“Alexander Weideman may have donated the sperm that made me, but he’s no dad. He’s a cruel, indifferent, arrogant, greedy fool. Alexander, like his father Alfred, believes he’s untouchable, and perhaps he was. Somebody in law enforcement had to help cover his crimes; I sincerely hope they are also tracked down and charged. Including the mortician who signed a false autopsy on my mother,” Mitch said.
Jess clung to Mitch’s hand. She’d not known about his mother’s fake report. Mitch had just put himself on the same level as the victim’s families. He was now a victim himself, although he’d deny it until his dying breath.
“How could you have grown up in that house and been unaware of what was happening?” someone sneered.
“Easily. I knew you’d be here today, Jepson. Were you aware that your father was arrested nine times for assaulting your mother up to the age of you turning ten? No? How could you not know when you grew up in that house?” Mitch tossed the reporter’s words back at him.
Jepson subsided with a dark glower at Mitch’s trap. He’d just stumped himself.
“What do you say to the victim’s families?”
“They have my deepest sympathy. I understand the pain they’re going through, and it’s excruciating. I urge them all to file civil lawsuits and sue the Weidemans personally. Lord knows their fortune wasn’t earned legally. It won’t bring back your loved ones, but it will hurt the Weidemans. Money is all they care about, that and power.”
“Who’s she?” someone asked, pointing at Jess.
“My fiancée, Jess Mayhew. Jess was a victim of Frederick Weideman. He threatened her to force me to obey him. Jess is stronger than Frederick will ever be and informed me immediately. We contacted the police, which helped lead to Frederick’s arrest,” Mitch said.
Jess clung to Mitch, offering silent support.
“Are you asking the public to believe you honestly were unaware?” Jepson called out.
“I’m telling them to look at my track record. My mum died when I was a young boy. I left home at eighteen with nothing but the four jewellery stores my mum owned. I distanced myself from the Weidemans as a teenager and have seen them only briefly since. In order to stay apart, I changed my surname. I’ve donated millions to women’s shelters, children’s homes, police widows and children’s funds, and free counselling services. Believe me, if Alexander murdered my mother, I’d lobby for the return of hanging, and I’ll pull the handle to open the trapdoor.” The venom in Mitch’s voice couldn’t be mistaken.
Jess saw the reporters start to turn to his side. Maybe this would work.
“Easy to say,” Jepson sneered.
“Words are always easy. Actions speak louder. Mitch’s tireless efforts in donating millions to charity every year. This idea was Mitch’s, too. Your problem, Jepson, is that you are bitter and believe everyone has an ulterior motive. That’s a sad reflection on you. Good people exist, and Mitch McQuoid is one of them,” Leon said, and the crowd faced him.
“The elusive Leon Ericks. Are you close friends with Mitch Weideman?” Jepson called out.
“How are you a reporter if you can’t get something as simple as a name correct?” Leon asked mildly.
Jess snorted and laughed, and several others did similarly. Jepson turned red, and his beady eyes targeted Jess.
“How did you meet?”
“Mitch pulled me from the loch. The boat I was on blew up, and Mitch rescued me,” Jess replied.
Several reporters began shouting questions, and Mitch raised a hand. “Jess had saved herself. She was floating on a piece of debris.”
“Is that the boat that exploded a few weeks ago? The owner was dumping toxic waste in the lake?”
“Yes, it was. The cleanup is still happening, which I’m funding,” Mitch said.
“I think Mitch has answered enough queries. If you don’t mind, these gentlemen are here to raise a load of money for charity. Good day,” Jase said.
Jess squeezed Mitch’s hand as the reporters shouted out questions, but he ignored them. Once safely within the lobby, Mitch greeted everyone. He was shocked at who’d attended at Leon’s order; there were some powerful people present.
“Let’s raise some money for beneficial causes,” Diar stated with a grin.
???
While Mitch was inside having a meeting with the bigwigs, Jess roamed the hotel grounds. They were quite extensive, and it was a nice day, despite the nip in the air. As she wandered, Jess felt several pairs of eyes on her, but ignored them. Anyone attacking her would be in for a shock. A smile crossed Jess’s face as she stood on a terrace and stared out over the gorgeous loch her monster was named for.
Grey skies or bright sunshine, Loch Ness was always beautiful. Lost in thought and admiring the view, she was surprised when someone touched her shoulder.
“Jess, you need to come back inside. We’ve had some disturbing reports,” Leon said.
