Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Go on. Explain that,” I invited silkily.
“I’m not taking the blame for this. This is just as much your fault as mine.”
I took a threatening step towards him. “I swear I’m going to turn you into a bloody pulp if you don’t stop acting like an asshole.”
“You made it super easy because you always had your nose buried so far into your stupid computer codes, you couldn’t smell bullshit if you were drowning in the damn thing.”
I took another step and he instantly shifted backwards on his ass.
“Okay, okay, calm down. You want to know what happened that night? Well, your whiskey was spiked. The bartender made you a little concoction. The way he reported it, you would be out cold by the time you got to your room. A little surprise was waiting for you there. While you were dead to the world the prostitute did her thing. You have to admit this is a particularly good photo. She deserved every penny of what I paid her too.”
The hatred I felt for him boiled over and I wanted to throttle him once more, but I kept my mouth shut. I needed him to finish playing his hand.
“After that it was easy to have Lillian park the photos in your desk drawer after you stormed out of our meeting. You had let it slip earlier that it was Savannah’s birthday and you were going to celebrate where you had your first date so I gave her time to know you were not going to show up. I actually sat and watched her through the window for almost an hour. When I saw her make a move to leave, I went to her. She was going out of her head with worry so I offered to take her to the office and help her locate you.
Savannah found the photos in your desk. She was devastated. Selling the idea of you embezzling to pay off a whore who was blackmailing you was as easy as taking candy from a baby.”
“Get the fuck out.”
“Look for what’s it worth, I’m sorry, I⎯”
“Get out, before I decide ending you might be worth another bout of prison time,” I said between gritted teeth. I watched as he stood shakily and walked to the door. Later, I would deal with him properly. First, I had to find Savannah and tell her the truth, but in a way to ensure that there was no chance of her doubting my sincerity. I had a fair idea of where I would start on the journey towards building my case.
20
SAVANNAH
“Priscilla Maitland, please.”
My heart was pounding as I watched the nurse move in seeming slow motion as she checked the list. She looked at me over her glasses, her lips pursed. “And you are?”
“I’m Savannah Maitland. Her daughter. I got a call⎯”
“Oh yes! She’s been asking for you since she came out of surgery.”
“I got here as fast as I could. Is she okay? Is she in any danger?”
“Mrs. Maitland is fine. Let me show you to her room.”
Impatiently, I stepped into the corridor and followed her as she walked slowly down the corridor. Only the fact that I did not know where I was going forced me to follow her. Finally, she stopped at a door and turned to face me.
“She has been out of surgery for a few hours, but sometimes the local takes a little longer to wear off so she might still be a bit groggy.”
She opened the door and I stepped in. My face broke into a relieved smile as my mother’s face lit up at my appearance.
“Savannah.”
“Mom.”
“I’ll leave you now. Please remember visiting hours end in twenty minutes,” the nurse said, as she closed the door behind her.
I hastily pulled up a chair and sat, reaching for my mother’s hand. “What happened? You gave me such a scare! The last thing I expected today was to come to the hospital because you’ve been in an accident!”
“It’s not anything to raise a commotion over.”
“It is when they say you’ve just come out of surgery.”
“I told them not to call you unless I said so,” my mother said stubbornly.
I smoothed a lock of her hair back from her face, allowing my fingers to caress her soft cheek. “What happened, Mom?”
“It’s not a big deal. I was doing some yard work and slipped. They said I popped my Achilles’ tendon. I guess I’ll be in a leg cast for a few weeks.”
“Slipped? On what? What were you doing?”
She went red and her eyes slid away from mine.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Mom? What were you doing?”
“I was trying to clean the gutters. A bit of a storm passed through and I had a few leaves that were stuck in it.”
“Mom! Where was Benny? He’s supposed to be doing all the labor yard work. You had no business being up on a ladder at your age.”