The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke

Chapter Five

Patrick's sheriff's cruiser was in the yard when Shamus pulled in behind his sister's house. Good, he wouldn't have to chase his brother down to find out what he knew. He glanced at his watch and found it hard to believe that it wasn't quite half past ten yet. So much had happened this morning.

When he shut off the truck, he hauled out his cell phone to make a quick call. His men would be wondering where he was as he was usually the first on the job site in the morning. They were working on the next phase of the lake development and had three homes at various stages in their construction. He talked to Joe Banks, his foreman, who assured him everything was going according to schedule. Telling Joe that he'd be in later, he snapped his phone closed and climbed out of his truck.

He strode up the familiar path and up over the few steps to the back door. Not bothering to knock, he let himself into the mudroom just off the kitchen.

"Shamus, we were beginning to think that you weren't going to come in.” His sister swiveled in her seat at the kitchen table to greet him.

Going to her side, he bent down and kissed the top of her head. His sister had raised both he and Patrick and was as much mother as sister to them both. “Sorry about that. I had to give Joe a quick call at the site."

"You want something to eat?” Dani patted his arm as she started to rise from her chair.

"No, I'm fine. I'll just grab some coffee.” He could feel Patrick's eyes boring into him as he went to the counter, got a mug down from the cupboard, and poured himself a coffee. He was as comfortable in his sister's home as he was in his own. “Where's Burke?” He tried to keep his voice casual, but Dani wasn't fooled.

"What's wrong?"

Shamus turned, cup in hand and strode back to the table. “Nothing's wrong. Not really. I just wanted to talk to you all about something."

"He's in his office. I'll go and get him.” Dani rose from her chair, her expression concerned as she hurried out of the kitchen.

"This has something to do with that woman you were chasing after this morning, doesn't it?” Patrick turned his mug in his hand, his eyes steady.

"Yup.” Shamus hauled out a chair and seated himself. Stretching out his legs, he linked his fingers over his chest. This wasn't going to be easy, so he only wanted to go through it once. He'd wait until everyone concerned was here.

Patrick opened his mouth to speak again, but shut it when Dani came back into the room, her large, protective husband behind her. Burke's dark eyes narrowed as his gaze went from Shamus and then back to Dani. “What's wrong?” Burke wasn't the kind of man to mince words.

"Nothing's wrong, per se, but I need to talk to you all about something, or rather, about someone."

"A woman?” He could hear the spark of interest in Dani's voice. His sister was always nagging him to settle down.

He smiled at her. “Yes, a woman, but it's not quite that simple."

"It never is.” Dani gave her husband a mock frown as he added his opinion.

"Who is she?” Leave it to his brother, the cop, to ask the most pertinent question.

"Let me start at the beginning.” He filled them in on coming across the stranded motorist and helping her. He told them about their having breakfast together this morning. That much was public knowledge. Several people had seen them eating at Jessie's, and Mike Sampson, at the garage, knew he'd stopped to help her on the road. Shamus had stopped by the garage on his way through town yesterday and told him to expect her. Burke was quiet, while Dani was leaning forward expectantly in her chair.

"Who is she?” Patrick asked the question again.

"Her name is Cyndi Marks. But that's not the important question."

"What is the right question?” Shamus could hear the growing concern in his sister's voice.

He took another sip of coffee and laid his cup on the table in front of him. “The question to ask is who was she?"

"Enough.” Burke leaned forward, his hands braced on the table. “Who was she?"

"Cynthia James."

Dani gasped and Burke swore. Patrick didn't say anything, but his lips thinned and his eyes narrowed.

His sister recovered first. “What is that woman doing back in town?"

Burke reached out and wrapped his arm around Dani, pulling her from her chair and into his lap. “We knew this was a possibility when her father died. I warned you it could happen."

"But she's been gone for so long...” Dani's voice trailed off. Suddenly her head snapped up. “You stay away from her."

Shamus was shocked. He'd never seen his sister react this way to anyone. Dani was usually softhearted and forgiving, always urging others to give people a second chance in life. Apparently, Cynthia James was the one person who wasn't included in this.

"That's what she said too."

