Perfect Paige

by Ines Saint

  The evidence Alex was about to lay in front of her was irrefutable. And Alex did, in a way, feel badly for her. What was left of the crumbled world she’d known with Glenn Galloway was about to become utter ruins. But something in Alex was also irked. Glenn Galloway had been treating her like crap for months. And she just took it, while shopping her butt off and socializing the minute she was out the door. Who did that?

  A woman who cared more about money and social standing than her own dignity.

  Glenn had been having an affair right under her nose. Every single sign was there. The sudden barrage of late meetings and business trips to sunny locales. Charges for gifts that weren’t for her. The total lack of interest in his gorgeous wife. Because she was gorgeous. Alex might be contemptuous, but he wasn’t blind. Paige Galloway, however, was either blind, deaf, and empty-headed, or materialistic, calculating, and empty-hearted.

  After everything he’d seen, it was hard to feel too sorry for a woman who had lost an on-call babysitter, two cleaning ladies, a gardener, a near-mansion, and limitless shopping sprees, but still had her loaded, one-hundred-and-fifteen-thousand-dollar Range Rover Supercharged. He peered over at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to ask your friends and family to come back in?”

  She straightened her spine. “I’m sure.”

  He’d start by refuting her own so-called evidence of Glenn’s innocence. “Your husband has been living under the shadow of a world-renowned biochemist with multiple brilliant and profitable patents under his belt his entire life. Glenn will never live up to Dr. Gerard Galloway, and they both know it. Your father-in-law got your husband his job, and he never lets him forget it. Your husband has a sizable trust fund, but the amounts your father-in-law is endowing to the university are much greater. What your father-in-law really wants is a building named after him, and Glenn knows it. All this breeds anger, Mrs. Galloway, and I’m sure you’ve had a front-row seat to how fraught their relationship really is behind closed doors. Not everything is about money. Sometimes, a need for revenge, for freedom, and for proving something to yourself is greater.

  “As the director of the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Office, your husband is the only one with unfettered access to every single laboratory at the university’s Research Institute. It makes him the perfect pawn. That’s why he’s been offered immunity in exchange for his compelling testimony. It’s one of a few first steps in a complicated case involving many players.” Alex handed her the first envelope. The second envelope he’d leave for her at the right moment—when he could call her family in to deal with the aftershock of what it contained.

  He spread the documents out in a logical order, hoping she could follow with minimal explanations on his part. Everything spoke for itself. The hard part, uncovering it and piecing it together, had already been done.

  Dated stills of security camera footage of Glenn at different labs. Evidence of research going on in those labs, and then articles and patents published and filed by others on the very same research, at different times after the dated stills. Bank statements from a bank account in a corporation’s name, a paper trail that tied the corporation to her husband, and the so-called consulting fees deposited into the account by out-of-state corporations and businesses tied to the universities and corporations that had published or filed for patents stolen from the university.

  He didn’t say a word. Simply pointed out the highlighted information that tied everything together in a methodical manner. Glenn’s involvement went back three years.

  Every once in a while, Paige’s wide, horrified eyes would meet his, but she’d quickly shutter them, take deep breaths, and study the evidence again, as if looking for anything that might prove him wrong.

  When her eyes started to glaze over, as if she was turning things over in her head, he said, “Your husband is not who we’re ultimately after, Mrs. Galloway.” Those words brought her eyes back to his. She was listening. “Your husband’s involvement goes back three years, but the whole scheme has been going on for twelve years at over three research institutions. It has already had the effect of jacking up the price of lifesaving treatments, vaccines, and even medical devices. We want to lock up the mastermind behind this entire scheme, and we need all the evidence we can get to bring him up on all possible charges.”

  Finally, after a long while of staring at the evidence again, she looked up. Gone was the too-sweet, too-innocent, wide-eyed look she usually wore. “Why are you showing me all this?” Her voice, unfortunately for his frayed nerves, was still syrupy and grating, but it was the first time he’d ever seen wheels turning and a light coming on behind those big blue eyes.

