by Carmen Green
“Confronting him could have gotten you hurt. I’m glad you didn’t do that, Dorothy. Marc wasn’t known for being violent,” Hunter told her, “but he was a pathological liar. He could have easily turned.”
“Hunter’s right, Mama. So you knew all the theft wasn’t coming from Mervyn.”
“My son.” Dorothy shook her head sadly. “How he breaks my heart. Hunter, I appreciate you. You’re saving his life.”
“How do you know what happened?”
“My son, ever the resourceful man, called crying for me to get him out of the in-patient facility you graciously had him voluntarily sign himself into.”
“To be honest, it wasn’t so voluntary.”
Dorothy smiled and winked at Hunter. “I know. I told that boy of mine I would help him get out.”
“Mama!”
“I would have him arrested at the gate if he didn’t sign up for a sixty-day stay. I told him my way. Or my way. He will not threaten to hurt my children. He will not threaten to hurt my child.”
Dorothy caressed Alexandria’s jaw. “What brings you here, chil’?”
“I found the money that Marc stole and I’m putting it back in the account today, Mama.” Alex pulled the check from her pocket and Dorothy clapped her hands to her chest.
“Aren’t you just the best woman in the world? I want to be like you when I grow up.”
Hunter laughed at Dorothy’s happiness.
“Mama, no more notes.” Alex looked in her mother’s eyes as she said the words.
Dorothy’s eyes held the truth. “So, you knew it was me. I guess my scare tactics didn’t work so well. I don’t want you to suffer. You’ve got a good thing going with this man, here. Don’t ruin it with this company.”
“We’re taking it one day at a time, Mama. I don’t know if I want to run Wright Enterprises. Daddy and Mervyn have stolen my joy in going to work. I feel as if someone is always after me.”
“That’s no way to feel on your job. What’s the worst that can happen if you don’t work there? You find your real passion and pursue it, right?” Dorothy said.
“Right,” Alex murmured. “But, I’m not sure what that is.”
“You’re young. You’ll find it. Or finish college. Besides, you’ve got the attention of a very handsome man.” Dorothy looked past Alex to Hunter. “Isn’t that so?”
“Dorothy, she’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”
“I like that kind of talk.”
Alex took her mother’s hand and kissed it. “Mama, can I say one more thing?”
“Yes.”
“I want you to get out of this house and see a doctor. Will you, please? I want you to come see my house and spend the night with me and do things with me.”
Her mother’s face grew a little scared.
“Please, Mama. You deserve love, too. Tell my godfather I said hello.”
Knowing flooded her mother’s eyes. “He’s been wanting me to see a doctor for a long time. It took therapy and his encouragement, and that’s how I was able to come to the board meeting.”
“Mama, you deserve happiness. Call and tell him you’ll see the doctor again.”
“I will, darling. Goodbye, Hunter.”
Dorothy extended her hand. Hunter kissed her cheek, feeling her love envelop him. This was what he wanted. The love of a family. How could he tell Alex he needed her?
CHAPTER 17
Alex and Hunter emerged from the fifteenth-floor elevator the same time as Danielle and Tristan exited the elevator across from them. Despite their rocky past, Alex ran over to Danielle with her arms wide.
“Hello, wife-in-law. Can a sista get a hug?”
Danielle shook her head, smiling. “You’re still you.”
“Who else would I be? Hug me.”
Danielle hugged Alex for a good long while then stepped back. Bygones were bygones.
“You look good,” Danielle told her. “You been okay?”
Alex wiped her curls back. “It’s been a struggle, but I’m getting there. This thing with Marc has taken me through a lot of changes.”
“For you too?” Danielle stepped back on one booted foot and shook her head. “From the grave he’s still messing with me. Where’s Renee?”
The elevator bell rang and the doors opened. Renee emerged with Chris at her side. “Hey,” she said, and Alex and Danielle rushed to her side.
