CHAPTER 30 #2
There were only two documents, in fact, but there were three originals of each, the lawyer explained.
One document set out the terms on which Hallie was being released, and the other was recording the financial transfer that Cotovatre had agreed to make to the Magravine.
One set of originals would be kept by the Magravine, one by the lady, and the final set was for Hallie’s own personal records.
She might not be party to the agreement, but the agreement was about her and Cotovatre had insisted that she get her own copy.
Hallie listened as the lawyer explained what each of the documents did, and where Wilona and Cotovatre needed to sign.
Hallie was reassured that the explanation matched the one Cotovatre had given to her, and even more reassured when all four lawyers confirmed that the agreement would be legally binding and effective once signed.
It did make her skin itch to have the disposal of her life and freedom discussed so dispassionately and set out in legal language.
But it also comforted her. Cotovatre’s lawyer made it very clear that the document drawn up by Morgana which had recorded Hallie’s severance from the vine was in fact also legally binding and final, and that the documents that were now being discussed also referred to that.
From everything she was hearing, there would be no more attempts from Wilona to back out of the matter.
Particularly as the financial document made it clear that if Wilona tried to draw Hallie back into the vine, Wilona would be required to pay back everything she’d been given.
With interest. Hallie wasn’t sure if the lawyers or Cotovatre had come up with that, but if there was one thing that might keep her mother in check, it was the threat of a financial penalty.
When the explanation was done, Wilona had her own lawyers inspect the pages offered before confirming that the documents were exactly what had been agreed. She then took a plain plastic pen out of her threadbare overtunic and signed the documents, no hesitation in her movements.
Cotovatre produced her own pen, a deceptively plain-looking metal-bodied instrument, and added her own signature, then requested the second, silent, lawyer to witness everything.
The second lawyer then collected all the documents, sorted them into sets and put the sets in front of Wilona, Cotovatre and Hallie before stepping back.
When all that was done, Cotovatre faced Wilona.
“You are a person of authority and one who commands respect in this place,” the lady said, her voice calm and cool, unhurried.
“You have broken your word twice in this matter. This agreement is to put everything beyond doubt. Hallie Talbot is none of your concern. Not now, and not forevermore. A third breach of your word will not be tolerated.”
There were furious, bright spots of colour on Wilona’s cheeks when Cotovatre finished.
“You think you’re better than I am, with your fine clothes and snippy accent?” Wilona demanded. “How dare you insult me?”
“I do not insult you. I have stated facts,” Cotovatre said in that same tone.
“Did you come here to gloat?” Wilona asked, turning her venom on Hallie.
“No, Magravine,” Hallie said, trying to match Cotovatre’s calmness.
“I would have far preferred that you hold to our original agreement. But you did not, and I knew you would not listen to me. You have now been compensated, far beyond what was originally set out, for my loss to the vine. I trust that this will be the end of the matter. I wish you well and hope for the continued success of the vine.”
Wilona’s jaw tightened, and Hallie could see the restraint she was having to exercise.
Without saying anything more, she took her set of papers off the table and passed them to one of the lawyers at her side then turned on her heel and stalked out of the restaurant, her lawyers following, their exit marked by the bright, happy bell.
Hallie stared at the space where her mother had been and thought she should probably feel something. She wasn’t sure what, but she didn’t think the numb void was a healthy or good response.
She jumped, startled, when Cotovatre put a hand on her shoulder. The hochlen lawyers had moved away to a discreet distance, giving them some privacy.
“It’s done,” the lady said, compassion in her voice and face. “I believe you have the day off? Why don’t you go and visit Rosalia, or some of your other friends here?”
“Ah, there’s a party or something tonight,” Hallie said, dragging her focus back to the lady. “In the gardens around the apartment. I’ve been asked to make sure you know you are welcome, and Emmet, too, of course.”
“We should be delighted to join you. Do we need to bring anything?” Cotovatre asked, tilting her head. “Garden parties tend to be a little less formal.”
Hallie’s mouth twitched as she remembered the text chain she’d been added to, which involved the entire forensic team, medical examiner, Girard, and at least three of the investigators.
