Broken Faith Read online

  Shaking off the stultifying after-effects of an hour in their company, he reached the front gate and gratefully made his way down the sidewalk. His church and the rectory where he lived were only a few blocks away, deeper into the inner city. As he walked, he considered the evening and more specifically, Hettie Walker's niece.

  Just this side of hostile, the young woman had been an enigma. Her intelligent, penetrating eyes had held a deep reticence, but he sensed that was their usual state and not directed specifically at him. He wondered what had caused such wariness in one so young and felt a budding compassion for the troubled girl.

  He grinned as he thought of how his old mentor would gently chide him for finding yet another stray, but his instincts, proven through over two decades of service in some of the roughest assignments in the western provinces and northern territories, had yet to steer him wrong.

  Mrs. Walker had deflected his initial attempt to inquire about her niece, sighing deeply as if her lot was simply too much to bear. Her friends had clucked in agreement, offering sympathy and accolades in a well-practiced drill for the heroic way she'd born the burden of her niece's upbringing over the years.

  David had let the subject drop, but his inquisitive mind refused to let the memory of those dark, suspicious eyes go. Knowing he'd only get one very slanted side from Hettie's crew, he wondered who might be able to give him the whole story. Tupper! If anyone would know, it would be the ancient, garrulous sexton who did everything around the church from sweeping floors to setting out hymnals.

  Deep in his thoughts, David stepped off the curb without looking and barely avoided being hit by a car whose angry driver signaled his outrage in no uncertain terms. Sighing, he chastised himself for his lack of attention, well aware that he was prone to lose sight of the outer world while he wandered happily in his inner one. Determined to at least make it back to his rectory in one piece, he carefully checked the street before starting across it again.

  * * *

  Across town, a tall blonde woman stopped before an apartment door and drew a deep breath. Not allowing herself time to reconsider, she knocked rapidly and waited. Several long minutes later the door swung open. Cass leaned against the frame and eyed her visitor for long moments before smirking and holding out her hand.

  Marika handed over the brown bag and when Cass checked the contents said quietly, "It's Walker Cardhu."

  Cass grinned triumphantly. "Aw, you're such a good girl."

  Marika eyed the woman as she twisted the cap off the scotch, wondering again why she'd come but knowing she wouldn't leave. She'd tried to stay away before and Cass never made any attempt to coax her back. The woman tilting the bottle back to thin lips knew she'd return on her own eventually.

  Studying the other woman, Marika shook her head. Cass was almost stunningly commonplace. Of average height and size, with medium brown hair and regular features, she'd never stand out in a crowd unless one looked at her eyes. A hungry, predatory, manic expression filled those muddy brown orbs, eyes that always reminded Marika of the old footage of Charles Manson.

  Giving an involuntary shiver, she was about to push past Cass when she heard the sound of women's laughter coming from within. Halting abruptly, she turned to the other woman who regarded her with an insolent grin.

  "You didn't tell me you had company," Marika said with a frown.

  Cass shrugged indifferently. "So what?"

  Marika retreated to the hall and Cass made no move to stop her. The two stared at each other until finally Cass turned and called into the apartment, "You two get your asses out of here. I got a lady to entertain."

  Loud complaints sounded until Cass turned and took a few steps inside. Her voice dropped to a snarl. "Don't make me tell you twice!" Within moments two women stumbled by Marika's averted eyes and down the hall. As she turned to enter the apartment she heard one of them say to her friend, "She don't mean shit, Kendra. She's just another of Cass' stable. You watch, we'll be back here before Monday."

  Wincing, Marika stepped inside the apartment and quietly closed the door behind her.

  Chapter Two

  MARIKA FROWNED AT the manila folder in front of her and turned to her computer to call up another file. Her client had a weak case for refugee status and she'd been hard pressed to find adequate substantiation for his hearing, which was scheduled in three weeks.

  A knock sounded on her open door and she glanced up to see a large, burly man standing there smiling at her.

  "Hi Marika, do you have a moment?"

