"How are you going to get Laramie to talk, to see if he is also involved?"
"We have a plan. We'll tell him his daughter confessed. That may get him talking."
The detective's phone rang. "Yes, excellent. I'll be right there."
"Detective, was that about the case?" Grace, who had been silent until now, asked.
"Yes, Laramie is talking, with his lawyer present, of course. I need to get back down to the station, but I'll be in touch when I know more."
"Thank you. I'll walk you to the elevator." Parker told the women he would be right back.
Harper looked at her mother and her mother-in-law. "I just can't believe our company was so important to them, they would do something like this. Do you think Lorena is telling the truth; do you think this silent partner put her up to it? Do you think her father knew all along?"
"I'm not sure, but if her dad is in on it and he let his daughter become a part of this whole scheme, either knowingly or innocently, he's a worse monster than any of could have imagined," Mary answered as Grace nodded in agreement.
Parker came back and walked over to the bed. He took Harper in his arms. "It's almost over, baby, almost over."
"Did you know there was a silent partner? Have you ever heard of this Carl Johnson?" Harper asked.
"I didn't know, but I'm not surprised. There are often silent partners in big business. I imagine Johnson is part of the underworld Laramie is rumored to have dealings with. Johnson may be calling all the shots, for all we know. And, no, I've never heard of him before today."
When the detective finally called, it was several hours later.
"Mr. Bentley, I'll be over there in just a little while. I have some paperwork to complete, first. Tonight, you'll have all your answers."
Parker ended the call and told the others, "I believe it's over. He'll be here in a little while to fill us in."
By the time the detective arrived, they were all tense and anxious. Harper wanted to go home but hadn't been discharged yet. The others were just plain worried.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. We have our answers, as I told you on the phone. Laramie did talk. His story is he'd given up on your company, after the last refusal to sell. But he says his partner wouldn't give up the idea. He was beholden to Johnson, owed him money. Johnson bought part of the company to bail Laramie out a few years ago. That was about the time he ordered Laramie to go after your business. Laramie was aware that Johnson wasn't happy that he was backing down, and he was working on a plan to get Parker to change his mind. He says he didn't know that Johnson had involved his daughter. He thought that Lorena and Parker were friends—business acquaintances. He knew Johnson had hired Cortez, but he thought it was to scare Harper, not to actually murder her. He admitted he did nothing to stop him. If whatever he had in mind worked, he thought he might stand a chance to obtain your company, after all. He says he never thought Johnson would resort to murder, even though he is a somewhat shady man. He thought he was only ruthless in the business world, not enough to hire a hit on someone such as Mrs. Bentley."
"It was Johnson all along, then, and he probably thought Laramie or Lorena would take the fall. Were you able to get a confession out of him?" Parker asked as he squeezed Harper's hand.
"When he was told that Laramie, his daughter, and Cortez had all told us what they knew, he only admitted to trying to get your company, nothing else. He is being charged, as I said. He is being held with no bail set at this time."
"What about Aileen's death?" Mary asked.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but, yes, we believe Johnson had your first wife killed, Mr. Bentley. Evidence points to that, after reviewing the records. He was paving the way for Lorena to step in."
"Oh my God." Harper began to cry. Grace rushed to her side to comfort her.
Parker dropped his head and sobbed. "My poor little babies; it's my fault they lost their mother. If I'd only sold the company."
Mary went to him, and, putting her arms around him, she said, "Son, you couldn't have known. What happened was meant to be. You and the children have Harper now, and you need to go forward. You can't dwell on the past. It's a terrible thing that happened to Aileen, but she can rest in peace now."
Detective Carter said to Mary, "I'll leave you all alone to digest this news. Call me if you have any questions, and I'll be by the house tomorrow."
"Thank you, Detective."
Parker whispered to Harper, "My precious, precious baby, can you ever forgive me?"
Harper looked deeply into his eyes and replied softly, "I've told you before, my darling, none of this is your fault. You couldn't have known. You had no idea how dangerous or how sick these people are. You didn't even know that Johnson existed. Lorena isn't as bad as we thought; she was duped as well, it seems. And from what her father said, he didn't know, either. We have to try to put this horrible mess behind us and look to the future. We do still have a future together, don't we?"
Parker waited as Mary and Grace quietly left the room, leaving their children to talk.
"How can you ask me that? I couldn't go on without you. You are my life." He sat next to her on the bed and took her in his arms. Together, they cried.
"Only you, Harper," he whispered as he held her.
"I feel the same way about you," she replied.
After a while, he said, "I need to see Lorena. Would you be angry if I went to the station to speak to her?"
"You need to do whatever you have to do to have closure with this, Parker. Go, I'll be waiting. It doesn't look like I'm going anywhere tonight."
He kissed her again and left to find Mary and Grace. They were in the lounge, having coffee and talking with Dr. Phillips.
"Parker, Dr. Phillips has some good news for us."
