“How can he do this? I thought the papers made it legal?”
“I’ll have more information tomorrow, Rain. Bennet is working on it.” Jimmy stirred a coffee spoon in an empty cup. His light brown hair fell in a wave over his forehead, and he flipped it back with a shrug.
Spencer Bennet was the Corbeau family lawyer. He handled their estate and trusts. I wasn’t sure he had the expertise I’d need to fend off Parker’s shark. Discouraged, I stared out the diner window through the rain slicking in sheets. We’d skipped the repast at Parker’s house, for obvious reasons. Mona had left several phone messages for Jimmy since he’d stopped answering it. I didn’t blame her…that much, anyway. Summer had given birth three days ago, and her family had yet to see the baby. Mona was desperate. If she was siding with Parker, it was the only way to see her granddaughter.
“I know he did this,” Jimmy said again.
He’d been repeating that phrase like a mantra since the funeral. I didn’t know how to comfort him.
“I’m sorry this is adding to your pain, Jimmy.” Nothing but high drama and heartache had happened since I’d arrived.
“Don’t say that,” Jimmy said suddenly.
“What?”
“Don’t say that like all this is your fault. You didn’t know what Summer had done, right?”
“I already said I had no idea until that nurse handed me that envelope.”
“Then, I believe you.”
“Well, thanks. Sounds like you finally convinced yourself,” I snapped.
“I’m sorry, Rain. I was blindsided by Summer’s decision.” He fiddled with the spoon again.
“Listen, why don’t we find out what we can about Parker’s hand in this? I mean, this is what I do, right?”
“Sorry, what?”
“You’re convinced Parker had something to do with this.”
“Aren’t you?” he countered.
“You said she was going to leave him?” I believed in hard evidence, photographic if possible.
“She called me the day before she died; asking in her roundabout way if I thought your offer was still on the table.”
“For the lake house?” I felt wounded. Why hadn’t she called to asked me?
“She was worried you were still mad,” Jimmy added, answering my silent question.
“I wasn’t mad at her. I wasn’t,” I whispered across the table. My lip trembled, and I was annoyed that I was so unable to hide my feelings.
“She knew you wanted the world for her. She knew you loved her.” Jimmy reached out and covered my hand.
“She was going to leave him, then?” I pushed back the lump in my throat.
“I think so. I mean, she was making overtures.”
“Parker wouldn’t have taken that well. Not to be callous but…”
“I know…the money.”
The Corbeau family was loaded with tens-of-millions. Naturally, the family lawyer had insisted on a pre-nuptial agreement. Summer and Parker married before she received her trust. It was a condition of her marriage. She would have walked away from Parker with most of her worth intact. It always bothered me that she had the financial means to leave, but not the emotional means.
“He stood to lose a lot. I would love to take a look at his financials.”
“I don’t want you to do this. It’s too dangerous. If Parker finds out you’re looking into him, and he hurts you…” He shook his head. “I can’t put you in this position.”
“You’re not putting me anywhere. And I’m good at my job. It’s not like he’ll spot me in a black trench coat following him around.”
“No, Rain.”
“Geez Jimmy, thanks for the confidence. Besides, I’m doing this with or without you. I have to know.”
“I suppose there’s nothing I can do to stop you from doing your job.” His eyes were the color of the thunderclouds outside.
“Nope.”
“Will you start right away?”
“I can start when I get back.” I nodded, suddenly charged. I had a direction for all of my angst and anger.
“You’re leaving?” The look on his face made my heart jump.
“I can do a better job of it at my office. Salem can help.”
“No. Don’t tell anyone. Not yet.”
“I don’t understand. We do this all the time. I trust Salem with my life.”
“Rain, Parker is dangerous. If he’s involved with this, your digging around will send him over the edge.”
“Jimmy, he won’t find out.”
“We should rely on the local authorities. Take it to them first.”
“You know those guys. What’s your confidence level with their forensic prowess?”
“You be careful.” Jimmy tilted his head up to the ceiling and closed his eyes, resigned.
“I will. I’ll catch a flight tonight, and call you when I have something.”
He looked at me surprised, and I felt a pang of regret.
“Tonight?”
“It would be best.”
“I guess you’re right.” He let go of my hand.
“Of course I’m right.”
Jimmy shrugged and I looked back out the window. “I hate it when we do this.”