The Contract Read online

  Candy cut Sara a sharp salute. “As you wish, Miss Sara.” But Candy was grinning.

  Sara smiled. “Do I have to ride in back? Could I ride up front, with you?”

  “Of course, as this is not a social event. Jason always rides up front with me when it is not totally improper. He is always careful to make sure I do not get into hot water with Maggie… Mrs. MacDougal.”

  Candy put the limo in gear and continued, “Of course, Maggie knows pretty much everything that goes on. She only makes an issue when she really believes Jason needs a lesson.”

  Sara had been watching Candy as Candy spoke. Candy had as much as threatened Sara the evening before, about turning her in to the authorities as homeless, with no responsible adult to watch after her. Much as had Mrs. MacDougal. But, also as had Mrs. MacDougal and Juliet, Sara was sure Candy was being truthful, not saying things just to get Sara to do something.

  “You actually like him, even though he is your boss and just a kid,” Sara said, realizing it was true.

  They were at a traffic signal and Candy looked over at Sara for several long moments. “We are all very fond of Jason. We all worked for his father before he passed away. Mrs. MacDougal and Duchess worked for Mr. McKindrick before his first wife died. They both say Master Jason is like his father.”

  Candy laughed. “Maggie, I think, would have liked to taken Mr. McKindrick over her knee from time to time, just as she does Jason.

  “Everything I have ever heard about Mr. McKindrick, from any source except the second Mrs. McKindrick’s attorney, has been good. I think that will go for Master Jason as well.”

  “Do you know what happened to Jason’s mother?”

  “Breast cancer. She was only thirty when she died. Master Jason was barely five.”

  “That must have been hard for him,” Sara said.

  “I think so,” Candy replied. She knew she was giving information to what amounted to a stranger, but Maggie had said to be a bit more free with information about Jason to Sara than any of them normally would in similar circumstances.

  “What about Jason’s dad. Mrs. MacDougal said he died five years ago, when Jason was ten.”

  “Yes. It was a terrible tragedy. There was an accident down by the lake. Mr. McKindrick and Master Jason were out sailing. Mr. McKindrick went into the water and pulled three people from the car. The last one was a baby. He could not make it to shore. He handed the baby to Master Jason in the sailboat before he…”

  Candy pulled the limo to the side of the road and parked. Her head went to her hands on the steering wheel.”

  “I am sorry,” Candy said through her tears.

  Sara felt herself tearing up from the story.

  Candy looked over at Sara. “I always do that when the subject comes up.” Wiping away the tears she continued, “Master Jason was only ten, but he has always been much more mature than his age. He made sure the baby was okay, then sailed the boat right up to the shore by himself. Before the authorities could stop him, he handed the baby to her parents, got right back into the sailboat, managed to get it turned around, and sailed back to the spot his father had gone down.

  “The police lake unit divers had to pull him onto their boat. He just kept diving to try to find his father.”

  “That is so…” Sara said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “Here,” Candy said, reaching for her purse on the seat. “Better fix your face. Me, too, I guess,” Candy said after getting a look at her face in the rear view mirror.

  “Maybe I should not have asked,” Sara said, looking out the far window as Candy pulled back out into traffic.

  “It is all right, Miss Sara. Any of the others, even Master Jason, would have told you about all of it.” Candy smiled then. “Though, I am sure Master Jason would not have mentioned his efforts to save his father.”

  “I can believe that,” Sara said. She turned to look at Candy as Candy again parked the limousine, this time to allow Sara to exit two blocks from the school.

  Sara hesitated with her hand on the door latch. “If you are sure it is okay… What about Jason’s stepmother?”

  Candy stiffened, unconsciously, Sara was sure.

  “Abigail. Mr. McKindrick married her a little over a year before he died. She has no feelings for Master Jason that I have ever seen. But I have never, ever, heard one disparaging word about her from him. She is on a three year round-the-world cruise. I am not even sure she will be back for his high school graduation. She made her lawyer, Lawrence, Master Jason’s guardian, since Abigail cannot be reached in the event of an accident or something.