The three hugged. Danielle broke apart first and opened her purse. “Are either of you going to need a tissue?”
Alex had been emotional all week. Her meltdown on the yacht and their passionate lovemaking made Hunter wonder if a simple piece of cotton could contain all that was inside her.
He loved that about her. She wasn’t afraid to express emotion anymore, but he’d been keeping a secret from her and Alex had been facing all her demons and defeating them. He wondered if he should tell her the truth about Marc.
“I don’t need tissue,” Alex said, “You, Renee?”
“No.”
Let’s go then,” Alex said softly.
“Tristan?” Danielle reached her hand out to him and he took it and kissed the back.
Alex didn’t call his name, she just looked at him. She let the others pass and waited for him, then put her arm around his waist.
“You’re going to be fine,” Hunter told her.
“Okay.”
“No matter the results.”
“That’s right, because he’s dead.”
Renee and Danielle started laughing, but stopped as they proceeded into the law office reception area. Chris announced their arrival and everyone grew quiet.
The somber-faced receptionist escorted them to a conference room where they waited.
Alex tried to be still, but Hunter could feel her nervousness. He reached for her hand and held it under the table.
“Where’s your dog?” Tristan asked.
“Little Sweetie has a play date with my assistant’s dog. So he’s been gone this past week.”
“I thought you couldn’t manage without him,” Danielle said with curious eyes.
“We’ve been very busy.” Alex looked at Hunter. “Haven’t we?”
“Yes. The attorneys should be in any minute now.”
Hunter knew Danielle was fishing, but what Alex decided to divulge was her business. She wasn’t saying much and he appreciated her discretion, although after she’d told him she loved him, he felt like telling the world.
He knew that feeling would pass. Soon Alex wasn’t going to need him. She’d go back to her normal life and he’d return to his.
Maybe he’d get to play his saxophone. Since starting this job for Chris, he hadn’t had time to practice. But this had become so much more than a job; he’d found the woman he wanted to be with. But she could be attached to a dead man that could screw with her life for a long time.
What kind of toll would that take on their relationship?
She’d paid back the money, but would her family continue to be a pain in the behind? Would Alex keep letting them abuse her?
Hunter knew he wouldn’t allow it if she were his woman.
Two attorneys walked, a man and woman, the man reminding him of a black Santa Claus. Stout, he walked around and shook each of their hands. “I’m Attorney Leonard Moore. How do you do?”
Everyone smiled as they shook his hand, and there was an immediate likability to him. His counterpart wasn’t as affable, and sat down once Leonard returned to the head of the table.
“This is my legal assistant, Marla Montana. From my understanding we’re here to determine who is the legal Mrs. Marc Foster. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” the three ladies chimed together.
Leonard smiled. “May I ask in what way this information will be used?”
The ladies look at one another.
“Can you explain your question?” Alex asked.
“Are you planning litigation against one other?”
“No,” all spoke a
gain.
“Okay,” Leonard said after no one offered any additional explanation. “Let’s get down to business. Mrs. Danielle Timmons-Foster married Marc Foster five years ago in Atlanta in a small ceremony by Judge Carlton Hoyt. Is that correct?”
Danielle nodded. “That’s correct.”
“That union was paid for by check by Mr. Marc Foster in the amount of thirty dollars.”
“Correct,” Danielle agreed.
Leonard nodded.
“Mrs. Renee Mitchell-Foster. You married Marc Foster two years ago in Opelika, Alabama, is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“He paid for that marriage as well, but by credit card in the amount of sixty-five dollars, and the marriage certificate was signed by both parties, correct?”
“Yes, I made sure of that, as well as by the judge and the witness.”
“Very good,” Leonard commented, and made a check mark on his notes.
“Mrs. Alexandria Lord Wright-Foster, you were married in the Bahamas, is that correct?” Leonard asked.
“Yes.”
“Marc Foster paid for the marriage certificate and license?”
“No, I did.”
