The Deception

by Marina Martindale

  After saying a final goodbye, Jonathan stepped out. George walked him to his car.

  "Go ahead and send me your bill, Jonathan."

  "Thanks, but this one's on the house. Hey, before I go, can I ask you something?"

  "Sure. What is it?"

  "Isn't he supposed to be her attorney? Because what I just saw in there sure didn't look like an attorney-client relationship."

  "He was her attorney, but not anymore. He's taken himself off her case. They had a prior relationship that goes way back and apparently nature has taken its course. I've known Alex for years. He's a good guy and he'll do right by her. They deserve a long, happy life together, I just hope she lives long enough for that happen."

  Jonathan shuddered. "What are you saying?"

  "I was a homicide detective for years, and whenever I get a really bad feeling, like the one I'm getting now, it usually doesn't end well. Stay safe, my friend."

  Thirty-Three

  Carrie locked her office door and Alex walked her to her car, slipping behind the wheel as she got into the passenger seat. She still felt too shaken to drive, although Alex was just as shook as she was. Both were silent as he merged the car onto the freeway.

  "When does the nightmare end?" she finally asked.

  "I don't know, Carrie-Anne. I'm starting to lose a bit of faith in the system myself."

  "Really? So were does that leave me? I want my life back. I have a business to run and I'd like to be able to go home. I appreciate all you're doing for me, I honestly do, but I can't keep imposing on you like this."

  "Don't be silly, Carrie-Anne. You're not imposing. Not one bit." For the first time that afternoon, Alex smiled. "It's a big house and you're still my best friend. You're welcome to stay as long as you like. Besides, I kind of enjoy being with you."

  "Well, I would certainly hope so." Her tone sounded somewhat flirtatious. "And I enjoy being there, but it's still your home, Alex, not mine. You don't need to have me there twenty-four seven. Which, on a more serious note, brings up something that I need to talk to you about."

  Alex suddenly felt a knot in his stomach. "What's up?"

  "I'm doing a project for J. Duncan Advertising. They're one of the biggest agencies in town."

  "I know who they are. They've done some work for us too."

  "I see. So earlier today, before everything fell to pieces, I was shooting some photos for an ad campaign they're doing for a motorcycle company. They've also asked to me to do some work on location."

  "Where?"

  "All the way up the west coast. I'll be working with Carlos and Tina, the two models I had in my studio today. We start in San Diego and work our way up to Seattle. It's a big opportunity for me, Alex."

  "I understand," he replied. "How long would you be gone?"

  "Two weeks--longer if we have bad weather along the way. At first I wasn't sure about doing it with Allie's wedding coming up, but now, after what just happened, I know I made the right decision. I need a time out. I need to be someplace where I don't have to walk around in fear."

  "I understand, Carrie-Anne." He let out a sigh. "On one hand, I'll miss you like crazy, but on the other hand, I'll feel relieved knowing you'll be safely out of Maggie's reach. With any luck, they'll nab her while you're gone. When are you leaving?"

  "A week from Sunday, which means I should be back around the first of October, and the wedding isn't until the last weekend of the month."

  There was another reason why Carrie took the job. As much as she cared for Alex, a part of her was still unsure about another serious relationship. She needed a chance to sort out her feelings. Alex was quiet for the rest of the drive. To him, two weeks sounded like an eternity. They soon pulled into his office parking lot.

  "Do you have a few minutes?"

  "Sure," she replied. "What's up?"

  "I know you have an appointment to meet with Reggie next week. However, before I left, she mentioned she had some time this afternoon, if you feel like talking."

  "Of course."

  Alex escorted her inside the building and accompanied her to Reggie's office. After making the proper introductions, Reggie told her to take a seat.

  "Are you alright?" she asked as Carrie took her chair.

  "I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever felt so scared in my life."

  "It was bad, Reggie." Alex pulled up the chair next to Carrie's. "Her life's definitely been threatened, but it turns out Scott Andrews has an alibi for the day the letter was mailed."

