Daisy McDare and the Deadly Legal Affair (2 page)

Samantha was very similar in frame, only she had black hair.  Their personalities were where things differed most.  Daisy was plucky and on top of things when it came to work, but a complete mess when it came to her personal life.  She just couldn’t seem to bridge the gap between the two.  Part of the problem was how she over analyzed things when it came to her romantic life.  While at work however, she just went with her gut. 

Samantha was more laid back.  She had a ‘take things as they come and whatever will be’ attitude.  It had worked well, becoming a calming influence not only for her, but her friends as well.  In a lot of instances, Samantha provided the voice of reason for Daisy. 

That wasn’t always the case.  Samantha used to fly off the handle about everything, but it never ended up getting her anywhere.  The more she calmed her mind however, the more things got easier for her.  Samantha tried to explain that to Daisy, but she was too high strung for it to really sink in. 

“I love that necklace,” Samantha said. 

“Thanks.  You know, I could make you one of your own if you’d like,” Daisy said.

“I like the one I’ve already got,” Samantha said. 

Daisy then looked at the beaded necklace around her friend’s neck.  She’d made that for Samantha when they graduated high school.  It was one of Daisy’s first attempts at beading. 

Daisy had given it to Samantha in honor of their friendship.  It touched Daisy’s heart that her friend still wore it.  Especially given the fact that Daisy had become a much better beader since then.  She’d learned more complicated designs could create far more beautiful necklaces and bracelets.

It was a sign of Samantha’s personality that she enjoyed the simple design the best.  That pretty much summed up her approach to life as well, the simpler the better.   

“I can’t believe you still have that,” Daisy said. 

“It’s the only necklace I’ll ever need,” Samantha smiled.

“That’s so sweet.”

“Your friendship means everything to me.  That’s why I hate to see you like this.”

Daisy wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about Brent.  She’d already done enough grousing about her ex to Samantha over the last few months.  Besides, nothing they were going to say would change anything. 

More importantly, going over the details again would just reopen the wound.  Perhaps an out of sight, out of mind philosophy was the best approach to take. 

Daisy did have a doozy of a day at work ahead of her.  Wouldn’t she be better off gearing up for that?  She decided to avoid the subject. 

“I love these cookies.  They’re hardly part of a balanced breakfast, but who needs one of those anyway, right?” Daisy joked.

Granny Annie Johnson then jumped into the conversation.  “Life is too short to eat anything but delicious food.”

Granny Annie was the original owner of Sweet Tooth and had introduced most of its signature desserts.  It was only recently that she handed off the shop to Samantha.  But when Bill, Annie’s husband of fifty-two years died, she started putting in hours at Sweet Tooth again. 

At first Samantha thought it was to stave off loneliness, but her granny had other ideas.  Annie believed being idle throughout retirement led to Bill’s passing, so she was determined to no longer take her retirement lying down. 

Even though Granny Annie was eighty, she was more active than ever.  When she wasn’t putting in hours at the shop, she was volunteering and spending time with friends.  She probably had a busier social calendar than Daisy and Samantha did combined. 

She also hadn’t lost her spunk.  If anything, over the years Annie had become far more vocal about her opinions.  This time was no different.   

“I agree.  How do you get these cookies to taste so delicious?” Daisy wondered. 

Daisy had a weakness for ooey gooey soft baked chocolate chip cookies.  Of course she liked chocolate in all forms, but cookies were her absolute favorite.  Normally cookies were off limits for breakfast, but she decided to make a special exception today. 

It didn’t help that she could smell them the minute she walked into the dessert shop.  With that intoxicating scent wafting her way, she couldn’t be expected to resist.  Samantha had a way with baked goods.  If sweets were death to a diet, Samantha was the willing and skillful accomplice.

“A magician never reveals their secrets.  Oh, and don’t let men treat you with anything but respect either.  The last thing you need is a bum like that fool you used to date,” Granny Annie spouted. 

“To be fair, he didn’t seem like a bum at the time,” Daisy said. 

“That’s why you need to run things by me.  I can spot a deadbeat from a mile away,” Granny Annie said. 

“I promise to run my next boyfriend by you,” Daisy smiled.

“You’ll be happy you did.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have cupcakes to sprinkle.”

Granny Annie then whisked away as quickly as she entered the conversation in the first place. 