  "Sure, Len-come on in. What brings you down from the corporate world?" Marika was puzzled, but pleasantly so, to see her colleague. Len Owen was an amiable man but working in different divisions and three floors apart, they didn't often cross paths except at company functions.

  "Well, I don't know if you heard or not, but I've taken a position in Vancouver and I'll be leaving in a couple of weeks. I'm basically just wrapping things up right now."

  The big man had ambled over to take a chair in front of Marika's desk and she regarded him curiously. "I had heard something about that. Congratulations, Len. I'm sure you're going to enjoy living out on the coast."

  "It'll be different, that's for sure," Len agreed with a smile. "Gonna take quite a hit on the housing costs out there but I sure won't miss Calgary winters!"

  The two shared a chuckle over that sentiment, and then Len said more seriously, "Look, I'm hoping we might help each other out here." As Marika quirked an inquiring eyebrow at him, he went on. "Personnel said that your legal assistant is leaving soon on maternity leave, is that right?"

  Marika nodded. "Yes, Marian starts her leave in two weeks though I'm not entirely sure she's going to last that long."

  Grinning, Len agreed, "Yeah, she looks ready to pop any day now. Well, I was wondering if you've found a replacement for her yet."

  With a small groan, she shook her head. "No, and I haven't even had time to really look into it. I was going to call Personnel and just tell them to send me floaters for now. I might even just go that route for the entire six months until she's back.

  "I think I have a better idea," Len said, leaning forward eagerly. "I have a terrific little assistant and I think you'd be very pleased with her work if you took her on. I'd really like to find her a position before I leave and with you in the market, I thought this would work out perfectly."

  "Okay," said Marika slowly. "Why doesn't she just go into the floater pool though? After all, I'm not looking for anyone permanent since Marian will be coming back after her leave's up."

  "I know, and certainly that's what she'll do if you're not interested, but she's a good kid and I'd like to see her settled with someone who'll treat her right even if it's just for a limited time."

  With a slight smile, Marika regarded her colleague and asked, "What is it you're not telling me about her, Len?"

  The burly man leaned back with a sheepish grin. "I'm not trying to put one over on you. Rhiannon really is the best assistant I've ever had. She's got a terrific mind and is probably the hardest worker in this building. She never balks at overtime, and countless nights I've left here when she's still hard at it."

  "Hmm," Marika murmured skeptically. "Maybe she just can't get her work done in regular hours."

  "No, that's not it at all. Her output is phenomenal and I can't even begin to tell you how many times her research has bailed me out. Sure, that's what she's paid for but damn, Marika, she really makes me look good in front of the clients. I'd love to take her with me to Vancouver if I could."

  "So what's the drawback to this paragon of legal assistants, Len? What aren't you telling me?"

  Marika regarded the man curiously as he squirmed a little under her gaze. He rubbed his chin and then sighed. "Well, to be blunt, Rhiannon's people skills aren't the greatest." He hastened to add, "Don't get me wrong, she's always perfectly polite and correct in her behaviour to me and to the clients."

  "But?"

  "But she's the oddest duck I
've ever run into." Len sighed as if relieved to get that out.

  "Odd how?" Marika's tone turned from suspicious to genuinely curious.

  Len stood and paced over to the windows, which overlooked the heart of downtown Calgary from seven floors up. "Well, for instance, even after two years I can't get her to call me anything but Mr. Owen. I've told her dozens of times to call me Len, but she always nods agreeably and keeps on treating me as formally as always."

  "Well that doesn't sound all that bad," Marika said, watching as her colleague peered out the windows. "I know it's outdated but office formality has its place. Maybe she's shy."

  Len shook his head and turned to face her. "No, it's not shyness exactly, though she is pretty reserved. I'd almost say she doesn't like people but once she comes to trust you enough to let down the barriers a little, you can tell it's not that she hates people, she just doesn't trust them."

  He walked back over to the chair and resumed his seat. "Look, the thing is if you're looking for someone warm and fuzzy to have cheerful morning chitchats with, Rhiannon isn't it. If you're looking for a dedicated, talented worker, she's your girl. I'd like to see her with you because you treat your people decently. I'm afraid that if she goes into the floater pool, she'll end up working for someone like Nolan."

