Legal Prejudice 2 - Weather The Storms

Chapter 49

John arrived to drive Allie to pre-School and work the next morning, joking with Allie that he was her official bodyguard. As they approached Rose's preschool car park she could see three people she didn't recognise, two with cameras and one with a phone along with a group of mums loitering who she suspected were there to enjoy any drama. John grabbed her hand, "Don't worry Allie. Stay in the car and I'll deal with them. He parked well back and Allie turned to tell Rose they were going to wait for Uncle John to come back. The toddler was excited to take him inside, oblivious to the real reason he was driving them.

John had crossed to the guys with cameras and he pulled out his badge and had a brief conversation. The mothers loitering quickly dispersed, as did the men with cameras and the woman with a phone. He came back grinning and swung Rose from her car seat into his arms where she squealed with excitement. He dropped her to her feet inside and she pulled him to see her peg and her room. Allie had a brief chat with the manager who apologised for the strangers outside, and John came over to explain how he'd moved them on.

They left and John threw a protective arm around Allie and got her back to the car without incident. The pictures of her carrying Rose from the previous day had found their way online, but Rose's face was hidden and even Allie wasn't clearly identifiable. John reversed out of the space and headed towards the offices. Allie said, "Thanks John. I felt so much better having you there. The poor guy who helped me yesterday basically admitted his wife would kill him if he she knew he was helping me. I feel like some sort of social pariah. Thank goodness Rose is too young to know what's going on and Emmie's not had anyone show at the school." John squeezed her hand, "Schools have better protocols for these things than these private pre-schools. And I'm happy to help Allie. What's happening to you and Dan is really shit." Allie sighed, "Did you hear about his Mom?" John grimaced "Yeah, Margie told Susan. How's he feeling about that? It's got to hurt." Allie shook her head, "He is hurt and he's angry. She's never met me, but how could she do that to her own son John?" John glanced over "I have no idea Allie Ballie." She gave him her pass to get them into the parking garage and John walked her up to the offices wrapping her in his arms before he left.

He went down to the first floor reception and had a word with Eddie on security. He flashed his badge and said, "Hey, you're Eddie right? I'm keeping an eye out for Allie. I believe you helped out with a bit of trouble the other day." Eddie glowed, "I did. I told the guys who came to move that woman off the street everything I saw and heard." John clapped him on the back, "Yeah, you did good. Thing is Eddie we need to keep a close eye out for anyone suspicious. You know Allie was shot right outside this building yeah?" Eddie nodded, "I didn't work here then, but one of the other guys here told me it took three days to get rid of the blood on the sidewalk." John took a card out and passed it to Eddie, "Anything bother you, no matter how small you call me yeah? I was here that day, she nearly died on the street. We need to keep her safe Eddie." Eddie nodded.

There was nothing Allie or Daniel could do in the couple of months that followed. Everyone helped take Rose in the mornings to avoid Allie having to put herself on view, even though no further photographers had appeared. They moved Sunday breakfast to either Allie and Dan's or Susan and John's houses to avoid trouble, and it didn't appear to have resonated with any clients.

Allie had just returned from a mediation session on a case at the court building when a call came through from Landon. Sara transferred him through to Allie's phone and she smiled as she answered, "Hi Landon, this is a nice surprise. I haven't heard from you for a while." A few streets away Landon was also smiling, "Yeah, we should catch up for a coffee, I'll call Max and we'll let him join in." Allie laughed, "I'd love that, what's up?" Landon was quick to reassure her, "Nothing Allie really, it's just I had a call from Nathan earlier and he wanted to get in touch with you. I didn't want to send him your number without checking it was okay first." Allie smiled and raised her eyebrows, "Yeah thanks Landon, but it's okay. Why don't you send me his and I'll reach out. He was actually pretty nice the last time I saw him in your office. Any idea what he wants with me?" Landon replied, "No, he didn't say honey." Allie sighed, "Fair enough, I'll call him later." Landon hesitated before ending the call, "Allie honey, are you okay?" Allie tried to push it down but couldn't help get emotional "Yeah, I suppose so." He realised he wished he'd gone in person and said, "l know Daniel and Max are there Allie, but I'm always here if you need anything okay?" Allie let a tear go knowing he couldn't see, "Thanks, it's just hanging over us you know." Landon's heart ached, "I know Allie. It's so unfair, you and Dan should be planning a wedding not dealing with this crap. I'll let you go, but I'm here, and I'll speak to Max about catching up."