Richard chuckled as he sat down behind his desk, gesturing for Ben to take a seat. “What’s going on? How can I help? I have to say, I’m a bit surprised to see you.”
Deep breath. Definitely the right decision. Ben gave Richard a brief description of the last few days. Suddenly, the weight on his shoulders lifted. Drifted away. The pain was still there. He didn’t know how to get rid of that.
Slamming his hand on the desk, the pain that radiated up his arm couldn’t hide the pain in his heart. “I just want to make Rina happy. I don’t want a war between her father and me, but he’s started one. If he thinks he can bully me into walking away from her, well, it’s not going to happen. Nobody is taking Isabella from Erin. Nobody.”
“Where did child services get that information from?”
“I have no idea. I have to look into it.”
“Don’t. Leave it to me. If you’re the one being accused of leaving Isabella alone, then it’s best you stay away from that. That’s why you came to me, correct?”
“Not really. I could’ve had Zeke look into it.”
Richard leaned back in his chair, sighing. “Then what do you need from me? I’m always here for you. You’re like a son to me, you know that.”
“Any talk around the courthouse about me? I mean, I didn’t expect any of this, and look how fast it all happened.”
“Nothing. I would’ve squashed it immediately had I heard anything. Who is Rina’s father? He has to have some sort of power, influence to get at you this quickly.”
“Reginald Chastain. That’s all I know. Rina really hasn’t told me anything else about him. He came to my home, threatened me, I spat back, and he left. I called him Reggie just to piss him off. And it pissed him off. Rina’s going to hate me after this is all done.”
“You picked the one woman with a powerful father, that’s for sure. I never made the connection before, that he was her father.”
He jerked in his seat and leaned forward. “You know him?”
“I’ve met him a time or two. He’s big in the political scene. Comes from money. His father was a Senator. He didn’t go into that avenue, but he still donates to certain campaigns, keeps his hands in certain pockets. He owns a company, something to do with biomedical engineering. He built that company from the ground up. He’s smart. He knows a lot of people.”
“He’s also a pretentious ass.”
Richard chuckled. “That he is.”
“Why does he hate me so much? I just want to make Rina happy. Why am I not good enough for her?”
“You are good enough for her. Don’t ever doubt that. I’m sure he has his reasons, albeit, dumb ones. What is it you want me to do, Ben? Spell it out, because I’m just not sure here.”
“Erin said he’s making waves for me because he can’t find any dirt. I walk the straight and narrow, so he won’t find any dirt.” Ben hesitated. Did he really want to fight back dirty with Rina’s father?
“You know a lot of people yourself, Judge. Perhaps you’ve heard things about him that…I don’t know what I’m saying here. I don’t want this. I don’t want to be the man’s enemy.” Ben sighed and rubbed his jaw as he slumped into the chair.
“Let me see what I can find out. You have a few nasty cases to solve. Focus on that. Focus on Rina.”
“What should I say to her?” Ben stood up. Why the hell was he asking Zeke’s dad this? What about his own dad? Maybe because the question kept whirling around his mind and he needed an answer now. At least before he saw her again. The night would come eventually.
“Is it ever good to keep secrets? If you remember, because I heard some stories, Zeke and Zoe didn’t communicate very well in the beginning. Communication is key in any relationship, Ben. You think Deborah lets me get away with crap? No, she communicates right away what the problem is.”
He smiled as Richard grinned back. “You’re always right, Judge. Thank you.”
Richard met Ben in front of the desk and clapped him on the back. “Tell Zeke that. He never believes me that I’m always right.”
Ben couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, right. He never believes that when I say I’m always right either.”
“Don’t worry about any of this. I’ll look into it. How are these latest murder cases coming along?”
“Like shit, Judge. You heard about them?”
“I hear everything. Let me know if you two need anything. I’m a knock, call, or drive away.”
“I appreciate it…for everything.”
Ben said goodbye. Weight lifted. Definitely lifted. Not by much, but enough to get him through the rest of the day until he saw Rina. What did he tell her? Did she know how despicable her father could truly be? He wasn’t sure he wanted to ruin her illusions. The man was her father.
Chapter 9
Her finger barely grazed the doorbell, yet the soft rings echoed behind the door. She stepped back to create space and lots of needed air. True freedom wouldn’t be had until she hopped back into her car and drove away. Of course, that wasn’t an option. Except her foot took another step back thinking she could almost get away. The door swung open.
“Rina, always a pleasure to see you,” Thomas said, moving away from the doorway and gestured her in. “Why did you ring the bell? You know you’re welcome to come in at any time. I opened the gate, so I know it was you.”
“Of course, Thomas. How are you?” She gave him a quick hug before stepping back, looking for that freedom again. The walls appeared to be inching closing, the air swallowing her whole. God, maybe she couldn’t do this.
“I’m always wonderful when I see you. Although, the day could be better. Your father is in a mood. I hear the date with Anthony didn’t go so well.”
“Do they ever when it’s up to my father?” she said very quietly. Heaven forbid her father hear her voice something like that. His sharp tongue would make sure that never happened again. Best to whisper.
“He means well. He just has a funny way of showing it.”
