By the time the police finished everything they needed to do, which didn't take too long, and Teresa finished embarrassing Stacy, and Benjamin finished embarrassing himself, the party had just about cleared out. Don did an excellent job with evacuating the Whitmans out of the area. Being an older couple and rather "well-to-do", it would have been a little too exciting for them. I was ready to evacuate myself, but had to worry about getting Freddie and his "niece" back downtown. And frankly, Freddie wasn't quite ready to go, so I had to stick around a little while longer.
Teresa Armacost was handling it rather well, all things considered. She didn't ask anybody to leave, even though most of them did. She apologized for the excitement, but not for Benjamin's actions. "He got himself into this mess, he'll have to get himself out."
Holly, on the other hand was quite upset. She was embarrassed, hurt, and pissed off all at the same time. She had gone to her room. I knew there wasn't much I could do, but I felt obligated to do something. I approached Teresa, who had just gotten off the phone and was still entertaining like the perfect hostess. "Mrs. Armacost, I noticed your daughter seemed pretty upset. I think I might be able to help her out a bit, that is, if you'd like me to try."
"That would be very nice of you, Mick. Do you know where her room is?"
"No, ma'am. Can you tell me?"
"If you go upstairs, her bedroom is the second one on the left. Mick, she and her father are very close. Be careful what you say."
"I will. If Freddie is looking for me..."
"Don't worry about Freddie, I'll keep him occupied."
I just smiled as I started towards the stairs. When I got to the second floor, Holly's room was easy to find, it was the only door closed. I knocked on it twice.
"Who...who is it?", Holly asked. I could tell she was crying.
"It's Mick."
"Go away Mick. I don't want to see anybody right now."
"Are you decent?"
"Yes, but go away."
I opened the door. Holly was sitting on the edge of her bed.
"What part of "go away" didn't you understand?"
"The part after you said you love me." I smiled at her as I walked closer to her.
Holly cracked a smile. "Oh Mick. Why? Why did my father have to go and fuck things up like this?"
"Because he's a man. Men have a tendency to fuck up everything."
"Mick, I'm serious. Why is he fucking the lady next door? Why did he just fuck up his marriage to my mother? Why?"
"I wish I could explain it, Holly. Sometimes all of that power and money just goes to peoples' heads. I'm not making excuses for him or anything. To be honest, I think he was pretty stupid."
"So do I."
"Well, he did this to himself. It's nothing you could have done about it."
"I know, but..."
"No buts. This was totally his fault. You had nothing to do with it."
"I hired you."
"Yes, you did. But Holly, your mother hired me too. I'm not supposed to tell clients about each other, but under the circumstances..."
"I know."
"You know what?" She had me a little confused.
"I know my mother hired you. I'm not stupid."
"How did you know?"
"I knew it the day I hired you."
"Well why didn't you let me know that you knew?"
"I figured you had a reason for not telling me. I knew it was probably an ethics thing. And frankly, I wanted to see how much your ethics meant to you."
"Well how do you think I did?"
"Well, up until you just told me, pretty good." Holly leaned over against my arm and shoulder. "I'm glad you fessed up to me though. At least I know I mean more to you than your stupid old ethics."
Oh how I wish she hadn't said that. My lack of ethics is what got me started with her in the first place.
"Does your mother know that you hired me too?"
"Hell no! She knows I know she hired you, but she'd really get pissed if she thought I was doubting her. You don't have to tell her do you?"
"No. We can work around that."
"Mick? Would you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Would you run downstairs and get me a drink? Something strong."
"Sure, but can I walk instead?"
Holly laughed a little, "Always joking around?"
"That's me." I stood up and walked out of her room and back downstairs. I found the bar and poured Holly a highball glass full of bourbon. No ice, no water, no soda, just bourbon. I think she needs it.
Teresa was talking to some of the guests that remained. She looked over at me and made it obvious she saw the drink. I mouthed to her, "It's for Holly", and pointed upstairs. She smiled and nodded indicating she understood. She walked towards the stairs and intercepted me.
"How is she?", Teresa asked with true concern.
"Oh, she's doing much better. She'll be fine."
"Thanks, Mick. You're a good friend." She kissed me on the cheek and walked back to her guests.
I walked back up to Holly's room. When I got there, she had slipped off the dress she had been wearing and had on a thin oriental silk robe. "I hope you don't mind if I got a little more comfortable."
"Not at all. It's your room." I handed her the drink.
"So, Mick. Why did my father mess around with Mrs. Schmidt? Do you even know?"
"Honestly, no. I don't. Like I said. It has to be one of those ego trips."
"I'm glad I know the truth, but I wish it had never happened. I have a feeling things are going to be a little rough around here. I know mom is going to get even with him somehow. You know, she's got more money than daddy?"
"That's what I understand."
"So I know she's going to do something to get even with him. She doesn't need the money, but I know she's going to take the house and whatever else she can get."
"Do you blame her? I mean, your father was the wrongdoer here."
"No, I don't blame her. I guess I still wish they would just forget it and go back the way things were a year ago."
"Holly, do you really believe this was the first time?"
"First time? What do you mean?"
"A man that fools around with someone as close as the next door neighbor, especially when there is a little bad blood between her husband and him, isn't doing this for the first time."
"Mick, I'm having a hard time with it only being once and now you're telling me that he has done this before? I don't believe you."
"I'm just trying to tell you..."
"I don't want to hear any more. You don't know my father the way I do."
"You mean the way you thought you did."
"What ever. Look, I want to be alone."
"Okay Holly, but what are you going to do tomorrow when all of your friends read about it in the newspaper?"
"What??? What do you mean, newspaper?"
"Did you know there were two reporters at the party tonight?"
"Reporters? What was that one of your ideas?"
"No, your father's. They are friends of his. Or maybe clients. I recognized them."
"Well, if they're friends or even clients, they won't say anything."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Holly. You are so naïve. A reporter would sell their soul for a story like this. One of the most powerful men in the city gets caught cheating on his wife with the next door neighbor during a big party at his house?!? You're not that stupid."
"Alright, Mr. Pheury. Like I said, I want to be alone."
I got up and walked towards the door. "And you can send me your bill in the morning."
I didn't say anything and just closed the door behind me on the way out.
I went back downstairs and passed Teresa on the way towards the kitchen. When I caught her eye I just shook my head and rolled my eyes back. She stopped her conversation and followed me into the kitchen.
"What's wrong?", she asked.
"She's one mixed up, upset young lady."
"I thought you said she was okay."
"She was, at least I thought she was. She's still trying to defend what he did."
"What? Is she trying to blame me?"
"No! Not you. I warned her that this was not the first time. A man doesn't get this extreme with an affair his first time out."
"I know. Mick, I wasn't totally honest with you about his affairs. I know he has had several over the last few years. Frankly, he fucks around on me all the time. Secretaries, clients, clients wives, you name it. I've always tried to stick with him. Mostly because of the kids. I guess that now that they've grown up, I can face reality once again."
"Holly is worried that you'll get revenge on him."
"Oh? She's worried about it? She doesn't need to worry. I will most definitely get revenge. I don't know how, but I will get revenge. I will fucking ruin him."
"About two years ago, I found out about an affair he was having. I changed the locks on the house. I made him move out. Holly and Ted were told he was involved with a big case and would be living closer to the office in an apartment. I threatened him with a divorce, the third time I did so during our marriage. I threatened to go public and kill his law practice. But being Holly had just started college and Ted was getting ready to, I couldn't do it to them. I let Benjamin move back in. I let him know that if I ever caught him again, I would divorce him very publicly. I thought he had listened, at least until a couple months ago."