Samantha meanwhile turned back to Daisy and got to the heart of the matter. 

“It’s about Brent again, isn’t it?” Samantha pressed. 

“I don’t know if there’s enough cookies in this bakery for this conversation,” Daisy answered. 

“You need to put him out of your mind.”

“But you didn’t even hear what he did.”

“It doesn’t matter.  Leave the past where it belongs.”

“That sounds way too rational to work.  Where’s the hysteria in that?”

“You’re an accomplished woman.  You deserve a better man than Brent Patterson,” Samantha said. 

“Have I ever told you that you’d make a killing on the motivational speaker circuit?”

“I like my life the way it is.  Besides, what more can I ask for than being able to sneak a free sweet treat anytime I want?” Samantha asked, as she took a bite of a pastry.

“Who am I to argue with that?” Daisy replied. 

“Good.  It’s time to set your sights elsewhere than on Brent Patterson.”

“No, I meant who am I to argue with free sweet treats?” Daisy clarified. 

Samantha stared at her old friend.  “You know I’m right about Brent too.  Go get yourself a good man.”

“Any idea where I can find one?” Daisy asked.   

That question, Samantha had no answer for.  Unfortunately, neither did Daisy. So she ate another cookie instead.

Chapter Two

Daisy couldn’t imagine a better place to grow up than Cozy Creek, not to mention raise a family.  She was hoping she’d get to start a family of her own sooner rather than later.  Unfortunately, life seemed to be twisting her arm with its own plans. 

As Daisy made her way to the law offices, every street she drove down held some kind of memory for her.  It was easy to get caught up in the past.  With her friend Samantha’s urging however, Daisy decided to try and focus on the future. 

Somewhere out there was the man she’d spend the rest of her life with.  He could even live in one of the Victorian era houses she was driving by right now.  Who knows?  Daisy just wished fate wouldn’t be so elusive.  She was tired of playing a cat and mouse game when it came to love. 

***

The Law Offices Of Max Cash were in the most charmless office building in all of Cozy Creek.  Luckily it was towards the edge of town, so most people didn’t have to look at the slab of concrete that had few too little windows for comfort. 

Hopefully things would look a little better on the inside.  It turned out Daisy’s critique of the buildings aesthetics would have to wait however. 

With classic McDare family luck, Daisy didn’t even manage to make it inside the building before drama found her.  While walking in from the parking lot, Daisy saw the night maid Angela Franklin sobbing on her way back to her beat up compact car after a long shift.

What a brutal, thankless job.  The graveyard shift was a tough slog.  Daisy had a hard enough time staying awake into the early a.m., she couldn’t imagine having to work Angela’s hours.  It was unnatural for the human body to be doing labor when everyone else was asleep. 

Clearly something more was going on with the maid than just the work itself however.  Daisy hadn’t seen someone with such a face full of tears in public in a long time.  Her heart went out to Angela.  Normally Daisy didn’t make a habit of approaching strangers, but she hated to see anyone having such a tough time.

Angela looked like she needed a big hug.   

“Are you alright?” Daisy asked. 

Angela had been walking with her head down and didn’t realize that someone had heard her.  Suddenly Angela felt really self-conscious and wiped her eyes as she snuffled.

Daisy grabbed a tissue from her purse and held it out for the maid. 

Angela refused.  “No.”  

“Are you sure?” Daisy followed up. 

“It’s just been a long night.”

“Do you want to talk about it?  I’ve found when things aren’t going so well for me that it helps just to get it out.”

“Thanks for your concern, but I need to get home and check up on my son.”

“Alright.  Well I hope things get better for you.”

Angela gave Daisy a half smile.  The maid was a complete wreck.  Something was seriously amiss with her. 

Daisy was great at reading people.  All she usually had to do was look into someone’s eyes to tell when they were lying.  Body language also gave so much away.  But sometimes people just didn’t want to talk. 

Daisy didn’t blame Angela.  They were strangers.  Still, Daisy felt bad for the woman. 

Angela then continued on to her car as Daisy took a few more steps to the front entrance of the office building. 

That’s when Daisy heard Angela have another round of sobbing.  This time the maid was crying so much she started coughing when a few tears went down her wind pipe. 

Daisy turned around and offered the maid a tissue again.  This time Angela accepted. 

“Are you sure you’re going to be ok?” Daisy asked. 

“I don’t know,” Angela admitted, her face full of fear. 

