Page 105 of The Fallen Man
With one hand, she shoved him backward. Then she yanked herself free of Baranov’s grasp and, whirling around, stabbed out and upward with the icepick, driving it into his neck. She pulled back and blood fountained from the wound. Baranov made ahoarse yell and grabbed for his throat. Caitlin didn’t stay to look at what happened next. She sprinted down the stairs and out the ruined door.
Dominique
What We Do
Dominique was still standing on the top step of Deveraux House when Theo opened the door.
“Is Miss contemplating the door knob or actually planning on coming in?” asked Theo.
“Theo, Jackson is in trouble, but I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Call the boys, circle the wagons, and set fire to your enemies,” said Theo promptly. “I believe that is the usual method.”
Dominique laughed. “It is, but I think maybe… We already did that and now there’s collateral damage?”
“Do you need to come in and have a cup of tea?” asked Theo. “Mr. Jackson still isn’t home.”
“He’s been dating Caitlin Granger,” said Dominique.
“Oh, dear,” said Theo. “Well, that explains the drinking.”
“Yes, but I don’t think he meant to. And I don’t think she meant to. And now they’re both miserable. You should have seen her—she got so mad and shestill looked heartbroken. And she lives in the worst neighborhood. I just called Pete and asked him about Caitlin Granger. I figured he’d at least answer some basics if he thought it was a general inquiry. He said she owes the IRS on all of the frozen assets that she inherited from Granger. She can’t sell them but they’re still demanding money. And then he said her mom died three years ago and left a ton of debt too. She doesn’t have anyone, Theo. Just one horrible aunt that clearly isn’t helping a bit. Theo, I’m just… I think maybe we ruined her life when we set out to destroy Granger.”
“Mmmm…” said Theo. “I believe that Mr. Granger made his own choices.”
“OK, but we helped.”
“Perhaps so. Don’t you think Mr. Jackson will sort it out?”
“Maybe. I mean, I’m sure Jackson will fix whatever needs fixing for the family, but you know he won’t try and get back together with her. He’ll just stay heartbroken because he’ll think it’s the right thing to do.”
“That does sound like him. So, what are you going to do?”
“That’s what I’ve been standing here trying to figure out. I mean… She’s Caitlin Granger. I pictured him falling for a lot of people, but I have to admit, that is one person that didn’t pop up onanyof my lists.”
“If Mr. Jackson loves her than does her last name matter? Asked Theo, practically.
“No,” said Dominique. “But it’s a lot. I mean, a lota lot.And I’m sort of floundering here, Theo. I’m not sure what to think, let alone what to do. Except that she lookedsohurt.”
Dominique felt her eyes fill with tears. Jackson couldn’t have known who she was, because otherwise it was just cruel.
“Miss Dominique, do you know why I have worked for your family for all these years?”
“Grandma has excellent retirement benefits?”
“Yes, but also because your family, even in your darkest moments, have never stopped trying to make things better for each other. You take action and I like that. I like being around people who help and don’t take no for an answer. When I was a boy, we did not have any indoor plumbing and we only had three forks. Six people, three forks. It sounds like a joke and certainly there were people treated my family like one, but that was how poor we were for a time. But being born poor is not a sin, and being born rich is not a virtue. And when I needed help, and I looked around for a hand, I only found one person reaching back for me—Eleanor Deveraux. If you think there is someone who needs your help, then I suggest you remember that you are aDeveraux and you go do what you do best.”
“Don’t take no for an answer, and help someone even if they don’t want it?”
“Damn straight,” said Theo with a nod.
Dominique thought that over. “You know what? You’re right. Thatiswhat we do. Weird habit, but we’re good at it, so I will embrace it. OK, Max and Evan were meeting me here, but give me some car keys. I’m going back there and I’m going to talk to her. If we hurt her, then we can fix it. And then I will figure out how to get them back together because Jackson fixed this family and I cannot let him be miserable for us.”
“Good,” said Theo. He disappeared back into the hall and came back with keys. “I believe the Mercedes has a full tank. I will inform Mr. Deveraux and Mr. Ames of your progress.”
“Excellent,” said Dominique. She grabbed the keys and headed toward the garage. She wasn’t entirely sure what she’d say to Caitlin, but there had to be something. By the time she made it over the bridge and cautiously parked on Caitlin’s street, she had a rudimentary speech worked out, but it rather depended on Caitlin talking to her.
She was approaching Caitlin’s apartment when the door flew open with a sharp bang and Caitlin came out into the street wearing only a bra, underwear and a coat. Dominique watched in shock as Caitlin sprinted toward the corner and then moments later a man came out after her. He wore a very prosaic set of khakis and a polo shirt, but around his face he’d tied a bandana like he was an old-time train robber. He stumbled through the door knocking over a golf club, and leaving bits of wood from the door strewn on the sidewalk before running after Caitlin.
