Catalyst (14 page)

She swore when a light turned yellow, braked and
squinted though the swishing windshield wipers. Someone waved from
the curb, a figure cut in front of oncoming traffic and flung the
passenger door open.

"Just about missed you." Courtney panted. She slung a
backpack in the back and jumped in.

"I wasn't going home."

"Good. Seattle it is," Courtney replied and switched
the radio to a rock station.

"I'm staying with Lem," Renee protested. "Anyhow, you
can't just take off to Seattle. I'll drop you at the bus
depot."

"You take off every weekend and leave me to deal with
Grandma," Courtney argued.

"But you work on Saturday."

"I swapped my shift and will do next Wednesday
instead."

The turnoff to the interstate appeared but Renee
pulled to the curb. She turned to face her friend. "I'll take you
home," she said in a determined voice. "You can't just come to
Seattle."

Courtney stared back. "Look, I won't get in the way.
I can be discreet." She produced a sodden pamphlet from her
raincoat pocket. "I'm doing what you suggested anyway."

Renee had to smile. "Okay, what is it?"

"That community college in Seattle. If I enroll now,
I can complete the year and receive my high school graduation
diploma. I explained I missed out only on the last month and got
the info from my old school."

"That's grand but why this sudden decision?"

"The college telephoned me and said there was a
vacancy but I have to confirm my application and bring my
references and resume to an interview. I knew you were going there,
so here I am."

Renee stared at the swirling wipers but made no
attempt to move the car forward. "Does Amy know about this?"

"Grandma? No. Why?"

"Well, don't you think you should tell her? How do
you think she'll feel when you don't arrive home tonight?"

"I thought she annoyed you."

"Me, yes but this is about you. She cares for you,
Courtney. Look, I want you to call and tell her everything you told
me. If you don't, I'm driving this car straight home."

Courtney glowered, shrugged and took a cellphone from
her pocket. She punched in a number and waited. "Grandma," she said
a moment later. "Courtney here…."

She repeated her news and listened for a long time.
Her expression told Renee nothing but the conversation appeared to
switch to the cost of the community college. "I can get a student
loan, Grandma…. Yes... Of course… Why? You will?" Courtney's voice
became excited as she listened again. "Thanks, Grandma but you
don't need to, you know. Yes, Renee said it was fine to stay with
her. See yah Monday."

She clicked off and brushed a strand of wet blonde
hair from her eyes. "You're always right, aren't you?"

"Why? What happened?"

"Grandma was delighted and said she would pay the
full cost of college fees. Reckoned it was far cheaper than two
terms at Miss Shelton's, anyway. So Seattle, here we come."

"But what about a change of clothes?"

"All here." Courtney nodded at her bag in the back
seat.

"So it wasn't a sudden decision, was it?"

The teenager reddened. "Well, sort of. They phoned me
yesterday but I thought if I told..."

Renee shook her head. "Oh Courtney, you are the limit
but for God's sake, switch the radio to my station."

"Sure, Renee." The girl grinned impishly. "A
classical station, wasn't it?"

****

Lem drove his Cadillac into the parking spot next to
the Cavalier, gathered a bunch of flowers from the seat and headed
for the elevator.

"Hi, Lem," said a youth, one of the building's
assistant janitors. "Who's the bunch of flowers for, Renee or the
other gorgeous creatures attracted to your apartment?"

"What others, Chris?" Lem replied. He was used to the
cheeky comments.

"That slick honey blonde who came with Renee and a
sophisticated brunette all dolled up looking for you an hour back.
I must admit she looked as sour as hell. She waited awhile then
left."

Lem frowned but realized who the two women were. He
expected Courtney but wondered why Nikki had called. Oh well, no
doubt she would return. He glanced at his flowers, smiled, placed
them in the car and walked out of the basement into the street.
Five minutes later he returned from a small flower shop a block
away with a second identical bunch. Armed with both, he headed to
his apartment.

Except for a light reflecting from the kitchen, the
interior was in darkness. Lem pulled his shoes off and sneaked up
the tiny entrance lobby and peeked in the kitchen door. Renee and
Courtney were deep in conversation with their backs to him. He
tiptoed forward and with a bunch of flowers in each hand cuddled
the pair.