The doctor shook Parker's hand. "Sit down, Mr. Bentley. I understand it's been a rather heart-wrenching afternoon."
"They filled you in?"
"Yes, and I'm sorry for the pain I know you must be feeling right now. But I'm sure you're glad it's finally over. Maybe my news will help soften the blow for you and your wife."
"What's that, Dr. Phillips?"
"I believe we can send Harper home, later tonight. I was waiting for her final test results, and I've just received them. She'll need to rest for a few weeks, of course, but she'll fully recover from this ordeal. It's time for your family to move forward. I'll need to see her in my office in about three weeks. Hopefully, she can be released from my care at that time. I want to give her some time to absorb all you've just learned before she goes, though, to make sure she is all right."
"That's wonderful news. I can't thank you enough. You and the staff here at the hospital have done so much for us." He shook the doctor's hand. "I need to run out for a while. Maybe by the time I return, we can check her out of here?"
"As long as her blood pressure and other vitals are still stable, after hearing this shocking news."
Parker drove to the police station, then he went directly into Detective Carter's office and asked if it was possible for him to see Lorena.
"Do you think that's a good idea?"
"I need to speak to her for some closure to this. I don't know how much you are aware of as far as she and I are concerned, but she has tried to break up both of my marriages. She says Johnson put her up to it. I want to hear that from her."
The detective looked at him for several minutes before he agreed to Parker's request. "Of course, wait here. I'll arrange it."
The man returned and told him, "I've arranged for you to speak with her. You'll be taken to an interrogation room where a guard will be present at all times. You won't have complete privacy, but you'll be able to speak with her. I can't let you be alone with her."
"That's fine."
Detective Carter led him to a small room. There was a table in the room and chairs on either side of the table. When Lorena was led into the room by a guard, he could tell by looking at her she'd been to Hell and back. She looked tired and
drained, just like he felt.
She sat down and looked across the table at him. "Parker, how you must hate me. I can only tell you how sorry I am for the things that horrible man did to you and your family. Please believe me when I say I had no idea Carl would go this far. I don't think my father fully realized the lengths his silent partner would go to, either."
"Lorena, I only have one question for you. Why? Was my company that important to you and your father that you would seek my affections and try to break up not one, but both of my marriages? Did you have any feelings for me at all? If I'd known about Johnson—and your father being beholden to a man like that—I would have sold it to you in a heartbeat. Nothing is more important to me than Harper's life and her love. You knew Aileen and I were on shaky ground. Hell, she probably would have divorced me, taken what she could get, and let you have me. But, Harper, she is the love of my life. How could you do this?"
"Parker, the company was important to my father, but he would have given up after your last refusal, if it had been up to him. He is not a bad man. He just got involved with the wrong person when he needed financial help, unfortunately. It was never about the company with me, though. I didn't care two hoots about your business. All I ever wanted was you. When Carl suggested I go after you, I was more than happy to do so. When you were married to Aileen, I thought I had a chance. It was no secret that you and she were rocky, at best. She would have given you up without a fight. She'd have taken you for a lot of money, like you said, but she would have given you up. But you and your damn morals. You wouldn't cheat on her, and you wouldn't leave her, maybe because of your children. I don't know. When she was hurt in the elevator and later died, I thought I might have a chance with you. I thought I could win you over. I had no idea that Carl had her killed. He may not have admitted that, but I'm as sure of that as I am sitting here right now. But then you met Harper. I knew I had a fierce competitor in that one. I could tell from the way you looked at her, that day at your house, how much you loved her. I could tell from the way you said her name, from the way you spoke about her. And I also knew that she wouldn't give you up—ever. I was ready to stop chasing you, but Carl insisted. And the day I came to the hospital, my concern was genuine. I didn't want to see you grieve again. I didn't want that for your kids. They'd been through enough. When Carl suggested to my father that I go by with flowers and candy, I was stupid enough to believe that he was sincere as well."
"Oh, Lorena."
"I was obsessed with you. That much is true. But I knew I could never win you away from your new wife. When my father accepted your final refusal and he decided to give up on acquiring your company, Carl wouldn't let it go. I flew to Chicago the day of Harper's fall to talk to you. I was going to feel you out, one last time, and if I saw that there was no chance for you and me, I was going to tell you to be happy and that I would leave you alone, even though Carl wanted me to keep trying to break you up. When you found out that Harper was missing, I saw the terror in your eyes. I knew then, it was over. I would never have you. I had no idea that Carl was behind her disappearance."
"He had Cortez leave my wife for dead in the freezing cold, in the woods, Lorena."
"I know that, now. I didn't know it that day. And when he learned she had survived, he became desperate, like an animal. He would stop at nothing to see her out of the way, even though I had already made up my mind to leave you alone."
"He hired Cortez, and when he failed, he knew he had to do the job himself, so he sent the poison candy to the hospital, via you."
"Parker, I can only say again that I'm sorry. He'll pay for his crimes. My father and I will testify. We've already been offered protection. You can enjoy the justice in that. And for what it's worth, I hope you and Harper can move on and have a happy life together. She's the one you love, and I only want you to be happy."