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s my son Joe.  I’m really worried he’s getting in with the wrong crowd.  He’s sixteen and at that age when trouble can find him in a hurry if he isn’t careful.  Plus he hasn’t been answering my calls when I check up on him from work.  I’m doing my best to keep him on the right path and on the straight and narrow.  You want to set a good example for your kids, but working nights, there’s only so much I can do to keep an eye on him,” Angela explained. 

“I understand.  It must be so hard to be away from your son.”

“It is.  My older son Tom used to look out for him, but Tom…has gone away for a while.”

The pain in Angela’s voice when she talked about her older son really struck a nerve in Daisy.  There was obviously something very painful in Angela’s past she didn’t want to talk about.  Daisy wished there was something she could do to make this poor woman feel better, but all she could do was listen to her.

“I’m sure you’re doing the best you can, and that’s all any of us can do.”

“I just wish I could get an earlier shift, but it’s just not possible.”  Angela exhaled.  “Thank God for after school programs.  I just have to get through a couple more years and hopefully Joe will safely be off to college.”

“Here’s hoping,” Daisy said. 

Angela then realized she’d just blurted out a huge portion of her personal history to a complete stranger in an office parking lot. 

Angela got bashful all of a sudden.  “Sorry to bother you with my problems.”

“It’s no problem.  Don’t worry about it.  I just wish I could do something to help you.”

“You did.  You were right, it helps to talk about it.”

“I’m glad I came over then,” Daisy said. 

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go check up on my son,” Angela replied.       

Suddenly Daisy’s relationship problems seemed wildly unimportant.  Life had a way of putting things in perspective sometimes.  When she entered the law offices however, she realized the drama for the day was just heating up. 

Chapter Three

Daisy only needed to take one step into the office to see why she got called in to redecorate.  The place was completely without character.  It was as drab and lifeless as the DMV.  The décor looked like it was all purchased second hand from an office supply store that had gone out of business in the 1970’s. 

The chairs in the waiting room all creaked, the couch was as stiff as a bus stop bench, and the coffee table had folded paper stuffed under one of its legs to keep it from wobbling too much.   The few magazines that were in the waiting room were all old and featured such lively names as “Defense Lawyer Quarterly” and “Bail Bondsman Bi-Monthly.”

There were no paintings hanging on the walls or plants to liven up the place.  It was bare.  Clearly no effort had been put into design at all.  Granted, the lawyer’s clients had bigger things on their minds, like their case for example.  Still, it wouldn’t hurt for the place to have some charm. 

There was something to be said for projecting a sense of success.  The existence of accent pieces and well-designed office inspired confidence that the attorney won enough to be able to afford anything and everything. 

Instead Max Cash’s office was much like his television commercial—bargain basement.  Commercials for local businesses had a history of being punchlines.  Mattress hucksters and greasy car dealers polluted the airwaves enough, but it was the law offices that took the cake for advertising in Cozy Creek. 

There seemed to be a race to the bottom.  The television’s two biggest blowhards were Tom “Top Dollar” Timmons and Max Cash.  Tom was a shameless ambulance chaser that went by one simple motto—“No Case Too Small, No Settlement Too Big.”  Then there was Max, the defense lawyer who lived by the slogan “Max Cash, Max Defense.”

But for a man that touted a “Max Defense,” Cash didn’t seem to spend a dime on his commercials.  His ad spots looked like they were filmed on a smartphone held by a little kid on a sugar high.  And although Max talked a big game, he sure couldn’t read from the cue cards very well.  His words came out sounding stiff and without the slightest hint of charisma.

Daisy wondered what Max would be like in person.  Judging by the looks of his waiting room and his commercials, she sensed some extreme penny pinching.  The kind of man that made plenty of money, but refused to spend it on anyone but himself.  Whether this would prove true was anyone’s guess, but Daisy would find out soon enough. 

Before she could meet Max however, Daisy was made to play the waiting game. 

Amber Roberston, the law practice’s receptionist, sat at the front desk as Daisy approached.  Amber had a tight black dress with a distinct v neck cut to it meant to show off her body.  She was in her mid-twenties, in great yoga shape, and clearly adhered to the “if you got it, flaunt it” philosophy of life.

As Daisy opened her mouth to check in, the phone rang.  Instead of being polite and telling Daisy just to hold on a second, Amber waggled her finger in front of Daisy’s face, trying to keep her quiet. 

