“Unlike Darren I don’t do things for other people in an effort to stockpile IOUs. Especially not where you’re concerned… I hope you will see this as simply one friend helping another…a sign of affection and appreciation…” he said with a smile.
She could only smile back as she forced herself to swallow the choking lump of nerves that was lodged in her throat.
“I hope one day you will realize that you can come to me for anything you need…anything at all. I’m your friend…always,” he finished.
Then, standing up, he headed to the door and looked back at her with heat in his eyes before leaving her room. At one time those kinds of honey coated words would have left her speechless and blushing. Thanks to Bobby it took a whole lot more these days to render her breathless and flushed. Flowers, candy and fluff no longer had the effect heated and inappropriate words did… or rough handling.
Chapter Eleven
A full week had passed since she’d been ‘arrested’ and already she wasn’t sure how much more she could take. She was skating on very thin ice and dodging different obstacles at every turn. The lies were starting to mount up to a point she needed a journal to write them all down in an effort to keep from forgetting them and messing up everything.
Simon had filed a motion to have the case transferred to another judge the same day she and Kyle had met with him. The motion had sighted that the appointed judge, who was handpicked by Detective Sanders, was impartial. Simon had argued that the judge should have filed a motion to excuse himself from the case, since he had family members who’d lost money in the scandal. Detective Sanders was thrilled that Simon had jumped so quickly at the bait she’d laid out.
She and Kyle had a meeting with Simon this afternoon to discuss the new judge on the case. Detective Sanders had advised her that he felt certain they would begin hounding her for information on her account and had prepared her as best he could on how to handle their questions. Between worrying that she would say the wrong thing during the upcoming meeting, and trying to fend off Kyle’s subtle advances, her nerves were gone.
The new judge was obviously working with Simon as no further complaints or motions had been filed on her behalf once he’d been appointed to her case. The Prosecutor hadn’t objected either and rather than being suspicious at the lack of objections, Simon acted relieved. Detective Sanders must have some help somewhere in the court system as he seemed to know exactly what motions Simon would file with the court.
Detective Sanders was always one step ahead, making sure things went smoothly. Yet she was still a ball of nerves. If she could just get through this meeting with Simon and Kyle, hopefully things would begin to wrap up… at least her part in this whole scenario. Greg just needed enough information on everyone involved and some evidence to implicate the judge if he was involved. If she could get them that information she could go home. Home…Florida…Bobby.
Shaking thoughts away that seemed to bother her even worse the more time she remained involved in this whole mess, she grabbed her high heeled shoes in one hand and her purse in the other then headed out of her room in search of Kyle. As she rounded a corner she noticed Kyle standing at the desk in his office talking on the phone. His back was to the doorway so she slowed down to listen.
“She’s so eager to prove her innocence… how am I supposed to talk her into refusing to hand over her account information? Especially when the judge threatens her…?” Kyle asked.
What? Why would they want her to refuse to hand over her account information? Detective Sanders had implied that they would want her to give them the account information, not refuse! Oh God! She’d rehearsed in her mind what to tell them when she handed over the fictitious account statement that had been prepared by the county crime lab. If they didn’t want it what would she say? She’d be on her own!
“I understand that… but I assure you she’s telling the truth,” Kyle continued.
She wanted to run and hide. Fear made her hands and knees shake. Her thoughts raced with what Simon and Kyle might know and what it might mean for her. They had easily taken out Darren and could very well do the same to her. She wasn’t ready to die…she’d finally had a life of her own. Above all else was the idea that she’d never see Bobby Jackson’s heated look again. She should have called him…should have said goodbye at least before getting involved in this shit.
“Fine if you need the judge to subpoena her account information instead of trusting her, as I do, I’ll see what I can do,” he said with a heavy sigh.
Backing up enough to where she could ensure he thought she was just now approaching she said, “Kyle…where are you?”
After a brief pause she heard him reply, “In here.”
Forcing her legs to walk into his office she quickly sat in a chair and began putting on her shoes. Kyle walked over and sat next to her with a heavy sigh. Swallowing the fear back down into her stomach from where it had lodged in her throat she said, “Something wrong?”
“Do you have a recent statement for the investment account that is showing the excess funds?” He asked.
“Yea, it’s right here in my purse…” She offered.
“Well Simon and I are concerned that your account may have been compromised. Have you actually called the company to verify the funds are really there and to get an itemized statement showing all debits and credits to the account?” he asked.
Shit! How was she going to answer this? If the judge or Simon subpoenaed her actual account records they would know immediately that something was amiss. However, if she was too adamant about giving them the doctored statement that the detective and FBI had provided her with, they might grow suspicious. The statement she had been given matched the one identified in the arrest warrant and arrest report but if her investment firm handed over an actual statement... What to do?
Hoping against all hope that if she were to go along with what Simon and Kyle had planned, the detectives could find a way out for her. Or that she could at least claim she’d been setup she forged ahead. Perhaps their greed and eagerness to get to whatever money she had would be enough to keep her alive…maybe?
