by Debbie Zello
At the office, she picked up the paper from the tube near the lobby. Cheri unfolded it to look at the headline. She stopped walking and stared at it.
Indictment Returned
Local attorney to stand trial
It wasn’t really a surprise to Cheri, but more like a shock, that it was going to happen. Now she was knee deep in the destruction and disgrace of the man she once professed to love and honor for the rest of her life.
Cheri made it to her desk before her phone rang. Answering it, she heard. “Miss Winslow, this is Reggie Field. I assume you’ve read the paper?”
“Good morning Reggie. I have seen the headline. I didn’t read the article yet.”
“It’s been a while, how have you been?”
“I don’t take pleasure in this if that’s what you want to know. I wish I wasn’t involved at all. Now you’re calling to ask me if I’ll testify in a criminal trial against him without being subpoenaed.”
“So, will you?”
“No.”
“I understand you’ve had some unpleasant exchanges with David as well as a suspicious incident at your house.”
“That’s right. So if you want me and I do hope you don’t, you’ll have to force me. It’s not that I have any feelings for him besides feeling sorry for his stupidity. I’m not willing to put myself out there as a target. I’m happy for the first time in a long time and I prefer to stay that way.”
“You’ll be hearing from me, Cheri. It was nice to hear your voice again. It’s been a while. I look forward to seeing you. Have a good day!” he said, hanging up.
“GRRRRR!” Cheri said, loudly slamming her hand down on her desk.
“That didn’t sound like a happy Cheri,” Piper said, sticking her head in Cheri’s office.
“That’s because it’s not a happy Cheri. That was Reggie Field. He’s the prosecutor on David’s trial. He’s going to subpoena me so I can testify about my ex-husbands nefarious dealings,” she said, holding the little purple flower in her fingers. “And I thought today was going to be a good day.”
Cheri had a lunch meeting with a local contractor who was exploring the possibility of the purchase of a large tract of land with the objective of building a luxury condominium complex. She was walking to the restaurant for the meeting when her phone rang. She answered and heard, “I hope you’re happy, now. I had to surrender this morning or risk a very public arrest. I’ve been arraigned and bail is set at one million. I can’t make it because all of my accounts are frozen and a lien is on my house for its full value.” Cheri recognized the voice as David’s.
“That’s not what I wanted nor is it my doing, David. You have to stop blaming me for your misfortune. I didn’t take any money and you know that,” she said in an irascible voice.
“If you don’t have it then exactly where is it? I know I didn’t take it. Someone tried to set you up by having your name on the checks and then put the money into accounts with my name on them. They’re setting both of us up. Now who and why?”
“I have no idea, nor do I care. I’m out of it, David.”
“Bullshit, you’re neck deep in it. I need you to bail me out and then work with me on this. I don’t want to lose everything and spend years in jail for something I didn’t do.”
“Why would I do that? You left a dead cat on the steps of my cottage. You made me crazy enough I thought about ending my life. I hope you rot in jail,” Cheri said, succinctly.
“I haven’t been to your cottage since that day when I spoke with you. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted. Cheri heard him, and for some reason she knew he was telling the truth.
“If you’re not doing this, then who is?”
“I don’t know, Cheri. I need your help. I’ll sign whatever you want and pay you back as soon as I clear my name. I know I don’t deserve your trust or your help, but I don’t have anyone else to ask,” he said defeated.
“I have to talk this over with my fiancé. I’ll stop by tonight and see you one way or the other.”
“Good because I need an attorney, too.”
The meeting went well. Cheri would handle all of the negotiations, securing the funds for the project, along with all of the closings. She was upfront with him about her plans to sell her practice and he still wanted her.
She left the restaurant calling Gareth. “Hey, beautiful. Hang on for a minute until I walk somewhere that I can talk. How are you?” he asked.
“I’m good but missing you.”
“Same here. For you to call in the middle of your day there must be something wrong. Out with it!”
“David was arrested. He called me for help. He swears he didn’t take any money. Didn’t leave the cat. He says he’s being set up.”
“My soft hearted fiancée believes him, right?”
“I think so. I believe at first he thought I was setting him up. I’m going to see him later. I might bail him out. What do you think?”
“I think you need to talk to Joe first and take him with you. Maybe Ben too. Do not go alone. Is Joe there with you, now?”
“No, it’s a different guy. Joe has to sleep sometime.”
“Right. I’ll call him. I want his take on this. If anything happens to you, I’ll have to kill David. I don’t want to go to prison. And I sure as hell don’t want to lose you.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
After all the discussions were over, Cheri, Ben and Joe were on their way to Framingham prison, to the awaiting trial division, where David was being held. Joe and Ben had the exact same expression on their faces, one of incredulity. Neither one of them had been able to talk her out of this.
The trio walked into the facility and spoke to the officer behind the window. He sent them into a holding area where they waited until another officer led them to a small room with a table and an array of chairs.
A few minutes later, David, accompanied by a different officer and sporting handcuffs, was brought into the room. He was wearing a smile of relief. “Thank you for coming, Cheri. I know I don’t deserve it, but thank you,” David said.
