Leopard's Baby

“Greetings Olivia,” Simon Minstein, the cultural attaché, i.e. Mossad head of station at the Israeli embassy, said in his flawless but accented English. Olivia slid in across from him in the dingy diner. “It has been a while. You are looking well. I was surprised to get a request to meet so early in the morning. What can I do for you?”

“I assume you’re aware of the… difficulties my daughter has had? Continues to have.”

“I am,” Minstein said and paused as a waitress came over. Without being asked she poured each of them a cup of coffee and asked if they were ready to order. They were. After she left he continued, “We are most distressed. You and Tamara have performed a great service for the State of Israel. We feel we owe you a tremendous debt.”

“I want to collect on that debt.”

“I suspected this was the reason you wanted to meet. I am not sure what we can do, but if it is possible for us to help, we will.”

“You keep an extensive database on all members of congress,” Olivia stated.

“The United States is our staunchest ally,” Minstein said, sounding apologetic. “It is crucial for us to maintain good relations. We do not want to spy on her, but our very existence depends upon knowing how members of your government would… react to certain situations. We know your country’s agenda and ours do not always mesh.”

“You don’t have to make up excuses for your actions to me, Simon,” Olivia said. She sipped coffee. “I don’t care if you’ve bugged the President’s bathroom. I need to know everything you can tell me about Senator Roberts, his family, and associates of his family. Especially their personal family lawyer, Merritt Covington.”

The waitress brought their breakfast order, refilled their coffee cups, and asked if there was anything else they needed. Minstein fidgeted, moving his flatware around until she departed. He bent his head down and rubbed the back of his neck. Olivia calmly began to eat her omelet. After about a minute he raised his head and said, “This request has nothing to do with Israel.”

“I know,” Olivia said. She put her fork down and looked into Minstein’s eyes. “This is a favor to me personally. You asked what you could do for me. This is it.”

“Fine,” Minstein said with a sigh. He reached across the table and took one of her hands. “You know we cannot refuse you, Olivia. I will let you know when we have something.”

***

“Thanks for stopping by, Merritt,” Jennifer said as she greeted Covington at the front door. She kissed his cheek and took his hat. “Have you had breakfast?”

“I have, but I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee.”

“Come to my office. I’ll have some brought in.”

Jennifer led Covington to her office, lifted the house phone to place their order, sat on a couch, and indicated he should sit next to her. They made small talk, mostly about her grandson, until a maid wheeled in a coffee service. Included was a Danish coffee ring. Jennifer and Covington were each served a cup of coffee and a piece of pastry.

“What is it you wanted to see me about, Jennifer,” Covington said after sampling the food. “I’m always happy to oblige you. You and your family members are my most important clients.”

“It’s my erstwhile daughter-in-law.”

“What about her? She’s been locked up for more than a week and will continue to be for at least the next three months.”

“And then what?” She put her cup down, turned to face Covington, and put her hand on his shoulder. “I’m worried, Merritt. Karla reminded me once more as to just how dangerous the bitch can be. Karla says until I see with my own eyes I can’t even begin to imagine what she can do. In the past I’ve discounted Karla’s story about their… adventures last summer, but now I wonder. What if she wasn’t exaggerating? I’ve thought about almost nothing else for the past week. I’m scared. I don’t want to have to be looking over my shoulder for the next eighteen years.”

“That seems a little farfetched.”

“Is it? According to Karla, Tamara will never give up. Who knows. Maybe five years from now she’ll snatch him up as he leaves school, and I’ll never see him again. Karla says I should come to a joint custody agreement with her family.”

“Is that what you want me to work on?” Covington asked. He scratched his chin. “I can call Dombrosky as soon as I get back to my office. I bet I can get them to agree to let you still have primary custody. Perhaps they’ll be willing to settle for one night a week, one weekend a month, and one week over the summer.”

“No, no, Merritt,” Jennifer said. Tears came to her eyes. “I don’t want Brendan to have any contact with those awful people at all. They’re why his father is dead.”

“Then I’m not sure why I’m here.”

“There’s nobody else I can go to, Merritt,” Jennifer said imploringly. “The men who fixed the prenup. They were quite resourceful. Is there anything that can be done to extend her stay? It would give me more time to come up with a… more permanent solution.”

“Not those specific people,” Covington said. He closed his eyes and said nothing for a brief period. “The man who sent me to the forgers might know someone else who can take care of it. I’ll see what I can arrange.”

***

Tammy was headed to lunch when a guard intercepted her. “Your lawyer is here to see you,” the guard said. He led to her a room with a table and a few chairs. Dombrosky and Olivia were there. Tammy and Olivia hugged. Dombrosky put earphones on and moved away from the women.