"Lorena, I should be angry as hell with you, but I know you were a pawn in Johnson's game. Harper knows it, too."
"You're a good man, Parker. I've always known that. I never stood a chance with you; you're too good for me. Harper is a very lucky woman."
"Goodbye, Lorena. Good luck in the future."
"Thank you, Parker. My father and I will do all we can to see that Carl pays for his crimes."
He got up and walked out of the room. Detective Carter was waiting for him.
"Can we go to your office?"
"Come on."
When they were seated in the office, Parker said, "I believe her. She was a pawn in Johnson's quest to take my company. She says you've offered protection to her and her father in exchange for their testimonies against Johnson."
"Yes, that's true. His lawyer is sharp; he would have to be to work for someone like him, but I think we have enough concrete evidence to put him away for a long time. Are you and your wife willing to testify as well?"
"Of course, as long as we are protected. What about Lorena's father and Cruz Cortez?"
"Cortez was offered a lenient sentence for coming forward with the information. He'll serve time—I'm not sure how many years—in the state penitentiary."
"Laramie? What will happen to him?"
"The District Attorney's office is working on a plea bargain. If he'll admit he knew what Johnson was up to and did nothing to stop him because of the debt he owed him, he may get off with a slap on the wrist if he testifies. It all depends on the evidence that appears after more investigation."
"How soon will all this take place?"
"Hopefully, in the next few days, we'll know. I'll be in touch, as soon as I know anything."
"Thank you. By the way, Harper is being released from the hospital."
"That's good news. Good luck to the both of you. I know this has been difficult. I hope you can put this behind you and begin to rebuild your lives."
"We certainly intend to try."
The men stood and shook hands. Parker drove back to the hospital, relieved to know the truth, finally. When he returned to his wife's room, he told Harper about his visit with Lorena.
"Parker, oh, how sad."
"Sad?"
"That she cared about you that much. Also, it's sad about that horrible man putting her up to all the things she did to try to win you, knowing how she felt. All so he could build his empire."
"Do you know how sweet you are to be thinking of that woman's needs after what you've been through?"
"I'm not sweet. I understand what it's like to want someone that much. Granted, I would never be able to do the things she did, like try to break up your marriage, especially with children involved, but she was right about one thing. I would never have given you up without a fight."
"I'm glad to hear that—you'll never give me up."
"You told me this arrangement was for life when you asked me to enter into a marriage of convenience with you, and I agreed to that. And after living with you, as your wife, all these months, well, no, I would never give you up. It's for life."
"You bet it is." He kissed her, making her pulse race just a little faster, the monitor beside her bed proving it.
"I'd better stop, or the nurses will be running in here, thinking something is wrong," he said with a grin.
"Tonight, you can kiss me as many times as you want."
"I can, but that might get us into trouble. You're under doctor's orders to rest, for at least two to three weeks. I don't think nighttime antics would be considered rest."
"Can you hold out for a few more weeks?"
"Can you?" He flashed the sexy grin she'd grown to love so much.
"We'll see." She smiled up at him with a seductive grin of her own.
The nurse came in then to help Harper shower and get ready to leave. "I'm sure you'll feel better after a nice, hot shower. We haven't been able to bathe you properly since you were admitted, due to your injuries. I need to cover your cast with a plastic covering and show you how to do this at home."
Parker made a few phone calls, while Harper was getting ready to go home.
"Yes, it is. I'll be picking Jim up at the airport in about an hour," the man replied.
"Good, I was afraid he wouldn't get in before I got her home."
"The women have been cooking up a storm, and the children are very excited. They've made a 'Welcome Home' banner."
"Wonderful, it sounds like everything is set. I'll let you know when we're leaving the hospital."
Next, he called Linda, his secretary.
"How is everything on your end?"
"I'll be there, so will the board members, Ross, and the accountant."
"Great, she'll be so surprised."
"Mr. Bentley, we're all so very happy Harper is on the mend. We've missed both of you here at the office."
"I appreciate everything you and the others have done in our absence, Linda. I believe some bonus checks might be in order for all of you, when I can get back to work and back in the swing of things."
"That's not necessary but would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure. I'll see you later; my other phone is ringing."
"See you soon."
Pleased with himself, he was all smiles when Harper came out of the bathroom.
"You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What's up?" she teased as he helped her back onto the bed so she could get dressed.
"I'm just happy my lady is coming home where she belongs."
"Well, if you want 'your lady' to go home, you're going to have to help me. I'm still having a little trouble maneuvering with my left arm in a cast."
"I'd be happy to assist you with that." He chuckled.
They had just finished getting her clothes on, when the nurse came into the room with the discharge papers. "I just need to go over all these instructions with the two of you and get a signature. After that, you're free to get out of here, Harper."
Her Convenient Dom (Dominant Men Book 2) Page 21
