Forty-eight
Joe had just arrived at Gill’s to check on Erica as promised, when the phone on the kitchen wall rang. Erica almost jumped out of her skin, and Coco’s ears pricked up at the unfamiliar sound of the ring tone of Gill’s phone. She was more accustomed to the sound of Joe’s mobile.
‘You answer it,’ Erica said to Joe.
‘It’s just the phone, Erica,’ Joe said, but went over to answer it. ‘It’s probably Gill.’
‘She’s already called me twice. She can’t be calling again so soon.’
Cursing his brother-in-law for turning Erica into this nervous wreck, Joe picked up the receiver. ‘Hello?’
‘Joe?’ He was relieved to hear Gill’s voice, though he didn’t know who else he’d expected. Were Erica’s jitters beginning to affect him ?
‘I just got here. What’s up? Erica said you only just called.’
‘It’s Geoff.’
Joe’s heart sank.
‘He was here.’
‘At your office? What did he want? He couldn’t have expected to find Erica there.’ Joe shook his head at his sister who was reaching for the phone, her eyes wide with fear.
‘No, it was me he wanted to rant at. But it’s not why I’m calling. He was in full flow when he collapsed, a probable heart attack. We called an ambulance, and it took him to hospital. I wanted to let Erica know.’
Joe could see Erica trying to work out what they were talking about. ‘I’ll tell her.’ he said, ‘and see you later.’
When he hung up, Erica stared at him. ‘It was Geoff, wasn’t it? What’s he done?’
‘I think you should sit down.’ Joe took Erica into the other room and made sure she was sitting down before he joined her and took both of her hands in his. ‘Geoff turned up at Gill’s office.’
Erica gasped. She turned pale. Her eyes widened with fear.
‘He’d no doubt discovered she was a divorce lawyer, maybe even the one you’d consulted. He went there to rant at Gill.’
‘Where is he now?’ Erica’s voice quivered.
‘In hospital.’
‘What?’ Her eyes widened even further. ‘How…?’
‘It seems he had a heart attack, and they had to call an ambulance. Right now, he’s either in or on his way to Pelican Crossing’s Emergency Department.’
‘Oh!’ For what seemed like a full minute, Erica was silent as she digested the news, then, ‘I should go to see him.’
‘Steady on, Erica. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Right now, Geoff doesn’t know for sure you’re here. If you turn up at his bedside…’
‘But he’s still my husband. It’s my place to…’ Then the significance of Joe’s words seemed to hit her. ‘But then…. Oh, Joe, what a mess.’
‘You’re right there.’ Looking at his sister, he could see she was shaking. He didn’t feel too flash himself at the thought of what Gill had been through. ‘I think we need a drink. Will you be right if I leave you for a minute?’
Erica nodded. She wrapped her arms around herself and began to rock back and forth. Coco laid her head on her lap.
Joe headed to the kitchen, hoping Gill kept some strong drink in the apartment. He went to the pantry and, sure enough, almost hidden at the back of a shelf, he found a half-full bottle of scotch. Perfect! He poured two small measures and took them through to where Erica was still as he’d left her. He handed one glass to her and laid one hand on Coco’s head. The dog seemed to sense all was not well.
‘I thought you meant tea,’ she said.
‘I think we need something stronger than tea. I can make some after we have this.’
‘Poor Geoff,’ Erica said at last. ‘He’d been having trouble with his heart. The doctor told him to take things easy, to change his diet, get more exercise. But he wouldn’t listen. Maybe if I hadn’t…’
‘Stop! It’s not your fault, Erica. Don’t ever think it. Whatever has happened to Geoff, he brought it on himself. It’s nothing to do with you. This could have happened anytime, anywhere. He didn’t look well when I saw him yesterday, and today, he obviously went too far. It’s Gill you have to feel sorry for, if anyone.’
‘You’re right again. How did I come to have such a bright brother?’ she managed a weak smile.
‘You’ve only just noticed?’ Joe joked. He drained his glass. ‘Now I’ll make us some tea, and something to eat. I did intend to have lunch with you.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I was going to make some. I don’t know what happened.’
‘It’s okay.’ Joe knew she’d been traumatised by the knowledge Geoff was in town. ‘I’m sure I can whip up a couple of sandwiches and maybe open a can of soup.’ He remembered seeing some cans in the pantry when he was looking for the scotch.
‘Sounds good. Do you know, I think I’m actually feeling hungry.’
Coco’s ears pricked up at the prospect of food.
*
Gill was relieved it was Joe who answered the phone, glad he’d be there to support Erica when she heard the news. She couldn’t imagine how the other woman would feel – anger that he’d burst into Gill’s office, relief he was no longer a threat?
It wasn’t the first time Gill had come face-to-face with a client’s husband, but it was the first time she’d felt to be in physical danger. Although a shock, it had been almost a relief when he collapsed.
She only managed to take a few bites of the sandwich Josie brought her, throwing the rest into the bin. Then she took a few deep breaths to prepare herself for her next client. Fortunately, this one and the one after proved to be straightforward with no hints of violence from their partners, so Gill was able to end the day on a more positive note. She was looking forward to getting home and finding out how Erica had coped with the news about Geoff. While his heart attack wasn’t a cause for celebration, surely it would put her mind at ease and allow her to resume the new life she was making for herself here in Pelican Crossing. Though there was always the risk Geoff would continue to pursue her once he was discharged, if the police didn’t lay charges.
‘Feeling better?’ Josie popped her head through the door.
‘Yes, thanks. It’s been quite a day. I’m glad our clients’ husbands don’t make a habit of coming to berate us.’
‘Will he be all right?’
