Scene One – A chance encounter

Kate pulled her bicycle out from beside Wulfie’s house, muttering to herself, “Good grief, that beast gets more difficult to deal with every day. Yesterday, he wouldn’t come out. Today he wouldn’t go in. At 150 pounds, that’s a lot of work! I think he likes being difficult. Good thing he’s such a cute and gorgeous Great Dane.” She shook her head, “Come on, Merlin. Let’s go get some food.” Kate patted the worn, leather seat of her old classic bike which she named Merlin, the other magnificent beast in her life. She mounted Merlin and headed off to Kensington Market.

Enjoying the early afternoon sun through the old maple trees that line both sides of the boulevard, Kate lifted her feet off the pedals, holding them straight out in front as she glided down Palmerston. “What a lovely day,” she thought.

She crossed College Street and lined up behind the other cyclist waiting for the lights at Bathurst to change. The streetcar beside them was offloading passengers. As the streetcar doors closed, Kate could hear someone shouting inside. He sounded pretty frantic. Her light changed, she shrugged and she started off.

As she turned down Bathurst, Kate thought she heard her name being called. She stopped, looked around and gasped, “Thomas!” Quickly she turned around and tried to get Merlin going, but was so discombobulated she couldn’t keep her grip on the pedals.

Thomas caught up to her and straddled Merlin’s front wheel preventing her from moving.

Out of breath Thomas eked out, “Kate, wait. I just want to talk.” He panted as he silently compelled his heart rate to slow down. “I miss you.”

“Thomas, what are you doing here? You left. With Stephanie. You moved to Oslo or somewhere far away. Far away from me,” Kate said tersely. “With Stephanie, your wife, if I may remind you, you’re married.”

“I’m well aware,” Thomas said, his breathing and heart rate almost back to normal. “The Oslo project  is finished, as is my marriage. Stephanie is still in Norway. She’s not coming back. My marriage is over.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Kate said flatly. “I wish you well. Please let me get on my way.”

Thomas stepped aside and released his grip on the handlebars. “Can we meet for coffee? Just to talk, catch up. I’ve got to go. I’m back at the university and have a class shortly.”

Kate drew in a deep breath, looked into his deep brown eyes. Sighed and said yes.

“Great!” Thomas said. “Tomorrow afternoon, Café Diplomatico, 4 o’clock, okay?”

Kate nodded. Thomas leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Until then,” he said quietly.

“See you then,” she whispered.

Thomas turned and headed off quickly to the university. Kate stayed put.

“What have I done, Merlin? What was I thinking? How can we meet to ‘just talk’? Or how can I? I still love that guy, inside out and backwards. I know it’s been more than a year, but heck. I was sooo taken with him. We were so perfect together. And then…” she drifted off. Snapping out of her daze, “Oh, Merlin, why am I talking to you like this? We’re just meeting for coffee. I’ll be okay.”

Her cell phone started ringing. Kate rummaged around in her bag finding it just as it went to voicemail. The call was from Etienne. She listened to the message. Smiling she texted a reply – Of course, Etienne. I’ll be there shortly, I was just heading to Kensington.

Kate tossed her phone back into her bag, turned Merlin around and headed to Jaz’s café.

Scene Two – News for Jaz

The little bell above the door jingled as Kate entered. “Be right with you,” Jaz called from the kitchen.

There was no one else in the café. “It’s just me,” Kate called back, adding, “Kate,” in case Jaz didn’t recognize her voice.

“Kate, what a welcome surprise,” Jaz said as she entered the café.

“I’ve just stopped in to pick up some sweet treats. Etienne apparently has a guest over for tea. They’re sitting in the garden. So apparently, I’m making tea,” Kate chuckled. “Good thing I wasn’t out of town or busy or something. They might have been waiting a very long time.”

“Yes. Yes.” Jaz said, dropping her happy ‘welcome customer’ tone. “Oh, Kate, I’m in big trouble. Serious, serious big trouble,” Jaz said. “I’ve been on the phone all morning with innumerable horrible, vile, nasty people. They want to put me out of business!”

“What!? Who? Why? What’s going on, Jaz? Start at the beginning.”

Clearly distraught, Jaz took a deep breath and started, “When I wanted to open the café, I needed some start-up cash. A friend,” miming air quotes. Jaz went on, “I use the term very loosely. Anyway, this alleged friend introduced me to a fellow who could arrange financing. I went through with it. Signed papers and everything. He was a lawyer, supposedly, so I just assumed everything was legit.”

“What’s happened now?” Kate asked.

“The guy that put up the money, or rather his vile, evil accomplice called to say that the deal’s off. They need the money for another project, and I have to pay everything back in full by the end of the month!”

“Oh wow. That’s awful. Have you spoken to Harper? Do you have the original paperwork, contract you signed?”

