Fidelity Read online

  Both Vincent and Luca sat forward. “And you know for sure who hurt this woman?”

  Lennox nodded. “I know for sure.”

  “THE SECURITY?” VINCENT questioned. “You’re concerned for this woman’s safety.” He eyed me up and down. “Surely the Lennox Demetri I remember can handle the situation?”

  “I’d like nothing better.”

  “As I said,” Oren interjected, “I’m the one who called. I’m the one who asked for help. The girl was employed by a company under the Demetri umbrella. If the connection were to be made public, it could affect Demetri Enterprises.” My father tilted his head toward me. “Lennox is capable. It’s the repercussions I’m trying to avoid.”

  “This woman?” Luca asked. “Is she special?”

  “As a friend, nothing more,” I answered truthfully.

  “You see, not worth jeopardizing our good name or that of our company.”

  Vincent pressed his lips together and sat back, eyeing Oren and me back and forth. “What company?”

  I wasn’t sure where my father was going with this, but I hated the damn company. I was more than willing to have it implode. Fuck, I’d light the match and warm my hands over the blaze. I just didn’t want Chelsea, Patrick, or Cy to be left in the ashes. “Infidelity. I was the one who got Demetri involved. I even played a part in getting this woman the job. I should have called you for help, not Oren. It’s my doing that got us here. Thank you for your assistance.”

  Though Vincent seemed to be mulling over my answer, Luca nodded. “Infidelity, the website? Was she one of their models?”

  “Not exactly,” Oren replied, his eyes narrowing my direction.

  “Yet,” Vincent asked, “her safety is important enough for you to bring her here, to ask for my men to help keep her secure? I’m sensing more.”

  Before I could speak, my father leaned forward. “I made a promise. I keep my promises. I pay my debts and my share. Just as I have in the past.”

  “My father may have asked,” I interjected, “but only because he could. Vincent, we haven’t spoken in too long. I’ve neglected my family, you, and Luca. And even so, here you are. Your men are outside my doors. My father asked and you came. Thank you. It’s time for me to take responsibility for myself and recognize the ways you’ve helped me.”

  My gaze met Luca’s. There were too many unspoken acknowledgments.

  “No, Lennox,” Oren protested, “I called.”

  I turned back to Vincent. “May I?”

  “Call?” Vincent asked. “Of course! You’re family. Angelina’s boy. Her pride and joy. We’re here for you as it should be—as you are for us.”

  “No—”

  Vincent’s hand rose. “Oren, let the man talk. It appears that finally he has become one.”

  I couldn’t look at Oren. I knew this wasn’t what he wanted, but at the same time, he’d broken free of the Costellos. They were my blood, my family. I couldn’t let Charli’s family be the reason he was dragged back. No matter what history he had with Charli’s mother, Charli was my responsibility.

  “You’re dating?” Luca asked.

  “I am.”

  He nodded. “I’ve seen pictures. I recall one from Central Park.”

  My stomach suddenly twisted. “Wrong place, wrong time.”

  “Ten millimeter. Most likely shot from a Glock 20. Automatic with a magazine that holds fifteen rounds, yet only one shot was fired.”

  Oren and I stared at Luca. None of that was common knowledge. “How? How do you know that?” I asked.

  “Family,” Vincent replied.

  “What are you saying?” Oren asked.

  “When family, even those we haven’t seen in years, is threatened in our backyard, we look into it.”

  “Look into it?”

  “We have friends. We have enemies. Sometimes threatening the most unlikely of targets can have the desired ripple effect.”

  “You think Lennox was shot at because of the Costellos?” my father asked.

  Vincent shook his head. “Not anymore. We had to be sure.”

  “The woman you’re dating,” Luca said with his elbows now on his knees. “She’s from a good family?”

  “I suppose that’s subjective,” I said. “Good as in wealthy. I don’t give a fuck about her money.”

  Luca’s lips pressed together. “Not what I meant. I meant good as in sneaky as fuck.”

