On Monday, Jamie slid out of bed early and left Bethany to sleep. She had to be exhausted. The couples had left the night before, and most everyone else would be scattering today. David moved his stuff in late but he was already up in the kitchen.
“I feel entirely inadequate to help you. I’ve never done a family law case before.”
“I have faith in you. You know what the stakes are.” And Jamie did. David was a lifesaver.
“I do. I called Annabelle last night. I’m going to her office today to pick up her files. She said she’ll fill me in on the details as long as you aren’t there.”
Jamie rolled his eyes.
“What’d you do to her anyway?”
“She walked in on me and Beth making out in the entryway.”
David frowned. “So? You’re married. I hope you do more than just make out.”
“She thought our marriage was a fake and that after we won the case, her and I could get together.”
David creased his eyebrows. “Why did she think that?”
“Because originally that’s all it was. It was a way for me to appear better in court. Bethany needed money, and I needed a wife. It was the perfect opportunity. Annabelle drafted our pre-nup. But we fell in love. Good thing too because Garrett loves Bethany almost as much as I do.”
David whistled. “Man, you’re in deep. Anything else I should know about the case before Annabelle briefs me on it?”
“Only that a lot of the case is built on information my PI gathered for me. The judge basically said his evidence wasn’t allowed. Annabelle was appealing, but she wasn’t getting anywhere. Garrett can’t stay with Zoe. They don’t look out for him at all.”
David nodded. “Tell me about the judge.”
“What about her?”
“How old is she?”
“I don’t know, mid-fifties.”
“Do you know how she normally rules?”
“Annabelle said in her entire history of hearing family cases she’s only sided with the father twice, and those were extremely extenuating circumstances.”
“Why didn’t you stick with visitation?”
“I was going to. But I’m afraid he’s getting abused, and I don’t want him around that sleazy husband of hers.”
Over the last few months, he was more and more uneasy bringing Garrett to Zoe’s. He knew that he had to, but Garrett cried every time, and he knew Zoe wasn’t taking care of him. He couldn’t get Garrett to tell him anything though. He had to win this.