  "I see," said Reggie, "and speaking of the man, would you like know who his attorney is?"

  "Of course."

  "Fredrick Carlton Lancaster."

  "Really." Alex sounded astonished. "Then Scott Andrews must have made good money while he was with Morton-Evans."

  "Who is this guy?" asked Carrie.

  "Fredrick Carlton Lancaster, or Freddie, as he likes to call himself, is Phoenix's answer to the O.J. Simpson dream team," explained Alex. "The guy's a shrew. If I were a criminal defense attorney, he's who I'd aspire to be. He's been around for a good thirty years, and rumor has it that all that time he's never once had a client get convicted. It's a safe bet that not only will all the charges against Scott be dropped, he'll conduct his own investigation as well. If there's even the slightest hint of any wrongdoing on the FBI's part, Lancaster will undoubtedly turn around and file a civil suit against them for wrongful arrest. If that should happen, Scott Andrews will end up being a very rich man. So what about our mutual case?"

  "That's what I wanted to talk to you about," said Reggie. "Freddie called me this morning to let me know that as of now he's representing Scott in the civil case as well. Louise doesn't stand a chance. Meantime, Carrie, I'm getting copies of all your phone records. They should help prove that you and Scott didn't know one another before Allison introduced you that night at Hanson Sisters, and that you had no contact whatsoever for several weeks prior to the files being uploaded."

  "Jonathan Fields got the same information today from my computers. He said he'll send you a report as soon as it's ready. So what happens next?"

  "You're done," said Reggie with a smile. "All that's left for me to do is file a motion for summary judgment, which I'll be doing as soon as I get all the reports and I take depositions from George and Betty McCormick, and Jonathan Fields. Don't worry, the judge should rule in our favor. Please keep in mind, however, that it will take several weeks for me to get all my documentation, and that once the motion is filed it, may take some time to get a hearing date."

  "I see," said Carrie. "So what's a summary judgment?"

  "In layman's terms, a summary judgment means we're asking the judge to dismiss Louise's claim against you before the case before it goes to trial because there is no issue to be resolved, by either a judge or a jury. So there you have it."

  "I know you're also going to ask the court to order Louise to pay my legal expenses, but as I mentioned to Alex on the way over here, I've just picked up a project that's going to pay very well, so I'd like to start taking care of your bill. There's no guarantee the judge will order her to pay, or that she'd comply if he did. But after what I went through with my mother's nursing home, I'd like to be debt free."

  "Don't worry about it, Carrie," said Reggie. "It's all ready been taken care of. You have a guardian angel. An anonymous donor has come forward to pick up your tab."

  "What? I don't understand. Who would do that, unless it was you?" She looked at Alex with a smile.

  "Don't look at me, I was working pro bono, remember? I was just as surprised as you are. Reggie and I think it's the Mercer brothers."

  Carrie shook her head. "No, it wouldn't be them. Neither one of them were particularly close to their dad and I hardly knew them. In fact, I can only recall meeting them one time. We were filming one of the last TV commercials that I ever did, and for some reason they decided to come and watch. Both of them were rude and condescending. They wouldn't even shake my hand when we were introduced. I could s
ee it in their eyes. As far as they were concerned, I was beneath them. I could see their father coming forward to help me, if he were still alive, but not the two boys."

  "Well, then, I suppose it could be Mrs. Mercer," said Reggie. "So far as I know she's still around. The point is, Carrie, you have a friend out there, but the donor has stipulated that he or she remain anonymous. It's a gift. Take it for what it is and let's focus on finding out who really did this to you."

  "I'm on it," said Alex. "I talked to George before we left Carrie's office. He's going to pull out all the stops to prove it was Maggie."

  "Good to know, and speaking of your office, Carrie, I've also contacted your landlord. I told them you needed more space, and it turns out they have a small office building, less than a mile from here, that's completely vacant. You'll have a little more square footage in a better location to boot. They're willing to transfer your current lease over, so you need to call them to make arrangements."