  “I believe Master Jason is twice as smart as Jack Lawrence, yet he has the final say in so many things in Master Jason’s life.” Candy shook her head. “It is not right. But he will not do anything to try to change it.”

  “He has his own attorney,” Sara said. “Sally Richardson.”

  Candy smiled. “Mr. McKindrick did not leave everything in his widow’s hands.” She looked over at Sara. “I really cannot discuss that subject any further, Miss Sara. I am sorry, it just is not my place.”

  “I understand, Candy. Besides, I need to get going, anyway. That clock is right, I take it.” Sara nodded to the dashboard digital clock.

  Candy grinned. “To the second. It has some kind of satellite link to the atomic clocks in Colorado, according to Master Jason.”

  “Thanks, Candy,” Sara said as she stepped out of the limo. Sara put her head into the car and added, “For everything. Good-bye.” Sara closed the door firmly.

  Candy smiled. “Miss Sara thinks she will not be seeing any of us after today, I wager. Oh, the poor girl. She has no idea of the will of a McKindrick male.”

  Trinity waved when she saw Sara approaching the corner.

  “Was waiting for you. This is weird. I wore jeans yesterday and so did you. Today we both have skirts. Great minds think alike, huh?”

  “Something like that,” Sara said rather wryly.

  As they crossed the street when the light changed Sara asked Trinity, “Have you seen Jason this morning, by chance?”

  “Not this morning. Tryouts for track team are usually the second day of school. He is probably at the track field.” Trinity grinned at Sara. “Still planning to take his head off? If so, can I watch? That rat gets me occasionally. I would like to get one up on him, before he does me, this year. Just seeing him get it would be a start.”

  Sara glanced over at Trinity in surprise.

  “You don’t like him? I though you did. You even said you tried to date him.”

  “I like the weasel,” Trinity said with a laugh. “And he is fun to be around, in a group. I think he would be a fun casual date. But I would still like to get him, just because I would not have to worry about him trying to get even.”

  “Oh. I see.”

  “So? You still out to get him?”

  “Yes… and no…” Sara said, shaking her head.

  “Yep. Jason is like that. Even teachers and some of the administrators at school feel much the same way. He does something that seems like he is going to get in serious trouble, then it turns out to be something that everyone wants to stand up and applaud.

  “Well, almost everyone. He does have a few enemies at school.”

  The name popped into Sara’s head. “Rodney.”

  “Oh, yes. Those two have been feuding since they met. Not feuding. Jason, I guess, really does not do that. It is more like Rodney has it in for Jason. Rodney is rich, you see, and Jason always seems to come out on top no matter what the two wind up involved with together. Like track. Jason is just a little bit faster than Rodney in the long distances, though Rodney is a rocket in the sprints. But Jason does not compete in the sprints, so Rodney cannot beat him there, the way Jason does Rodney in the distance runs.

  “I did not say that right. Jason does not not compete in the sprints because Rodney could beat him; he just competes in other events. You would not believe how far he can throw a javelin! It is ama
zing. He holds the state record. It is only a few inches short of the NCAA college record.”

  “Really?” Sara asked, actually intrigued. Then she remembered what Trinity had said about Rodney being rich, with the implication that Jason was not.

  Sara wanted more information, without giving up too much herself. “You said Rodney is rich. He acts like a jerk, from what I have seen. And felt.” Sara frowned at the memory.

  “Yeah. It is like Jason said, though. Rich does not make you better than other people. It just means you have more money.”

  “And Jason?” Sara asked, hoping that the effusive Trinity would be forthcoming without wondering why Sara was inquiring.

  “You know, I have never been to his house, but I know his family must do pretty good. He visits my dad quite a bit because they share several interests, like sailing. I told you how Jason often picks up a check when we all go down to the yacht club. He always seems to have enough to cover it, and sometimes it is seventy-five bucks or more when we all get really nice meals. Like lobster. Lord, I love lobster.

