Insidious (35 page)

I loved watching him shift in his seat. There was no way I was broaching the subject of the contract. I wanted to hear him say it.

His brows rose. “This isn’t about money. Don’t play dumb.”

“Oh, was I playing? You walked in here the other day and expected me to blindly sign documents without reading them.” When his lips pursed, I asked, “Now, that was you, wasn’t it?”

“I had every intention of explaining them to you at a later date. You don’t seem to understand the trust relationship there is between an attorney and client. There were many occasions where Stewart gave me full reign over his affairs.”

I sat back and opened my eyes wide. “Really, Parker? Please elaborate. In what areas of Stewart’s affairs did he give you
carte blanche
control?”

“Many more than you realize, Mrs. Harrington.”

My gaze never wavered as my lips twitched to a grin. “That isn’t what I was told. As a matter of fact, I was told your desired activities were constantly monitored.” I shrugged. “Then again, one doesn’t know whom a woman can trust these days.”

“Me. You can trust me. Stewart trusted me.” He reached into his briefcase and produced another folder. “I haven’t had the chance to show this to you, and Stewart didn’t sign it, but he was about to.” He opened the document titled:
Last Will and Testament
to a page near the back, and pointed. “Here, Mrs. Harrington, please read this clause, the one under Specific Bequests and Devises.”

I looked to where his bony finger pointed:

I, Stewart Allen Harrington, give controlling power over previously verified contract between myself and Victoria Ann Conway, now Victoria Conway Harrington, to the executor of my estate, Parker Craven, until such time as the withholdings upon said contract are complete or agreement is fulfilled.

I nodded. “Yes, that
is
interesting. However, as you stated, Stewart never signed this new will and testament; therefore, it’s not valid.”

“That is why I gave you the contract. We can fulfill your husband’s wishes by completing a new contract, one that is as legally binding as your first.”

“You may remember when Stewart and I signed that contract? It was the first time you and I met. You may also have realized that I was woefully uninformed of the true nature and extent of that contract. Nonetheless, I believe you are fully aware that I have followed that contract to the letter. I have fulfilled my obligation. Due to Stewart’s untimely death, I am now the sole inheritor of his estate. Tell me, Parker, what incentive do you have to entice me to sign your contract?”

I leaned forward, elbows on the desk, and looked him square in the eye. “In other words, tell me why in the fuck you think I’m that dumb. I can buy and sell you. I can fire your ass and find a new law firm to represent my holdings. Tell me why you think I’d agree to living that hell another day.”

Though he seemed slightly put off by my forwardness, Parker didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, Victoria, I remember the first time I saw you. I remember many other things.”

I maintained my façade though my stomach lurched.

He went on. “I also know about deals that Stewart made. After all, I’m his attorney. Let’s specifically talk about this one.” He reached down and retrieved another folder. When he opened it, and I saw the document, I knew I didn’t need to read it. I knew exactly what it was. Parker watched my expression before he continued, “I’ll assume, for the sake of argument, that you recognize this contract, your original contract?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, indeed. If I recall, it was the one that Stewart asked you to review only days before his death?”

“It is the one I reviewed only days before my husband’s death,” I confirmed, changing only a small part of his meaning. Again, he didn’t miss what I said.

His eyes flashed knowingly. “I heard a few semantic changes to that agreement.” He leaned forward. “If we’re to make this work, honesty would be best. Mrs. Harrington, your husband didn’t tell you to review the contract, did he?”

“No.”

“You weren’t with your husband the afternoon in question, as you previously stated. Were you?”

“No, I was not.”

His smug confidence grew. “And you know how I know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, Parker. If we’re going for honesty, I know that you’re the pencil dick I spent my afternoon with. I’m honestly surprised that Maura has stayed with you this long.”

Crimson blossomed from his neck to his cheeks. “Maybe she hasn’t complained because she isn’t as experienced as you.”

