“I guess. I mean, yeah. She got a two-million-dollar settlement, and within a few years the money was gone. She blew it all on two sports cars that she totaled, jewelry, designer clothes and bags, trips.”
“Wow.” The story was fascinating and nothing like what I’d expected to hear.
“Don’t get me wrong. She came every day to the hospital and stayed with me.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a great relationship.”
“We used to,” he said softly, and I glanced at him sharply, noting the devastation in his suddenly haunted eyes, before he lowered his lashes to hide from me.
Dumbass.I could’ve smacked myself in the head. Of course he and his sister would be estranged. He’d stolen millions from the clients of her husband’s firm, forcing them into bankruptcy. It must’ve been a terrible blow to learn not only that their firm had been plundered, but by someone they’d trusted.
“I’m sorry. That was inconsiderate of me.”
A tightening of his mouth was all the response I got. Ronan pushed away the full plate in front of him. “I’m not hungry anymore.” Without waiting for my response, he waved his hand for the check.
“It’s not right that you pay for my meal. I ate too.”
“Lots of things happen in this world that aren’t right. This is the least of them. You’re on the clock. So I pay.” Challenging me, he slapped down his credit card without even checking the bill. Because I knew he’d had quite a bit to drink, I let it go, and we left the restaurant. I carried the leftovers.
“Are we walking,” I asked him, “or do you want to take a car?”
His answer was to stride away, leaving me to rush after him. I couldn’t allow him to get swallowed up in the midday crowds. I caught up with him and several blocks passed in silence without him speaking to me.
“When I was released from prison, I thought things would be the same as when I’d been arrested. Sure, Cassie has Marty and their three little kids keeping her busy, but we’d always been there for each other. I’d protect her from playground bullies who’d tease her for not being able to play sports. When she met Marty, even though she told me not to, I had him checked out. No one was going to date my sister because they thought she had money.”
“That might’ve been a little extreme, but I get where you’re coming from. The fact that you had all that money and were both so young and alone? I understand why you’d be cautious about him.” That part of the equation I got. What I didn’t get was him stealing. The more I learned about Ronan, the less it all made sense.
“Marty seemed like a good guy. Nice family, never been in any trouble, and we all hung out together and became friends. I was thrilled when they got married, and after trying so hard to have kids, she finally had Nicky. I was over the moon to become an uncle.”
We crossed the street, and I desperately wanted Ronan to keep talking so I could piece together this mystery that dogged my brain.
“I’m sure you were. They lived close to you?”
“Yeah, in Tribeca. One of those huge lofts. Cassie had a ball decorating it, and it was easy for Marty to get downtown to work. Then she got pregnant again, but things were even more complicated…” He shook his head and pressed his lips together. “Whatever. Those days are gone.”
As we rounded the corner to his building, I saw a news van and braced myself for whatever was about to happen. “Hold up, Ronan. I think something’s going on.”
Fire flashed in his eyes. “Yeah? Well, screw it.” His pace increased, and swearing under my breath, I hustled to keep up with him.
“Dammit, Ronan. Wait.”
A reporter shoved a microphone in his face. “Are you happy tomorrow’s hearing will mean it’s over for you, Ronan?”
“No comment.” Ronan turned his shoulder, continuing up the walkway to his building, but the reporter followed him on the path.
“Even though all the victims have been repaid, don’t you still sympathize with them? Don’t you think they have a right to still be angry with you?”
They’d reached the front door, and the reporter made an attempt to block Ronan from entering. I stepped in between him and Ronan.
“Leave him alone, and let him enter.”
The reporter ignored me, but I pulled open the door, forcing him to take several steps back. A small crowd had gathered on the sidewalk, curious passersby who naturally wanted to know what the commotion was, and I could hear their chatter.
“Oh, that’s the guy who stole all the money from people.”
“Asshole. They should’ve kept him in jail.”
“Guy deserves life for what he did.”