Leonard looked up. “I see. Then what happened?”
“I gave the paperwork to Marc. He was supposed to sign and give them to the judge.”
Leonard sighed. He drew his mouth together and nodded for a moment.
“Ladies, you know we are dealing with the actions of a confidence man. A man who conned you for one reason or another. I don’t know why. There’s no explanation. But before I give you this news, I want to tell you what has been done right.
“You’re not fighting each other. You’re not bitter, and the best thing of all is that you’re healing. Be happy with your lives and new loves. Now to the results. Marla.”
She stood with a box of tissue in her hand.
“Danielle Timmons-Foster, Marc Foster bounced the check for your marriage certificate. He was informed of this before the wedding and he issued another check before the proceedings.
“You two were married and it was found out afterward that the second check was also insufficient. As a result of those findings, your marriage certificate was issued but the certificate you were supposed to receive by mail with the official seal was never mailed. Therefore, I’m sorry to say, your marriage is invalid.”
“You’re kidding,” Danielle said. “Let me see the marriage certificate.”
Marla passed the certificate to Danielle, who ran her fingers over every inch of it. “It’s not there.”
“No, ma’am,” Leonard said.
Alex squeezed Hunter’s hand. He rubbed it to still her nervousness in the face of Danielle’s news.
“I’m sorry,” Leonard said. “Would you like to take a moment?”
No one moved. Tristan finally leaned close to Danielle and whispered something. Then, “No,” he said. “Let’s proceed.”
“Alexandria Lord Wright-Foster, Marc Foster married you in the Bahamas. You admittedly gave the documents to Mr. Foster to sign. He never gave them to the judge. He forged the judge’s signature, but he, Marc, didn’t sign them himself. His name is forged on your document.”
“Wait a second. Marc forged the judge’s name, and had someone else sign his name?” Alex asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay. Thank you.” Sweeping her hair over her shoulder, she squeezed Hunter’s hand for reassurance.
“Mrs. Renee Mitchell-Foster. Your documents are the only ones that have been authenticated, and I believe that’s only because of your diligence. You are the legal Mrs. Marc Jacob Foster.”
“Thank you,” Renee said, looking as if she’d won a bathtub full of rattlesnakes.
“He said he wanted to have children,” Danielle said, her hand on her chest.
“Marc was infertile, Danielle. He couldn’t have children,” Chris said into the silence.
Marla set a glass of water in front of Danielle and put the box of tissue on the table.
“I wasted five years of my life,” Danielle said brokenly and inhaled sharply. “I can’t believe it.”
“Baby, don’t cry,” Tristan said.
Alex hurried around the table and put her arms around Danielle. “Okay, okay,” Alex said as wracking sobs tore from the usually composed woman. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. It’s over. It’s over. I’m so sorry.”
Renee came over too, and held her. “Danielle, he wasn’t a prize. Really, if I could give him away I would.”
“You can still have children,” Alex told her. “You can still fall in love and have a happy life. You’re so pretty. Please don’t cry. Really, Renee’s worse off than us, Danielle.”
Hunter loved that she was still searching for a way to make them all happy.
Danielle looked at her. “Why?”
“I’m married to a pathological, lying, dead felon.” Renee reached for the box of tissue Marla had put on the table and dabbed her eyes.
“That’s awful,” Danielle said. She stood up and hugged Renee and Alex. “I’m sorry, Renee.”
Hunter looked at Tristan and Chris. “They’re strange ladies.”
“They’re working it out,” Tristan told.
“They’re amazing,” Chris said.
Renee’s nose had turned red. “Danielle, do you want to play in Alex’s makeup?”
She chuckled. “You two are so funny. Thank you, but I think I have some.”
“We like being your wives-in-law,” Alex told her. “Don’t cry for him. Otherwise you wouldn’t have met us.”
“I’m not crying for him. Just the time I wasted. The dreams I falsely invested in,” Danielle said, looking at Tristan.