He could see that he'd shocked his sister, but she recovered quickly. “Then for once in her life, she's talking sense. You should listen to her."

"What happened?"

Burke shook his head. “It was a long time ago, Shamus. We've put it behind us."

Shamus tilted his head to one side. It wasn't like his brother-in-law to avoid a subject just because it wasn't pleasant. “Doesn't sound like you have put it behind you."

"Leave well enough alone.” There was anger in Patrick's voice as he stood and began to pace. “That woman hurt our sister. Isn't that sufficient reason?"

Shamus studied his brother. “It might be, except the person you're all talking about is not the person I met."

"She uses her feminine wiles to get what she wants. She always has, never stopping to think how it might affect anyone else.” Dani slid off her husband's lap and came over to stand beside him. “Don't be fooled by her long, blond hair and her model-thin body."

Shamus laughed. “Her hair is short and brown, her body is very well-rounded, and I haven't seen her wear any makeup yet. Not quite a femme fatale."

Dani frowned. “That doesn't sound like Cynthia James."

"That's because it's not,” he continued patiently. “The person here is Cyndi Marks."

"A name change doesn't mean anything.” Patrick stopped pacing and leaned against the counter.

"I think it does. At least it does to her."

"I doubt she'll be here long.” Burke leaned back in his chair. “As soon as her father's estate is settled, she'll probably just sell the house and go back to wherever it was she came from."

Shamus slowly shook his head. “I'm not so sure."

"Money and power is all that matters to Cynthia,” Burke countered. “Cyrus James spent his entire life hoarding both. The apple can't fall that far from the tree."

"I keep telling you all that Cyndi is different.” Dani shot her husband a worried frown. Shamus ignored it and continued. “She told me that she tried to break you two up years ago and that she lied about being pregnant."

Burke sighed. “Dani and I were having problems.” He sent a sad glance toward his wife. “It was my fault. I was having doubts about us and played right into Cynthia James's plans."

Shamus nodded, but said nothing.

"She phoned and hired me to come and clean their house.” His sister picked up the story. “I knew they had a maid, but she said the maid was too busy. When I was still cleaning her room, Cynthia came in and made sure I knew that Burke was taking her to the New Years’ party at the country club. She also let me know she had plans for her and Burke for after the party.” Her voice trembled and she stopped. “She hurt me, Shamus. Intentionally. It was premeditated and cruel."

"I came home and found Dani. She was devastated.” Shamus swiveled in his seat to face Patrick. He could imagine how his brother must have felt and now better understood his brother's animosity toward Cynthia.

"I came to my senses and left the party and Cynthia.” Burke stood and dragged his wife into his arms. “I went to Peach Street and pleaded with Dani to take me back.” His big hand stroked over his wife's hair. “Luckily, she took pity on me. My life wouldn't have been the same if she hadn't."

Dani wrapped her arms around Burke, holding him tight. Their love was a tangible thing and Shamus glanced away to give them a moment of privacy. He knew it wasn't an easy thing he was asking of his family. He was dredging up a lot of old, painful memories.

"We got engaged, and then Cynthia pulled her infamous stunt at the diner, accusing me of getting her pregnant. Since I'd never slept with her, never even touched her, that wasn't even a possibility."

Something inside Shamus relaxed. He'd been afraid that Burke had slept with Cynthia even though his gut had told him otherwise. It would have just been too weird if he and his brother-in-law had pursued the same woman, even if there was fourteen years in the difference.

"She came to see me before she left town.” His head snapped back to his sister. Apparently, the story wasn't quite finished yet. “She looked pale and I could tell she'd been crying. She was all hunched in on herself."

"What did she say?” Shamus needed to know.

Dani frowned as if she were having a hard time trying to recall the exact details. “She said she was sorry for all the problems she'd caused.” She paused and thought for another few seconds. “She also said something about looking for a way to solve her problems but that this wasn't the answer. Then she said we wouldn't have to worry about her again. That's pretty much all I remember, Shamus. It was a long time ago and I just wanted to forget it."

"I understand and I'm sorry for putting you through this."

"Then you see why you have to stay away from her.” He could hear the hope in Dani's voice. “She's nothing but trouble, and I don't trust her."

