Bill looked at her in shock. “Your turn? She’s not a puppy, Justine.” He shook his head and stood up. “You’re welcome to see her anytime you want. You’ve always been welcome.” He looked defiantly into her eyes. “But she’s staying with me. She’s my daughter.”
“Is she?” Justine asked, standing next to him, her stilettos making her eye level with him. “That’s yet to be determined,” she said, her eyes narrowing with a hateful stare.
“She’s mine.”
“Now, who’s acting like she’s a puppy,” she said smugly. He began to turn, and she put her hand on his arm. “Bill, if you haven’t figured it out yet, I always get my way. All you’re going to do is bankrupt yourself trying to fight Uri and me, and we’ll still win.”
Bill turned and grabbed her by her forearms. “Now let me tell you something. I don’t care if it bankrupts me or if it kills me, if you think I’m just going to let her go without a fight, you’re very mistaken. You may think you’ll win because you have money, but you’re not going to win this one.”
Suddenly, Justine had fear in her eyes. “Ow!” she exclaimed, as the defiance returned. “Let go of me this instant.”
Bill pushed her away as he released her so that she fell back onto the couch. If only his voice could evoke every emotion inside of him, he would scream at her. But he looked down at her and held her gaze. “You’re not going to win!” Bill barked angrily. He turned and left the suite.
Justine stewed for a moment, watching him get onto the elevator. He stared at her determinedly, and she could only smile just as determinedly in return. After he had left, she rubbed her arms where he held her. Justine rose calmly and lit another cigarette as she walked back to the window. “Stupid little piss-ant. We’ll see who wins.” She walked to the counter, took out her cell phone, and dialed with her smoking hand. She tapped her shoe impatiently until he responded. “What do you have from the courthouse?” She waited for an answer, annoyed that he was giving her the long version.
She sighed dramatically. “Fine. Stay on it. I’m paying you for answers. So find me some,” Justine snapped, and then punched the button to hang up the phone. As she paced back and forth, the elevator dinged, and she set her phone down. She stepped to the window and smiled to herself. Justine closed her eyes and imagined Connie’s hands all over her, pleasuring her in ways no other man could. She felt the tentative kisses on her neck, and then she suddenly stood upright. She turned, stunned, but transforming her shock into a seductive smile as he stepped back.
“Uri!”
Chapter 55
Bill brushed back his daughter’s hair, remembering. He didn’t know what real love was until the nurse placed Sydney in his arms. There were tears in his eyes, stinging them. Bill couldn’t believe that he wasn’t her father. Wouldn’t believe. It wasn’t possible. And even if it was, he didn’t care. He would steal her away, and they would live in Canada or somewhere else. They would start over. As long as there was breath in his body, he would never let her go.
The light from the hallway brightened as the door opened wider. He wiped his eyes and sniffed before turning. Destiny stood against the doorframe, arms crossed.
“I thought it was you.” She smiled until she saw his tear-stained face. Her smiled faded. “I was getting worried,” she whispered. Bill walked past her, down the hallway and into his room. She followed him to the doorway and sat sideways on the bench at the end of his bed. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Bill pulled out his suitcase and began taking clothes from his drawers and filling it.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, I am,” he retorted. “I’m taking Sydney, and we’re getting out of here.”
Destiny felt like she’d just been punched. She rolled forward onto her hands in total shock.
“Justine’s not going to give up. I could see it in her eyes.”
“You went to see her?”
“Yeah,” he sighed, resignedly. “I know I shouldn’t have, but I thought if I could just reason with her… I should have remembered; there’s no reasoning with Justine.” He angrily stuffed everything he could fit into the case. “She has money and a powerful husband, and she’s made it clear that she’s not going to quit. It’s not just about joint custody. She wants Sydney.”
Destiny grabbed her head. “How can you just walk away?” Her heart was in her throat.
“Owen can run the Kemper House, or he can sell it. I don’t really care.”
Destiny bent over, feeling like she was going to be sick. Bill stopped packing and saw her rocking. He exhaled before going to her, kneeling before her. “Destiny, I want you to come with us.” Bill took her hands in his, speaking as earnestly as he could. “We can start over. Together.”
She looked at him, perplexed.
“I already talked to Charlie about it. He can get us new identifications, and we can start over.”
Destiny couldn’t believe what he was saying. The thought of losing them now was too much to bear. “You can’t do this, Bill.” Destiny pulled her hands from his. “If you run, they’ll find you, and then what? They’ll take her away from you because you’ll be in jail.”
“I have to try!”
“This is wrong.” Destiny tried to be the voice of reason.
Bill threw his overnight bag across the room. “Then, what the hell am I supposed to do? Just stay here and let her take Sydney away!” he bellowed, tears in his eyes, no longer caring who heard him.
As he started to retrieve his bag, Destiny stepped in between him and the suitcase, holding his arms to prevent him from packing. He tried to move around her but stopped in frustration. Her hand moved to his face. “Not like this.” She caressed his cheeks, pleading softly. “Not like this.”