“You can take the cuffs off, officer, please,” Cheri said, with authority. The cuffs were removed and David rubbed his wrists appreciatively. Cheri sat opposite the chair for David. Ben and Joe stood behind her, adopting menacing stances. Cheri didn’t introduce the men to David, feeling the less he knows about her situation the better.
“Cheri, I’m sorry to involve you in this, but I’m unable to raise the bail. Staying in here for any length of time would be unbearable.”
“So you said. I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to be, David. Here’s the deal. I bail you out against the advice of everyone I know. You get out and don’t come near me. Someone will be watching you to insure my money doesn’t disappear. Other than that, you show up for any and all hearings.
“You miss anything, you’re back here. If you scare me, or come near me, you’re back in here. I don’t like anything you’re doing, I revoke your bail and you’re back here. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“Good. You’ll be out as soon as they process the paperwork. I wish you luck,” Cheri said standing and walking out the door. She got outside and leaned against the wall. Ben and Joe were still at her side. “I don’t know why just seeing him makes me so angry.”
“Anger is a good thing as long as you use it to keep yourself safe. Don’t let him in past the anger and you’ll be fine,” Joe said, cautioning her. Cheri put up David’s bail, signing all of the paperwork with the bondsman. It was a large chunk of her savings and money she could not afford to lose.
Cheri called Gareth on the way back home. “I bailed him out.”
“I knew you would. I felt better with him in there, but if you really think the whole thing is a set-up, then you did what you had to do.”
“I love you. Have I told you that today?” she asked.
“Yes, you did. Good thing I don’t get tired of hearing it. I lo
ve you too. I have to cut this short, sweetheart. I have the dailies to watch and a dinner to get to. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Gareth said hanging up.
Cheri went to bed early, exhausted from the day’s events. She had a crazy dream that David and Gareth were knights battling over her. In her sleep, she smiled every time Gareth knocked David from his horse.
As soon as Cheri fired up her computer at the office, her Google alert flashed on the screen. Her smile was broad as she clicked on the icon. A series of pictures came on the screen. Depictions of Gareth and a simply stunning blonde-haired woman at what appeared to be an intimate dinner.
They sat very close and in one shot, his hand was on hers. Another was of them walking in with his hand in the small of her back. The one of them walking out looked as if their heads were together as if sharing some secret.
A large twinge of jealousy ran through her. The pain went deep because she had an unfaithful husband before. For the first time she thought about his everyday life. Beautiful women surrounded him all the time. The opportunity to cheat was constant. In addition, he was a very good-looking man.
“Is something wrong?” Piper said, sticking her head in Cheri’s doorway.
“What would you think of Ben having dinner with a beautiful woman? Even if he had told you he was going to “a dinner” but not the details.”
“If it was Ben I would think something was up. However, if you’re talking about Gareth, he works with beautiful women. Of course, he’s around them. People don’t go to movies to look at ugly people, do they?” Piper asked. Cheri felt better because naturally, Piper was right.
“Come and see the pictures,” Cheri said, motioning her over. Piper looked at the shots.
“I’m sure she is the actress he’s working with. When you talk to him, ask about his dinner last night. If it sounds like he is avoiding the discussion, tell him what you’ve seen. Remember that he loves you. He flew out here like a crazy man. He hired people to keep you safe. He put all that crap at your cottage,” she said, giving examples.
“Or it could be argued, he did all of that to keep an eye on me, while he does what he wants.”
“Stop being a lawyer for two minutes and just be a woman in love. I know it’s hard to separate who you are from what you are. He loves you, Cheri. I’m sure of it.”
It was almost noon before Gareth called her. “Hi baby. God, I miss you. Tell me you have on one of your lawyer suits with a short skirt.”
“I have on one of my lawyer suits without the short skirt,” she giggled.
“Wait a minute. You don’t have anything on?” he said, panting.
“I’m wearing a pants suit. It’s too cold today for legs.”
“Thanks, my jeans are very tight right now.”
“Sorry about that. How was your dinner last night?”
“The food was good, the company so-so. I was with my leading-lady. She thinks she is a diva all of a sudden. I needed to fluff her feathers and straighten her out at the same time. The local press was there. If you go on the internet and Google me, you’ll see them. The press is good for the picture.”
“I saw them. She’s beautiful,” Cheri said. Gareth could hear the sad sound in her voice.
“She is beautiful. Crazy, stuck-up, self-absorbed, narcissistic and so not my type. I prefer the smart and sassy kind of gorgeous women. The kind that arouse me just thinking about them. The kind like you,” he growled.
“Good answer. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were an attorney.”
“Not me, I save that for the smart people. I just make movies, soft-shell crabs and trouble.”
“I’m in love with your kind of trouble,” she confessed.
The weeks passed with almost a monotonous regularity. Cheri worked on her clients’ problems. Gareth finished his movie and returned to California, to work with Tucker on editing.
