Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(42)

“Before Fitzgerald was consulted about his wife’s disappearance, Magnolia Woods contacted the Savannah-Chatham police. They’ve taken Mack in for questioning. If I’m to interpret the chatter correctly, they’re currently holding him under suspicion of aiding and abetting in Mrs. Fitzgerald’s kidnapping. They’re waiting for a ransom demand.”

“That won’t last when they learn it wasn’t a kidnapping.”

“No, but they can hold him for up to seventy-two hours. It’s a nice diversion and makes the police and Magnolia Woods feel like they’re doing something.”

“None of this has made the news? No leak at all?” I asked.

“Fitzgerald demanded radio silence. Porter, his attorney, claimed that at the very least the facility is negligent. Magnolia Woods wants it kept quiet and handled internally. They boast the wealthiest clientele. Losing one of them, especially one who was last seen unconscious, isn’t good for business. And the police want it kept quiet until they hear from the kidnapper. They’re concerned that media coverage will bring out false demands.”

I nodded. “Well, at least for now, that seems to be working.”

“From the feed at Hamilton and Porter, I’m expecting Alex and Chelsea to be subpoenaed back to Savannah sooner rather than later.”

The cool air was forgotten. “I’m not allowing her to go alone.”

“I didn’t expect you to.”

My mind went to Demetri Enterprises. I never thought I’d be happy to have Oren back in New York, but I was. I was relieved to know that he would be where I should be while I was away with Charli.

My bare skin prickled as the cold wind picked up. At the same moment, a rustling in the tree line caught my attention. My voice lowered. “Oren’s men are out here.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, we’ve spoken. You’re better protected right now than the president.”

“You’ve spoken?”

“Many times.”

“You still work for me.”

“Lennox, right now, we’re all working together.”

I let out a long breath. “I never thought I’d want that, not after he left and moved away, but now…”

“Be thankful.”

I nodded. “I am. I’m going inside to talk to him now and to find out how Charli’s mom is doing, before Charli wakes.”

“One more thing that you should know,” Deloris said.

“What?”

“Just because Edward Spencer is still behind bars, that doesn’t mean they won’t allow him to post bail. I’m sure there’ll be restrictions to ensure that he doesn’t flee, but I’d venture to guess that Mr. Fitzgerald will stop at nothing to get him out.”

“Even with a body?”

“Out until trial. If he’s convicted, which he should be, no one will be able to keep him from going behind bars.”

“I want him dead,” I confessed. “I want them both to be, and I want to be the one to do it.” I flexed the knuckles of my free hand. “I want them to know fear.”

“For a minute or for twenty years?”

I gave her question some thought as the waves blurred, giving the illusion of snow covering frozen water. “Twenty years.”

“Then let him hang himself,” Deloris said. “Without Chelsea’s corroboration, his defense is shaky at best. He does have the travel records. He was in California the night Chelsea was attacked, but let’s find out when Melissa was killed. Let’s see if he has a defense. That’s why they want the ladies back in Savannah. Ralph Porter is betting that they can vouch for his whereabouts.”

“You still have nothing on the ME’s report?”

“I’m waiting. I should learn as soon as Porter does.”

“Let us know.”

“I will. I’m driving up to Rye soon. I hope to convince Chelsea to allow me to take pictures of the abuse. They can be used to get her out of her agreement. Perhaps they could even be leaked to the press.”

“As with Melissa, there’s no way to prove that Spencer was the culprit.”

“No, but with the smoking guns stacking up, someone will eventually believe there’s a fire.”

“When do you plan to be here?”

“I want to get back to the discussion at Hamilton and Porter. Isaac is there in Rye. Since your father has the security taken care of, Isaac’s been concentrating on the manor’s surveillance. My computer pings every time Fitzgerald or either of the Spencers uses their phones. Clayton is listening too. We also have others. I know I can depend on them, but I personally want to hear the ME’s report.”

As I turned toward the windows, my own reflection became visible. I pulled the phone from my ear and looked at the screen. Lifting it back, I asked, “How did you access all their phones?”

“They all called the phone Alex was given. Once I had their numbers, the rest was easy.”

“I don’t say it enough, but damn, I’m glad you work for me.”

Deloris’s laugh made my cheeks rise. “You should be.”

I hung up the call as I eased back into the bedroom.

Charli hadn’t moved. Every bone in my body ached to climb back under the covers with her, to smell her sweet scent and bask in her warmth. My cock twitched, knowing she was completely nude under those blankets.