  "Thank you, Reggie," she said. "I'll get on it first thing tomorrow morning. Meantime I'm renaming my business L.J. Reed Photography, in honor of my mother. Her maiden name was Linda Joyce Reed. Alex is working on that."

  "And I've all ready sent in the paperwork."

  "Then it sounds like we're good to go," concluded Carrie. "So, if you all don't mind, I'd really like to go home now. I've had one hell of a day. Thank you again, Reggie, for everything you've done for me." The two women shook hands and Alex walked Carrie back to her car.

  "Are you going to be okay until I get home?"

  "I'll be fine. I'll see you then."

  Alex kissed her goodbye before she got into her car and headed back to his house.

  Thirty-Four

  Carrie called her landlord the following morning and looked at his vacant office building. It had plenty of space to accommodate her growing business and she loved the location. It was close to her apartment and a five-minute drive away from Alex's office. She took him to see it that evening. He too was pleased. The following week she signed the paperwork and made arrangements for a contractor to renovate the interior. If all went according to plan, her new studio would be ready by the end of October.

  J. Duncan Advertising made the final arrangements for the location shoot and Carrie soon received her itinerary. It would take two weeks and she and the two models would travel by rented minivan. It would be a scenic, but busy journey, with photo sessions scheduled each day in a different coastal town. They'd have the weekend off in San Francisco and would finish up the following weekend in Seattle.

  Carrie picked up the van on Saturday and Alex looked like a sad puppy as he helped her load it. He took her out to dinner that night, and when they got home they experienced one of their most intense lovemaking sessions ever. Both were unusually quiet the next morning. As soon as breakfast was over it would be time for Carrie to leave. Alex walked her out to the van.

  "You're sure you've got everything?"

  "Yes, Alex, I'm sure."

  "They checked out the van and you've got a full tank of gas."

  "Yes, Alex." She gave him a smile. "The van is good to go."

  "You've got your camera, and all your bags, and you've got something to drink."

  "Right here."

  She opened the driver's side door, and as she put her water bottle into the console, she suddenly realized that saying goodbye to Alex was harder than she thought. She felt herself fighting back tears. He wrapped his arms around her and they held one another close before he finally broke the silence.

  "I'm proud of you, Carrie-Anne. This is a big feather in your cap."

  "I know."

  "I just wish you weren't going to be gone for so long."

  "It's only two weeks." Except now two weeks seemed like a very long time to her as well. She felt a tear rolling down her cheek. "I'll call you the minute we get there, I promise. I've left you a copy of my itinerary, and I'll text and email you everyday."

  "Me too." Alex's voice sounded strained. "Like I said before, Carrie-Anne, I don't want you to worry about anything while you're gone. Not about Scott, or Maggie or your case. We'll all pray that by the time you return they'll have Maggie locked up and this whole nightmare will finally be over."

  He gave her a long, lingering goodbye kiss. Once it was over, she returned the kiss before climbing into the van. He stood by as she programed the GPS device. They had one final kiss before he closed the van door. Carrie fastened her seat belt and rolled down the window.

  "Call me as soon as you get to San Diego."

  "I will."

  "And by the way, I have a surprise for you once you get there."

  "You do? What is it?"

  "Now if I told you it would spoil the surprise. Drive safe, Carrie-Anne. You're still my best friend."

  He watched as she started up the engine and began to drive away. She looked into the rearview mirror, watching him wave goodbye as she headed down the hill. She suddenly felt a deep pang of loneliness shoot through her body. It too was unexpected.

  She stopped to pick up Carlos and Tina before heading west on the Interstate. As the hours passed they began sharing their stories. Both were part-time college students doing modeling work to help finance their educations. They reminded Carrie of her own youth and she began to see them as kindred spirits when she described her time as a child model.

  The drive to San Diego passed quickly. By midafternoon they entered the city and were in awe of the spectacular view of the bay. The GPS guided them to their motel and Carlos helped unload their bags. Carrie followed him as he carried her bag into her room, thanking him as he stepped out. Her room may not have been as plush as her suite at the Double-Diamond Resort, but the accommodations were clean and comfortable.