“Well no… the FBI did that right before I was arrested though and they provided me with a copy of the statement that was filed with the arrest warrant and report. They have my account locked but they did provide me with the most recent statement,” she replied, handing Kyle the phony statement.
“I know it probably seems wrong at this point, but the FBI is trying to put you in prison…so perhaps we should request our own statement of your account,” Kyle suggested.
Thinking ahead for a way out of this if things went south she looked thoughtful and then said, “Are you saying you think the statement they gave me is wrong? I don’t understand…”
Having thought she never again wanted to be viewed as arm candy and nothing more… this one time she prayed his view of her would remain jaded and chauvinistic.
Kyle smiled patronizingly at her and said, “Just trust me and Simon to handle this. For now though, do not provide any account information to anyone…and I do mean anyone. I’ll give this to Simon so you can truthfully say you don’t have a recent statement. If they want to put you in prison, you should at least make it difficult for them,” he finished, folding the statement she’d handed him and tucking it in his jacket pocket.
She was shocked when they pulled into the courthouse rather than an office building and even greater panic set in. The recorder was in her purse. To get through security they might empty her purse or confiscate the recorder. How would she explain having a recorder?
Kicking her shoes off, she waited until Kyle parked the car. When he got out she then quickly bent down to pull the recorder from her purse and push it under the seat. Then as he opened her door, she continued as though she’d only been putting her heels back on. Unfortunately, it brought his gaze to her legs which showed in the skirt she wore. Taking a deep breath to steel her nerves and allow her to continue this charade, she all
owed him to help her out of the vehicle.
After making it through the security entrance she followed Kyle down a hallway until they stopped in front of an unmarked door. He knocked and they waited until Simon answered the door and ushered them inside. A heavy set older man sat behind a desk that brandished a nameplate declaring him Judge Henry. They were meeting with the judge? Why?
The office contained a dark mahogany desk with two matching guest chairs along with the chair the judge sat in. A leather couch set off to one side near some matching bookshelves that overflowed with books. Taking note of the lack of adequate seating she made her way to the couch and sat down. Kyle followed her like a lost puppy and sat down right next to her.
“Why don’t we all have a seat over there?” Judge Henry said with a smile as he got up and moved one of the guest chairs over near the couch. Simon followed suit placing his chair right next to the judge’s chair so that it faced the couch.
After everyone was seated comfortably the judge said, “I have met with the prosecutor on the case and I believe we are prepared to move forward. I have received a copy of the arrest warrant, arrest report and all other documents pertaining to the charges brought against you. Attorney Barhorst has also been given a copy of those documents. As this is an informal meeting I wonder if you have any objections to Mr. Mayan’s presence here today. I will assume not as he is the one who brought you but I am obligated to be sure.”
“No…I want him to stay,” she said looking over at Kyle. She was so nervous that she had to remind herself not to pull on the necklace with the transmitter. It was her only link to Detective Sanders and the agents who were assigned to protect her. She could feel the clasp for the necklace had slid around to her throat rather than the back of her neck. Fear of drawing attention to it made her attempt to ignore this fact.
“Have you seen these documents Mrs. Warner?” Judge Henry asked.
Unsure how to answer she looked to Kyle. He gave her a pointed look which didn’t really help much so she said, “I’ve seen the warrant, the report and the account statement if that is what you mean.”
“Do you have a more recent statement or at the very least the original detailed statement of the funds in this account?” He asked.
“No, I do not have any recent statements for this account. The FBI has frozen all my accounts and the last account statement I’ve even seen is the one from the arrest warrant,” she said.
She had effectively not given over the statement as Kyle had directed, but at the same time had drawn attention to the original erroneous statement the detectives wanted them to accept as part of her case. Kyle visibly relaxed beside her. He and Simon shared a look between them much as they had done last week at their initial meeting at the club.
“If you think by not producing any and all statements regarding this account it will somehow help your case, I can assure you it will not. Therefore, I will ask you again… are you sure there are no other recent statements regarding this account?” Judge Henry asked.
“No… I swear,” she replied breathlessly. More lies on top of the ones she’d already told.
The judge frowned at her and waited several moments before finally saying, “Fine then…in the interest of justice I am prepared to issue a judicial subpoena of all financial statements of the account in question, from the time of your husband’s death until the present.”
Again he paused and looked at Simon who then said, “Your Honor, I assure you my client has denied having any past or current statements for the account to me as well.”
“Well I will issue the subpoena today and I expect to have the files by the end of the week. The victims in this case deserve swift justice and if you are innocent of these charges, I do not wish this to create any further hardships for you, Mrs. Warner,” Judge Henry said. “Counselor I need to see you privately.”
She needed to know what they were planning… but Judge Henry was effectively kicking her and Kyle out of his office. An idea took shape…she could leave behind the necklace but that would leave her unprotected with Kyle. Detective Sanders had told her to wear it whenever dealing with Kyle…but somehow catching a conversation between Simon and the judge seemed more important at the moment.