It seemed that there was a general feeling that some kind of celebration was needed now that the memorials and the formal Conclave meetings were over.
Hallie could understand the impulse. Among the messages, there had been a clamour for her to bring some of Rosalia’s baking.
And when Cotovatre’s name had been mentioned, another clamour had risen.
“It’s been suggested that some of your lemonade would be appreciated. ”
Cotovatre smiled. “Well, then, I shall do my best not to disappoint.” She drew Hallie into a brief, hard hug. “I am sorry that you had to go through that.”
“And I am sorry for how much you have had to pay out,” Hallie said.
She didn’t offer to repay the lady. She’d made that offer and been rebuffed often enough.
All the same, she knew it was going to take time before she felt less guilty about all the effort - and money - Cotovatre had expended to ensure that Hallie was now and forever more free of the Talbot family vine.
“It is such a small price to pay,” Cotovatre said, smiling. “Now, go. I will see you later.”
“Yes, you will,” Hallie said. She collected her set of the documents and headed out into the morning sunshine to where Girard was waiting, leaning against the side of the car, his face lightening into a smile when she approached.
She didn’t stop, just walked into his arms and let him hold her for a long, long while.
It felt decadent and lazy to drive the few blocks to Rosalia’s bakery, but, as Girard had sensibly pointed out, they were going to need the car to transport all the baked goods back to high city.
As Girard parked across the street from the bakery, Hallie could not help smiling.
They had arrived after the morning rush but before the mid-day crowds.
The storefront gleamed with fresh paint, the windows streak-free, giving a good view of the interior with the long glass counter full to overflowing.
Rosalia was behind the counter, serving a customer, but she spotted Hallie and Girard getting out of the car and waved.
Stepping inside, Hallie took a long breath in and couldn’t help but smile again.
The air was full of sweet and savoury scents.
Rosalia had some kind of soup cooking, ready for the mid-day rush, along with more bread baking in the giant ovens at the back.
And in the midst of all of it, Hallie could smell some of the spices that she had brought back from Minamaan.
As the customer left, they had the shop to themselves. Rosalia came around the counter and gave her a hug, smiling a greeting to Girard.
“You’ve just seen Wilona? Was it really awful?” Rosalia asked Hallie.
“More or less what I expected. But it’s done. Finally,” Hallie answered.
“So, really awful, then. But I am so glad you’re free,” Rosalia said, then turned to business. “I’ve got your orders boxed up and ready to go. Do you have time to stop for lunch or a coffee?”
“Yes, that would be lovely,” Girard said, before Hallie could answer. When she lifted a brow at him, not annoyed, just questioning, he smiled. “It’s Rosalia’s cooking. Who could turn it down?”
“That’s fair,” Hallie agreed. “That soup smells amazing,” she added, turning back to her friend. “And is that cheesy bread I see?”
Rosalia grinned. “Yes. Have a seat and I’ll bring some out to you.”
Hallie settled with Girard at a table by the window, letting the last bit of tension from the morning’s meeting with her mother fade away, holding hands with Girard across the patterned tablecloth.
She looked around with idle curiosity as another customer came in, and smiled as she recognised her aunt and former employer, Gin.
Regina Talbot was dressed in her normal casual, hard-wearing trousers, heavy boots and long-sleeved t-shirt.
In deference to the lingering cold weather, she’d added a heavy flannel shirt over the t-shirt.
She was growing out her hair and it was now collar length, a vivid auburn colour that framed her strong features and dark eyes that were a Talbot family trait.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Hallie and Girard, but she didn’t hesitate, coming across to them.
“Hallie. It’s good to see you. Investigator Abbott, good day.”
“Please call me Girard,” he said, getting to his feet. Hallie rose with him. “Won’t you join us?”
“Can’t, unfortunately,” Gin said, with what Hallie could tell was genuine regret. “I’ve got a handful of teams out and need to be around the office. I just came here for some fresh air and to get some of Rosalia’s soup before everyone else gets here.”
“It is very good soup,” Hallie agreed. “It sounds like you’re busy.”