Daisy then waited patiently as Amber took the phone call. 

“Law office,” Amber said, into the phone. 

Daisy didn’t know who was on the other end of the line, but their voice sure was loud.  It was a deep and booming male voice.  He was almost loud enough for Daisy to make out the words even though the phone was clear on the other side of the reception desk. 

The caller spoke so loud Amber had to pull the phone away from her ear an inch to not blow out an ear drum.

“Mr. Smith, you have to talk to Max about that…I told you, I don’t have any control over billing…I can’t comment on whether I think the bill is too high,” Amber said, into the phone. 

That explanation did not calm the caller down in the least.  The irate man gave Amber an earful.   

Finally things got so heated on the phone that Amber snapped at him.  “I already told you I can’t help you!  If you have a problem with your bill, you have to talk to Max.”

Daisy was wide-eyed.  She couldn’t believe the receptionist lost her temper that quickly—especially right in front of her.  Luckily Daisy was the only one in the waiting room.  What unprofessional behavior. 

After getting another earful from the caller, Amber got fed up and decided to pass the buck. “He’s in a meeting, I’ll transfer you to his voicemail…No, please don’t come in to the office.”

Amber then rolled her eyes and groaned as she hung up the phone.  She looked like she wanted to slam it down and break the phone in half.  If she wasn’t having a bad day before, she sure was now. 

Daisy meanwhile awkwardly stood across the desk wanting to get helped while also trying to give Amber enough time to calm down.  The last thing Daisy wanted was to have Amber take out her frustrations out on her. 

While she waited for Amber’s temper to cool, Daisy was at a loss for words.  Daisy was usually good at reading situations, but she was dead wrong here.  When she first walked in, Daisy pegged Amber as a ‘sleep her way to the top’ kind of receptionist. 

She’d met plenty of women like that in her life.  And, much to the chagrin of hard working women like Daisy, it usually worked too.  Clearly, something had gone wrong in Amber’s case. 

Women that were good at sashaying their way around the office were usually kiss ups.  They knew the importance of being sweet.  Amber was just the opposite.  She was either very bad at bedding her boss, or no one here wanted to sleep with her.       

Amber then interrupted Daisy’s train of thought. 

“They don’t pay me enough for this,” Amber muttered, under her breath. 

Amber then reached into her purse to grab some aspirin before spotting Daisy out of the corner of her eye again.  She got so caught up dealing with the irate caller that she forgot Daisy was standing in the waiting room. 

A well-mannered receptionist would apologize for blowing up in front of a visitor and maybe make a joke to ease the tension in the room.  Amber instead sighed like she couldn’t believe she had endure another unwanted conversation. 

“Oh…you,” Amber said.

Daisy could have gone off on a rant about how rude Amber was being and how that wasn’t any way to treat a visitor, but she knew it would be of no use. 

Amber was about as welcoming as a porcupine being poked with a sharp stick--which was exactly what you didn’t want out of someone in a customer service position.

Daisy decided that instead of being just as rude back that it would be better to try and lighten the mood.   

“Rough day at the office?” Daisy joked. 

“You act like this is just today.  I pop aspirin like breath mints around here,” Amber said. 

“Oh.  I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Sorry isn’t going to keep me from getting an ulcer,” she snarked.

At that point, Daisy figured it would be best just to skip to business.  “Right.  Anyway, I’m Daisy McDare to see Max Cash.”

“Are you a new client?”

“I’m an interior decorator.  I have a meeting with him about fixing up this place.”

Amber scoffed.  “Yeah?  Well good luck squeezing any money out of that cheapskate.  The man won’t even spring for raises around here.”

Daisy couldn’t believe how vocal Amber was about badmouthing her boss.  Only a person that truly despised their job would grouse that loudly in front of someone they just met.  Before Amber had a chance to pile on any further, Daisy wanted to make an exit from this conversation. 

She had business to attend to after all, and the last thing she wanted was for her client to catch her listening to his receptionist throw him under the bus. 

“I’ve got some papers to go through.  Will you just let him know I’m here?” Daisy asked. 

“Get ready to wait a while.  He’s in there with his wife,” Amber grumbled. 

***

Brooke Cash wasn’t the kind of woman to be trifled with.  She was used to getting what she wanted.  It was that kind of will that won Max over in the first place.  The first time she laid eyes on him, she was determined to have him, and didn’t stop until that was so. 