  The two grimaced in agreement over their irritating colleague. Troy Nolan hadn't been able to keep any of his assistants for more than six months at the longest. Ingratiating to the extreme with peers and superiors, Nolan treated his subordinates with utter disdain and he had a reputation among the firm's legal assistants for outright abrasiveness. Personnel had resorted to slipping a bonus to any assistant willing to work for him but even that was rarely enough to keep anyone under his thumb for long. The senior partner had called him on the carpet about his treatment of the assistants pool, but that had only served to make him subtler in his petty spitefulness.

  Marika laced her fingers together on the desk. "I suppose I could give her a chance, Len. I'd need her to work with Marian for at least a week before Marian goes on leave so that she's up to date on our procedures here in immigration," she added. She hoped she wasn't making a mistake, but was willing to take the risk to solve her own staffing problems while also helping a friend.

  Len beamed at her. "That's great, Marika! I know you won't regret it. And there's no problem sparing her to start training right away. Like I said, I'm in the process of wrapping things up right now and I can always grab a floater myself if you've got Rhiannon tied up."

  He stood and leaned across the desk to offer his hand, which Marika took. "I'll send her down later this morning. She's running an errand for Henry right now. One of his witnesses showed up here rather than the courthouse and his assistant had already gone over so he borrowed Rhiannon to escort the lady over since he was still tied up here."

  "He couldn't have just given her directions?" Marika asked, mildly curious.

  "I don't think her grasp of English was too good. She was wearing one of those funny robe things, you know where you can't see anything but her face?"

  "Oh, you mean a chador?"

  "Yeah, I guess that's what it's called. Anyway, when Rhiannon gets back, I'll have her come down and introduce herself, all right?"

  "That's fine. I'll get Marian to start introducing her to our procedures."

  Marika had risen and was escorting Len to the door when he turned and said, "You won't regret it, Marika. Treat her fairly and you'll never have a more dedicated employee."

  Marika gave a noncommittal murmur as he stepped out in the hallway and turned to the elevators. Stopping at her assistant's cubicle, she briefed Marian on her replacement, uneasily ignoring the raised eyebrow that greeted her announcement.

  "Rhiannon Davies? Are you sure about this, Marika?"

  Marika felt suddenly unsure and defensive in spite of herself. "Why? Len said she's a very hard worker."

  "Well, yeah, she is that, but she sure isn't the most sociable person I've ever met. I don't think I've ever even heard her utter a word that isn't work-related, except maybe to ask if there's more coffee anywhere. Hell, she doesn't even come to our monthly luncheons. Got so we don't even bother asking her anymore."

  Marika sighed. "I know, Len said she's not much of a people person but as long as she's competent, I can put up with anything until you're back." She smiled at her longtime assistant. "Besides, you know that no one could really replace you anyway."

  Marian preened. "Got that right, boss. Okay, if you're willing to put up with Miss Ice, I'll train her up right for you."

  "Miss Ice? No forget it, I don't want to know." Marika shook her head in amusement and made her way back to her office.

  An hour later, Marian poked her head in the office. "Marika, Rhiannon is here. May I bring her in?"

  The blonde looked up from her computer and nodded. "Sure." She stood and came out from behind her desk only to stop short when Marian walked in with a diminutive young woman behind her. Surprised, she suddenly recalled the collision at the plaza several days before when she'd accidentally knocked this very same woman over. The calm eyes regarding her quietly showed no signs of being nonplussed, suggesting that Rhiannon had already made the connection between her assailant and her new employer.

  Slightly flustered, and annoyed at herself for feeling so, Marika extended her hand and said coolly, "Rhiannon? Why don't you come in and we'll talk about what your responsibilities will be."

  The young woman stepped forward and gave her hand a single, firm shake before turning and taking one of the chairs in front of the desk. Marika had intended to take the other chair but suddenly preferred to put her desk between them. Marian hovered for a moment until she was dismissed with a nod.