‘I hope so. I should call the hospital.’ It suddenly occurred to Gill it’s what she should have done before now. She picked up the phone, only to be told the patient was as well as could be expected. She sighed, knowing it was the standard response since she wasn’t a relative. Next, she called Gavin to find out what the police intended to do, but again she was frustrated. It appeared that unless she was prepared to press charges, he’d be free when he left the hospital, free to terrorise Erica. But Gill really couldn’t lay a complaint. Yes, he’d burst into her office uninvited and ranted at her. He’d acted violent, scared her, but hadn’t made any actual physical contact. She had no reason to ask the police to charge him. Perhaps it would have been better if he had raised his fists, Gill thought, then shuddered, berating herself.
By the time she arrived home, she was feeling angry and frustrated, so the sight of Joe sitting there with a glass of wine was welcome, as was Coco’s now familiar presence at his feet.
‘Hey,’ he said, rising to greet her and pulling her into a warm hug. ‘You look beat. How about I pour you a glass of wine? I found a lasagne in the freezer and put it in the oven, and Erica’s made a salad.’
‘Oh, Joe! It’s so good to see you, to be home.’
‘Gill!’ Erica appeared, looking pale, but smiling. ‘It must have been awful for you. How did Geoff know I’d consulted you?’
‘I don’t know that he did.’ Gill accepted the glass of wine Joe had poured and took a gulp. It hit the spot, helping to release the tension which had been building up ever since Geoff walked into her office. ‘He just wanted to lash out at someone. It would have been easy to discover I was the local go-to divorce lawyer. Guess it’s what I get for being so well-known. But there’s still no reason to believe he knows you’re in Pelican Crossing.’
‘I want to visit him… in hospital.’
‘What?’ Gill looked from Erica to Joe and back again.
‘I’ve told her it’s a bad idea,’ Joe said with a sigh, ‘but…’
‘He’s my husband,’ Erica said. ‘And I want to see for myself he’s really had a heart attack and isn’t faking it.’
‘He definitely didn’t fake collapsing in my office,’ Gill said. ‘He went down like a ton of bricks. Does he have a history of heart disease?’
‘He was told to take care at his last checkup, but he thought he knew better than the doctor. He’s put on a lot of weight over the past two years, too much beer and fast food. Geoff has never been one to listen to advice, and with the hours he puts in at the car yard…’
‘Sounds as if it’s all caught up with him,’ Joe said. ‘I can’t say I’m sorry, after the way he treated you, Erica, but I wouldn’t wish a heart attack on anyone.’
‘You have a son,’ Gill said, suddenly remembering. ‘Have you let him know about his dad?’
Joe and Erica exchanged glances, and Gill realised that if Erica contacted her son, it would reveal where she was.
‘Maybe we can get the police to do that,’ she suggested, to see Erica’s face lighten.
‘Good idea,’ Joe said, ‘or I could do it. Geoff did come to see me first. And Kieren knows me.’
‘Even better,’ Gill said. ‘Now, you mentioned food?’
While Gill and Erica were setting out the lasagne, salad and some crusty bread, Joe called his nephew to let him know his father was in hospital in Pelican Crossing.
‘Kieren had no idea his dad was here,’ he reported when he joined Gill and Erica at the table. ‘He’s going to fly over when he and his wife can get a flight, but he’s worried about leaving the car yard, something about invoices?’ He looked at Erica.
‘Don’t look at me, Joe. I was never privy to anything to do with Geoff’s work. He told me I wouldn’t understand.’
‘Well, not our problem. I asked him to let me know when they get in. I can meet them.’
Gill could see from Erica’s expression how she was torn. It would be difficult for her to know her son and daughter-in-law were in town and she couldn’t see them, but that if she did, her husband would know she was here.
‘I’m going to the hospital,’ Erica said in a determined voice. ‘If he’s still unconscious, he won’t know I’m there, and I have to see him for myself.’
‘And if he’s not?’ Joe asked.
‘I still want to go.’
‘Okay,’ Joe sighed, ‘if you’re determined, I’ll go with you.’
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea,’ Gill said, ‘given he’s already been to your house. I’ll go with Erica. As her solicitor, I can say I’m there to protect her interests, and if he does regain consciousness, I can be a witness to anything that occurs.’
Coco, clearly tired of being ignored, let out a whine of annoyance.
‘Sorry, Coco,’ Joe said, dropping a crust down for her, which she snapped up eagerly.
After dinner, when they went through to the living room with coffee, Gill could see Erica was still distressed. She didn’t say much, only coming to life when Gill asked her about making arrangements to visit the hospital next day.
‘I still don’t think it’s a good idea,’ Gill said,’ but if you’re determined.’
‘I am, and thanks. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve put both of you to.’
‘Don’t be,’ Joe said. ‘We both want what’s best for you. It’s no trouble.’
‘Thanks,’ Erica said again.
Erica was still sitting there when Joe rose to leave. Gill accompanied him to the door, sorry they weren’t to have any time alone together that evening, but still feeling shaken from her encounter with Geoff.
‘Let me know what time you’re going to the hospital tomorrow and I’ll meet you there,’ Joe said, pulling Gill into a warm hug.
‘But…’
‘I won’t go in to see Geoff with you, but I want to be there. Erica’s my sister. I need to support her in this… and you.’
‘Okay.’ Gill understood his concern. It was so like Joe to want to be there for them both. ‘I’ll call you in the morning.’
‘Maybe once this is all over, we can think about us,’ Joe said, taking her in his arms.
‘Maybe.’ It would be good to have Erica’s problem resolved, but there was still Max to consider, and Gill knew she couldn’t move on till that was settled. Then Joe’s lips met hers and once again she was transported into a world where none of it mattered.