  She opened a window, taking in the cool ocean air before grabbing her phone. She plopped down on the bed and called Alex. He was relieved to hear she'd arrived safely and she realized she missed him more than she thought. After ending the call, she grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. She surfed until she found a news channel. A short time later she heard a knock on the door. She looked through the peephole, expecting to see Carlos or Tina. Instead it was a young couple with a small child. The woman was also very pregnant. She cautiously opened the door.

  "Hey, there, Carrie Daniels. Long time no see," said the man.

  "Of course," she replied, not wanting to tip her hand. He looked somewhat familiar, although she couldn't quite place him.

  "What, you don't remember me?" He turned to the woman. "She doesn't remember me. She doesn't have a clue."

  As he turned back to face Carrie, she noticed his features were similar to his brother's. However he was taller, with a stockier build, and his wavy hair was dark brown.

  "Mark? Mark Montoya?"

  "That would be me." He gave her a quick hug.

  "My gosh, you're all grown up. You were a sophomore in high school the last time I saw you. You were starting to get tall, but you were a lot thinner." She invited them in and Mark introduced her to his wife, Olivia. "And who is this?" She knelt down to see the young boy at eye level. His looks reminded her of his uncle.

  "That's Jacob," Mark proudly announced. "He's two and a half."

  "Hi, Jacob." She gently stroked the top of his head. At first the child seemed a little unsure, then he smiled and hugged her. She looked up at Mark.

  "Do you mind?"

  "Not at all."

  Carrie picked the boy up and started talking to him. It was obvious that she loved children and had strong maternal instincts. Mark asked if she had any plans for dinner.

  "Not yet. My two models mentioned something about eating in. They both need to be well rested for tomorrow morning, so it looks like I'm free and available, although I can't make it a late night either. We have to be up before dawn. We start right after sunrise."

  "Not a problem," said Olivia. "When you have a two-year-old, you don't do late nights."

  "Yep," agreed Mark. "Kids really change your life, but you
get used to it after while."

  They headed out to Mark's Jeep. Olivia offered to take the backseat with Jacob, but Carrie wouldn't hear of it. They took her to the San Diego Maritime Museum for a late afternoon stroll. She stopped to photograph the ships, including the famous Star of India. The USS Midway was docked nearby. The retired carrier had also been turned into a museum. She pointed out the big ship.

  "That's where we'll be doing our shoot. The dealer will deliver the motorcycle at five o'clock tomorrow morning. We have to be out of there before nine, when the museum opens to the public. After that we head up to Venice Beach for our next shoot."

  "Sounds like you're going to be busy," said Mark.

  "Yep."

  Carrie hoped the next two weeks would pass quickly. She was already missing Alex. They walked to a nearby seafood restaurant, getting a table by a window looking over the pier.

  "Mark didn't hang around us that much," she explained to Olivia after they were seated. "He was the big man on campus and he had his own circle of friends. Alex and I did our own thing. The challenge was keeping Mark and his buddies out of our way."

  "Everyone loved me. What else can I say?"

  Mark went on the tell Carrie about going to college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Like his brother, he'd won a scholarship. He went to graduate school at USC where he met Olivia, who worked in one of the college libraries. They'd been married five years, and the new baby was due in six weeks. Their dinner soon arrived. Carrie offered to help Jacob with his meal.

  "You have a real knack for kids," observed Olivia. "Do you have any at home?"

  "Unfortunately no. I wasted ten years on a relationship with the wrong guy. Now I'm in my thirties. I'd really like to have a couple kids, but I'm not sure it'll happen."

  "It'll happen," said Mark, matter-of-factly.

  Carrie decided to change the subject, but once the meal was finished Jacob started getting fussy.

  "Almost bedtime, huh?"

  She put the child in her lap and tried to calm him down. Her efforts worked as he soon nodded off. When the time came to leave, she carried him back to the Jeep, somehow managing to get him into his car seat without waking him.