The clothes fell from his hands as he dropped his head to her shoulder and wept. Destiny pulled him to herself and stroked his head sweetly, compassionately. He looked at her. She forced a smile as she wiped his tears. “I’m right here.” Destiny kissed him gently. “I’m right here.” There was a knock on the front door, and she patted his cheek. “All the guests already checked in and are upstairs. Who could that be at this hour?”
“No telling,” he replied.
“I’ll get it.” Destiny kissed him once more, then walked to the front door and peeked through the curtains. Two police officers stood on the front porch. She turned to see Bill standing in his doorway. Destiny opened the door and welcomed the men inside the entryway where they wouldn’t be pummeled by the freezing elements that had blown in overnight. “May I help you?”
“We need to speak to Mr. William Ireland.”
Bill walked toward them. “I’m Bill Ireland. Is there something I can do for you?”
“Do you know a Justine Aloetti?”
Bill and Destiny exchanged glances, as she took his hand.
“Yes. May I ask what this is about?”
“Did you see Mrs. Aloetti this afternoon?”
Bill hesitated a moment, but finally replied, “Yes, we met to discuss our daughter.”
“We will need you to come downtown with us to answer some questions,” one of the officers said firmly.
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
“Mrs. Aloetti was assaulted this afternoon, and she claims you did it.”
“What?” Bill exclaimed, shaking his head. “When I left her she was sipping expensive vodka and—”
“Daddy?”
Everyone turned to the young girl who was rubbing her eyes and walking toward them. Bill and Destiny moved toward her, but the officer held Bill’s arm.
“Sir?”
“Just a minute,” he said firmly, as he noted the severity of the officer’s demeanor.
Destiny noted it as well. “I’ll take care of this. You do what you need to do.”
Bill felt overwhelmed. He took a deep breath to calm down before losing his cool in front of two police officers.
“Daddy?” Sydney pulled from Destiny’s grip a
nd ran to her father, hugging him tightly.
Bill knelt down and held her by the shoulders. “Daddy has to talk to these officers for a few minutes. You stay here with Destiny.”
“I want to go with you,” she whined, tired and frustrated.
“Syd. I need you to listen to me. I love you, and I need you to be a big girl right now. Okay?” he said firmly, then smiled.
Sydney continued to rub her eyes but smiled back. “Yessir.”
“I love you, Sweetie.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.” Sydney hugged his neck. Then she took Destiny’s hand, and they walked back toward her room.
Destiny looked over her shoulders as Bill put on his coat. “I’m going to clear this up, and I’ll be back in a bit,” he assured her. “Please be sure to check those numbers we discussed. They are on my dresser. I’m sure you’ll find the right one.”
Destiny nodded, then watched them walk together out the front door before she turned and headed for Sydney’s room.
“Is everything okay?” Sydney asked as she crawled back into bed.
“Of course.” Destiny grinned, furrowing her brow. “You know your Daddy knows everybody, and… Well, they just needed to ask him something about one of his friends.”
“Did they do something bad?”
Destiny covered her up. “No, Sweetie. Now get some sleep.”
“Love you,” she murmured, as she closed her eyes.
“Love you too, Sweetie. Now go to sleep.”
Destiny closed the door quietly behind her and walked hurriedly to Bill’s room. On his dresser was the list he had told her about earlier, with a manila envelope. She took them all to the kitchen, looking over the list of numbers. She took out her phone, dialed his attorney and told him what had transpired. Then she asked him to meet Bill at the police station. Destiny sat perfectly still, nervously chewing on her lip for a moment before dialing Charlie. After several rings the phone was answered.
“Jessie,” she gasped as she suddenly burst into tears. “I’m sorry to call so late—”
Chapter 56
Dale stood by his client’s side, in a sports jacket and jeans, not his usual attire for his profession, but the quickest and most comfortable thing he could throw on at eleven o’clock at night in the middle of an ice storm. The pictures set on the table before them were of a beaten and bruised Justine. Bill hadn’t spoken a word since they arrived at the police station. He knew the drill. Sadly, he’d just done this a day ago, which was why they were grilling him harder. Dale conferred with his client and then told them his client had nothing else to say. That was right before they arrested him, once again, for assault.
Charlie arrived at the police station only minutes after Dale. In the few minutes Bill had alone with him before they were separated, it was clear what Charlie needed to do. He merely nodded at Bill. That was enough to give him comfort before they handcuffed him and booked him. As he left the station, Charlie made half a dozen quick phone calls, waking up all the investigators that he had already secured to help with their investigation of Justine. Each of them was alerted about what had just transpired, and each pledged to work even harder, given the high sense of urgency over the escalating circumstances.
While her husband headed to the police station, Jessie had driven straight to the Kemper House after Destiny’s distressed phone call. When she arrived, Lisa was already there. Destiny hadn’t called Andy since he had an early morning appointment, but texted him, asking him to call her as soon as he woke, stressing it was urgent. When Jessie arrived, she found Destiny and her colorful friend in the kitchen drinking hot tea. The three women sat up until four o’clock in the morning, drinking tea and discussing everything that was happening and what to do about it. Their plans made, Jessie and Lisa helped Destiny prepare breakfast for their guests.
After everyone had eaten, they helped her do the breakfast dishes. Sydney woke after everything was cleaned up and dragged into the kitchen, still looking like she could use another few hours’ sleep.
