Cherry Two

Part 9

Chapter 7

Calley called home the next evening. She sounded more excited than usual. Kate responded to the girl while James mostly listened in on the extension.

"Keenan's taking Alain and me to see Steve Cooley tomorrow. He's the Los Angeles County District Attorney," Calley gushed. "It's a special visit because Keenan's taskforce is doing such a fantastic job. His office is downtown."

James had to think for a minute. Keenan? Right, that's Sonia's husband. What damn strange names these Americans have. He'd tried to picture Keenan on occasion, but always came up with images of someone like Robert.

"Well see you dress nice and don't be a nuisance with endless questions," Kate cautioned, without any real clue to the magnitude of Steve Cooley's importance. "Have you been keeping your room tidy? I know how messy you can be."

Calley laughed from deep in her throat and put on airs. "Oh, Mummy, we have housekeepers here. They do those things. Really, it's not like Egham you know. They treat me like an adult. It's so, like, totally awesome."

"Hmm. I can see I might have a problem with you when you get back. Not the least of it your vocabulary."

James decided to cut in and get something deep-seated off his chest. "There are worse things than being untidy, girl. Have you been badgering Sonia about her sister? I cautioned you before you left. It's ancient history—painful ancient history. I want you to promise you won't go on about it. Sonia and er... Keenan have put all that behind them, but I know what you're like. It's always been high on your agenda since you first found out about Calley."

"Are you listening to your father?" Kate reinforced.

A deep sigh emanated from the phone. "Yes, I'm listening," Calley droned. "But, Jesus, you wouldn't tell me anything. Who am I supposed to ask about Aunt Calley?"

This was the first time anyone had referred to Calley in this oblique way. It caused an uneasy knot to form inside James's stomach. He could never imagine his wild late cousin being an unofficial aunt to anyone, let alone his insatiable daughter. It prompted a recollection of those cautionary words from Colleen as James helped Calley through the agonizing hell of cold-turkey drug withdrawal. He'd often sweated over what would have happened had she survived, pregnant, with his baby. He shook the unthinkable, yet delightful image loose from his brain.

"Just drop it, okay! You know what you need to know. There is such a thing as privacy."

"Yes, Dad," she muttered over the phone.

This would never be the end of it. James knew Calley's curiosity ran far too deep for any real cessation to occur before she boarded the plane to return home. He mentally resolved to phone Sonia when no one was around. Perhaps tomorrow when Calley went downtown with Keenan and Alain. At least Sonia would understand.

***

That same evening Wallace Ward decided to phone. His call came in shortly behind Calley's. The man sounded cautious.

"Are you by yourself?" he began when James answered.

"Er, no, Kate and Peter are here," James said in a muted tone as he got up and walked into the kitchen through the French doors.

"It's the photos. I need to show you something."

This sent an instant chill up James's spine. "What did you see? Oh damn! It's not Kate or Peter is it?" he hissed low into the portable handset.