  “That bike he rides is really expensive, too. So, yeah, they must be pretty comfortable, like my family. But Rodney’s family is really rich. They have a staff at their house, a limo, all kinds of ritzy things. And Rodney loves to lord it over the rest of us at Kennedy.”

  “I see,” Sara said. She certainly knew what Trinity meant about Rodney, but Trinity obviously had no idea that Jason was probably as wealthy as Rodney’s family, if not more so. Sara did not see, by a long shot, Jason or his actions.

  “You want to sit together at lunch? A couple of more of my friends should be there. I think you will like them.”

  “Sure, Trinity. That sounds nice,” Sara replied. She knew she would not have a chance to get to know anyone else, but Sara wanted to be polite.

  “Well, I have to get to first period. I’ll see you later,” Trinity said. The two headed their separate ways.

  Sara saw Rodney on her way to class. He was sporting a dandy shiner, she thought. He glared at her like she was the one that had given it to him.

  “Guess it is even worse that I did not, and everyone thinks I did,” Sara thought to herself after two more people congratulated her on her handling of Rodney.

  Sara could tell they did not believe her when she told them calmly that someone else had hit Rodney with a basketball. Especially when one girl winked at her and said, “Good move, girl! Everyone knows, and you still don’t get into trouble!”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly when she saw Jason in math class and he seemed to ignore her. Sara decided that since she had the plan, that it would be best to let the rest slide, for the moment. But she muttered, “I WILL send him money when I get a chance at our new location.”

  Sara was able to keep her mind on the classes, and found herself enjoying meeting Trinity’s friends at lunch, until her last class, which, fortunately, was a study period.

  Jason could see Sara clutching her books to her chest so firmly that her knuckles were white when Sara came outside after the last bell.

  Seeing Trinity approaching Jason quickly stepped toward Sara and hurriedly whispered, “That is Sally Richards in the Red Toyota. She will take you to see your mother.”

  “What did you say to her, Jason?” Trinity asked, exasperated, when she joined him on the steps of the school. “I wanted to talk to her about coming over to the house one night soon with Joanie and Priscilla.”

  “That lady in the Toyota was looking for her,” Jason replied casually.

  “That her mom?” Trinity asked Jason as she waited for him to unchain his bike from the rack.

  “No. I think she sent her, though,” Jason replied.

  Jason rode slowly beside Trinity as she walked toward her home. “You make the track team this year?” Trinity asked.

  His mind on Sara and her troubles, Jason merely grunted an affirmative.

  Trinity stopped in her tracks. “Jason, are you okay? You do not sound right.”

  Jason looked over at Trinity. “Actually, Trinity, I do not feel well. I think I will just head on home.” Jason managed a smile. “Besides, I think Alan was going to be casually heading this way. Just in case you might be going this way.”

  “Jason, you know I always go this way to get home.”

  “I know. That is what I told Alan. Speaking of whom, there he is.” Jason winked at Trinity.

  Trinity looked around. There was Alan, heading their way. She looked at Jason again. “Why would Alan be coming this way? He lives the other direction.”

  “You are fifteen, pretty face, nice figure, and desperate for a date. Alan said he would not mind providing a mercy date, when I told him all that.”

  “I am going to murder you, Jason McKindrick!” Trinity hissed to Jason as he started to pedal away. Alan was too close for her to scream it the way she was tempted. “Get in line, Sara,” Trinity muttered.

  She smiled as she turned to reply to Alan’s greeting. She had thought about trying to wangle a date with Alan when she saw him the previous day. How Jason knew to set up something like this was beyond Trinity’s understanding. “Maybe I will not murder him,” she thought to herself. “Just maim him a little. Alan is a pretty nice guy.”

  Jason called for Candy to pick him up a couple of blocks from the school. He set the bike in the huge trunk of the Cadillac limousine and climbed into the front seat.

  “The courthouse?” Candy asked quietly.

  Jason nodded. He sat and stared out the passenger window as Candy drove.

  Jason frowned when he saw Jack Lawrence in the meeting room with Sally Richardson, Sara, and another man whose face he thought he recognized.

