DESPERATE CONSEQUENCES

AuthorHouse

Chapter One

Since his meeting with the love of his life, Jennifer Spencer, in Las Vegas, and their tearful separation, Mike had returned to work in earnest on his existing cases. Her voice still echoed in his head when they parted. It seems that phrase "I have to go" was the hallmark of their relationship. After they parted, he had flown his Comanche 250 back to Phoenix alone again.

At the office, his four partners noticed how quiet he had become after the holidays. They had no idea why his attitude seemed different, but it was palpable. His secretary, Cheryl also was aware of the change. He spoke only of cases and business without much interplay as was his custom before the Christmas lull in legal matters. Noticeably absent was the humorous banter she had become accustomed to every day. He had hired Cheryl after her stint in the County Attorney's office almost eight years ago. She was tall, and had long dark brown hair. Her short dancing career in Las Vegas, her divorce and a somewhat private life aside, she gave him the dedication that he counted on in his office. Although the thought of her had stirred some sexual desire (he was still a leg man) when she first worked for him, his prior secretary with whom he had a fling, left after they broke off their late night tryst and moved out of state. He promised himself that it would not happen again.

Cheryl came in one day and asked him to represent a friend who turned out to be the man she had been seeing. He was a pleasant man in his forties who wanted a divorce. His case turned out to be a royal battle with a wife and two daughters to support as well as a custody battle.

A call came in later that morning from Ken Hawkins, his best friend. Cheryl put him right through without any announcement. He answered, "This is Mike Ryan, can I help you?" "Hey, old buddy, this is Ken. I haven't heard from you in over a month. What's the matter, you don't love me anymore?" Ken said with a laugh.

"Ken, I am sorry for being AWOL, but I have been trying to concentrate on business. It's sad when you are getting close to forty to loose track of time. What is going on in your world?" Mike was glad to hear his voice. He had been so lost in his own thoughts that he had not realized how much he missed hearing from his friend. They had been friends since high school and had served together in the Army, 101st Division, in Iraq in '91.

After high school, Mike went to Arizona State University, then on to Tucson at the University of Arizona for law school. Mike had finished law school, married, and then he joined the 101st, serving with Ken in the shortest war since the Israeli seven-day conflict, opting out for the Guard to finish his military commitment.

Ken went to Phoenix College for two years after high school. When he had graduated, Ken planned to join Mike at ASU. However, Ken wanted his independence, and joined the Army. His tour of duty included Desert Storm in '91 where he and Mike reunited in the 101st and served together in the same unit. It was there that they became the best of friends.

When their unit fought its way towards the main highway between Bagdad And Kuwait, later known as the Highway of Death, Mike had saved Ken's life. Once their time was over Mike applied for early release and joined the Arizona Army National Guard as a Captain. Ken remained in the service for his remaining two years, then returned to Phoenix and married Alice, his high school sweetheart. When his dad suffered a heart attack and passed away, Ken inherited his dad's machine shop and took over. He still supported his mom, his wife, Alice, and their two girls. He had done well.

"Mike, I need to go check out the cabin and make sure it is winterized. I wanted company since Alice and the girls went back to Ohio to see her mom. She isn't getting any younger, and the kids are on a break. How about driving up there with me tomorrow? If you can get loose around 2, we can beat the traffic." "Hold on Ken". Covering the phone, he called out to Cheryl to see if he could leave early and then said, "Sounds good. I can meet you at the shop. Is there anything I need to bring?"

"Just a toothbrush and duds, Mike. I will see you tomorrow." After he hung up the phone, Mike sat back in his chair and thought that it would be good to get away for a couple of days, especially with Ken. The cold nights and brisk days up in Star Valley, outside of Payson, sounded like just the break he needed. He picked up the Dictaphone and continued on a long set of interrogatories in one of the auto accident cases he was handling. Some basic questions had become standard in discovering why the other driver had run the red light and broadsided his client's car. Fortunately, there were two witnesses as to the condition of the light just prior to the accident who were courteous enough to stop and leave their information with the police. Mike's investigator had reported some good interviews. He checked the rest of his calendar and was satisfied that everything was on track. He confirmed his court dates and advance notices for filing deadlines for the next week. He needed to work on a couple of cases when he returned, but nothing out of the ordinary.

He drove through the late afternoon traffic to his home in Moon Valley just north of the metro Phoenix area, almost on autopilot over the same route he has driven for the past five years. Nothing has changed ... but him. He pulled into the garage and closed the automatic garage door behind him, and then entered the kitchen. The quiet of the house had once been his enemy. Now, the stillness of living alone gave him a sense of peace. The kitchen chair reached out and received the coat he threw at it. The bar beckoned him and he poured a double shot of Crown Royal in a short crystal glass, then went to the refrigerator and retrieved some ice cubes.

As he reclined in the easy chair and grabbed the remote, the news at 5:30 was just coming on. He sipped and stared at the screen without seeing much of the day's disasters. The local news followed at six and there was nothing of interest. He flipped the TV off, and then headed out to the Jacuzzi with a refill in hand. He turned off the pool lights after checking for any creatures that might have fallen into the bubbling water. He had left the heater running the last couple of days and jumped in nude into the frothing water, and leaned back into the jets forcing the water to massage his lower back. He stared up into the blackened sky and closed his eyes.

He had achieved the rank of...