  Alex met her gaze with a steady one of his own. “If the journal isn’t part of his immunity session thirteen days from today, and we find it later—” He motioned to everything he’d laid out on the table. “And make no mistake, we will find it and tie it to him—then it won’t be part of the deal. We will use it as evidence to charge and convict him.”

  He leaned in. “But we don’t want to do that. We want Glenn to give up the people who put him up to this in the first place, and we want to find everyone involved in buying stolen data. This additional piece of physical evidence will help us connect the dots. It also represents the last four years of Dr. Kumar’s research. Dr. Kumar deserves to have those last four years back.”

  Paige, Glenn, and everyone involved had to believe they needed the journal as additional evidence and for the sake of Dr. Kumar’s research. . . not because it was now also a matter of national security. Especially if Dr. Kumar confided in her old, trusted friend and colleague, Gerard Galloway, about the nasty turn her research had taken. If Gerard had told Glenn . . . it could make a few of those involved even greedier and bolder. So far, Dr. Kumar flatly and roundly denied that she’d told anyone about her latest data.

  “The last four years . . .” Paige looked up again. “Does this journal contain the data on the bacteria she bioengineered, the one that chelates and sequesters heavy metals?”

  “Yes.” He remained stoic, careful not to show his surprise. He knew she had a degree in nursing, which probably required a few hard science classes. But given everything he’d learned about her—including the fact that she’d married Glenn Galloway, who’d been one of her lecturers, the day after she graduated, and then popped out her first baby only eleven months later, as if to secure her marriage to him—he’d thought it had been the only workout she’d ever given her brain. He’d heard her sister loud and clear outside. Paige had originally set out to marry a doctor.

  She shook her head, and when she spoke again, her voice was shaky. “Glenn has known Dr. Kumar since he was a child. He both likes and respects her. Have you thought that maybe he’s not giving the journal up because he doesn’t have it in his possession? If he’s already talking about everything else, then he’d talk about this, too. Why—” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “Why would he risk prison time over it?”

  To his ears, it sounded as if she was still defending the jerk. Hadn’t she just seen and heard the irrefutable evidence he’d laid out?

  He schooled his voice to sound neutral, though he was feeling on edge, and he took her through everything again step by step, trying one last time to get her to understand. “The security footage is clear. He was the only person who entered the lab the day the journal was reported missing. They already had a buyer lined up. Your husband was here without you on the same day the story about the FBI investigating intellectual property theft at the university came out. Think about it: Your husband’s career is over, along with his financial independence. This has all been both embarrassing and devastating to his parents. They understand, on a deep and personal level, the years, dedication, and personal sacrifices these researchers make in order to advance science and technology. Now add to that the fact that Glenn stole his father’s closest colleague’s research, and it becomes a personal betrayal. It becomes unforgivable. If your husband loses his f
ather’s financial support, he’s lost everything. We believe Glenn doesn’t want to risk your father-in-law taking away his trust fund and any financial support. Right now, Glenn is beholden to his father.”

  Again she was silent for longer than was comfortable. Every once in a while, a raised voice from outside crept in. Twice someone had tried to open the door. Alex could only imagine the field day Boyd was having outside.

  When Paige finally spoke, she sounded dazed. “You’re here today to convince me to help you find this last piece of physical evidence against the father of my children, so that he doesn’t end up incriminating himself down the line?”

  Alex nodded, and her clouded eyes met his. “How—how can I be sure it will be part of this immunity session, and that you won’t withhold it and then use it to void that immunity?”

  “The father of my children.” Sherry had also said something to that effect. That all she cared about was her children, and that saving their father’s ass was part of that. But still, hadn’t she heard a word he’d said about how these people had hiked up the cost of lifesaving drugs and technology for the masses? If she really wanted to protect her kids, she’d make sure they had nothing to do with their corrupt father.

