Harbor Street (Cedar Cove #5)(88)

She nodded and they exchanged brisk handshakes.

“I’m David Rhodes, Ben’s son. It appears we’re related!”

Olivia remembered hearing some story about David; however, whatever it was didn’t immediately come to mind. She did recall that her mother and Ben had joined him in Seattle for dinner. Her mother had raved about the restaurant and the wonderful meal they’d had. Olivia also had a vague memory of something Justine had said; apparently she’d met him, too.

“I was hoping for a few minutes of your time, if that would be possible.” He didn’t wait for a response but walked into her office and immediately sat down in the guest chair.

“Of course,” she said, her tone a little ironic. “Make yourself comfortable.” She glanced at her watch. “I told my husband I’d be home by five-forty-five, so we can talk for ten or fifteen minutes.”

“That’s fine.” He leaned back, crossing his legs, and surveyed the room. The cut of his suit told Olivia it was expensive, possibly cashmere. The polished loafers, the silk tie—this was a man who liked to spend money.

“What can I do for you?” she asked, getting directly to the point.

“Ah, a woman who prefers to skip the small talk.” He smiled approvingly. “I like a no-nonsense attitude.”

His charm left her cold, although she could see why some people were swayed by it. David Rhodes was probably an experienced manipulator who relied on good looks and superficial wiles. “As I explained, I have an appointment.”

“But it’s with your husband.”

He sounded as if he thought she didn’t need to worry, since it was only Jack. Olivia was almost sure she didn’t like Ben’s son and tried to remember what she’d heard. With Jack’s heart attack, she’d missed a lot of details during the last two months.

“I’ve been to Cedar Cove twice now,” David said conversationally. “This is a tight community, isn’t it? People know people, neighbors talk to neighbors. It’s that sort of town.”

“We think of ourselves as the kind of place anyone would like to call home.”

He nodded. “A good PR line,” he said, but before she could respond to his cynicism, he forged ahead. “I imagine you know the other judges fairly well.”

“Yes…” she said hesitantly.

“The police, too.”

“We’re proud of our low crime rate.” Cedar Cove had its share of crime; no community was immune. But Olivia liked to think she didn’t need to lock her door when she left for the day. As a matter of habit she did, but often wondered if it was necessary.

David clasped his hands loosely together. “I can understand why Dad enjoys life in Cedar Cove as much as he does. We had no connections to this town when he moved here, so my brother and I were both surprised. We assumed he’d want to live in Seattle, but Cedar Cove seems to have all the benefits of the big city.”

“We’re only a ferry ride away.” It was the best of both worlds, in Olivia’s opinion. She enjoyed small-town life and yet she could take advantage of the cultural opportunities Seattle provided.

“Dad has certainly fallen for Cedar Cove—and your mother,” David said.

“We love your father. He’s given my mother a new lease on life,” Olivia murmured.

David gestured toward her. “That brings up another matter,” he said, grinning. “My father married your mother, which makes the two of us stepbrother and sister, right?”

“I guess it does.” Olivia wished he’d get to the point. She’d worked with enough attorneys to recognize that this wasn’t a social visit. David Rhodes wanted something.

“I’ve never had a sister before,” he said, and there was a quality of wonderment in his voice that got on her nerves. This guy should be in community theater.

“You’ll meet Steve later on,” he told her.

“I’m sure I will.” She glanced at her watch again, hoping he’d take the hint.

“I was thinking we should all get together for Easter,” David suggested. “It’s too late to arrange a full family gathering this year,” he added quickly. “But maybe next year. We could invite both sides, get to know each other.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” Olivia was fast losing her patience. “Is there something I can do for you?” she asked pointedly.

David took an audible breath. “As it happens, there is,” he said in a confidential tone. “I was in town a few weeks back and due to a misunderstanding—well, it’s not important to discuss the details.” He shook his head, implying that he found all of this distressing. “I ended up leaving in a rush, and I’m afraid I was driving above the speed limit.” He laughed, as though embarrassed to trouble her. “I was pulled over by a police officer. Unfortunately I must’ve given him the wrong impression.”

That meant his problem was more than a speeding offense. “What happened?” Olivia asked.

“The officer—now, I’m sure he was only doing what he thought was his duty—”

“He gave you a ticket.” She’d leave him to fill in the blank. At least now she knew what this was about. David Rhodes wanted her to fix the mess he’d gotten himself into.