“You’re my first visitor,” Tammy said as she wiped tears from her eyes. “I was beginning to think I’d been abandoned. What’s happening?”

“First of all, how are you doing?” Olivia asked. She placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders and examined her.

“Okay, I guess,” Tammy said with a shrug. “I’m surviving. The food could be better. I’m going stir crazy not being able to change and run around. I had a little set-to with my roommate. She wanted to get… ‘friendly’ and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Any real problems with her?”

“I’m sure she’s planning something. I have to be on the alert all the time, but what else is new?”

“Try to avoid a major brawl. You want to get out of here as soon as you can.”

“Yeah, I know,” Tammy said. She ran her hands through her hair and sighed. “It’s my own fault I’m in here in the first place. I should’ve had enough self-control to avoid going after Jennifer when she lied. Especially after you and Dad drilled it into our heads how important it is for us to not get noticed. If I was smart I would’ve been ready for her do something underhanded. So what brings you here? Not that I’m not glad to see you.”

“I came with Justin because they legally can’t listen in on conversations with your lawyer,” Olivia said. She gestured toward him. “Even though everything we say is covered by attorney-client privilege, he’s agreed to not listen to us unless I specifically ask him to. Hence the earphones. For anyone else they may record the conversation and use it against you. Jeremy calls me just about every day. He wants to visit. Your brother and stepsisters do also. I’ve asked them to hold off for a little while so the authorities are less likely to be listening in. Just in case, be careful you don’t say anything which might incriminate you.”

“What about Tiffany?” Tammy asked. Even in her present state of mind, she couldn’t help grinning as she thought about her sister.

“She’s too young. I have to keep an eye on her. She’s absolutely livid. If she could find a way to bump off the entire Roberts family, I think she’d do it.”

“I can picture it,” Tammy said and chuckled. “Tell her to leave Karla alone.”

“I’ll do that,” Olivia said. She took Tammy by the arm and led her to the chairs. After they were both seated, she put her head close to Tammy’s and, speaking softly, said, “I going to meet with someone to get some fake ID’s for you and Brendan. Perhaps some others as well. Just in case. It’s possible you may have to break out. Jennifer is quite likely to make a move to keep you here. Perhaps even put a hit order out on you. Be extra cautious. Simon Minstein has agreed to look into Covington and the Roberts family. I doubt Jennifer had the know-how to fake the prenup, but Covington probably knows people who do. I’m going to see if I can get in to see the baby.”

“Thanks Mom,” Tammy said. “It helps knowing you’re taking steps.”

The two women talked for another fifteen minutes. A guard knocked on the door and said time was up. Olivia gave Tammy another hug, warned her to keep as low a profile as possible, and left with Dombrosky.

***

Olivia dropped Dombrosky at his office and was almost home when her phone rang. Martinez. She pushed the “accept call” button and said, “Hey Desiree, how was your trip?”

“The usual,” the congresswoman replied. “Primarily boring bullshit. These junkets are mostly a way to let members of congress get a vacation at taxpayer expense. I’m glad to be home.”

“Did you get a replacement for me or did you just go with routine security?”

“For the trip I went with what was provided. I missed your company though.”

“It’s nice to be appreciated. I didn’t want to leave you, but it couldn’t helped.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard about your daughter’s problems,” Martinez said. She paused. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“I figured this wasn’t just a ‘hello, how are you’ call.”

“I’ll get right to the point,” Martinez said. Again she hesitated. “I want you with me. What would it take to get you back?”

“Unless you can get my daughter out of jail and have custody of her son restored to her, you’ll have to be happy with my replacement,” Olivia said. “I can’t be worried about anything else. Not even you.”

“Olivia, I need you,” Martinez begged. “I don’t have the same rapport with them as I did with you. I just don’t feel safe. Especially since I’ve reintroduced a revised version of the gun control legislation, this time jointly with other members of the House. I even got a member of the other party to cosponsor it. Death threats are starting again. My new bodyguards are all former military. I can’t help thinking they love guns, and they’re siding with those who want to kill me.”

“You’re wrong on that point, Desiree,” Olivia said, trying to sooth the younger woman. “Unlike a lot of gun-nuts who’ve had no training, these people know just how dangerous guns in the wrong hands can be. Most of them would support your bill. So would most cops. At least big city cops.”

“That’s reassuring. Nevertheless, I still want you back. Come to work for me personally. I’ll pay you more than what SF Security was paying. Please!”

“I can’t,” Olivia said. She paused as she reached her home and pushed the button to open the gate. “I signed an agreement when they hired me. For the next year I can’t take a job which competes with what they do. Trust the people they’ve sent. You’ll be in good hands. They’re quite competent. Believe me, I know.”

