bow, walked around the desk and was at the door with his hand on the knob when she shrieked at his back.
    '' Gerry! I want to get started now.''
    '' Of course, Louise,'' Gerry said sweetly as he slipped through the door. ''I'm leaving you in the best of hands. Kathleen Cotter? This is Louise Booker, your client. Louise, this is Kathleen Cotter, one of the best attorney's on the face of God's green earth and the newest associate of O'Doul & Associates.''

    There were five Styrofoam cups on the desk in front of Kathleen. Four sported perfect pink