32. Luke
32
LUKE
I ’m heading to the theater the next morning for a meeting with the building inspector when Daph’s dad passes me in the Benz, then pulls in to park in front of his office. I know Daph is down at the other end of Queen Street this morning, scheming with Willow about her new office. I’ve just called Bruno to tell him that I’m checking out and he’s cool with me picking up my stuff at the end of the day.
I wave and say good morning, planning to just carry on, but Daph’s dad has stopped on the sidewalk, waiting for me.
“When you have a minute, I’d like to talk to you.”
I check my watch. Now is as good as any time, depending how much of a chat it’s going to be.
“Ten minutes,” he says, anticipating my question.
“Now works for me.”
He gestures and we head into his offices, greeting his receptionist on the way to his office. He’s a methodical man, one who can’t be rushed and one who has his routines. There’s a reassuring rhythm in the way he speaks to her, then hangs up his coat. She’s placed the morning paper from Toronto on his desk and opened the blinds. The office itself is all dark wood and oxblood leather, with a whole wall of books that are likely legal references. It’s traditional and reassuring. I feel as if everything’s going to be fine, which is a great spell to cast to potential clients. Richard himself is wearing a dark gray suit, a shirt with French cuffs and a perfectly knotted burgundy tie. He’s overdressed for Empire, but he fits in this room.
He offers me a seat and I take it, wondering what to expect.
“Since time is of the essence,” he begins. “I’ll get right to the point. It’s apparent that you’re spending a lot of money, particularly on the Odeon.”
“It needs everything,” I say, with a little bit of exasperation.
“And were you expecting that?”
“The roof was a surprise, but I probably should have anticipated it.”
Richard nods. “And I have to think that the engine driving sales for a band would be either new content or public appearances.”
It’s easy to see how Daph comes by her intelligence. “True,” I admit, waiting.
Richard chooses his words with care, a hint that this isn’t easy for him. “It’s not my business, but in a way, it is, since I want to do all I can to ensure Daphne’s happiness. So, I wondered how you are doing financially. Such a large expenditure would drain the resources of many people.”
I am uncomfortable with this question, especially as he’s hit the nail right on the head. I’ve been fretting about my cash flow. I’m not a finance guy, adept with leveraging assets to make them work harder. I just pay my bills and make more money, but right now, my pool of assets is steadily diminishing. I’ve been wondering whether I’ll be able to finish what I’ve started. There are the donations from local people and they’re great, but most of them are on the smaller side. It doesn’t take long for a couple of thousand dollars to be devoured in the installation of a huge metal roof, or the rewiring of a theatre.
But I’ll be damned before I admit as much to my father’s ally.
Richard carries on. “I thought you might, you know, ask for help. You’ve undertaken a noble venture here and an expensive one.” He gives me an assessing look. “But last night I realized that you’ll never do that. You’ve never been taught that you can rely on anyone else, and on those rare occasions when you’ve asked for anything, you’ve been declined. Why would you ask anyone for anything?”
He’s absolutely right, but hearing it said aloud leaves me feeling naked.
“I asked Daph for help,” I remind him.
“Exactly,” he says with satisfaction. “And that’s obviously significant to both of us, particularly as she agreed.”
“And she set up the donation program.”
“True. But, in the interest of being part of the solution, I’d like to offer you a contribution.” He names a number that is more than enough to make everything come right. “It can be a loan, if you want to repay me in some specified period of time. It can be an investment, if you want a silent partner in the Odeon. The choice is yours and the funds can be transferred tomorrow.”
When something sounds too good to be true, it often is, so I ask. “Why are you doing this? Why would you break rank with Patrick?”
Richard leans back in his chair and considers the ceiling, templing his fingers together. “You probably don’t remember my wife, Christine.”
“Only vaguely,” I admit. “I knew her to see. My mom cut her hair.”
He nods, a smile of reminiscence softening his features. “Of course,” he says softly, then straightens. “We moved a lot when I was a kid, so I never felt that I was from anywhere specific. But Christine had grown up in Empire, as had her parents before her. She had roots in this town and she loved it so much. I could never have asked her to leave it, so we came here to begin our lives together. Married in the Anglican Church right over there. Rented the apartment over Jim’s Antiques until I made partner here, then lived upstairs here for five years before we could buy the house. Mr. Weatherby was very good to us, but it was tough to make ends meet in such a small place. When I tell Daphne that there’s not much of a living to be earned from wills and divorces in a town the size of Empire, that’s because I’ve been there and done that.”
I nod understanding.
“And then I met Patrick. More than that, Patrick began to grow his business by leaps and bounds. He needed legal counsel on retainer, and I jumped for that opportunity. It changed everything for us, gave us financial security and ensured that I could give Christine and Daphne the lives I wanted them to have. Of course, it came with a price, and that price was and is Patrick.”