  Adrenaline raced through my veins as my fists clenched. “What do you mean?”

  “You’ve also been working with some high-powered people on some interesting drug deals.”

  I scoffed. “You make it sound like I’m selling coke on the corner. It’s legal drugs.”

  “Like alcohol,” Vincent interjected.

  “Similar.”

  “Not legal everywhere, not for recreational use,” Luca responded. “We were worried about our enemies, but Lennox, you have your share.”

  “The shooting was aimed at me? You’re sure?” Part of me was relieved to know it wasn’t meant for Charli. Another part of me was furious as fuck. Who had the balls to shoot at me, especially with Charli present?

  “Not without the shooter can we be sure. The shooter was a gun for hire. Not someone from around us. If it were, we’d know. The money trail has gone cold. The operation was well done—a professional. The entire operation. They knew your location. Their only mistake is that you’re still here.”

  Oren stood. “Is that a threat?”

  Vincent waved my father back to his seat. “No. It’s a relief. We’re still looking for the shooter. The bullshit on the news about the husband was genius.”

  “Diversion,” I said.

  “It was a good move.”

  “Where do you think the money came from? Who put this plan into play?”

  “I’m not sure about the money,” Luca answered. “As I said, the trail went cold. But that level of expertise can’t be found on Craigslist. Whoever hired the shooter knew who to contact, knew your schedule, and your vulnerability. My first area of concern is your inner circle. Do you walk through Central Park every day?”

  I shook my head, my mind going through everyone on my personal security detail.

  “Do you know anyone with those kinds of connections?” he asked.

  I shrugged, mulling over my list of suspects. At one time I’d thought maybe it was Charli’s family, trying to scare her back to Savannah. It wasn’t only my concern, but one Deloris had mentioned. That was before we really knew Charli. Now that I do, I doubt that Alton Fitzgerald has those connections, and I was confident that Spencer wasn’t smart enough to pull it off.

  And then I recalled advice Deloris had given me, telling me that around Severus Davis, a bulletproof vest was warranted. His expression when I appeared at the Senate Finance Committee had been one of surprise. It wasn’t enough proof, but it warranted investigation. “Let me give it some thought.”

  Luca changed the subject. “This Chelsea Moore, was she seriously injured?”

  “No broken bones, but her injuries aren’t all physical,” I replied.

  “She’s a friend of your girlfriend, yet you’re responsible for her recent employment?”

  “I’ve made mistakes.”

  Vincent abruptly stood and extended his hand, first to Oren. “We will go now. My men are your men as long as you need them.”

  Oren met him as we all stood. “Thank you.”

  Vincent turned to me, extending his hand again. “My men need a name.”

  “Vincent,” Oren began, “I think we’re working on it.”

  With our hands still clasped, he said to Oren, “You’re not the only one who repays debts.” And back to me, “I’ve watched you. Despite the accomplishments you’ve achieved, the ones the world considers important…” His wide shoulders shrugged. “…those your mother surely thought important, college, business school, and even your fighting, I’ve not until tonight seen the man Angelina wanted you to be.” He nodded as a thin smile graced
his thick lips. “She was proud of you, but I believe that she is even more proud now. Tonight, Lennox, you impressed me. Whatever you need, ask, call. Keeping your company scandal-free benefits us all. This woman, this girl, should not have been hurt. Give me a name.”

  My gaze met Oren’s. If I did this, I knew what I was doing. I knew what it meant. I also knew I wanted Edward Spencer to pay.

  “For a moment or for twenty years?” Deloris’s question came back.

  Edward Spencer was in jail. Assuming the charges stuck, he would suffer for years to come. Did I want him to suffer for only a moment? Removing him from the equation wouldn’t be difficult while he was out on bail. We all knew that was coming.

  Then again, was he the only one I wanted to pay?

  Charli had argued that her devil was more evil than mine. Perhaps she’d been partially right—if Oren were my only devil, but he wasn’t. Mine was an entire family. Maybe it was time for the showdown.