"Flowers for two beautiful ladies," he whispered,
squeezed them close and waited for a reaction.

He got one but it was unexpected. Renee ducked to the
right, while Courtney swung around, placed her arms around his
neck, cuddled up provocatively and plastered a sloppy kiss on his
lips.

Poor Lem blushed and glanced desperately at Renee for
assistance.

"Well, play with fire." Renee laughed.

"That was to thank you." Courtney kissed him again on
the cheek and let him go.

"What for?"

"I know it was you who got me into Northside
Community College," Courtney responded. "I found a copy of the
letter they wrote to you."

"And flowers for us both, you old romantic," Renee
added. She took the bunches and kissed Lem's still flushed
face.

"You heard me come in?"

"Not really." Courtney laughed. "Chris rang over the
intercom and told us you were on the way."

"There's no loyalty around this place."

"More like his excuse to talk to Courtney." Renee
chuckled. "The poor boy had to glue his eyes back in place when we
arrived."

This time it was Courtney who attempted to cover her
flushed cheeks by glaring at Renee. "Rubbish," she growled.

Lem grinned, felt at peace with the world and
momentarily forgot about his wife's visit. He caught Renee's eyes
and saw the love reflected there. My God, in her business suit she
looked more beautiful than ever.

****

CHAPTER
13

Courtney was up and dressed by seven and though she'd
be the last to admit it, felt nervous. Her interview at Northside
Community College wasn't until ten that morning so there was plenty
of time. The others were asleep, so she decided to watch the latest
clips on MTV. Out of consideration, the tiny overhead television
was turned down to a dull roar and the girl mimicked the gyrations
of the singer when she heard the doorbell ring. She frowned,
tiptoed out and peeped through the spy hole.

"Oh shit," she whispered. She recognized the woman.
It was Nikki Erksberg.

Neither Lem nor Renee were up, so consoling herself
that at least it wasn't a mugger, Courtney opened the door and
peered through the gap allowed by the security chain.

"Good morning, Mrs. Erksberg," she said sweetly. "And
how can I help you at this early hour?"

The woman outside stared and took a hesitant step
back, before she wiped a hand over her lips and cast frosty eyes
over Courtney. "You're the girl from the cave," she said in a
controlled voice. "What are you doing here?"

"Not what you think."

Angry eyes linked before Nikki continued. "I need to
see, Lem," she ordered and stepped towards the door.

However, the security chain was still attached and
the youngster was not about to be intimidated by this overbearing
woman. "I'll see if he's awake or wants to see you," she retorted
and closed the door.

The master bedroom was dark and silent. Courtney
waited, wondering whether to wake Lem up but decided against it.
She glanced at a wall clock, waited a moment and went back to the
door.

"He doesn't want to see you," she said through the
gap in the door.

Nikki's response was unexpected. Instead of yelling
as Courtney expected, the woman's face drained of color and her
chin shook. "Please," she said in a whisper. "I must speak with
him. It's important."

Courtney responded in a gentler tone. "You'd better
come in," she said and unlatched the chain.

"Thank you," Nikki replied softly.

At that moment, Lem walked into the living room.
"It's okay, Courtney." He turned to his wife. "Have you been
drinking again, Nikki?"

The woman shook her head but Courtney realized Lem's
observation was correct. There was a distinct smell of stale gin in
the air and she noticed that Nikki's voice was slightly slurred.
The woman sat on the edge of the couch. Her eyes apprehensive, she
stared at her husband's uncompromising face. "Your jacket, Lem. I
must have it."

"What's important about my jacket?"

"You don't understand." Nikki said. "It's the only
place it can be. Can you get your hiking jacket? You know, the one
I bought you for your birthday."

Lem frowned. "Yes, I know the jacket you mentioned
but I can't give it to you, I'm afraid."

"Why?" The frantic woman sobbed.

"It's lost," Lem replied. "I was wearing it in the
cave. It's probably buried under tons of rock."

Nikki stared at Lem. "It can't be anywhere else," she
whimpered. "I searched everywhere. It was a terrible night, I
remember and I grabbed your jacket. I must have put it in one of
those pockets."