"What I see,” Shamus chose his words carefully, “is that a woman made a mistake years ago, apologized for it, and then stayed away for fourteen years. Now she's back and she's not the same person."

Patrick stalked over to the table and slammed his hand down on top of it. “Why are you doing this?"

Shamus calmly faced his irate brother, turning his question back at him. “Why are you doing this? Cyndi obviously is a different person now. Are you the same person you were fourteen years ago? Heck, you're not even the same person you were two years ago, Patrick. Life changes everyone."

"That's not a fair comparison and you know it,” Patrick charged.

"Sure it is. The shooting and returning home changed you for the better. You met Shannon, got married, and now your life is totally different. You're not as cynical and aloof as you used to be. I'd say that what happened here all those years ago changed Cynthia James."

"But you can't be sure.” Burke's voice was flat, his words ringing with finality.

"No,” Shamus agreed. “I can't be. Not unless I spend time with Cyndi."

"I wish you wouldn't. That woman and her father deliberately hurt a lot of people in this town.” His sister rarely asked him for anything and he hated to hurt her like this, but this was too important to him to let it go.

"You might get your wish. Cyndi has said that she doesn't want to see me, doesn't want to cause problems between me and my family."

Dani frowned and rubbed her forehead. “That certainly doesn't sound like her.” Sighing, she leaned against her husband. “I still don't like it."

Shamus decided it was time to bring this conversation to an end. He'd gotten what he came for. There was no need to drag it out. “Maybe you're right and she'll be gone in a few days."

Dani visibly relaxed, but he noted that Burke and Patrick didn't look convinced. He ignored their pointed glares. He'd do what he felt he needed to do. He'd supported his family through thick and thin even when he didn't always agree with them. He expected the same in return. Except he didn't think he was going to get it. And that hurt. After all these years, they should trust him and his decisions even if they didn't trust Cyndi.

He changed the subject, going over some project questions with Burke and asking Dani about his nephew, Shane. Patrick he ignored. He knew that this wasn't over between himself and his older brother. Not by a long shot.

Cyndi pulled open the decorative, oak door with a stained glass window and walked inside the small lobby. Alicia Flint's office was located on the second floor of an office complex. The building was actually an old, stone structure that had been a dry goods store back at the turn of the century. It had closed in the late nineteen-seventies and her father had bought it for a song in the early eighties, converting it to an office building. Technically, it was her building now and all these people paid rent to her. It boggled her mind.

An older woman smiled at her as she entered. “May I help you?"

Cyndi nodded. “I have a ten-thirty appointment. My name is Cyndi Marks."

The woman glanced briefly at her appointment book. Cyndi noticed the framed pictures on the woman's desk and the colorful plants scattered around it. There was no stuffiness here. “Would you like a cup of coffee or tea? Ms. Flint is on a call at the moment, but she shouldn't be more than a few minutes."

"No, thank you, I'm fine.” Cyndi was already nervous enough as it was. What if Alicia wouldn't take her on as a client? Not everyone in Jamesville would want to do business with her or earn the ire of the powerful law firm of Harris and Hammond.

A thick, oak door opened and an attractive woman wearing a red power suit strode out. Her black hair was cut in a chic style that was extremely short, yet suited the delicate features of her face. Alicia Flint had certainly grown into a striking woman. She handed a note to her receptionist. “Can you take care of this for me, Millie?"

"Certainly, Ms. Flint. This is Ms. Marks."

Alicia stuck out her hand. “Alicia Flint, Ms. Marks. I'm pleased to meet you.” Cyndi stood and shook the other woman's hand. “Why don't you come into my office so we can talk?"

Cyndi followed her into the inner sanctum. Unlike the stuffy, wood paneling and dark colors of Harris and Hammond, this room was airy and light. Inviting was the word that came to mind. It was totally professional, yet it put her at ease.

"Why don't you have a seat and tell me what I can do for you?” Alicia motioned to a sitting area away from the desk. It consisted of a sofa covered in dark chocolate fabric, two light beige chairs, and a large, leather ottoman that doubled as a coffee table. As in the outer office, plants gave the room a fresh feeling.

Cyndi felt the knot in her belly begin to relax as she eased down onto one of the chairs, her oversized satchel carefully tucked by her side. “First, you can call me Cyndi."