“From here on we’re making new dreams,” Renee told her.
“Hunter, pass me my purse, please?” Alex dug inside and pulled out her checkbook. “How much is today’s meeting, Leonard?”
“The bill is being paid by Chris Foster.” Leonard went and stood with the men while Marla had joined the women.
“Chris, please allow me to handle this,” Alex said.
“No,” Chris said. “My brother did you all wrong. I couldn’t have stopped him, but I can at least make things a little easier.”
“No,” the three wives insisted.
“Chris, you’re not responsible for Marc’s sins. We’re going to be okay from this point forward. Might take some time, but we’ll get better,” Danielle told him as she pulled out her checkbook too. “Leonard, how much is it?”
“Forty-five hundred dollars.”
Renee wrote her check slower. “Deposit this Monday. Hey, mine will have to come from my next paycheck.”
Alex put her hand on Renee’s. “Please. I’ll take care of yours. You can pick up my dinner check, and I’ll tell you about the depth of your husband’s deceit.”
CHAPTER 18
The newly hired captain of the Marc III cut through the waters of Lake Allatoona at a leisurely pace as the three couples stood above deck enjoying the evening sun.
“How did he buy this yacht without you knowing, Alex?” Chris asked.
“He embezzled money from my family’s company and he stole from our personal account. He forged my signature on checks just like he forged the judge’s name on our marriage certificate.”
“He had this yacht renovated and had plans to sell it. We found evidence in a cabinet above Alex’s refrigerator,” Hunter added.
Danielle shook her head in disbelief. “I’ve been through my house fifteen times, and I’ve looked in every drawer and shoe box, and never considered looking in that tiny cabinet. How’d you even think to look there?”
A healthy breeze tossed Danielle’s hair into the air and Alex clapped. “Good gracious, you’re gorgeous!” Everyone laughed. “In all seriousness, Hunter figured it out,” Alex said.
“Alex’s brother planted the seed. He said that Marc was always in the kitchen cooking, ordering spices off the Internet. The cabinet is
above the refrigerator. Alex can’t reach it. Even if she stood on a chair.”
“It makes sense, Dani,” Tristan said. “We’ll check it when we get back to your place.”
“Okay.”
Alex watched the couple, hoping that something would develop. Danielle still looked as if she’d been a witness to a horrible crime, but Alex knew that would go away with time.
“Alex admitted that she’d never used the cabinet. It was a perfect hiding place. We gambled that Marc would get sloppy and he did,” Hunter finished.
“You two are amazing detectives,” Renee said, pushing up her brand-new sunglasses. “What will you do now?”
“Sell the yacht,” Alex told her. “I’ve already taken care of my family. There were some other issues going on as well. I’m not sure I’m the best person to run the company. I don’t want to be the problem though. In the next couple weeks, I’ll decide if I should stay on.”
“Wow. You sound so mature,” Danielle told her. “I’m impressed.”
“I knew you liked me! Give me a hug.” Alex embraced Danielle, who pretended to cringe.
“What will you do if you quit?” Tristan asked.
“I don’t know. Hunter might need a spy for his company. Right, sweetheart?”
Alex knew she was putting him on the spot, but he hadn’t said one word to her since they’d split up from the attorney’s office.
She’d invited everyone to dinner on the yacht and Hunter hadn’t objected. So the ladies had decided to go shopping for swimsuits and the guys for food.
Hunter had agreed to take care of hiring the captain for the evening. She’d given him her credit card and took off with the girls, agreeing to meet them at the marina at seven.
He hadn’t said a word, not even about the swim trunks and T-shirt she’d bought him.
“I think I’ve got enough spies,” he finally said.
“Aw, and I was just sharpening my skills. Oh, well. Maybe something else.” She played off his rejection and pulled a bottle of wine from the built-in bucket. “Anybody for more wine before I go below to check on dinner?”
“I’ll check on it with you,” Renee said.