Lem raised his eyebrows at Courtney. "What are you
talking about, Nikki?" he asked in a more compassionate voice.

"Something of mine I put there," Nikki cried. "That's
all."

"I'll get some breakfast cooked," Courtney muttered
and made a hasty departure.

"I think we need to take Nikki home. Can you get
Renee for me, please?"

"You don't understand," Nikki replied.

Lem turned. "You need help, Nikki. I told you months
ago. If you are not prepared to help yourself, there is little I
can do."

A faint cough interrupted the trio and Courtney
looked up see Renee standing in her dressing gown at the door.

"Hello, Nikki," Renee said softly.

"Oh, you're here," Nikki retorted. The tears were
replaced by aggression as she swung back to Lem. "Forget about
everything. I should have known better than to expect sympathy from
you."

"We'll drive you home," Lem said in a resolute voice.
"You're in no fit state to drive."

"I got here, so I can get home."

Lem turned to Renee. "Can you come, please?"

Courtney sized up the situation and noticed Renee nod
as she replied. "Of course. Just give me a moment to get
dressed."

Lem turned to Courtney. "Can you follow us in Renee's
car? I really think it is better if Renee comes with me."

"Sure, Lem."

****

The drive across Seattle was completed in almost
complete silence. Nikki sat in the back and could have been asleep
if it wasn't for the odd cynical remark she uttered whenever
opportunity arose. Renee studied Lem's body language. He acted grim
but she sensed sadness in his poise as if he'd been through it all
before. Their gazes held and he smiled slightly.

"It's not too far now," he said.

They were in a suburb Renee didn't know. Large modern
houses were everywhere. After another five minutes Lem turned into
a large home set behind a row of mature trees. A brown tiled roof
with attic windows curved in three levels above a cedar wood
exterior, long veranda and bay windows. The yard sloped downhill
with a view of Puget Sound and the mountains of Olympic National
Park on the distant horizon.

"Lem," Renee whispered. "What a wonderful view. Is
this your place?"

"Mine, Dearie," Nikki growled. "Don't think you can
get your greedy little hands on it."

Lem ignored the oaths from the back seat, turned to
Renee and nodded. "Yes. When we came here the whole area was raw
hillside. Our house was one of the first. That's how we got the
trees. I had a choice of lots and picked one with them."

"They're beautiful," Renee said. "The whole place is
somehow just you, Lem."

"Yes. It was my hobby home, I guess…gave me something
to think about."

His eyes met Renee's and again he appeared sad,
almost haunted. She smiled and squeezed his leg.

"Come on, Nikki," Lem said like a schoolmaster with a
naughty child. "We'll get you inside. Have you any food in the
house?"

"Of course," Nikki retorted but hesitated. "Not a
lot. I always eat out now, anyway."

They were interrupted when Courtney roared in, leaped
out of the Cavalier and rushed across the drive. "Holy shit," she
exclaimed as she took in the view with a swing of her blonde hair.
"Is this your place, Lem?"

"Was," he said philosophically. "Let's get Nikki
inside and I'll slip down to the market for some food." He turned
to Nikki. "You don't mind if we have breakfast here, do you?"

"Why not?" Nikki responded and turned to Renee. "Want
to have a look around?" She smiled.

The woman's sudden mood changes unnerved Renee. She
glanced at Lem who grimaced but gave a discreet nod. "We'd love to
see your gorgeous garden and home." She tugged her friend's wrist.
"Won't we Courtney?"

Courtney caught her gaze. "Sure, I'd love to."

****

After a surprisingly pleasant breakfast, Nikki
excused herself, left the kitchen and was found five minutes later,
sound asleep in a small downstairs bedroom.

Lem sighed and walked outside. "Come on. Let's go
home."

Renee objected. "Lem, you can't just leave her here.
It's obvious something upset her and she's going to have a terrible
hangover when she wakes up."

"I guess not." Lem relented. "It's just that…oh
hell." He turned, walked back inside and sat at the kitchen
table.

"It's all happened before, hasn't it?" Renee said
quietly.