Cherry Two

Part 25

Chapter 23

Sunday they did go sailing. It turned out to be a perfect windy day. A guy called Ramón handled the jib while Robert manned the helm of the wood-decked fourteen-footer. Calley squealed with delight each time she caught some icy Pacific spray and noticed for all his shattered life and self-loathing, Robert didn't seem to be doing too badly. His sackcloth and ashes were the finest money could buy.

***

At the precise same moment Alain hooked his drive off the seventh tee and sent the ball into the rough. He wasn't a distance player, but could always fire in a straight line when needed. Keenan guessed the problem, but said nothing on the course. Evidently this Sunday morning Alain's mind was anywhere but on the game. Inquisitions could wait.

After Alain's eighteen-hole thrashing they relaxed with beer at the Riviera clubhouse then headed home, only to find Sonia going ballistic, tearing a strip off Kent for neglecting to do something he'd promised. Keenan, not wishing to get involved, rolled his eyes at Alain and indicated refuge in the study.

With the door closed, Keenan poured them both a single malt Scotch. "I hope your mind will be better focused tomorrow, kiddo. You'll be working for me."

Alain collapsed onto a black leather couch and rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, sorry, Dad. It's this business with Calley. I know I'm the reason you sent her off to Granddad's place. And since when did you need my help? The work thing is just an excuse—admit it."

Keenan sat beside him and pondered the best way to ask the question. "Look, I don't know how to beat around this personal stuff so I'll come straight out. Son... did you and her go all the way?"

Alain seemed to color up and took a solid swig. "Mom put you up to this?"

"No. It's between you and me. I'm just looking at down the road. If there's the slightest chance she could be pregnant I'd like to know."

Keenan got his direct answer. "She can't be pregnant by me, okay? I tried to resist her and almost did. Sure, we came darn close, but..."

"Not all the way?"

Alain looked sullen. "No."

"You really like her. It's easy to see why."

"Dad, is there something you're not telling me? Why did I get this feeling ever since she arrived?"

"Such as? All I'm saying is: we don't want James and Kate finding out they have a big problem that stemmed from here. That girl is university material. Holy Lord she picks things up fast. If Kent was half as smart as she is he'd be doing something useful with his life like you, not pissing it away. But he knows money will never be a problem so long as he stays close to home. Kent's not dumb, just lazy. I have big plans for you, buster, and next week isn't just an excuse to get Calley out of your way, so don't flatter yourself. I want to see how you function under pressure. I'll be tasking you hard."

Finally a smile edged into Alain's face. "Slave driver."

"Believe it. Now are we all squared away?"

"Not quite. I promised Calley I'd do something with that outdated material Robert gave her. It'll mean using the computer and your security access codes. I know I set the system up for you in the first place, but I thought I'd better ask."

"Hmm, damn right you ask. So she's still determined to pick away at that old sore. She must realize there's nothing to find."

Alain shrugged. "I can't convince her, so I humor her."