“I so would, Maureen, because I have nothing left to lose but my freedom, remember? And you’re going to make sure that’s not gonna happen. Aren’t you?”
Maureen turned to her now, her body physically trembling at the serious threat standing just outside her reach.
“Don’t forget who you called after you found Vince unconscious. Or who helped you hide the fact that his death was a suicide?” Kim taunted.
She enjoyed the emotions bubbling to the surface of Maureen’s face, finally having something on the “Queen” to make her bend toherwill for a change.
“I know where all your skeletons are, Maureen, because I helped you bury the bones. And this time, you will do everything in your power to helpme.”
The words shot out of her mouth and hit Maureen as if she had taken on gunfire. Her face was crimson, the vein on her forehead protruding so big that Kim thought it would burst. Maureen glared up at her with more regret than she’d ever imagined possible. For the first time in a long time, she was ina precarious situation and had to be very careful with the twat form here on out.
She wasn’t the same girl she knew anymore, or perhaps she was just that good at hiding it. Maureen turned on her heels and stalked out of the hallway as the guard, Betty, opened the door and let her out. Kim sat down on her cot and smiled to herself. She was never sure why Vince killed himself, but she knew why Maureen kept it a secret and couldn’t be prouder that she kept that bit of evidence for averyrainy day. And it was raining cats and dogs.
JOSHUA HARTWELL LEANEDback in his office chair, withhis feet propped up on his desk in the city code enforcement office. He was holding and reading the local newspaper like it was a gossip magazine. The headlines lately were all about Kayden Capshaw and his fiancée being hit by his crazy ex-girlfriend. He put the paper down and shook his head. For as long as he could remember, that kid was always a headline in the town of Hamby. And he couldn’t stand him.
The project he had finished with the diner may have had everyone else fooled, but the latest episode of drama was all too familiar, and he knew it was only a matter of time before something else happened. He’d detested approving the plans for the diner when the paperwork came across his desk in the first place, but what could he do? Denying it for no apparent reason would only make him look like the bad guy, and he had worked too hard for his father’s approval to give him another reason to treat him like a second-class citizen.
Judge Thomas Hartwell was his father and a close friend of Maureen’s, and she always needed a “favor.” He could onlywonder what kinds of favors would be requested in the wake of this recent disaster. Before he could think another thought, an email popped up on his computer. He put his legs down, leaned closer to the screen, and clicked to open it. In it, he opened an email from KDN Properties, via Taylor and Associates.
Apparently, they were interested in a renovation contract for the Spence Hotel. Josh snorted.And so, it begins, he thought. He clicked “Delete”, slapped the laptop shut, and picked up his newspaper again.Not this time, Capshaw, not this time.
EVERYONE HAD GATHEREDaround Paula’sluxurious dining room table while the staff she hired brought out the night’s dinner. Lana had no appetite, although everything looked lovely—Lamb chops with mint jelly and roasted garlic potatoes with parsley, with cheddar bay biscuits. Kayden sat next to her, rubbing her hand as she sipped her iced tea.
“So, how did everything go today?” Maureen asked aloud. Silence. “Well, everyone, don’t speak at once.”
“Well, my appointment...,” Lana started.
“How did therapy end, dear?” Maureen interrupted rudely.
Kayden glared at her for a moment, then nodded to Lana to finish. She smiled, but it wasn’t out of appreciation. She could see that something in Maureen had suddenly changed since that morning, and honestly, she was too tired to get into a battle of wits with her.
“Everything went fine,” Lana replied, dropping the subject.
“Well, that’s good,” Maureen chirped, taking a dainty bite of her lamb and smiling at Kayden.
“Mom, I think you should stay at Spence Hotel for the remainder of your stay,” Kayden deadpanned.
Paula chuckled as the smile wiped off her mother’s face.
“Whatever for?” Maureen gasped, surprised by the sudden request.
“You’re interfering with my physical therapy, you continue to be rude to Lana, and I think it’ll help everyone relax better not having you hovering around all day,” he answered in one breath.
Kayden could feel the pain returning to his leg, that slow, throbbing burn gradually reaching his hip, and he winced a little.
“That was never my intention, Kayden,” she replied.
“Really, it’s fine. You don’t have to do that on account of me. Please.” Lana replied.
“No, it’s for me,” he turned to Maureen, “Theo doesn’t feel comfortable with you, and you make me nervous during my sessions,” Kayden replied.
“Fine. I can respect that,” Maureen lied, her face turning the slightest shade of red.
Everyone continued to eat, and Lana helped Kayden with his dinner. He couldn’t use his hand to cut the lamb, but he kept trying despite his handicap. Maureen glared at Lana as she watched her care for her son, but only because she wanted to show Kayden that shedidcare and wanted to be there for him. In a way, she felt a tiny bit of what Kim had described earlier as exclusion, and it stung. Regardless, the truth was, her son was a man, and she had to let him be one.
“So, when’s the court date for Kim’s arraignment?” Paula blurted, changing the subject.
“In three weeks. Where she will remain in jail, since she has no bond,” Maureen replied.