  A DAY LATER, I was pacing the living room of the hotel suite. Outside the open draperies and stories below, Savannah bustled. Even though it was November, the tourists continued to walk the cobblestone streets and browse the shops. As a child I’d never understood the fascination. Now after traveling and living elsewhere, I did. Compared to New York, the Georgia air was balmy and the historical heritage that I’d taken for granted gave visitors days of sightseeing opportunities.

  There were even Christmas decorations beginning to line the streets and sparkle in windows.

  The new phone in my hand vibrated with the text I’d been waiting for.

  Deloris: “TWO O’CLOCK AT THE SAVANNAH-CHATHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT. YOU’RE MEETING WITH DETECTIVE PAMELA MEANS. DARYL OWEN WILL ACCOMPANY YOU AND CHELSEA.”

  I exhaled. I’d prefer Nox by my side, but legal counsel would be best. Other than having Mr. Owen beside me, I planned to appear the naïve heiress until the time was right to show my hand.

  Deloris and Nox spent hours on the Batplane and again in the hotel suite last night explaining my grandfather’s will. I needed to learn to accept their information instead of question it, yet at times like this it was difficult. It took me time to wrap my mind around the idea that Nox, Oren, and Deloris had secured a document that I’d never seen and my mother hadn’t seen until recently.

  Granted, the implications of the document were far-reaching, going way beyond my marriage and inheritance. There were pages, articles, and sections devoted to Montague Corporation, the structure and divisions. I wasn’t the naïve girl Alton made me out to be, but quite honestly, it was beyond my understanding. My undergraduate degree in political science and business gave me some foundation, but what my grandfather had engineered was not a typical business structure.

  As a family-owned-and-operated company, there was a provision that allowed the subsidiaries to be publicly traded. That was a substantial portion of the corporation. As publicly traded commodities under the Montague umbrella, news of Bryce’s arrest in connection with our marriage would most certainly affect the value of the stock. Nox and Oren had people watching the numbers.

  I’d never expected to care about Montague Corporation, but knowing now that my mother had the right to the company, I did. Unfortunately, the arrest of Edward Carmichael Spencer was the headline on many cable financial networks as well as publications questioning his connection to Montague Corporation. Even the Montague machine couldn’t keep the news hidden. After all, a body had been found.

  The bit of news we didn’t see on either TV or the Internet was talk of my marriage. They discussed the engagement party on the night of Bryce’s arrest but that was the extent of it. Nox, however, had seen the license. Even the police had referred to me as Mrs. Spencer, but sometime since Saturday night, that information seemed to disappear. No doubt it would be considered less significant than Bryce’s arrest and the discovery of Melissa’s body. There was even one broadcast that showed protesters outside the gates of Carmichael Hall.

  Perhaps Deloris had been right and we wouldn’t need to fight the marriage.

  It was the infrastructure and the governing board of directors of Montague Corporation that interested Deloris and Nox. I’d been surprised to learn that the board was elected. That was until they explained that the structure currently in place only allowed the shareholders to vote upon and elect the board.

  Montague Corporation had few shareholders. Nearly ninety-percent of the stock was owned by my mother and me. All of our shares were managed by Alton. While on his own he had no rights, he held the legal power of attorney as Momma’s husband and my fiduciary guardian. With that power, he’d elected the board of directors. That board of directors had named him CEO.

  Quid pro quo at its finest.

  If my marriage to Bryce never occurred or was annulled, without the codicil Montague Corporation and all Montague assets would revert to Fitzgerald Investments—Alton would be financially set. With the codicil, Montague assets would revert to the rightful heirs, Momma and me. However, the corporation was different. With the codicil in effect, the board of directors would be dissolved and Montague Corporation would become a publicly traded entity.

  According to Nox, the news of Bryce’s arrest, in conjunction with our engagement party and being named heir apparent of Montague Corporation, could most likely produce one of two possible outcomes. First, when the stock became public, Mother and I could purchase the shares at a seemingly reduced price and maintain control. As the primary stockholders, we would receive the right to any remaining assets after liquidation. In essence, we would buy Montague Corporation from ourselves and reap the profit as well as the loss.