I raised my eyebrows. “It wouldn’t take her long to comparison shop. I must say, you can rest assured that your wife is faithful. I mean, all it would take is one other man to show her that she’s spent her life with a bargain-basement second, when truly she would be happier with a designer knockoff.”

Parker’s jaws clenched as the vein in his forehead bulged.

“Again, I’ll ask you, Parker, why would I possibly want to sign your contract?”

“Don’t act so confident. You have no idea the mess that Stewart left. His dying is your worst nightmare.”

“I doubt that. I’ve already had some pretty bad nightmares.”

“Stewart wanted to be perfectly certain of whom he was marrying. He had you thoroughly investigated.”

I shook my head. “I was eighteen fucking years old. I’m sure that investigator enjoyed the cakewalk.”

Parker sat taller. “No, Victoria, you were nineteen.”

Bile bubbled from the depths of my stomach. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I think I know how old I was.”

He tapped the desk. “You will sign my contract because if you don’t, I’ll share that bit of your personal history with interested parties. One interested party will be the US government.”

“Excuse me?”

“When you married Stewart Harrington, you claimed to be Victoria Conway, born in May. Whether you know this or not, the birth certificate you produced for your marriage license was false. It was changed, forged. Therefore, if that information were to be made public, you could neither buy nor sell me. Your marriage would be rendered null and void. Stewart’s holdings would go into probate. In the meantime, I would be the one, as executor, who would be in control of everything. That would include the foundations, such as the Harrington Society.”

A cold sheen of perspiration chilled my skin.
He was bullshitting me and I knew it. I also needed more information.
“That is ridiculous,” I proclaimed. “I don’t believe you. My birthday is my birthday: it always has been.”

Parker leaned back in the chair. “You may think it sounds ridiculous, but I can see it in your eyes. You have at least an inkling that I’m right.”

“I’m not fucking signing my life away again on an inkling. I need proof.”

Parker scanned me from breast to head. “Very well, I’ll get you proof.”

“Who else knows about this?”

“Stewart knew.”

“Anyone else?”

“Besides your parents, no, not yet,” he declared confidently. “The attorney who created the counterfeit birth certificate is no longer alive. The original and a copy of the forged one were found in the bowels of a storage unit. However, don’t misjudge me. I will share what I know, and when I do, the US government will be the least of your worries.”

I swallowed my disgust. “Parker, I don’t believe you. However, I’ll give you the chance to show me your proof. If what you say is true, it could undoubtedly have far-reaching implications. What can I do to help you see my side of this?”

His eyes glowed as he stared at my breasts. “I can think of a lot of things. Once you sign that contract, you’ll see that I’m much more imaginative than your deceased husband.”

“When can you get me the proof?”

“I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.”

I nodded. “All right, here tomorrow—”

“No, Victoria. What you’re experiencing right now is called a power switch. You’re no longer the one calling the shots. I personally prefer you blindfolded and mute, but for what I have in mind, it will be more fun if you can see. I think it will help build the anticipation.”

I didn’t reply.

“See how well behaved you can be.” He stood, walked toward me, and caressed my cheek. It took all my self-control to not flinch. “I never expected to receive this opportunity. Ever since I saw you in my office on that fateful morning years ago, I’ve wanted to be the one to give you the instructions, to be in control of your fucking, your coming, and your going. I know from experience that you’ve grown in your expertise over the past nine years. I’m confident that in no time at all, this bargain-basement cock can teach you to be more respectful of your friends.” He fisted my hair and pulled my head back. “Didn’t you enjoy that term:
friends
? Look at me.”

I did.

“Stewart liked the term
friends
. I believe you’ll learn that respect I mentioned sooner rather than later. If you don’t, not all of our visitors will be as friendly.”

I waited for the taste of blood as I bit my tongue and listened to his power switch. However, before he could continue, the phone on my desk rang. He didn’t release my hair as we stared, hearing the second and then the third ring. Finally, I asked, “May I answer my phone?”

