Deception (Infidelity #3)(101)

“You’re getting yourself agitated.”

“No,” I said convincingly. “I’m not getting myself anything. I want to see the ledger for my father’s papers, for his last will and testament.”

“All right. Have a seat. Let me pull it up on my computer.”

I sat back down as my heart beat in time with the keys of his computer, too fast, as he clicked and searched for the file.

“Laide,” he said, turning a large screen my direction. “Here it is. You see the last person to access the documents was your husband over five years ago.”

I shook my head. “That’s not true. I watched Stephen enter our names every time I was here.”

Ralph pursed his lips. “Perhaps I should call Alton? Do you have a driver?”

“Stop it!” I declared. “I was here.”

“Yes, of course. Now, you aren’t driving, are you?”

I narrowed my gaze. “Ralph Porter, I don’t know what you’re trying to do or to pull, but I want you to access those papers. I want to see them this afternoon.”

“They’re in storage and haven’t seen the light of day as I said, for years. It would take one of the paralegals at least a day to locate them.”

I clamped my lips together. “I’m not leaving.”

His head tilted apologetically to the side. “Laide, I would if I could. You don’t have access.”

“What do you mean, I don’t have access? I’m Adelaide Montague Fitzgerald. I’m joint heir to Charles Montague II with my daughter, Alexandria.”

“Dear, we’ve established who you are.”

“As I said two months ago, you will show me those papers or I’ll take Montague’s business somewhere else…” I tried to recall the name of the new firm in town. Surely they’d be happy to gain the Montague business. “Preston, Madden, and Owen.”

Ralph tapped again on his computer and the screen changed. I narrowed my eyes as I made out the top of the page. It was obviously a scan of a paper document. The first line read: Power of Attorney.

“What?” I asked again.

“Laide, this is why you don’t have access.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know. We all know. Do as the doctors say. When you’re better—in a better frame of mind—I’m sure we can have the order reversed.”

“My state of mind is fine!”

Ralph touched a button on his phone and Natalie’s voice filled the room. “Yes, Mr. Porter?”

“Natalie, could you please call Mrs. Fitzgerald a cab? And then I’ll drive her car. I can’t in good conscience allow her to drive.”

I stood again, clenching my purse to my stomach. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’m going.”

“Adelaide, I really must insist.”

When he stepped toward me, I backed away. “Do not touch me, Ralph. If you do I’ll leave here and go directly to that new firm and sue your ass for sexual assault.”

He lifted his hands, palms toward me. “I’m trying to help you.”

“Help me? How did you make that document without my signature? I’d never give up my rights.”

Ralph leaned over the desk and reached for his mouse. Scrolling down the document, two maybe three pages later, he pointed. There it was—my signature. “You did. On this document and on the medical power of attorney. You understood that your husband is in a better state to make your decisions.” He took another step toward me. “Just as you did twenty years ago when you signed over your voting rights on the Board of Trustees of Montague Corporation. It’s what Charles wanted. He wanted someone to take care of you.

“Are you sure I can’t call Alton?”

My mind spun in confusion. “No.” I was less convincing than earlier. “Ralph, I’m perfectly capable of driving.”

“I don’t want to have to defend a DUI lawsuit where you’re deemed incapable of driving.”

“DUI?” I asked. “I’m not under the influence. I have not had a drink all day.”

His eyes went over to the conference table. My breath stuttered as I followed his gaze. On the table was an open bottle of wine. I recognized the label without reading it: Montague Private Collection. The bottle was open with two glasses sitting near, one empty but obviously used with my shade of lipstick on the rim. The other glass was nearly full.

“I understand that this is difficult on you,” Ralph said. “You know that we’re here for you?”

I shook my head slowly, but the tempo increased as I held tighter to my purse. “No! I didn’t have a drink. I didn’t.”

“Mr. Porter,” Natalie said from the doorway. “I’d be happy to drive Mrs. Fitzgerald, and then you can drive her car?”

I turned to Natalie. “Do you remember our conversation about Del Mar?”

She smiled, sweet and sad. “I’m sorry, no. But it is a lovely place. Have you been?”

“Adelaide,” Ralph said, “please give me your keys and we won’t need to mention this to Alton.”

I swallowed as I looked from Ralph to Natalie.

Alton. He’d be mortified that I’d made a scene, even if I didn’t remember making it. Also, he’d question why I was here and possibly learn that I knew about the codicil.