Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(25)
“What evidence do you have connecting my client to any of these charges?” Mr. Owen asked.
“He was there. He admitted that.”
“Circumstantial,” Stephen said. “So were over a hundred other people.”
“He just admitted to rescuing a woman from Mr. Fitzgerald, the CEO of Montague Corporation and the owner of the private property where he trespassed. The same Mr. Fitzgerald who was assaulted.”
“There was no admission. At the most you have circumstantial evidence for simple battery. My client can post bond and be out of here in less than an hour.”
“We’re getting the video footage from the mansion.”
Mr. Owen nodded. “Fine, and when you do, be sure to watch for the evidence that my client mentioned—that against Mr. Fitzgerald. You heard Mr. Demetri: Miss Collins could very easily follow through on her charges.”
“And let him know,” I said, “that she will also be filing forgery charges for falsifying her signature on a legal document.”
Detective Holden stood and pushed the chair back under the table.
“I’ll speak to Mr. Fitzgerald’s attorney and be back with you.”
“Mr. Demetri,” Stephen asked, “are you able to post bond tonight if necessary?”
“Yes.”
The detective stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “You were at Montague Manor all evening?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure of the exact time.”
“Were you there by eight o’clock?”
“Detective,” Mr. Owen said, “why are you asking?”
He looked at me. “Do you know Mrs. Spencer’s mother?”
“I don’t know a Mrs. Spencer,” I replied.
“Mr. Demetri, what do you know about Mrs. Fitzgerald?”
Stephen’s gaze met mine.
“I know she’s been ill and her daughter’s been very concerned. That’s why she came back to Savannah.”
“Yet she was willing to leave Savannah with her mother in grave condition?”
“She was willing to go to our home and away from Mr. Fitzgerald.” I squared my shoulders. “Between Miss Collins and myself, we’re capable of affording her transportation to visit her mother as often as necessary.”
The detective nodded as he opened the door.
Nearly an hour later, Detective Holden returned. “Mr. Owen, Mr. Crawford, if your client will agree to an off-the-record conversation, perhaps we can get this unfortunate situation resolved?”
Mr. Owen looked my direction and back to the detective. “Off-the-record conversation with whom?”
“A private, off-the-record conversation with Mr. Fitzgerald.”
Mr. Owen shook his head. “Lennox, I would advise against this.”
“Detective, can you guarantee this is off the record?”
“Yes.”
“Lennox…”
“Gentlemen, please step outside for a moment. I would be happy to speak with Mr. Fitzgerald.”
IT WAS ALMOST three in the morning by the time we pulled up to the house in Rye. Exhaustion had taken over long ago. My body and mind were running on adrenaline and even that had begun to wane.
“Alex, do you need me to go in with you?”
I squinted my eyes, trying to understand Deloris’s question. “You’re not staying here?”
“I can but I’d like to go home.”
The door to the house opened as Silvia stood, wrapped in a robe.
I forced a smile. “I guess I never think of you as having your own place.”
“Since you’ve come along, I seem to see it less and less.”
“Go,” I said as Clayton opened the car door. The offending wind reminded me that I was no longer in Georgia. Despite the onslaught of goose bumps, Silvia’s tired, welcoming smile filled me with warmth. After Chelsea and I were out of the car, I turned back to Deloris. “We’ll be fine. Besides, Nox is on his way.”
We’d all received a text from Isaac just after we’d landed. We didn’t know the particulars, only that the charges had been dropped and Nox and Isaac were New York bound.
As we started to walk toward the open door, I added, “Thank you, Deloris, and I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” she asked.
“That I’ve kept you away from your home.” I tilted my head. “Why did you come all the way out here if you’re going back to the city?”
“I promised Lennox I’d get you to this property. I wasn’t stopping until you were here. Go see your mom.”
“Clayton?” I asked.
“He’s driving me back. He’ll be here tomorrow and soon Lennox and Isaac will be too. Don’t worry. You’re well protected.”
My lungs filled with the cold night air as I scanned the grounds around the driveway and front of the house. Images of men in black clothing hiding behind trees came to mind. No doubt, delirium had begun to set in. Shaking my head, I stepped inside. As soon as I did, Silvia shut the door and wrapped her arms around me in a welcoming embrace. “Alex, I’m so glad you made it.”
I smiled as we separated. “My mom?” I still couldn’t comprehend that she was here, in Nox’s home.