  In the second scenario, we could lose control of the corporation to investors ready to pounce on a wounded but historically profitable entity. Theoretically, anyone, including Alton, could purchase the controlling interest.

  Both Nox and Deloris wanted me to understand my grandfather’s will in its entirety before meeting with Ralph. They were convinced that Alton would try to manipulate things to his advantage. We just had no idea how far he’d go.

  DARYL OWEN WAS a tall, handsome man with dark chocolate colored skin. He appeared younger than Ralph and Alton, but older than Nox.

  “Miss Collins, it’s nice to meet you.”

  I smiled at his greeting, thankful to hear Collins instead of Spencer. “Thank you for helping us.”

  A little after noon, he joined Chelsea, Nox, Deloris, and me in the hotel suite to prepare us for our meeting. While we knew from the chatter that Deloris had heard that Ralph Porter wanted our statements, it was decided that our help could be best given to the state in building its case.

  Mr. Owen wanted Chelsea and me to know that his presence was specifically to help us stay on topic and avoid giving more information than necessary. Our statements weren’t under oath nor were they testimony. Neither of us was on trial. We were simply witnesses who were both in contact with Bryce on the day before the murder. I was also with him on Saturday night. The police were working on establishing a timeline before the arraignment.

  Undoubtedly, Hamilton and Porter would want to speak to us too. Mr. Owen advised we wait until after the meeting with the detective. More than likely, it would be the prosecutor who could benefit from our testimony. Ralph just didn’t know that yet.

  The unofficial nature of this meeting was why our voluntary appearance at the police station was important. It was why we’d flown back to Savannah.

  “I’ve verified that Mr. Spencer will not be present,” Mr. Owen said.

  My pulse quickened as I looked to Chelsea.

  “We thought he was still in jail,” Nox said.

  “He is; the arraignment is tomorrow morning.”

  “Tomorrow? We assumed it would be today,” Deloris commented.

  Mr. Owen nodded. “The state requested time. They have up to seventy-two hours to file. Even Hamilton and Porter can’t force them to file faster. There won’t be a bail hearing until after the arraignment.”

 
; I thought about Melissa, something I hadn’t done before. It was probably the news coverage. I’d seen her picture multiple times. She was young and pretty, a simple Midwestern beauty. The newspeople were playing that up: an innocent college freshman who made the mistake of getting involved with an older man. The assumption was hilarious. They were painting Bryce as the older man. It was the same argument I’d used when Bryce first asked for my help, when I’d been appalled at her youth. In reality, Bryce was eight years her senior, but she’d been living with a much older man.

  It wasn’t that man’s primary residence. That was with his wife. According to the news, this unnamed man was a family friend who traveled to the Chicago area routinely for business. Since his apartment sat empty when he wasn’t there, he allowed Melissa to stay there. Though the media tried to make more out of it, nothing had been uncovered.

  “You expect there to be bail?” I asked.

  “Given the defendant and his connections, yes.”

  “But surely the severity of the charges…”

  “Miss Collins, this is still Savannah. He is still being funded by Montague money. All Hamilton and Porter needs to do is convince Mr. Spencer to plead not guilty and persuade the judge that he’s not a danger to society…” He looked at Chelsea; her bruised cheek had faded to green and yellow, but it was still evident. “…nor a flight risk. If they can do that, they can request bail.”

  “What if he is a danger?” Chelsea asked.

  Mr. Owen nodded. “That’s what can be discussed today, unofficially.”

  We’d hoped to slip into the police station unnoticed. As we pulled up to the curb, it was obvious that wouldn’t happen. The sidewalk was lined with reporters and along the street were various large trucks with station letters painted on the side.

  Clayton brought the limousine to a stop in front of the chaos.

  Nox reached for my hand. “Princess, I want to go in there with you.”

  “I think it’ll add to the rumors. After all, we still don’t know if I’m supposedly married.”