“Harper! Of course! Why didn’t I think of that!? I’ll call Harper now. She’ll figure something out.” Pulling out her phone, she dialled Harper.

When Harper picked up, Jaz dove right in, “Harper, I need help. I’m in deep s**t. You’re on speaker. Kate’s here with me.”

“Hi, Kate. What’s going on, Jaz? What do you mean by ‘deep s**t’ exactly?” Harper asked, shifting to her legal beagle voice.

Jaz explained her unpleasant situation and wretched morning of calls. “Basically, I have to come up with $100,000 by the end of the month or I’m toast.”

“Calm down, Jaz,” Harper said. “Let’s think about this logically. You have all the paper trail… contracts, letters, emails, anything you signed?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure I can dig everything up. It’s been five years. I never ever thought I’d need all that stuff again.” Jaz responded.

Harper interjected, “You were introduced to a slimy, sleaze bag. From what you’ve told me, it doesn’t sound like you’ve done anything wrong. Except maybe trusting the wrong person. You have all the paperwork. We’ll figure out a way to squash this greaseball. It may take a while, but we’ll work it out. Trust me.”

“Thank you, Harper,’ Jaz said. “But what am I going to do by the end of the month?”

“I’m not sure, yet,” Harper said.

“I can help,” Kate said quietly.

“What was that Kate? I forgot you were there,” Harper said.

Jaz turned to Kate, bewildered, “Kate, what do you mean?”

“I have the money. I can give you the hundred thousand.”

“Kate! What do you mean? You have that kind of money!?” Jaz exclaimed.

Kate nodded. “It’s a long story. Family money, not mine. Well, mine… now. Unhappy strings attached. Skeletons in the closet and all that. Let’s not go there now.”

“Kate, you’re an angel. You’d be willing to lend me that much?” Jaz asked.

“If it’s okay with Harper, from a legal perspective. Harper?” Kate asked.

“It’s fine by me, legally. Kate if you’re sure? I can draw up paperwork. We can talk later. I’ve got to go. Big meeting. Talk later.” Harper disconnected.

“Oh, Kate!” Jaz cried out as she pulled her into a massive hug. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Are you sure?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m sure. I’ve said so already… a couple of times,” Kate said pulling out of Jaz’s anaconda-like grasp. “We’ll sort out something reasonable with Harper. It’ll take me a couple of days to work through the legal stuff at my end, but we should be good before the end of the month.”

“Aw, Kate, very generous of you,” Jaz said.

Kate cut her off before she could say anything else, “Enough said. I’m glad to do it. The money’s just sitting there. The trustee will be thrilled that I’m doing something with the money. Air quotes around ‘thrilled’.” Kate sighed.

“Wanna talk about it? Or maybe some other time?” Jaz asked gently.

Kate shook her head. “Let’s talk pastries, instead.” Kate smiled.

“Absolutely. Whatever your pleasure, on the house,” Jaz said.

“Oh, thank you, but not necessary,” Kate said.

“I insist,” Jaz stated. “No discussion.”

“Thank you. That’s kind,” Kate said. “Those little tarts look lovely. Six of those? You choose which ones.”

“Perfect. Excellent choice,” Jaz said. “So, Etienne has a friend over for tea. Lady friend?”

“I have no idea. All I know is that he’s in the garden enjoying the company of a friend and would I be kind enough to prepare tea for them.”

“Kind of odd, no? Him asking you to serve tea? In your garden?” Jaz asked as she packed the little tarts into a box.

“No. Well, odd maybe, but he lives in the house, too. It’s not just my garden. And they’ve probably got sherry or vermouth going. It would be difficult for him to walk back to his place, make tea and carry it out…”

“Right. You’re a good egg, Kate. A really good egg. Probably solid chocolate.” Jaz smiled broadly.

As Jaz was tying a ribbon around the box, Kate said, “I saw Thomas again today. Spoke to him this time.”

Jaz stopped mid-bow, “I beg your pardon? What did you say?” she asked gently.

“I was on my way to the market. Thomas must have been on the College streetcar, saw me and got off and came running after me. He just wanted to talk. He’s back from Oslo. Stephanie’s left him. She’s still in Oslo. He wants to meet for coffee—”

“You said no, right?” Jaz interjected.

Kate was quiet for a second. “No,” she pondered. “No. That might have been a better answer.”

“You said yes!?” Jaz questioned.

Quiet again for a second or two, Kate nodded. “Tomorrow afternoon at Café Diplomatico.” Kate said looking down at the pastry display. “I want to, Jaz, I want to talk to him. Things ended so badly. It’s been so long. I’d like to hear about Oslo, what he’s been up to. I like him, Jaz. I really do. Still.”

Jaz finished tying the bow and handed the box gently to Kate. “Understood. I’m here if you need to talk. Take care of yourself. And thanks again for the loan. You don’t know how much it means to me.”