***

Tammy was circling the exercise area on her usual afternoon jog. She was just passing the basketball court when one of the women playing tried to cut, slid on a pebble, screamed in pain, and fell, clutching her knee. Tammy was only a few feet away. She lifted the woman to her feet. The injured player tried to put weight on her damaged leg, grunted loudly, and would’ve fallen again had Tammy not been holding her.

“Motherfucker!” the woman exclaimed. Her face reflected her anguish. “I think I just fucked up my knee again.”

“Looks like you did,” Tammy said. “It’s already beginning to swell. I’ll help you to that bench and get a guard to bring you to the infirmary.”

“Thanks,” the woman said. She leaned against Tammy and hopped on her good leg as they headed toward the bench. “Just what I need. To go see Gilson so the old fart can feel me up some more.”

“I know what you mean,” Tammy said with a grin.

“I bet you do,” the woman said. She looked Tammy up and down. “You’re a real babe. I bet that fucker jacks off every night thinking about you.”

“Here we are,” Tammy said as she eased the woman onto the bench. “Stretch out your leg. One of the guards is approaching. See if he’s got any ice.”

“I appreciate your help. I’m Kim, by the way.”

“Tammy.”

They shook hands. Kim moved her knee and winced.

“You gonna be able to play, Kim?” a woman holding a basketball asked.

“No fucking way, Jasmine,” Kim said. She gestured to Tammy. “Tammy here picked me up like I weighed nothing. We’ve seen her running around. I bet she’s good even if she is white. Get her to fill in.”

Without warning Jasmine whipped the ball at Tammy, who caught it and passed it back. “What about it, girl?” Jasmine asked. “You have good reflexes. Wanna play?”

Tammy was tempted. She would enjoy the workout, and the camaraderie with the other women would be nice. On the other hand, it was difficult to fake being bad, and if she stood out too much it would call attention to herself. Exactly what her mother warned her not to do.

“What the fuck?” Jasmine suddenly screamed.

Tammy heard a noise and whirled. Sheila was swinging a homemade shiv at her while yelling incoherently. Tammy was able to duck so the only damage was a shallow cut on her back. Still shouting, Sheila lunged at her. The frustrations of the past few weeks came to a head. There was a ringing in Tammy’s ears. All sounds seemed to come from a distance. Her vision narrowed and focused on Sheila, rather like a predator stalking its prey.

Instead of ducking away from Sheila’s attack, Tammy caught her arm and twisted it, snapping the wrist bones and dislocating the larger woman’s elbow. Tammy put one hand between Sheila’s legs and the other in her right armpit. She lifted Sheila up and slammed her to the ground where she lay, momentarily stunned. Then Tammy grabbed Sheila’s right ankle and twisted. An audible crack came from her right knee. Sheila’s scream was so loud every eye in the exercise yard turned their way.

Tammy felt hands grasping her roughly. She pushed the guard away. Two other guards were hurrying toward them. The pre-change tingling went through her body. Her left hand shimmered and very briefly a leopard claw appeared and disappeared.

One of the approaching guards jerked his head back, blinked his eyes several times, and shook his head. “Must be my imagination,” he muttered as he grasped Tammy’s left arm.

Jasmine stepped in front of Tammy, wrapped her in bear-hug, and said, “Cool it, girl, cool it. I know the bitch attacked you, but if you kill her you’ll be in really deep shit.”

Tammy stood still. She took shallow breaths while she regained her composure. A male guard clutched her left arm and a female her right. She didn’t struggle.

“It’s not her fault,” Jasmine said. “Barker attacked her with a shiv. She was just defending herself.”

“We saw that, Jasmine,” the female said. “You know the rules. A fight lands you in solitary no matter who started it.” To Tammy she said, “Are you going to come along quietly?”

“Yes,” Tammy said. “I’ll cooperate.”

“I got this,” the female said. The male released her arm. “Call for an ambulance for Barker and a stretcher for the other one.”

The female led Tammy to the infirmary and told Tammy to take off her shirt. The shirt was used as a compress while Gilson dealt with Kim’s knee. When he was ready for Tammy, he told her to take off her bra.

“Why the bra?” the guard asked.

“Don’t tell me how to doctor, Collins,” Gilson said. “Just for your information, the straps might get in the way in case I have to give her some stitches.”

“Bullshit,” Collins said. “You just want to look at her tits.”

“You want to show me yours instead, Collins?”

Collins rolled her eyes and said, “What a pig you are, Gilson. You’re so full of shit if someone gave you an enema there’d be nothing left but skin and bones.”

Gilson snickered and went to work on Tammy. When he was finished, she was given a fresh shirt and led to a small, isolated cell.

“This’ll be your home for the next few days,” Collins said. “Hopefully it won’t be more than that. Sheila Barker has been a troublemaker from day one. Nobody’s going to shed tears over her.”