Theirs was a marriage built around strong personalities.  In the early days of their relationship, that led to explosive passion.  Now twenty-two years after saying their vows, the only thing that was still explosive were their fights. 

Brooke had grown used to the high life that Max’s salary provided her.  She was a housewife that spent her days getting Brazilian blowouts and spa facials while trying her best to max out her husband’s credit cards on shoes and new outfits.

She was very particular about her couture as well.  Brand names weren’t enough for her.  Everything needed to be top of the line.  Her style was unmistakable.  From her heels to her hats, she was always decked out in wall to wall pink.  She insisted pink was ‘her color.’  Pink with gray. Pink with black.  Pink with pink.  That made her easy to pick out in a crowd.  That day was no different. 

Just because her days were free from work didn’t mean they were without stress however.  Max had a legendary wandering eye that had led to many fights in the past.  Her husband also had a penchant for working long hours at the office, or so he said. 

A recent discovery in their laundry room at home made Brooke question just what Max was doing during those late hours he was supposed to be at the office. 

Brooke had a fire in her eyes as she stormed into her husband’s office that morning.  She was ready to take no prisoners. 

Max wasn’t exactly a pushover himself however.  He was the alpha in the office.  Always the top dog.  A man that demanded respect. 

It was primed to be a battle royale.  The saying was true—hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.  Brooke was a bull in a China shop that morning.  She threw one of her husband’s dress shirts back in his face. 

“How dare you?” Brooke barked.  “That’s not my color.  I wear pink!” 

Max looked at the deep red lipstick stain on the collar of the shirt, the incriminating evidence of his infidelity that he’d foolishly left in the laundry for their house maid to find. 

Max’s ego didn’t allow for contrition, even faced with indisputable guilt.  He was a defense lawyer after all.  His favored tactic in the courtroom was to tell his clients to deny everything.  That morning, he took his own advice. 

Max responded with outrage.  “No, how dare you come into Max Cash’s office and talk to him that way.  You may have forgotten what it’s like to work for a living, but I have a job to do here.  So let me do it.”

Max loved referring to himself in the third person.  It was one of his favorite past times—right up there with gouging clients and cheating on his wife. 

Brooke narrowed her eyes.  “So who is the hussy?  Which one of the short skirts in this office is going to cost you half of everything?”

Max’s eyes opened wide.  “What did you just say to me?”

“I’ll bet it is Amber.  I knew she was nothing but trouble ever since I saw her fake boobs.  I hope she was worth losing your shirt over.  The way I see it, she’s about to cost you a cool four million.”

Max pounded on the desk.  His eyes were shooting daggers at his wife.  “No one comes into Max Cash’s office and threatens him.”

“It’s not a threat.  It’s just the truth.  I’ve put up with your cheating for years.  I’m done!  I’m going to run you over the coals in divorce court.”

Max shook his head in disbelief.  “You can’t do this to me.”

“Watch me.”

“Do you really think I’m going to let you divorce me?”

“Not only that, but I’m going to take you to the cleaners.  You might as well kiss your riches goodbye.  They’ll all be mine soon.”

“Over my dead body.  Don’t you know who I am?  I’m Max Cash.  I never lose.”

“I can remember at least one time you lost.”

“I told you to never bring up that case again,” Max warned. 

Brooke smirked.  “Still sore about it, aren’t you?  You’ve always been an awful loser.  If you think the Franklin case still burns, wait until I’m done with you.  Mark my words, you’re going to rue the day you cheated on me.”

“Do you really think I’m going to let you take my money?”

“Your money?  It’s our money, and I’m going to get my half.”

“No, it’s all mine, and I intend on keeping it.  It’s taken me years to build the Max Cash Empire.  I’m not about to let it crumble to the ground.  I’m warning you, this is going to be a fight to the death.”

“It’s also going to be a fight you’ll lose.  I’m going to make you pay,” Brooke hissed. 

Max scoffed.  “You have no idea what you’re getting into.  You’re a housewife.  You haven’t worked in over twenty years.  I’ve provided for you all that time.  Who do you think the courts will side with?”

Brooke looked like she wanted to go berserk.  “You’re lucky I don’t want to break a nail.”

“See you in court, sweetie,” Max replied, sarcastically.