  “Your husband has excellent lawyers. If we find it before then, they’ll make sure it’s part of the immunity agreement. And as the case agent, my recommendation will go a long way. My recommendation will depend solely on your cooperation, Mrs. Galloway. That’s all I can give you. It’ll be up to you to decide what’s worse: cooperate and gain some goodwill, or watch as the father of your children is charged and prosecuted if it’s found after the fact. Glenn will also have to pay restitution as part of his agreement, and you two lived high and well—but Glenn didn’t save much, as he was clearly counting on his trust fund. Restitution will wipe away your savings. You’ll need a job soon, and a quick Internet search by any potential employers will tie you to Glenn and his misdeeds. I don’t have to tell you that will harm your job search. But the FBI is also willing to let any potential employer know that you have been completely cleared of any wrongdoing . . . provided you cooperate.” He held her eyes, to make sure she understood he was serious about the repercussions of her not cooperating. “Right now, I need to ask you some review and follow-up questions about that Sunday, April twenty-six.”

  “Look, Agent Hooke, I was questioned at least a half-dozen times by at least a half-dozen agents about Glenn’s behavior before and after the indictment. I went over it all dozens of times in my head. I’ve told the FBI everything I know and remember. Please give me some time to recover from all of... this before we revisit your questions. I need time to think.”

  Alex gave her one quick nod. The next set of photographs would cut Paige Galloway and leave her where they needed her to be, but he was in no mood to witness it. It would bring him no pleasure. Let her sisters and friends deal with it. From the start, he had advocated for her being told everything.

  He took the photographs out of the envelope and set them in front of Paige. The one on top pretty much summed up the whole package. Glenn had a young woman, a graduate student Paige herself had introduced to Glenn, backed up against a door. They were kissing, their hands and legs were in compromising positions, and the state of their clothes was telling.

  Glenn was nothing if he wasn’t passive-aggressive. This particular tryst was obviously a slap in Paige’s face—to get back at her. For what, he didn’t know.

  “Jasmine,” Paige whispered, before her hand fluttered to her mouth. Her breathing became quick and labored. She heaved once. She heaved twice. And proceeded to throw up all over his pants and shoes. Chunks of sauce, bread, and candy covered his legs and the carpet. And it all smelled like spoiled ranch dressing.

  She ran to the bathroom. Alex tossed his card on top of the picture, went to the kitchen, grabbed a few paper towels, and cleaned himself up. It wasn’t the first time someone’s spouse had thrown up on him.

  When he was done, he opened the door. Just outside, Boyd was having a hell of a time keeping Paige’s grandmother, friends, and sisters in order. They were all talking at the same time, and one or more of them kept breaking away from the group, trying to get inside. When they saw him, the older women swarmed him. Paige’s sisters gave him very different looks. The mousy sister fluttered a worried glance his way. The one in the sexy power suit had blue eyes that blazed with intelligence. Thankfully, they both went inside. It took all he had to suppress a sigh. The gaggle of women would be somewhat helpful, but mostly a complication.

  “Did she say she’d cooperate?” Ruby asked, looking down at his damp pants.

  “She said she needed time,” Alex answered. He was itching to start covering ground in the downtown area. Paige he’d deal with when she’d had time to calm down. She needed to be coached about what to do and say when Glenn came by and saw him there.

  “She took everything hard? I’ll go inside and help her calm down,” Rosa said.

  “No.” Sherry stopped her. “She needs time with her sisters.”

  Alex put his sunglasses back on. It was time for him to unpack and get organized.

  Sherry dug a key out of his pocket and turned to him, determined and serious. “You’ll be in 2B, right next to Paige, Riley, and Tyler. But stay away from the children. The last thing they need is to get friendly with one of the men who blew their life apart.”

  Rosa’s hand shot out just as Sherry was going to give him the key. “Yes, be distant, but be polite. They also don’t need to get their feelings hurt in their new home.”