  It was obvious that everyone was upset. Sara was not crying, but Jason could tell it was only because of a great effort on her part not to do so. She also looked angry, as well as upset.

  Sally was definitely angry.

  “Jason,” Sally said, tight lipped, “I need to talk to you and Sara. Privately.” She cut a hard look at Jack Lawrence.

  Lawrence smiled, rather annoyingly, but he and the other man did leave the room. Jason could tell that the second man was not associated with Jack. Despite leaving the room together, they were obviously not together. Candy stepped out into the hall with the two men.

  “Jason, I was just trying to tell Sara that I cannot do anything to help Mrs. Lee. That slimy… Jack Lawrence talked to a judge… He is bringing up the potential conflict of interest I might have, depending on the situation. He, and the judge, know perfectly well that I would withdraw if need be. But Lawrence is making it sound… sordid. Like I am intentionally…”

  Sally stopped, took a deep breath, then continued. “Jason, my hands are tied. This conflict of interest issue will simply cloud the issues with Mrs. Lee. I contacted Manuel LeGarza with LeGarza and LeGarza. I did not even want to bring anyone else in my firm, just in case.”

  She cut a quick look at Sara, then looked at Jason again. “Mrs. Lee does not need anything complicating her case.”

  “Has Mrs. Lee or Miss Lee talked to Mr. LeGarza yet?”

  Sally shook her head.

  “Has Miss Lee seen her mother?”

  Sara squeaked out a forlorn, “No.”

  “Have you filled in Mr. LeGarza?”

  “Only the preliminaries, Jason. With this issue, I have to be careful not to inject too much, or Lawrence will just cause additional problems.”

  “I will deal with Mr. Lawrence,” Jason said.

  Sally’s eyes widened at the tone of assurance in Jason’s voice. Sara just stared at him.

  Jason turned to Sara. “Is it okay with you for Mr. LeGarza to talk to you and your mother?”

  Sara just nodded. Anything, at the moment, to get her mother out of jail.

  “Jason,” Sally said, cutting a long look at Sara. “You cannot pay LeGarza. Lawrence will make an issue of that, as well.”

  “I know. Miss Lee will be able to take care of it.”

  “But…” Sara said
, but fell silent. There were already so many things she owed Jason, one more really would not make that much difference. It was going to take years to pay him back, anyway.

  “How…” Sally looked from Sara to Jason and quickly cut off her question. What she did not know would not get any of them into trouble.

  “Miss Richardson, if you would ask Mr. LeGarza to come and talk to Miss Lee…”

  Again Sally’s eyes went from one to the other. She nodded. This meant a lot to Jason. She did not quite understand what was going on, but Sally had developed a great deal of respect for Jason since he had put her on retainer to administer the part of the estate that he had inherited directly from his father. She was willing to go along. For the moment.

  As soon as Sally’s back was to them Jason reached into his pocket. He had asked Candy to bring along a packet of cash from the house. Jason handed it to Sara. “Take care of things. I promise you can have your say, but your mother must come first.”

  Sara nodded. “But we will discuss all this. Soon.”

  “I know. Now I must take care of something.” He turned to leave the room as LeGarza entered. “Miss Richardson, I need to see you in conference for a few minutes.”

  Jason looked at Jack Lawrence. “Then I think you and I need to get some things straightened out, Mr. Lawrence.”

  “I quite agree, Jason. This situation has gone on for too long as it is. You have much explaining… and apologizing to do.”

  “I know,” Jason said evenly, drawing a frown from Sally.

  She led him to another available meeting room. “That man gives the profession a really bad name,” Sally said as she closed the door. “I do not quite understand the situation, but I know you, Jason. I cannot believe you have any-thing to apologize for to Lawrence.”

  Jason grinned. “Oh, I wasn’t going to apologize to him. The apology is owed to someone else.” His smile faded. Jason walked over and seemed to study the top of the table that nearly filled the small room.

  Sally watched him without speaking. Had she not known Jason was fifteen, his stance, erect, hands clasped behind his back, would have made her think he was in his thirties.