Alicia smiled as she took the other chair. “Good enough. You can call me Alicia. Everyone does, even Millie,” She motioned to the outer office. “She only calls me Ms. Flint in front of new clients."

Cyndi laughed. She liked Alicia Flint. She only hoped that the lawyer would agree to help her. Taking a deep breath, she began. “It's a long story."

Alicia leaned back and got comfortable. “Tell me."

Cyndi poured out her tale. She started fourteen years ago from the day she left Jamesville and skated over her years away from town. The bulk of the narrative began a few weeks ago when she'd gotten news of her father's death and ended with her visit to Harris and Hammond yesterday. It shocked her that so little time had passed. She felt as if she'd been through so much in such a short amount of time.

Alicia said nothing while Cyndi laid it all out for her. Her eyes widened and she nodded once or twice, but that was it. When she finished speaking, Cyndi sat back, totally drained.

"I remember you.” Alicia rested her elbows on the arms of the chair and steepled her fingers together. “A lot of people envied you, but not me. You never looked happy, not really."

Cyndi gave a bitter laugh. “You're a very perceptive woman."

Alicia inclined her head. “You should know that I thought your father was a mean son of a bitch."

Cyndi rubbed her moist palms over the legs of her pants. Her stomach roiled just thinking about her father. “I thought so, too."

The other woman continued to study her and it took everything in her not to squirm. She had nothing to hide. Besides, she couldn't hold anything back, not if she wanted this woman to help her.

"You want to move your entire file from Harris and Hammond, arguably one of the best law firms in the entire state?"

Cyndi nodded.

"Why?"

Cyndi took a deep breath and blurted out the truth. “Because those men are too much like my father, and they treated me the same way he used to.” The condescension and the barely veiled ridicule had sent her reeling back into the past yesterday. She'd fought too hard to make a life for herself, and she was damned if she'd let a man like Elijah Harris have a say in it.

A slow smile formed on Alicia's lips. “They are, aren't they? They'll kick up a fuss, you know.” Cyndi didn't think that the other woman looked worried by it; rather she seemed excited about the prospect.

"They will,” she agreed.

Alicia rose gracefully from her seat. Cyndi stood more slowly, digging her fingers into the leather fabric of her purse.

"Well then, we certainly have a lot of work to do, don't we?"

The knot in her belly finally dissolved and Cyndi smiled. “You'll take me on as a client?” She wanted to be absolutely sure. “Even though you know who I am?"

Alicia looked every inch the successful lawyer as she studied Cyndi. “I pride myself on being a good judge of character. Whatever you were, whoever you are, you're nothing like your father."

Cyndi swallowed hard, shaken to her core. This was the second person in town that seemed to accept her for who she was now. Maybe she'd have a chance to set the past to rights. The first step toward that end was to get all her legal affairs shifted to this office. There were tons of business details that needed scrutinizing before Cyndi decided what she was going to do with the bulk of her father's money and assets.

"Thank you."

Alicia grinned. “No, thank you.” She rubbed her hands together. “I'm looking forward to being the thorn in the side of Harris and Hammond. Did you know that they wouldn't take me into their firm on a work term when I was starting out? Seems they only like to have men working in their office, at least as lawyers. They have no problem with a woman being a receptionist."

Cyndi followed Alicia to her desk and took a seat on the opposite side, confident she'd made the right decision. If anyone could get through the legal wrangling of Harris and Hammond, it was this woman. “They'll fight you."

Alicia peeled off her jacket and drew out a legal pad and a pen. “I'm looking forward to it."

She needed to ask one more time. “You're sure you want to do this?” She opened her satchel and dug out a large file containing all the information she had on her father's holdings.

"Absolutely. Besides—” she grinned mischievously, “—it's not all altruistic. I'm getting paid for my services."

Cyndi laughed again. She really liked Alicia Flint and was beginning to be able to read her well. Alicia was enjoying the challenge of taking on Harris and Hammond more than she was looking forward to the money, but she wasn't denying that the money was an added bonus.

There was a lot of honesty in that. The kind of honesty Cyndi was looking for in a lawyer. “Where do we start?"