“If you say so, Thomas.” Rina sighed. “Is he home?”
“He’s in his office. Come on.” Thomas gestured with the same friendly, loving smile he always used with her to follow him.
Rina smiled at her father’s longtime butler and confidant, falling in step behind him. If a problem needed fixing, Thomas to the rescue. A party needed to be planned, Thomas set it up with ease. The house needed to be cleaned, Thomas always made sure it stayed in tip-top shape. There wasn’t one thing that Thomas could do wrong. He was perfectly matched for her father in every way. He could take one look at her father, know exactly how he was going to react, and plan accordingly. He was the best butler she had ever known. And they had many. None of them lasted very long. Her father was a harsh man. He didn’t forgive, nor forget. Ever.
Thomas had been with her father for the last ten years. The longest to last in the household without getting thrown out to the streets without so much as a fare-thee-well. Her father never stood for insolence or incompetence. One minor display of that and you were dismissed immediately.
Rina had liked Thomas the instant she met him. Fifteen years older than her, she always saw him as her other father, giving advice when her father cut her down. Of course, that was something her father did frequently. She hadn’t been living at home when Thomas was hired, but she had visited her father often. No matter how many times she came to find some sort of approval from her father, she never received it. She would be on the verge of tears, unable to hold them in. Thomas was always there to dry them, to offer kind words of encouragement.
He always stood up for her father, insisting he cared in his own way, showing his feelings in the only way he knew how. Just because he was harsh, didn’t mean he didn’t love her. She wanted to believe that. Thomas always said it in a way that made it believable.
There were times when she wished Thomas had been her real father. He always gave supreme advice, showed her love that she craved to have from her real father, and had the look of pri
de in his eyes for her. Then, after that longing spread throughout her heart, she’d hate herself for it. Her father, rare as they may be, had tender moments that she treasured.
She could still see him standing up in the middle of the auditorium, clapping the loudest, no one else around him able to overpower his sound. She had been in fourth grade, just finishing her solo for the choir. He had been so proud of her. His smile, beaming like fresh rays of sunlight, lit up the room for all to see. That’s all she ever wanted to see from her father. Pride. Happiness. Love.
She had no idea where it all went wrong. Why did he turn into the man he was today? The only thing that made sense was when her mother died. He had died that day as well.
“Chin up, darling. Don’t go in there looking like that. That permanent frown will be a dead giveaway. Care to tell me your woes before you step in?” Thomas asked. His eyes shined with tenderness, his brows crinkled with worry.
She always thought he had a world of wisdom, wondering about the kind of life he led before he came into their world. He was a very private man, never revealing much of his past. While he wasn’t that old, she could see the wisdom in his eyes. His hair, sprinkled with gray, gave the appearance that he was older than he truly was.
“No, I’m fine, Thomas. Here’s my smile.” She could offer a smile any day. It was the part where the happiness reached her eyes that was the problem.
“He won’t bite, you know. He loves you.”
“Thank you, Thomas.” She placed a soft hand on his shoulder, then lowered it to the door with a gentle knock.
A loud booming voice from the other side said, “Come in.”
Steeling her shoulders, her armor was in place. A deep breath and the anxiety washed away. She opened the door and took a few steps before speaking. “Hello, Father. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Reginald stood up from his desk, his face expressionless. “Of course not. I always enjoy a visit. I’m glad you came.”
“I’ll make it short,” she said softly.
“Do I take that to mean you’re not here to apologize?”
“I have nothing to apologize for. I’m not the one who spoke to my boyfriend, and if I’m not mistaken, threatened him. I have no idea what you said because Ben wouldn’t tell me. I think I’m the one who should hear an apology.”
Reginald stepped around his desk, shoving his hands inside his pockets. His eyes narrowed into thin slits, his brows puckered, and his lips straight-laced with precision. “I don’t like it when you speak to me that way. That man is no good for you.”
“Why? Tell me why, Father. What has he done to make you dislike him so? Because, no matter what happens, he just wants me to be happy. He doesn’t want any tension between you and me. He doesn’t want to be the cause. He’s not. You are. You’ve never been happy for me. You constantly tell me what to do. That hurts. I’m always afraid to tell you that it hurts. Not anymore.”
Her eyes started to itch, the water brimming to the edges like a dam wanting to burst. She would not cry in front of her father. “I love you. I always will. But I can’t have you acting this way anymore. It hurts too much. I love Ben. He’s the one I want, not Anthony. If I know you, which I think I know you pretty well, you’re already planning ways to get Ben to go away. Don’t. You’re probably already planning ways to get Anthony back in my life as well. Don’t.”
She wrung her hands, dropping them when she realized what she was doing. “I came here for one reason. Leave Ben alone. I don’t want to write you out of my life, but I will if you make me. I want Ben in my life and he’s staying. Don’t interfere like you always do.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not my fault you always pick men that walk away from you.”
“You’re going to lie to my face. You’re telling me that you never had a hand in making those men walk away.” Her hands clenched into fists. The audacity to lie. How could he?
“It’s not my fault when a man chooses to walk away from you. I have no idea what you see in this detective. You’re ruining your life.”