“What’s everyone doing here?” Sydney rubbed her eyes.
“What? We can’t just come to visit you?” Lisa asked.
Sydney hugged Lisa and her Aunt Jessie. “How’s Peanut?”
“He misses you,” Jessie replied, looking up at Destiny. “In fact, I thought if you wanted to stay with us for a few days, you could go riding, providing the weather cooperates.”
“Really?” She turned to Destiny. “Where’s Daddy?”
“He had to go out, Sweetie,” she forced a reassuring smile before cutting her eyes at Jessie.
“Again?” she whined.
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you go and pack a bag and let me worry about your dad? I’m sure it will be okay.” Destiny quickly changed the subject. “You hungry?”
“I’ll take care of that.” Jessie grabbed her niece, turned her around and faced her toward her room. “Get dressed and pack a bag for three days, just in case.”
Sydney was suddenly wide awake as she rushed down the hallway.
“Thank you,” Destiny smiled. “I’ll keep you posted as soon as I know something.”
“You’d better. Just remember,” Jessie added, as she pulled her jacket back on, “old Charlie may think he’s the brains of this operation, but he’s got nothin’ on me.” She winked. “Call your brother and see if he can pull any strings without getting in trouble and just put those results off for one more day.” Then she turned to Lisa. “You got this?”
Lisa smiled wryly. “Absolutely.”
Jessie turned back to Destiny. “Are you gonna be okay, Honey?”
Destiny hesitated, then nodded.
Jessie tapped her on the chin. “We’re not gonna let anything happen to any of you.” They all turned as Sydney skipped into the room. “Especially this little munchkin here,” she added, hugging the girl to her side. “You ready?”
“Absolutamentee!” Sydney beamed, eager to check on her pony.
“Is that even a word?” Lisa asked.
“Apparently it is now.” Jessie steered the young girl toward the back door.
Sydney broke free to hug Lisa one more time, then to hug Destiny. “Tell Daddy I love him, okay?”
“Absolutamentee!” Destiny replied, to laughter.
After they had walked out the door, Lisa clapped her hands together once. “We have a lot to do in a short amount of time, so I suggest we get moving.” Lisa smacked her friend on the butt. “Do you think we should call Owen?”
“That idiot? Forget it. He was already on the defense team’s witness list, remember.”
Lisa wagged her forefinger. “Forgiveness is a virtue.”
“So is character, of which he has none.”
Lisa took her friend’s arm. “You call your attorney, and I’ll call my office. I have a very important spa appointment to schedule.”
Chapter 57
They had released Justine immediately after her police interview. Though she had no broken bones, she was markedly bruised. Uri had hit her before, but never like this. He had been so angry when he saw the two glasses of vodka that he didn’t even give her a chance to explain—more pointedly, an opportunity to think up an explanation. Uri had slapped her harder than he ever had, and then he shoved her into the bar, before calling her a whore as he stormed out. Thankfully, Uri didn’t notice her secondary cell phone on the table beside the drinks, or it would have been all over.
How could he possibly have known where she was, and why hadn’t he called to announce his arrival? Uri was extremely jealous, so Justine figured he must have had her followed. She immediately called Consuelo and told him to stay away for awhile. After composing herself, she went into her ensuite and saw herself in the mirror. She looked like hell, and yet, as she stared at her reflection, she constructed the conclusion to her little web of lies. Her husband may have just handed her daughter over to them on a silver platter.
She immediately called the police and sobbed through her best perfor
mance in years. She smoked a cigarette and had another glass of vodka until the doorman announced them. She broke the glass on the table, made a little cut on her hand and waited for them to arrive. They were very considerate and compassionate, especially the nurses at the hospital. They listened empathetically to her weave a tale of mistreatment that began just after she and Bill married. Terrified of him, she’d had to flee without her daughter for fear of him. Everything was now documented for admissibility in court. Better yet, for her coming emotional profession to Uri. How else would one explain abandoning a child so many years before?
Her phone rang during her police interview, and she saw it was Consuelo. She texted him that she would call him later and quickly turned the phone off. Uri called five minutes later, on her other phone, saying he was sorry, and that he went back to the suite, and she wasn’t there. She told him she was at the doctor, simply to milk the sympathy, but said she’d be back soon, and he could make it up to her in person. He offered to have her picked up, but she promised she would get a cab.
When they released her, she turned on the phone that she kept separate for her own personal use. No one ever wants her husband scrolling through her personal phone numbers, right? You never know what he might find. Better to spend a little extra and keep that part of your life separate, or, at least, that’s the way Justine saw it. And so far, it had worked blissfully. The two lives had never met, and she fully intended to keep it that way. Justine also planned on keeping Consuelo on a leash while enjoying her high society life in Venice. When she got full custody of Sydney, and she was certain that would happen now, she would simply ship the little girl off to boarding school. Justine had already been checking into one in Rome, which was far enough away that she wouldn’t be bothered by the tedious day-to-day issues so that she could still enjoy her life while she was young. Besides, Justine wanted the best for her daughter, and she’d heard that this one was the best.
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