Cherry Two

Part 19

Chapter 17

It took Alain less than an hour to buy a long-lasting floral tribute, place it on Calley's grave and return to the Bay Park Hotel. He'd sat for a while in the Mustang, talking to Keenan on his cell phone, relating the morning's experience with Anthony Kosenkov. Calley's mounting obsession over something she could never fix had to find a solution.

When he finally located Calley she wasn't alone.

Alain observed from a distance as the pair sat together near the fenced pool with iced drinks at their side. Her male companion had his back to him, but Alain guessed his identity right away. As he encroached with caution Calley's face registered and she broke off the conversation. This caused Robert to turn in the metal chair and remove his sunglasses.

Alain raised both hands as if to parry. "Don't get up, Grandfather. I'm glad it's you."

The reaction on Robert's face at being called Grandfather for the first time seemed overwhelming. Despite being told not to, Robert came to his feet with the spry agility of a much younger man. "I'm sorry, my boy. Your mother wouldn't approve, would she?"

"Mom's not here. I've waited a long time for this."

Their arms encircled each other in a hugging embrace and for a moment Neither man could speak. Robert fought back the emotion without success as wetness flooded into his eyes.

Hours slipped by unnoticed. They talked together about everything including James. Robert had no idea of the mental trauma his nephew had endured on his initial return to England. This only seemed to add to the mounting pile of regret in the old man's face. He knew nothing of Kate and Peter and even less about his grandsons' aspirations.

"You're studying law? That's wonderful," Robert gushed.

"Well criminal law is a big part of it." Alain smiled. "Mom is a criminal psychologist. That's cool, except I want to pursue urban criminology from the enforcement and organizational side. I admire Dad's career tremendously; he understands politics. Deputy is only a temporary situation for him. He'll be LA's Police Commissioner one day."

"And what about your brother? He's such a big, handsome boy."

Alain answered with a shrug. "Don't really know when it comes to Kent. I guess he's doing okay at college for now. His main interest seems to be chasing girls and curls—the surfing kind."

This coaxed a giggle from Calley who curled a finger around a lock of hair.

Robert eased back and studied her face and figure for the umpteenth time, including those long bare legs in high-cut shorts—legs that were finally losing some of their redness and turning a natural brown. He pointed. "This one now... she scares the hell out of me. What did Sonia say when she first saw her?"

"The same. No one can get over how much she looks like Mom's sister."

"Excuse me. I am still here you know."

Alain leaned over, pinched her cheek then scooped up her empty glass. "I know. Would you ever let me forget? Another julep, honeychile?"

Robert undoubtedly noted the snappy flow between them immediately. Many years ago the shock of confronting his blind ignorance over his daughters' intimate relationship with James had elevated him to a new level of awareness from then on. These days, with all the time in the world, he missed nothing.

As Alain disappeared into the hotel Robert turned deadly serious. "You like him a lot more than he realizes, don't you?"

Calley flushed red and looked down.