“No, I’m living it for once. He’s kind. He’s loving. He respects me. He treats me the way you used to treat Mom. Why is that bad?”
“The door will be open when you come to your senses. I have some work I need to look at now, Rina. Thomas will show you out.” Reginald turned around and sat down in his seat.
“I do believe we came to an understanding, Father.”
“An understanding? I don’t think so.” He looked up from his paperwork with the same arrogance he always wore.
“But we did.” She couldn’t hide the pain anymore. A tear trickled down her face. She turned her back to her father and gently closed the door when she really wanted to slam it shut with frustration.
“Either you knew how long that conversation would be, which wouldn’t surprise me,” she said with a weak grin, “or you were waiting right outside the door.”
Thomas’s lips turned up with mischief. “That’s my secret. I could tell right away when you came into the house that this wouldn’t be a good conversation. I’m sorry he can never see what’s right in front of him. A beautiful, talented, wonderful daughter. It’s about time you stood up for yourself.”
“What happened to always saying, “He loves you.” You always take his side.”
“I don’t choose sides, Rina. You’re both my family. He does love you. I hope you don’t stay away long. We’ll both miss you.”
She stepped closer and touched his shoulder. “That’s up to him, Thomas. Maybe you can talk some sense into him. I can walk myself out. No time like the present to talk to him.”
***
Ben parked the car and took another deep breath since he got back in the car. Leaving Richard’s house, everything felt fixed. Better. Now, the anxiety and tension was back full force.
He met Zeke in front of the building. Running home to Erin had cut time in their day. Time that he wanted to spend with Rina. Now he was nervous to see her. He had to tell her about her father. He just didn’t know how to.
“So, what happened?” Zeke held his hand on the door to the apartment building, but made no move to open it. Ben could tell he wouldn’t until he got answers.
“Child services bothering Erin because of Rina’s father. Now he’s messing with my family, creating lies. I will never let Isabella get hurt.”
Zeke’s mouth dropped as his eyes rounded with surprise. That’s exactly how Ben felt when Erin spilled the news to him. He shuffled his feet, then glanced at the ground. “I paid a visit to your dad.”
“Why?” Zeke dropped his hand from the door and rubbed the back of his head. “Please tell me he hasn’t heard anything around the courthouse. I can’t believe her father is this ruthless. I thought I had it bad last year. I only had Zoe to convince to love me.”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “That makes me feel so much better.”
Zeke let loose a small laugh. “Sorry, man. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that.”
“He hasn’t heard anything yet. He heard of her father, though. Power, money, contacts everywhere. He’s going to poke around and see if he can find anything out about him. Feels wrong. I just want a chance with his daughter. I just don’t get it.”
“Me neither. Thinking about it isn’t going to help. Do what you gotta do and that’s it. If there’s something to find, my dad will.”
“That’s why I went there. You’re…you know, not pissed or anything, are you?”
“No. Not sure why you’d think that.” Zeke clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s interview this delivery guy, Jones Maverick. I already talked to the other consultant and she wasn’t helpful at all. Her husband was home as well. He gave her an alibi. Are you ready?”
“Yep. Thanks for doing the work without me.”
Zeke walked inside the building, searched the board for the apartment they wanted and pushed the buzzer when he found it. “You do it for me other times. No biggie. I just wish this shit with Rina’s father wo
uld stop.”
“Me, too. You have no idea.”
The door clicked loudly, indicating Jones had allowed them entry. Ben grabbed the handle and let Zeke walk through first. Three floors later, they were standing in an apartment that reminded Ben of his bachelor days in college. Although, the more he glanced at everything in sight, he decided he hadn’t been this messy.
Movies, magazines, and newspapers were scattered around the living room. The coffee table situated in front of the television was covered with cups, a few plates, and a pizza box that looked like it should’ve been thrown away a month ago. Clothes hung on the couch and recliner, a small trail lining a path down the hallway. Ben didn’t even want to know where the trail would end.
This place was disgusting. The smell, not even sure what he smelled, was enough to make him want to gag. They needed to make this quick. Very, very quick. The bile was rising at the back of his throat.
“Mr. Maverick, thank you for seeing us,” Zeke said, trying to sound normal as he tried not to breathe through his nose.
“Yeah, sure. I heard about that lady. How can I help?” He started grabbing clothes, piling them up in his arms, as he tried to clear a section on the couch. “Just…it’s the maid’s day off.” He laughed lamely as he threw the pile at the wall and started to gather more crap from the couch. “Oh, shit, I’ve been looking for that.” He dropped everything, grabbing for the controller that was tucked between a seat cushion and a porno magazine.
“Mr. Maverick—”
“Oh no, call me Jones.” He held up the controller with pride after interrupting Zeke. “Been looking for this thing forever.”
Zeke nodded and inhaled a breath. “Jones, we need to ask you some questions about Mrs. Patterson. No need to clear a spot for us. We won’t take much of your time.”
“Okay. Shoot. What do you want to know? Nice lady. Always a smile on that broad’s face…oh, I mean, lady.” He shuffled his feet. “Ask away.”
“You delivered a package to the office on Wednesday. Did you speak to Mrs. Patterson?” Ben asked.
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