The state psychiatric hospital had been the home of Leanne Trent since she was committed for the attempted murder of Sapphire Lassiter. Deep down, Lauren had known there was something off with her mother, even as a small child. There were long periods of time when her mother was the best. Then there would be an argument, a loud one between her mother and father. When those happened, a dark period would follow. Her mother would disappear from their lives for months at a time. When her mother was on trial, Lauren made the connection to her mother’s depression bouts with the pregnancies of mothers to his bastard children.
“You’re clear to go,” the guard behind the glass stated.
The gate opened and Lauren was guided into the private visitation room. Lauren took a deep breath then entered the room.
“Hello, Mother.”
Her hazel eyes looked up and the smile Lauren loved so much appeared. “Hello, Lauren. How are you?”
Lauren smiled. This was a good day. For a moment she saw the mother who had combed her hair, had tea parties with her, and made oatmeal cookies in the kitchen. She loved that mother. Then she remembered the day her brother came to her home. She was a happily married woman, until the day her father and mother had been arrested. The months that led up to the trial were horrible times for her and Lawrence. Her mother was found guilty, her father was killed in an explosion, the company suffered from the bad public relations and her husband left her. In her estimation, it was time for others to suffer. Then and only then could she go on with her life. If that meant her mother was going to have to have an hour or two of discomfort, so be it. Lauren knew once she asked her questions it would take her mother back into a dark place that would take the facility personnel months to recover.
“I’m not well, Mother,” Lauren replied. “I need your help to get better.”
Her mother nodded. “You have questions about your father.”
Lauren sat in the chair across from her mother. “These people are trying to take our inheritance. Lawrence’s mind is on keeping the business going. He is not fighting these paternity cases like he should. I need to know a few details about father’s escapades.”
“What do you need to know?”
Her mother’s clarity was surprising. Lauren’s hopes soared. “How many children did Father have outside of your marriage?”
“Seven,” Leanne answered as she sat back. “For a minute I thought you came to see me because you cared. You are your father’s child. This is about you and your happiness. Since I am trying to purge your father and his sins from my soul, ask your questions. Make them good, Lauren. I will not do this again.”
“Very well.” Lauren nodded. “Did anyone else know about the women you paid off?”
“I had given your father two beautiful children and control of a thriving business. But it wasn’t enough. I believe he resented my family’s fortune, but he needed it. He did what he what he had to in order to stay in my father’s good graces. All the while humiliating me by sleeping with other women. By the time I learned about Gia Ferrell, she was ten years old. I hired an investigator and he found two more women. One had a daughter Madeline and the other a son, Ryder. They are older than you and Lawrence. As it turned out Trent had paid them not to file a paternity suit. I thought that was it, until the investigator discovered, Selma, Peyton and Owen. I took a page out of your father’s book and paid them off. However, I warned your father that if it happened again all of the information the investigator had I would send to my father. For a while after that I thought his consorting with other women was over, for we went almost a few years without any new babies. Then I learned about the affair. I believe the other women were just lays, nothing to really threaten our marriage. Dorothy Palmer was different. Your father actually came to me and asked for a divorce. He wanted to leave me and my children for one of his techs at my father’s company. He thought he was in love and wanted a life with her. The day the investigator showed me pictures of them was the day I knew she had to die. But it wasn’t enough to just kill her, I had to make him suffer too. Funny, but after that we had a pretty normal life until the college girl showed up asking questions.”
“Mother, who told Sapphire Lassiter about Father?”
“Gia Ferrell. She knew about the other children and somehow she figured out Trent was involved with Dorothy Palmer’s murder. At some point, she found Trent’s treasure room. He had the nerve to keep trinkets of all the women.” She chuckled. “She was the one who contacted the Carlton London Law Firm. She set up that trust for Dorothy’s son. Like you, the guilt of her father’s actions was at the root of the issues in her life. Helping the boy was her way of releasing the guilt. What are you about to do?”
“Get my life back,” Lauren stated as she stood. “From what you’ve told me, LT Palmer was responsible for the destruction of my family. One good turn deserves another.”
“Your father was responsible for ruining our lives. I compounded the situation by doing what I did. I accept responsibility for my actions, Lauren.” Her mother looked up at her. “Let this go. Enough lives have been ruined by his selfish behavior. Don’t do something that will put you behind bars.”
“Oh, I’m not going to kill anyone, Mother. I just don’t think they should be able to live happily ever after while I’m still miserable.”
Lauren stopped by Lawrence’s office after her visit with her mother. She walked in to see her brother sitting behind the desk writing. For a moment he did look like their father.
“How was she?” Lawrence asked.
“Surprisingly more sane than what she has been in years,” Lauren replied taking a seat in front of the desk. “She told me to let all of this go. Not to end up behind bars like her.”
Lawrence nodded his head. “I think she is right. From what you did yesterday, I think you are too close to crossing a dangerous line. I’ve lost Father, Mother and am on the verge of losing this company. I don’t want to lose you too.”
“Losing the company? What are you talking about, Larry?”
“The company has had some rough times. Things are getting better, but the lawyers and the paternity suits have had an impact. I had to sell some of our personal shares to keep the doors open.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you worried about money or our future.”
“Well I am and from what you are telling me these paternity suits are what is putting our future in jeopardy. We have to end them.”
“How is the question,” Lawrence replied. “I have followed everything the lawyers have advised. We are still bleeding money.”
“Most of it is going to the lawyers.” Lauren exhaled. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to stay and help you through this. We are going to put a stop to the lawsuits.”