He attended one of his movie’s openings with the cast and crew. Cheri perused the photos that were posted the next day. She cringed at any that showed Gareth anywhere near one of the striking women that attended such events. He continued to eradicate any of her fears.
It was finally just three days before she would fly out for the long holiday weekend. Gareth thought about spending the time with his parents. They should meet Cheri before the wedding. Then he thought he would not be able to ravage her at his parents’ house. They would expect them to stay there, so a motel was out of the question.
So he forgot about it. They would stay in California. He would try to spend a few hours a day showing her around. He would try to let her out of his bed for this. He would try.
Cheri was beginning to pack. Deciding what to bring with her. Sexy demi bras and matching underwear-check. A see through lace teddy-check. The short skirts he liked-check. A new string, barely there, bikini-double check.
Her phone interrupted her thoughts. “Miss Winslow,” the woman’s voice said.
“Yes, this is Cheri Winslow. Who’s calling?”
“This is Officer Karen Brown. I’m at your office. There has been a fire. Would you be able to come here?”
“I’ll be right there,” she said hanging up. Cheri walked straight out to Joe’s car and got in.
“What happened?” he asked.
“I just got a call from the police. There has been a fire at the office. I want you to drive me, please,” she said near tears.
“Will do, and I’m sorry, Cheri.” Joe drove her the few miles to her office. Cheri left a message for Piper and Ben as they were out with Grace for the evening at the movies. As Joe got closer, they could see the fire trucks and rescue personal surrounding the building.
Joe parked a block away and the two walked up to the first police officer they saw. “I’m looking for Officer Karen Brown,” Cheri said.
“She’s the dark-haired woman over there,” he said pointing.
“Thank you,” she said walking towards the woman. Cheri said, “Officer Brown. I’m Cheri Winslow, we spoke on the phone.”
“Miss Winslow, I’m sorry about all of this. The forensic team is looking over things and I’m told it started in a wall socket. There is smoke and water damage through out the building, with what I assume is your office sustaining the most damage. The fire marshal is with the team and should be out shortly to talk to you.”
“So they think it’s faulty wiring and not arson?” Joe asked her.
“I believe so, but I’m not investigating. You’ll have to wait for their results. It appears your desk and files are a total loss. Did you have back up?”
“Yes. I back up to an off-site storage service every night before I leave. My files as well as my paralegal’s. There is an empty office in the back of the building. Was that damaged?”
“No, I don’t believe so. Most of the damage was confined to your offices. You’ll probably smell smoke in the others. Other than that, they are usable,” Officer Brown said.
Cheri and Joe walked closer to the building. “Wait here, Cheri. I’m going in to look around,” Joe said. Cheri watched him walk away. He showed his wallet to an officer at the door who waved him through.
She paced back and forth in front of the building wondering exactly what was going on inside. Twenty minutes went by before she saw Joe walking back out. His grim expression spoke volumes. Walking up to her and placing his hands on her shoulders he said, “They found a timer and incendiary device in the wall behind your desk. This was arson. There’s no doubt.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Cheri was in shock. She heard what Joe had said, but she couldn’t absorb what it meant. Someone had set the fire on purpose. Not to physically hurt her, because it was set for a time the office would be empty. But rather to destroy her records. If she didn’t have the backup she would be scrambling to try to replace them.
Joe pulled her into his arms and said, “Breathe, Cheri. Do you want me to call Gareth or Ben?”
After a few minutes, she said, “No. I’ll call them.” Cheri walked to Joe’s
car and got in. First, she called Ben to let him and Piper know about the fire. Then she called Gareth.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hi. We’ve had an incident at the office. There was a fire,” Cheri said. Gareth sat up quickly in his chair.
“Was anyone hurt? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. No one was there. We’re all fine.”
“How much damage is there?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t been inside. Joe went in. It was arson.”
“I’ll be there as fast as I can,” Gareth said already moving towards his bedroom to begin packing.
“No, don’t. I’m all right for now. We can move the office to one of the vacant ones’ tomorrow. Then Piper and I have Thursday morning to organize it before I leave to be with you.”
“Are you sure you want to come here?”
“More than anything. I need to get away from all of the drama here. Even if it’s only for a few days.”
“I can’t wait to see you. I feel like I’m holding my breath. I love you so much. If you need me, call me anytime day or night,” Gareth said.
“I will. I love you too. Please don’t worry. I really am fine. I’ll call tomorrow,” Cheri said, feeling very tired. As soon as they hung up Gareth dialed Joe.
“I knew you’d be calling,” Joe said.
“What do you know?” Gareth said through gritted teeth.
“Not much yet. The forensics team from the fire department is working on the scene. They said it would be tomorrow morning before they knew much. It appears to be a crude device, effective though.
“It was right behind her desk. They felt that even if it had gone off with her sitting there, she would have been able to get out. It was designed to do damage not to kill,” Joe said.
“What about Piper and Ben’s house?”
“I have a crew there now, going over the entire place. When they’re done, they’re going over to the cottage. I’m worried about outside outlets being a target. If anyone went in the house or cottage we would have known.”