He pauses for a moment and I think of Faust, making his deal with the devil. I know all about Patrick ensuring that a choice is regretted and I feel sympathy for Daph’s dad.
He continues with resolve. “Christine disliked Patrick and she hated what happened to Empire as his businesses grew. It was the one thing we argued about, and the one thing we stopped discussing because it became such a sore point. I know she wanted me to step away, for the sake of principles, but I knew that we needed that money. Daphne was destined for university and a law degree, and only the best school would do. Christine never had a job outside of the home, which suited both of us, but it meant I had to be the one to provide. I had to make the choice for our future.” His voice hardens when he says this, and I know it wasn’t an easy decision for him to make. “I thought we’d have our retirement together to enjoy the results.”
He looks away and his throat works. “And then Christine died.” His words are hoarse. “Just like that. She was there at breakfast, the same as every other day, and before lunch, the neighbour called to say that she was dead.” He snaps his fingers, still looking incredulous though I know it’s been a few years. “She had an aneurysm and the only blessing was that it was instant for her.”
“I’m sorry.”
He inclines his head in acknowledgement and continues. “I still can’t believe it some days. I still listen for her when I get home. I still expect her to call in the middle of the afternoon.” He shakes his head. “But that’s never going to happen. I’ll be honest. I was skeptical when you showed up with your big plan. I thought Patrick would win again and you would be ground under his heel. But you’re tougher than that, Luke, and maybe that’s what he taught you. Never expect anything from anyone, and never surrender. That’s quite the legacy and I admire what you’ve accomplished.”
He pauses for breath. “Since you arrived here, though, I realize your achievements to date are just the tip of the iceberg. I’d like to help. I’m tired of just putting one foot in front of the other. I’m tired of surviving each day so I can do it all again. I’d like to be part of the rebirth of Empire. And I’m prepared to put some of that money to work in fostering a change, for Christine’s sake.”
I am overwhelmed by this confession and have a hard time finding a reply. “You have to have guessed that my instinctive response is to decline your offer,” I say, and we smile at each other warily. “But for the sake of Daph and personal growth and Empire, I’m going to kick that impulse to the curb.”
“Good.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He stands up and offers his hand. “Richard,” he corrects me and we shake hands. I’ve never had an older man take my side in anything and I realize in that moment that Richard has a wealth of experience he may choose to share.
“I’d prefer a partner,” I say, “and maybe not an entirely silent one.”
His smile flashes. “I’d like that a lot.”
The office is filled with a warmth that takes me by surprise, yet feels so very welcome.
Daph, Daph, Daph. How is it that you have the power to heal every wound I have?
“Why don’t you join us for breakfast tomorrow? We can go to the bank in Havelock afterwards and get the funds transferred.”
“But that’s your weekly meeting with Daph. I don’t want to interfere.”
“There’s less business to discuss now that she’s going out on her own.” He gives me a look. “You and I might have more business to discuss now.”
Careful what you wish for. My silent partner is already speaking up. “Really?”
“Really. I’m not alone in this impulse, Luke. A number of people in town have spoken to me about your efforts and their appreciation of it. Some will have made donations, but there might be ways you can harness that enthusiasm and even build a stronger sense of community, although whatever happens should be structured to protect everyone’s interests.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ll work up a couple of different scenarios that we can discuss in the morning. Daphne may have some additional ideas, too.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” We shake again at the door. “Thank you, Richard.”
“Thank you, Luke. I never thought I’d see her so happy again. That’s worth the world to me.”
He doesn’t have to say it. I know he’s warning me not to break Daph’s heart, but that’s not part of my plan.
And now, I have a building inspector to see, one who is probably going to give me more bad news. I’m less worried about it now, though, now that I have Richard’s support.
I pass Daph on the street, loving that she’s brimming with ideas and so excited. She gives me a kiss that makes me wish the day was over and I hold her close.
It could have been a perfect morning if a silver Porsche hadn’t rolled in to park beside Richard’s car just then. Daph’s lips set and she places a hand on my chest when I would have charged to her defense. She looks mean and determined, a formidable adversary ready to carve a certain lawyer a new one.
Of course, JJ is a persistent prick.
(Maybe I should have keyed his car.)
“Leave him to me,” Daph says grimly.
“Can’t I watch?” I ask and her smile flashes.
“You have work to do.”
“I do, sadly. Meet me at Merrie’s for lunch and tell me everything.”
“Deal,” she says, decisive, her thoughts clearly on the smackdown ahead. I really really want to watch this, but I respect her choice.
“Noon?”
“Noon,” she agrees and I turn to watch her go. She’s wearing that sleek silver gray suit and it’s easy to imagine her as a barracuda, slicing through the ocean to slaughter her unwitting prey.
It’s so unfair that I can’t witness JJ’s decimation, but I text the café for a reservation, then continue to the theatre.
I’m moving in with Daph and she does not love JJ anymore.
No doubt about it, Empire is starting to feel like home.