Reaching up with one hand in a nervous gesture, she unclasped the necklace and quickly wadded it into her palm. As she scooted forward to get up from the couch she shoved her hand in between two of the cushions and released the necklace. Glancing at Kyle, Simon and the judge, she found they were uninterested in what she was about and her actions had gone unnoticed.
She allowed Kyle to guide her out of the office with his hand on the small of her back. The more entangled she became with this whole thing the more his touch repulsed her. She didn’t doubt for a second that he wanted her… he just wanted the money he thought she had even more. Bobby had been the only man to want her for who she truly was, not her social status, finances, or what she could provide for him. Now she was at Kyle’s mercy with no outside assistance.
Looking over at Kyle she noticed him staring at her so she smiled and looked forward once more. Reaching over he grasped her hand in his own and led her out of the courthouse. She desperately wanted him to release her hand but did not want to create suspicion. So she prayed that his gesture would stop at that and he wouldn’t further his advances towards her. Please let this be over soon!
The next few days seemed to positively crawl while they waited for the subpoena to be answered and for the documents to arrive. Kyle didn’t allow her any time alone other than to sleep and shower…he was growing suspicious…or at the very least had been ordered to keep an eye on her. Her chance to call Bobby had passed her by and even her ability to contact Detective Sanders had been severed. She was alone and scared which only made her ache for Bobby’s arms all the more. She understood now Sherri and Leah’s comments about women willing to wait their turn with him. God help her…she’d become another in the long line of women.
Kyle entered her room without even knocking. Having finished showering and standing in nothing but a towel her feelings of discomfort grew. Over the past couple of weeks she’d spent with him he’d become more and more comfortable with invading her space. It was almost like he was trying to catch her in a state of undress.
Scanning the length of her body as she stood at the entrance to the guest closet searching for an outfit, he finally said, “Sorry… I uh… I just got off the phone with Simon. We have a meeting with the judge in his chambers in one hour.”
She made every effort to increase the size of the towel so that it would cover more of her skin and block his gaze. Finding her efforts useless she said, “I can be ready in time if you’ll excuse me…”
He frowned at her but then left, closing the door behind him. Quicker than she’d have thought she was capable of moving, she found an outfit consisting of a skirt just like the one she’d worn the first time she’d taken a motorcycle ride with Bobby and a white blouse. She forced her nerves aside so she could focus on dressing before Kyle returned.
Less than an hour later they were pulling into a parking lot near the courthouse. As they entered the front of the courthouse and stood in line for the security scans, she noticed the FBI agent leaning against a door frame…staring at her. Upon catching her eye he nodded his head toward the door he leaned against. Staring for a moment longer, he then opened the door and headed into the room.
He expected her to meet him but how could she possibly get away? Kyle accepted a cell phone call and stepped away from her. While listening to the person on the other end of the call, he eyed her suspiciously. After hanging up he grasped her elbow and began to move her quickly down a hallway.
“We need to hurry… we don’t want to keep the judge waiting,” he said.
She nonchalantly attempted to remove her elbow from Kyle’s grasp as he nearly dragged her down the hall. When his easy grip suddenly became tighter and almost painful she knew she was in trouble. Looking behind her in hopes of seeing eithe
r Detective Sanders or the FBI agent following her, she suddenly crashed into a woman exiting an office. Cold liquid flowed down the front of her shirt and her screech stopped Kyle in his tracks.
“Oh God! I’m so sorry!” the woman said in shock. She was petite with blonde hair and lovely hazel eyes. “Here let’s go to the restroom real quick and try to dry your shirt…I’m sorry…I’ll pay your cleaning bill…here right this way.”
With that the woman grabbed Lilly’s arm in such a way that Kyle was forced to release her or risk appearing as though he was struggling with the woman to maintain his hold on her. His eyes darted all around and before he could respond she was in the women’s restroom and Detective Sanders hand was clamped over her mouth. He indicated for her to be quiet and then smacked the button on the hand dryer located close to the door.
“I have a flight scheduled for you tomorrow morning at 9AM. I need you to retrieve the necklace you left in the judge’s chambers and play dumb or insulted as though you were setup,” he whispered. “You’ve done great… better than I could have ever expected, and now I need you out and safely stashed away. We are ready to blow this thing wide open all over again.”
With that the blonde woman left the bathroom and Lilly could hear her say, “I have a dry blouse in my office that should fit her… I’m so sorry sir. I’ll just be a minute more.”
Looking into Greg’s face she could see he was alert and listening. So she remained still and when the hand dryer stopped she reached up and turned it on again. He looked at her with a quick grin and then the door to the bathroom re-opened and the blonde woman returned.
“Here sweetie, see if this will fit,” she said, handing her a hanger with a clean and dry blouse on it.
Lilly quickly changed shirts with her back to the detective and upon turning back around a knowing look passed between Greg and the woman. Taking her soiled garment and the hanger she pulled Lilly towards the door.
Rough Ride (Riding with Honor) Page 12