“Thank you for understanding… and for the pastries. I’m sure Etienne and guest will enjoy them,” Kate said as she turned to leave.

Scene Three – Old acquaintances

Kate left Jaz with her delightful box of tarts. She rolled Merlin up the walkway to her flat. As she emerged from the walkway, she saw Etienne sitting at the garden table with his guest, Elise, the lovely woman she met the other day with Wulfie.

“Wow,” thought Kate. “That’s a coincidence. Etienne knows Elise. Remarkable.”

“Ah, here she is now. My niece, Kate,” Etienne said to Elise. He waved to Kate, as she parked Merlin by her stairs, and called out, “Bienvenue, mon petit chou! Come meet my friend.”

When Kate reached the table, she greeted them warmly. “Hello, Elise. How lovely to see you again. I didn’t realise you knew my uncle. Wonderful!”

“Yes, we’ve known each other for years. Etienne is a lovely man. A wonderful friend,” Elise said kindly.

“Indeed he is,” Kate said smiling at Etienne. “Elise and I met the other day when I was bringing Wulfie home after our walk. Wulfie was quite taken with the charming Elise. Here,” she said, “I brought some lovely tarts from Jaz’s bakery around the corner. I’ll go make tea and bring out some plates and things.”

 Scene Four – News for Harper, too

Harper put down her cell phone and sat back in her chair.

“Wow. Poor Jaz. Rough going. But, Kate? Kate has a hundred thousand dollars?” she murmured. “Just sitting there?”

She sent Jaz a quick message asking her to pull together all the relevant documents – the original agreement she signed, emails, notes, anything else she can find – photograph any originals and email it all to her, as soon as possible.

“Right. Off to this mysterious big meeting,” Harper sighed, grabbed her pen and notebook and headed down the hall.

Martin’s office door was open. He waved her in, pointing to the chair opposite his desk.

“Thanks for coming. Close the door, would you?”

Harper sat down. “Sounds ominous.”

“Quite the opposite, I hope.” He slid a thick folder towards her. “Wellington Entertainment.”

“The production company?”

Martin nodded.

“I thought its founder was already being prosecuted.”

“He is. This is the civil action against the auditors they hired originally. We’ve been hired to represent Wellington in its lawsuit against them. I’d like you to lead it.”

Harper opened the folder. She knew the broad outlines. Successful productions, ambitious expansion, a founder whose photograph had appeared almost as often as those of his leading actors. Then new management arrived and discovered how little the financial statements resembled the company’s actual finances.

“How far along?”

“Document production is well underway. There’s a team waiting to bring you up to speed.”

“And the auditors’ position?”

“That they were deceived. False records, concealed agreements, employees actively hiding what they were doing.”

“They probably were deceived,” Harper said. “The question is what the auditors should have caught at the time.”

Martin smiled. “Exactly.”

He reached across and turned to a marked page.

“This transaction, for instance. Recorded as a sale of production rights. Several million dollars in revenue. There’s a separate agreement requiring Wellington to return the money under certain circumstances. That requirement doesn’t appear anywhere in the documents given to the auditors.”

Harper read the page, then the next. “Man, this raises a lot of questions.”

“Yup.” Martin settled back. “I thought you might enjoy this.”

Harper looked up. “Enjoy might be a bit strong.” Harper closed the folder. “Who’s the senior on our team?”

“Bob Watson.”

“Good. I’ve worked with him before. Would you ask him to pull all the agreements together, including every version we have. I want to see what changed.”

“I’m sure he’s working on that now, but I’ll mention it when I let him know you’re on board.” Martin made a note, then put down his pen.

“One other thing. The partnership vote was yesterday.”

Harper’s hand stilled on the folder.

“Unanimous,” he said. “Congratulations.”

For a moment, she simply looked at him. Then she smiled.

“Thank you, Martin.”

“You’ve earned it. We’ll make the announcement at dinner tonight.”

“I’d better go home and find something suitable to wear, then.”

“I suspect you’ll manage.”

Harper stood, gathering the folder and things. “A partnership and several boxes of other people’s questionable decisions. Quite an afternoon.”

At home, Harper slipped into her favourite LBD and turned to put on her earrings. She caught her reflection in the mirror and smiled. “Partner. At last.”

Her cell phone rang on the bedside table. An unfamiliar number.

“Hello?”

“May I speak with Harper Bond, please?”

“Speaking.”

The woman introduced herself as a solicitor and explained that she was calling about a private family matter. Harper sat on the edge of the bed, one earring still in her hand.

“A family matter?”

“Yes. Before we continue, I need to confirm a few details.”

Harper answered the questions, watching the time on the bedside clock.

“Thank you,” the woman said. “Are you somewhere you can speak privately?”

“Yes. What is this about?”

“The child you placed for adoption has asked us to contact you. He would like to meet you.”