“I’m still tying up a lot of loose ends, however. Your father has a lot of secrets from what I can make out.”
I snorted. “I’m coming to realize.”
“There are a few details missing from the story, but I’m certain we’re on the right track and these are the major players.”
“No.” I shook my head. “There’s one more involved.” I’d finally put two and two together.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Then
Robert
“Where’d you say this place was?” Jack questioned for the second time within the last fifteen minutes.
I slowly turned my head from watching the setting sun through the trees as we passed over to Jack. We were in the back of my chauffeured town car. We’d been driving for about twenty-five minutes.
“The cabin is about forty-five minutes outside of the city.”
“I didn’t know your family had a cabin out here.” He glanced around, looking out the window, also seeing the passing trees and forest.
“Yeah, my father brought me up here all of the time as a child to hunt, fish, and camp out. I haven’t been in about a year. You know, with the marriage and all.” I rolled my eyes, adding a sarcastic laced lilt to my voice.
“Right. How’s that going? You still met with that lawyer this week?”
A smile blossomed on my lips. “Sure did. He told me not to worry over the fact that I never got Deb to sign a prenup. He’d have no problem taking her to the cleaners if she ever even thought of trying to come after my fortune.”
Jack nodded, seeming reassured. “I’m sorry it turned out like this, man. But I had to tell you the truth. When I knew she was still sleeping with my cousin, Cohen, I just couldn’t keep that information to myself. She was two-timing the both of you. Fucking whores can be so greedy.”
My hands balled into fists and I strained every muscle in my body to keep from lashing out.
“I hate to say it because you know how much I hate being wrong, but you were right. She’s a conniving snake just looking for her next fucking payday. I should’ve known better. I’m a fucking idiot for not seeing what was right in front of me.” I pounded my fist into my open palm for emphasis.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, buddy. Women are all the same. I mean, yeah you should’ve seen the likes of a woman who comes from fucking nowhere Kentucky, trying to find a rich sucker to marry. But smarter men have been fooled by cunts far craftier than Deborah fucking Tate.”
My left leg began to jiggle, and I wrapped my hands around my knees, squeezing as I continued to listen to Jack spout off about cunts, bitches, and sluts. Glancing out at the passing forest, I surmised we were only about five minutes away from our destination.
When I couldn’t take anymore of his ranting, I turned to him and said, “You know, I never did get the opportunity to apologize to you for what happened on our ski trip senior year and our engagement party.”
He threw his head back, waving me off. “Don’t even worry about it.”
“No, no.” I shook my head. “I need to say this. I was wrong. You were looking out for me, for my interests, and I turned my back on you. I believed in Deborah more than a man I had known since we were teenagers. That was the beginning of the end of our relationship, and I must say that I am …” I paused as the car came to a halt. I glanced around and pushed out a relieved breath, knowing we’d finally arrived. “We’re here. We’ll continue this conversation inside.”
I stepped out of the door that’d been pulled open by our driver. I nodded at the driver, who then nodded back with raised eyebrows. I turned to see Jack descending from the car as well.
“This is kind of a remote place to have dinner, isn’t it?”
I patted Jack on the back. “It is, but I like to conduct most of my business out of the line of sight of others. You know what I mean? With all of the leaks that have been occurring at Townsend over the last few years, one can never be too careful.”
Jack nodded, glancing around. “I know what you mean. My father has been keeping me abreast of what’s been happening at Townsend Industries.”
I gave Jack what, by all appearances would’ve appeared to be, a genuine smile. “I’m sure he has. Let’s get inside. It’s chilly out,” I noted, holding my arm out for Jack to pass me toward the stairs of the cabin’s porch.
It was the beginning of November, and yet it was starting to feel like December. I glanced up at the darkening sky, and could make out some of the changing colors of the leaves. Inhaling the fresh forest air, I made a mental note to tell Deborah we needed to purchase a cabin in the woods or the mountains somewhere. For our boys to enjoy as well. I knew they’d love it just as much as I did.
“Robert? Are you coming?”
I turned back to Jack. “Sure am.” I caught up to him on the stairs and pulled the key from the pocket of my pants before shoving it in the keyhole. Turning the lock, I pushed the door open, stepping inside and moving to the side to let Jack enter.