  Turning to the woman sitting silently across from her, Marika regarded her new employee. She hadn't taken much notice of the smaller woman during their brief encounter Friday night, and she took the opportunity to study her now. Rhiannon's slight figure was garbed in a drab, unflattering but businesslike brown skirt, tan blouse and flat shoes. A complete absence of make-up or jewelry, aside from a cheap watch, and a short, practical haircut all contributed to the impression of a woman who preferred not to be noticed.

  Absently, Marika took in the rigid, wary set of the young woman's shoulders and the clear cool eyes that returned her look steadily. Suddenly realizing that they'd been sitting in silence for long minutes, she was bemused to realize that Rhiannon hadn't once squirmed under her scrutiny. She'd unconsciously assumed her stern, 'I will tolerate no fools' look which had been known to reduce grown men to cold sweat and trembling knees, but the young woman hadn't so much as flinched. Marika got the impression that her new employee could sit unmoving and silent for hours until dismissed if her boss so chose.

  Clearing her throat, Marika began. "You come well recommended. Len thinks highly of your work habits. I trust his opinion and I'm sure you'll extend the same quality of performance in this office."

  She paused, but Rhiannon gave no indication of accepting the conversational opening. If Marika hadn't seen the intensity behind the dark blue eyes focused on her, she'd have wondered if the young woman was even paying attention.

  Wanting to shift uneasily but forcing herself to remain still, Marika went on, "I want you to work with Marian and get up to speed on our procedures in the next couple of weeks. I know that immigration will be quite a change from corporate, but I'm sure you'll handle the transition smoothly."

  That at least got a nod. Marika sighed softly. This was the point where she would normally engage in some polite conversation to elicit something of a new employee's personal history, but she doubted that any such attempts would be welcomed. She wondered if Len even knew anything of Rhiannon's background and reminded herself to ask him. She sensed that route would be easier and more productive than broaching the topic with the sphinx across from her.

  "All right then, why don't you join Marian and get started," Marika suggested.

  The young woman stood
and said stiffly, "Thank you, Ms. Havers."

  She withdrew abruptly and was almost out of her office as Marika said, "You can call me..."

  The flowing hem of the brown skirt vanished around the corner as she trailed off weakly, "Marika." She shook her head and wondered if she'd just made a mistake. She allowed herself a moment to fret over whether it'd be a long six months, then leaned back in her chair and chuckled ruefully. Len hadn't exaggerated. This youngster had the social skills of koala bear. There certainly wouldn't be any heart-to-heart fraternizing over a beer after work as she'd often done with Marian.

  Still, she'd reserve judgment until she saw if the young woman lived up to Len's assessment. As long as she was capable and hard working, that was all Marika required from an employee. After all, Miss Davies hadn't signed on to be her new best friend. Resolutely, she turned back to wrestle with her own work.

  It was almost noon when she heard a cheerful voice at her doorway. "Nose to the grindstone, eh? Good to see it!"

  Looking up with a grin, Marika eyed the formidable figure lounging against the doorframe. "Well as I live and breathe, if it isn't the notorious Lee Glenn! I thought sure they'd toss you in jail down there in Mexico and I'd have to come bail your ass out."

  Laughter bubbled out of the tall, solidly muscled woman who strolled over to perch on the edge of Marika's desk. "Nah, though I did have one run-in with an overly enthusiastic customs agent."

  Marika stood and hugged her longtime friend before leaning back and eying her with admiration. "That's quite the tan you have there. I thought you were going down there to work. Looks like you put in some time on the beach."

  Lee groaned. "Not you too, 'Rika! Ever since I've come back, I've been trying to convince Dana that I would never go on holiday without her and Danny."

  "Uh huh," Marika teased as she sat down again. "Well if I were that lady of yours, I'd put a long leash on you the next time you claim you're heading out of the country on 'business'."

  "You know," Lee grumbled good-naturedly, "you used to be one of my favourite people. I think I'm moving you down the list just for that."