  “Just stay away without being mean,” Ruby summarized.

  Alex took the keys. “That won’t be a problem.” He wasn’t good with kids, and kids didn’t like him. But he was never mean. Just dry and joyless, apparently.

  “And Glenn will be picking the kids up from school to take them out for ice cream in honor of their first day of school. It would be great if you could be out here when he drops them off later, acting like the big man of the house,” Sherry said.

  So Glenn would be coming by? He and Boyd exchanged quick looks. They’d track him down to the second, and Alex would be sure to be on hand to needle him when he arrived. With a sudden feeling of defeat, though, he realized they would need Paige’s sisters to run interference with the kids.

  “You can be doing something that makes you look bigger and tougher than him. Like fixing one of the mailboxes—with no shirt on,” Ruby suggested.

  “The mailboxes look fine to me,” Boyd observed, clearly wanting to hear more. Their job seldom provided this kind of entertainment.

  “He’d have to damage one before Glenn arrived, then,” Ruby explained. “Tip it or something.”

  Rosa’s eyes got wide. “The Amador boys just finished renovating this house! We wouldn’t want to be giving them a bad name in town by having a recently installed mailbox tipping over.” Her eyes narrowed in thought. “We could just have him mow the lawn. That is something Glenn never does. The way he grew up, doing something like that is a sign of not having enough money to pay someone else to do it. But when he comes here, we can have Paige watching him, looking at him the way women look at real men. That’ll rankle him.”

  “But he’d have to be shirtless,” Ruby reminded her.

  “Of course,” Rosa agreed. “Glenn will be intimidated by his muscles.” While Ruby seemed eager to see said muscles, Rosa was more matter-of-fact about them.

  Boyd made a sound. He looked like he was about to burst, while Alex was beginning to feel as if they were wasting time. He hated the feeling. “We appreciate your thoughts and help, but our priority right now is for Paige to understand how she needs to act and what she needs to say when Glenn sees me here. Boyd will coach her.” He jerked his thumb to Paige’s door once again, hoping they’d take the broad hint.

  They did. But they glared at him, making him feel rude.

  Boyd intervened. “Agent Hooke has never been in a long-term relationship with a woman, and the
only thing he knows about kids is how to toss a football their way without knocking them down. I, on the other hand, have a wife and kids, so I understand Mrs. Galloway’s concerns. I’ll go in and talk to her when you think she’s ready. I just want to make sure she understands that by assisting us, she’ll be helping Glenn avoid the slammer. All she needs to know is how to behave.”

  “‘The slammer’?” Rosa rolled her eyes at him. “Do you always talk like a Goodfella?”

  Boyd looked at her for a long moment, but he didn’t say a word. The intimidation tactic didn’t work. Rosa merely asked, “Do you also have silly code numbers, like in the movies?”

  “I don’t want a code number. I want a code name. I’m thinking Silver Gypsy. It’ll be easy for you guys to remember,” Ruby said.

  “I can be Cherub,” Sherry, who indeed looked like an angel, said.

  “Who can I be?” Rosa asked. “Oh. How about Lucky Latina?”

  Boyd looked like he had another good name for her, but again he practiced restraint. Something Alex was struggling with. If they didn’t leave soon and let him get on with it, he’d implode. The constant chatter and tangents in conversation were driving him up the wall. Christ, was this what the next two weeks would be like?

  * * *

  Paige continued to stare at the pictures of Glenn and Jasmine kissing. Jasmine, of all people. When she’d helped the daughter of her former employer land a position as a paid research assistant, she’d felt she’d come full circle. The onetime underpaid maid and babysitter was now in a better position, and she’d been needed by someone who’d once treated her like dirt.

  Deep down, though, she’d known she was making a mistake. Deep down, she’d known she’d always be dirt to some people. Anger surged. She grabbed the photo and began ripping it into pieces.