His slimy grin grew, showing his too-white teeth. “You see,” he said as he released my hair. “You’re a quick learner. Tomorrow, two o’clock, at the warehouse.”

I nodded as I picked up the phone, suddenly thankful for whoever was on the other end. “Yes, Kristina?”

“Mrs. Harrington, there’s an Officer Shepard on the line. He said it was urgent.”

Oh my God. Did they find something out about Stewart’s cause of death?

“Put him through,” I said cautiously as I turned toward Parker, covered the receiver and said, “It’s the police. They said it was urgent.”

“Put them on speakerphone.”

I gave him a puzzled look.

“Hello, Mrs. Harrington…” The voice came through the handset.

Parker whispered near my ear. “Speakerphone, cunt, I’m your attorney. I need to hear.”

I hit the button and said aloud, “Yes, this is Mrs. Harrington.”

“Ma’am, I’m so sorry to bother you at this time.”

“Yes, it is a difficult—”

“Mrs. Harrington, your mother is on her way to Memorial Hospital. I’m sorry to inform you that she was in a serious automobile accident.”

I couldn’t process. I’d been thinking about her ever since our conversation yesterday. I’d been meaning to call her, wanting for the first time to call her. This couldn’t be happening, I asked, “Excuse me, what did you say?”

Parker spoke, “Officer, this is Parker Craven, Mrs. Harrington’s attorney. Can you tell us any more about Mrs. Sound?”

“Sir, Mrs. Sound is on her way to the trauma center at Memorial Hospital. I recommend that Mrs. Harrington go there immediately.”

“Thank you, officer. We’ll leave immediately,” Parker replied.

“Mrs. Harrington, you should know that we did a field sobriety test. Your mother’s blood alcohol content was .38 percent. Thankfully, no one else was involved in the accident.”

Covering my mouth, I gasped. “No, officer, that isn’t possible. My mother is a recovering alcoholic. She hasn’t had a drop of alcohol in almost twenty years.”

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. She did today. Please get to Memorial.”

It wasn’t even eleven in the morning. This wasn’t right. Why would Marilyn decide to go on a binge early in the morning? She wouldn’t. I knew that.

When I didn’t respond, Parker did. “She will, sir. Thank you.” He leaned over me and disconnected the line. “I’ll drive you. Let’s go.”

“No,” I shook my head. “I’ll be at the warehouse tomorrow, if I can.”

“You will. Unless you’re the one in the hospital, you’ll be there.”

I closed my eyes. “Yes, Parker, I’ll be there. Bring your proof.” When he narrowed his eyes, I rephrased, “Please bring your proof. Right now I need to get to my mother.”

“You’re in no condition to drive.”

Now he’s worried about my condition?
Asshole!
“I won’t drive. Travis will drive me.”

Parker’s jaw clenched. “We’ll discuss Mr. Daniel’s employment future after tomorrow.”

I nodded. He was fucking crazy if he thought this was the way it was going to be. Nonetheless, I could play the role. I’d been taught well.

Though everything within me wanted to run for the door, I sat unmoving, respectful, and complacent, while Parker slowly gathered his things, including the copy of his new contract and placed them in his briefcase. The motherfucker probably never thought I’d made a copy. When he turned to leave, he quipped, “Until tomorrow, Victoria. Best regards to your mother.”

Fucker!

My cell phone rang and the screen flashed: VAL.

VAL MET ME as I rushed from Travis’ SUV and ran into the emergency room. The crowd of people didn’t register as I looked at my sister’s face. She was a doctor; she was supposed to be better at hiding her emotion.

“Oh my God,” I said, as sobs erupted from my chest. “Is she dead?”

Val wrapped her arms around me. “No, she’s alive, barely.” She led me through doors, down hallways, and to an elevator. Next, we walked through more doors and hallways. Finally, we arrived at a small private room with chairs, a fish tank, and too many fake plants. “They know we’re here. The nurses will keep us updated as she’s in surgery.”