~ When Push Comes To Death ~

by

Nancy Gotter Gates

So this was the mysterious Frank Poag. He looked weary and frazzled and pretty ordinary. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. The only thing he and Bernard had in common was the same hairline, a gentle widow’s peak that receded slightly on either side. He did not have Bernard’s erect bearing nor his authoritative demeanor. At least not now.

“Come on in,” I said, stepping aside. “I’m Tommi Poag, Bernard’s former wife.”

He stepped into the hallway and set the suitcase beside the cherry console table, seeming to size me up as he removed his jacket and slung it over his arm. “So you’re Tommi.” He studied my face, but he did not smile. He looked too world weary for that. He finally nodded his head once. “About time we met,” he said extending his hand for a shake. “Where’s Nina? Has she been released?”

“She’s back in the family room with Bernard. They’ve been talking over strategy for her case.” I wondered what his reaction would be and didn’t have to wait long to find out.

“God damn!” His voice exploded in an angry outcry. He strode quickly down the hall to the kitchen, following the sounds of voices at the rear of the house. I was right behind him.

As he entered the family room, both Nina and Bernard stood up, surprise registering on their faces.

“Dad!” Nina rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck. Then she began to sob into his shoulder. He held her tenderly and kissed the top of her head.

“Don’t cry, honey. I’m here to help you,” he pleaded, stroking her hair as he held her. It was obvious father and daughter were very close.

At last she calmed down and let him go. Frank stepped back and looked at Bernard, his mouth set in a thin, determined line, his eyes reflecting his anger.

“Hello, Bernard,” he said finally, in a voice cold with contempt.

Bernard gave a curt nod, saying nothing, his jaw clenched tight as if trying to keep words from spilling out he’d regret.

“Come on,” said Nina, “let’s all sit down and try to be civil.”

Bernard, Nina and I sat back down on the couches, but Frank didn’t move. He stared at Nina, anger and determination creating a look of such intransigence he resembled his detested cousin. “Nina, I want you to fire Bernard. Don’t you realize he does nothing but write wills? He cannot help you.” Though he spoke softly, barely restrained emotion made his voice brittle.

Nina looked at him in shock. “But, Daddy, we discussed this, and you know I have complete confidence in him. Besides he does know criminal law. Remember when he worked in the Public Defender’s office? What about the case he won? It got so much attention.”

Frank hit the corner of an end table so hard with his fist it made the lamp wobble, causing Nina to grab it to keep it from falling. “Godammit, this is too serious for you to be taking chances with your life,” he said. “It’s been years since he tried the case. You’ve got to do what’s best for you.”

Bernard, scowling, sat up straighter to glower at Frank. “Now, Frank, I was damn good when I worked for the P.D. I won more cases than anyone else in the department. You don’t lose those skills; they’re always there. I’m as good a defense lawyer as she could get.”

Frank’s face reddened with contempt. “You, Bernard, are a piece of work. I want you the hell off this case.”

There was a moment of complete silence, and the tension in the air was almost electric.

Nina finally spoke. “Dad, it’s my life we’re talking about here, and I’m an adult. And if I chose Bernard for my lawyer, then that’s the way it’s going to be. I’m right on the ragged edge now, and I can’t take you two men carrying on your grudge match here. This is neither the time nor the place.” She burst into the heaviest crying I’d seen from her yet. Knowing I couldn’t console her, I sat there helplessly. In fact, I felt so uncomfortable in the middle of all this, I wanted to run home and forget the whole thing. I knew now what it was like to be in the crossfire of a war I had nothing to do with.